What are the major problems with the evolutionist practice of Essay - 1

What are the major problems with the evolutionist practice of classifying cultures into stages of progressive development - Essay Example 87). This evolutionary progression of societies and cultures was highly applauded, as most anthropologists touted it as the preeminent means of truly understanding the societal setting in terms of development. Through this, such social anthropologists and theorists as Henry Morgan highly relied on this conception of social evolutionism to describe the various developmental stages that societies and cultures were undergoing. This position perceived societal and cultural differences as being the result of the given societies undergoing varied stages of the social evolutionistic phases (Evans-Pritchard 2004, p. 112). However, with the continued research and analysis, speculations have arisen over the realism of this social theory of classifying cultures into varied developmental stages. The emerging contemporary view on this was that the theory has imperfections and cannot be fully referred to in explanation of the cultural diversities and differences that exist (Kuper 1988, p. 199). While the earlier anthropologists held the view that societal development took place as a single entity, subsequent social anthropologists are of the view that this societal development is variant upon each soci ety, with each exhibiting its own levels of developmental stages distinct from others. In delimiting the shortcomings of the evolutionist practice of classifying cultures into subsequent stages of progressive development, classical theorists argue that the theory fails to look at the varying environments in which the different societies are traced. This provides a possible perspective from which the social evolutionism theory fails to fully capture the manner in which societies are set. Furthermore, such early anthropologists as Edward Taylor specifically relied upon information from indigenous cultures, and drew conclusions from such findings and generalizing them to the

Pfizer Macroeconomics Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pfizer Macroeconomics - Term Paper Example Unemployment is also another macroeconomic variable that affect the company’s’ supply and demand. When the percentage of the unemployed is high, the market for medicines is low. This is because the unemployed will prefer buying the cheaper and the local medicines that are available in their location. Thus, unemployment leads to low sales in Pfizer pharmaceuticals (Gupta, 2004). Inflation also has affected the supply and demand of Pfizer pharmaceuticals. This happens when the economies of the countries that the firm supplies its products grows and pushes all prices significantly over a particular time above the actual utility value of goods and services. When there is cost-push inflation, the company is forced to pass the cost to the consumers leading to increased prices. The result from the cost-pull inflation is that there is low demand for our products and usually our competitors take advantage of the situation. Also, interest rate is another variable that affect the demand and supply of our medicines. When the interest rate is high in a particular country the demand tend to be low as the cost of obtaining credit is high. This hinders those people who want to start chemists business to not demand our products as they cannot access funds to boost their purchasing ability (Barro, 2007). The chart shows data during a period of five years. When the GDP of France is high it is evident that the unemployment rate is low. Thus, the Pfizer get to make more sales as the demand is high. When the interest rate is high the demand of the product tends to reduce (Marthinsen, 2014). In conclusion, the observation that I make from the movement of microeconomics variables in the Pfizer’s pharmaceuticals is that they affect the supply and demand of the company’s product. A variable like the inflation tend to increase the price of the drugs in the market. This is evident due to an abrupt growth of a country GDP which makes the

Edgar Allan Poe Essay Example for Free

Edgar Allan Poe Essay Edgar Allan Poe, those who are familiar with that famous name always allow a chill to run down their spines when they hear it. Poe has always been known for his dramatic and eerie writing style that has entertained readers for centuries. Of course we, as the reader, believe it is simply his brillance that sends a cold shudder through our bodies as we curl up on the couch with The Raven or The Masque of the Red Death, but there is still something more that we can attribute to his writing style. The techniques Poe used in his many stories are what created the fantastic sensation of acutally being a part of the story. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss the chilling techniques this legendary figure, Edgar Allan Poe, used to rope in his reader into the horrible, grotesque, and disturbing world of Prince Pospero and the age of The Red Death. Poe provided us with three major techniques to lead us through this disquieting and disconcerting world that is the reality of Prince Prospero, Poe provided us with, setting, tone, and props. Simply using these three sutble yet powerful techniques, Poe has created an imaginative and mind-boggling universe. First of all, Poe introduced us with surreal, but profound imagery to paint the landscape and life of Prince Prospero and his friends. Setting, one of the most dominant techniques in this short story, can be find around every corner of Prince Prosperos dark maze. Poe described seven rooms that connected to each other in a sick and twisted maze. In order to leave this maze you had to walk through all seven rooms which ranged from color to color and when you finally reached the end you found yourself inside a room, closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue. This obviously represented the room of the red death and the eventual downfall all the masqueraders would certainly meet.

The Business Environment And Strategic Analysis Marketing Essay

The Business Environment And Strategic Analysis Marketing Essay ITC is one of Indias foremost private sector companies with a market capitalization of nearly US $ 19 billion and a turnover of over US $ 5 billion.* ITC is rated among the Worlds Best Big Companies, Asias Fab 50 and the Worlds Most Reputable Companies by Forbes magazine, among Indias Most Respected Companies by Business World and among Indias Most Valuable Companies by Business Today. ITC ranks among Indias `10 Most Valuable (Company) Brands. SWOT is an acronym used to describe the particular Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are strategic factors for a specific company. SWOT analysis should not only result in the identification of a companys distinctive competencies, the particular capabilities and resources that a firm possess but also in the identification of opportunities that the firm is currently able to take advantage of due to lack of appropriate resources. SWOT analysis is an analytical technique used in strategic management BCG MATRIX The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reflects the companys portfolio of investments. Each of the companys product lines are plotted in a matrix according to its growth rate of the industry and its relative market share The BCG matrix results in four types of decisions they are Question marks, Stars, Cash Cows and Dogs. PEST ANALYSIS Pest term is used to describe macro environmental factors namely political (legal), economic, social and technological. It helps the firm in understanding market growth or decline, its market position, its potential and its direction PORTERS 5 FORCES MODEL Michael Porters famous Five Forces of Competitive Position model provides a simple perspective for assessing and analyzing the competitive strength and position of a corporation or business organization ITC- INTRODUCTION ITC is one of Indias foremost private sector companies with a market capitalization of over US $ 19 billion and a turnover of US $ 5 billion. Rated among the Worlds Best Big Companies, Asias Fab 50 and the Worlds Most Reputable Companies by Forbes magazine, among Indias Most Respected Companies by Business World and among Indias Most Valuable Companies by Business Today, ITC ranks third in pre-tax profit among Indias private sector corporations. As one of Indias most valuable and respected corporations, ITC is widely perceived to be dedicatedly nation-oriented. Chairman Y.C. Deveshwar calls this source of inspiration a commitment beyond the market. In his own words: ITC believes that its aspiration to create enduring value for the nation provides the motive force to sustain growing shareholder value. ITC practices this philosophy by not only driving each of its businesses towards international competitiveness but by also consciously contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the larger value chain of which it is a part. HISTORY EVOLUTION The story of the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Ltd. extraordinarily though it may sound, starts long before the company was established, or even thought of. It starts not in India, but in the US. It was started by James Buchaman Duke in 1881. W. Duke Sons Company was doing a flourishing business around 1889 merged with other four players in the market and set up the American Tobacco Company ( ATC ). ATC looked at the British market along with Imperial Tobacco Company Ltd. floated a new company, the British American Tobacco Company Ltd.( BAT ) which was to handle trade outside USA and Britain. With India having centuries old tradition of tobacco, BAT looked into this market. ITC was incorporated on August 24, 1910 under the name of Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited. Its beginnings were humble. A leased office on Radha Bazar Lane, Kolkata, was the centre of the Companys existence. The Company celebrated its 16th birthday on August 24, 1926, by purchasing the plot of land situated at 37, Chowringhee, (now renamed J.L. Nehru Road) Kolkata, for the sum of Rs 310,000. This decision of the Company was historic in more ways than one. It was to mark the beginning of a long and eventful journey into Indias future. The Companys headquarter building, Virginia House, which came up on that plot of land two years later, has become Kolkatas most venerated landmarks. The Companys ownership progressively indianised, and the name of the Company was changed to I.T.C. Limited in 1974. In recognition of the Companys multi-business portfolio encompassing a wide range of businesses Cigarettes Tobacco, Hotels, Information Technology, Packaging, Paperboards Specialty Papers, Agri-Exports, Foods, Lifestyle Retailing and Greeting Gifting Stationery the full stops in the Companys name were removed effective September 18, 2001. The Company now stands rechristened ITC Limited. ITC- MISSION STATEMENT An organizations mission is the purpose or reason for the organizations existence. it tells what the company is providing for the society. A well conceived mission statement defines the fundamental, unique purpose that sets the company apart from other firms of its type and identifies the scope of the companys operations in terms of product, services offered and market served. SUSTAIN ITCS AS ONE OF INDIAS MOST VALUABLE CORPORATIONS THROUGH WORLD CLASS PERFOMANCE, CREATING GROWING VALUE FOR THE INDIAN ECONOMY AND THE COMPANYS STAKEHOLDERS ITC-VISION A vision statement describes wat the organization would like to become in the future. It helps in creating a sense of direction for the company and its employees and leads them towards attaining the goals. TO ENHANCE THE WEALYH GENERATING CAPABILITY OF THE ENTERPRISE IN A GLOBALISING ENVIRONMENT DELIVERING SUPERIOR AND SUSTAINABLE STAKEHOLDER VALUE ITC LEADERSHIP- CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The governance framework determines whom the organization is there to serve and how the purposes and priorities of the organization should be decided. It is concerned with both the functioning of the organization and the distribution of power among different stake holders. Governance chain- the governance chain identifies all those groups that have a legitimate influence on the organizations purposes. There are likely to be several conflicts of interest both between different stake holder groups and for individual managers of directors as they try to balance these various interests. The role of the governing bodies- the primary statutory responsibility of the governing body of an organization is to ensure that the organization actually fulfills the wishes and purposes of the owners. THE ITC WAY ITC defines Corporate Governance as a systemic process by which companies are directed and controlled to enhance their wealth generating capacity. Since large corporations employ vast quantum of societal resources, ITC believes that the governance process should ensure that these companies are managed in a manner that meets stakeholders aspirations and societal expectations. ITC has won the National Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2006 from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. Leadership within ITC is exercised at three levels. The board of directors Corporate management committee Divisional management committee The Board of Directors at the apex, as trustee of shareholders, carries the responsibility for strategic supervision of the Company. The strategic management of the Company rests with the Corporate Management Committee comprising the whole time Directors and members drawn from senior management. The executive management of each business division is vested with the Divisional Management Committee (DMC), headed by the Chief Executive. Each DMC is responsible for and totally focused on the management of its assigned business. This three-tiered interlinked leadership process creates a wholesome balance between the need for focus and executive freedom, and the need for supervision and control. Since the commencement of the liberalization process, Indias economic scenario has begun to alter radically. Globalization will not only significantly heighten business risks, but will also compel Indian companies to adopt international norms of transparency and good governance. Equally, in the resu ltant competitive context, freedom of executive management and its ability to respond to the dynamics of a fast changing business environment will be the new success factors. ITCs governance policy recognizes the challenge of this new business reality in India. CORE PRINCIPLES ITCs Corporate Governance initiative is based on two core principles: Management must have the executive freedom to drive the enterprise forward without undue restraints This freedom of management should be exercised within a framework of effective accountability ITC believes that any meaningful policy on Corporate Governance must provide empowerment to the executive management of the Company, and simultaneously create a mechanism of checks and balances which ensures that the decision making powers vested in the executive management is not only not misused, but is used with care and responsibility to meet stakeholder aspirations and societal expectations. CORNERSTONES From the above definition and core principles of Corporate Governance emerge the cornerstones of ITCs governance philosophy, namely trusteeship, transparency, empowerment and accountability, control and ethical corporate citizenship. ITC believes that the practice of each of these leads to the creation of the right corporate culture in which the company is managed in a manner that fulfils the purpose of Corporate Governance. The governance structure of ITC, Strategic supervision by Board of Directors Strategic management by Corporate Management Committee Executive management by the Divisional Chief Executive assisted by the Divisional Management Committee The 3-tier governance structure thus ensures that: Strategic supervision (on behalf of the shareholders), being free from involvement in the task of strategic management of the Company, can be conducted by the Board with objectivity, thereby sharpening accountability of management. Strategic management of the Company, uncluttered by the day-to-day tasks of executive management, remains focused and energized. Executive management of the divisional business, free from collective strategic responsibilities for ITC as a whole, gets focused on enhancing the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of its business. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Corporate social responsibility is the detailed issues on which an organization exceeds its minimum required obligations to stake holders. It has been noted that companies increased their awareness of and level of activity in some aspects of social responsibility but they seemed to limit their involvement to a relatively narrow range of issues. It was also indicated that most organizations failed to seek out best practice elsewhere and this they suggested, indicated that social responsibility considerations were not pursued as keenly as commercial activities. ITC believes that an effective growth strategy for our nation must address the needs of rural India, home to 75% of our poor. It is imperative to ensure that Indias economic growth is inclusive, embracing its villages, so as to free millions of our disadvantaged citizens from the indignity of poverty. It is ITCs belief that Indias rural transformation cannot be brought about by the government alone. Nor can the efforts of a few enterprises make a decisive difference. Only an inspired public-private partnership can transform lives and landscapes in rural India. ITCs humble endeavors have demonstrated that it is possible to create and sustain a model that can harmonize the need for shareholder value creation with making a substantial contribution to society. For ITC, these are expressions of a commitment beyond the market. Of a conviction that country must come before corporation of a true pride in being Citizen First. E-CHOUPAL The e-Choupal model has been specifically designed to tackle the challenges posed by the unique features of Indian agriculture, characterized by fragmented farms, weak infrastructure and the involvement of numerous intermediaries, among others. E-Choupal, launched in June 2000 unshackles the potential of Indian farmer who has been trapped in a vicious cycle of , Low risk taking ability Low investment Low productivity Weak market orientation Low value addition Low margin Low risk taking ability This made Indian farmers and Indian agribusiness sector globally uncompetitive, despiterich abundant natural resources. The Model in Action: Appreciating the imperative of intermediaries in the Indian context, e-Choupal leverages Information Technology to virtually cluster all the value chain participants, delivering the same benefits as vertical integration does in mature agricultural economies like the USA. With a judicious blend of click mortar capabilities, village internet kiosks managed by farmers called sanchalaks themselves, enable the agricultural community access ready information in their local language on the weather market prices, disseminate knowledge on scientific farm practices risk management, facilitate the sale of farm inputs (now with embedded knowledge) and purchase farm produce from the farmers doorsteps (decision making is now information-based). Real-time information and customized knowledge provided by e-Choupal enhance the ability of farmers to take decisions and align their farm output with market demand and secure quality productivity. The aggregation of the demand for farm inputs from individual farmers gives them access to high quality inputs from established and reputed manufacturers at fair prices. As a direct marketing channel, virtually linked to the mandi system for price discovery, e-Choupal eliminates wasteful intermediation and multiple handling. Thereby it significantly reduces transaction costs. e-Choupal ensures world-class quality in delivering all these goods services through several product / service specific partnerships with the leaders in the respective fields, in addition to ITCs own expertise. While the farmers benefit through enhanced farm productivity and higher farm gate prices, ITC benefits from the lower net cost of procurement (despite offering better prices to the farmer) having eliminated costs in the supply chain that do not add value. ITC has taken care to involve farmers in the designing and management of the entire e- Choupal initiative. The active participation of farmers in this rural initiative has created a sense of ownership in the project among the farmers. They see the e-Choupal as the new age cooperative for all practical purposes. This enthusiastic response from farmers has encouraged ITC to plan for the extension of the e-Choupal initiative to altogether 15 states across India over the next few years. On the anvil are plans to channelise other services related to micro-credit, health and education through the same e-Choupal infrastructure. CAUSE OF UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN ITC launched its notebooks brand Classmates, deliberately pricing itself 10-15 per cent higher than the competition, between Rs 10 and Rs 40. This ensured that it created an affordable-yet-aspirational image and also send a hidden message of being a superior product (60 gsm paper, bleached without using chlorine). Then, ITC focused on the design elements of notebooks: each Classmate notebook has a theme on the cover and related information inside. Then, the last two pages of the notebook have trivia and the back cover highlights the corporate social responsibility initiatives of the company Re 1 from each notebook sold is set aside for the cause of underprivileged children ITC supports 60,000 children in rural India. Providing uniforms and books, improving school buildings, adding electricity connections, lights and fans and running over 674 Supplementary Learning Centers, helping rural children aspire to a better tomorrow. This is one of the many ways in which ITC expresses its belief that country must come before corporation. WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS The need of the hour is to diversify rural livelihoods. Towards this end, ITC has forged an empowering partnership with rural women the most effective development workers. ITCs intervention leverages micro-credit and skills training to generate alternate employment opportunities. Increased income in the hands of rural women means better nutrition, health care and education for their children. Working with NGOs, ITC has organized village women into micro-credit groups. Group members make monthly contributions to create a savings corpus. The corpus is used to extend soft loans to group members, thereby eliminating the stranglehold of the moneylender. ITC provides training to group members to handle bank accounts and understand the nuances of government development programs. Empowered groups function autonomously and take their own decisions, including sanction of loans to fellow-members and collection of repayments. Well-managed micro- credit groups with no default records receive further support from ITC in the form of seed money for self-employment activities. Venture funds provided by ITC have already spawned hundreds of women entrepreneurs. Their earnings, ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 150 per day, not only supplement household incomes but also significantly enhance their self-esteem. ITC also conducts skills training to enhance employability. Pickle-making, fish- processing, vermicomposting, spice processing and agarbatti-rolling in rural areas and chikankari, garment-sewing, driving and computer-aided secretarial training in semi- urban areas are some of the examples. ITC goes a step further to help find employment for these trained women in areas related to its operations. This program is helping women across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Through its various initiatives, ITC touches the lives of 4 million villagers and has proved that it is socially responsible ITC STRATEGIES ITCs diversified status originates from its corporate strategy aimed at creating multiple drivers of growth, anchored on its above mentioned time-tested core competencies. Over time, the strategic forays into new businesses are expected to garner a significant share of these emerging high-growth markets in India. CONGLOMERATE DIVERSIFICATION When the management feels that the firms outstanding capabilities or skills can be better utilized and transferred into other industries, though unrelated to the current one, the firm then adopts conglomerate diversification strategy. ITC has adopted Conglomerate (Unrelated) Diversification strategy and accordingly has entered into an array of business apart from its traditional tobacco industry that includes stationery, FMCG, branded apparel, agri-business and packaging and paperboards. STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNIT It is that part of the organization which is a cruicial unit for implementing its strategies. It is also that part which fetches largest revenues. In ITC, tobacco industry is its SBU, as it fetches largest revenue and is its first business which has given the conglomerate a national identity. Also it has empowered ITC with an excellent distribution network which is vital for its success. This network is shared by all other business units of ITC. BACKWARD INTEGRATION ITCs Packaging Printing Business Division was set up in 1925 as a strategic backward integration for ITCs Cigarettes business. It is today Indias most sophisticated packaging house. State-of-the-art technology, world-class quality and a highly skilled and dedicated team have combined to position ITC as the first-choice supplier of high value added packaging. ITCs Packaging Printing Business is the countrys largest convertor of paperboard into packaging. It converts over 35,000 tonnes of paper and paperboard per annum into a variety of value-added packaging solutions for the food beverage, personal products, cigarette, liquor, cellular phone and IT packaging industries. It has also entered the Flexibles and Corrugated Cartons business. The Division supplies value-added packaging to the Companys Cigarettes business. Its client list includes several well-known national and international companies like British American Tobacco, Surya Nepal Private Limited, VST Industries, , UB Group, Shaw Wallace, Seagrams, Allied Domecq, Whyte Mackay, Hindustan Lever, Tata Tetley and Nestle, Reckitt Benkiser India Limited, etc. STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNIT It is that part of the organization which is a cruicial unit for implementing its strategies. It is also that part which fetches largest revenues. In ITC, tobacco industry is its SBU, as it fetches largest revenue and is its first business which has given the conglomerate a national identity. Also it has empowered ITC with an excellent distribution network which is vital for its success. This network is shared by all other business units of ITC. FORWARD INTEGRATION ITC Limited, the tobacco-cum-hotels major which has been fast transforming itself into a FMCG company, is targeting students by customizing notebooks for schools under the Classmate brand name and this is a part of the companys diversification plans to foray into the other sectors. Classmate notebooks, a sub-brand of Expressions has been customized for schools and is available at retail stores across the country. For this purpose, ITC has entered into arrangements with 150 renowned ICSE schools across the country. A portion of the money coming from the sale of the notebooks would be contributed to some social. The division is targeting the revenue of 100 crore. The business division of ITC is primarily a forward integration of the companys paper manufacturing activity. With ITC having a state of the art paper manufacturing plant at Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh the division has been using the high quality ECF paper for its notebook to make it more eco friendly. MARKETING STRATEGY The marketing logic by which business unit hopes to achieve its marketing objectives. PROMOTION STRATEGY Promotion strategy is the strategy used to communicate the merits of the products and to persuade the target customers to buy it. Wills Lifestyle offers a complete lifestyle wardrobe for the premium consumers incorporating the latest fashion trends. Their clothing is not only the latest in fashion but they also come out with clothing for different seasons. They are very active in promoting their products by conducting fashion shows in national and international levels and sponsoring many fashion shows like India Fashion Week etc. PUSH STRATEGY THE MYSTERY SHOPPER A push strategy involves pushing the product through distribution channels to the final consumer. The firm directs its marketing activities (primarily personal selling and trade promotions) towards channel members to induce them to carry the product and to promote it to final consumers. Companies spend a large amount of money on trade promotion in order to gain or hold shelf space in retail outlets. Trade promotion includes discounts, in-store special offers designed to push products through the distribution system. As a part of its promotional strategy, ITC put up posters in the kiranas and used the concept of mystery shopping in case of the tobacco industry. Promoters were sent to the kiranas in town to inform the kirana owners of the mystery shopper, who will visit them at any time, any day and ask for a cigarette. The shop owner has to offer him only an ITC brand cigarette first, even if he requests for another brand. If he insists on another brand, then the shop owner can give h im the requested brand. If he does so, he will be rewarded with gifts like lighters. He will then be qualified to enter into a lucky draw and if he becomes lucky will get a fan or radio set. Also a bumper prize comprising of a trip to Mumbai or Singapore was offered. ITC adopted this strategy to increase its sales and awareness and to gain favoritism from the kirana owners. In anticipation of the mystery shopper, the kirana owners kept offering ITC cigarettes to all customers first and only upon a request or insistence they sold the requested brand. This increased the awareness and sales, while the prizes gathered the favoritism of mystery shoppers. PULL STRATEGY The Pull strategy is where the producer directs its marketing activities (primarily advertising and consumer promotion) towards final consumers to induce them to buy the product. If the pull strategy is effective, consumers will then demand the product from channel members, who will in turn demand it from producers. Thus under a pull strategy, consumer demand pulls the product through the channels. The sunfeast Ready to Eat Pasta came into the market recently. They have been able to establish its presence with 6 per cent in volumes of the branded noodles market and they come number two behind MTR foods in the ready-to-eat market. This has been achieved by excessive advertising which pulls the products through the distribution channels. The strategy adopted is to spend more money on consumer advertising designed to build brand awareness so that shoppers will ask for the products. COMPETITIVE TACTICS PIONEER FIRST MOVER Timing tactic- The first company to manufacture and sell a new product or service is called first mover or pioneer. The advantage of being a first mover is that the company is able to establish a reputation as industry leader, gain cost leadership, and achieve high profits from buyers. The first mover can also set standards for all subsequent products. The first mover has sufficient resources to both exploit the new markets and defend its position against its late rivals. ITC-Welcomgroup pioneered a holistic concept of branded accommodation in the hospitality industry. It was the first to launch the powerful idea of a Hotel within a Hotel by segmenting and branding the hotel services. It created exclusives hotels and executive clubs each catering to the needs of the global business traveler with unmatched quality and a range of services. ITC-Welcomgroup was also the first to brand its cuisine. The Bukhara, the Dakshin and the Dum Pukht are today powerful cuisine brands, which delight connoisseurs in restaurants in several ITC-Welcomgroup hotels. LATE MOVER Late Movers are those who are able to imitate the technological advance of others, keep risks down by waiting until a new market is established and take advantage of the first movers inclination to ignore market segments. ITC entered the biscuit business very late when the two major players Britannia and Parle were busy biting of chunks of the national market among themselves, with a host of smaller brands in various regions. The strategy that the company followed was to find loopholes in the industry into which they can tap. Therefore before entering the segment, ITC dug into market research. Research revealed that the category had gaps which ITC could settle into. Findings revealed that consumers wished to taste new and innovative products. That was precisely what the competition had not done in a big way. ITC launched Sunfeast with six ranges. But it was a calculated risk. ITC stuck to category favorites like Glucose, Marie and Bourbon cream. Along with that, it also launched innovations such as orange-flavored Marie, Marie light and butterscotch-flavored cream biscuits. Sunfeast followed this up with the launch of Sunfeast Milky Magic. More recently, it also has launched the Sunfeast Snacky and Su nfeast In August 2003, a month after its launch, the company undertook a major sampling exercise to promote the product. For two years then, the brand did all the usual rounds riding behind buses, blocking television spots, booking that corner space in your favorite newspaper and so on. Well differentiated advertisements, some which showed a complete cream world with cream rivers, cream mountains and cream trees, were targeted at kids watching cartoon channels. At the same time, on general entertainment channels, mothers received information on the importance of glucose, the wholeness of wheat and so on. Also, the company tied up with Bey Blades, the popular television series that was a rage among children, to promote itself. PRICING MODEL TWO PRONGED STRATEGY The biscuits industry is very competitive and the players fight for market shares. One way of gaining market share is by pricing the products attractively. The industry now has two clear models. Parle products play the low price game at all varieties of biscuits from glucose to cream. Sunfeast looks at a two-pronged strategy where it looks for high margins in cream variants and volumes from the Marie and Glucose segments. It does this as it cannot expect volumes of sales in the cream variant business and so they have a higher margin of profit. In the marie and glucose segment there is heavy competition and the biscuits hardly have any differentiation like the cream biscuit market and the consumers dont pay extra if there is no innovation in the product, so they look for having a lower margin of profit and more volume of sales. The strategy adopted by them is very profitable for the company. FUNCTIONAL STRATEGY Outsourcing is purchasing from someone else a product or service instead of provided it internally. The key to outsourcing is to purchase from outside only those activities that are key to the companys distinctive competencies. ITCs agarbatti SBU and Cottage Industries, Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, which makes the Spriha brand of handmade incense sticks have a strategic tie-up The agarbatti SBU, which recently launched the Mangal Deep range of agarbattis through 100 per cent outsourcing from the small, medium and cottage sector, has launched an assorted Spriha gift pack product. The gift packs, designed and developed in-house by ITC and specially created (with handpicked materials) by Cottage Industries, Aurobindo Ashram, will be in two sizes, and will contain items like high quality incense sticks in two fragrances, a perfumed designer candle, a collection of choice dhoops and a handy ceramic agarbatti/dhoop holder (all hand-made) in a compact box pack. Priced at Rs 100 and Rs 150 (two sizes), the gift packs have been launched in Bangalore as part of a test marketing exercise through outlets stocking ITCs Greetings Cards (Expressions). Planned as a stand-alone gift item, especially for festive occasions, the plan is to utilize the available in-house greeting cards distribution channel to position the product, and gradually scale up visibility at various gift shops through a national roll-out. Cottage Industries, Pondicherry, produces half-a-million packs of handmade Spriha agarbattis per month for ITC under a contractual agreement. ITC follows strict quality parameters in all its sectors and in this sector has expressly stated that it will buy from any cottage industry that agrees to adhere to their quality standards. GROWTH STRATEGIES Growth strategies are defined to achieve growth in sales, assets profits or

Long Spine Board Immobilization, an Overused Pre-hospital Intervention

Patients, that have suffered blunt or penetrating trauma that is significant enough to cause spinal injury, have always been treated by Emergency Medical Services with full spinal immobilization. Most textbooks for paramedics and EMTs stress the importance of procuring manual c-spine immobilization, followed by c-collar application, and then placed on a spinal board with the patient’s head secured to the spinal board. This management of trauma patients has long been the industry standard, but studies that prove patients benefit from the procedure are lacking and some studies have shown that spinal immobilization can actually be detrimental to patients. While true spinal cord trauma is a devastating injury its actual incidence is extremely low. In a study that examined one million trauma victims, only 2% had true spinal cord damage and of that 2%, only 1% had neurological deficits of any kind. Moreover, there is little data to suggest that our efforts at spinal immobilization are even effective. (Santa Cruz County EMS Integration Authority, 2012, para. 2) If only 2% of one million trauma victims had a true spinal cord injury that means 998,000 patients received full spinal immobilization that was unnecessary when only 2,000 warranted spinal immobilization. The use of long board spinal restriction as a precautionary measure should be reconsidered. Studies conducted by Chang et al. (2010) concluded that patients that suffered from penetrating trauma that were treated with spinal immobilization actually had higher mortality rates. The study suggests that the difficulty of controlling the patient’s airway and decreased respiratory drive caused by the supine position of the patient could be contributing factors in the mortality rates... ... 609-615. Chang, D. C.,Efron, D. T., Haut,E. R., Haider, A. H., Kalish, B. T.,Kieninger, A. N., & Stevens, K. A., (2010). Spine immobilization in penetrating trauma: more harm than good? Journal of Trauma-injury Infection and Critical Care, 68(1), 115-120. Hamel, M. G. (2014). How Lee County (Fla.) EMS implemented a new paradigm of cervical spine management. Journal of Emergency Medical Services, 14(1), 62-63. Hauswald, M. (2013). A re-conceptualisation of acute spinal care. Emergency Medicine Journel, 30(9), 720-723. McHugh, T. P., & Taylor, J. P. (2009). Unnecessary out-of-hospital use of full spinal immobilization. Academy of Emergency Medicine, 5(3), 278-280. Santa Cruz County EMS Integration Authority. (2012). New thinking on spinal immobilization. Retrieved from http://www.acphd.org/media/311913/santa%20cruz-%20new%20thinking%20about%20spine%20injures.pdf

Bank One and LaSalle Bank Comparison Essay -- essays research papers

Bank One   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1929, Commercial National and City National Bank of Commerce of Columbus, Ohio, merged to form City National Bank and Trust. City National offered the first Visa credit card outside of California in 1966; it also created the first drive-up bank, and was one of the first banks to use ATMs. A holding company called First Bank Group of Ohio was formed and it became Bank One in 1979. As interstate barriers to banking fell, the bank moved into Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin. The First National Bank of Chicago and Bank One merged on October 2, 1998. The merger between Bank One Corporation and First Chicago NBD Corporation created what became known as Bank One, Chicago’s largest bank (one of the largest in the Midwest and nation). Bank One Corporation and its stock was traded under the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol One. This merger created the nation’s 5th largest Bank with assets of more than $240 billion. Bank One is a major corporate bank nationally and in selected international markets in 11 foreign countries, the nation’s largest credit card company which also is a leading retail bank in eight states, the leading business bank in the Midwest and Arizona, and the largest bank mutual fund company. With assets of more than $270 billion currently, Bank One Corporation is one of the nation’s largest financial services companies. Bank One currently serves more than 53 million credit card customers nationwide as well as 7 million companies in 14 states. It also manages more than $149 billion of assets for investors. The bank has 74,000 employees at 2000 branches in 14 states. On July 1, 2004 Bank One became a part of the new JP Morgan Chase. The mergers of the credit card companies, broker/dealer and lead banks will be completed over the next nine months. JP Morgan gives Bank One scale and size. However, the Bank One brand continues to be used in the marketplace.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bank One provides several services to its customers, some of which include, retail services, Commercial Banking, Card Services, Investment management group. The retail service is broken down into, checking and savings accounts, consumer lending, Small business Banking, Debit/ATM Cards, Investment Accounts, Credit Cards, Insurance, Auto loans and leases, Online Banking and Home loans. The Investment Management Gr... ...processors of ATM transactions in the country. Clearly, consolidating in the sector is increasingly common. Bank One and J.P Morgan are together now able to rival Citigroup in retail, commercial, and investment management. This is a task that would have been impossible without a merger between the two organizations. J.P. Morgan (JPM stock ticker) has a â€Å"buy† rating on the stock by Standard & Poors, which one of the most reputable providers of independent financial research in the world. While LaSalle Bank and Bank One compete for Chicago area retail banking business, their overall business strategies are quite different and do not overlap considerably outside of basic retail banking. While the growth rate of J.P. Morgan is not expectedly lower due to the size of the organization and the industry as a whole, the growth is similar to that of the company’s key competitor, Citigroup. The future for J.P. Morgan is likely to be filled with additional mergers and acquisitions. It remains to be seen how the company will compete from an operational and service standpoint with Citigroup; however, it will be a protracted battle between the two stable behemoth financial services firms.

Pressure – Creative Writing

This was going to be the biggest game of my life. It was the final game to clinch our undefeated season but it was against our archrivals, Nudgee. This game was the decider, as Nudgee was also looking to seal their season undefeated. After preparing mentally in the chapel with some strong words of wisdom from Father Gadd it was then off into the dressing rooms. We started out usual warm up. I tried to make it as if it was just another game, but in the back of my mind it wasn't just a normal game. It was the final game that most of the team would ever play for their school and also it was the first time that any of us had the chance to go through the whole season undefeated. After the warm up it was time to get mentally prepared and psyched up. We had time for the final few minutes that the team had together before stepping onto the battlefield in front of the thousands of chanting supporters who timidly sat and waited. â€Å"TOKIO!† That was the last school war cry leading up to a game that most of us would ever do. We started the long walk to the battlefield where we could see our rival opponents standing sternly linked arm in arm. As intimidating as it looked, I'm sure that we sent shivers down their spines as we walked out to confront them for the toss. Each player firmly grasped their opposite's hand in subtle fury, trying to act like good sports but when it came to the crunch there were no mates in a rugby game. We were both playing to win, to win for ourselves, our team and finally our school. After losing the toss this set us on the back foot with having to start the game off not running our favoured way that we had successfully done in all the previous games. But this was just a minor set back that we just had to deal with. My heart was pumping with adrenalin, like something was inside us just trying to burst out as the last moments went by, before the highly rated side Nudgee kicked off. The crowd was cheering accompanied by drunken old boys behind us when we ran the first ball up into Nudgee's front line racing towards us. All you could hear was the slapping of skins and the crunching noises when vital tackles were made along with team members screaming to organise what was happening. We were on the back foot metres from our try line as the powerful favourites Nudgee pulverized into our burly defensive line. But our already battered and bruised side could only hold them out for so long and gave away a penalty in close range for Nudgee's kicker to put three points on the board. Another set back with us being down three points halfway through the first half. We had to start performing or our dreams would shatter, so with all heads up we took it straight back to Nudgee sacrificing what ever it took to get over that line. We ran and ran and ran but there was nothing we could do to get past that intimidating back line with various over grown Islanders staring deep into our eyes. We bruised the favourites with two penalty conversions which left the score at six to three at the half time point. Sitting as a group listening to our furious coach Rob who accepted nothing but perfection yelling at the top of his lungs, I knew that he expected more from us and at times I thought he would rather be out there playing than coaching. We all had a drink, thinking about the game and no doubt putting together individual scenarios to what was going to happen. Mine was that we would find a weakness in Nudgee's back line and break through it in the dying minutes of the game but the unexpected was about to happen. Both teams started the second half fresh as if it was the start of the game all over again. It was starting to get exceptionally personal. Bodies of desperate players were pounding into each other sacrificing what ever it took to obtain everyone's end of year goal that was a perfect season. Finally after taking desperate measures for our game success, we were awarded a penalty in kicking distance. This was the kick that would put us into a six-point lead and give us some breathing ground. Thankfully, I was successful in doing so. But then inner rage possessed our five eight which resulted in him being in the sinbin for ten minutes. I was moved from half back to five eight to replace him. A member of the 3rd XV was subbed on to play half back. I hadn't played much of this position that year but I knew what I was doing from previous experience. I was lucky I knew every move back to front and could do it from any position but playing here put me under a lot of pressure, as it was a key position in the back line. I put all negatives beside me and carried on with the game. I was doing fine and missed putting my outside centre through a gap by the skin of his teeth. But then something happened that would haunt me. Right on the half way line I was thrown a slow pass from the freshly subbed halfback. As I was watching the ball, all I could hear was the loud furious breathing of the Nudgee back line running at me with my life flashing before my eyes so I took my eye off the ball and looked at them which caused me to drop the ball and a Nudgee inside centre had a free run from half way score a try under the posts. My head dropped. I felt like I had failed the team because of a stupid mistake. Standing under the post for an unmissable conversion in front, all I could see was a heart broken team. Some of us tried to stay positive but for the majority it was almost over. The score was 10-9 to Nudgee with about three minutes to go. We had three minutes to get a point that would satisfy our whole schoolboy rugby career. It was possible. After battling with the victory thirsty team, it was hard but we wanted it more. I could see it in everyone's eyes. We were awarded a penalty on the half way line and had no choice but to have a shot or it was the end of the game. I took my usual steps and struck the ball as hard as I could. The kick was right on target and I cried out in victory, but the ball fell short into the hands of the opposition who failed to kick the ball out. Desperately trying to break through with no time left in the game, the Nudgee defence was too keen and was caught offside about 35metres out. It felt like God gave me a lifeline. As I placed the ball on the tee, my hands were shaking. The result of the game rested in my hands. I took a deep breath and pretended it was a kick that I had done thousands of times. After I struck the sweet spot of the ball I didn't look up from the ground, but from the gigantic roar I heard from the crowd I knew what had happened.

Ovarian Cancer Research Paper Essay

Introduction Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. It is considered to be one of the most common types of cancer of the female reproductive system. According to McGuire and Markman (2003), â€Å"despite advances in treatment over the last 40 years, ovarian cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed gynaecological malignancy, and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system† (p. 4). Despite the fact that ovarian cancer occurs less frequently than uterine cancer, it is more aggressive and can occur at any age. In addition, it does not manifest itself in the first stages, and in most cases are diagnosed only in the later ones. All the malignant ovarian tumors are subdivided into epithelial, germ or stromal cell types (cancer). These cancers have the highest incidence among all other tumors. (Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P. 2006 p.109-116). Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer â€Å"Ovarian cancer has often been called the â€Å"silent killer† because symptoms are not thought to develop until advanced stages when chance of cure is poor† (Goff, Mandel, Melancon, & Muntz, 2004, p. 2705). That is why the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific and can be disguised as other more common diseases, such as diseases of the digestive system or urinary system. The reason for the lack of clearly defined symptoms is that ovarian cancer develops in the abdominal cavity and does not cause discomfort for the patient. The main sign of the presence of most disease is a constant presence of symptoms or their worsening. For example, ovarian cancer symptoms are distinguished by their immutability of the manifestations: they progress gradually. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004 p. 2705-2712). The main symptoms of ovarian cancer may include the following: 1. Feeling of overeating, swelling or bloating; 2. Urgent need to urinate; 3. Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area. 4. Constant indigestion or nausea; 5. Sudden, unexplained changes of stools, which include diarrhea or constipation; 6. Frequent urination; 7. Appetite loss; 8. Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain; 9. Increased waist circumference, which can be seen by the fact that the clothing suddenly became small; 10. Pain during intercourse; 11. Permanent weakness; 12. Pain in the lumbar area, abdominal pain. The growing tumor extends through the fallopian tubes, causing the lower abdominal pain on the affected side. The large tumors can compress the large intestine that is manifested in bloating or constipation. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). In addition, ovarian cancer is characterized by metastases at the â€Å"gate† of the liver that leads to the development of ascites – an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity due to the compression of the hepatic portal vein. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). The later stages (3 and 4) of ovarian cancer are characterized by more severe symptoms, such as intoxication and anemia. The doctors usually can diagnose ovarian cancer for three months after the first symptoms. However, sometimes it is necessary to wait for six months or even more in order to put the final diagnosis. (Goff, B. A., M andel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). Causes of ovarian cancer Currently, the etiological factors of malignant ovarian tumors are not significantly determined. However, some researches have advanced several hypotheses about the etiology of epithelial ovarian tumors (Modugno et al., 2003, p. 439- 446). The first one being that ovarian cancer usually occurs when a tumor develops in one or both of a woman’s ovaries. (Modugno et al., 2003, p. 439- 446). Another hypothesis is based on the concept of â€Å"incessant ovulation† (early menarche, late menopause, a small number of pregnancies, the shortening of lactation). Remember, the constant ovulations cause serious damage to epithelial inclusions in the ovarian cortex. The following hypothesis shows that ovarian cancer, most often, is caused by the glandular epithelial cells, which produce hormones. Therefore, a violation of hormonal regulation leads to the changes of malignant epithelial cells. Ovarian cancer often develops in the presence of chronic inflammation, benign tumors or ovarian cysts. (Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P., 2006, p. 109-116). Risk factors It is difficult enough to determine the risk factors for ovarian cancer. However, it is believed that the healthy women, who have relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, are at risk of those diseases. Supporting this point of view, Cannistra (2004) states that â€Å"a strong family history of ovarian or breast cancer is the most important risk factor† for women. Too often ovarian cancer develops after menopause. However, the risk is increased only after 60 years. In turn, Cannistra (2004) supports this information and adds that â€Å"the median age of patients with ovarian cancer is 60 years, and the average lifetime risk for women is about 1 in 70†. (p. 2519-2522) Despite the fact that most ovarian cancers are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, the disease can also occur in women who are in the premenopausal period. Women, who have been pregnant at least once, are less likely to have ovarian cancer. The use of birth control pills also reduces this probability. (Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L., 2002., p. 455-463). The appearance of cysts is a normal process that occurs during ovulation in women who are premenopausal. However, cysts formed in the postmenopausal period have a great chance to cause cancer. Women are at increased risk if they are having trouble conceiving. Environment factors also affect the incidence of ovarian cancer. (Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L., 2002., p. 455-463). Ovarian cancer can be primary, secondary and metastatic. The malignant tumors, which primarily affect the ovary, are known as primary cancer. Secondary ovarian cancer (cystadenocarcinoma) occurs due to the benign or borderline tumors. Metastatic ovarian cancer (Krukenberg tumor) is a spreading of the primary tumor, which is often located in the gastro-intestinal tract, stomach, breast, thyroid or uterus. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S.,2006, p. 713-720). Ovarian cancer staging It is possible to trace the following ovarian cancer stages, such as: Stage 1 — limited to one or both ovaries; †¢ 1A) cone ovary is affected, no ascites; †¢ 1B) both ovaries are affected, no ascites; †¢ 1C) appearance of the tumor on the surface of the ovary (s), ascites. Stage 2 — disease spreads in the small pelvis; †¢ 2A) affection of the uterus or fallopian tubes; †¢ 2B) affection of other tissues of the small pelvis; †¢ 2C) tumor on the surface of the ovary (s), ascites. Stage 3 — affection of the peritoneum, metastases in the liver and other organs within the abdomen, affection of groin lymph nodes; †¢ 3A) — microscopic peritoneal metastasis beyond the pelvis; †¢ 3B) — metastasis less than 2 cm in size; †¢ 3C) — metastases more than 2 cm in diameter, involving retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes. Stage 4 — distant metastases. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Thus, these are the basic ovarian cancer stages, which help to find out how widespread ovarian cancer is. Classification of ovarian tumors 1) Surface epithelial-stromal tumors – the largest group of benign epithelial ovarian tumors are cystadenoma. 2) Sex cord-stromal tumors with a minimum number of elements have the structure of sex cord-tech fibroids and may contain small nests or tubules of sex cord-type cells. 3) Germ cell tumors are teratomas, which in most cases are benign. . (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Ovarian cancer treatment Ovarian cancer can be suspected by a gynecologist during a standard pelvic examination. However, â€Å"much of the problem is that ovarian cancer is often detected too late. Not everyone has symptoms, and the classic ones—bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and urinary frequency, are easily confused with other maladies† (Johannes, 2010, para. 6). That is why the doctor should regularly check the pelvis and conduct the palpation of the uterus, vagina, tubes, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. In addition, it is essential to use a pelvic organ ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclide studies (scintigraphy), intestinal endoscopy, as well as a laparoscopic examination of the pelvis with a biopsy. (Zhang, M., Xie, X., Lee, A. H., & Binns, C. W., 2004, p. 83-89). Remember that ovarian cancer does not have any obvious symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, the annual gynecological examination and ultrasonography of the groin area are very important. Main tr eatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy. Depending on the extent of tumor spread, surgery can be performed in various capacities. The obtained material must be sent for further examination. If the tumor significantly extends, the doctor should conduct the courses of chemotherapy, and then perform surgery. Mainly, surgery is performed in a radical way: the uterus with the tubes, pelvic tissue with lymph nodes, and omentum in the form of an apron are removed completely. Gland contains lymph nodes, which are often affected by metastases. Ovarian cancer has the ability to affect a healthy ovary through the cross metastases. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Therefore, it is very important to remove both ovaries in order to preserve the life of the patient. Taking into consideration the aggressive nature of the disease, chemotherapy is considered to be a required component of ovarian cancer treatment. The standard chemotherapy protocol consists of two major drugs, such as Carboplatin and Taxol. (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p. 137-146). Medication duration, dosage and additional drugs are determined individually: in accordance with the type of tumor, the degree of spreading and other indicators. It is possible to conduct the additional courses of chemotherapy after surgery. Ovarian cancer treatment has its specific nature. It is connected with the fact that the tumor in the ovary cannot be seen. Therefore, in cases when the doctor does not operate the patient, the only way to be sure that the tumor is gone completely is use a high-dose chemotherapy. The main features of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer Chemotherapy is performed in almost all the stages of the disease. Sometimes it is used to fight against the tumor, sometimes to contain the tumor and prevent it’s spreading, sometimes in order to delay the total defeat of the body. In any case, chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is proved as an effective fighting method. Chemotherapy does serious damage to the body, but its main advantage is that the drugs work in the body, and thus blocks the development of the last stage of cancer, as well as the spreading to adjacent organs. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer has a greater chance of success than radiotherapy, because it comes to the heart of the problem. The most important thing is that chemotherapy can get rid of cancer cells, which have already started to progress, but have not yet appeared in the specific symptoms. In other words, it can nip with the problem in the bud. Thus, if the use of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is offered, do not refuse to do it. This is one of the few chances that could save your life, and give a reason to hope for the restoration of a normal life and future. In some cases, in addition to chemotherapy, the doctor can prescribe radiotherapy in order to kill the cancer cells. However, it is not commonly used and does not play an important role in the treatment of ovarian cancer. How to prevent the development of ovarian cancer? Every woman should know her vulnerabilities – â€Å"loopholes† through which cancer can penetrate into the body. Loophole 1: Late arrival to the gynecologist The annual preventive gynecological examination is required for all the women. Women, who have ovarian cancer, address to the doctor too late. This is due to the irregular visits to the gynecologist, because of this the initial stages of the disease go unnoticed. At first, cancer progresses usually without any of the characteristic symptoms. Subsequently, women can suffer from uterine bleeding, that doesn’t usually coincide with the period of menstruation and often ignore the abnormality. (Grilli, R., Apolone, G., Marsoni, S., Nicolucci, A., Zola, P., & Liberati, A., 1991, p.50-63). Women need to understand that the existence of such a symptom is a serious cause for concern, because any vaginal bleeding aside from the normal monthly menstruation may indicate a malfunction in the body. Another characteristic which women often ignore is lower abdominal pain. These pains can be short or long, weak, or strong. However, it is not desirable to immediately take analgesics to numb the unpleasant feelings. In such a case, it will be more reasonable to see a gynecologist. In addition, it is important to conduct an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. Usually a pelvic examination and ultrasound can detect ovarian cancer at the early stages. (Titus-Ernstoff, L., Rees, J. R., Terry, K. L., & Cramer, D. W., 2010, p. 201-207). The growth of ovarian tumors may be accompanied by low-grade temperature, shivering, and weakness. If you do not have an infectious disease and severe pain, but constant weakness and nausea, it is essential to consult with a gynecologist. (Titus-Ernstoff, L., Rees, J. R., Terry, K. L., & Cramer, D. W., 2010, p. 201-207). Loophole 2: Changes in hormonal balance Many women going through menopause also experience profound changes in the level of sex hormones. â€Å"An excess of female hormones can lead to ovarian tumors and other serious gynecological diseases† (Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M., 2004, p.359-365). The patients, who have had surgery on the uterus and ovaries, are also at increased risk. In addition to various infectious complications, they can also have a hormonal disorder. One of the reasons for ovarian cancer is an excess of sex hormone called gonadotropin, which leads to the development of other hormone-dependent tumors. (Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M., 2004, p.359-365). Therefore, women with hormonal malfunctions should be evaluated by a gynecologist with special attention. Loophole 3: Change of sexual partners and childlessness Sexual promiscuity often leads to frequent abortions. Every abortion is a serious hormonal disruption of the whole female body. The consequences of abortion are infertility, chronic diseases of the uterus and other reproductive organs. Sexual promiscuity can also lead to various infectious diseases of the genital organs. Some of these diseases often increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Nulliparous women suffer from ovarian cancer more often than those who have children. (King, M., Marks, J. H., Mandell, J. B., 2003, p. 643-646). Loophole 4: Unhealthy lifestyles It is known that women, who smoke or drink alcohol, are much more susceptible to ovarian cancer. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption weaken their health and therefore they have a higher risk of cancer. â€Å"In recent years, it is possible to trace the appearance of different cosmetics and dietary supplements. They contain the hormonal stimulants, which are very harmful for the female body† (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p.137-146). It is necessary to carefully use such stimulants. Before taking these pills, it is essential to consult your primary care physician or gynecologist. Women, who have menopause, should eat a balanced diet full of vitamins and other nutrients (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p.137-146). Furthermore, personal hygiene is vital to good health. Remember that any chronic diseases, especially concerning the sexual organs, weaken the immune system and increases the risk of tumor deve lopment. However, if diagnosed as having ovarian cancer don’t give up. Remember that timely access to a physician is the key to success. Tumors can be detected by the usual examination and then refined with the help of the ultrasound and analysis. If the disease is detected in an early stage, treatment will be more effective. In such a case, the doctor has the ability to combine surgical and medical treatment, without affecting the uterus and ovaries. Such patients can even get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby. The later stages of ovarian cancer are characterized by more severe symptoms and can even lead to the complete removal of the ovaries, uterus and other organs affected by the tumor. Unfortunately, the survival rate of these patients is very low, and they often have relapse (McGuire, W.P., & Markman, M. (2003). Conclusion Taking the above-mentioned information into consideration, it is possible to draw a conclusion that ovarian cancer is often called the â€Å"silent killer† because clinically the first manifestations are associated with the spread of the tumor outside the ovary, and sometimes beyond the pelvis. Ovarian cancer can be divided into the following forms, such as primary, secondary, and metastatic. The most common symptoms for ovarian cancer are pain in the abdomen and lower back, accompanied with abdominal distention and ascites. However, these symptoms are typical for a number of benign ovarian tumors. Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer is considered to be the fundamental. The prevention of ovarian cancer is possible through the regular preventive examinations. References Cannistra, S.A. (2004). Cancer of the ovary. N. Engl. J. Med., 351 (24), 2519-29. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra041842 Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G. (2004). Frequency of Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer in Women Presenting to Primary Care Clinics. American Medical Association, 291 (22), 2705-2712. Grilli, R., Apolone, G., Marsoni, S., Nicolucci, A., Zola, P., & Liberati, A. (1991). The Impact of Patient Management Guidelines on the Care of Breast, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Patients in Italy. Medical Care, 29 (1), 50-63. Johannes, L. (2010, March 9). Test to Help Determine If Ovarian Masses Are Cancer. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704869304575109703066893506.html Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P. (2006). Benign Epithelial Ovarian Tumours: Cancer Precursors or Markers for Ovarian Cancer Risk? Cancer Causes & Control, 17 (5), 623-632. Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M. (2004). Coffee, Tea and Caffeine and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Causes & Control, 15 (4), 359-365. Jordan, S. J., Siskind, V., Green, A. C., Whiteman, D. C., & Webb, P. M. (2010). Breastfeeding and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Causes & Control, 21 (1), 109-116. Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G. (2006). Dietary Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer: The Adventist Health Study (United States). Cancer Causes & Control, 17 (2), 137-146. King, M., Marks, J. H., Mandell, J. B. (2003). Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risks Due to Inherited Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The New York Breast Cancer Study Group Science, New Series, 302 (5645), 643-646. Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L. (2002). Risk of Ovarian Cancer in the United States in Relation to Anthropometric Measures: Does the Association Depend on Menopausal Status? Cancer Causes & Control, 13 (5), 455-463. McGuire, W.P., & Markman, M. (2003). Primary ovarian cancer chemotherapy: current standards of car e. Br. J. Cancer, 89 (3), 3-8. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601494. Modugno, F., Moslehi, R., Ness, R. B., Nelson, D. B., Bell, S., Kant, J. A., Wheeler, J. E., Fishman, D., Karlan, B., Risch, J., Cramer, D. W., Dube, M., & Narod, S. A. (2003). Reproductive factors and ovarian cancer risk in Jewish BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers (United States). Cancer Cause and Control, 14, 439-446. Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund,

Adam smith vs Karl marks philosophy economics contribution Essay

To begin with, Smith came up with the concept of the ‘invisible hand’ (Communist (1848)). This concept was to explain that seeking self interest is not necessarily bad but it sought to explain the reality that people tend to act in their own self-interests. When individuals pursue their self interests, they promote without their knowledge the good of the community at large and so it can be said that an individual who wants to maximize their revenue maximizes the revenue of the society too. This liberty to customers to buy freely what they want and for the producers to produce what they want without any pressure enables the market to settle on a product distribution and prices that are beneficial to all individual members of the community. This liberty to both producers and consumers and the greed to maximize their interests, drives them into a behavior that is beneficial to all in that particular community. Due to this, producers are forced to employ methods of production that are efficient with an aim o maximize their profits. This leads to low prices that are meant to out do their competitors and this forces investors to go for firms that wants to maximize their profits and hence this works as mechanism of balancing. The invisible hand concept acts as the root of modern economics. A good example is the general equilibrium which states that if the economic forces are balanced in the absence of external influences, then the economic variables will not change. This requires that everything in the market beginning with pricing to production be controlled by the players in the market but not by other forces. These external forces may include among others the regulations that are imposed by the government or other organizations that may have a say on the market. According to the general equilibrium, when the prices are very low, then there is surplus supply and when the prices are very low, then there’s a shortage in supply. As a result of this, the situations tend to control themselves without the need for any regulator from outside. These outside forces in the market slow the rate at which the economy grows and they also lead to infancy in the division of labor. As a result of that need for self improvement, efficient division of labor is realized as well as improved efficiency in the economy. This concept is very much in use even in today’s economy . The modern market structure borrows greatly from the earlier ideas of natural monopoly by Adam Smith.( The Poverty of Philosophy >human nature) The division of labor Division of labor is a clear indication of qualitative step towards increased productivity and so it acts as an engine that drives towards realization of economic progress. Smith realized that labor division and for that matter labor specialization would improve greatly on the concentration of workers on the duties they perform. This concentration would come as a result of doing a single task many times or repetitively. The need for improvements in productivity of the work force is said to be the root cause for labor division. According to Smith, labor division can lead to increased productivity. This productivity from the workers can be attributed to specialization in one task since specialization leads to greater skill on their particular subtasks compared to what would be accomplished by the same number of workers performing a broad task. For maximum productivity from workers, skills that they have should be matched with the corresponding equipments.   Most of today’s increase in productivity can be attributed to the matching of technological, human and physical capital and mostly in the manner in which they are organized. This means that laborers need to be equipped with the right skills so as to be effective in what they do compared to when there would be no job specialization and hence anybody could perform any job. Todays economics has borrowed greatly from these ideas from Adam smith. Many organization have realized the need to equip their employees and some even hire unskilled ones but pay for their acquisition of skills. Another outcome of labor division according to Adam smith is minimization of time that is wasted by employees when moving from one task to the other. A lot of time is wasted when people keep on relocating and this proves expensive to the company in the long run because they have to pay the employees. Through labor division, this time wastage is minimized . The modern concept of scientific management borrows greatly from Adam Smiths ideas .Scientific management emphasizes on the connection between activities and the transformation that occurs within the process. This is also supported by William Petty who notes and demonstrates its importance in the construction of Dutch ships. He admits that people with a particular task to perform had discovered new ways of doing their work which were later observed and justified by political writers on economy. (An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776)> specialisation) The wages of labor Wages of labor are dictated by mostly by the availability of job vacancies and also by the availability of workforce. When there are many workers and the available vacancies are few, the amount of money the workers are paid usually fall. Likewise, when employers compete against one another and the labor supply is limited, the wages paid to the employees usually rises but its worthy noting that this process is made possible by unity among laborers and masters. This kind of unity enables laborers to come together and stop biding for jobs against each other hence making the employers increase the wages paid to them. Likewise when employers come together in unity and stop binding against each other, the wages fall. However, in places where the amount of labor is more compared to the amount of the amount of revenue that can used to pay for waged labor, the competition among the employees in greater than the competition between the employers. Smith argues that the amount of revenue must keep on increasing constantly compared to the amount of labor so that wages may remain high. Profits of stock too have an impact on the wages because the more money is spent on compensating labor; little is left for personal profit. This is clearly shown in countries where competition amongst employees is great compared to competition among employers, profits will be much higher. Due to these views, Smith attacks people who are politically aligned and try to use their political influence to manipulate the government and other powers into their bidding. Smith feared that people of this class could form a powerful block and take advantage of their closeness with the authorities into manipulating the state into enforcing certain regulations meant to serve their interests against the general interests. These would maker other players vulnerable and have no say in the way businesses were being conducted. According to other people the level of specialization brought about by division of labor was externally determined but in the contrary, Smith argued that it was the dynamic engine towards economic progress. Surprisingly, Smith himself criticizes the division of labor arguing that it leads to mental mutilation of the workers hence rendering them ignorant and insular because their lives are limited only to doing a single task many times. These ideas by Smith are incorporated into today’s discussions on economic issues. Human capital is one of the discussions in which Adams Smiths ideas are used. Human capital is one of the four types of capital that were identified by Adam as being important for the success of a company. As argued by Smith previously, human capital and the productive ability of the labor force is both dependant on the division of labor. It’s worthy noting that human capital includes skills, dexterity, and the ability to make the right decisions and human capital can be acquired through informal schooling and on the so called on-the-job training. These acquisitions of skills aimed at improving the effectiveness of the workforce are still practiced today by ma ny companies. (An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776) > productivity) Adam Smith vs Karl Marx Both Adam Smith and Karl Marx shared a common idea and this common idea was their praise for capitalism .These two early pioneers of modern economics agreed that capitalism was the key in unleashing the productive powers. This argument stated that for the employees to be more productive, they needed to be subject to their bosses or seniors. If the employees were left to work at their own leisure these two men agreed that their productivity would be minimal and as a result, their employers would incur big losses. This created the need for competition among both the employers and the employees as well since this would keep these two parties on their feet through out. But despite these similarities in their in their views, there was differences in their ideas as well. Marx and Smith both seem to agree that capitalism is the ultimate driving force in profit maximization .New profits and value added, they seem to agree came as result of the employers paying the workers the exact value that is in the market for their labor capacity. But the sad thing was that in most cases, the market value of the goods which the workers produced exceeded that market value. This clearly means that the employers were making maximum profits while paying little to their workers. Both Marx and Smith agree that     there are different types of capital and they play different roles during production. Production Capitals include things like land, natural resources or raw materials and lastly technology. All the above named different classes of capital were dependant on each other in production. These two men seemed to agree also that social relations of production should not only be made up of relationships between individuals but rather should be between large groups of people or certain classes of people. These two men had the same idea of a free market. They described a free market as a market in which all prices of the goods that are on offer are decided by mutual consent between sellers and buyers   and also one   that did not mislead both the sellers as well as the buyers. They both argued that these two major people in the market, the buyer and the seller, should not be forced into making decision by an external party. The relationship between these two players should not be manipulated by any one but to the contrary, it should be left to obey the natural law of supply and demand. The difference between free and controlled markets is that   controlled markets are controlled by external forces These forces mostly refers to governments which may directly or indirectly try to have control of prices or the supplies in the market. One area where these two men seem to differ is their idea of job specialization. Smith advocates for specialization for jobs among workers. He argues that laborers who were assigned too many different duties were less productive than those who were assigned a specific task to perform day in day out. He says that this leads to efficient usage of time and it seeks to save time that is usually wasted by workers when moving from one task to another. But to the contrary, Karl Marx disapproves this idea arguing that job specialization could result to workers with more poor overall skills. This, as he says would be brought about by tendency of people to resist change. He also says that when people perform one task repeatedly, it may lead to boredom and make them less enthusiastic about their work. He describes this whole process as a kind of alienation. According to him, the more workers become specialized and do the same thing over and over, they later become totally alienated. Marx goes ahead to argue that division of labor brings with it spiritual depression to the workers. This means that the workers perform their duties feeling as if they are being forced other than doing out of their own will .This greatly lowers the morale of the workers and as a result lower their productivity. Physical tiredness or fatigue can be brought about by job specialization as Marx goes ahead to argue since they no longer feel like human beings but they feel more of machines. Contrary to the idea of Smith, Marx believes that fullness of production is very essential to human liberation goes on to say that he would accept the idea of a strict division of labor as a temporary necessary evil. These views can be said to be in total contrast to those expressed by Smith. Smith on his part believed that any business was a collection of inter related tasks that were aimed at solving a particular issue. So as to effectively do this, Smith argued that the workload should be divided into simple sets of tasks which could be done effectively by workers who were equipped with special skills for doing that particular job. It’s worthy noting that Smith, despite his advocating for division of labor, he does not advocate for achievement of labor division at all costs. It’s worthy noting that in contrast to Smith’s view which were only limited to functional domain only and were made up of activities that were direct in sequence as far as the manufacturing process is concerned, modern processes are very inclusive. It was as a result of his ideas that labor division was adopted. Today, we can clearly say that much of today’s practices in the job markets have bor rowed greatly from the ideas of Smith. In all organization, there is job specialization. This has led to the rise of departments in many organizations and each department is allocated certain workers who are in most cases equipped with certain skill to enable them perform specific duties .The sense in this whole exercise as argued by Smith is that it saves a great deal of time that could be wasted by employees when moving from one task to another. This proves very essential since no employer will want to waste his money employees without maximizing their productivity. However, it is good to note that Smith admits that seeking self interests is not always good. All he tried to do was trying to reverse believe that self interest is generally bad. He also intended to bring to the light the idea that wile human motives are selfish and greedy; the out come of these human behaviors would bring benefits to the whole community at large. This is the direct opposite of the ideas that Marx had .In his arguments; Marx says that the major struggles are always between the producers and those who work in the industries. Another of his greatest contribution to modern economics was his sharp distinction between the two types of division namely social and economic division of labor .If these two labor divisions are conflated, it might look as if labor division is inevitable rather than being constructed socially and influenced by power. (Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776) & Karl Marx, The Poverty of Philosophy). References Edwin G. West, (1976)The Man and His Wor

Character Analysis: Mephistopheles

In Goethe’s Faust, Mephistopheles is presented as a servant of the Devil. His chief function is to search for corrupt men and collect their souls. Mephistopheles’ appearance to Faust signifies that Faust’s soul is in danger of damnation. Some scholars claimed that Mephistopheles, although a servant of Satan, is not entirely evil. In the third part of the play, Mephistopheles even warned Faustus not to sell his soul t Lucifer. There are indications that he even advised Faust to seek and reenter God’s favor by foregoing his unwarranted desires. In post-classical literary criticism, Mephistopheles is even depicted as a protector of souls in danger of damnation – a fallen angel who retained some good. Some scholars argued that Mephistopheles is the material manifestation of Faust’s bad conscience. He is perceived to be an angel who permitted Faust to act on endless possibilities. This limitless freedom is synonymous to a life free from God. Indeed, according to some scholars, Mephistopheles represents this limitless freedom. However, it should be noted that Mephistopheles is not merely a symbolic representation of evil. In the play, he is portrayed as a fallen angel – a servant of Satan who collects the soul of damned individuals. The traditional definition of evil is, however, retained in Mephistopheles’ character. The first scene of the play is somehow imitated from one of the most popular stories in the Bible, the story of Job. Faust is a humble teacher and doctor to the poor. He is the proof that there are still men who are truly dedicated to God. Mephistopheles approaches God and mocks Faust for his endless search for understanding. He tells God that such character is a weakness – that it is impossible to fully understand the cosmos. God allows Mephistopheles to ‘tempt’ Faust. Mephistopheles is overtly happy, presumably because he knew that he could easily sway Faust away from God. In his study table, Faust reads some commentaries on the Bible and philosophical tracts. He is deeply sad because after studying so many tracts and books, he still cannot understand the mysteries of the universe. At some point in time, he considers committing suicide. It is Easter Morning. Faust reads the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Mephistopheles then suddenly appeared disguised as a scholar. The two men talk and after which, Faust convinces him to return. . Mephistopheles then appears to Faust, this time in his true form. He offers Faust all the wonders of the world in exchange for his soul. Faust immediately agrees (believing that the soul is not immortal) on the condition that he must experience the greatest pleasure that can be possibly attained. Mephistopheles agrees. A blood pact is then signed. Note the overt traditionalism of the first chapter of the play. Contrary to post-modernist criticism of the play, Mephistopheles is depicted not only as the agent of Satan but also as the bearer of true evil. His proud stature as a fallen angel is a proof that he is fully capable of swaying men away from God. Indeed, Mephistopheles is not only Faust’s bad conscience; he is an incarnate of evil – a creature whose existence is independent from that of either Faust or his conscience.

Guatemala Strikes Back essays

Guatemala Strikes Back essays Comparing and contrasting countries can really give you a good sense of knowledge on where a country stands in terms of economics and population. Guatemala is a country that is hard to make assumptions about when you really do not hear very much about it. In this paper I will be comparing and contrasting Guatemala to Kenya and the United States, in terms of site/situation, agriculture, economics, population characteristics, social indicators, and population pyramids. Site is the absolute location of a place, while situation is the relative location of a place. These terms will help us to better understand whether or not Guatemala is dependant on its bordering countries. I will be providing tables to use a visual approach at explaining these topics that I mentioned. While Kenya is a less developed country, and the United States is much more of a developed country, you will be soon to learn that Guatemala settles somewhere in between these two countries. Using the United States and Kenya to make comparisons to Guatemala can really help you understand what this country is all about. Guatemala is a country that is strengthened by its site and situation. Being just south and to the east of Mexico, there is a strong dependency on that country. Guatemala and Mexico have a free trade agreement that goes to show that they need each other to thrive economically. The table below will give show you the bordering countries of Guatemala, Kenya and the United States. Bordering Countries Honduras Canada Somalia Rand McNally, Goodes World Atlas The United States does not really rely on Canada or Mexico for economic support. Kenya on the other hand, is strongly dependant on all of its bordering countries. Guatemala sits right between the United States and Kenya, statistically speaking. When it comes down to agriculture, the United States puts Guatemala and Kenya to sham...

recruit, select and induct staff Essay Example

recruit, select and induct staff Essay Example recruit, select and induct staff Paper recruit, select and induct staff Paper 1 . What is a selection report, how is compiled, what is included in a selection report and why is it an important piece of documentation in the recruitment and selection process? The selection report is the official record of the selection process. The main purpose of the selection report is to convey the panels recommendation, and provide enough information for the delegate to make an informed and fair recruitment decision. The final decision to select an applicant or take other action rests with the delegate. The selection report should also be used when providing eedback to individual candidates who request post-selection feedback. The selection report must demonstrate with rigour how the selection panel used an evidenced base selection process to arrive at its conclusion, and will be used in the case of a review. Documents to be attached to the selection report include: 0 referee checks 0 a copy of the interview questions (interview guide and selection options matrix) 0 the short-listing grid 0 any other evidence gathered which supports the recommendation 2.. Recruitment is one of the functions that HR practitioners are responsible for. What is recruitment nd what does it involve? How does recruitment fit into the HR life cycle? Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, selecting, and onboarding a qualified person for a Job. At the strategic level it may involve the development of an employer brand which includes an employee offering. Human resource management (HRM), also called personnel management, consists of all the activities undertaken by an enterprise to ensure the effective utilization of employees toward the attainment of individual, group, and organizational goals. An organizations HRM function focuses on the people side of management. It consists of practices that help the organization to deal effectively with its people during the various phases of the employment cycle, including pre-hire, staffing, and post-hire. The pre-hire phase involves planning practices. The organization must decide what types of Job openings will exist in the upcoming period and determine the necessary qualifications for performing these Jobs. During the hire phase, the organization selects its employees. Selection practices include recruiting applicants, assessing their qualifications, and ultimately selecting those who are deemed to be the most qualified. How does an interview panel will assess each applicant and select the preferred candidate? After the final interview, panel members should compare their ratings and judgements amongst themselves. It is preferable to review candidates and their performances immediately after the interview process whilst the information is still fresh in the minds of the panel. All discussion should be s upported by assessment evidence not Just personal impression. Candidates should be rated against the agreed and specified criteria and not against each other. Further information from ny additional sources should be included in these discussions. Time to review and discuss should be timetabled into the interview/selection planning. However, it is not essential that recommendation for appointment has to be made on the same day as the interviews. Every appointment is a serious investment and the selection decision considered an option and is preferable to making what could prove to be a poor appointment due to a hasty decision. 4. What is discrimination? What can organisations do to ensure that they comply with anti discrimination and equal opportunity legislation in the recruitment process? Direct or overt discrimination is any action that specifically excludes a person or a group of people from a benefit or opportunity, or significantly reduces chances of obtaining it because a personal characteristics, irrelevant to a situation, is applied as a barrier. National and state laws cover equal employment opportunity and anti- discrimination in the workplace. Youre required by these laws to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Its important that as an employer, you understand your rights and responsibilities under human rights and anti- discrimination law.

An In-Depth Look at the Lightning Thief

An In-Depth Look at 'the Lightning Thief' The first book in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief, was published in 2005. This book is an entertaining introduction to a world of half-bloods, heroes, and Greek mythology. From the hilarious chapter titles (â€Å"We Take a Zebra to Vegas†) to the action-packed and thrilling text, to the strong narrative voice and compelling characters, readers of all ages (especially those ages 10 to 13) will find themselves immersed in Percy’s world. Many readers are unable to put the book down. Story Synopsis The books protagonist is 12-year-old Percy Jackson, who has dyslexia. He cant seem to keep himself out of trouble. He has been kicked out of a lot of boarding schools, but the last thing he wants to do is get kicked out of Yancy Academy. Things go horribly wrong on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when he and his best friend Grover are attacked by their math teacher, who has turned into a monster. Percy narrowly escapes this monster, then learns the truth about why his teacher attacked him. It turns out that Percy is a half-blood, the son of a Greek god, and there are monsters trying to kill him. The safest place is at Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp on Long Island for the children of the gods. Here, Percy is introduced to a new world of gods, magic, quests, and heroes. After a series of page-turning events where Percys mother is kidnapped and Zeuss master lightning bolt is stolen, a crime for which Percy is being blamed,  he sets out on a quest with his friends Grover and Annabeth. They want to find the lightning bolt and return it to Mount Olympus on the 600th floor of the Empire State building. Percy and his friends mission takes them in all sorts of odd directions and on adventures around the country. By the end of the book, Percy and his pals have helped restore order among the gods, and his mom is set free. Why Its Worth Reading While the plot sounds needlessly complicated, it works as a whole to keep the reader engaged. There’s an overarching story that holds all the smaller pieces together. The smaller side plots introduce various Greek gods and myths that make the story so much fun to read. Riordan knows his Greek mythology and understands how to make these stories interesting for kids. The Lightning Thief is appealing to both boys and girls, as the book is peppered with strong male and female heroes and heroines. The Lightning Thief provides a fantastic start to a fun series. Its highly recommended reading for children aged 10 to 13. About Author Rick Riordan A former sixth grade English and social studies teacher, Rick Riordan is the author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the  Heroes of Olympus  series, and The Kane Chronicles  series. He has also been a part of The 39 Clues series. Riordan is an outspoken advocate of books that are accessible and interesting to read for kids with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. He is also the author of an award-winning mystery series for adults. Sources: Riordan, R. (2005).  The . New York: Hyperian Books.Lightening Thief Rick Riordan. (2005). Retrieved from http://rickriordan.com/

Exercise Your Editing with This Exercise

Exercise Your Editing with This Exercise Exercise Your Editing with This Exercise Exercise Your Editing with This Exercise By Mark Nichol Editing is as much an art as writing is. Whether you’re finessing your own writing or revising the work of another, the process requires simultaneous attention to multiple issues: spelling, grammar, style, accuracy, formality, and the subjective aspect of substance: providing context, assigning meaning and conveying value, and more. When I was a copyediting instructor, one of my favorite activities was creating error-ridden editing exercises for my students. (Sadistic, I know but they got their money’s worth.) Here, I inflict one such compositional concentration of calamity of on you free of charge. But before you read beyond the following paragraph, copy and paste it and give it your best editing effort, then come back and compare your revision with mine: â€Å"On Jan. 20th, 1960 then-President John Kennedy delivered his notorious Ask Not What You Can Do for Your Country Speech. Kennedy launched not only America’s Space Program that sent men to the moon, but stood up to Russia when they threatened the free world during the missile crisis. During his Presidency, Peace Corps was formed; the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed by the Soviets; and the Civil Rights Act was passed. (However, he stumbled when, in a speech in Berlin in 1963, he told the Germans, â€Å"Ich bin ein Berliner.† He intended to communicate â€Å"I am a Berliner,† but the way he said it meant, â€Å"I am a jelly doughnut.†) Only 42-years-old when elected, the youngest president, his legacy is a less than three year presidency compared with Camelot.† Here’s my quick fix, followed by annotations: â€Å"President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1961, is memorable for the statement â€Å"Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country,† and he answered his own challenge. During his administration, he not only pressed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to achieve a manned landing on the Moon by the end of the 1960s but also confronted the Soviet Union over that country’s plan to install nuclear weapons in Cuba that would be aimed at the United States. Also, during Kennedy’s presidency, tragically abbreviated when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, the Peace Corps was formed; the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; and Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The legacy of Kennedy, only forty-two years old when he was elected, is of a brief period of peace and prosperity; indeed, his administration was compared to the glory of King Arthur’s Camelot.† Note the correction of the style of the month and date, and correction of the year itself. Our thirty-fifth president’s name is John F. Kennedy. If I had retained â€Å"then-President† before Kennedy’s name, I would omit the hyphen and lowercase the name of the office, which because of the modifier then becomes an epithet rather than a specific job title. Because Kennedy’s inaugural address is notable for other excerpts as well, I chose, in identifying it, to focus on the line giving it in its entirety and not on the speech. But if you do refer to a speech, style the reference as follows: â€Å"his ‘Ask not what you can for your country’ speech.† (Also, notorious is not an apt description for the address.) If I were editing someone else’s work, I would query for the writer’s approval of insertion of â€Å"he answered his own challenge,† which I think provides a transition to what would otherwise be merely a grocery list of accomplishments. I corrected the erroneous â€Å"not only . . . but also† construction. There is no such entity as â€Å"America’s Space Program,† so the latter two words should not have been capitalized. (And, whenever possible, use the more precise â€Å"United States† in place of America in reference to the nation.) In this context, moon is the formal name of an astronomical feature, rather than a generic word for such a phenomenon, and should therefore be capitalized. Although Russia is an informal alternative to â€Å"the Soviet Union,† it should be avoided in such usage. (â€Å"The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics† was the official name of the country during this period, but the two-word version is acceptable.) A nation is a singular entity and should not be referred to as â€Å"they.† â€Å"Free world† is subjective and provocative in this otherwise neutrally written passage. Because of the lack of specificity and capitalization, â€Å"the missile crisis† implies a previous reference to the incident. It should be referred to by its capitalized full name. As written, the sentence beginning â€Å"During his Presidency† (there is no reason to capitalize presidency, by the way) requires only commas, not semicolons. I retained the latter punctuation marks only because I rewrote the list of achievements in a complex form, with internal commas in the second item. I also revised the passive construction to active form. I inserted the phrase about his assassination to provide context. â€Å"Peace Corps,† like the similarly constructed names of most entities, should be preceded by the article the. Several nations signed the treaty, and if any are identified, all should be identified. The phrase â€Å"of 1964† is part of the formal name of the act. The â€Å"Ich bin ein Berliner† gaffe is a popular myth; residents of Berlin did not, and do not, call jelly doughnuts â€Å"Berliner.† (Beyond that, even if the story were true, the incident is minor when compared with the other highlights of Kennedy’s presidency listed here, and the passage provides insufficient context.) A person’s age, when not applied as a modifier, should not be hyphenated (except for linking ones-place and tens-place numbers, as in forty-two). Also, I prefer to follow The Chicago Manual of Style in spelling ages out. The first phrase of the last sentence is a dangling modifier; â€Å"the . . . president† is incorrectly identified as his own legacy. â€Å"The youngest president† is an awkwardly truncated interjection. My more extended parenthetical is only one of several possibilities. The phrase â€Å"less than three year,† as a modifier for presidency, should be hyphenated; I deleted the entire phrase because it seemed to distract from the point of the passage. Also, there was insufficient context for the reference to Camelot. This passage could be edited in as many versions as there are editors, and, given further context, would be further improved by additional changes. My effort attends to the deficiencies in the several categories I listed in the first paragraph of this post. Share in a comment below how and why your edits differ from mine and others. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Inquire vs EnquireHow to Punctuate Descriptions of ColorsA "Diploma" is not a "Degree"