Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chain

1. 0 INTRODUCTION: From humble beginnings, Tesco has grown to become the UK's largest supermarket chain. Over ten years ago, Tesco set its sights on becoming the Toyota of the grocery business. Since then the company has become renowned for its best practices in supply chain management (SCM), which included lean management and the use of RFID technology. The company has got an advantage over its competitors by incorporating innovation in its supply chain like point of the sale data, continued replenishment triggered by customer demand, primary distribution, cross dock distribution centre and use of single vehicle to serve several stores. . 0. Background Tesco was founded in 1910 by Jack Cohen, who invested his serviceman's gratuity of ? 30 in a grocery stall. The first private label product introduced by Cohen was Tesco Tea. The name Tesco was a combination of the initials of the tea supplier – TE Stock well and the first two letters of Cohen's name. Tesco opened its first sto re in 1929. Cohen was influenced by the supermarket culture in America and tried to introduce the concept in the UK. The company's driving force was the idea: ‘Pile it high and sell it cheap. In 1947, Tesco went public and a year later, Tesco self-service stores were started. In 1956, the first Tesco self-service supermarket was opened. In the 1960s, Tesco went on an expansion spree and acquired several store chains. The Retail Price Maintenance (RPM) Act8  in Britain prohibited large retailers from pricing goods below a price agreed upon by the suppliers. To overcome this obstacle to price reduction, Tesco introduced trading stamps which were given to customers when they purchased products; they could be traded for cash or other gifts.RPM was abolished in 1964, and from then on, Tesco was able to offer competitively priced products to its customers. The first Tesco superstore, with an area of 90,000 square feet, was opened in 1967. By the 1970s, Tesco's ‘Pile it high, sell it cheap' philosophy no longer appealed to shoppers. As people got richer, they started demanding expensive and luxury items. The poor performance of Tesco even led to the saying ‘doing a Tesco,' which meant snatching defeat from victory.  Control Key and Word – Text and Graphics.Tesco's image took a further beating when Imperial Tobacco Company which had considered acquiring Tesco as a part of its diversification strategy, did not go ahead with the deal as it felt that Tesco might damage its corporate image. To arrest the downslide in its fortunes, Tesco's management went in for an overhaul of its stores during the decade. Several stores were closed down to concentrate on the superstores. The smaller stores that still remained were refurbished to make them more customer-friendly.Tesco diversified into operating petrol pumps in 1974. In 1975, Tesco offered price discounts through a scheme called ‘Checkout at Tesco. ‘ By 1979, the company's turnover h ad reached ? 1 billion. In 1985, lan MacLaurin become Tesco's first CEO from outside the Cohen family. MacLaurin streamlined Tesco's operations, closing most of the smaller stores and opening large 30,000 square foot stores in the suburbs. Tesco also introduces a centralized distribution system, added fresh food and its own label for food products. These were successful moves.In the 1990s, the UK supermarket industry faced of 16. 7 per cent, behind Sainsbury's at 19 per cent. The other major competitors were Asda and Safeway. Several warehouse stores like Costco and discount stores like Aldi, Lidl and Netto also entered the UK. In 1997, Tesco's marketing director, Terry Leahy, become the new CEO. He had introduced new pricing policy of lowering prices to match those of Asda, which resulted in Tesco's prices begin 4-5 per cent lower than those at Sainsbury's and Safeway. 3. 0 DEFINING ISSUES 3. SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGMENT Supply chain management is a business administration strategy that aims at the improvement in efficiency of cash flow through information sharing and Business Process Reengineering (BPR) in the supply chain as a whole. The emphasis is put on maximizing a consumer’s worth by conflating products, services, information, and the cash flow into one seamless stream. What was formerly a â€Å"push system†, in which the product was sent downstream and sold, has become a â€Å"pull system† that produces only the quantity sold.However, since the order cycle is different, the quantity of orders from retailers to wholesalers becomes the smaller wave compared with the wave of actual sales because of subjectivity. Subjectivity goes also into the wholesaler’s decision; thus, manufacturing quantities fluctuate significantly. Such a phenomenon is called the â€Å"bull whip† effect or Forester effect. The phenomenon may be avoided if retailers, wholesalers, and manufactures share information. A large number of bottlenecks exist on a supply chain. The entire supply chain must be improved in balance.It is important to construct a system that creates unity throughout the supply chain. In order to optimize the system as whole, information sharing is required. It begins by sharing such information as the transition of sales trends showing consumer interests as well as real-time inventory data on a supply chain. Figure 1. Supply chain management In such a situation, RFID attracts attention as a new data career that uses the Internet. Wal-Mart stores will have RFID on pallets or corrugated boxes of products from their top 100 suppliers beginning January 1, 2005.Tesco of Britain, Metro of Germany, and the U. S. Department of Defense also decided to use RFID similarly. Promotion of RFID has been incorporated in E-Japan strategy as well. 3. 2 LEAN SYSTEM The core idea is to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. Simply, lean means creating more value for customers with fewer resources. A lean organization unde rstands customer value and focuses its key processes to continuously increase it. The ultimate goal is to provide perfect value to the customer through a perfect value creation process that has zero waste.To accomplish this, lean thinking changes the focus of management from optimizing separate technologies, assets, and vertical departments to optimizing the flow of products and services through entire value streams that flow horizontally across technologies, assets, and departments to customers. Eliminating waste along entire value streams, instead of at isolated points, creates processes that need less human effort, less space, less capital, and less time to make products and services at far less costs and with much fewer defects, compared with traditional business systems.Companies are able to respond to changing customer desires with high variety, high quality, low cost, and with very fast throughput times. Also, information management becomes much simpler and more accurate. 4. 0 PROBLEM STATEMENT Tesco’s supply chain improvements described indicate that supply chain management has the potential to improve a firm's competitiveness. Tesco’s supply chain capability is as important to a company's overall strategy as overall product strategy. Firm’s supply chain management encourage management of processes across departments. . 0. QUESTIONS AND THEIR SOLUTION: 5. 1. QUESTIONS 1: To what extent can Tesco's supply chain practices be said to follow lean principles? Tesco is an extremely successful company and a major part of its success has been due to its distribution network, Tesco has successfully applied lean distribution and just in time strategy into their distribution network. Using just in time within their distribution network gives Tesco a competitive advantage over its competitors by reducing inventory costs and improves scheduling.It also insures proper protective maintenance and stress quality in all phases of production from qua lity by suppliers to quality within Tesco. However, it is not enough. The original seven muda are: * Transport (moving products that are not actually required to perform the processing) * Inventory (all components, work in process and finished product not being processed) * Motion (people or equipment moving or walking more than is required to perform the processing) * Waiting (waiting for the next production step) * Overproduction (production ahead of demand) Over Processing (resulting from poor tool or product design creating activity) * Defects (the effort involved in inspecting for and fixing defects) According to the original seven muda, Tesco can improve its suppliers more by teach them the lean technique. They did it before but they must do it for their new suppliers around the world. 5. 2. QUESTIONS 2: How can lean practices give benefits to Tesco operation? Lean operation is an alternative to traditional operation that an increasing number of organizations are adopting. The ultimate goal of a lean system is to achieve a balanced, smooth flow of operations.Sup- porting goals include eliminating disruptions to the system, making the system flexible, and eliminating waste. The building blocks of a lean production system are product design, process design, personnel and organization, and manufacturing planning and control. Key benefits of lean systems are reduced inventory levels, high quality, and flexibility, reduced lead times, increased productivity and equipment utilization, reduced amounts of scrap and rework, and reduced space requirements. The risks stem from the absence of buffers, such as extra personnel and inventory stockpiles to fall back on if something goes wrong.The possible results of risks include lost sales and lost customers. Lean can make more profit in Tesco’s supply chain management by: †¢ Point-of-sale data in the store directly to a shipping decision in Tesco’s RDC. †¢ â€Å"customers as pacemaker† r egulating the provision stream †¢ increased the frequency of deliveries to the retail stores †¢ shipping dollies directly up to POS. †¢ Contingency plan: buffer stock of full dollies is still held aside †¢ supplier’s distribution center for the items has disappeared. †¢ Converting RDC as cross-docks, reducing costs their also. Increase in loyalty of customer leading to increase in sales and more certainty in demand too. †¢ Reduced costs, operating costs were offset by overall profits in a long run †¢ increasing its share in every format †¢ Better forecasting ability, i. e. better knowledge of consumption of each type of consumables at store. †¢ Reduced inventory case as RDC was converted into Cross-docks. †¢ Reduced Transportation costs due to milk runs. †¢ Reduction in stock points too. †¢ The no. Of logistical activities for a pallet to reach the final storing point reduce to 200%. 5. 3.QUESTIONS 3: What are the ma in differences between operating lean practices in retiling and in manufacturing operations? Lean Manufacturing is a systematic methodology that identifies and eliminates all types of waste or non-value-added activities; not only in production or manufacturing operations, but in the service industry as well. Whether you are manufacturing a product or providing a service, there are components that are considered â€Å"waste†. Lean concepts are purely about creating more value for customers by eliminating activities that are considered waste.Any activity or process that consumes resources, adds cost or time without creating value becomes the target for elimination. Lean focuses on the â€Å"big picture† or improvements in the entire business process as opposed to incremental improvements. It is the business process system that can significantly improve a company's profitability. Lean concepts improve operating performance by focusing on the continuous flow of products, m aterials or services through the value stream. To achieve this, the various forms of waste must be identified and eliminated. Waste can include any activity, step or process that does not add value for the customer.Lean Manufacturing, sometimes also referred to as the Toyota Production System (TPS), is about the systematic elimination of waste. There are a number of waste types which are: 1. Waste from Overproduction — producing more than is required by the customer or marketplace which generates unnecessary inventory. 2. Waste from Transportation — multiple handling or movement of products does not add any value to the product. 3. Waste of Motion — of the workers, machines, and handling. Searching for tools or parts due to the inappropriate location of these items is considered waste of motion. 4.Waiting — a worker waiting for a machine to finish a cycle, waiting for a supervisor to answer a question, or waiting for information or materials reflects an i nterruption to flow and need to be eliminated. 5. Processing — unnecessary processing steps should be eliminated. Combine steps where possible. 6. Inventory — or Work In Process (WIP) is material between operations as a result of large lot production or processes with long cycle times. This reflects system problems. 7. Defects — producing defective products is pure waste. Prevent the occurrence of defects instead of scrapping or repairing.Like lean manufacturing, lean retailing is an approach to re-inventing a long established business practice by using new information technologies to cut out waste and make operations more profitable. Pioneered by Wal-Mart – but subsequently taken up by most large retailers – lean retailing relies on the use of Barcodes to manage every step of the product value chain, from raw material sourcing through manufacturing through final delivery to the shop floor. Major attention is given to â€Å"just in time† del ivery to cut inventory costs, and to investments in IT infrastructures to allow stores to share sales data in Real Time with their suppliers.In many cases, Lean Retailing software systems will automatically place new orders for a given product from the manufacturer as soon as an item is scanned at the checkout counter, and in some cases, even the invoicing for that automatic order is automatized as well. Lean retailing aims to â€Å"cut out the fat† (waste) from the retail sourcing process to maximize profits for the retailer. Lean Manufacturing combines the advantages of craft and mass production systems, whilst avoiding the disadvantages of each.Lean manufacturing is ‘lean' because it produces products using fewer resources than traditional ‘job shop’ and ‘mass production' methods. Lean Manufacturing involves removal of all unnecessary costs (i. e. ‘waste'). Waste elimination is translated into customer satisfaction (i. e. improved performance , quality, cost, delivery etc). In this regard, it is the same as Just-in-Time (JIT) Manufacturing; the difference being that Lean Manufacturing encompasses the whole business rather than just manufacturing. It includes product development, production, supply chains, distribution and customer service. . 4. QUESTIONS 4: What challenges does the increased internationalization of both its suppliers and its markets present for supply chain management in Tesco? Tesco's real strategic store internationalization began in 1994 with entry into Hungary but soon expanded into other central European countries. First steps were then made into the Asian market, both as a reaction to the Asian economic crisis of the 1990s, which meant assets were cheap, but also due to a more positive sense of the scale of the market opportunities in China and Japan, for example.Over time the countries in which Teseo operates have changed slightly. Withdrawals from some markets have been made (Palmer, 2004, 5), re cognizing the lack of scope to become the market leader and/or the desire to invest elsewhere. In some cases, these withdrawals have been made as part of asset-swaps with other leading global retailers, each recognizing their own strengths in particular markets. During this time Teseo also re-entered Ireland through a major acquisition, though it is still not represented in continental western Europe .The strategic approach to store internationalization has seen Teseo develop different solutions for diverse markets, using distinct formats and tailoring the product and service offer to the local market. In many countries it operates as a multi-format and even multi-channel retailer (home shopping is available in Ireland and Korea) and focuses on the core values and brands of the business. Behind the scenes people, processes and systems have been enhanced and rolled out initially as ‘Teseo in a Box' and more recently as the Teseo Operating Model.As can be readily understood, the internationalization of Teseo at store level brings supply chain issues as well. At the same time, Teseo buys products on a global basis and this also has to be ‘fitted in' to the ever changing pattern of supply and demand. With formats and products varying by country and with time, the need is for a supply system that can be adaptable. In some cases, eg Ireland and Hungary, the composite model has been effectively exported to thesecountries, often with the same logistics service partners.Ln other situations there is an attempt to rethink the supply system and the technology needed and use this as the platform moving forward. For example, in 2003/4, based on the UK composite model, Teseo opened the largest distribution centre in Asia at Mokchon, Korea. It also opened major centers in Poland and the Czech Republic, extended a centre in Hungary (and added another fresh food distribution centre) and developed a new composite site in Ireland. As internationalization continues, so the infrastructure and the processes in the supply chain need to keep pace with or even lead the developments.The processes are now embedded in the Teseo Operating Model, but new faculties to meet expansion needs are required. In November 2007, Teseo finally opened its much heralded Fresh and Easy stores in California and Nevada. Years in the planning, this US entry is intended to achieve 200 stores by February 2009 and to eventually develop into a major chain. Based on extensive consumer research with US families and a trial store built secretly, Fresh and Easy stores average about 10,000 sq ft and hold around 3,500 product lines.They focus on providing faster, easier neighborhood retailing with an emphasis on fresh food and fresh prepared meals at affordable prices. Environmental, neighborhood, employment and organic credentials are stressed. Fifty stores had opened by the end of February 2008, with expansion into Arizona, although a ‘pause' in development was announced in April 2008 to reflect on the learning from these early developments. It is too early to judge the success or otherwise of this US venture, but it has attracted considerable attention. The store format is different to Teseo stores elsewhere.Whilst the Teseo name is not used, its operations are based on the Teseo Operating Model, but with reduced complexity. The in-store processes are simplified, including extensive display-ready packaging, self-checkout and automated replenishment. The systems are advanced, linking processes to the service centre in India. This simplification has reduced payroll and other costs. In supply terms, the Fresh and Easy operation is a little different to other Teseo operations, partly because the model of practices and processes has been built up from scratch, though it does rely on core processes from the Teseo Operating Model.For example, there has been a degree of co-location of production with distribution. UK suppliers with particular expertise have c o-located production facilities at the head office and distribution hub (Riverside, CA), so as to react quickly to demand. Whilst this is not unknown in, for example, Japan, the attempt here is to move towards a low-touch, lean operation and to rethink traditional approaches. There is extensive recycling of packaging, use of returnable crates and retail-ready merchandizing and packaging. The emphasis is on fully automated, one-touch replenishment supported by deep shelves.At Riverside, pick-by-line has been introduced and various environmental initiatives, eg solar power, developed (Stites, 2007, 4). Store stock levels and availability were initially poor, however (Uwins, 2007, 55) and the distribution systems performance has had to improve as the store development programme has moved on. The sizes of the stores are 10,000sq ft selling around 3,500 items (Telegraph). The stores are much smaller than supermarkets such as Wal-mart, which shows Tesco are not prepared to go in direct co mpetition with them. Furthermore, Tesco have nvented a new format in America; convenience retailing as we know it in the UK – a small shop selling a wide range of fresh, top-up groceries – does not exist in the US, where a convenience store means a petrol station selling cigarettes, doughnuts and little else (Telegraph). Tesco predicts Americans will prefer the convenience of a smaller store providing it caters for their needs. By Tesco being the first major competitor in the ‘convenience’ market, they can have ‘first picks’ on store locations, suppliers, employees and partners. This concept is known as first mover advantage.However, perhaps the reason no other company has broken into the market before is because it is not profitable or not in demand. A strategic alliance can be defined as cooperative agreements between potential or actual competitors. Tesco announced that they would form an alliance with Safeway, an American supermarket, and share profits. The strategic alliance will facilitate Tesco’s entry into the foreign market by renting stores from Safeway in prime locations. If Tesco purchased the buildings and the project was unsuccessful, losses would be much higher than if they rented them.Therefore, a strategic alliance allows companies to share the fixed costs and reduces the risks involved in entering new markets. Furthermore, the USA has different property laws to the UK and so can be confusing to follow the law-with an American company in alliance their knowledge can be transferred to Tesco and vice-versa. However, strategic alliances can be risky too. If Safeway go bankrupt and have to sell its stores, terminating the contract, it puts Tesco in a vulnerable position of either purchasing the stores it rents or move elsewhere.Either way, it will cost the company money. 6. 0 CONCLUSION Overall, Tesco's Supply Chain Management Strategy is its long-term goal. It is important for Tesco to have an operat ional strategy because it establishes the types of goods and services the company will offer its target market, and how Tesco are going to get advantages over its competitors. Tesco made good planning and control in its capacity, supply chain and quality. Besides, in order to make improvements in operation, Tesco measures quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost.Although they have made some improvements, there are still some disadvantages in its operation. The future retains numerous distinct scenarios for Tesco. The business has currently developed into a worldwide business. One of their likely future strategies could be dedicated to gathering a spectacular clientele service, as they have currently developed enough. As cited previous, Tesco is the market foremost in the UK. To sustain this location it is significant to advance its services all the time. Tesco will require advancing its product variety by proposing more non-food items. . 0 REFERENCE Book 1. (2013). In D. A. Rahman, Operation Management. McGraw-Hill Create p. Journals 1. James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones, â€Å"Teaching the Big Box New Tricks,† Fortune, November 14, 2005. 2. Tsutomu Araki Sophia University â€Å"A SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BASED ON RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION† (2006) 3. Womack, J. P. and Jones, D. T, Lean Thinking, Simon & Schuster, New York, USA, 1996 (ISBN 0-684-81035-2) The Evolution of Supply Chain Management in Retail Sector of Tesco and Analytical Study for the Period of 2005-2011† 4.Shah, J. (2009). Supply chain management: text and cases. 1st Ed. India: Pearson Education Inc 5. Bicheno, J. , Cause and Effect JIT: The Essentials of Lean Manufacturing, 2nd Edition, PICSIE Books, Buckingham, England, 1994 (ISBN 0 9513829 5 0) 9-The European Handbook of Management Consultancy, Oak Tree Press, Dublin, Ireland, 1995 (ISBN 1-86076-010-4) 6. http://siibblog. blogspot. com/2009/07/case-studylean-supply-chain. html 7. Wang, L. (2010). Ente rprise networks and logistics for agile manufacturing. 1st 8. Humby, C. Hunt, T. nd Phillips, T. (2007). Scoring points: how Tesco continues to win customer loyalty. 2nd 9. Pryke, S. (2009). Construction supply chain management: concepts and case studies. 1st 10. Humby, C. Hunt, T. and Phillips, T. (2007). Scoring points: how Tesco continues to win customer loyalty. 2nd Online: 1. (n. d. ). Retrieved 04 2, 2013, from Industrial time study: http://www. industrialtimestudy. com/lean. html 2. (n. d. ). Retrieved 4 2, 2013, from blogspot: http://siibblog. blogspot. com/2009/07/case-studylean-supply-chain. html

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

John le Carre: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold This book is a spy story, about bluffs between the British Secret Service and the German Democratic Republic. I found it very difficult to understand. The stroy occurs during the Cold War, in the 1950s and 1960s. The main character is Alec Leamas, a british agent in charge of East German espionage. He is recalled to the Circus, because there are no agents left. Control asks him to ’stay in the cold’. That means one last mission for him, his job is providing false information to the East German Communists.During his job in the libary he fells in love with his co-worker, a Jewish woman, Liz Gold. She is at the Communist Party in Britain. Leamas goes to jail because he assaults a civilian. He goes to Netherlands, then to East Germany, to the Intelligence Srvice. At the same time, George Smiley and Peter Gulliam travel to Liz Gold’s house, and have many questions about Alec. Leamas meets Fiedler, an East German spy, Mu ndt’s lieutenant, who joined the Communists and remained an anti-Semite. Mundt ordains the torturing and arresting of Fiedler and Leamas.Than it is a little complicated, becase Fiedler reports Mundt at the same day. I also find it hard to understand the situation from different eyes. We can get to know many characters thoughts. Sometimes I cannot decide which is the good side and the bad. It is very exciting and complicated, sometimes confusing. Fiedler discovers that Mundt is a double agent, and he was arrested before, but allowed to escape if he agreeing to work. Liz Gold’s apartment is paid by George Smiley and she promises Leamas to not to look for him after his leaving.Mundt gets to know these thing, and that those things happened before the murdering. Liz is sent to the jail with Leamas, and they are taken in a car together. Many things become clear. Liz gets to know that the British Intelligence intended to kill Fiedler. The end of the story is outrageous. Perso nally I waited for a happy end after many complicated and confounded situations. Liz and Leamas wanted to break the wire on the Berlin Wall, to escape to West Berlin. Leamas climbs up to the Wall and when he touches Liz’s hands, she is shot.Smiley tells him to jump down from the West side, but he climbs back. He is shot dead as well. I think he realised that he was a fool, he was manipulated and he had that chance to flee, but it did not work, so he gave up. I have never read such a story before, I have a sense that I have to read it once more, because there are many things I did not clearly understand. It is so lifelike and realistic that I can imagine it has happened in reality during the Cold War.

Proposal for primary research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

For primary - Research Proposal Example The study considers whether having a standardised international marketing strategy, relevant for all international cultures, is effective for multi-national companies. The study tests whether convergence or the antithesis, divergence, is the prevalent decision-making phenomenon when comparing different national cultures. In order to determine whether ethnocentrism still dictates consumption decisions, the study takes a quantitative approach to research, utilising a survey constructed with a Likert-type scale which measures the level of ethnocentrism in five countries: The United States, Japan, Mexico, Sweden and Hong Kong. Questions provided in the survey include, â€Å"It is always best to purchase American products† and â€Å"Americans should not buy foreign products because it hurts American business and causes unemployment† (Keillor and Hult 1999, p.71) assists in determining whether global convergence is a legitimate phenomenon. The article finds that ethnocentrism is still present in some nations whilst in other nations with unique cultures, divergence in cultural identity is still prevalent. The study found that the U.S., Mexico and Hong Kong maintain high ethnocentrism when making product decisions whilst in Japan and Sweden, there is divergence of ethnocentrism that is not aligned with other evaluated nations. The study is further important as it suggests implications for today’s multi-national company marketers that using standardised marketing strategies will not be effective and refutes the notion that global convergence is a legitimate fact. This indicates that marketers operating in foreign nations should develop marketing communications that are sometimes aligned with existing cultural norms and preferences. This article lends support for the notion of global convergence as a result of cross-cultural exposure in India. The research study is important as it illustrates that Indian cultural

Facebook IPO Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Facebook IPO - Case Study Example A share lockup happens when an organization chooses to open up to the world. The organization builds lockup periods wherein existing shareholders are not permitted to offer their possessions. The design is to make help for the stock, seeing as how on numerous events the biggest holders are insiders and the individuals who claimed preceding the organization getting to be open. A lockup secures the retail financial specialist - there is an inaccessible cautioning (when the IPO is recorded) in respect to when these shares "could" hit the business and these speculators regularly undercut or the stock preceding the lockup lapse. In principle, if a substantial number of extra imparts come to market, it diverts from the offset of supply and interest, in this way, pushing the stock lower as insiders and unique financial specialists offer in the open business sector. A Look Back at a Past Expiration is evident whereby Solarcity declined 5% on Tuesday when more than 61 million shares went to t he business sector. Presently, Solarcity has 75.35 million shares remarkable. Hence, the organization's present termination is more than 80% of its impacts extraordinary; significance an incredible measure of offering weight was relied upon to hit the business. Morgan technology investment is the lead underwriter keeping in mind that it owns the largest shares on the Facebook market platform and that it leads to roles in future of the company’s debt offerings as well as acquisitions. The determination of underwriters ranking is unveiled through the number of ones shares in which for our case, Morgan technology Investment currently and as per the case study holds the highest percentage shares of tech IPOs.The business of Facebook is to remain social where people hang out while sharing their moments in life and then it posts advertisement along side of that status update highway to earn from their customers. Facebook engage people where they are already engaged. Their products include creating facebook hub pages, advertising, maximizing customer knowledge and measuring advertisement insights.

Business Law and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Law and Ethics - Essay Example eternal law), further bolstering its obligatory nature, then calling attention to the Roman jurists and the contemporary court pronouncements to the same effect, adding a legal dimension to the duty. All these aside, Johnston argues that the fiduciary obligation is encompassed within natural law, that is, it is within the nature of man as a free, rational and social being to render fiduciary loyalty where the situation calls for it. In the context of business, the fiduciary relationship exists between the owner of the business and the person that owner has hired to discharge the business. In modern corporate parlance, the business owner would be the shareholders, those who have invested financial resources in the business entity. The steward hired to conduct the affairs of the business is the modern business manager, or the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in large corporations. In the Biblical metaphor, therefore, the CEO is the servant who is morally charged to owe loyalty to the shar eholders. Johnston argues that one who serves in a fiduciary position cannot serve his interest first before the interest of the person/s to whom trust is owed, legally, the cestui que trust or beneficiary of the trust relationship. Corollary to this argument is that the person entrusted cannot substitute his own judgment for that of the trustor, or undertake an action that he knows jeopardizes the trustor’s best interests. The conflict therefore arises in the modern business context, where advocates of corporate social responsibility insist that business managers, particularly for large corporations, have a duty not only to shareholders but also to other stakeholders – customers, employees, suppliers, the immediate community and society in general – to likewise serve their benefit and welfare in the conduct of their business. This is seen to run counter to the fiduciary relationship because management would have to decide in favour of the benefit of other share holders, at times to the detriment of the aim to maximize shareholder gain and corporate profit. It is the equal obligation to stakeholders as to shareholders that Johnston believes is untenable in practice From a legal standpoint, I would tend to agree with Johnston. Given an either-or proposition, the fiduciary relationship would supersede the stakeholder relationship. From a practical perspective, however, it is apparent that seldom is one drawn into the choice of one side to the exclusion of the other. Most business owners are aware that keeping customers satisfied, employees engaged and motivated, suppliers operationally viable, and the community supportive, would eventually translate to business gain and growth. By serving stakeholder interests, managers may forego opportunities for short-term profits but benefit the shareholders in terms of long-run and sustainable profitability. From a utilitarian perspective, therefore, the satisfaction of stakeholder interests also serves the interests of the shareholders, and there is no conflict. It is also often forgotten that the shareholders are themselves stakeholders of the company, particularly as customers, and oftentimes also as employees, because of employees’ share options. Shareholders are also part of the community and larger society. In this sense, the

Critically examine the international expansion strategy for an Essay

Critically examine the international expansion strategy for an organisation of your own choice during a specific period of its e - Essay Example The clothing and accessories offered often depict young male and female models with aesthetic facial and body features in order to gain marketing interest in their target market of 18-35 year old buyers. This exclusive mentality positions them differently from main competition, such as the Gap and H&M, allowing them to retain considerably high market share among the competitive environment both in its home country of the U.S. and its new expansion locations internationally. This essay describes the current strategic management functions and principles at A&F related to their current, ongoing expansion strategy. A&F statistics and sales At the end of 2010, Abercrombie & Fitch operated 1,069 stores. These included 316 A&F stores, 502 Hollister Co. stores, and 181 Abercrombie stores dedicated to children and adolescent youths (euroinvestor.co.uk, 2011). The company has adopted many different strategies in an effort to gain more customer interest and improve market share. However, it has never lost focus on its core competencies and core products, which are often provocative and always exclusive fashions that are heavily branded with the Abercrombie & Fitch name and/or logo in order to help customers identify with their name and reputation. In previous years, from 2007 to 2009, A&F experienced considerable losses in profitability that came from a variety of factors, including economic downturns in the international economies and changing buyer behaviours. However, through aggressive advertising and downsizing of underperforming stores, Abercrombie & Fitch has managed to regain its competitive edge and just recently experienced a 7.6 percent increase in sales for the last quarter of 2010 (Stothard, 2011). Again, this is due to a strategic focus on remaining dedicated to the core brand philosophy of exclusivity, a series of short-term pricing reductions and the closing of non-performing stores internationally (especially in the United States where the economy has bee n poor). Strategic focus and intention In order to fully understand the international expansion strategy of Abercrombie & Fitch, it is necessary to identify with the concept of strategic management and leadership. â€Å"Strategic management is based on the belief that an organisation should continually monitor internal and external events so that timely changes can be made as needed† (Aluko, Odugbesan, Gbadamosi & Osuagwu, 2004, p.44). There is a need to be adaptable to change and be trend-focused so that their product offerings and values can shift along with changing environmental, economic and consumer behaviour trends related to retail buying. Strategic management, then, is a â€Å"continuous process of administering operations with an emphasis on overall corporate purpose and future opportunities† (Stone, 2010, p.S215). Abercrombie & Fitch is a very strategic-focused business that is always operationally-adaptable in the face of these conditions, however it never loses focus of its core mission and core competencies related to marketing and branding which are their most priority revenue-building strategies. Abercrombie & Fitch is currently closing underperforming stores in the United States and abroad, based on same-store sales and economic conditions in their current operating environment. However, these closings offer the

Please describe the information to make a note for the work Speech or Presentation

Please describe the information to make a note for the work - Speech or Presentation Example The red cells are well known for transporting oxygen to other parts of the human body. As the curved piece blocks the moving red pieces it represents the red blood cells being affected by the sickle as they move and changes their shape to oval. What happens is that the sickle celled cells get stuck on the way just like the stopped red piece when they are moving in the blood vessels. As a result oxygen is stopped from being distributed into the body causing pain in the sick body. This effect can affect other body parts like the body organs, the bones and the muscles. This model art represents the affected cells and their movement. The two pendulums represent the pumping of blood in the human body. As the pendulum swings, it introduces a new force and makes the pieces to move. As one square piece moves, it exerts force to the other piece making them to move slightly. The small square pieces represent the affected cells which do not move to circulate oxygen to the entire body of a human person. This creates redundancy in the blood cells movement hence oxygen is not circulated fully. People with sickle cell disease face a lot of pain and problems and hence their life span is reduced. This is one of the best visual arts represented which clearly shows how the affected red cells find it difficult to move in the blood vessels. The tray in which the square pieces move represents the blood vessel. Ever taught the cause of Sickle Cell? Well, it is a disease that is normally inherited mostly from a parent to a child. The child is so unlucky that he or she gets a gene from each of the parents (Father and Mother). When a child carries only one gene of the Sickle cell, he or she becomes a carrier. From this simple explanation, you now know how sickle cell

Ethical Leadership Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Ethical Leadership - Dissertation Example The intention of this study is leadership as considered a core aspect in the functioning and success of n organization. Basically, ethics assists an organization in fostering good relations with the public and maintaining sales and good returns. Furthermore, ethics ensures that an organization operates according to the expectations of the public and maintains quality productions. In the past, organizations were basically faced with management problems due to the theoretical belief on the practice. However, due to the rising concern over leadership and its effectiveness, need for ethics arose. This led to the need for regulations of employees’ behaviors and decision within an organization. Level of competition has also increased and this led to emergence of unethical practices. This is because organizations were working towards gaining of competitive advantage unfairly. Intense competition in the market also led to emergence of technology in operation. This required organizatio ns to effectively evaluate their operation system and transform it to suit changes in operation so as to avoid losses and increase their market share and level of income in the long-run. However, ethical leadership is traced way back from Plato. This is because ethics emphasize on reputation and Plato was so much concerned with reputation. Furthermore, Chester Bernard traces the source of ethics to executive. This is because he spoke of executive responsibility which conforms code of morals. They are presently k

McCain Foods Essay Example for Free

McCain Foods Essay 1. Which four Ps make up the marketing mix? Answer: †¢ Product †¢ Price †¢ Place †¢ Promotion †¢ Product this has to look and taste good and be made from wholesome ingredients. †¢ Price the price has to be attractive to ensure enough sales to generate a profit. †¢ Place the place and position of the product in the market is important to compete for market share. †¢ Promotion this has to fit the company’s objectives for the product. 2. Explain the different product categories in the Boston Matrix. Why is this a useful tool for businesses? Answer: The Boston Matrix identifies four types in a company’s product portfolio: †¢ Stars. These products have a high market share in markets that are growing quickly. For example, the Playstation was a star when it was first introduced into the games market. †¢ Question Marks. These products have a low market share in a growing market. Costs are more than returns as the company tries to increase market share. An example of a Question Mark could be a newly launched fashion item or a new car model. †¢ Cash Cows. These products have high market share in established markets, for example, cornflakes in the breakfast cereals market. †¢ Dogs. These products have low market share in a low growth market. A company may look to get rid of these products or invest in marketing to improve sales. For example, DVD recorders have replaced video recorders 3. Analyse how McCain Foods’ promotional strategies tie in with its message ‘It’s All Good’. Answer: Promotion A further demonstration of the ‘It’s All Good’ ethos is McCain Foods’ ethical stance on promotion. McCain makes a Commitment not to advertise to children under 12 years old. It also ensures that the retail labeling on its products carries clear information on levels of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar to help shoppers choose healthier options. Its labeling is in line with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) traffic light scheme and the food industry’s Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA). McCain also takes part in different types of sponsorship, such as: †¢ TV show Family Fortunes. This brings the McCain brand to a wide audience through a popular family programme. †¢ McCain Athletics Networks which encourage young people to get involved in the sport through local clubs. This further supports the company’s approach to balancing calories in with calories out. 4. Consider other promotional strategies McCain could use and say whether they are above- or below-the-line. Answer: Above-the-line promotion is paid for and includes traditional advertising routes such as television, radio and the press. These are good for carrying marketing messages to a large audience. However,it is less easy to measure the impact of these channels, for example, whether a TV advert has increased sales. Special displays or positioning in stores or advertising on supermarket trolleys are also examples of McCain’s above-the-line promotional activity. Below-the-line promotion can take many forms and is usually more under the control of the business. Typical examples include events or direct mail. McCain uses a combination of below-theline activities including: †¢ door-to-door leaflet drops or books of vouchers which give customers discounts over a period of time. These help to attract consumers and establish brand loyalty so the consumer buys the product again. †¢ email newsletter for consumers. This creates a relationship with consumers, which is unusual for a B2B organisation. It not only allows McCain to communicate directly with and listen to consumers, it also enables the business to collect information, for example, about their lifestyles and product choices. This is used for feedback, research and promotions.

Business Decision Mapping Essay Example for Free

Business Decision Mapping Essay The Shamrock Manufacturing Chicago plant manager, Sean Fitzpatrick is contemplating replacing a large piece of manufacturing equipment. Mr. Fitzpatrick is also inline for a promotion to Shamrocks larger Houston plant within the next year, and is hesitant to make any decisions that will reduce short-run operating income and his performance evaluation. While the prospective replacement equipment promises to reduce cash operating costs, it costs $90,000, as well as the loss on disposal cost of the old equipment, which has not fully depreciated. Prior to making a decision, Mr. Fitzgerald must identify all relevant costs and chose a decision for the best interest of Shamrock (Datar, Rajan, 2013). Analysis The available data to consider in this case is the old machines purchase price ($150,000); the current book value of the old machine ($60,000); the market value of the old machine ($36,000); the cost of the new equipment ($90,000); and the reduction in annual cash operating costs ($32,500). All historical costs are considered irrelevant, as they have already occurred and have no effect on future costs. The only relevant costs that should be considered for this decision are the future cash operating costs, the disposal value of the old machine, and the cost of the new machine that will be deprecated over the next two years. Based on the #1 and #2 worksheets in Appendix A of this document, year one yields an increase in expenditures of $6500, but includes the $24,000 loss of disposal of the old machine, which is irrelevant. The only relevant data is the total two-year costs shown on worksheet #2 that shows a reduction in total relevant cash flow of $11,000. The results of worksheet #1 are not beneficial for Mr. Fitzgerald, but the overall results in year two benefit Shamrock. Based on the #3 worksheet, with a lower new equipment cost ($77,000), year one breaks even, which is irrelevant, and the total two-year reductions in total relevant cash flow are $24,000. Conclusion Based solely on the worksheet information (Appendix A), the company should replace the equipment. All relevant costs located in worksheets #2, and #3 indicate that Shamrock manufacturing will benefit by replacing the machines at either equipment cost. However, worksheet #1 presents a problem for Mr. Fitzgerald as it shows a $6500 increase in the first year expenses, which are irrelevant in the long-run, but may encourage Mr. Fitzgerald not to purchase the new equipment because it may reflect badly on the short-run net operating income of his plant during the evaluation period for his promotion. Worksheet #3 offers a breakeven scenario in the first year and a $24,000 reduction in relevant cash flows in year two, which is the best option for Mr. Fitzgerald and Shamrock, if available. Reference: Datar, S., Rajan, M., (2013). Financial and Managerial accounting, custom edition, Pearson Learning Solutions, Ch. 9 Appendix A Shamrock Manufacturing relevant cash flow analysis Appendix B 5-Step Critical Thinking Decision-Making Process Matrix Step 1: Identify the problem(s) and uncertainties. What exactly is the problem†¦ Sean Fitzpatrick has an opportunity to decrease long-run cash flow by replacing a large piece of plant equipment. The problem is this †¦ Mr. Fitzpatrick is up for a promotion and is concerned that any short-run decreases in operating income will affect his performance evaluation. This is an important problem because†¦ Mr. Fitzpatrick’s decision may be good for the company, but could hurt his career aspirations. The key question(s) that needs to be answered to solve this problem is†¦ What is the best decision for shamrock in the long-run? Step 2: Obtain information. The following information is needed to answer this question†¦ What are the relevant costs that impact the decision to keep or replace the equipment? Based on the #1 and #2 worksheets, what decision would be made in years one and two? Based on the #3 worksheet, would the decision be different for years one and two compared to the initial cost of the new equipment? Some important assumptions I am using in my thinking are†¦ I believe that the best decision for Shamrock is not the best decision for Mr. Fitzpatrick, which creates an ethical dilemma. The points of view relevant to this problem belong to†¦ Sean Fitzpatrick. Note: Remember to view the information you have obtained for potential bias. This is from the perspective of your own bias to the research and the bias of the authors who compiled the data and the research you gathered. In other words, do not discount the importance of other’s data because of your own bias(is). Step 3: Make predictions about the future. If this problem gets solved, some important implications are†¦ Long-run relevant cash flows will be reduced, and operating income will increase. If this problem does not get solved, some important implications are†¦ An opportunity to decrease relevant cash flows will be missed. The potential alternative solutions to solve the problem are†¦ Keep the status quo or make a tough decision that will benefit Shamrock in the long-run. Note: if the problem is one-dimensional, there may be just one correct solution. Step 4: Make decisions by choosing among alternatives. What is the best solution and why†¦ By the new equipment, because it decreases long-run relevant cash flows. Step 5: Implement the decision, evaluate performance, and learn. In business, the fifth step in the decision making process is implementation. In the MBA program, most times you will end with Step 4 since you will not have the opportunity to implement. You may be asked to develop an implementation plan and recommend how you will evaluate performance in some assignments.

LGBT Policy in the US

LGBT Policy in the US Frida Montoya Advocating Gay and Lesbian Rights As the diverse societies within America alter over time so do the laws of the country, either supporting or declining the growth of such changes. A relevant turn within society can be found in the growing support towards gay and lesbian rights, citizens argue that the advance of equal right in the LGTB community is something that should be pushed for but, to what extent will they go to gain the support of the government? The government can be said to have mixed feeling about the LGBT community having the Democratic Party pushing forward with it and the Republican Party arguing that the concept of the LGBT community is immoral and an alienation of human nature. The simple fact that the movement is active signifies as a sign of just how far America has come to exercise the true meaning of equal rights amongst its citizens, looking past race, sexual orientation, disabilities and many other factors. Despites the many supporters hate groups have begun forming in attempt to halt the inevitable change of equal rights for all. †¦Republican Party’s position that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman†¦ We would condemn anyone who vilifies the LGBT community with demonizing rhetoric and falsehoods. And that’s exactly what Perkins and Lane routinely do. Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, has repeatedly portrayed LGBT people as perverted. He’s called the â€Å"It Gets Better† campaign – designed to give LGBT students hope for a better tomorrow – â€Å"disgusting† and a â€Å"concerted effort† to â€Å"recruit† children into the gay â€Å"lifestyle.† Lane is head of the American Renewal Project, funded by the virulently anti-LGBT American Family Association (AFA). The AFA’s chief spokesman, Bryan Fischer, has said that â€Å"[h]omosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine and six million dead Jews.† (Cohen, Richard). As the excerpt states there’s a clear disapproval of the LGTB community, for personal or political reasons. The push for Equality is more than simply the mere acceptance of the group its self, their rights have to be equally protected under the law which is where the situation can get tricky. Even the politicians are utilizing certain content to benefit their overall voting ranks by making the LGTB community look bad. Like in the case of Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere. â€Å"The married couple can’t stand the thought of LGBT youth seeing a mailer that uses their cherished engagement photo to attack a politician for supporting same-sex civil unions. The photo, which shows the couple kissing, was misappropriated by an anti-LGBT hate group for use in the mailer attacking Colorado state Sen. Jean White. Bold words on a red background were added to the picture: â€Å"State Senator Jean White’s idea of ‘Family Values?†(SPLC Sues Anti-gay Hate Group over Defilement of Couple’s Engagement Photo). The laws pertaining Lesbians, gays, transgender and bi individuals are not equally represented if even given through all the states making it difficult for citizens who fall within the LGBT category to have their rights fully protected. For instance, a current case where the acknowledgment of a marriage was purposely overseen in a death certificate in Alabama because the couple, Paul Hard and David Fancher, was gay.â€Å"The SPLC announced a federal lawsuit today challenging these laws. The lawsuit, filed on Hard’s behalf in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, seeks to overturn the state’s Marriage Protection Act, a 1998 law that bans the recognition of same-sex marriages from other states, and the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment, which enshrined this ban in the constitution in 2005†( SPLC Challenges Alabama’s Unconstitutional Marriage Protection Act and Sanctity of Marriage Amendment). Certain groups that are against same sex marria ge argue that marriage should only be for those that fall within the guidelines of religious beliefs, meaning not gay people but marriage recognition can imply much more. In the case of Tracey Cooper-Harris who happened to be a disabled U.S. Army veteran, and her wife, Maggie their marriage kept them from being able to get the benefits that other veterans and their wife’s were provided with. The court declared the Title 38 sections unconstitutional, finding there is no military purpose that could justify discriminating against veterans with same-sex spouses. It also found that Title 38 is not rationally related to the military’s commitment to caring for veteran families. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in a separate case earlier this year. Because of the court’s ruling on Title 38, Tracey and Maggie are now eligible for a number of benefits, including additional disability compensation and the right to be buried together in a state or national veterans cemetery. These benefits, and many others, are routinely provided to heterosexual married veterans and their spouses. (SPLC Lawsuit Ends with Landmark Ruling That Is First to Decide Same-sex Spouses Rights to Benefits). The recognition of equal marriage in every aspect is something that the LGTB community is striding for, it is not just a legal document it is a right that comes along with many other aspects that are still yet to be approved by the government. However not all issues originate because the state itself denies a LGTB individual their rights but from discrimination that more than likely exceeds to an abusive level. Discrimination tends to be very common in the life of a LGTB individual. If for instance done in a school should be overseen by an adult of faculty member who would naturally step in and put a stop to it but in the case of some this is not the situation and the discrimination rises from other students to adults. SPLC filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that seeks to enforce Destin’s civil rights and force the district to address the mistreatment of Destin and other lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students. The suit, filed in December, asserts the district has violated Destin’s rights under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.â€Å"District officials who are entrusted with the safety and education of all students not only ignored, dismissed and even blamed victims for the abusive behavior of faculty and other students, they also participated in discriminatory acts,† said Anjali Nair, SPLC staff attorney. â€Å"Destin has been humiliated and tortured. Our suit seeks justice for her and other students who were mistreated, as well as reforms that will prevent this from happening again.†(SPLC Files Suit to Stop Anti-LGBT Harassment by Students and Faculty in Mississippi’s Moss Point Scho ol District). The non-supportive part of the community has and will continue to alienate individuals that take part in the LGTB group even if it is simply to support the cause. Despite this, young supporters are uprising all through the United States figuring out ways to improve certain issues that tend to attack the LGTB groups in schools. One of these is bullying an issue that was addresses by Hannah Bradley and her classmates. â€Å"†¦the students wore name tags stating their orientation. But Bradley and other students were censored by school officials who forced them to remove their tags. The SPLC today demanded in a letter to Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tenn., that school officials stop this censorship and warned they face a possible federal lawsuit on Bradley’s behalf†( Citing Free Speech Rights, SPLC Demands Tennessee High School Stop Censoring Students). Alienation can only go so far but it has gotten to the point where a thing such as Conversion Therapy w as created. Conversion Therapy is basically a â€Å"treatment† that is guaranteed to convert any individual that fall within the LGTB category. It is then with situations such as these that the government can and will step in. â€Å"A ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upholds California’s ban on conversion therapy for minors, a discredited practice that claims to â€Å"cure† people of being gay, is another sign of the collapse of the conversion therapy industry, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center†¦ Science proves that it doesn’t work. It harms kids, and it tears families apart† (Appeals Court Ruling in California Is Another Sign of Conversion Therapy Industrys Collapse). The fact that the government its self recognizes that some of these actions are inhumane, not just to a certain minority, but to the United States as a whole can say a lot about the direction in which we are headed to. LGTB rights will no longer be overlooked for the issues of its upbringing have already been addressed by the government several times indirectly encouraging the community to continue to advocate for those right and also giving certain individuals the confidence they need to state their case to the judicial branch pertaining their rights. As more and more people push for this cause the LGTB community will gradually continue to gain more rights for it will be brought to the attention of the government. Today, by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA),the U.S. Senate took a historic step toward ending this outrage†¦ It simply prohibits employers from using a worker’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation. It means that LGBT people will be afforded the same workplace protections already in place regarding race, religion, gender, national origin and disability†¦But employers in 29 states can still lawfully discriminate because of sexual orientation, and in 33 states they can discriminate because of gender identity†¦Over the last few years, we’ve passed milestone after milestone on the road to equality for LGBT people – among them, the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. (Senate Passage of ENDA Is Important Step toward Dignity and Fairness for LGBT People). Overall, it is accurate to say that the LGTB community will continue to grow both in members and supporters making it nearly impossible for the government to devolve and go back to the way things had previously been. The need for equality will gradually be overseen from every point by the government until one day; hopefully we can all say that we do indeed have equal rights that are protected by the constitution of the United States of America. Work Cited Cohen, Richard. A Tent Too Large: The Republican Party and Anti-LGBT Bigotry. Southern Poverty Law Center. 8 Aug. 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/a-tent-too-large-the-republican-party-and-anti-lgbt-bigotry>. SPLC Challenges Alabama’s Unconstitutional Marriage Protection Act and Sanctity of Marriage Amendment. Southern Poverty Law Center. 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-challenges-alabama-s-unconstitutional-marriage-protection-act-and-sanctity-of>. SPLC Files Suit to Stop Anti-LGBT Harassment by Students and Faculty in Mississippi’s Moss Point School District. Southern Poverty Law Center. 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-files-suit-to-stop-anti-lgbt-harassment-by-students-and-faculty-in-mississipp>. Appeals Court Ruling in California Is Another Sign of Conversion Therapy Industrys Collapse. Southern Poverty Law Center. 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/appeals-court-ruling-in-california-is-another-sign-of-conversion-therapy-industrys>. Senate Passage of ENDA Is Important Step toward Dignity and Fairness for LGBT People. Southern Poverty Law Center. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/senate-passage-of-enda-is-important-step-toward-dignity-and-fairness-for-lgbt-peop>. SPLC Lawsuit Ends with Landmark Ruling That Is First to Decide Same-sex Spouses Rights to Benefits. Southern Poverty Law Center. 30 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-lawsuit-ends-with-landmark-ruling-that-is-first-to-decide-same-sex-spouses-ri>. Citing Free Speech Rights, SPLC Demands Tennessee High School Stop Censoring Students. Southern Povery Law Center. 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/citing-free-speech-rights-splc-demands-tennessee-high-school-stop-censoring-studen>. SPLC Sues Anti-gay Hate Group over Defilement of Couple’s Engagement Photo. Southern Poverty Law Center. 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-sues-anti-gay-hate-group-over-defilement-of-couple-s-engagement-photo>.

Revolutionary Opinion :: essays papers

Revolutionary Opinion They all say, ?Taxation without representation is tyranny.? Those revolutionary fools! Surely they jest! I am well aware that many of my fellow townspeople believe in this notion. It is rather sensible, after all. Who really likes to pay taxes? Not I! However, all those that subscribe to this train of thought are living in a dream world. In reality, it is the other way around. ?Representation without taxation is tyranny.? Revolution is futile and will only result in more taxes for the whiners to gripe and moan about. Frankly, I?ve had enough. A few days ago, I saw some protesters walking down the road chanting and marching with signs that read "Taxation Without Representation Is Tyranny.? I seem to remember that other Americans also once expressed similar views. Most people would now regard that point as a fair one. I am no great fan of democracy, as I prefer liberty, but even I can agree that people who are taxed but not allowed to vote are likely to be more than averagely oppressed by those who can vote. This then prompted me to consider the converse proposition: Representation Without Taxation Is Tyranny. It would, of course, be a fallacy to think that this is entailed by the first proposition, but surely it is just as reasonable. If we must have state services, it should at least be for those who pay for them to vote for which services they want and how much they wish to pay. To allow those providing, or living off, the services to vote is like allowing a shopkeeper to vote on what you must buy from him, or a beggar to vote on what you must give him. Naturally, I hear them say, ?but doesn't everyone pay tax, at least on goods and services?? Furthermore, is it not trivially true, insofar as morals can be ?true?? No, they do not and it is not. Not by a long shot. Lord Grenville, everyone?s favorite exchequer, has recently been parading around town saying how he realizes that the recent practices of taxation have been unfair and how he relates to the feelings of the townspeople. He even went so far as to state, or shall I say lie, about how much he strongly dislikes his job because he, like everyone else, has to pay taxes.

Essay --

TheMedievalProject: Cathedrals Essay By Austin all rights reserved You may think today â€Å"Hey, I totally wonder sometimes what the Middle Ages Churches and Gothic Medieval Cathedrals where like. What were they important for? Were they Churches like the ones today? How long did it take to build? â€Å" Well that may be SOME of the questions you may have but you may have more. In this essay you're about to find out why the Medieval Gothic Cathedrals were so important for, and how much rule and and wide range of power they had over the people in the Middle Ages, and last but NOT least, the creative sublime (I’ll delete this comment later on if you see this but â€Å"sublime† is my own words not internet word) of the Gothic style windows of the Cathedral. First, the one I like most, the Gothic stain glass windows of the Gothic Cathedral. Stained glass is argued to an opinion or belief, one of the most important aspects of Gothic cathedrals. As its popularity rose, mainly during the mid 12th century, the increased existence of st ained glass presented large changes to the way the general residents were learning about the religion. The windows became illuminated optic (â€Å"Optic† is my own wording) talk of biblical stories, which may have had an even greater impact than the spoken word of the priest. In this research paper, I will be primarily focusing on the stained glass windows and architectural styles employed in five Gothic buildings in France, each having their own unique and worthy attention and characteristics to the development of stained glass windows. By looking at the architectural improvements shown in these structures built during the Gothic time frame, we are able to see the impact all over the place to itch for increase... ...ir work was complete. Lastly, a Gargoyle is a bizarre statue used to get water away from a building, when it rains. These figures spew out the collected water. Most Gargoyles were made a long time ago. A long time ago people believed that they scared away evil spirits. Many cathedrals have gargoyles. There are not very many Gargoyles made today. Now, most houses can use gutters to move water. There are not a lot of gargoyles in America, as most of them are in Europe. Now today, there are still over 900 Cathedrals standing today in our world thanks to our OLD generation masons! Today you wouldn’t find people building cathedrals anymore. You would find some being repaired but never built. Well technically, a tiny church can become a cathedral if a bishop uses it as his official church but other than that none are being built today that my research knows of.

Original Writing Murder Story

You couldn't imagine the feeling, hearing that your wife and children have been found slain. After hearing these words eight words, everything became a blur, I didn't even hear what PC Maguire was saying I just stared, frozen to the to the carpet beneath me feet. Dead. My family, my girls, my beautiful girls gone. A feeling of sickness came over me, I was sick, over and over for about 20 minutes, I headed downstairs, avoiding the family photos which hung above the stairs hoping they would just disappear. Downstairs PC Maguire was sat waiting for me, he'd already told me how it happened but I couldn't hear. On hearing the events again I ran back to the bathroom and was vomiting until there it felt like there was nothing left apart from my cold soul, then went back to staring just sat on my bathroom floor looking at nothing for hours by the time I finally went downstairs PC Maguire and his colleague had of course gone. They'd gone to my wife Maggie's mothers for the weekend in Leeds, the last time I saw them I was rushing to get ready for work on Friday morning. Katie, my eldest was trying to get my attention she wanted me to read her a story before I left, I always read her stories before she went to bed and as I wouldn't be with her at the weekend she insisted on one now, but I didn't I was too busy flapping about trying find the paperwork for my meeting that afternoon, I kissed her on the forehead and my baby Abigail's; gave my wife a hug and ran out the door. I regret so much not reading that story, not stopping and feeding Abigail, not telling Maggie I love her, I love her more than anything in this world. A teenager found them early Monday morning behind the newsagent on his paper-round route, huddled together battered and bloodied, they'd been there all night. The police think that Maggie had stopped to go into the shop for a pack of cigarettes, leaving the girls in the car not even for a minute, but someone had taken the girls and somehow they all ended up behind the shop where they were beaten to a pulp before being strangled to death. The police have no idea to who did it and neither do I. We can't have a funeral yet due to the investigation but I've had to tell people, Maggie's parents and siblings, my parents other people have found out through the local papers and hundreds of flowers have been left by the public against the shop, but it doesn't stop the pain not even for a second. Not a minute goes by without me trying to work out who would have wante to cause such pain, and the awful feeling that it could be someone close, someone they knew and felt safe with, I'm racked with guilt, I wasn't there to protect my own family. My family was and still is an odd one, maybe that's why I wanted to have a ‘normal' family. I never knew my Dad he left before I was born and my mother never got over it, apparently he left to be with another woman who he'd also pregnant with his rotten seed. I have one brother, always a bit of a bad boy it was no surprise when he landed himself in prison for G.B.H, I hadn't seen him for over a year before he got sent down and haven't seen him since, 4 years it's a dam' shame. although my mother has tried with letters I would rather not have him in my life, I didn't want him in my family's life to be more specific. We've tried to help him in the past; he even lived with us for a few months months, but 3 months down the line he just left, no note, no â€Å"good bye† just my wife's peruse and children's piggy banks and haven't seen him since. As my family's trauma was being splashed over local news the police investigation continued, the news-agents had only had CCTV inside the store, although England has turned to a camera heaven no CCTV had been installed behind the shop where my babies were found. I was then shown the tape in which Maggie was buying her cigarettes, the tape wasn't very good quality, you couldn't even make out my wife's beautiful face.I could see the car vaguely through to open shop door. A man walked up to our family car with the girls inside opening the door picking up Abigail and taking her out of her car seat then walking away with Abby in his arms and Katie holding on to his hand. This made the police believe that the girls knew him and went willingly with him, he was wearing a hood and never looked toward to shop door so even with the bad quality we had no chance of identifying his face. Finally Maggie leaves the shop and stands motionless outside staring at the car then looking left and right; the tape came too much for me, I turned my head toward the wall, I clenched my fists, gripping onto the sweat running from each palm, equivocal emotions where in-caged within me; the instinct of anger couldn't help but be fused with the pain of guilt as the Images of what happened that day begun toying with my imagination. The girls obviously knew this man to go off with him, which surely means I know him, the worst had come to reality; memories of a not so long ago time began whispering into my ear reminding me of what once used to be the family room, the anger started possessing me as my heart started beating against my chest faster and faster before relinquishing to the floor where I sunk into a bath of my tears. The police could sense the animosity in the air and politely left. The pain slowly faded as I slowly drifted asleep on the living room floor. When I woke up I paced though my brain hacking into old memories to conclude who it could be, I start accusing my closest and dearest friends in my head, how could it be one of them†¦ how has this happened?! At that moment the doorbell rang. People had tried ringing all week but I haven't felt the will to answer, I guess now I have to face the world once again and answer; there is a pile of notes scattered across the hall that people have posted through the letterbox. I open the door, and I'm shocked to the core, it's him. I can't speak or move, He tells me he has good news, I hope he's telling me he's finally gone clean; I politely invite him in, as he passes me the stench of memorable cigarette smoke drifts across my face, I look up and down his figure as he walks into the living room, a blood stained handle was peaking from his trouser back pocket, I briskly contemplated on what it could of been the object could of pressed against, I became cognizant of what was going on, anger which once was transfixed in guilt now seemed contradictory, once again evocative visions paced though my mind. I run at him swinging in every direction with all my might, it throws him but not much he was always the tougher one. Then I feel it, the sharp pain in my hip, I step back and see the blood flowing, but I can no longer feel it I'm numb. Before I can retaliate he has me gripped round the neck, knife to my throat and before I know it I'm strapped in a chair duck tape over my mouth, around my hands and feet and also around my stomach keeping me in the chair. My brother takes down his hood and gives a wicked grin, ‘Hello Daniel' he whispers in my ear. I struggle in my chair and he just laughs, ‘Poor Danny, you were always the superior one weren't you, well look at you now! You have nothing; no one's coming to your rescue are they Danny? You're Alone.' He takes great pleasure in me what I know to be true, all the time waving his blood soaked knife around. ‘It's a shame what happened to those little kiddies isn't it Danny? Such beautiful girls just like Maggie.' He says licking his lips menacingly. I want to scream, I wanted to shout words which I've never used since my youth, but I can't so I just continue to struggle in my chair hoping to loosen the tape. ‘What about Katie? Looks an awful lot like Maggie doesn't she? Not so much like you though Daniel, that's odd isn't it?' My wrists are starting to bleed from the firmly fastened tape but I can't feel it, my clothes have turned crimson. What is he saying? ‘Remember that lovely few months I spent here with you Danny? You were trying to get me on the straight and narrow weren't you? You were so stupid, while you were busying yourself getting me on this course and that course you had no idea what was going on right here did you? In this house, in your bed, with your wife.' My hands were freed and I ripped the tape off my mouth ‘Maggie would never go anywhere near you, your scum!' I screeched. ‘Well of course she resisted, but she loved it really†¦every time.' He said slowly right in my face. I punched him. He stumbled backwards holding his jaw before chuckling to himself. ‘You idiot Danny, Katie, she's mine, or should I say she was ha' he laughed. ‘No no no no no NO!' I said it over and over trying to grab at him but the rest of me was still fastened tightly to the chair. He then explains in detail every encounter he had with my wife, my precious wife raped by a monster in my home and I knew nothing all the time I'm screaming no over and over my face soaked with tears. But I knew it was true, Maggie kept asking me to make him leave and I wouldn't because I wanted to help him, she was on edge the whole time and I just thought it was because she didn't like him. She wanted a new bed but I said no and I remember that when he'd fled with our rent money she seemed so relieved. How could I have not known? ‘I thought about her every day in prison, I loved her I wanted to be with her and my daughter. So of course when I got out she was my first stop, but she wouldn't talk to me when I came to the house. It was a different story when I had your beloved children. But she didn't want me, not nice is it Danny? When the woman you love doesn't want you so I decided if I couldn't have her, and Katie, you couldn't either so I killed them.' What about Abby? If you didn't want Abby why did you kill her too?!' I yelled. ‘It was unfortunate for her, she was just there' he shrugged. This is when my anger took hold of my and I forced my way out of my restraints, I picked up the chair and struck him once, twice, three times. He fell to the ground and I stood over him, my foot to his neck ‘You sick bastard' I cried then stood on his neck until he was gasping for air and clutching his throat, then he was gone. I fell to the ground beside him, I knew now that it was over for me too but I couldn't move, my eyes closed blood still pumping from my hip, my time is here.

Observation of a Infant/Toddler

Dawnetta Tipton Infant and Toddler Development 10/18/2012 Fall Semester 6:00pm – 9:05pm Infant Toddler Observations Karen Eaton Dawnetta Tipton OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT Name: Dawnetta Tipton Date: 10/2/2012 Time: 5:00pm Age of child: 9 months old This observation took place in the child’s grandmother home. Her name is Laila and she is a 9 months old and she is a bright little girl with pretty black hair and she had 3 ponytails with hair bows and barrettes.I was invited over by the child’s grandmother; we have been friends since high school. We were sitting in the Living room of the house, the grandmother and I were sitting on the sofa which was black and gray and Laila was playing on the floor where her grandmother had placed a big blanket which had the cartoon character of the Angry Birds. There were baby toys placed on floor such as a stuffed animal, red and yellow rattle, orange teething room. The blinds were open and the sun shining in bright on the clean white walls.There was a black computer desk and chair sitting in the corner of the living room with a screensaver showing a picture of my friend and her family. My impression of Laila was that she was a bright 9 month old child who was very alert and aware of her surroundings. She interacted with me and her grandmother, she kept a smile on her face and made noises and she gave us kisses. She is learning to walk so she went from one end of the sofa to the other end while holding on to the cushions on the sofa.She is very friendly and did not cry while I was there visiting with her grandmother. This child will not be ignored, if she sees that you are not paying her any attention she will crawl over to you and pull up on your pant leg so that she can get the attention desired. Dawnetta Tipton Child’s Actions: 3:02pm Laila started to cry while sitting on the floor, her grandmother picker her up from the floor and asked her â€Å"what’s wrong granny baby? †, are you hungr y and the cry became louder, she fixed her a bottle of milk and she stop crying when given the bottle. :07pm Laila is laying on her grandmother while drinking her bottle of milk, she is gazing up looking at her grandmother while we were having a conversation. 3:12pm Laila gestured for her grandmother to put her down on the floor by stretching her body out and she was placed onto the blanket that had been placed on the floor with the toys on it, she picked up the brown teddy bear and started to play with it. 3:17pm Laila crawls over to me and pulls on my pants until she’s standing up, she put her hands up gesturing for me to pick her up and I picked her up, she began to play with my earrings and laughs out loud. :22pm Laila sat on my lap and played with my silver necklace which had a blue sapphire pendant while I talked with her and she was all smiles. 3:27pm Laila reached out for her grandmother after playing with my necklace became boring to her and her grandmother reached o ut for her and she was smiling and she gave her a wet kiss right on grandmother’s lips. Dawnetta Tipton 3:32pm Laila laid her head onto her grandmother chest and closed her eyes, about 4 minutes later she was fast asleep. Name: Dawnetta Tipton Date: 10/2/2012 Time: 1pmAge of Child: 1 year 10months This observation took place in the child’s home. Kylan is a 1 year and 10 month old little boy who is brown skinned with a short cute little afro, he’s wearing a black & gray Nike jogging suit. In the living room his 3 older siblings were present and also his mother. The room was very well kept, there was a red and blue toy box in the corner of the room which contained several different toys kept in it for kylan. There was a brown and tan sofa, loveseat and chair, 40 inch television with a playstation system plugged into it.In which his siblings were sitting on the floor playing a basketball game. The living room walls were beige with a brown border going around the to p of the entire wall with seashells as the print. The carpet was dark brown and fuzzy. My impression of Kylan was that he was very active, he’s always on the move doing something. He went over to his toy box and pulled out a small blue toy police car, he plays with it for about 3 minutes and then goes over to the sibling brothers to try and take the controller away from the brother closest to the television.Big brother tells him â€Å"No† you too little to play the game and he gets mad and tries to scratch brother face with his left hand. He then Dawnetta Tipton proceeds over to his mother raising up both hands for mom to pick him up and she does, he starts trying to talk with mom and he’s smiling and gesturing her hands to his face to play the game Peek-a-Boo. This child receives all the attention he needs from his mother and brothers. Child’s Actions 2pm: Kylan is walking around the living room playing with a little orange basketball, tossing the ball f rom me to his mom. :04pm: Kylan now tosses the ball at his 6 year old brother who gets mad and tells mom his little brother is bothering him while he’s playing the game, mom tells him to stop, he laughs and runs in the back bedroom. 2:06pm: Kylan is now standing by mom’s bed and tries to hide when I enter the room, he comes out of hiding and runs pass me back into the living room and jumps up in mom lap and start hugging her neck. 2:11pm: Kylan jumped down from mom lap and starts playing with his blue toy police car, starts to make noise as saying â€Å"Vroom-Vroom†. :13pm: Kylan sits on his older brother lap so that he can help big brother play the game, he is now laughing and all excited his brother let him help him play the basketball game. Dawnetta Tipton 2:20pm: Kylan gets up from his brother lap and walks into the kitchen and tries to open the refrigerator, his mother comes into the kitchen and ask him â€Å"Are you thirsty† and he nods his head yes and she gets his sippy cup out and he proceeds to drink his juice. 2:24pm: Kylan climbs up on the sofa and sits down staring at the picture of Spongebob on his cup, he looks at me and smile.Mom put in a DVD of Sesame Street and he proceeds to watch the show. 2:30pm: Kylan has now laid down on the sofa still watching his Sesame Street DVD while playing with his feet. My comparison of the 2 children ages 9 months old and 1 year 10 months old was that both were active children. Both had a lot of energy, and kept busy. The 9 month old was just learning how to walk and the 1 year 10 month old had been walking since 11 months old. The 1 year 10 month old is more vocal than the 9 month old, he can say some words and the 9 month old could make noises and sound.The 1 year 10 month old could show mom that he was thirsty and the 9 month old could only cry to signal to grandmother that she was thirsty. The 1 year 10 month old could climb on the sofa where as the 9 month old could only gesture for someone to pick up and place onto the sofa. I feel these 2 children were pretty much similar to what they could do just that the 1 year 10 month old was little more advanced in completing the things he wanted to do where as the 9 month old needed assistance from someone.

A person whom I admire

There are so many heroes in this world, from cartoon heroes to, maybe, your life saver. But I am going to talk about my friend. She died when we were 6; she was my best friend and only person I knew at that age. Her death made me miserable and sometimes thought of following her to be with her. But I had my family support and became to realize that there was nothing for me to do. No one told me how and why she died and I still don't know. She was always bright and that's why it is more upsetting. Before I met her I didn't know anyone and anything. I just went to the nursery school and sat there doing nothing and came back home. I didn't have any friends and I always looked angry. I was shy and not talkative; everyone thought I was a loser and some kind of freak. I had to move to another nursery because we were moving house. When I first went to the new nursery everyone was nice to me. I guess that was because they didn't know me. On the way home I found out that she was leaving near to my house. We gradually became to know each other and eventually we were best friends. She was very forward and that's why we connected. We were completely the opposite. Being with her always made me happy, she made me laugh and we had fun together. It was not long after that when she died. I remember the day when the accident happened. It was in the afternoon, I was just having my lunch when the phone rang. It was Saturday so I didn't have to go to the kindergarten. As I was finishing my lunch my mum came in and sat next to me. Because I was young I didn't know. She told me that my best friend just died. I refused to believe her, because it didn't seem real. I saw her yesterday the day before and I was going to see her that evening. It was so hard to get over it; I was so shocked I couldn't even cry. I didn't go to anywhere and sat on the sofa watching TV all day. Now I look back I don't even remember what I was doing and what I was watching. I was lost and couldn't find the way back. We were asked to go to her funeral but I didn't go. I became ill and unhealthy. It was a year after that I came to my senses. I was actually going to a proper school and I didn't want to become my old self, no friends, known as a loser and especially I didn't want to be by myself. So I pretended, I pretended to be her. Everyone liked her and I wanted to be liked and have friends. I started a new life. She wasn't in my new life but she was in me. It would have been better if she didn't die but if she didn't I wouldn't have changed. It is so unfair and unfortunate that she died because she was loved by so many people and she will be remembered by all those who knew her. Her death woke me up to reality and made me into a human being and a person who I am now. I decided to write about my best friend because she was the person who was able to change me into a completely different person. I am thankful that I met her and she was in my life. I am over her death and I miss her occasionally. I prefer not to talk about her often because it takes me back to my old memories which I would rather forget.

Essay on Mobile Revolution Essay

Mobiles are no more a luxury or a life style product. Mobile phones, which were one of the beautiful possessions of anybody not until a decade ago, have now become a necessity to the common man. The entry of private service providers with CTMA, GSM and of course, 3G technologies has changed the Communication sector in India beyond imagination. Many new competitors have entered the mobile market resulting in reduction of the STD rates and Local call rates. Plans are also on anvil to enable mobile users to switch over to other service providers without changing their number, also called Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The mobile users in India have increased tremendously during the last decade. Youth, both in rural and urban India, have welcomed and accepted mobiles with open hands. The decrease in call rates can be imagined from the fact that it cost around? 16 per minute when mobiles were introduced in India and today it costs as little as 1 paisa per 2 seconds offered by companies like MTS. Even the size of mobile phones has changed to an unimaginable level. They have become very handy today compared to their walkie-talkie resemblance when they were introduced. The immense benefit offered by a mobile has triggered this revolution. With a mobile phone in hand, one can be available round the clock, and can get the up-to-date information on anything. The availability of internet on mobile phones has increased its utility tremendously. It has made mobile phones, to an extent, an essential item for carrying out a business transaction. The facility of sending short messages or pictures enables a person to send the message across without actually bothering to disturb the other person. For traders, it helps them get the price details of any products without even bringing the products to the market. The introduction of mobile banking helps people carry their bank in their mobile. Some people even carry their office in their mobile phones. However, mobile phones also have some demerits as they can be used to detonate bombs. Some instruments which have cameras in them can be used for taking unnecessary photographs. Constant use of mobile phones may create health problems and increase risk of accidents on road. In spite of these demerits, mobile phones are becoming popular day-by-day as their advantages fairly outweigh the demerits. In fact, the mobile revolution has occurred very fast in India. This symbolizes the country’s transformation from an inward looking tentative nature to a confident and resurgent global economic power. The mobile phone service providers have also increased manifold during the years. Some of the important market players are: Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, MTNL, Idea Cellular, Tata Indicom, Tata DoCoMo, Reliance Communications, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, Videocon Telecommunications, MTS India and Spice Telecom. Even in rural India, mobile phone has brought a tremendous change to rural telephony, marginalizing the middlemen and empowering women, strengthened by the formation of self-help groups. It has vastly improved access to information and helped in the explosive growth in connectivity. Even at sea, fishermen in Kerala use the mobiles to keep track of rates for their catch in the market. The improvement in infrastructure and support from the Government has acted as a catalyst for mobiles to make tremendous inroads into rural India. The role of mobile telephones are varied, in that, they help assess the market information, coordinate travel and transport, manage remote activities and increase the remunerative working days. As a result, the rural marketing scenario has also undergone a change. Today, the rural consumer is better informed and price conscious. The total mobile penetration is increasing at a quick pace with companies like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Reliance Communications, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Tata Teleservices, etc. aving unveiled big network expansion plans and innovative marketing strategies specially tailored region-wise. Some of these companies are using a door-to-door marketing strategy in villages and B and C category census towns. They are involving members of gram panchayats and trained market-feelers to make residents aware of the usefulness of mobile telephony and how the system of pre-paid refills work. Handset manufacturers too are gearing up with Nokia incorporating nine Indian languages on certain handsets to promote sales. Value-for- money handsets priced between 1,000 and 1,400 with a plethora of tariff plans to choose from is also one of the reasons for driving subscription growth in these regions. Handsets are being imported in bulk by some service providers. It is expected that voice short messaging service will become a focus area in future, especially in rural areas and service providers are already planning implementation of the same. The pace at which mobile revolution has occurred in India can be attributed to the easy to understand operations. For an illiterate, mobiles phones were so easy to operate that they needed to understand only two buttons the green button for answering a call and the red button for disconnecting a call. Everything else can be learnt with usage and passage of time. Even today, most of the mobiles are used on this two button principle, which makes it a popular device. Gone are the days when people use to queue up before a Public Call Office (PCO) and wait their turn for an hour, only to end up without connectivity. Mobile phones have also removed the necessity to remember telephone numbers of other people. In-built phone books in the instruments enable a person to call the other person, without ever having to remember the other person’s number. Actually, mobile phones have become an all-in-one tool in the pocket, which has replaced even the old pocket diary. It is also slowly replacing purse, with the introduction of mobile transactions. No wonder, life without mobile phones have become unimaginable and unthinkable to many.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Telecommunication

Although face-to-face communication would be the preferred method of conducting an intervention, it is likely that elephone interventions will be used by most pharmacies at some stage. This brief guide will help you and your staff communicate more effectively when using the telephone as part of the NMS. The words we use make up less than 10% of the way we communicate in a face-toface situation, with the way we say these words (paralinguistics) and body language making up the remaining percentage. When you are dealing with someone over the telephone you cannot see them, which deprives you of most of the information you would normally have about the other person (body language, eye contact etc). Related article: Disadvantages of Aquatic Plants You can base your judgements only on the words you can hear and the way they are being said, which can sometimes present challenges. Advantages and disadvantages Some of the advantages and disadvantages of telephone communication are: Telephone communication Advantages of communicating by telephone: †¢ ofteneasiertoreachsomeonebyphone than by trying to arrange to see them in person; more convenient for patients †¢ morelikelytosucceedincontacting someone – especially if a time / date has been agreed (few people are able to ignore the telephone and leave it ringing) telephoneconversationsare,onaverage, shorter than face-to-face conversations as it’s easier to control the conversation and take the initiative. Disadvantages of communicating by telephone: †¢ it’smoredifficulttoestablisharapporton the telephone, as you don’t have all the visual signals that help you to get on the â€Å"same wavelength† as the other person †¢ whenphonin gsomeoneit’spossibleto intrude at an inconvenient time and not realise it †¢ it’seasytoassumethatyouhavetheother person’s undivided attention †¢ youaremorelikelytogetdistractedand let your attention wander itismoredifficulttoavoid misunderstandings – you cannot use visual behaviour to get feedback on whether your message has been understood or if there are things left unsaid †¢ somethingsareimpossibletocheckover the telephone such as inhaler techniques †¢ youaremorelikelytobelieveyoucando other things at the same time as using the telephone – DON’T! Voice matching Thefirstthreesecondsofaphonecall are important, as this is when the other person makes a judgement about the caller. When making an outgoing call listen to the pitch, speed, volume and tone of the other erson’svoicewhentheyfirstspeakandtry to â€Å"match† it. Matching is a good way of building rapport, which can otherwise be difficultoverthetelepho ne,andmakesthe other person feel more comfortable. Tips for effective telephone interventions Opening the conversation NMS intervention Introduce yourself clearly and ask to speak to the patient using their preferred title / name. Check it’s still convenient to speak to the patient. If the patient is concerned about disclosing sensitive personal information over the telephone and cannot besatisfiedthatthecallerisringingfrom he pharmacy he / she may contact the pharmacy directly instead. Explain in a clear, simple manner the purpose of the call – check the patient understands the nature of the NMS and the reasons for the discussion. Youshouldalsoconfirmconsentatthis stage. Inform the patient you will be asking a series of questions about their new medicines and that you will be making notes as you go along. Listen to the patient’s responses as you work though the questions – resist the temptation to interrupt. Demonstrate you are listening by making noises such as â€Å"um†, â€Å"yes†, and â€Å"really†. Use assertive behaviour to stay in control of the call – use open / closed questions as appropriate (open questions invite detailed answers whereas closed questions invite single word answers). Body language Body language, even though it can’t be seen, can affect our voice when on the telephone. Therefore, think about your posture whilst on the phone. If you are comfortable and relaxed your voice is likely to reflect this. Remember to smile – even though it can’t be seen it will be â€Å"heard† and you will sound friendly and assertive. If you are standing up whilst n the telephone this can also make you sound more assertive, and it is another way of ending a telephone call if you stand up during a conversation. Using a closed question for example is often helpful in stopping an enthusiastic patient digressing from appropriate lines of questioning. Do not rush through the call. Talk at the patient’s pace and pause after providing advice or of fering solutions to a problem to allow the patient to air their views about this. Finally agree the time / date for any followup intervention. Remember to give the call your undivided attention! Advantage and Disadvantage of Telecommunication Although face-to-face communication would be the preferred method of conducting an intervention, it is likely that elephone interventions will be used by most pharmacies at some stage. This brief guide will help you and your staff communicate more effectively when using the telephone as part of the NMS. The words we use make up less than 10% of the way we communicate in a face-toface situation, with the way we say these words (paralinguistics) and body language making up the remaining percentage. When you are dealing with someone over the telephone you cannot see them, which deprives you of most of the information you would normally have about the other person (body language, eye contact etc). Related article: Disadvantages of Aquatic Plants You can base your judgements only on the words you can hear and the way they are being said, which can sometimes present challenges. Advantages and disadvantages Some of the advantages and disadvantages of telephone communication are: Telephone communication Advantages of communicating by telephone: †¢ ofteneasiertoreachsomeonebyphone than by trying to arrange to see them in person; more convenient for patients †¢ morelikelytosucceedincontacting someone – especially if a time / date has been agreed (few people are able to ignore the telephone and leave it ringing) telephoneconversationsare,onaverage, shorter than face-to-face conversations as it’s easier to control the conversation and take the initiative. Disadvantages of communicating by telephone: †¢ it’smoredifficulttoestablisharapporton the telephone, as you don’t have all the visual signals that help you to get on the â€Å"same wavelength† as the other person †¢ whenphonin gsomeoneit’spossibleto intrude at an inconvenient time and not realise it †¢ it’seasytoassumethatyouhavetheother person’s undivided attention †¢ youaremorelikelytogetdistractedand let your attention wander itismoredifficulttoavoid misunderstandings – you cannot use visual behaviour to get feedback on whether your message has been understood or if there are things left unsaid †¢ somethingsareimpossibletocheckover the telephone such as inhaler techniques †¢ youaremorelikelytobelieveyoucando other things at the same time as using the telephone – DON’T! Voice matching Thefirstthreesecondsofaphonecall are important, as this is when the other person makes a judgement about the caller. When making an outgoing call listen to the pitch, speed, volume and tone of the other erson’svoicewhentheyfirstspeakandtry to â€Å"match† it. Matching is a good way of building rapport, which can otherwise be difficultoverthetelepho ne,andmakesthe other person feel more comfortable. Tips for effective telephone interventions Opening the conversation NMS intervention Introduce yourself clearly and ask to speak to the patient using their preferred title / name. Check it’s still convenient to speak to the patient. If the patient is concerned about disclosing sensitive personal information over the telephone and cannot besatisfiedthatthecallerisringingfrom he pharmacy he / she may contact the pharmacy directly instead. Explain in a clear, simple manner the purpose of the call – check the patient understands the nature of the NMS and the reasons for the discussion. Youshouldalsoconfirmconsentatthis stage. Inform the patient you will be asking a series of questions about their new medicines and that you will be making notes as you go along. Listen to the patient’s responses as you work though the questions – resist the temptation to interrupt. Demonstrate you are listening by making noises such as â€Å"um†, â€Å"yes†, and â€Å"really†. Use assertive behaviour to stay in control of the call – use open / closed questions as appropriate (open questions invite detailed answers whereas closed questions invite single word answers). Body language Body language, even though it can’t be seen, can affect our voice when on the telephone. Therefore, think about your posture whilst on the phone. If you are comfortable and relaxed your voice is likely to reflect this. Remember to smile – even though it can’t be seen it will be â€Å"heard† and you will sound friendly and assertive. If you are standing up whilst n the telephone this can also make you sound more assertive, and it is another way of ending a telephone call if you stand up during a conversation. Using a closed question for example is often helpful in stopping an enthusiastic patient digressing from appropriate lines of questioning. Do not rush through the call. Talk at the patient’s pace and pause after providing advice or of fering solutions to a problem to allow the patient to air their views about this. Finally agree the time / date for any followup intervention. Remember to give the call your undivided attention!