Strategic Management market segmentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management market segmentation - Essay Example 4. Recruit the relevant people by suitably interviewing them and then selecting them. They need to be trained on the questions and the aim of the questions. Then the recruits need to be sent out to the field to collect the relevant data from the planned samples. I do some research for Enterprise Portfolio Management Office in AAA of Northern California. What this office does is Project Portfolio Management (PPM) - a new discipline in organizations, the one that links strategy formulation with the strategy implementation through selecting, prioritizing, optimizing and controlling project portfolio (the set of all projects in an organization). PPM is used the most in IT management (because IT was always the leader in project management), but now PPM is used to manage any portfolio of projects. 3. Initiatives are made, followed through, altered and appropriately projected to ensure clearer and firmer picture. Only those initiatives and projects that subscribe to this view needs to be brought under the scope of this initiative. 6. A bird's eye view of the overall initiative is seeable. ... PPM is used the most in IT management (because IT was always the leader in project management), but now PPM is used to manage any portfolio of projects. Please study some of the articles on PPM: 1. http://www.projectperfect.com.au/downloads/info_PPM.pdf 2. http://www.grantthornton.com/downloads/APM_whitepaper_100814.pdf 3. http://www.welcom.com/content.cfmpage=530 1. What issues would you consider when selecting projects to implement your strategy The following issues need to be considered while implementing the Project Portfolio Management Strategy in the company. 1. Projects should be aligned with initiatives and the business objectives of the company. Initiatives become the projects and transcend annual budget borders. 2. While selecting the projects we need to look at which of them would need a closer watch, a bird's eye view, resource sharing and appropriate use of all available resources. 3. Initiatives are made, followed through, altered and appropriately projected to ensure clearer and firmer picture. Only those initiatives and projects that subscribe to this view needs to be brought under the scope of this initiative. Those projects where we might like to reap the following rewards, we need to implement the new strategy. 1. Faster and transparent change management 2. Quicker results since we have a close watch on the progress of the initiatives. 3. Minor projects will remain minor and not become a major issue that needs to be tackled post haste. 4. Initiative objectives are transparent and targets are achieved there rather than have the project dictate the objectives. 5. Portfolios can be constantly altered to enhance gains 6. A bird's eye view of the overall initiative is seeable. This will establish links across projects and

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Essay Example for Free

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Essay A. What is the difference between a contribution income statement and a traditional income statement? Contribution income statement is an income statement that classifies cost by behavior (fixed cost and variable cost). Traditional income statement is sometimes called the functional income statement. It is an income statement prepared in the multiple-step or single –step income statement format which conforms to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and can be used for external financial reporting. The main difference between the two is that the contribution income statement list variable costs first, followed by fixed costs. Keeping in mind that GAAP and does not permit businesses to use the contribution income statement for financial accounting – it is used only for internal decision making purposes. B. What is the difference between absorption costing and variable costing? Absorption costing is a costing method where product cost includes all the costs to acquire products and get them ready to sell regardless of whether the costs are variable or fixed. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires business to use absorption costing for financial accounting. Variable costing is a method of costing where only the costs to acquire products or to get them ready to sell that vary with output are treated as product costs. In other words, only variable product costs are treated as product costs. For manufactures, the difference between absorption costing and variable costing is significant. For example, when Caterpillar uses absorption costing to determine the cost of manufacturing, its product cost includes the direct material, direct labor, variable manufacturing overhead, and fixed manufacturing overhead cost incurred to make the bulldozer. These costs are added to inventory and they are not expensed as cost of goods sold until the bulldozer is sol. However, when Caterpillar uses variable costing, product cost, includes only direct material, direct labor, and variable manufacturing overhead costs. Under variable costing all of Caterpillar’s fixed manufacturing overhead cost is treated as period cost. When Caterpillar uses variable costs are added to inventory (direct material, direct labor, and variable manufacturing overhead). Under variable costing, Caterpillar expenses fixed manufacturing overhead as it is incurred just like it does other period cost such as selling and administrative expense. F. What is the contribution margin ratio and how does it differ from the contribution margin? Contribution margin is the amount remaining after all variable costs have been deducted from sales revenue. It is an important piece of information for managers, because it tells them how much of their company’s original sales dollars remain after deducting variable cost. Contribution margin ratio is the contribution margin expressed as a percentage of sales. Contribution margin ratio can be calculate by dividing the total contribution margin by total sales or by dividing the per unit contribution margin by per unit selling prices.

Impsons As Archetypes Essay -- essays research papers

There are stereotypes of different people and beliefs throughout American's thinking. From early on we learn to associate certain cultural differences to certain individuals. The cartoon representations on The Simpsons are a perfect example of such associations. Each character from the long-running, prime time television show is an archetype of individuals in the American society. Homer, Lisa, Barney, and all the rest give us a look at what "typical" Americans should act like while, at the same time, critiquing their attitudes and behaviors. The Simpsons is not the average cartoon show. Although it features cute, animated people and many humorous situations it was not meant for children. This is how the show's writers can get away with such a complex stereotype for each character. Adults and in particular American adults will understand references made buy the characters, their actions and thought processes. When picked apart the main characters of the show, the Simpson fam ily, each have their own Americanized attitudes, which when thrown together encompass the typical "nuclear" family. To set the scene for this example, picture a family of five, all doing their various daily activities: the little boy skateboarding around the neighborhood causing trouble, the little girl at school concentrating on her music, the mother and baby at the supermarket, and the father driving home from a hard days work at the plant. All of a sudden the viewer is in this famil...

Integrating Traditional Medicine with Western Medicine

Name: Anthony OLUSOLA Course Title:Medical Anthropology Topic:Traditional and Bio-Medical Practice: Integrating traditional and modern systems in the Nigerian health care delivery. Research Question: To what extent, if any, has traditional medicine in comparison to Bio-Medical practice, been incorporated to the health care delivery systems in Nigeria and how much promotion is given to the significance and efficacy of the practice of traditional medicine in curing same illness? Abstract:The practice of traditional medicine among the people of Nigeria in the Western region of Africa transcends the advent of Bio-Medicine and occupies a prominent position in the delivery of health care. Majority of the rural dwellers as well as substantial proportion of the urban dwellers rely on traditional medicine for solutions to illness and healing. A significant number of Nigerians living abroad rely strongly on the efficacy of traditional herbs for medical treatment, regardless of their level of e ducation and cost of transporting such herbal medicine to their country of residence.However, several successive governments in Nigeria have continued to neglect the indigenous health care methods in their health policy. This paper examines the relevance of traditional medicine and its contributions to health care delivery systems in Nigeria, and the rate at which people opt for alternative medical interventions as brought about by the inaccessibility of modern medicine as well as the financial implications. Against these backdrops, this paper proposes considerable recognition for traditional medical practice and its possible integration into the nation’s health care delivery system. Medical system in Nigeria: An examinationWhereas health is the most precious of all things and it is the foundation of all happiness, traditional medicine, in response to the health needs of the people, developed as an integral part of the various communities in Nigeria and its practice dates bac k in time, long before the advent of modern technology and inventions. It in fact, plays a huge role in providing a sense of identity and spirituality to the people of Nigeria. Historically, traditional medicine reflects the social-religious structures of the indigenous societies from which it emerges, along with the values, beliefs, behaviours and practices developed over the years.The administration of traditional medicine is conducted by a traditional healer or elder, often regarded as native doctors, who took care of their patients using extracts of plants, animals and mineral substances as well as other methods based on the social, cultural and religious beliefs of the community. Such person is also considered to be well grounded in the prevailing knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in the community about physical, mental and social well-being and the cause of diseases and disabilities (WHO, 1976).The medical services provided by this individual is widely acceptable among the peo ple both in the rural and the urban areas. According to World Health Organization, traditional medicine is the totality of knowledge and practices, whether explicable or not, used in diagnosing, preventing or eliminating a physical, mental or social dis-equilibrium and which rely exclusively on past experiences and observations handed down from generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing (WHO,1976).With this definition, it can be argued that the practice of traditional knowledge is rooted in the in-depth wisdom and versatility of the administrator not only on the causality of diseases, but also the need for a healthy community without necessarily draining the people of their finances thus making health care accessible and affordable. However, despite the importance of traditional medicine, it has incredibly suffered neglect and non-recognition by the nation’s health developing and planning agencies.More attention is continually drawn to the modern medical system with little or no concern for the accessibility of this system as well and its affordability. The sustainability of an average family in Nigeria is valued at less than 5 dollars a day. Notwithstanding the government’s preposition on the establishment of a health care system that is promotive, protective, preventive, restorative and rehabilitative to every citizen of the country within the available resources so that individuals and communities are assured of productivity, social well-being nd enjoyment of living (F. M. H. 1988), the system, as is currently practiced is very inadequate in comparison to the Nigerian growing population and slow-paced economic development. According to the health manpower statistics, the ratio of the registered medical doctors as against the population’s need is put at 1:1,100 with modern medical facilities being administered in mega cities and little or none made available at the rural areas.As a result of lack of supervision or adequate provision for the essential needs of medical practitioners, doctors often times are faced with the conscientious decision to commute to the rural areas to administer Medicare on out-of-pocket expenses, which after a while becomes impossible to carry on. Thus the people in the rural area are left in the care of the traditional healer, who eventually cure their diseases with less charges than the bio-medical practice thereby saving the patients some money.The news of the efficacy of the traditional medical administration soon spreads to the urban cities and an inflow of travelers is experienced for consultation and medical attention. In certain medical cases, modern medical practitioners would refer a particular patient with illness considered incurable using modern medications to traditional healers thus further reaffirming the extent to which traditional medicine constitute important source of medical care for many people regardless of their wealth or level of education.Unfortunatel y, the effect of globalization and capitalist theory has eaten deep into the Nigerian government such that the individual gains or profits of the policy makers and that of those at the corridor of power is rated high and considered most important than the health and healing of the citizens. Much ado is made on the need for the nation to catch up with modern world in science and technology but the nation’s economy, as it is presently, cannot readily meet the high cost of modern health care and the advanced technology.

Religion & Historical Background of Young Goodman Brown Essay

There are times when religion and innocence are questioned. Some people may argue that heritage can be a deciding factor in how religion can play a major role in how we view one another. The story Young Goodman Brown was the outcome of Hawthorne’s experience through his young adulthood, which was heavily impacted by the historical background of his family. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, to a family of Puritan colonists. Hawthorne’s paternal distant grandfather, John Hathorne, whom was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials, troubled Nathaniel so much, that he added the W to his last name to separate himself from the family. 1 Some readers could argue after reading this story, knowing the history of the Salem Witch Trials, and knowing things about Nathaniel Hawthorne, he showed the hypocrisy of the Puritan faith through the events that happened throughout the story. One example of how Hawthorne’s heritage, specifically the background of the â€Å"judge,† played a role in the story through events that occurred, was at the beginning of the story when Brown, the main character, met with the traveler, also known as the â€Å"devil,† and discovered that the devil had possibly been affiliated with his family. 2 Brown stated in the story that he was â€Å"surprised that his family had never spoken of this, because if rumor had made its way to the town that the family was affiliated with the devil, they would have cast them from New England,† just as the individuals in the Salem Witch Trials were hanged, because they were believed to be affiliated with the devil, and using the Devil’s Magic. Hawthorne used his experience with the Puritan background in the story, with the description of the woods as being a dark place, portraying that the â€Å"woods† is where the devil resided, and that the â€Å"woods† is where evil deeds took place.3 Hawthorne also used the sounds of the creaking of trees, the howling of wild beasts, and the yell of Indians that Brown heard, as another way to show that evil resided in the woods. The Puritans’ belief was that the devil was responsible for every evil deed that took place, whether it was through witchcraft, or through rituals thought to be satanic.5 An example of this was the ritual that the devil performed towards the end of the story to try and convert Brown and his wife from the Puritan belief.6 Another example of how Hawthorne’s heritage and the Puritan belief were  portrayed in the story, was shown when Brown was describing his opinion of Goody Cloyse, and of his father. He stated in the story that he was surprised that Goody was in the woods, especially at night. Brown made the statement, â€Å"A marvel, truly that Goody Cloyse should be so far in the wilderness at nightfall.† Brown had also made a comment earlier in the story about his father being honest and a good Christian by stating, â€Å"My father never went into the woods on such an errand, nor his father before him. We have been a race of honest men and good Christians since the days of the martyrs.† Brown thought highly of both of his father and fellow acquaintance, Goody, and believed they were both strong in their faith. Whether or not all the events that took place throughout the story were a dream or reality for Brown, Hawthorne used the devil’s ritual to reveal that even the good Puritan townspeople that Brown thought were superior than he, are apt to commit sin. Hawthorne also showed that religion can play a role in how we view one another. Works Cited (1) Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. New England: New England Magazine, 1835. Pgs. 1131-1141 in Making Literature Matter (2) Blumberg, Jess. â€Å"A Brief History of The Salem Witch Trials.† Smithsonian.com: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html, 2007. (3) White, Ellen Brooks. â€Å"Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Salem.† Miscellany: Life and Literature: http://allthingsliterary.wordpress.com/2009/10/31/nathaniel-hawthornes-salem/, 2012-2013.

The Control and Treatment of Chagas Disease essays

The Control and Treatment of Chagas Disease essays Chagas disease currently affects 16 million people and 100 million people are thought to be at risk of contracting the disease. Of these 16 million people, 30% will develop debilitating lesions that characterise the incurable form of the disease. It is responsible for an economic loss to the endemic countries of South America of at least 4 billion/year. This type of economical loss combined with the financial benefits of effective control means that trypanosomiasis control is very high on the agenda for Latin American governments. [1] Chagas disease has only recently been recognised as the most serious parasitic disease of the Americas; their social Southern Cone Initiative, was created and it is the organisation currently responsible for eliminating transmission of the parasite responsible for transmission. Figure 1 shows which are the Southern Cone Countries, and gives us a clue to how widespread the disease is. [2] Carlos Chagas, who discovered the disease in 1909, knew that; 1. People living in poor housing conditions were most likely going to suffer from the disease because; The disease is caused by a flagellate parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Its main vector is Triatoma infestans. Adults and larvae of the insects live in a domestic habitat and can be found assembled during daylight inside wall crevices in the house. They become active at night when going in search of their host. 2. ...the fundamental point for intervention would involve vector control. Clinical treatment of Chagas is difficult. How are we going to control a disease where no current vaccine exists? The WHO (World Health Organisation) believes that Chagas disease can be overcome via inte...

Tips for Writing the Best London Business School Mba Essay Essay Example

Tips for Writing the Best London Business School Mba Essay Essay Example Tips for Writing the Best London Business School Mba Essay Paper Tips for Writing the Best London Business School Mba Essay Paper Different people write mba application essay in different ways. Some of them pay attention to setting up a business plan, a business financial plan, business marketing plan. But our recommendation would be to follow our mba application packages. The following requirements characterize the structure of the business school essay: The author presents his point of view in the form of the abstract thesis. The thought must be backed up by evidence – that’s why arguments follow thesis (arguments). Thus, business school programme acquires an annular structure (the number of theses and arguments depends on the topic, the chosen plan, the logic of the development of thought): 1.Introduction. 2.Main body: thesis, arguments (1); again thesis, arguments (2); -and again thesis, arguments (3); 3.Conclusion. During writing business school programme, it is important to consider the following points: -The introduction and conclusion of consulting our mba should focus attention on the problem. -It is necessary to highlight paragraphs, red lines, and establish the logical connection of application essay questions: thus the integrity of the work is achieved. -Style of presentation: emotionality, expressiveness, artistic nature characterize the optional essay. Experts believe that one can provide the proper effect by short, simple, diverse intonation sentences, the skillful use of the most modern punctuation mark a dash. However, the style reflects the peculiarities of the person; it is also useful to remember about it. Essay questions london for your paper Before you start writing school mba, focus your attention on the following essay questions. Common knowledge is that the answers to such questions will help you realize which aspects it is better to clarify in writing: 1.Affecting your personal qualities or abilities in the essay, ask yourself: Do I differ in quality from those I know? What did this quality manifest? About the activity you are engaged in: What made me take up this kind of activity? Why did I continue to do this? 3.About every event of your life that you’ve mentioned: Why do I remember this particular event? Has it changed me as a person? How did I react to this? Was it a revelation for me; what have not I suspect before? 4.About every person you mentioned: Why did I call that particular person? Do I want to become like he? What qualities do I admire? Have they been told something that I will remember all my life? Did I review my views? 5.About each of your preferences and what you do not like: Why do I like or do not like it?   Has this circumstance affected to a large extent my life? 6.About every one of your failures: What did I learn as a result? What useful thing did I get out of this situation? Application essay classification You may write your london business school essay in the next formats: 1.From the point of view of the contents of the essay editing: philosophical; literary-critical; historical; artistic; artistic and journalistic; spiritual and religious, etc. 2.According to the literary form, the school mba appear in the form: reviews; lyrical miniature; notes; diary pages; letters and other. 3.Also they distinguish: descriptive; narrative; reflexive; critical; analytical and others. In this case, we base the compositional features of the work on the genre of the focused mba essay. Finally, we can present the classification of the mba in   two large groups: -personal, subjective essay, where the main element is the disclosure of one or another aspect of the authors personality. -application packages, where someone subordinates the person to the subject of the description or some idea. Essay tips you need to pay attention to It is possible to highlight some common features (genres) of the business school essay, which you can find   in encyclopedias and dictionaries: 1.A small volume. Of course, there are no hard borders. The volume of the optional london business school essay is from three to seven pages of computer text. For example, the Harvard Business School often writes essays just on two pages. 2.A particular topic and emphasized the subjective interpretation of it. The theme of the business school optional essay is always specific. The essay cannot contain many themes or ideas (thoughts). It reflects only one option, one thought. And develops it. This is the answer to one question. 3.A free composition is an important feature of business school education essay. Researchers note that such structure of essay does not tolerate any formal frameworks. It is often built contrary to the laws of logic, obeys arbitrary associations. 4.The ease of narration. It’s important to the author of the paper to establish an open style of communication, the information you believe with the reader. If you want to be understood, you need to avoid deliberately complicated, obscure, unnecessarily rigorous constructions. Researchers note that a good essay can be written by one, who is fluent in the topic. Sees it from different sides, and is ready to present to the reader not an exhaustive. But a multidimensional look at the phenomenon, that has become the starting point of his reflections. 5.The propensity for paradoxes. Mba goals are intended to surprise the reader (listener) this is, according to many researchers, his essential quality. The starting point for reflections embodied in the essay is often an aphoristic, vivid statement or a paradoxical definition. It   literally confronts, at first glance, indisputable, but mutually exclusive statements, characteristics, theses. Two more tips 6.Internal semantic unity. Perhaps this is one of the paradoxes of the globally focused mba genre. The essay is free in composition genre, oriented to subjectivity, has an internal semantic unity, and at the same time, the consistency of key theses and assertions, the internal harmony of arguments and associations, and the consistency of those judgments where the author expresses his position. 7.Orientation to conversational speech. It is necessary to avoid using slang in the application essays, template phrases, word cuts, too frivolous tone. If you feel that it’s a bit hard for you to write london business school mba essay on your own, we want to mention that there is always someone ready to help. https://paperap.com/ is one of the most popular services of writing any kind of essay at any time you want.

30 Archaic Adjectives and Adverbs

30 Archaic Adjectives and Adverbs 30 Archaic Adjectives and Adverbs 30 Archaic Adjectives and Adverbs By Mark Nichol The words below are either obsolete, archaic, or old-fashioned, and though those in the latter category can still be found in modern writing, use all with caution. Sparing use keeps these words alive and adds a whimsical or quaint note, but too frequent recourse to such antiquities will have you sounding like a Renaissance Faire refugee. (Most are adjectives or adverbs or both; some can function as other parts of speech as well, as indicated.) 1. Anon (adv.): soon, or later (â€Å"They will arrive anon†; â€Å"I will reveal more anon†) 2. Aright (adv.): correctly (â€Å"Did I hear aright?†) 3. Athwart (adj., prep.): across (â€Å"The locked chest lay athwart the planks†) 4. Belike (adv.): probably (â€Å"Belike we are more similar than you think†) 5. Enow (adj., adv.): enough (â€Å"If I had loved enow, I would be a happier man†) 6. Fain (adj., adv.): willing, compelled, inclined, pleased (â€Å"Fain am I to hear you sing†) 7. Forsooth (adv.): indeed (â€Å"Forsooth, I do believe you envy him†) 8. Forthwith (adv.): immediately (â€Å"Carry this message forthwith†) 9. Froward (adj.): contrary, adverse (â€Å"His horse was froward, and threw him when he set his spurs†) 10. Heretofore (adv.): up to this time (â€Å"Heretofore, I had not believed it possible†) 11. Hither (adj., adv.): to this place (â€Å"Come hither when you are able†) 12. Hitherto: see heretofore 13. Lief (adj., adv.): beloved (â€Å"You are my lief friend†); willing (â€Å"I would as lief be beside you now†) 14. Mayhap (adv.): perhaps (â€Å"Mayhap we shall see them tomorrow†) 15. Meet (adv.): appropriate (â€Å"It is meet that you do so†) 16. Nary (adj.): not any or not one (â€Å"Nary a sign have I seen of him†) 17. Natheless (adv.): nevertheless (â€Å"Though it is dangerous, natheless will I go) 18. Needs (adv.): necessarily (â€Å"I must needs be heard so that all shall know†) 19. Nigh (adj., adv.; prep.): near, nearly, direct (â€Å"Those who pursue are nigh upon us†) 20. Peradventure (adj., adv., prep.): see mayhap (also n.: a doubt or chance) 21. Posthaste (adj., adv., n.): immediate (â€Å"Your posthaste reply is appreciated†); as quickly as possible (â€Å"We will arrive posthaste†) 22. Puissant (adj.): powerful (â€Å"She is a puissant adversary†) 23. Sith (adv.): since (â€Å"Sith that time, I have wept often over the memory†) 24. Strait (adj., adv.): narrow, or strict or rigorous (â€Å"I would have you be strait in your habits†) 25. Thither (adj., adv.): there, on the other or farther side (â€Å"Our host took us thither†; â€Å"What you seek is in the thither valley†) 26. Verily (adv.): certainly, truly, with confidence (â€Å"Verily, I did see it with my own eyes†) 27. Whereof (adv., conj.): of what (â€Å"Whereof have you seen in the world?†) 28. Withal (adv., prep.): besides, nevertheless (â€Å"Though you may be right, I withal must see for myself†) 29. Yare (adj.): agile, handy, ready (â€Å"She’s a yare vessel, all right†) 30. Yon (adj., adv., pron.): over there (â€Å"I ride to yon village†; â€Å"What do you see yon?†) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Grammar Mistakes You Should AvoidBetween vs. In BetweenWhat the heck are "learnings"?

A portfolio about Mary Walker Phillips (an artist), and discussing the Essay

A portfolio about Mary Walker Phillips (an artist), and discussing the meaning of the work, it's form, its context, its qualities - Essay Example (Daniels, 1988) The Chinese in that period of time were migrating in search of better living conditions than were prevalent in China at the time, and the major incentive to go to America was the California gold rush which began in the 1850's. The gold rush attracted a huge immigrant population, and led to an economic boom, which created a large demand for labour. The Chinese arrived to fill up this demand: "The pull effect of California is reflected in the Chinese ideogram for California, "Golden Mountain." California, .......was just starting a spectacular economic boom based on the discovery of gold in 1848........... Services were not only high, they were virtually unobtainable........ It was this economic boom that first drew Chinese to California......"(Daniels, 1988) The Chinese were a hardworking people, and soon made a reputation for themselves as a bunch of people who earned their pay through disciplined, long suffering, honest toil. They became a favorite with the employers in America. Not only did they provide labor, some of the Chinese also were entrepreneurs, merchants and small time tradesmen, who were were welcomed into America for their reputation as honest, hardworking people with fair practices: " In actuality, the first Chinese immigrants were well and widely receiv

Somatization Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Somatization Disorder - Research Paper Example The ‘somatic’ symptoms that characterize the condition cause impairment, which impedes normal functioning and could cause significant distress. Hysteria is not common in the general populace. However, the condition occurs in 0.2% of males and 0.2% to 2% of females (Lichstein, 1986). Research has proven variation in occurrence, which is attributable to cultural differences. For example, the condition is significantly prevalent in Puerto Rico when compared to other regions (Glorisa et al. 2000). Approximately 10% to 20% percent of first-degree female relatives have the disorder, whereas; the male relatives exhibit heightened levels of sociopathy and alcoholism. Epidemiological studies also show that there is co-morbidity with other conditions of a psychological nature such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and personality disorders such as dependent, narcissistic, borderline, avoidant, histrionic and antisocial personality disorders (Robert & Gold, 2008). Patients with somatization disorder display various physical complaints which may last for years. This complaint often includes chronic pain and problems in the reproductive, nervous and digestive systems. Stress has been found to worsen the problem and the symptoms often interfere with both relationships and work as patients seek medical attention (Lichstein, 1986). Diagnosis and other evaluations do not explain the symptoms or they may exceed expectations when compared to any medical illness of a similar nature that may be found. Symptom categories that may be experienced include: Somatization disorder starts prior to age 30 and is more prevalent among women than in men. The condition often affects people with chronic pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Somatisation disorder was in the past thought to relate to emotional stress, and the resultant pain was dismissed as a creation of the mind (Pribor et al. 1993).

Building construction for the fire service Research Paper

Building construction for the fire service - Research Paper Example Some of the concerns raised by the people directly charged with the management of the fires included the charge that priorities of costs over safety and suitability increased the level of vulnerability of risk. Such approaches also lowered the level of efficiencies in interventions in cases of fire accidents. Building code language remains a key challenge that affects the development of the most appropriate strategies of combating fires and other kinds of strategies designed to counter the challenges of safety (Karter, 2001). This problem arises out of the challenge that many of the professionals involved in the strategies lack a common platform on which they can articulate their levels of expertise in reference to particular technical aspects of building code language. Recent developments in the industry have seen bold attempts across the various relevant departments to build the most appropriate strategies for harmonizing the operations within the system. The design and structure of buildings remains a significant contributing factor to the level of challenges encountered by fire fighters. For instance, construction analysts blame the weaknesses in the support beams in the Twin Towers as one of the factors that contributed to the extensive scale of damage that was witnessed after the terrorist attack. Besides the inclusion of special features for limiting the spread of fires, there have been suggestions to include special bridges between skyscrapers in order to provide increased room for evacuation in the event of the outbreak of fires. Suggestions continue to emerge including the suitable size of buildings with some analysts arguing the case for the reduction and the strengthening of beams in order to absorb the shock of accidents, impacts, or explosions. The course of development of the building code and standards has featured

Participation Questions Week 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Participation Questions Week 2 - Essay Example Why are companies interested in operational management today? Why is it important? What is the relationship between operational management and supply chain management? How are operations management functions performed at your organization? Companies are interested in operational management today because of how important it is to get daily work done efficiently, timely, accurately and at a low cost. It is necessary to ensure that the processes of creating a product actually works right and that improvements are made in customer service that can lead to cost reductions. Because every organization produces some product or service, an understating of modern or up-to-date approaches to managing operations is a good idea. In the past, manufacturing businesses showed more interest in the use of operations strategies and operations management but a business that offers a service can better offer that service in a more efficient manner if it treated the actual customer service as a product. According to the week one course overview, operations management refers to the direction and control of the processes that turn inputs into finished products or services and supply chain is the link between the suppliers of the material and services that convert throughout the process, the ideas and raw materials into the finished product. I work at a college and the operations management functions has so many levels. Because I work in the College of Continuing Studies, it is easy to see how the process for this particular level works. Most offices perform meeting and follow-up meetings that may be an expression of ideas that could possibly turn into a process. The follow-up meetings with expected target dates and action items seem to be the best way to ensure that the meetings have not just been a waste of time. I agree with your view that companies today are interested in operational management today

Opportunity #6 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Opportunity #6 - Assignment Example This positioning would allow carbon atoms binding together for formation of molecules that may not be easy to construct, with different reactions or circumstances.(Helmenstine, 2010) The reactions, thus made possible by these scientists have opened the gates of science to create complex chemical substances, which may be seen as creation of nature, otherwise. The principals of carbon-based organic chemistry are responsible for the exciting natural phenomenon, which forms the basis of life. This includes, colors in flowers, snake poisoning, among others. Taking cue from nature’s chemistry, human-kind has tried to perform chemical reactions, which use the potential of carbon for providing the basis for creating functional molecules. Such development in chemistry has given mankind new medicines and revolutionary materials, like plastics. For creating such complex reactions, scientists require the ability to join the carbon atoms together. However, carbon being stable, the carbon atoms do not react with each other easily, as their stable nature does not allow them to do so, under normal circumstances. Accordingly, several methods were tried for binding the carbon atoms together, which included techniques that could make carbon more active. The test tube reactions, conducted for this purpose, could develop simpler molecules. However, for creating complex carbon molecules, the scientists’ synthesis processes towards the same, gave several unwanted by-products. Therefore, the winning reactions of the three Nobel Prize winners solved this problem, as palladium-catalyzed cross coupling provided an efficient tool for getting the precise results. The basis of this reaction is the meeting of carbon atoms on a palladium atom, which brings them closer to each other, for starting the required chemical reaction. While palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions find extensive use for many industries, their advantages for the electronics industry is the most

Said's Orientalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Said's Orientalism - Essay Example Browne from England used to be an ardent supporter of the constitutional revolution that took place in Iran as well as Louis Massignon with respect to the Algerian movement for the sake of gaining independence and not to forget Hurgronje who used influence which was in favor of a more sensitive and understanding attitude towards those whom the nations were ruled by. Thus for this matter, Hourani has invited all and sundry to reconsider Edward Said's indispensable formulations, theses as well as conclusions and study the relationships that were there between the religion of Islam and the West. The same was however achieved in a more positive manner than the one done by Edward Said. However, from an Orientalism standpoint, it is true that at the level of religious encounter Islam was gravely a problem for the Christians of Europe. Also the fact is there that another and not less important than the same, a similar kind of attitude was at the center of the contact and relations between the Christians and the followers of Islam and at later stages between the secular Europe and the World of Islam, which in essence involved a deep exchange of ideas and beliefs between the people. However, for the duration of the seminal and incisive phase of Islam, a number of illustrious Muslim theologians and thinkers which might include Ali al Tabari, Imam al Ghaza li, and Ibn Hazm started to put into practice major works in an attempt to disprove and contest the central principles and systems of beliefs related to the religion of Christianity.

Opportunity #6 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Opportunity #6 - Assignment Example This positioning would allow carbon atoms binding together for formation of molecules that may not be easy to construct, with different reactions or circumstances.(Helmenstine, 2010) The reactions, thus made possible by these scientists have opened the gates of science to create complex chemical substances, which may be seen as creation of nature, otherwise. The principals of carbon-based organic chemistry are responsible for the exciting natural phenomenon, which forms the basis of life. This includes, colors in flowers, snake poisoning, among others. Taking cue from nature’s chemistry, human-kind has tried to perform chemical reactions, which use the potential of carbon for providing the basis for creating functional molecules. Such development in chemistry has given mankind new medicines and revolutionary materials, like plastics. For creating such complex reactions, scientists require the ability to join the carbon atoms together. However, carbon being stable, the carbon atoms do not react with each other easily, as their stable nature does not allow them to do so, under normal circumstances. Accordingly, several methods were tried for binding the carbon atoms together, which included techniques that could make carbon more active. The test tube reactions, conducted for this purpose, could develop simpler molecules. However, for creating complex carbon molecules, the scientists’ synthesis processes towards the same, gave several unwanted by-products. Therefore, the winning reactions of the three Nobel Prize winners solved this problem, as palladium-catalyzed cross coupling provided an efficient tool for getting the precise results. The basis of this reaction is the meeting of carbon atoms on a palladium atom, which brings them closer to each other, for starting the required chemical reaction. While palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions find extensive use for many industries, their advantages for the electronics industry is the most

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 12

Sociology - Essay Example ution, or a new release of iProduct, sociology looks at things through sociological imagination or sociological consciousness in an attempt to decode how these events or social forces influence the society. Berger offers sociological consciousness as one of the best descriptions of sociological imagination (author, p. 4). He explains that the sociological consciousness engages us in the meanings and patterns to make sense of what is really going on in our society. Sociology has three broad perspectives: functionalist, conflict and symbolic interaction. Each of these perspectives looks at different aspects when it comes to understanding the society. Each of them focuses on certain social dynamics. While the functionalist and conflict perspective view things in a broader angle, the symbolic interaction view things in a more intimate level. The functionalist perspective views society as a system of interrelated and interdependent parts (author, p.30). It likens the society to our body, wherein one part is interrelated and interdependent with another part. One part of the body cannot be separated from another, or else the entire body will cease functioning properly. The society is made of such that allow it to function properly. Examples of these are its members, the school, culture, the government, and other institutions. Although the conflict perspective does not reject the functionalist perspective that the society is a system of interrelated parts, it focuses more on the separation of these parts, or organizations that make up the society. The symbolic interaction perspective, on the other hand, aims to understand the interrelationships of these parts, and how each one is be ing interpreted differently by each system, or organization. With these focuses alone, we can see that the three perspectives are focused on the different aspects of the society, therefore interpreting each social issue or event in a unique ways. Based on how the three perspectives view the

Boys don’t play with dolls’ Essay Example for Free

Boys don’t play with dolls’ Essay The Vietnam War is still the United States’ most famous (or infamous) war even if new conflicts have risen over the years. The numerous films made about the Vietnam War are a testament to its fame (or infamy). This paper would be a review of two internet sites reviewing the cause of conflict, social stratification, type of conflict, and how the war ended. According to vietnampix. com the war on Vietnam started because of the splitting of the country. The French used to dominate Vietnam but when they were defeated, the country was divided into two. Sometime between 1955 and 1960, the communist occupied North Vietnam tried to invade the Democratic South. Aided by two other communist countries China and Russia, the North was determined to conquer the whole country. Fearing the spread of communism, the US had to interfere. (The Vietnam War Background). Social Stratification had a big role in the war; in fact, it is part of the cause. Communism is based on a form of society where everybody else is equal, except for the officials. Democracy on the other hand believes in open opportunities for all. Not being able to agree on this divided the country which would eventually lead to the Vietnam War. The type of conflict of the Vietnam War is a mixture of different types. It was first a revolution against France which has ruled the country for a long time. And then it became a Civil War as the country was divided into two halves—the communist North and the democratic South led by Ngo Dinh Diem. (Vietnam. vassar. edu). It quickly became a feud of all sorts when America decided to take part in the war in order to stop the spread of communism in the world. On paper, the conflict was ended through the Paris Peace Agreement in January 1973 but hostilities between opposing forces were still happening. (Vietnam. vassar. edu). The result of the conflict were, a rare US loss, millions of lives gone, and a country devastated. References Vietnampix. com (n. d). The Vietnam War: Background. Retrieved June 25, 2009. from: http://www. vietnampix. com/intro. htm Vassar College (n. d). The Wars of Vietnam. Retrieved June 25, 2009. from: http://vietnam. vassar. edu/overview. html

Reworking the Environmental Movement :: Essays Papers

Reworking the Environmental Movement The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, aimed to protest the corporate and governmental abuse of the environment. In its success, an aftermath of environmental awareness ensued rooted in the movements’ ethic of ecological education and scientific questioning of the human impact on nature. Environmentalism, an off-shoot of scientific hypotheses and ethics, created an impetus for federal legislation. In the subsequent years, Congress passed many highly successful acts committed to the protection of natural resources and human health. The objectives of environmental activists were being realized with increasing enthusiasm in the democratic system. In the 1980s during the Reagan revolution, congressional spending was forced against the proverbial firing squad. Arguments surfaced that too much public money was being spent on the environment and that the federal government should play a much reduced role in federal regulation. The conservative voice criticized the governmental restrictions on private property with the intent of environmental protection. It was seen as a breach of the Fifth Amendment that prohibits the taking of property â€Å"without just compensation† called federal â€Å"takings.† Since then, the debate has sprung an environmental policy backlash consisting of the â€Å"property rights movement,† which contends the above argument, and its sister movement, â€Å"wise-use,† that supports the privatization of natural resources. Reagan’s deregulation and laxity of environmental standards fueled the fire of the movement’s intensity in which national groups became larger and more politically driven. However, in the face of the backlash, environmentalism was caught between its ethic to protect and its struggle to be heard as an influential political voice. Thus, the movement has suffered great polarization, divided internally into camps that still exist today. One of the most dangerous aspects of the environmental movement’s political situation is its misuse of science to predict almost apocalyptic scenarios to promote their agenda. This paper intends to provide a criticism of environmental policies based on three criteria: the internal decay of environmental organizations, its undiminished reliance on broad governmental regulation, and the dangerous politicization of science to meet narrow group interests. Even the most philanthropic organizations, such as environmental groups, are plagued with heterogeneous agendas. Internal to the environmental groups’ seemingly monolithic facade are many divisions that corrupt the groups’ progress. The movement’s best known division is between the national and local groups. The national groups cover many environmental issues and are most closely tied with the federal government.

The Humane Work of Nurses & Voluntary Aid Detachments during WW1 :: World War I History

The Humane Work of Nurses & Voluntary Aid Detachments during WW1 The dictionary describes the word " humane " as ... "...humane adj. Kind, compassionate, merciful." and this was indeed so in the case of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to ease the suffering of the wounded soldiers of all combatants in the fields of northern France and Belgium, during the First World War. In the early days of the war, army nursing was strictly a male preserve, until it was necessary to recruit female nurses from the ranks of middle and upper class ladies. The warm summer days preceding the outbreak of war lent an air of adventure to the proceedings, and the feeling was that the coming conflict would be fought in a similar fashion to the previous cavalry and infantry- based battles of the nineteenth century. A few months intensive combat would be sufficient and everyone would be back in time for Christmas dinner. Similarly, these ladies were caught up in the initial fervour of patriotism, and being prohibited from fighting at the Front, were keen to "do their bit" for their country and their soldiers. Tired of knitting items of clothing destined for the trench es, they wanted to do something a little more substantial. The concept of `noblesse oblige` was suddenly revived as many stately homes and country houses opened their doors to wounded officers in need of convalescence, and everyone wanted to be seen in a nurse`s uniform. Indeed there were many well- connected aristocratic ladies who set up their own private ambulance groups, much to governmental consternation. The Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, through her contacts and single-minded determination, assisted the wounded at Namur, and used the fact that she was previously acquainted with both the German commandant and aide-de-camp to pester them for safe passage to Maubeuge. She wanted to get through the enemy lines to tend the Allied troops, but the commandant of Maubeuge put an escorted charabanc at her disposal and sent her to Ostend. The Millicent Sutherland Ambulance reached Renaix where the officer in charge sent them with a military escort to Brussels, where the American Ambassador, arranged for an American journalist to escort the party, with two German soldiers, to The Hague and thence Flushing and home. The publicity generated by her escapades set up an efficient and much- needed Red Cross hospital outside Calais. Women especially were keen to take up "the great adventure" because, for them, that` s exactly what it was. The Humane Work of Nurses & Voluntary Aid Detachments during WW1 :: World War I History The Humane Work of Nurses & Voluntary Aid Detachments during WW1 The dictionary describes the word " humane " as ... "...humane adj. Kind, compassionate, merciful." and this was indeed so in the case of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to ease the suffering of the wounded soldiers of all combatants in the fields of northern France and Belgium, during the First World War. In the early days of the war, army nursing was strictly a male preserve, until it was necessary to recruit female nurses from the ranks of middle and upper class ladies. The warm summer days preceding the outbreak of war lent an air of adventure to the proceedings, and the feeling was that the coming conflict would be fought in a similar fashion to the previous cavalry and infantry- based battles of the nineteenth century. A few months intensive combat would be sufficient and everyone would be back in time for Christmas dinner. Similarly, these ladies were caught up in the initial fervour of patriotism, and being prohibited from fighting at the Front, were keen to "do their bit" for their country and their soldiers. Tired of knitting items of clothing destined for the trench es, they wanted to do something a little more substantial. The concept of `noblesse oblige` was suddenly revived as many stately homes and country houses opened their doors to wounded officers in need of convalescence, and everyone wanted to be seen in a nurse`s uniform. Indeed there were many well- connected aristocratic ladies who set up their own private ambulance groups, much to governmental consternation. The Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, through her contacts and single-minded determination, assisted the wounded at Namur, and used the fact that she was previously acquainted with both the German commandant and aide-de-camp to pester them for safe passage to Maubeuge. She wanted to get through the enemy lines to tend the Allied troops, but the commandant of Maubeuge put an escorted charabanc at her disposal and sent her to Ostend. The Millicent Sutherland Ambulance reached Renaix where the officer in charge sent them with a military escort to Brussels, where the American Ambassador, arranged for an American journalist to escort the party, with two German soldiers, to The Hague and thence Flushing and home. The publicity generated by her escapades set up an efficient and much- needed Red Cross hospital outside Calais. Women especially were keen to take up "the great adventure" because, for them, that` s exactly what it was.

Albatross Anchor

Albatross Anchor is a small family owned business located in Smallville, MA. Albatross Anchor is located on 12 acres of land. They started out with four employees in 1976 and grow over the years to over 100. The company manufactures two types of anchors in different sizes. The types are the mushroom/bell anchor and the snap hook anchor. Albatross Anchor has many manufacturing problems which are the cause of the company not doing as well as it should be. The company is antiquated, worn and does not meet government guidelines. Albatross can be a company of the future with the application of much need upgrades and expansions. Question one A. Albatross Anchor‘s competitiveness in relations to cost below their competitors. They are 30% lower than their competitors. The cause of this is all the operation inefficiencies. They need to correct all of their problems in order to get in line with the competitors. The cost to manufacture is the same as the competitors $12. 00 per/lb. for mushroom/bell anchors and $6. 00 per /lb. for snag hook anchors. But, with the high price of shipping raw materials in finished goods not shipping out, and the cost of raw material, these are just some of the problems causing the company to lose money. The cost of the manufacturing process is hurting Albatross. The down time in between set up of the different anchors is a downfall of the company. They are paying workers to be there to wait for work to begin. The cost of raw material is high, since the company smaller than most. They will not get a better price as a large company would who manufactures more product. Cost efficient companies keep its capital, labor, and operating costs lower than its competitors. Then they must also provide a good price to its customers. Albatross Anchor should take on the method of Six Sigma This will help to achieve a level of quality, reduce costs related to scrap, rework, inspection, and customer dissatisfaction. B. The speed of manufacturing is a slow process; this is due only being able to produce one type of anchor at a time, which is called batch manufacturing. The time to switch from one process to another is 36 hours. The plant space is limited; it does not have enough room to have enough equipment to manufacture each anchor at the same time. The company needs to implement a score card to help with the operations strategies. The balanced scorecard has evolved from its early use as a simple performance measurement framework to a full strategic planning and management system. † (http://www. balancedscorecard. org/BSCResources/AbouttheBalancedScorecard/tabid/55/Default. aspx) C. The flexibility of filling an order with Albatross Anchor is non-existent. The manufacturing area is too small to make both anc hors at the same time. If an order comes in and need to be produced in a hurry they are not able to do this, because of the lack of technology in having a machine to produce both without a long set up time. Flexibility is important if a company is to respond quickly to changes in the industry. Time is money. Companies that can design, produce, and distribute their products faster than the competitors will have the upper hand. (Russell & Taylor, 2007, Operations Management: Creating Value Along the Supply Chain, pg. 124. ) D. The technology at Albatross Anchor is antiquated and deprived and is no longer up to standards. The manufacturing process is not capable of continuous production. The time to switch from one process to another is too long. The equipment and process should be update, or replaced. The funds for these projects are considered to be a capital investment. Albatross should consider making this investment to have a positive effect on the manufacturing process. Once the company makes the investment into new equipment, they will also have to invest into training the employees to run the new equipment. The company may need to have new hires, ones that can possibly do the job with less training. E. The capacity and facilities have out grown what the company has now. The company was designed to be a small manufacturer. Albatross is sitting on 12 acres of land they would be able to expand to make room for better technology. They have plenty of land to become an aggressive modern company, who is producing a top quality product. They can be the top producer of anchors with the changes that need to come about. Capacity is the maximum amount capable of producing. Another why to expand the capacity is to consider outsourcing. Outsourcing would come into play when they cannot set up the equipment and they need to produce product to satisfy an order. Some things to consider are the cost of making the product, such as labor, raw materials, and overhead. The facilities need to be made larger. The area that holds the raw materials should be expanded and should be close to the receiving area. Finished products should be close to the shipping area. This would cut down on time by not having to move product from such a long distance. The receiving and shipping should be together on the side where imports and exports are done. F. Service to customers is not very good. Long lead times and bad shipping methods are cause for problems. Accessibility and convenience are also a cause for concern. By offering a quality product, be able to meet orders and a touch of individualized customer service, you add value to your offering and your customers experience a higher level of satisfaction. The process of benchmarking can also help solve some of the problem and help to become a better company. â€Å"Benchmarking is the process of measuring an organization's internal processes then identifying, understanding, and adapting outstanding practices from other organizations considered to be best-in-class† (http://www. benchnet. com/wib. htm) The scorecard will also help determine where the problems lie within the service area. Albatross needs to come up with new designs of anchors to be more competitive, this will give the customers more options to choose from, bit the company needs to know how to make the process of making the anchors go smoother and faster. Based on the needs and perceptions of their target customers, they should either improve their products or reduce the cost of the product to enhance customer value. There are six things that influence a customer’s buying decision they are selling price, quality, dependability, flexibility, time, and service. These are all thing that a company must keep in mind to gain and keep customers. Customers do not want to buy products of the companies that they cannot trust. They want dependable producers. Question Two There are many ways that mushroom/bell anchors may be manufactured. Albatross Anchor is considering two new manufacturing processes (Process A and Process B) to reduce costs. From the available information below determine which process has the lowest breakeven point (this validates the process is more cost effective) and report your analysis and supporting conclusion. For each process the following fixed costs and variable costs have been identified:

Politics, Policy, and Change in Nigeria Essay

Volumes have been written on the subject of politics, policy, and social change. In this section, I will offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and ‘common sense. I will emphasize the important roles of leadership and group cohesiveness to effect change. Because the direction of change in a society depends on the manner in which resources are mobilized by the leader, and the attitude of the people toward change. The ruler must be concerned with the needs of the ruled, and must strive to gain their support. But with long-standing ethnic prejudice in a multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria, this has not been very easy. The concept of politics is diverse. Aristotle and Plato defined politics as a concern with general issues affecting the whole community. This involves the pursuit of the public interest, the operation of the state, and the formulation and execution of public policy. Contrasting public concern with private matters, they viewed the public concern as morally superior. Thus, political leaders have the responsibility to conform to constructive ideas and actions with â€Å"perfect goodness† (Andrain 1975, pp.12-20). In addition, It is the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government. It involves competition between various interest groups (parties) or individuals for power and leadership in a government or other group. The winning party guides or influences policies, and the distribution of resources in that polity (Dike (forthcoming) August 1999). In other words, politics does involve the struggle for power and wealth – that is, the production, distribution, and use of scarce resources. Historically, some leaders have sought the common good and others a private good. But without the ‘politics of virtue’ (that is, doing what is right), a leader may not bring about the necessary changes that would benefit the general public. How does one differentiate actions that are for common from those that are for private? The effects of a particular policy decision are the determining factors. The process of making and implementing decisions involves cooperation and competition, both of which may lead to social change. As many writers have noted, many factors are involved in social change; no single factor can adequately account for it (Lauer 1982, p. 37). And as a society, our needs can be fulfilled only through the cooperative efforts of everyone. Change or social change is defined as â€Å"significant alteration of social structures.† And social structures here mean the â€Å"patterns of social action and interaction,† which include norms, values, and cultural phenomena (Moore 1967, p.3). Others have defined change as â€Å"variations or modifications in any aspect of social process, pattern, or form;† it is also â€Å"any modification in established patterns of inter-human relationships and standards of conducts† (Fairchild, ed. 1955, p.277, as cited in Lauer 1982, p.4). As we have seen, change can start anywhere. In fact every system is to some extent altered by changes in any of its parts. Given our leaders’ penchant for corruption, Nigerians are cautiously optimistic about the positive changes that are presently taking place in Nigeria. And since what has been on the minds of the world is that Nigeria is bad, we have to get our act together. After that we can say to the world, ‘You held me in contempt, now look at me. Am I so contemptible?’ (Allport 1979). Can the present political leadership maintain the tempo of positive social re-engineering going on in the nation? For any intended change to occur in a society the people must be convinced by the leaders that such a change is both possible and desirable. Hence the need for systematic set of ideology that reflects the feasibility and desirability of particular change. Ideology interprets the past, make meaningful the present, and portray an ideal future. Lack of political ideology is a serious problem in Nigerian politics. Strangely, some politicians are known to have discounted the importance of ideology in politics. And since some of them are not committed to politics or democracy ideologically, they tend to waffle on issues. Consequently, nobody is held responsible for any policy failure in the society. For our politicians to behave, we should device means to hold them responsible for their actions or in-actions. In an educated and politically mature society the vote is the ultimate weapon of the people. But we must positively change our personal attitudes to be able to change the social structure. â€Å"For in part, at least, the structure is the product of the attitudes of many single people† (Allport 1979, p.507). Why is good value and virtue essential for the survival of a polity such as Nigeria? Can a leader successfully govern a vibrant society without an ideological compass? Policies and decisions constitute a crucial part of political leadership. Usually when the majority of a population refuse to accept certain policies as binding, this would move committed leaders to make changes in the various parts of the system: the content of the policies, the ruling personnel, the governing structures, or even the society over which the policies have jurisdiction. This is a democratic process that Nigeria should strive to adopt, if it needs to survive as a democratic nation. In a democracy there is no room for arbitrariness. Policies must be debated, and exhaustively too before implementation. To underscore the feelings of many well-meaning Nigerians, we cannot afford to fail this time around. Policy represents a set of decisions taken in response to specific problem. Some good examples are the recent actions of President Obasanjo: the setting up of a panel to probe the human rights abuses since 1993; to probe abandoned projects since the mid-1970’s; the termination of the contracts and the major appointments made by the Abubakar military regime. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa is the chairman of the human rights panel, while Alhaji Iguda Inuwa is the chairman of the committee on abandoned projects. Let’s not neglect the present favorable and inviting period in Nigeria. Instead of gazing at each other with ‘suspicious or doubtful curiosity,’ let’s unite and expose those who have dragged us to the mud. The civil rights panel will identify the persons involved in the various abuses, the nature of the abuses, and the policy responsible. It will also recommend measures to ameliorate the problems and formulate strategies to forestall incidence of human rights abuses in the society in future. All these policy actions have drawn praises from within and outside Nigeria. However, all these probes will not have the desired effects if their recommendations are not implemented. Legal action, proper reparation, and exposure in the press may be the better ways to curb corruption, and moderate social discontent. Perhaps nothing frightens politicians more than chastisement in the press. President Obasanjo’s boldest policy decision so far has been the retirement of 149 political-senior military and police officers – an apparent purge of those who participated in the autocratic and atrocious regimes of Generals Babangida and Abacha. His spoke person, Doyin Okupe, was quoted as saying that â€Å"In future, all officers of our armed forces must recognize that the ultimate reward for participating or benefiting from coups will be premature or forced retirement from service in the minimum† (Cindy Shiner, June 16, 1999). Nevertheless, I would recommend death sentence as the minimum punishment for benefiting or participating in military coups in future, and for the politicians who should conspire with other government officials to loot the national treasury. There should be no sacred cows here. Any person found guilty after a due process should be given the stated punishment. The consistency and enforceability of this consequence will ensure discipline and professionalism in the Armed Forces. It will also guard against the excesses of our civilian politicians – many of whom are in office to acquire wealth illegally, and not to serve the public. In particular, this will ensure the survival of democracy, and an antidote to corruption in Nigeria. For the actions to be legitimate, the Congress should haste and insert the appropriate provisions in our constitution. Corruption is widely known as the bane of Nigeria. This construct, corruption, has been defined as â€Å"†¦a behavior which deviates from the formal duties of a public role because of private [gains] – regarding (personal, close family, private clique [cohorts], pecuniary or status gains; or violates rules against the exercise of certain types of [duties] for private [gains] – regarding influence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Nye 1967, p.419). In fact, many writers have noted that it is probably the only viable industry in the society (Dike, forthcoming, August 1999). This covers â€Å"grand† corruption, at senior levels, and â€Å"petty† corruption, when junior officials take facilitation payments. The abysmal failure of military rule and our previous civilian administrations is associated with huge corruption in the state and the economy. Like other problems in the society, this essay cannot fully address the problem of corruption because of its limited focus. As Kofo Awosika pointed out in his recent piece â€Å"A President’s responsibilities†: â€Å"People are poor because they are being denied access to opportunities. People steal because they are hungry and destitute. People are hungry and destitute because they cannot earn wages. They have no wages because they have no work. They have no work because they have been retrenched. They have been retrenched because industries cannot cope with their wage bills. Industries can not cope with their wage bills because production costs have increased. Production costs have increased because our infrastructures have died. [The infrastructures have died because the funds meant for their upgrading, repairs, maintenance and installations of others meant for the common good end (up) in private pockets]† (The Guardian, June 17, 1999). President Olusegun Obasanjo must not stop at his first salvo. The people’s enthusiasm and interest in the administration should not be allowed to die down. He should establish a forum for people to voice out dissent on controversial issues in the society, and procedures under which ordinary citizens can sue for any infringement on their civil rights. More importantly, a general public sector reform is apropos. Reform here refers to large-scale and comprehensive change in the role, structure, values, staffing, or size of the public sector. This should also involve privatizing our ill-managed government corporations, and contracting out services in the domain of inefficient and corrupt corporations to the private sector for greater efficiency and accountability. International blueprint in the process could be adopted, but it should be adjusted to meet local conditions. The struggle for survival As psychology has noted, to redouble one’s efforts is a healthy response to an obstacle. For Nigeria to survive as a nation, we have to remain vigilant and intensify our efforts in areas of deficiency. And our ‘value-violators’ should be punished. In addition, our negative frame of references (e.g. the advance fee fraud – â€Å"419†) that are anchored in our social environment should be dismantled. We should be realistic in our struggle for survival, because the world is watching. President Obasanjo should wage war on ethnicity and nepotism, which are inimical to the unity of this great nation. This does not mean that groups would not retain their identity and work for their progress. But this should not be carried out in a manner that would undermine the unity and stability of the nation. And in future politicians who are pandering to ethnic interests should be rejected at the polling boot. It is imperative that Nigeria is re-structured into a mobile society; a nation where one could live in any state of his choice, secure employment at the state and local levels without limitations, and participate meaningfully in the affairs of the community of his abode (see Umez June 11, 1999). And ‘hard work, good skills and intelligence’ should be rewarded strictly on merits, without regard to ethnicity and religion. This will help to tame the dangerous trend of ‘brain-drain’ in the nation. It will also motivate people to give their undivided loyalty to the central government. At last, this will mean unity and the establishment of a common identity for Nigeria. But given Nigeria’s cultural diversity, this may not be an easy undertaking. Instead of setting up programs to encourage national unity, our leaders are dismantling or weakening the few programs that are in place. For instance, the recent reduction of the age group for prospective ‘youth service members’ from 30 years to 25 years by General Abubakar is a step toward scrapping the program. The National Youth Service Corps program was designed by General Yakubu Gowon after the civil war to foster national integration and reconciliation (The Post Express, June 11, 1999). One problem with our leaders is policy instability. We need more programs like the NYSC to facilitate and encourage inter-cultural interaction in the nation. President Obasanjo and his civilian administration should not allow this program to die. However, the program could be redesigned if it has not been achieving its purpose. The problem of secret cults or youth gangs in our tertiary institutions is a serious threat to the survival of Nigeria. Our universities have been turned into killing fields, instead of places of learning. The most recent incident was the killing of the principal assistant registrar at the Delta State University, Abraka (The Guardian of June 13, 1999). The congress should institute appropriate and enforceable laws against cult activities on university campuses. It is recognized that there are laws around to this effect. But these laws have either not been enforced, or they have not been effective. Unenforceable laws are only good on the book. The leader who can only give orders but cannot enforce them is not a leader by the standard of many societies. And to restore quality education in our educational institutions, the Congress and Prof. Tunde Adeniran (the recently appointed education minister), should increase funding for education and institute policies that will improve the low moral and motivation of professors and the support staff. Sound economic policies should also be instituted to diversify the nation’s mono-product economy. The diversification of the economy would help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the outside world for her basic needs (food, etc), and lend credibility to claims that the country could someday join the ranks of superpowers. In particular, it will create employment for our burgeoning population. Among other measures to stimulate employment in the society is to give aid to state and local governments and accelerate public works. Our social problems (poverty, diseases, illiteracy, prostitution, crime, etc), are in one way or another related to the sour state of the economy. These things can all be done with proper leadership in Abuja. Economic development or growth (increase in an economy’s capacity to generate more goods and services) requires changes in human skills, attitudes, values – and people have to be formally educated; construct an economic infrastructure – basic transportation, communication, irrigation, and other power facilities; maximize agricultural productivity; increase capital accumulation – that is, tangible physical goods that will serve as means of production. These include machinery, technological innovations, buildings and equipment (Andrain 1975, pp.284-288). Therefore to survive, we need a strong ethic – to save and invest, not simply to consume; to develop sophisticated skills, with an educated and a highly motivated work force. As John Stuart Mill has said: â€Å"What a country wants to make it richer is never consumption, but production. Where there is the latter, we may be sure that there is no want of the former†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Mill, as cited in Bartlett 1981, pp.1-2). A democratic political system seems best suited to achieve this. Nigeria has been doing poorly in these areas, despite her enormous oil wealth. For our economic revival efforts to be successful, the civilian administration should axe those corrupt and inefficient managers of our public utilities and facilities – NEPA, NNPC, NIPOST, NITEL, the Refineries, the Ports, and other establishments that are the hub of our economy. How does one justify the payment of monthly salaries to the executives of these corporations that are not performing? No serious society can afford to do that. The salaries of our executives should be tied to their productivity – that is, the effectiveness of their policies. It is imperative to understand that the â€Å"underdevelopment of a country is the result of its deficient value system and economic structure† (Chirot 1977, pp.2-3). It is equally important to understand that the key social forces that have fostered democracy in the United States and other stable democratic nations are not yet in Nigeria. Our deficiencies are many; but we must have to give democracy a chance to survive in the society. For this, the present socioeconomic re-structuring in Nigeria should be pursued with speed and sincerity. Summary Leadership commitment is essential to the survival and progress of Nigeria. The people have an important role to play too. But the people’s commitment would be difficult to secure if the leaders who are calling on them for sacrifice do not themselves make any sacrifices. To stamp out corruption in the country, Nigerians should always elect or appoint people of probity to manage the affairs of the nation. This group must analyze each situation in the society critically, in order to determine appropriate target of change, who should be involve in the effort, and what method will most likely lead to the desired outcome. The majority of Nigerians are pleased with the initial policy actions of the civilian administration. Nevertheless, we should keep an eagle’s eye on the legislature, because some of them are corrupt. Nigeria still lives in the history of the future. The way our history will be written depends upon the extent to which and the manner in which we – leaders and the people – strive to shape our future. There is a lot of unknown in the society. But since we cannot foresee what the remote future has in store for us, we can only hope for a better tomorrow. Nigeria, the world is still watching! References Achebe, Chinua (1983);The Trouble with Nigeria, Enugu, Fourth Dimension Publishers, 1983, p.1. Akintoye, Seth, et al (June 13, 1999); â€Å"Cultists At Work Again In Varsities;† the Guardian, June 13, 1999. Allport, Gordon W. (1979); The Nature of Prejudice; 25th Anniversary Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, p.507 Andrain, Charles F. (1975); Political Life and Social Change: An Introduction to Political Science, 2nd Edition, Duxbury Press, Belmont, California (1975); pp.284-288. Apter, David (1960); â€Å"The Role of Traditionalism in the Political Modernization of Ghana and Uganda,† World Politics, XII. Awosika, Kofo (June 17, 1999); â€Å"A president’s responsibilities;† the Guardian, June 17, 1999. Bienen, Henry (1993) â€Å"Leaders, Violence, and the Absence of Change in Africa† Political Science Quarterly Bartlett, Bruce (1981); Reaganomics: Supply Side Economics in Action. Arlington House Pub., 1981, pp.1-2. Bretton, Henry L. (1967); The Rise and Fall of Kwame Nkrumah. London: Pall Mall Press. Chirot, Daniel (1977); Social Change in the Twentieth Cenry; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., New York, pp.2-3. Dike, Enwere (1990); â€Å"Nigeria: The Political Economy of Buhari Regime,† Nigeria Journal Of International Affairs, Vol. 16, No.2, pp.94-95. Dike, Victor (Forthcoming, August 1999); Leadership, Democracy, and the Nigerian Economy: Lessons from the Past and Directions for the Future.(Forthcoming) August 1999.

Marketing Mix at Dell Inc

Marketing can be viewed as a set of functions that include product development, packaging, pricing, advertising, selling, distribution and customer service.  Marketing tactics are referred to as the â€Å"4Ps†: product,  place, promotion, and price. (Kotler, 2003). The marketing mix is probably the most famous phrase in marketing. It was James Culliton, who coined the expression Marketing Mix and it was Jerome McCarthy, who described the variables of marketing mix in terms of the four Ps. The product variables include: 1. Product line and range, 2. Design, quality, features, models, style, size and warranty, 3. Packaging, type, materials, label, 4. Branding and trade mark, 5. Service, pre-sale and after-sale, 6. New Products. The place variables are: 1. Channels of distributions, types of intermediaries, channel policy and design, location of outlets, channel remuneration, and dealer-principal relations, 2. Physical distribution, transportation, warehousing, inventory, order processing, etc. The price variables are: 1. Pricing policies, levels of prices, levels of margins, discounts and rebates, 2. Terms of delivery, payment terms, credit terms and installment facilities, 3. Resale price maintenance. Promotion variables are: 1. Personal selling, objectives, quality of sales force, cost level, level of motivation, and level of effort, 2. Advertising, media mix, budgets, allocations, and programs, 3. Sales promotional efforts, display, contests, trade promotions, 4. Publicity and public relations. The application of marketing mix in the case of Dell Inc. can be illustrated as follows: About Dell: Dell Inc. supplies PCs to business and domestic customers across the globe using direct marketing approach. In addition, Dell supplies a range of IT products and services to businesses, including powerful servers, storage, workstations, notebooks, and desktops. Dell employs approximately 47,800 people worldwide. Total sales currently exceed $43.5bn per annum. Product: Dell places product quality as one of the main criteria. Recently Dell voluntarily recalled certain Dell-branded batteries with cells manufactured by Sony and offered free replacements for these batteries.   This is because it has been found that under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire. This measure shows how much importance Dell places on product quality. The main part of Dell’s success is its strategy of offering consumers ‘choice and control’ when it comes to product purchase. Buyers can click through Dell and assemble computer system piece by piece, choosing components like hard drive size and processor speed based on their budgets and needs.   This direct contact with consumers gives Dell a competitive advantage. Dell's approach to innovation is customer driven. Moreover, Dell has returned to one year standard warranties on all its products. Dell builds computers on a just-in-time (JIT), build-to-order (BTO) basis. Therefore, if a new technology emerges it can be included immediately. Promotion: By catering to customers across nations from the internet and through regional centers, Dell has acquired the location strategy advantage. From 1999, Dell has engaged in extensive marketing campaigns. The â€Å"Be Direct† promotion campaign has changed the way consumer view Dell. The campaign focus on consumer benefits of new technology rather than comparing its products with other rival products or company. Dell advertises in the national newspapers, computer magazines, on the Internet and TV and by placing inserts in newspapers and magazines. Dell's advertising campaigns are designed with one central objective – to get a potential customer to ring up or go online and order a computer. Dell measures the impact of each individual marketing campaign by assessing the volume of calls to sales representatives and the number of clicks to the Dell website. The company also uses direct mail. Dell publishes various 24-page monthly catalogues, describing available product ranges. Different catalogues are geared to separate Dell markets – one for the small businesses and the other for domestic customers. This is sent to a selected group of customers who are on Dell's mailing lists. The Internet offers many advantages to a direct marketing company. Products can be shown and described in detail on a website. Customers can browse at their leisure without leaving their home or office (Business2000, 2005). Dell has long been using rebates and discounts as part of its promotion campaign. This helped it to survive competition in the industry. Dell often used to offer brief promotions such as extra memory or a free flat-panel display that might not have remained available if a consumer took a day or two to make a purchasing decision. Rebates have long been popular with electronics retailers, because they allow for higher list prices and because many customers never bother filling out the forms. Price: Dell is able to offer competitive pricing mainly because it uses the JIT – Just in time inventory model. The JIT/BTO approach means that Dell does not have to keep stocks of components or readymade computers. At Dell Inc. usually no component is in the factory for more than three days (Business2000, 2005). Stock, which is also called inventory, costs money. Dell does not have these costs and, therefore, can sell to the customer at a lower price. Further, by having regionalized production centers, Dell has diversified the risk of concentration of labor, production costs, and transportation costs. When production and transportation costs are cut down, the pricing can be competitive. For example basing plants in Xiamen, China Dell has been able to provide products and services at the local prices. By following a business model that allows a consumer to design his own computer cost of carrying inventory is minimized. This allows the company to offer its products at competitive rates. Place: The company manufactures its computer systems in six locations: Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Eldorado do Sul, Brazil (Americas); Limerick, Ireland (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Penang, Malaysia (Asia Pacific and Japan) and Xiamen, China (China). Dell sells its products and services worldwide†¦ By catering to customers across nations from the internet and through regional centers, Dell has acquired the location strategy advantage. The company's strategy of selling over the Internet — with no retail outlets and no middleman — has been as discussed, admired and imitated as any e-commerce model.   Dell's e-commerce website, www.dell.com, is one of the busiest in the world. The site is distributed across 86 countries, using 28 languages or dialects and 29 different currencies (Business2000, 2005). On the website, customers can review, configure, and price computer systems for themselves. They can place an order online and then track the order from the manufacturing stage to actual delivery. This gives greater market reach to the company. Conclusion: Dell is one of the most successful companies in the world. Though we may study the marketing mix in order to understand the success of Dell Inc., it must be mentioned that the Dell combination of direct marketing and just-in-time, build-to-order manufacturing brings the benefits of low cost and high quality to each and every customer. It is this focus on customer value that is truly responsible for Dell's market leadership position. Bibliography: Annual Report, Dell Inc., 2005 Official Website, Dell Inc., 2006, http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/background/en/facts?c=us&l=en&s=corp&~section=000 Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2003. Business2000 (2005). Dell- Directly from Dell to the Customer. http://www.business2000.ie/cases/cases_8th/case1.htm   

DRM and trusted computing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DRM and trusted computing - Essay Example 131-138). Similarly, According to Reid & Caelli (2005, p. 128), trusted computing is vulnerable to MitM attack when used to enforce DRM if the attacker acts as a proxy between two communicating users. This affects the flow of information because it is distorted or manipulated to suit the interests of the attacker. Computers that use unencrypted networks are vulnerable to attacks by the man in the middle because their network traffic is easily grabbed (Luotonen 1998, p. 120). In order to avoid the vulnerability of trusted computing to MitM attacks when enforcing DRM, it is advisable for communicating computers to use encrypted network connections. This may be offered by the Https technology that makes it tricky for an attacker to interfere with the network traffic (Reid & Caelli 2005, p. 129). The Https is efficient because of the safe sockets layer (SSL) facility that shields the web-based network interchange from unauthorized users. The Https also uses certificates that can prove the identity of the servers a computer is interacting with over the internet (Strebe 2006, p.

Harley Davidson marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words - 1

Harley Davidson marketing plan - Essay Example The Harley-Davidson Motor Company was incorporated in 1981, and primarily designs, manufactures, and sells heavyweight (i.e. engine displacement of 651+cc) touring, custom, and performance motorcycles, and a complete range of motorcycle parts, accessories, clothing and collectibles. It is the only major US-based motorcycle manufacturer, and leading marketer of heavyweight motorcycles. It has the largest share of US heavyweight motorcycle market since 1986, in terms of retail sales of new motorcycles. It markets its products and services through a worldwide network of more than 1,300 dealerships. The principal HD dealership for the entire European region has its headquarters at Oxford Business Park in the UK, and it was incorporated in 1989 (Key Note, 2012). The purpose of this study is to arrive at a strategic marketing plan that would enable Harley-Davidson UK to maintain its market competitiveness and possibly advance its position in the motorcycle manufacturing and retail industry . It shall examine the macro-economic environment of the motorcycle industry in UK, provide a micro-economic analysis of the industry in the form of a SWOT analysis, and construct perceptual maps of the company before proceeding to specify a marketing mix by which HD-UK may best address its market. 1. Assumptions This market plan aims to provide a forward-looking study into the prospects of Harley Davidson-UK insofar as it caters to the UK motorcycle market. Inasmuch as the study shall be proposing courses of action which will extend into the future, and therefore be constrained by environmental conditions beyond what can be foreseen at present. Certain assumptions shall therefore be made pursuant to which the following analyses and discussions shall be guided by. Global economy shall continue to gradually recover, but no strong growth is expected; Reduced emissions targets to be imposed, as agreed to in the Kyoto Protocol, for the global markets; The UK economy shall continue to be burdened by large budget and trade deficit. Present trends in tastes and preferences for heavyweight motorcycles remain constant; and It is also important to identify at this point the particular segment of the market which this market analysis shall deal with. Technically, motorcycles are two-wheelers that cover a wide range of specifications, engine designs and capacities. These include low-powered bikes that are more typically referred to as mopeds; also on-road (street legal), racetrack only, and off-road motorcycles (Research and Markets, 2011). For the purpose of this study, the segment of the market for heavyweight touring, custom, and performance motorcycles, referring to models with engine displacement of 651cc and higher, shall be the focus of study since it is to this particular market that HD products cater to. 2. Macro-environmental Analysis (PESTLE) Political – The UK adheres to the Westminster system, a strong democratic, parliamentary system of governance tha t ensures sufficient separation of powers among the executive branch (led by the prime minister), the bicameral legislature, and the judiciary. The structure also ensures that checks and balances apply. The World Bank avers that the UK is one of the most successful countries in so far as the application of the rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, and regulatory quality are concerned. For government

A Formalist Criticism of A Tell-Tale Heart Annotated Bibliography

A Formalist Criticism of A Tell-Tale Heart - Annotated Bibliography Example The old man, eye, and the narrator, I, may be the same person; and the story represents the inner turmoil ending with severing head from heart. (Pitcher 232) Pritchard, from a somewhat feminist point of view, interprets the monologue as sexual in nature just before the murder. She points to the narrator’s love/hate relationship with the victim characterizing the behavior as sadist. Pritchard relates the narrator’s mental state to that of Poe’s dark imagination. This connection is controversial in these articles, and this author’s view is a valuable counter to others. The source is valuable, and the journal is peer reviewed and reliable. A caretaker finds he is cursed by an evil eye belonging to a beloved old man. The eye â€Å"vexes† him. (Poe 193) The caretaker/narrator kills the old man in order to â€Å"silence† the eye. The caretaker keeps hearing the beating of the heart, driving him to confession. The reader is left to decipher whether the narrators hearing acuity is a delusion or is the sound a hallucination. (Reilly 1969) During the murder, they each screamed once. The narrator hears the heartbeat muffled by the bed, but rationalizes the neighbors can’t hear it. The neighbors could hear screams, but not heartbeats. Knowing this, the reader cannot disengage from the monologue. The reader is trapped like the narrator. Poe uses these devices brilliantly to place the audience in the insane mind of a killer. An overview of Poe’s fascination with the â€Å"evil eye† across his stories and specifically in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart†. Other Southern writers and literature is examined regarding the eye. The narrator, of whom the reader knows nothing (sex, age, relationship to the old man) admits to loving the old man, but hating his eye. Narration is broken down as forensic oratory, a defense rather than a confession. The narrator

Art Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Art Critique - Essay Example Although the miniature tea kettles are not strictly geometric in form, they are placed in such a way as to make the most of their geometric attributes. For example, the artist has placed a column of tea kettles vertically aligned along the bottom right edge of the piece to emphasize their circumference. Another squat tea kettle is placed with its bottom attached to the back piece so as to emphasize its round opening at the top. This large piece stands vertically aligned on the wall like a misaligned small coffee table. The artist works almost exclusively with found materials thus reflects the cast off detritus of society at the same time that he presents these pieces as shining new. The eye is kept moving through the piece thanks to strategic use of line. None of the straight lines created are permitted to exist in horizontal or vertical alignment with the exception of the underlying frame. Most angles are oriented on the diagonal and interrupted in some way by a circle. The composition suggests a haphazard tea table complete with tea cups, saucers and kettles with a few cubes available here and there for a suggestion of sweetener. However, the artist also plays with the aspects of dimension available in the medium, allowing some of these elements to protrude while others sink into the surface. This multi-dimensional piece thus encourages the level of activity and discussion one might expect to find at a t ea party. Kai Bob Cheng’s â€Å"Self-Portrait† is an undated mixed media piece that attempts to convey something about the artist’s interpretation of himself. The image is presented in the traditional form of a portrait complete with an aged and ornate frame and a golden-colored background. Within this frame, and even partially overlapping it, is the seated figure of the artist. This figure is created with the use of paint, wires and other found objects. A set of letters is stenciled across the middle of the image