The Legal Environment of Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Legal Environment of Business - Essay Example Some of the major cost that is to be paid by the company while launching IPO includes expenses that are incurred for legal services, underwriter’s commission, printing costs, accounting services and personal marketing. Other legal factors include the loss of control, flexibility and confidentiality as all the necessary regulations are governed by SEC after the company gets publicly limited. Dilution of ownership results in disgruntling management. From economic point of view, the company faces a lot of pressure from the unsteady and unstable position of the economy of a country. When any news regarding the company is revealed on media, it impacts the IPO or share price of the company. Company also faces pressure to maintain and enhance its quarterly earnings as the public invests by verifying the financial position of the company. Several other economic and legal factors affect the company’s decisions while launching IPO. It is necessary to keep all the information into account as any discrepancy can lead to a discounted price of share. Labour Laws and Employment Labour laws can be defined as those laws and regulations that are defined for the employees in order to protect their rights from employer retaliation and reporting the violations to the legitimate authorities. Employment and labour policies are shaped by the countries in which they operate. However, in most of the countries the employment and labour laws are based mainly on the international standards. Due to this reason, companies do not get much influenced by the labour laws and policies. Yet, it has a certain amount of influence because the laws and policies are not precisely same. Some major criteria that labour laws of every country follow include: Freedom of assembly and speech Protection of right to sue Dues, Fees, Initiation and Assessment When companies start to expand domestically and internationally, they face some sort of discrepancies. As a company grow, the employee policy manual must grow with it. Simply being aware of what is right or wrong is not enough. Implementing these practices is also vital for the healthy growth of the companies. Fredman (1997) provided comprehensive study on the importance of labour laws in the dynamic and fast changing world. The study provided different perspective of modifications in labour law as per the changing economic and social condition of the country. Should the labour law be refashioned while protecting the worker’s right or should it be flexible enough by removing the employment protection? In my mind, it all depends upon the condition of the economy of a country and the extent to which it allows labour right protection and employee’s rights. Globalization has caused many companies to expand their business domestically and internationally. Without doing so, it is not possible to for the companies to compete with other companies. Brussels (2006) in his report mentioned the ways of â€Å"modernisin g the labour laws for the 21st centuries†. He stated that the traditional model is not suitable for all workers for adapting change and utilizing the opportunities that are offered by globalization. (Modernizing the labour laws for the 21st centuries, 2006) A report named as â€Å"The employment relationship: Overview of challenges and opportunities, (2006)† showed employment and labour law challenges faced by the company while expanding internationally and domestically. The profound changes that occurred in the work world especially in the labour

Bcg on Hul Essay Example for Free

Bcg on Hul Essay Once you know which businesses stand where in your business portfolio, you also come to know which businesses need investments, which needs harvesting (making money), which needs divesting (reducing investment) and which needs to be completely taken out of the business portfolio. For a major organization like HUL, ITC etc which have multiple categories and within the categories, they have multiple lines of products; the BCG analysis becomes very important. At a holistic level, they get to make a decision on which product to continue and which product to be divested. Which product can give new returns with good investment, and which products are reaching the apex of market share. BCG Growth Share Matrix –  The BCG growth share matrix was developed by Henderson of the BCG group in 1970? s. The matrix classifies businesses / SBU’s by 1) Relative Market Share –  The market share of the business / SBU / Product in the market as compared to its competitors and overall product / category. 2) Market growth rate –  The growth rate of the industry as a whole is taken into consideration from which the growth rate of the product is extrapolated. This growth rate is then pitched on the graph. Thus by having 2 basic but at the same time very important factors on X axis and Y axis, the BCG matrix makes sure that the classifications are concrete. Calculating the Market growth rate comprises of both industry growth and product growth rate thereby giving a fair knowledge of where the product / SBU stands in comparison to the Industry. The market share on the other hand comprises of the competition and the product potential in the market. Thus when we consider growth rate and market share together, it automatically gives us an overview of the competition and the industry standards as well as an idea of what the future might bring for the product. Once the businesses have been classified, they are placed into four different quadrants of the matrix. The quadrants of the matrix are divided into 1) Cash Cows –  High market share but low growth rate (most profitable). 2) Stars –  High market share and High growth rate (high competition) 3) Question marks –  Low market share and high growth rate (uncertainty) ) Dogs –  Low market share and low growth rate (less profitable or may even be negative profitability) On the basis of this classification, strategies are decided for each SBU / Product. Let’s discuss the characteristics and strategies of each quadrant in detail. Explanation: 1) Cash Cows –  The cornerstone of any multi product business, cash cows are products which a re having a high market share in  a low growing market. As the market is not growing, that cash cow gains the maximum advantage by generating maximum revenue due to its high market share. Thus for any company, the cash cows are the ones which require least investment but at the same time give higher returns. These higher returns enhance the overall profitability of the firm because this excess revenue can be used in other businesses which are Stars, Dogs or Question marks. In the case of HUL following are the Cash cows like Mass Soaps, Beverages, Oral care and Laundry which are running very well in the market today, Oral and Mass soap today is doing very good hence it is the cash cows for HUL today. Strategies for cash cow –  The cash cows are the most stable for any business and hence the strategy generally includes retention of the market share. As the market is not growing, acquisition is less and retention is high. Thus customer satisfaction programs, loyalty programs and other such promotional methods form the core of the marketing plan for a cash cow product / SBU. 2) Stars –  The best product which comes in mind when thinking of Stars is the telecom products. If you look at any top 5 telecom company, the market share is good but the growth rate too is good. Thus because these two factors are high, the telecom companies are always in competitive mode and they have to juggle between investment and harvesting vis investing money and taking out money time to time. Unlike cash cows, Stars cannot be complacent when they are top on because they can immediately be overtaken by another company which capitalizes on the market growth rate. However, if the strategies are successful, a Star can become a cash cow in the long run. Just like the products from HUL like Hair Care products, Skin Care products, Premium Soaps Laundry products, Deodorants and it’s lately release brand Water (PureIt) Strategies for Stars –  All types of marketing, sales promotion and advertising strategies are used for Stars. This is because in cash cow, already these strategies have been used and they have resulted in the formation of a cash cow. Similarly in Stars, because of the high competition and rising market share, the concentration and investment needs to be high in marketing  activities so as to increase and retain market share. ) Question Marks –  Several times, a company might come up with an innovative product which immediately gains good growth rate. However the market share of such a product is unknown. The product might lose customer interest and might not be bought anymore in which case it will not gain market share, the growth rate will go down and it will ultimately become a Dog. On the o ther hand, the product might increase customer interest and more and more people might buy the product thus making the product a high market share product. From here the product can move on to be a Cash Cow as it has lower competition and high market share. Thus Question marks are products which may give high returns but at the same time may also flop and may have to be taken out of the market. This uncertainty gives the quadrant the name â€Å"Question Mark†. The major problem associated with having Question marks is the amount of investment which it might need and whether the investment will give returns in the end or whether it will be completely wasted. Processed foods and Color Cosmetics are few of the Question Marks for HUL since it is very rare found in the market due to the reason that it is not giving results as much expected in the consumer market today. Strategies for Question marks –  As they are new entry products with high growth rate, the growth rate needs to be capitalized in such a manner that question marks turn into high market share products. New Customer acquisition strategies are the best strategies for converting Question marks to Stars or Cash cows. Furthermore, time to time market research also helps in determining consumer psychology for the product as well as the possible future of the product and a hard decision might have to be taken if the product goes into negative profitability. ) Dogs –  Products are classified as dogs when they have low market share and low growth rate. Thus these products neither generate high amount of cash nor require higher investments. However, they are considered as negative profitability products mainly because the money already invested in the product can be used somewhere else. Thus over here businesses have to take a decision whether they should divest these product s or they can revamp them and thereby make them saleable again which will subsequently increase the market share of the product. Dogs for HUL are its Sea Products which is definitely and alarm for HUL to kill it. Strategies for Dogs –  Depending on the amount of cash which is already invested in this quadrant, the company can either divest the product altogether or it can revamp the product through rebranding / innovation / adding features etc. However, moving a dog towards a star or a cash cow is very difficult. It can be moved only to the question mark region where again the future of the product is unknown. Thus in cases of Dog products, divestment strategy are used. Sequences in BCG Matrix [pic] Success Sequence in BCG Matrix – The Success sequence of BCG matrix happens when a question mark becomes a Star and finally it becomes a cash cow. This is the best sequence which really gives a boost to the company’s profits and growth. The success sequence unlike the disaster sequence is entirely dependent on the right decision making. Disaster sequence in BCG Matrix – Disaster sequence of BCG matrix happens when a product which is a cash cow, due to competitive pressure might be moved to a  star. It fails out from the competition and it is moved to a question mark and finally it may have to be divested because of its low market share and low growth rate. Thus the disaster sequence might happen because of wrong decision making. This sequence affects the company as a lot of investments are lost to the divested product. Along with this the money coming in from the cash cow which is used for other products too is lost. Results on the strategies for HUL based on the BCG Matrix. There are four strategies possible for any product / SBU and these are the strategies which are used after the BCG analysis. These strategies are 1) Build –  By increasing investment, the product is given an impetus such that the product increases its market share. Example  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Pushing a Question mark into a Star and finally a cash cow (Success sequence) ) Hold –  The company cannot invest or it has other investment commitments due to which it holds the product in the same quadrant. Example –  Holding a star there itself as higher investment to move a star into cash cow is currently not possible. 3) Harvest –  Best observed in the Cash cow scenario, wherein the company reduces the amount of i nvestment and tries to take out maximum cash flow from the said product which increases the overall profitability. 4) Divest –  Best observed in case of Dog quadrant products which are generally divested to release the amount of money already stuck in the business.

My Addiction to Sugar Essay -- Sugar Addiction Study and Intervention

INTRODUCTION Sugar is considered a toxic poison. Sugar leaches the calcium out of the skeletal frame of a human’s body. Sugar literally sucks the calcium straight from our bones; therefore it is known to many as a â€Å"skeletal poisonous powder.† There are thousands of individuals struggling throughout the United States with sugar addiction. Sugar is a leading cause of a number of health-related issues. Sugar causes health issues such as, fibromyalgia, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Like me, many individuals have no clue that they are addicted to sugar. Up until this single subject design, I thought my eating habits were quite normal. I honestly did not realize how much sugar I was taking in everyday. This single subject design has truly encouraged me to live a healthier lifestyle. The purpose of this study is to indirectly determine my sugar intake, by counting calories daily and reducing my caloric intake. LITERATURE REVIEW â€Å"Sugar addiction is a rapidly growing epidemic (Teitelbaum, 2010).† According to researchers, on average an individual consumes one-hundred pounds of sugar each year. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on gym memberships, healthy foods and beverages, and exercise equipment. Despite the economic strain, Americans continue to make room in their budgets for weight loss products. Exercising makes individuals feel healthier inside and out. Feeling healthier could possibly alter a person’s desire to eat healthier. Although exercise cannot cure a sugar addiction it could take one’s mind off eating sweets. Another benefit of exercising is the possibility of curving the urge for sugar. When an individual is hungry it makes their will power to resist sugar more difficult. Feeding ... ...9). Different in prevalence of obesity among black, white, and Hispanic adults-United States, 2006-2008. Morb. Mort. Weekly. Rep. 58, 740-744. Flegal, K. M., Carroll, M. D., Ogden, C. L., & Curtin, L. R. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among U.S. adults, 1999-2008. Journal of Medical Association. 303, 235-241. Hyman, Mark. (2014). Sweet poison: How sugar, not cocaine, is one of the most addictive and dangerous substances. Daily News. Available at: www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/white-poison-danger-sugar-beat-article-1.1605232 (Accessed on 10 February 2014). James, D. C. S. (2013). Weight loss strategies used by African American women: possible implications for tailored messages. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 26, 71-77. Teitelbaum, Jacob. (2010). Sweet Relief. Better Nutrition Healthy Handbook. August 2010. 28-29.

Reaction to, “My name is Margaret”

This story reminds me of a sad time in our history when the people of this nation thought they could own another human being. I would like to say this time has passed, but we are barely able to hang on. We may have a bi=racial president, but there is still racism among the old south. Margaret was only a child and she was being groomed to be the help. It may have been on different scale verses working in a field, but all the same. She talks about her experience and recalls the events in such a way that you are taken back and can almost see what she is describing. I love the names in the essay, Miss Glory having been named Hallelujah. I felt horrible when Mrs. Cullinan changed her name to suit her friends. I do not even change the names of my animals. If they are named already it seems inhuman to call them by a different name. Mrs. Cullinan wanted to change Margaret to make it shorter, but oh my goodness is that ever degrading. The first time Mrs. Cullinan attempts to call her Mary, Miss Glory asks, â€Å"WHO? †¦ this is funny to me because she is trying to defend Margaret and express as much sympathetic dislike for the name change. Miss Glory even says she felt sorry for Margaret. I liked how Angelou described the old traditions that little ladies were trained in: learning to dance, sit and sip tea, and embroider. It reminds me of spending time to teach my daughters how to perform regular house hold chores and cook. We like to bake together, but soon my nine year old, Elyssa, will be in the kitchen helping with the cooking. I started my son out kind of the same way. He started with how to cook eggs and boil water for ice tea. In this story Margaret is learning how to work and support herself and family for a living. She will be working in the upper class homes for employment and will have to serve a Lady of the House. In this essay, Angelou also speaks of a Mr. Cullinan and his indiscretions, having not one but two children by a â€Å"colored woman. ’’ They are quick to sympathize with Mrs. Cullinan, but still did not excuse her for her mannerisms. She even writes a poem about this, â€Å"pain and loneness. † I would think there would be more understanding, but she is only a child in this story. In the end Mrs. Cullinan did finally agree her name was Margaret and Miss Glory who once felt sorry for Margaret now some what identified with Mrs. Cullinan. Miss Glory must have known before she even asked because she called her Mary. The best part was as Margaret walked out she left the front door open so all would hear the distressed Mrs. Cullinan who married beneath her status.

Counter Terrorism

The dawn of the 21st century have enormously occupied fear and uncertainty as it may seem to pass by time of the dark ages where barbarian swordsmen annihilate the villagers and sorcerers put into spell the weaklings.The aftermath of the terrorists attack to the US on September 11th year 2001, known as the 9/11 tragedy, have resulted strong beliefs that a powerful nation like the US is vulnerable to such cowardice and barbaric acts, much more vulnerable are the rests of the US allied countries particularly those belonging from the third world that are potential targets of terrorists. Countries around the world and most especially the member states of the United Nations have called for the massive execution of strategies to counter terrorism.As cited from the US National Counterterrorism Center (US-NCC) document on April 30th 2007, with its Report on Terrorist Incidents of 2006, accounted that: approximately 14,000 terrorist attacks occurred in various countries during 2006, resulting in over 20,000 deaths, as compared in 2005, attacks in 2006 rose by 3,000 (a 25% increase) while death rose by 5,800 (a 40% increase), as was the case last year, by far the largest number of terrorist incidents and deaths occurred in the near East and South Asia.The document further cited that: â€Å"the two regions (East and South Asia) were the locations for 90% of the nearly 300 high-casualty attacks in 2006 that killed ten or more people, only a total of five high-casualty attacks in Europe-Eurasia, East Asia-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere†. A Brief Historical Background The overthrowing of the Soviet army by the military force of Afghan Muslim guerrilla warriors or commonly called as â€Å"mujahideen† in the early 1980’s has gave birth to al-Qaeda and began its operation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.An excerpt from the research paper of Rohan Gunaratna, an Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Director of the Internati onal Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, narrated that al Qaeda enhanced its capabilities for a global networking throughout the 1990’s from its base in Asia and Sudan. Accordingly, â€Å"al-Qaeda effectively armed, trained, financed and theologically indoctrinated three-dozen Islamic groups in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Caucasus†.Further cited from Rohan Gunaratna research paper, â€Å"specifically, over the course of the 1990’s, al-Qaeda and Taliban camps in Afghanistan trained between 70,000 and 120,000 Muslim youth to fight in the Philippines (Mindanao), Indonesia (Maluku and Poso), Myanmar, China (Xinjiang), Kashmir, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya, Dagestan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and elsewhere†.It can be realized that the global network of the al-Qaeda is far reaching the targets as its Muslim brethren can be easily persuaded by its diverse capabilities, as the World Islamic Front imminently wage its holy war or Jihad. Response of Nations The Report of the US-NCC have found to be undiscerning and does not cause alarm to its allied countries but discloses the fatal blow of terror in order for nations to respond with cautious certainty. The certainty of response is to ascertain acts that shall be preemptive, preventive, and combative to the dreadful characters of the terrorists.As a result of the extreme importance and immediate need, the United Nations Security Council have passed and approved Resolution 1373 of 2001 creating the Counter-Terrorism Committee â€Å"that shall continue to monitor Member States’ implementation of resolution 1373 of 2001, guided by its principles of cooperation, transparency, equal treatment and consistency in approach†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Letter of Ricardo Alberto Arias, Chairman, Security Council Committee, United Nations, 20 November 2007). As also cited in the letter, under par.13 (facilitating assistance to states), that â€Å"the committee will co nduct thematic discussions on strengthening efforts to limit terrorists’ mobility with the participations of experts from all of the relevant technical international organizations†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Confronted with the challenges to overcome chaos, the Member States to the United Nations, particularly the third world countries, are resolute to collaborative efforts as embodied in their respective economic, political, socio-cultural framework of governance.Like in the United Kingdom (UK), who has long been plagued by domestic terrorism as a result of its domestic strife with Northern Ireland, the passing to parliament of the UK Strategy in Countering Terrorism of 2006, accordingly â€Å"has had a long-term strategy for countering terrorism, known within UK government as CONTEST, aims to reduce the risk from international terrorism so that the people can go about their daily lives freely and with confidence.The strategy is divided into four principal strands: (1) prevent; tackling the radicalization of individuals, (2) pursue; reducing the terrorist threat to UK and to UK interests overseas by disrupting terrorists and their operations, (3) protect; reducing the vulnerability of the UK and the interests overseas† (HM Government, Countering International Terrorism: The United Kingdom’s Strategy, July 2006).In the US where immediately responding at the 9/11 tragedy, the Director for the National Intelligence (DNI) outlined the 100 Day Plan program accordingly with its goal â€Å"to demonstrate short term progress and build momentum for integration and transformation across the community†.Cited from its 100 Day Plan program, â€Å"it has been aligned to six integration and transformation focus areas which covers: (1) create a culture of collaboration, (2) foster collection and analytic transformation, (3) build acquisition excellence and technology leadership, (4) modernize business practices, (5) accelerate information sharing, and (6) clar ify and align DNI’s authorities† (United States Intelligence Community, 100 Day Plan for Integration and Collaboration, Washington DC 20511).Most recently on January 8th 2008, DNI published its program framework entitled as â€Å"Procuring the Future: 21st Century IC Acquisition†. Accordingly, the purpose is â€Å"to avert conflict and preserve peace†¦Ã¢â‚¬  with multiple areas of concern on: â€Å"(1) military, (2) proliferation, (3) foreign policy, (4) economics, (5) terrorism/narcotics/international organized crimes, (6) technology, and (7) regional conflict†. The program thrust support the enactment of US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 2007 as amended with modernization provisions for Fiscal Year 2008.In sum, it comprises and outlines the US Counterintelligence Strategy of 2007 which adheres to empowering its homeland security. Meanwhile in South East Asia, the ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely: (1) Brunei Darussalam, (2) Cambodia, (3) Indonesia, (4) People’s Democratic Republic of Lao, (5) Malaysia, (6) Myanmar, (7) Philippines, (8) Republic of Singapore, (9) Thailand, and (10) Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, continuously affirm its economic, political and cultural ties.The international diplomatic ties among the ASEAN Nations are a linking arm or reinforcement as it is one of the vital targets of terrorist attacks in the South East Asia. The ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism held in Cebu, Philippines on January 13th 2007, have renewed and reaffirmed the commitment to countering international terrorism through adopting strategic framework in law enforcement, economic and political programs and upholding the rule of law with relevance to protecting and preserving the human rights.Thus, laying down the global agenda brought about by the emerging response of the UN and various enactments of strategic policies in the fight against terrorism, the remaining c ountries that propel terrorism are at large exploring its own identity—the entanglement from its traditional culture and race, the decadence of religious belief and blinded by remorse from first world dominion. Counter Terrorism: In Perspective The work of every Nation to war on terrorism is widened at the global perspective.The global populace understood that terrorism is characterized by barbaric acts. Social scientists considerably view that in the case of the holy war or jihad, the Islamic secessionist group emulates Osama bin Laden as a Messiah (in which a messianic complex is attributed) to the fundamentalist rulers in Afghanistan that propagates Islamic terrorism against US and its allies. However, Muslim scholars literally view the jihad as being utilized or used into conflict of interest and a clamor for Islam.According to the published article of Laura Mansfield on her interview to Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahari, â€Å"today in Palestine, conspiracies to abort the Jihad and surround the Mujahideen are being hatched by the same forces which created Israel and with the cooperation of their agents among our people. I repeat to you, my brothers, that we must be conscious of the legal and factual realities of this conflict, lest the treacherous leadership deceives us and we get lost in the market of political bargaining† (Laura Mansfield, Realities of the Conflict – Between Islam and Unbelief, Full Transcript of Zawahiri Tape December 20, 2006).The minds of the Afghan supporters to Islamic secessionist have long been entangled to its religious beliefs on the destiny of the jihad. More so have been ideologically instilled with anguish against the Westerners, particularly the US and UK, as it condoned the Jews who accordingly took the Muslim lands. The ancestral war reached its adverse conflict until the 21st century wherein the cobweb of hostile Afghan forces goes out of control. It cannot be said today to part ways with the alliance of US a nd the UK so that reducing risk of terrorist attacks.Development of preemptive measures or effective strategies to preventing terrorist attacks is outlined in the US and the UK economic, political, cultural platform of governance. These super power nations, including other countries of the European community, further collaborate with favorable international policies amongst countries that resist and abhor the Islamic terrorism. At this instance, the strategic stance of war on terrorism may have isolated, identified and singled out the terrorist block. Cushion A BlowAs the global alliances of Nations continue its fight against terrorism, respective countries of the world cushion a blow but with much strategic defense by empowering governance through economic development, political reforms and democratization. Somehow the militaristic approach to combating terrorism inflicts human error resulting casualties are but a little wound on the flesh of Nation that fight the real enemies of p eace and democracy. Some reported human errors, as likewise in pursuit of enforcement, become affliction to human rights.These flaws posit to be immediately addressed at a global scene. Assessing on the impact of the counter terrorism measures, the UK Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs proposed a survey of selected countries of Australia, in Asia, Western Europe and Northern America. The survey called for a consultative process on the legal means and further legislation of the counter terrorism measures that each country is implementing.It cited its consideration that: â€Å"different countries, with differing political and legal traditions and systems, recognizing the particular threat posed by terrorism, have enacted a variety of measures to counter that threat. Approaches have varied and evolved over time in the face of a changing threat and changing terrorist tactics† (Counter Terrorism Legislation and Practice: A Survey of Selected Coun tries, October 2005). In similar development, a briefing paper from the Human Rights Watch organization in New York was submitted to the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) on March 23rd 2005.The briefing paper emphasizes that accordingly: â€Å"in fighting terrorism, however, governments must also ensure they meet their other obligations to their people by ensuring that counter-terrorist measures respect and do not violate international human rights, humanitarian, and refugee law† (In the Name of Counter-Terrorism: Human Rights Abuses Worldwide, Human Rights Watch). Likewise, a Handbook on Counter-Terrorism Measures has been produced by various organizations like the Independent Sector (IS), Inter Action (American Council for Voluntary International Action), Council on Foundations and Day, Berry and Howard Foundation.Apprehensions on the potential effect to human rights by committing human errors that may inflict abuse have drawn major impor tance in assessing the so-called winnings of war on terrorism. The incessant lobbying of human rights advocates to the peripheries of government corridors can be perceived as a positive-reactive-constructive attitude of the civilian populace in general. But somehow cushioning the blow to terrorist groups and its cohorts may be unfavorable to the strategic momentum, as the terrorist employs protracted tactics and has diverse capabilities.In this respect, the government effort to isolating risk and vulnerability of terrorist threats continuously and effectively launched civic actions, socio-economic-cultural activities in partnership with various sectors of society. A more consultative framework composing with the civil society rekindles collaborative efforts. References Report on Terrorist Incidents-2006, US National Counterterrorism Center, 30 April 2007; Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Threat and Response, Rohan Gunaratna, Hudson Institute, Center for Eurasian Policy Occassional Resea rch Paper, Series II (Islamism in Southeast Asia), No.1; Letter of Ricardo Alberto Arias, Chairman, Security Council Committee, United Nations, 20 November 2007; HM Government, Countering International Terrorism: The United Kingdom’s Strategy, July 2006; United States Intelligence Community, 100 Day Plan for Integration and Collaboration, Washington DC 20511; Procuring the Future 21st Century IC Acquisition, Terri Everett, DNI Senior Procurement Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, January 8, 2008; ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism, document, Cebu, Philippines, January 13th 2007;Realities of the Conflict – Between Islam and Unbelief, Laura Mansfield, Full Transcript of Zawahiri Tape, December 20, 2006; Counter Terrorism Legislation and Practice: A Survey of Selected Countries, October 2005, www. fco. gov. uk; In the Name of Counter-Terrorism: Human Rights Abuses Worldwide, Human Rights Watch, www. hrw. org/un/chr59; Handbook on Counter-Terror ism Measures: What U. S. and Nonprofits and Grantmakers Need To Know, 15 March 2004, www. dbhfoundation. org.

Anatomy of an Illness essays

Anatomy of an Illness essays Norman Cousins is senior lecturer at the School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, and consulting editor of Man and Medicine which is published at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. For almost all of his professional life, Norman Cousins has been affiliated with Saturday Review. He became its editor in 1940, a position he held for more than thirty years. He is presently its editorial chairman. Mr. Cousins is the author of eleven books, including Dr. Schweitzer of Lambarene, The Celebration of Life, Present Tense, In Place of Folly, The good Inheritance, and Modern Man Is Obsolete. Anatomy of an Illness is written in light of a serious illness a patient was diagnosed with. Through trust, hope, humor and many months of treatment the patient was cured. It is a piece published to share the gruesome and enlightening points of the doctor/ patient relationship the two main characters obtained. The author offers the idea of placebo healing as opposed to the prescription method, which he believes is overrated. The book is used in over two dozen medical schools for instructional purposes, not to mention being republished in fourteen separate countries. Undoubtedly, Anatomy of an Illness is an irreplaceable book. Norman Cousin ¡s main points include: h Laughter is the most powerful medicine. h  ¡Placebos, ¡ Dr. Shapiro has written in the American Journal of Psychotherapy,  ¡can have profound effects on organic illness, including incurable malignancies. ¡ h Current scientific research in the physiological benefits of laughter may not be abundant but is significant, nonetheless. h The body responds naturally to laughter and creativity, seeing it as a  ¡want to live ¡ way of life, and therefore working undividedly to fight the illness. h The best way to eliminate pain is to ...

Judgement Day Professor Ramos Blog

Judgement Day â€Å"so i wait 5 more days. 5 more days. 5 eternitys. i know he i are concieved from ourselves each other. every night of the self-awareness journey, every thought we concieved, we have finished the race. time to die. everything we knew, we were able to understand it, to percieve it, into what we should, everything we knew, we know use. an understanding of the everything. An einstein stuck in an ants body. we are the nature of existence. the zombies were a test to see if our love was genuine. we are in wait of our reward, each other. the zombies will never cause us pain anymore. the humanity was a test. I love you, love. Time to die, time to be free, time to love.† An entry from Dylans journal. â€Å"Two students, cloaked in black trench coats and armed with guns and bombs, opened fire Tuesday at Columbine High School, killing 15 people and wounding 28 others in the worst school shooting in U.S. history (massacre at columbine highBloodbath leaves 15 dead, 28 hurt).† â€Å"Columbine High School† †¦ It has been 18 years and that name has been burned into our memory. Not for prefect attendance, outstanding test scores, or overachieving students which all schools thrive to have their school’s name known for. This school is known for something the history of America did not have for a school. We know it as â€Å"The Columbine School Shooting.† Wednesday morning on April 21 in 1999 was flooded with the headlines of two senior boys bring weapons onto their campus and killing their classmates. The events to the worst school shooting in the history of America was being shown on the news, talked about on the radio, and read in the newspapers. The name s of the two shooters became a household name. Dylan Bennet Klebold is one of the shooters at Columbine High School yet if he did not cross path with Eric Harris, not been rejected from his peers, and been able to handle his depression then perhaps Dylan would not have been involved. Dylan Klebold was only one of the shooters that Tuesday April 20, 1999. Eric David Harris is the other shooter and you can not say one name without saying the other. Together they have done something America was not ready to comprehend and to this day what lead the boys to the decision is not certain. What is know is the planning to the terrible day and other events that may be linked to their decisions. â€Å"There are several police reports that show a recent history of trouble Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were responsible for prior to the shootings at Columbine; reports of threats and violence that were swept under the rug by the local law enforcement, kept hidden for months after the tragedy (Shepard).† Both Dylan and Eric rode the same bus and attend the same middle school with one other friend Nathan Dykeman. The boys would be involved with school and were interested in video production. The boys made countless videos of themselves some of which were used to study their behavior. Video showed the boys in the woods firing hand guns, wearing trench coats in one project called ‘Hitman for Hire’, talking violently to the camera about the acts they would do to bullies, and lastly videos from Eric’s basement which have not been fully release to the public. Yet not being 18 to purchase guns themselves, Dylan had a friend who would also be his prom date, Robyn Anderson, bought the guns for them. Eric and Dylan take turns shooting the guns and practice their aim. The ‘Hitman for Hire’ was a project were the Eric and Dylan were hire by students who have been bullied at their school as they saw their role as â€Å"the men in black that geeks, outcasts, nerds, and other picked-on souls could turn to in order to take care of bullies who were harassing them and making their lives hell. In the film, Dylan and Eric run around protecting the weak (Shepard).† The project’s video is chilling to watch due to the day the shooting happened the boys wear black trench coats as in the video and walked the halls with guns looking for victims to shoot. Some suggest Eric and Dylan were rehearsing for what they called ‘judgement day’. From all the videos Eric and Dylan made the basement videos have yet to be completely released to the public. The day of the attack about 30 minutes before, Eric and Dylan made their last video which they both take a turn saying goodbye, Dylan had a message for his mother, â€Å"Hey mom. Gotta go. Its about a half an hour before our little judgment day. I just wanted to apologize to you guys for any crap this might instigate as far as (inaudible) or something. Just know Im going to a better place. I didnt like life too much and I know Ill be happy wherever the fuck I go. So Im gone. Good-bye. Reb. (Shepard). Dylan’s mother, Susan Klebold, was not aware of the videos her son was making and st ated, â€Å"Dylan was a gentle, sensible kid. No one in our family had ever owned a gun. How in the world could he be part of something like this (I Will Never Know Why P.1)?† His mother knew of the depression he faced, the friendship with Eric, but was she aware of how depressed he truly was which may have needed assisted from doctors, how toxic Eric was to Dylan, and the anger from the rejection from others he held inside. Dylan kept a journey from 1997 to 1999, his writing consisting of his thoughts and hatred for his life, talking about a girl he loves which transforms his writing almost to poetry, and to dark desires of killing, bombing the school, and the schedule of April 20. Dylan was aware of being different from his classmates. As a teenager growing up and trying to understand himself he knew his thoughts were not the same as his classmates. â€Å"I know that i am different, yet i am afraid to tell the society. The possible abandonment, persecution is not something I want to face, yet it is so primitive to me,† this side of Dylan seems to feel helpless as if he has already chosen his fate (Shepard). Throughout the journal, and videos, you witness different sides of Dylan. He struggles with his emotions as read in his journal at times he talks about his loneliness and wanting to reach out to people, then to anger of not being welcome, and then spends briefly of his unrequited love but ult imately Dylan wanted to be accepted. â€Å"I will be free one day, in the land of purity my happiness, I will have a love, someone who is me in a way. Someday Possibly thru this life, maybe another, but it will happen,† in his journal Dylan is seeking accept perhaps even help. After 19 years the question if Dylan would be been on antidepressants could have changed the outcome of that day? Dylan was not quiet about his desire of killing, he wrote an essay on it which his teacher found unappreciated and gave it to the counselor to evaluated it. Yet thing came from it. Dylan’s mother notices her son behaving differently yet passed it as, â€Å"Dylan was just being a typical teenager (Dawson).†Ã‚   With the journals and videos psychologist and FBI profilers stated yet neither were formally diagnosed, â€Å"Dylan likely suffered from severe depression and suicidal thoughts, while Eric was likely a psychopath (Dawson).† Both dealt with mental issues yet it was too late it help. Eric Harris was a big influence on Dylan, many students stating that Dylan was a follower and Eric was a leader. Eric’s parents never spoke or were interviewed about what their son have done. Eric would be shown on the media of killing the most between himself and Dylan, was Eric the mastermind of that day which Dylan called ‘judgement day’? Its simply really Dylan wanted to die, and Eric wanted to kill. Eric in Dylan’s life was the approximating cause to his involvement on April 20, 1999. Dylan dealt with depression and perhaps if the influence of Eric caused him to think that others should suffer for his sad life. In Dylan’s journey he talks about the jocks and the girls who ignored him, Eric could have known to make history of killing at his high school he would need help and Dylan was easily influenced. In the end Dylan suffer in life and in death, when Dylan shot himself was not enough to kill him instantly but to slowly have him drown in his ow n blood whereas a shot gun in the mouth cause Eric no pain. Dylan, thanks to Eric’s planning, is known as a monster since 1999 for dwelling at the gates of differences as Cohen would say. Cohen has seven theses to monster one being â€Å"The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference†, Dylan felt has an outcast knowing his thoughts were not was called ‘normal’. He then acted on it which caused him to be label as a monster, as his mother had mention teenage depression is common but not given the full action it needs. Due to the lack of interest Dylan acted on his emotions and did something terrible. And what Dylan did that day at his high school has changed our cultural forever such as the safety in our school and to how police officers are to respond in that situation. What cause him to be part of the planning, agreeing to act upon his thoughts, and to kill and harms others will never be understood and will be kept with Dylan. â€Å"Colorado News.† The Denver Post Online News, extras.denverpost.com/news/shot0420a.htm. A news article the day before of the events of April 20, 1999. Prefect example of how an impact the school shooting shock the nation. This new article is only one of many that was read at the time after the event and already stated that it was â€Å"the worst school shooting in the history of America.† It gives a brief description of what was known briefly after it took place and will be used to show what the nation knew what happened. Shepard, Cyn. â€Å"~(@)~ 4-20-99 a Columbine Site ~(@)~ All about the Columbine High School Shootings.† a Columbine Site, acolumbinesite.com/. Website dedicated to the school shooting and provides evidences such as the 911 calls, police reports, and a summary of the shooter and victims. This site will be used to take a look at the journey to cite in the paper. The journals allow us to take a closer look at the emotions Dylan was feeling from 1998 to the day of the shooting. â€Å"‘I Will Never Know Why.’† Oprah.com, www.oprah.com/omagazine/susan-klebolds-o- magazine-essay-i-will-never-know-why. Dawson, Margaret, et al. â€Å"Columbine Killers Mother Sue Klebold on Relationship with Her Son, Warning Signs She Missed, What She Went through after the Tragedy.† ABC News, ABC News Network, 12 Feb. 2016, abcnews.go.com/US/columbine-killers-mother-sue-klebold-relationship-son-warning/story?id=36891650. Sue, out of both mothers, spoke about her son and wrote a book. She has brought awareness to depression to high school students and the importance of looking into seeking help. She describes Dylan’s personality before and the days leading up to April 20. Her quotes of her son will be used to show how Eric was the ringleader of the event. Dylan was a follower with anger and wanted to punish others for his life.

Lieutenant General A.P. Hill in the Civil War

Lieutenant General A.P. Hill in the Civil War Born November 29, 1825, at his family plantation near Culpeper, VA, Ambrose Powell Hill was the son of Thomas and Frances Hill. The seventh and final of the couples children, he was named for his uncle Ambrose Powell   Hill (1785-1858) and Indian fighter Captain Ambrose Powell.   Referred to as Powell by his family, he was educated locally during his early years. At age 17, Hill elected to pursue a military career and received an appointment to West Point in 1842.   West Point Arriving at the academy, Hill became close friends with his roommate, George B. McClellan. A middling student, Hill was known for his preference for having a good time rather than academic pursuits. In 1844, his studies were interrupted after a night of youthful indiscretions in New York City. Contracting gonorrhea, he was admitted to the academy hospital, but failed to improve dramatically. Sent home to recover, he would be plagued by the effects of the disease for the remainder of his life, usually in the form of prostatitis. As a result of his health issues, Hill was held back a year at West Point and did not graduate with his classmates in 1846, which included notables such as Thomas Jackson, George Pickett, John Gibbon, and Jesse Reno. Dropping into the Class of 1847, he soon befriended Ambrose Burnside and Henry Heth. Graduating on June 19, 1847, Hill ranked 15th in a class of 38. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he received orders to join the 1st US Artillery which was engaged in the Mexican-American War. Mexico Antebellum Years Arriving in Mexico, Hill saw little action as the bulk of the fighting had finished. During his time there he suffered from a bout of typhoid fever. Returning north, he received a posting to Fort McHenry in 1848. The following year saw him assigned to Florida to aid in fighting the Seminoles. Hill spent the majority of the next six years in Florida with a brief interlude in Texas. During this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant in September 1851. Serving in an unhealthy climate, Hill contracted yellow fever in 1855. Surviving, he received a transfer to Washington, DC to work with the US Coast Survey. While there, he married Kitty Morgan McClung in 1859. This marriage made him brother-in-law to John Hunt Morgan. The marriage came after a failed pursuit of Ellen B. Marcy, daughter of Captain Randolph B. Marcy. She would later marry Hills former roommate McClellan. This would later lead to rumors that Hill fought harder if he thought McClellan was on the opposing side. The Civil War Begins On March 1, with the Civil War looming, Hill resigned his commission in the US Army. When Virginia left the Union the following month, Hill received command of the 13th Virginia Infantry with the rank of colonel. Assigned to Brigadier General Joseph Johnstons Army of the Shenandoah, the regiment arrived  at the First Battle of Bull Run that July but did not see action as it was assigned to guard Manassas Junction on the Confederate right flank. After service in the Romney Campaign, Hill received a promotion to brigadier general on February 26, 1862, and was given command of the brigade formerly belonging to Major General James Longstreet. The Light Division Serving gallantly during the Battle of Williamsburg and the Peninsula Campaign in the spring of 1862, he was promoted to major general on May 26. Taking command of the Light Division in Longstreets wing of General Robert E. Lees army, Hill saw substantial action against his friend McClellans army during the Seven Days Battles in June/July. Falling out with Longstreet, Hill and his division were transferred to serve under his former classmate Jackson. Hill quickly became one of Jacksons most reliable commanders and fought well at Cedar Mountain (August 9) and played a key role at Second Manassas (August 28-30). Marching north as part of Lees invasion of Maryland, Hill began bickering with Jackson. Capturing the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry on September 15, Hill and his division were left to parole the prisoners while Jackson moved to rejoin Lee. Completing this task, Hill and his men departed and reached the army on September 17 in time to play a key role in saving the Confederate right flank at the Battle of Antietam. Retreating south, Jackson and Hills relationship continued to deteriorate. Third Corps A colorful character, Hill typically wore a red flannel shirt in combat which became known as his battle shirt. Taking part in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, Hill performed poorly and his men required reinforcement to prevent a collapse. With the renewal of campaigning in May 1863, Hill took part in Jacksons brilliant flanking march and attack on May 2 at the Battle of Chancellorsville. When Jackson was wounded, Hill took over the corps before being wounded in the legs and being forced to cede commander to Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Gettysburg With Jacksons death on May 10, Lee began to reorganize the Army of Northern Virginia. In doing so, he promoted Hill to lieutenant general on May 24 and gave him command of the newly formed Third Corps. In the wake of the victory, Lee marched north into Pennsylvania. On July 1, Hills men opened the Battle of Gettysburg when they clashed with Brigadier General John Bufords Union cavalry. Successfully driving back Union forces in concert with Lieutenant General Richard Ewells corps, Hills men took heavy losses. Largely inactive on July 2, Hills corps contributed two-thirds of the troops involved in the ill-fated Picketts Charge the next day. Attacking under the leadership of Longstreet, Hills men advanced on the Confederate left and were bloodily repulsed. Retreating to Virginia, Hill endured perhaps his worst day in command on October 14 when he was badly defeated at the Battle of Bristoe Station.   Overland Campaign In May 1864, Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant commenced his Overland Campaign against Lee. At the Battle of the Wilderness, Hill came under heavy Union assault on May 5. The next day, Union troops renewed their attack and nearly shattered Hills lines when Longstreet arrived with reinforcements. While fighting shifted south to Spotsylvania Court House, Hill was forced to cede command due to ill health. Though traveling with the army, he played no part in the battle. Returning to action, he performed poorly at North Anna (May 23-26) and at Cold Harbor (May 31-June 12). After the Confederate victory at Cold Harbor, Grant moved to cross the James River and capture Petersburg. Beaten there by Confederate forces, he began the Siege of Petersburg. Petersburg Settling into the siege lines at Petersburg, Hills command turned back Union troops at the Battle of the Crater and engaged Grants men several times as they worked to push troops south and west to cut the citys rail links. Though commanding at Globe Tavern (August 18-21), Second Reams Station (August 25), and Peebles Farm (September 30-October 2), his health began to deteriorate again and his missed actions such as Boydton Plank Road (October 27-28). As the armies settled into winter quarters in November, Hill continued to struggle with his health. On April 1, 1865, Union troops under Major General Philip Sheridan won the key Battle of Five Forks west of Petersburg. The next day, Grant ordered a massive offensive against Lees overstretched lines in front of the city. Surging forward, Major General Horatio Wrights VI Corps overwhelmed Hills troops. Riding to the front, Hill encountered Union troops and was shot in the chest by Corporal John W. Mauck of the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry. Initially buried in Chesterfield, VA, his body was exhumed in 1867 and moved to Richmonds Hollywood Cemetery.

Main topic is Markets Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Main topic is Markets - Term Paper Example This abrupt actualization of counterparty accident has artlessly arctic the markets beyond the western countries. With no bank adventuresome abundant to accommodate to other banks, deleveraging has larboard its blister on the market: affairs of assets in wish of capital leads to abatement in prices to even lower levels, which agency added and added charge for beginning capital. This has acutely added anchored lending to absolute economy-producers and consumers-which agency abatement in investments by businesses and bead in demand. This has added slowed down the advance of the economy. As advance drops, businesses are abiding to aim at cost-cutting exercises, which agency layoffs. The confused consumers will further abate their spending. That is how the financial crisis is feared to advance itself to the Wall Street-the absolute economy (Brown P, p. 105, 2005, Journal of Financial Economics). In the light of these, this paper deals with one topic entitled ‘new expectations in th e U.S. Market’ in detail and three other related topics as subtopics. The morphing of the financial hailstorm, which started about 18 months aback as the US subprime crisis, into bread-and-butter arrest is all but over: consumers are arise beneath the burden of non-availability of acclaim on the one hand, and abrupt abatement in application on the other (R.T. Baillie et al, p. 23, 1996, Journal of Applied Econometrics). To arrest the further spread of economic crisis and its intensity, the central banks and governments on either ancillary of the Atlantic accept redoubled their efforts, with bolstering from banks, by pumping in added capital, accouterment greater budgetary bang to jump-start the economy, and cut absorption ante added down. Of course, action moves are accepted to crop after-effects alone afterwards a time lag. In the US, capital injection conceivably adored the banking system, but its non-banking area

The concept of normality in relation to homosexuality Essay

The concept of normality in relation to homosexuality - Essay Example The normality of homosexuality is a debatable issue. During my exploration on this topic, I relied on information from books, scholarly journals, and website sources. Ultimately, the conclusion will establish whether the world is better off without these rigid â€Å"normal† / â€Å"abnormal† labels and why. I base my analysis on an article â€Å"The normality of homosexuality† written by Alicia Mullins and published by The Maine Campus on April 06, 2006. I chose this source because it explains the meaning of heteronormativity in relation to homosexuality. I relied on the article â€Å"Homosexuality: Normality or Abnormality in U.S. Society† written by Nicole Higginbotham and published by Bellevue University on November 21, 2011. This article explains whether homosexuality is normality or an abnormality. I also base my analysis on the article â€Å"Homosexuality is normal so it should not be considered wrong† by Matt Slick and published by CARM. This article addresses the statistics, biology, and evolution of normality in the context of homosexuality. I relied on a 2009 article by Richard Balkin and others in the Journal of Counseling and Development journal. The journal article investigates the relationships between religious identity, sexism, homophobia, and multicultural competence. My analysis also relied on the book â€Å"The Battle for Normality† by G. J. M. van den Aardweg and published by Ignatius Press in 1997. This book offers advice to homosexuality afflicted.

XCOM WK3 CHECKPOINT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

XCOM WK3 CHECKPOINT - Essay Example They are both affordable. There are some differences between these two technologies. Near-Time allows its users to sort out the source of information and create new informal channels. On the other hand, IBM Lotus Connections does not support creating functions and information sorting. These advanced technological tools are practical and beneficial to many workplaces. For my case, these technologies are not very applicable due to the nature of my work. I can therefore easily achieve my work goals without incorporating these technologies. The answer is no. These advanced communication tools are available in the modern type business environment. However, a majority of businesses do not accept and utilize these tools to in their everyday business operation activities. Many businesses could be considering these advanced tools as novel commodities or be afraid of change. Companies may view these collaborative tools as increased costs since the employees might have to spend extra time to master these technologies. They are therefore extra expenses associated with shifting from traditionally business

The Importance of Retail Information Systems Research Paper

The Importance of Retail Information Systems - Research Paper Example In a highly competitive environment, effective customer services as well as relevant products to the consumers assume a high position in retailers’ priority list in the event of profit maximization. One of the most effective ways to ensure relevant product and effective services to the customer is through collection of information regarding the customer, analyzing that information and finally placing the analyzed information into work by aiding in decision making processes. (Stair, 2010) Information systems include systems that deals with the process of raw data from databases, file storage and file sources to information which are later used by middle level, top level and operational level managers in decision making thus improving their output to the consumers inform of better services and relevant products which in turn increases their returns and profit. (Stair, 2010) Information systems and organizations influence one another. According to Lucey, Information systems are built by managers to serve the interest of their firms. At the same time organizations must be aware of and open to the influences from information systems to benefit from new technologies. The interaction between information technology, information systems and organizations is very complex and is influenced by many mediating factors, including the organization structure, business processes, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions. (2005) All modern organizations have bureaucracies with clear-cut divisions of labor and specialization. The main reason for organization’s failure in implementing information systems is inability to

Persuasive synthesis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Persuasive synthesis - Research Paper Example Other issues contributing to the worsening of cancer’s challenges encompass gender and unstable economic statuses mostly affecting the ailing besides close people. This is especially in the developing states or in regions where culture esteems the male gender to the extent of some experiencing fecal embarrassment when undergoing medical checkups (Consedine et al E410). Unstable economic statuses mainly characterize the developing states whereby numerous states are unable to avail necessary cancer awareness facilities to the natives (Ryder et al 3627). Hence, this leads to severe suffering to the citizens who to some point few cite to have attended cancer screening tests, for instance, women’s Pap smear test (Agunwah et al 364). This is because of utter ignorance that augments cancer severity among numerous citizens though limited by both their individual and states’ unstable economies (Ryder et al 3627). Scholarly studies contacted so far cite ignorance (knowledg e deficits) as one of the challenges hindering effective management of cancer (Van der Rijt et al 1370). Hence, this poses a formidable challenge to the patients, professionals and caregivers whereby the latter two ends up not being of any help to the victims despite their will to offer required assistance (Van der Rijt et al 1371). ... This is because of the latter’s knowledge deficit regarding pain assessment, which could have been leant early via multidisciplinary studies (Van der Rijt et al 1370). Hence, in turn fail to educate patients on how to manage their varied cancer predicaments, which results to painful experiences while away from their respective medical institutions. This is because at home neither the patient nor the caregivers know exactly what to do in alleviating or assessing pain that will alert them to seek timely medical intervention (Van der Rijt et al 1375). According to Van der Rijt et al study, multidisciplinary interventions considerably reduce pain. However, respective authorities ought to ensure adequate imparting of the medical practitioners with this knowledge. Since, they will also inform caregivers who will accordingly apply the knowhow while handling their ailing relatives in the absence of medical personnel. Inadequate level of education is also another aspect worsening ignor ance especially in the developing states, for instance, Enugu in Nigeria (Agunwah et al 362). This is especially among the female gender where most of them due to illiteracy do not see the essence of going for Pap smear tests. Hence, contribute to high mortality rates because only 4.2% of the women’s population in this region contends to have attended cancer screening tests in their lifetime (Agunwah et al 361). However, this percentage does not indicate the attending consistency, which one ought to keep on cancer screening at certain intervals. This leads to people who have gotten cancer resurfacing when the condition is at an advanced stage, whereby the available services for them only work to prolong their lives, but not to prevent or cure the malady (Agunwah

The Importance of Retail Information Systems Research Paper

The Importance of Retail Information Systems - Research Paper Example In a highly competitive environment, effective customer services as well as relevant products to the consumers assume a high position in retailers’ priority list in the event of profit maximization. One of the most effective ways to ensure relevant product and effective services to the customer is through collection of information regarding the customer, analyzing that information and finally placing the analyzed information into work by aiding in decision making processes. (Stair, 2010) Information systems include systems that deals with the process of raw data from databases, file storage and file sources to information which are later used by middle level, top level and operational level managers in decision making thus improving their output to the consumers inform of better services and relevant products which in turn increases their returns and profit. (Stair, 2010) Information systems and organizations influence one another. According to Lucey, Information systems are built by managers to serve the interest of their firms. At the same time organizations must be aware of and open to the influences from information systems to benefit from new technologies. The interaction between information technology, information systems and organizations is very complex and is influenced by many mediating factors, including the organization structure, business processes, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions. (2005) All modern organizations have bureaucracies with clear-cut divisions of labor and specialization. The main reason for organization’s failure in implementing information systems is inability to

A key historical development such as the development of the tripartite Essay

A key historical development such as the development of the tripartite system or the introduction of comprehensive education - Essay Example The British transition provides an excellent way for the study of the effect of a comprehensive system as compared to selective schooling system on the student's achievement. In the traditional British school system, scholars would attend an academically selective grammar college at age 11, or they would attend a secondary modern school, which used to be academically less hard. The tripartite system had its disadvantages and also its advantages but the criticisms made it necessary to development of comprehensive education, which was friendlier to the students and all the scholars involved. Starting within the Nineteen Fifties, there was once dissatisfaction with choices on the local level, and a few native authorities began to experiment with comprehensive colleges. In 1965, the local authorities requested the Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to make plans to convert to a comprehensive education system. The implementation went on slowly, with sooner growing, more Labour leaning LEA s moving to comprehensive colleges more quickly while Conservative leaning Authorities implemented the amendment extra slowly. Presently there are still few conservatives offering grammar schools as an option INTRODUCTION National school programs range extensively within the quantity of skill tracking of scholars they provide in secondary school. Some education systems are based on comprehensive systems, where students of all abilities go to similar schools, although there is typically some tracking within the schools. Other systems channel students at an early age into different school types based on academic standards (tripartite system). The British idea is appealing since it involved a significant and a well defined change in terms of the ability of secondary school scholars, thus offering a potential way to assess the importance of comprehensive education system on student achievement. Comprehensive education is an education system where selection is not based on academic found ation or competency. A tripartite education system was created by the 1944 Education act and provided the basis of a state funded secondary school sector. The structure was to have three schools, which were grammar school, secondary technical school and secondary modern school (Education Act 1944). In the essay, we are going to discuss why Britain switched to the comprehensive system from tripartite system and the setbacks and advantages of the comprehensive system. We are also going to look at the key areas in the development of the comprehensive education system and the factors which lead to its implementation. Comprehensive education can be looked at as an improvement of the tripartite system, but it also has its own disadvantages. Historical development of Comprehensive Education from the Tripartite System in Britain The 1944 Education Act or the Butler Act brought about the tripartite education system which was found on the belief that at eleven years of age it was possible to measure intelligence of a child, the basis of this is to make a choice on the  activity, or career the child  might be suited to. Children sat the 11+ exam which was made up of English, Math and IQ tests. Those who passed were deemed to be more academic and would then proceed to secondary grammar school while the other would go to lower level grammar school. By the early 1960s, many LEAs were devising and reorganizing plans to end the traditional

Saving Private Ryan Essay Example for Free

Saving Private Ryan Essay The ingenious film, directed by Steven Spielberg, `Saving Private Ryan is in my opinion the most realistic film to ever portray the D- Day landings. Many critics have even said it to be so vivid that the only element missing is the smell. In the Films first battle scene, lasting twenty- five minutes in total, it brings all reality into the living nightmare that took place so long ago. Brought back into life by Spielberg, I will show how he creates excitement and tension in the most realistic of ways. I will discuss how he portrays the characters, his use of sound and last of all, his use of camera shots and how they contribute to the overall effect of the scene. Spielberg manifests an overall memorable opening scene and I will show just how. Released on the 24^th July 1998, `Saving Private Ryan promised to break all blockbuster records and go straight to the top. Spielberg stunned the world with the films realism and authenticity, proving that his renowned reputation is not just hearsay, but fact. The plot is loosely inspired by the true story of the Niland brothers, where two of the four were killed and the third, presumed dead. The decision was made to retrieve the fourth, to prevent a national uproar and from a whole family from being wiped out due to War. The plot, proving exciting, brings much controversy over the mission to risk eight lives for the sake of one. The whole epic World War 11 drama cost approximately $65 million in total, most of which was spent on the graphic detail and effects in the first battle scene of the film. Although the twenty-five minute battle scene is complex cinematically and visually, the plot of the beach landings follows through reasonably simply. The scene starts off in focus of a small regiment of troops, quivering inside the hull of a boat, petrified by the sound of oncoming machine gun fire. The ramps fall down as a wheel spins round, pronouncing the ends to most of their lives. The boat opens out as many are shot dead instantly by the flurry of bullets thrust toward them. Few make it out a live before they have to plough through thousands of dead up the beach. As the battle scene cuts into view, the first character to be seen visually is Captain Miller. This immediately indicates that he is high up in rank and so, instantly gives him a commanding presence among the craft. The calmness of his voice even seems to sedate the tension in the atmosphere. However, the initial part of him to be seen is his pair of trembling hands. This conventionally is a sign of fear and to some, may show a weakness. Leaders are not usually associated with fear; stereotypically they are fearless. Spielberg has used this ironically, to show the realism within his character. All the soldiers fighting on that day were normal citizens fighting for pride and country. They all experienced fear. On D- day there were no fearless war heroes such as John Wayne and this is why Captain Miller, along with all the other troops, is shown in trepidation. As the shot moves outward, the whole of Captain Millers body is revealed. His appearance can be seen and again realism is reinforced. The person acting as Captain Miller, Tom Hanks does not have the stereotypical appearance of a War hero; he is small, placid and in lack of the muscle attributes usually associated with a clichi d soldier. Through this casting Spielberg conveys a message. The men fighting on that day were normal. They werent all large men built of muscle, who could defy death and so, the person cast as Captain Miller isnt either. Through this, the character of Captain Miller is made realer to the audience, thus making the film more accurate and historically correct. On the beach, after the regiment has landed, the Captain experiences a brief period where his emotions and conscience are thrown into turmoil. The horror of what is happening around him starts to sink in, as all terror results in a mental breakdown. The fact that he does not just march through the beach and that he is affected shows his compassion and empathy. It shows he is a caring human being; one who is gravely affected by the horrific things being done to his comrades. Through this period of collapse, Spielberg creates lots of tension, as the audience, who have gradually started to become attached to this realistic character, are willing him to snap out of it and gain his composure. They want him to get out of this situation and lead his troops up the beach. Another character that stands prominent in this scene is that of Sergeant Horvath. Spielberg has used Horvaths character to contrast with Captain Miller, and this is seen even in the first few seconds of his di but. Immediately as the audience set eyes upon his broad build, it can be seen that he is much more robust than the Captain and that he conforms more to the stereotypical image of a fictional war hero. I think that Spielberg has highlighted this point emphasise the normality and ordinary image of Captain Miller. He has done this to show that soldiers were all shapes and sizes. Through this contrast made, the realism of both characters is increased as they both can be recognised uniquely. Horvath and Miller again contrast in their methods of dealing with the trepidation and horror thrown at them. Whereas the Captain releases his petrified state through the constant trembling of his hands, Horvath allows his fear to disperse through chewing. Through Horvaths different reaction, Spielberg defines his character more, making him more realistic as he deals with situations in a different way. As soldiers in real life all reacted uniquely depending on their personalities, Horvath does too. The audience then can identify better with him, likening him to people they know, thus recognising him as a real type of person, one who is unique. Although Captain Miller and Sergeant Horvath contrast in many ways, together they form a prevailing partnership. In every order relayed by the Captain, the Sergeant reinforces it, thus portraying his regard, proving that he has an immense admiration for the man. Horvath continuously stays close to the Captain, waiting for his command and looking out for him. Spielberg uses him as the Captains right arm. Everything about Horvath, from his bear like face, down to his cumbersome build, shout; protector! In view of this, the audience take a liking to him and confide comfort in the fact that Horvath will protect and bring their `everyman (the Captain) to safety. Spielberg uses the relationship between the two characters to excite the audience, as he shows that War is so out of the ordinary, that it brought together people in friendships who otherwise wouldnt have done so. Captain Miller and Sergeant Horvath have such a strong relationship during this scene that excitement arouses among the audience, as they know that together the two will survive. Private Jackson, the regiments sniper is another character that has an essential role in the battle scene. His preliminary appearance is in the landing craft, immediately before the ramps descend. His face, being one of pure dread is an open book to the audience. He is so terrified that his expression and the first act that he commits, a kiss on a cross, show that he believes that there is no hope for survival left. It is as though he thinks that a kiss on the cross is the last action he is going to do and that if God is ever going to come to his aid, let it be now. I think that Spielberg has used this crucifix and his expression of misgiving, to draw compassion for the Private, but also to show how close death is to God. Immense suspense is created through the terror in Jacksons eyes. Private Jackson is not focused upon much during the struggle to gain ground and progress up the beach, however is substantial in the climax of the Scene. In this section of the scene, there is a long pause where the camera focuses upon the concentration on Jacksons face. He is speaking to God as he prepares to shoot and kill the Germans.

The Advantages Of Globalization In ICT

The Advantages Of Globalization In ICT Here i introduced a Globalization and difusion of ICTs and how they reduced the importance of geography, whats the advatage and dis-advantage of Globalization and difusion of ICTs. globalisation is very important for cultural structure,political,social and technological structures.It contains four principal feature in origion of globalisation so i introduced in shortly as below. the multiplication into world markets of national economies, the transition from a High grade economy into a High value economy.The end of bipolarity and traditional prize-fight between socialism and capitalism. http://www.unesco.org/most/globalisation/Introduction.htm Privatization + Deregulation + Globalization = Turbo-capitalism = Prosperity (Luttwak quoted by Frank 2002: 17) http://www.infed.org/biblio/globalization.htm The ICTs (Information and communication technology)are understood about the computers and the internet but this consideration is limited. Information and knowledge are critical components of poverty alleviation strategies, and ICTs offer the promise of easy access to huge amounts of information useful for the poor. However, the digital divide is argued to be the result rather than the cause of poverty, and efforts to bridge it must be embedded within effective strategies that address the causes of poverty. Moreover, earlier patterns of adoption and diffusion of technology suggest that ICTs will not achieve their full potential without suitable attention being paid to the wider processes that they are intended to assist and to the context within which they are being implemented. as it excludes the more traditional and usually more common technologies of radio, television, telephones, public address systems, and even newspapers, which also carry information. In particular, the potential value of radio as a purveyor of development information should not be overlooked, especially in view of its almost ubiquitous presence i n developing countries, including the rural locations in which the vast majority of the poor live. Many of the factors that will define how ICTs will be integrated into existing community and national development initiatives are highly contextual in nature; dependent on existing norms of institutional behaviour and on how vigorously reforms can be implemented. As a result, diffusion and replication rates will vary among communities and between nations. In some cases, we can expect slow progress towards further diffusion of ICTs for poverty alleviation. Retrieved from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Information_and_Communication_Technologies_for_Poverty_Alleviation/Introduction Advantages and disadvantges of globalisation Advantages Increased free trade between nations . Increased liquidity of capital allowing investors in developed nations to invest in developing nations. Corporations have greater flexibility to operate across borders. Global mass media ties the world together . Increased flow of communications allows vital information to be shared between individuals and corporations around the world. Greater ease and speed of transportation for goods and people. Reduction of cultural barriers increases the global village effect . Spread of democratic ideals to developed nations . Greater interdependence of nation-states. Reduction of likelihood of war between developed nations. Increases in environmental protection in developed nations . Disadvantages Increased flow of skilled and non-skilled jobs from developed to developing nations as corporations seek out the cheapest labor. Increased likelihood of economic disruptions in one nation effecting all nations. Corporate influence of nation-states far exceeds that of civil society organizations and average individuals. Threat that control of world media by a handful of corporations will limit cultural expression. Greater chance of reactions for globalization being violent in an attempt to preserve cultural heritage . Greater risk of diseases being transported unintentionally between nations. Spread of a materialistic lifestyle and attitude that sees consumption as the path to prosperity. International bodies like the World Trade Organization infringe on national and individual sovereignty. Increase in the chances of civil war within developing countries and open war between developing countries as they vie for resources. Decreases in environmental integrity as polluting corporations take advantage of weak regulatory rules in developing countries. http://www.darkseptemberrain.com/ideas/advantages.htm Globalization: Advantages and Disadvantages Instead of giving a few pointers here and a few pointers there, explanation on these concepts should do more justice to the subject. Have a look at the following Advantages and Disadvantages of Global Marketing There has to be operational differences between various companies in different countries. What I mean to say is, a car manufacturer of UK will manufacture a car with a different operation than a car manufacturer in Italy (for example Jaguar and Ferrari). Both are trying to take advantage of the operational difference that they have between them. And both companies are trying to sell a car in America for a greater value. So if you want your product to have an appeal on a global scale, then obviously, marketing on a global scale is required. Advantages of Global Marketing Lower Marketing Costs: If you are to consider lump-some cost then, yes, it is high, but the same cost even goes even higher if the company has to market a product differently in every country that it is selling. Global Scope: Scope of this kind of marketing is so large that it becomes a unique experience. Brand image Consistency: Global marketing allows you to have a consistent image in every region that you choose to market. Quick and Efficient Use of Ideas: A global entity is able to use a marketing idea and mould it into a strategy to implement on a global scale. Uniformity in Marketing Practices: A global entity can keep some degree of uniformity in marketing through out the world. Disadvantages of Global Marketing Inconsistency in Consumer Needs: American consumer will be different from the South African. Global marketing should be able to address that. Consumer Response Inconsistency: Consumer in one country may react differently than a consumer in another country. Country Specific Brand and Product: A Japanese might like a product to have a traditional touch, where as an American might like to add a retro modern look to it. In this case, a global strategy is difficult to device. The Laws of the Land Have to be Considered: Original company policies may be according to the laws of home countries. The overseas laws may be conflicting in these policies. Infrastructural Differences: Infrastructure may be hampering the process in one country and accelerating in another. Global strategy cannot be consistent in such a scenario. Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization in Developing Countries Overall globalization has been a big boon for the developing countries, but there are a few who say that it has been a curse. Let us take a look at both these aspects of globalization. The Advantages GDP Increase: If the statistics are any indication, GDP of the developing countries have increased twice as much as before. Percapita Income Increase: The wealth has had a trickling effect on the poor. The average income has increased to thrice as much. Unemployment is Reduced: This fact is quite evident when you look at countries like India and China. Education has Increased: Globalization has been a catalyst to the jobs that require higher skill set. This demand allowed people to gain higher education. Competition on Even Platform: The companies all around the world are competing on a single global platform. This allows better options to consumers. The Disadvantages Uneven Distribution of Wealth: Wealth is still concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and a common man in a developing country is yet to see any major benefits of globalization. Income Gap Between Developed and Developing Countries: Wealth of developed countries continues to grow twice as much as the developing world. Different Wage Standards for Developing Countries: A technology worker may get more value for his work in a developed country than a worker in a developing country. Reversal of Globalization: In future, factors such as war may demand the reversal of the globalization (as evident in inter world war years), current process of globalization may just be impossible to reverse. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-globalization.html Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT ICT has made my project easier to do. Making a catalogue is a long process, involving a lot of design and research plans, using a computer and IT based materials has cut down the time it would take of I had done it manually. For example, before starting to make my catalogue I had to do some research on the items I wanted to advertise, using the internet was a faster more efficient way of doing this. The internet showed the websites I needed to go on that had the right information. If I had not used a computer I would have had to carry task out manually, which is very time consuming, for example, Cropping pictures down to the right size to fit the catalogue. The computer does this accurately and more precise than a human can do, cutting. Also copying and pasting, doing this on a computer, then printing means no Pritt Stick: This can look tacky and bad quality. Using ICT gives the best presentation possible. Key skill 12 There is so much technical equipment in the ICT rooms, precautions need to be taken, so that nobody gets hurt, when I was in the ICT room, I made sure that drinks and food were not near the computers, so that the equipment would operate in the right order. Also I made sure that bags were not left in the walking areas, so that others would not trip over them and hurt themselves. To prevent fires, fore extinguishers were present in the room and the sockets were not over loaded. Work surfaces remained clear to avoid clutter. Five minutes before the end of every lesson, I saved the work I had done that day to make sure all my work is well documented and so I can continue from where I stopped in the next lesson. [IMAGE]I saved my work on my part of the school network, in My Documents. Particularly working in this project I made a new folder called Communications- the name of the project so that I can put all the work I do in it, this saves confusion with other files. I made a back up file of the communications folder and named it communications just in case the first one got lost. [IMAGE]i used floppy disks to get even more copies of my work especially the unfinished class work so that I can complete it at home. I used a floppy disk because the schools computers had the facilities for floppy disk use. It is not too heavy or too big for me to carry home and use on my own computer. When I found was having trouble or difficulties in my work or using the computer I told my teacher Mrs Wenden to help me, or got sent to the schools computer technicians to help me, like when I could not log in, the technicians gave me a new password for my username. Key skill 24 There are many advantages and disadvantages of using ICT Advantages of using ICT * Using Microsoft word and software like Microsoft Publisher is that you can change the text, mistakes without having to start from the very beginning again. * Work is easy to save and document, rather than someone keeping them in folders were they can get misplaced. * You can make back up files quickly. * Can keep all files under one folder e.g. communications * Crop pictures down accurately * Use scanners to scan in pictures form magazine and books. * Printer that produce high quality work * Access to the internet * You can email letters and document to people all over the world. Disadvantages of using ICT  · The internet server can go down randomly, so you cannot connect to a webpage.  · Networks can get hacked into. o Shopping online leaves shoppers prone to online credit card theft.  · Viruses can come through the internet damaging the files in your computer  · Some software can be difficult for some generations and people to learn how to use  · People start to rely on computers too much and use them to do everything.  · Repetitive strain injury, strain on tendon in the arms, back problems and painful eyes are caused from prolonged use of computers.  · Work sometimes does not look exactly like what you want it to look like. http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=149377 Tesco Using ICT Advantages and Disadvantages and the Impact of ICT This report is based around the information gathered on a Business Information Day Provided by ELBP. The focus of this case study is on Tesco Supermarket. The manager of the Tesco.Net Business gave an interesting talk on the business and in this case study I a going look at what they use ICT for in their business and the disadvantage and the advantages of ICT and the impact ICT has on the business I will draw out the four main feature if using ICT. The company that I am going to look at is Tesco. Tesco is a shopping company. Tesco customers can buy online and deliver it to your doorstep. Tesco use ICT for their company they use it for various reasons like to get the stock and it alerts them when there are low on stock. The four main functions of using ICT in Tesco: q The first main feature of using ICT is that it produces Internet web site. They use it for Tesco customers can buy online this is an good advantage for Tesco customers because if they live far away and want to shop and Tesco it will be very difficult to get there Tesco online shopping or if Tesco is too crowded online shopping will be much easier. Tesco An Applied ICT Case Study For LEBP Author J.Cowell 2 q The second main feature of using ICT is that Tesco ICT have created a PDA. Tesco staff use it so if the customers cant find a particular item they can type it in and then they can find the item they want and it will tell you the isle and this will make the company more efficient and they will be less fuss about asking where is this particular item. q The third main feature of using ICT is that is produced a location label this is used to find items. It says the isle number first then the row and then the shelf this is very useful to Tesco customers if they cant find what they want. q The fourth main feature of using ICT is Tesco have created a navigation system. Truck drivers use this if they get lost or dont know the way to the customers house or to make the journey quicker to get very groceries to your houses. This a very good item of ICT and very reliable. The advantages of using ICT in Tesco is: q The first advantages of using ICT is that Tesco customers can buy online so they dont need to go to the actual store to buy the products and you just click on the product you want and they just deliver it to your house. Tesco An Applied ICT Case Study For LEBP Author J.Cowell 3 q The second advantage of using ICT is that they can use credit card to buy your items so they dont need to bring your money you can use your credit card. q The third advantage of using ICT is a navigation system this is where the driver can find the customers house if they get lost or dont know where it is. q The fourth advantage of using ICT is location label this is a very good advantage of using ICT because it tells you where the products are and will be less people wondering about the store looking for what there product they want to buy. The disadvantages of using ICT in Tesco is: q The first disadvantage of using ICT is that if the system goes wrong the company cannot run and must close the store and they will lose a lot of money and the customer will think the supermarket is not very reliable so they might not come again. q The second disadvantage of using ICT is if they dont have stock and the truck driver navigation system goes down and Tesco dont get their stock they will lose a lot of money. q The third disadvantage of using ICT is that if the website crashes the people will not be able to buy online and will have to come to the store and will be crowded full of people and will just lose all their stock and will have none left for the afternoon or maybe tomorrow. Tesco An Applied ICT Case Study For LEBP Author J.Cowell 4 q The fourth disadvantage of using ICT is that it is very expensive and costs a lot of money. Tesco pay at least  £3,000,000 a year. The impact ICT has on Tesco The impact ICT has on Tesco is to make them very efficient and if they didnt have ICT it will be very difficult to operate as efficiently and this will waste a lot of time sorting everything out. If the company was not as reliant on ICT they would need to train staff on tills whereas the current tills require no skill level at all. Tesco ICT commitment keeps the staff morale high lack of ICT will lose a lot of staff and will be even more difficult to run the store and will eventually have to close the store. Tesco do use ICT and has made their company more efficient and more reliable to use and ICT will was save a lot of time by saving a lot of time it will save a lot of money. Other Major impacts include advancements in store security due to digital video and better cameras. They are also testing electronic shelf edge labelling to adjust prices globally as they need to be competitive. Many stores in the Tesco group now incorporate self-service checkouts. Which allow you to scan your own shopping and pay. The increase use of ICT at Tesco have created website so people dont need to leave they own house to buy their groceries and will make the company less crowded out Tesco also have been able to widen their product range due to more specialised websites being created and linked to the supermarket business. ICT have also created a navigation Tesco An Applied ICT Case Study For LEBP Author J.Cowell 5 system for truck drivers so they dont get lost and will make the company more faster to run and will make the company more efficient and will be more reliable to their customers. It is a very good impact for people who are on wheel chair and they dont need to leave the house, which will be very difficult for the people who are wheel chair. It has also created PDA to find the product people want and will be less fuss and people wondering about to look for a particular item, which is on stock. It will be more customers getting what their want and will be more customer coming to the store because they can find out want they going to get and not wasting time wondering about Data processing Data processing in the Tesco business is 100% reliant on ICT thus the ICT team needs to ensure the data processing and communication system doesnt crash and ensure regular upgrades and system checks Having all their data processing requirements tied up in ICT is not very efficient and safe for Tesco because if the computer system goes down all the data could be lost. Thus Tesco need to keep a backup system. Robustness and security Tescos systems have a good backup facility that is very safe, as it has multi redundant back-up copies this is very good for Tesco if the computer goes down, Tesco has password protected servers and terminals for all staff, even the tills have secure password and encrypted data transfer protocols. Tesco.net has spent a lot of money and time getting a secure site for their customers and staff. Staff and customers are required to have a valid username and access password to get in the company business system or the website to buy. The website is SSL (secure socket layer) protected this allows them to accept credit and debit cards on their site. The Tesco An Applied ICT Case Study For LEBP Author J.Cowell 6 specialised and enhanced robustness and security allows Tesco to stop hackers getting into their business, which is very efficient for Tesco. http://www.cbsglenroad.com/Intranet/Departments/ictda/POWERPOINTS/unit%202/tesco.pdf IMPACT: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1611691_22.html Definition: Globalised World What does it mean? Does it mean the fast movement of people which results in greater interaction? Does it mean that because of IT revolution people can be in touch with each other in any part of the world? Does it mean trade and economy of each country is open in Non-Intrusive way so that all varieties are available to consumer of his choice? Does it mean that mankind has achieved emancipation to a level of where we can say it means a social, economic and political globalisation? Though the precise definition of globalisation is still unavailable a few definitions worth viewing, Stephen Gill: defines globalisation as the reduction of transaction cost of transborder movements of capital and goods thus of factors of production and goods. Guy Brainbant: says that the process of globalisation not only includes opening up of world trade, development of advanced means of communication, internationalisation of financial markets, growing importance of MNCs, population migrations and more generally increased mobility of persons, goods, capital, data and ideas but also infections, diseases and pollution Impact on India: India opened up the economy in the early nineties following a major crisis that led by a foreign exchange crunch that dragged the economy close to defaulting on loans. The response was a slew of Domestic and external sector policy measures partly prompted by the immediate needs and partly by the demand of the multilateral organisations. The new policy regime radically pushed forward in favour of amore open and market oriented economy. Major measures initiated as a part of the liberalisation and globalisation strategy in the early nineties included scrapping of the industrial licensing regime, reduction in the number of areas reserved for the public sector, amendment of the monopolies and the restrictive trade practices act, start of the privatisation programme, reduction in tariff rates and change over to market determined exchange rates. Over the years there has been a steady liberalisation of the current account transactions, more and more sectors opened up for foreign direct investments and portfolio investments facilitating entry of foreign investors in telecom, roads, ports, airports, insurance and other major sectors. The Indian tariff rates reduced sharply over the decade from a weighted average of 72.5% in 1991-92 to 24.6 in 1996-97.Though tariff rates went up slowly in the late nineties it touched 35.1% in 2001-02. India is committed to reduced tariff rates. Peak tariff rates are to be reduced to be reduced to the minimum with a peak rate of 20%, in another 2 years most non-tariff barriers have been dismantled by march 2002, including almost all quantitative restrictions. India is Global: The liberalisation of the domestic economy and the increasing integration of India with the global economy have helped step up GDP growth rates, which picked up from 5.6% in 1990-91 to a peak level of 77.8% in 1996-97. Growth rates have slowed down since the country has still bee able to achieve 5-6% growth rate in three of the last six years. Though growth rates has slumped to the lowest level 4.3% in 2002-03 mainly because of the worst droughts in two decades the growth rates are expected to go up close to 70% in 2003-04. A Global comparison shows that India is now the fastest growing just after China. This is major improvement given that India is growth rate in the 1970s was very low at 3% and GDP growth in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, and Mexico was more than twice that of India. Though Indias average annual growth rate almost doubled in the eighties to 5.9% it was still lower than the growth rate in China, Korea and Indonesia. The pick up in GDP growth has helped improve Indias global position. Consequently Indias position in the global economy has improved from the 8th position in 1991 to 4th place in 2001. When GDP is calculated on a purchasing power parity basis http://economics.about.com/od/globalizationtrade/l/aaglobalization.htm SWOT ANALYSIS 15.1 Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat It will be rather simplistic to select features/developments and describe these as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The reality is too nuanced to allow such laboured descriptions. Hence, we are presenting a pertinent rather than a cut-and-dried picture in this regard. The localization of weaver-force; dyers; designers, card-cutters, loom fabricators and traders- the pool of competencies and resources- is a major strength but this is no longer handloom-dedicated and in that sense, is getting dissipated. When market conditions deteriorate, the stakeholders-particularly weaversexit; correct the supply side and thus prevent terms of trade from worsening below a minimum mark. The legal framework also can provide a bulwark against the terms for weavers deteriorating below a minimum mark. At Agra, absence of occupational alternatives and legal framework contribute to freefall. This weakness is responsible not merely for worsening of weaver wage levels but also for lack of initiative to shore up the competitive strength of the sector. There are market and product development opportunities for the cluster. There is scope for growth in overseas market. On the other hand, there are multiple threats- Carpet weaving becoming a completely unrewarding occupation. On the whole, the cluster is facing an uphill task of recovering lost ground. For understanding it better we here give the SWOT Analysis of the cluster in bullet form à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ STRENGTH à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Traditional Value à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Availability of skilled weavers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ All the back word linkages are available à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Being a famous tourist place good Connectivity with major cities à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Existence of strong Traders WEAKNESS à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Dependency on one product à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Highly unorganized cluster à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Over work force à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Products are relatively costly because of use of costly yarn à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Need of Dry Cleaning à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Inferior quality of dying à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Low credit from financial institutions à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Infrastructure is bad à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Brand Equity of product is declining à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Decline in wages of weavers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ No regular work for weavers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Common Facility Center à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ No Training institute à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 80 % import (OGL) OPPORTUNITY à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Product diversification à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Exploration of new market à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Export à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduction in custom duties on Yarn à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Product/Design patenting à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tax free THREAT à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Competition from other clusters à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Decline in demand of Carpet à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Increase in demand of value added products à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Increase in demand of low cost power loom products . 15.1 STRENGTH 15.1.1 Market à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Diversified customer base. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Large Domestic Market à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Strong presence in Domestic Market with diversified customer base. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Adequate Marketing Network. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Steady increase in market demand provided impetus to the demand. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Diversified customer base. 15.1.2 Input Availability à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Ample availability of raw material and consumables à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Easy availability of Packaging Materials Technology à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Availability of Customised Manufacturing Facilities. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Availability of low cost manufacturing facilities à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Demonstration effect (cluster rapidly adopt the technological changes) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Combine conventional and automatic manufacturing method to provide a cost effective product to the cluster. 15.1.3H R D à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Industrial harmonious relation in the entire cluster. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Most of the jobs are learnt by workers while doing it. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Manpower is easily available but revaises to be trained by units. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Young and Educated next generati