Alibaba Case Study Essay

1.Lock-in effect is the phenomenon whereby technologies remain dominant as a result of large sunk investment costs, complimentary technologies, and widespread usage. Since Alibaba.com is the first portal market mover in China, it will be difficult to create another portal market which is just as successful as Alibaba.com. The lock-in effect causes people to have preference for Alibaba.com than any other portal market because they have already established their brand. Some customers also develop loyalty while other prefer brands that are familiar to them. It was also mentioned that many of Alibaba.com’s registered members are happy with the results they obtain, as indicated by the annual membership renewal rate, which exceeds 70%. This just further proves that it will be very difficult for a second mover or a new portal market to compete with Alibaba.com since they provide excellent service to their customers. 2.Alibaba.com charges foreign sellers an annual fee of about $400 for a TrustPass membership because he sees that global companies focus in doing business with large companies. In order for global companies to do business with SMB’s in China and all over the world, Alibaba.com created an affordable deal which is the annual fee of $400 for a TrustPass membership. However, SMB’s in China pay $8000 as their annual membership fee because by being members of Alibaba.com, these SMB’ save a handful amount of money; by being registered to Alibaba.com, they no longer need spend extensive money to travel and meet with suppliers. This fee is also charged because Alibaba.com translates and lists their information. In summary, Jack Ma charges SMB’s a higher price because companies like these needs Alibaba.com. However, it is Alibaba.com that needs the foreign companies in order to work with SMB’s that are pursuing to do business internationally.

Economic theory of mercantilism Essay

Mercantilism was popular and it was the prevailing economic philosophy in the Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and France from the 16th to the 18th century (Gabay, et al. 2007). Gabay, ET al. asserts that according to the theory of mercantilism, for a nation to become rich and powerful, it needs to export more and import less. This basically meant that a nation on its conquest to grow richer, it had to achieve that at the expense of other nations. The difference would be an inflow of precious metals mostly gold. The more gold a nation had the richer and powerful it was. Due to this idea, mercantilists pushed for the government to restrict import and stimulate export and the fact that not all nations could do this, the mercantilists acquired precious bullion or precious metals at the expense of weaker nations (Gabay, et al. 2007). According to Ingrid Hahne Rima (2009) the larger issue of the role of trade in raising living standards of the English was not the concern of the mercantilists. For them the purpose of trade is to enrich the king and strengthen the nation politically. Rima asserts that their â€Å"fear of goods† was rooted in the premise that the quest for gold, like the quest for territory, is a zero-sum game; that is, more for England is at the expense of Spain, Italy, and Holland, and vice versa. According to Ingrid Rima (2009), most mercantilists suspected a direct relationship between the quantity of money and the level of prices. The earliest theoretical analysis of the relationship between the quantity of money and inflationary price increases was made by the sixteenth century French political philosopher Jean Bodin. He attributed the marked price rise experienced by Western Europe in his time primarily to the inflow of monetary metals from South America. Rima states that Bodin also observed that monopolies, through their policies of restricting output, and large demands by consumers of luxury commodities contributed to price increases. According to Rima, since few mercantilists favored inflation, their recommendations for a continuous accumulation of monetary metals via a favorable balance of trade appears contradictory. The mercantilists typically thought that increases in the amount of money â€Å"quicken trade† instead of producing an inflation of prices. Their advocacy of a favorable balance of trade, with its associated inflow of specie, was thereby rescued from a seeming contradiction of objectives. According to Rima, this line of reasoning reflects awareness that a growing volume of money and credit is essential to continued expansion of the physical volume of trade. Mercantilist reasoned that an inflow of hard money would keep interest rates low, while the downward pressure on prices resulting from an inadequate supply of money would serve to dampen further expansion of economic activity. Mercantilists seemed to sense the necessity of avoiding downward pressure on prices if commercial activity was to be expanded (Ingrid Hahne Rima, 2009). According to Walter LaFeber (1998) the mercantilist solicitude for production did not arise originally from a fear of overproduction, underemployment, or overpopulation. The desire for a favorable balance of trade which would result in an inflow of bullion caused the seventeenth-century thinkers to want increased production. Preoccupation with the wealth and growth of the state and the acquisition of treasure played a vital role by setting the stage for a number of corollary doctrines and policies intended to foster the achievement of these goals (Ingrid Hahne Rima, 2009). Rima states that the theory of production is of major importance, for the creation of the largest possible export surplus requires maximum utilization of the factors of production. Rima asserts that mercantilists distinguished between productive and unproductive labor in terms of its contribution to the national opulence. Manufacturers and farmers were regarded as productive, though the warmest praise was, understandably, reserved for merchants. It was also urged that the government hold the number of unproductive people to a minimum in order to direct their labor to some more useful occupation. According to Rima, mercantilist ideas on production are part of their legacy from the Scholastics of the medieval period, who regarded wealth as evidence of God’s bounty and production as the exploitation of this bounty by labor. According to Rima, another aspect of mercantilist emphasis on the importance of labor in production is the encouragement of population growth, not for the sake of mere numbers, but to increase the size of the working force. It was generally accepted that a large population, by keeping wages close to subsistence levels, would not only reduce the cost of producing goods but would also discourage the idleness that might become associated with higher wage levels. One of the most interesting bits of mercantilist reasoning incorporating views on both labor and balance of payments, according to Rima, was that when goods were exported, foreigners, in effect, pay the wages of the workers employed in making them, whereas imports involve like payments to foreigners. The obvious duty of government would therefore be to minimize foreign imports in order to achieve a favorable balance of foreign-paid income. Rima asserts that bullion is the most desirable import because it is wealth, and also has little labor incorporated in it s compared with the manufactured exports. During the era of mercantilism, economic behavior began to manifest itself through commercial activities. This is according to Ingrid Rima (2007). Rima states that mercantilist thinkers emphasized the importance of commerce and industry and the role of state in promoting economic development and national wealth (Ingrid Hahne Rima, 2009). References Gabay, Et Al (2007): Economics: It’s Concepts & Principles (w/ Agrarian Reform & Taxation) 2007: Rex Bookstore, Inc. Ingrid Hahne Rima (2009): Development of Economic Analysis 7e: Taylor & Francis Walter LaFeber (1998): The new empire: an interpretation of American expansion, 1860-1898 Cornell paperbacks: Cornell University Press

The Marginal Population Of Mumbai Health And Social Care Essay

The paper tries to give an penetration about the exclusion of the unseeable population in Mumbai by a peculiar wellness strategy implemented in the province of Maharashtra. The paper besides highlights some of the issues faced by this peculiar group from the experience of the field as a pupil societal worker The chief statement of this paper is the usage of specific standards in placing donees for the strategy which is already debatable and has been contested by many intellectuals in India thereby excepting meriting donees which is beyond the purpose a public assistance province.Introductionâ€Å" Welfare province is a construct of authorities in which the province plays a cardinal function in the protection and publicity of the economic and societal wellbeing of its citizens. It is based on the rules of equality of chance, just distribution of wealth, and public duty for those unable to avail themselves of the minimum commissariats for a good life † ( Beginnings: hypertext tr ansfer protocol: //www.britannica.com ) . â€Å" The Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences describes a public assistance province as a province which takes up the duty to supply a minimal criterion of subsistence to its citizens. Therefore, in a public assistance province, the disposal enters into economic, political, societal and educational life of persons. And it provides services to persons, right from an person ‘s birth to decease † ( Social Welfare Administration: Concept, Nature and Scope, moodle.tiss.edu ) . In a public assistance province, the province takes the duty to function the aged, ill, orphans, widows, helpless, oppressed and the handicapped people whenever they are in demand of services. As a public assistance province the province implements assorted public assistance strategies for the citizens at big. The public assistance province typically includes proviso of wellness services, basic instruction, and lodging ( in some instances at low cost or free of c harge ) etc. for the populace at big. When we talk about a public assistance province, the policies are inclusive of Torahs, directive, and planning in the Fieldss of employment, revenue enhancement, societal insurance and societal aid and population policy etc. The modern usage of the term public assistance province is coupled with the wide-ranging steps of societal insurance adopted in 1948 by Britain on the footing of the study on Social Insurance and Allied ServicesA ( 1942 ) . In the twentieth century, as the earlier construct of the inert individualistic province was steadily abandoned, about all provinces ( in the western states ) sought to supply at least some of the steps of societal insurance associated with the rules of public assistance province. Therefore, in the United States came up with theA † New Deal † A of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and theA † Fair Deal † A of President Harry S. Truman, and a big portion of the domestic plans of ulterior presidents were based on the rules of the public assistance province ( Beginnings: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britannica.com ) . During the clip of British regulation in India, from the early nineteenth century till India ‘s independency, the welfare-political sphere of India has witnessed the formation of a great trade of societal motions, rooted from distinguishable, and aggressively divided societal categories like the dramatis personae and, subsequently on, spiritual communities of that clip who resentfully opposed the active badgering province of societal personal businesss ( Aspalter 2003 ) . Though it was excessively early to believe about societal security programs and other meaningful societal policy steps, during the British regulation in India, the Government did establish a series of societal policy statute law which focused chiefly on the decrease of societal diswelfare instead than the construct of new signifiers of public assistance plans and ordinances ( Aspalter 2003 ) . During that clip Social statute law, aimed at the stoping of harmful societal patterns and societal inequalities, patt erns like kid matrimony, limitation on widow rhenium matrimony, cast based favoritism etc. By presenting the first societal security statute law of modern India, Workmen ‘s Compensation Act 1923 the Indian societal security system made the first of import measure in way of a notable public assistance system. The act has proviso for compensation for accidents taking to decease, or entire or partial disability for more than three yearss, if the accident occurred in the class of employment, compensation for occupational disease etc ( Chowdhry 1985, Cited in Aspalter 2003, pp. 156-157 ) . The period following the divider, the Indian authorities passed a series of new Torahs with respect to labour and societal public assistance, even before the operation of the new fundamental law in 1950 ( Goel and Jain 1988, Cited in Aspalter 2003, pp 169-160 ) . After 1950, the Indian authorities of India undertook many attempts in the field of societal security ( Aspalter 2003 ) , â€Å" Over the old ages the authorities established, in add-on, illness insurance, a pension program, p regnancy benefits, particular disablement benefits, infirmary leave, a productivity-linked fillip strategy, assorted decreases of lodging, electricity, and H2O rates, a deposit-linked insurance strategy ( which functions similar to a life insurance ) , and death-cum-retirement tip for Cardinal Government employees. Employees of public sector projects and other independent organisations may gain from Employees State Insurance, Employees Family Pension Scheme, lodging benefits, particular societal aid strategies for handicapped individuals, widows, dependent kids, etc † ( Aspalter 2003 ) . Till now India has witnessed assorted strategies, policies, ordinances and statute laws etc aimed at the public assistance of its citizens, the lone inquiry remains is that how the province has been able to turn this policies into world, inclusive of all citizens of the state particularly the marginal ‘s. The ulterior portion of this paper will seek to critically see a wellness strategy launched in the State of Maharashtra meant of the poorer subdivision of the society which aims at supplying free wellness strategies to BPL households. It will be chiefly based on unrecorded experience from the Fieldss as a pupil Social Worker.Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana ( RGJAY )The Maharashtra authorities launched the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana on 18th December 2011 with the purpose to enable households with one-year income of less than Rs. 1 million rupees to avail free medical installations deserving Rs. 1.5 million. The Maharashtra province Health Minister Suresh Shett y announced that said strategy, when to the full implemented, would profit close to 2.5 billion households ( The Hindu, 19 Dec. 2011 ) . The strategy will be implemented throughout the province of Maharashtra in phased mode for a period of 3 old ages. The strategy covers eight territory of the province boulder clay now ( Gadchiroli, Amravati, Nanded, Sholapur, Dhule, Raigad, Mumbai and Suburbs ) . The strategy is aimed at bettering medical entree installation for both BPL and APL households which will in bend enhance the quality of medical attention to BPL and APL households. The donees will each acquire a wellness insurance policy and the EMIs of which will be paid by the State authorities. The strategy will widen quality medical attention for identified forte services, necessitating hospitalization for surgeries and therapies or audiences, through an identified web of wellness attention suppliers. The Scheme will supply coverage for run intoing all disbursals associating to hospitalization of the beneficiary up to Rs. 1, 50,000/- per household per twelvemonth in any of the Empanelled Hospital topic to Box Ratess on cashless footing through Health cards or valid Orange/Yellow Ration Card. The benefit shall be available to each and every member of the household on floater footing i.e. the entire one-year coverage of 1.5 million rupees can be availed by one person or jointly by all members of the household. The Scheme will cover the full cost of intervention of the patient from day of the month of describing to his discharge from infirmary including complications if any, doing the dealing genuinely cashless to the patient. In case of decease, the passenger car of dead organic structure from web infirmary to the village/township would besides be portion of bundle. The Network Hospitals will besides supply free follow-up audience, nosologies, and medical specialties under the strategy up to 10 yearss from the day of the month of discharge. A When the beneficiary visits the selected web infirmary and services of selected web infirmary, harmonizing to the strategy shall be made available ( Capable to handiness of beds ) . In case of non- handiness of beds at web infirmary, the installation of cross referral to nearest another Network infirmary is to be made available and Arogyamitra ( the staff covering with the said strategy in a web infirmary ) will besides supply the donee with the list of nearby web infirmaries. All eligible households in the enforced territories will be provided with Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana Health Cards though this has non implemented wholly till now. For the clip being till the issue of wellness cards, the valid Orange/Yellow Ration Card with Aadhaar figure or, any Photo ID card of beneficiary ( if Aadhaar figure is non available ) issued by Government bureaus ( Driving License, Election ID, ) to correlate the patient name and exposure is accepted in stead of wellness card to avail the benefits by a donee. The Health Cards to be issued will be used for the intent of placing beneficiary households in the household under the said Scheme. The Family Health Cards will be issued by utilizing informations from valid Yellow or Orange ration cards coupled with Aadhaar Numberss issued by UID governments. Till now from July 2nd 2012 there is 78919 households have been registered under this strategy and 154571 patients have been benefited. Total of 43503 surgeries/therapies has been performed including both authorities and private infirmaries. ( Beginnings: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jeevandayee.gov.in )The fringy population of Mumbai and the RGJAYOne-half of the population in Mumbai is either homeless or lives in informal or semi lasting lodging. Harmonizing to the 2001 nose count of India, out of 11.9 million people populating in the metropolis, 5.8 million people lives in shanty towns or slums or on pavings ( Levinson, 2004 ) . A turning figure ofA migrantsA looking for employment and better life criterions are rapidly fall ining Mumbai ‘s stateless population. NGO'sA are assisting to alleviate the homelessness crisis in Mumbai, but these organisations are non plenty to work out the full job. And there are less figure of NGO ‘s working with this population with respect to wellness issues of this peculiar population. As I have been working with this population since the beginning of the MA class in TISS, I have some basic apprehension of this peculiar population and their issues with wellness and entr ee to wellness attention. Health attention for stateless people or people in destitution is a major public wellness challenge in Mumbai. They are more likely to endure hurts and medical jobs because their life style on the street, which besides includes hapless nutrition, exposure to extreme conditions conditions, and a higher opportunity of indulging in force and dependence to chemical substance and alcohol addiction. Yet at the same clip, they have small or no entree to public medical services. Many a times working as a pupil societal worker at the bureau where I have been placed, had to reason with hospital governments to acquire a street patient admitted. Unless they are non accompanied by any 3rd party ( NGO or the Police ) the infirmaries barely admits them. They are denied of basic installations of wellness attention. This peculiar population frequently finds troubles in keeping their paperss like individuality cogent evidence paperss, Because stateless people normally have no topographic point at all to hive away their ownerships, they often lose their ownerships, including their designation and other paperss, or happen them destroyed by constabulary or BMC which is really common in Mumbai. One a young person from Murti Galli, Khar route narrated me how he lost his paperss in Mumbai inundations, 2006. Many times they are chased off from the railroad platforms, foot waies etc. Without an ID cogent evidence, they are denied to entree many societal services schemes. Many do non possess basic citizenship cards, like elector ‘s ID, ration cards etc. Sing at the scope of exposures that this peculiar population faces and their issues with wellness, I have the sentiment that they should be the precedence as a mark group in any public assistance strategies. As a typical societal public assistance strategy RGJAY has neglected this peculiar unseeable population by utilizing a debatable standard to aim population ‘Within India, there has been turning controversy around the appraisal of poorness, peculiarly in the period of economic reforms. First, there are relentless dissensions among economic experts on whether the rate of poorness diminution after economic reforms was slower than in the preceding period. Second, the displacement to targeted, instead than universal, public assistance strategies has witnessed the usage of poorness estimations to make up one's mind on the figure of families eligible to entree these strategies ‘ ( Ramakumar 2010 ) . The appraisal of poorness in India is controversial, with many committees coming up with different poorness lines. ‘Errors of â€Å" incorrect exclusion † in targeted programmes in India are due to the separation of the procedures of ( a ) the appraisal of the figure of hapless and ( B ) the designation of the hapless. It is for the absence of a dependable and executable method of uniting appraisal and designation that political and societal motions have been demanding the universalisation of public assistance strategies like the PDS ‘ ( Ramakumar 2010 ) . The RGJAY has besides used the undependable BPL/APL cards to place the donees excepting many of the population who needs such strategy the most. It ‘s high clip the authorities as a public assistance province device new aiming system for public assistance strategies which is inclusive of all the fringy and unseeable population, they are the 1 who needs such intercession the most, or universalise basic public assistance strategies with respect to wellness, nutrients and support etc.

Fire Safety Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Fire Safety Project - Essay Example Every building should have minimum requirements of fire protection measures which help the occupants in a timely escape in the event of fire. The building should have both active and passive fire protection in place to ensure safety. This includes alarms, fire detection and safe escape strategies. Placing fire alarms and fire detections are the minimum requirements for any premises. The premises should have better and sophisticated system in place which will help in performing the following functions such as- Provision of fire alarm detectors can help in providing early warning for the building occupants. Fire alarm detectors help in increasing the occupant’s response time. The warning system helps in making the right decision for the occupants to evacuate or hold position in the building. The provision for fire alarm detectors is an additional fire safety and it depends upon the level of management and the number of occupants in the building. Voice alarm will help increase the speed of the response even if the occupants are not familiar with the building layout. (Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings,2008) It is essential that the fire procedures take priority in the event of fire. Trained staffs should be available to be able to guide the occupants to a safe area. The escape flights should be constructed of materials which have limited combustibility. The escape stair should be broad enough to accommodate and have the capacity to a fit large number of people during an emergency evacuation. The fire safety procedure should also have a preferred method of evacuation for disabled people by horizontal evacuation. Provision of sprinklers is also recommended for hotel buildings. In the event of a fire, all the provisions and procedures are implemented to help in taking corrective course of

Leadership in The Healthcare Sector Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Leadership in The Healthcare Sector - Essay Example These codes can be viewed as a formulation of personal responsibility. The most identifiable significance being the mode of commitment that an individual possesses. In general, sense the code possesses all aspects of professional situation as both a human and a proficient member of the organization. It is obvious that an organization is formed with human aspects and for an organization to become ethical, it is important the human aspects be indulged into following the code. It is imperative that these codes of ethics would be subjective and open to individual interpretations but it should also be noted that in such incident these codes, phrases, or word of the codes would be judged upon individual approach of humane solution. (Zimmerman, 2002) In this respect of Ethics and Leadership qualities of an organization, it would be relevant to mention the emergence of Professional Care Organization (PCO, a newly established health care organization). Its very existence may be definitely seen as a paradigm shift. The clientele is the public in need of medical treatment. The organization employs a staff of 120 professionals (doctors, paramedics, assistants, nurses, health-care assistants, and maintenance staff). PCO intends to become the leading health-care services provider in its region. It also plans to alter the general conception for high medical care costs by implementing a society benefit program that will allow to significantly reducing the patients' expenditures. The modern American health industry is going through a difficult period, one characterized by new concerns about rising health costs. The major concern that had directed medicine until that time was that Americans required more medical care-more than the marketplace would offer by itself. Now, however, worries about high expenditures are replacing concerns about expanding access. The country's focus turns to the matter of redundant procedures, excessive rates of surgery and hospitalization, and repetition of facilities and equipment. The appearance indicates the growing appeal of scientific and rational approaches to social concerns, including health related questions. PCO symbolizes a way to smooth the playing field and to bring arrangement and order as well as scientific reasoning to the, at times, inefficient health care system. Analytical foundation gives society a structure for posing a range of questions related to priority-establishment. It lets the public evaluate existing al ternatives, explore hypothetical

Visit to the Contemporary Jewish Museum Assignment

Visit to the Contemporary Jewish Museum - Assignment Example e mood of the photograph, the black and white color helps reminiscence the ancient romantic feelings and the chivalry that was practiced those days (London, Upton and Stone 24). The photo is very simple in terms of its composition, the place where it has been taken has helped simplify the picture coupled with the magnificent background has drawn my attention towards the picture. In ancient days, it was generally accepted that some levels of modest should be observed in public but Cassidy and his girlfriend had the courage to defy these conservative expectations of them to go ahead and kiss. However, the disinterest displayed by most of the people in the background of the photo leaves many questions as to whether this was a manipulated scene or the photo was just taken in its natural setting. The photographer, Allen Ginsberg, was not a professional photographer but a poet who had more expertise in poetry as compared to photography. To some extent, he may have been trying to put his poetic intuitions into a pictorial form to combine with his written poetry. In this photo, Allen Ginsberg shows his paternal grandmother in a state of meditation or in deep thought, in front of her is a plate with a meal set on a table with a white surface. Allen paints a somber mood with the picture with his grandmother seemingly sulky and the monotony of colors in the picture that goes to enhance the dull mood. To draw the attention of the viewer to the subject matter of the picture, he has placed the face of the woman at the centre of the photo ensuring that the viewers attention is drawn first to the dull face of the woman and it triggers imagination as to why is the woman dull, is she in prayer or meditating? Is she disgruntled with the food before her? This leaves the viewer in suspense as he tries to look for answers to the above questions. Another attribute that draws a viewer to this picture and to a large extent most of Allen Ginsberg pictures is the simplistic nature

Fresh nails Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Fresh nails - Essay Example Germany, during September 2005- October 2005. The purpose of this internship was to experience work, and reflect on and analyze the management structure. This was intended at gaining the ability to integrate and work in teams and to develop interpersonal skills. My job at Fresh Nails Holding was related to product design and development, implementing marketing strategies, improving the corporate website and supporting business expansion. This program was a great learning experience for me. I gained first hand experience of manual work, and learned to comply with organizational rules and regulations. Also, I had an understanding of the requirements of work discipline. Holdings, I shall give an account of the jobs within the company as well as my job, and the company's market performance. The report is an analysis of the company structure and job deployment in relation to my job, and my job performance. It will also deal with the behavioural patterns and an understanding of the aspirations of the labour force. Eager "Sex and the town center" - spectators do not pass "Fresh nails" in Cologne, without looking once by the large disks in the business. The three screens are too enticing, on which Fashion TV runs all day (www.freshnails.de). Fresh nails was founded by two brothers Heinrich and Cornelius Becker, one 24 years and the other 27 years old in 2004. Their first studio was the Nagel Studio. The brothers discovered a market gap and to fit well into the chain trend, which fulfill the Germany's textile sector with Zara, Mango and H&M. They supply the suitable nails to fashionable dresses. Their Studios are capable of handling the demands of textile giants. Fresh nails claims that: "The atmosphere is modern and freshly, the mechanism standardized, the prices are not high. A manicure does not cost any more than 18 euro."(Fresh Nails Marketing Plan) They have high-flying plans, dream about a Fresh nails chain and are on the best way to install it. They are planning to open another store some where in the middle of 2006, their fourth address in a side street of the K in Duesseldorf. Heinrich and Cornelius discovered that this so called US trend of nail care has a strong

Fragile X Syndrome and Its Impact on Children's Language Essay

Fragile X Syndrome and Its Impact on Children's Language - Essay Example The condition, also called Martin-Bell syndrome, is statistically moderate to severe in boys and normally manifests a mild form of impairment in girls. From 15% to 20% of those with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) exhibit autistic-type behavior such as "poor eye contact, hand flapping, and poor sensory skills" (Edelson, 1995, para. 2). Males with fragile X syndrome may exhibit autistic-like behaviors, but it is not a major cause of autism. About 15 percent of persons with fragile X syndrome may meet diagnostic criteria at some point in their lives. The figure above shows the most common fragile X mutation- an expansion of extra DNA within a specific component of the FMR1 gene. In the premutation, the expansion is relatively small, however, in the full mutation the expansion is quite large and is usually accompanied by abnormal methylation. The presence of abnormal methylation leads to decreased production or absence of the FMR1 gene's protein product, called FMRP. The specific function of FMRP in the human brain is currently under study; current evidence suggests it may be involved in the regulation of proteins produced by other genes. Certain physical characteristics can be seen in an individual with fragile X syndrome. ... Other recognizable features are high-arched palate, strabismus (lazy eye), and, sometimes, mild heart valve abnormalities. Blood tests to determine levels of fragile X mental retardation protein can be done to diagnose the condition and several treatments can be undertaken as well as use of mild medications and therapy for speech, language and sensory improvement. Genetic counseling is recommended (Edelson, 1995). In 1991, the fragile X gene (FMR1) was characterized and found to contain a tandemly repeated sequence, and the larger the size of this permutation in a woman, the more risk that full mutation can occur in her offspring (Fragile X: Diagnostic, para. 3). The genotype can be determined more accurately with DNA testing. Full mutation occurs with one in 3,600 males and one in 4,000-6,000 females (Smith, 2006). Various degrees of mutation, however, occur in one in 1,200 males and one in 2,500 females, and testing should be considered in the following cases: Individuals of either sex with mental retardation, developmental delay, or autism, especially if they have (a) any physical or behavioral characteristics of fragile X syndrome, (b) a family history of fragile X syndrome, or (c) male or female relatives with undiagnosed mental retardation. Individuals seeking reproductive counseling who have (a) a family history of fragile X syndrome or (b) a family history of undiagnosed mental retardation. Fetuses of known carrier mothers. Patients who have a cytogenetic fragile X test result that is discordant with their phenotype. These include patients who have a strong clinical indication (including risk of being a carrier) and who have had a negative or ambiguous test result, and patients with an

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENTS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENTS - Assignment Example Coaching leadership has helped me recognize that the essence of leadership is having a conscience that drives you to want to make a difference and inspire progress by building personal strengths among the team members. As a team leader, coaching leadership to me is characterized as one which helps in connecting individual goals to that of a larger group where I ensure that I delegate work, realize strengths and weaknesses of team members and urge them to work hard to achieve the set ends. I consider myself a mentor to the team members and help in improving their talents, strengths and providing guidance for maximum productivity is both my duty and responsibility. As a team leader, one of my greatest strengths is leadership communication. Communication comes naturally to me; over the years, I have perfected my ability to command an audience especially while interacting and while on the job with team members. This is something I learnt from Terry Pierce’s Leading Out Loud: Inspi ring Change through Authentic Communication. Pierce believes that proper leadership communication builds resonance (Pierce, 2003). The lesson here is that leadership communication revolves around growth and change, which is to say that communication creates a story line, that is, a past, a present, and a future. The rationale of leadership, therefore, revolves around inspiring true commitment through communication and guidance; a leader ought to be able to reach out to people by speaking genuinely from the heart (Pierce, 2003). As Scouller (2011) notes, even the best leaders are likely to miss something seeing as nobody is perfect. As for me, there are certain behaviors that I am likely to neglect. To begin with, it is important to note that some leaders may fall short of having the ability to command authority. Despite the fact that leadership may entail some form of empathy, it is very important for any kind of leader to command authority over the subjects (Parsons & Cohen, 2008). This is very essential in instilling structure and discipline and as such, the failure to do so may be a major setback to effective leadership. Gaining control over the team is the second thing that I am most likely to neglect given my choice of leadership philosophy. Gaining relative control over the team is quintessential to leadership since it allows a leader to manage the team effectively (Scouller, 2011). The absence of effective control leads to indiscipline and lawlessness, which is a major setback to leadership. Command is the third leadership trait that I am likely to neglect. Leadership may at times entail making commands so that subordinates are dedicated to accomplishing their tasks as opposed to being emphatic with team members, which may make team members slack behind. Many would agree to be successful some form of command would bring more results as opposed to empathy (Parsons & Cohen, 2008). The fourth behavior is unruliness on the part of the team members. Having e mpathy is likely to blindside me subsequently compromising my ability to create a compliant team.

Modern Art Essay Example for Free

Modern Art Essay After viewing Georg Baselitz’s Auftritt am Sandtreich II – bei (Remix), and Cindy Sherman’s Untitled #224, one can see two very different artists trying to convey a topic that is relatable on many levels. George Baselitz is a German Neo-Expressionist, while Cindy Sherman created work in the American, Metro Pictures genre yet both have chosen to â€Å"remix† the past into new and somewhat inherent images of the day. One can relate to these images on the basis of recognition, and interpretation of the cultural meanings of the time. Both artists have chosen to give the audience snapshots of their past, Sherman with the 1950’s women’s rights movement, and Baselitz portrayal of a post-World War II Germany. The images selected are form a more modern era, Baselitz-2006 than Sherman-1990, and it is interesting to see the changes from the work of the 1980s. Baselitz became famous for turning his paintings upside-down to shift the viewers focus away from the subject matter to the expressive surface. In his later work, though, the inverted subject matter indeed seems to be the focus, deliberately so in order to effectively portray the image after years of contemplation and healing. Shermans later work is similar in stance, but is a colored photographic interpretation of Caravaggio’s Sick Bacchus portrait. One can make the comparison that both artists have overcome adversity, and their imagery conveys a message of hope and promise stemming from difficulty. Georg Baselitz, Auftritt am Sandtreich II – bei + 30 C (Remix), 2006 Oil on canvas http://www.ecopolis.org/georg-baselitz-remix-paintings/ Georg Baselitz grew up in Germany during WWII, a time of unrest and ever changing cultural norms. This makes sense, as Baselitz himself moved from East to West Germany as a youth living in Germany through the reunification of the Nineties. In Auftritt am Sandtreich II – bei (Remix), Baselitz has revisited the most challenging aspects of his own history, with hindsight, and made a brand new version of the art. Not only were the paintings enlarged, they were also revisited with bright colors and bold lines. When one looks at the work, one can see an inverted soldier’s legs extending into the bright scenery of chunked color. The transparency of the soldier seems to indicate that this is an image of the past, with the ghostly interpretation of faded color. One can conclude that Baselitz has forgiven the transgressions of the war torn society, and views it now as a faded memory that has shaped him into the person he is today. While the image is still vaguely gruesome with the soldier’s splattered outline, implying death, it still somehow looks through that to a brighter day on the horizon. The pallet is very bright, and the canvas is mammoth, almost swallowing the viewer up in its scale. The subject matter does not possess any formal qualities of realism or training, but does follow in Baselitz’s tradition of inversion and loose brushwork. Baselitz has revisited many of his earlier works, and challenged his previous discern of modernism. Cindy Sherman, Untitled #224. 1990Chromogenic color print, 48 x 38 (121.9 x 96.5 cm). http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2012/cindysherman/gallery/audio/8-224.php In Cindy Sherman’s Untitled #224, she has transcended her Metro Photo roleplaying into the work of Caravaggio’s Sick Bacchus, the painting from the late 16th century. This photograph is drastically different form the rest of the Untitled series due to the strong makeup, and use of prosthetics to become male. The emasculated arm is a well done prosthetic to illuminate the male form. The arm is one of the only parts of the staging that is inconsistent with the original painting. The figure in Caravaggio’s painting is more feminine than that of Sherman, slightly ironic. The costuming is consistent with Sherman’s other works, with exact attention to detail and accurate props. Caravaggio’s painting is thought to be a self-portrait of the artist as the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. Sherman was very interested in addressing the roles of women, and challenging society’s views on the subject, which at the time were primarily negative. Sherman’s Untitled #224 depicts a female in the role of a Greek god, which is not only a figure of power and celebration, but also a spiritual entity. As American culture was shifting towards equality in the 1950’s, Sherman’s work helped viewers to take on new roles otherwise unexplored by women. The implications were not only remixed to force a message, they were also liberating to women in a time of need. Both Baselitz and Shermans work sample information from the past. Both works reflect on their own cultural heritage with a moving awareness to historical events that they have experienced. So if one views these works in a Postmodernist standpoint the viewer is acknowledged to be an active participant in an explicit dialogue between the artist, the artwork, oneself, and ones cultural context. Sherman’s Untitled #224 allows women to interact with the work in a comical and almost satirical way. Even though one should not take women’s rights lightly, nor denounce the impact that it has had on American culture, viewers of this work can role-play along with Sherman. It is an interesting choice of role-playing as Caravaggio’s interpretation of Sick Bocchus portrays a frail and hung-over drunkard as his subject. Sherman’s choice of subject matter can say that if a woman were in this position she would be strong and handle it with poise. Sherman does not seem to be concerned with feedback from viewers, but rather interested in conveying a message in a new way. Baselitz has allowed the influence of time and criticism to heighten his awareness of change and fashion a new outlook on an old subject matter. Postmodern viewers can more readily relate to the remix works as they lend themselves to a brighter pallet, a post war recover of sorts. Society and culture always has a way of persevering out of trial and adversity, and both of their artworks convey that message of hope and promise.

Micro Marketing Environmental Forces

Micro Marketing Environmental Forces The LG 60PK250 Plasma HDTV was launched less than a year ago and is currently within its growth stage. To continue its growth process, a differentiated marketing strategy has been implemented in which the company should make use of annual holidays such as Christmas and Wimbledon for advertising campaigns. Moreover, a marketing strategy change has been recommended for the next 12 months that involves achieving a wider distribution network. This will be done by not only focusing on retailing outlets but also focusing on expansion into supermarkets such as Tesco with the use of competitive pricing strategies. Introduction LG electronics is a consumer electronics company that was founded in 1958 as GoldStar (LG, 2010). They product Koreas first ever consumer radios, TVs refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners and were renamed as LG Electronics in 1995 (LG, 2010). Since then LG has become one of the leading electronic brands through continuous innovative product development, evolving technologies and their easy going ethos of making our customers lives better and easier-happier, even through increased functionality and fun (LG, 2010). LG was the company that produced the worlds first 60-inch plasma TV in 1998 (LG, 2010). The LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma TV was launched in March 2010. Although it is a relatively new product with a well-established brand name and company, it is a plasma screen television and an appropriate marketing strategy will need to be applied in order to ensure the success of the product and prolong its life cycle. The report will analyse the internal and external marketing environment of the television industry within the UK by focusing on what makes up the internal and external environment, LGs main competitors and consumer buyer behaviour. It will use relevant theories and concepts to assess different aspects of the market and from this an appropriate marketing mix for the next 12 months will we developed and recommended to try and ensure success of the Television within the UK television industry. Macro marketing environmental forces Marketing Environment Organizations can succeed if they match their products and services to the marketing environment. A companys marketing environment consists of the actors and forces outside marketing that affect marketing managements ability to develop and maintain successful transactions with its target consumers (Kotler et al. 2001, p. 116). The Marketing environment is made up of the Micro Environment and Macro Environment. Micro marketing environmental forces Political Buyers Economic and competitive Competitors The business Legal Company Suppliers Customer Marketing interme- Techno- logical Publics diaries Regulatory Societal/Green (Adapted from Dibb et al., 2006, p. 90) Micro environment The micro environment comprises all those individuals and organizations that affect the operation of a business on a day-to-day basis (CIM, 2002). Below are all the areas that make up the marketing environment applied to LG. Customers In order to generate profit, it is necessary to create a customer (CIM, 2002). It is important to predict what customers will require rather than wait and follow them. To create products and services that not only meet customers needs but also benefit them is of high importance. LG Electronics is one of the worlds largest electronics manufacturers, producing a large variety of consumer electronics and IT products. They strive to improve their customers lives with intelligent products, intuitive functionality and excellent performance. LGs customers take pride in owning an object of excellence and take comfort in knowing theyve made a smart, informed purchase, every time (LG, 2010). LG keeps close relationships with its customers in more than 180 countries through the four basic elements: values, promise, benefits, and personality. Based on a principle of creating value for customers, LG Electronics is safely providing products that customers want, offering differentiated services, and protecting customer information (LG, 2010). Source: LG, 2010 (See appendix 4 for details) Competitors A successful company is one that provides greater customer value and satisfaction than its competitors. LG has some top direct competitors like Sony, Samsung, Philips, Panasonic or Sharp. However, the Group, with its new topic Worlds only maintain nutrition television and declaration as digitally yours to express to the consumers that it majorly addresses the consumer obligation and make things simpler to them, has become a very mighty business in the television commerce in the present years. Consumer approval has been the centred topic from the development stage to the maturity stage and augmented product: 5 year warranty time span and productive after sales service along with call centres are provided by the Group might also be the reason why competitors could not trounce LG in periods of sales for many years. LG also has some indirect competitors that can damage, to a degree, its television market such as internet, PS series, or high tech products like the I-phone, I-pad, etc. Intermediaries are organizations that help a company promote, sell and distribution its products to target customers. They can be wholesalers, retailers, distribution firms, marketing agencies, or financial intermediaries. Effective intermediaries, is crucial for a firms marketing success. Televisions, from LGs agency located at Noida, are dispatched to the local agency dealer, and then to the consumers. However, the Group values a selective circulation convention where products drop into the hands of only couple of intermediaries, not one or all. This assists the business in having a good market treatment with more command and less cost than those of intensive distribution. Suppliers are the key component in transformation of materials to final products and services. It is important to review how suppliers, manufacturers and intermediaries co-operate with each other. LG establishes the win win management with its business partners in which LG has always been trying to grow alongside its suppliers by strengthening their competitiveness. Still, it re-established its strategic direction for purchasing and refurbished its support division for suppliers to effectively deal with the recent economic crisis as any responsible business partner would do in a similar situation (LG, 2010). Importantly, LG is committed to the Eco Supply Chain to develop eco-products under the Green program. It is operated in coordination with partner firms who supply parts, raw materials, and other materials to establish themselves as environmentally friendly companies. The television LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is an eco-design that shows harmonized cooperation between LG and its suppliers, in which resource consumption is reduced, components are recyclable, and safe materials are facilitated (See appendix 3 for details). Shareholders are the ones who have supported, are currently supporting, or may support the organization in the future (Palmer, 2009, p.45). They provide funds to the firm to finance its financial and non financial performance. LG has experienced a consecutive increase in investment by domestic investors between 2005 2008, while investment by foreigners has decreased and investment by the Group remains sustainable. LGs Shareholder Composition Source: LG, 2010 (See appendix 1 for details) Employees are involved in a companys marketing plans, in which groups of people must be taken into consideration: top managers, finance staffs, RD staffs, purchasing staffs, or manufacturing and accounting staffs. On the way to Great Company, Great People, LG believes that only great people can create a great company. LGs workplace is the space of solidarity, creativity, and freedom. LG strives for greatness in what it has recognized as People Leadership which concerns with market dominance achieved by selecting and nurturing talented team players able to internalize and execute innovation across the board (LG, 2010). (See appendix 2 for details) Macro EnvironmentThe macro environment, also known as the external environment, comprises general trends and forces which may not immediately affect the relationships that a company has with its customers, suppliers, and intermediaries, but sooner or later, as this environment changes, these trends and forces will alter the nature of such micro level relationships (Palmer, 2009, p.51). The macro environment is beyond the control of the marketers, but it is evaluated to help a company make decisions and plans. Macro environment could be divided into a set of subject areas frequently used in the UK SLEPT: Socio cultural environment Legal environment Economic environment Political environment Technological environment SLEPT Analysis(CIM, 2002) Socio cultural environment: is fundamental to a businesss operation in a specific community. It is crucial for a company to keep up with the changing needs of customers. Demographic environment Demography is the study of populations in terms of their size and characteristics. (Palmer, 2002, p. 59) We can sub-divide the demographic environment into following categories: Population size and growth trends Age sex structure Changing family Number of educated people Increasing diversity The TV LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is a high tech innovation with eco design, which can be listed as one of LGs prides. It might be an ideal product for young age groups who are focused on style and dominant features, or for older age groups who are interested in energy saving functionality. The TV can also attract both males and females who are looking for bigger screen size, better picture quality, and digital ready TV. LG might expect the highest sale of this TV to be to households who have children aged 5-9, or households with family size 5+ (Mintel, 2009). However, the Group should never look for a higher sale of this model compared with that of LCD TV because LCD TV is always likely to be the first choice for all ages, sex, or occupations. Cultural changes Cultural environment is made up of institutions and factors that affect each societys values, attitudes, perception, behaviours, and so on. Marketers must be aware of cultural influences and changes across societies in order to renew the firm and adapt to the changing needs of customers. Some culture groups should be considered within a society: ethnic and racial cultures, religious cultures and classes (CIM, 2002). Cultural values are always important and highly appreciated in a society. Shifts in cultural values during years will lead to a change in customers philosophy of life, and then result in consumption habits. Nowadays, changes in audio-visual culture have resulted in differences in buyer behaviour. The TV LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma is an evidence for a shift from basic need to self esteem need of consumers. LG TVs with reputation, high technology and high quality are always every customers desire. However, they are most preferred by high socio economic groups. It is the development of society that situates LG in the competition against other celebrated brands in which its products need to have competitive advantages to survive in the changing and challenging market. Social trends Social changes involve changes in the nature, attitudes and habits of society. Social changes are continually happening, and trends can be identified (CIM, 2002). Rising living standards: higher incomes, proper and developed services in recent time can result in higher expenditure, wider ownership of luxury products like LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Societys attitude to business: LG always strives to be consistent and systematic in full scale implementation of social activities on raising environmental awareness, alleviating global famine and combating infectious diseases. Fundraising and volunteer work are the key points of the Groups goals and operation system. The workforce: high skilled labours are needed for not only LG but also other manufacturers in the macro economy. Besides, there have been changes from manual jobs to an increasing intellectual employment. LG has a vision of expected core capabilities of its employees: Product leadership refers to the ability to develop creative, top-quality products, using specialized new technologies. Market leadership refers to the ability to achieve top ranking, worldwide, thanks to a formidable market presence in countries across the globe. People leadership refers to the market dominance achieved by selecting and nurturing talented team players able to internalize and execute innovation across the board. (LG, 2010) Political and legal environment: is treated as an unpredictable element in a companys marketing environment. It comprises government, politicians, and pressure groups. Changes in government policies or changes of government can exert great impacts on businesses performance. Legislation is a part of political process. It covers all aspects of an organizations operation. Laws and regulations are adopted by the government, in which some basic issues of economic policies are recognized: criminal law, Health and safety law, company law, tort, legal framework, employment law, contract, consumer protection, data protection. (CIM, 2002) LG is headquartered in Seoul, Korea functioning 60 subsidiaries in 34 nations and making its products to consumers in more than 180 countries. Therefore, it will be affected to some extend if there is any change in these countries politics, especially in Asian countries and Middle East. However, LG is always committed to basic laws and regulations on corporate business such as customers health guarantee, customers information protection, environmental protection, employee right protection, and so on. Economic environment: A state of economy in which a company operates, where trade should always be at the very heart of performance. Economic environment includes factors that can influence consumer buying power and spending patterns. A company should keep an eye of both regional or national economic changes as well as movement in the global economy. The main aspects of economic environment are: Income distribution and purchasing power Consumer spending patterns Market competitiveness Business cycle: recession, inflation, unemployment, fluctuation of exchange rate, etc Before a luxury product like LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma appeared in the market, economic factors would have been taken into cautious consideration. According to Mintel (2009), there has been a trend of higher personal disposable income and consumer expenditure since 2004. This could be a good sign for LG if customers can afford that type of TV. However, the global economy has not escaped from the recession. Therefore, the product sale could be damaged by customers attitude if they delay their purchase. Moreover, the TV market is becoming competitive when a wide range of available products are introduced by numerous manufacturers. The TV market has to face a rising number of different technological products like online video. This could make customers confused when making their purchase. The lower average price may also have benefited customers but it is not a good sign for the producer because deeper price cuts can cause market values to drop off much more steeply, especially with lar ge screen TVs like the LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma. Technological environment: As human society develops, technological change happens. Technological development can create favourable conditions for productivity and business efficiency. New technologies provide new markets and opportunities but sometimes they can affect a firms determination towards whether or not to invest in radical new or high technologies to achieve their targets. Shifts in technologies are sometimes problematic to several organizations. However, companies operate in an environment where technology changes must be adapted quickly to the business for improvement and innovation. They should pay attention to pace of technological change, RD budgets, concentration on minor improvements, and increased regulations (Kotler et al. 2001). LG Electronics is a company that thrives on innovation. It is reinforcing centre competencies to father its status as the Digital Leader. LG is now developing its Smart Technology which creates convenience and adds joy to customers lives. Smart Technology is a development philosophy that embraces sensitive communication with customers in order to provide products that everybody wants to use, and easily can. (LG UK, 2010) Competitor analysisThe television market consists of highly competitive players, who are continuously innovating (Mintel, 2009). Competitor analysis is essential to be able to plan effective marketing strategies. According to Kotler and Armstrong (2004) there are 3 steps to analysing competitors: Selecting which competitors to attack or avoid Assessing competitors objectives, strategies, strengths and weaknesses, and reaction patterns Identifying the companys competitors Porters five forces is a strategic tool used to assess an industrys competitive environment based on the strengths of five generalised forces (Henry, 2008). These five forces are: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products, and amount of rivalry among firms in the industry (Henry, 2008). In this case, Porters five forces can be used as an effective tool to analyse the competitor threats LG would face in the television market. New Entrants Economies of scale Government policy Capital requirements Proprietary products/technologies Threat of new entrants Buyers Price/total purchases Buyer concentration verses firm concentration Ability to backward integrate Price sensitivity Competitors Market volumes/shares Market sectors/product/ service type Market responses Bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers Differentiation of inputs Supplier concentration Threat of forward integration Switching costs Bargaining power of buyers Substitutes Switching costs and propensity to substitute Relative price performance of substitutes Threat of substitutes (Adapted from Baines, Fill and Page, 2008, p. 74) The television manufacturing industry faces intense segment rivalry due to the fact that few players dominate the market. The main competitors in the television industry are LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, with LG being one of the best (Mintel, 2009). Company Brands LG LG Panasonic Panasonic, Viera Samsung Samsung Sony Sony, Bravia Toshiba Toshiba, Regza (Mintel, 2009) In the case of being threatened by new entrants, as mentioned before, the TV market is a well-established industry that is highly competitive and requires constant innovation and technological investment. This makes it an industry with high entry barriers (Kotler and Keller, 2006) therefore it is not an easy market to enter, especially when competing with a company as established as LG. Suppliers bargaining power increases when there are a few substitutes and when there are fewer suppliers in the industry (Kotler and Keller, 2006). High costs and the importance of the product has an impact on their bargaining power as well. Televisions are considered a necessity in most homes and are an important product therefore suppliers will have some form of bargaining power however the television industry is large and will have a large number of suppliers therefore switching suppliers would be easy to do, which means that LG will have more power over its suppliers because they are a well-established and large consumer electronics company and suppliers would not want to lose business to such a mass producing company. In the case of buyers one of the main reasons their bargaining power increases is when they have many options (Kotler and Keller, 2006). When purchasing a television, a customer considers every aspect of the product because it a long term and expensive purchase (Mintel, 2009). Consumers have a wide range of products and features to choose from when trying to buy a HD Plasma TV. Plasma screens are becoming increasingly unpopular and are the least published type of screen nowadays (Mintel, 2009), therefore in the case of this particular product consumers will have high bargaining power because of high choice and plenty of manufacturers with different prices, for example currys and PC World. However, since the recession the amount of people willing to pay high prices for the latest technology has reduced and price has become the most important factor (Mintel, 2009). The threat of substitute products within the television industry can be argued. It would be considered low because a television is considered an essential and few efficient substitutes are available. However, PC screens have become an increasingly popular substitute for video (Mintel, 2009). People within the UK are using more and more internet technology and online streaming websites to watch TV. Companies like Sony and Toshiba are releasing televisions that are internet compatible (Mintel, 2009) and the LG 60 HD Plasma TV will not be able to keep up. Larger TV screens have also become less popular since the recession (Mintel, 2009) which will make it harder for LG to ensure the televisions success. Due to the fact that the television industry is dominant by a small number of well established large firms that produce a range of products but have slightly different quality standards, features and style. Therefore the market can be described as a Differentiated Oligopoly (Kotler). In this case companies are better focusing on one attribute and attracting the people concerned with it (Kotler) LG has been an innovator in the television industry for a long time. Amongst many other innovations, they were the first to product a 60 plasma TV (LG, 2010). Therefore although there is high pressure within the industry LG is constantly keeping up with it by focusing on their customer needs. In 2008 they introduced their new global brand identity as Stylish design and smart technology, in products that fit our consumers lives (LG, 2010). The PLC theory is based on the idea that every product goes through a life cycle from its introduction onto a market, to its decline and withdrawal from the market (Hoffman et al., 2009). The traditional PLC curve consists of 4 stages: Introduction, Growth, Maturity and Decline (book?). Product Life Cycle (PLC) Traditional Product life cycle Introduction Growth Maturity Decline  £ Sales The product life cycle can be a useful tool in analysing how a product is doing and for a firm to manage its portfolio of products (Palmer, 2008). It is also useful in helping make strategic decisions about the marketing strategy of a product and the best way to market it while it goes through the stages because the marketing mix varies at each stage. It is more descriptive rather than predictive (website). The life-cycle of different products vary, and it can be difficult to identify the stage at which the product lies in a PLC. The shape of a PLC varies as well and depends on the marketing strategies being applied to the product, as well as whether it is a product form, product class or brand that is being considered (Palmer, 2004). A television is a product class and usually has a lifecycle of about 70 years however it is easier to identify the life-cyle of a product form for example plasma TVs. HDTV is relatively new technology that is likely to be in its growth stage and has a lot of potential for the future however plasma is an older technology that is now most likely to be in its decline stage (website). LEDs and LCDs are much more popular and 3D TVs and OLED technology are being introduced as well. HDTVs lifecycle is predicted to grow and evolve over the next two decades due to the prediction and development of HDTV LCDs, OLEDs, 3D TVs, Laser TVs and Holographic TV (Squidoo, 2010). The LG 60PK250 60 HDTV is likely to fit into the growth stage of the traditional PLC as it was launched in March 2010 and combines HDTV technology with Plasma screen technology. The right kind of marketing strategy can be applied to help extend its life-cycle. (Refer to appendix 5) BCG MatrixThe Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix is a tool that was developed in order to analyse the portfolio of an organisation to assess the products position according to its growth rate and its relative market share (Henry, 2008). It can be used to help make strategic decisions about their products and how to maximise returns on them (Henry, 2008). The growth rate is determined by looking at the growth rate of the economy and its market share is refers to its competitive position within the industry (Henry, 2008) The position of the LG 60PK250 HDTV can only be estimated based on the knowledge available. It is a relatively new product and is priced quite high. A lot of people would rather pay that money towards purchasing an LCD screen, however all the major retailers such as Argos, Currys, PC World etc. sell the television. LG also has a well-established brand and a loyal network of customers. For these reasons the television is likely to be a cash cow. Its market share would be relatively high due to being an LG TV as well as the fact that it is a HDTV. However its market growth is likely to be low due to the overall economic recession and PC screen technology replacing televisions. However the BCG matrix assesses performance based on only these two factors. It overemphasizes the importance of market share and market dominance (Henry, 2008, p. 241). It also relies on managers judgements (Henry, 2008) and does not take into consideration other internal or external factors that could determine the success of the product. However it is a useful tool to use in conjunction with other strategic theories such as the PLC curve before. SWOT AnalysisA SWOT analysis is a framework used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organisation and its marketing environment (Palmer, 2004). The strengths and weaknesses consider the internal environment and the opportunities and threats are linked to the external environment (Henry, 2008). SWOT Analysis of the LG 60PK250 60 HD TV Strengths Well established and popular TV Brand Big screen size Built in freeview Currently in intro/growth Weaknesses Plasma screen technology declining Expensive due to screen size No innovative technology Opportunities Popularity of HD TVs Potential for growth Increasing sales due to end of recession Threats Similar products available at different prices High competition PC/online video streaming technology taking over Innovative technology taking over for example 3D and OLED TVs A SWOT analysis can be useful for the general and competitive external and internal environment however it does not take into account unpredictable changes or events in the external environment (Henry, 2008). It helps identify weaknesses and opportunities for which strategies can then be developed to make improvements. However, some of the limitations of a SWOT analysis are, it is hard to identify what is a threat and what is an opportunity, sometimes the same thing can be a strength or a weakness and the analysis can be too focused within the industry boundary (Henry, 2008, p. 120). In this case the SWOT analysis is stronger as it has been used in conjunction with a PEST analysis which was conducted to analyse the external environment in detail. Buyer Behaviour If organizations want to survive in a challenging market, customers should be always at the very heart of their operation. Marketers are expected to be aware of what consumers are thinking, what they need and what they want to buy. Basic insights into buyer behaviour can be seen as a versatile key to unlock all those thorny questions. The model of buying behaviour Evaluation of alternatives Information research Purchase decision Post-purchase behaviour Need recognition Source: Kotler and Armstrong, 2004, p. 198 The model is designed to synthesize and coordinate relevant concepts that reflect the problem solving progress inside the emotional consumer. The three main components of the model are: input, process (buyers black box) and output (Kotler et al. 2001, p.191). The input The input component rests on external influences which can be observed as sources of information affecting consumers product related values, attitudes, and behaviour. Firms marketing efforts and other stimuli like socio cultural environment, economic environment, technological environment and political environment are chief among those. Marketing Efforts The firms marketing activities are direct components that play a pivotal role in persuading consumers to buy and use products of a manufacturer. Marketing strategies consists of products, promotion, price, and channels of distribution. We will have an in-depth insight into the marketing efforts of the product LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma TV in the session marketing mix later, but some key points can be identified as: Product: The TV can be classified as a consumer product generally acquired by the last consumers for individual consumption. It is an amazing innovation of LG which allows customers to enjoy creativity, high technology, convenience and other great values. The TV could be a big opponent against a number of other high tech TV series in the market in 2010 because of its outstanding features providing superb crystal clear picture quality perfect for bringing the cinema experience home, or converting the living room to a sports stadium. Promotion: LG foremost advocating of the product is through publicity crusades on TV, publish newspapers, hoardings and the internet. Price: According to Mintel 2009, 86% of customers consider the prices of products as their first priority. The price of LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is quite high (more than 1000GBP), and this could be a disadvantage f

Business plan for a Korean and Japanese restaurant

Business plan for a Korean and Japanese restaurant The purpose of this business plan is to justify the startup of a high-end Korean and Japanese restaurant in the Carrolton, TX area. Sushi Nara will have one owner and the legal structure will consist of a sole proprietor. Sushi Nara will be located in 2625 Old Denton Rd. #200 Carrolton, TX 75007. Sushi Nara will provide a high class Korean and Japanese cuisine. Based on projected income and financial analysis included in this business plan, Sushi Nara will be successful. There is a high demand for healthy food, especially Asian cuisine like Korean and Japanese cuisine in the Dallas area due to the lack of similar business available. We look forward to the future at Sushi Nara. We expect in five years that demand for our specialized service will grow in other areas to justify opening several restaurant owned franchises in other areas. Sushi Naras specialized service, distinctive logo, slogan Top quality Top Service, reputation for customer service will provide a tough to beat competitive edge. The owners have earned Bachelor degrees of business, and have extensive experience in business management and operations from past years of work experience. Management and Organization Plan Sushi Nara, Korean and Japanese fusion restaurant, has a mission that to provide outstanding Korean and Japanese cuisine to Korean community in Dallas, Texas. Sushi Naras specialized service, distinctive logo, and slogan Top Quality and Top service, reputation for customer service will provide a tough to beat competitive edge. Sushi Nara is committed to becoming Dallass premier Korean and Japanese restaurant. Dedication to building relationships is based on our honesty, service, and accountability. Sushi Nara is also committed to exceptional customer satisfaction. Location Sushi Nara is located in a Korean town in Carrolton, TX. The address is 2625 Old Denton Rd. #200 Carrolton, TX 75007. The 3,400 square foot building was built specifically for the commercial property. The entire building is serviced by a Korean retailer and whole seller. Sushi Nara maintains 11am to 9pm, on Tuesday to Sunday. Company mission At its core, Sushi Nara provides for the Korean traditional cuisines, Japanese cuisines, traditional Korean Soju, and Japanese Sake. Restaurant provides to customer with an outstanding quality sushi, sashimi, and Korean cuisine in one place. To provide high quality food, we do not use chemical ingredients and frozen products. Company Vision Eating healthy! Korean and Japanese cuisine at one place! Today there are many concerns regarding to our health and many experts advising us how we should eat. We must pay close attention to our diets, but eating well should not only benefit your body, but your mind as well. We, Sushi Nara, believe that of all the ways that people can eat, Korean and Japanese Cuisine are the healthiest and safest diet. We are going to start Sushi Nara so that people might learn how to eat a healthy diet. As native Koreans, we have the benefit of understanding traditional Korean cuisine and quickly saw that there were many Korean dishes we could introduce to westerners. Product The service that Sushi Nara is going to offer is one in which it makes your dining better and healthier. We want to treat our guests with respect so that it makes their dining more enjoyable. Sushi Nara will be providing services for dining such as: Korean cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and traditional alcohols. A typical Korean meal usually consists of one main dish, generally meat or fish, and a wide range of tiny side dishes as appetizers or Ban Chan. Kim Chi, a spicy fermented cabbage dish highly seasoned with garlic and red pepper, is served at virtually all meals and is probably the best known Korean Ban Chan. A typical Korean meal usually consists of sushi, sashimi and teriyaki. Two very popular meat dishes are Gal-Bi, and Bul-Goki which are marinated in a delectable sauce and grilled over an open flame. Soups are also another Korean staple at mealtimes. A popular soup is Man Du Guk, a tasty dumpling stew in a seasoned beef broth. Another favorite is Bi-Bim-Bab, which usually makes for a hearty meal on its own, with just a few appetizers. Bi-Bim-Bab starts with rice in a big bowl, and is topped with assorted vegetables and mixed with a spicy bean paste. This dish can be served with shreds of beef or without. Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of cooked vinegary rice which is commonly topped with other ingredients, such as fish or other seafood. Sliced raw fish by itself is called sashimi, as distinct from sushi Organizational Structure and Human Resources Sushi Naras legal structure is sole proprietorship. Sushi Nara has 4 full time employees and 3 part time employees. Sushi Nara categorizes employees into four types of labor, Director, Receptionist/Casher, Kitchen employee, and Customer Service. These categories are determined by position education and experience requirements. Director has all responsibility of restaurant not only financial problems, customer service, advertising but also recipe and food quality, but usually executive director is going to be to greet customers and to check customers bill at the front desk. Receptionist/Casher has responsibilities about dining appointment, check bill, and customer greeting. Kitchen employee has responsibilities about cooking, food supply purchasing, food quality and everything inside the kitchen. Customer service has responsibilities about customer satisfaction during food serving. Director/Owner 1Organization Structure Kitchen employee 2 (Chef 1) (Assistant chef 1) Receptionist/Casher 1 Customer service 3 Human Resource Requirements Director/Owner The person who has knowledge of general business. Receptionist/Casher The person who has an accounting Knowledge The person who with no contagious diseases Kitchen Employee The person who has a license of Korean and Japanese cuisine The person who has chef experienced at least three years The person who has and honest and diligent attitude The person who with no contagious diseases Customer Service The person who with no contagious diseases The person who has a customer service mind The person who has honest and diligent attitude Marketing Plan Industry Outlook According to National Restaurant Associations 2010 Restaurant Industry Forecast, economic downturn easing, the restaurant industry is expected to show gradual improvement in 2010. Sustainability, health and nutrition will be the top trends on restaurant menus this year. Seventy percent of consumers say they are more likely to visit restaurants that offer fresh produced food, and nearly three out of four say they are trying to eat healthier in restaurants now than they did two years ago. Target Market A stores success often depends on how carefully its target market has been identified. Our main targets are Korean customers who live in Dallas and nearby states. Dallas is one of the most important cities to Korean society in US. According to The Korea Embassy in Houston, officially 148,000 Korean people live in Texas. There are a lot of Korean wholesale stores in Carrolton, TX and on Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas. Usually, Dallas covers business supply to Korean retail store, located in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Customer Profile Primary customers will be: A Korean and Japanese family who lives in Dallas and age range are twenty to seventy. Korean goods retailer who lives in out of Texas such as Ok, AR, and LA. Secondary customers will be: American customer who likes Korean and Japanese cuisine. Competitive Environment According to Yellow Pages, there are only 13 Korean restaurants and 88 Japanese restaurants In Dallas area. But, there are a few restaurants that serve Korean and Japanese dishes at the same time. So, we focus on Korean and Japanese restaurant at the same time, for as I do this, our restaurant can meet the customers needs, they want to eat Korean dishes and Japanese dishes in one place. This will allow for the creation of a great deal of customer awareness and brand loyalty, erecting significant barriers to entry for potential competitors. Here are our competitors. Korea House Gui Korean Japanese Bistro Bar Omi Korean Grill Bar Todamgol Direct Competitor Restaurant Name Menu Distance/Address Price range Korea House http://www.koreahousedallas.com/ Korean and Japanese cuisine Within 8 miles/ 2598 Royal Ln. Dallas, TX 75229 Korean dishes $12- $20 Japanese dishes $20- $90 Gui Korean Japanese Bistro Bar http://www.guirestaurant.com/ Korean and Japanese cuisine Within 15 miles/ 2719 McKinney Ave Dallas, TX 75204 $10 ~ $30 Indirect Competitor Restaurant Name Menu Distance Price range Omi Korean Grill Bar http://www.omikoreangrill.com/ Korean cuisine Within 0.1 miles/ 2625 Old Denton Rd Carrollton, TX 75011 $8 ~ $33 Todamgol Korean cuisine Within 0.1 miles/ 2625 Old Denton Rd., Ste. 310 Carrollton, TX 75007 $8 ~ $20 SWOT Analysis Price strategy Sushi Nara will be offered at the following prices.  Our Korean cuisine price is a little bit superior then our competitors price, but our Japanese cuisine price is inferior then our competitors price, for we use good ingredients for customers health. Korean Traditional Meal starts ten dollar to twenty dollar. Sushi starts fifteen dollar to twenty dollar. Sashimi starts twenty dollar to one hundred dollar. Korean traditional alcohols start nine dollar to fifteen dollar. We offer money back guarantee If customer who does not satisfied food quality. We will do re-dish or refund your money. We offer ten dollar gift card when you visit 10 times. Advertising and Promotion Strategy For the first year, Sushi Nara will use word of mouth advertising by meeting with friends and business associates on a regular basis. Promotion of Sushi Nara will also do by attending meetings and networking with the Korean Society of Dallas. Also we will advertise on three different types of Korean daily news papers, seven different types of Korean weekly news papers, and Korean social TV network. We will create our own commercial through Korean social broadcasting to attract the television viewers. We are also trying to expose our service placing flyers in local grocery stores and placing ads in the local newspaper to attract the readers. Once business gets going we will also be providing discount coupon and special offers when the customer chooses Sushi Nara. Adverting on Korean news paper and Korean social TV network Flyers Discount coupon Special offers (ex. birthday special) Market Penetration Strategy At Sushi Nara our main target market is reaching out to middle to upper income customers, Korean community, and who interested in healthy food about Korean and Japanese cuisine. Our service is affordable and convenient to our customer. Sushi Nara wants to make sure that we keep our pricing in the mid to upper range to attract customers. Keeping our price reasonable will create a higher profit margin for the service that we are providing along with attracting more potential customers. As the market is continuously changing, we will be adding a new menu to adapt market changing. We treat our customer like a family. 30% of our profit will be invested to improve our restaurants environment. We will use fresh product We will focus on quality We will use Original Korean/Japanese recipe (No modify) Facility Plan Facility Description The restaurant at 2625 Old Denton Rd. #200 Carrolton, TX 75007 is a 2400 Square foot space. It was formerly a restaurant and needs on minor structural modifications. The licenses and codes issues are all in order. New equipment and dining room furnishings will be purchased and installed by the general contractor. conveyor-belt sushi * 1 (10 people ) Table and four chairs * 8 (32 people) Table and eight chairs * 2 (16 people ) Total 58 seats available Used Commercial Stainless Steel 3027 Equipment Utility Stand Kitchen appliances Serving dishes Commercial Cooking Equip 36 Six Eye Range V36 OVEN Used Refrigerator Cooler Deep Fryers Japanese Cookware Japanese Kitchen Utensils Rice Cookers Sushi Display Case Teppanyaki Griddles Under counter Coolers x 1 Computer and Printer Used Ice Head Maker w/ Bin and Remote IRC830 Used McCann Coke Product 6 Head Soda Beverage Dispenser w/ Ice Bin Wine Buckets Stands x 10 Financial Plan Objectives We are expecting that sales of over $400,000 in first year. We are expecting that net profit over $100,000 in three year. Start-up Summary Sushi Nara has found the store location. Sushi Naras monthly rent cost is around $4,000 per month. We are expecting to set up the shop in time to begin turning back a profit by the end of month sixth and be profitable in the one year. The place which we selected is already surrounded by Korean shopping center, so there is a lot of customer traffic. So we plan to come up with a total of $90,000 in capital, plus a $100,000 guaranteed loan, to start up the restaurant. . Table: Start-up financial plan Sushi Nara Start-up financial plan Requirements Start-up Expenses Legal Form $3,000 Cleaning and Stationery $2,000 Other $1,500 Total Start-up Expenses $6,500 Start-up Assets Needed Cash Balance on Starting Date $88,500 Other Current Assets $100,000 Total Current Assets $188,500 Long-term Assets $0 Total Assets $188,500 Total Requirements $194,500 Funding Investment Investor 1 $90,000 Total Investment $90,000 Current Liabilities Accounts Payable $5,000 Current Liabilities $5,000 Long-term Liabilities $100,000 Total Liabilities $105,000 Loss at Start-up ($6,500) Total Capital $83,500 Total Capital and Liabilities $188,500 Sales Strategy Table: Sales Forecast Unit Sales 2011 2012 2013 Meals 28,080 33,000 38,000 Drinks 13,000 16,000 19,500 Other 310 450 700 Total Unit Sales 41,390 49,450 58,200 Unit Prices 2011 2012 2013 Meals $16.00 $16.00 $16.00 Drinks $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 Other $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 Sales 2011 2012 2013 Meals $449,280 $528,000 $608,000 Drinks $26,000 $32,000 $39,000 Other $3,100 $4,500 $7,000 Total Sales $478,380 $564,500 $654,000 Direct Unit Costs 2011 2012 2013 Meals $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 Drinks $0.60 $0.60 $0.60 Other $1.50 $1.50 $1.50 Direct Cost of Sales 2011 2012 2013 Meals $84,240 $99,000 $114,000 Drinks $7,800 $9,600 $11,700 Other $465 $675 $1,050 Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $92,505 $109,275 $126.750 Human Resource Financial Plan Our restaurant will be consisting of seven peoples. As the Human resource financial plan table shows that each salary are considering inflation. Table: Human Resource Financial Pan Human Resource Financial Plan 2011 2012 2013 Director 60,000 61,000 62,000 Receptionist $42,000 $43,000 $44,000 Chef $54,000 $55,000 $56,000 Chef assist $30,000 $31,000 $32,000 Hall server $72,000 $75,000 $78,000 Other $14,000 $15,000 $16,000 Total People 7 7 7 Total Payroll $272,000 $280,000 $288,000 Break-even Analysis Sushi Naras break-even analysis is based on the average of the first financial year sales revenue for total product sales by meal and drink served, total cost of sales, and all operating expenses. Our total product sales are presented as per-unit revenue, per-unit cost, and fixed costs. We estimate that this break-even analysis numbers are not really the same as fixed cost, but these break-even analysis assumptions make for a better estimate of real risk. Table: Break-even Analysis Break-even Analysis (Monthly) Sushi Nara Sushi Nara Units Break-even Point 16,000 Sushi Nara Revenue Break-even Point $16,000 Sushi Nara Break-even point assumptions (Average) Unit Revenue $10.44 Unit Variable Cost $8.34 Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $29,459 Projected Profit and Loss As the profit and loss table shows, we expect to become barely profitable in the second year of business, and to make an acceptable profit in the third year. Table: Pro Forma Profit and Loss Pro Forma Profit and Loss 2011 2012 2013 Sales $478,380 $564,500 $654,000 Direct Cost of Sales $92,505 $109,275 $126.750 Production Payroll $0 $0 $0 Other $0 $0 $0 Total Cost of Sales $92,505 $109,275 $126.750 Gross Margin $385,875 $455,225 $527,000 Gross Margin % 80.66% 80.64% 80.58% Expenses Payroll $272,000 $280,000 $288,000 Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses $15,000 $23,000 $33,000 Depreciation $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Utilities $2,200 $2,260 $2,323 Payroll Taxes $41,300 $52,550 $60,500 Other $0 $0 $0 Total Operating Expenses $331,500 $358,860 $384,926 Profit Before Interest and Taxes 54,357 $96,365 $142,074 Interest Expense $10,000 $9,500 $8,250 Taxes Incurred $0 $6,890 $18,363 Net Profit $44,357 $79,975 $115,461 Net Profit/Sales 9.27% 14.16% 17.65% Projected Cash Flow The cash flow projection shows for three years Table: Pro Forma Cash Flow Pro Forma Cash Flow Cash Received 2011   2012   2013   Cash from Operations: Cash Sales $478,380 $564,500 $654,000 Cash from Receivables $0 $0 $0 Subtotal Cash from Operations $478,380 $564,500 $654,000 Additional Cash Received Non Operating (Other) Income $0 $0 $0 New Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0 New Other Liabilities (interest-free) $0 $0 $0 New Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Sales of Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 New Investment Received $0 $0 $0 Subtotal Cash Received $478,380 $564,500 $654,000 Expenditures Expenditures from Operations: Cash Spending $17,400 $19,800 $27,000 Payment of Accounts Payable $360,000 $410,000 $480,000 Subtotal Spent on Operations $377,400 $429,800 $507,000 Additional Cash Spent Non Operating (Other) Expense $3,500 $4,700 $6,800 Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0 Other Liabilities Principal Repayment $0 $0 $0 Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment $500 $10,000 $15,000 Purchase Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 Subtotal Cash Spent $381,400 $444,500 $528,000 Net Cash Flow $96,980 $120,000 $126,000 Cash Balance $185,480 $305,480 $431,480 Projected Balance Sheet The table shows projected balance sheet for three years. Table: Balance Sheet Pro Forma Balance Sheet Assets Current Assets 2011 2012 2013 Cash $185,480 $305,480 $431,480 Other Current Assets $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 Total Current Assets $285,480 $405,480 $531,480 Long-term Assets Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0 Accumulated Depreciation $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Total Long-term Assets ($1,000) ($1,050) ($1,103) Total Assets $284,480 $404,430 $530,377 Liabilities and Capital 2011 2012 2013 Accounts Payable $35,000 $41,000 $53,000 Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0 Other Current Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Subtotal Current Liabilities $35,000 $41,000 $53,000 Long-term Liabilities 100,000 $90,000 $75,000 Total Liabilities $135,000 $131,000 $128,000 Paid-in Capital $90,000 $90,000 $90,000 Retained Earnings ($15,123) ($45,000) ($50,000) Earnings $44,357 $79,975 $115,461 Total Capital $119,234 $124,975 $155,461 Total Liabilities and Capital $284,480 $404,430 $530,377 Net Worth $119,234 $124,975 $155,461

The Problem of Global Warming Essay -- Greenhouse Effect Climate Chan

The Problem of Global Warming Imagine you are placed into the future. The year is 2100. You begin to live in this new world. You hear about huge storms over much of the USA that cause severe damage and flooding. San Francisco, New York City, New Orleans, Seattle, and Miami all experience major flooding from the ocean level having risen so high. Thousands and thousands of people perish each summer across the USA alone—hundreds die in Chicago as the temperature soars to 100 for 2 weeks straight. No, this isn’t total fantasy. These events all could occur. All of them could result from one thing—global warming. Global warming is a huge problem with many consequences that people don’t realize could occur. If we work together, though, we can stop them from happening. In this essay, I’ll tell you about global warming, its causes, and what we can do to help stop it. First, global warming is fairly new--the talk of this problem is fairly recent, and so is the problem itself. For example, according to â€Å"Why Files,† from the University of Wisconsin website, â€Å"the global warming debate first heated up in the late 1980’s.† When you look at the attached graph, from â€Å"Meteorology Today,† you can see that temperatures have simply soared in the past century, especially in the last 25-30 years. Due to dramatic increasing, global warming has become a very large problem as of the last few years. Temperatures have really increased. According to NOAA, the second warmest year on record in the world was 2001. In a â€Å"Why Files† report on global warming, it is said that â€Å"the 10 warmest years in the 150-year history of recorded temperatures have all occurred since 1983.† This means that 10 of the last 21 years have been in the list of the top 10 warmest years since record keeping began. So as you can see, the world is heating up. In the Europe heat wave of 2003, London reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time EVER, and in France alone, nearly 30,000 people died. And recently in Antarctica, grass was actually seen! According to the Green Car Congress website, â€Å"scientists have reported that broad areas of grass are now forming turf where there were once ice-sheets and glaciers.† Never before was grass seen there Now, where are all of these s izzling temperatures coming from? In other words, why is the world warming? Global warming is occurring because of the EXPANS... ...son can’t stop global warming—we need to group together as a whole to try to help prevent it. The more people informed about global warming, the better. Now you understand about global warming, tis causes, its harmful effects, and what we can do to help stop it. I encourage you to join me by informing people about global warming, and trying to help put a stop to it. Works Cited â€Å"Heating Season.† The Why Files. Ahrens, Donald C. â€Å"Climate Change.† Meteorology Today. Keith Dodson. Pacific Grove. Brooks/Cole, 2003. 520-544 â€Å"Grass Growing†¦In Antarctica.† Green Car Congress. â€Å"Global Warming-Frequently Asked Questions.† National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. â€Å"Tropical Deforestation-Deforestation and the Global Carbon Cycle.† NASA Earth Observatory. â€Å"Global Warming-Emissions-Individual.† U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. â€Å"Causes of Global Warming.† EcoBridge. â€Å"Global Warming-Potential Effects of Global Warming.† NASA Earth Observatory. â€Å"Consequences of Global Warming.† Natural Resources Defense Council. â€Å"Heat Waves and Climate Change: Fact Sheet.† Harvard Medicine. â€Å"How to Fight Global Warming.† Natural Resources Defense Council.

Volcanoes and Climate Change Essay -- Geology Global Warming

Missing Graphics Volcanoes and Climate Change Introduction: Since the beginning of time, volcanoes have been wreaking havoc on the world, as we know it. Yet in the more recent times, there has been a great amount of debate regarding the effect of volcanic eruptions on world climate change. In this report, the effects of these volcanoes will be explored, particularly in regards to cooling and the depletion of the ozone. Table of Contents: Introduction General Information on Volcanoes Effect of Volcanoes on Cooling Effect of Volcanoes on Ozone Depletion Specific Volcanic Eruptions and their Effects Debate over Connection between Volcanoes and Global Climate Change Works Cited General Information on Volcanoes: Volcanoes arise when magma, liquid rock within the earth, reaches the surface. Volcanoes then erupt because of their bouyancy and gas pressure. On account of this buoyancy, the hot liquid magma rises toward the surface through the more dense rock. Gas pressure from within the magma also exerts a force on the surrounding rock. This cracks the rock, located above the magma, and then moves into the crack. This process is repeated over and over again until the magma reaches the surface. There are a few different types of volcanoes, and each erupts a bit differently. Shield volcanoes usually produce a fountain of molten lava that reaches high into the air, anywhere from 10 to 500 meters. In some eruptions, though, there is little fountaining; in these the lava just flows slowly away from the vent. There are also more explosive volcanic eruptions in which the gas pressure builds until it is extremely high and the viscuous lava can no longer stand i... ...because these volcanoes are located in different areas of the world or because El Nino occured during the year of the eruption of El Chichon. All of these evidences are still being compiled and scrutinized in order to verify the true relation between volcanic eruptions and climate change. Works Cited: Angell, James. "Stratospheric Warming Following Volcanic Eruptions." http://capita.wustl.edu "The Effects of Volcanic Eruptions on Earth's Climate." http://www.geo.mtu.edu Garrett, Chris. "Global Cooling." http://tiger.chm.bris.ac.uk Mattox, Steve. "How are volcanoes born and what makes them erupt?" http://volcano.und.nodak.edu "NASA Facts." http://www.nasa.gov Rowland, Scott. "What happens when a volcano erupts?" http://volcano.und.nodak.edu "The Science of Climate Change: The Aerosol Effect." http://www.panda.org/resources/publications