Change Management and Management Styles Research Paper

Change Management and Management Styles - Research Paper Example Managers, in these cases, adopt strategic changes in order to adapt to emergent set of management and operational issues (Stam and Andriessen, 2009, p. 136). Secondly, there is cultural change. It is the next logical step once a strategic change is adopted or when management decides to change the organizational goals and objectives. The rationale is that in order to achieve effective change in that direction, a gradual change in mentalities must be achieved as well (Hamalainen and Saarinen, 2004, p.143). This is crucial in changing the organizational behavior. A more specific change transpiring within organization would have to be the shortened organizational life cycle. Essentially, this is the life stages of an organization beginning with its birth, growth, maturity and its inevitable decline and potential revival (Nelson et al., p.258). These stages experience radical shifts today because of the advances in technology, project management and product design. For example, new comput ing solutions streamlines product development, radically shortening the operational process of the organizational subunit tasked with such responsibility. ... Change management theories provide effective frameworks in better understanding organizational change. For example Beer and Nohria (2000) posited two change management theories, which they merely labeled as Theory E and Theory 0. The first theory sees organizational change as critical in the way organizational economic value is changed. Initiatives, policies and strategies adopted to implement this model follow the so-called â€Å"hard† approach to change, emphasizing shareholder value and maintaining it as the only barometer of organizational success (p.134). On the other hand, Theory 0 approaches organizational change according to organizational capacity. Beer and Nohria calls this the â€Å"soft† approach to change in an effort to introduce organizational change through initiatives and policies that builds organizational culture on individual capability and learning. This is supposedly the strategy that Hewlett-Packard adopted amidst a flagging performance during the 1980s and involved â€Å"the process of changing, obtaining feedback, reflecting, and making further changes† (p.134). Finally, one could cite the Change Management Theory for a general framework explaining organizational change. Several authors have contributed to this theory such as Lakomski (2001) and Lewin (1951). Lakomski posited that organizations are in constant need to balance forces of change with the requirement for stability. Lewin explained that this constitutes a stalemate that is only broken once the force for change outweighs the resistance, paving the way for a change in the organizational equilibrium. The case of Lenovo is an excellent example of an organization grappling with change. In the process of addressing new change

Gaps Model of Service Quality Essay Example for Free

Gaps Model of Service Quality Essay Model are knowledge gap, standards gap, delivery gap and communication gap. Knowledge gap is the difference between customers’ expectations and the retailer’s perception of these customer’s expectations. This occurs when a person do not know what the customers expect or want. By applying knowledge gap to Hamp;M retail store, it refers to the salesperson not knowing what their customers expect/want. For example, a customer visiting the Hamp;M store may expect fast checkout at the cashier and shorter queuing time at the fitting rooms. However, the salesperson may think that the customers do not mind queuing for a longer time but would prefer friendly assistance from them and better quality clothes. Hence, such difference between customers’ expectations and retailer’s perception of their customers’ expectations will lead to knowledge gap. In order to reduce the knowledge gap, surveys, interactions and customer complaints can be done. Firstly, Hamp;M can carry out survey after each individual transaction. Hamp;M can conduct their surveys or feedback forms by distributing to every customer after they have made their payment. After they are done filling up the survey on their overall visit at Hamp;M, they can hand up their forms to the salesperson at the counter. Otherwise, Hamp;M can place a feedback box at the side to make things easier for everyone. Secondly, is through interacting with their customers and staffs. Hamp;M can get valuable feedbacks from their store employees on ways to improve on certain areas based on theirs or customer’s suggestions and comments. Apart from that, Hamp;M can actually interact with their customers through social media such as Facebook, Twitter etc. Since social media are widely used nowadays, customers would post constructive comments or feedbacks on social media such as on their Facebook walls. Hamp;M can effectively interact with their customers through such social platforms and better understand what customers expect or want. Lastly, through customer complaints, Hamp;M will then be able to find out their problem and rectify it to further improve on their services, etc. Standards Gap is the difference between the retailer’s perception of customers’ expectations and the service standards it sets. For example, the service standards Hamp;M sets for all their salesperson may be to bring the customer to that specific section when he or she asked where it is. However, the retailer’s perception of customers’ expectations may be just to direct and point out to them which level and which part it is located at instead of bringing them all the way to the area they want. Hence, such difference between the retailer’s perception of customers’ expectations and the service standards it sets will lead to standards gap. In order to reduce the standards gap, strong commitment to service quality by the top management should be done. Top management should give information and training to their service staff so as to provide quality service to their customers. Also, give clear definition of the roles of service providers by setting specific and measurable goals based on customer’s expectations. Lastly, to measure service performance of their service staffs, surveys and mystery shopping could be conducted to see how well their employees fare when they serve a customer. All these would help to set appropriate standards to deliver high quality service to their customers. Delivery gap is the difference between the retailer’s service standards and the actual service provided to customers. In this case, Hamp;M is not applicable to delivery gap as this service quality is immeasurable as there is no specific time a salesperson is given to assist or â€Å"clear† their customers. Communication gap is the difference between the retailer’s actual service and the service that the retailer’s communication programme promises. Likewise, this is also not applicable to Hamp;M as it is a retailer store rather than a transport service that needs to deliver an actual time to the customers.

Sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche

Sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche Anticorpi anti-antigeni onconeurali come strumento diagnostico di tumori maligni e sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche. Caratteristiche delle singole neurologiche paraneoplastiche. Le sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche sono stati patologici associati a tumori, riconoscono quindi un tumore maligno come il principale fattore eziologico, ma non sono patologicamente associati alla diretta azione del tumore. Nella grande maggioranza dei casi riconoscono una patogenesi autoimmunitaria e originano nel seeting di un tumore a differenziazione neuroendocrina. il modello comune della patogenesi di queste forme assunte unaberrante espressione di proteine specifiche per il sistema nervoso nel tumore a differenziazione neuroendocrina. A questo consegue una risposta a autoimmunitaria antitumore cross reattiva con antigeni neuronali del sistema nervoso centrale e periferico. I tumori dei pazienti affetti da sindrome neurologica paraneoplastica tendono ad avere unevoluzione meno aggressiva rispetto agli analoghi tipi istologici di lavorazione generale di tumori e nel momento della diagnosi sono di regola limitati alle sedi primarie o ai linfonodi linfo regionali. La diagnos i neurologica precede la diagnosi oncologica nel 70% dei casi e in un certo numero di casi, circa il 15% il tumore primario non puà ² essere diagnosticato. Non sarà   solo dopo un certo tempo, da settimane ad anni. In una piccola percentuale di casi dalluno al 5%, il tumore non puà ² essere dimostrato per tutta la vita del paziente. peraltro nonostante la minore aggressività   di tumori associati alle sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche la sopravvivenza di questi pazienti non à ¨ soddisfacente a causa del danno autoimmune irreversibile di vari organi sistema nervoso centrale e periferico che portano ad una malattia disabilitante, poco trattabile e mortale.lunica strategia terapeutica effettiva e la rimozione del tumore e quindi anche del trigger autoimmunitario. Si puà ² quindi considerare come questo sottogruppo di pazienti il problema della diagnosi precoce del tumore associato à ¨ particolarmente urgente. Ma à ¨ particolarmente complesso sciogliere questo problema per la difficoltà   che spesso limpossibilità   di diagnosticare i tumori associati alle sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche in uno stadio precoce dato che la natura paraneoplastica non à ¨ in realtà   patognomonica per i singoli noti processi neurodegenerativi cerebrali scatenati. Anticorpi onconeurali nella diagnosi delle sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche e di tumori loro associati Gli anticorpi onconeurali sono rilevati nella maggioranza dei pazienti che presentano la sindrome neurologica paraneoplastica e correlati allo sviluppo di un tumore maligno che il paziente. Questa la principale distinzione fra le anticorpi onconeurali e gli anticorpi anti-neuronali di malattia autoimmune quale la miastenia gravis e la sindrome di Lambert-Eaton, o la neuro miotonia. queste ultime malattie hanno una trilogia sia paraneoplastica che neoplastica e gli anticorpi associati sono elevati in una comparabile frequenza tra questi due casi. In altro modo di dire sono il diretto testimone ed effettore che la risposta immunologica antitumore e la risposta anti neuronale mentre quelli che chiamiamo auto anticorpi onconeurali sono il testimone primitivo della presenza di un tumore e di una risposta antitumorale, ma sono solo secondariamente responsabili dellattacco autoimmune al sistema nervoso. una sindrome neurologica paraneoplastica non à ¨ in genere sufficientemente specifica delocalizzazione del tumore mentre questa specificità   à ¨ maggiore, se il tumore primitivo non puà ² essere facilmente rintracciato, per gli specifici antigeni onconeurali induttori degli anticorpi. Questo permette di restringere larea di ricerca del tumore associato a una sindrome paraneoplastica. La descrizione degli anticorpi e antigeni ben caratterizzate riportate in tabella mentre la caratterizzazione clinica-laboratoristica delle sindromi cosiddette parzialmente caratterizzate à ¨ molto minore. In questo caso di anticorpi sono caratterizzati solo dalla colorazione di strutture neurologiche in immunoistochimica, mentre una possibile confermare la creatività   con specifici test in Western-blot Anticorpi anti antigeni onconeurali come markers oncologici. Se la maggioranza gli articoli si sono focalizzati sulla reattività   anticorpale ad antigeni onconeurali nel sangue dei pazienti affetti da sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche, ci sono ora chiare evidenze gli stessi anticorpi sono predittore in primo luogo lesistenza e istiogenesi di un tumore, in secondo luogo della sua possibile localizzazione ed infine della presenza-tipo di sindrome neurologica paraneoplastica. Ad esempio puà ² essere ricordato come si vede in tabella con il 20% dei pazienti con un tipo definito di tumore principalmente carcinoma a piccole cellule del polmone, sono sieropositivi per fare antigeni onconeurali. Alla stessa tabella si nota come tutti gli anticorpi onconeurali ben caratterizzati abbiano unelevata specificità   per la patologia onconeurali mentre il tipo numero di combinazione delle sindromi neurologiche paraneoplastiche associate non puà ² essere predetto dal pattern di sieroreattività   degli antigeni onconeurali, ad esclusione degli antige ni espresse solamente nel cervelletto, reattività   chiaramente associata solo con SCA.inoltre la presenza di pazienti sieropositivi in cui il tuo non puà ² essere rilevato anche dopo lunga osservazione riflette probabilmente non una sufficiente specificità   del test (false positività  ) e ma una alta sensibilità   nella detenzione di foci microscopici di un tumore immunogenico. la loro presenza non puà ² essere considerata come un mero epifenomeno, cioà ¨, ad esempio riflettere sono un alto grado di necrosi apoptosi che con ulteriore iper esposizione di antigeni comuni a Sistema immunitario, ma si tratta di marker altamente specifici associati ad uneffettiva risposta antitumorale e la loro presenza, anche nei casi di assenza della specifica sindrome neurologica paraneoplastica à ¨ correttamente correlata uno stato limitato nel tumore al momento del tempo di diagnosi. Certo la sensibilità   del 20% non permette a questi test di essere considerati un marker diagnostico ogni nuovo e sufficientemente potenti. Nondimeno possono essere considerati un efficace punto di partenza per il disegno di un pannello diagnostico che possa comprendere altri markers e ulteriori test.unaltra sfera di applicazione in questi marker e la predizione della risposta clinica alla chemio terapia o radioterapie. I dati ottenuti finora, a questo riguardo, sono ancora non conclusi

Abortion is Not the Reason for Lower Crime Rates Essay -- Argumentativ

What is wrong with the ivory tower? The appointment of Peter ("Death to Disabled Newborns!") Singer to the bioethics faculty at Princeton University has generated considerable controversy. Recently, University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt and Stanford University Law School professor John Donohue III created a furor with their research paper "Legalized Abortion and Crime." The authors contend that legalized abortion fueled the drop in crime in the 1990s because a new subclass of humanity they've identified- "women most at risk to have children who would engage in criminal activity"-have higher abortion rates, thus preemptively executing the would-be felons. This subclass, we are told, is populated predominantly by women who are teens, single and/or African American. Talk about your prenatal racial profiling! The American public is supposed to be grateful to have been spared the cost of not only the crimes, but due process, trial by jury, incarceration, appeals and execution. Â   The paper footnotes even the title with "preliminary and incomplete," and contains all manner of caveats on the "well recognized potential shortcomings of the [crime] data" and concedes the general impossibility of ever proving the asserted causal link with any degree of certainty. Yet it brazenly attempts to put a happy face on the achingly personal and national tragedy that is abortion. That is why articles extolling the findings are popping up throughout the pro-abortion press, while indignant editorials are questioning the authors' eugenicist leanings. It was, after all, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger who established contraceptive clinics in ghettos so that "defectives" and "human weeds" could be eliminated. Â   Wi... ...gnant, compared to 20 percent of girls in the same age group in D.C. public schools. About 10 percent of the Best Friends participants ages 12-18 had had sex, compared to 72% of their peers. Â   Why the decline in crime in the 1990s? Many plausible explanations have been reported (and given short shrift by the authors), including higher conviction rates and longer prison terms which are keeping repeat offenders off the streets, more police and better policing strategies, decline in the crack cocaine trade and higher expenditures in victim precautions like security guards, alarms, car theft devices, etc. Â   Might I suggest another avenue of research? Let's determine what conditions lead families to produce academics who have no sense of the sanctity and dignity of human life. Some early childhood intervention in values education might really pay off.

Schooling for Children with Special Needs: Education

For the well-being of their children with disabilities or special needs, parents are often faced with the difficult decision of whether to attempt to integrate the child into a public school system or send him or her to a special school. Before the Education for All Handicapped Children Act or Public Law (PL) 94/142 was enacted in 1975, public schools educated only 1 out of 5 children with disabilities.This act required all public schools accepting federal funds, to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. This education was to free, in the least restrictive environment and appropriate to their individual needs. The act also required that school districts provide administrative procedures so that parents of disabled children could dispute decisions made about their children’s education. The ultimate goal was to help students live more independent lives in their communities.Mainstreaming or inclusion in the context of education is a term that refers to the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes during specific time periods, with supplementary aids and services if needed, based on their skills. This means regular education classes are combined with special education classes. Schools that practice mainstreaming believe that special needs students who cannot function in a regular classroom to a certain extent â€Å"belong† to the special education environment.Segregation or confinement in education refers to the catering to students with special educational needs, in a special school e. g. because of learning difficulties or physical disabilities. This means the individual placed in this environment is systematically monitored by teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings and other interventions designed to help them achieve their goals. Many writers have voiced there opinion, through their pen, on whether a special ed. tudent should be educated i n a special setting or be mainstreamed/included in the general/public schools. One writer’s view is that â€Å"Separate is not equal, and it certainly is not better†. Simply stated, he is saying when students with special needs are separated they do not get the opportunity for socializing in or with the community, a skill that will assist them to become productive members of society (Spitzer-Resnick). Witt, another writer said the disabled student should learn alongside his non-disabled classmates as often as possible (Witt 2003).

French Accent Homographs

French Accent Homographs You may not realize it, but French accents have a purpose. While some accents just signify that an S used to follow that vowel in Old French (e.g., à ©tudiant used to be spelled estudiant), most French accents indicate the correct pronunciation of the letter they modify. In addition, there are dozens of French word pairs which are spelled (though not always pronounced) the same other than accents. To avoid confusion, you should always distinguish between these words by using the correct accents. Note: It is grammatically acceptable to leave accents off capital letters. However, since missing accents may cause confusion in pronunciation and meaning and are technically spelling mistakes, I feel that one should always write with accents. a - third person singular of avoir (to have) - (preposition) to, at, inacre - acreà ¢cre - (adjective) acrid, pungentà ¢ge - ageà ¢gà © - (adjective) oldaie - first person singular subjunctive and second person singular imperative of avoiraà ¯e - (interjection) oucharrià ©rà © - (adjective) overdue, backward; (noun) backlog, arrearsarrià ¨re - back, stern, rear, aftbronze - bronze objectbronzà © - past participle of bronzer (to tan, bronze)à §a - (indefinite demonstrative pronoun) that, ità § et l - here and therecolle - gluecollà © - past participle of coller (to glue)congres - eelscongrà ¨s - conference, congresscote - quotation, quoted value, ratingcotà © - highly thought of / rated (past participle of cà ´ter)cà ´te - rib, slope, coastlinecà ´tà © - sidecrà ªpe - crepe (thin pancake), crepe papercrà ªpà © - past participle of crà ªper (to backcomb, crimp)cure - cure, treatmentcurà © - priest; past participle of curer (to clean out)de - (preposition) of, fr omdà © - thimble, diedes - (indefinite article, partitive article) some; contraction of de lesdà ¨s - (preposition) fromdiffà ©rent - differentdiffà ¨rent - third person plural conjugation of diffà ©rer (to differ)du - contraction of de ledà » - past participle of devoir (to have to)-e vs à ©At the end of -er verbs, the accent is the difference between the first and third person singular present tense and the past participle-e - à ©tudie, parle, visite-à © - à ©tudià ©, parlà ©, visità ©entre - (preposition) betweenentrà © - past participle of entrer (to enter)es - second person singular of à ªtre (to be)à ¨s - contraction of en lesà ªtes - second person plural of à ªtreà ©tà ©s - summerseut - third person singular passà © simple of avoireà »t - third person singular imperfect subjunctive of avoirferme - farmfermà © - past participle of fermer (to close)fut - third person singular passà © simple of à ªtrefà »t - third person singular imperfect subjuncti ve of à ªtre gà ¨ne - genegà ªne - trouble, bother, embarrassmentgà ªnà © - (adjective) short of, embarrassed; past participle of gà ªner (to bother) grade - rank, degreegradà © - officerhaler - to haul inhà ¢ler - to tanillustre - illustrious, renownedillustrà © - illustratedinfecte - (fem adjective) revolting, filthy, obnoxiousinfectà © - infected, contaminatedinterne (adj) internal, inner; (noun) boarder, interninternà © - inmate (of a mental hospital), internee (politics)jeune - (adjective) youngjeà »ne - fastingjuge - judgejugà © - past participle of juger (to judge)la - (definite article) the; (direct object pronoun) her, itl - (adverb) therelevà © - survey; past participle of lever (to lift, raise)là ¨ve - first and third person singular of lever (applies to many stem-changing verbs)liquide - liquidliquidà © - past participle of liquider (to settle, pay; to liquidate, sell off; [inf] to finish off)mais - (conjunction) butmaà ¯s - cornmarche - walking, step, stairmarchà © - market; past participle of marcher (to walk, march; to work)masse - massmassà © - past participle of masser (to assemble, mass, group)mat - checkmate; (adjective) matte, dullmà ¢t - mast, polemater - to subdue; (familiar) to ogle; to caulk; (familiar noun) mom, mummà ¢ter - to mastmà ©mà © - (baby talk) grannymà ªme - (adverb) samemeuble - piece of furnituremeublà © - (adjective) furnishedmodelà © - contours, relief; past participle of modeler (to model, shape, style, mold)modà ¨le - model, designmur - wallmà »r - (adjective) ripenotre - (possessive adjective) ournà ´tre - (possessive pronoun) oursnuance - shade, hue, slight difference, nuancenuancà © - (adjective) qualified, balanced, nuanced; past participle of nuancer (to shade, qualify, nuance)ou - (conjunction) oroà ¹ - (adverb) wherepà ¢te - pastry, paste; pà ¢tes - pastpà ¢tà © - pà ¢tà ©pà ©chà © - past participle of pà ©cherpà ªche - peach, fishingpà ©cher - to sinpà ªcher - to fishpà ©cheur - sinnerpà ªcheur - fishermanprà ªte - (feminine adjective) readyprà ªtà © - past participle of prà ªter (to lend)rate - spleenratà © - past participle of rater (to fail, miss)relà ¢che - rest, respiterelà ¢chà © - loose, laxreste - rest, leftoverrestà © - past participle of rester (to stay)retraite - retreat, retirementretraità © - retired person; past participle of retraiter (to reprocess)rot - belch, burprà ´t - (archaic) roastroue - wheelrouà © - (adj) cunning, sly; un rouà © - cunning/sly person; past participle of rouer (to beat/thrash)roule - first and third person singular of rouler (to wheel/roll along)roulà © - curved, rolledsale - dirtysalà © - saltysinistre (adj) gloomy, sinister; (m noun) accident, disaster, damagesinistrà © (adj) stricken, devastated; (m noun) disaster victimsublime - sublimesublimà © - sublimatedsuicide - act of suicidesuicidà © - victim of suicidesur - (preposition) onsà »r - (adjective) suretache - mark, spot, staintà ¢che - taskvalide - able-bodied, fit, validvalidà © - validatedvide - emptyvidà © - worn out; past participle of vider (to empty; to wear out)votre - (poss essive adjective) yourvà ´tre - (possessive pronoun) yours

Free Essays on Mormons And Jews (The Similarities That Brought Them Worlds Apart)

Mormons, and Jews. Any reasonably intelligent person would never even think to mention them in the same breath during a conversation. Mormons, after all are Christians, and Jews, well, they’re Jews. Everyone knows that they are two different worlds completely unrelated. Or are they really? During this semester our world history class has discussed communities in large detail. We have studied several distinct communities in some particular. We have tried to define them, compare them, separate them, and understand them all in hopes to better comprehend the world at large, and how we fit into it, and what our place is in it. Two of these communities that have greatly stood out to me are the Mormons and the Jews. As we have studied these two communities their differences obviously stood out, but what was even more intriguing to me is that their similarities became more apparent than ever before. The focus of this paper is to discuss how the similarities in the cosmovisions of the Mormons an d the Jews, (made up of their histories, religious beliefs, encounters with other communities, and cultural aspects) are also the cause for their resulted differences. Each of the sections making up the cosmovisions of these two communities is severely intertwined and directly related to each other. The history of the Jews is the base from which flows the other conditions forming their cosmovision. The Jews consider themselves the chosen people of God. They are the House of Israel, the seed of Abraham, the covenant people of the Lord. We learn this from the Bible. The genealogy of the Jews can be traced back to Jacob, who was the father of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their history as a people, as a community is nararated throughout the course of the Old Testament. They believe that through their portrayal in this body of Holy Scripture their history and indeed their future is set and secure in the eyes of God. The ... Free Essays on Mormons And Jews (The Similarities That Brought Them Worlds Apart) Free Essays on Mormons And Jews (The Similarities That Brought Them Worlds Apart) Mormons, and Jews. Any reasonably intelligent person would never even think to mention them in the same breath during a conversation. Mormons, after all are Christians, and Jews, well, they’re Jews. Everyone knows that they are two different worlds completely unrelated. Or are they really? During this semester our world history class has discussed communities in large detail. We have studied several distinct communities in some particular. We have tried to define them, compare them, separate them, and understand them all in hopes to better comprehend the world at large, and how we fit into it, and what our place is in it. Two of these communities that have greatly stood out to me are the Mormons and the Jews. As we have studied these two communities their differences obviously stood out, but what was even more intriguing to me is that their similarities became more apparent than ever before. The focus of this paper is to discuss how the similarities in the cosmovisions of the Mormons an d the Jews, (made up of their histories, religious beliefs, encounters with other communities, and cultural aspects) are also the cause for their resulted differences. Each of the sections making up the cosmovisions of these two communities is severely intertwined and directly related to each other. The history of the Jews is the base from which flows the other conditions forming their cosmovision. The Jews consider themselves the chosen people of God. They are the House of Israel, the seed of Abraham, the covenant people of the Lord. We learn this from the Bible. The genealogy of the Jews can be traced back to Jacob, who was the father of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their history as a people, as a community is nararated throughout the course of the Old Testament. They believe that through their portrayal in this body of Holy Scripture their history and indeed their future is set and secure in the eyes of God. The ...

buy custom Types of Rapists essay

buy custom Types of Rapists essay According to Snow (2006), rapists refer to those people who force sex upon others. Rape incidences are among the most common sex crimes across the world, and many countries are implementing strategies toward addressing the issue. It is extremely crucial to understand different types of rapists before designing and implementing various strategies. This discussion will include various types of rapists, including power-reassurance rapists, power-assertive rapists, anger retaliation rapists, and sadist rapists. Power-reassurance rapists lack the interpersonal skills and self-confidence to develop intimate relationships with women (Snow, 2006). Therefore, a power-assertive rapist looks for a possible way, such as breaking into womens bedrooms, to have sex. They are the least violent and constitute about 21 percent of rapists. A power-assertive rapist usually uses a weapon in order to ensure that the victim cooperates well (Snow, 2006). This type constitutes about 44 percent of rapists and is the most common. Anger retaliation rapists constitute a unique form of rapists because the perpetrator is out to punish his victims (Snow, 2006). The victim will injure his victims to the extent where they require hospitalization. Anger-retaliation rapists are extremely dangerous, and they constitute about 40 percent of rapists. Another form of rapists who usually injure their victims is the sadist rapists. A sadist rapist intentionally maltreats women for his own intense gratification (Snow, 2006). They may murder the victims while trying to silence them, and they constitute about 5 percent of rapists. For the four types of rapists, the offender is a male and the victim is a female. People socially perceive rapists as those individuals who lack the friendly techniques of seducing women (Snow, 2006). The criminal justice system finds it had to detect and capture most rapists because victims fail to report their perpetrators upon threats. Of all rapists, the sadist rapists are the most dangerous because they usually murder their victims in the process of silencing them (Snow, 2006). Buy custom Types of Rapists essay

Economics of Health Care Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Economics of Health Care - Assignment Example The statement is false because the incorporation of a subjective utility weight in the calculation of quality-adjusted life years does not affect the question of allocative efficiency. An allocative efficiency deals with the allocation of resources; on the other hand, cost-utility measures the quality of adjusted life years. The use of cost-utility will, therefore, be inappropriate when subjective utility weight is incorporated. According to Hurley (2010, 109), to address the question of allocative efficiency, it requires the use of the cost-benefit analysis. This is because the potential Pareto criterion method is required for the analysis (p.109). The result is negative. This means that the annual costs for carrying out the exercise are very expensive compared to the benefits that the university gets in terms of savings. Basing on the cost-benefit analysis, it is recommended that the university does not carry out the vaccination process. This is because of the high cost of this process. The program does not pass the cost-benefit analysis test because it gives a negative net benefit. Negative net benefit means that the implementation of the exercise would result in losses rather than gain in comparison to the effort used. The theory states that education induces greater taste for health. This means that health and education are causally related in instances where a third factor is missing. Focusing on the graph, it shows that both a better taste for more education and higher levels of learning are caused by the introduction of a third factor such as time. In this case, the lower rate of time leads to a greater investment in both variables resulting in a negatively sloping graph. For this graph, the two are not causal but have a correlation brought in by the introduction of a third factor that affects both variables. Â  

Critical Process Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Critical Process Paper - Essay Example We were so glad to get all these opportunities that forgot to find out how these processes are made and how are they regulated inside. Lack of privacy and absolute absence of safety appeared as a real drawback of the Internet. When we write a letter to a friend we make sure that the envelope is sealed and that no one will have the possibility to open it and to read it. When we send an e-mail we can hardly guess who will have a chance to look it through because the mechanism seems complicated and incomprehensible. Up to the events described in â€Å"United States of Secrets† Internet users believed that their Internet activity was safe from intrusion. But it was just an illusion: it turned out that everything created and sent online is monitored, collected, and analyzed, and the most creepy is the fact that it is done by the government which is supposed to protect and take care of its citizens. The film â€Å"United States of Secrets† showed how far the authorities can g o in preventing terrorism, how easily the principles of freedom granted by constitution can be violated. â€Å"United States of America† revealed that the administrations of the former and the present presidents deceived and continue to lie to people intentionally to hide their illegal operations. This documentary is the story of the lost privacy and inability of different branches of power to work coherently and consistently. Moreover, â€Å"United States of America† is the story that raises this question and draws wide public to the discussion of the issues of mass surveillance, Internet safety and privacy. The central to the understanding of the whole concept of surveillance is the existence of the person named Edward Snowden. A lot of people heard about him and about things that he has done, but â€Å"United States of Secrets† explained the degree of risk he was subjected to and the nature of his actions in detail.

Historical Figures and their impact on American History Essay

Historical Figures and their impact on American History - Essay Example James Madison: In Focus Being the fourth President of the United States, James Madison has had made his signature over the focal pages of the country’s voluminous biography which unravels into the present day. Moreover, James Madison was said to be the beginning of the exceptional constitutional government of America, which until now, can be felt (Rives 2). As a background, the hero of this story came from Orange County but was born in Port Conway, Virginia on a faithful Wednesday on the 16th of March, 1751. James Madison Sr. was in possession of a substantially organized tobacco plant in their hometown. For a boy who grew up on the state of Virginia, it was only orderly to inherit their father’s labor in the plantations. However, James exhibited great potential even in his youth with a fondness for reading and learning and so they made certain to give their child the proper education (Mattern 13). Then the College of New Jersey, Madison received his schooling from Prin ceton but did so in an impressive and condensed time frame. People of great importance over the nation had already caught a glimpse of the strength that Madison wielded through his contemplation and his statements the same emanation of intellectual competence that his parents saw. He was appointed to form the Virginia Declaration of Rights and took part in the Governor’s Council, Continental Congress as well as the Virginia State Legislature (Vile 7 ). These were the significant moments and occurrences on the life of James Madison that were molding him into the wise engineer of the United States. Probing more of James Madison’s earlier stories would reveal the effects of an upbringing in such a firmly intertwined structure of family and relatives. Even while already on service for the Continental Congress, he could not stay away from his home in Orange County. The place in which he took his first breath into the world would also be the last place he closed his eyes at his age of 85 on June 28, 1836. This special association with his relatives had an effect on his political life as well, as the Madison family was known to have ties with the sheriffs, country lieutenants, justices of the peace and members of the legislature in Virginia (Ketcham 6). Most of his life’s crucial works would be reared from his home state. Living at the period of the American Revolution, he was a pivotal force for its success. His duty was not in the line of battle nor on establishing foreign connections and political negotiations. James Madison was after all a cerebral leader. He went on with his patriotic intentions and concentrated on in the determination of the right kind of government for his country (Mattern 6). After their declaration of independence from Great Britain on the year of 1776, James Madison’s role persisted in creating a better government and in effect, rebuilding a better nation. James Madison had numerous, key contributions for the nat ions. One of the very first is his work of the Virginia report during the year of 1787 which would later be the blueprint for a work with much immensity in a substantial degree of significance--United States Constitution (Kernell 147). Along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, James Madison wrote â€Å"The Federalist Papers† from 1787 to 1788 in the hopes of the people of United States to embrace their work. The

Differentiate between Management and Leadership Essay

Differentiate between Management and Leadership - Essay Example As the report stresses the terms management and leadership have been defined and discussed with different words and perceptions ever since their evolution. To better evaluate the distinction between these two terms, it is imperative to have an insight into their meaning and essence. Bateman-Snell describes management as â€Å"the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals†. Management is about having the work done through other people under a set of pre-defined policies and procedures to fulfill the organizational goals. By the definition, a manager strives to achieve set goals through proper utilization of what is available him, in the form of human and other resources. This study discusses that outstanding leaders combine good strategic substance and effective interpersonal processes to formulate and implement strategies that produce results and sustainable competitive advantage. The definition reflects that true leadership never relies on accomplishing a goal only under some pre-defined policies. It takes to have the ‘strategic substance’ blended with ‘effective interpersonal processes’ to lead a team in a highly competitive environment. At the heart of leadership is the act of swiftly adapting the strategies to the demands of a given situation in the pursuit of obtaining the desired results. Bateman and Snell identify management in the spectrum of its four functions viz., planning, organizing, leading and controlling.

The Railroad Era and Economic Growth Paper Research

The Railroad Era and Economic Growth - Research Paper Example The only means of transport was either by wagons, stagecoaches or by the ocean, this discouraged immigration of children and women (Norris, 2008). Fortunately, in 1862, The Central pacific Railroad emerged from California’s need for a remedy to its transportation crisis as well as socio economic challenges. Construction of the railroad began at Sacramento in 1863 after the congress authorized it the previous year. The businesspersons who combined efforts to finance the project named themselves the ‘octopus’ and the profits from the project rewarded them greatly years later. With the development and opening of the railroad, traveling time from the state to other states and within the cities greatly reduced. From travelling for months and several weeks, the people of California could now use just a week or days to reach their destinations. The Central Pacific Railroad was labelled the safest means of transport, most attractive site for tourists as well as the most direct means for transport for the immigrants across the American continent. Transport of goods and services developed as the machinery, mails, manufactured goods, as well as human resources begun moving to the west. In addition, natural resources, and food rolled eastward hence feeding almost half of the Eastern populace. Along the Central Pacific Railroad as well as its terminals, towns emerged and developed quickly because of the strategic location. Among the towns that developed along the lines of this railroad were North Plate, Lexington, Julesburg, Cheyenne, LA rime, Rock Springs, and Eva nston. People begun purchasing land that the had been given to the railroads as grants and they established settlements in the new town, constructed houses, began business activities as well as ranches and farms (Norris, 2008). The Octopus used agents to market the area

Integrated pest management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Integrated pest management - Assignment Example IPM makes use of the information about the interaction of pests with their environment as well as their life cycles. The information obtained about the life cycle of a given pest and how it relates with its surroundings is integrated with common pest control approaches to achieve an economical pest control approach that is friendly to both the environment and human life (Radcliffe, Hutchison & Cancelado, 2008). Grains are the main food for pigeons and people will usually feed pigeons unknowingly by spilling food or grains inside or around grocery stores. These pests usually roost in high areas and often nest in steeples and vents within buildings as well as any other protected region. An integrated pest management plan provides four fundamental stages for effectively controlling pigeon infestation of grocery store. Based on IPM pest management approach, a person will set an action threshold, monitor and identify pests, install prevention, and implement control measures if the prevention technique fails (Koul, Cuperus & C.A.B. International, 2007). Pigeons can cause damage and disease through droppings, which can cause human injuries through slips and fall and also increase the rate at which grain structures wear out. An economic danger becomes evident where one observes vast quantity of droppings, flocks of pigeons within or around the store. After identifying the economic threat in annual infestation by pigeons, the owner of the store can thus implement prevention measures to discourage the pigeons from coming back to the store. The owner of the store should work on making roosting as well as nesting areas for pigeons inhospitable. The store owner can fill the vents or voids from which the pigeons access the store. He or she can make comfortable pigeon resting areas stay in a slanting position so that they have difficult time perching on them. Also, balloons and scarecrows, including

Differentiate between Management and Leadership Essay

Differentiate between Management and Leadership - Essay Example As the report stresses the terms management and leadership have been defined and discussed with different words and perceptions ever since their evolution. To better evaluate the distinction between these two terms, it is imperative to have an insight into their meaning and essence. Bateman-Snell describes management as â€Å"the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals†. Management is about having the work done through other people under a set of pre-defined policies and procedures to fulfill the organizational goals. By the definition, a manager strives to achieve set goals through proper utilization of what is available him, in the form of human and other resources. This study discusses that outstanding leaders combine good strategic substance and effective interpersonal processes to formulate and implement strategies that produce results and sustainable competitive advantage. The definition reflects that true leadership never relies on accomplishing a goal only under some pre-defined policies. It takes to have the ‘strategic substance’ blended with ‘effective interpersonal processes’ to lead a team in a highly competitive environment. At the heart of leadership is the act of swiftly adapting the strategies to the demands of a given situation in the pursuit of obtaining the desired results. Bateman and Snell identify management in the spectrum of its four functions viz., planning, organizing, leading and controlling.

Integrated pest management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Integrated pest management - Assignment Example IPM makes use of the information about the interaction of pests with their environment as well as their life cycles. The information obtained about the life cycle of a given pest and how it relates with its surroundings is integrated with common pest control approaches to achieve an economical pest control approach that is friendly to both the environment and human life (Radcliffe, Hutchison & Cancelado, 2008). Grains are the main food for pigeons and people will usually feed pigeons unknowingly by spilling food or grains inside or around grocery stores. These pests usually roost in high areas and often nest in steeples and vents within buildings as well as any other protected region. An integrated pest management plan provides four fundamental stages for effectively controlling pigeon infestation of grocery store. Based on IPM pest management approach, a person will set an action threshold, monitor and identify pests, install prevention, and implement control measures if the prevention technique fails (Koul, Cuperus & C.A.B. International, 2007). Pigeons can cause damage and disease through droppings, which can cause human injuries through slips and fall and also increase the rate at which grain structures wear out. An economic danger becomes evident where one observes vast quantity of droppings, flocks of pigeons within or around the store. After identifying the economic threat in annual infestation by pigeons, the owner of the store can thus implement prevention measures to discourage the pigeons from coming back to the store. The owner of the store should work on making roosting as well as nesting areas for pigeons inhospitable. The store owner can fill the vents or voids from which the pigeons access the store. He or she can make comfortable pigeon resting areas stay in a slanting position so that they have difficult time perching on them. Also, balloons and scarecrows, including

European Tourism Essay Example for Free

European Tourism Essay The article in question paints a perfect picture of the little country of Andorra, one of the few places remaining on earth where culture and sanctity has have not been overrun by the trappings of modern life. After reading the article, one comes away with a warm and happy feeling about what is going on in Andorra. It is a place, to be frank, that any person would want to visit in order to feel the beauty of the Pyrenees Mountains and understand the history of Europe. The author is careful to point out the fact that Andorra is certainly not stuck in the 15th century, though. It has updated itself to modern culture and although you cannot catch a flight to the country, one could certainly drive there to take advantage of a few conveniences. Among those are the shopping, which the author spends a great deal of time talking about. It is interesting that a place with such a richness and wealth of history and culture would have to offer bargain basement tax breaks for people to come and visit. In a way, this speaks to today’s culture, where people are more concerned with commerce than they are with culture. Andorra is a perfect mix of that commerce and culture, though. It is a place that is naturally torn and conflicted between two of Europe’s most traditional powers, yet it somehow maintains a measure of neutrality and independence. It is similar to plenty of other countries in Europe in regards to size, but does not share many similarities beyond that. Andorra is a place that, according to the author, every person should get to see because of the beauty and history that will immediately engulf the senses.

Integrated Marketing Communication Concepts Analysis

Integrated Marketing Communication Concepts Analysis The purpose of any given organizations in the globalised market place today is to create a connecting link with customer, and communicate their brands in the most feasible ways. Creating customer or to be precise building relationship with customers though is not an easy task. It calls for advancement in marketing medium and communication tactics. Organizational operation and their purpose are to create the value chain and build a relationship with consumer through communications and its forms. In such situation the importance of integrated marketing communication can be traced. The primary aim of this report limits its research on the concepts of Integrated marketing communication. The concepts meaning of integrated marketing communication or that which we can understands by any other word such as corporate communication tool or advertisement is aimed primarily at the public via a variety of interactive tools, such as corporate advertisings, its publicity, public affairs, governance besides the compounding management issues and public relations as well as corporate sponsorship. (Luiz Moutinho, 2004, p. 179) These process combined together play an instrumental in todays organization. In that essence, the structure of this report is limited to identify the issues encompassing IMC, as well as to define the idea as to where the object of IMC takes roots from. In doing so, understanding the meaning of marketing communication is important and relevant from a theoretical point of view, which this essay attempt to trace the implication if any through its discussion encompassing IMC concepts that are very much in practice today. Marketing processes is corporation one focal point. Marketing helps corporations to sells their products and services or experts. We have come across the adage all that glitters, isnt gold as well as the saying there is more to things than just meet the eyes. These phrases have more philosophical meaning behind their originations. And when linked with marketing communication for examples there is an interrelated meaning as well, given that consumers today are more aware than ever before. Before deciding on any particular purchase they undertake a thorough outlook as to where the idea of corporation communication links with them. Add to it, we see reason enough that corporation are tying every possible measures to connect with consumers. The adage consumer is king hold true in a sense that consumer does much of the talking; deciding, etc that goes into the making of their purchasing capacity. The better the communication marketing appeal, the greater is the scope for corporation to bu ilt relationship with consumers in the market. The medium used in marketing is meant to reach consumer and communicate to them in the most feasible way. In every sphere of our life somewhat we have come across advertisements, e-mailer in our inbox that brief about a particular product, and all components of brandishing through billboards, etc. besides, we have also come across the point as corporate sponsorship. Corporate sponsorship to be precise is the frequent case that we see corporate logo in football grounds and amongst players. Somewhat we wonder also as to what is all about CSR concepts adopted by many corporations today? Question and counter question that we often presume also is that why does communication undertake all these at one go? We can understand that there is a marketing concept behind it all, but the question is why? In that assumption we can speculate that all factor encompassing the one as detailed above have a lot to do with the concepts of integrated marketing communication. But how, and what detrimental v alue does it communicate with consumers in the market? Why does it arise so? Does IMC in any instance provide a sense of belonging with consumers? Yes it does. Generally from our understanding it is considered that marketing itself is a fundamental organizational function. The best way that corporation in the current scenario are marketing their product is through the integration of effective marketing channels or tool to connect and build relationship with consumer in the market. Such mechanism and its concepts that have undergone a change of guards and making inroads in corporation marketing are the integrated marketing communication concepts. It is that branch of the overall marketing process that encompasses process such as planning product promotions, its advertising, corporate sponsorships and the likes. Most importantly the question that arises again is that does an IMC concept impact upon the purchasing power of consumers and their mindset? The answer is yes. There is a grea t many values attached to IMC concepts in the marketing realms, especially in today competitive environment, where only the fittest survives and where technology and different forms of media play a significant role. When we emphasize on these points the importance of IMC can be traced. And it should be clarified herein that the primary focus of this work is to address these three main assumptions:- What is Integrated Marketing Communication? What is the reason behind Corporations favoring IMC Concepts at its Best for Promotional Purposes? What Defines IMC and its Appeals as far as Advertisement and Promotional Objectives goes? Does Embracing the Concepts of IMC is difficult for Corporation To come to this conclusion is rather hard. Thus, it could be prudent that each assumption is discussed separately, as detailed below. 1. WHAT IS INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS? We can define integrated marketing communication in the word of Terence A. Shimp, as a communication process that entails the planning, integration, creation, and implementation of diverse forms of mass communication such as, advertising, sales promotions, publicity releases or press releases and events that are delivered overtime to a brands targeted customer and prospects. (Shimp, 2008) The goals thus are to influence the behavioral conditioning of consumer and their perceptions of things. To sum it up, integrated marketing communication takes an extensive formulation of covering every minute detail that bridges the gaps between consumer and producers in the market, where the media comes in handy to make the connecting links and channelize the same in the most feasible ways. (Shimp, 2008, p. 10) It also should be understood that marketing communications concepts arise from communication and its meaning. Communication as we can understand in simple language is that condition that accumulates together the aspects wherein sharing or exchanging of informations between two parties is made possible. Furthermore, it also links together the components of reaching to the means of communication for an end results, let say the mechanism or tools that are used for the same. Above all, communications in any given standards is not one way; assert learned men and scholars such as Paul Russell Smith and Jonathan Taylor. (Paul Russell Smith, 2004, p. 72) Besides, understanding the concepts of communication also directly register with us and a layman understanding of the same. The overall aspect of marketing communication also is one subset of the subject matter that concerns itself with the concepts of marketing. Marketing communication is a set of purposive activities, linked and coordinated to some degree. (Jain, 2008, p. 1) From this notion and when we come to the conceptualization of the idea behind marketing communication we can readily identify also the substance or the significance attached to it, which we assume organizations are banking heavily as a factor for sustenance and growth, given that marketing processes and its activities in many forms and parts asserts scholars relies heavily on communication formats; wherein such marketing process and procedures is to directly informs potential customer of a product offering or factor such as in creating a brand image in the marketplace and any other process such as customer feed backs in improving processes or products that marketers initiates. In that components accumulated and buildup together thus, marketing research also comes in handy and is effective, (Guy Masterman, 2006, p. 4) and is often looked also as a typical tools for promotional and advertising activities and to connect with consumers. Moreover, what has been the very discussed and augmented point on the subject matter and the very essence of marketing communication also often raises the question as to how marketers communicate with their target markets? Simply put in what marketers actually do in essence is the fact that everything they do is communicates, (Ludi Koekemoer, 2004, p. 1) through proper channels, and by using relevant marketing tools to their advantages for communications. Such a communication process take stage or come to fore because it helps corporation in many ways to bridge the gap of communication with the market or consumers as the case is, and thus good communication is based on an orientation around a dominant, rational big brand idea as corporations calls it, which acts as a tool or platform for creating, involving and sustaining customer engagement. (Micael Dahlà ©n, 2009, p. 2) Comprehending together these notion overall as can be laid emphasis upon we feel that every dynamic organization s today and in the current schemes of things takes an interested approach towards reaching the means to an end for their offering, be it products or services, and marketing communication is thus the most visible of marketing functions (Copley, 2004, p. 1) for reaching such an ends to the result oriented targeted activities, which is also the very salient object of marketing concepts itself and that which we will further evaluate and comprehend the very idea that erupts and that which we can lay out hands on the arguments that arises with integrated marketing communications and its meaning overall as discussed below. 2. WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND CORPORATIONS FAVORING IMC CONCEPTS AT ITS BEST FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES? There can be many reasons for this. As we can understand, the conceptual evaluation of the meaning integrated marketing communication has a lot to do with marketing concepts as one bigger picture of it all. Often we begin to argue in that direction considering a typical organization where advertising is controlled by the marketing department, where as selling is the responsibility of the sales department and the websites is controlled and maintained by IT services. (Graeme Drummond, 2005, p. 149) This is really what composed the conditionality of todays modern organizations. Often we wonder wont such a process interfere with the overall concepts of marketing? And how does things can be assured that consumer get or receives the right and correct message from the company concerned when marketing are integrated in departmental wise? To put emphasis on this notion and this views that arises in that regard, the answer we feel lays in the objective of integrated marketing communication. Integrated marketing communications in all aspects attempts to use together the various communication message or tool used by the organization into one meaningful coherent message. (Graeme Drummond, 2005, p. 149) Add to it, Marketing in the current scheme of things also is in a state of transformation. (Copley, 2004, p. 4) As we are aware, a new era is unfolding in the fields of advertising, promotions, and marketing communications. (Clow, 2007, p. 43) This is true, considering that the presence of media and its advancement have given abundant option available for marketers to bank and capitalize from. In that context, this is also where the very essence and substance of marketing communication comes into play in the overall picture that composed marketing and its principles. 3. WHAT DEFINES IMC AND ITS APPEALS AS FAR AS ADVERTISEMENT AND PROMOTIONAL OBJECTIVES GOES? When we come to this part of the discussion, often the very first question that we encounter with is the importance attached to integrated marketing communication. Does the substantial element attached to integrated marketing communication assist managers and marketers in the promotional processes and its integration? The answer to this point as we can comprehend and build up our arguments and reasoning logically is, yes. As we have already defined the basis of integrated marketing management, we see reason enough that it components is linked to many befitting ends results as a means to an end that marketers emphasize upon. To justify this view firstly, we should try and attempt to understand the role that integrated marketing communications plays in todays organizations and their marketing prospects. The very essence and meaningful conceptualization of the word advertising and its role in integrated marketing communication is looked upon from the broader element attached to it. Take for examples factor attached to advertising within the integrated marketing communication campaigns and its activities must have a consistent look and feel, even though brand advertising to consumers will generally be different from retails advertising from consumers. Yet all such campaigns have their own objectives and purpose. (Percy, 2008, p. 83) This is all about what we can sum up as the very basis and objectives of strategic integrated marketing communications. Scholars such as Peter Drucker said that any business has two basic requirements, one is marketing, and the other is innovations. (Varey, 2002, p. 1) This is true and applicable in today organizations environment as well. But what is innovation in that sense of the term? We feel that IMC concepts have much to be viewed in that point as well. Add to it, consumer in today environment also are more interactive and swift, given that they accepts a wide variety of information from media in many forms and formats. Marketers in that situation have a fair control over what customer and prospects hear or learn about their products. (Don E. Schultz, 1993, p. 43) Thus, on the basis of these points we can emphasize also as to where to trace the significance of integrated marketing communication. The greater instance of the subject matter argument is that even in the current scheme of things advertising agencies are still searching for the best way to incorporate the concepts and practice of integrated marketing communication. (Tom Duncan, 1996, p. 13) To top it all, the nature and scope of advertising in context of integrated marketing communication is simply a means or a marketing tools that helps sells brands of products and help top build confidence in companies and institutions by conveying accurate and compelling informations to customers about the brand, or anything in that regard. (Ludi Koekemoer, 2004, p. 65) 4. DOES EMBRACING THE CONCEPTS OF IMC IS DIFFICULT FOR CORPORATION When debating to this point, the answer is yes and no, given that it depends greatly how the concepts is emulated for practical purpose. On the other hand, corporations with a scope to make a switch towards integrated marketing communication are posed with many barriers. It can be in the form of technological barriers, or cost factor and the likes. This point notwithstanding, it would prudent also that a scholastic point be observed as well to the difficulty as such if any. What scholars have withhold in favor of integrated marketing communication can again be emphasized to the notion wherein it is held that integrated marketing communication plays a vital role in every aspects of marketing process. However, developing and implementing an integrated marketing communication programs is usually a detailed and complex process, which involves many persons as well as extensive efforts. (George E Belch, 2003, p. 69) Thus, such factor when encounter often comes and acts as a barrier when corporations for example are trying to embrace the features of integrated marketing communication. Fair enough, not only the cost factor also comes into play in such a strategic integration, but also the complexities of the process itself, which very often when not strategized systematically can be a dampener of sorts. This is what we can augment are some of the difficulty in embracing the overall features of integrated marketing communication in a standardized and symmetrical manner. METHODOLOGY The methodology adopted in this report is primarily secondary in nature. There have been no specific methods or process evaluation undergone. As a discourse in theoretical terms, the best available secondary resources were dependent upon to emphasize the views and counter view of this paper assumptions and its argument. On a greater note, view in favor of IMC concepts and is adoption is the concentrated focus to align into the assumption and its discourse overall. Thus, most of the resource used use for this research is secondary in nature, where IMC concepts and its literature have been the main source in feeding this project and regimenting the assumptions. DISCUSSIONS From our study and its analysis on the concepts of integrated marketing communication we can understand that the significance of the concepts cannot be brushed aside. It would be wrong to do away with IMC and its practical practices. The fact is that IMC assist corporations survival in many ways, and Helps Corporation building a good rapport with consumers in the market, through advertisements, billboards, corporate sponsorships, public relations and the likes of e-mailer. Effective communications are the building block between a manufacturer and consumers. Often the term consumer is king also very much also come into play in such a scenario. Corporations understand such scenarios, and are doing their best to format their communication and advertising process by initiating the practicality of IMC concepts. Thus, the principle of marketing though make its claims, however, without any pictorial and effective communication marketing often lose its sheen and sheer factor to appeal the general consumer in the market. The presence of many competitors and identical product also greatly impact consumer perception and their purchasing power, we can speculate. Lapses in communication even hurt the relationship and its bounding. The concepts behind IMC and its integration is to bring into force the factor of communication in marketing mediums, so that firms communicates in its variety of forms with consumers, thus bridging the gap in communication as is the case with traditional marketings. Moreover, it also to bring into force the streamlined process, where marketing communication is fostered and facilitated in the most feasible ways and reaches its targeted destinations, and impact upon consumer perception and their connection with any given message that appeals their psychological nature of co nsumers. The better the marketing procedures and its communication, the better is the prospects of the organizational outcome. Besides, sustenance and growth of a corporation also is hugely influenced through the marketing processes that organizations undertake and it can be in many other forms or processes, although central to marketing objectives. CONCLUSION There is great much scope for research in this topic. Given the absence of primary methodology being employed, future research through the use of primary research tools, such as questionnaire, interview and the likes, as it can provide a great significant to the assumptions from an objectively view point. Lack of relevant material though have been the factor of this research and its weakness, yet the fragmented segmentation of the concepts meaning and its discourse have been arranged to get a glimpse of the theoretical point of the subject matter and its assimilation. Taking the overall discussion and when we reflect back to the subject matter we can conclude that IMC concepts are significant to corporation in great many ways. Adopting the IMC concepts and emphasizing on its practicality can be the best ever things that corporation can initiates as a tool for mass appeal, and to get their brandishing and all factors of advertisements in their favor as well as providing consumers in the market a sense of relief to make difficult choices from available products. Thus, building on these points and our understanding of the argument in details abovementioned, we can finally conclude that marketing have many dimensional foregrounds, yet without effective communication much of it is lost in translation. Hence, integration of marketing process with streamlined communication process can be the best ever thing that can mark the transformational change in the favor of marketers. Marketing strategy very often exploit the use of marketing tools, given that there are reasonable point to such integration. Yet, it should not be forgotten that the philosophical and strategic overtones for corporations growth and its sustenance also all depends and ride in direct links with marketing, wherein integrated marketing communication processes is one vital part of marketing principle that bridge the gap to connect with the general consumers in the market.

Mining In Canada :: essays research papers fc

The Importance of Mining Industry The importance of mining is definitely significant to Canada. Mining, is an important industry, and Canadians are very advanced in their mining technology, but during the mining process, there is certain level of pollution produced. The Canadian government and the mining companies have very good plans and controls toward this problem, while ensuring the smooth running of the industries, and also helping to create strong economy and employment. The world of today could not exist without mineral products. Canada produces about 60 minerals and ranks first among producing countries1. As well, Canada is the largest exporter of minerals, with more than 20 per cent of production shipped to world markets2. In a typical year, the mining industry is responsible for almost 20 per cent of Canada's total export earnings3 (See Appendix A). As for the employment rate, over 70 per cent of the mines are owned by Canadians and approximately 108,000 Canadians are directly employed in the mining industry4. Mining is very important in Canadian life. Not only do the products power the family car and heat the family home, the manufacturing sector, the high tech industries and even the better known resource industries are all dependent, in some way, on the mining industry. The mining industry will continue to be an important support to the economy. Mining is taking full advantage of the quick expansion of computers and microelectronics. These technologies are found in nearly every aspect of mineral development activity - from exploration methods, through production, mineral processing and even marketing. Computers and related equipment now have a lot of different applications in geophysical logging, geochemistry, geological mapping and surface contouring5. At the mine planning stage, the job of designing a mine is now greatly simplified by automation. Through the use of advanced software, geological models can be produced from drill hole data. Computers are also being used to develop plans for mine expansion, develop mining schedules for yearly, quarterly and in some cases, weekly operations. At the operating stage, this new technology is everywhere6. Both in research and operational applications, automated mine monitoring systems now determine immediate information on the status of equipment in underground or remote locations. Canada produces its 60 mineral products from roughly 300 mines across the country7. Before these products can make the trip from mines to the marketplace, they must be searched for, staked, tested, analyzed, developed.

Philosophy of love Essay -- essays research papers

Some people believe that there is no such thing as â€Å"true love† they believe that love is nothing but an illusion designed by social expectations. These people believe that love ultimately turns into pain and despair. This idea in some ways is true. Love is not eternal it will come to an end one way or another, but the aspect that separates true love from illusion, is the way love ends. â€Å"True Love† is much too powerful to be destroyed by Human imperfection; it may only be destroyed by a force equal to the power of love. Diotima believed that â€Å"Love is wanting to posses the good forever† In other words love is the desire to be immortal and the only way that we are able to obtain immortality is through reproduction, and since the act of reproduction is a form of sexual love, then sexual love is in fact a vital part of â€Å"True love†. Sexual love is not eternal. This lust for pleasure will soon fade, but the part of love that is immortal, is a plutonic love. You can relate this theory to the birth of love that Diotima talks about. She says that love was born by a mortal mother and immortal father. The mother represents the sexual love, the lust for pleasure. The father represents the plutonic love that is immortal. Plutonic love is defined as a true friendship, the purest of all relationships. A true plutonic love will never die; it transcends time, space, and even death. Platonic love is in my opinion, the most important and vital aspect of love. Without platonic love people are ...

Blaine Kitchenware

rP os t 4040 OCTOBER 8, 2009 TIMOTHY LUEHRMAN JOEL HEILPRIN op yo Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure On April 27, 2007, Victor Dubinski, CEO of Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. (BKI), sat in his office reflecting on a meeting he had had with an investment banker earlier in the week. The banker, whom Dubinski had known for years, asked for the meeting after a group of private equity investors made discreet inquiries about a possible acquisition of Blaine. Although Blaine was a public company, a majority of its shares were controlled by family members descended from the firm’s founders together with various family trusts.Family interests were strongly represented on the board of directors as well. Dubinski knew the family had no current interest in selling—on the contrary, Blaine was interested in acquiring other companies in the kitchen appliances space—so this overture, like a few others before it, would be politely rebuffed. No tC Nevertheless, Dubinski was st ruck by the banker’s assertion that a private equity buyer could â€Å"unlock† value inherent in Blaine’s strong operations and balance sheet. Using cash on Blaine’s balance sheet and new borrowings, a rivate equity firm could purchase all of Blaine’s outstanding shares at a price higher than $16. 25 per share, its current stock price. It would then repay the debt over time using the company’s future earnings. When the banker pointed out that BKI itself could do the same thing—borrow money to buy back its own shares—Dubinski had asked, â€Å"But why would we do that? † The banker’s response was blunt: â€Å"Because you’re over-liquid and under-levered. Your shareholders are paying a price for that. † In the days since the meeting, Dubinski’s thoughts kept returning to a share repurchase.How many shares could be bought? At what price? Would it sap Blaine’s financial strength? Or prevent it from making future acquisitions? Blaine Kitchenware’s Business Do Blaine Kitchenware was a mid-sized producer of branded small appliances primarily used in residential kitchens. Originally founded as The Blaine Electrical Apparatus Company in 1927, it produced then-novel electric home appliances, such as irons, vacuum cleaners, waffle irons, and cream separators, which were touted as modern, clean, and easier to use than counterparts fueled by oil, coal, gas, or by hand.By 2006, the company’s products consisted of a wide range of small kitchen appliances used for food and beverage preparation and for cooking, including several branded lines of deep fryers, griddles, waffle irons, toasters, small ovens, blenders, mixers, pressure cookers, steamers, slow cookers, shredders and slicers, and coffee makers. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HBS Professor Timothy A. Luehrman and Illinois Instit ute of Technology Adjunct Finance Professor Joel L.Heilprin prepared this case solely as a basis for class discussion and not as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management. This case, though based on real events, is fictionalized, and any resemblance to actual persons or entities is coincidental. There are occasional references to actual companies in the narration. Copyright  © 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. To order copies or request permission to reproduce materials, call 1-800-545-7685, write Harvard Business Publishing, Boston, MA 02163, or go to http://www. bsp. harvard. edu. This publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted, or transmitted, without the permission of Harvard Business School. This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure Blaine had just under 10% of the $2. 3 billion U. S. market for small kitchen appliances.For the period 2003–2006 the industry posted modest annual unit sales growth of 2% despite positive market conditions including a strong housing market, growth in affluent householders, and product innovations. Competition from inexpensive imports and aggressive pricing by mass merchandisers limited industry dollar volume growth to just 3. 5% annually over that same period. Historically, the industry had been fragmented, but it had recently experienced some consolidation that many participants expected to continue. In recent years, Blaine had been expanding into foreign markets.Nevertheless in 2006, 65% of its revenue was generated from shipments to U. S. wholesalers and retailers, with the balance coming from sales to Canada, Europe, and Central and South America. The company shipped approximately 14 mill ion units a year. op yo There were three major segments in the small kitchen appliance industry: food preparation appliances, cooking appliances, and beverage-making appliances. Blaine produced product for all three, but the majority of its revenues came from cooking appliances and food preparation appliances.Its market share of beverage-making appliances was only 2%. Most of BKI’s appliances retailed at medium price points, at or just below products offered by the best-known national brands. BKI’s market research consistently showed that the Blaine brand was well-known and well-regarded by consumers. It was associated somewhat with â€Å"nostalgia† and the creation of â€Å"familiar, wholesome dishes. † tC Recently, Blaine had introduced some goods with â€Å"smart† technology features and sleeker styling, targeting higher-end consumers and intended to compete at higher price points.This strategy was in response to increased competition from Asian imports and private label product. The majority of BKI’s products were distributed via a network of wholesalers, which supplied mass merchandisers and department stores, but its upper-tier products were sold directly to specialty retailers and catalogue companies. Regardless of the distribution channel, BKI offered consumers standard warranty terms of 90 days to one year, depending on the appliance. No Blaine’s monthly sales reached a seasonal peak during October and November as retailers increased stock in anticipation of the holiday season.A smaller peak occurred in May and June, coinciding with Mother’s Day, a summer surge in weddings, and the seasonal peak in home purchases. Historically, sales of Blaine appliances had been cyclical as well, tending to track overall macroeconomic activity. This also was the case for the industry as a whole; in particular, changes in appliance sales were correlated with changes in housing sales and in home renovation and hou sehold formation. BKI owned and operated a small factory in Minnesota that produced cast iron parts with specialty coatings for certain of its cookware offerings.Otherwise, however, Blaine, like most companies in the appliance industry, outsourced its production. In 2006 BKI had suppliers and contract manufacturers in China, Vietnam, Canada, and Mexico. Do Victor Dubinski was a great-grandson of one of the founders. An engineer by training, Dubinski served in the U. S. Navy after graduating from college in 1970. After his discharge, he worked for a large aerospace and defense contractor until joining the family business in 1981 as head of operations. He was elected to the board of directors in 1988 and became Blaine’s CEO in 1992, succeeding his uncle.Under Dubinski’s leadership, Blaine operated much as it always had, with three notable exceptions. First, the company completed an IPO in 1994. This provided a measure of liquidity for certain of the founders’ desc endants who, collectively, owned 62% of the outstanding shares 2 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 ollowing the IPO. Second, beginning in the 1990s, Blaine gradually moved its production abroad. The company began by taking advantage of NAFTA, engaging suppliers and performing some manufacturing in Mexico. By 2003, BKI also had established relationships with several Asian manufacturers, and the large majority of its production took place outside the United States. Finally, BKI had undertaken a strategy focused on rounding out and complementing its product offerings by acquiring small independent manufacturers or the kitchen appliance product lines of large diversified manufacturers.The company carefully followed changes in customer purchasing behavior and market trends. Victor Dubinski and the board were eager to continue what they believed had been a fruitful strategy. The company was particularly keen to increase its presence in the beverage appliance segment, which demonstrated the strongest growth and where BKI was weakest. Thus far, all acquisitions had been for cash or BKI stock. op yo Financial Performance During the year ended December 31, 2006, Blaine earned net income of $53. 6 million on revenue of $342 million.Exhibits 1 and 2 present the company’s recent financial statements. Approximately 85% of Blaine’s revenue and 80% of its operating income came from the sale of mid-tier products, with the line of higher-end goods accounting for the remainder. The company’s 2006 EBITDA margin of nearly 22% was among the strongest within the peer group shown in Exhibit 3. Despite its recent shift toward higher-end product lines, Blaine’s operating margins had decreased s lightly over the last three years. Margins declined due to integration costs and inventory write-downs associated with recent acquisitions.Now that integration activities were completed, BKI executives expected the firm to achieve operating margins at least as high as its historical margins. tC The U. S. industry as a whole faced considerable pressure from imports and private label products, as well as a shift in consumer purchasing preferences favoring larger, â€Å"big box† retailers. In response, some of Blaine’s more aggressive rivals were cutting prices to maintain sales growth. Blaine had not followed suit and its organic revenue growth had suffered in recent years, as some of its core products lost market share.Growth in Blaine’s top line was attributable almost exclusively to acquisitions. No Despite the company’s profitability, returns to shareholders had been somewhat below average. Blaine’s return on equity (ROE), shown below, was signif icantly below that of its publicly traded peers. 1 Moreover, its earnings per share had fallen significantly since 2004, partly due to dilutive acquisitions. Companies 2006 ROE Do Home & Hearth Design AutoTech Appliances XQL Corp. Bunkerhill Incorporated EasyLiving Systems Mean 11. 3% 43. 1% 19. 5% 41. 7% 13. 9% 25. 9%Median 19. 5% Blaine 11. 0% 1 ROE is computed here as net income divided by end-of-period book equity. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 3 rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure During 2004–2006, compounded annual returns for BKI shareholders, including dividends and stock price appreciation, were approximately 11% per year.This was higher than the S&P 500, which returned approximately 10% per year. However, it was well below the 16% an nual compounded return earned by shareholders of Blaine’s peer group during the same period. Financial Policies op yo Blaine’s financial posture was conservative and very much in keeping with BKI’s long-standing practice and, indeed, with its management style generally. Only twice in its history had the company borrowed beyond seasonal working capital needs. The first time was during World War II, when it borrowed from the U. S. government to retool several factories for war production.The second time was during the first oil shock of the 1970s. On both occasions the debt was repaid as quickly as possible. At the end of 2006, Blaine’s balance sheet was the strongest in the industry. Not only was it debtfree, but the company also held $231 million in cash and securities at the end of 2006, down from $286 million two years earlier. Given such substantial liquidity, Blaine had terminated in 2002 a revolving credit agreement designed to provide standby credit for seasonal needs; the CFO argued that the fees were a waste of money and Dubinski agreed.In recent years the company’s largest uses of cash had been common dividends and cash consideration paid in various acquisitions. Dividends per share had risen only modestly during 2004–2006; however, as the company issued new shares in connection with some of its acquisitions, the number of shares outstanding climbed, and the payout ratio rose significantly, to more than 50% in 2006. tC 2004 $ 53,112 $ 18,589 41,309 $ 1. 29 $ 0. 45 35. 0% 2005 $ 52,435 $ 22,871 48,970 $ 1. 07 $ 0. 47 43. 6% 2006 $ 53,630 $ 28,345 59,052 $ 0. 91 $ 0. 48 52. 9% No Net income Dividends Average shares outstanding Earnings per shareDividend per share Payout ratio Do The next largest use of funds was capital expenditures, which were modest due to Blaine’s extensive outsourcing of its manufacturing. Average capital expenditures during the past three years were just over $10 million per year. Wh ile they were expected to remain modest, future expenditures would be driven in part by the extent and nature of Blaine’s future acquisitions. In recent years, after-tax cash generated from operations had been more than four times average capital expenditures and rising, as shown in the table below. 4 2004 EBITDA Less: Taxes After-Tax Operating Cash Flow 2005 69,370 24,989 44,380 $ 68,895 24,303 44,592 2006 $ 73,860 23,821 50,039 AVG. 46,337 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. Reassessing Financial Policies in 2007 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 In 2007 Blaine planned to continue its policy of holding prices firm in the face of competitive pressures. Consequently, its managers were expecting top line growth of only 3% for fiscal year 2007.Howev er, this growth rate assumed no acquisitions would be made in 2007, unlike the previous two years. While the board remained receptive to opportunities, Dubinski and his team had no target in mind as yet at the end of April. op yo As he reflected on the possibility of repurchasing stock, Dubinski understood that he could consider such a move only in conjunction with all of BKI’s financial policies: its liquidity, capital structure, dividend policy, ownership structure, and acquisition plans. In addition, he wondered about timing. Blaine’s stock price was not far off its all-time high, yet its performance clearly lagged that of its peers.A summary of contemporaneous financial market information is provided in Exhibit 4. Dubinski had begun to suspect that family members on the board would welcome some of the possible effects of a large share repurchase. Assuming that family members held on to their shares, their percentage ownership of Blaine would rise, reversing a downw ard trend dating from BKI’s IPO. It also would give the board more flexibility in setting future dividends per share. Both Dubinski and the board knew that the recent trend in BKI’s payout ratio was unsustainable and that this concerned some family members.Do No tC On the other hand, a large repurchase might be unpopular if it forced Blaine to give up its war chest and/or discontinue its acquisition activity. Perhaps even more unsettling, it would cause Blaine to borrow money. The company would be paying significant interest expense for only the third time in its history. As Dubinski turned his chair to face the window, he glanced at the framed photo behind his desk of his great grandfather, Marcus Blaine, demonstrating the company’s first cream separator—its best-selling product during Blaine’s first decade.A real Blaine Electrical Cream Separator sat in a glass case in the corner; the last one had been manufactured in 1949. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOO L | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 5 Exhibit 1 rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. , Income Statements, years ended December 31, ($ in Thousands) Operating Results 2004 2005 2006 $291,940 204,265 Net Income Dividends 63,946 9,914 68,895 73,860 60,682 16,057 63,946 3,506 78,101 24,989 76,738 24,303 77,451 23,821 52,435 $ 22,871 53,630 $ 28,345 5. 5% 11. 1% op yo Earnings Before Tax Less: Taxes 60,682 8,213 53,112 $ 18,589 EBIT Plus: Other Income (expense) 92,458 28,512 62,383 15,719 EBITDA 87,731 27,049 69,370 Operating Income Plus: Depreciation & Amortization $342,251 249,794 62,383 6,987 Gross Profit Less: Selling, General & Administrative $307,964 220,234 87,676 25,293 Revenue Less: Cost of Goods Sold Margins Revenue Growth 3. 2% Gross Margin 30. 0% 28. 5% 27. 0% 21. 4% 19. 7% 18. 7% 23. 8% 22. 4% 21. 6% 32. 0% 31. 7% 30. 8% Net Income Margin 18. 2% 17. 0% 15. 7% Dividend payout ratio 5. 0% 43. 6% 52. 9% EBIT Margin EBITDA Margin Blaine's future tax rate was expected to rise to the statutory rate of 40%. Do No a. tC Effective Tax Ratea 6 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. Exhibit 2 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. Balance Sheets, December 31, ($ in Thousands) Assets 2004 Cash & Cash Equivalents 2005 2006 $ 67,391 Goodwill Other Assets Total Assets p yo Property, Plant & Equipment 48,780 49,728 54,874 3,871 5,157 376,351 Total Current Assets 43,235 2,586 Other Current Assets 164,309 47,262 Inventory $ 66,557 196,763 40,709 Accounts Receivable $ 70,853 218,403 Marketable Sec urities 364,449 339,678 99,402 138,546 174,321 8,134 20,439 38,281 13,331 27,394 39,973 $497,217 $550,829 $592,253 $ 26,106 $ 28,589 $ 31,936 22,605 24,921 27,761 14,225 17,196 16,884 62,935 70,705 76,581 1,794 3,151 4,814 15,111 18,434 22,495 79,840 92,290 103,890 Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities Taxes Payable Total Current Liabilities Other liabilitiesDeferred Taxes tC Total Liabilities Shareholders' Equity Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity 458,538 488,363 $550,829 $592,253 Many items in BKI’s historical balance sheets (e. g. , Property, Plant & Equipment) have been affected by the firm’s acquisitions. Do No Note: 417,377 $497,217 HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 7 This document is authorized for use only by Atul Si ngh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013.Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 45. 18% 31. 12% Net Debt/Equity Net Debt/Enterprise Value b. Net debt is total long-term and short-term debt less excess cash. a. Net working capital excludes cash and securities. 1. 91x 10. 56x 9. 46x 1. 63x 1. 03 776,427 $1,127,226 $ 350,798 372,293 475,377 LTM Trading Multiples MVIC/Revenue MVIC/EBIT MVIC/EBITDA Market/Book equity Equity beta Market capitalization Enterprise value (MVIC) Net debtb Total debt Book equity $ 21,495 54,316 900,803 $ 976,613 31. 74% 24. 10% 1. 02x 7. 35x 6. 03x 4. 26x 1. 24 17. 97% 15. 23% 1. 5x 8. 65x 7. 84x 2. 51x 0. 96 5,290,145 $6,240,947 $ 950,802 972,227 2,109,400 $ 21,425 353,691 3,322,837 $3,697,952 $4,313,300 721,297 796,497 $ 412,307 XQL Corp. -15. 47% -18. 31% 1. 87x 18. 05x 15. 15x 4. 41x 0. 67 418,749 $ 353,949 $ (64,800) 177,302 94,919 $ 242,102 21,220 68,788 $ 332,110 $ 188,955 19,613 23,356 $ 13,173 EasyLiving Systems 4040 -8- -24. 06% -31. 68% 2. 13x 11. 40x 9. 87x 1. 96x 0. 56 959,596 $ 728,730 $(230,866) 488,363 $ 230,866 32,231 174,321 $ 592,253 $ 342,251 63,946 73,860 $ 53,630 Blaine Kitchenware rP os t 6. 01% 5. 67% 1. 14x 7. 42x 6. 88x 4. 93x 0. 92 3,962,780 $4,200,836 $ 238,056 391,736 04,400 $ 153,680 334,804 815,304 $1,303,788 $3,671,100 566,099 610,399 $ 335,073 Bunkerhill, Inc. op yo 13,978,375 $18,415,689 $4,437,314 4,973,413 3,283,000 $ 536,099 1,247,520 7,463,564 $9,247,183 $18,080,000 2,505,200 3,055,200 $1,416,012 AutoTech Appliances tC No $ 589,747 106,763 119,190 $ 53,698 Home & Hearth Design Selected Operating and Financial Data for Public Kitchenware Producers, 12 months ended December 31, 2006, ($ in Thousands) Cash & securities Net working capitala Net fixed assets Total assets Revenue EBIT EBITDA Net income Exhibit 3 Do Exhibit 4 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040Contemporaneous Capital Market Data (April 21, 2007 ) Yields on U. S. Treasury Securities Maturity 30 days 60 days 90 days 1 year 5 years 10 years 20 years 30 years op yo 4. 55% 4. 73% 4. 91% 4. 90% 4. 91% 5. 02% 5. 26% 5. 10% Default spread 0. 86% 1. 02% 1. 33% 1. 70% 2. 86% 3. 92% Do No tC Seasoned corporate bond yields Moody's Aaa 5. 88% Aa 6. 04% A 6. 35% Baa 6. 72% Ba 7. 88% B 8. 94% HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 9

Haze: Pollution and Sophisticated Forest Clearing

The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring countries. The haze is basically pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and other substances from forest fires. The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts oaf Indonesia due to slash and burn method of farming. The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to control farmers from practising such methods. The haze is further worsened by open burning practised by most Malaysians.Open-field burning of rice straw by the rice planters and open burning of dried leaves and garbage done by the public are a few examples that done by Malaysian. Many are ignorant of the health effects of open burning. During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in respiratory problems, lung infections and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index (API) usually indicates the hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution during this period. The haze has long-term side effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung infection which particularly affects the elderly.The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to cooperate with the Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either through healthy fine or prison sentence. Constant vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do not repeat their offence. The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of forest fire. Continuous campaign of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken to reduce the haze need to be promoted through all types of social media like television, radio, newspaper and even via internet.The authorities should also provide assistance to farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest clearing methods. In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open burning. On-going campaigns on the dangers of open burning should be intensified. Individ uals too have a role to play. They must participate in every campaign and stop burning. Students can advise their parents not to practice open burning. Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it from our future generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren woulh have a healthy earth to live.