WAL-MART ORGANIZATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

WAL-MART ORGANIZATION - Essay Example Nevertheless, history has a different story in the waves the organization has had to face on the way to today’s position as a global player. The organization internal environment business model is based on value proposition, which rides of offering everyday low price. Distribution efforts in the organization are effectively planned to have the organization have direct contact with customers through media adverts as well as through such cheap means as internet. The organization has also effective customer relations through self-service as well as automated services for efficiency and effectiveness. It highly esteems basic resources spanning from the physical ones including logistics and physical stores, human resources as well as the organizational culture. The organization acknowledges the role of the forces of internal as well as external business environments in shaping the success of the business. Despite the internal organizational structure, the organization holds own emp loyees with esteem as critical part of the internal environment of the organization. Competition as an external factor has continuously influenced the operations of the organization with special attention being taken for the sake of monitoring and keeping pace with competitive developments in the industry (Davis, 2007). Among other notable strengths of Wal-Mart organization are growth and high returns through customer satisfaction, creating profits as well as enhancing value for shareholders. The capacity of the organization to expand continuously into new markets and opening new stores, integrating new online channels as well as upholding great success in innovation and... The great vision and dedication of the top management of the Wal-Mart organization ever since its establishment has been acknowledged to play a critical role in the success of the organization. Leadership has been seen to play a great role in the performance of the organization despite the competition pressures that have been pointed out to form the basis of derailing the organization from realizing the guiding mission. This would form my basis of recommendation to the management of the organization. Competition has become quite dynamic in almost all aspects of business dealings and no one business or industry is immune to the challenge. In this understanding, adoption of rather dynamic management practices is inevitable for an organization to keep pace with the global trends. Adoption of centralized inventory system through which management of the various chain stores of the organization is inevitable in order to have the organization realizes the strategic objectives and goals. I p ropose to the owner of Wal-Mart to uphold high levels of innovation and creativity in management practices in order to cut on the rising costs and command a competitive niche through continuously offering lower prices. This is because other competitors in the industry would rise in competition through exploiting these competitive niches while the Wal-Mart organization does not.

P-2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

P-2 - Coursework Example This research essay will analyse in detail whether the three-strike law really minimize crimes in U.S.A in detail. As per King and Mauer (2001), three-strike laws are sentencing laws that inflict exceptionally longer imprisonments for frequent offenders, particularly after their two earlier felonies. Under an incapacitative justification, three –strike laws are championed since it is debated that repeat lawbreakers are more probable to unleash future felonies and hence, they should be given longer period sentence. Three-strike laws or habitual offender laws are in existence as of date almost in more than half of the all states in U.S but only a selected state like California , have regulations that impinge on a large number of frequent offenders .(Pollock 2011,p.322). This research essay will make a research into whether three-strike laws have really minimized felonies and crimes in U.S.A and whether longer punishment for habitual offenders has yielded any reduction crime rates in U.S.A in an in-depth manner. The main objective of three-strike law is to minimize the crime rates by locking up regular and career criminals. When if one is convicted for a second term for a felony , his imprisonment would be doubled under the 1994 California three-strike law and in case of a third felony sentence, there would be a mandatory conviction of twenty-five years to life. Over the years, only California State in U.S.A is having such harsh law for habitual offenders. The supporters of three-strike law like Bill Jones cited that there was a dramatic fall in the crime rate immediately after the introduction of three-strike laws during the 1990s. (â€Å"Babbie, 2012, p376†). According to opponents, California three-strike law is a bad policy both under ethical and practical reasons. Critics argue that California’s three-strike laws imprison those offenders who already crossed their crime-prone age and also punish non-violent criminals by awarding longer

International Operation Strategy of Eucerin: SWOT

International Operation Strategy of Eucerin: SWOT Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Research Background The use of cosmetics was over thousands of years. The earliest archaeological evidence can be traced back to some royalty in Ancient Egypt times, where the Ancient Egyptians mixed perfume, sandalwood incense and aromatherapy products with oil applied to human bodies for pilgrimages or as an antiseptic. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics containing often lead and mercury. In the West, the popularization of cosmetics usage began in the 17th century and was originally intended to cover face scars of female patients healed from smallpox. In the19th Century, Queen Victoria once declared publicly that the use of makeup was â€Å"improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors†. Nevertheless, by the Second World War, cosmetics have been widely used in the West (except Nazi Germany). Today, the worldwide market size for Beauty and Personal Care Industry (BPC Industry) has increased 36% during 2005-2010 and reached USD 382.3 billion last year.Despite the significant influence of global economic recession in the year of 2009, BPC industry still showed stable and continuous growth in certain regions with emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America. It is forecasted that these two dynamic regions will drive the BPC future global sales and become equally the joint largest market (with Western Europe) by 2014. Figure 1 and 2 below shows the global and regional market value of BPC industry during 2005 to 2010. Cosmetics industry, also called Personal Care Products Industry, Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry, Health and Beauty Industry, or Beauty and Personal Care Industry in this paper, in which companies manufacture and/or market personal care products such as creams, lotions, perfumes or makeup, covers a fully 13 key sub-sectors (Fig. 3). Recent reports show that Skin Care is the largest sector in the BPC industry (Fig. 4). It is predicted that in 2014, Skin Care, together with Hair Care, Colour Cosmetics and Fragrances sector will become the principle contributors to global BPC sales value growth due to the booming market in Asia Pacific. In Asia Pacific region, China represents today one of the most important and attractive BPC markets in the world due to its huge population, the increasing purchasing power of consumer and a better awareness of fashion among the younger generation. According to National Bureau of Statistics of China, the retail value of Chinese BPC products reached RMB 133.24 billion (proximately USD 20.51 billion) in 2010 with a 11.4% nominal growth compared to 2009. The total Chinese BPC market value is expected to reach as much as RMB 206 billion (proximately USD 31.7 billion) by 2014. However, in spite of this rising trend, industry players talked about that the increasing costs such as rental, labour, logistic and advertisement has given heavy pressure on cosmetics companies particularly those who had poorer brand equity were losing their profit margin. 1.2 Research Motivation Funded by Dr. Lifschà ¼tz in 1900, Eucerin ® is now Germanys largest and worlds 4th leading dermo-cosmetics brand in pharmacy segment in Skin Care industry. Belonging to famous German Group Beiersdorf AG, Eucerin sees itself as a â€Å"dermatologist-recommended skin care brand† that provides reliable, high quality and effective dermo-cosmetic products and expertise. Currently, Eucerin provides skin care products that are catalogued in 4 major lines: Face Care, Sensitive Skin Care, Dry Skin Care (medical products) and Sun Protection. Each line contains quite a few sub-lines that are assorted either by skin types / products functions (pure, dry, very dry, problematic, sensitive skin, etc.) or by products application places of the skin (face, body, deodorant, hair, etc.). While Eucerin firstly entered into Asian BPC markets in 1991 and quickly built its brand awareness and popularity among the world of pharmacy skin care products in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, in China, however, it has being constantly a big â€Å"missing piece† to complete its global share of market. As Chinas BPC market size is currently rated in the 3rd position after the US and Japan and is still possessing enormous growth potential (12% market growth is expected during 2011 to 2014), and the Skin Care segment is the primary driver for BPC market, it is for Eucerins greatest interest and challenge how to exceed existing international and local skin care competitors to complete its global entire territory. 1.3 Research Scope and Objectives The purpose of this study is therefore attempting to assess and analyse the international operation strategy of Eucerin. Through the SWOT analysis, identify and highlight the key internal and external factors of corporate ongoing strategic planning, gaining an in-depth understanding of the companys strategic operational issues, critical success factors, emerging market opportunities and future marketing challenges and trends. The research scope covers issues including the study of BPC and dermo-cosmetics industry: market sales, market share, Chinese cosmetic market regulations, marketing strategy of Eucerin: marketing segmentations, positioning, and Chinese consumer behaviours. 1.4 Research Process and Chapter Structure The process of this research is approximately composed eight stages summarized as figure 6 underneath. By the case study of Eucerin a Beiersdorf owned dermo-cosmetics brand of BPC Industry, through the literature review, SWOT and critical success factors analysis, attempting to analyse, assess and obtain an embedded understanding of the companys strategic operational issues and its future marketing challenges and trends in Chinese BPC market. Chapter 2 Literature Review 2.1 Beauty and Personal Care Industry The global Beauty and Personal Care market (BPC market), also called Cosmetics and Toiletries market has generated total revenues of US$ 382.3 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36% for the period 2005-2010. By comparison, markets of Asia Pacific, Western Europe and North America brought out 70% of global BPC market in 2010 (Fig. 8). Most interestingly, both Western Europe and North Americas BPC markets has witnessed the economic recession, showed a negative growth in 2009 and decelerated performance afterward, while markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America, sales growth continue and for the first time the BPC market of Asia Pacific region (mainly referable to China) overtook the first position of global BPC market (Fig. 9). 2.1.1 Market Segmentation and Differentiations BPC products cover all daily personal care cosmetics such as makeup, nail polishes, hair sprays, hair colours, creams, lotions, perfumes, deodorants, shower and bath gel, bath salts, and lots of other product types. The market can be sorted into a completed 13 key sub-sectors scope as we have mentioned earlier (Fig. 10). Skin Care segment is the leading category that generates 22% of worldwide BPC market due to Asia Pacifics booming sales, the rising demand of anti-age products also conducts the segment as the key contributors to global BPC market over the forecast period. Global skin care brands can be also sorted by their marketing positioning into six classes: professional brands, luxury/premium, pharmacy/dermo-cosmetics (cosmeceuticals), organic/natural brands, direct-selling and mass market products. Each segment targets different consumers according to their purchasing power, quality requests or specific needs, etc. Key competitors of each class are listed below: Professional skin care brands (distributed mainly by beauty salons, spas): Sothys Paris, Lexli, RVB, Sparitual, Lotusdream, etc. Premium skin care brands(distributed mainly by department stores, perfumeries), : Shiseido, Està ©e Lauder, Lancà ´me (LOrà ©al Group), Clinique (Està ©e Lauder Group), Kanebo (Kao Group), Chanel, Christian Dior (LVMH Group), SK-II (PG Group), Yves Saint Laurent (LOrà ©al Group), etc. Pharmacy/dermo-cosmetics brands(distributed mainly by pharmacies, drugstores or via dermatologists recommendations): Vichy (LOrà ©al Group), La Roche-Posay (LOrà ©al Group), Boots, Eucerin (Beiersdorf Group), Johnsons, Avà ¨ne (Pierre Fabre SA), Caudalie, Lierac, ROC (Johnson Johnson), Nuxe, Galenic, etc. Organic/natural brands(distributed mainly by speciality stores, natural food stores): Yves Rocher, The Body Shop (LOrà ©al Group), LOccitane Direct-selling brands: Avon (USA), Natura (Brazil), Mary Kay (USA), Oriflame (Luxembourg), Artistry (Amway corp. USA), DHC (Japan), Nu Skin (USA) Mass market brands(distributed mainly by supermarkets, hypermarkets): LOrà ©al Paris, Nivea (Beiersdorf Group), Garnier (LOrà ©al Group), Olay (PG Group), Neutrogena (Johnson Johnson), Ponds (Unilever Group), Vaseline (Unilever Group) Eucerin ® is catalogued in the pharmacy/dermo-cosmetics brand of skin care industry as its products can be only purchased in pharmacies or drugstores. 2.1.2 Skin Care Industry in Western Europe For BPC industry and consumers, it has been tough in the past couple of years. However, the latest data showed that Skin Care was the only category managing to sustain an average of positive 4% growth during the economic downturn.Comprising 23% of global BPC sales in 2010, it remained the most valuable category during 2005-2010. Despite the growth of Skin Care sector slightly slowed down due to the decreased consumptions on non-essential purchases, the global sales of Skin Care sector was still largely focused in mature Western countries. Anti-age cosmeceuticals were considered and predicted as the star performer for Skin Care market for the future couple of years while the premium and luxury products performed the worst and were pushed toward the category of super premium or â€Å"masstige†skincare for a better performance and the growth in both anti-age and premium was accelerated by the high demand in Asia Pacific. Comparing to Skin Care, global Hand Care sales showed a sli ght yet stable growth and the reason was believed to be linked directly with consumers threaten perception of swine flu. In Western Europe, while recent data showed a gradual result of an average 4% Skin Care sales growth in UK, Netherlands and Germany during 2009 2010, key markets such as France, Italy and Spain reflected an average of -2% in term of sales growth, resulting an overall 2% growth drop in Skin Care segment in Western Europe (Fig. 11 and Table 1). While the Skin Care sales growth in western European slowed down in recent years, anti-age sub-category maintained an outstanding growth reflecting the desire for a younger looking appearance from the consumers. Table 1 Skin Care in Key Western European Countries (2005-2010) Crossing the overall BPC Western European market, in 2010, the top 10 Skin Care brands which share 26.2% of the market are belonging to 7 companies: Beiersdorf AG, LOrà ©al Group, Procter Gamble Co., Clarins SA, Yves Rocher SA, Està ©e Lauder Cos Inc, and Henkel AG Co., in which 4 brands are categorised into mass market class (Nivea, LOrà ©al Paris, Oolay and Garnier), 3 in premium/luxary (Clarins, Clinique and Lancà ´me), 2 in pharmacy/dermo-cosmetics (Vichy and Diadermine), and Yves Rocher is classified into natural/organic brands. On the other hand, in terms of company shares in Western European Skin Care market where up to nearly 58.6% market shares are held by the top 10 BPC companies, their products are crossing over all cosmetics classifications and sales distribution channels except the direct-selling category (Appendix 1 2). In relation to consumers behaviour toward BPC market in Western Europe, four fundamental trends characterized by Lee (2010)that impact global BPC market across all categories may sum up this market trend: the ageing population, agelessness pursuance, advances of technology and intensive awareness of health and wellness. The Ageing Population The global population is becoming older. Comparing to Japan who has the oldest population in the world with nearly 23% over the age of 65 in 2010, the median age in Western Europe today is just over 40. Japan has the differentiation of being the largest Skin Care consumer on a per capita basis. In 2010, it accounted for 22% of global skin care sales with USD 19.3 billion and this may referable to its huge older consumers, high disposable incomes and the great interest in combination of health and beauty. Agelessness Pursuance The pursuance of younger looking is highly associated with increased life-pan and the development of technologies. People take greater care of their appearances in order to reflect their interior youthfulness. In result, for example, the high demands for cosmetic minimally-invasive treatment (including Botox, laser skin resurfacing, soft tissue fillers, etc.) that intending for skin firming and elasticity made up 11.6 million procedures in 2010 with 110% growth during 2000 2010 in the US and was expecting to reach totally USD 17.6 billion in 2015. Advances of Technology Skin Care companies and manufactures today are able to sell their products with higher prices thanks to the aggressive introductions of technologically advanced formulations. Consumers in Western Europe may willing to pay up to EUR 20, EUR 40 or even EUR 300 on a product that claims benefits such as firming or wrinkle reduction and contains innovative whatsoever ingredients, while a product that only provides a single basic function may not be able to sold even it only charges EUR 10. High Awareness of Health and Wellness The concerns about health and product safety among consumers in Western Europe have massively increased during the past couple of years due to the aging population and the age-related illnesses. Consumers are becoming more and more careful about what they put on their skins and the detrimental effects of chemicals. In result, this will lead to a strong interest in finding cosmeceuticals with a balance of natural, organic ingredients and effective functions. 2.1.3 Skin Care Industry in China Table 2 BPC Market by categories in China (2009-2010) BPC market in emerging countries such the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) has shown enormous growth in the past couple of years. In China, BPC market showed strong resilience of 10% sales growth, reaching RMB 145.5 billion (proximately USD 22.4 billion) under the global recession impact in 2009 and continuously increased in 2010. While the growth rate in sectors such as deodorants, fragrances and mens grooming products were less well performed comparing to 2009, skin care, hair care and premium cosmetics were the most dynamic sectors in 2010 (Table 2 and Fig. 12). Comprising 6% of global BPC market value in 2010, Chinas BPC sales is expected to have a relative resilience to the global recession and reach as much as RMB 206 billion (proximately USD 31.7 billion) by 2014. Crossing the overall Skin Care market in China, interestingly, while 9 out of top 10 skin Care brands in Japan all belong to Japanese local BPC manufacturers, the top 10 brands who share 51.5% of Chinas Skin Care market in 2010 are from 4 foreign countries: Mary Kay (US), Artistry (US), Longligi (China) and Avon (US) are categorized into direct-selling channel; Olay (US), LOrà ©al Paris (France) and Nivea (Germany) belongs to mass market class; and Shiseido (Japan), Lancà ´me (France) and Chcà ©do (China) are classified into premium/luxary sector. There are no pharmacy/dermo-cosmetics brands in top 10 and the best performer Vichy (France) only shares 2.1% followed by La Roche-Posays (France) 0.4% in the market. 2.2 Cosmetics Market Regulation in China While China represents today one of the most important and attractive BPC markets in the world, however, its complex cosmetic regulatory system with rapid amendments make the BPC business full of difficulties. The Ministry of Health (MOH) of China has promulgated the â€Å"Regulations on Cosmetics Hygiene Supervision† on 13 November 1989 and the regulation was effective on 1 January 1990.According to it, a foreign cosmetic company (either a manufacturer or brand owner) with a valid business registration licenseis required to obtain two licenses under the cosmetic regulatory system in China the Hygiene License and the China Inspection Quarantine (CIQ) Labeling Certificate. i. Hygiene License Issued by the State Food and Drugs Administration (SFDA), the Hygiene License is concerning of cosmetic products and ingredients monitoring and supervision. Foreign companies holding Chinese business registration licenses with 3 classified cosmetic products listing below are requested to apply for an Import Hygiene License before their products are allowed to be distributed and placed on the China market (the pre-market approval): â€Å"Special-use cosmetics†, which 8 different sorts of products are included: hair dyeing, hair perm, hair-growth, deodorant, depilation, body shaping (including slimming and breast enlarging), sun cream and spot removing. Non special-use cosmetics† including ordinary BPC products such as skin care, hair, fragrance and manicure/pedicure products that are not belonged to special-use cosmetic category. â€Å"New ingredient†, meaning ingredients that are not listed on the â€Å"Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC)†. There are several documents including the product ingredients list, product quality standard, product testing report and packaging are needed for Hygiene License application. A full list of application documents is attached in the appendix 4. ii. The China Inspection Quarantine (CIQ) Labeling Certificate Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the CIQ Labeling Certificate is concerning of imported products packaging supervision. A full list of application documents is attached in the appendix 4. Foreign BPC companies are required to a Chinese legal reporting representative throughout the SFDA Hygiene Licenses application process. Moreover, as the official language of China is simplified Chinese, all mandatory information should be in simplified Chinese including the full product ingredients list shown on cosmetic labeling. According to Pisacane (2009), the Managing Partner from Great Way Advisory, after submitting all requested documents to the SFDA, the whole application process will take 4 5 months for â€Å"non special-use cosmetics† and 8 9 months for â€Å"special-use cosmetics† to obtain the final certificate as the SFDA review and evaluate imported cosmetics only 6 times a year. In terms of cosmetics import tariffs, the current import tariff bound rate for imported BPC products is about 10% basically but it depends also on the country of origin and the product category which the import tariffs can reach as much as 150%, plus 17% VAT (value added tax) a nd 5% 30% CT (consume tax). 2.3 Chinese Consumers Behaviour Comprising 34% market share in Chinas BPC market in 2010, the skin care sector is worth USD 9.9 billion, growing at a rate above the GDPand will continue to dominate the BPC industry sales for future couple of years. While more and more people in China move from the lower class into the middle class, they are able and willing to spend more money on personal beauty care products. However, despite the fast rise in personal wealth, the development in Chinese BPC market sales growth which is greatly linked to better richness can be very fluctuating due to the countrys strong consumer saving level. Moreover, in terms of the growth of Chinas BPC sub-categories is rather unequal, for example, sector such as skin care (sales value USD 9.9 billions) is reaching mainstream status in 2010 while others such as fragrances (sales value USD 0.58 billions) and sun care (sales value USD 0.48 billions) remain niche segments. Despite these, there are still obvious areas where Chinese consumers are will ing to spend their money generously such as Premium Baby Care (21% sales growth 2009-10), Premium Skin Care (+19%) or Premium Colour Cosmetics (+15%). Chinese consumer behaviour and their knowledge, attitude, use and response to Skin Care products that reflects in their spending patterns are very much linked with Chinese Culture. Grubow(2008)characterises several beauty trends from the view points of Chinese consumers that intensively influence Skin Care market trends in China: desire for status-improving products, medicinal ingredients welcome, respect for skin care regimes, openness to professional advices and demand for luxury packaging.    Desire for Status-Improving Products Tracking back to ancient Chinese culture, giving a fair, even, pale and fragile quality skin look is quite associated with beauty as it implicated being in a aristocratic social stature. The standard of beauty does not actually change much. Today, Chinese women want a fair, flawless, radiance and translucent skin tone which is considered as wealthy and healthy, meanwhile, browner or darker skin is linked with rural and toiling for money. In result, Chinese women are interested in whitening-orientated products (but bleaching ones which do not give an appearance of evenness and a glow skin tone). Interestingly, a recent survey made by Asia Market Intelligence found that around two-thirds Chinese men also prefer fairer skin and are opened to male skin whiteners. This cultural ideal attracts to every class of people, from the mass to ultra luxury channels, and leading brands such as Olay, Shiseido, Nivea and Avon are offering whitening products not only for facial skin but body in Chinese Skin Care market. Another Chinese beauty trend in terms of status-improving is the skin concentration products which cover for examples facial masks, patches and eyes and chest treatment. Mask treatment is considered luxury as it used to be applied only in a spa treatment which required time and money. This â€Å"DIY approach† with masks containing rich textures or high-tech functions appeals to Chinese consumers and makes them feel unique and luxurious. Again, this pattern taps into the sense of status-enhancing.   Medicinal Ingredients Welcome Traditional Chinese herbal medicine impact strongly on many parts of Chinese day to day life and skin care products are no exception. Chinese consumers believe that some special ingredients provide a better benefit of healing and this is highly linked with the Chinese medicinal practices history. Taking examples of burdock, ginseng and green tea extract which contain antioxidants for skin nourishment; these natural ingredients are popular and famous among both younger and older generations because they are believed to be more inartificial and safer than other ingredients.   Respect for Skin Care Regimes Similar as Japanese skin care rituals that a full Japanese daily ritualistic process contains up to 9 separate steps, Chinese women also respect skin care order. They like to arrange their cosmetics on the dressing table and enjoy the skin care rituals consisting separate steps.While Western Consumers are appealed by products with two-in-one or multiple functions such as Neutrogenas 2-in-1 Cleansing Gel (cleansing and mask), Vichys Puretà © Thermale 3-in-1 One Step Cleanser (cleansing, toning and eye makeup remover) or Olays Total Effects, in China, women purchase Neutrogenas Deep Clean Makeup Remover, Cleanser, Blackhead Eliminating Patch and Soothing Mask or Olays Renewal Lightening Toner, Moisturizer, Lotion and Eye Cream.   Openness to professional advices Though the development of beauty and health care speciality drug stores such as Watsons, Mannings and Sasa in China is far behind the pharmacies in France or Japan or the drug stores in Germany, in principal cities of China, the specialty drug stores has witnessed an enormous sales growth during the past decade. Watsons, for instance, had only 80 outlets back in 2005. But last year, it has opened its 700th outlet in China, making it as the leading beauty and health care speciality drug store in Chinas BPC market.This is not just about the locations or its competitive prices policy that attract lots of consumers; the evidence that each Watsons outlet is equipped with counsellors and pharmacists who provide products advices and recommendations is also one of the key reasons that drive consumers into shops. Consumers in China trust and appreciate the advices of skin care from these shop assistances. It is therefore not difficult to interpret that with this advices-welcoming concept, direct-selling brands such as Mary Kay, Artistry and Avon who always come with sales counsellors and host frequently cosmetics seminars and makeup workshops appeal intensively Chinese consumers attention. (In 2010, 4 out of top 10 Skin care brands are categorized as direct-selling channel.) Demand for Luxury Packaging As consumers from emerging countries tend to search for higher cost-effectiveness products, in China, a cosmeceutical product with a luxury packaging is very much appreciated by Chinese consumers as it gives again the sense of status-enhancing. Packaging like heavy glass container appears more attraction for consumers than a plastic container even if it contains better ingredients or product volume. In addition, Trout (2011)suggests that when developing a new product range at different pricing and customer targeting, the design of packaging helps companies to define a â€Å"new† brand image and extend the attraction to wider potential consumers. 2.4 International Operation Strategy 2.4.1 Operation Strategy Strategy, originally derived from Greek word â€Å"strategos†, was firstly used in the military term and then in the management of business. Drucker(1954)proposed that strategy is â€Å"to analyse the current situation, including the inquiring of companys existing or should-be resources, and if necessary, change the situation.† Strategy was was also suggested by Chandler(1962) that â€Å"determines the base of corporations long-term objectives and taken actions, resources and configuration standards to achieve these targets.† In Andrew(1971)s The Concept of Corporate Strategy book, proposed that strategy is â€Å"the scheme of targets development and major policies and plans for the purpose of achieving specific objectives to describe the companys current and future business.† Glueck(1976)considered strategy â€Å"is a unified, coordinated, broad and integrated plan to reach the basic objectives of the organization†. The definition of strategy was a lso given by Porter (1985), â€Å"strategy is the response to external opportunities and threats, and internal strengths and weaknesses, in order to achieve competitive advantages†. In 1990, Ansoffdefined strategy as â€Å"a set of criteria to lead the organizational behaviour for the decision-making.† Kaplan and Norton(1990) described strategy is â€Å"a set of assumptions of cause and effect†. Porter(1996) again explained that strategy is â€Å"to conduct a selection among activities, enabling the organizational competitiveness while creating the sustainability and differences of the market†. There are various ways and results in strategic planning according to organizational goals and objectives that classify strategic management into different frameworks. Scholars attempt to conclude strategies in practice that are partly summarized underneath. However, there is so far no better or the most appropriate classifications or concepts. It is though agreed that a model which can be applicable to organizations would be capable to recognise and assess their chosen strategy content. Ansoff (1965)s Product-Market Growth Matrix (Table 3). Based on two basic aspects (product and market), a four-product-market portfolio is created that corresponds with corporations marketing strategy: Market penetration strategy is based on the present products portfolio, attempting to increase the market share. Market development strategy is to find and develop a new potential market basing on present products. Product development strategy is to create or bring new products in order to replace companys existing products Diversification strategy is to develop new products for new potential market. Porter (1980) characterized three general types of strategies into a category scheme that can be used to achieve and continue business competitive advantages: cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and segmentation strategy (Table 4). David (1986, 1995, 2010), has formed a modern Strategy-Formulation Analytical Framework that assisted strategies generate and evaluate feasible alternatives for the purpose of choosing a specific course of action. Strategies can be recognized, assessed and chosen by this framework which contains three stages including: the input, matching and decision (Table 5). 2.4.2 SWOT Analysis Originally developed by Albert Humphrey in his research project based upon the US Fortune 500 companies during 1960s to 1970s, SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method that specifies the corporate objective and identifies the favourable or unfavourable internal and external factors to accomplish this objective. It defines, analyses and evaluates corporate internal Strengths and Weaknesses and its external Opportunities and Threats that helps the organisation to determine the operational problem and the strategic decision making. A SWOT analysis result matrix was presented by Weihrich(1982) using strategies matching approach to develop relevant future coping strategies (Table 6). The procedures of SWOT analysis are often associated with corporate strategic planning process that can be combined into following steps: Conducting the description of business environment; Identifying and validating all affecting external factors; Predicting and assessing the future changes of external factors; Reviewing the internal strengths and weaknesses; Framing a feasible strategic planning by using SWOT analysis; and Conducting strategic choices and decision making. According to Weihrichs SWOT Analysis Result Matrix (in step five), a result of 22 strategies is hereby described as follows: SO Strategy: in accordance with the Maxi-Maxi principle, to consolidate strengths and improve opportunities. The direction of business development can be for example, (1) focusing on the growth of one single product, technique or market; (2) discovering new market for alternative selling channels; (3) developing new product using organizational resources; or (4) creating a new product life circle for customers to identify with aiming at winning the competitive market. It is the best operational strategy for business development and profits making with a closed coordination of corporate internal resources and external environment. WO Strategy: in accordance with the Mini-Maxi principle, to improve organizational weaknesses and manage opportunities. The result of Mini-Maxi strategic planning can be (1) unrelated diversification; (2) joint venture; (3) strategic alliance; or (4) consortium. ST Strategy: in accordance with the Maxi-Mini principle, to reinforce corporate self-strengths and cope with threats. Examples for strategic decision making can be (1) horizontal integration: integrating business of the same level to reduce competitors; (2) vertical integration: integrating upstream/downstream firms to avoid external threats; or (3) using related diversification improve business synergy.

The Class Struggles of 18th and 19th Centuries in Europe Essay

The Class Struggles of 18th and 19th Centuries in Europe Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto in order to give a voice to the struggling classes in Europe. In the document he expressed the frustrations of the lower class. As Marx began his document with "the history of all hitherto societies has been the history of class struggles" he gave power to the lower classes and sparked a destruction of their opressors.1 He argued that during the nineteenth century Europe was divided into two main classes: the wealthy upper class, the bourgeoisie, and the lower working class, the proletariat. After years of suffering oppression the proletariats decided to use their autonomy and make a choice to gain power. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century the proletariats were controlled and oppressed by the bourgeoisie until they took on the responsibility of acquiring equality through the Communist Manifesto. First it is important to understand the French economy during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The working class people were struggling with their need to get by in life and feed their family and the internal call to make a choice and gain equality. The problem was that the proletariats did not have much of a choice at the time because if they did not work then they did not survive. The struggling class had to agree to what all the owners said and â€Å"whatever their status, the peasants continued to pay to their lord feudal dues on such land as they held on his estates." 2 It was clear that a social change was needed since the workers were being so abused and getting no reward for their efforts. The European society during the eighteenth and nineteenth century consisted of ... ...equality. WEB LINKS http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1850-csf/csf.htm http://eh.net/Clio/Conferences/ASSA/Jan_99/hadeishi.shtml http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/towns.html http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~yamashir/History.htm End Notes 1. Karl Marx, Manifesto of the Communist Party, 1848 (France), 1. 2. John Lough, An Introduction to Eighteenth Century France (New York: David McKay Company Inc., 1960), 18. 3. Craig Calhoun, Habermas and the Public Sphere (London: The MIT Press, 1992), 187. 4. Lough, 53. 5. Gerhard Grempel, "The Eighteenth Century Town" The Eighteenth Century Town, <http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/towns.html> (October 1 2001). 6. Herbert Wilson, The Old Regime in France. (New York: Howard Fertig, 1970), 278.

Analysis of Child Development Research Essay

The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of youth in long-term foster care with a group of children who entered into foster care and were subsequently adopted before reaching the age of 7 (Vinnerljung & Hjern 2011). Previous research conducted by Bohman and Sigvardsson found that at the age of 15, foster children who had been adopted performed as well in school as their peers who had never entered foster care. Children who were still in foster care had poorer grades and more behavioral problems. This gave the first implication that differences in child rearing environments are a strong factor in the positive or negative development of a child. The study consisted of a sample of 3,951 Swedish children born between 1972 and 1981. Each child entered care before the age of 7, and they were tested periodically until age 26. Of these children, 899 were adopted before the age of 7, and 3,062 grew up in foster care for more than 12 years (before aging out of the program at the ag e of 18). Adopted children spent an average of 1.6 years in foster care before adoption, while long-term foster care children spent an average of 16 years in care. The control group consisted of (consensus) data collected from 900,418 children who were never adopted or in foster care. These groups were adjusted for confounding variables, such as parental mental health problems and substance abuse before and/or after birth, as well as for age at entry into care. The outcomes were measured by an intelligence test that consisted of four subtests: logical, spatial, verbal, and technical capabilities. The scores ranged from 1-9, with 5 being average and a higher score indicating a higher cognitive competence. Both experimental groups had weaker outcomes compared to the control population, but foster children measured lower than adopted children in school performance, educational achievement, self-support capability, and cognitive competence. Children who were adopted at ages 4-6 showed improvements in cognitive ability over time, and by their late teens typically scored closely to their non-adopted or fostered peers. Negative outcomes were found to be far more likely for those in long-term foster care, regardless of gender, while adopted children had more favorable outcomes for school performance, cognitive test scores, educational achievement, and reliance on public welfare. Foster children had, on average, lower grades and cognitive abilities. Half of fostered boys had very low or incomplete grades from primary school, compared to 1/3 of adopted boys and 1/5 of the control population boys. For girls, the data was 1/3, 1/6, and 1/12. Attrition rates for grades at the age of 16 were the following: 13.4% for long-term foster care children, 4.3% for adopted children, and 2.4% for non-fostered or adopted children. By the age of 25, around 30% of fostered boys and 25% of fostered girls had only received a primary education. This is three times that of the control population, and twice that of the adoptees. Similarly, more fostered children were dependent on welfare at age 25 than children of the control group or adopted children. PAPER TWO: Developmental outcomes after five years for foster children returned home, remaining in care, or adopted Similar to the first, this study compared the developmental outcomes of children who entered into foster care as infants and either returned home, were adopted, or remained in foster care long-term. The first years of a child’s life are critical for proper development, particularly because younger children are more easily influenced and have the highest levels of brain plasticity (Llyod & Barth, 2011). Furthermore, previous research has suggested that young children in foster care are at a developmental risk compared to their peers. It is possible, then, that either reunification or adoption might alleviate these risks. The sample consisted of 353 children who were initially tested at 13 months, then again at 18, 36, and 66 months. The assessments were conducted with the child and the child’s current caregiver (whether that be biological parent, adoptive parent, or foster parent). The child’s status at 66 months determined their group designation of adopted, reunited/in-home, or fostered. All of the sampled children had to have at least one allegation of maltreatment. Maltreatment was divided into type (physical, emotional, neglect), to adjust for confounding factors. Many different tests were used to assess cognitive and behavioral delays in the children. These included: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Screener (which screens for problems in adaptive behavior and daily living skills), the Pre-school Language Skills (which assess developmental domain of language), the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (which assess cognitive development in children over 4 years), the Woodcock-Johnson III tests of achievement (which assess educational outcomes of children at least 5 years old), and the Child Behavior Checklists (which assess behavior problems in children ages 2 and older). Far fewer children in the adopted group were classified at high developmental risk. This group also scored significantly higher on cognitive stimulation and caregiver responsiveness. The foster care group had the lowest means in cognitive and language skills, but the highest scores in adaptive behavior. On these measures, adopted children and children who were returned to their homes scored relatively close to one another. There were no significant differences among groups in different poverty rates. In conclusion, reunification and adoption generally led to more positive outcomes, while long-term foster care typically resulted in poor developmental outcomes. These findings further suggest that adoptive placement specifically leads to improved social competence, language skills, and reading skills, but lower adaptive behavior development, while reunification mainly leads to better language development, math skills, and reading skills. PAPER THREE: Developmental, Cognitive, and Neuropsychological Functioning in Preschool-aged Foster Children: Associations with Prior Maltreatment and Placement History This study differs slightly from the first two by investigating the physical and cognitive developmental differences between foster children and children living with their biological parents. Typically, younger foster children display higher rates of developmental and mental health problems, which are often associated with maltreatment, multiple placements in foster care, and younger age at initial placement (Pears & Fisher, 2004). However, the majority of children receiving social and mental health services are over the age of 6, despite the fact that most children in foster care are between the ages of 2-5 years. Likewise, studies show that around 60% of the preschoolers entering foster care receive no treatment for developmental delays. The sample consists of two groups of children: the first consisting of 99 3-6 year old foster children, and the second of 54 non-maltreated, same-age, comparable SES children living with their biological families. There were no major differences in mean child age, gender, or ethnicity between the two groups. Height, weight, and head circumference were used to measure physical growth over time. Neuropsychological function was tested with the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, which includes 11 subscales in five domains: visuospatial processing (visual and spatial information processing), memory and learning, sensorimotor function, language, and attention/executive function. Cognitive function was measured with the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Revise. Auditory comprehension and expressive communication were measured with the Preschool Language Scale-Third Edition. Executive function was further measured with two different tasks: the stroop task, where, when a card with a sun on it is held up, the child must say day, and when a card with a moon on it is help up, the child must say night; and the card sort task, where the child must first sort cards according to the shape on the card, and then according to the color of the shape on the card. Height for age was positively associated with memory and language in both groups, although the correlation was slightly stronger in the foster group. Foster children were, in general, shorter and lighter, and had smaller head circumferences than same-aged children in the control group. Children in the control group scored higher than foster children in visuospatial functioning, language, and general cognitive functioning. There was a moderately positive correlation between the age at which a child was first placed into foster care and the child’s executive function. Children placed in foster care before the age of 2 scored significantly lower on visuospatial processing, and children with more than the average number of placements had lower scores on executive functioning. IMPLICATIONS AND POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS All three of the studies show that children placed in long-term foster care typically have more developmental delays and behavioral issues than children who are adopted, reunited with their biological families, or never enter foster care in the first place. A general conclusion can be made in that foster children need higher quality care and support from their foster parents, caseworkers, and doctors. The negative educational trends found by Vinnerljung and Hjern (2011) suggest that foster children received less satisfactory support in their schoolwork than adopted children. Foster parents and caseworkers could benefit from lessons in how to interpret a child’s behavior, nurture the child, and create a supportive learning environment for the child. This is especially important for younger children. Limited caseloads for social workers would allow for workers to concentrate on children and spend more time ensuring that they are receiving proper care. It is also clear that foster children would benefit from more early intervention services. Early development, as discussed by Lloyd and Barth (2011), is rapid and easily influenced by environment and quality of caregivers. Intervention services could prevent developmental delays, and lessen preexisting ones. Currently, resources within the system are limited, and largely consumed by older foster children. This is assumed to be because as children age, they become a larger threat to themselves (by displaying instances of self harm, suicide, increased violence, etc.), and thus, are referred to mental health specialists. However, most of these behaviors stem from existing conditions present at a younger age, and would be more easily controlled if addressed at the younger age. It would then also be important that these children receive consistent, satisfactory health care. Screenings for developmental delays and other behavioral problems would increase the ability to catch these problems early on, and treat them when the child is still young, and potentially easier to help. As well, because foster children are constantly changing homes, it would be important to maintain records of these screenings, so that the information is always readily available to caregivers, caseworkers, and doctors. This will ensure that the child is always receiving appropriate care. All three studies show the negative association between long-term foster care and a child’s development, even with skilled caregivers and placement stability. Working toward the preservation of families and the avoidance of placement in foster care may benefit the child developmentally. If necessary, the child may be removed from the home for a period of time, but there should be increased efforts made to reunite child and parent. Increased programing for parents (rehab programs, teaching about early childhood development, etc.) could increase such potential. References Llyod, C., & Barth, R. (2011). Developmental outcomes after five years for foster children returned home, remaining in care, or adopted. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(8), 1383-1391. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.04.008 Pears, K. & Fisher, P. (2004). Developmental, cognitive, and neuropsychological functioning in preschool-aged foster children: Associations with prior maltreatment and placement history. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(2), 112-122. Vinnerljung, B., & Hjern, A. (2011). Cognitive, educational and self support outcomes of long- term foster care versus adoption: A Swedish national cohort study. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), 1902-1910. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.05.016

Evolution of Wireless Technology Essay

These days when you hear the term wireless technology people automatically think of Wi-Fi or wireless internet, but the thing is wireless technology has been around much longer than wireless internet, or even internet itself. The thing is wireless technology has been around as long as the late 1800’s and has tremendously evolved over the course of the last 100 years since its creation and existence. The first true demonstration of wireless technology was the wireless telegraph system, which lead to the birth of the radio, which evolved to cellular phones, and has now gave way to what we know today as Wi-Fi. It has be the evolution of wireless technology and its abilities that has taken a giant leap in the technology race and is still maturing since it has only been around for 100 or so years. The first true wireless technological demonstration was when a message was transmitted between two English telegraph offices. This major feat was accomplished by Guglielmo Marconi who invented the first wireless telegraph. Marconi later gave way to the â€Å"Birth of the Radio† in 1897 when he was awarded the patent for the wireless telegraph by radio waves. Marconi later established a station on Needles Island that communicated with the English coast. At this time in history wireless was so new but so innovating that many saw how it could improve communication time vastly and was being improved to further the distance at which messages could be communicated. Only a year later after Marconi set up the station was communication between France and England established. It only took 3 more years for Marconi to set up communication across the Atlantic from Cornwall to Newfoundland which lead to Marconi getting the Nobel Peace Prize for physics for his discovery with radio waves and wireless communication. The birth of the radio we think of these days as hearing a voice transmitted didn’t happen until 1914 with the first voice over radio transmission. It wasn’t long till people started using radios to relay information to people. The first real use of radios was in Detroit when the police installed radio receivers in all their police cars to tell the drivers locations and other useful information. The next big advancement in wireless technology with the radio was the discovery and use of AM and FM radios that transmitted over different frequencies. AM radio waves vary with the combination of audio frequencies and radio frequencies, this allows for long distance communication but is susceptible interference from electricity and many other things; FM radio waves change to reproduce the audio signal, which allows for little to no interference and much better sound quality, but shortens the distance that FM radio waves can travel significantly. The major downside to radio at this time is that it is one way of communication; you have someone sending the message to someone else with a receiver, not cross communication. This was somewhat fixed with the introduction of two way radios that allowed for one person to talk to another through a handheld radio that worked off of different channels. The only problem with two way radios was that they were somewhat limited to range and it was possible for other people to listen in on communications. The next major advancement in wireless technology came in 1979 when Japan deployed the first cellular communication system. At this time though the system was crude and wasn’t able to support many users and service was poor. It took a few years for the systems to advance and become sufficient enough to support commercial use. In 1991 the US Digital Cellular Phone System was introduced and only a year later was the first (GSM) cellular phones approved for sale. After cellular phones hit the market wireless technology boomed in advancement. Companies were working on providing better quality service to more people around the nation and around the world as the number of cellular users surpassed 10 million. Only a few years down the road were the first smart phones hitting the market, which were capable of sending and receiving emails and fax services. Smart phones have since advanced to the point where we are capable of sending and receiving pictures and video, as well as achieving the ability to live stream video chat across your cell phone providers’ data connection. The cellular phone since hasn’t had many more breakthroughs in wireless technology other than improved signal quality and a larger coverage area. Another significant breakthrough in the wireless technology field was the introduction of satellites and satellite phones. Satellite phones were created as a means of placing a call to anyone from anywhere around the orld. As the name states, satellite phones transmit a satellite signal to one of 48 satellites orbiting the globe, from there the signal bounces around until it reaches a satellite that has a direct signal with the ground receiver it needs to transfer to. Satellites were created for many reasons but one was for a fast and easy way to transmit data from anywhere to anywhere around the globe. Howev er unlike radios, cell phones, and Wi-Fi; satellites transmit data on a spectrum that is regulated by the government and you need licensing to use a satellite signals. Another significant breakthrough in satellite technology was the introduction of satellite television, which enabled companies to broadcast television shows and movies to houses via satellite dish pointed towards the ellipses of a satellite. The one downside to satellite technology is that it needs an unobstructed signal in order to make a connection. The first real breakthrough in Wi-Fi was actually in 1985, several years before Wi-Fi was invented. In 1985 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), America’s telecoms regulator opened several bands in the wireless spectrum. This decision allowed these bands to be used without the need for a government license; at the time this was unheard of because there was very little unlicensed spectrum. A visionary engineer, Michael Marcus, sanctioned three chunks of the industrial, scientific, and medical bands of the spectrum to be opened to communications entrepreneurs. The next major advancement Wi-Fi came when several companies realized that the best way for it to thrive amongst the populace was to be universal so that a person wasn’t locked into a particular vendor’s products. It was at this time the Institute of Electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) was approached by Viktor Hayes and Bruce Tuch from Bell labs for create a standard for all wireless internet providers to abide by. A committee called 802. 11 was set up with Mr. Hayes as chairman, and the negotiations started. It took a few years for the majority of vendors to come to an agreement and in 1997 the committee came up with a basic specification, of using spread-spectrum technologies, frequency hopping, or direct-sequence transmission. Engineers at this time quickly came up with prototypes to comply with the standard and two variants emerged, the 802. 11b which operated on the 2. 4GHz band and the 802. 11a which operated on the 5. 8GHz band. It was at this time the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) coined the term Wi-Fi as it was a consumer friendly name that stuck. So now the technology had been standardized; it had a name; now all it needed was a company to bring it to the market, and so it found one with Apple. Apple told Lucent that if it could make an adapter for fewer than one hundred dollars it would incorporate it into all of its laptops, and so shortly after it found its way into the new iBook. It didn’t take long for every other company to follow suite. Wi-Fi was then boosted by the popularity for high-speed broadband internet connections that allowed several computers to connect to one access point without the need for cables. In the last few years there haven’t really been any breakthroughs in wireless technology, just some major tweaking to the rules and regulations. The FCC tweaked the rules to allow a new standard 802. 11g which uses orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) which is capable of achieving speeds up to 54 megabits per second in the 2. 4GHz band. Since then many other variants have come up across the last few years such as 3G and 4G mobile phone networking and mobile hotspots which have provided better and faster internet to more people on the go as they are able to create a short range Wi-Fi â€Å"hotspot† from their cellular phone or adapter which has allowed people to bring the internet with them. A new technology has also popped up, 802. 16 also known as WiMax, which is capable of providing up to 70 megabits per second and capable of reaching 50 kilometers, much better than Wi-Fi that is only capable of 50 meters. Another standard 802. 15. 3 known as WiMedia, a short range high capacity connection specifically designed for media, capable of streaming videos and providing networking for entertainment devices. In the last two or three years wireless technology hasn’t seen any advancement, but many companies are working to come out with the next biggest thing to profit off of, and there is no doubt that wireless technology has not seen its demise for further advancing. In the last hundred years wireless technology started from sending a short simple message via telegraph to streaming videos, playing games and live steaming video chat across home and mobile broadband networks and satellite connections, wireless technology has rooted itself deep within society and as yet to improve even further as technology itself advances and revolutionizes our world. We have seen this technology evolve from telegraphs, to one way radios, two way radio transmitters, cellular devices, satellite signals, wireless internet to computers, to mobile wireless internet to phones and laptops; all while continuing to advance to meet societies needs and demands for something that is even better and faster. Only time can tell what the next big advancement in the wireless technology field will be and where it will take us, but one thing is for sure, it hasn’t finished advancing.

Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essays

Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essays Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essay Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essay INDEXPAGE INTODUCTION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY3 DEFINITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY3 COMPANY PROFILE Profile 4 Vision and Mission 4 INFORMATION SYSTEM IN PNB PNB IT Setup * IT Setup4 * Network Design4 * Storage5 * WAN amp; Connectivity5 * Security Systems5 * Hardware amp; Software Resources6 Organizations Other Computing Resource * Payroll TPS6 * Online Assistance7 * Account Opening – MIS7 * SPNS, RTGS 7 * Mobile Alert Service7 Cloud Computing8 Recommendations9 References10 Introduction Development of Information technology is showing its importance for development in all the sectors across. Information technology in recent years showed a complete revolution in how information is collected, stored/managed and used in both business and government around the world. The world and the workplace has been changed from working on paper documents which always face the problem of errors and delays, to the world of computers and information technology where work is carried out in its own way with accuracy and on time. Information technology can be even used to interconnect different systems for the purpose to share and exchange information in the organisation for everyone’s use. mcst. gov. mv/Downloads/Documents/Samp;T/Part2-03Information_Technology. pdf ) Definition of Information Technology. Information technology system refers to all the hardware and software that are used in the organisation may be any industry to operate different functions such as store-manage the information, retrieve and control the stored information. At the lowest level organisations have the net working tools and servers with an operating system. Database and web serving software are installed on these servers. These networking tools help to connect all the database to each other and also to all the users in need who have their personal hardware, operating system, and software tools. ( mariosalexandrou. com/definition/information-technology. asp ) PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (PNB) 1. A professionally established and managed bank with a successful track record of over 110 years. 2. It is the Largest branch network in India of 4668 Offices including 432 Extension Counters all across the country 3. Business covers all the main cities including the metro-politant one’s. 4. Strong hold in the banking relationships with over 217 international banks of the globe. 5. Many well-known international banks maintain their Rupee Accounts with PNB. Vision To be a Leading Global Bank with Pan India footprints and become a household brand in the Indo-Gangetic Plains providing entire range of financial products and services under one roof Mission Banking for the unbanked IT SETUP in PNB. PNB has a huge number of applications running on its network like any other Banking/Financial Institution. All the platforms of the bank has standardized on UNIX operating system and RDBMS on Oracle. Bank also uses other OS like Microsoft’s windows 2000/ XP which are enabled in the centres. The hardware PNB uses are provided by the ‘Sun Microsystems’ for Web servers at the data centre. PNB branches are also using Compaq, IBM and Xeon servers. DOS machines are also used for the running of some ATM machines. Network design Cisco has linked with PNB to frame the network design and execute a nationwide network strength to connect all its offices across. PNB will adapt an understanding from CISCO to better impelemnt many technologies related with the project. This established network infrastructure gave a way for PNB to normalize the applications and software needed to carry out the banking services and other functions. Implementations of new-world routing and switching technologies connects many branches of PNB to the data centre. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) Storage systems Keeping into the mind the RBIs storage requirement guidelines bank has met the Policies and have been made to store transaction data for around 10 years. In certain cases, data is stored permanently. Nearly 164 Sun enterprise class servers are used in DAS architecture. The total capacity is of several TB’s. The Sun hardware uses an in-built storage management tool. Later look over a storage management application from VERITAS. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) WAN and connectivity 101 branches of the PNB were on a WAN in the year 2000. The bank then expanded the number to 500-odd branches on the WAN in the year 2002, and in coming next 3 years the WAN had around two thousand branches. The bank worked on many connectivity methods. 02. 11b Wireless connectivity was installed in 5 branches to begin with. PNB then started using the leased lines and used its network/internet connectivity from Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. It also used used leased lines form other companies between Mumbai and Delhi. Reliance Infocomms fiber optic became the in locations where the optic fiber was unable to reach. with HCL Com-net carried out all the monitoring operations of the country wide network twenty four hours all seven days. There is a direct live connectivity between HCL and PNBs IT head office. a separate monitoring system is used to remotely monitor banks IT facility. Security Systems PNB could afford no compromise and hence security became very important. The security architecture had to be strong, efficient, properly managed, trustworthy, and scalable to meet up present needs as well as in the future. Cisco was the company which was appointed as the service provider and it succeeded in meeting these strict requirements. The bank uses loads of security softwares and products like IDSs ,Anti-virus programmes/software’s and Firewalls and from Cisco to enable protection and avoid threats from its LANs and WAN. Ramco Systems are the security integrator for PNB. The security integrator is accountable for the complete security infrastructure and is reponsible for any kind of security break-down. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) Software Resources PNB is using many software’s for its operational activities for its smooth and efficient running, the Softwares which PNB implements are as follows:- . Microsoft office 2003 2. Operating System’s:- UNIX, Solaris, Windows NT, 2000 Server, XP etc.. 3. Attack Filters: Spyware, Trojan, VoIP etc. 4. Protocols: IP, VLAN, DNS, HTTP, FTP, TCP, TELNET, UTP etc. 5. Databases: MS Access, MS SQL, Oracle, FoxPro. 6. Bank-mate 7. Acrobat Reader Hardware Resources To fulfill the requirement and as per compatibility with the software PNB uses these hardware are used as a support to the software above. They are as follows:- 1. Network Cards. 2. Printer 3. Sun’s hardware for Solaris, 4. Routers, Scanners 5. NT Based servers from IBM, 6. HCL, IBM etc Desktops, etc. Organizations Other Computing Resources Payroll Transaction Processing System Payroll TPS is a distinctive accounting transaction processing system used by PNB. Payroll TPS keeps track of the money paid to employees. Master file cosists of separate pieces of information (such as a name, address, or employee number) called as data elements. Data are keyed into the system, updating the data elements. The elements on the master file are shared in different ways to make reports of interest to management and government agencies and to send pay checks to employees. This helps the Management view employee’s efficiency to work and may declare additional bonus or any other incentive payable. This report is checked, revised and approved by the branch manager, only after which the pay cheque is issued to the employee. Online Assistance PNB provides its customers online assistance by providing i-banking, online complaints, providing them information about various products and services. These complaints and supports are processed by customer care services Executive. Hence there is a need for a proper data base for controlling all the information on the website. Account Opening – MIS is used. In account opening the Management Information System (MIS) is used, every information about the customer is recorded/feeded like their name, address, account, type of account, account information, their sample signature, these helps in Identification of customer instantly and creating a database at faster rate. This includes the filling of KYC and AC forms. SPNS (Shared Payment Network System) Swadhan, the first SPNS launched in Mumbai by IBA. The banks that join on this network could issue the cards to consumers to transact on the networks. RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) RTGS System is a payment settlement system that minimizes the credit risk in the established cheque clearing system. RTGS settles the funds on a near real time basis across Banks in various locations. Bank offers this quick electronic fund transfer facility to RTGS enabled bank branches across everywhere throughout the country. Mobile Alert Service The customers now have the facility to enrol for the Mobile Alert Service for receiving alerts on registered mobile phone numbers instantly after there is any transaction of the fundsin the account. CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e. g. , networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models. ( http://servicesoftware. blogspot. com/2009/12/cloud-computing-nist-definition. html ) Advantages ( Cloud Computing )Disadvantages Reduced CostRequires a constant Internet connection. Increased StorageDoesnt work well with low-speed connections. Highly Automated Features might be limited FlexibilityStored data can be lost More Mobility Stored data might not be secure. Allows IT to Shift Focus Recommendations There are various available alternatives for which the banking industry can opt. These are:- Office Accounting Professional 2009 SAP ERP Financials Tally 9: Financial Accounting and Inventory Management Software Flexcube – ‘i-flex solutions’ Hyperion Financial Management System 9 The bank is using information system efficiently and it has increased the customer satisfaction, efficiency, data storage, fast data retrieval. But to improve more and regarding future success of PNB here are the some suggestions. 1. The bank must update Hardware to get maximum performance from Information Systems in order to allow the IS to procure the least amount of system resources it requires for functioning. 2. The bank should update all their software, networks etc to keep information system up to date for competitive edge, customer satisfaction. 3. Steps should be taken to increase the safety amp; to avoid the unethical practices like phishing. 4. Need for improved training for using Information Technology and tools to employees. 5. Intra firm communication should be improved. In context of cloud computing suitability with the working of the bank and its information system, Cloud Computing is highly recommended as business can be connected all over the country investing less in hardware’s and software’s. This can be benefial to control overall banking from a particular place including the routine business transactions and e-banking. It may fasten the working and attract more customers by its services which are quicker than the competitors not using this modern technology. References ( mcst. gov. mv/Downloads/Documents/Samp;T/Part2-03Information_Technology. pdf ) ( mariosalexandrou. com/definition/information-technology. asp) ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml) (http://servicesoftware. blogspot. com/2009/12/cloud-computing-nist-definition. html) ( macs. hw. ac. uk/modules/F24SR1/linksis/lec5. htm)

Quotes from Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Quotes from Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Metamorphosis is a famous novella by Franz Kafka. The work centers around a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa who wakes up one morning to realize hes turned into a bug. The absurdist story was considered to be part of the Dada art movement. Metamorphosis Quotes When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. He was lying on his back as hard as armor plate, and when he lifted his head a little, he saw his vaulted brown belly, sectioned by arch-shaped ribs, to whose dome the cover, about to slide off completely, could barely cling. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, were waving helplessly before his eyes.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 1 Why was only Gregor condemned to work for a firm where at the slightest omission they immediately suspected the worst? Were all employees louts without exception, wasnt there a single loyal, dedicated worker among them who, when he had not fully utilized a few hours of the morning for the firm, was driven half-mad by pangs of conscience and was actually unable to get out of bed? - The Metamorphosis, Ch. 1 And now he could see him, standing closest to the door, his hand pressed over his open mouth, slowly backing away as if repulsed by an invisible, unrelenting force. His mother - in spite of the managers presence she stood with her hair still unbraided from the night, sticking out in all directions - first looked at his father with her hands clasped, then took two steps towards Gregor, and sank down in the midst of her skirt spreading out around her, her face completely hidden on her breast. With a hostile expression, his father clenched his fist, as if to drive Gregor back into his room, then looked uncertainly around the living room, shielded his eyes with his hands, and sobbed with heaves of his powerful chest. - The Metamorphosis, Ch. 1 Those had been wonderful times, and they had never returned, at least not with the same glory, although later on Gregor earned enough money to meet the expenses of the entire family and actually did so. They had just gotten used to it, the family as well as Gregor, the money was received with thanks and given with pleasure. - The Metamorphosis, Ch. 2 Hardly she entered the room than she would run straight to the window without taking time to close the door - though she was usually so careful to spare everyone the sight of Gregors room - then tear open the casements with eager hands, almost as if she were suffocating, and remain for a little while at the window even in the coldest weather, breathing deeply. With this racing and crashing, she frightened Gregor twice a day; the whole time he cowered under the couch, and yet he knew very well that she would certainly have spared him this if only she had found it possible to stand being in a room with him with the window closed.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 2 Into a room in which Gregor ruled the bare walls all alone, no human being beside Grete was ever likely to set foot.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 2 Gregors serious wound, from which he suffered for over a month - the apple remained imbedded in his flesh as a visible souvenir since no one dared to remove it - seemed to have reminded even his father that Gregor was a member of the family, in spite of his present pathetic and repulsive shape, who could not be treated as an enemy; that on the contrary, it was the commandment of family duty to swallow their disgust and endure him, endure him and nothing more.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 3 What the world demands of poor people they did to the utmost of their ability; his father brought breakfast for the minor officials at the bank, his mother sacrificed herself to the underwear of strangers, his sister ran back and forth behind the counter at the request of the customers; but for anything more than this they did not have the strength.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 3 I wont pronounce the name of my brother in front of this monster, and so all I say is: we have to try and get rid of it. Weve done everything humanly possible to take care of it and to put up with it; I dont think anyone can blame us in the least.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 3, pg. 51 Growing quieter and communicating almost unconsciously through glances, they thought that it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband. And it was like a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions when at the end of the ride their daughter got up first and stretched her young body.- The Metamorphosis, Ch. 3

Running Delphi Applications With Parameters

Running Delphi Applications With Parameters Though it was much more common in the days of DOS, modern operating systems also let you run command line parameters against an application so that you can specify what the application should do. The same is true for your Delphi application, whether it be for a console application or one with a GUI. You can pass a parameter from Command Prompt in Windows or from the development environment in Delphi, under the Run Parameters menu option. For this tutorial, well be using the parameters dialog box to pass command line arguments to an application so that itll be as if were running it from Windows Explorer. ParamCount and ParamStr() The ParamCount function returns the number of parameters passed to the program on the command line, and ParamStr returns a specified parameter from the command line. The OnActivate event handler of the main form is usually where the parameters are available. When the application is running, its there that they can be retrieved. Note that in a program, the CmdLine variable contains a string with command line arguments specified when the application was started. You can use CmdLine to access the entire parameter string passed to an application. Sample Application Start up a new project and place a Button component on Form. In the buttons OnClick event handler, write the following code: procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject) ;begin ShowMessage(ParamStr(0)) ; end; When you run the program and click the button, a message box appears with the path and file name of the executing program. You can see that ParamStr works even if you havent passed any parameters to the application; this is because the array value 0 stores the file name of the executable application, including path information. Choose Parameters from the Run menu, and then add Delphi Programming to the drop-down list. Note: Remember that when you pass parameters to your application, separate them with spaces or tabs. Use double quotes to wrap multiple words as one parameter, like when using long file names that contain spaces. The next step is to loop through the parameters using ParamCount() to get the value of the parameters using ParamStr(i). Change the buttons OnClick event handler to this: procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject) ;var j:integer; beginfor j : 1 to ParamCount do ShowMessage(ParamStr(j)) ; end; When you run the program and click the button, a message appears that reads Delphi (first parameter) and Programming (second parameter).

Ethic paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Ethic paper - Essay Example In 2011, Egypt had been facing numerous security issue of the leadership of the nation and the damage that was resultant of the chaos not to mention the number of deaths and injuries was numerous (Kirkpatrick, 2014). All this was being fuelled by the journalists in especially the print media who citing their freedom of expression in the constitution reported anything and everything leading to more fights (Aljazeera-America, 2015). The government censored the media preventing them from printing stories related to the leadership of the nation as this would cause further damages and deaths. This was an unwelcome decision by the Egypt media leading to debates (Chammah, 2011). What should be remembered is that even though this move harms the journalists, media censorship over security issues of a nation is more of a necessity than infringement of the media freedom of expression. The facts in this case are that the journalists; freedom of expression is being curtailed by the government through the media censorship. They are gaged not to report any news until the government ban on the media is uplifted which will happen once the security threats subside. On the other hand, there is the government which is trying to govern the people and restore peace and calm in the country but their efforts seem to be hitting dead end with the media perpetration of the crowd with leadership allegations and stories. It has to think about the larger society and not just the small community of journalists and their rights and gaging them is the best solution for the moment if peace and normalcy are to be restored in the country. Values refer to the available choices for the facts mentioned above. The values to be considered have to be moralistic based on Kantian theory of good or bad and objectivity being upheld in the ethical decisions (Kant & Pluhar, 2002). The journalists have to not only making their news sensational and selling them but have to consider minimizing

Discuss how your ovservations support or contradict these writings Essay

Discuss how your ovservations support or contradict these writings - Essay Example It is true that when sometimes one person is stuck working on a project in solitude that they perhaps may run into a brick wall and not be able to think outside of the box. When working as a team, new ideas flow from all different directions. The only problem with this collaboration is that sometimes it can create conflict with in a group work setting. To manage conflict, it is important that everyone works together to communicate ideas effectively so that they can create something innovative. It often takes one leader to take charge of a project in order to manage it and to get everyone else on board with the idea. On the contrary, the article states that psychologists Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Gregory Feist have conducted studies where â€Å"the most spectacularly creative people in many fields are often introverted,† and that they are â€Å"not joiners by nature,† (Cain). This can be true for many as well. Some people may have the type of personalities where they like to take do something on their own. This may be because they are a little bit of a control freak and know that if they want something done right, then they have to do it themselves. There are a world full of people who operate best under this situation. They can do their own thing on their own time and at their own pace in order to get something done and to get it done to their own personal satisfaction. Sometimes doing something by yourself is very gratifying because you can take full credit for what you have accomplished. I believe that it is possible to be creative within a group. It does take some effort to be heard. Depending on the size of the group, one person may have a great idea and someone else can expand on it, making it even bigger and better. For others, they may feel put on the spot if they are asked to throw in their own thoughts and they come to a blank simply because of the pressure that working in a group can result in.

Contemporary Brand Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Contemporary Brand Management - Essay Example "Americans have the largest per capita consumption of beer in the world. Europe is the home to most of the world-renowned breweries. These include, Carlsberg, Grolsch, Heineken, Fosters, and Stella Artois to name a few. Belgium is Beer country, but for other reasons. Belgians drink less beer. That's right! Beer consumption in Belgium has more than halved during the last 75 years. The figures, which were published recently the Flemish daily 'Het Laatste Nieuws' (March, 2006), showed that per capita consumption of beer in Belgium stood at just 95 litres per annum. The reason The Belgian Beer Association's Theo Vervloet told the paper that despite this fall, the breweries didn't want to encourage youngsters to start drinking early. Despite the disappointing figures, the Association of Belgian Breweries were against aggressive advertising campaign to force up the beer consumption within Belgium. It is estimated that the world consumes over 100billion liters of beer. Reports show that this value is on the rise due to an increased amount of under-aged drinkers and an increasing variety of beers. When it comes to beer, America is the greatest consumer, for people there ingest around 23billion liters annually. 23billion liters is equal to the quantity (in SI units) of 23gigaliters"(Johnny Alicea, Volume of World Beer Consumption, hypertextbook.com). Stella Artois, a Belgian brewery produces Pilsner beer that has a strong following not only in Belgium, but the whole of Europe and North America as well. 2.0 Industry Background Belgium is Beer country. Despite its size and population, Belgium is among the top beer producing countries in Europe. The Netherlands, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom are the others in Europe who can boast of more or equal production. (Refer EPISTILE Analysis, Appendices 1.0). The major players in Belgium who contribute to their beverage output for local consumption and exports are: Brasserie d'Achouffe, Affligem Brouwerij, NV Brouwerijen Alken-Maes, Brouweri Het Anker, Artois, Brasserie Du Bocq s.a., Brouwerij Bosteels, Chimay, Brouwerij De, Keersmaeker Brouwerij De Koninck, Brouwerij De Gouden Boom, Brouwerij De Ryck, Duvel Moortgat, Brouwerij Haacht, Brouwerij Hoegaarden, Van Honsebrouck, Brasserie Jupiler, Brouwerij Palm NV, Brouwerij Riva nv., Brouwerij Rodenbach, Brouwerij St.Bernard, Brasserie Union, Brouwerij Van Steenberge, 't Pakhuis, and Brouwerij Der Trappisten van Westmalle. (Pattinson, www.xs4all.nl). Abbey, Non-/low-alcohol, Amber, British type, Gueze/fruit, Luxe pils, Pils, Regional, Table Beer, Trappist, Wetbier, Sour, Strong golden were the different beer sold in and by Belgium. From the analysis of the report published in the "Het Brouwersblad" June 2004, p.12, and "Het Brouwersblad" June 2005, p.8, publications, the maximum production was of Pilsner, at a staggering figure of 7,044,252 out of 9,935,211hectolitres in 2003, and 6,930,525b out of a total of 9,702,619b Hectolitres in 2004 (Pattinson, www.x

Engineering ethics paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Engineering ethics - Research Paper Example This specific branch of Genetic Engineering is called Transgenics (Frewer, 2013). Even though Genetic Engineering has led to the emergence of very superb hybrid and chimeras species of animals and plants and, has also resulted to the discovery of vaccines for various diseases, it is still unethical scientific practice that has always violated the integrity and rights of many animals and the culture of man as well. Many people live in fear of this mysterious technology and a number of animals, both wild and domestic are at risk of being killed in the course of the several Genetic tests. In fact, much concern is on these victimized animals (Ormandy, 2011). Below are some of ethical issues. To the religious world, the Transgenic practice of isolating genes and tissues from one animal and inserting them into another is very immoral and unacceptable act. Such acts are unnatural practices that seek to dismantle the creation design of God. For instance, the harvesting of genes from human tumor and implanting them into tobacco plant has ignited a bitter disagreement religious culture of man and Science (Brad, 2009). During the transfer of genes and cells from an animal to human being, some zoonotic diseases (diseases that are found in both animals and human) may be carried along side. Such diseases include Nipah and Bovine, commonly known as the â€Å"mad cow disease†. These diseases are very lethal and can easily lead to sudden death of man if not diagnosed in good time (Conn, 2008). The genetically modified food has posed health threats to lay society which do not clearly understand how such foods were quickly manufactured in laboratories. It is very evident that genetically modified foods can interfere with normal functioning of the human body and has a long term health effect. Some individuals have rapidly gained weight after eating highly processed and hybrid products. Animal Welfare has been the main concern when it comes to ethical issues in Genetic

Phonetic exercises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Phonetic exercises - Essay Example Phonetic exercises This course has given me a good understanding of the processes involved in articulation, articulation points and the manner of articulation. This knowledge will prove handy in helping students with pronunciation difficulties especially those taking English as a second language and for whom, their first language structure is markedly different in structure fromthat of the English language e. g in the pronunciation of consonants. Sounds are the building blocks of language. A good understanding of sounds contribute to better spelling, flowing speech, and good reading skills and better comprehension. I have learned that in English there are many ways in which to spell the same sound. Therefore in oral tests, the manner in which a student perceives sound determines how he/ she spells it. Different words have different sounds and meaning attached to them and so sounds give melody to language. The right intonation of sounds can convey a host of human feelings such as empathy, anger. Sounds can show confidence or certainty of our words. This course has helped me a appreciate the two fold meaning that sound can bring into one sentence through the use of word stress and sentence intonations to alter meaning. Constructing exercises for learners of English as a second language is now easier because of the emphasis I have learned that phonetics play on the meaning and the message sentences carry. I can also comfortably test the oral capability of my students from my knowledge of how words are constructed and how the vocal apparatus achieves this.

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

Topic Critique - Essay Example t "to the extent that an individual can learn to perform some mental skills without conscious attention, the conscious part of the brain is freed to attend to other mental activities, thus enlarging its cognitive scope (Dickinson). For example, a person who is interested in music will learn the lyrics and tunes of a song easily without giving much conscious attention to learn it. On the other hand, same person may struggle to learn mathematics in the absence of interest, even if he performs some conscious efforts. From the above examples it is clear that certain brain activities are controlling the learning capabilities of a person unknowingly. Herman Epstein suggested that periods of rapid brain growth are the times for intellectually challenging curriculum, and that plateau periods, such as in adolescence, are the times for more concrete, experiential learning rather than pushing students too soon into abstract thinking (Dickinson) The analysing powers of a person varies differently during his life span. Alcohol or drug usages may not be considered as a sin by some youths. But the same youths may regret for their activities after ten or fifteen years. In other words, same thing may be perceived differently by the same person during different stages of his life because of differences in brain activities at different periods. Music is an entity which can control and comfort the brain activities. Even distressed persons will get a soothing effect when they hear music. A calm and peaceful mind is essential for proper learning. A learner’s mind will always be under tension because of some external parameters which may have nothing to do with learning. Music can eliminate all such negative parameters of learning and can keep the learner’s mind fully focussed on the learning activity alone. All the people hate noise, but most of them like music because of its smooth rhythm and feeling it create. â€Å"The intentional use of music in the classroom will set the scene

Phonetic exercises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Phonetic exercises - Essay Example Phonetic exercises This course has given me a good understanding of the processes involved in articulation, articulation points and the manner of articulation. This knowledge will prove handy in helping students with pronunciation difficulties especially those taking English as a second language and for whom, their first language structure is markedly different in structure fromthat of the English language e. g in the pronunciation of consonants. Sounds are the building blocks of language. A good understanding of sounds contribute to better spelling, flowing speech, and good reading skills and better comprehension. I have learned that in English there are many ways in which to spell the same sound. Therefore in oral tests, the manner in which a student perceives sound determines how he/ she spells it. Different words have different sounds and meaning attached to them and so sounds give melody to language. The right intonation of sounds can convey a host of human feelings such as empathy, anger. Sounds can show confidence or certainty of our words. This course has helped me a appreciate the two fold meaning that sound can bring into one sentence through the use of word stress and sentence intonations to alter meaning. Constructing exercises for learners of English as a second language is now easier because of the emphasis I have learned that phonetics play on the meaning and the message sentences carry. I can also comfortably test the oral capability of my students from my knowledge of how words are constructed and how the vocal apparatus achieves this.

My Life Learning Experience with R.S.V Essay Example for Free

My Life Learning Experience with R.S.V Essay R. S. V My Life Learning Experience with R. S. V Name Course Title Teacher Date Abstract Many individuals have experienced problems with their hospitals or health care facilities. An important concept that I learned from facing this family crisis that will be examined in this paper is that, when a family member becomes seriously ill, they need quality medical care. Sometimes, when a persons life is at stake, the further a person lives from medical facilities which can offer quality care can be a grave factor. R. S. V 1 R. S. V in Infants This paper will examine several lessons and concepts which I learned from personal life-learning experiences. Three examples that will be addressed in this paper will examine a different aspect of a certain life-learning experience. In researching and analyzing each aspect of a life-learning experience, this paper will examine the four elements of Kolbs Model of Experimental Learning. The first aspect of the lessons I learned after enduring a family crisis which this paper will explore includes how I learned about an illness that frequently affects infants called Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a respiratory virus which has many of the same symptoms as the common cold and is usually contracted by children during winter months. After my newborn son, Carter Forrest Barnhart began displaying symptoms of a common cold, my husband and I took Carter to his local pediatrician. Unfortunately, the pediatrician improperly diagnosed the virus as a simple common cold and sent Carter, my husband and I back home. However, after we returned home, his symptoms did not improve. Instead, he began coughing profusely and did not want to eat. I became greatly concerned about our sons health. Within a few days, Carter had lost weight and become weak. Then his breathing appeared to be abnormal, and my husband and I began to suspect that something else was wrong with Carter. R. S. V 2 By April 7th, 2002, Carters breathing problems got considerably worse, and my husband and I thought that he could possibly suffocate. So, in a desperate attempt to help Carters health, we brought our son to the nearest hospital. He was then hospital, arrangements needed to be made to send him to Charleston Area Medical Center. Carter later arrived safely at the Women and Childrens Hospital, a division of the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia. He was then placed in the hospitals Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he remained for five days. Looking back, I now realize the high importance of residing in communities which have high quality health care facilities. I learned that the first doctor who diagnosed my son did not diagnose Carter properly by failing to recognize that what looked like the common cold was actually Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The pediatricians error could have cost my son his life. After Carter was taken to the emergency room at our local hospital, I learned that, when someones life is at stake, the distance from a medical facility which can provide quality care is sometimes a life and death matter. Thus, one of the lessons that I learned by this life-learning experience is that it is important for all individuals to have quick access to a state of the art hospital or medical facility. A medical facility must be able to provide the excellent care that a seriously ill R. S. V 3 ndividual needs. In this example, a baby needed to be treated by a special infant care unit, which our local hospitals did not have. Therefore, the baby did not have ready access to the kind of medical facility that he needed. The proper medical facility can mean the difference of life or death, thus, I now understand that the quality of the medical facilities, and the services received from those facilities provided, is one of the important issues facing people today. Learning about the importance of living near a high quality health care facility helped me become amiliar with the idea that a person should be fully educated about the health services in his or her community before something critical occurs. I regretted the fact that we were not more prepared to deal with this crisis. Thus, I have since learned that I need to research the qualifications of any professional my child will be receiving treatment from. In the future, I will research hospitals or schools before enrolling my child in them. I can also apply the concept that quality care is an important aspect of a persons life to other situations as well. For example, I will have o make sure that my child has a qualified pediatrician and dentist to take care of his health needs in the future. I will also have to ensure that my child gets his vaccinations. Moreover, I learned that there is no substitute for being prepared for an emergency situation. I plan on researching the response time of our police and fire departments and plan to learn about the efficiency of our ambulance services. Another part of the lessons I learned while confronting this family crisis is how I learned that high quality heath care is best provided by highly qualified doctors. I lso learned that an unqualified doctor may easily misdiagnose a patients symptoms. The discussion below will show how I have learned to ask questions before selecting a pediatrician. My son was initially treated by a pediatrician who misdiagnosed the babys medical symptoms and declared that our infant was we were told to take our child home and give him some cold medicine. This was our childs only treatment, and the medicine did not work. Carters symptoms did not improve after a reasonable period of time. Thus, my husband and I began to suspect that something else could be wrong. Then, when our baby turned pasty in color, started to cry inconsolably, refused to eat or drink anything, lost weight, and then hardly cried or moved in his crib, my husband and I became more concerned. We later learned that Carter had RSV and double pneumonia. Since then, I have spoken to many doctors about rural medicine. One of the doctors I spoke to that works at our local hospital explained in a recent personal interview which I conducted with him that many people do not ask enough questions of their doctors after they have been told the results of a diagnosis. He advised that potential atients should ask about all terms that describe the problem and that the doctor should fully explain the R. S. V 5 condition to the patient. More importantly, when the patient is a baby, the infants parents need to understand the complete diagnosis of their childs condition The doctor also said that a great deal of rural patients do not know how to properly ask their doctors specific questions related to the diagnosis. Therefore, rural doctors need to take more time to explain things to their patients, especially in cases where doctors are not absolutely sure of the diagnosis. I was also told that some patients have no reason to be told when something is misdiagnosed as nothing more than the common cold, especially when a childs doctor confidently tells an infants parents that the symptoms should improve when the baby took the cold medicine. The lesson is that parents must be very careful when choosing a pediatrician. I learned that a good pediatrician knows how to check a baby for a variety of diseases. In the case of my son, the first pediatrician failed to properly diagnose the baby because he was, at the very least, was not familiar with the symptoms of RSV. Thus, I learned that receiving treatment from a qualified pediatrician is an essential part of a childs health care. I also realized, in other areas of my life, I need to be certain that I am qualified to perform any Job that I might later want to undertake. So it is imperative that I take my education as serious as possible so that I will later be prepared to succeed in my chosen career. R. S. V6 Another important concept that I learned through my life-learning experience is that Just like other people, doctors make errors too. Unfortunately, a doctors mistake can cause the loss of ones life. Any professional should avoid making unnecessary mistakes at all times. Therefore, I would like to avoid making mistakes which would be considered negligence in my chosen career. Thus, I now believe that I need as much training in the field of health care management as possible, because that is the field which I intend to begin my professional career once I have received my Bachelors Degree. I also now would like to become actively involved in professional organizations and associations in which school friends and successful will help me exchange information with other health care management professionals hich will hopefully help me keep atop of current developments in my field. The third aspect of the lessons I learned which this paper will explore is that many rural health care facilities in America do not have up to date equipment. I also learned that, for the past several years, many local family health care facilities have suffered from recent cutbacks in federal grant money. This paper will now discuss my findings about the importance of selecting a health care facility which has up to date equipment and employees that keep on top of current developments in the medical ield. R. S. V7 Not only were the doctors more knowledgeable at the Women and Childrens Hospital in Charleston, but the doctors at the hospital in Charleston also had more current equipment and also performed their duties much more quickly and efficiently than the doctors at the local hospital. I learned that, when the life of a loved one is at stake, a hospital with modern equipment and trained staff can mean the difference between life and death. I also now believe that parents should visit the local hospitals before their first child is ever born to make sure those hospitals re not understaffed, dirty, or not funded properly. While larger hospitals may charge more money for visits, the money paid for a proper diagnosis at a quality facility is far less than the money one might pay if an illness is misdiagnosed. In addition, local medical care facilities need to provide quality, up to date services to their patients. In this situation, Carter needed to be treated in a special care unit in which patients are attached to electronic monitors which track vital functions as well as to other equipment that support breathing (Roberts, 1993, p. 170). Unfortunately, only larger acilities usually have modern pediatric intensive care units, and large hospitals are not all cities. I have learned that a high quality health care facility should have up to date equipment. Modern equipment is essential to provide patients with the best possible R. S. V8 health care. However, a lot of rural hospitals cannot afford this. The issue of a facility which does not have modern equipment is a very important one, and the concept applies to other situations which I may have to deal with later on. For instance, I will want to make sure that, any school my child is enrolled in should have adequate acilities. I will want to ensure that the school has smoke detectors in every classroom and that the fire extinguishers are in proper working order. This paper analyzed the various lessons and concepts that I learned from some life-learning experiences. Each of the papers three parts explored a different aspect of my experiences. This paper used the four elements of Kolbs Model of Experimental Learning to detail how I used the lessons during a family crisis. R. S. V9 References Mesa, CA: ICN Pharmaceuticals. Roberts, M. J. (1993). Your Money or Your Life: The Health Care Crisis Explained. New York: Doubleday.