Oh My Siomai - 15123 Words

CHAPTER I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAME OF THE BUSINESS Oh My! Siomai! was chosen as the name of the store for some good reasons. The name is appealing to the target market we aim to cater to. Oh My! Siomai! represents a fast, reliable, and accessible impression to busy people or those who are always on the go – you eat while you go to school or to your work. Our product is different from other existing food outlets in terms of quality, cleanliness, unique taste, nutritious, healthy and affordable. LOCATION The location of the business is within the vicinity of the University Belt, which only means that we have lots of prospective customers to look up to. The store is situated at the Philippine – Japan Friendship Centre Manila Building located†¦show more content†¦MANAGEMENT ASPECT The proponents decided to adapt a Partnership kind of organization. The store’s total investment amounts to Php300, 000, which is from the personal funds of every partner. Tax and licenses amount to a total of Php6, 370 that would begin on the second week of January. FINANCIAL ASPECT The total project cost amounts to 300,000 in which we would invest a total of Php300, 000 for the start up of the business. A projected sale of Php1, 693,260 will be realized on its first year of operation with an assumption of 3% increase per annum. LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT STUDY This study includes only the study of venturing up a business in a commercial space along the Ricardo Papa Street Sampaloc, Manila for siomai. Surveys were conducted on the third week of January in several students which are assumed to be the target market of the business as well as the interviews done with the existing stores particularly competitors within the vicinity of the area. CHAPTER II MARKET INFORMATION This market study is aimed at determining and analyzing the demand and supply for the product in the past and making projections of demand in the future; ascertaining its competitive position in the industry, and designing marketing program for the product. INDUSTRY BACKGROUND Dumplings are an ancient food, known to cooks in many cultures and cuisines. The ingredients (grain, meat, vegetable, fruit), serving customs (with gravy, in soup, as dessert),Show MoreRelatedList of the Top Foodcart Franchising Business in the Philippines1759 Words   |  8 PagesFoodcart Franchise 83. Dipped Banana on Stick Franchise 84. Don Camote Foodcart Franchise 85. Doriyaki Twist Franchise 86. Egg Mess Express Franchise 87. Egg Moo Express Franchise 88. El Bonito’s Pizza Franchise 89. Emperor’s Siomai Foodcart Franchise 90. Ferino’s Bibingka Franchise 91. Filtrepreneur Franchise, Inc. 92. Five Spices Shabu-Shabu Foodcart Franchise 93. Float D’ Floating Ice Cream Franchise 94. Fresh Fruit Juice Foodcart Franchise 95. Fried Bites

The Epic Of Homer s Odyssey - 1433 Words

Homer’s Odyssey makes use of its epic qualities to narrate the lives of three men. The tale begins with Telemachus, a young prince who leaves his homeland to learn about his father and about himself at the same time. Through the use of this initial event, Homer creates a chronological structure that is further observed through the introduction of the story’s main character, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca and the father of Telemachus. Both father and son long to see each other after a decade of separation, and develop an increasingly complex relationship that bears unique attributes in the Homerian tradition. Similarly, once Odysseus returns home from Troy, he also visits his father, Laertes, and again the author elucidates upon the†¦show more content†¦Telemachus starts off as a fearful prince, but that is changed by the divine inspiration he receives form Athena when she tells him to â€Å"not to cling to (†¦) boyhood any longer—it’s time to become a man† (1:341-342). What is more important, though, is how the goddess highlights his resemblance to his father. Guided by Athena, the youngster is motivated to embark in an endeavor that leads him to gather the men of the city for the first time since his father’s suspected demise. Here, for the first time, we see someone stand in Odysseus’s shoes. Telemachus later goes on to speak in front of the suitors and even condemn their unruliness. Before our eyes is a man in the making, but let’s not forget the common saying: â€Å"behind every great man stands a great woman† and in his case much like in his father’s, it is a goddess that acts as a driving force of greatness. After the first hints of manhood become visible in Telemachus under the aegis of Athena, the young prince begins to dive deeper into the essence of his identity. Menelaus and Helen’s nostalgic accounts about Odysseus teach the prince about his father, but at the same time about the standards by which he should live by. Heroes are not such because they simply became heroes, but instead, because they followed someone’s example. Telemachus is destined to become Odysseus, and that can be drawn by

The Impact of Globalization and the Internet Presents Real Free Essays

The topic of globalization has become a hotly contested debate over the past two decades. Indeed, the increased integration of international economies have led to costs to some and benefits to others. These costs and benefits are a result of three effects of globalization, that is, expanded markets, cheaper resources or a combination of the two. We will write a custom essay sample on The Impact of Globalization and the Internet Presents Real or any similar topic only for you Order Now Firstly, from the business perspective, one effect of globalization is that of expanded markets. This means that a business that had previously only sold its goods domestically can start selling products to other countries and this can increase their profit potential. Secondly, another consequence of bilateral trade agreements is the access to cheaper resources. Until the start of the 1990’s, the People’s Republic of China was largely closed off to the rest of the world. Many companies in the United States produced their goods either domestically or in areas with slightly less expensive labor. When China opened its market to the rest of the world, however, American companies were able to take advantage of the far cheaper labor. This is known as outsourcing. Cheaper labor contributes to cheaper costs, which in turn contributes to larger profits. Sometimes, but not always, this may also mean cheaper products and services. Finally, International development, as a consequence of globalization, arises out of a combination of both expanded markets as well as cheaper resources. A prime example of this is India. Before the late 90s, the information technology sector in India was largely in its infancy stage. However, coupled with an educated yet inexpensive workforce, foreign companies were able to start subsidiaries of high tech activities in cities like Bangalore. This technological know-how spread to local firms, who in turn grew as a result of expanded markets both in India as well as the rest of the world. More and more organizations are getting hooked into the Internet. They use the Internet to promote and sell their products and services, provide customer support, deliver training, and share corporate information with clients, employees, and customers. Businesses have found that the Internet is a powerful tool to help keep their employees and customers connected. In Vietnam, many organizations know to take advantages of globalization and internet to manage their operations. However, to survive in a competitive environment, they must understand in depth the strategic planning with the support of two above factors. Strategic planning is an organization’s process of defining its strategy , or direction, and making decision on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. In order to determine the direction of the organization, it is necessary to understand its current position and the possible avenues through which it can pursue a particular course of action. Generally, strategic planning deals with at least one of three key questions: 1. â€Å"What do we do? † 2. â€Å"For whom do we do it? † 3. â€Å"How do we excel? † With the aid of Internet, firms can use high technology to access the external situation analysis, supplier markets and labor markets. In addition, they can easily find the database of competitors on the internet to design the attractive policy and prices for their own companies. References list: Wheelen, T. L. , Hunger, J. D. (2012). Concepts in strategic management and business policy (13th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Myatt, M. (2011). The impact of globalization on business. Retrieved from: http://www. n2growth. com/blog/the-impact-of-globalization-on-business/ Green , J. (2011). How Does Globalization Affect an Organization’s Business Approach? Retrieved from: http://smallbusiness. chron. com/globalization-affect-organizations-business-approach-20077. html How to cite The Impact of Globalization and the Internet Presents Real, Essay examples

Tesco And Sainsbury - A Comparative Leadership Study Free Sample

Question: Discuss about the A Comparative Leadership Study of Tesco and Sainsbury. Answer: Introduction Tesco is the leading UK food retailer. It has its 1878 retail stores that are located all over the country. Tesco serves global clients, and it has 261 stores in Europe and in Asia, they have 179 stores. Currently, Tesco is the big company in the world, as it follows flexible leadership style that is adapted as per the requirement of the enterprise and in the manner it deals with the various situations (Northouse, 2013). The significance of leadership strategies is also referred as different stakeholders require to account different ways in which company need leadership, and lead towards attaining higher employees productivity (Turner Swords, 1997). Sainsbury is the 3rd largest company in the UK, having the market share of 16.5%. The company was founded in the year 1869 by John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury in London, UK. The leadership of the company was laid back by their attitude, as it fails to challenge the staff in an important way (Wrigley, 2000). Contemporary leadership theories applied to Tesco and Sainsbury Evolution of Leadership and Contemporary view Leadership theory covers up behavioral and contingency theory, along with path-goal and situational approach. Contemporary leadership theory is related to the work that emerged through the postindustrial paradigm. Northouse (2013) mentions that situational leadership is considered as the ethical process, which demands the model and end value commitment. Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar (2014) suggests that the main responsibility of leaders is to develop its followers, as it can help the company in becoming a leader (Thompson Martin, 2005). The outcome of the evolution of leadership and the contemporary view is that it is based on value, complexity, and direction towards achieving the goal (Mohammed Heather, 2005). The contemporary theory clearly reflects over a various range of viewpoints in conceptualization, as it directs the movement and social activism towards market-based frames (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Leadership and Learning Organization The learning organization termed cannot be confused with the organizational learning concept. It explains the company as the ideal environment for learning, as this environment is perfectly tuned with the goals of the business (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). It explains the company as the ideal place, in which employees could quickly increase their capacity for creating the outcome, which they desire for (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). This place is also considered as ideal as new as well as broad patterns of thinking could be easily nurtured, aspirations could be set free, and where people could have continued learning. Caldwell (2011) explains that learning organization has five disciplines such as personal mastery, system thinking, managing mental models, team learning as well as building the shared vision (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). How Learning Organizations function? Learning organization functions includes clarifying the significant objectives, and then it moves towards exploring the commitment that is marked by the willingness, which they deceive (Hughes Merton, 1996). Learning organizations also analyze the mistake and try to correct it; they also reflect over the openness by not playing the game or identifying the personal agenda (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Learning organizations also take decisions by considering the companies best interest, learn different new ways, which are generative instead of adaptive; holds leaders that could enroll instead of selling (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). These organizations also try to replace the compliance through the commitment, strive towards replacing the dialogue discussion, try to suspend the assumptions, and even try to foster the personal vision migration towards shared vision (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Leadership and Learning Organization- A Case Study of Tesco The Tesco experiences are mainly conceptualized in the three critical vast dimensions (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). All these aspects try to form the difference among the internal corporate and the broad external view of the global experience in retail. The first critical area implies the internal process of strategies (Caldwell, 2011). The next theme is related with the process of external procedures. It covers up interactive aspects related to the global environment of retailers. The next dimension includes the functions of internal operations. All these dimensions are mainly significance while conceptualizing the experience and interpreting the global learning of Tesco (Caldwell, 2011). Teamwork and strong communication is part of the corporate culture of Tesco. In the company each employee is supposed to relate to the members of the team and come with inherent strengths. The team is considered as self-responsible towards their work, organization and goal (Caldwell, 2011). Tesco corporate culture helps the firm in becoming actual learning company, which initiate leadership by the support of openness, commitment, shared vision, and dialogue more than the compliance as it influences the cultivation and hierarchy of the inquiry spirit (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Many significant lessons are learned by the Tesco in the internationalization process, improving the responsiveness and adaptability of the firm. Tesco has also undoubtedly faced the various shocks in the market area, and in the result of that, the organization had to become quite vigilant and had even become interested in the experiment, learning and reacting towards the unexpected at the expansion later pha ses (John, 1996). However, it is noted that Tesco could apply the learned lessons through their experiences of the upcoming expansion and depend on the capacity of the company to explore the international learning sources in various contexts, institutionalizing, absorbing the knowledge (Caldwell, 2011). Sainsbury as a Learning Organization and the Role of Leadership Sainsbury holds the clear vision to become the most trusted retailer in the market, where people could like to work (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Sainsbury has the heritage that is set up from last 150 years of trading, and its considered as the central value of the company, and its considered as a great place to work that includes applying learning and development at the activities for attaining the set vision (Caldwell, 2011). The training process of Sainsbury was established by the explained audits. It also ensures the highest colleagues standards, by covering up material for learning, experience of training, assessment and finally taking feedback of learner (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). The organizational structure of Sainsbury was formed in such a way that is tune with the enhancement in the continuation and effectiveness of the services. The background of the company laid emphasis over the service provision (Caldwell, 2011). In this way, the workforce efficiency is not considered as the main priority of the enterprise. The substantial variation in the leadership style is also another important organizational factor. The particular branch includes bureaucratic in nature and holds the important cultural power that relies on the hierarchy and tries to control by the branch authority (Rowley Slack, 2003). Authentic Leadership and Ethics Authentic leadership emphasizes over the positivity, high ethical standards, and transparency. It is noted that as the authentic leaders try to integrate and are committed towards the core ethical value, it contributes towards the positive climate of the company (Derr, 2012). The authentic leadership context is considered as the complex characteristics of the business through the uncertainty, additional components that cover up the culture of the company that is marked through the caring, nurtured through the human values at the workplace (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). It is evident that ethical leadership strives towards motivational ethical behavior in the staff through displaying the values, thoughts, good behavior and attitude of the leaders (Derr, 2012). There are many rewards for the company that selects to function ethically and it also enhances the reputation of the company and morale of staff members (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Sainsbury and Authentic Leadership Sainsbury believes in certain aspects of the authentic leadership. Derr (2012) mentions that work can complete us, and can give us real satisfaction. It depicts the concern of self-awareness about the main elements of authentic leadership. In the authentic leadership, it is important to have the interpersonal dimensions, as it makes one aware of the distortion of reality that influences the followers and completes the task with the help of few resources that contradict the transparency (Derr, 2012). Interpersonal style of the person might reflect the unethical behavior. Therefore, in this case nurturing and caring environment is considered as the central aspect of the authentic leadership that often misses in Sainsbury (Dandy, 1996). The leadership style adopted at Sainsbury holds the approach towards the staff that is referred as arrogant and employees is often pushed towards their limits (Derr, 2012). Tesco and Authentic Leadership Leadership is more related to the human conditions of the business. It takes place in the families, a spot as well as communities (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Authenticity includes the strength and weakness, but at the same time, authentic provides the consistent notion of what actually leadership is. Authentic leadership is explained as the process, which tries to draw through the actual capacity of psychology and is developed under the organizational context that results in the high self-awareness as well as self-regulated behavior that is positive and foster towards positive self-development (Anchor Kourilova, 2008). Leadership at Tesco tries to facilitate the goals sharing, along with ideas, shared vision, in the result of that workforce become quite efficient, staff work towards the collaborative environment (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Tesco place the stringent procedure of hiring, recruiting people often fit into the culture of the company and make use of programs related t o leadership development, promotes the transparency as well as shared vision (Anchor Kourilova, 2008). Positivist vs. Dark side of Leadership at Tesco and Sainsbury Dark Side of Sainsbury In many incidences, Tesco is highly accused for forcing the miserable conditions of working at the stores (Anchor Kourilova, 2008). Tesco had faced criticism through the trade bodies, individuals, national organizations, and consumer groups. One of the biggest challenge faced by the company created the threats that the firm poses towards small businesses due to the increase in a monopoly that is imposed on the products (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Various other controversial areas are related to the staff treatment, trading the deals with both the customer and suppliers relations, along with overseas approach (Anchor Kourilova, 2008). There is a belief that aggressive tactics are used by the planning permission for constructing the new stores (Jenkins Williamson, 2015). Tesco was criticized by the media in both Ireland and the UK and various other places for its ruthless as well as harsh tactics of business as compared to the competitors (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). The company was charged for bullying the farmers for reducing the prices towards the unsustainable levels. Tesco was also highly accused by the UK government for abandoning the Hanley Grange (Anchor Kourilova, 2008). Tesco had faced many other claims like out of date food that is labeled to appear as new; employees were contracting legionnaires problems in the stores, and poor hygiene at caf (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Dark Side of Tesco Leadership at Tesco is respectful and follows the ethical conduct. It is noted that staff at Tesco often work long hours and its common in the company (Boddy, 2010). Even the company pays low salaries to the employees, which is less than the average base salary of the industry. Even the recruitment process of the company is quite tied and arduous. Tesco is often accused of having the structure of low reward (Fernie Pierrel, 1996). Google is also alleged to have the practices of unfair practices along with quality issues. Tesco also continues to collect the extensive information and even aspire for the international domination (Boddy, 2010). Leadership in Teams- Theoretical Perspective Obtaining the understanding about the process of team leadership needs the analysis of team functioning nature (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). To have this kind of understanding, one can try to articulate the leadership role better through fostering the effectiveness of team (Bogler, 2001). These type of team stress over the models of team leadership through the traditional models of leadership due to the central focus of the team and considered as the unit (Seth Randall, 1999). Team work is highly undertaken through the continuous cycle of relying on communication. These entire temporary goals directed cycle activities could be categorized within two different phases (Bogler, 2001). In the phase of transition, teams are often connected with the evaluation or either the planning activities for designing the foster attainment of the goals. Providing the centrality of the team performance requirement, then, in that case, team leadership could be viewed as orientation for the satisfactio n of team needs (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Whether it is outside or inside the team, it highly assumes the responsibility for team needs satisfaction and is often viewed as the role of team leadership (Bogler, 2001). Team Leadership, Decision Making at Tesco Team Leadership at Tesco Tesco tries to come up with different as well as the attractive environment of working for their staff members that are profoundly explored cultural manifestation (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Tesco moves more than offering the necessary requirements of the staff through holding the snack room, cafeteria, doctors, etc. (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Leadership is referred as significant for discussing the innovativeness at Tesco. Even the staff operations are offered support through the team of leadership development and often conduct the research in the behavior that could influence the performance of team (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). There are certain habits that often create impact on the performance of team, such as result orientation, good coaching, empowerment of team, supporting staff with developing career, taking part in well being of staff, clear vision, primary technical skills, and listen to the group (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Each leader working at Tesco tries to evaluate all these habits, and these habits are usually the mimic of the internal actions of task leadership along with relational leadership activities (Rowley, 2000). Tesco holds the flat structure and often try to avoid the bureaucracy (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Even leaders working at Tesco are highly responsible towards the patching of the business; they even shape the emergent strategies, redeploy and build the coordination among the functional competencies and external skills (Poister, 2010). Tesco believes that the effective team building conditions along with shared vision. Apparently, Tesco places the state of the competent team with the performance of team by the support of stringent proves of recruiting the talented people, monitoring and offering the required resources (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Problem solving and Decision Making at Tesco Tesco post modern approach clearly reflects and evaluates the projects. The top management of the company act as the base and leaders in the company are referred as the facilitators members of the top board and they have the highly innovative orientation and are prone towards the change (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Tesco make use of cross product and cross functional team approach, which could fulfill the set task for the purpose of sharing and for exchanging the details. At Tesco leaders direct their teams and also try to create the base of innovation in the company, and even act as the connector among the cultural followers and innovation facilitators (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Leadership at Google is explained as the leadership bottom that goes in parallel with the complete direction that is offered through the top management (Kearney, 2010). Tesco takes the pride in explaining the culture of the company, in which each person is highly committed towards exploring the best idea. Te sco leadership also tries to encourage the debates (Heinrich Marschke, 2010). Team Leadership, Decision Making at Sainsbury Team Leadership at Sainsbury Sainsbury has already enforced its accountability, and take swift decisions and even articulate the communication process from top level to bottom level. The company also shows the task that is associated with the leadership aspects of clear vision, along with the ability that could inspire the followers trust (Kahai, Sosik Avolio, 1997). Under the organization structure, Sainsbury prevents the communication and often try to encourage the elitism. The elements related to the participative leadership are quite less (Kutsar, Ghose Kutsar 2014). Sainsbury even had to face the fierce competition in the global market. The decision process in the company is conducted from top to bottom (Kahai, Sosik Avolio, 1997). Problem solving and Decision Making at Sainsbury Decision making process at Sainsbury is considered as the top down approach. It relies on the particular group (Turner Wilson, 2006). Decision making group includes the senior managers that holds the specialized knowledge. The company also includes the hierarchy system, but in case of taking decisions, they try to keep it within few people and welcome fewer questions (Turner Wilson, 2006). Sainsbury structure permits to have the rapid decision making with un-wavering the discipline. Sainsbury leadership often tries to de-motivate to have the transparency, and ask people to work with scare resources (Turner Wilson, 2006). Conclusions and Recommendations Tesco and Sainsbury are considered as the two major giants, which try to adapt different philosophies of leadership. Tesco believes in connecting, caching, mentoring the styles, where else, Sainsbury is the one that is autocratic, sometimes it flouts with the ethics, its secretive and avert towards the openness, but still it holds the charismatic leadership. On the other side, Tesco owns the flat structure and create less influence over the system of hierarchy. None of the models could be emulated completely and they are highly prudent towards the functions by considering the circumstances of the company. References Anchor, J. R. Kourilova, T. (2008). Consumer perceptions of tesco own brands: The czech republic and the united kingdom. E M Ekonomie a Management, 11(4), 119-131. Boddy, D. (2010). Management: An introduction. Harlow, Prentice Hall. Bogler, R. (2001) The influence of leadership style on teacher job satisfaction. Educational Administration Quarterly, 37(5), 662-683. Caldwell, R. (2011). Leadership and Learning: A critical Examination of Senge's Learning Organisation. Springer Science, 4, 39-55. Derr, L. C. (2012). Ethics and Leadership. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 9(6), 66-71. Heinrich, C. J. Marschke, G. (2010). Incentives and their dynamics in public sector performance management systems. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 29(1), 183-208. Kahai, S. S., Sosik, J. J. Avolio, B. J. (1997). Effects of leadership style and problem structure on work group process and outcomes in an electronic meeting system environment. Personnel Psychology, 50(1), 121-146. Kearney, R. C. (2010). Public sector labor-management relations: Change or status quo? Review of Public Personnel Administration, 30(1), 89-111. Kutsar, V., Ghose, N., Kutsar, Y. (2014). Leadership Analysis Using Management Tools. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4(2), 125-130. Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (6th ed.). California, U.S.A: SAGE Publications Poister, T. H. (2010). The future of strategic planning in the public sector: Linking strategic management and performance. Public Administration Review, 7, 246-254. Turner, J. J. Wilson, K. (2006). Grocery loyalty: Tesco clubcard and its impact on loyalty. British Food Journal, 108(10-11), 958-964. Turner, I., Swords, D. (1997). Strategy from the Inside Out. Cengage Learning EMEA. Thompson, J. L., Martin, F. (2005). Strategic Management: Awareness and Change. Cengage Learning EMEA. Seth, A., Randall, G. (1999). The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of the Supermarket Chains. Kogan Page Publishers. Jenkins, W., Williamson, D. (2015). Strategic Management and Business Analysis. Routledge Fernie, J., Pierrel, F.R.A. (1996).Own branding in UK and French grocery markets. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 5(3), pp. 48-59 Hughes, D., Merton, I. (1996). Partnership in produce: the J Sainsbury approach to managing the fresh produce supply chain. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 1(2), pp. 4-6 John, K. (1996). Can There Be a Science of Business? The Business of Economics Mohammed, R., Heather, F. (2005). Loyalty transfer from offline to online stores in the UK grocery industry. International Journal of Retail Distribution Management, 33(6), pp. 444-460 Rowley, J. (2000). Loyalty kiosks: making loyalty cards work. British Food Journal, 102(56), pp. 390-398 Rowley, J., Slack, F. (2003). Kiosks in retailing: the quiet revolution. International Journal of Retail Distribution Management, 31(6), pp. 329- 339 Wrigley, N. (2000). Strategic market behaviour in the internationalization of food retailing Interpreting the third wave of Sainsburys US diversification. European Journal of Marketing, 34(8), pp. 891-919 Dandy, J. (1996). Jonathan Dandy interviews Terry Wells, director of Customer Service. J. Sainsbury plc Managing Service Quality, 6(3), pp.16-22

Vitiligo Essay Example

Vitiligo Essay Vitiligo is a medical condition that causes the skin to lose color. Some people develop a few spots that may lighten or turn completely white. Others can have widespread loss of skin color. Vitiligo can develop on any part of the body but commonly begins on hands, forearms, feet, or face. There is no way to predict how much color a person will lose. Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes, the cells dependable for skin pigmentation, die or cannot function because of autoimmune disorders, genetic, oxidative stress, neural, or viral causes. As the cells die, an area of skin or hair turns white because the cells no longer make pigment. People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches on their skin. These patches are more commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, and navel. There are many treatments to improve the appearance of the affected skin including, but not limited to skin grafting and blister grafting. Self-care steps, such as using sunscreen and applying cosmetic camouflage cream, may improve the appearance of your skin. For fair-skinned individuals, avoiding tanning can make the areas almost unnoticeable. We will write a custom essay sample on Vitiligo specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Vitiligo specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Vitiligo specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Treatment for vitiligo may take as long as six to 18 months, and you may have to try more than one treatment before you find the one that works best for you. Works Cited 1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Treatment and Drugs. Http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/vitiligo/. Ayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 21 Apr. 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. 2. Stoppler MD. , Melissa C. Vitiligo Symptoms, Causes, Pigmentation Loss Treatment and Diagnosis on MedicineNet. com. MedicineNet Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors. Ed. William C. Sheil MD. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. .

Parliament NSW Aus essays

Parliament NSW Aus essays Question 1. Describe how NSW parliament House reflects the changes to government in Australia and NSW in the 19th and 20th Century. The NSW Parliament Building is located on Macquarie Street in the city, next door to the State Library of NSW. NSW Parliament Building was originally the Rum Hospital, a hospital completed in 1816 and built by convict labourers. Messrs Blaxcell, Riley and Wentworth agreed to fund the building of the hospital, on the condition they were given the monopoly on all the rum being transported to the colony. In 1829, the first Legislative Council moved into a part of the hospital, which they shared with surgeons, other government officials, and Sydneys first museum. There were 7 appointed councillors, which got rid of part of the power of the Governor. NSW was, slowly, democratising itself. Women were not allowed to stand for parliament. Before moving to what is now NSW Parliament House, the Legislative Councils meetings were held in Government House, so these premises were bigger and more central to Sydney towns happenings. NSW Parliament changed over time though. The Legislative Assembly chamber was added in 1843, and made Parliaments proceedings more organised, with everyone in the same place, and all the Parliamentary proceedings centralised. In 1856, The Legislative Councils chambers were added on to the right side of the building. This was the most important change to the NSW Parliament Building, in that it reflects the changes that NSW Government was going through at the time; namely that NSW government changed to a bicameral system. The Legislative Assembly chamber was decorated in green, and still is today. This reflects the fact that Australias individual state parliaments were mostly drawing on Britains system of government to run their own. In Britain, the Lower House is called the House of Commons, and the commoners who traditionally were part...

Quantitative and Qualititative reserch----teenager smoking Research Paper

Quantitative and Qualititative reserch----teenager smoking - Research Paper Example The main reason for the study is to address the increasing rates of smoking among teen in the United Kingdom. This study has two major aims. The first aim is to illustrate the negative effects of smoking, both first hand and second hand, among the teenage demography in the United Kingdom. The second aim of the research is to illustrate measures that address the health challenges cause by teenage smoking. The hypothesis for the study is that; teenager smoking has negative health consequences. The first analyzed study explains that; the addictive drug contained in cigarette smoke is called nicotine. The addiction causes the teenage smokers to go on with the habit of consuming tobacco. Addicted teenage smokers consume adequate nicotine levels to achieve their craving needs. Individuals, who crave high nicotine levels, consume more cigarette products. Tobacco smoke has more than 60 chemicals that cause cancer. Smoking, therefore, harms almost all body organs. The second study focuses on the health consequences of smoking. Short term effects of smoking include; nicotine addiction and respiratory effects. The long term effects of smoking entails reduced lung functioning and minimized lung growth. Other generate effects involves heart strokes during later stages of life, and heart diseases. The third research study shows the demographics involving teenage and children smoking. In 2014, approximately 4% of children and teens aged between 11 and 15 continuously smoke not less th an one cigarette every week. However, regular teenage smokers in the United Kingdom consume an average of 36 cigarettes per week. The three studies employed appropriate research techniques. This is because they applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches of research, during data analysis (Laura 2008). The main limitation in the three studies involved minimum time duration for collecting data. Respondents normally required adequate

Project program Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Project program - Assignment Example The mortgage company offers a 2 year fixed mortgage, low rate variable and performance plus mortgagee designs. My Mortgage Freedom online mortgage application makes the company’s covers versatile and convenient for most people. All the same, the main challenge of the business is to attract customers to its portfolio. Online Customer Segment One way to attract more customers to My Mortgage Online shops is by maximizing the search engine visibility of the company. People in most cases will make a first stop in search engines when looking for any product or service. Search engine ensure the marketer is at the right place and at the right time. It will be important for the company’s SEO strategist to use specialized tools such as the Google’s Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics in monitoring the baseline metrics, and understanding the SEO health in the company’s website. Such a detailed analysis will showcase areas that need more attention (Brightpearl, 3). T he strategist has to start analyzing the following key metrics once per month to indicate the success of this approach: Sales generated by the search marketing, the number of visits to the page, and the number of new visitors recorded, the number of new visitors converting to paying visitors, the cost per click on all paid search adverts, and the best sources that most traffic is coming from (Bright pearl, 3). In addition, the strategist has to review the keywords used, and how these keywords will match landing on any paid search or SEO strategy. The use of good keywords would be ideal in accessing the competition, and search volume. The Google analytics tool may be used to access the search dynamics, and the keyword-to –search term relationship (Brightpearl, 4). Carrying out detailed A/B testing of the used Keywords and any used text is important in optimizing the paid search pay per click (PPC) campaigns. In the process of building intelligence around the used keyword, land ing on page relevance and search terms, the conversation rates and quality score go up while significantly reducing the CCP, which will save the business significant amount of costs. In addition, there are more platforms available at much reduced rates, or at no cost, though such free platforms may not be solely enough for attracting customers (Pozin, 2012). Strategic company branding will increase customer’s attention towards My Mortgage Online. Currently, there are a good number of such Mortgage companies online competing for customers. To overcome its competitors, the company needs critical rebranding in its website to make the webpage unforgettable. Rebranding may involve embedding real estate video clips or pictures in their websites, or any other photos that may show how people have benefited from their mortgage plans. As reflected in the My Mortgage Freedom Company, the domain name used reflects the name of the company, which makes it unique and easy for the customers to sport online. In addition, the website has to be professional and integrate their web page to social media. Integrating My Mortgage Freedom with social media such as Facebook will attract attention of social media users who will click the leads to the company’s website. This is a versatile way of increasing traffic to the company’s website (Prozin, 2012). The company has then to ensure mechanisms through which customers getting to the website from

Letter assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Letter assignment - Essay Example Fear is one of the emotions regularly observed with Nell since the first day we saw her. It should not be considered unhealthy or abnormal for her to feel fear. Any creation with normal instincts would feel fear of the unknown. A domesticated animal would feel fear when set out in the wild on its own. Fear is what provokes Nell to attack sometimes, which should again be considered normal and healthy. Any wild animal would attack when it feels cornered or endangered. It is the survival instinct embedded in the brain for self-preservation. We never consider those animals abnormal. Nor did we consider to lock up those animals because they pose danger to others. And since Nell displays the ability to be tamed and comforted even when scared, and reacts appropriately and in a timely manner to basic human gestures of comforting and appeasing --- which I firmly believe prove that her logic is working properly --- I would conclude that Nell is very much worthy to be allowed freedom to interac t with regular society. Another fact that I would like to dispute is the perception of Nell being mentally retarded. She is not mentally retarded. She was raised in a retarded environment. Her knowledge is parallel to what she was exposed to since birth. Being mentally retarded is the inability of the brain to cope up with everything presented to it. To consider Nell to be mentally retarded is similar to considering tribesmen as same. We cannot claim retardation to people just because they do not seem to understand nor fit in to what most people deem as normal society. We must also look into their ability to cope up when presented with a different scenario. Nell’s reactions to the novelty of things presented to her were similar to that of tribesmen --- fearful, curious, willing to understand and be understood. It should also be noted that for the past few months that Nell was exposed to our regular society, she adapted wonderfully. Sure she did weird

John Lewis partnership

John Lewis partnership What is John Lewis partnership? John Lewis partnership is a visionary and successful way of doing business, boldly putting the happiness of partners at the centre of everything they do. The outcome of nearly a century of endeavour to create a different sort of company, owned by partners dedicated to serving customers with elegance and fairness. All 71,196 staff are partners who own 28 John Lewis department stores, 213 Waitrose supermarkets, an online and with catalogue business, (John Lewis direct-john Lewis.com), a direct services company (Greenbee), three production units, and a farm with a turnover of nearly  £6 billion last year. Partners share in the benefits and profits of a business that puts them first and the partnership follows its seven business principles purpose, power, profit, members, customers, business and relationships. Mission statement Mission statement addresses the question where does it belong to in the business. The John Lewis Partnerships reputation is founded on the uniqueness of its ownership structure and commercial success. Its purpose is the happiness of all our members, through their worthwhile, satisfying employment in a successful business, with success measured on its ability to sustain and enhance the position both as an outstanding retailer and as a thriving example of employee ownership. Partnership Strategy Partnership strategy is based on three interdependent objectives partners, customers, profit which together will make its successful business. Partners should gain personal satisfaction by being members of a co-owned enterprise in which they have worthwhile, secure and fulfilling employment and confidence in the way the partnership conducts its business. The partnership should recruit and retain loyal customers through their continued trust and confidence in our reputation for value, choice, service and honesty. The partnership should make sufficient profit to sustain our commercial vitality and distinctive character, allow continued development and distribute a share of profits each year consistent with partners reasonable expectations. Environmental Factors As ROBSON(1997) conveys environment analysis takes an important part towards increasing the quality of strategic decisions considering relevant features well before making an irrevocable decision. Social Fairtrade, certifies producers against internationally recognised trading standards. Fairtrade items generate a guaranteed price to cover production plus a social premium to be reinvested in suppliers businesses or local communities. Recruitment, retention and training- Partnership aims to attract and retain the best people who share the values. Traceability- Having full traceability of products, and their ingredients or components, is critical to success and to consumer confidence. Product safety- Ensure the integrity of products and the application of the best standards in safety, quality environment and animal welfare. Animal welfare- Waitrose is committed to providing the best conditions for animals at all stages of the supply chain and to combating cruel practices. Environmental Energy and emissions- committed to tackling the issue of Climate Change and have set a public target of reducing CO2 emissions by 10% by 2010 Packaging and waste- The Partnerships longstanding objective is to reduce waste wherever possible, and to reuse or recycle more of what they produce. Economic As a business based solely in the UK, the Partnership is particularly exposed to any economic downturn which could affect consumer spending, most notably in the Department Store business. Political The Partnership remains sensitive to the regulatory environment in which it trades in order to ensure ongoing compliance with key regulatory requirements around planning, trading, tax and competition. SWOT Analysis The importance of performing a SWOT analysis is that, no business should take a high risk strategy if there are any significant weaknesses foreseen. Performing a SWOT analysis may consider in, What are the weak/strong products, divisions, attitudes etc.? Are there any gaps/opportunities? Are there any dangers/threats needs to be protected? Are we strong in the right way to exploit the opportunity? Considering the above facts a SWOT analysis has taken place to mark the right opportunity. Strengths Weaknesses The Partnership has many strengths such as committed and experienced Partners; the ability to trade well even when conditions were difficult. It had also come through a very difficult period with its integrity and the trust of customers intact. However, it had not been plain sailing as profits has been hit hard particularly in John Lewis. Sales in Waitrose have been more resilient but the division has fought hard by turning up the volume on price and the cost of that investment. As Partnership Chairman Charlie Mayfield reports, Profits could be down this year but their financial position remained strong. Their financial strategy is conservative as borrowings and mortgages are low comparing to competitors. This is due to the fact that they have planned and were able to cope with difficult economic periods. They also have good relationships with banks, but it has to be maintained to ensure their continued support in the future. However, plans for growth cost money and the business needs to consider how much more it could afford to invest when operating profits on under pressure. Opportunities Threats Clearly sales have been under threat during recession periods and there were risks around the operational side of the business. A biggest threat seen was the collapse of banking sector. John Lewis partnership didnt seem to be affected by it but still since it has not ended yet there is a caution of lending money from banks. Apart from it, implementing new products and multi-channelling occupied the ongoing of business. Organisational Structure Its Decision Levels Partnership council Partnership has a clear and streamlined management structure which means decisions could be taken very quickly. The Partnership Council symbolizes its democratic structure and represents the strategic level governing authority. Signifying Partners as a whole,  most of its members  are elected by  Partners. Its main role is to hold its management to account, to influence policy and to make key governance decisions. Partnership Board has ultimate responsibility for issues of major policy and for allocating the financial and other resources of the business. To a large extent its role is keeping the Partnership true to its principles both in terms of the vitality of its commercial progress and its distinctive co-ownership objectives. The Council should retain its three vital decision-making powers: to elect the Trustees of the Constitution and five directors to the Board to change the Constitution, with the Chairmans agreement to dismiss the Chairman. Managing the business This starts with the two divisional Management Boards, who have clear responsibility for developing a strategy for the ongoing development of our John Lewis and Waitrose businesses and then for seeing through its implementation in accordance with an approved business plan. Said two divisions share the Partnerships principles in the managerial level and a common approach to doing business, but they are substantial businesses in their own right. The establishment of the Management Boards clarified the responsibility they carry for the trading operations of the business. They are accountable to the Chairman for their performance, and they derive their authority from the Partnership Boards approval of their business plans. Waitrose Management Board The Waitrose Management Board is accountable to the Chairman for its performance and it derives its authority from the Partnership Boards approval of its business plan. John Lewis Management Board The John Lewis Management Board is accountable to the Chairman for its performance and it derives its authority from the Partnership Boards approval of its business plan. Partnership Services Partnership Services represents the knowledge level and designed to meet the Business plan and Partner needs with simple, efficient services, enabling a growing and successful Partnership. Partner Being a partner with a shared responsibility for the partnership and a drive to put its success first is a different aspect compared to operational levels in other organisations. Further partnervoice is the local avenue for Partner opinion and is the means by which Partners can provide feedback, question management on branch, raise their own issues and be consulted. Types of Decisions Made at Various Levels Multi-Channel Retailer Level Type of decision Type of IS Benefits to organisation Link to the mission Strategic level Build multi channel retail ESS- sales forecast for 3 years. Improvement of profit margins and expanding the organisation. Partners could be stretched and develop their career. Management level Budgeting Cost analysis MIS- Annual budgeting on channels DSS- analysing cost in implementing and maintaining channels Knowing the spending In finding the best possible way to suit the business To build a successful business Knowledge level Designing modern trends KWS- designing channel workstations Best possible way to suit the business Sustain as an outstanding retailer Operational level Schedule employees TPS- Training and development Processes daily activities smoothly To sustain as a business IS Recommendations Strategic level management of performance as a whole where how it could meet the expectations of organisation Management level performance report against the spending. Knowledge level design performance indicators Operational level pay reviews. International Expansion Level Type of decision Type of IS Benefits to organisation Link to the mission Strategic level International expansion ESS-prepare 5 year forecast in sales Growth in the partnership internationally Partner satisfaction Management level Budgeting Pricing analysis MIS- annual budgeting on expenditures DSS- determine prices Keep track on expenditures of the company. Towards the company profit margin. Success of the business Knowledge level Market analysis KWS-analysing retail market Acquire the best opportunities. Sustain in the business Operational level Process orders TPS-processing and tracking of orders. Process routines Success of the business IS Recommendations Strategic level franchise internationally Management level franchise budgeting forecast reports Knowledge level analysing markets for franchise Operational level keep up the standards as a franchiser. Increase Marketing Level Type of decision Type of IS Benefits to organisation Link to the mission Strategic level Increase Marketing ESS- 3 year sales forecast Increase of sales Sustain of the business Management level Marketing budget Cost analysis MIS-issuing marketing budget DSS-analysing costs towards marketing Manage marketing budget Find best possible for the company Enhance the position in the market Knowledge level Design marketing trends KWS-market analysis Attract customers to drive sales Success of the company Operational level Display marketing adverts TPS-point of sale To drive more sales More sales more bonus IS Recommendations Strategic level economic trends of a countrys condition in a given time period Management level sales analysis and sales reports. Knowledge level design products to suit the economic trend. e.g. to suit economic crisis Operational level production order of the new designed product. Expansion In UK Level Type of decision Type of IS Benefits to organisation Link to the mission Strategic level Expansion in UK ESS-prepare 3 year operating plan Bring more sales, profits Enhance the partnership Management level New budgets for new stores Costs in expansion MIS-spending budgets for annum DSS-contract cost analysis Make most of it towards the future Keep within budgets Sustain of business Knowledge level Design KWS-engineering workstations Keep up standards Towards success of the company Operational level Enter, process orders TPS-order process Make sales More sales more profit, bonus IS Recommendations Strategic level profit forecasts, sales trend forecast Management level sales management, sales analysis Knowledge level market analysis Operational level training development Ethical Issues Climate change Reduced overall CO2 emissions by 16% Waitrose are investing  £55 million over five years to replace refrigeration equipment and improve efficiency Improved shop energy efficiency by 15% in John Lewis, 19% in Waitrose Investigated alternative, lower carbon fuels for vehicles Founder member of the Environmental IT Leadership Team, a cross industry user group aiming to develop more sustainable IT strategies Packaging, waste recycling In 2007-08, John Lewis recycled 4,490 tonnes of waste (39%) and Waitrose 21,500 tonnes (49%) Waitrose reduced carrier bag usage by 30% this year John Lewis have introduced a number of carrier bag initiatives Waitrose are committed to reducing packaging and are introducing recycled recyclable materials. In John Lewis, all new paper and card packaging uses either recycled or FSC-certified material. Waitroses anaerobic digestion generates green energy from food waste from 5 stores Building and operating sustainable shops- Signed up to the BCSC Sustainability Charter Each building project now starts with a Sustainability Action Plan Working to identify ways to improve the sustainability impacts of the design and construction of interior fixtures and fitting Over 90% building waste was recycled during the fit-out of John Lewis Leicester All new Waitrose in-store graphics are made from paper or card, making them fully recyclable, and signage equipment is fully deconstructable so it can be recycled at the end of its life. Supplier relationships The Partnership have provided suppliers with a Responsible Sourcing Supplier Workbook to give suppliers a better insight into our Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice. Through day-to-day contact, John Lewis highly trained buyers give suppliers a helping hand in meeting the terms of our Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice Sustainable products- 78% of the garden furniture FSC certified John Lewis We Can Make a Difference promotion covered more than 600 biodegradable, organic, energy-efficient, Fairtrade, recycled and sustainable products Waitrose stock 180 Fairtrade lines and Fairtrade sales rose by 76% in 2007 Waitrose are the only UK retailer to insist all British fruit and vegetable growers adopt the LEAF certification standard Waitrose local and regional sourcing sales increased by 58% to  £21 million in 2007-08 Improving the customer experience Ranked first for service in the Verdict customer satisfaction index for 2007 Focusing on reporting and sharing details of any customer complaints, so that we can learn from such feedback All new John Lewis Partners currently receive an induction and lots of on-the-job training. This year, we are investing more in training Partners Chairman Charlie Mayfield appointed to the UK Commission on Employment and Skills (UKCES). Health nutrition Over 1,000 products now carry the Food Standards Agency (FSA) multiple traffic light labelling on their packaging, and all recipe cards and publications carry key nutritional information per serving. Waitrose Education invests approximately  £400,000 a year educating young people about nutrition and food. The online Nutrition Advice Service provides customers and health. professionals with help and advice on a wide range of food issues Supporting our communities- Partnerships contribution to charities and communities in 2007-08 was  £6.2 million. All Waitrose shops support local charities and community groups nominated by customers through its new Community Matters scheme. Partners have raised  £138,000 for Wallace and Gromits Childrens Foundation, this years John Lewis Charity of the Year. Waitrose Partners donated 4,221 hours and John Lewis Partners 22,500 through the Golden Jubilee Trust scheme.

The Roots of Illiteracy Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Roots of Illiteracy      Ã‚  Ã‚   A problem that pervades our society and threatens to undermine all of the "advances" of our culture is illiteracy. Why is illiteracy so prominent in the United States? In such a diverse culture the causes of illiteracy cannot be easily pointed out. The United States has one of the most expensive higher educational systems in the world, yet 43% of adults read at a level that scarcely makes it possible to function in society.    Almost 22% of adults are not be able to find their street on a road map. (McGuinness, p. 9) One in five adults cannot read a road sign, fill out an application, or read an ingredient label (Level 1). High schools give diplomas to graduating classes where 20% read at a second grade level or worse (Level 1). College graduates do not score much better with 12% able to read at a fourth grade level or worse (Level 2). Should society be concerned when only 3% of the population are capable of reading and comprehending a jury selection outline? Is the educational system to blame for churning out kids who can barely function in society? Are the elementary school teachers at fault because they pass students to the next grade level when they are incapable of putting their simplest ideas on paper? Or is it biological, stemming from learning disorders or brain damage? All of these forces affect our country's inability to read. (Level 1-minimal level of competence; Level 2-barely literate; up to L evel 5-"advanced level"; 3% of all adults scored Level 5; McGuinness, p. 9-10)    The possibility that children do not learn to read because of physical causes has been the focus of many studies. Dyslexia is common problem and can be successfully overcome with the appropriate ins... .... (Elley, p.228) To solve the problem of illiteracy in the U.S. and the world will take time and a better understanding of the many causes that create our society of readers. "The value of literacy for achieving fulfilling, productive, expanding and participating lives of freedom in modern societies is undoubted, and unquestioned. At the same time, however, literacy does not seem to be well understood." &endash;H. Graff (Ed.). (1981). Literacy and social development in the west: A reader.    Works Cited Elley, Warwick B. 1994. The I.E.A. Study of Reading Literacy: Achievement and Instruction in Thirty-Two School Systems, Great Britain, Pergamon. McEwan, Elaine K. 1989. The Principal's Guide to Raising Reading Achievement, Thousand Oaks, CA. Corwin Press. McGuinness, Diane. 1997. Why Our Children Can't Read, New York, The Free Press.   

Economic Malaysia Essay

The economy of Malaysia has expanded a lot in 2004, as in the following years, with a growth of 7.1 percent. At that time, GNI was at $ 117.1 billion and the GNI per capita at $ 4650. Malaysia’s economy continues to grow. In terms of purchasing power parity, the country was the twenty-ninth largest economy on the globe, having gross domestic product at $357.9 billion in 2007. Due to its continuous development in the industrial sector, Malaysia has one of the biggest living standards in Southeast Asia. RELATED ARTICLES THE 2008 ECONOMIC RECESSION AND ASIA E-Commerce Adoption By Malaysian Organizations Malaysian Culture The Implications Of Multiculturalism On Competition Law In Malaysia Malaysia has rich natural resources: palm oil, timber, tin, crude petroleum and rubber. Agriculture accounts for 12 per cent of the country’s GDP. 16 per cent of the working population is employed in the domain of agriculture. The most important crops are palm oil, cocoa and rubber, but also fruits and vegetables: coconuts, pineapples, rambutan, bananas and durian. The country cannot satisfy the population’s everyday need for rice, so Malaysia is forced to import it from the neighboring countries such as Vietnam or Thailand. Malaysia is the biggest producer of palm oil in the world; it produced 10 million metric tons of palm oil in 1999, most of which was exported. Malaysia is also a big exporter of rubber and wood: tropical logs, sawed tropical timber, hardwood. The manufacturing sector provides: furniture, office machines, electrical machines and appliances, clothing, footwear. International trade has a big role in the country’s economy, as it is one of the three countries controlling the Strait of Malacca. 48% of the country’s GDP is covered by the industrial sector: banking, telecommunications, tobacco, transportation, utilities. Bank Negara Malaysia regulates the financial sector in Malaysia. It licenses limits for foreign participation. In 2001, the central bank launched a Financial Sector Master Plan to recuperate the financial sector after the financial crisis in Asia, with an emphasis on Islamic Banks. Poverty is still a big issue to be solved. Urban poverty seems to have been neglected in the favor of rural poverty, because it is considered that only 2 percent of the urban population lives in poverty. Malaysia’s economy managed to sustain a fast economic development in the last thirty years. It has reduced poverty and provided a better environment for the ethnic groups in the country. The World Bank confirms the fact that growth was registered in all Malaysian sectors. Growth was continuous for 5 years mostly due to domestic consumption. The private investments led to a private sector, increasing the country’s economy. http://www.articlesbase.com/economics-articles/malaysian-economy-821769.html

Free Essays on Insanity Plea

When is a person is sane and who should be able to determine the sanity of the accused. The insanity plea is a defense that can be used when there is evidence that the defendant is guilty of a serious offense but not responsible because severe mental illness impaired their judgement and impulse control at the time of this offense. The insanity plea originated in the 1843 when Daniel McNaughtan attempted to assassinate British Prime Minister Robert Peel. Daniel McNaughtan killed Robert Peel’s secretary but was found not guilty by reason of insanity during the trial. Shortly after this trial the U.S.criminal justice system adopted the insanity plea, brought forth because of the McNaughtan decision. In 1981 the insanity defense plea was criticized harshly after John Hinckley Jr, attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. From this case the rule that you must be insane at the time the crime was committed in order to plead insanity was brought about. Many believed his premeditation of the crime was proof of his sanity. (Dolan 13-33) An insanity plea is a poor excuse for serious crimes and should have no bearing on punishment. In most criminal cases, especially murder trials, the insanity plea is a defense strategy aimed at rescuing guilty defendants from the death penalty or serving life in prison. Many of the defendants who are found not guilty by reason of insanity are released from mental hospitals earlier than they would have been if had they served time in prison. The insanity defense ensures that criminals can avoid the punishment that fits their crime. Is this fair to the victims? Insanity defenses involve a thorough process of psychiatric evaluation to determine the mental health of the accused. Insanity pleas are not made that frequently and are usually not contested by prosecutors. (Mitchell 24-44) During the trial the defense attorney pleads that the defendant ... Free Essays on Insanity Plea Free Essays on Insanity Plea When is a person is sane and who should be able to determine the sanity of the accused. The insanity plea is a defense that can be used when there is evidence that the defendant is guilty of a serious offense but not responsible because severe mental illness impaired their judgement and impulse control at the time of this offense. The insanity plea originated in the 1843 when Daniel McNaughtan attempted to assassinate British Prime Minister Robert Peel. Daniel McNaughtan killed Robert Peel’s secretary but was found not guilty by reason of insanity during the trial. Shortly after this trial the U.S.criminal justice system adopted the insanity plea, brought forth because of the McNaughtan decision. In 1981 the insanity defense plea was criticized harshly after John Hinckley Jr, attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. From this case the rule that you must be insane at the time the crime was committed in order to plead insanity was brought about. Many believed his premeditation of the crime was proof of his sanity. (Dolan 13-33) An insanity plea is a poor excuse for serious crimes and should have no bearing on punishment. In most criminal cases, especially murder trials, the insanity plea is a defense strategy aimed at rescuing guilty defendants from the death penalty or serving life in prison. Many of the defendants who are found not guilty by reason of insanity are released from mental hospitals earlier than they would have been if had they served time in prison. The insanity defense ensures that criminals can avoid the punishment that fits their crime. Is this fair to the victims? Insanity defenses involve a thorough process of psychiatric evaluation to determine the mental health of the accused. Insanity pleas are not made that frequently and are usually not contested by prosecutors. (Mitchell 24-44) During the trial the defense attorney pleads that the defendant ...

To Drink or not to Drink essays

To Drink or not to Drink essays Throughout the United States, many laws have been passed, changed, and abolished. Even as you read this paper, new laws are being formed, current laws are changing, and old laws are in the process of removal from our very constitution. On July 17, 1984, every states legal drinking age was raised from eighteen years of age to twenty-one. Our government believes that two major reasons triggered the drinking age increase. According to statistics recorded by each year, teenage drinking is one of the largest causes of the many fatalities on the road. Others view alcohol as a drug to young America. America is one of the only nations in the world with such a high limit to the drinking age. Our bordering countries, Canada and Mexico, have legal drinking ages of eighteen years, and yet they have few problems related to teenage drinking. If an eighteen year old can make the same decisions that any person over the age of twenty-one can, such as voting or buying weapons, what seems so th reatening about teenage drinking? As an adult, would you want irritable teenagers sitting beside you in a bar? In most case scenarios, the answer would be no. The mere thought of an irresponsible teenager drinking alcohol during their high school years is detestable. Most adults view teenagers as immature, and would prefer for teenagers to be unexposed to alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking and driving is not only weeding out young America, but the results from the drinking and driving also kills more than the unruly and irresponsible teens. In the public and governmental viewpoints, if alcohol is banned from teenagers, they will be more responsible and the nations drunk driving statistics will go down considerably. Through the statistics, you will find that it is true; there is a slightly larger amount of drinking and driving accidents by teens than that of any other age group. Between 1970 and 1990, the MLDA was strongly ass...

The Inner Person Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Inner Person - Essay Example It is also made up of the display of a number of characteristics including perseverance and resistance. Courage helps me in facing my strengths, which means that it gives me the will power to believe in my ability to deliver more what the good things I have undertaken before. Most commonly when a person undertakes a certain outstanding achievement, he is tempted to believe that it happened by chance and that it is not possible for such a feat to happen again. But a courageous person would believe in his abilities and try to be a better person than he had been before (Twumasi, 2010) and this is what I have always done. With courage, I have devised the saying that the sky cannot even be my limit because there is enough space beyond the skies. Courage has also helped me in facing my weaknesses. Basically, my weaknesses are those kinds of things that happen to me that are not pleasant and welcoming. For a non-courageous person, when such weaknesses arise, chances are that he would be drawn back and never make a move to rise again. But as a courageous person and as a person having courage as a value, I have always told myself that the downfall of a person is not the end of his life and so even if I fall 1000 times, I shall arise 1000 times. Due to this, I have always given a second chance to myself in trying that very thing in which I failed previously. It is worth emphasizing that my value of courage has transformed my life tremendously. With courage, I was able to land on my very first job, which fetched me so much capital to set myself up in life. It happened that I was confronted by an entrepreneur after he had seen one of my school results and asked me if I could take up a top job in his organization. Even though I was only a student at the time and had no prior experience, I was courageous enough to say yes and that was how my whole economic fortunes changed. Courage has indeed made me and will make

The development of risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The development of risk - Essay Example A properly organised fieldwork enables learners to develop their competency level, skills and knowledge that further improves the value of classroom education. Due to the outstanding learning nature of the outdoor education, it is more likely to have a positive impact on the learner’s experience. On the other hand, outdoor education involving adventure gives a more practical experience to learners, which further enhances their learning process for better cognitive development (Rickinson, & et. al., 2004). Contextually, Management Information System is a process that involves collection of data and information through different sources and storing. The relevant data and information is further utilised for various decision making process to increase the effectiveness. The outdoor learning process improves the level of knowledge of learners and information gathered throughout the learning process assist in making various decisions effectively. For any organisation, management inf ormation system plays a crucial role, as it is the major source of all the relevant information. Information system ensures that data collected reach its required target and assists in strong decision-making. The system is responsible to meet the information need of each individual, groups as well as management of the organisation (Oz, 2008; Alcami & Caranana, n.d.). Outdoor learning in schools allows students, directly connect with the natural environment. Improved access to environment has a positive health and environmental benefits on students and their risk making assessment. Outdoor education improves the learning process to a considerable degree. Outdoor learning helps to enhance self-concept that leads to improved self-efficacy. Learning combined with natural environment enhances the self-confidence of learners as well as results in spiritual development. On the other hand, it facilitates team bonding as well as cooperation

Article Summary Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Summary - Article Example The article is a description of the way in which infants react to feeling and conditions. In an argument by Bartolotti (2009) children tend to be sensitive when exposed to situations they have no psychological strength to handle. Additionally, the article embraces the fact that children ted to behave according to the environment they are raised in. parents enable children to perceive the environment depending on the way they are raised (Bartolotti, 2009). Depending on early childhood environment of a child, a child develops different ways in which they relate to the environment around them. In addition, the article explains the assumption that the psychological development of a child is determined by the development of their age. At a mild age, a child is easily offended by the easiest of provocations. With time this notion changes (Bartolotti, 2009). The basic creation of the article is based on the fact for a child to develop it require more than parental care. With parent education, parents are enabled to understand the psychological approach to handling children in regards to their age. In an argument by Bartolotti (2009) a child displays specific behaviors depending on their age. Parent education enlightens a parent on such specification as it aims at increasing the relation between the parent and the child. Understanding a child as more than just a sibling is important to their growth due to the fact that the child perception and needs would be effectively catered for. In an argument by Bartolotti (2009) the temperament of a child displays significantly the direction of a child behavior. The author further points out that understanding this factor of a child and the stages of the factor it becomes easier to address the issues of the child and understand the display of behavior by the child. An adult can clearly understand t his behavior by accessing parent

Pizza Pan Business Plan Essay Example for Free

Pizza Pan Business Plan Essay P ? ? ? ? izza Pan is an Australian Company, has developed two new styles of frozen pizza that is lite-cheese, single size whole meal pizza and a jumbo, topping-plus pizza. Pizza Pan is considering undertaking a promotional campaign to market these new varieties in Malaysia. As a marketing manager, we are required to: To outline possible marketing goal for Pizza Pan in promoting these new products. To identify and analyses target markets for these two products. To develop a marketing mix for ONE of these product. To develop an appropriate competitive marketing strategies for Pizza Pan ? In order to outline possible marketing goal for Pizza Pan in promoting these new products. So fast food is one of the worlds largest growing food types. As such Pizza Pan is also one of the well known companies in frozen pizza. This has currently developed two new styles of frozen Pizza. One of the pizzas is a light-cheese, single-size and whole meal pizza whereas another pizza favor is a jumbo, topping-plus pizza. As all of us knew, Malaysia which is a multicultural country which populate by more than 2. 8 million people and they loves experiencing new products and specially food and this country surrounded by hyper-competitors, yet Pizza Pan is considering undertaking a promotional campaign to market these new varieties in Malaysia. Obviously in order to promote these products effectively and efficiently the company needs planning ahead the marketing goals and strategies. Since Malaysia population was 28,728,607 during July 2012. Meanwhile there are 28,728,607 people on Malaysia, out of 29. 6% of Malaysian was 0-14 years old; 65.4% who are in 15-64 years old and there are also over 5% of Malaysian are 65 years old and above. Refer to the index shown; we had decided the goal of Pizza Pan is within one year 80% of Malaysian will get know Pizza Pan. We set the goal at 80%, there are 29. 6% of people are 0 to 14 years old in Malaysia let ignore the baby so we minus out 15 % on the group of age in 0 to 14 year olds so it will be 14. 6% of people who are in 9 to 14 years old. When added up with the group who are in 15 to 64 years old, 65. 4% + 14. 6% there are 80%. Now 80% of Malaysian there are all who can have Pizza or who love Pizza. It’s because baby who just born will not able to enjoy Pizza Pan and People Who over 65 years old will not like fast food or less although when they are young they like to have it. So we decided to minus out this two group therefore Pizza Pan has specific segments to achieve. Then, another goal would be associative in promoting these new Pan Pizza. One of it is to become the market share leader of frozen pizza products amongst its other competitors. Due to that creating customers awareness is also another important goal in promoting these new products. Whereby the company is aiming of rising up to 80% awareness towards these products and beat the rest of the competitors. In simple word, Pizza Pan Company also aims in retaining new customers into long term customers. With this, sales of the new product can be increased due to excellent brand image, attractive advertisement, showing the temptation to eat the product which has been positioned in consumers mind and their willingness to spend the money or experience new products on how creativity of the product can meet their satisfaction comparing to the standards favor of frozen pizza. In brief, we expect customers be aware of these new products in the market. For instance, during the first promotional period of these products, we are targeting the sales of RM2 billion for the frozen pizzas with low price strategy to gain the market share during the growth of life-cycle. In addition achieving true and loyalty customers towards the products is also our objective. In order to be first among equals in a category, the company needs to be more innovative by designing more alternatives selection for consumers. Besides, the company needs to promote the category brand first after only individual brand. Due to promoting frozen pizza it has an advantage like promotional saying â€Å"let frozen pizza refresh you today†, â€Å"Eat fresh anytime frozen pizza†, â€Å"Instant pizza, frozen pizza† â€Å"Ready to eat any time† etc†¦. ? In order to identify and analyses target markets for these two pizza products target markets for Pizza Pan Company are demographic, geographical, psychographic and behavioral. The company is intending to promote the two new products into the selected target markets. This would be metropolitan cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Selangor, Penang etc†¦ From the demographic market point of views, Pizza Pan Company is targeting for the highest expiation of consumers which are between 18 to 48 years of age and the expiation is starting to drop at the starting ages of 49 for the people. Besides, the company is not fixing the gender of consumers of selecting the products. Demographic speaking, the company is targeting for the single and married people who are like main customer for the company. It can be easy for the people who are individuals or even working marriage couples who are likelihood to consume frozen pizza and having busy life style and have to prepare meals for themselves. So it’s time consuming and full satisfaction for busy people. Moreover it will also ease the burdens of parent as even children can prepare their own meals in a very safe way. Not only income and occupation of consumers are included in the demographic market. For example, a person who is holding the high-position in the rapid changing world, can means he/she is high income earner who has to responsible with amount of workloads through working against its time. Hence, they are encountering frozen pizza is fast food and best convenient option for them to work through their days. Besides, the company is targeting for the Englisheducated students who are more likely to follow the western style by consuming frozen pizza as their priority frequent meal whereas Chinese -educated students are preferred in consuming flour products as their elementary needs such as rice. Since Malaysia is multicultural country and comprising of variety race with different religion. Therefore, Pizza Pan Company is taking into consideration of religion respects as their target market. As a result, two new frozen pizzas are promoting but restricting with no pork contents, namely Halal in order to be available for Malaysian consumers. Also, the young generation has becoming the target market to focus on nowadays. Owing to the lack of responsibilities that teenagers have and the lack of home cooked meals whiles home alone, along with current trends of impatience youngsters that everything must be simple and fast, thus frozen pizza is a quick alternative for meal. The geographical target market for the company is Malaysia. The company is targeting for the metropolitan such as Kuala Lumpur which is the capital of Malaysia and Penang as the second high population area. Johor Bahru with high population and the people who works in Singapore, so basically they don’t have time to cook or even eat outside food. However, the company would only develop the two new products to other urban area and rural area when the company’s see some progress or growth in economic situation. Besides that, it is also due to the reason that rural area people spending power is dependable on their own economic growth. This is generated in a traditional way for many decades instead of spending on a new product. Moreover, the new products are available in shopping malls, grocery shops and even schools. Another target markets owing to psychographic is individuals who value their health and diet. They are those who have a fast-paced life and dont seem to have much time on their hands. They are those who find it difficult to fit in something health for lunch as anything that is fast is fast-food. For example, frozen pizza is quick, easy and delicious at the same time can have for lunch. The home oriented is the people who are willingly to stay in the house rather than hanging out for their lunch or dinner. Besides, target market to focus on for Pizza Pan is all social class can enjoy the frozen pizza as it is economical for everyone. With the outgoing and energetic personality individuals are on the list of target market because they might curious to come across of how delicious a new frozen pizza can be. The target markets for behavioral segmentations are benefits, usage status and attitude towards product. Attitude towards product is the emotional response in which positive attitude would affect the usage and loyalty status to a company. If the new frozen pizzas are meeting the customers satisfaction, hence new consumers would insist of consuming the pizza by shifting to the regular consumers. In order to benefits the on diet or health conscious consumers, Pizza Pan is designing the light-cheese, single -size and whole meal pizza with adequate nutritious guaranteed on the package. Moreover, the advantages of new frozen pizzas are only to be cooked in just 5 minutes. It would beneficial busy workers who are working around the clocks to be fast and convenient for their time efficiency yet economical for their livings in the rat race world. ? In order to develop a marketing mix for ONE of the products. The marketing mix is primarily made up of four variables and they are 4p’s which is Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. The marketing mix is often described as a method used in developing a viable marketing strategy, with each ingredient being used different ways and at different times based on the product or service one is trying to market . The type of place channels used by Pizza Pan is the direct channel. The direct channel is successful when there is a very large market that is geographically dispersed. The direct channel is also useful when there are a large number of buyers, but a small amount purchased by each. Pizza Pan uses two different methods of selling its products directly to the market. The first method of place used by Pizza Pan is free delivery as suppliers . The Company would supply their products to wholesalers, retail chains, supermarkets and online but with certain amount of purchase or even small neighborhood grocers for their mass selling. The advantages of using the method are a lower search cost or easy to find for our consumer. Consumers will not have to search the lengths of the earth to find our product. Basically they could find it anywhere. Another method of distribution is for consumers to dine-in especially those who are travelers can go to the highway recreational stands or even conveniences stores like 24 hours Seven-Eleven shop to purchase the fresh from oven frozen pizza. It can mean convenient as quick and take-away products for the travelers eager of reaching the destination. Product Pizza Pan should offer a new product called The Deluxe Plus pizza. The Deluxe Plus is a light-cheese, single-size, whole meal pizza which is the alternative choice for the health-conscious who is on diet with light cheese content pizza along with the current trend that slim is beautiful for female who is likely to consume whole meal foods rather than origin flour foods. This new pizza will have many different competitive advantages. The first competitive advantage of The Deluxe Plus is dietetic food concerned for consumers. The second competitive advantage is the whole meal pizza which is in reasonable price and single-size than any other pizza on the market which is a jumbo pizza. In simple words, it would be a waste for an individual finish the pizza on time. Thus, The Deluxe Plus helps for cost-saving. Another competitive advantage is the Pizza Pan brand name. Pizza Pan has built an international brand name which means quality products. Since Pizza Pan will be introducing The Deluxe Plus customers will automatically think this is a high quality product. The final competitive advantage is that this product will be the special designed pizza to target Malaysian youth. The Deluxe Plus will target young generation or people between the ages of 18 and 48. This market purchases a lot of pizza each year, but very few pizza restaurants actually target them. It will be introduced on Rtm1, 2, 3, 8TV channel. During the introduction stage of the product life cycle, Pizza Pan will try to establish a market for the product and persuade early adopters to buy. The Deluxe Plus is expected to begin and declining the purchase intent after one year on the market. Pricing strategy plays an importance role too because it affects both revenue and buyer behavior. The retail pricing strategy allows Pizza Pan to charge a price that is lower than the competition, in order to promote the frequent sales since the market of the demand of suppliers and consumers are elastic. Customers are price sensitive and the quantity demanded will increase significantly as price decline. Therefore, several sales promotions and coupons will be used to lower the price below those competitors. For example, Pizza Pan is offering free pizza on purchase on two pizzas on special occasions like Chinese New Year, Deepavli or Raya holidays etc†¦ The high or low pricing strategy has several advantages. Firstly, pricing strategy will help to segment the market. Different groups of customers are willing to pay different prices for the same product. Pizza Pan is enabling to sell The Deluxe Plus to the consumers who are first-come-firstserve with economical price. Customers will be able to try something new when they purchase The Deluxe Plus and this exciting experience may bring those customers back to purchase other products. The main theme that will be used to promote The Deluxe Plus is youth. Since Life brand of tomato, chili or BBQ sauce is becoming the non-substitute items for Pizza, therefore it will be included in promotions like KFC. The main promotion will be a coupon to purchase The Deluxe Plus and receive a bottle of sauces which includes many favors. The objectives of this promotion are to introduce a new product, stimulate demand, change the short-term behavior of the customers; This promotion will be distributed mainly by mail, but also by fliers on college campuses or supermarket malls in order to reach the target market. The Deluxe Plus will be published in the newspapers or magazines that are popular with the target market such as STAR, New Straits Times, Woman weekly, Apartments post box and Seventeen. Although advertisements are not cheap, Pizza Pan is an Australian company who is preparing the financial resources to advertise. The young people will then eat The Deluxe Plus with their favor sauces. There will also the teaser banners will be bought to be displayed on bus stops, lampposts or even the Billboard announcements will be placed wherever on the highways for the travelers to notice it. Thu, the advertisements campaign can create awareness of the new product in the target markets. ? In order to develop appropriate competitive marketing strategies for Pizza Pan, Pizza Pan has tough competitors such as Pizza Hutt, Dominos, Barista, Papa Johns, Subway and many others. Hence, there are several competitive marketing strategies that are developed in order to compete with them. Our main intention is to be overall cost leadership, for offer lowest price to the consumer. We are also planning to practice differentiation by offering products with unique customers benefit or features which is not available from the competitive offerings. For instance the The Deluxe Plus which is a health concern product. We want to create a unique selling proposition that gives a real competitive edge Pizza Pans business growth strategy starts with a strong competitive positioning strategy in the marketplace there will discounts offered as a part of a grand opening campaign. Moreover we should watch on over competitor’s strategies too whatever they apply for their product we could plan for it too. Such as Pizza Hutt is offering buy one get one free so pizza pan could work on that too. Then, product leadership is also another strategy as we aim in leading in frozen pizza In Malaysia. Hence, before leading in we have to enter the new global markets; we also intend to create a local partnership with Malaysian businessman. For example, Pan Pizza that originated from Australian company would identify local partners in Malaysia like share holders in food industries so that it will be easier for them to markets the new variety products in Malaysia. This is because local partners know on how to attract their country people and to bring these products to customers as they can receive a good response. Another marketing strategy would be balancing customers and competitor orientations. In specific, we focus on being market centered company. This actually focuses more on customers development in designing strategy. Whereby strategies that can increase products availability and promotion in existing markets. To enter new global markets, the we would make a sponsorship within targeted countries. For example Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain International franchise having their store locations in Malaysia and they achieve their goals and objective of their company like sponsoring shirt for English football club or become a part time sponsor of Galaxy M. Thus, we would also sponsor for Malaysian tennis or squash team during tournament. Finally, a small-scale trial can be a good way of testing a marketing strategy without committing to excessive cost. Whereby, a SWOT analysis would be carried out that includes strength, weakness, opportunities, threats. As for strengths, Pizza Pan is known for personal and flexible customers and service, depth industry experience, creative yet practical product designer, the use of highly flexible and efficient utilizing direct customer’s sales and distribution, varied menu items for broad appeal, high/consistent quality, and strong advertising marketing promotion. Then, weaknesses of lack of an established reputation of frozen Pizza in Malaysia, In conclude, promotion methods used by Pizza Pan tend to create product awareness amongst its new consumer in frozen pizza market. As mentioned earlier segment of the market that we have targeted is a very diverse group whereby promotion of the product has to be done in a very diversify style and unique. It is also believed that The Deluxe Plus will bring Pizza Pan a great success by using effective marketing mix strategy which may even consume high cost in its promotional campaigns but, however we strongly believe that, our potential product will cover the cost and gain maximum profit. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Demographics_of_Malaysia http://www. pizzapanonline. com/ http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Pizza_Pan http://www. marketingteacher. com/lesson_marketing_mix. htm http://www. markedbyteachers. com/catalogsearch/result/index/? http://in_defense_of_frozen_foods_9907348. html http://www. quickmba. com/marketing/mix/ Uk marketing uni. Kotler keller,(2006),marketing management.

Challenges facing mental health problems

Challenges facing mental health problems Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate and access the challenges facing mental health consumers to retain or rebuild a meaningful and valued life. The study was based on looking at mental health statistics, examining current trends in mental health services, treatments, pharmacology, and dual diagnosis management, and rehabilitation, vocational, educational, and transitional services. This paper is based partially on a report that came out of an invigorating collaboration between Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and (NIMH) who strive to improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of mental health services and support; conducting research on mental illness and mental health. This thesis gives my understanding of what this challenge involves, how this can be facilitated by supports within society at large, while evaluating the current policies and service provisions that are available. By exemplifying the current non-governmental organizations (NGO) that are already in place, I then give a synopsis of what agencies/services and resources would be required to necessitate rebuilding a meaningful and valued life for mental health patients. One in four Americans; people of all ages, races, incomes and social stratus will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime. During the course of a year, more than 54 million Americans are affected by one or more mental disorder. (NMHA Tellioglu, 2009) An estimated 22.1 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (NIMH, 1998) while an astonishing 5.4 percent of adults have severe mental illness. (Surgeon General, 1997). The number of people in Ireland admitted to psychiatric hospitals has dropped by 28% since 1997 with an increase in people treated in community psychiatric facilitiesà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬numbering 20,000 30,000 a year. (Irishhealth.com, 2009) Such statistics only begin to capture the level of pain and disruption in individuals, families, and communities for which mental illness is responsible. What is the definition of mental illness? According to the criteria in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) it is a diagnosable illness that results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. Some diagnoses are considered more severe such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Disability refers to the degree of limitation an illness imposes on the ability to function in life areas, such as relationships, work, independent living, and managing finances and medical care. People with mental disorders used to be thought of as a detriment to society and were removed from the community; kept in institutions and psychiatric hospitals. Patients were heavily sedated, given electroshock therapy, forgotten by professionals and family, and their condition further deteriorated, giving little or no hope of recovery. More recent research on long term recovery of individuals with mental illness shows a much better prognosis. Seven major retrospective studies done in Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the U.S. show recovery rates of 46 68% for those with severe forms of mental illness without being institutionalized. (Harding, Zahniser, Zubin and Strauss 1984-1987) Recovery is defined as people with mental illness regaining the ability to work, live independently, maintain meaningful relationships, and contribute to their communities in a variety of ways. (Continuum, 1997) Neuropsychiatric disorders are the second greatest cause of burden of disease after cardiovascular disease, accounting for 40 percent of chronic disease. Serious mental illness can be fatal with suicide as the cause of death among adults second only to traffic accidents. More than 90% of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, (Baylor study, 2009) although not all with mental disorders will necessarily commit suicide; but the pain, hopelessness, and disordered thinking can lead to suicide and the impact is immeasurable. Our nations physical healthà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬as a wholeà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬has never been better. Cancer and HIV/AIDS once termed as terminal are increasingly distinguished as treatable, survivable, and curable ailments. Medical research proves the inextricably intertwined relationship between mental health, physical health and well-being. (David Satcher, 1999) Fortunately, leaders in mental health, intensely devoted advocates, scientists, government officials, and consumers have been insistent that mental health flow in the mainstream of health. With the progress the medical profession has made with disorders of the mind such as dementia and Alzheimers there has also been improvement in understanding mental illness. Dementia is a loss of cognitive function with an inability to think, learn, or perceive due to changes in the brain caused by trauma or disease with blood vessel disease due to illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension as the biggest risk factors. If the illness/illnes ses are treated the dementia can be reversed. Dementia is caused by a condition whereas Alzheimers is a particular physical condition. Some of the early signs of Alzheimers and dementia can include depression. Many medical problems mask as, co-occur with, or exacerbate psychiatric crises. Any patient exhibiting psychiatric symptoms needs a medical evaluation since physical illness can masquerade as mental illness. What many people fail to understand is that dementia, Alzheimers, diabetes, and mental illness are all diseases that a person has no control over. The primary contribution of modern-day mental health research is the degree to which its mended the destructive split between mental and physical health. Researchers recognize the brain is the integrator of thought, emotion, behavior, and physical health. Yet, despite research and unprecedented knowledge about the brain and human behavior, mental health is often disregarded and ailments of the mind remain masked in ignorance and misunderstanding. The challenges involved with retaining or rebuilding a meaningful and valued life for persons with mental illness are innumerable. The closing of mental health institutions, psychiatric wards, community mental health centers, residential facilities and diversion programs has reflected a trend for the entire nation stemming partly from the governments policy of treating the mentally ill in the community, rather than in institutions. (Independent News Media. 1997) Since 1970, 90 percent of public psychiatric hospitals have closed; available beds in NHS psychiatric wards alone dropped by 50,000 since 1980. (Sheriff, 2007) Even when there are adequate mental health facilities patients need to have medication and continual therapy to retain stability. With the closing of mental health systems clients will need additional support in finding a way to continue their treatment regimens. This is especially true for those with bi-polar and schizophrenic disorders who need to be monitored for treatment compliance. With a devastating loss of mental-health services throughout the world, individuals have relapsed, scores of patients have been forced to reside in local nursing homes, become homeless, or end up in correction systems. In 1996, E. Fuller Torrey, prominent psychiatrist/mental health advocate, stated, Quietly but steadily jails and prisons are replacing public mental hospitals as the primary purveyors of public psychiatric services for individuals with serious mental illness in the U.S. With federal funding cuts agencies who could offer services spend more time worrying about who is going to pay for what, rather than how to prevent relapse or suicide. With an inadequate supply of mental health services and providers there is a presence in society of at risk people manifesting mental disorders leading to destabilizing conditions that affect society as a whole. Alcohol and illicit drug use is associated with violence, criminality, antisocial behaviors and the inability to develop into pr oductive citizens of countries and communities. With the lack of mental health dual diagnosis treatment, patients often develop behavior that places them into the legal system; jailed or imprisoned, causing an interruption in their treatment that can lead to radical decline in functioning. Detective Tony Morales, Phoenix Police Department says, all our officers have to be part-time psychiatrists. Gabe Morgan, Sheriff of Newport News, Virginia says, Acute care for the mentally ill was once provided by psychiatric hospitals but many who are severely ill are living in our communities, where the burden of managing symptomatic and psychotic behaviors often falls on law enforcement. Jails were never intended to be treatment facilities but they are replacing psychiatric hospitals. Markowitz, Northern Illinois University reports results of an influential study on how psychiatric hospital capacity impacts crime rates. Data from 81 cities around the country showed communities with greater acc ess to psychiatric beds have lower rates of arrests and crime. (Sheriff, 2007) While troubled individuals are more likely to seek help from their physician than a psychiatrist, (Kiesler, 1980) countless physicians are not trained to deal with mental problems nor willing to spend time listening to anything other than physical symptoms. (Eisenberg, 1977; Engel, 1977; Knowles, 1977; Reiser, 1981). Another challenge is that emergency rooms are becoming the most utilized form of care for those in crisis because mental health service providers are unavailable after hours and on weekends and the ER is not allowed to turn people away. Badly equipped to handle respite/mental health care patients become unnecessarily hospitalized or are medicated until they can see a psychiatrist if available. Mental health consumers who find adequate in-patient treatment often face a void when trying to bridge the gap between relapse or hospitalization and living life in the community. In their quest to achieve recovery, they find little or no intermediate services available. While pharmacotherapy can treat the symptoms of mental illness when taken as directed it cannot restore a sense of value of self nor lift the burden carried by the patient. With no way to progress through rehabilitative therapies and develop coping and life skills a person who has been hospitalized, imprisoned or institutionalized will have little hope reintegrating into society and their mental health will only decline. Often, the result is the revolving door phenomenon with a cycle of deterioration, relapse and re-hospitalization or being arrested for petty crimes, released and arrested again. (Psychiatric Services, November, 2003) Another very real and insidious challenge is the impact of stigma, shame, and isolation associated with mental illness constituting a major barrier against seeking treatment. The graphic portrayal of those labeled with a mental diagnosis confronts the patient living with a serious mental illness to try to navigate beyond the arduous challenges presented by the illness itself. Strides have been made against stigma, yet too frequently mental health is spoken of in whispers and shame. Stigma and an unwarranted sense of hopelessness for recovery from mental illness have erected barriers. These barriers have made their way into churches where those with severe mental illness have turned to seek assistance from their local pastor. Some well meaning Christians throw bible verses or phrases such as if you had enough faith or just give it to God in an effort to solve the problem by fixing the person with mental illness because of their lack of knowledge or understanding. The mentally ill may get support for awhile with prayers, talks on faith, loving and trusting God, but if the person is not progressing as they had hoped then any interest in helping may wane. Serious roadblocks arise when those with mental illness try to find encouragement from their church and get no support or try to talk to their therapist about their faith or religious beliefs and he/she responds in a negative or unsupportive way when hearing about God. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ can give great comfort and hope and provides strength for working through spiritual issues which is an essential part of healing and rehabilitation. God works through people who are willing to help a person to rebuild their life. If a church fails to give support many mental health consumers then make serial connections with church after church trying to find respite and may stop going to church and even worse; turn away from God. Those whose mental illness is dismissed by clergy are not only being told they d ont have a mental illness; theyre also being told they need to stop taking their medication which can be a very dangerous thing. (Baylor, 2008) The unique internal pain of those who have a serious mental illness is only exacerbated when a pastor or members of a congregation fail to understand their condition, or even resents them or their illness because they are unable or unwilling to accept them like Jesus would. Support is essential for recovery of mental illness. Where does a person go when there is little or no treatment available, nor support from family, friends, church or therapists? People who seek God find what they need in time of hardship. Individuals can find support on the internet from mental health forums, blogs and websites. Too many other people that have no answer have given up and have died needlessly. Formidable financial barriers impede needed mental health care from too many people both those with adequate health insurance or one of the 44 million Americans who lack health insurance. If they do not have medical insurance or have other financial problems it can be difficult for the mentally ill to obtain medical care, counseling or medication. Even if they do have medical insurance, many insurance policies either do not cover the cost of treatment for mental illnesses or they only allow a minimum of 12 30 sessions of counseling a year, depending on the insurance policy. Unlike some physical diseases which may be cured with antibiotics or surgery, mental illnesses may need consistent management. For example, there is no cure for schizophrenia. Without continual treatment, these clients decline and may become homeless or worse. For those mental disorders that can be resolved such as post traumatic stress disorder, 12 sessions are not sufficient. It is not feasible to expect a vete ran who has been in active combat for 3 years to heal in three months or a woman who has been abused for most of her life to recover with so few therapy sessions a year. Patients need consistent ongoing treatment without their progress being impeded by financial and insurance restrictions. Some insurance companies have made exceptions through managed care to trade inpatient days for outpatient days to accommodate the patient needing more therapy and psychiatric sessions but this is usually limited to amending the policy for one year at the most. There is substantial research indicating that the majority of the chronically mentally ill can function outside of institutional settings where mental health services are available. A number of community support services were positively evaluated showing evidence patients can be effectively maintained in non-institutional community placement. (Kiesler, 1982) A wide range of non-governmental organizations and community support interventions vary across a spectrum from crisis clinics designed to prevent rehospitalization (Formenhaft, Kaplan, Langsley, 1969) to small self governing communities (Fairweather, 1980) such as mental health drop in centers and psychosocial clubhouses. (Taber, 1980) Primary health care physicians that are able to identify common mental disorders are facilitating and advocating support and treatment for mental health consumers, providing basic medication and psychotherapeutic interventions, while referring complex cases to community mental health services. Other provisions include 24 hour crisis hotlines offering support and encouragement; helping move the person from a state of crisis/feeling suicidal to empowering them to develop and rely on coping skills. In many countries, community mental health teams provide home-based crisis intervention services through 24 hour mobile outreach, assisting in stabilization, visiting people, helping consumers at high risk for hospitalization; providing one-on-one intensive case management, rehabilitation, and follow up. In many countries hospital diversion programs redirect people in crisis to community-based facilities such as mental health crisis shelters, family based crisis homes, apartments with in home-like milieu, or hostels as alternatives to hospitalization helping hundreds of people each year stay in the community and avoid the expense, stigma and trauma of hospitalization. Many provide the same recovery model as psychiatric inpatient treatment facilities and have found with proper support, compassion, understanding, professional mental health, and peer counseling the need for hospitalization is diminished or greatly reduced. Some hospitals have dispositional care, an alternative to hospital stays, adjacent to the ER to facilitate a short stay with discharge as the goal, offering short term acute treatment for psychiatric and substance abuse issues. Outpatient day-treatment is available in a highly structured environment and offer support services upon discharge. A study shows that 80% were successfully diverted from the hospital at considerable savings. Treatment was comparable to those admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Vocational/rehabilitation services help mental health consumers attain independent living skills necessary to move into or remain in more independent level of housing within the community. These programs teach skills such as cooking, nutrition, personal grooming, using public transportation, job skills, budgeting money, health and dental care and assistance achieving a job and/or academic education. While the goal is to stay out of crisis and prevent hospitalization these programs are primarily designed to help consumers reenter society and/or achieve a full community life. Clients take responsibility for their care with moderate support from community-based case managers who make weekly in-home visits to monitor progress and provide assistance. These particular models vary from country to country depending on various factors including the sociocultural context, how health services are organized and the availability of financial and human resources. For success, psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation needs to have integrated, seamless approaches aimed at restoring persons with major mental disorders to their best possible level of functioning and quality of life. How can this be facilitated by supports within society? Effective treatment of serious mental illness goes far beyond inpatient hospitalization and offers individuals the opportunity for community reintegration. (American Psychiatric Association, 2004) Inpatient treatment facilities would be available only for those with severe needs or those at risk to themselves or others. Hospitalization would be brief, minimally disruptive and rehabilitation services within the community could be seamlessly implemented as quickly as possible. (American Psychiatric Association, Kopelowicz and Liberman, 2003) Clients would move through a care continuum including psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, pharmacotherapy, dual diagnoses/addiction treatment, physical assessment, behavioral modification, neurocognitive science, 12-step recovery programs, employment, housing, criminal justice, education, and relapse prevention. Rehabilitation would include teaching life and coping skills, managing symptoms, dealing with memory, decision making, problem solving, and management of anger and stress. Community based programs would include residential services, crisis intervention, hospital diversion and relapse preventative resources, mental health research, and other service providers designed to reintegrate the mentally ill into society. Patients would be educated about their illness to grasp management and proper use of psychiatric medications. The perfect model would include guaranteed access to necessary medicines for people with mental health problems at a cost that the health care system and the individual can afford in order to achieve appropriate prescription and use of these medicines. Having an adequate number of psychiatrists and counselors for outpatient treatm ent in areas that formerly had only a few or none is essential. There is a need to improve coordination between health care providers and governmental and private mental service providers along with community based programs for the mentally ill to advance and improve the referral system and evaluate if the needs of mental health consumers are being met. The government could support mental health consumers by creating laws that restrict discrimination of treatment among insurance providers. Mental illness needs to be viewed as equal to other form of physical disabilities. Mental illness is not a lack of willpower. Medication for depression is just as vital as insulin is for the diabetic. The threat of suicide for mental illness is as dangerous as a heart attack is for heart disease. Promoting good mental health for people of all countries will require scientific know-how but, even more importantly, a societal resolve that we will make the needed investment; not for budgets but for each of us to educate ourselves and others about mental health/illness, and to confront the attitudes, fear, and misunderstanding that remain as barriers before us. (David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., Surgeon General) To remove the stigma and secrecy surrounding mental illness families, churches and others who once offered no support need to sustain those who suffer in shame. There is still a long way to go with reintegrating and rebuilding the lives of those with mental illness. I have learned however that mental health consumers grow emotionally during this process we call recovery through enhanced self esteem, meaningful work, connections to others, a sense of hope and empowerment. They grow physically through increased fitness, improved diet and nutrition, and better health care. They grow intellectually through a better understanding of their disability, effective coping mechanisms, and the development and implementation of personal goals. They grow spiritually through pastors and churches that are willing to offer support, understanding and biblical counseling. It is through our connections with people who are experiencing mental illnesses that we will continue to learn and to grow in our knowledge about mental illness and recovery and have some of the best, richest relationships we could possibly have. In conclusion, the World Health Organization predicts that in the next 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other cause of ill health worldwide. With this knowledge I would like to challenge the world, our nation, our countries, our cities, our communities, both physical and mental health care models, researchers, our employers, and our citizens to take action to collaborate with mental health consumers. 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