Knowledge Management at Etisalat Corporation

Knowledge management is an array of procedures that control the formation, distribution, and use of information. Knowledge management value chain comprise of four stages these are, knowledge acquisition, storage, dissemination, and application. Knowledge is an intangible firm’s asset. Therefore, its use requires adequate control (Wake, 2010). This paper discusses knowledge management at Etisalat Corporation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Knowledge Management at Etisalat Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Knowledge creation Reflectively, â€Å"knowledge acquisition or creation is the first step of knowledge management. Knowledge acquisition comes about after interaction between tacit and explicit knowledge in individual human minds† (Wallace, 2007). Knowledge moves from human mind to the organization. Team work is essential in creating knowledge. Since in these forums, companies acquire k nowledge from employees. At Etisalat Corporation relies on data mining for creation of knowledge. It uses data mining techniques and software to obtain customers information. Also, the company also uses neural networks in speech recognition and image analysis. The company makes use of experts in knowledge management to help in knowledge discovery. In addition, the company creates knowledge using knowledge work systems such as CAD and VRML. These systems aid employees in creation and integration of new knowledge in the organization. Finally, the company owns Etisalat Corporate Social Responsibility Centre. The objective of this center is â€Å"knowledge creation in areas of areas of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, business ethics, and work life balance through research† (Etisalat CSR Centre, 2012). Knowledge storage Knowledge storage takes place in different ways. It can either be in soft or hard copies. Storage can be as simple as keeping information in books. Etisalat Corporation stores information in databases. At the company, storage keeps knowledge created visible. Besides, it enhances resource base of the organization. This improves competitive advantage of Etisalat. In addition, storage supports the company with up to date and accurate market intelligence for other departments. This ensures that they have the best sources for investment decisions. Finally, storage helps the company in handling vast information they receive on a daily basis. This ensures smooth running of the business.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Knowledge dissemination Companies use various ways to distribution information across the organization such as search engines, collaboration tools, e-mails, and portals. Dissemination of information need should be properly managed so that correct information is directed to the intended staff members (Wall ace, 2007). Etisalat Corporation uses intranet and groupware tools to disseminate information. In addition, the company makes use of seminars and workshops. Knowledge from management is received in a number of ways such as intranet, staff meeting forums, employees meetings. Often, â€Å"some of the information management disseminate are changes in procedures and policies, changes in daily routines and major changes in the organization that affects employees and the business as a whole† (Wallace 2007). Etisalat Corporation has a knowledge management department. The department controls dissemination of information using security controls. This ensures that employees access what is relevant for their line of duty. Knowledge application Knowledge application is the use of knowledge in decision making process. It aims adding value to the organization by coming up with new products, new business practices and new markets. Etisalat gains a lot from the knowledge management departmen t. The department provides adequate information on market surveys and customer information. It facilitates growth of the company. Currently, the company has appearance in 18 countries across Africa, Middle East and Asia. The company is also a leader in provision of new products in the market. For instance, the company is â€Å"pioneering the launch of the first commercial 4G service on its nation-wide LTE network and promises to deliver a compelling mobile broadband experience to customers† (Etisalat Corporation, 2012). Based on innovation, the company is ranked tenth in the world. It indicates that the company is successful in making use of knowledge. References Etisalat Corporation. (2012). Company profile. Retrieved from https://www.etisalat.com/en/about/profile/company-profile.jspAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Knowledge Management at Etisalat Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Etisalat CSR Centre. (2012). Overview. Retrieved from https://www.lbs.edu.ng/ Wake, W. (2010). Knowledge creating company. Retrieved from https://xp123.com/articles/tag/xp/ Wallace, D. (2007). Knowledge management: Historical and cross-disciplinary themes. United States of America: Greenwood publishing Group. This essay on Knowledge Management at Etisalat Corporation was written and submitted by user Abby Hines to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

International Marketing Strategy Essays

International Marketing Strategy Essays International Marketing Strategy Essay International Marketing Strategy Essay BA (Hons) Marketing – 3rd year Mathieu Chomarat: 06110827Portobello College Year 2006-2007 International Marketing Strategy Assignment 2: Ikea Case Study Lecturer: Carmel GernonRoom: F6 Table of Contents A Brief Introduction to the essay:1 Macro-environment of Ikea in Brazil:1 Politic and legal environment:1 Economical environment:2 Social environment:3 Technological environment:4 Environmental factors:4 Market strategy entries:4 Wholly owned stores:4 Joint venture:5 Strategy recommended: franchising6 Success factors in Brazil7 Know how to attract new customers7 Be able to sell good quality products at a low price7 Adapt the experience in the retailing to a new market8 Understand the reasons that make Ingvar Kamprad reluctant to enter a new market:8 Bibligraphy9 Appendix 1: Brazil maps10 Appendix 2: Diary11 Number of words: 3,324 A Brief Introduction to the essay: With 237 stores around the world and a turnover of â‚ ¬ 17. 6 billion, the Swedish company Ikea is the world leader in home furnishings[ Ikea’s Fact and Figures 2006, from Ikea’s website at http://franchisor. ikea. om/] thanks to a DIY concept that enables them to sell well designed good quality products at low prices. The Ikea Group plans to further their international expansion into the South American Market. Brazil is the largest country in South America and fifth largest country in the world after Russian, Canada, China and USA. It apparently represents the most attractive country to target. The following analysis aims to high light threats and opportunities regarding to the Brazilian market, as well as providing solutions and recommendations for a successful implantation in this area. Macro-environment of Ikea in Brazil: Politic and legal environment: Even if the political stability in South America isn’t as secure as countries from the European Union for example, the situation remains quite steady as the former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a second term in a landslide victory at the end of October 2006. Silva who used to show strong leftist rhetoric before acceding to power in 2002, is more seen by observers as a centrist with a conservative economic policy in his first term[ â€Å"Brazil’s president wins landslide victory†, Associated Press, 29th of October 2006]. As he is considered more moderate than other South American leftist leaders like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Bolivia’s Evo Morales, his re-election is more than welcome for big companies willing to enter the Brazilian market such as Ikea. Thus, the country doesn’t seem to present a big political risk, as the president promised to boost growth to reach the ranks of developed nations. In fact, the credit insurance company Durcroire specialised in international transactions assesses a risk of two based on a seven levels scale, giving the country a relative poor political risk[ ducroiredelcredere. e, information from the 02/11/2006]. The government is also quite active for helping its population to have better standards of living. A number of programs such as the â€Å"Programa Carta de Credito Individual e Associativa†, â€Å"Habitar Brasil-BID (HBB)†, or the â€Å"Programa de Subsidio a Habitacao de Interesse Social (PSH)† help people to acqui re proper homes, by providing grants and credits to people who are the most in the need. It thus helps them to leave their ghettos. Such programs can be seen as an opportunity, because, when moving into new houses, people are more likely to be willing to acquire furniture as well. Other social programs are profitable for the population and for Ikea as well. For example, the â€Å"Credito Solidario†, helping poor people to send their children to school leads to an increase in the number of educated people who can be seen as the target of Ikea. For instance, they can read the ads, understand Ikea’s buying process, and build their own furniture with written explanations for instructions[ bresil. org/index. php? option=com_contenttask=viewid=663Itemid=51cataff=116cataffb=116]. Furthermore, the government is willing to make the country more liberal. In this intent, Brazil is a part of the Common Market of the South, Mercosur which has founded Common External Tariffs (CET) for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, concerning a growing number of products. In the geographic area of Mercosur, the tariffs are also eliminated, and factors of production (labour or capital for example) can move freely. These CET apply for equipment goods at rates included between 0% and 14%[ septimanie-export. com/fr/fiches-pays/bresil/acces-au-marche] (numbers given for the tariffs applied on the CIF[ Cost Insurance Freight] price of goods). This is a big opportunity for Ikea, because reduced tariffs would reduce prices on their imports to Brazil if they set up one or more outlets there. There doesn’t seem to have a special law limiting the size for big stores, which quite goes in the right way for Ikea. Economical environment: With emerging markets grabbing investors’ attention, many are turning their focus towards South American markets. Strong exports, high commodity prices and increased investments have been contributing factors to growth within many of the Latin American markets[ Ann-Marie Fleming, 19th of Jan 2007, seekingalpha. om, stock market opinions and analysis website]. The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Brazil for the third quarter of 2006 was about Real 542 billion ($ 253. 5 billion), which represents an increase of 6. 55% compared to the previous quarter[ SDDS, from the International Monetary Fund, January 2007]. If taken on a per capita basis, Brazil is ranked in 68th position out of 181 countries with revenue of $ 8,561 a year, providing the population an average purchasing power[ International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database for the year 2005, September 2006]. Thus, the economy seems more than appropriate to the entrance of Ikea, especially since the global imports in the country have experienced a growth of 16. 27% during the third quarter of 2006, reaching Real 72 billion ($ 33. 7 billion), which could be profitable for the importation of furniture. Brazil has indeed well recovered from the 1999’s crisis[ SDDS, from the International Monetary Fund, January 2007]. But the growth of the economy of Brazil, compared from one year to another shows numbers quite smaller, as it grew approximately from 2. 3% in 2005 and 4. 9% in 2004[ state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640. htm#econ]. Regarding more specifically the furniture market, numbers show that in the previous years, Brazilian imports decreased from $ 111 million in 2000 to $ 96 in 2001 (-3%), which doesn’t seem quite attractive for Ikea, considering its global strategy of having one only supplier for each product. The imports of furniture are dominated by the United States with 39%, followed by Germany with 36% and Italy with 10%[ ABIMOVEL, Brazilian Association of Furniture Manufacturer, numbers from the case study]. The market of furniture in Brazil can be broken down in three main segments: residential (60%), office (25%) and institutional organisations (15%). Analysis show that this last segment is on the growth and imports should increase considerably for the next 3 or 4 years, mainly imports from the United States. That could be interesting if Ikea would favour the institutional segment, and if they would have suppliers based in the United States. The market is also restrained by high interest rates (18. 3% per year in 2001) which prevent people from demanding bank loans, and thus maintain their purchasing power at lower levels than if they could borrow money easier. It then has a bad impact on house purchasing and in series, lowers the buying of house furnishings too. An economical risk regarding the imports of furniture is brought with Brazilian high government debt remaining at 51% of the GDP, in spit of a relative decline in 2004. This debt could lead to the hardening of import taxes and other product taxes or even currency depreciation which could be dreadful for Ikea and its low costs strategy based on high volume sales. A possible solution to target a market which represented approximately $ 3. 6 billion in 2000 could be to use one of the 13,500 Brazilian furniture manufacturers. The problem there is that most of these firms are small, family owned companies not necessarily adapted for mass production at an international scale. The advantages to have recourse in local production are that: The average wage for November 2006 is of Real 1 139. 8: $ 533. 2; The production of particleboard which is used for 80% by the furniture industry has increased from 13% a year from 1990 to 1998, reaching 1. 3 million m3. Social environment: Brazil constitutes at first sight an incredible opportunity. On one hand, it represents a growing population of 186 million people. On the other hand, it is also a market which can be compared to European ones: the population is mainly Roman Catholic (74%), most of the population speaks Portuguese, 86% of the Brazilian adults are literate and the workforce is of 90. 4 million people with only 8. 4% unemployed[ Information from the USA government, state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640. htm#econ, 2005]. However, like most of the developing countries, polarization is a significant issue in the Brazilian society. There are huge income gaps between the rich people and the poor people. The 10% richest people earn 50% of the totally income and the 10% poorest people only get less than 1%. Social statues then classify the society hierarchy, and people try to improve their rank by having famous cars or with the taste of decorating in house, especially in the middle class. This could indeed be a good point, but the credit option is extremely limited among most consumers in Brazil, 18% of households have credit cards, and most of them wouldn’t beyond the point that they can pay back the full balance within a month[ Brazil’s Consumer Credit Culture, 18th of Jul 2005 gtnews. com]. According to a report from The San Francisco Chronicle (California) newspaper on March 22, 2006, more and more low and middle level of people moving to new building, it is a significant signal that low and middle class people improve their living standard. On an other hand, furniture demand could increase in the near future, and certain groups will look for eye-catching furniture at acceptable prices. This is exactly what Ikea is looking for! Technological environment: The road network stretches on 1. 5 millions kilometres but only 10% is asphalted, which can cause disorders for the furniture’s delivery. Moreover, proximity to mass transit and public transportation is essential as a lot of low-income consumers do not own any car. The growth of PC’s ownership PCs as well as the Internet expenditure could be profitable to Ikea for online selling. The state has placed an order for 1 million of $ 100 computers for 2007 to equip schools[ â€Å"Le Bresil: premier grand client du PC a 100 dollars†, silicon. fr, 12th of March 2007], and the computers ownership is growing in the country. Environmental factors: Brazil shelters dense forests in northern regions including Amazon Basin that can be use for wooden furniture: half of the country is covered by forests. The government is also involved in protecting this forest, but lots of measures aren’t very effective. Market strategy entries: Ikea has already a pre-set strategy worldwide: it has franchises all over the world that sells its products and use contract manufacturing to supply the outlets with furniture. The products designed by Ikea, and produced by its partners are sold all over the world; it’s thus a big company, largely experienced in international business. The firm’s objectives in targeting Brazil are to enter a huge potential market and then increase its global market share as well as its revenue. In this new market that seems appealing enough to try and get to set a business in, but in a country that seems to be full of threats for a company that doesn’t have any experience with the local culture, it seems more than recommended to find a local partner first. Studies show indeed that successful companies in Brazil, like CA, are the ones which managed to adapt to the local environment with specific policies. In this intend, two strategies are likely to give the best results, because they involve local actors providing a fewer risk, and because they take into account the current organisation of Ikea: joint venture agreements and franchising. On a second hand, the strategy consisting in implanting Ikea’s wholly owned outlets or even purchasing other companies to set up their business in Brazil could be a solution, if we consider that the Brazilian market has a high potential for high income and success. Wholly owned stores: Having wholly owned stores to enter the Brazilian market is the most risky solution that can be conceivable, but it is still relevant to the actual case as the political risk in the country is low, the potential market in term of number of potential customers is high, and Ikea has enough resources to invest into new outlets. This strategy could be seen as similar to franchising, which is the main approach used by Ikea all other the world. Wholly owned stores could therefore be a possible solution for Ikea, which would either have to employ local managers or buy an existing local store to make sure that the new entity would answer the special needs of the market. Being able to understand the culture is an important factor to succeed in Brazil indeed, as the case study shows. Ikea should then be very careful when entering the market to make sure they respect the local culture and answer to the specific local needs of both the customers and the employees. Having a local owned store would be a long shot strategy to make high profit in the long run as well as being able to access to the distribution channels quickly and then select new suppliers among the huge number of local furniture manufacturer. The opportunities could thus profit to the brand worldwide, in finding a cheap manufacturers supplying good quality products. But this strategy also has a major drawback, as it would use big resources and could be unprofitable if the sales remain low. Ikea would then struggle to exit the market quickly and wouldn’t be able to prevent huge losses. This strategy could then only be used if Ikea is sure that the market is big enough. Joint venture: A joint venture is an entry strategy for a single target country in which the partners share ownership of a newly created business entity[ Keegan Green, 2005, pp. 299]. A joint venture seems to be an adapted strategy as Ikea already used this type of strategy during the past. In Japan for example, it set up a joint venture agreement with a local department store to test the market in 1976. History shows that the company then withdrew from the market due to stagnant sales. It then came back to Japan recently in 2006 thanks to a distribution partnership with the Mitsubishi Corporation[ Wikipedia, 2007]. Ikea could use a similar strategy by setting up a partnership with a medium sized local actor specialised in retailing with experience in the furniture industry to benefit from its experience without risking to face to see this actor becoming a competitor when he would have learn enough from the big company. A joint venture strategy could be seen as an opportunistic strategy to see if the market is ready. The benefits of a joint venture are as follow: Ikea would attain the knowledge of the Brazilian market through its local partner. It enables to reduce the time for Ikea to understand the local furniture market. If the market is really interesting, Ikea can then enter more and set up new stores in the country, in the high population density areas. Ikea also shares the risks with the local partner and thus reduce risk and uncertainty. By using joint venture, the financial risk and possible government interference are reduced. It could be then profitable to use local suppliers for some products, reducing costs due to importation taxes. However by using joint venture, there is possible conflict against the company goals and objectives, and it is difficult to exit the venture in both successful or failure events[ Warren J. Keegan Mark C. Green, 2005, Global Marketing, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, page 299]. If the partnership would take a wrong turn, concerning the relations with Ikea or if the local company wouldn’t follow Ikea’s recommendations, the multinational firm would struggle to adapt its model to the new market. Possible conflicts could also come from the fact that the local actor could copy Ikea’s strategy and give an end to the partnership. That is why it is very important in that case to be careful when choosing a partner and make sure that he would understand Ikea’s goals and adhere to them. Strategy recommended: franchising â€Å"Franchising is a special form of licensing where the franchiser makes a total marketing programme available to the franchisee. It will have to pay a fee and supply capital, personnel, personal involvement and local market knowledge†[ Jeannet Hennessy, 2004, pp. 296]. All current 237 Ikea stores all over the world operate under a franchise from Ikea Systems B. V. Ikea’s Facts and Figures], and franchising seems to be the most adapted entry method to enter the new market for the following reasons: Uncertainty Risk: Though economy is booming in Brazil now, with high national debts, high interest rate, and huge income gap between rich and poor people, there is still uncertainty risk to enter the Brazilian market. Franchising can reduce risks with limited resource input in an uncertain market because it uses the resources and the knowledge of the local franchisee. Speed: Speed is one of key issue for Ikea to be success to enter Brazil. Because of the important number of local competitors in the Brazilian market, the less time Ikea give them to reply, the high opportunities to be successful. Franchising is then an answer to this speed requirement as it provides the opportunity to grow quickly and open rapidly several numbers of stores if the market tends to be very profitable. Organization Objective: According to the information from the case study, franchising method used by the firm enables it to emphasis on centralized control and standardization of the product mix. And the objective of Ikea is to provide low price furniture with a fashion style. So the franchising method enables Ikea to build up lower costs in producing all over the world and then making economies of scale, to achieve the organization objective. Organization Experience: Ikea has a high level in international retailing with franchising methods in 22 countries. Compared with the level of experience in other methods, franchising is the most powerful and attractive methods to entry Brazil market for Ikea, because they master it very well! However, every coin has two sides, and the most appropriate entry method, franchising, also has a few drawbacks[ Cf. Jean-Pierce Jeannet H. David Hennessy, (2004), Global Marketing Strategies, 6th Edition, Houghton Mifflin, page 296. ]: More competitors in the long run: there are huge number of manufactures and wide rich resource in Brazil. It could be easy to set up new stores for local actors to compete with Ikea after learning from it. According to the case study, as business people in Brazil prefer their own way of running the business, the centralized management approach has limits in Brazil and there could be conflicts appearing in long term. Ikea should be very careful with that, as it could be considered as a success factor. Success factors in Brazil The Brazilian market for furniture retailing involves specific success factors which slightly differ from the ones that Ikea already has to master to compete in other countries. Three different factors can be identified through the case: Know how to attract new customers, with an emphasis on being able to communicate well among the prospects; Be able to sell good quality products at a decent price; Have a strong experience in the retail industry with a focus on three aspects: the customers, the suppliers and the employees. Know how to attract new customers The challenge here is to adapt the communication mix to the local population. The fact that Ikea has a famous brand name all other the world is already an advantage as the company has been chosen as the eighth best brand in 2006 according to a survey from brandchannel[ brandchannel. com/start1. asp? fa_id=352, 2006]. The print run for the 2006 Ikea’s catalog edition was 160 million[ Kerry Capell, â€Å"How the Swedish retailer became a global cult brand†, Business Week, 14/11/2005], even more than the Bible, which shows well the company’s know how in communication, since this fact helps to bring more than 1. 1 million customer in the stores everyday. But this is not enough for the Brazilian market, Ikea has to be able to show its interest for the local culture and adapt its communication to this particular environment. Be able to sell good quality products at a low price Ikea has already a deep knowledge in this area, because of efficient marketing and design departments which are successful to use different suppliers and know how to realise economies of scale without lowering the quality. Be able to sell good quality products at a low price is the most important success factor to enter the Brazilian market. This key success factor involves skills of Ikea to manage Just In Time (JIT) production, and a large production useful for economies of scale, as well as to use consumers as â€Å"pro-sumers†. But these skills have to be adapted for the Brazilian market as the notion of â€Å"pro-sumers† will certainly have to be explained to the new customers. JIT is also a big advantage for Ikea because in enables the brand to suppress unnecessary stock costs. Adapt the experience in the retailing to a new market This last part, which takes into account the two former success factors, has to do with managing the people, the processes and the flows in order to serve best the customers. In other words, Ikea would have to adapt itself to the new culture. For example, Ikea would have to have local managers who understand both Ikea’s and the local culture, and who can introduce the first to the latter. Adapt the experience to the new market has also to do with being able to locate well the store, adapted to the way of life and the possibilities of the Brazilians: for example, the population isn’t well equipped with personal vehicles, housing furniture may have to answer specific requirements, the way of selling may differ from what Ikea has previously experienced in other countries or the import taxes as well as a nationalism could lead the company to use local suppliers a lot. Understand the reasons that make Ingvar Kamprad reluctant to enter a new market: According to the case study, Ingvar Kamprad is feeling quite reluctant to a further expansion of Ikea. This can be analyzed by different reasons: The main one, pointed out by the case study, is that when an organisation becomes too big, it becomes too hard to manage. Indeed, one person, as a human being, can’t take the responsibility for handling thousands of issues caused by hundreds of stores. The main manager of the whole organisation, Ingvar Kamprad, would then have to delegate more power in order to be confronted to a restricted number of issues. Other reasons could also cause this scepticism, as we have seen earlier in the case study: language barriers that could result in conflicts of communication[ hartford-hwp. com/archives/42/149. html], other cultural issues that would oppose dissimilar management styles[ Zara’s problems, according to the case study], or huge competition due to well implanted local producers. All of these issues can though lead to a failure of the new attempt, and handicap the whole company and thousands of employees. Bibliography ABIMOVEL, Brazilian Association of Furniture Manufacturer, numbers from the case study Ann-Marie Fleming, 19th of Jan 2007, seekingalpha. com, stock market opinions and analysis website Brandchannel website from brandchannel. com/start1. asp? fa_id=352, 2006 â€Å"Brazil considers linguistic barricade† by Andrew Downie, The Christian Science Monitor, Wednesday 6 September 2000 published in hartford-hwp. com/archives/42/149. html Brazilian embassy in France at bresil. org/index. php? option=com_contenttask= viewid=663Itemid=51cataff=116cataffb=116 Brazil’s Consumer Credit Culture, 18th of Jul 2005 gtnews. om â€Å"Brazil’s president wins landslide victory†, Associated Press, 29th of October 2006 Cecilia M. Vega, â€Å" A new oasis in Tenderloin†, The San Francisco Chronicle (California) newspaper on March 22, 2006 Durcroire (Belgian credit insurance company) website, ducroiredelcredere. be, information from the 02/11/2006 Houghton Mifflin, page 2 96. Ikea’s Fact and Figures 2006, from Ikea’s website at http://franchisor. ikea. com/ Information from the USA government, state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640. htm#econ, 2005 International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database for the year 2005, September 2006 Jean-Pierce Jeannet H. David Hennessy, (2004), Global Marketing Strategies, 6th Edition Kerry Capell, â€Å"How the Swedish retailer became a global cult brand†, Business Week, 14/11/2005 â€Å"Le Bresil: premier grand client du PC a 100 dollars†, silicon. fr, 12th of March 2007 SDDS, from the International Monetary Fund, January 2007 Septimanie Export, French association helping companies from the Languedoc-Roussillon region to go abroad septimanie-export. com/fr/fiches-pays/bresil/acces-au-marche US Department of State information from state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640. htm#econ Warren J. Keegan Mark C. Green, 2005, Global Marketing, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, page 299 Wikipedia, 2007 Appendix 1: Brazil maps Population Density in 2000 Appendix 2: Diary P=03151611 M=06110827 Date: 26 Jan 2007 Time: 15:30 Duration: 45 minutes Issues discussed: 1. Cleared doubts on each question. 2. Checked general Brazilian info online. 3. Make appointment for the next meeting. 4. Divided the workload. M is responsible for presenting information about Brazil. P is responsible for picking out the info from the Case study. Date: 1 February 2007 Time: 14:30 Duration: 30mins Issues discussed: 1. Review the written part of the report 2. Did more research on Brazilian furniture market. 3. Decided the entry methods and work together on Question 2 3 Date: 8 Feb 2007 Time: 16:30 Duration: 1hour We meet at H04, the computer room to switch and discuss opinions on Question 2 3. We put the written parts together and work together on Question 4. We did not finish it, but we decide both to work on it and put them together later. Date: 15 Feb 2007 Time: 16:30 Duration: 1hour We put the part of question 4 together, and review the whole report. We checked some issues and reconstructed some parts. Date: 22 Feb2007 Time: 16:30 Duration: 2hours Making the report together

Achilles Anophtheis (Achilles revisited) Essays - Achilles, Opiate

Achilles Anophtheis (Achilles revisited) The director walked onto the stage, gingerly adjusting his radiation mask in order to fit the microphone beneath it. His nervous cough boomed through the hall. After shuffling the papers on the podium before him, he began. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen of the Pre-Apocalypse Archaeological Society. We have called this session to impart to you a matter of the utmost importance, a discovery of the highest order. As you are aware, our teams have only recently been able to sift through the debris of the razed cities of our belligerent predecessors, thanks to the efforts of our colleagues at the Physical Research Society who, with the aid of Allah, have made our task infinitely easier with the invention of a radiation suit which allows our field workers to work even in areas of the highest radiation concentration: the cities of what was formerly the United States of America. The discoveries are literally pouring in, and we have our hands full simply cataloguing the numerous finds. Our first find was a small rectangular object, containing a spool of thin ribbon, which one of our historians identified as what was known as a cassette. Simply put, it was a device on which sounds could be recorded. From its small size, our historian conjectured that it was of a type designed for recording the human voice rather than music. Armed with this belief, we managed to convince the Censor Society to allow us to reconstruct the primitive machine to play back the message we hoped it would contain. They agreed; on the condition that we did not do so until they had a chance to screen it for the negative influences that caused the downfall of the last corrupt civilization. They duly approved it and we are now ready for its first public presentation. "Before we begin, I would like to explain some of the terms used in the recording, for those of you who lack the benefit of an historical training. The tape is evidently the recording of a psychologist. You are all aware that the sacrilege which led to the destruction of the Nuclear Age was primarily caused by the decline in religious belief and values. A psychologist was the person who supplanted the role of the confessor in this blasphemous time. He labored under the delusion that the immortal soul was accessible on a scientific, human level; and, like most of the scientists of the day, impiously discounted Allah as an unnecessary complication. We found an infamous saying which pervaded much of the Pre- Apocalypse literature: 'Religion is the opiate of the people'. Well, psychology became the new 'opiate of the people.' The patient with whom the doctor is dealing with in the recording, has been identified as a prominent businessman of the day. He is what was called an arbitrageur. A man who specialized in dealings on their stock market, a term I am sure all of you are familiar with. In any case, an arbitrageur bought and sold companies for a profit. In the few pieces of literature we have been able to recover, it seems that such men were regarded as the heroes of their age. I refer of course to the numerous copies we have of the autobiographies of Donald Trump, Robert Campeau and the like. Evidently the culture considered these books to be of great importance, for we found huge amounts of them in large buildings. This was apparently for safekeeping since the storage facilities were located well away from the centres of attack in the event of a nuclear war. The periodicals of the day also reflect the reverence in which these men were held, as they are frequently mentioned. It is another mark of the degradation of the society that the primary estimate of a man's worth became the amount of money he earned. It is difficult in this holy age to conceive of such blasphemy, but it is necessary that we do so in order to avoid the same traps into which they fell. We have managed to reconstruct the scenario as far as was possible, but we endeavored to retain all of the original conversation in addition to our own narration. I don't think that there is anything further that you need to know about the recording, except perhaps that it appears to be incomplete. I would ask that you remain as silent as possible, because the tape is of very low quality and the accent is very difficult to understand. If you are having trouble,

Is Socrates Form of the Good Correct Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Is Socrates Form of the Good Correct - Essay Example One of these entities is goodness or good, which is considered to be one of the causes of many of the things that are experienced daily in the visible realm. Something is considered to have a certain level of goodness because it participates in the Form of Good. According to Plato, Forms are the only things that can be known about, that is, they are the only things that can be considered to be objects of knowledge (Welton 20). In other words the form of the good, according to Plato, is ultimately to be treated as the object of knowledge, even though it is not really knowledge itself. Socrates, through Plato, is convinced that just gains its usefulness through the Good. I believe that Socrates is right in philosophizing that from Good emanates everything else, including knowledge and justice. Form of the Good Plato does not specifically say what the form of good is, but he does say that the knowledge of the form of the good is the most important or the highest knowledge that philosoph er kings should aspire. He says â€Å"What gives truth to the things known and the power to know to the knower is the Form of the Good, and though it is the cause of knowledge and truth, it is also an object of knowledge† (Plato and Jowett 46). ... All the prisoners get to see are shadows which are visibly moving on the wall. These shadows are not of people, but of statues being moved from above them but the prisoners cannot see this. They think that the shadows they see moving on the walls in front of them are real people, they cannot conceive a better reality in their present state. Socrates likens these prisoners with people who live thinking that the reality is composed of the fantasies they hear about in stories (Welton 47). Once the prisoners are released it is then they realize that what they thought were real people were actually lifeless statues (Anna 85). However, they would still think that the statues are real, just like a person who is used to the sounds and sights of the world would think that there was nothing more real than their own experiences. If the prisoners wander out into the open world, they might at first be blinded by the sun’s light, but with time, they come to the realization that there are ot her things and objects in the world. They will then think that these objects are real, just like a person who finally gets the knowledge of the Forms that comprise everyday existence. In conclusion the prisoners will come to look at the sun and realize that it is the source of the light that is making it possible for them to see all the objects that they are seeing; it is the source of all life and all light. According to Socrates, the Form of the Good is therefore like the sun; it is the source of everything found in the intelligible world (91). Socrates asks his students and friends to visualize a line that is halved in two and four. According to Socrates, the upper part of the halved line

Probability Distributions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Probability Distributions - Assignment Example Burglary topped the list of the most committed crime with 44%. On satisfaction, the criminal justice ranked first with 5.4 points while sentencing closed the list with 5.0 points. Correctional facilities play an integral role in criminal justice system. These facilities key responsibility is the incapacitation of a convicted person to deter recurrence of crime. They do so through the execution of the punishment given to a convicted offender by the court. However, they also provide other services such as rehabilitation and skill training. In US, the facilities fall under state or federal government although, private prisons also exists. The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages all the federal prisons while the Correction Departments in various states runs the state prisons. An offender gets an admission to prison after sentencing by a judge in state or federal courts. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) 2011, there were about 1.5 million prisoners in both state and federal prisons. Of this population, 40% were above 40 years old. The drug related offenders accounted for close to half the population of inmates in federal courts. Besides, the person s aged between 20 to 44 years committed most crimes accounting for 78% of the prisons’ population. In the same report prepared by BJS, approximately 92% of the prisoners are males. On crimes, apart from drugs, robbery, murder, assault, and burglary are the most common crimes in US. Although, the BJS 2011 statistics showed that the population of US prisoners declined by 0.9%, the incarceration rates outnumbers countries such as Canada and United Kingdom. Therefore, the conclusion is that the criminal justice system has weaknesses that need address from stakeholders. One of the main challenges faced by the system is the disproportionate number of African American and Hispanics in US prisons. While they are the minorities, they make up about 70% of the prisoners. This disparity elicits a perception that

In Your Own Words Essay Example for Free

In Your Own Words Essay In a researched proposal, it addresses a particular project academic or scientific research. A research proposal contains extensive literature reviews and must offer convincing support of need for the research being proposed. Thus, this why a proposal is written, it is a scheme from a sellers to a prospective customer. Overall the main purpose is to fulfill the requirements of a client, which I will explain how General Motors will address throughout this proposal. Overview Section In my proposal the researched goals are to understand what makes General Motors successful. We will do this by making a stronger commitment to our customers (We hear you loud and clear), our employees, and partners. I will address the steps we will take in fulfilling our obligations below: Customers In making a stronger commitment to our customers, General Motors will make more fuel-efficient vehicles by building vehicles that get 30 mpg or more. We will produce a pug in vehicle by the name of the Chevrolet Volt, which will show our consumers and potential consumers we are innovative. The Chevy Volt, with its core technology that will drive a higher volume for electrification of automobiles and we also will be expanding our selling to China and Australia, giving our competitors something to scratch their heads about. Additionally, we want to deliver best quality vehicles and this is a major cornerstone of true commitment to our valued customers. Therefore, having a relationship with customers is essential; we strive to create passionate brand of supporters, who cherish their vehicles. We want them to openly tell other of their experience with our innovative vehicles. In addition, being innovative, we know this is something we must do! We challenge us to become more innovative and that ensures we will lead in everything we do! This extends to implementing the smallest improvements to execute bigger ideals. We are constantly increasing our competitive advantage to delight and excite our customers. Employees In making a stronger commitment to our employees, we understand Safety and Quality comes first. Safety is and always be a priority here at GM. Emphasizes will be concentrated on our safety first culture, in our facilities, and with the growth of our businesses in new markets. We will offer incentives to our employees for working safely and productively, such incentive a paid one day off, gift cards, and discounts off vehicles. We will make sure that our employee’s practice our new safety philosophy which is safety is at the heart of development of each one of our vehicles. Partners In making a stronger commitment to our partners, we understand creating lifelong partners that we want here at GM, we take nothing for granted in our efforts are to earn the confidences and loyalty of our partners. We listen to partners to ensure we meet all their needs, and are connecting with them on their terms. General Motors business problems Currently, the business problems General Motors is having is financial, speculated by a few business experts, who have confidence in the company being able to continue in its present form even though it filed bankruptcy in 2006 (Taylor, J, 2013). There are numerous business problems the company is facing, but I will only speak of one which is legacy costs, it’s the caring for General Motor’s retired and injured employees. The union United Auto Worker, have negotiated regularly nice wages, pensions and health care, which protect their member. The profit margin in booming times on automobiles could include buffers to cover the ongoing costs of payments to retirees, hence the financial problem, can’t pay what they agreed. In contrast to foreign competitors and newcomers to auto industry do not have the same problems with their profits. This has forced cash trapped buyers to turn to more affordable cars. General Motors Competition According to General Motor’s Strategic Analysis, the key competitors GM, who’s domestic, are: Daimler/Chrysler, Ford Motor and who are foreign are: Toyota Motor and Honda Motor (Thomas, C, n. d. ). In explanation of why they are competitors Daimler Chrysler placed itself as an industry leader, since, it manufactures brands such as: Dodge, Mercedes Benz, and Jeep. As for Ford Motor Company, two vital businesses are automotive and financial services. Ford has concentrated on reducing cost to raise margins further than its competitors. Thus, Honda Motor Company, it has reliable confident reputation for producing high quality products from cars to motorcycles. Toyota Motor Company has three major brands Toyota, Lexus, and Scion these let Toyota reach many sectors of the globe in a choice of vehicle for the customers. Concluding why General Motors is the leader of its competitors, it manufactures more brands than its competitors, these brands are: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, Daewoo, Opel, and Holden. It’s to no wonder why our economy rested on GM success. (Thomas, C, n. d. Population Sample In my population sample for customer attitudes and behaviors, I will use cluster sampling in the selection of how I will gather this information needed. I know as the researcher that population that will be under scrutiny is those ethnicities that do the most purchasing, sadly but true its minorities. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey that was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Labor S tatistics, minorities spend up to 30% more than that of whites who have comparable incomes (BLS. gov, 2013). Their age would range from 35-64 years old. I will you this age because consumers are spending at 63% (BLS. gov, 2013), now for determining how they will feel about company products and services. As I understand population sample is a process through a group of representative individuals are select from the population for the sole purpose of statistical analysis. I know my population sample must be done correctly, since if errors occur, my data will be misleading or invalid. Steps in the research process In identifying the steps in the research process, my first step would be to identify and develop my research topic. I can do so by, stating what I want to research. Second step: find background information on the subject, utilizing internet as resource for gathering information. Third Step: usage of books and media, I will use guided keyword searches to find material by topic or subject, and writing down in both steps 2 and 3 my sources. Fourth Step: search periodical articles, this will be to find citations to articles. Fifth Step: evaluate what I found, critically analyzing information sources. Sixth Step: cite what I found using standard form, just giving credit where credit is due.

Forgiveness Essay -- essays research papers fc

Forgiveness Christ Jesus some two thousand years ago came into this world to bring redemption for our sins. He did this through his death and resurrection, or what we refer to as the pascal mystery. We still encounter the saving presence of the Lord in the sacraments and in the Word. In each and every sacrament we come face to face with "the grace of God our Savior" (Titus 2:11). It is this redemption of sins aspect of the sacraments that I will be examine. In the past couple of century we have focused are attention primarily on the Sacrament of Penance as the means to obtain forgiveness of sins after Baptism. We have come to focus on it so much that it has come to be, for most Catholics, understood as the only sacrament though which forgiveness of sins is obtained. This belief as we will see is an incorrect understanding because we encounter the saving presence of the Lord in other sacraments and ways not only in the Sacrament of Penance. However the Sacrament of Penance is always to be understood as the primary sacrament for forgiveness of mortal sins after Baptism. To better understand how this can be let us first look at the general background of the development of the Sacrament of Penance. The Sacrament of Penance has it's roots even as far back as the day of resurrection when Christ breathed out the spirit on the disciples and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.' (John 20:22-23). In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians we see Paul developing this teaching of Christ, when he says 'All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you...be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God( 2 Cor. 5:18-21). These two passages would seem to be part of the sacrament's biblical foundation. The sacrament itself would seem to have come about as a result of the early Church's struggle to recognize that Baptism may forgive sin but it didn't end the str... ... a form of reconciliation that reconciles the sinner with the whole Body of Christ, the Church. It would seem to me sense the early Church did not see all sins as needing the Sacrament of Penance there is no reason not to belief that venial sins are forgiven in other sacraments and rituals. We even have proof that saints such as St. Benedict and St. Augustine held that we could find forgiveness in other ways then just that of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Bibliography Dudley, Martin: Confession and Absolution: 1990, The Liturgical Press (243.4, D848). Hamelin, Leonce: Reconciliation in the Church: 1980, The Liturgical Press (243.4, H213). Jeep, Elizabeth: The Rite of Penance: Commentaries Volume Two, Implementing the Rite: 1976, The Liturgical Conference (243.4, L782r v.2). Keifer, Ralph: The Rite of Penance: Commentaries Volume One, Understanding the Document: 1975, The Liturgical Conference (243.4, L782r v.1). Longley, Alfred: Healing and Forgiveness, A New Penitential: 1976, World Library Publications Inc. (243.4, L856) Mitchell, Nathan, OSB: The Rite of Penance: Commentaries Volume Three, Background and Directions: 1978, The Liturgical Conference (243.4, L782r v.3).

Mmsd Food Service Case Study

MMSD Food Service Case Study The Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, Wisconsin has gone through lots of modifications since the year 1965. They have grown in different ways such as proportions, and also changed the meals programs, consolidated in certain areas, and contracted with other programs.They have gotten missed on some budgets, and have gained and lost money, they have even had different sets of rules and politics that they have dealt with. But even as the challenges have come and the changes are continuously made there is a constant (if at sometimes slow) positive and steady progress There are many tips to make towards the food service production manager of the Madison Metropolitan School District.First, it is so important for them to stay up with the times and also with the politics involving school food service. This can play a pivotal role in several ways starting with things like how long children are given to eat their meals and even how clean the school ea ting area are there are also guidelines that need to be followed when it comes to the actual nutrition of the food.Second, staying with the times and knowing what the current food trends for breakfast, lunch, and also all of the options for items offered individually can help tremendously in avoiding unsatisfied â€Å"customers† or children The last suggestion that I would make would be to pay attention to the current economy to ensure they will find the best staff at a decent cost, volunteers could also help in this area. If these suggestions were put into use it would be a greater long-term advantage to the MMSD.The impact from the current economic and political conditions on MMSD in the future will mainly concentrate on cost and health or nutrition. The industry does want to offer healthier choices for the students but these healthier options often come at a greater cost and this can have a huge economical impact on the MMSD. The political influence changing and making new laws, having to worry with childhood obesity, and regulating diet will impact MMSD it will be difficult to stay on the right track and with the new regulations and rules and still be economically sound with the added cost of more nutritious options. Madison Metropolitan School District comes with an open foodservice program. This open system features a mixture of business â€Å"inputs† and â€Å"outputs† concentrating on economic, psychological, and sociological factors (Payne-Palacio, 2005)†. This technique can also be interdependent through the impacts and interactions it has using the environment. These types of inputs include money, raw materials, time, equipment, amenities, and personnel. The outputs would be the completed products; a la carte items, well prepared meals, and catered events. Mission Statement –Madison Metropolitan School District is focused providing all of its students with nutritious and appealing food options in a safe, clean and a ttractive atmosphere. Our staff is deeply devoted to working together with each other and the students to guarantee that each of the students has nutritious means and that we also make and keep an efficient plan in place that remains economically sound. MMSD Foodservice Program Illustration – Together with the Madison Metropolitan School District being so disseminate to service all 40 individual schools, you will definitely find some challenges present in the food safety area.Thankfully there is a science related meal specialist that is used by the school district that works round the clock full time to help put into use and utilize and asses programs along with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). The main and most important concern is proper food handling techniques. Using the high turnover and also the language barrier due to a diversified staff, training gets a challenge. The MMSD has set up their very own requirements of successfully completing the SER VSAFE food safety course by most if not all their employees.This can help in ensuring every employee is properly trained. Additionally, they've taken precautionary steps with products to lessen the chance of pathogens within the operation. The meals service for MMSD serves mainly an extremely susceptible population since most of their customers are children. To be able to assist in lowering the risks towards the children, the meals safety manager must adapt their recipes to satisfy HACCP principles. The first process should begin with those recipes including raw eggs, poultry, meat, as well as dairy food (Payne-Palacio, 2005).MMSD does not permit any kind of raw meats brought into their facilities that they are taking the proper and highest precautions and doing their best to ensure the safety of the food and in turn the safety of the children they are serving. As being a new quality control manager at MMSD, the evaluation procedure for the present cleaning program is actually a cha llenge. The very first suggestion is always to discuss with the representatives of laboratories and also have them supply you with the training or the employees so that the information can be taught and carried on to other employees.The schools that don't possess a current cleaning program in place most likely don't have dish washing machines and are the primary schools which only receive pre-packs in disposable containers or things like individually packaged fruit cups, yogurt, cartons of milk or packages of crackers. This doesn't mean they just don't need to find out how you can properly clean other locations employees need to know what the proper techniques are for all locations whether or not they have pre packaged foods or the foods are prepared on site.Procedures need to be setup including guidelines and rules as to temperature of water, detergents, surface being washed, what things to use to wash it, and what's being removed. This method will include every surface food touche s. The foodservice program at MMSD has several unique characteristics which have to be taken into account when planning their menus. Some of the most important areas and aspects are cost and food selection popularity (Payne-Palacio, 2005), but they're only some of the points to consider.Using the diversity from the make-up from the school types, the initial characteristics also change. The elementary schools have to meet particular USDA nutrient options, whereas middle schools or high schools may be used as the standard food for other schools to follow. Some other things that need to be considered are food options as well as ongoing support from the surrounding community. The Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch project is really a unique program concentrating on including locally grown foods. It's a direct effect on not merely the schools and also the farmers, however the community in general.The decision by MMSD to change some of its vendors within the program from the competitive bid method will still come with some problems and issues as with any program. The main concern is the costs and whether or not they become too much in time. Inflation can be an issue, but regular auditing from the invoices is going to be essential for the school to execute. Also there is the concern of receiving 60 to 80% of the product from only one single supplier. The question is what will happen if there is an issue with a certain supplier especially if the main source is one upplier. The procedure to acquire a new and reliable supplier(s) could take months and become a challenging task to beat. There are also some unique factors that could impact even the very best vendor agreement using the kinds of meals that are purchased and sought after by the MMSD. Using the cook/chill production system consistency within the ingredients in addition to space for storage, transportation including the time and distance of travel, and preparation time are normal and predictable considerations.Using th e USDA meal program for breakfast and lunch the concern will be using the nutritional integrity with the food in line with the regulations established. Finally, with meals packed in aluminum containers the price of them along with the integrity might be sacrificed. â€Å"The best vendor agreement would need to assure every one of the requirements with the MMSD in addition with the USDA tend to be upheld. † A Food Production Center (FPC) administrator must possess expert qualities and skills to operate effectively with maintenance.The fundamental skills associated with an administrator include multi tasking, organization, the ones skills. They are exactly the same inside the FPC. However, you will find innovative skills needed at the same time. A fundamental understanding as well as knowledge of the organization is essential. Having the ability to ahead want to prevent issue is important when confronted with perishable items. Understanding how to correctly rotate stock and get ready for the upcoming days will make sure frozen products tend to be thawed and ready when they're needed.When cooking large amounts of food that will be consumed by a large number of individuals there will be the need to find adjustments that may require some changes to the recipes sustain the require a cook/chill program. The quantity of wet and dry ingredients will have to be adjusted to take into account the elevated moisture within the blast chiller. Quite often the product isn't cooked throughout because the process will finish within the final heating. In addition, the finishing touches might not be contained in the dish.Often circumstances arise inside the individual cooking targets causing conflicts together in places like the MMSD Food Production Center. The issues could include meals with both cold and hot products, variations in cooking times, in addition to a specific temperature. Through an appropriate flow of food sequence for just about any particular days work wil l alleviate the issues before they come up. While preparing new recipes for the MMSD there will need to be a focus on getting the students active in the sensory analysis have both benefits and drawbacks.The professionals range from the acceptance from the consumer thus guaranteeing the sale from the item, consumer feedback to alter what exactly is not appropriate and ruling out what exactly is not wanted before a lot of time and expenditure was wasted about it. The cons are which the students usually are not experienced in the nutritional requirements; they're basing their analysis on flavor and aesthetics alone. And also the have no idea your budget restraints; numerous recommendations usually are not feasible.Students will be pleased with pizza every single day. Inside the Madison Metropolitan School District mealtime must run successfully and effectively. Meals contain a cool pack, a hot pack, and carton of milk that the student bunch and carry towards the dining tables you can e at. Because there are more and more students released at 10 minute intervals to be fed, you will find some challenges. Timing may be the first challenge. The hot packs have to be ready for each and every number of students because they are released and can't be too hot or too cold.The lines should also move efficiently since the students take a mainly short time to consume their meals and might also have recess. Teachers should also make certain they release their students when needed. Releasing students too soon or too late could lead to a back-up within the cafeteria. Finally, space and also equipment requirements should be present to take care of the availability of meals served at each and every school. Flow of food from Receiving to Delivery – Equipment Classification –Cooking Non-cookingDish washing Service Equipment Production Equipment Equipment Equipment Combination Oven20-Quart MixerPan WasherBox Baler Range/OvenFood ProcessorDisposerCan Crusher 2-Burner Rang eSlicerPackaging Machine Convection Ovens Can Opener Fryer80-Gallon Steam Kettle Rotary Rack Oven100- Gallon Steam Kettle Booster Heater40-Quart Steam Kettle ProoferTilting Braising Pan By looking at the above list of equipment, it may seem that the menu offered through the MMSD facility is really a semi-selective menu.Using the quantity of ovens, number of kettles, in addition to mixers and fryers, I would also consider a number of food choices in a number of different food groups. In identifying the quantity of solid waste generated through the MMSD, would recommend a waste audit. Considering the variety of items currently being recycled needing to sort through precisely what is left over to find out each category will be expensive and incredibly time intensive. The audit can give accurate data for the specific requirements of MMSD.MMSD foodservice can help to eliminate the quantity of waste manufactured by exploring other available choices for recycling, particularly the aluminum cans and cardboard milk cartons. They might also consider using silverware rather than plastic ware. This could reduce waste, but might be expensive with regards to cleaning and sanitizing the utensils. Finally, I'd start discussing and recommending and teaching elementary students the importance of recycling with in the class room in which they could then put that information to good use and example during their meal times overall, the present recycling practices at MMSD are great.The very fact they recycle oil and food waste as well as the cardboard and cans is a great asset to them in the short and long term. I think a great idea would be to see if there is any way to reuse the oil or find other ways to â€Å"use the waste to avoid further landfill usage. References – Payne-Palacio, June and Theis, Monica (2005) Introduction to Foodservice, Tenth Edition, Prentice Hall http://www. localharvest. org/wisconsin-homegrown-lunch-program-farm-to-school-M11038 http://www. wisco nsinlocalfood. com/Wisc%20homegrown%20lunch. htm

Case Study – Richard Phillips and family

In considering the actions available for the police and the social worker, this essay will initially look at the background to the present youth justice system. It will go on to consider areas of tension and conflict that exist at a number of levels within the system, for example the conflict between the welfare model of the Children Act 1989 and the justice model that underpins the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. It will examine the rights, duties and responsibilities of those involved before going on to summarise the impacts of the actions that might be taken. †¦ Youth justice has always been a contentious subject. Some people take the view that what is required is a â€Å"get tough† approach, while others see a more positive approach to the issue in welfare and community based initiatives†¦ † (Workbook 3, p 38). A consequence of this has been that â€Å"†¦ The relationship between social work and the criminal justice system has been one of tension and ambivalence since the demise of the rehabilitative ideal of the latter decades of the twentieth century†¦ (Reader, Worrall and Souhami, p 120). Had Richard's alleged offence taken place thirty years ago it would have been dealt with against the background of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 where the aim was to depoliticise and decriminalise youth offending. The welfare principle contained in the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 would also apply. Together, these acts require courts to give concern to the welfare of the child in youth justice proceedings. This doctrine was influenced by the developmental theory of adolescence which supports the view that while young people may commit minor crime as a part of the growing up process, they will naturally come to see such behaviour as unacceptable and reform themselves. Formal intervention would only serve to bring young people into the crime system, tarnish their prospects, and consequently, increase the likelihood of re-offending and ultimately, the numbers of victims. However, shortly after the passing of the 1969 Act, the political tide had changed. Magistrates became unhappy with social workers and custodial sentences increased. (Reader, Worrall and Souhami, p 123). Throughought the 1980s the tension between the two models led to a â€Å"†¦ twin track approach to tackling juvenile crime†¦ † (Workbook 3, p 38). The â€Å"get tough† lobby were satisfied by the introduction of the short sharp shock of new detention centres and yet at the same time politicians saw the dangers of criminalising young people. Change was inevitable and by 1996 the Audit Commission had published a report called â€Å"Misspent Youth† which was very critical of the youth justice system. This led to the Home Office paper â€Å"No More Excuses† with its model of â€Å"restorative justice† which was a precursor to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The 1998 Act has a statutory aim of prevention of offending by children and it is against this background that Richard's alleged offence will be treated. The political pendulum had swung from a culture that saw the welfare principles as the key to reducing offending, to one that, whilst recognising rights and welfare, sees them as subsidiary to the principles of restorative justice. These principles are; restoration, where young offenders apologise and make amends, reintegration, where they pay their debt to society then rejoin it, and responsibility, which involves accepting the consequences of offending. The Act also abolished the legal doctrine of doli incapax, removing the burden of proof on prosecuting lawyers that a child defendant under the age of fourteen knew what he did was wrong (Workbook 3 pp 38 – 45 and Reader, Vernon, p 221) A clear example of this swing from welfare to justice is in the context of the Child Safety Orders introduced by the 1998 act. Breach of such an order can mean a child under ten is taken into care â€Å"†¦ irrespective of whether the threshold criteria contained in s. 31 (2) of the Children Act 1989 are satisfied†¦ † thus overriding the welfare principle (Workbook 3 p 40). Confusingly however, a contemporaneous counterbalance has been the introduction of Human Rights legislation such as the Human Rights Act 1998 as well as ratification of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the child. This legislation tends to reinforce the welfare principle. Stuart Vernon's comment that â€Å"†¦ hese are interesting times for youth court magistrates†¦ † is very relevant to this debate (Reader, Vernon, p 222), because it recognises the tensions that arise resulting from the divergent views held by all those involved and the resultant uncertainty as to outcomes; for victims and perpetrators of crime and their representatives. Having looked at the background to the tensions and conflicts it is now appropriate to consider how they impact on what happens next in Richard's case. Among the reforms introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 was the establishment of Youth Offending Teams (YOTs). Prior to the act, a social worker would have had responsibility for Richard's case and would involve other professionals as necessary. The Act changed this by shifting the responsibility to multi-disciplinary YOTs which comprise professionals from social services, the police, probation services, the health authority and the education authority. The establishment of these teams involved huge change and conflict between the occupational cultures of the different disciplines, for example, â€Å"†¦ police officers disliking â€Å"woolly† social workers and social work stereotypes of anti-youth police officers†¦ (Reader, Watson p 246). The Act also introduced a system of reprimands and final warnings doing away with the former system of cautions. (Reader, Watson pp 242-248). â€Å"†¦ The police are responsible for the investigation of crime. This responsibility includes the arrest, detention and questioning of suspects†¦ † (Workbook 3 p 10). The police have contacted the YOT because they want to question Richard. Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, (PACE) Richard is classified as a â€Å"vulnerable† suspect and it his right not to be questioned without the presence of what is known as an â€Å"Appropriate Adult†. This right can only be overridden in very exceptional circumstances which must be authorised by a police officer of superintendent rank or above and the circumstances must be recorded in the custody record. Amongst the functions of the YOT is the provision of an appropriate adult service and these duties are often performed by a social worker. (Reader, Watson, p 244 and Workbook 3 p 73). The rile of the appropriate adult is to â€Å"†¦ provide comfort and support to a child who might otherwise be disorientated in strange surroundings†¦ (Workbook 3, p 73). She should check that the child has had nourishment and is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is generally in a fit state to be questioned. Under the PACE code of practice guidance, it is stated that a parent or guardian should normally undertake this function; but in this case, Richard has refused to involve his parents. In any event, the parent may not have â€Å"†¦ the experience or confidence needed to represent the child effectively in the potentially hostile atmosphere of the custody suite†¦ † (Workbook 3, p 73) It appears that Richard has not requested the presence of a solicitor and it is the duty of the social worker to encourage him to do so and explain the advantages. Marie Kearns, a youth justice worker describes how this can heighten the tension between the police and social workers because it will involve delay and the solicitor may encourage a â€Å"no comment† interview. â€Å"†¦ The police may on occasions feel they â€Å"know† who has committed a particular offence, and they do not want the interference of solicitors and â€Å"do gooding† social workers to allow the guilty to walk free†¦ (Workbook 3, p 75). At this stage and indeed every stage, the social worker must practice within the Code of Practice of the General Social Care Council. It is very important to avoid being dragged into the police culture which is a risk in a multi-disciplinary team (Reader, Worrall & Souhami, pp128/9). The social worker must practice in an anti-oppressive way, despite the seriousness of the alleged offence, working in partnership with Richard and keeping him informed about the processes and his rights at all times. It is equally important to practice in a way that is anti-discriminatory, not making any judgements about Richard because of his background (Workbook 1 pp 10 -13). The concept of partnership working between agencies involved with the welfare of children is now enshrined in law in section 10 of the Children Act 2004. Once the interview has taken place the police have to decide if there is sufficient evidence to charge Richard. They also have the option to issue a final warning under section 65 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. A further reprimand is not an option because Richard has already had one. The social worker can do little to influence this decision as it is solely a matter for the police. (Workbook 3 p 53 and Law Card S35). In Richard's case, it is apparent that the police intend to charge him. Section 38 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 recommends that children aged between ten and sixteen should be released; with or without bail once charged unless certain conditions are met. These conditions are several, but two examples are; when the custody officer has reasonable grounds to believe that detention is necessary to protect the defendant, or if it is in the defendant's best interests (Workbook 3, pp 54/5). The police have decided, in Richard's case, that the conditions are met and intend to detain him. A decision that will highlight the â€Å"†¦ continuous conflict between care and control†¦ † (Reader Worrall and Souhami, p 121) that is part of the social worker's remit. Richard's detention will normally be in local authority accommodation. This can be in the form of secure or non secure accommodation. The local authority has the power to decide where Richard is to be placed and this decision will rest with the social worker; availability of suitable accommodation being a significant feature. If the decision is to place Richard in secure accommodation then this will be subject to the provisions of Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 which allows secure placement for up to seventy two hours, but only if the child has a history of absconding or is a danger to himself or others if kept in non secure accommodation; a difficult decision for the social worker in this case. Further detention is not allowed without court intervention. There are strongly held views about whether the welfare principle of the Children Act applies in these circumstances. In 1995 the Court of Appeal stated that in such cases, whilst the welfare of the child is not irrelevant, it is not paramount. Again, confusingly however, it also ruled that social workers performing the functions of Guardian ad litem should make their reports based on what is in the best interests of the child. In practice, if the custody officer decides that provision of local authority accommodation is neither practicable nor available then Richard would remain in police custody. Contacting his parents would then become imperative (Workbook 2 p, 93 and Workbook 3 p 55). It is also important to remember Rob, who is the victim. He is also a child and is entitled to the same rights as Richard. The Local Authority also has both general duties towards him, and specific ones should the circumstances result in Rob being regarded as a child â€Å"in need† under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (Workbook 2 pp 18-19). His father has insisted that action be taken against Richard but it is appropriate to consider Rob's wishes; the wishes and needs of victims being an important principle of the National Standards for Youth Justice (Workbook 3 p 34). As soon as is practicable, the next task for the police is to arrange for Richard to appear before the youth court, a panel of local magistrates. They would have the option to either release Richard with or without bail or to remand him to Local Authority accommodation. Again there is room for conflict, because such accommodation may not be locally available and this could infringe Richard's right to education under both the 1998 Human Rights Act and The United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child. Interestingly, the convention appears to recognise the potential for conflict between justice and welfare using the word â€Å"primary† rather than â€Å"paramount† in Article 3 in the context of the best interests of children (Workbook, pp 16 – 17). In practice, much would depend on the outcome of the efforts to find Richard's parents. If the case goes to trial, this would also be in the youth courts where the culture has changed considerably in recent years, partly because of the tension between the welfare and justice models. In a very high profile case in 1993, two children were convicted of the murder of another child, Jamie Bulger. The intimidating nature of the trial was the subject of much criticism by human rights lawyers and in 1999, the European Court of Human Rights found that the trial breached Article 6. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (now incorporated into the Human Rights Act 1998) which guarantees people who are accused of crimes, the right to an effective participation in their trial. The resultant changes in the youth courts mean the use of clear language, an informal layout, better information for victims, better feedback for magistrates and more frequent lifting of reporting restrictions (Workbook 3, pp 57 – 59). If Richard pleads guilty, then as this is his first offence, a Referral Order under sections 1 – 7 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 is likely. This would involve making a contract between Richard and the YOT aimed at reparation and prevention of re-offending (Law Card C32 (EW)). A not guilty plea means the magistrates must decide on his guilt, based upon the evidence. In the event of Richard's guilt being established, the next social work task is the preparation of the pre-sentence report â€Å"†¦ the social worker's most important contribution to the youth court†¦ (Workbook 3, p 60) which allows the court to make an informed decision based on comprehensive and accurate information about Richard. The report would be written in accordance with the National Standards for Youth Justice with a number of standard headings: Sources of information, which would include information gathered from school and home, an analysis of the offence including the impact on the victim, an assessment of the offender including risk to the community and risk of re-offending and a conclusion that would include a sentencing recommendation. (Workbook 3 p 62). The report must take into account the welfare principle of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 as well as the aim of section 37 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which is to prevent re-offending. It must be written in a way that is consistent with the core values of the Code of Practice for Social Workers with anti-discriminatory practice being a particular feature in the light of an HM Inspectorate of Probation review finding that African-Caribbeans are over represented in reports that recommend custodial sentences (Workbook 3, pp 62 – 63). After reading the report the magistrates must decide upon a sentence. A wide range is available, formerly under a number of different pieces of legislation but now incorporated into the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentences) Act 2000. In Richard's case a Supervision Order under sections 63-68 of the act is likely, or an Action Plan order under section 69. These orders can include specific requirements such as where Richard is to live, what he is to do, and compliance with his supervisor's directions. The orders can last for up to three years. At the other end of the scale, should Richard re-offend, then a Detention and Training order under section 73 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 would be available. This would deprive him of his liberty (Workbook 3, pp 65 – 67 and Update Supplement, p 22) and increase the likelihood of an ongoing spiral of crime, the worst impact for Richard (Workbook 3, p 68). In conclusion then, it can be seen that conflict and tension feature strongly in youth justice. Some people argue that aspects of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 are unnecessary if the resources were made available to allow Local Authorities to carry out their duty to prevent offending that is stated in schedule 2 of the Children Act 1989. The 1998 act also has a preventative aim although only 2. 5% of the budget is committed to it (Workbook 3, p 46). It is against this background that social workers in youth justice face the challenge of how to operate in a system where the measures of success are constantly swinging between retributive and rehabilitative goals, without compromising their own Professional Code of Practice (Workbook 3, p 5).

Reflexology Essays - Manual Therapy, Pseudoscience, Reflexology

Reflexology Essays - Manual Therapy, Pseudoscience, Reflexology Reflexology The origins of Reflexology evidently reach back to ancient Egypt as evidenced by inscriptions found in the physicians tomb at Saqqara in Egypt. The translation of the hieroglyphics are as follows: Dont hurt me. The practitioners reply:- I shall act so you praise me. We cannot determine the exact relationship between the ancient art as practiced by the early Egyptians and Reflexology as we know it today. Different forms of working the feet to effect health have been used all over the ancient world. Dr. Riley maintained that this form of healing spread from Egypt via the Roman Empire. The Zone Theory was the precursor to modern Reflexology which began with Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. whom Dr. Edwin Bowers, M.D., encouraged to publish the many articles he had written on the subject of Zone Analgesia. In the forward to their combined book, Relieving Pain At Home published in, 1917, he wrote, Humanity is awakening to the fact that sickness, in a large percentage of cases, is an error - of body and mind. How true this has proved to be. Dr. Fitzgerald, was an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist working at the Boston City Hospital, as well as at St Francis Hospital in Connecticut. He called his work Zone Analgesia where pressure was applied to the corresponding bony eminence or to the zones corresponding to the location of the injury. He also used pressure points on the tongue, palate and the back of the pharynx wall in order to achieve the desired result of pain relief or analgesia. He made use of the following tools: elastic bands, clothes pegs and aluminum combs, on the hands, surgical clamps for the tongue, nasal probes and a regular palpebral retractor for the pharynx, He was responsible for formulating the first chart on the longitudinal zones of the body. Dr. Fitzgerald discovered a very interesting fact, that the application of pressure on the zones not only relieved pain but in the majority of cases also relieved the underlying cause as well. The same result is experienced through Reflexology today, which is based partially on the Zone Theory. Dr. Shelby Riley, M.D. worked closely with Dr. Fitzgerald and developed the Zone Theory further. It seems that he added horizontal zones across the hands and feet, together with the longitudinal zones and thus determining individual reflexes according to the Zone Theory. He, like Fitzgerald, espoused continual pressure on the reflex or point of contact. Eunice D. Ingham, a Physical Therapist, worked closely with Dr. Riley and was fascinated by the concept of Zone Therapy and started developing her foot reflex theory in the early 1930's. She had the opportunity to treat hundreds of patients where each reflex point of contact had been carefully and thoughtfully checked and rechecked until with all confidence she was able to determine that the reflexes on the feet were an exact mirror image of the organs of the body. Dr. Riley encouraged her to write her first book entitled Stories The Feet Can Tell where she documented her cases and carefully mapped out the reflexes on the feet as we know them today. This book was published in 1938 and was later translated into seven foreign languages which spread the benefits of Reflexology way beyond the borders of the States. The confusion between Reflexology and Zone Therapy started at this point because the foreign publisher changed the name of Eunices book, The Stories The Feet Can Tell to Zone Therapy and in some parts of the world it is still thought of as Zone Therapy. However, there is a distinct difference between the two therapies. Zone Therapy relies solely on the zones to determine the area to be worked, whereas Reflexology takes the zones as well as the anatomical model to determine the area or areas to be worked. After the publication of her book Eunice Ingham found herself on the program at many health seminars. She traveled around the country giving book reviews. Only sick and dilapidated people attended these book reviews/ seminars where she would teach people by working on them and discuss their particular health problems. As these sick people, whom everyone else had given up on, got better the word

Argument of fact, the death penalty, is it more expensive than life in Essay

Argument of fact, the death penalty, is it more expensive than life in prison - Essay Example However, spending five million dollars from the pocket of the tax payer’s pocket for punishing a single criminal seems to be too much. Many Americans believe that even a small percentage of money spent for the execution of Bundy was enough for meeting the full expenses of keeping Bundy in jail for his entire life span. Taking the life of a criminal or giving capital punishment to a criminal is an easy act- just put the criminal in an electric chair for a while. However the lengthy criminal procedures till that period is the most expensive part of a capital punishment. Life is the most precious thing in this world and nobody, even the court, has the right to take it without adequate reasons. Under no circumstances, an innocent should be punished which is the core principle of criminal justice system. Under such circumstances double checking or triple checking is necessary before giving capital punishments to a criminal. The criminal can appeal against his punishment many times citing many reasons. All such appeals will result in the repetition of the court procedures many times. All these activities are highly expensive because of the expert services required for these procedures from professionals like, advocates, juries, investigating officers, forensic experts, witnesses etc. In this paper, I argue that death penalty is far more expensive compared to other means of punishments with the help of facts and figures. When initially looking at the costs involved in the actual execution of an inmate, the cost appears to be relatively cheap. In the state of Florida, an execution costs less than $1,000 dollars. So, why capital punishment cases are costing millions more than life in prison? The answer is simple; the actual execution of an inmate is quick and simple whereas the capital punishment system is far more complex. â€Å"The death penalty is much more expensive than life without parole because the Constitution requires a long and complex judicial proces s for capital cases† (The High Cost of Death Penalty). The very structure of capital cases is one reason why the cost greatly exceeds those of noncapital cases. In 1976 the U.S. Supreme Court approved the principles which, in its opinion, would make the death penalty constitutional. (The Supreme Court) specified that (1) the sentencing in such cases must be done in trials that are separate from the trials which determine guilt or innocence; ( 2) the sentencing hearing must examine both mitigating and aggravating factors, including pertinent features of the defendant's life and character as well as the conditions of the crime; and ( 3) each death sentence must be followed by an automatic right of appeal to the highest state court. Due to these U.S. Supreme Court mandates, capital cases will spend years, even decades in the courts and in appeals, all the while passing the bill on to the tax payers. If these sentences were commuted to life in prison without the possibility of par ole, these mandated additional trials and appeals would be eliminated, thus greatly lowering the burden to taxpayers. Before the finalizing of capital punishment, the criminal went through a series of expensive trial procedures to reconfirm the punishment. It includes complex and expensive appeal process, evidence gathering, investigations etc. Moreover, mandatory review of all the death sentences by the state supreme court is necessary. If the criminal

Although the United Nations Has Led the Way in Developing Essay

Although the United Nations Has Led the Way in Developing International Human Rights l - Essay Example In general, the two Covenants on Human Rights of 1966 for the United Nations human rights system really emphasise the assessment of the periodical reports that are filed by respective state parties at periodical time phases to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.(hitherto will be known as committee). In addition to this, the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) introduce oversight through controversial procedure in the guise of an inter-state complaint2.Further, the First Optional Protocol to this Covenant permits an individual to request for an assessment of a said infringement of the covenant3. However , the UN committee referred above is not toothed with adequate authority and hence , being criticised as â€Å" in no sense a court of law † which can be regarded as less competent as compared to the Inter-American or European Court4. One of the efficient ways of guaranteeing honour for human rights is to submit the said infringements or queries t o an international judicial setup. However, under international community, it is very arduous to implement such submission as international community is very vigilant about any sort of judicial review or statement5. It is to be noted that the mechanism for human rights protection not only existing on the international level but also on the regional level like the â€Å"American Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.† The Inter-American Court and Commission and the European Court of Human Rights, have poignant authority to ensure the effective safeguard of the rights that are highlighted in the relevant conventions. Further, the verdicts made by these institutions are as effective as national court’s verdicts. As already seen, the UNHRC (the United Nations Human Rights Committee) created under the International Covenant on Civil and Po litical Rights (ICCPR) has the authority to look into complaints made by the individual on said human rights infringement. However, the UNHRC is in short of poignant authority to be as effective as the regional human rights courts in America and in Europe. This research paper evaluates the efficacy of the UNHRC through a comparative evaluation. The comparison between the regional and international human rights committee is being carried over on the following grounds; The visibleness of such courts ,particularly in the public domain To pursue interim steps to bar the frustration of such infringement The ability and fact finding calibre of the Court The implementation of final verdicts and the follow-ups thereto. Analysis It is to be noted that in spite of existence of statutory shortcomings of both the Covenant and the Optional Protocol, the UNCHR can function in an efficient way as that of regional human rights courts without amending these instruments. This can be reality if the co mmittee’s interim measure is given a binding status; further, through the reversal of burden of proof, the committee can surmount the lack of its autonomous fact-finding capacity. Further, the UNCHR should enhance its visibility and should give wide publicity of its verdicts, and the committee should see that compliances by states with its final, up-to-point binding verdicts.