Mother Earth Essay

Nowadays, people struggle a lot to return back what I lost. They do fun runs to raise fund for tree planting, make placards to disseminate campaigns and fine hard headed people for loitering around. I can now hardly breathe. Greenhouses gasses inside my body gradually increases as they are being trapped due to human activities that added more and more of these gases into my atmosphere. For example, levels of carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, have risen by 35 percent since 1750, largely from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. With more greenhouse gases in the mix, my atmosphere acts like a thickening blanket and traps more heat. My insides are becoming thinner, well of course due to human doings. Erosion is supposed to be a natural phenomenon but being accelerated by human activities, like urbanizations and poor agricultural practices. Without human activities, losses of soil through erosion would in most areas probably be balanced by the formation of new soil. In my virgin land a mantle of vegetation protects the soil. When rain falls on a surface of grass or on the leaves of my trees, some of the moisture evaporates before it can reach the ground. Trees and grass serve as windbreaks, and a network of roots helps to hold the soil in place against the action of both rain and wind. Agriculture and lumbering, as well as housing, industrial development, and highway construction, however, partially or wholly destroy the protective canopy of my vegetation and greatly speed up erosion of certain kinds of soils. Erosion is less severe with crops such as wheat, which cover the ground evenly, than with crops such as corn and tobacco, grown in rows. I manifest my emotions to people through rain. It is enough to wash out humanity. Its extreme fall causes flood that destroys infrastructures built by human kind. Floods not only damage property and endanger the lives of humans and animals, but have other effects as well. Rapid runoff causes soil erosion as well as sediment deposition problems downstream. Spawning grounds  for fish and other wildlife habitat are often destroyed. High-velocity currents increase flood damage; prolonged high floods delay traffic and interfere with drainage and economic use of lands. Bridge abutments, bank lines, sewer outfalls, and other structures within floodways are damaged, and navigation and hydroelectric power are often impaired. Financial losses due to floods are commonly millions of pesos each year. There is still hope for me. All they need to do is to restore what they have taken from me. Reverse all the things that cause my trouble. From deforestation to reforestation. Forests are an important part of the global carbon cycle because trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. By removing this greenhouse gas from the air, forests function as terrestrial carbon sinks, meaning they store large amounts of carbon. At any time, forests account for as much as double the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Even as more anthropogenic carbon is produced, my forests remove around three billion tons of anthropogenic carbon every year. This amounts to about 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Therefore, an increase in the overall forest cover around the world would tend to mitigate global warming. As students, they can do small things that can contribute to help me in my current state. You can avoid throwing candy wrappers, plastics of junk foods and anything that can cause flood when accumulated. You can join tree planting activities done by your schools. One tree equals one life when it grows. That’s a big thing for the future. People please stop what you are doing that destroys my environment especially mountains that when I cry out heavy rain it can cause floods that can destruct your shelters, works, and can also kill some of your loved ones. I would like you to care for me and help me to become stronger for you, your children and the next generations from your family. I will take care of them as long as you care for me.

Philosophical Reflection Essay

In the words of Socrates, the Great Greek philosopher, â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living†. One of the major things that distinguish man from other animals is his ability to ruminate. To be is to be conscious and to be conscious means to be fully aware and thoughtful. In a world where different belief systems are flying around, man needs to test all things and hold on to that which is certain. We should pattern our lives in such a way that we separate truth from illusion and make decisions after careful or critical consideration. Philosophical reflection is the careful examination of life situations. This involves the weighing of several alternatives and using specific standards to evaluate one’s actions. A man reflects philosophically when he is able to build on previous actions, events, or decisions. This essential attribute spells the difference between man and other lower animals whose basis of action is their feeling. Making an assessment of my life, i will say that philosophical reflection has been a part of my life. I learnt the importance of making the right choices early in life. My father used to tell me; â€Å"You are what you do†. I guess this made me develop a cautious attitude towards making decisions and evaluating issues before coming to a conclusion. I have grown up to see things from different points of view. I do not accept a view because of who said it, rather, i put all things into scrutiny in order to hold on to that which is true. Before making a decision, i draw up a probable conclusion on the eventualities and weigh up the effect of my actions. I believe the wisest of men can learn from a fool and in view of this, i do not write-off anybody. I carefully and critically examine a pre-existing belief before incorporating it as my belief system. As i have discovered, many of the things people believe are lies and illusions. I do not attach sentiments to whatever i do because this will lead my judgement astray. Reference:

The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 23

That â€Å"night† they moved in, choosing the hour while the other estates they passed were darkened and quiet. Elena, Meredith, and Bonnie each picked a room on the upper floor as a bedroom, all close together. Nearby was a luxurious bathing room, with a pale blue and white marble floor and a unique pool shaped like a giant rose, fully large enough to swim in, heated by charcoal, with a cheerful-looking servant to tend it. Elena was delighted with what happened next. Damon bought a number of slaves quietly, in a private sale from a respectable dealer, and then promptly freed them all and offered them wages and time off. Almost all the former slaves were only too happy to agree to stay, and only a few chose to leave or ran away, mostly women in search of their families. The others would remain and become Lady Ulma's staff once Damon, Elena, Bonnie, and Meredith left after freeing Stefan. Lady Ulma, was given a â€Å"senior† room downstairs, although Damon almost had to use brute force to install her in it. He himself chose a room that was an office by day, since he wasn't likely to spend much of the night in the house anyway. There was a slight embarrassment over that. Most of the staff knew of the ways of vampire masters, and the young girls and women who came to sew or who lived on the estate and cooked and cleaned seemed to expect some sort of rota to be worked out, with each of them taking turns at being donors. Damon explained this to Elena, who quashed the idea before it could be implemented. She could tell that Damon was hoping for a steady stream of girls, ranging from flowerlike to red-cheeked and buxom, who would be glad to be â€Å"tapped† like beer kegs for the pretty bangles and baubles that were traditionally given. Elena similarly disposed of the idea of hunting for hire. Sage had mentioned that there were even rumors of a possible Outside connection: a very advanced training course for Navy SEALs. â€Å"And they can come out the world's only vampire seals,† Elena had said sardonically, in front of a group of male slaves this time. â€Å"They can go out and bite sharks. Certainly you guys can go out and hunt some humans like a pair of owls hunting mice – just don't bother to come home afterward, because the doors will be locked†¦permanently.† She held Sage's gaze until her expression became a steely glare and he'd hastened off to do something else around the estate. Elena didn't mind Sage's informal moving in with them. And after hearing how Sage had saved Damon from the mob that ambushed him on the way to the Meeting Place, she had determined in her own mind that if Sage ever wanted her blood, she would give it to him unhesitatingly. After a few days, when he had stayed around the house near Dr. Meggar's and then moved with them into Lady Ulma's compound, she had wondered if her diminished aura and Damon's reticence weren't depriving him of something he should know about. So she'd thrown broader and broader hints at him, until once when he had doubled over, and then, with tears of laughter (but had it only been laughter?) in his eyes, had come over to her and said that the Americans had a saying, no? You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. In his case, he said, you could lead a snarling black panther – her normal mental iconic image of Damon – to water, if you had electric cattle prods and elephant ankusha, bu t that afterward you'd be a fool to turn your back on it. Elena had laughed until she, too, cried, but had still pledged that if he wanted her blood, a reasonable share was his. Now she simply felt glad to have him around. Her heart was too full already, with Stefan, Damon – and even Matt, despite his apparent desertion – for her to be in danger of falling for another vampire, no matter how terminally fit they were. She appreciated Sage as a friend and protector. Elena was surprised at how much she came to rely on Lakshmi as each day passed. Lakshmi had begun as a sort of gopher, doing the running around that no one else wanted to, but more and more, she had become Lady Ulma's maid-in-waiting and Elena's source of information about this world. Lady Ulma was still officially bedridden, and having Lakshmi ready at any time of the day or night, to send messages, was wonderfully convenient. Too, she was someone that Elena could ask questions of that otherwise would get her eyed as if she were crazy. Did they need to buy plates or was food served on a large hunk of dried bread, which acted as a napkin for greasy fingers as well? (Plates had been recently introduced, along with forks, which were all the rage now.) How much were the men and woman of the household entitled to in wages (which had to be calculated from scratch, since no other household paid its slaves a geld, merely clothing them from a community uniform cache, and allowing them one or two â€Å"feast days† a year)? Young as she was, Lakshmi was both honest and bold and Elena was grooming her to become Lady Ulma's right hand, after Lady Ulma had become well enough to be the lady of the house.

Mckinsey 7's internal analysis of KONE Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mckinsey 7's internal analysis of KONE - Article Example KONE Corporation has an articulate organizational structure designed to ensure that the company performs well (Gandhi, Selladurai & Santhi, 2006, p. 41). The organization has a two-tier structure, representing two business lines: New Equipment Business and Service Business. The organization further divides its structure into five regions in which it has a presence: Central and North Europe, Greater China, Americas, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Western and Southern Europe. Its president, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, heads the entire organization, and enjoys the assistance of different managers heading the departments of Customer Experience, Finance, Human Resource, Marketing and Communications, Safety Quality and Installation, Legal Affairs and Strategic Alliances (KONE in brief, n.d, n.p). KONE Corporation has invested in the latest technology for purposes of manufacturing its products and in delivering its services since technological advancements make operational processes more efficient (Hanafizadeh & Ravasan, 2011, p 51). In addition, it has adopted the use of technology to ensure that administrative services at the organization are effective. KONE, being a global leader in the escalator and elevator industry, ensures that it updates its systems so that the customer has the best experience when using its products. The organization rolled out the People Flow experience which ensures that people using KONE products are able to shop smoothly, comfortably, safely and without delays caused by waiting in queues for space (KONE in brief, n.d, n.p). The values shared at KONE are simple to understand and follow (KONE.com, 2014, n.p). The first one is Customer Delight. This entails ensuring that the customer receives the best services and working to exceed the expectations of the customers. KONE stays with their customers throughout its product’s life cycle to assist whenever the need to do so

Contingency theory and Corporate Social Responsibility Essay

Contingency theory and Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example An organization placed in the context of a globally interactive environment is in a position to reap huge profits through an efficient organization of its resources and effective coordination between its component elements. No one standard organizational method can be said to be the best way, rather every organization must determine the optimum fit between its component elements. As a result, the Contingency Theory is becoming increasingly relevant in the present day context, especially in maintaining ethical standards of corporate conduct and organizational integrity. The Contingency Theory may be applied in the analysis of the complex interactions occurring among the different dimensions of any particular phenomenon within an organization. As first mooted by Herbert Simon (1976), the contingency organizational theory revolves around the interaction of the organization with the environment and its impact upon the performance outcomes of the individuals within the organization. According to Zeithaml, Varadarajan and Zeithaml (1988), the existing situational factors play a significant role in how organizations are managed, and must be taken into account in order to arrive at one best way in which an organization can be managed for optimum performance and output. These authors suggest a three pronged approach in determining this best solution (a) the identification of important situational factors which function as contingency variables that provide the distinctions between the different situational contexts (b) grouping of these contingency variabl es on the basis of similarity of the contexts that they occur in and (c) analyze each group in order to arrive at the best possible solution and management style and method that is likely to produce the best results (Zeithaml, Varadarajan and Zeithaml, 1988). The Contingency Theory perspective first developed through

Strategic Management Critically evaluate the contribution the paper Literature review

Strategic Management Critically evaluate the contribution the paper makes to the knowledge base on strategic management in org - Literature review Example Research findings reveal that specific and challenging, but achievable, goals are firmly connected to task performance and motivation but only a few are studied concerning the value of goal setting to complex organisations. According to Bassett (1993), studies on goal setting have usually included small teams of workers or large organisations. One of the current studies on the applicability of goal setting theory to complex organisations, and which is the focus of this critical review, is Francesco Ceresia’s A Model of Goal-Dynamics in Technology-based Organisations. The author uses four major theoretical paradigms, namely, (1) goal setting, (2) management by objective practices (MbO), (3) workers’ motivation, and (4) organisational performance. The objective of the study is to create a systems dynamics (SD) model that will demonstrate the relationships between goal setting processes, product sales dynamics, workers’ motivation or commitment, and managing of the processes of goal setting. The researcher uses an imaginary Commercial Department (Alpha s.r.l.) to illustrate the reliability and validity of its causal loop diagram, or SD model in determining the correlation among the four theoretical paradigms aforementioned. ... A General Review of the Theoretical Perspectives in Ceresia’s Study In order to accurately, critically analyse Ceresia’s study, it is important to discuss first the different theoretical perspectives that have influenced the development of the study’s objectives and focus. These theories elaborate the fundamental principles that guide the product sales and organizational performance of Beta s.r.l. Since each of these perspectives embodies some relevant assumptions concerning the appropriate structure for systems dynamics, employee, and management, an idea of the principles underlying them is highly useful. Goal Setting for Task Performance Goal setting generate more improved outcomes than failure to set goals. Nevertheless, the explanations are multifaceted. Difficult goals and several controllers and intermediaries should be established before better task performance occurs (Katzell & Yankelovich 1975). However, performance is not a fixed term. Furthermore, perf ormance is not the goal in itself. Sooner or later, workers should be rewarded or recognised for efficient performance if the organisation wants them to stay dedicated to their task and to the organisation, as well (Sengupta 2006). Employee satisfaction is linked to dedication and commitment. If goals are difficult, the enabling controllers are existent, and the intermediaries are functioning, task performance will be efficient and productive on any component the goal identifies as vital, such as quality, quantity, and so on (Curtis 1994). Three fundamental forms of ‘specific’ outcome measures can be applied to assess task performance in the work setting. These three are used in Ceresia’s study (Meyers, Riccucci & Lurie 2001): (1) units of

Epidemiology and communicable disease Assignment - 1

Epidemiology and communicable disease - Assignment Example The first case of Ebola outbreak was recorded in Sudan and Zaire in 1976 with a mortality of more than 200. In 2000, another outbreak of the disease occurred in Uganda with an incidence of 425 and a mortality of 224. In 2014 March, the WHO made a report of Ebola outbreak in West Africa, originally in Guinea, but rapidly spreading to Sierra Leon and Liberia. In Europe, 24 cases of Ebola infection have been treated with most of the cases being aid workers who have a history of traveling to West Africa. In November 2014, the latest case of Ebola in US was recorded with the victim dying within three days during the treatment process at Omaha biocontainment center (Muyembe-Tamfum et al., 2012). Ebola epidemic increases the disease burden in the health care system not only to the affected country but also to other states, which must take contingency measures to prevent the spread of the disease within their regions. Nevertheless, management of Ebola virus demands a collaboration in the health care system at international level. This ensures that different countries coordinate efforts to conduct research and surveillance on how the disease can be treated and prevented. Collaboration at a global stage can be achieved through harmonization of funds and human resource from different countries to engage the disease at the Centers of outbreak before it is transmitted to other regions (Preston,

The need of IFRS and the Problem of adopting it for UK Small and Dissertation

The need of IFRS and the Problem of adopting it for UK Small and Medium Enterprises - Dissertation Example It is tough to bring such a radical change in operational as well as financial aspects for these SME. These radical changes are not without their associated dangers and risks. This research paper tries to elucidate the benefits and the problems of adopting IFRS for SME and provides suggestion of adopting a middle path between benefit and associated risk. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 Background 6 1.2 Research Objective 7 1.3 Research Problem 7 1.5 Research Questions 8 CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Theoretical Framework 9 2.2.1 Brief overview of the GAAP for SME 10 2.2.2 Brief overview of IFRS for SME 13 2.2.3 A brief overview of the differences between IFRS and UK GAAP 16 2.2.4 A brief overview of the small and medium scale enterprises in UK 19 CHAPTER III – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 24 3.1 Sources of Data 24 3.2 Research Design 24 3.3. Construct Validity 25 3.4 Internal Validity 25 3.5 External Validity 25 3.6 Reliability 26 3.7 Administration of Procedure 26 3.8 Research Ethics 26 CHAPTER IV –FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS 27 4.1 The need to change to IFRS from erstwhile accounting standards for UK SMES 27 4.1.1 Reduced cost 27 4.1.2 Less complexity 28 4.1.3 Greater transparency achieved through IFRS 29 4.1.4 Increase in the cross border trading 30 4.1.5 Increased cross border mergers and acquisitions 31 4.1.6 Easier access to capital 32 4.2 The problems associated with adoption of IFRS for UK SME 33 4.2.1 Recording same transacations in different formats 34 4.2.2 Global acconting system and IFRS does not rhyme 35 CHAPTER V – CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 35 5.1 Conclusion 35 5.2 Recommendations 36 5.3 Limitations of the Study 36 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background In the past few decades both developed and developing countries witnessed an exponential rise in the number of small and medium scale industries. The rise of SMEs is buoyed by the support provided by the entrepreneurs and the banks as well as the financial institutions of these counties. The rise in the number of SME is 5% for all the countries. The small and medium scale enterprises contribute 14% to the GDP in countries like Oman (Arundel and Geuna, 2004). Developed countries and under-developed countries have the power to generate even more contribution of the SMEs towards the country GDP. In the wake of the financial crisis that gripped the whole of Europe starting from Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and Switzerland, a huge chunk of the SME in these countries got wiped out. These small and medium scale enterprises operated independently and there are few governing bodies to monitor the activities of the SMEs (Bates, 2004). The government spent a huge chunk of the sovereign money in constructing the framework to support the activities of the SMEs. On the other hand, the government did very little to install any regulatory framework to keep an eye on the financial as well a s operational activities of these enterprises. Although most of the enterprises follow the GAAP principles and procedures but it is felt that current procedures and principle are falling short to contain the incidents of â€Å"window dressing† of the accounting statements. 1.2 Research Objective The research objectives are set to guide the research aims for the research

Personal Learning Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Learning Management - Assignment Example This application will use a methodology known as Object Oriented Programming where each object in the system can process the data and interact with the other objects. The benefit of this methodology is that it makes re-use of data through objects. It also is a collection of interacting objects that can be reviewed at any time (Batra, 2005). This methodology is also favorable since it creates instances within the application. This means that the programmer can place the data where it is not directly accessible to the rest of it. This application is split into different modules. The use of modules ensures that changes in one module do not necessarily affect the states of the others. The systematic approach of the software development life cycle (SDLC) ensures that timelines are conserved and the quality of the application is maintained. This purpose of this program is to prompt the user to input values of leaning items. These inputs will preferably be numerical. The program should use a function to save or store the information in a local database. The economic values the user will input should correspond to the items of learning. This can only happen when constraints are created to relate these two objects in the system. When these constraints are met then the user may save the information. The user should be able to re trieve the data stored in the system through a function in the

Project report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project report - Essay Example I reached the reception counter of the school 15 minutes before the scheduled time of opening of the school. More on my observations are recorded in the following report: The school is situated in the outskirts of the city. It is about 3 kilometers from the borders of the city. Since school buses are provided from majority of the housing colonies of the city, no problem is encountered on this account. The school is housed in a 12 acre plot of land. The lawns and the garden are well maintained. Tree plantation is carried out within and outside the compound walls of the school in a planned manner. The school works for six days in a week. It is closed on Sundays, but a skeleton management and maintenance staff is always available. Residential quarters are provided for such personnel, within the school compound. The hours of operations are between 8 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. A lunch break is provided between 11.a.m. to 11.30 a.m. The program is in line with the Bush Administration’s early childhood initiative, â€Å"Good Start, Grow Smart.† It includes efforts to strengthen Head Start, partner with States to improve childhood education and provide necessary information to teachers, caregivers and parents. The school commenced its activities from 1-1-1997, which means it was founded about 10 years ago. A registration certificate issued by the State Education Department is prominently displayed in the Office as well as in the cabin of the Principal. The School goes by the standards prescribed by the Education Department of the State Government for various categories of staff in the school. Most of the teachers are post graduates and have done special diploma courses in Montessori system of education. The School has many experienced staff on their rolls as well. Each staff member has to produce two testimonials from gazette officers, or prominent personalities of the area in which they reside. Their original

Healthcare Service Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Healthcare Service - Assignment Example The vast services provided by the company consist of: brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, tracheotomy, long-term ventilator support, genetic neurological condition, Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, and palliative care needs. The centres primarily function to provide top notch assistance in the recovery of patients. Capio emphasises on the provision of comfort and maximisation of individual capabilities. To further improve its services, the company promotes unlimited duration regarding the recovery period necessitated by the patients. As a private healthcare provider, Capio is operated through investments. It is, therefore, logical for the administration to seek for higher profits. Basically, survival in the industry requires sufficient profits to ensure that operations are maintained. Meanwhile, the nature of the company suggests that managers have to provide their share. In fact, the efforts of managers in determining the problems and providing efficient solutions will determine the success of Capio. Although the company appears to have robust operations, there are several aspects that have to be analysed in the efforts to improve profitability. Indeed, strategies are required and plans are needed to set the firms in the right direction. Regularly, the clinical managers and finance executives gather to discuss profit enhancement schemes. Part of the meeting tackles the major concerns of the company specifically the detriment to high income. The highlights of the meeting detailed several alarming circumstances. Part of these is the rising cost in operating the centres. In this circumstance, the role of the manager is to appraise the situation and create possible measures to prevent and mitigate adverse effects. The manager has to constantly communicate with the different entities involved with the firm. Most instances suggest that problems have to be viewed holistically. This approach, however, appears to be limited as some concerns are better comprehended specifically. Overall, the manager has to ensure that the functions of the centre remain within the context of its existence while evolving to a profit driven section of the company (Davidmann, 1998). The manager is provided with several approaches to resolve the current demise. In particular, traditional methods appear to be effective boosting the revenues of the centre. Also, modern strategies are useful in increasing the profit of the centre (Blanchard, 1994). It has to be noted that the manager has to follow processes and procedures. In addition, cooperation derived from other entities of the company is a major boost in the profit maximisation initiatives. Primarily, the centre is concerned with the exceeding cost incurred because of the operations. The two major contributors to the increase are the staff cost and the medical consumable. Accordingly, the use of agency staff has increased the burden of the centre. In addition, medical consumables have increased by 64% compared with the figures registered during the previous year. Basically, these are problems that will adversely affect the outcome of the net profit. Increased costs both in materials and in labour are valuable reductions to the revenues obtained for the year. Other important aspects that were revealed as a result of an investigation involved procurement and stock management. Based on the results of the investigation, the procurement process is independent from the

HRM practice in small-medium enterprises (SMEs) Essay Example for Free

HRM practice in small-medium enterprises (SMEs) Essay Introduction The article analyzes the way of HRM practice in small-medium enterprises(SMEs) and the reason why it is important element for SMEs. Over the past years, small-medium enterprises play an increasingly significant role in European economy. It is mainly because European countries including UK have large amount of SMEs but with small scale of big enterprises. However, HRM, as an important part of a company, is utilized in tremendous different ways between large and SMEs firms. SMEs are reluctant to use HRM when considering high cost and time. This situation brings a lot of issues. Unfortunately, very few of the research for HRM in SMEs have been published till now(Domingo Ribeiro Soriano,et all,2011) .For example, according to the US academic journals from 1988 to 1998, more than 207 papers had been written about HR recruiting ,etc. However, just 7 of the articles mentioned about SMEs in Journal of Applied Psychology, Academic of Management Review and Personnel Psychology;. For these reasons,it is important to investigate the study of HRM in SMEs. Negative and positive arguments about HRM practice in SMEs Large amount of Debates about the efficiency of HRM in SMEs are illustrated in the earlier studies. Small business see few advantages of HRM when comparing to the large firms(Akroyd1995,adapted by Cassell.C et all,2002 ).Especially in the training ,Storey and Westhead described that the employees in the SMEs have few chances to get involved in structured training. (1997,adapted by Cassell.C et all, 2002) .After conducting several cases, Holiday also mentioned that training is not utilized well in SMEs(1995,adapted by Cassell.C et all, 2002). Cassell.C, et all(2002)did both interviews and telephone survey to a number of SMEs, and conclude that HRM practices especially selection and training process are transferring to other department in informal ways. They also found that 53% of SMEs that they investigated in recruited their employees via relatives or friend’s recommendation. It means HRM is not very formal in SMEs. In another word, HRM in SMEs are full of different issues. Bu t according to the following  study HRM indeed bring some benefit to companies. In1995 Leicestershire, and Storey (adapted by Cassell.C et all, 2002)did a study which comparing the difference between traditional HRM and new practices among the large and small companies. The result of 15 cases implied that although the initiative of every employee in large companies has more opportunities to be enabled, it is more sustainable process in small-medium firms. In my opinion, SMEs might be developing better when they employ formal HRM practices. For example, during the study of HRM of SMEs,Williamson, Cable, Aldrich, (2002,adapted by Patel, C. P, et all, 2010) found that that SMEs can be more competitive and legitimated with formal HRM activities since it helps firms attract more high quality employees. HRM can also create harmonious group culture, highlighting the relationship between employers and companies. (Cameron Quinn, 1999,adapted by PATEL, C.2010). Data analyze In order to explore whether it is beneficial for companies when they use formal HRM practices, I conclude the research which was done by PATEL, C. P et all(2010).They did a research to discover the relationship between HRM and company productivity. In this study, high group culture means that a strong team works and effective working environment, which is usually created by strong HRM.) That it surveyed 145 firms and 6 industries including different size of firms. The correlation can be described by the following charts.Chart1 suggests: under high group culture, companies increase the use of HRM when market competition increase; Product market competition (chart 1,adapted by PATEL,C.P,andS. CARDON,S.M ) HRM intensity (chart 2, adapted by PATEL, C. P,and S. CARDON,S.M ) Under high group culture, Chart2 indicated that HRM intensity can enhance the labor productivity To sum up, when the market is in the growing competition, HRM can boost the labor productivity. It also implied that the firms should keep the high group culture environment in order to keep the effectiveness of HRM. High group culture is from strong HRM practices. In my opinion from the data analyze, when HRM is utilized in SMEs in formal ways ,it might bring significant benefit to company. As Walsh and  Whites (1981) point out same idea as well. They suggest that same regulation of HRM should be utilized among those companies but small scale in SMEs. Author opinion As far as my consideration, HRM is a very important part for SMEs. The reason can be explained by following aspects. Firstly, Many SMEs firms in UK have informal HRM activities rather than totally absence (Culley et all, 1998, adapted by Cassell.C, et all, 2002).However, the way SMEs conduct these kind of practice reduce its’ actual benefit. For example, if recruiting and training procedure are not completed by the HR, other department need to expense time and cost to implement those processes. Consequently, it divides the cost of HR department into other team. In fact, it increases the cost of companies in long term prospective. Therefore, SMEs may increase benefit if they employ formal HRM practices from long prospective. Secondly,According to the charts (12), HRM has vital influence on labor productivity when fierce competition appears. On one hand, HRM is important element when company goes through high level of competitive market. SMEs must employ HRM if they want to survive in long term .On the other hand, strong group culture which is built by HR department can reinforce HRM to effect labor productivity (PATEL, C. P,and S. CARDON,S.M,2010).As a consequence , HRM should be develop in correct way so that the company can built adequate group culture, thereby enhance the labor productivity especially in competitive market. Thirdly, it is important to look at the economy situation in UK. UK holds a large amount of SMEs with small scale of large company. It suggests that economic contribution of SMEs play important role in the country. From general perspective, when well-establishing and formal HRM is employed by SMEs, it will have big effect on the GDP of UK. As Cassell.C, Nadin.S, Gray.M, Clegg.C concluded in their research in 2002, HRM indeed exist in small business and small multiples. Although the structure of both firms is informal, human resource management brought obvious effective effort to the firm. From this study, we can imply that SMEs will grow stronger if they utilize more formal HRM in long term. Consequently, high level of HRM practice improves the effectiveness of companies. Conclusion My study suggest that HRM practices play very important roles in SMEs not only because it can create group culture and enhance the effectiveness of the group development, but also can protect firms from fierce competition. Moreover, HRM can increase the benefit of companies in long terms. But there is also some problem of HRM practices. Due to a lack of experience and information, majority of SMEs have no energy to take formal HRM. Whether this situation can be solved still need further study in UK. It depends on the companies themselves. Although I argued that SMEs should emphasize HRM practices in long term development, a lot of SMEs pursue short-time benefit and they may not consider HRM benefit. The research about how do the companies increase the use of formal HRM but not reduce the short-term benefit is needed to be discovering in the future. Hence, the different situations decide whether small-medium companies employ formal HRM. Reference Cassell.C, Nadin.S, Gray.M,Clegg.C,(2002):Exploring human resource management practices in small and medium sized enterprises, Personnel Review,Vol.31 No.6,pp:671-692 Domingo Ribeiro Soriano*and Ma. à ngeles Montoro†Sà ¡nchez,(2011)â€Å"Introduction: Contributions of Human Resource Management to the Challenges faced by Small† and Medium†Sized Enterprises in the Global Environment†, Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, Vol.28: P119–121 PATEL, C. P,and S. CARDON,S.M,2010, â€Å"Adopting HRM Practices And Their Effectiveness In Small Firms Facing Product Market Competition†, Human Resource Management, March–April 2010, Vol. 49, No. 2, Pp. 265– 290

Sexualized Dual Relationships In Therapy Social Work Essay

Sexualized Dual Relationships In Therapy Social Work Essay The main concern as a counselor is creating and managing professional limits, which must always center on the best interests of the client. However, except for behaviors of an illegal nature, ethical concerns can negatively interfere with ones work because there are no straightforward answers. The detrimental effect of sexual intimacies within a professional counseling relationship makes it apparent that it is always inappropriate to have a sexual relationship with a client. In the first part of this paper, a case study of a client who engaged in a sexual relationship with her former psychologist is illustrated. Main ethical concerns, application of specific ethical codes, techniques to address the issue, and an ethical decision-making process are analyzed to resolve the case. In the second part of this paper, an interview is conducted with a clinical psychologist, which highlights the issues relating to ethical standards and practices, transference, multicultural concerns, boundary violations, and supervision. Introduction The structure within which a therapist and client relationship occurs is beneficial for adequate counseling. Healthy limits create a relationship that is proficient, trusting, and demonstrates an environment for competent psychological counseling. Therapists must know that ethical violations can relate to the gray areas between transference and countertransference (Redlich, 1990). Corey, Corey, Callanan, (2011) state that sexual relationships between therapists and clients continue to receive substantial research in the professional literature. Sexual relationships with clients are undoubtedly unethical, and all of the main professional ethics codes have explicit prohibitions against these violations. Furthermore, such relationships are a violation of the law. The power imbalances may continue to sway the client well after the end of the counseling relationship, and professional standards forbid a therapist from engaging in any sexual relationship with a past client in which counsel ing service was provided in the past five years (Bouhoutsos Greenberg, 1999). Therapists must know that any dating relationship is considered a form of inappropriate behavior that could fall within the classification of sexual abuse. The harmful effects of sexual abuse within the professional standards makes it obvious that it is inappropriate to have a sexual relationship with a client. The Dilemma Rachel, a 24-year-old client, comes into her counselors office and states that she feels suicidal because she engaged in a sexual relationship with her former psychologist. Because the assessment and management of a suicidal client is extremely serious, the counselor addresses this issue immediately. As she approaches the suicide assessment, the counselor keeps three things in mind: consult with a colleague for another opinion, document the process, and evaluate the clients risk for harming herself (Corey, Corey, Callanan, 2011). The counselor asks Rachel to sign a no-suicide contract. In the contract, she agrees to avoid harming herself, but if she feels she cannot control herself, she would call 911, or another person who is close to her and she can trust. The counselor also asks her to talk with her family about her feelings. Rachel states that she disclosed to them that she is very depressed and is feeling suicidal. The counselor explains to Rachel at length about dual relationships. Usually when there is an ethical infringement such as a psychologist having a sexual relationship with a client, the relationship begins with a non-sexual relationship (Brown, 2002). Rachel says the relationship began in good faith and as time passed, the boundaries between her and the psychologist began to weaken. The risk of harm occurring to Rachel increased as the psychologist and client became more intimate, and there is a greater power differential just as there exists between men and women in general. The counselor explains about how these professionals may exploit and seduce female clients intentionally for their own satisfactions. Rachel proceeds to tell her counselor about the symptoms and feelings she is experiencing: a sense of guilt; emptiness and isolation; sexual confusion; trust issues; role confusion in therapy; severe depression and acute anxiety; suppressed anger; and cognitive dysfunction involving flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. The counselor concludes that the client is indeed experiencing almost all of the symptoms described as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Main Ethical Concerns A professional counseling relationship, which involves sexual relations, is against the law. Sexual exploitation in a professional counseling relationship is described as, sexual involvement or additional forms of physical relations between a practitioner and a client (Brown, 2002, pg. 79). Situations involving sexual actions between a counselor and client are never acceptable. According to Moustacalis (1998), sexual activity between a client and counselor is always damaging to client well-being, despite of what reason or beliefs the counselor chooses to justify it. However, client consent and compliance to participate in a sexual relationship does not diminish the practitioner of his duties and responsibilities for adhering to ethical standards. Failure to take responsibility for the professional relationship and permitting a sexual relationship to develop is a mistreatment of authority and confidence, which are exclusive and fundamental to the therapist and client relationship. In any professional counseling relationship, there is an innate power inequity. In this case study, the former therapists power arises through the clients belief that the therapist has the proficiency to help with her problems, and the clients confession of personal information, which is usually kept secret. The reality that counseling services cannot be successful unless clients are willing to open up does not change the main power imbalance (Moustacalis, 1998). Therefore, the psychologist has an important responsibility to take action, do no harm, and is ultimately liable for managing boundary issues if violations occur. Ironically, the former therapist in this case failed to maintain appropriate professional ethical standards and caused psychological damage to his client instead of promoting a trusting and healthy professional relationship. Because of the seriousness and complexity of these sexual boundary violations, Rachel currently suffers from suicidal thoughts, depression, an xiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The power difference that is in the therapist-client relationship causes Rachel to find it complicated to discuss boundaries or to recognize and defend herself against ethical violations. In addition, clients may at times prompt a sexual relationship and their behavior could promote violations (Marmor, 2000). Application of Specific Ethical Codes Techniques to Address Dilemma According to the 2005 American Counseling Associations (ACA) Code of Ethical Standards, Sexual or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with current clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited (A.5.a). Relating to former clients, Sexual or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited for a period of 5 years following the last professional contact. Counselors, before engaging in sexual or romantic interactions or relationships with clients, their romantic partners, or client family members after 5 years following the last professional contact, demonstrate forethought and document (in written form) whether the interactions or relationship can be viewed as exploitive in some way and/or whether there is still potential to harm the former client; in cases of potential exploitation and/or harm, the counselor avoids entering such an interaction or re lationship (A.5.b). In this case, Rachels emotional intensity and stress generated due to difficult or conflicted personal relational situations may override her understanding of healthy therapeutic and relational processes. In addition, it suggests clients, such as Rachel, who possess little therapeutic knowledge relating to boundary violations, or with limited understanding of therapy, are particularly vulnerable (Marmor, 2000). The ACA Code of Ethical Standards also states that counselors act to avoid harming their clients (A.4.a). During their sexual relationship, Rachels former practitioner may assume she is responsible in the relationship and can sustain herself emotionally and psychologically. However, not all clients have this ability and look to their therapist for support. Engaging in a dual sexualized relationship is destructive to client welfare and is a dysfunctional means to offer security to a vulnerable client (Robinson, Reid, 2000). Techniques to address this case are complex, yet imperative to consider. First, Rachels former therapist needs to be reported to the state licensing board for ethical complaints of sexual intimacies with a client (Hall, 2001). During this process, Rachel should know that a breach of client confidentiality will occur as a part of the reporting process. Next, Rachel must find a reputable attorney because there is a good possibility that the former therapist may deny the accusation or blame Rachel by saying she is making false claims. The former therapist could be the subject of a lawsuit. Malpractice is a serious legal concept involving the failure of a professional to provide the level of services or to implement the skill that is normally expected of other professionals (Hall, 2001). He risks having his license taken away or suspended as well as losing his insurance coverage and his credibility as a therapist. This ethical violation could have been avoided if the therapist carefully considered the dynamics of a healthy therapeutic relationship and put the clients needs before his own. Decision-Making Process The ethical decision making process used for the case of Rachel would be to first define the problem. Rachel is in search of counseling because she engaged in an intimate, sexual relationship with her former psychologist. Rachel currently feels guilty and resentful toward her former psychologist and is experiencing suicidal thoughts. The next vital step in ethical decision making is evaluating moral principles (Corey, Corey, Callanan, 2011). In this case, the moral principle that would take priority is non-maleficence. Rachel expressed her need to talk with a counselor and feels she has a limited number of people she can trust. Since the former therapist violated the sense of non-maleficence, it may cause Rachel harm if the current therapist were to defy her trust because Rachel could panic and hurt herself if she feels she has no other option. Rachel must form a trusting relationship with her current counselor, and the counselor must maintain that sense of trust. The next step woul d be to talk with a supervisor or colleague to hear other perspectives or ideas. The fourth step is to make sure as her current therapist, decisions are not influenced by emotions (Corey, Corey, Callanan, 2011). Having emotional awareness can ensure an accurate assessment of the situation. Therefore, encouraging Rachel and building up her sense of self-worth is essential. By creating a plan that includes psychological help along with legal action, Rachel will likely feel as though she has some control when assessing each option. The final step is implementation, and the therapist should help Rachel follow through with her plan. Interview Dr. Jennifer Lambert is a clinical psychologist and received her Psy.D from the University of Illinois. During the 45-minute interview, she provided thoughtful insight into the issues relating to ethical standards and practices, transference, multicultural concerns, boundary violations, and supervision. First, making ethical decisions involves developing an acceptance for dealing with gray areas and coping with uncertainty. Even though awareness of the ethical standards of ones profession is significant, this knowledge is not enough. Ethical codes provide direction in assisting one in making the best informed-decisions for the benefit of clients and the practitioner. These standards may differ among agencies, and it is vital that every human service professional becomes aware of the exact policies of the agency. Secondly, Dr. Lambert discussed an example of transference. She is a supervisor for an adolescent mental health clinic and works with many great colleagues. One of her colleagues is an excellent therapist, but often she asks Dr. Lambert for marital advice. She does her best not to sway her colleague because Dr. Lambert knows the harm it could cause to their relationship. Instead, she encourages her colleague to inspect her own beliefs and values without imposing or giving direct advice. This story is an example of colleague transference and possible dependency if Dr. Lambert is not cautious when discussing these issues. Next, Dr. Lambert spoke about multicultural concerns and boundary violations in therapy. As a therapist, it is key to know and appreciate ones own cultural background, yet not push values onto clients. To be effective with diverse clients, therapists must accept and celebrate cultural differences and view them as a positive learning experience. By practicing acceptance while being curious, it will bring understanding between cultures and assist in expanding trust in the therapeutic relationship. Maintaining professional and personal boundaries is a necessity in the therapeutic process. If a therapist becomes emotionally over-involved with a client, counselors will likely lose their objectivity and ultimately cannot exercise proper judgment in the helping process. When counseling adolescents, maintaining appropriate boundaries can be complicated. Often, an adolescent sees the therapist as a friend to confide in, but if the young client becomes too dependent, relationship boundaries ma y be crossed. This can also violate boundaries if the therapist does not address the dependency. Lastly, a vital element in the licensing process is supervision. Dr. Lambert believes the role played by the supervisor is important for the appropriate development of the trainee. The supervisee should be open to the ideas and leadership style of the supervisor. Above all, supervision was developed to help future therapists enhance their competency and during this process, the trainee will learn the necessary skills that will assist them in their entire professional career. One challenge to supervision is the continuous shortage of qualified professionals and the incapability to supply sufficient hours for proper competency development. When choosing a supervisor, an individual with a good moral and ethical approach is an area of concern. This factor would assist in developing a proper personal approach, and a supervisor must teach by example the importance of understanding transference/counter-transference, diversity, and rapport. Supervision is a support system, which gives the op portunity to present challenges that one may not be prepared to deal with when they occur. Summary Ethical decision making in the counseling field is a continuing assessment with no simple answers. In order to encourage the well-being of clients, counselors must always balance the professional ethical codes with their own life experiences and personal values to make critical decisions about how to assist their clients successfully (Redlich, 1990). Therefore, understanding the ethical codes and the effect of inadequate counseling practices are helpful for counselors as they maintain therapeutic relationships with clients. Nonetheless, even though professional codes of ethics offer guidelines for how counselors should act with clients, they do not give complete answers for how counselors must act in every circumstance. Ideally, counselors should integrate their knowledge of professional ethics with good judgment to facilitate the best interests of their clients. It is imperative for counselors to create personal and professional boundaries with their clients in order to avoid proble ms such as unethical counseling, favoritism, exploitation, harm, etc (Corey, Corey, Callanan, 2011). Counselors must treat all clients respectfully, compassionately, and responsibly, while not compromising the professional relationship established with them.

The Use of Technology in New York Rescue Efforts on September Eleventh

The Use of Technology in New York Rescue Efforts on September Eleventh On the eleventh of September, two planes flew into one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. Two high jacked planes were flown into the upper floors of One and Two-World Trade Center or more commonly known as the Twin Towers. At 9:50 that morning, Two World Trade came thundering down to the ground and shortly after that, One World Trade Center came crashing to the ground. With debris covering sixteen acres of lower Manhattan, and making it difficult for rescue workers to make it around the site, they turned to satellites, robotic cameras, and small lipstick cameras to look in voids where humans could not reach. The Fire Department of New York City and the City of New York worked close with spaceimaging and I –cubed. Three-dimensional modeling was used in the search and rescue phase. This technology generated pictures that showed the area of ground zero in a three dimensional model. This let emergency planners get a better perspective of what ground conditions and difficulties they would face. [1] Three-dimensional modeling is currently used by the military to simulate war operations in areas where they may be deployed. They are now wondering if this type of technology would be great to be used for fire departments in a pre-fire model that would allow firefighters to simulate conditions prior to an emergency. In an interview with Congressman Curt Weldon, he stated â€Å"When new technology is made available to our military – our international responders, it must immediately be made available to our domestic first responders.† Also after this national tragedy many powerful technology companies came together to provide their servic... ...ws people broadcasting this news all over the world. Satellites helped to relay the signals from New York City to all over the world so people could witness this generation’s biggest historical event. Days after the collapse, satellites too pictures of lower Manhattan to show the debris field and what area of the east the possible contaminated air was going over. These technologies will be helping our troops who will be fighting in a foreign land to help preserve our rich history of freedom. In this paper, I discussed some of the technologies that emergency rescue personnel used to search the debris of ground zero for possible trapped people and eventually people who perished in the collapse. Also I showed how many different agencies could assemble in a short time and assemble their resources to go do a job on such an enormous job.

William Blake as a Critic of His Time Essay -- William Blake Poems Poe

William Blake as a Critic of His Time Blake took an active role in exposing the corruption taking place in his society. Prime targets of his criticisms were the institutions that remained silent in the faces of injustice. Blake stands agains the institutions that allow human oppression. Three of his poems from Songs of Experience present his views on the matter: "The Chimney Sweeper," "The Garden of Love," and "London." In "The Chimney Sweeper," Blake takes his stand against the the calamities brought upon children by those supposed to protect him. Innocence comes to an end for the child when he is exposed to the horrors of sweeping chimneys . His sadness can be felt when he says : "They clothed me in the clothes of death/and taught me to sing the notes of woe" (Blake, 6-7). The child is telling society that his pain is being caused by those in whom he put his trust— his parents. Even more disconcerting is to know that his parents do nothing to stop his horrors. They abandon him and go "...to praise God & his Priest & King" (Blake, 11). Perhaps they do this , because on the outside their child looks happy and they probably think that they are helping him more than anything: "‘ And because I am happy, & dance& sing,/ They think they have done me no injury," (Blake, 9-10) . In the meantime, the church is also playing a part in his misery. How? Because it allows the parents to come inside its building to pray when they should be protecting their child from all harm: "‘They are both gone up to the church to pray'" (Blake, 4). ".....a heaven of our misery" (Blake, 12) finally emphasizes to the reader once more those who are responsible for the child's pain and sorrows . He hopes that, somehow, people would tak... ...sily seen how Blake stood against the suffering of human kind and used his poems to expose the corruption of the world that surrounded him. He clearly critized the society and hoped that people would take action to change things for the better. The problems in Blake's society aren't very different than the ones in today's world. People should take a good look around them and take action to better their surroundings. Works Cited Blake, William. "The Chimney Sweeper" (SE). The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M. H. Abrams, et al. 7th edition. Vol 2. New York: Norton, 2000. 52 "The Garden of Love." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M. H. Abrams, et al. 7th edition. Vol 2. New York: Norton, 2000. 56 "London." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M. H. Abrams, et al. 7th edition. Vol 2. New York: Norton, 2000. 56

A Cure For Shyness? Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

A Cure For Shyness? Many of us experience a pounding heartbeat or shaking when faced with a public situation, especially if we think we are going to be judged by others. When does this cross the line between normal and a mores serious disorder? Social anxiety disorder, a relatively newly recognized disorder by the psychiatric profession, involves many of the same symptoms as shyness. What makes the difference between a case of the jitters and a real disorder? Social Anxiety Disorder was first recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a disorder in 1980 (1). It is characterized by such physical symptoms as increased heartbeat, blushing, dry mouth, trembling and shaking, difficulty swallowing, and twitching in the muscles (2). Many people with social anxiety disorder also have depression. A study in France found that 70 percent of patients who developed social anxiety disorder before the age of 15 also suffered from major depression (3). Diagnostic criteria, according to the current definition of social anxiety disorder given by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, 4th ed. (DSM-IV), requires a persistent fear of at least one social situation which involves exposure to unfamiliar people or scrutiny by others. The patient must fear that he or she will act in this situation in a way that will cause embarrassment, and avoid the situation or experience extreme anxiety or a panic attack if fac ed with the situation. The patient must also realize that the fear is unreasonable. The avoidance or anxiety must interfere to a large extent with the normal routine, functioning, social activities, or relationships with the person (1). This last criterion, a significant interference ... ...%3Dhave51822&cont=&msg=No+Session+cookies&sserv=no 10) Coming to you direct , from Expanded Academic http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/have51822?http_rc=400&class=session&sev=temp&type=session&cause=http%3A%2F%2Fweb6.infotrac.galegroup.com%2Fitw%2Finfomark%2F430%2F157%2F36658653w3%2Fpurl%3Drc2_EAIM_1_coming%2Bto%2Byou%2Bdirect______________________________________________%26dyn%3Dsig!1%3Fsw_aep%3Dhave51822&cont=&msg=No+Session+cookies&sserv=no 11) Selling Shyness - How doctors and drug companies created the "social phobia" epidemic , from Expanded Academic http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/have51822?http_rc=400&class=session&sev=temp&type=session&cause=http%3A%2F%2Fweb2.infotrac.galegroup.com%2Fitw%2Finfomark%2F746%2F514%2F36545191w3%2Fpurl%3Drc1_EAIM_0_A64993728%26dyn%3D23!xrn_59_0_A64993728%3Fsw_aep%3Dhave51822&cont=&msg=No+Session+cookies&sserv=no

Saurer

Saurer: The China Challenge Question 1 Comparing with the China staple fiber twisting machines, Saurer Twisting Systems (STS) has a number of strengths. The STS are leading product and incorporated state-of-the-art engineering. The technology and R&D helped STS to build up functional brand, the STS machines helped the customers to improve efficiency, quality and productivity. Hence STS is a strong brand and highly regarded by many customers. Being the largest manufacturer of textile machinery, Saurer can offer full solutions to customers.According to Exhibit 4, there are Sauer’s products in different steps of the textile value chain from spinning to embroidery. Thus, Saurer has the capability to penetrate into textile industry in a great depth by extensive product offering. However, STS do not have the price advantage comparing with local Chinese competitors. STS had simplified the functions of the sophisticated machines into â€Å"good enough† machines so as to cater f or the needs of China market, however, the pricing is 31. % more than Muratec, and twice the price of Rifa i. e. the close competitor. As Chinese customers tend to be price-sensitive, they would prefer low-priced manufacturers like Rifa for faster pay-back. In addition, STS products are imitated and the functions copied by Chinese competitors because of weak protection of intellectual property in China. This weakened the strength of STS in terms of product functionality. Most of the locally made twisting machines were copies of those manufactured by Saurer or a Japanese competitor.In some cases, the colors of the machines and the brochures – including printing errors – were reproduce Saurer’s usual position in the high-end market meant that identifying and reaching customers for low-end solutions would be challenging for its sales force. Since the company had historically focused on customers with high-end needs, it sales force had little contacts with the low-e nd segment. Saurer also encountered the difficulty to adopt to Chinese market.The Chinese customers only ordered new machines after receiving orders for yarn, which meant that they then needed very quick delivery. Additionally, they tended to be less interested than their Western counterparts in machine ergonomics – labor costs were low and replacing workers was easy – although some had begun to appreciate that more efficient machines could enable them to increase revenue. Question 2 Saurer should enter the China market with lower functionality. Firstly, Chinese customers are price-sensitive and they concern about the pay-back period.By offering low-functionality machines at lower price, Saurer can captured this low-end customer groups by fulfilling their basic needs. Secondly, Saurer can build up the customer base for future business, as Saurer can introduce other textile machines for their customers. However, margins on the new product were likely to be significantly lower than on their existing products, and even if they managed to achieve some aggressive cost targets, there was a concern that the new product could cannibalize their high margin, premium machines.So Saurer lost its product leadership by lowering the machines functionality. Hence, the good enough machines do not help Saurer to win customers by brand and functionality for this low-end segment. The pricing of STS machines become critical as customers are price-sensitive. Question 3 To protect Saurer’s brand, they should use a dual brand marketing strategy for the new products and sophisticated products. Its Volkmann brand was the leader in the premium end of the market, both in China and globally.In order to avoid jeopardizing the brand and minimize sales canalization, Saurer should adopt a different brand name for its low-end and lower-priced machines. As for pricing, Saurer should try to match with the competitors so as to win a bigger market share in this low-end market. To improve the margin, Saurer may consider to lower the production cost. As the low-end customers had little interest in preventive maintenance and annual contracts, Saurer had to change its business model for the low-end market segment.Since customers preferred quick repair service in proximity, Saurer may consider to develop partnership with local machine repairing centers by supplying the components at lower cost, so as to increase the competitiveness of Saurer machines as comparing with other low price competitors. Currently, Volkmann had 7 sales staff for China market. To cater for this fast growing low-end segment, the company should develop a separate local sales team for low-end market so as to penetrate into the low-end market. According to the company’s quick analysis, 85% of the potential demand of the new machines would be in 6 of China’s 22 provinces.Saurer may allocate the sales team into 6 geographical areas and launch the new machines. Question 4 If Sa urer decided not to introduce the new product, it will have to set its premium position and target the high-end segment, i. e. the export-oriented state-owned firms which were typically able to get licenses to buy imported textile machines. Being the global leader in textile machines, Saurer can ride on its competitive advantage by offering full solutions in different stages of value chain and helping these high-end customers to achieve economy of scale.

Creating a Student Portal for Bataan Peninsula State University Essay

The project is to create a Student Portal for Bataan Peninsula State University. Its purpose is to raise the availability of certain students’ records like the grades, finances/billing, and curriculum checklist. Along with, is the process of encoding students’ final grades and the forming of the dean’s list. Using the student portal, data can be accessible at any time and location over the Internet. Background of the Study The Bataan Peninsula State University was established by virtue of Republic Act 9403, signed into law on 22nd of March 2007. It is a conglomeration of fine leading higher education institutions in Bataan seeking  to contribute to the national and regional development through providing excellent quality of services in instruction, research, production and extension. Guided by one Vision of becoming a university of excellence acknowledged not only in the country but also in the Asia-Pacific Region, BPSU shall continue to gear toward the realization of its mission of providing quality and relevant education in order to contribute to the national and regional development. Before the conversion, BPSU used to have three campuses; two are located in the City of Balanga while the third is situated in Orani. The passage  of RA 9403 resulted to the expansion of BPSU’s campuses as the said Act duly integrated the Bataan State College in Dinalupihan and its satellite campus in Abucay (formerly Bataan National Agricultural School). The five campuses of the university have very humble beginnings and yet they all emerged with glorious histories to be proud of. More empowerment is expected to be bestowed to each campus as their strengths shall be utilized for the success of the 111 programs and other services of the university. On June 2008, the University made education more accessible to the residents of the towns of  Bagac and Morong by establishing an extension in the Municipality of Bagac. The extension offers some of the most in demand courses in the country like BS Entrepreneurship, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, first two years of Nursing, and General Engineering courses. Contributing to national development has always been the topmost priority of the university; therefore BPSU relentlessly keeps itself updated on the recent trends to be responsive to the present and future demands of the community. At present university has three programs granted with Level 1 Accreditation from AACCUP. Fifty-six (56) programs are scheduled for accreditation from 2008 to 2012. Moreover, the university continues to equip itself with faculty and employees who have remarkable skills and knowledge in order to uphold academic excellence and maintain its capacity of producing quality graduates. At present, 6 percent of its faculty have Doctorate degrees and 31 percent have master’s degrees. The rest are still working on their post-baccalaureate studies. It is not surprising that the enrollment continues to increase over the years as the university has proven its capability to match and even to surpass  the performance of other reputable universities in the country in various competitions and also in the licensure exams. Other than this, low tuition fee rates, and pollution-free and safe environment further encourage the Bataenos and those from other nearby provinces to patronize BPSU. For BPSU, a life without challenges to conquer would be futile as the university always stretches the limit to adapt to the changes and to turn trials into opportunities. Even cuts in the budget will not impede BPSU from attaining its goals. Aside from relying on its several IGPs to augment the  budget and sustain its programs, the university continues to strengthen and to establish partnerships with local and international agencies that are more than willing to work side by side BPSU as it continues its journey towards a more dignified future. [bpsu. edu. ph] Every educational institution has its sole priority to give the best learning out from their best performances of teachings, processes and resources to their students. And, BPSU which is one of these institutions had already proven that they can absolutely give it. In the University’s actual operation, there are lots of offices and  departments that are responsible on producing, maintaining and keeping every student’s records. Two of these are the Registrar’s department and the Finance’s department. Along the Registrar’s department is where the student’s documents are piled. Student’s documents consisting of personal data and academic information from their previous schools and from BPSU itself which are produced due to the span of years of the student’s admission in the University, for instance, are the grades. Another department mentioned is the Finance’s department; this also conducts one of the main tasks required for tracking the admission of the  student every school year. That task is to keep files with regards to all of their finances, including all of the payments that are made, balances and other financial issues. These certain information of a student can also be found in the enrollment system that was used by the Registrar’s Office, it is how the Registrar has the authority to view the financial status of a student. Students must know every transaction that was made in the University especially when it has to do with their own concerns. They must always be informed of all the latest records that were kept and reported to  the offices responsible for their stay-in within the institution. On the registrar’s part, a student is not allowed to have an update or a look within their record every time they desired. Considering that the registrar is also busy for other major works assigned to him. Seemingly, it will just consume time and effort for finding a particular record in their repositories. A student can only be given the opportunity, which depends on the situation. Naturally, grades were available every end of the semester in a printed form, though, some of the instructors are considerate in informing a student of the grades as often as possible. While on the finance office part, the records kept are confidential. In order for a student to be informed of the balances remaining on their account, the student should ask the finance officer. But it’s not that simple, as the officer is not free to answer every student’s questions or uncertainties at anytime. At some point in a semester, the finance’s department issues the statement of account of each student that still has remaining balances that must be paid in order to be given a permit that is a requirement before taking an examination On pondering on these unwanted situations experienced by the  students, the thought of having a medium that will grant access to student’s account as often as they want sprung up. The medium is what we called a Students’ Portal. A portal or a web portal, also known as a links page, presents information from diverse sources in a unified way. Apart from the standard search engine feature, web portals offer other services such as e-mail, news, stock prices, information, databases and entertainment. Portals provide a way for enterprises to provide a consistent look and feel with access control and procedures for multiple applications and databases, which  otherwise would have been different entities altogether. Some related studies are researched and included on the documentation for further comprehension of the proposed system. †¢Orani Water District Intranet Based Public Information Kiosk This thesis is made by the IPiK Group, BSIT students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Bataan that aims to create an integrated public access information system to be used by employees and visitors of Orani Water District that will improve the current process of dissemination of information. Also, the developers target the replacement of old bulletin boards with digital ones. All the information contained and posted on a bulletin board will be encoded and displayed in a public access computer, with a web-based interface to access the information. The public access computer will be implemented in a client-server environment. A domain controller will be used to apply access control and policies to the public access computer. The officer-in-charge only has to encode the information on the system rather than printing it and then posting it on the bulletin board. The system will only be updated by an administrator. The company’s system administrator will handle the updates and backups. The backups will be made using MS SQL Server 2005’s automatic backup service. The backup files will be stored on a backup DVD-ROM. The system will not be available online, only through the intranet. It will be available only from 8 AM to 5 PM. The proposed system named as Letran-Abucay Students’ Portal has the same objective with the IPik Group thesis that is to render information for the users. The main users of the Orani Water District Intranet-based Public Information Kiosk are the customers, while for the Students’ Portal are apparently the students. What will be the difference of the two is that the  Students’ Portal will be a web-based application and is accessible using a web browser which is opposed to the public information kiosk that is a window-based application. †¢Bataan Information System This thesis is made by the STI-Bataan students under the advisory of Ms. Cristina de Leon, who is now a Letran IT Professor. It is about the designing and developing of a Bataan Information System in a multimedia form and to solve the problems encountered by the provincial government in promoting Bataan. The Information System will be easy to access and directed to the end-user and will support an interactive environment with a  user-friendly feature in promoting the province of Bataan. Information system is frequently used to refer to the interaction between people, processes, data and technology. In this sense, the term is used to refer not only to the information and communication technology (ICT) an organization uses, but also to the way in which people interact with this technology in support of business processes (Wikipedia) Giving information is how the two systems, which are the Bataan Information System and the proposed students’ portal, are similar. Both render numbers of information that are accessible by an authorized user in a  computerized process. †¢Campus Portals a Framework for Development Accommodating End-users’ Online Activities (an International Thesis) This thesis is about the development of a campus portal created for the University of Wollongong; thus was prepared by Tharitpong Fuangvut on 2005. A Campus Portal is an exciting recent phenomenon forming part of the new generation of online services for all stakeholders in institutions of higher education. Conceptually the general notion of a Portal should be to be distinguished from that of other Web- based applications and the traditional Intranet of the institution. The major objective of this research is to propose a development methodology specifically suitable for Campus Portal projects. While there are many accepted development methodologies for traditional and Web-based Information Systems, no clear body of knowledge on the development of Campus Portals has yet been recognized. Additionally, as this is a new area, the definitions, terms, concepts and important issues agreed to by academic researchers and practitioners, are still evolving. This research, therefore, needs to clarify and identify some important issues regarding Campus Portals  and their development, prior to composing the development methodology. In the second and third phases of the research, two studies were carried out, a preliminary study and a case study. These generated more understanding of the issues and extended the body of knowledge on Campus Portals, especially concerning their development. The preliminary study explored and investigated the online services and Campus Portals of 40 higher education institutions’ sites in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the UK and Canada. The findings of the preliminary study show that there are no standard patterns in the function of  personalization and customization in Campus Portals. The case study was conducted in an Australian university among the major stakeholder groups, namely, the development team and the end-users (students and academic staff). Students were the primary focus of the end-user study, from which data was collected using a survey to build up usage patterns of their online activities. Statement of Goals Due to the data gatherings that the researcher had conducted many thoughts lead the proponent to know and study more of the certain dilemmas and inefficiencies that taking place within the process wherein  the people affected perhaps are not aware. Currently, students are given limits on viewing their own records kept by the University due to several uncertainties it will cost, uncertainties that include lack of time and extensive work of the people involved. Furthermore, the proponent had also studied prior concerns which will benefit everyone that are included on the process once implemented on the system: †¢Security of data that will ensure a protected system that traces and prevents unauthorized access; †¢Encoding of the final grades that is one of the tasks of the faculty every end of a semester; †¢Downloadable and printable documents such as the Grades Slip coming from the Registrar’s office and a variety of forms coming from the Dean’s office. †¢Availability of students’ list with final grades which will help the Dean to generate the Dean’s list. The following goals are made and collected by the proponent through the aim of resolving the concerns mentioned. The goals are as follow: General Goal To develop a Student’s Portal for Bataan Peninsula State University that will enable students to access their personal, academic and financial records. Specific Goal To implement an authentication of users through the  use of ID no and password, as to prevent intruders and to assure the safety of all the data transmitted over the network. To incorporate a module for encoding the final grades of students every semester that the faculty uses. To provide downloadable and printable forms those are being retrieved from the Dean’s, Registrar’s and Finance office. To include a module that will enable the Dean to view the academic status of the students that she can use as basis for retrieving the Dean’s list. Significance of the Study For the Students Students are the ones that have a great benefit on the students’  portal because it will provide them quick access of their taken subjects prior to the curriculum they had enrolled with the corresponding final grades for each. Also, the system ensures the confidentiality and the update of records for each semester as long as new grades are issued to help the students be informed of their academic performance in the University. Aside from grades and subjects that can be viewed, a student will also have the privilege to view some his or her financial data that was managed by the finance office. For the Dean’s office Using the students’ portal, the Dean is able to view the academic  status of the students that include detail such as the final grades and to gather the names of those that are included on the Dean’s list. And also, as the portal offers a module for downloadable forms that are coming from the office, the task for issuing these certain forms will be eliminated thus reducing the workload of the Dean. For the Registrar’s Office As the students will be provided of options on determining their academic records, whether to just view it on the portal or to still ask for a printed copy coming from the Registrar’s office, somehow there will be a lessening of task on the Registrar’s part. For the Finance Office The Finance office can gain benefit from the students’ portal since the students can already check over their financial records online reducing the printing of documents such as the statement of accounts if permitted. For the Future Researchers The future researchers can acquire fundamental knowledge from and be able to use this thesis documentation as basis of their own research study if it’s all about developing a students’ portal. For the Developer To the developer, this will also provide better comprehension of her proposed system that will lead her to the further understanding of the entire  study that surely they can use on preparation of a brighter future that awaits her as IT professional. Scope and Limitations This study will focus on creating a students’ portal for Bataan Peninsula State University which is web-based where student records are the prior concern and accessible online. Student records that include: †¢Student’s personal information †¢Curriculum checklist that comprises all the subjects taken and to be taken by the student based on the University’s curriculum and the final grades for each †¢Grades records that consist of all the grades of the student for all his  subjects that he can query through supplying of a school year or semester. †¢Financial information that comprises the tuition fee with miscellaneous fees and discount fee, if there’s any, of a student. †¢Subject offering that pertains to the schedule of each subject that a student had enrolled belongs. The student can use this link to plan for his schedule for the upcoming semester. †¢Class Schedule encloses all the subject schedules of a student. As part of the authentication that was implemented on the portal, the users must provide an authorized username and password. On the system  there will be four types of user’s account: the student the faculty, the dean, the registrar and the administrator. In the Student account, the authorized tasks that users can do are: †¢Viewing of their records in through selecting from the following links: myProfile; myGrades that contains sub links such as Semester Grades, Curriculum Checklist, Collection of Grades; myFinance, mySubjectOffering and mySchedule. †¢Viewing other student’s or faculty staff’s records through selecting mySearch link, sending and receiving of messages through myInbox which is a form of messaging. †¢And, printing and downloading of forms such as Grades slip,  curriculum checklist and forms issued by the Dean and Registrar(eg. Change of Grade Form) Second, in the Faculty account, the authorized tasks that users can do are: †¢Entering student’s final grades for a particular subject, section school year and semester through the use of myClassRecord. †¢Viewing other student’s or faculty staff’s records through mySearch. †¢Uploading of lessons for the students Third, in the Dean account, the authorized tasks that Dean can do are: †¢Viewing of the Dean’s list for the current and the previous school year and semester. †¢Searching students to review their academic performance from the first year of his admission up to the present. †¢Searching class schedules by entering the assigned beginning and ending time of a class, in order for the Dean to be informed of what particular class is was going on for a moment. †¢Viewing faculty subject loads and schedules. Fourth, in the Registrar account, the authorized tasks that Registrar can do are: †¢Viewing of student’s general weighted average. †¢Updating the grades of a student that obtained a INC remarks from the past school year. †¢And, selecting the students that will form the Dean’s List. Lastly, the Administrator account, the authorized tasks that Registrar can do are: †¢Conversion of tables of records from MS Foxpro format to MS SQL. †¢Setting the current school year and semester. †¢Uploading of downloadable forms. †¢And, reset users’ passwords. The following are the limitations of the Students’ Portal: †¢Only the â€Å"Other Information† part and the password are the only records in the student’s page that can be altered. †¢Only the administrator can convert the tables from MS Foxpro format to SQL/simply add records on the database, can set the school year and can upload forms. †¢Only final grades are to be encoded by the faculty. Faculty cannot  edit anymore the grades of the students that belong to the previous school year and semester. †¢Only the faculty user and student users can exchange messages. †¢Only the Registrar can update the INC remarks of students that completed the subject. †¢Lastly, only the registrar can form the dean’s list. Definition of Terms †¢Transaction – a transaction usually means a sequence of information exchange and related work. A transaction is a unit of work that you want to treat as â€Å"a whole†. It has to either happen in full, or not at all. †¢Records – In computer data processing, a record is a collection of data  items arranged for processing by a program. Multiple records are contained in a file or data set. The organization of data in the record is usually prescribed by the programming language that defines the record’s organization and/or by the application that processes it. †¢Portal – a term, generally synonymous with gateway, for a World Wide Web site that is or proposes to be a major starting site for users when they get connected to the Web or that users tend to visit as an anchor site. †¢Web Portal – also known as a links page, presents information from diverse sources in a unified way. Apart from the standard search  engine feature, web portals offer other services such as e-mail, news, stock prices, information, databases and entertainment. †¢Links – Using hypertext, a link is a selectable connection from one word, picture, or information object to another. In a multimedia environment such as the World Wide Web, such objects can include sound and motion video sequences. †¢Search Engine – designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The search results are usually presented in a list of results and are commonly called hits. The information may consist of web pages, images, information and other types of files. †¢Database – is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. In one view, databases can be classified according to types of content: bibliographic, full-text, numeric, and images. †¢Client-server – describes the relationship between two computer programs in which one program, the client, makes a service request from another program, the server, which fulfills the request. †¢Web-based – refers to those applications or services that are resident on a server that is accessible using a Web browser and is therefore accessible from anywhere in the world via the Web. †¢Technology – the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, and crafts, or is systems or methods of organization, or is a material product (such as clothing) of these things. The word technology comes from the Greek technologia techne ‘craft’ and -logia, the study of something, or the branch of knowledge of a discipline. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include â€Å"construction technology†, â€Å"medical technology†, or â€Å"state-of-the-art technology†. †¢Application – program or group of programs designed for end users. Software can be divided into two general classes: systems software  and applications software †¢ Methodology Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) provides a set of models, principles, and guidelines for designing and developing enterprise solutions in a way that ensures that all elements of a project, such as people, processes and tools, can be successfully managed. MSF also provides proven practices for planning, designing, developing, and deploying successful enterprise solutions. The researcher had intended to use MSF for her methodologies especially because they are in use of Microsoft solution tools such as the Microsoft. NET Framework and the Microsoft SQL Server. MSF has five phases these are the: Envisioning, Planning, Developing, Stabilizing and Deploying. Envisioning Phase – This phase broadly describes the goals and constraints of the study. During this phase, the reseacher gathered necessary information and resources for developing a students’ portal. One of the activities that were conducted is an interview with BPSU’s database administrator to further determine what are the things and transactions necessary to put on the portal to satisfy the needs of the University and the predicted users. Some of the approved transactions are the viewing of student’s profile including the  personal, academic and financial information; encoding of final grades and forming of the Dean’s list. Risk assessment regarding the developing of the system is also accomplished. On the process, the impact of the consequence is learned by determining the likelihood of its occurrence and the severity of the outcome relative to established project objectives. The envisioning phase culminates in the vision approved milestone. This milestone is the first point at which the project team and customer agree on the overall direction for the project, including what the product will and will not include. Planning Phase – This phase determines what to develop and how to develop it. The process of information is modified, gathered and undergoes three design processes namely conceptual, logical and physical perspective. During this phase, the researcher planned how to develop the Bataan Peninsula State University students’ portal on the way its functionality can achieve the requirements of the educational institution. For conceptual design process, the expectations of the users or beneficiary of the study must be achieved like the proposal that students by using the portal can easily view their own records. For the logical design process, this meet the developer’s steps and requirements on how to develop the said system, like in an instance the system software solution will be developed using Microsoft Visual Studio and SQL Server Management studio. This solution is able to interact and communicate with other transaction processes, applications and data source. Lastly for the Physical design process, with the developer’s perspective, the development of the system will be a great help and ease not only for the students but also for the offices of the University that handles student’s information keeping considering the volumes of users  and transactions. There would be a web-based implementation of a portal which will be used as the primary means for dissemination of the student’s profiles and information. The planning phase culminates in the Project plan approved milestone. This milestone is the point at which the project team, the customer, and key project stakeholders agree on the feature set and the design of the application. The Project plan approved milestone is essentially the contract with the customer to proceed with the project. Developing Phase – During this phase, the solution is developed and optimized until it is  deemed ready for production use. On this phase, the student’s portal is developed. The researcher experienced several revisions on the design, the basic functionalities and on the core transaction in order to follow the needs of the identified users. The development phase culminates in the Scope Complete milestone. At this milestone, all features are complete, and the product is ready for external testing and stabilization. This milestone is the opportunity for customers and end users, operations and support personnel, and key project stakeholders to evaluate the product and identify any remaining  issues they need to address before it ships. Stabilizing Phase – This phase conducts testing of the complete solution. During this phase, the researcher focuses on resolving and prioritizing bugs and preparing the solution for release. The stabilization phase culminates with the release of the product. The Release milestone occurs when the team has addressed all outstanding issues and shipped the product or placed it in service. At the Release milestone, responsibility for ongoing management and support of the product officially transfers from the project team to the operations and support organization. Deploying phase – the developer deploys the core technology and site components, stabilizes the deployment, transitions the project to operations and support, and obtains final customer approval of the project. After the deployment, the developer conducts a project review and a customer satisfaction survey. During this phase, the developer tested the usability of the students’ portal and determined whether it has achieved the requirements of the University that are identified during the envisioning stage by letting some selected persons from the proposed users/customers. The deployment complete milestone culminates the deploying phase.

Hrm 533 Assmt 3 Template

Assignment 3 Name: (Your Name) For Dr. Larry Byrd HRM533 Date: (Today’s date) (Title) Organization Overview This paper will discuss the total rewards program for (Name of the Company, real or otherwise). This company is (Complete this paragraph briefly describing the company and its requirements/needs for a total rewards system. You should remember that this company is diverse and in multiple countries. ) Total Rewards StrategyIn order to meet these needs, the company HR must accomplish the elements discussed in the succeeding paragraphs that address the fundamentals of this type of total rewards system while complying with the regulatory environments. (see pages 24—27) The first element is (Complete the paragraph stating the first thing HR needs to do. ) The second element is (Complete the paragraph stating the next thing HR needs to do. ) (Continue writing paragraphs with this beginning until you have fully explained the elements that must be accomplished by the compe nsation system. System Advantages There are several advantages to this total rewards system as described above, and they are discussed in the succeeding paragraphs. The first advantage is (Complete the paragraph stating the advantage and how it meets the employees’ needs. ) The second advantage is (Complete the paragraph stating the advantage and how it meets the employees’ needs. ) (Continue writing paragraphs with this beginning until you have exhausted the advantages. ) Communicating the Plan For a total rewards system to be successful, it must be clearly and widely communicated.The succeeding paragraphs describe the richness of the plan to be communicated. (see pages 64—71) The first component of the plan is (Complete the paragraph. ) The second component of the plan is (Complete the paragraph. ) (Continue writing paragraphs with this beginning until you have exhausted the components of the plan. ) Ensuring the Plan is Competitive Additionally, for a total r ewards plan to be successful, external equity must be ensured. The succeeding paragraphs describe the steps that (Company name) will take to ensure the competitiveness of the plan. see chapters 8 and 9) The first step is (Complete this paragraph describing the first step the company needs to take to ensure competitiveness. ) The second step is (Complete this paragraph describing the first step the company needs to take to ensure competitiveness. ) (Continue writing paragraphs with this beginning until you have exhausted the steps for ensuring the competitiveness of the plan. ) (Do not forget your references. For detailed APA instructions, see the Additional Resources at the bottom of the Student Center. )