The Ethical Concerns with Data Mining Essay - 2894 Words

The Ethical Concerns with Data Mining Introduction to Data Mining and Warehousing With the advent of computer technologies that can store large quantities of data, cross reference that data, and compute patterns in the data, benefits abound in many applications. However, with it comes new ethical concerns regarding the privacy and security of the persons or entities in which the information was sourced. While permission may have been received with each bit of information, which may have appeared harmless to divulge, there are issues regarding the datas ownership -- its sharability in US or globally, its combination with other data, its accuracy, its security, and its overall end use [1] -- that could contribute to privacy or†¦show more content†¦[1,2] An example of how data mining is conducted and used to benefit business can be explained in the following scenario: A bank wants to know more about its customers, in particular the types of people who might want a loan from the bank. This could be extremely useful information, because the bank could make big savings from using a tightly targeted marketing campaign, compared to one that tries to communicate with the general public...Using test data, algorithms are used to detect the characteristics of customers who took out a particular type of loan. These customers are differentiated from those who used other kinds of financial services, including other types of loan. The algorithm will be able to develop rules by which it can identify customers who are likely to be good prospects for the loan. These rules are then applied to the remainder of the database. The final computing task may be to sort the whole databank into clusters; groups of customers who share similar characteristics. It is at this stage that interesting and perhaps surprising patterns might be detected. These patterns then have to be interpreted by the data miners and banking staff. [4] In another domain, an indepth paper by the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin concludes on the benefits of data mining: Law enforcementShow MoreRelatedUsability, Interaction, And Visualization1090 Words   |  5 Pagescomplementing research in the U.S. and Asia to become â€Å"breeding environments towards novel knowledge-based approaches that could improve a future model-driven sustainable interoperability† (Agostinho et al., 2015, p. 5). This shows the international concern for having infrastructures and standards that can interact across physical borders. The future indicates increasing sharing of knowledge and resources, in order to come up with standards and systems that can make ICTs more interoperable, includingRead MoreDifferent Ways Data Mining Health Care Information815 Words   |  4 Pagesfacilities, physicians, health care personnel and most importantly patients will definitely benefit from the data mining health care information. 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ThisRead MoreThe For Corporate Social Responsibility For A Company Manufacturing And Marketing Outboard Engines1394 Words   |  6 Pagesfor a company manufacturing and marketing outboard engines, you have been assigned the responsibility of conducting a research study to estimate the sales potential of your products in the domestic (U.S. or Canadian) market. Discuss key issues and concerns arising from the fact that you, the manager, are also the researcher. Our text suggests that often the most difficult issue arising from the fact that you, the manager, are also the researcher is that defining the objective can be somewhat difficultRead MoreList And Describe At Least Three Technologies That Allow An Individual To Research Citizens Private Data.1124 Words   |  4 Pages The Value of Digital Privacy in an Information Technology Age List and describe at least three technologies that allow an individual to research citizens private data. 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Stores are ableRead MorePrivacy and Citizens Data1498 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction This is an era of massive violations of privacy rights and individual liberties due to the new technologies of surveillance, data mining, electronic monitoring, biometric chips, spamming, hacking, phishing, and security breaches at major private and public institutions. These new technologies make the protection of privacy rights far more difficult than in the pre-electronic past. Given the nature of the Internet, thousands or even millions of people can view these Twitter and FacebookRead MoreBuilding A New Coffee Shop1045 Words   |  5 PagesTraders Ltd is wanting to open a new coffee shop in Jackson Street, Petone. Initial research has been completed on costings and viability of the business. Needs Analysis Consultants have been hired to consult a number of various primary and secondary data collection methods to determine the potential number of customers and whether it translates into a profitable income. Purpose The purpose of this report is to analyse the potential methods that may be used in conducting research for this project

The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson - 975 Words

A Meaningful Story In the story, The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, we are introduced to a story where traditions can be dangerous. It is a warm sunny day, and the time is approaching for the event to occur, the people gather in the town square and prepare for what they know happens every year. Slowly but surely, one by one they draw from the black box and the one that draws the right one, is chosen. The other villagers stone the chosen one to death. Although some readers may think this is just a normal story about a parable, it represents much more than just that. The author portrays a story about an attack on a small-town America. Shirley Jackson gives the reader this understanding by using the elements of irony, foreshadowing and symbolism. Irony plays an important role in this short story. One of the most of crucial ironies the reader should capture is title to the story. First and foremost, the reader will sit down, then read the title. Next they will start reading the story, t hinking it is the actual lottery. For example, the kind we can buy a ticket for and press our luck hoping one will win the enormous cash prize. During the story, the reader learns about the difference from what we know as the lottery. Therefore in this story the ultimate prize is very quite the opposite from what we know as the money prize in our game. Another irony in this reading is the prize the chosen one receives. As I stated earlier, one would think it is a cash prize butShow MoreRelatedThe Lottery, By Shirley Jackson1195 Words   |  5 PagesOn the surface, Shirley Jackson’s short story, â€Å"The Lottery,† reads as a work of horror. There is a village that holds an annual lottery where the winner is stoned to death so the village and its people could prosper. Some underlying themes include: the idea that faith and tradition are often followed blindly, and those who veer away from tradition are met with punishment, as well as the idea of a herd mentality and by stander apathy. What the author manages to do successfully is that she actuallyRead MoreThe Lottery by Shirley Jackson757 Words   |  4 Pagessucceed but many fail just like the main character Tessie Hutchinson in Shirley Jackson’s short story â€Å"The Lottery†. When someone hears the word â€Å"lottery†, he or she may think that someone will be rewarded with prize. But â€Å"The Lottery† By Shirley Jackson is different than what one thinks. In the story, a lottery is going to be conducted not like Mega Million or Powerball one play here. In the story, the person who wins the lottery is stoned to death instead of being rewarded with the prize. TessieRead MoreThe Lottery By Shirley Jackson931 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1948 Shirley Jackson composed the controversial short story â€Å"The Lottery.† Generally speaking, a title such as â€Å"The Lottery† is usually affiliated with an optimistic outlook. However, Jackson’s approach is qu ite unorthodox and will surely leave readers contemplating the intent of her content. The story exposes a crude, senseless lottery system in which random villagers are murdered amongst their peers. Essentially, the lottery system counteracts as a form of population control, but negatives easilyRead MoreThe Lottery By Shirley Jackson1504 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson In The Lottery Shirley Jackson fills her story with many literary elements to mask the evil. The story demonstrates how it is in human nature to blindly follow traditions. Even though some people have no idea why they follow these traditions. The title of the story plays a role in how Shirley Jackson used some literary elements to help mask the evils and develop the story. The title â€Å"The Lottery† serves as an allegory. When people think of the lottery majorityRead More`` The Lottery `` By Shirley Jackson894 Words   |  4 Pagesshort story â€Å"The Lottery†, author Shirley Jackson demonstrates Zimbardo’s concepts in three different areas: Authority figures, Tradition and Superstition, and Loyalty. The first concept Jackson portrays in â€Å"The Lottery† is the authority figures. Jackson indicates that the lottery is being held in the town center by one authority figure, Mr. Summers, annually on June 27th. Every June 27th, without fail, townspeople gather in the town square to participate in the annually lottery even though mostRead MoreThe Lottery, By Shirley Jackson1510 Words   |  7 PagesShirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery† illustrates several aspects of the darker side of human nature. The townspeople in Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery† unquestioningly adhere to a tradition which seems to have lost its relevance in their lives. The ritual that is the lottery shows how easily and willingly people will give up their free will and suspend their consciences to conform to tradition and people in authority. The same mindless complacency and obedience shown by the villagers in Jackson’s story are seenRead MoreThe Lottery By Shirley Jackson8 11 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Lottery† was published by Shirley Jackson. The story was true expression of Jackson’s genuine thoughts about human beings and their heinous competence in an annual village event for corn harvest . First, her used to word symbolized main point of the story. Second, Jackson was inspired by few historical events happened in the past and a life incident in her life. Lastly, She was able to accomplish the connection between historical and biographical with the story. Therefore, Shirley Jackson’sRead MoreThe Lottery By Shirley Jackson934 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson signifies the physical connection between the villagers and their unwillingness to give up their tradition. â€Å"The Lottery† is very unpredictable and quite misleading. The black box has no functionality, except every June 27th. Shirley Jackson depicts the black box as an important and traditional tool. Although the villagers in â€Å"The Lottery† are terrified of the goal of the lottery and the black box, they are unwilling to let go of the tradition. Shirley Jackson portraysRead MoreThe Lottery by Shirley Jackson799 Words   |  4 Pagesthe mood and to foreshadow of things to come. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a story in which the setting sets up the reader to think of positive outcomes. However, this description of the setting foreshadows exactly the opposite of what is to come. In addition, the theme that we learn of at the end leads us to think of where the sanity of some human beings lies. The story begins with the establishment of the setting. To begin, Shirley Jackson tells the reader what time of day and what time ofRead MoreThe Lottery by Shirley Jackson1764 Words   |  7 Pagesfilled with excitement and eeriness, leaving the reader speechless. The Lottery , a short story written by famous writer Shirley Jackson, created an uproar on June 26, 1948, when it was published in the magazine The New Yorker (Ball). The gothic thriller, set in an unknown time and place, shares the tradition of a small town, a little larger than three hundred people, in which a drawing is held once a year. In this â€Å"Lottery,† each family’s husband draws a slip of paper from a black box. The husband

Porcelain and the economy of china Free Essays

Introduction In studying the history of the United States, we come to learn of its rise as a worldwide power. The Global economy has weakened in recent times, especially due to wars and unhealthy banking, leading many economies to major financial setbacks and crisis. China has long been a critical player and worldwide force in the economy, and still stands strong today despite the economic crisis. We will write a custom essay sample on Porcelain and the economy of china or any similar topic only for you Order Now As a key contributor to the economy, we have to look at it history and how it has affected the economy in the past. New York City is one of many places that was harbored Chinese immigrants in the early years of this country, and has a great cultural heritage of the Chinese people. At the Museum of Chinese in America, we see a diverse distribution of this installment. An item that I found at the museum was a porcelain teapot, titled â€Å"Teapot with gilded berry knob† (picture show in the appendix). This item caught my eye mainly because of its elegance, but also because of its age. As the city is so clustered together, one can easily miss the museum. It is a small building in the heart of China town in downtown. This makes it easy to navigate though; the artifacts and items are arranged in a chronological order, starting from the 1400s going to the early 2000s. It shows a historical journey and development the culture and arts of China people. Being an object dating from about 1775 to 1800, the teapot was displayed at the beginning of the tour. I wondered why the museum chose to include it, as it is the only sample alongside a beer cup, also porcelain. It is about 6 inches in height and 3 diameters wide. Like many porcelain pots it was white, with a painting of early Chinese 2 floor building in navy blue. It is cylindrical in shape with a simple handle and a straight spout, unlike modern teapots. The lid is about half of the top, with a small knob in the shape of a strawberry dotted with gold. The museum included this item donated by the New York Historical Society, to show its importance in the time period and how it became popular in the west. The curator mentioned that it was used mostly by the hierarchy in China; it was a symbol of wealth and power. It is also there as one of items used in trade when china began exploring the West, a popular item in high demand and interest, used by aristocrats and upper middle class in Europe and America. According to the curator; the hand painted structures were used as residential, religious, or governmental buildings, while the trees in the background were used to show the weight of hierarchy in the Chinese community. In this art form, depiction of items is of great importance, and is used as symbolism to show different attributes. We also see the horizon and few clouds. Chinese porcelain made its way to the West through the voyages of Admiral Zheng He. Born in 1372, the Ming Dynasty, he was captured by the ruling army at a young age and sent to work in the household of Prince Zhu Di. As he renowned himself during war and became commander of Chinese oceangoing imperial fleet. In his expeditions, he went to different places including India, Arabia and East Africa where he traded â€Å"Ming porcelain dishes and silks for medicinal herbs, spices, rhinoceros horn, ivory, exotic animals†, among other goods. Zheng had about 300 ships in his expeditions, given rise to the debate of the reasons he was sent out on the voyages. However, Finlay states the purposes included â€Å"diplomatic displays, military exercises, and trading ventures, with emphasis on these aspects shifting in response to both Chinese intentions†. From this we can we can see the ambition of trade and its significance from early civilizations of China. From an article entitled â€Å"Prosperity in Porcelain†, the product is commonly believed to have originated from china. The Chinese are well known for their tea, and that it is has been part of their culture for a very long time. Growing of tea for long time has led to the evolution of teapots as well. In this article, we learn that the earliest porcelain products where fine roughcast and light grey. Items made included bowls, jars saucers and even candlesticks. They were usually decorated with lotus flowers symbolizing purity and enlightenment, as Buddhism was growing as well about 420-589. As generations passed, so did the teapots; reaching a level of excellence around the year 960, with the changing styles and shapes, thinner roughcast and a smooth glaze. After the invention of the Blue and White porcelain, it became the foremost product for a very long time. The article mentions that this was in great demand from a very long time and became the embodiment of Chinese porcelain. In his article, Shangyun also describes the growth of the industry. Production and exportation boomed to a point that a ban was placed on unofficial maritime trade during the Ming dynasty, but smuggling of the ceramic goods became prevalent. At this time merchants from European countries such as Britain, Portugal, and Holland, began businesses and build companies in East China. The products have become so popular especially among the royalty and nobility, that one of the authors sources recorded 16 million pieces of porcelain were transported to Europe in the 1600s, and another showed half a million pieces per year after 1648. It was after development of companies in Europe that the exportation declined. I believe that this is when the Chinese economy begins to grow and become insular; from the article â€Å"Admiral Zheng He Voyages Across the Indian Ocean, 1405-1433†, we can see that it was after his death that china began to focus more on internal trade. Voyages where disliked by the empire and sanctions on fleets became more widespread, leading to a decline in western trade. A quote from the museum stated: â€Å"China possesses all things†¦and has no use for your country manufacturer†. This was from a letter to king George of England by the emperor Qianlong, showing the confidence he had in his economy. In today’s world the Chinese are still a giant in global economy, despite lagging behind other developed countries. Its leaders are optimistic and assert â€Å"†¦Chinese people are not reticent to boast that the stock market capitalizations of their corporations in energy, telecommunications, and banking are among the largest in the world†. This portrayal of confidence surely comes from a long tradition of trade that led the world for centuries. The vice president was quoted, saying pride China’s history â€Å"is the historical driving force inspiring people today to build the nation†, (Lawrence, p.5). This is the sense of pride and patriotism that the Chinese express. China is very well known for its cheap labor, cheap goods and growing economy, but also for its political beliefs. It is currently under communist regime, which may hinder its economic growth among democratic states. With booming industries ranging from technology to agriculture, it is has had a growing economy for centuries. In conclusion, resilient economy of China has been influential for many centuries, and still plays a vital role in the world. From creation of porcelain teapots to technological gadgets, its presence is felt all over. References â€Å"Admiral Zheng He Voyages Across the Indian Ocean, 1405-1433.† www.people.hofstra.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jun 2011. . Beijing Review, 6/24/2010, Vol. 53 Issue 25, p40-41, 2p, 6 Color Photographs Color Photograph; found on p40. Finlay, Robert. â€Å"The Voyages of Zheng He: Ideology, State Power, and Maritime Trade in Ming China.† Historical Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc 8.3 (Sep. 2008): 327-347. Web. 20 Jun 2011. Shangyun, Zhou. â€Å"Prosperity in Porcelain.† Beijing Review June 2010: n. pag. Web. 20 Jun 2011. . Lawrence, Robert. â€Å"Today, pride in China’s history is the â€Å"driving force† inspiring the Chinese people to develop their nation’s industries and economy.† Bussinessweek 1/5/2010, p5-5, 1p: 5-5. Web. 19 Jun 2011. . How to cite Porcelain and the economy of china, Essay examples

Goverment Spending Essay Example For Students

Goverment Spending Essay Government Spending Budget As many Federal departments and agencies lurch into an era of running without funds, the leaders of both parties of Congress are spending less and less time searching for a compromise to balance the budget, and more and more time deciding how to use it to their advantage on the campaign trail. Meanwhile money is easily borrowed to pay for government overhead. In an attempt to change this, on June 29, Congress voted in favor of HConRes67 that called for a 7 year plan to balance the Federal Budget by the year 2002 (Hager 1899). This would be done by incorporating $894 billion in spending cuts by 2002, with a projected 7 year tax cut of $245 billion. If this plan were implemented, in the year 2002, the U.S. Government would have the first balanced budget since 1969. There is doubt by citizens that a balanced budget will become reality. A recent Gallop Poll from January, 1996 showed the budget as the #1 concern among taxpayers, but 4/5 of those interviewed sai d they doubt the GOP will do the job (Holding 14). Meanwhile, an ABC poll from November reported that over 70% of those polled disapprove of the current performance by Congress, and most blamed politicians for failure to take action (Cloud 3709). These accusations of failure to follow through come with historical proof that Congress and Clinton have failed to compromise and resolve the issue. After all, current budget plans are dependent on somewhat unrealistic predictions of avoiding such catastrophes as recession, national disasters, etc., and include minor loopholes. History has shown that every budget agreement that has failed was too lax. One might remember the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings bill that attempted to balance the budget, but left too many exemptions, and was finally abandoned in 1990 (Weinberger 33). So after a pain-staking trial for GOP Republicans to create, promote, and pass their budget, as promised on campaign trail 94, Clinton rejected the very bill he demanded. This essentially brought the federal budget back to square one. Clinton thought such a demand on Republicans to produce a budget would produce inner-party quarrels and cause the GOP to implode. Instead, they produced a fiscal budget that passed both houses of Congress, only to be stalemated by a stubborn Democratic President Clinton. Meanwhile, Clinton bounced back with a CBO scored plan with lighter, less risky cuts to politically sensitive areas like entitlements. Clintons plan also saved dollars for education and did not include a tax increase, but most cuts would not take effect until he is out of office, in the year 2001. Although Clinton is sometimes criticized for producing a stalemate in budget talks, the White House points out that the debt has gone down since Clinton took office, with unemployment also falling. Republicans are quick to state that Clinton originally increased taxes in 1993 and cut defense programs, but his overall plan was for an increasing budget without defici t reduction. Startling Facts about the budget: As of 1996, the national debt was at an all time high of $5 trillion dollars, with interest running at a whopping $250 billion per year (Rau M-1). This equals out to an individual responsibility of more than $50,000 per taxpayer. Nearly 90% of that debt has accumulated since 1970, and between 1980 and 1995, the debt grew by 500%. Currently, the debt grows by more than $10,000 per second (Rau M-l), and at current rates, a baby born in 1992 will pay 71% of his or her income in net taxes. At current rates, our government is about to reach its breaking point. If thats not enough to scare a taxpayer, by 2002, 60% of government spending will be for entitlements, and by 2012, these programs are projected to take up all government revenue (Dentzer 32). Not only economic development, but also family income is hurt by debt. With the cost of living going up, it becomes harder to find a job. According to the Concord Coalition, real wages peaked in 1973 and have gone down ever since. If the economy grew as fast as it did in 1950, without a debt, the median family income would be $50,000, compared to .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .postImageUrl , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:visited , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:active { border:0!important; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:active , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: - Challenges Facing Urban Transport In Asia - Cons Essay

Goverment Spending Essay Example For Students

Goverment Spending Essay Government Spending Budget As many Federal departments and agencies lurch into an era of running without funds, the leaders of both parties of Congress are spending less and less time searching for a compromise to balance the budget, and more and more time deciding how to use it to their advantage on the campaign trail. Meanwhile money is easily borrowed to pay for government overhead. In an attempt to change this, on June 29, Congress voted in favor of HConRes67 that called for a 7 year plan to balance the Federal Budget by the year 2002 (Hager 1899). This would be done by incorporating $894 billion in spending cuts by 2002, with a projected 7 year tax cut of $245 billion. If this plan were implemented, in the year 2002, the U.S. Government would have the first balanced budget since 1969. There is doubt by citizens that a balanced budget will become reality. A recent Gallop Poll from January, 1996 showed the budget as the #1 concern among taxpayers, but 4/5 of those interviewed sai d they doubt the GOP will do the job (Holding 14). Meanwhile, an ABC poll from November reported that over 70% of those polled disapprove of the current performance by Congress, and most blamed politicians for failure to take action (Cloud 3709). These accusations of failure to follow through come with historical proof that Congress and Clinton have failed to compromise and resolve the issue. After all, current budget plans are dependent on somewhat unrealistic predictions of avoiding such catastrophes as recession, national disasters, etc., and include minor loopholes. History has shown that every budget agreement that has failed was too lax. One might remember the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings bill that attempted to balance the budget, but left too many exemptions, and was finally abandoned in 1990 (Weinberger 33). So after a pain-staking trial for GOP Republicans to create, promote, and pass their budget, as promised on campaign trail 94, Clinton rejected the very bill he demanded. This essentially brought the federal budget back to square one. Clinton thought such a demand on Republicans to produce a budget would produce inner-party quarrels and cause the GOP to implode. Instead, they produced a fiscal budget that passed both houses of Congress, only to be stalemated by a stubborn Democratic President Clinton. Meanwhile, Clinton bounced back with a CBO scored plan with lighter, less risky cuts to politically sensitive areas like entitlements. Clintons plan also saved dollars for education and did not include a tax increase, but most cuts would not take effect until he is out of office, in the year 2001. Although Clinton is sometimes criticized for producing a stalemate in budget talks, the White House points out that the debt has gone down since Clinton took office, with unemployment also falling. Republicans are quick to state that Clinton originally increased taxes in 1993 and cut defense programs, but his overall plan was for an increasing budget without defici t reduction. Startling Facts about the budget: As of 1996, the national debt was at an all time high of $5 trillion dollars, with interest running at a whopping $250 billion per year (Rau M-1). This equals out to an individual responsibility of more than $50,000 per taxpayer. Nearly 90% of that debt has accumulated since 1970, and between 1980 and 1995, the debt grew by 500%. Currently, the debt grows by more than $10,000 per second (Rau M-l), and at current rates, a baby born in 1992 will pay 71% of his or her income in net taxes. At current rates, our government is about to reach its breaking point. If thats not enough to scare a taxpayer, by 2002, 60% of government spending will be for entitlements, and by 2012, these programs are projected to take up all government revenue (Dentzer 32). Not only economic development, but also family income is hurt by debt. With the cost of living going up, it becomes harder to find a job. According to the Concord Coalition, real wages peaked in 1973 and have gone down ever since. If the economy grew as fast as it did in 1950, without a debt, the median family income would be $50,000, compared to .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .postImageUrl , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:visited , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:active { border:0!important; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:active , .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u238bf938525f62f1b1f690f15ba335da:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: - Challenges Facing Urban Transport In Asia - Cons Essay

11 Veterans

Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans The VA recognizes that family caregivers provide crucial support in caring for our veterans; they help by allowing the veteran to stay in the homes and communities they once fought for which has been shown to enhance their overall health and wellbeing. Under the â€Å"Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010,† seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and family caregivers may be eligible for additional VA services through ‘Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.  (1)Eligible veterans include those who sustained a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated after 9/11 in the line of duty. Further, the veteran must be in need of personal care services for at least 6 months because of an inability to perform one or more of their activities of daily living and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.  (2)Eligible caregivers include the veteran’s spouse, child (at least 18 years of age), parent, step-family member, extended family member, and/or someone who lives with the veteran on full-time basis. Moreover, qualifying caregivers may be eligible to receive the following services under this program: monthly stipend; travel expenses (which includes lodging and per diem while accompanying veterans who are undergoing care); health insurance (if the caregiver is not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan); mental health services and counseling; comprehensive VA Caregiver training provided by Easter Seals; and respite care (if not less than 30 days per year).If you think you may be eligible under the VA family caregiver program and want to download an application, you may  click here. The application allows veterans to designate one primary family caregiver and up to two secondary family caregivers.  (3)In fact, many of our eligible veteran clients receive this b enefit and have told us how appreciative they are for the help and support. In one instance, a veteran client with a 10% service-connected disability rating for a traumatic brain injury qualified for services under this program. Approval for disability-related veteran’s benefits, including caregiver assistance, can provide further supportive evidence for a  Social Security Disability claim. Many veterans may qualify for disability benefits from both the VA and the Social Security Administration, depending on the case.Disability Attorneys of Michigan strictly specializes in disability benefits – both Social Security and  VA Disability claims.  Contact us  today for your free consultation or to see how we can help you win the benefits you deserve. 888-678-5839.PL 111-163. For more information, see  caregiver.va.gov/pdfs/CaregiverFactSheet_Apply.pdfand  caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp.For consideration, veterans must be enrolled for VA health ser vices.Caregiver Support Coordinators are available at every VA Medical Center to help veterans and their caregivers with the application process. To find a Coordinator near you, you can visit  caregiver.va.gov/helpasp. Additional assistance with the process is available by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387).Blog Post Provided By:Disability Attorneys of Michigan 30500 Van Dyke Ave, Ste. 400 Warren, Michigan 48093 Phone: (888) 678-5839

Definition Essay on Success

Definition Essay on Success Definition Essay on Success The definition of success differs from one person to another. Most people work hard throughout their lives to achieve success. That might mean acquiring an education, being able to take care of one’s family, achieving a life’s ambition, or making money. One interesting view about success is that it means something different to each person. Also, perceptions of success can be faulty. A person may seem to be successful, but scandal and ruin can easily follow if a person has made poor choices to achieve his ideal of success. It is not uncommon to hear people confess that the people whom they thought were very successful in life turned out to be rather miserable. Some of the individual who are successful especially when measured in terms of material wealth are often afraid of other people trying to take advantage of them. Basically one common observation in life is that it is difficult if not close to impossible to be successful in every aspect of life. In most cases, o ne can be successful in one part of life and be a total failure in another. When one is looking for success, one should concentrate on one’s strengths rather than pursuing goals in those areas where they are likely not to enjoy a certain degree of achievement. There are many areas in one’s life that are generally considered important. These include the self, business, family, environment, material things, community, work, spiritually, business, and friends. In order to be truly successful, one needs to balance each of these areas. It is rather obvious that these areas cannot be of equal importance to everyone, and this is why people tend to work towards being successful in some areas in their lives while neglecting the other areas. It is, however, not a good idea to ignore any of these parts even though it is important to set priorities. Even when capitalizing on one’s strengths, an individual should strive to improve in other areas, as well. It is important to strive for a well-balanced life. For instance, if one works hard towards being successful and ends up becoming a workaholic, one may lose friends and family and in the long run, one may end up damaging his health or overall well-being. One should always try to keep each of the components of his life in harmony with each other. Some definition essay writing tips: When writing this kind of an essay, one should always begin by defining what success is. However, one cannot describe what one does not know. One should, therefore, demonstrate to the reader that he knows the meaning of success. He can offer the reader a definition and examples. After defining success one should write what success means in different areas of life. One should also note the importance of balancing priorities and offer an example or two. Are you looking for a high-quality custom essay written from scratch? Do you need writing assistance? Visit and we will help you!

Business Communications- Interoffice Memos and the Related Ethics Essay

Business Communications- Interoffice Memos and the Related Ethics - Essay Example Having previously worked with Susan, she is a punctual, committed, hardworking lady to work with and expect the best from her as a member of the committee. It will be a pleasure to have Mark and Kathy included in the committee for their first time and I hope them to be committed and participate to their level best. The party will include all the members of the board, team members, employees and all the other members of staff who have had an association of over three years of the company.Members will interact with the officials of the company and may open valuable information and new opportunities as well. Am looking forward to see you during the meeting, Thank you. One of the primary issues designated in the email is budgeting of the party requirements. For a party event, this is the most significant step as the organizer and for the committee in general as it determines the success level of the event. Reminding the other members of the committee to be punctual and to perform to their level best is significant information included in the email above as it determines whether the objectives of the party will be met. Considering that the party will be a big event for all the members (300 members), there is need to budget and decide on a more suitable place. It is advisable for all the members of the committee to brainstorm on a suitable place in advance and thus make a comparison during the meeting. The venue may include a beach hotel, a restaurant or a park provided it can host at least 300 members and above and within the budget limits. From my own idea, I thought of including some chips, veggies, cookies, sandwiches, popcorns, crackers, bites of fruits, crackers, cheese, and cupcakes. You may also add some other types of food so that we will have a wide range to choose the best and the most enjoyable for the party (Taylor & Gartside, 2004). We will not consider choosing the diet that our members and guests have allergies

International Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Management - Case Study Example Some of the specific challenges associated with the apparel industry include child labor, poor working conditions, and the existence of sweetshops. Back in the late 1990’s Nike suffered a big blow to its reputation when the media found out the firm was doing business with companies that sponsored sweetshops. It is also important for companies doing business in foreign countries to help out the community in which they operate. Helping out the community will help the company gain the support of the local people and its governmental institutions. Discuss the meaning and implications of the statement by a Nike representative that â€Å"consumers are not rewarding us for investments in improved social performance in supply chains.† The statement made by the Nike representative implies that the media does not report the good actions of companies such as Nike. They prefer to run stories about companies that are not acting in a socially responsible manner than to publish storie s about the efforts of Nike which is a firm that is fighting to stop foreign suppliers from abusing the civil rights of its workers. The statement also implies that in many consumer marketplaces acting in an ethical manner does not provide a firm with a competitive advantage due to the presence of many companies that are acting in an irresponsible manner. ... Some of the most important stakeholder groups that the company must satisfy include customers, government, suppliers, lenders, community, and the environment. What is meant by â€Å"leadership beyond borders†? â€Å"Leadership beyond borders† means finding people who can see across borders created by others, such as the borders of their job, and reach across such borders to engage others in dialogue and action to address systemic problems. Such a leader is a person that is educated in the cultural matters of another country. Learning and adapting to a different culture is imperative towards the success of leaders in foreign countries. Corporations must provide training and development in cultural matters to all its supervisors and managers. Is it possible to have â€Å"a compatibility of profits with people and planet†? Whose responsibility is it to achieve that state? Companies can utilize a social responsibility strategy to enhance the profits of the enterprise . In today’s competitive global environment firm’s that have strong CSR programs can differentiate themselves from the competition. An example of a company that has increased its market share to become its industry leader utilizing sound CRS principles is Starbucks Cafe. Starbucks Cafe sources all its coffee utilizing fair trade coffee practices. Fair trade coffee practices guarantee a price of $1.26 per pound. It also provides farmers with technological transfers and financing assistance. Kelly’s Assignment in Japan Explain clashes in culture, customs, and expectation that occurred in this situation Kelly was given a new job assignment in Japan in order to land an

Critiquing a piece of paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Critiquing a piece of paper - Essay Example s the authors indicated the aim of the discourse as â€Å"to discuss the ethical issues highlighted by the case (where a patient had longstanding medical issues which led to her four months’ stay at the ICU and reportedly dependent on ventilator support, haemodialysis and total parenteral nutrition) and to provide a course of action for the patient that suitably addresses these issues† (DeMaio and Clendenen par. 2). In doing so, the authors established evaluating ethical issues, as well as end of life principles of care. To support the line of argument, it is commendable for the authors to have used simple and concise words and language that could be easily comprehended by readers of diverse educational backgrounds. The structure of the discourse was also effective in enhancing the readers’ understanding of the arguments through subdividing the article in sub-headings, such as the definitions of core principles in medical ethics; current guidelines for the transition to end-of-life care; and the ethical issues facing patients who manifest symptoms and in the situations provided within the guidelines. To evaluate the authors’ choices of secondary sources of information to support their contentions, one could deduce that from the 29 references, only 10 references were sourced from 1990 to 2000 (which could be considered outdated) and the rest, 19 was sourced from 2001 to 2010, where 15 or 79% were fairly recent (from 2006 to 2010). Of those sourced from references beyond 10 years ago, majority were guidelines from the American Medical Association which could be deemed applicable until contemporary times, unless otherwise revised. There is therefore enough credible evidence to support and prove the contentions in the identified case through expounding on patient’s autonomy, a patient’s quality of life, and medical futility. The discussion on the role of decision-makers in cases of surrogates and any conflicting interests regarding transitions to palliative

A Report On The Fiji Water | Environmental Analysis

A Report On The Fiji Water | Environmental Analysis The factors which contributed to the marketing success of Fiji Water were its unique product positioning, innovative packaging, premium-product pricing, effective distribution, and image-creating publicity. Due to its light mineralization, FIJI Water was characterized by a smooth taste and no aftertaste. The light mineralization also gave the water a clean, pure taste. In addition to superb taste, the water had a high level of silica, the ingredient that was believed to promote rejuvenation and anti-aging. Also, the water is very pure as the source of the water was a virgin, unpolluted ecosystem. Another important element was packaging. For many years, all bottles containing natural water were the same round, with paper labels. Natural Waters of Viti Ltd. was the first company in the industry to use a square bottle. Furthermore, since FIJI was the only brand that came from a tropical paradise, the packaging reflected that in an artful and compelling way: consumers could see that immediately when they looked at the unique square bottle bearing bright, three-dimensional graphics. Similarly to packaging, a premium-price policy reinforced the products high-quality image. Another important factor that had contributed to FIJI Waters success was its distribution. Having good distributors was important in that it enabled the brand to be well-placed in and readily available to the market. Building an image of the high quality, uniqueness and class of the product was another aspect of this successful marketing campaign. The brand achieved an explosive growth early on, mostly through word-of-mouth advertising, free product placement and targeted sampling. FIJI Water targeted locations and venues that resonated with the brands premium image. What does it mean for FIJI Water to go carbon negative?How does one measure and report carbon footprints of products?Is the carbon footprint of FIJIWater big compared to other products? Answer: In response to the environmentalists criticism, in 2008 FIJI Water launched a carbon negative PR campaign. As part of its carbon negative campaign, FIJI Water was planning to offset its total carbon footprint by 120 per cent, by removing from the earths atmosphere not only all the emissions its activities produced, but also an additional 20 per cent. In that sense, the companys impact on carbon emissions would be negative. While measuring its carbon footprint, FIJI Water calculated its carbon emissions across every stage in the product lifecycle: starting from producing raw materials for packaging, through transporting raw materials and equipment to the plant, manufacturing and filling bottles, shipping the product from Fiji to markets worldwide, distributing the product, refrigerating the product in stores, restaurants, and other outlets, to disposing/recycling the packaging waste. It estimated that about 75 per cent of its carbon emissions resulted from the operations of supply chain partners. Fiji is using staggering amounts of energy, water, and fossil fuels to take a naturally occurring product, put it in an inherently problematic container and then have that forever-container tossed into landfills or incinerators all over America. A few important figures for environmental impact included: 5,500 miles per trip from Fiji to Los Angeles for transportation 46 million gallons of fossil fuel 1.3 billion gallons of water 216,000,000 pounds of greenhouse gases produced What is greenwashing and how can it be identified?Do you think FIJI Water is engaged in greenwashing?What could the company do to gain environmental credibility? Greenwashing is defined as Disinformation disseminated by an organisation so as to present an environmentally responsible public image. As part of its carbon negative campaign, FIJI Water was planning to offset its total carbon footprint by120 per cent, thereby becoming carbon negative. FIJI Water claimed to have already implemented several measures to reduce its carbon emissions. By optimizing its logistics, the company had reduced trucking miles by 26 per cent on average. FIJI Waters 1.5-litre bottle had been redesigned to reduce the packaging by seven per cent. The company had also managed to reduce motor fuel consumption in Fiji by 50 per cent by using more fuel-efficient trucks in transporting its products from the plant to ports. Conservation groups however, argued that the new website launched by FIJI Water in 2008 (www.fijigreen.com) to sell its carbon negative message failed to provide a detailed description of the actual calculation of its carbon footprint and its reduction by the measures that were promised to be implemented in the future. At the same time, the groups pointed to the basic carbon footprint advantages of consuming local tap water. They argued that the new slogan every drop is green was straightforward greenwashing pushed to its limits. Green researchers found that the manufacture and transport of that one kilogram bottle of Fiji water consumed 26.88 kilograms of water (7.1 gallons), .849 kilograms of fossil fuel (one litre or .26 gallons) and emitted 562 grams of Greenhouse Gases (1.2 pounds). So, we can say that Fiji Water engaged in Greenwashing. In order to gain credibility, it will have to live up to its promise of becoming a carbon negative company. Any attempt to engage in greenwashing will be quickly identified and protested by environmental groups. Keeping true to its slogan every drop is green will require substantial new investment in a renewable energy plant and equipment and in tree-planting offset activities. Designing and implementing a sustainable growth strategy and a socially and environmentally responsible marketing plan will require dealing effectively with the promise to go carbon negative as well as meeting the demanding needs of customers, clients and other stakeholders.

Personal Narrative- Random Story About my Life :: Personal Narrative, Autobiographical Essay

Personal Narrative- Random Story About my Life One of them was that I was on my journey with someone. I was on the journey with my boyfriend Dusty whom I have been with for four years. I am more like myself when I am with someone, especially Dusty, than when I am by myself. I do think that spending time with just yourself is a waste of time. You should just be out talking to people because who knows when that dreaded day of death will come. I think that you should just seize the moment and spend time with people. When I am by myself, I am quiet and withdrawn, but when I am with people, I talk up a storm and have a fun time just being me. I donÕt hold things back or try to act like someone IÕm not. Another similarity was when I was talking about the rocks. This is what I said. ÒOh my gosh, we just ran into a huge cave filled with rocks. There are rocks everywhere. It is like a rock country. I can not believe it. There are small rocks, big rocks, pretty rocks, ugly rocks, thin rocks, and fat rocks. It is so amazing. There are rocks on top of the cave that are starting to bother me, they are very big, and they do not look too steady up there. I do not know about those. I tell Dusty and Duke to get away from there because I donÕt want them to get hurt if the rocks were to fall. Duke does not want to listen; he tries to climb up the side of the cave to get a better look at the rocks on top. As he goes up, one of the rocks he is on begins to fall. Duke falls with it and he is not moving. Dusty goes over and shakes him and thank god he is alright.Ó I think that this describes exactly how I deal with problems and how I see problems in my life. I always see them as these am azing ordeals and they often scare me. Then something will happen and I will think that it is going to be the end of the world, and then everything turns out to be just fine in the end. The last thing was when we were all in the garden and this was describing my childhood.

Marketing Mix and Branding

MARKETING MIX: PRODUCT AND BRANDING STRATEGIES Abstract Brands have now transcended their general definition of just being a name or logo that differentiates them from other products in the market to a more humane and characterized version to which people can relate to and come to depend on in their everyday lives. According to Fournier brands create relationship with customers. This paper agrees with the statement in the goods only category for Coca Cola however for the service only it does not hold true in this particular case for Disney’s Pixar Animation Studio. Lastly, it looks at the implications for managers and how they can support their brand to outshine others in the market and garner a more loyal base resulting in profits. Marketing Mix: Products and Branding Strategies The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a â€Å"name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers†. However, in today’s competitive and consumer driven world brands are no longer simply names to identify a certain product or service they have taken the shape of a living character that has the ability to be a part of one’s self, family and everyday life (Fournier, 1998) Brand Ambassadors Brands have evolved into ‘people’ for consumers. When we talk about a brand we don’t just mean to consume a product or service. Repeated purchases and the satisfaction derived from them takes brands to a higher level. Brand loyalists expect brands to not only cater to their immediate but also psychological needs such as provide comfort, superior quality or service. There is a sense of attachment and relatedness to brands. Marketers and brand managers have started thinking of brands as not only a colorful logo or a catching tag-line and attractive packaging but also by characterizing it. Rolex has consistently presented its brand as a symbol of ‘power and success’ reinforcing it through advertising their watches through two most successful players, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. Brand managers are looking for ‘brand ambassadors’ to carry out the personalization of brands and the benefits they have to offer to the consumer. People expect brands to deliver their expectations like from human beings and not to disappoint them. Successful brands always stay ahead and think of their consumer needs and how they can be personalized more so the brand becomes an essential part of their everyday lives. Enterprise Rent-a-Car has personalized its brand through its superior customer service. They understood their consumer’s needs for immediate and convenient service and whenever a car breaks down or is unavailable Enterprise’s name comes up the first thing in our heads. People have formed a relationship with McDonald’s Golden Arches and Ronald McDonald. Wherever they will see a familiar, smiling Ronald McDonald they’ll know the restaurant is present even if it’s in a foreign country. The New Coke vs. Coke Classic The best example of customer- brand relationship is of Coca-Cola Classic and the New Coke. Coca Cola has been in the maturity stage of the product life cycle for a long time as it continues to cater to millions of consumers worldwide across 200 countries everyday and continues to remain substantially profitable and ahead of its competitors. It has met with competition from Pepsi and other beverage makers yet it markets the top four of five beverage brands in the world. In 1985, New Coke was revealed to the consumers amid much fan fare, TV commercials and promises of ‘smoother but bolder’ taste. Though product surveys had concluded that the taste of New Coke was preferred however, the deep attachment of consumers to the original Coca Cola formula and their association with it was so strong that Coca Cola soon saw consumers protest and hoarding of the old version of product. On July, 11 the New Coca Cola was taken off shelves. â€Å"We did not understand the deep emotions of so many of our customers for Coca-Cola. † (Keough, n. d) As mentioned earlier, successful brands keep their consumers needs in view however Coca Cola made the error of not asking their loyal consumers if they even wanted to change their favorite beverage (Craig, n. ) Thus, this clearly shows that consumers form a relationship with brands and come to rely on it. They reject changes that take away that personalization aspect from the product that makes it their favorite. Even after 20 years the original Coca Cola is still the most preferred brand of millions worldwide. Disney Pixar Animation Studios With the advent of computers, animation has become an integral part of movies and they continue to entertain young and adults alike. Disney’s Pixar is a name among many which has produced outstanding movies like Wall-E, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, etc. All these movies have fascinated viewers and pulled in billions of dollars worth of business. However, brand loyalty would not be the term for Pixar. Audiences enjoy movies that provide great entertainment and although Pixar provides excellent animates stories and characters and audiences expect them to do so yet they will basically focus more on the film rather than the movie studio producing it. Audiences are pulled in by the movie storylines, their characters and how they are portrayed. Even though big movie studios have better resources and greater distribution networks yet it does not guarantee them blockbuster movies every time. Animation studios like Pixar are in the maturity stage where other studios like Dream works SKG is also trying to make its marks and produce quality animated movies including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and others which were also successful at the box office. Therefore what pulls in audiences is not the studio name itself rather it’s the story line and the entertainment provided by the movie. Implication for Brand Managers Fournier’s customer-brand relationship holds true for the goods only category in this paper whereas for the studio example it does not hold true. Brand management is an important aspect for any company that wishes to succeed in the consumer market. To have an effective position in the minds of the consumers and the ways to attract them and make them loyal to their particular brand is what most marketers aim to do. A foundation of brand loyalists allows the organization to charge a higher price and spend less on advertising, free trials and other promotional costs, with final result being an increase in shareholder wealth and continued profits. The key to managing brand identity is evolution, not revolution. Marketers are often tempted to radically change brands and products, which is a highly visible activity. Totally changing the brand visuals can give rise to consumer concerns about changes of ownership, or possible changes in brand values, or even unjustified extravagance (cited in Bennett & Rundel-Thiele, 2005) Marketers must seek to be maximally different from competitors, and this requires more radical innovation. Brand managers must take risks. One successful launch involving a maximum difference will be very profitable and far more memorable for customers. Organizations seeking to improve brand loyalty should first identify the level at which their brand is successfully operating (functional, emotional or symbolic), and then develop marketing programs designed to resonate with the consumer at that level in a way that differentiates the brand from the competition. The ultimate goal for a brand manager would be a brand community, where consumers affiliate with other consumers around a brand (cited in Bennett & Rundel-Thiele, 2005). References Bennett, R. & Rundel-Thiele, S. (2005). The Brand loyalty life cycle: implications for marketers. Journal of Brand Management, 12(4), Retrieved February 17, 2010 from http://web. ebscohost. com/bsi/pdf? vid=3&hid=106&[email  protected] Craig, S. (n. d). New coke and other marketing fiascoes. Retrieved February 17, 2010 from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/7209828/ Fournier, S. (1998). Consumers and their brands: developing relationship theory in consumer research. Journal of Consumer Research, Retrieved February 17, 2010 from http://web. ebscohost. com/bsi/pdf? vid=3&hid=106&[email  protected] Keough, D. R. (n. d). New coke and other marketing fiascoes. Retrieved from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/7209828/ Lake, L. (n. d. ). What is Branding and how important is it to your marketing strategy? Retrieved Fevruary 17, 2010 fromhttp://marketing. about. com/cs/brandmktg/a/whatisbranding. htm

Significance and implication of the pursuit of sustainability in the context of global airlines and airports The WritePass Journal

Significance and implication of the pursuit of sustainability in the context of global airlines and airports Introduction Significance and implication of the pursuit of sustainability in the context of global airlines and airports ). This paper explores the significance and implication of the pursuit of sustainability in the context of global airlines and airports. Issues of unconstrained aviation growth versus the call for global constraints of aviation for environmental reasons as well as challenges faced by management in the maintenance of corporate goals involving the sustainable development of aviation operations are evaluated. Towards this goal, the benefits and drawbacks of the pursuit of sustainability from a management perspective are explored evaluating practical environmental activities that now encompass the management of airlines and airports. Finally, this paper assesses the capacity of the aviation industry to achieve dramatic improvements required to enhance environmental performance through innovations in aircraft design and in airline and airport operations. Following is an overview of the industry in light of environmental concerns. Industry overview In the modern global society, air transport has become essential and has significantly changed how people travel, interact with others and do business. Aviation has become a driver of economic, social and cultural development (ICAO, 2012). The democratization of international air travel has led to the reduction in the cost of flying and with real cost falling 60% over the last 40 years (Deloitte, 2013). This has made aviation more accessible to a greater number of people. Alongside this, developments in technologies and designs over the same period have enhanced energy efficiency of aircraft and achieved noise reductions of 70% and 75% respectively (Deloitte, 2013). Such positive developments are nonetheless inadequate in the face of significant growth projections. It is estimated that passengers will reach six billion requiring 50 million flights (ICAO, 2012; Welsh, 2010). This is roughly double the current capacity. Statistics from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UK’s Stern Report present the following grim picture regarding the environmental impact of the aviation industry. They advance the view that aviation contributes around 6% of greenhouse gases (GHG) further exacerbated by the high altitudes of flights which limits the effectiveness of nature’s carbon ‘scrubbers’- the trees and plants which absorb greenhouse gas (Carbon dioxide) to undo these emissions. Emission of GHG in aviation is estimated to cause as much as 9% of the greenhouse effect (COM, 2012; ICAO, 2012; Deloitte, 2013; Friends of Earth, 2013). Concern over these estimated adverse effects is heightened by expert forecasts of growth in passenger numbers and therefore a doubling of global commercial jet fleet to over 35,000 by 2025. This heightens scepticism about reduction in aviation emissions with analysts forecasting that by 2050, current emission figures could quadruple (Welsh, 2010; Friends of Earth, 2013). In the view of IPCC, industry and stakeholder initiatives are and will not be adequate to achieve true sustainability and in its opinion, uncontrolled growth of the industry should be constrained given the challenges in mitigation of impact (Friends of Earth, 2013; ICAO, 2012; Seabury, 2012). Demand and growth of the aviation industry though important for society and the economy is however a significant contributor to global climate change. Constraint of growth is however not feasible given the growing demand and import of the industry globally. In this regard, a lot needs to be done by industry players and various stakeholders to ensure safety, security and environmental conservation.   Industry players face myriad challenges in the pursuit of sustainability. Dilemma of sustainability in the aviation sector The aviation industry is increasingly portrayed and perceived as a villain in the pursuit of sustainability around the world. This stems from the fact that they are untaxed and are unaffected by any current agreements on emissions (Welsh, 2010). Global initiatives aimed at limiting carbon emissions, and therefore global warming, are centred around the Kyoto agreement negotiated in 1997 and coming into force in 2005. The aviation industry is specifically excluded in this agreement and its negotiations despite it being a major contributor to global warming (COM, 2012; Welsh, 2010). The ‘well-intentioned’ executives and organizations in the industry are often hindered in the green pursuits by the business risk of being the ‘first mover’ in this pursuit (Deloitte, 2013). The deregulation and democratization of the aviation industry has resulted in intense competition among airlines which has led to significant reductions in air fares which have consistently declined over time (ICAO, 2012; Driver, 2006). Living standards and wages have inversely increased overall increasing the number of people accessing air travel (ICAO, 2012; Hill, 2006). This, in addition to substantial taxes by states, as well as fees, charges and surcharges on many international routes often surpass the ticket price impacting net profit margins which are at levels less than 2% on global scheduled airlines and are falling (AAG, 2012; Deloitte, 2013). Additional levies such as ‘green tax’ and climate finance if not applied across the entire industry creates a ‘first mover’ disadvantage which discourages governments and airlines from unilateral action, as well as impeding the pace of established mechanisms for resolution such as the United Nations programs. National and/or regional emissions initiatives impose a competitive disadvantage on the industry tying the hands of airline executives until governments can agree on common and equitable solutions covering the entire industry (ICAO, 2012; Zakhem, et al, 2007). Good intention and regard for the environment is hindered by intense competition and the slim margins characteristic of the industry. There is therefore need for greater concerted effort so as to undo the ‘first mover’ disadvantage which hinders the competitiveness of players that pursue sustainability. Such efforts are considered in the proceeding section. Way forward for sustainable development in the industry What is required is an agreement on intergovernmental and industry-wide global solutions, a top-down regulatory approach, which are however hard to reach and are at best, advisory guidelines. The consequent result would be slow and insignificant given that airlines are governed by nations and/or agencies (Seabury, 2012). In spite of these cumbersome regulations and ‘first mover’ disadvantage, there is genuine desire among executives and across the industry for the pursuit of sustainable development and reduction of environmental impact, particularly the reduction of the industry’s contribution to climate change (ICAO, 2012). The options available for this endeavour, characterized as bottom-up solutions undertaken by industry, fall into three categories: operational, tactical, and strategic initiatives. Bottom-up solutions Operational initiatives Operational approaches involve short-term actions which despite their limitation in overall effect are better than no initiatives at all. In an attempt to enhance its contribution overall, these approaches are well known and openly shared across the industry. They comprise the following steps aimed at reducing fuel consumption: single-engine taxiing; engine shutdowns during delays; better measurement and reduction of weight; distribution and balancing of belly cargo; higher cruising and shorter/steeper approaches; as well as ticket premium options for investment in carbon offset schemes; and tankering-carrying enough fuel for return trip. These initiatives are immediately deployable (Welsh, 2010; AAG, 2012). Other operational initiatives that need planning consist of: better routes and altitudes; better enroute fuel reserve; reduction in airborne holding (stacking); installation of winglets at wing tips to reduce drag; redesign of hubs/schedules for greater efficiency; improved/expanded airfield capacity; low drag paint schemes; as well as improved fuel purchasing and supplies (Welsh, 2010; AAG, 2012). Tactical initiatives These are generally medium term approaches covering 5 to 10 years which have greater impact than operational initiatives though still limited in overall effect. The involve fuel and engine modifications. Aircraft fuel is a controversial component of business mired by complexity and a difficult price-based history. Swings in commodity prices impact airlines’ operating costs running from 15% to as much as 60% of costs (Deloitte, 2013). Quality is also a significant concern with regard to jet fuel as it is directly linked to flight safety. Whole consignments of jet fuel can be rejected on grounds of quality such as the finding of bacteria in tankers (Welsh, 2010). Though there is some activity in the area of sustainable versions of jet fuel (Bio jet) with isolated pockets of interest, there is yet to be success and may not be in the short term. Faster pace of progress would require greater support from the industry and government. This approach is also challenged by commercial, regulatory and technical hurdles governing fuel specifications (ICAO, 2012; Seabury, 2012). Commercial hurdles include long and expensive laboratory stage processes without demand and/or regulatory support and subsequent lengthy processes of developing production capacity for industrial volumes. Changes in fuel specifications may also require engine modifications which would need to pass the long and expensive design/build/test production cycle dwarfing that of the fuel cycle. In addition to these hurdles, Bio jet is considerably more corrosive than conventional jet fuel and may increase maintenance, repair and overhaul costs (MRO) (Welsh, 2010; ICAO, 2012). Regulatory hurdles comprise the very strict aviation regulators which is appropriate for the industry. Change in specifications of fuel and engines would necessitate a major review of the regulatory framework around the world (ICAO, 2012). Technical hurdles encompass the drawn out periods of uptake of modifications and new specifications with customers (major airlines) typically renewing their fleet about every 15 years. After the extensive research, design, build, test, production cycle, and regulatory approval, this additional period need be factored as well. In addition to these 15 years, major airlines would sell their airplanes into the second hand market which would also last a further 15 years of flight (ICAO, 2012). This makes the adoption of new engine/modifications and fuel technologies may take upwards of three to five decades to achieve a complete shift and transformation. Strategic initiatives Initiatives in this category require new generation technologies to enable pursuit of strategic options towards the reduction of emissions. In addition to the pockets of interest in fuel and engine programs in the short term, there are also other isolated pockets of interest exploring more fundamental technological developments such as how to influence the environmental impact of aviation. This involves a think tank composed of many and varied stakeholders in the industry including airlines and airports, manufacturers, governments, passenger groups, among several other interest groups (ICAO, 2012). There are many new technological propositions that require leaps in technology far greater than the modification examples cited above. They include the integrated-wing silent aircraft with top-mounted engines and a moulded aerodynamic shape. This is a possible major step towards lower or zero aviation emissions which has been the aspiration of the industry in light of environmental concerns and climate change. IATAs proposal is projected to within the next 50 years which is not definitive yet. This is also challenged by a lack in demand and regulatory support (ICAO, 2012; Seabury, 2012). Regulatory support (Top-Down approach) Critical to the development and adoption of emission solutions in the aviation industry is regulatory support including simple models like deadlines for action with consequences for non-compliance such as fines and grounding of fleet. Such actions and approaches help to enhance and to justify focus on sustainability initiatives creating demand for worthwhile ventures like Bio jet as well as engine and design reworks or modifications intended at lower emissions. This approach would also enhance the focus of governments and industry in the support of companies investing in the research/design/build/test/production cycle (ICAO, 2012; Seabury, 2012). From a management perspective, despite the willingness and enthusiasm to ‘go green’ focusing on sustainable development, the pursuit of high impact initiatives is impeded by the myriad hurdles and challenges in design and output of new technologies. There are several advantages that can be derived from the pursuit of sustainability and as well there are drawbacks and dis-benefits that generally impact the entire industry. However, there are substantial gains in bold pursuits individual airlines and players giving credence to the potential in industry sustainability. The following section explores these advantages and dis-benefits employing Alaska Air Group’s environmental protection and efficiency initiatives to highlight these points and to show actions taken in this regard. Alaska Air Group’s practical environmental activities Alaska Air Group is the holding company for two Seattle-based subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air which provide passenger and cargo transportation   across 90 destinations in the United States (USA), Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines flies 117 Boeing 737s to 62 of these destinations while Horizon Air operates a fleet of 48 Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft to 39 destinations (AAG, 2012). The company has been a recipient of recognition and awards on several fronts for outstanding performance including the Worlds top-performing airline in 2010, Airline Technology Leadership Award in 2011, as well as industry service accolades from its customer satisfaction, on-time performance, maintenance training and public and community service. As of 2012, the group has 12,806 employees and an asset base of 5.2 billion dollars. Their carriers serve 25 million passengers a year on 30 million seat miles and carry 114 million cargo pounds accruing cargo revenue of 108 million. The Groups adjusted net income stands at 287.4 million dollars. Even though Air Group flies 3% of domestic airline capacity, it has a daily consumption of a million gallons of jet fuel for its flight operations (AAG, 2012). To the group, sustainability efforts are crucial to reductions in waste and energy costs, as well as innovation, factors which enhance value, competitiveness and overall bottom line. Air Group has a strategic commitment to reduce environmental impact through four core elements: reducing emissions from consumption of fossil fuels; reducing emissions from ground operations such as electricity and heating; reducing consumption of non-sustainable resources; and recycling of inflight and operational wastes (COM, 2012; Werbach, 2009). The Group has admirable fuel-efficiency ratings but it continues to pursue more conservation opportunities such as fleet upgrades and modifications which have led to significant cost savings for the company; removal of unneeded weight; optimal routes, speeds and engine maintenance to ensure performance. Its practical initiatives for enhanced fuel efficiencies consist of: fleet efficiencies and transformation which lowers fuel bills, emissions and costs associated with complexities of a mixed fleet; reduction of weight of carpets and seats; better airspace efficiency through satellite navigation performance systems and streamlined landing approaches (pioneered by Alaska Airlines); use of ground power rather than the aircrafts auxiliary power units to provide heating, cooling and electricity when planes are parked at gates; robust flight planning for optimal fuel loads; as well as a bold pursuit of sustainable fuel alternatives. In November 2011, Alaska airlines launched pioneer multip le commercial flights powered by 20% aviation biofuel blends on more than 75 flights. The biofuel blend reduced GHG emissions by 134 metric tonnes and demonstrated feasibility of biofuels (AAG, 2012; Driver, 2006; Cornelissen and Clarke, 2010). On the ground efficiency front, the company has instituted a switch in ground support equipment from fossil-powered to electric options where feasible. This move is anticipated to eliminate 3000 metric tonnes of CO2 output per year when completed. This is done alongside upgrades of ground facilities such as terminals and offices to enhance energy efficiency, as well as wind and solar projects for alternative power. The company is also pursuing ambitious recycling of inflight waste and ground waste which is standard in its Flight Attendant Manual. This program diverts an estimated 800 tonnes of waste from landfills (AAG, 2012; Welsh, 2010). These audacious initiatives however result in a significant dis-benefit of sustainable development which is the high cost of transformation and uptake of new technologies. This impacts industry players’ financial positions, a challenge exacerbated by the industry’s slim margins which hinder their economic capacity. Alaska Air Group however prides itself in its year-over-year load factors (percentage of seats filled) which has helped improve its efficiency. As of 2012, Alaska Airlines had achieved reductions in carbon emission intensity per revenue passenger mile 7.8% since 2009 and 29.8% since 2004. Its total carbon emissions have decreased 3.2% in 8 years despite a 27% growth in business. Its sustainability initiatives have significantly contributed to the creation of direct economic value benefiting employees and investors with the company achieving record full-year adjusted net income of 287.4 million dollars, leading in profitability in spite of global economic challenges impacting aviation (AAG, 2012; Cornelissen and Clarke, 2010). Conclusion Grim statistics of the impact of aviation on environmental impact and contribution to climate change paint a gloomy picture of the sustainability of the industry’s anticipated growth. IPCC and experts even propose the constraint of the growth of aviation to stem this impact. Nevertheless, there is potential in innovation and technological advancements leading to reduction in emissions and progress is being made to realize these gains. This progress is hindered by ‘first mover’ competitive disadvantage as well as various hurdles to the success of initiatives brought about significantly by the fragmentation in the industry with the lack of a comprehensive and unilateral framework governing progress. This frustrates enthusiasm of executives and the industry and hinders progress to sustainable development. The example of Alaska Air Group, however, clearly demonstrates that aviation can achieve dramatic improvements required to in environmental performance. Innovations in aircraft and fuel designs, as well as airline and airport operations can have significant positive effects for sustainability in the aviation industry in the short and longer term. Sustainable development requires the participation of all stakeholders in the industry for success of initiatives. Stakeholders encompass governments, regulatory and advisory organizations, industry players, employees, interest groups, and customers. References Alaska Air Group, 2012. Sustainability report. Alaska Air Group Cornelissen, J., and J., Clarke, 2010. â€Å"Imagining and Rationalizing Opportunities: Inductive Reasoning, and the Creation and Justification of New Ventures.† In: Academy of Management Review, 35(4): 539-557. Deloitte, 2013. Aviation and Sustainability. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Driver, M., 2006. ‘Beyond the Stalemate of Economics versus Ethics: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Discourse of the Organizational Self.’ In: Journal of Business Ethics, 66: 337–56. Friends of Earth, 2013. Aviation and Global Climate Change. London. Friends of Earth. Hill, C., 2006. International Business: Competing in the Global Economy, (7th Ed.) Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill ICAO, 2012. Global Aviation and Our Sustainable Future: International Civil Aviation Organization Briefing for RIO+20. Montreal. ICAO Sachs, S., E. Ruhli, and I., Kern, 2009. Sustainable Success with Stakeholders. Palgrave Macmillan Seabury, 2012. Sustainable European Aviation: A position paper. Association of European Airlines and Seabury. Viewed on 2nd Jan, 2014 from: www.seaburygroup.com Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, 2012. Progress towards achieving the Kyoto objectives. Werbach, A., 2009. Strategy for sustainability: a business manifesto Adam Werbach. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business Press. Welsh, K., 2010. Airline Sustainability Initiatives. Airports Going Green Conference. Chicago, Air Transport Association. Zakhem, A., D., Palmer and M., Stoll, 2007. Stakeholder theory: Essential Readings in Ethical Leadership and Management. Promethus books.

Free Essays on Johann Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers in Western musical history. More than 1,000 of his compositions survive. Some examples are the Art of Fugue, Brandenburg Concerti, the Goldberg Variations for Harpsichord, the Mass in B-Minor, the motets, the Easter and Christmas oratorios, Toccata in F Major, French Suite No 5, Fugue in G Major, Fugue in G Minor ("The Great"), St. Matthew Passion, and Jesu Der Du Meine Seele. He came from a family of musicians. There were over 53 musicians in his family over a period of 300 years. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany on March 21, 1685. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a talented violinist, and taught his son the basic skills for string playing; another relation, the organist at Eisenach's most important church, instructed the young boy on the organ. In 1695 his parents died and he was only 10 years old. He went to go stay with his older brother, Johann Christoph, who was a professional organist at Ohrdruf. Johann Christoph was a professional organist, and continued his younger brother's education on that instrument, as well as on the harpsichord. After several years in this arrangement, Johann Sebastian won a scholarship to study in Luneberg, Northern Germany, and so left his brother's tutelage. A master of several instruments while still in his teens, Johann Sebastian first found employment at the age of 18 as a "lackey and violinist" in a court orchestra in Weimar; soon after, he took the job of organist at a church in Arnstadt. Here, as in later posts, his perfectionist tendencies and high expectations of other musicians - for example, the church choir - rubbed his colleagues the wrong way, and he was embroiled in a number of hot disputes during his short tenure. In 1707, at the age of 22, Bach became fed up with the lousy musical standards of Arnstadt (and the working conditions) and moved on to another organist job, this time at the St. Blasius Church i... Free Essays on Johann Bach Free Essays on Johann Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers in Western musical history. More than 1,000 of his compositions survive. Some examples are the Art of Fugue, Brandenburg Concerti, the Goldberg Variations for Harpsichord, the Mass in B-Minor, the motets, the Easter and Christmas oratorios, Toccata in F Major, French Suite No 5, Fugue in G Major, Fugue in G Minor ("The Great"), St. Matthew Passion, and Jesu Der Du Meine Seele. He came from a family of musicians. There were over 53 musicians in his family over a period of 300 years. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany on March 21, 1685. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a talented violinist, and taught his son the basic skills for string playing; another relation, the organist at Eisenach's most important church, instructed the young boy on the organ. In 1695 his parents died and he was only 10 years old. He went to go stay with his older brother, Johann Christoph, who was a professional organist at Ohrdruf. Johann Christoph was a professional organist, and continued his younger brother's education on that instrument, as well as on the harpsichord. After several years in this arrangement, Johann Sebastian won a scholarship to study in Luneberg, Northern Germany, and so left his brother's tutelage. A master of several instruments while still in his teens, Johann Sebastian first found employment at the age of 18 as a "lackey and violinist" in a court orchestra in Weimar; soon after, he took the job of organist at a church in Arnstadt. Here, as in later posts, his perfectionist tendencies and high expectations of other musicians - for example, the church choir - rubbed his colleagues the wrong way, and he was embroiled in a number of hot disputes during his short tenure. In 1707, at the age of 22, Bach became fed up with the lousy musical standards of Arnstadt (and the working conditions) and moved on to another organist job, this time at the St. Blasius Church i...

Content Comprehension and Analysis Task Assignment - 2

Content Comprehension and Analysis Task - Assignment Example The authors argue that with a diverse environment employees are able to learn and benefit from the uniqueness of others ideas. A myriad of businesses across the globe have appreciated and recognized the need to heavily invest in inclusion and diversity as part of talent management within the organization. It is an important concept as organizations can interact with people from different cultures, resulting to an upsurge in the level of creativity, global understanding, and productivity, and greater agility, development of new attitudes, new solutions and innovation that will lead to the growth of the company. Organizations that have not incorporated diversity as part of its talent management strategy have failed to attract the best skills across the globe. Some of the benefits of diversity include; (Yukl, 2002) Increased productivity – The inclusion of pe ople from diverse backgrounds working towards a common goal improves their level of loyalty. They employ peculiar skills to improve the performance of the company. Diverse experience-; People from different backgrounds bring unique understanding of concepts and experiences to the table. By bring the teams together; employees are able to deal with changing conditions. Every employee has a weakness and strengths derived from their cultural backgrounds, when managed properly their strengths can be leveraged and strengths can be complemented to enhance their performance. Increased creativity and problem solving- With a number of different unique and diverse minds, coming together, it is likely that solutions will be adopted since individuals bring unique way of thinking, operating and handling issues. (Yukl, 2002) Attract and retain talent- The attraction of the best employees to the organization will give it a competitive edge over others. The feeling f inclusion and appreciation enhances the feeling of belonging and loyalty to the organization. The

Methods for Teaching Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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