Labor issues surrounding the Department of education

Introduction The education department is facing serious labor issues with teachers being mistreated and many saying that teachers are paid way below their qualification. This paper will thus discuss recent labor issues surrounding the department of education and their teachers, specifically those in Seattle, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Labor issues surrounding the Department of education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It will discuss whether any progress has been made to resolve the issues. The paper will finally discuss the importance these particular cases may have for future cases, particularly for the current situation in New York between the department of education and its employees. Discussion Recent labor issues surrounding the department of education and their teachers in Seattle In Seattle, teaching salaries vary depending on the academic level of the instructor , locality, and working experience. Teachers in the state, therefore, get different earnings for their work and this leads to discontentment with those salaries. Teachers at the bottom of the pay scale earn around $47,100 to $51,180 with their counterparts earning around $75,190 to $80,970. These high disparities have led to severe labor issues in the nation department of education (Amarachuku, 2011). The issue of teacher recruitment and retention is another labor issue in Seattle. The capability of teachers to enter and stick to the profession depends on the features of the school as well as the district in which the school is located. Some schools lack the policies required for efficient recruitment and retention of teachers and this has posed a serious labor issue in the state (Amarachuku, 2011). Mistreatment of teachers by principals is another labor issue facing the department of education in Seattle. Head teachers mistreat instructors in terms of ignoring their needs, isolatin g them, holding back resources, overloading and even criticizing them (Amarachuku, 2011). Several actions have been taken to resolve the above issues in the state. For instance, school reform organizations in Seattle require that head teachers and instructors work together in a collaborative manner. School principals need to trust their teachers as well as the schools they lead.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This acts as a foundation for a friendly, honest and philosophical professional dialogue in the school organization and this makes it to develop as a powerful community of students who are responsible and competent. The educational department also requires that all teachers confront all types of administrative mistreatment that undermine them as instructors. Recent labor issues surrounding the department of education and their teachers in Wisconsin Teachers in Wisconsin on February 26, 2011 protested the planned budget repairs by Governor Scott Walker. The Governor announced that the 2011-2013 budget would include more than $800 million cuts in school funding. This posed a great threat not only to the salaries of teachers, but also to the learning of students across the region. Many people were watching the outcome of the planned actions and it was seen that the outcome would influence negotiations between many state governments in the country and organized labor. Thousands of people working in the education sector were and are facing a lot of difficulties including pay cuts and layoffs. While commenting on the planned actions a special-ed teacher, Jim Kammer, said: â€Å"I knew going into education that some people didn’t like educators, and that’s okay, but this is just disrespectful. Both my husband and I are special-ed teachers, and we went into teaching hoping that we could afford a house and have a solid income to support a fa mily. Now we wonder if we’ll be able to keep our home. It’s not what we wanted for our family.† (Clark, 2011) This crisis caused many teachers to lose a lot of teaching time as schools across the Wisconsin district shutdown with some closing for three days during the first week of protests. The governor was opposed to increasing taxes and argued that the only way to tackle the budget deficit was by union-busting. Teachers across the region argue that the budget deficit is not unique to the region as many other states are facing the same predicaments in their 2012- 2013 budgets. According to Kevin Cunningham, an associate lecturer in the university of Wisconsin, the bill posed a great threat to future teachers; he says, â€Å"I am trying to remain optimistic, but the bottom line is, is what we ask these future teachers to do worth it? No one goes into teaching expecting to make a lot of money, but people go in expecting to be treated as professionals who are capa ble of making decisions about their classrooms, and this bill would strip that from them.† (Clark, 2011)Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Labor issues surrounding the Department of education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They argue that although Wisconsin falls in the middle compared to the other states, the worst hit states have not resulted to taking such draconian actions of cutting funding into the education system. The impact of this actions was seen in early March as many schools across Wisconsin began sending preliminary layoff notices to their teaching staff. By March 15, nine Wisconsin districts had given notices to schools to lay off teachers. The Walker’s planned budget repair bill was seen as one that would nullify union contracts held by teachers and this was going to affect many of those who stood to lose their employment without compensation (Clark, 2011). Although the regi on and the country as a whole is experiencing large budget deficits, the way to tackle this problem should not be primarily based on reducing funding to schools and laying off teachers. The region should adopt the various ways that other regions in the country are adopting in response to the crisis without necessarily threatening the future of education. Recent labor issues surrounding the department of education and their teachers in Pennsylvania The major problem that is facing the department of education and teachers in Pennsylvania concerning work is that teacher wearing religious symbols in their classes are discriminated. There has been a law in the state of Pennsylvania since 1895 that punishes teachers who wear religious symbols in their classrooms (Andren, 2011). Under the law, any teacher found wearing them could be suspended for one year and if there is a repeat the teacher may be permanently disqualified. The school board members are also criminally liable if they fail t o enforce the law in their schools. This law has come under criticism from many people and Pennsylvanian teachers are fighting it terming as a violation of the first amendment. Teachers in the region have faulted the department of education for enforcing this law and currently there are two members of the Pennsylvanian legislature who are pushing a bill to repeal the law (Andren, 2011). In 2003 a teacher, Brenda Nicole, successfully won a case against her dismissal after she wore a cross necklace in class (KERR, 2011). In April of that year, Brenda was suspended without pay for one year and this led to her suing the school and the education department for wrongful dismissal.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More After winning the case, she was re-instated to her former position and she now continues to serve in her former position as a teacher. This discrimination against teachers has in the past threatened to bring learning to a standstill in the region and, therefore, there is need to have the law repealed or struck down by courts as being unconstitutional (Andren, 2011). The law that discriminates teachers who wear religious symbols in the classrooms should be scrapped as it contravenes the first amendment. Teachers should be allowed to dress the way they want, as long as they are decent and follow the dressing code of schools (KERR, 2011). Importance of these particular cases for future cases particularly; how it could affect the current situation in New York between the department of education and its employees The current situation in the New York’s education sector comprises of about 780 employees losing their jobs as a result of layoffs. The layoffs are the result of budget c uts to academic institutions, and since this has taken place in the last four years, then school principals in the state are now forced into making tough verdicts concerning what and whom to survive without. In the last few years, school aides in New York have been protected from layoffs by federal funds though 5% of them have currently lost their jobs. Financial cuts in the State have cost 2186 instructors their full time working in the city schools. Teachers have been protected from layoffs mostly because of the Bloomberg agreement, which provides them with small allowances in exchange for security of their jobs. New York’s district committee is held responsible for the layoffs. The Department of education statistics shows that the layoffs have caused a large number of teachers to retire leading to several vacancies in the education department. The above cases in Seattle, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania help future cases, for example the cases of teacher layoffs in New York, to be solved. It is surprising that New York also recruits young teachers while laying off excess old teachers. The above cases have helped solve the current situation in New York. In this state, the effect of leadership on student success has become evident with principle makers placing more pressure on head teachers. Rewards and punishments affecting school heads have become increasingly common in the state with the New York law threatening to fire school heads as a probable consequence in poor performing academic institutions. In New York, a small portion of a principal’s pay is determined by the professional standards associated with learner outcomes. These trends signify an increasing acceptance that head teachers play a crucial role in influencing students’ achievements and should be accountable for it. As a result of the above cases, the role of the school head has swelled to encompass a staggering range of professional duties and competencies. Principals in New Yo rk are expected to be instructive visionaries, educational and syllabus leaders, evaluation experts, disciplinarians, society builders and guardians of contractual and official mandates. Principals in New York are expected to pay attention to the contradictory wants of students, parents, tutors and federal agencies. The demands of the teaching profession in New York have thus changed so that conventional methods of preparing principals are no longer sufficient to satisfy the leadership challenges in public institutions. References Andren, K. (2011, June). Legislation would allow Pennsylvania teachers to wear religious insignias. Web. Amarachuku, E. C. (2011, June). Finding plan b: critical remedy construction for school districts operating under education equity consent decrees post Seattle and Louisville. Web. Clark, M. (2011, March). Wisconsin Teachers, Students Face Uncertain Future. Web. KERR, C. (2011, September). Teachers’ Religious Garb as an Instrument for Globalizati on in Education. Web. This research paper on Labor issues surrounding the Department of education was written and submitted by user Silver Crocodile to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Definition of Meteor Shower

Definition of Meteor Shower How does a meteor shower occur? The Solar system is made up of the Sun and the nine Planets which revolve around the Sun. The moon, asteroids, comets, dust and sun are other component of the Solar System. The sun attracts all the other objects towards it due to its high gravitational force. A meteor shower takes place when the earth collides with particles as it moves around the sun.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Meteor Shower specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These are dust and ice particles found in the solar system which remained from comets which occurred long time ago. The components of a comet include sand, ice and gravel particles. When a comet passes near the sun, its surface heats up. This leads to the release of some particles as well as evaporation of ice. A comet has two tails, one made of dust and the other one gas (Seeds and Backman 2). As the earth rotates around the sun, it comes into c ontact with these dirty particles. When the earth crosses the remains of a comet, there is usually a friction between the air and these particles which makes them to heat up and then a glow is observed. Normally, a meteor is observes as a bright stretch of light in the sky. A meteor can be observed during any night of the year. The duration of time taken by a meteor shower varies. A meteor shower can take a minute, day or even several days. The duration of time is determined by the width of the dust trail. Wide dust trails take more time than narrow ones. Sunlight and solar wind particles composed of hot ions which move at a high speed blow away dust particles from the orbit of the Comet. The distance depends on the size of the particle. Small particles are moved far away from the Comet Orbit. When the dust trail is broadened, it takes the earth along time before it can cross it (Seeds and Backman 12). Why are the times of a meteor shower predictable? The occurrence of a meteor show er is predictable. People are aware of the specific time around which they occur. The Earth takes the same path each year as it rotates around the sun. Since the sun follows the same path, it passes through the same trail of debris at a particular time of the year. Meteor showers take place during this particular time. This has made it easy for people to determine when a meteor shower is likely to happen and at what time of the day. Many meteor showers take place throughout the year (Seeds and Backman 22).Advertising Looking for essay on astronomy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What is the probability of a meteor shower becoming a meteorite? When a meteor shower passes through the earth’s atmosphere and strikes the ground, it becomes a meteorite. It has been observed that most of the meteorites are rocks. Most of the meteor showers completely get burned on the atmosphere before reaching the surface of earth. This is because they are usually small particles which are consumed within a short period of time. Scientific research has indicated that there is no evidence of a meteor shower which has ever reached the surface of earth. This is evidence that comet dust is made up of very small particles. Based on the above information, it is true to say that a meteor shower is not a probable source of a meteorite. This is because rarely do meteor showers hit the ground (Seeds and Backman 32). Work Cited Seeds, Michael and Backman, Dana. Perspectives on Astronomy. New York: Cengage Learning, 2007.Print.

Summary for answer questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary for answer questions - Essay Example 2. By using an anecdote, it reduces the seriousness that the reader expects to find in the essay. It gives the reader a feel of calmness and that the writer is one that is not shy about using some humor. It prepares one for the rest of the story and that there may be some humor to the essay and the way in which it is propagated. The anecdote prepares a reader for a story that is far from the serious norm that people are used to and prepare them for an essay that has its own amount of comic relief. 3. Tanya Maria Barrientos is a native Spaniard. She is a child of parents that are purely of Spanish heritage and it is due to the fact that she loves her heritage that she would look to learn the Spanish; language. Furthermore, she is driven to learn it because it gives her a sense of feel because she will be at one with her ancestry. Learning her language is important to her based on the fact that it is the language that her parents speak on a daily basis to each other. 4. Barrientos’ use of various Spanish words without definitions and translations so as to show that she loves the language and that her stance on the language is one that is definite and genuine. Furthermore, her stance towards the Spanish language will slightly change if she was to use translations after the words. This is because; the reader is given a feel of how it is to use the language in a conversation of the sort. The use of a translation would have little to no effect on her feeling towards the language nut for a reader; the use of translations would dilute the effect of the essay. 5. Speaking and the languages that we speak are part of the lives and natures that we lead. Different people have different accents and it is the difference that makes us united. I as an individual do not have any particular accent. I believe that it sounds just the same as any other person. When I speak English, I believe that there is a

I am not sure the topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

I am not sure the topic - Research Paper Example Access of women in military is still an unpopular phenomenon due to their physique and psychological effectiveness. Since the inception, women in military were assigned only clerical, nursing, driving jobs and many at times in the production of ammunition. Hence, women worked in military, but their roles were just to support soldiers passively. However, with immense human loss in World War I, the need to grow troops demanded replacement of gender. Thus, First World War brought with it dramatic alteration in the role of women, instead of protesting and grieving over their loved ones they provided their support by being recruited on their military posts. When men were assigned overseas job, women replaced their vacant spaces in all walks of life from industry to armed forces. Hence, the trend of Victorian and Edwardian era of women was discarded completely. United Kingdom: In current decade, United Kingdom has allowed seventy percent of their female gender to opt for military positions . In 2002, Ministry of defense pronounced these positions for women and they could actively participate in naval crafts and air force. However, frontline fighters post is not open for them due to their physical and psychological structure (Noakes, 10). This dynamic change did not happen rapidly, but in 1998 it was increased to forty percent and later on to a maximum limit of seventy percent till twenty first century (ibid). The reason to ban them from frontline combatant position was their capability to endure, pressure, danger, strength, suitability and numerous psychological factors. However, few exceptional females did fit under the established criteria for such posts, but their quantity was small and unusual. Nevertheless, contribution of women in other European countries like Germany, Finland, Romania, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, Netherland and few others has significantly increased and these countries also have assigned women to the front line combat positions as well. Th e current statistics of recent decade shows that there is an incline in women for the front line combatant position with an approximate of thirteen to seventeen percent. Hence, except United Kingdom, most of the other European countries have increased the number of women admittance in military. In 1996, women on prominent positions of military forces were denounced by the authorities and were transferred to female platoons. Their transference was referred as training and adjustment according to their physique. Hence, they were not allowed to join Royal Armoured corps and Marines, RAF Regiment. Moreover, they could not drive tanks or become mine clearance divers (Sherrow, 44). The question is how UK has proved its Victorian and Edwardian theory of docile women. A research and observation on mixed gender troops and single gender troops was conducted to assess the efficiency and influence of Women in military services along with men. The hypothesis was that women in front line troops e ntail risk with less or zero efficiency in terms of combat effectiveness. Hence, their presence stimulates a sense of weakness, delicacy, liability towards them and male combatants also lose their efficiency. Therefore, to maintain the level of efficiency in a troop, single gender troop either of male or female works toward the desired target more efficiently (Noakes, 10-11). Moreover, theory of mixed troops entails

Contemporary Economic Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Contemporary Economic Policy - Essay Example What is needed is not less than an energy revolution itself. This World Energy Outlook demonstrates how that might be achieved through decisive policy action and at what cost. It also describes the consequences of failure. Take oil for example, which is the world's essential supply of energy and will remain so for many years to come, even under the most optimistic of assumptions about the pace of growth and exploitation of alternative technology. But the sources of oil to meet rising demand, the cost of producing Oil and the prices that consumers will need to pay for it are extremely uncertain and constantly fluctuating, perhaps more than ever. The surge in prices in recent years drastically ending in the price spike of 2008, joined with much greater short-term price instability, have highlighted just how sensitive prices are to short-term market imbalances. They have also alerted people to the ultimately finite nature of oil (and natural gas) resources. In fact, the immediate risk to supply is not one of a lack of global resources, but rather a lack of investment where it is needed. Upstream investment has been rising rapidly in nominal terms, but much of the augmentation is due to heaving costs and the need to battle rising decline rates - especially in higher-cost provinces outside of OPEC. Today, most capital goes to exploring for and developing high-cost reserves, partly because of limitations on international oil company access to the cheapest resources. Expanding production in the lowest-cost countries will be central to meeting the world's needs at reasonable cost in the face of dwindling resources in most parts of the world and accelerating decline rates everywhere. 1. Introduction: The United Kingdom has been a net importer of energy resources (Oil and Gas) the energy sector itself has a big chunk in the over-all economy of the nation. However with the ever fluctuating and unpredictable fuel prices, it does not seem like a feasible approach to depend on traditional energy resources. A better and more mature energy policy needs to be prepared and implemented. The purpose of this paper is to highlight key energy consumption trends in the UK, review the energy policy and come up with a better approach towards dealing with the economic impact of energy. The energy industries in the UK play an innermost role in the economy by producing, transforming and supplying energy in its various forms to all sectors. They are also major contributors to the UK's balance of payments through the exports of crude oil and oil products (National Statistics Publication 2007). i) 4.8 per cent of GDP; ii) 8.6 per cent of total investment; iii) 44.3 per cent of industrial investment; iv) 137,800 people directly employed (5 per cent of indus

Nestle Marketing Analysis

Nestle Marketing Analysis This is a report as well as a marketing plan about Nestle and its new product Nescafe Menu. The report is about the Halal food leader ― Nestle (Malaysia) and its activity on how they market their products and sustain their leader position in the current market. Moreover, there will be a detail analysis on the current marketing situation which included SWOT, PEST and financial analysis plus the marketing strategies applied by the company in order to domain the market. The marketing strategies will further the discussion by involving the pricing, product, distribution and promotion strategies. However, the main focus will fall on the company ― Nestle Malaysia, the market of soluble coffee, the brand Nescafe and its new launched products. In addition, recommendations and solutions are provided by the author to solve the current scenario and overcome the problems. Nestlà © (Malaysia) Berhad plays the role as the leader of Halal food manufacturer and the first multinational to voluntarily request for Halal Certification of all its food products when it was first introduced in 1996. Nestlà © is establish in 1912 and public-listed on Bursa Malaysia since 1989. Currently the biggest Halal producer in the Nestlà © world. In Malaysia, Nestlà © employs 5000 people, owns 7 factories and 6 sales offices plus one national distribution centre. The head office based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (Nestle, 2008) Nestlà ©Worldwide Nestlà © is a multinational company that leading the global food business. It is founds by a Swiss chemist ─ Mr. Henri Nestle. Nestlà © have the worlds largest food manufacturer and the worlds largest private nutrition research capability based in Switzerland. Overall, Nestlà © present in over 100 countries with 276,000 employees worldwide and 456 factories in 84 countries. Currently, Nestlà © owns over 8500 brands and produce over 10,000 different products. Nestlà © hits the sale of 32 billion products yearly. Furthermore, Nestlà © have 24 Research Development centres worldwide and invest RM5 billion annually on RD. (Nestle,2008) Introduction about the product ― NESCAFÉ ®MENUâ„ ¢ At November 2009, Nestle introduced a new range of beverage to captures locals heart. New Nescafe menu is your menu of Malaysian favourite. Bring home the authentic taste of your favourite coffee shop flavours anytime and anywhere. (Nestle,2009) Key Benefit Nestle provides good quality products with improving nutrition and health benefits under Halal policy benefits everyone especially Muslims so that consumers can enjoy their favourite food or beverage without worries with the Halal assurance promised by Nestle. (Nestle,2010) The introduce of Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) brings affordable nutrition accessible (based on local considerations, food regulations, nutrient deficiencies and public health concern) for society and leads a healthier lifestyle and diet plan with the Nestlà © Nutritional Compass label in all nestle products. (Nestle,2008) Talk about the new Nescafe menu that contains coffee as the main ingredient. In fact, according to Don Howat (2009) coffee is something great because it contains antioxidants. Meanwhile, he hopes that there is a change of the wrong perception ‘coffee is bad for health among Malaysian and able to target non-coffee drinker and increases the consumption of coffee in Malaysia which is consider as low compared to other countries. Current Marketing Situation Nestlà © Malaysia, currently the biggest Halal producer in the world, markets more than 300 Halal products in market, is warranting its appointment as the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlà © worldwide. Exports its products to more than 40 countries worldwide with export sales of over RM470 million. Imports Halal products from the 66 Nestlà © factories worldwide that are certified Halal. (Nestle,2010) According to Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong (2010), differentiated marketing means a firm decides to target several market segments and design separate offer for each. Nestle (Malaysia) utilizing differentiated marketing (segmented marketing) strategy by having several categories of product that means to target different customer. Categories of product in Malaysia: Example of brand name in Malaysia ÃÅ" Coffee and Beverage ÃÅ" Nescafe / Milo ÃÅ" Culinary Aids/ Prepared Foods ÃÅ" Maggi ÃÅ" Milks ÃÅ" Nespray/ Nesvita ÃÅ" Liquid Drinks ÃÅ" Perrier ÃÅ" Junior Foods ÃÅ" Nestle Baby Cereals ÃÅ" Breakfast Cereals ÃÅ" Nestle Breakfast Cereals ÃÅ" Chilled Diary ÃÅ" Nestle Bliss/ Nespray Yogurt ÃÅ" Ice-cream ÃÅ" Nestle ice cream / Drumstick ÃÅ" Chocolate and Confectionery ÃÅ" Kit-Kat / Smarties / Milkybar ÃÅ" Healthcare Nutrition ÃÅ" Nutren Optimum / Fibre / Junior ÃÅ" Performance Nutrition ÃÅ" POWERBAR Performance / Gel ÃÅ" Nestle Professional ÃÅ" Nestle Professional Table 2 : Nestlà ©s categories of product and brand name in Malaysia Adapted from Nestle in your life, our brands, 2010. From http://www.nestle.com.my/nestle+in+your+life/our+brands/ Nescafe commands 70 per cent market share in the coffee segment locally Nescafe practises differentiated marketing too by having 5 different range of coffee (mainstream coffee, healthy coffee, Nescafe Classic and Gold). Simultaneously, Nescafe Menu marketing three different beverages that include Nescafe Menu Tarik, Ipoh White Coffee and Nelso to targets a group of local people (Malaysian) includes coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers (all age) by offering coffee shops all time top seller. (Don Howat, 2009) Product review for NESCAFÉ ®MENUâ„ ¢ Nescafe Menu Tarik -satisfy your craving for a delicious foamy cup of coffee and indulge in the authentic taste of a tarik. Nescafe Menu Ipoh White Coffee -three minutes are all it takes for you to enjoy a deliciously creamy, smooth and aromatic cup of Ipoh white coffee, anytime of the day or night. Nescafe Menu Neslo -for those who must have your morning cup of neslo before the day can start, heres the one for you with the rich taste of Nescafe coffee and the goodness of chocolate malt, all serve in one delicious blend. Table 2: Product Review of NESCAFÉ ®MENUâ„ ¢ Adapted From Nestle in your life, our brands, beverages ― Nescafe, NESCAFÉ ® MENUâ„ ¢, (Nestle, 2010) From http://www.nestle.com.my/Nestle+In+Your+Life/Our+Brands/Beverages/Nescafe.htm New Nescafe Menu benefits consumer by giving them a big flexibility and in-home enjoyment without stepping out the house to coffee shop for beverages. The new Nescafà © Menu range is available at all leading supermarkets and hypermarkets in 15-pack bags at the recommended retail prices of RM12.90 (The Star Newspaper 2009). Currently, only the white coffee produced by old town is consider as the direct competitor because they having the same product as Nescafe Menus white coffee. PowerRoot and BOH are indirect competitor because they dont have the same (but similar) product as Nescafe Menu yet they are the strong competitor in the market so its important to keep an eyes on the companys activities. Competitive Review White Coffee 3-in-1 Classic by Old Town * Old Town kopitiam(coffee house) had 141 outlet in Malaysia and still growing (old town, 2010). * Rated as Malaysians favourite hang out place for its signature white coffee. * A perfect, smooth blend of original white coffee. Rich, creamy and aromatic, it has a heightened lingering mouth feel (Old Town, 2010). * 15 sticks in a Packet, RM12.90 * The famous Cameron Highland tea * Rated as Malaysias all time local favourite beverage. * Experience the robust, full-flavour of Boh Teh Tarik Kurang Manis with less sugar in each convenient sachet * 12 sachet in a packet for RM7.90 Oligo cereal (6 in 1) by PowerROOT * Nescafes main competitor for soluble coffee range * Cereal drink mixed with a fine blend ofoats,cereal,B-Glucan,Oligofructose, sugar and non-dairy creamer * 12 sachet in a packet for RM12.90 PEST analysis Nestlà ©s PEST Analysis (P)olitical * In support of the Governments efforts to combat non-communicable diseases in the country, Nestle collaborated with relevant NGOs to participate actively during the Nutrition Month Malaysia campaign to promote good nutrition in the community (Nestle, 2008). * Nestle is in full support of the Governments efforts to encourage healthier diets and active lifestyles to help counter problems associated with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We have made significant change to improve our products profile to complement the Governments efforts to create a healthier population (Nestle, 2008). (E)conomic * Flat domestic sales reflects slowdown in local economy and changes in consumer spending behaviour. (Nestle, 2009) * The weak market sentiments due to the global economic slowdown and changes in consumer spending behaviour (spending less and saving more), have some bearing to the Groups domestic business, which remained flat for the period under review. (Nestle, 2009) (S)ocial * Nestle was founded on social responsibility, sound human values and principles more than 140 years ago (Nestle, 2008). * Malaysias majority = Muslim. Consumers trust and confidence on quality and peace of mind for Muslim consumers (Nestle, 2008). * Our interest in Halal was borne out of social responsibility and respect for our Muslim employees and consumers, and today, we are beginning to appreciate the long-term investment we have made in manufacturing and marketing Halal products (Nestle, 2010). * Though it is a global brand, Nescafe is locally produced to meet the taste preferences of local consumers (Nestle, 2010). (T)echnology * Improve innovation technology and supplier development through Halal knowledge (Nestle, 2010) plus innovate renovate nutritious and healthier products using RD expertise (Nestle, 2008). * Every Nestle product undergoes as extensive RD process and a stringent quality standard before it is launched, because we value the trust that our consumers have in us (Nestle, 2008). * Nestle consumers all over the world benefit from world-class manufacturing facilities, the best private RD capability in food and nutrition, international quality and safety standards but with products catered to local preferences (Nestle, 2010). * Our global investment in RD clearly shows Nestlà ©s commitment in innovating and renovating products based on scientific evidence and trials (Nestle, 2008). SWOT Analysis (S)trengths (1) High market share ÃÅ" For instant, Nescafe commands 70 per cent market share in the coffee segment locally as the leader. (Don Howat, 2009) (2) Size, operational efficiency and financial power ÃÅ" Owns 7 factory and 6 sale office at Malaysia with one national distribution centre that involve exportation of Halal product to more than 40 countries. (Nestle, 2008) (3) Wide range of products ÃÅ" Nestlà © owns over 8500 brands and produce over 10,000 different products. (Nestle, 2008) (4) Ability to customize global product brand to local preferences ÃÅ" For example, markets more than 300 Halal products in market, to more than 40 countries. (Nestle, 2008) (5) Strong Research development ÃÅ" Have 24 Research Development centres worldwide and invest RM5 billions annually. (Nestle, 2008) (6) Halal policy ÃÅ" Helps in targeting Muslim by assuring them with all product is Halal and also attract non-Muslim customer at the same time. (Nestle, 2010) (W)eakness (1) Very narrow product line for beverages ÃÅ" Only promotes chocolate malt (milo), coffee (Nescafe) and milk beverage. (O)pportunity (1) New product discover (expanding product line) ÃÅ" The discover of New Nescafe Menu is a good example whereby it also help to expands the range of coffee under the Nescafe brand. In the future, they maybe will produce coffee candy in different flavour. (2) Changing of customer needs/tastes ÃÅ" For instant, customers have more awareness toward their health care and wish to have product that come with low sugar contain thus Nestle can introduces their products with low sugar contain to fulfil customers needs. (3) New technology ÃÅ" To improve the products quality by implementing the new technology and maintain their market share in the industry. (T)hreats (1) Economic downturn ÃÅ" Threaten profit margins and bottom-line. If the firm decides to cut cost, many people might lose their job and social responsibility is frequently put on hold. (Nestle,2008) (2) Entry of new competitor ÃÅ" For instant, the Starbucks also blends into the soluble coffee market with their signature premium coffee. Thus, Starbucks might affect the sales of Nescafe premium range product. Financial Analysis Financial analysis use and transformation of financial data into a form that can be used to monitor and evaluate the firms financial position, to plan future financing, and to designate the size of the firm and its rate of growth (allbusiness.com, 2010). Based on the 5 years statistics (appendix 2), it proved that the company is growing healthy from the year 2004 to 2008. In 2008 Nestle Malaysia post a turnover of RM3.9 billion (approximately) for the year ending 31 December 2008, which represents a 13.5 % growth over 2007. Profit before tax is increasing from year 2004 to 2008. However, the percentage of turnover which is rated as 11.6% in 2007 fall to 11.4% in 2008, due to heavy capital expenditure(which contributed to higher financing costs) (Nestle, 2009). With the implementation of lower tax expenses by government, Nestle (Malaysia) manage to nudge the profit margin after tax from 8.5% to 8.8%. According to Nestle (2009), the Board of Directors has recommended a final net dividend of 80 cent per share, giving a total net dividend proposed and declared for the financial year of 191.19 cent per share that represents a 68.0% increase compared to the previous period and hits the highest in the Groups history. From the balance sheet (appendix 3), we can see that the Nestle group and Nestle Malaysia are growing stronger and having a very positive view about their assets with the increments. Overall, the group have RM1,660,401,000 of asset while the company have RM1,110,879,000 of assets. Furthermore, it achieved a balance with their equity and liability that shows the company is healthy with strong financial. By observing the income statement (appendix 4), the company is making more profit (compared by year 2007 and 2008). Nestle Malaysia hits RM435,269,000 of revenue for 2008 which is higher than year 2007 by increase of RM75,116,000. For the Nestle group the gain approximately RM3.9 billion at 2008 and its better than the previous year with RM3.4 billion. The basic earnings per ordinary share (cent) for year 2008 is 145 while year 2007 is 125. It shows that currently the company is still doing well. Based on the cash flow statement (appendix 5), the available cash of the group and company is decreasing. It is because of the cash is used for heavy financing activities. Group 2008 RM000 Group 2007 RM000 Company 2008 RM000 Company 2007 RM000 Net cash from operating activities 555,972 290,657 401,005 226,134 Net cash from investing activities (185,696) (100,721) 28,219 21,667 Net cash used in financing activities (376,256) (214,094) (445,550) (234,505) Cash and cash equivalents at 31 Dec 25,690 31,670 1,042 17,368 Objectives 1st years objective (short term) Hoping to double our share (to reach 70 per cent of the total market) of the speciality coffee market by next year with the launch of New Nescafe Menu (Don Howat,2009) Catering to Malaysian tastes by offering a mix of drinks across different ranges and the new products add to the companys product portfolio of these ranges. (Don Howat,2009) See an increase in coffee consumption in Malaysia. (Don Howat,2009) Hope to change the perception that coffee is bad for health and educate consumer on the goodness of antioxidants contained in coffee. (Don Howat,2009) 2nd years objective (and long term objective) Improving current portfolio to ensure the products has more nutritious without affecting the taste (for example, less sugar, salt and fats). (Nestle, 2008) Maximise the use of good quality local raw materials. (Nestle, 2010) Creating and increasing consumers awareness on nutritional labelling, food safety and consumer rights to safe and quality food. (Nestle, 2008) Guarantee that all products manufactured, imported and distributed by Nestlà © Malaysia are certified HALAL by authorised Islamic certification bodies. (Nestle, 2010) Produce and sell world-class products of the highest consistent quality, reliability and convenience based on business excellence principles throughout our operations.(Nestle, 2010) Marketing Strategies Nescafe Menu utilizing the multiple segmentation bases which included of geographic, behaviour, and demographic segmentation. NESCAFÉMENUs Segmentation for Consumer Market Geographic Country Malaysia Country religion Asia Demographic Age 12 ― 65+ Gender Male and female Family size 1―5+ Family life circle Single/ married (with or without children) Income Upper low and above Occupation Students, working adult, housewives retired Religion Muslim(mainly), Hindu Buddhist Race Malay, Chinese, Indian others Nationality Malaysian Behavioural Occasions Regular Benefits Quality and convenience User status Potential user and regular user User rates Medium use Loyalty Status Strong and absolute Readiness stage Interested, desirous and intention of buying Attitude toward product Positive Table 3: NESCAFÉMENUs Segmentation for Consumer Market Adapt from Major Segmentation Variable for consumer markets by Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong (2010). Available at Principles of Marketing (13th edition) Chapter 7― Customer-Driven Marketing (Market Segmentation) page 217. Selective marketing (differentiated marketing) ― market-coverage strategy in which a firm decides to target several market segments with separated offers (Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong 2010). Nestle as leader of global food market applied selective targeting by differentiated their products to numbers of categories that means to target different customer. Categories of product Example of product Targeted customer (in general) ÃÅ" Coffee and Beverage ÃÅ" Nescafe / Milo ÃÅ" All range ÃÅ" Culinary Aids/ Prepared Foods ÃÅ" Maggi ÃÅ" Household, mainly teenager and university students. ÃÅ" Milks ÃÅ" Nespray/ Nesvita ÃÅ" Household ÃÅ" Liquid Drinks ÃÅ" Perrier ÃÅ" Upper middle range ÃÅ" Junior Foods ÃÅ" Nestle Baby Cereals ÃÅ" Parents with baby ÃÅ" Breakfast Cereals ÃÅ" Nestle Breakfast Cereals ÃÅ" Parents with children ÃÅ" Chilled Diary ÃÅ" Nestle Bliss/ Nespray Yogurt ÃÅ" Household ÃÅ" Ice-cream ÃÅ" Nestle ice cream / Drumstick ÃÅ" Parents with children ÃÅ" Chocolate and Confectionery ÃÅ" Kit-Kat / Smarties / Milkybar ÃÅ" All range ÃÅ" Healthcare Nutrition ÃÅ" Nutren Optimum / Fibre / Junior ÃÅ" Household ÃÅ" Performance Nutrition ÃÅ" POWERBAR Performance / Gel ÃÅ" Student working adult ÃÅ" Nestle Professional ÃÅ" Nestle Professional ÃÅ" Medium/ large Companies Table 3: Nestlà ©s products, brand name and their targeted customer. Adapted From Nestle in your life, our brands (Nestle, 2010) From http://www.nestle.com.my/Nestle+In+Your+Life/Our+Brands.htm Nescafe is a convenience product type of consumer product that consumers usually buy frequently, immediately, and with a minimum of comparison and buying effort. Normally low priced and marketers place them in many locations to make them readily available when customers need them (Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong, 2010). (a) Pricing Strategies Major base pricing strategies à ® Value-based pricing [Everyday low pricing (EDLP)]  § Set reasonably low price but still offer high quality products and adequate customer services. Prices are not the highest in the market nor are the lowest, consistent with the benefits and costs associated with acquiring the product.(O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008)  § For instant, Nestle(M) re-launched the everyday low price Nestle branded range of Take-Home Tubs with Hi calcium, in line with the Nestle corporate wellness initiatives, to further strengthen the leadership position in the affordable segment. (Nestle, 2008) à ® Competitive Matching Pricing strategy focuses on matching competitors prices and price changes. Although some firms may charge slightly more or slightly less, these firms set prices at what most consider to be the ‘going rate for the industry(O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Nestle set the Nescafe Menu according to the ‘going rate whereby market the 15-pack bags at the recommended retail prices of RM12.90 which is almost the same with the Old Towns white coffee (RM12.90) Strategies for adjusting à ® Promotion discounting Virtually all firms, even those using value-based pricing, will occasionally run special promotions or sales to attract customers and create excitement (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Nestle uses this strategy to attract new and old customer and increase their sales during promotion. à ® Reference pricing Firms use reference pricing when they compare the actual selling price to an internal or external reference price. All customer use internal reference prices or the internal expectation for what a product should cost. As consumers, our experiences have given us a reasonable expectation of how much to pay for the product (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). A pack of 15 pack-bags coffee cost above RM7.90 above and at the average price of RM11.50 to RM13.50 thus consumer expectation price also will be around that ‘reference price. (b) Product Strategies The launched of New Nescafe Menu is using product line extensions strategy by adding new flavours of coffee to Nescafe brand. These products supplement an existing product line with new styles, models, features or flavour and it allow the firm to keep its product fresh and exciting with minimal development cost and risk of market failure (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Product Strategies Branding strategy * Line extensions à ® It occurs when a company extends existing brand names to new forms, colours, sizes, ingredients, or flavours of an existing product category. (Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong, 2010) à ® In this scenario, Nescafe introduce the new Nescafe menu by proving three new flavour of coffee to meet consumer variety. Packing and labelling * Nescafe Menu used a simple design by implements the photo of beverages in the packing and picks the colour to suit the beverages. * A big and clear brand name is spot in the top of the packing. * 15-pack bags at the recommended retail prices of RM12.90 * Nescafe also provide 3 flavour in a box of 6-pack bags for consumer who want to have a try for all the flavour. Customer Support Service * According to O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline (2008), a firm may have difficulty differentiating its products when all products in a market have essentially the same quality, features, or benefits. In such cases, providing good customer support ― both before and after the sale helps in identifying and defining consumer needs. * Nestle provides the toll-free customer service line (1800 88 3433) in order to help them to know more about consumers needs and strengthen the current position. Product Life Cycle ― Nescafe Introduction stage i. Attracting customer by raising awareness of and interest in the product offering though advertising, public relation and publicity efforts that connect key product benefits to customers needs and wants (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). First, Nestle make the official launch for new product included Press conference then advertising their product through newspaper, radio and television. ii. Inducing customer to try and buy the product through the use of various sale tools and pricing activities (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Nestle conducts free testing section, gives free samples to customer at hypermarket and offers their product in cheaper price during the promotion of new launched product. iii. Furthermore, Nestle ensure there is high availability and visibility of the product through trade promotion activities that encourage channel (hypermarket, convenient store and etc) to stock and support the product (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Growth stage i. Nescafe has a strong branding, high quality with reasonable price to secure their market position. ii. Utilize advertising to stress the products benefits for target customer (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). iii. Maintain and control over product quality to ensure customer satisfaction (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). For example, Nestle collect the customers feedback through their customer service line and email. iv. Contact with key channel especially retailers to get a better shelf space that easily catch customers eyes. Maturity stage i. Nescafe manage to hold the 70% market share of the Malaysian market share with its soluble coffee ranges (Don Howat, 2009) ii. Nestle able to create cash flow and invest it for new products or technology to improve their companys portfolio. iii. At this stage, Nescafe also develop a new product image and apply the new technology to their products. (c) Distribution strategy Nestle uses the indirect marketing channel with intensive distribution that makes a product available in the maximum number of merchants or outlets in each area to gain as much exposure and as many sales opportunity as possible (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Multiple customer-marketing channel Adapted from Business (tenth edition)by William M. Pride, Robert J. Hughes, Jack R. Kapoor, 2009. Available at http://books.google.com.my/books?id=zb0cItqvLJUCpg=PT427dq=customer+marketing+channelhl=enei=PNa4S6_3I4SyrAfPpfXDCgsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=7ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg#v=onepageq=customer%20marketing%20channelf=false Nestlà © as the producer keep the product in their national distribution centre which is used as the main logistic function ― warehouse. Next, wholesaler represent hypermarket that gets the products for the agent (sales office) and then sell it to retailer and customer. (d) Promotion strategy Nestle applied the promotion mix as the promotion strategies. Nescafe use product advertising to promote the image, features, uses, benefits, and distribution of products (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). They present their advertising through television, radio, magazines, newspapers, outdoor display and the internet. Thus, consumers can have a look of the physical evidence of the product. Public relations can be referring to the process in the 7Ps of the marketing mix. It used to promote the firms, its people, its ideas, and its image and even to create an internal shared understanding among employees and can create specific images such as quality, innovativeness, value, or concern for social issues (O.C. Ferrell Michael D. Hartline, 2008). Nestle uses different methods such as press conferences, press releases and event sponsorship. For instant, Nescafe organizes press conferences and releases official press to announce the launch of the Nescafe Menu. Personal selling refers to personal presentation by the firms sales force for the purpose of making sales and building customer relationships. Sales people (as one of the 7Ps of marketing mix) will carry out the communication that attempts to inform customers about products and persuade them to purchase those products. Nestle uses the 6 sales offices and their employees to sell their products. Sales promotion direct towards consumers and trade is applied. Nestle gives sale promotion by giving out samples, point-of-purchase promotion and contests. For example, Nestle promotes different contests for their product seasonally to create excitement for consumers and increase the sales. Moreover, they offer trade allowance and selling incentives offered to an intermediarys sales force. Conclusion and recommendations In conclusion, Nestle group is a strong financial corporate and Nestle Malaysia is a Multinational company that have a bright future in exporting Halal product to more countries out of Asia. The ‘born of the new Nescafe Menu means a revolution of Nescafe beverages by offers local-styled coffee according to consumers needs. Furthermore, I discovered that Nestle do not have a brand that offers tea beverages as new line of product and attract non-coffee drinker to be Nestlà ©s consumer. Moreover, Nescafe ought to provide all their beverages in can so that it easy to carry to everywhere and enjoy it at anytime. As the awareness of health issues is rising rapidly in Malaysia, Nestle should provides their product with low sugar range or replace it with sugar cane which is more healthier compare to fine sugar. Lastly, Nestle should re-design their logo, label and packing as it rated as less attractive compare to its competitor. As the fast-development of multimedia, Nestle should fully utilize it in their packing and advertisement to suit the new generation. Reference Books and e-books Principle of Marketing 13th edition by Philips Kotler Gary Armstrong, 2010. United State of America, Pearson Prentice Hall. Marketing Strategy (global edition) 4th edition by O.C Farrell Michael D. Hartline ,2008. United State of America, Thomas South-Western. Business (tenth edition)by William M. Pride, Robert J. Hughes, Jack R. Kapoor, 2009. (Online) Available at http://books.google.com.my/books?id=zb0cItqvLJUCpg=PT427dq=customer+marketing+channelhl=enei=PNa4S6_3I4SyrAfPpfXDCgsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=7ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg#v=onepageq=customer%20marketing%20channelf=false [accessed at 20th March 2010] Introduction to marketing conceptsBy Graeme Drummond, John Ensor, fifth edition

Community Management of Toyota Owner Club

Background Technology takes part in the development of human being, especially information and technology. It creates globalization in almost every sector of economy, politics, education, and culture in almost every country. Technology makes information almost borderless and simplifies the customer source of information but on the other hand makes the market analysis grow more sophisticated and also creates the need of improvement in knowledge to understand the marketing model to cope with the dynamic improvement of technology.Marketing as knowledge to describe â€Å"what-who-when-where-why-and how† to the market works describe in 3 main issue which is ; 1. Product management 2. Customer management 3. Brand management That is all learnt by marketeers so corporates could generate the demand of production continually time after time and surviving in the market. The problem nowadays is when the company’s marketing slowly has less effect on customer due to a lack of trust o r the obsolete company methods used in today’s shifting market, companies needs to be more ease and open to new, necessary information so it could be disseminated to their customers.Social media and information portal, easily accessed by those who need current information and recommendations, is more preferrable to the consumer. A research said that 90% of customers are sure about recommendations his/her friend gave them and 70% of customers are sure about opinions on the internet. graph 1 Degree of Trust for company advertisement (April 2009, the Nielsen Company) Somehow it is a phenomenon that less of consumers are convinced of company’s advertisements and shifted to another form of â€Å"advertisement† which is what we call recommendation by acquintances.It is an oopportunity for companies to take advantage of a community or group of loyal customers as an information pipeline to attract customers and prospected customers. It is what we know as word of mouth, which the dissemination of information is not massive but specified and spread in high speed thus making it unstoppable. To companies, above the line (ATL) advertising should not only be the main focus and main budget spent to market their product information and create the willingness to buy, companies also should convince the potential customer by developing the methods of effective below the line (BTL) advertising effective-efficient.Community involvement in this BTL aactivity is one of the activations in horizontal marketing. How to do that is develop a company that has marketing orientation from a precious concept (main issue of marketing explained above) into new concept of horizontal marketing which contains; 1. Co Creation 2. Communitization 3. Character building The point in communitization is explaining the relationship between the company and the consumers with a community between them. Godin Seth in his book â€Å"Tribal† concludes that successful companies have t he support from the community.It explains that consumers intend to be more connected with other costumers rather than with the company. Here is great oopportunity if companies understand what its consumers want and take the appropriate action by accomodating consumers in a community or enter the existing community and give the company's influence there. A company needs to help consumers connect to their community so the influence has more power to persuade the following marketing effort. Fourier and Lee explain that consumers themselves would choose where they belong on the following type of connection : 1.Pools : here is where consumers are real brand fans and event hough they did not interact directly with other consumers in a community they would still be â€Å"brand evangelists† and strengthen brand power. 2. Webs : the consumer has one-on-one interraction, it is typically consumers who connect with each other on social media. They spread information and influence in one- on-one interaction but usually also affects other group members. 3. Hubs : A hub connection needs a leader, the trend setter and figure who brings another consumer (follower) into the network and these consumers will move around the leader and create a loyalty of brand.We might agree that a community is developed not to serve the business but to serve their members which attracts loyal consumers. But this indirect relationship does not mean the company has no intention, the company needs to maintain in effective-efficient way so marketing effort will not be a waste but instead succeed slowly but sure, the company builds the building blocks of a consumer’s trust and loyalty, and the community has significant role in it. 1. 2Problem Formulation For the background has been explained before, authors have researched the question to be developed as mentioned below : 1.What sre Toyota Owner Club’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in its current position ? 2. How Toyota explains the frame work and milestones in this community management process ? 1. 3Research Objectives This research is done pursuing the explanation of problem found and set objectives as shown below : 1. Identifying Toyota Owner Club has strength, weaknesses, oopportunity, and threat 2. Giving suggestion of current community management process has frame work and milestone 1. 4Research scope Author has scope in this research are ; 1.Research conducted while doing industrial training in PT Toyota-Astra Motors (Head Office, Jalan Yos Sudarso – Sunter II Jakarta 14330) in Marketing Division- Marketing Communication Departement, Event Section. 2. Information provided is infromation from author has observation, discussion, and primary and secondary data from industrial training period. 3. This research is not for profit and conducted as author has suggestion to the management, event section of PT Toyota-Astra Motors. 1. 5Internship Objectives This internship itself were conduct more than doing research are also to achieve these objectives ;

Persuasive Writing: Bio Chip Technology Essay

Abstract This paper focuses on the controversial subject of the human biochip through science and technology. I do not discuss the ‘Mark of the Beast’ aspect or any religious side to the topic. Some of the biochip’s first uses are explored before a possible future scenario is played out; a few points of concern are addressed and then you are introduced to Professor Kevin Warwick. I then explain how the biochip is in use today mainly as an identification device and what some possible future uses may be, such as a source of information. The paper concludes with a comparison of peoples’ feelings concerning new technology through time. Keywords: biochip, Professor Kevin Warwick A great many things are considered controversial: the death penalty, animal testing, adoption, abortion, genetic engineering, and cloning are only a few of the many subjects out there that people argue about. The biochip is an ever growing controversy that is taking many scientific and technological leaps. Though the biochip has proven beneficial in helping scientists monitor protein levels and root out cancerous cells in the human body, it has a different facet I will currently be focusing on; as an identification and a potential information device. The first use for the biochip was monitoring fisheries in the early 1980’s; it quickly moved to tagging pets, luggage, and monitoring mailed packages. Some chips are already in use in children’s backpacks and are a feature on some cellular phones, which enables parents to know where their child is at any given point in time. But the real controversy on this topic comes in with people’s concern about Big Brother. There are many misconceptions made about the biochip; some people may think that if they have one they can be found anywhere on the globe by satellite, everything about them can be found out in seconds, and that they will be controlled by the chip somehow. These statements are all untrue. The chip is so small it is only able to contain one alpha numeric series of digits to identify the holder of the chip; it doesn’t carry your name, your pin number, what car you drive, your address or anything other than the identification number. It doesn’t have enough power or range to be read or tracked by satellite. It can only be read by a scanner and only from a distance of two to twelve inches. And it in no way controls what people think or do; this concern mainly comes from conspiracy theorists. Try to imagine, you’re shopping with your kids in a large store and you turn your back for one second. The next thing you know, your youngest child is no longer with you. Through the gut wrenching panic you register the fact that there are hundreds of people around, and any one of them could have taken your child without so much as a pause in their step. Now imagine that as you entered the store, there were scanners set up at the entrance that scanned everyone as they passed. Knowing this, all you have to do is alert security about your child’s absence and they will make sure your child is still in the store. What a relief knowing that your child can be found anywhere that has a scanner to read a biochip. This scenario is still a few decades in the future, but seeing the benefits of such technology is easy. However, some downsides need to be taken into consideration as well. Say you or your child were kidnapped, what would stop the kidnapper from removing the biochip themselves to keep you or your child from being found? To keep that from happening, the biochip would have to be inserted under general anesthesia just to keep the chip safe from removal. But this process in itself is another concern; many people don’t agree with the thought of being ‘tracked’ in the first place; why would them being unconscious as the chip was placed make them feel any better? Even though many concerns can be quieted by the fact that no more information can be stored on the biochip than an identification number, who’s to say that will be the case in the future? With technology booming like it is, the next likely step in the biochip’s technology is to store more information on it. Soon, it may not be necessary to remember your car keys, your driver’s license, your social security number, or your ATM card. Before long it may be as easy as walking into a room for the lights to come on, the television to change channels, or the radio the change stations. We already see subtle changes in the way information is stored. Smart cards are used with more regularity, there are chips in breast implants, pacemakers, artificial limbs, and artificial retinas, even paraplegics have had silicon brain implants able to control computers. Professor Kevin Warwick of the University Of Reading, England is the first human biochip implant recipient. â€Å"On 20 April 1998, Professor Warwick had a glass capsule about 23 millimeters long and 3 millimeters wide†¦inserted in his left arm. The chip, in conjunction with computer equipment in his house, turns lights on and off when he enters and exits (a) room, and gives him a spoken, running tally of the mail in his email box. The chip merely sends out an identifying signal†¦but (it) is still a step forward since his body has not rejected the foreign matter.† (Mamatas 2002). It may be another decade before technology like Professor Warwick’s becomes an everyday item for everyday people, but it is easy to see how it may be as essential to us in the future as cell phones and computers are today. There are many uses and qualities in a biochip and they are already widely used in a vast number of applications: tracking cell phones, tagging pets, monitoring waste output in garbage bins in the UK, and the pharmaceutical companies are even starting to do research with the biochip technology to monitor protein levels. The next step seems to be human biochip implantation. (Chu 2005) When you compare the hesitance people felt at the thought of the social security number when it was first introduced in 1935, you can see the similarity in the concern people feel about the biochip technology today. I believe the use of this technology can be a great asset to our society and way of life no matter what application is set to use. From identification to medical research, the benefits of the biochip technology far outweigh the few possible downsides worrying people now. References Chu, Wai Lang (2005). Preclinical Research, Biochip Technology Redefines Drug Discovery, Retrieved 12/16/2010 from, http://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Preclinical-Research/Biochip-technology-redefines-drug-discovery Mamatas, Nick (2002). Not Found, Kevin Warwick: Cyborg Professor, Retrieved 12/16/2010 from, http://old.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id174/pg1/index.html The University Of Reading: Professor Kevin Warwick. Retrieved 12/18/2010 from, http://www.kevinwarwick.com/index.asp

Contemporary Racism Essay Example

Contemporary Racism Essay Example Contemporary Racism Paper Contemporary Racism Paper Dear Mr. Smith, It was a great pleasure speaking with you on the plane ride back to Chicago. However, we didnt get the chance to finish our conversation about minority relations. I disagree with your claim that the playing field is level and if people dont succeed, it is their own fault. Through this letter, I wish to prove to you that racial oppression still persists today through examples of â€Å"Laissez Faire† racism and how you can make a difference regarding this issue. Racial oppression persists today through the legacy of our history. First, individual beliefs on white superiority from the past have passed down through generations, manifesting in the form as white privilege, an example of individual racism in which the perception of race is created from one’s own cultural lens. White privilege is an unconscious and invisible form of racism in which whites do not realize they have racial privileges. They do not ask for it nor choose to keep it but it nonetheless comes with birth and their natural white skin color. Although some may acknowledge race, they may ignore the existing racial hierarchy in society as they naturally enjoy many benefits like economic opportunities. White privilege is important because it labels non-whites as victims, holds white people more accountable, helps whites understand their invisible superiority and integrate into white norms when there should be interracial integration. Second, the self-perpetuating cycle of negative racial stereotyping continues to drive racial oppression. A majority of whites are unaware and ignorant of these persistent negative racial stereotypes that remain in their attitudes. These stereotypes impact behavior subconsciously and are intensified by fear and power, making it into a vicious cycle that is less likely to break and be challenged. Whites enjoy power and may feel threatened when minorities rise in power or threaten them through terrorist attacks, creating instances with racial profiling, hate crimes, etc. This cycle explains why it is difficult for some people to move past racism in his or her lifetime. Lastly, institutional racism demonstrates racial oppression from legacy of our history. Institutional racism is embedded in political, social and economic structure and if its effects are magnified, consequences are widely spread out and repetitive. The intentions of individuals in this case do not matter as it is carried on through society over generations. Such racism provides automatic advantages for whites, who were born to be ahead in the four stages of life including socioeconomic status, education, work, and legacy. This is especially due to the current growing wealth gap as the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, making it difficult for minorities to climb beyond their ascribed status. As people accumulate wealth through inheritance, investments, average family income, and home ownership, etc. minorities as a result have to work harder to achieve the same level of success as whites. The theory of laissez-faire racism encompasses the prominent ideology regarding contemporary racism and was coined by Dr. Lawrence Bobo. This more subtle and hands-off form of racism still continues to highlight the current problem of racial oppression in the United States (US) through the following conclusions. First, available data suggests that the US experienced a positive transformation in attitudes regarding racial relations. Yet, despite this change in attitude, there is no change in behavior and racial discrimination still remains a barrier for minorities in the American institution. As a result, race is used as a device to divide and mobilize voters at the local, state and national levels. In other words, believing the ideology of equal opportunities, personal responsibility and the â€Å"playing field is level† for minorities does not mean discrimination no longer exists. It simply demonstrates the lack of awareness and failure to accept the persisting existence of racial oppression, as society is unwilling to enforce and implement these new attitudes through action. Some examples of racial inequities that persist as a result of laissez-faire racism are evident through home ownership, health disparities and the disproportionate incarceration of young men of color. Although minorities have access to home ownership like everyone else, they still encounter discrimination in their efforts to rent, buy, finance or ensure a home, which has significant financial benefits. Most minorities do not accumulate wealth through inheritance, investments and home ownership like most whites do. As a result, they struggle to secure a house because they are less financially sophisticated. For example, some houses are available for white families and not black families. Banks charge higher interests and are also more reluctant to give loans to those that live in black neighborhoods, also known as the redline area. In addition, although whites want to live in diverse and predominantly white neighborhoods, laissez-faire racism prevents residential desegregation and white flight can still occur. The available medical programs available for society like Medicaid and health care distorts the reality that minority families receive the full medical care they need, creating health disparities between different races. For example, whites live an average of five to seven years longer than blacks. Studies have also shown that people residing in the richest zip codes live up to 90 years and those residing in the poorest zip codes live up to 57 years. Regardless of income, all African Americans suffer higher blood pressure and the women on average have high mortality rates. These health problems are due to environmental factors and the effects of laissez-faire racism. For example, segregated neighborhoods with minorities struggle to attain health care, private amenities and basic resources like healthy food, medicine, medical facilities and doctors. If there are doctors, lack of cultural competence is common in which these doctors, mostly white, can mistake illnesses or oversee an African American exclusive disease. There may also be a language barrier, as doctors may not know how to speak the language and carry negative stereotypes. Health care is available but only for those who are able to afford it. The disproportionate incarceration of young men of color is another example of laissez-faire racism. Although anyone can be caught committing a crime, incarceration rates are much higher for people of color as 80% of the people in prison are African American or Latino. Minorities are easily victims, as those that have the power to sentence punishment like the police and courts consists of mainly whites. For example, the stop and frisk policy gives police officers chance to look up if anyone had possession of any drugs and minorities, and African Americans are especially targeted. Disproportionate incarceration rates occur because blatant racism still exists; there is persistence of negative racial stereotypes; institutional practices or policies have great outcomes and the presence of economic incentives. Disproportionate incarceration can also have negative impacts including stereotyping victims for life, stripping their rights to vote, and banning them to live in public housing, receive welfare payments and public assistance. The statistic that young men with criminal records are more likely to be hired than young black men without criminal records shows that these victims would forever struggle to find mployment opportunities. These impacts influence the community, as there will be fewer positive role models for children and create a sense of hopelessness among these victims in finding a bright future. You mentioned in our conversation that you are interested in using a significant portion of your wealth for a socially responsible purpose. Well, I have sev eral ideas you can consider. In regard to health disparities, you can build better facilities like hospitals and clinics in poor neighborhoods with high minority population. As I mentioned before, these neighborhoods lack basic necessities like food, sanitation and medicine. By building these facilities, you would help this community gain easy access to whatever they need, increase their exposure and awareness to biological education and health and reduce the wealth gap. Another idea is to invest your money on leaders or influential figures who support and promote racial equality. Their popularity and presence through the media can stir sympathy, empathy and transformation insight to understand racial oppression. Depending on your interests, you can invest in a person or an event to increase minority representation in any field including politics, business or the media industry. In politics, you could fund for the political campaigns politicians like senators and representatives who have major roles in policy-making. Or, you could aim even higher and invest in the presidential campaign. Presidential leadership has a strong impact on nature of racism as it can impact laws that are designed to create level playing field. For example, Lyndon B Johnson’s attitude towards the importance of extoling importance of affirmative action and overcoming racial discrimination had a strong impact on society. As the first African American President, Obama instilled faith and hope for African American representation in the high-class society or workforce. The attitudes and values of the president are reflected in his administration, as he would appoint prominent positions like ambassadors and Supreme Court judges to people with similar goals as him. Besides politics, you can also invest in minority singers, movie actors or actresses. Some talented people lack the opportunity to show their talent but you could be their agent and help them gain the attention and representation they deserve. However, you must be aware of the tokenistic fallacy, which guarantees total equality in society if there is an anomaly such as eliminating racial discrimination towards African Americans with Obama as president. Nonetheless, it does help to gain more minority representation in all areas of the workforce as these people in powerful positions can influence others and increase their support and empathy for minorities. My last suggestion is to increase educational programs that promote diversity and provide more chances for people of different races to interact and integrate into one culture. In specific regards to disproportionate incarceration of men of color, you could invest in better education of police officers on race, class and gender dimension of their kind of work, racial and ethnic sensitivity training to reduce street level how officer perceives and how they can not use quotas to get men of color. You can also educate doctors that work in segregated communities about misdiagnosis and medical differences to avoid cultural competence. You can also plan interactive and fun events and activities in less integrated neighborhoods to promote interracial interaction. Such events can include celebrations of Black History Month in October or Asian Pacific Islander Awareness Month in April that all aim to educate society about a culture and its history. By exposing the cultures of different races, you would be able to spread and gain awareness of cultural diversity. Studies have shown that the degree of change in racial values depends on where and what type of community one grew up in. If grew up in a diverse community, then one has a more open-minded attitude. If one grew up in a homogeneous community, attitude is less progressive. Thus, we must aim to create more diverse communities by encouraging interracial interactions. Your efforts will make a great impact, as generations over time will become more open-minded, progressive and diverse. You can promote attitudinal change within a generation and from generation to generation. Racial oppression will diminish over time as people become less racist. In conclusion, I hope my letter informed you more about the current issues of racism that have not yet been fully resolved. You have the potential to make a great difference in the community at large. Consider my proposals and make a smart choice. Best, Helena Wu

Identifying the Most Common Hardwood Trees

Identifying the Most Common Hardwood Trees Hardwoods or broadleafs  are trees  classed as angiosperms or plants with ovules enclosed for protection in an ovary. When appropriately watered on good fertile sites or fed  in the landscape with a special tree fertilizer mix, these ovules will rapidly develop into seeds. The  seeds then drop from trees as acorns, nuts, samaras, drupes and pods. Hardwoods have either simple or compound leaves. Simple leaves can be further divided into lobed and unlobed. Unlobed leaves may have a smooth edge (such as a magnolia) or a serrated edge (such as an elm). The most common North American tree is the red alder. It has oval-shaped leaves and a reddish-brown bark. They can grow as tall as 100 feet and are found mostly in the western United States and Canada. Difference Between Hardwood and Broadleaf Broadleaf  trees can be evergreen or they can persist in dropping their leaves over the entire  winter. Most are  deciduous and lose all their leaves over a short annual fall drop. These leaves can be either simple (single blades) or they can be​ compound with leaflets attached to a leaf stem. Although variable in shape, all hardwood leaves have a distinct network of fine veins. Here is a quick leaf identification key of the common hardwoods in North America. Hardwood: Trees with broad, flat leaves as opposed to coniferous or needled trees. Wood hardness varies among the hardwood species, and some are actually softer than some softwoods.Deciduous Perennial plants which are normally leafless for some time during the year.Broadleaf: A tree with leaves that are broad, flat and thin and generally shed annually. Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood The texture and density of the wood a tree produces puts it in either the hardwood or softwood category. Most hardwood trees are deciduous trees, which lose their leaves annually, like elm or maple. Softwood comes from a conifer (cone-bearing) or evergreen trees, such as pine or spruce. Ron Biedenbach / EyeEm / Getty Images The wood from hardwood trees tends to be harder because the trees grow at a slower rate, giving the wood its greater density. Most Common Hardwoods Unlike the conifers or softwood firs, spruce and pines, hardwood trees have evolved into a broad array of common species. The most common species in North America are oaks, maple, hickory, birch, beech and cherry. Forests, where a majority of their trees drop leaves at the end of the typical growing season, are called deciduous forests. These forests are found worldwide and are located in either temperate or tropical ecosystems. Deciduous trees, like oaks, maples, and elms, shed their leaves in the fall and sprout new ones every spring Common North American Hardwood List Here are some of the most common hardwood trees found in North America, along with their scientific names. ash  - Genus  Fraxinus  beech  - Genus  Fagus  basswood  - Genus Tilia  birch  - Genus  Betula  black cherry  Ã‚  - Genus  Prunus  black walnut/butternut  - Genus  Juglans  cottonwood  Ã‚  - Genus  Populus  elm  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Ulmus  hackberry  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Celtis  hickory  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Carya  holly  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  IIex  locust  - Genus  Robinia  and  Gleditsia  magnolia  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Magnolia  maple  - Genus  Acer  oak  - Genus  Quercus  poplar  Ã‚  - Genus  Populus  red alder  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Alnus  royal paulownia  Ã‚  - Genus  Paulownia  sassafras  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Sassafras  sweetgum  - Genus  Liquidambar  sycamore  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Platanus  tupelo  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Nyssa  willow  Ã‚  - Genus  Ã‚  Salix  yellow-poplar  - Genus  Liriodendron japatino / Getty Images

Performance Management Master Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Performance Management Master - Essay Example The performance of an individual should be assessed after a regular interval so that the desired behavior could be maintained. This will also help the organization to satisfy the needs and the aspirations of the individual by providing him more facilities, improved working conditions and career advancement. We differ in our abilities as judges, largely because of differences in rules of judgement. No only do we judge one another but we are sensitive to the fact that others are always judging us (Ahuja, 2005, p.120). We are aware that our acceptability to others can be strongly affected by our ability to sense correctly what others think of us. The fundamental human experience of appraisal action feed - back, and reappraisal also conditions the behavior of individuals within the organization. In simple words, performance management is a systematic evaluation of the individual with respect to his performance on the job and his potential for development. Performance management is concerned with determining the differences of performance among the employees working in the organization. One important benefit of the Performance evaluation system is that it helps top management to make further judgements about the executives who judge others. The top management can get a sense from the various performance appraisals, about the various departments of the organization and also the need of executive development in the years to come. Performance management helps the supervisors to evaluate the performance and to know the potentials of their subordinates systematically and periodically. (Yvonne, 1999, p.124) Following are the benefits of performance management: (a) It helps in the correct placement of workers. (b) Performance management helps in guiding and correcting employees. (c) It helps the employees to know where they stand and consequently they try to improve their performance. (d) The performance management helps to find out the ability of the personnel. This will stimulate them to better their performance in a bid to improve their rating over others. (e) Performance management helps in designing the training programme in better way. (f) The performance management if done scientifically and systematically will prevent grievances and develop a sense of confidence

Module 1 Case Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Module 1 Case Assignment - Coursework Example It has a high market vision of a sustainable future implying that the coming generation will be in a world regarding creativity, variety and choice at heart. Businesses will enhance human and biological community’s integrity. Various institutions will be held accountable for their operations. In addition, it will be a world that honors education with the freedom to exchange ideas. Whole food faces strategic issues in both economy and competition. From the initial stages of being a one-store, it has grown to $8 billion a year corporation. Statistics indicates that as of 2008 (Quinn, 2012). The company is reputable in high-quality standard foods, Ethical relations like fair trading activities, choice of the product, premium services like cooking lessons and other related information like the use of labels and recipes. In addition, the customer services are duly executed where trust and confidence inbuilt; lastly the external information like information about the products is up to date (Pfeffer & Veiga, 1999). In several instances, the consumers have felt that the company is honest, approachable, and transparent in its operations. The retail environment is trustworthy and feels that it’s the only supermarket to shop in. The final result has been strong loyalty between clients and the brand (Veiga, 1999). It usually begins with whole foods, a whole people, and the whole planet. However, the holistic approach and declaration of independence becomes the top, followed by environment and sustainability, Health and Nutrition, Ethical development of the business and finally development in social aspect (Quinn, 2012). Persons from diverse social aspect form part of the audience to the supermarket. There is a range of customers, but the key ones are working parents between the age 30 and 50 preferably women, Professionals are not left behind and lastly the city dwellers. It is, however, important to note that it is not easy to become green. As the