Impact of Foreign Direct Investment in an Emerging Market Dissertation

Impact of Foreign Direct Investment in an Emerging Market - Dissertation Example This study will adopt a rational position in evaluating the impacts that FDI flows towards emerging economies, and this will be holistic in order to establish the impacts in either positive dimensions or negative dimensions.  This paper has the main objective as being to measure the impacts of FDI in developing countries in general (without particular preference towards any country in particular). This discussion stresses that there are various and distinct methods that researchers employ while conducting such a research study as the current one. In this section, methodology will be used to refer to the systematic processes that will be adopted in conducting this study for data collection analysis and derivation of qualitative conclusions in answering the lead questions identified. It is however worth noting that research methods are part of the methodologies in any research study. The basis of choosing the various methods that are applied in this study is on first investigating literature through reviewing the methods that have been used in the past while studying the topic of such a related theme. This study notes that many of the past studies on FDI in emerging economies have been done through qualitative and deductive methodologies. This study also adopts a qualitative deductive methodology in analyzing the information presented through the literature reviewed for testing of the hypothesis guiding the study and effectively answering the questions posed for this study.

Definitions of Beauty Essay Example for Free

Definitions of Beauty Essay What makes a woman beautiful? Today our society has turned beauty into something that is unrealistic. Many are familiar with features that classify a woman as beautiful such as having a pretty face, flawless skin, skinny figure and sparkling eyes. However, each of us has our own perception of beauty. Everyone has different tastes. We have certain features that we like and dislike, which makes it difficult to define what beauty truly is. If we cannot agree on what traits define beauty, then how can a woman discover their own? The problem is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this is never more true than seen over time and between different cultures.   Over time, our concept of beauty seems to fluctuate. Sometimes favoring rather heavy individuals and at other times very skinny ones.The beauty concept on this way are often corresponding to the way looks correlate with wealth. For example, during eras when food was scarce, excess flesh was seen as a sign of wealth and therefore of beauty. However, today, with fattening food cheap and plentiful, being thin is a sign of someone who has the time to eat right and exercise, and therefore is a sign of wealth, with obesity looked upon as a sign of lower economic status. In different cultures, parts of the body may be purposefully exaggerated in the name of beauty, the effects of which might even seem strange to those of another culture. Western Eastern beauty concept†¦ In the West, we have a very fixed idea of what beauty comprises. To have a chance of being considered beautiful, women must be tan, tall, slim, and youthful, have large breasts small waists and have long hair. There is a Western influence felt today by civilizations. The entertainment and media industries in Europe and America have become experts in presenting and promoting a fixed definition of beauty to the world. For the Eastern, in many Southeast Asian countries, the fairness of skin is considered to be a definition of beauty. Unlike their European and American counterparts, who sometimes work hard to develop a tan, girls from these countries work to avoid any extra coloring. To them, dark skin suggests generations of agricultural work under a hot sun, which means a low or common status. Another mark of beauty in some areas of Asia is having large eyes. Because of this, and a desire to stand out, it is not uncommon for Asian women to undergo surgery to make their eyes appear larger and have Caucasian-looking eyelids.

The Five Factor Model Of Personality Essays -- Psychology essays resea

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The precise definition of personality has been a point of discussion amongst many different theorists within many different disciplines since the beginning of civilization. Personality can be defined as "the distinctive and characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that define an individual's personal style and influence his or her interactions with the environment" (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith & Bem, 1993: 525). It can be proposed that personality psychology has two different tasks. "The first involves specifying the variables on which individuals differ from one another. The second involves synthesizing the psychological processes of human functioning into an integrated account of the total person" (Atkinson et al., 1993: 532). There are many different theories of personality and many different theorists. The purpose of this essay is to examine the trait approach, specifically the five-factor model. Both the development and limitations of the Five-Factor model of personality shall be discussed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Trait theory is based on several assumptions. The first assumption is that any difference between people that is seen as significant will have a name. Secondly, these names, known as traits, are conceived of as continuous dimensions. In general, trait theories assume that people vary simultaneously on a number of personality factors. These traits are of both the conjunctive and disjunctive form. Therefore, to understand a trait, it is necessary to understand what a particular trait is and what type of behaviour is evidence of that trait. (Atkinson et al., 1993). Five factor theorists are one set of trait theorists. The claim of five factor theorists is that behaviour can be best predicted and explained by measurement of five dominant personality factors. The five factor theory is a fairly recent proposal and has its basis in earlier work, which shall be discussed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the statistical techniques most commonly used in the study of personality is that of factor analysis: By identifying groups of highly intercorrelated variables, factor analysis enables us to  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  determine how many underlying factors are measured by a set of original variables. In other words, factor analysis is used to uncover the factor structure of a set of variables. (Diekhoff, 1992: 333) A factor analysis will generally show t... ...ratings, the big five model is extremely useful. If the purpose of the field is also to investigate observers' attributions about individual differences the five- factor model is less significant. If the study of personality aims to emphasise the whole person and the dynamic nature of personality, the model seems to be only of minor concern. As such, from the view of "multifaceted personology, the five-factor model is one model in personality... not the model of personality" (McAdams, 1992: 355).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, the support and criticisms of the five factor model are not as black and white as would be hoped. Each argument has logical reasoning and can provide evidence to support itself. Each view also has a large number of supporters. Neither one is necessarily correct, as it is possible for the model to be applicable at some stages, and not applicable at others. As a result, it is probable and acceptable to conclude that the five factor theory may or may not be an appropriate model of personality. Perhaps a comparison of how much supporting literature there is for each argument is a useful method for deciding which theory an individual may choose to support.

Brand Positioning of Maruti Suzuki

MARUTI SUZUKI – BRAND POSITIONING By: Shweta Amin [ Market Research Analyst ] on  February 13, 2011 1 Comment What comes to your mind first when u come across the term ‘MARUTI SUZUKI’, it always absolutely has to be Maruti 800, best known as ‘The Middle class car of India’. BRAND IMAGE:- MARUTI from as a brand itself is seldom looked at, as a luxury brand. Maruti as a brand is more linked with the SEC B rather than A. And over past many years Maruti Has maintained and up till certain extent restricted its Target Market to same SEC’s.VARIOUS MODELS OF MARUTI SUZUKI IN MARKET:- Hatchback: – Maruti 800, Wragon R, Alto, Swift, Estilo, Ritz, A-star Sedan: – SX4 & Dzire. SUV:- Grand Vitara, Maruti Gypsy, EECO This is quite evident that Maruti Suzuki is leading in its variety of ‘Hatchback’ cars. These for all this while were targeting the group of people who are middle incomed, but Maruti Suzuki has slowly entered and is steadily growing into the category of ‘Sedan’ Vehicles. REMARKABLE GROWTH:-If we observe Maruti as a brand over the years we can note a remarkable phenomena or strategy from their growth in past years. * It first became popular n still is with its launch of Maruti 800 many years back. They targeted middle income groups, who were first time car buyers, looking for low ownership cost with basic need of a family vehicle and the price was approx 2lacs. * After this they never looked back. Then came the other various hatchback models of Maruti like Zen, Wragon, and Alto etc.These Cars again targeted the middle income groups, but this time the positioning was not as the basic need, it was comfort at comparatively lower price, of 4 – 5 lacs. * Then putting Yet another Step forward, they came into Sedan’s with a price of 8-9 lacs these Sedans targeted SEC A as well as B(up till a certain extent) MARUTI KIZASHI The most recent development from Maruti Suzuki is the Launch of ‘Maruti Kizashi’. It has been positioned as the sports sedan; it is fairly high on cost with a Price of approx 17 to 19 Lacs.This Sedan is targeted towards the SEC A with a luxury touch to it. By this way, Maruti Suzuki is now able to target and provide a solution to various types of car buyers, who basically are the different targeted groups according to its Database. Maruti Suzuki seems to have efficiently planned and structured to connect its brand to masses as not only an ‘Economic Brand’ but also a ‘Luxury Brand’ turning it into an all-rounder. It will be interesting to see the consumers’ reaction to this change in the Brand Image of their one of most trusted brands

Drug Test Benefits

Recent increases in the use of illegal drugs and problems related to that use have raised a variety of public health and safety concerns. These concerns have led many to propose drug testing as one of the best ways to combat the proliferation of drug use. Although the focus is testing for drugs, it is worth noting that similar calls for increased testing has risen due to the spread of HIV and the threat it poses to those exposed to it. Clearly, these public health and safety concerns conflict with privacy claims of those being targeted for testing. Nevertheless, many view the public safety threat as serious enough to override completely any individual privacy interests. Indeed, public opinion polls indicate that there is widespread support for a variety of testing programs, even those that are random and mandatory. Although drug abuse should not be tolerated in the workplace, care must be taken to limit the extent to which drug testing intrudes on people=s privacy. The idea is to use the technology carefully, with adequate justification, and with enough safeguards and precautions to ensure that testing is done thoughtfully and responsibly. Both the government and private business argue that they have a significant interest in testing citizens and employees for a variety of reasons. First, they can fight the Adrug [email  protected] by weeding out users and stopping drug use. Second, they can ensure safety by revealing conditions that pose a serious threat to co-workers or the public. Third, they test employees so they can maintain a fully responsive and effective workforce. Fourth, they can identify those who will be unable to work in the future. Fifth, it will help reduce the cost of employee health care plans. Finally, drug testing will help maintain public confidence in the integrity and trustworthiness of their operations. Many insurance agencies argue that testing is necessary because it fundamentally causes the healthier employees to pay higher premiums to cover the costs of the coverage for those who are at greater risk levels. All of these arguments provide strong reasons to consider drug testing. In some industries, such as health care and transportation, even casual drug or alcohol use can result in not only increased costs, but also in lawsuits and loss of life. Even if the employee is not chemically dependent, a spouse or family member using drugs or alcohol can mean missed work, extensive personal phone calls and increased dependent medical benefits. Supreme court justice Antonin Scalia found drug testing to be an invasion of privacy and a practice of A needless indignity. @ He states that if a blood test is used, it involves puncturing the skin. If a urinalysis is utilized, the sample must sometimes be gained under direct observation to guard against drug-free substitutions and falsification of results. He feels that there are more effective methods of identifying drug users. For example, a daily observation of moods, behavior, and productivity, can detect drug use and be dealt with immediately. Many employees feel that implementing a drug testing program will prove to the lack of trust between the employer and employee. They feel that this will cause high turnover rates from year to year. It will also lower employee morale and effectiveness while on the job. These problems could be avoided by just utilizing the observance plan mention earlier. Opponents of drug testing also focuses on the limitations of the testing procedures, arguing that the tests are highly inaccurate. One worry is the sensitivity of the tests. Many types of tests procedure inaccurate, innocent parties will be harmed because most tests produce a large number of false positive results, indicating that there has been drug use when there has actually been none. Such false positive results can rise from the use of medications, passive inhalation of marijuana smoke, or the technology employed for many drug tests. Drug testing opposers cite the human error of lab personnel that further implicates the accuracy of results The first two cases on drug testing to reach the Supreme Court were argued in 1988. From the decisions issued the following year, it is clear that the court held that urine tests are a significant intrusion into a fundamentally private domain. Since then, every court that has addressed the issue has found that urinalysis and blood tests intrude on privacy as a search and seizure forbidden under the fourth amendment. Courts have mainly focused on the privacy invasion involved, first, in the process of urination and the manner in which the specimen is obtained, and second, in the individuals interest and safeguarding the confidentiality of the information contained in the sample. While drug tests might also violate the fifth amendment protection of due process and constitutional privacy interests, courts have taken the privacy claims of the fourth amendment to be the most forceful constitutional threat. Some surveys show employees strongly support drug testing because it promises greater safety and harmony at work. However, scores of civil suits in the early and mid 1980's challenged the procedure as an invasion of privacy. The courts have upheld most testing programs, and fewer suits are now being filed. In a study conducted by the society for Human Resources Management, human resource professionals most consistently favored the use of drug and alcohol testing, soliciting criminal record checks, and monitoring visual display, terminal keystrokes and phone activity. While employers may deem these activities as essential to preserve workplace safety and productivity, many employees would argue that they violate their privacy, both on the job and at home. Employees may not be invaded by having to participate in drug tests with the urinalysis. Technology has advanced so that any impairment in a workers performance while on the job due to drugs or alcohol will be monitored on computers. It is called performance or impairment testing by its creators, and is a game-like device that can test judgement and motor coordination through the ability to manipulate a cursor on a VDT screen. The benefits reveal the cause of an employee impairment. Performance tests would offer more privacy to the worker and promote a less hostile environment People have objected mostly to random drug testing, which is mainly limited to government and private jobs that effect public safety, like those at nuclear power plants, airlines, railroads and trucking companies. More than 90 percent of the testing is of job applicants. But most of these same companies also test after accidents and when suspicions are aroused through erratic behavior. Fewer than 10 percent of the companies test randomly or at the time of annual physicals An employer has an extreme amount of influence on an individual to receive some type of treatment for their addiction. They are in the position to provide incentive for accepting treatment, as well as emotional support afterwards, because the job usually is of extreme importance to the addicted individual. The management should offer and accessible health insurance plan so that when the employee needs to receive the treatment that they can easily do so without having to involve several other people Once the addict has received the needed care, their job structure should be altered by management. They should be placed in a less stressful atmosphere. Their amount of work decreases for a certain amount of time, and they should not be placed on a demanding quota schedule that could trigger an emotional swing back toward the addiction The key to this success is having a good prevention program in place to detect problems at an early stage in their development. @If these problems can be detected early then outpatient treatment can be successful,@ says Maureen Whitmore of Occupational Health Services in Larkspur, California. Once a company has invested their time and money in rehabilitation of the employee, there are steps that must be followed to keep the employee from returning to their addiction. First, a peer support group should be provided where open discussion is encouraged in trying to cope with a new life and the new found pressure of work. Second, management should help their employees reintegrate back into the workplace. They will be confused and easily persuaded by stress that might have led to the problem in the beginning. Third, the company should hold AA meetings on-site and provide a crisis number to call in case of an emergency. Fourth, supervisors should be educated to watch for returning signs that the person is under stress. Fifth, management should involve family members and provide lifestyle education. Finally, stress reduced activities should be offered on-site, such as aerobics and fitness classes, and workshops on how to improve interpersonal skills. I feel that employee drug testing in some manner is essential to the performance and effectiveness of an employee in a company. Management needs the assurance that every employee is doing their job without any type of impairment from an outside source. However, I also feel that urinalysis testing is an invasion of privacy. As an employer, I will not be concerned with what types of drugs the employee is taking, but he is impairing the performance of the company. As I mentioned earlier, technology has advanced in such a manner that there will be no need for urinalysis tests. Performance or impairment testing programs will test the employee=s judgement and motor coordination through the ability to manipulate a cursor on a VDT screen. This will provide the employer with accurate information on the abilities of the employee to perform their job. It also keeps the employees addiction private and not for their employers to know. I feel that the increased health insurance coverage and the increased ease of access for employees will help them seek treatment for their addiction. However, there will need to be severe disciplinary actions for those who continually test positive. Once an employee has received treatment, the follow-up plans must be persuaded by management. This should help the employee to receive the needed attention for their problem, and help the company continue to have an effective employee. Drug testing has many benefits and set backs for both employers and employees. Certain types of drug testing are necessary in to days workplace for there to be an increased effectiveness of a company on their industry. However, employees still have privacy rights that cannot be infringed upon. A good and successful detection program and rehabilitation program are essential to the survival of the employee in the workplace. Eventually, the drug addiction will impair their abilities for life.

buy custom American History Response Paper

buy custom American History Response Paper American History DBQ Essay Example American Revolution Discussion What did the Revolutionary Generation say the ideals were? The ideologists of the American Revolution believed that any government is hostile to freedom and seeks to establish a spiritual monopoly. They were trying to protect the citizens from the government and its merger with a church. These principles has defined the American attitude to the country, its political system and its role in the world. They have had a significant impact on the world, in particular on the French Revolution. Until now, any democratic movement refers to the great thoughts, once formulated by the founding fathers: all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (Zinn, 2005, p. 54). The main purpose of the revolution was not the overthrow or even fixing the existing social order, but the protection and assertion of political freedoms, which were under threat due to the expansion of the legal system.

Slavery and the Economy essays

Slavery and the Economy essays Slavery was an economically viable institution between the years 1500 and 1860. When people started to come to America, they had to start an entirely new life, which took a lot of work. Some people looked towards slavery as a way to augment their workforce. Slavery proved important to the foundation of our country by providing those people with cheap labor, and instead of eventually being freed, like the indentured servants, citizens could keep slaves forever and treat them as property. During this time America needed help on the farms. Some citizens owned huge cotton fields, but did not have enough workers. At the time, most farmers were using indentured servants, but there was a fear of a poor landless class developing. Therefore, slaves were introduced into America. Slaves prevented this landless class from developing, while the Africans were also better workers than the indentured servants. The African slave trade was a very profitable business that sailed from England down to the African coast to pick up slaves, then brought them to America where the slaves were sold. The captains would buy the slaves with English textiles and then sell them in America for cash; they invested this money in colonial products, such as sugar and rice, and used the rest to buy more English textiles. These voyages lasted for a little more than  ¾ of a year and made a 30% profit. The slave trade was a very profitable business that shipped many slaves over to America, which helped farmers and the entire economy of the new world to develop. Their ships brought in over 5 million slaves and made a lot of money, while the investments made in the new world as a result of this trade helped it prosper and grow. Slavery provided very cheap labor for the American colonies, especially in the southern states. There were vast cotton fields that needed to be picked, and the slaves were a good source of cheap labor. Because the slaves were good ...

The Best Blog Format to Improve Every Post (Includes Templates)

The Best Blog Format to Improve Every Post (Includes Templates) How much time do you spend worrying about your blog format when you sit down to write a post? However much time that might be, there’s a better way: establishing an outline and a set of editorial standards that you follow on every piece. This way, you can focus more on writing, and waste less time on mechanics and presentation. In this post, you’ll learn everything from formatting best practices to where all your visual components should go (and beyond). By the time you’re done, you’ll be sure to have picked up a few tips that’ll help improve your content and retain more readers. What is ? is the industry’s favorite marketing management calendar platform. Manage every project, schedule your content + social media promotion, and more, all in one place. Start your free trial. Download Your Free Blog Format Template Advice is only worthwhile if you can put it into practice. And to make applying this post simple, use this blog format template. Fill out each section and your post will come out well-formatted every time. The Best Blog Format to Improve Every Post (Free Templates)Why Worry About Formatting? Even the best content can underperform if it looks sloppy. In general, most people stick around on a website for less than a minute. Consider this graphic from Nielsen Norman Group: People are most likely to drop off right away, unless they see something compelling that they want to stick around and read, or otherwise interact with. And guess which factors determine whether people leave, according to Neil Patel: The content is irrelevant. It’s tough to read on mobile devices. It isn’t clear what the page wants them to do (like sign up or make a purchase). The design is either too busy, or not interesting enough. The site takes too long to load. Why are these points relevant? All five of these factors can be influenced, positively or negatively, directly and indirectly, by your formatting. Plus, there are plenty of other benefits behind making your content presentable. Here are three. Save Time Writing Like the intro to this post suggested, setting formatting guidelines for every post helps you save time since you won’t have to think about it each time you create a piece of content. Multiply the amount of time you save on one post, times the number of posts you’ll ever write, and it adds up. Ensures Posts Are Easy to Read This helps solve problems #2 and #3 from the numbered list a few paragraphs back. Provided your content is on point (solving point #1), making sure people can read your stuff on whatever device they’re on while making conversion steps clear, you can put yourself on the path to success. Improve Your SEO Performance Incorporating keywords into the right sections of your post, along with using header tags (H2, H3, etc.) smartly throughout your content can have considerable influence over its search performance. 8 Formatting Best Practices to Follow Before this post digs into an actual formatting process, it’s time to cover some basic best practices that apply more or less universally. Sentence Length: Aim for 25 words or less per sentence. Paragraph Length: Stick to three sentences or fewer per paragraph. Word Count: The best post length is however long it takes to make your point. Image Placement: Consider adding at least one image per 300 words. Form / Lead Magnet Placement: Make opt-in forms easy to find. They can either be placed in-line (aim for somewhere near the beginning or end) or using a (tasteful) pop-up. Links: Make links open in a new window so users aren’t taken away from what they’re trying to read. Usage of Header Tags: Use one H1 header for your headline, H2 tags for sub-headers, and H3 tags for points beneath sub-headers. Use header tags H4 through H6 sparingly. Flow of Information: Have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Diagram of an Ideal Blog Post Format You’ll probably need an example to follow before setting forth on formatting yourself. So, what does a crisp and clear blog post look like? Check out this illustration: Formatting Your Blog Post in 7 Simple Steps So, say it’s time to write a blog post. How should you approach structuring each section? And how can you get that advice in plain English? Start with this process. Step 1: Write an Outline This is the first thing you should do before writing a piece of content: figure out what you’re going to write, and what sections your post will include. The simplest way to write an outline is to sketch out section subheaders in bold text, and add specific details in bulleted lists beneath each one. Here’s an example: Introduction Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Next, add in sub-sections and label which sub-header levels they’ll use: Introduction Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 First Section: Thoughts on Point 1 (H2) Sub-Point 1 (H3) Sub-Point 2 (H3) Sub-Point 3 (H3) Why worry about this stuff? Here are a few reasons: Using clear sub-headers makes content easier to read. This post you’re reading right now uses H2 and H3 subheader levels throughout. Now, imagine how much harder it’d be to read without them. Figuring out up front which header levels to use saves time later: And time is of the essence, right? Less time writing means more time to †¦ do more writing. Or something else. Good content structure supports good SEO. Search engines want to see well-structured content with a logical header structure. Mapping that out right away helps keep smart SEO practices a part of your process right from the start. Step 2: Structure Your Introduction When the actual writing starts, everything begins with the introduction. There’s a lot of weight riding on this one section, too. So, how should they be formatted? Follow these guidelines: Keep it concise. Stick to three or four paragraphs maximum (and keep each sentence brief and punchy). Add links. Reputable sources can immediately establish accuracy and authority (and keep readers around). Recommended Reading: How to Write Irresitible Blog Post Introductions That'll Keep Your Readers Reading Step 3: Consider Content Upgrade and Lead Magnet Placement After the introduction, it’s worth considering where your lead magnets (free downloadable resources locked behind an email opt-in form to build your email list) should go. The Blog frequently places these shortly after the introduction. That’s because they often include resources that are required (or at least helpful) for implement the advice in the rest of the post. But, whether that’s the best placement for you depends on your content. Here are some options and examples: After your introduction: At the end: In a pop-up: It’s worth experimenting with different placements and monitoring which appears to work best. From a formatting perspective though, what matters is knowing ahead of time where it will go, so you can plan and write accordingly. Step 4: Write Each Subsection Following your outline, each subsection will need to be written next. Each one should start with its appropriate sub-header level. If you’re using WordPress, you can find your subheader controls here: Why are these important? This has been touched on before in this post, but it’s worth reiterating a couple of key points: Using consistent subheader levels improves readability. Having logical and consistent structure looks better than using headers and bold text at random. Search engines use sub-header HTML tags to understand your content. When assessing how relevant your content is in relation to keyword search terms, Google (and others) will take the contents of your sub-headers into consideration. This also helps search engines (and readers) understand which points of a post are most important (an H1 is more important than an H2, an H2 is more important than an H3, and so on). As has been stated before, stick to 25 words or less per sentence, and three or fewer sentences per paragraph to make your post easy to skim. Step 5: Where Should Images Go? The general best practice is to include an image every 200 to 300 words. This helps to add more visual appeal to your post, giving readers a rest periodically to look at something more interesting than an endless scrolling wall of words. Some other images to consider: Header graphics: These are great for using as the featured image in WordPress. Call to action graphics: Inline graphics linking to conversion steps (like signup forms) can help drive more clicks. Infographics / long graphics: They can go a long way toward helping provide information using less inline text, and they’re highly shareable on social media. Step 6: Adding s Great content deserves to be shared. And people will often want to share something great that I’ve read, while they’re reading. This is where click-to-tweet boxes (which can be created using a variety of plugins) come in. Here’s an example of what they look like:

Consequences of Talent management processes in relation to SABIC Term Paper

Consequences of Talent management processes in relation to SABIC Company - Term Paper Example Vice President Fahad Al-Sheaibi said at an International Conference of Arab Society for Human Resources Management (ASHRM) that the company employees now require global leadership skills. This is due to the complexity and multiplicity of the modern business environment, as well as employee diversities (Baporikar, 2013). He further said that getting the best of their employees and leveraging their cultural experience as they embrace their diversity is a major source of the Company’s competitive advantage. On SABIC, Al-Sheaibi said that the company has adopted a precise and sophisticated talent management strategy that seeks first to identify the easy steps the organization can take to focus on those challenges (Baqutayan, 2014). SABIC, therefore, must gradually implement a global approach to performance appraisal via the Talent Review Process. SABIC has identified four priorities necessary for achieving this as enshrined in its vision 2025. These include focusing on the organizational culture and leadership as the key to driving the much-needed changes within internal and external business environment (McDonnell, Hickey & Gunnigle, 2011). The second priority is to ensure that every staff member have the relevant skills and knowledge needed to perform the task to the best of their abilities. Third is to realize that the company’s recruitment is not only aimed at the present market but for future market needs. Lastly is to ensure that the Huma Resource team if fully equipped with the relevant requirements to meet its objectives (Alrasheedi, 2012). He further emphasized that attracting the right people with technical excellence and ability to join the organization is very critical for the realization of their vision. These qualities are what get a candidate through an interview door since SABIC recognizes the fact tha t most people work to make a difference not only for paychecks. SABIC also offers Career Development Programmes as an important part of the employee

Production Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Production Management - Essay Example ated tasks are being attended to with necessary know how and skills.The deepening of this trend is evidenced by the fact that several of these sub contracting firms(SMEs particularly) have acquired specialist status and their deployment is much sought after.In fact doing business in such a fashion equates working in highly organized networks of organizations that are lined up for specific responsibilities for delivering the final products or services.In the construction business there has been a concerted move towards systematic hiring of contractors and as a catching trend of last 20 years such hiring has become highly specialized with a large and growing network of specialist trade sub contractors. The growth of the specialist sub-contract sector in the construction industry has ensured the importance of specialist trade sub contractors to the overall project development process. ... aptations required by the construction industry to accommodate the design, contractual, administrative, control and co-ordination aspects of various levels of involvement on construction projects. A bird's eye view of a typically networked and partnered construction effort-Comparison between UK and US In order to serve as an illustration a large sized state construction effort in US can be cited as below: "In most cases, the Department of Finance and Administration's Bureau of Building serves as the construction program manager for state construction projects in Mississippi. The Bureau of Building represents the interests of the entity and exercises independent oversight of the professional contractor and constructor team (i.e., general contractor and sub-contractors). The Bureau of Building, professional team, constructor team, and a building commissioning agent, when applicable, enter a contractual relationship for a project. The Bureau of Building exercises direct oversight of architects, engineers, building commissioning agents and other contract professionals, while it performs indirect supervision of the construction contractors through the primary professional contractor and the building commissioning agent. Because the bureau does not have the in-house capability to perform some of the design and construction tasks that some private construction program managers can provide, it may employ engineers, contract analysts, architects, or construction project administrators to manage and monitor projects. The bureau has authority to compel adherence to contract specifications and schedules, applying sanctions to firms or individuals within the constructor team that do not fulfill their responsibilities"(Joint,2005). The above is a typical

Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression System - Essay Example For carbon dioxide to be effective as a total flooding fire suppressant, a minimum design of 34% concentration is needed. However, laboratory testing and simulation of carbon dioxide fire suppressant use indicate that concentrations greater than 17% results to loss of controlled and purposeful activity, convulsions, unconsciousness, coma and even death within 1 minute of initial inhalation (OSHA, 1999). Even at 10-17% concentrations, carbon dioxide inhalation has been shown by Wong (1992) to result to drowsiness, sever muscle twitching and even unconsciousness. At 7 to 10 percent, headaches, visual and hearing dysfunction, hallucination and shortness of breath have been observed. At a minimum of 34% designed concentration for effectiveness, Carbon dioxide suppression systems are lethal. Any inadvertent discharge of the carbon dioxide in an occupied room can cause death quickly and without warning. The National Fire Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Authority have established guidelines such that human exposure do not occur during fire-fighting events but documented cases occurred during system installation, commissioning and maintenance because many of the servicemen lack the necessary knowledge and training. OSHA (1999) Carbon Dioxide, Industrial Exposure and Control Technologies for OSHA Regulated Hazardou

The importance of jazz in American culture Essay

The importance of jazz in American culture - Essay Example The origins of jazz may lie in the blues rhythms that developed in the period immediately following the American Civil War and the emancipation of slaves. The distinctive element of the blues is that through the performance of a solo artist, an attempt is made to translate emotions into music through humming, moaning, and soundless effects added to the actual words of the song (Halim, No Date). Jazz developed from the blues, but it differed from the blues in that it had a more cheerful, uplifting note within it. In the words of Stanley Crouch, jazz historian and critic, the love for the music felt by both white and black communities helped to make jazz â€Å"a futuristic social force in which one was finally judged purely on the basis of ones individual ability. Jazz predicted the civil rights movement more than any other art in America." (Hentoff, 2009). It was in essence a tool to reach out to people everywhere, irrespective of their color and therefore a tool that could function as a means to break down segregation and lead to the development of a non-segregated society. Lewine (1992) has described how jazz slowly became synonymous with popular culture. America emerged into the 20th century as a society where culture was necessarily associated with the high brow, more genteel sections of society. But jazz entered this cultural arena as a vital new element that was so distinctive that it appeared to be â€Å"the new product of a new age†, while culture appeared to be traditional, having developed over the centuries (Lewine, 1992:7). Yet, culture and jazz appeared to define each other, because the emergence of this new form of music which was (a) spontaneous (b) raucous and (c) participatory in that the audiences joined in vigorously, and its enormous popularity redefined the entire element of what constituted culture.

Eight history essay questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Eight history questions - Essay Example The â€Å"Black Codes† in the Mississippi allowed the Blacks to be arrested for vagrancy and used them as cheap labor. They were also prohibited from owning arms, holding large gatherings and enrolling in juries. In response to these â€Å"Black Codes† the Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in April 1866, which permitted blacks to enjoy many rights. President Johnson vetoed the Act saying it would â€Å"cause discord among races and this paved the way for his impeachment. During his trial, the Senate needed one more vote to reach the 2/3 rd majority and carry out the impeachment, but the single vote of Edmund G. Ross, a young Radical Republican, was instrumental in turning the tables in Johnson’s favor and so he remained in office. During the Civil War, on January 1st 1863, President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which set free all the slaves in the rebellious states. This proclamation captured the minds and hearts of millions of African Americans and in turn served to turn the war into a war of freedom. Though thousands of fugitives were crowded into camps, the Government organized relief societies for the families to be taken care of. They organized aid and schools to teach the men, women and children to read and write thus providing the African Americans with an education. The Government also commissioned the Blacks into the army and other jobs which were not open to them before. Women of the Civil War were held in high esteem and they were allowed to take on politically active roles. During the Californian Gold Rush between 1849 and 1882, quite a large group of Chinese immigrants immigrated to the United States. Some of them worked alone where as others worked for other miners. The majority of them settled there permanently while others went back home with the money they had saved. During the 1870’s there was an economic crisis where people

Obesity in Minority Children Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Obesity in Minority Children - Term Paper Example The paper â€Å"Obesity in Minority Children† discusses the issue of immigrant children who face the problem of obesity because they are exposed to a different lifestyle. Obesity puts adverse impact on the children who are fat as compared to other children of their age group. There exist some interventions, which nursing professionals can use to deal with the problem of obesity in minority children. Nursing professionals often deal with the cases of obesity in minority children. Interviews with some of the nursing professionals reveal that about 70 percent of the obese children did not use to do any physical exercise and just played video games for entrainment and watched television. Researches have proved that almost 55 percent of the obese children eat junk foods instead of eating fresh vegetables and fruits. The poor diet choice of such children increase the level of fat in the bodies of children making them overweight as compared to other children of their age who take bal anced diet daily. Nursing professionals can take some effective steps to deal with the problem of obesity in minority children. Some of the ways, which nurses can use, include creating awareness among children regarding use of fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods, stopping them from taking sugary drinks, promoting the importance of physical exercises among children, and making them adhere to the principles of good body mechanics. It is the role of the nurses to promote healthcare among children in order to prevent them from getting obese. Nurses can make parents aware of the healthy and nutritious diet, which they can give to their children. Nurses can also make parents aware of the necessity of physical exercises for their children. Nurses can advise the parents to engage their children in physical

Eight history essay questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Eight history questions - Essay Example The â€Å"Black Codes† in the Mississippi allowed the Blacks to be arrested for vagrancy and used them as cheap labor. They were also prohibited from owning arms, holding large gatherings and enrolling in juries. In response to these â€Å"Black Codes† the Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in April 1866, which permitted blacks to enjoy many rights. President Johnson vetoed the Act saying it would â€Å"cause discord among races and this paved the way for his impeachment. During his trial, the Senate needed one more vote to reach the 2/3 rd majority and carry out the impeachment, but the single vote of Edmund G. Ross, a young Radical Republican, was instrumental in turning the tables in Johnson’s favor and so he remained in office. During the Civil War, on January 1st 1863, President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which set free all the slaves in the rebellious states. This proclamation captured the minds and hearts of millions of African Americans and in turn served to turn the war into a war of freedom. Though thousands of fugitives were crowded into camps, the Government organized relief societies for the families to be taken care of. They organized aid and schools to teach the men, women and children to read and write thus providing the African Americans with an education. The Government also commissioned the Blacks into the army and other jobs which were not open to them before. Women of the Civil War were held in high esteem and they were allowed to take on politically active roles. During the Californian Gold Rush between 1849 and 1882, quite a large group of Chinese immigrants immigrated to the United States. Some of them worked alone where as others worked for other miners. The majority of them settled there permanently while others went back home with the money they had saved. During the 1870’s there was an economic crisis where people

Journal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 56

Journal - Assignment Example It is pointed out that the first Muslim college that was accredited might be biased with regard to Israel and the Jews. In this case the quality of education that it offers should be analyzed carefully. 3. The video articulates a peculiar statistics: more and more people claim that they do not belong to any religion. It is suggested that people decided to create their own interpretation of the world and live according to it. What is more important is that the contemporary society often sees religion as a certain attribute, but not a deep spiritual commitment. 4. This video points out that many people mix prejudice and patriotism. Thus, many know that America is currently engaged in armed conflicts with Islamic countries, but discriminating against Muslims in the United State should not be seen as a solution towards the problem. Moreover, the experiment showed that the majority of the people are indifferent towards discrimination and will not do anything about

Factors That Affects the Preference of Online Games Essay Example for Free

Factors That Affects the Preference of Online Games Essay Online gaming can refer to any type of game that someone can play through the Internet or over a computer network. Most of the time, online gaming refers to video games played over the Internet, where multiple players are in different locations across the world. Players also can compete in massively multiplayer games, where dozens of players play an ongoing game in a virtual world. Often times, participants can communicate with other gamers through text chat sessions during online gaming or, sometimes, players can actually speak to other players, using special audio hardware. Online Games are now one of the most popular and fast growing part of the internet based industries. These computer games can be played be many people together in a network like the Internet or any office network. With the growing availability of the World Wide Web, these games have become one of the best ways to relief stress after a busy day. Today, there are many websites that allow people to play online games. Playing online games has many advantages. Users can play multiplayer online games with their friends. Children find multiplayer games more thrilling and entertaining as they compete against their friends. Online games offer a range of entertainment options for people. Online games are an excellent way to escape the â€Å"real world for a while and enter the virtual domain. In addition to providing entertainment, these games help us to be mentally strong. These games are liked by people of different ages, especially as they could be played in the comfort of their homes. The games are quite thrilling as they provide incredible features as well as a user friendly ambiance. These games also build team efforts and team spirits. A bond of togetherness is developed through these games. To cap it all, these games help one to interact and exchange ideas with others while paying multi-player games. The industry of computer games is continuously developing its techniques and strategies in order to make more and more appealing games. However, each company that produces video games is specialized in a certain type of games that address to a certain age group. For this reason, the variety of the existing games and of the games to be created is very notable and we should take it into consideration whenever we speak of this domain

Essay --

Chis passed away 3 days later at the age of 41. Chris died naturally, and that was the way he wanted it. Today, people have options in death. Physician assisted suicide is defined by Merriam Webster, as â€Å"suicide that is carried out with the help of a doctor† (Merriam Webster). It is usually carried out by a lethal dose of medication which makes you fall asleep and then stops your heart. The process usually takes about 30 minutes. It could look something like this, and you would drink it from a straw. Show the glass with the mixture and a straw. It takes about this much to kill a grown man. Physician Assisted Suicide is currently an option offered in four states and has been considered in forty six others. Today, I am here to talk about Physician Assisted Suicide, and how it should not be legal in any state. Most of us, especially at our age, don’t really don’t think too much about terminal illness and death, but a terminal illness could happen to anyone of us, or someone we love or care about. Physician assisted suicide is not legal in Minnesota, but it is legal in Oregon, Vermont, Washington and Montana. This is a hotly debated issued because there are such strong opinions on both sides. Those in favor of Physician Assisted believe that each person when faced with their own inevitable death, deserve the right to end their lives on their own terms without pain and suffering. Those that oppose any legislation to believe it violates the physicians fundamental Hippocratic oath which is to â€Å"Do No Harm,† and that it is a dangerous and slippery slope. Jane St. Clair who founded an organization called The Compassionate Choice, lost her mother, father, and sister to cancer. She wrote that Physician Assisted Suicide ... ...a life, the caregiver is able to offer medications, treatments, as well as a willingness to listen and provide support and guidance through a very difficult time. This can make the experience much easier for the patients and their families. Even though Physician Assisted Suicide is currently not being considered in Minnesota, there are ways we can support the efforts to not have this be legal in any state. Please consider becoming a part of the pursuit of ending Physician Assisted Suicide by joining the many established national disability organization that oppose assisted suicide. They include: The National Council on Independent Living, The National Spinal Crd Injury Association, The Disability Right Education and Defense Fund, and the National Council on Disability. By becoming involved you can help each state be free of Assisted Suicide. Thank you!

The Olympics :: essays research papers

Olympic Games were held throughout Ancient Greece, but the most famous games were the games held in Olympia. They were held between August and September in honor of Zeus. Some claim that Zeus and Kronos the mightiest of the gods, wrestled for possession of the earth on the high peaks in Greece, and the games were in commemoration of the victory of Zeus. People all throughout Greece would come to Olympia to watch and take place in the festival. The entrance to the stadium in which the Olympic games were held had a row of statues. The statues, called Zanes were made in the likeness of the â€Å" Zeus of Oaths† statue. On the first day of the games the athletes stood before this heroic- sized statue of Zeus poised to throw a thunderbolt, and promised to obey â€Å"the laws of Zeus†. The money to create such human like statues was collected from the fines from athletes who violated the Olympic code of honor in competition. The â€Å"Zanes† were erected so that they were almost the last things the athletes saw as they marched into the stadium to take part in the games. The temple of Zeus was constructed as a meeting point for the athletes of the Olympic games. They all gathered to worship Zeus before the games. On the middle day of the Olympics, 100 oxen were sacrificed and burned outside the temple. Now a day we offer no sacrifices to Zeus. The stadium was built to accommodate 45,000 spectators. All women were excluded from the early Olympic Games, even as on lookers. The punishment for any woman caught in Olympia during the festival was death by being thrown from a cliff. However, Pausanius wrote about a story of one incident that transpired when a mother ran out of the stadium to congratulate her son on winning. Kallipateira, an exile from Rhodes, broke the law and went unpunished. After the death of her husband, she trained her son to compete in the Olympics of 404 B.C. On the day of his contest, she entered the stadium disguised as a trainer. As the story goes, she ran out to congratulate him on winning the boxing event, it was discovered she was a woman. Because her father, bother, and now son acquired a total of six Olympic victories, she was not punished. Thereafter, however, the trainers, as well as the athletes, were required to participate in the nude.

Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 10

When I came home from Seth's the next day, there was another note stuck to my door reminding me about the package. I plucked it off and went inside, surprised to find Vincent there again. I'd figured his angel business would be keeping him busy elsewhere. â€Å"How's it all going?† I asked. I rummaged through my cupboards, looking for food. I'd skipped breakfast. â€Å"I mean, if you can tell me without having to kill me.† He sat at my kitchen table, leafing through newspapers. â€Å"Ah, well, still can't give you details, of course, but I can say that†¦um, well, progress isn't being made as quickly as we'd like. There's leftover lasagna in the refrigerator if you want it.† I opened the refrigerator door. Sure enough. â€Å"Wow. Did one of the angels conjure this up for you?† â€Å"Only if you consider Yasmine's cooking a type of conjuring.† I uncovered the casserole dish. It looked great. There might be magic afoot after all. I put a piece in the microwave and set the timer. Sitting down across from him, I peered at the spread out newspapers and remembered finding them left out the other day. â€Å"You sure like your news.† He grimaced. â€Å"Most of it's depressing.† Glancing at the headlines, I had to agree with him. Murder. Corruption. Theft. â€Å"You hear about the cop shooting the other day?† I asked. â€Å"That one was really depressing.† Vincent turned his attention away from a story about domestic abuse. â€Å"No, what happened?† â€Å"This cop was outside a convenience store and claims someone was inside shooting his partner. So, he ran in, gun in hand, and started shooting. He ended up killing his partner himself.† Vincent frowned. â€Å"Huh. I hadn't heard that one,† he murmured. From the distracted look in his eyes, his mind had clearly latched onto something I wasn't privy to. I gave him a sidelong glance. â€Å"That mean anything to you? Maybe to this mission from God you're on?† His easy smile returned. â€Å"You're good but not that good. You know I can't say anything.† The microwave dinged, and I retrieved my food. As I stabbed a piece of cheesy pasta, I recalled what he'd said about Yasmine's cooking. My curiosity got the better of me. As it often did. â€Å"Vince†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began slowly, carefully keeping my eyes on my food. â€Å"I know it's none of my business†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He laughed. â€Å"I always love it when people introduce topics like that – and then go ahead and dive in anyway.† Blushing, I shut my mouth. â€Å"No, no,† he said, clearly entertained. â€Å"Go ahead. What were you going to say?† â€Å"I†¦well, nothing really. It's just, I mean, it doesn't matter to me†¦but I just sort of noticed that you and Yasmine seem, um, close.† His levity faded. I quickly looked up and met his eyes apologetically. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I blurted out. â€Å"Forget I said anything.† â€Å"No†¦it's, I don't know.† He folded up the newspaper, staring at it without really seeing it. â€Å"Yeah, I guess. I've known her for a long time, and after a while, it's easy to†¦well, she's easy to like.† â€Å"Yeah, she is.† A few pregnant moments passed. When he spoke again, I heard affection in his voice. â€Å"I first met her at this fair in Akron, of all places†¦about, oh, fifteen years ago. Not sure what she was doing there – you never do with them – but I found her walking away from a concession stand. She had this giant tower of cotton candy. I swear, it was taller than she was. And, since I could tell she was an angel, it made the situation that much more absurd.† The story made me smile too. It also shed light on why he was here with the A-Team. I could tell she was an angel. He was another gifted human, like Erik and Dante, who could sense the immortal world. â€Å"And you went and talked to her?† â€Å"I hadn't planned to, but then the cotton candy started to fall over, so I went to help her and ended up eating half of it myself.† â€Å"That's sweet,† I said. â€Å"Er, no pun intended.† It didn't matter that in the last few months, I'd fucked one guy in an office chair, used a leather whip on another, and gone down on another in the back room of a seedy club. I still loved romantic stories. â€Å"She started asking for my help after that, off and on, once she realized what I could do. It was supposed to just be that†¦nothing more than her, you know, professional cases. But after a while, we couldn't help it. We're together all the time now.† I swallowed another piece of lasagna. It was divine. Seriously. â€Å"Do any of the other angels know?† â€Å"Yeah, right. Joel barely tolerates me now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But obviously, you guys aren't, um, you can't be – â€Å" â€Å"No, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be physical. Really, it's ironic. Angels are creatures of love. They're supposed to love everyone. They're just not supposed to love one person so much more than another.† â€Å"That's stupid,† I stated adamantly. â€Å"To you, maybe. And to me, I suppose. But to her†¦well, she devotes her entire existence to the service of a power and cause bigger than all of us. To be so in love with something – or someone else – is distracting. You can't serve two masters without eventually betraying one.† I looked down again, turning over his words. â€Å"And yet you guys still stay together. Sort of.† He shrugged. â€Å"In as much as we can. Maybe I should move on with my life, but, honestly, there's no one else I want to be with. I accept what she is. It's why I love her. I'd rather be with her in a limited capacity than none at all.† Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. He'd just stated a variant of what Seth used to tell me all the time, back when I would continually urge him to leave me and find someone else. I'd accepted his choice by now and honestly couldn't imagine not having him in my life. But still. Sometimes I didn't entirely get how he could be okay with everything between us; hearing another person support such a choice was refreshing. As though reading my mind, Vincent gently asked, â€Å"Am I hitting too close to home? Carter mentioned a boyfriend†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No. Yes. I don't know. He – Seth, my boyfriend – says the same thing as you. That if it can't be any other way†¦well, then this is the way he wants it.† â€Å"Exactly. And thus, life goes on.† Vincent started gathering up the newspapers. â€Å"I tell you though, I think your side and hers are both so fucked up, it's not even funny. Why the rules? Why does a succubus always have to take away someone's life when she's with them? Why can't you have the choice? And why can't Yasmine make love? Why can't she be in love?† Good question. I don't think Vincent really expected an answer, but I had to give one anyway. â€Å"Because that's the way it is. The way the system works. The way it's always worked.† â€Å"The system is fucked-up,† he said. I thought about it and nodded. â€Å"No arguments.† Smiling, he reached for his coat and slipped it on. â€Å"You're okay for a succubus.† Vincent left, off to do whatever it was one did with a posse of angels. I almost envied him because I had something to do that I wasn't looking forward to at all. It was another necessary evil. I had to get Tawny a job. After that debacle of a dance lesson, I'd told her I'd help. I might not be able to do much about my mysterious energy loss or angelic romances, but I sure as hell could do something to expedite Niphon's departure. I drove down to Seatac, a city that owes its entire existence to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It's more of a shadow, really, spreading around the airport in a blanket of long-term parking lots and cheap hotels. It also has a couple of strip clubs because really, what else are out-of-town businessmen supposed to do in their downtime? It was late afternoon, so business was slow when I stepped inside Low Blow. A few bored-looking men sat scattered throughout the place, which was dingy and in need of some serious redecorating. Or, well, any decorating. A couple of the guys glanced up with interest as I walked through. Apparently, I held more appeal than the poor brunette trying her damnedest to fuck a pole in time to the dulcet sounds of Pink Floyd's â€Å"Young Lust.† I opened my mouth to speak to the bartender, but a voice behind me interrupted. â€Å"Ho†¦ly†¦shit. I don't believe it. I don't fucking believe it.† I turned and looked into the long, narrow face of Simon Chesterfield, the proud proprietor of this dive. Between his face and lanky body, he always reminded me of a weasel. His black mustache never quite seemed able to grow in completely, and he dressed in brand name clothes that were always one size too small. He was chummy with the local Hellish players, and rumor had it he was in line to be an imp, eventually selling his soul for immortality and the chance to be a diabolical salesman. â€Å"You finally come to dance for me, doll?† â€Å"You wish.† For a sleazy guy who ran a sleazy establishment, Simon actually had a legitimate appreciation for dance. I'd once seen him trying to choreograph his strippers and had been impressed by his sense of aesthetics and rhythm. His employees hadn't really caught on. Such talents were kind of wasted here, and I used to wonder why he didn't take his business to one of the more affluent suburbs where he could get a higher caliber of dancers. The reason he stayed, I'd later learned, was that this was a better venue for all sorts of other shady business he conducted. Still, Simon had a sharp eye and knew what a good dancer I was. He'd been on me for years to come work for him. â€Å"We need to talk,† I explained. â€Å"Business.† â€Å"It's what I do.† With a sweeping gesture, he pointed to a doorway beside the bar. â€Å"Let's go to my office then.† His ‘office' was barely a broom closet, but it had a stool for me to sit on. Resting my heels on a mid-level bar, I brought my knees up to my chest. It made my gray linen skirt slide up a bit. Simon watched with an interest that was more professional than personal. â€Å"Fuck, woman. You come dance for me, and I could make a killing.† He shook his head and collapsed into a rolling faux leather chair. â€Å"A succubus on my stage. Fuck.† I tilted my head to the side. â€Å"It's funny you mention that because that's kind of why I'm here.† I think my innocent tone set his alarms off. He eyed me suspiciously. â€Å"I thought you said you didn't want a job.† â€Å"Not me. We just got a new succubus, and she's looking for a gig. Didn't you hear?† â€Å"No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He frowned. â€Å"And she wants to dance? Here?† â€Å"Yep,† I said glibly. â€Å"She can't wait to take her clothes off.† Wasn't that the truth. Simon leaned back in the chair and put his feet on the desk. Casual pose or not, he was still on guard. â€Å"What's the catch?† â€Å"Why does there have to be a catch? You should be excited about this. We're doing you a favor.† â€Å"You're offering to drop a succubus into my lap. That sounds too good to be true, so it is too good to be true.† He paused, still thinking. â€Å"And why are you here instead of her?† â€Å"I'm altruistic.† â€Å"Georgina,† he said warningly. â€Å"Okay,† I admitted. â€Å"She's kind of†¦new.† â€Å"How new?† â€Å"Really new. Still under warranty.† â€Å"There's still a catch here somewhere.† â€Å"Well†¦she's†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I spun through my mental rolodex of adjectives. â€Å"Inept.† He raised one narrow eyebrow. â€Å"Inept?† â€Å"She's still learning how to get men.† Since Simon probably wanted sexy women working for him, I figured it wasn't worth mentioning that Tawny wasn't so much learning as she was still trying to find her way to class. â€Å"And she's a, um, bad dancer.† â€Å"How bad?† â€Å"Bad.† â€Å"Can you be a little more specific on what level of bad we're dealing with?† â€Å"Remember Gigli?† â€Å"Jesus. So, why do you think I'd want to take on a shitty dancer?† â€Å"Simon,† I exclaimed. â€Å"All your dancers are shitty.† â€Å"Not all of them,† he said. â€Å"And it's not like I'm trying to get more. We have standards.† I gave him a pointed look. â€Å"Alright, alright.† He ran a hand through his gelled black hair. â€Å"What do I get in return?† Now I was the indignant one. â€Å"What do you mean? You're getting a succubus dancer. What else do you need?† â€Å"I'm getting a succubus charity case. I'm the one doing you a favor.† His eyes were shrewd. Yeah. He'd make a good imp someday. He was this close to breaking out a contract. â€Å"I want you. Dance for me two nights this week.† â€Å"No.† â€Å"One night.† â€Å"Simon, there is nothing in this world that's going to get me to dance here, not even a succubus charity case. Pick something else.† â€Å"Okay, fine.† He pondered. â€Å"You. I want you.† â€Å"Hey, I just told you – â€Å" â€Å"No, no. Not as a dancer. As in right now. On the desk.† I sighed. That kind of want. â€Å"Look, if I've gotta hire a bad succubus, I might as well fuck a good one.† â€Å"Interesting logic. Aren't you worried about your soul?† He looked at me like he couldn't believe I'd had the audacity to ask such a thing. It was similar to the look I'd given him when he said Low Blow had standards. â€Å"Noted.† I stood up. â€Å"But not this body. Pick another shape.† Simon snorted. â€Å"You think I'm interested in a pinup girl crossed with an Ann Taylor model? Fuck that. I want a sixteen-year-old version of Liza Minnelli. In a school girl's uniform.† I stared. â€Å"I have no idea what that would look like.† He started undoing his pants. â€Å"You're a smart girl. Figure it out.† Sighing again, I shape-shifted, taking on a small body with a black pixie haircut. Baby smooth skin. Green plaid skirt with matching vest. Simon grunted his approval. Turning, I rested my hands on the desk and bent over, thrusting my ass out toward him. I hoped it would be over soon. If I could just get the weasel comparison out of my head, this would probably be a lot easier. I felt his hands slide along my legs as he pushed the skirt up. Suddenly, he froze. â€Å"A thong? Are you insane, woman?† â€Å"You're a sick bastard,† I told him. The thong changed to white cotton panties. â€Å"Don't I know it.† He pushed the panties down and thrust forward. Well, I guess it was a thrust. Simon wasn't that well-endowed. I was on the verge of saying something like, â€Å"Are you there yet?† Alas, the Tawny situation was too dire. I couldn't risk Simon changing his mind about her for the sake of a joke, no matter how funny. But, whatever Simon lacked in size, he made up for in enthusiasm. He gripped my hips, nails digging into my bare flesh as he pounded away. I had to keep a fierce hold on the desk. Eventually, seeking variety, Simon flipped me over to my back. He unfastened my blouse and bra, exposing small, perky breasts that had just â€Å"blossomed into womanhood.† Eyes on them and not my face, he grabbed my legs and spread them so that my ankles practically rested on his shoulders. He returned to the task at hand, and when he finally came, I have to admit I welcomed the energy burst. It wasn't a lot – the guy practically worked for Hell already – but I needed it. Simon pulled out of me, and I sat up, mildly sated from an energy standpoint, if not a physical one. I honestly hadn't done much but lie there the whole time, but he regarded me as though we'd just gone through the entire Kama Sutra. â€Å"Definitely worth putting up with an inept succubus,† he said happily, pulling his pants back up. I wanted to say that he might want to withhold judgment until he actually met Tawny, but instead, I just smiled. I knew when to keep my control switch on.

Marketing Creating and Capturing Customer Value

Yoking Chem.. Struck is the coffee icon people either love it, hate it, need it, or you wouldn't be caught dead there. Among the reasons to love: Struck gave us coffee language † or shamed us into it, depending on who you ask † turned the masses into espresso junkies and offers travelers a constant presence all over the world. Among the reasons to hate Struck: It's making us fatter, turned espresso drinks into fast food and gave us its own coffee language. According to the article at the washcloth. Mom, † reasons why I hate Struck†, the author wrote the 5 reasons are 1, Overpriced products, 2, Their marketing angle is to appeal to vain rich people, 3, Anyone who feeds you addictive chemicals is not your friend, 4, They pay their workers poorly, 5. They force their workers to dress and act like slave. But I feel some economic fallacies behind this particular article, for arguing their CEO earns too much, or their workers deserve more money is ludicrous. The wor kers are being paid for their services; it's not an easy Job to be the CEO.However, Struck as one of the most successful company in the world, they must have their reasons to be so persuasive, and make people love it. According to the Article â€Å"5 Reasons Why Struck Is so persuasive† The author wrote about his thoughts on why Struck Is so persuasive without any advertising on television or magazines. Reason 1 – They create an experience when you walk Into a store; 2 – The baristas and others who work here really seem to enjoy their Jobs; 3 – Something that stands out about Struck Is how easily recognizable Its cups are; 4 – the convenience of Struck app; 5- The convenience of drive through service Marketing Creating and Capturing Customer Value Yoking Chem.. Struck is the coffee icon people either love it, hate it, need it, or you wouldn't be caught dead there. Among the reasons to love: Struck gave us coffee language † or shamed us into it, depending on who you ask † turned the masses into espresso junkies and offers travelers a constant presence all over the world. Among the reasons to hate Struck: It's making us fatter, turned espresso drinks into fast food and gave us its own coffee language. According to the article at the washcloth. Mom, † reasons why I hate Struck†, the author wrote the 5 reasons are 1, Overpriced products, 2, Their marketing angle is to appeal to vain rich people, 3, Anyone who feeds you addictive chemicals is not your friend, 4, They pay their workers poorly, 5. They force their workers to dress and act like slave. But I feel some economic fallacies behind this particular article, for arguing their CEO earns too much, or their workers deserve more money is ludicrous. The wor kers are being paid for their services; it's not an easy Job to be the CEO.However, Struck as one of the most successful company in the world, they must have their reasons to be so persuasive, and make people love it. According to the Article â€Å"5 Reasons Why Struck Is so persuasive† The author wrote about his thoughts on why Struck Is so persuasive without any advertising on television or magazines. Reason 1 – They create an experience when you walk Into a store; 2 – The baristas and others who work here really seem to enjoy their Jobs; 3 – Something that stands out about Struck Is how easily recognizable Its cups are; 4 – the convenience of Struck app; 5- The convenience of drive through service

Strain Theories

Strain theories look through a structural scope to examine crime in society. When people fail to meet societal goals, they feel a strain in their lives. An increase in strain can lead to an increase in crime.Strain can be felt throughout any community, large or small. I’m from a town of 3,000 people in rural Iowa. Even though it is much smaller than a city such as Denver, problems with crime and delinquency still exist. A summer drought reduces the profits during harvest and leads to much strain throughout the community since agriculture is the main industry. This puts the whole town into a sort of slum, which leads to increased crime and delinquency. For example, low-waged employees steal from employers or neighbors due to their frustration over lack of income. Teenagers often commit more vandalism and petty thefts since their parents are spending more time at the bar to distract themselves from the harsh times and less time at home with family.According to Merton’s st rain theory, anomie is the inability to satisfy natural appetites such as wealth and social status. When people from my community feel anomie, they tend to fall into the â€Å"retreatism† category of the five adaptions. They consider the work they do in the fields or time with their family a lost cause and turn to alcohol for their problems. There are plenty of â€Å"regulars† at the local bar because that is a place where they can escape their problems and gossip about others. This illegitimate coping mechanism might make them feel good for a short time, but it does them no favor over the long run.Another vantage point of crime is through general strain theory, which focuses on negative relationships. Like I mentioned before, a drought is highly detrimental to agriculture and leads to a â€Å"blockage of a positively valued goal†. This might also fall under the anticipated strain category because farmers spend every day of the summer worrying about rain, and a lack of it builds up the strain they feel. This creates an overall low social control over teenagers and it becomes especially bad when parents take out their frustrations over money on their children, as this leads to a  high negative emotionality and low constrain- a.k.a. the perfect recipe for delinquency.The empirical article did a great job of summarizing strain theory. It reasoned that people feel negative emotions when they experience strain, and those negative emotions are likely to lead to illegitimate coping mechanisms. Once an individual begins using illegitimate coping mechanisms, it can be very difficult to change directions and use legitimate strategies. It truly becomes a test of character when people experience strain, and the unfortunate fact-of-the-matter is that there will always be those who chose the wrong path in life.

Improving School Lunches in Philadelphia Schools Research Paper

Improving School Lunches in Philadelphia Schools - Research Paper Example Philly has been compelled to campaign against the distribution of pre-plated lunches predispose students tasteless and bad food toxic for their health (Dalton 134). Alternatively, as this paper will demonstrate, it is essential to improve lunches in Philadelphia schools through feasible methodologies that favor all stakeholders. Improvement of lunch programs, for instance, in other states lies both on (NSLA) and (NSLP) in terms of initiating a progressive school feeding plan. In Boston, stakeholders supplied hot lunches to students under the guidance of the Boston School Committee. This central kitchen system was formerly started as an experimental program supported by extensive federal aid. On that account, while Philly schools have incorporated such goals and objectives in serving most of its learners, it has failed to provide certain items. For example, milk and sandwiches are usually missing in school lunches because of reduced funding from the state (Dunn 122). Similarly, the number of learners supersedes the local farms that supply the materials for producing the essential items mentioned above. This demonstrates that only a few areas are served with adequate lunch program. According to the Philadelphia Urban Food and Fitness Alliance (PUFFA), school districts found in Philly enjoy the monopoly of dist ributing school lunch offerings. These include baby carrots, blended fruit juice, and Tuna salad. Others entail nacho chips, beef patty and 1 per cent milk. Overall, like other states such as Massachusetts, Boston, and New York school districts in Philly need to establish local committees that oversee student welfare in lunch programs. Another important element entails Commodity Donation Program that continues to thrive in form of a nutritional standpoint. It is a phenomenon evident in Boston, especially when infused with the Federal Surplus Relief Corporation.  

Innovation and change (Mobile phone industry ) Essay

Innovation and change (Mobile phone industry ) - Essay Example Government has always bended its brows on companies that have innovated in their technology and business practices but not provided for safe and eco-friendly disposal of parts and batteries (â€Å"Life Cycle Management: A business guide to sustainability†). Being responsible to the environment affects the product offering in the way that consumers make an image of unethical manufacturer in their minds. Nokia has been able to create a good image by providing for eco-friendly disposal of its handset parts across the world. Taxes are means of revenues for Government. A flourishing industry provides better prospects of high taxes to the government. Mobile phone industry has climbed up the ladder of evolution and growth in a very short span and has also been taxed heavily for latest technological innovations. These innovations sometimes help to curb emerging competition due to its monetary intensity and also help avoid malpractices which might take place under innovation disguise. Consumer protection laws and regulations also have a huge bearing on innovation taking place in mobile industry. Innovations are expensive and if the involved technology does not satisfy customer requirements, it has to be replaced abiding by consumer laws, which could be a means of huge losses for the innovator (Bonthron 2009). Technology reducing international distances every day, mobile manufacturers have to resort to efficiency in operational costs by rationalizing their supply chain through international trading. However, across borders, import and export charges and duties have much affected the growth of mobile phone innovation. There have been many cases where host government has denied entry of foreign players due to the fear of their market being captured by other telephony giant, thereby siphoning a major portion of their GDP. Competition has been very stiff in the mobile phone

American religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American religion - Essay Example The use of the term softening is a strategy to balance the increasing religiosity and the decline in certain religious aspects. The softening of religion in America has become an issue of debate. There are many reasons put forth to support the softening of religion. Although some scholars do not support the softening ideology, certain factors prove the idea of softening true. This paper will focus on describing what has caused the softening of religion in America. Religion diversity is one of the reasons why some authors believe that American religion is softening. In the early 1900s, there were many people who professed to be members of different religions. Specifically, there were many Americans who proved to be staunch Protestants and Catholics. In the 1970s, the number of such people had decreased immensely. Many Americans have let go of their religious affiliations and opted to become atheists. Although such people recognize the existence of God, they prefer to stay away from any specific church. Currently, there are different types of atheism exhibited by people in America. Chaves, one of the authors who have explored the softening of religion in America believes that American atheists who have distanced themselves from religious groups are more than people who are stuck to the religion. In addition, the increasing popularity of other religions such as Hinduism and Islam has contributed to increased softening of religion. The American p opulation no longer fits a homogeneous description of religion (Chaves 18). The reasons for this are because people exhibit diverse faiths and appreciate the value of religious diversity. Notably, there was a time when America registered a remarkable increase of Protestants. The increase was after different Protestant groups received much popularity. Many people joined the Protestant groups leaving behind the traditional Christianity groups. It emerges that the current trend depict a decline of Protestants. It is no

Change Management College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Change Management College - Essay Example (Cummings. Worley: 1993). Organizational development and change management are concurrent fields which have a common basis and aim that of overall progress of the organization. However each field has specific nuances which are being discussed herein. (Davis: 1998). The aim of change management is to enhance organizational competitiveness. This can be achieved by strategic change and congruence in various facets of an organization, such as aligning the people, processes structures and culture. Change management is designed to change behavior before attitudes. (Davis: 1998). It is commonly believed that a large number of projects fail to achieve the expectations of the senior management. (Responding to Change). A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and MORI carried out in the late 1990's revealed that 9 out of 10 barriers to change were related to people and included lack of change management skills, ineffective communications and resistance by employees. (Responding to Change). The phenomenon of organizational change is complex as it involves a number of inter related factors to include the stake holders, the people and the technologies. The key factors in change management are what are known as the softer issues of transforming behavior and training of the staff to accept change. (Responding to Change). ... Two models of change popularly known as the Lewin Model and the Bullock model are being examined herein. Lewin Model of Change - Salient Features Kurt Lewin's model of change evolves from the social-psychological approach to change management which had its matrix in Lewin's observations in the area of field theory, action science, group dynamics and organizational development. The main theme of the model is that an individual is shaped by the social environment rather than his genes. Thus the model entails three steps of unfreezing from the present state, moving to the new state and refreezing in the new state. The first state involves creating dissatisfaction, while the second stage involves organizing and mobilizing resources for change and the final stage, embedding the transformation in the organization. (Change Management : 2006). Thus a transformation from an existing quasi equilibrium to a new quasi equilibrium takes place as indicated in Figure 1. Figure 1 Transition and Forces of Change State A as seen in Figure 1 depicts the status quo of a social system which is held by two sets of forces which are shown by the arrows, that of change and status quo, which results in constancy at L2. In State B change is achieved by increasing forces for change and decreasing resistance thereby accomplishing change through high tension. While State C which takes up limited energy is as proposed by Lewin, wherein the resisting forces are reduced by a number of initiatives which consumes lesser energy than that required to expand the forces of change. (Schumacher). Thus learning is the primary mode of bringing about behavioral changes in people which is undertaken by increasing knowledge and broadening horizons of people affected,

Function of 6 Standardized Assessment Tools Utilized with LBD Students Research Paper

Function of 6 Standardized Assessment Tools Utilized with LBD Students - Research Paper Example This is because good educationists have often been identified with the selection and usage of assessment tools that can be classified as valid. By valid assessment tool, reference is being made to an assessment tool that achieves the purpose for which it was set out. An assessment tool that is not able to achieve the purpose for which it was set out is ineffective and as unhelpful as there was no assessment tool in place. This essay therefore seeks to examine a number of assessment tools used with LBD students to find how effective they are in the delivery of the functions for which they were set out. The assessment tools shall also be scrutinized in accordance to their diagnostic benefits to student programming and planning utilizing technology. What is Assessment? As mentioned earlier, assessment is an integral part of education. Assessment concerns the practice of finding the effectiveness of an educational system. Assessment however concerns a series of activities and events. Cyb erSleuth-Kids (2011) therefore explain that assessment is â€Å"the process of documenting, often times in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs.† This means that documentation is an important practice in assessment. Observations in measurable phenomenon such as knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs are all documented. ... The Northwestern Science Health University (2010) also posits that â€Å"Assessment is an ongoing process of setting high expectations for student learning, measuring progress toward established learning outcomes, and providing a basis for reflection, discussion and feedback to improve University academic programs.† This seems to be a broader definition that integrates not just what assessment but the reasons for undertaking it and the importance that comes with conducting assessment. The relation this definition has with the earlier definition is that there should be a set of objectives in place that will be assessed. 6 Assessment Tools used for LBD Students To undertake a successful assessment exercise, it is important to have a collection mechanism in place. This mechanism with which assessment is conducted is referred to in the educational cycle as assessment tool. Broadly speaking, assessment tools can be classified as either teacher based or student based. Teacher based assessment tools focus on the teacher as the sole assessor. With teacher based assessment tool, the tools are kept and manipulated by the teacher in determining how best or worse the student is performing. Student based assessment tools on the other hand focus on students. Most of these assessment tools are kept by the student. They are used by the student to determine his or her performance. Teachers however have a lot of role to play with student based assessment. This is because the teacher acts as a facilitator, who directs the student on how to go about the implementation of the assessment tool. The teacher also ensures that the student uses the assessment tool correctly. Both teacher based and student based assessment tools are appropriate for LBD students. This is because with

FIN 370 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Essay Example for Free

FIN 370 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Essay Learning Team: Current Market Conditions Competitive Analysis This paper will give a short history and descriptions of Apple’s I Pad minicomputer. It will also give factors that affect demand, supply, and equilibrium prices in the market. Issues that Apple faces that affect its competitiveness will also be addressed. Lastly, this paper will identify the long term profitability of the iPad including, price elasticity of demand, technological innovation, and cost structure. Steven Jobs and Steven Wozniak were friends in high school, which shared like interested in electronics. They designed what would become the Apple and on April 1, 1976, Apple Computer was born. This is an American based company located in California. Apple specializes in design advancing, and the sales electronics, computer software, and computers. Apple is accredited for some of the most popular products of the modern world of technology such as: iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes. Apple has expanded its retail stores to fourteen countries worldwide with 408 retail store not to mention their online stores, Apple Store and iTunes. Apple’s value as of March 2013 is $415 million, and it is the largest most publicly traded companies. The iPad is a tablet designed minicomputer that was released in 2010 by Apple. This device has equipped with Wi-Fi and has a multi- touch screen. There are five different versions of this particular tablet. Each has the capability to play music, record videos, a camera function, browsing the web, e-mailing. Games, GPS navigation system, and social networking can also be downloaded to the device. A market is as a collection of consumers and retailers of a specific merchandise or service. Demand is the actual volume that consumers are prepared and able to obtain. Quantity necessitated is the demand at a specific amount and is symbolized as the demand curve. The supply of a product is the quantity that manufacturers are prepared an d capable to convey to the market the sale of  the product. The market can be analyzed by matching the supply and demand curve. Equilibrium is the connection of supply and demand curves. The equilibrium amount is the amount where the number demanded matches the number supplied. A change in price does not necessarily mean that the demand will change. It is more likely for the quantity demanded will affect the price. If the price is changed the curve will move along the demand curve. When the price is reduced the quantity demand will be increased. When the IPad was released, it was the only product in that market at that time. Therefore, at that time it absolutely controlled the tablet division. Some corporations tried to contend with Apple, but recognized their position just could not compete. The competition combated Apple by creating smaller tablet that is an unfamiliar place for Apple. This creation worked and caused Apple to lose sales. The competitors rapidly established their place in the market. Price elasticity of demand is an issue th at our organization, Apple faces that affects our competitiveness and long-term profitability with regards to the iPad. â€Å"Price elasticity of demand and supply tells us exactly how quantity responds to a change in price. As elasticity increases, quantity responds more to price changes. Demand or supply is elastic, if the percentage change in quantity is greater than the percentage change in price†(University Of Phoenix, 2010, pp. 154-157). After reviewing data, specifically targeted to the three types of iPads; their pricing, capabilities and memory storage, it was determined that if the price of the iPads increased; then the consumers may not purchase them (What Is An Apple Ipad’s Elasticity Of Demand?, 2012). The price elasticity of demand tells us that although apple is very technological innovative, but as it relates to price elasticity of demand; the quantity does not matter (all the changes, modifications, additions, advancements, etc.) consumers will still purchase the cheaper iPad (cost efficient) Apple should not invest in making more iPads. Consumer(s) can’t readily identify / understand the importance /significance of having more capabilities, memory, storage, etc. The consumer(s) would ultimately shop for and purchase the iPad that’s more conducive to their needs. Although apple has is very technological innovative, but as it relates to price elasticity of demand; the quantity does not matter (all the changes, modifications, additions, advancements, etc.) consumers will still purchase the cheaper iPad (cost efficient)  Technological innovation is an opportunity for our organization, (Apple) to face that affects our competitiveness and long-term profitability with regards to the iPad. Through technological innovation our organization will be able to make improvements to something that already exists; such as the Apple iPad. Is the improvement to something that already exists. Technological innovation will always have a huge impact on Apple Corporation. As it directly relates to the iPad, with the technological innovation, we are able to re-invest and re-invent the iPad. As with any product of this magnitude, the cost will increase, more features will be added, more storage, more variability, etc. As long as we are innovative and have a willingness to be creative we will consistently bring new items to the market that will steady intrigue the consumers and adapts to their technological needs. â€Å"Cost Structure (TC = FC + VC) is the costs of production, the identification of how costs associated with the production of a good or service are distributed throughout the process The cost structure consists of fixed costs, variable costs and total cost â€Å" (University Of Phoenix, 2010, pp. 283-285). According to Internal Factors: Costs (n.d.), When analyzing cost, the marketer will consider all costs needed to get the product to market including those associated with production, marketing, distribution and company administration (e.g., office expense). These costs can be divided into two main categories: fixed costs and variable costs†. Fixed costs are costs that are spent and cannot be recovered (rent, credit interest, maintenance costs, security and administrative expenses, often salary). The major factors affecting fixed costs are (1) Changes in business organization, (2) Changes in technology applied, (3) Sale of manufacturing equipment and (3) Decisions to undertake advertising activities, etc. Variable costs are costs that vary with production. Factors affecting variable costs, including productivity and others that change the supply of and demand for labor (internal factors), (1) Involve costs of items that are either components of the product (parts/packaging), (2) Directly associated with creating the product (electricity to run an assembly line), (3) Coupons and (4) Variable costs, especially for tangible products tend to decline as more units are produced. This is due to the producing company’s ability to pu rchase product components for lower prices since component suppliers often provide  discounted pricing for large quantity purchases (). Total cost the sum of all costs of inputs used by a firm in production TC = FC + VC Apple is one of the world’s most admired brands. Every year, as rumors about Apple’s products start to emerge web sites begin to speculate which suppliers are likely to win Apple’s business. Getting a contract from Apple can lift a company’s value by millions of dollars. On October 22 Apple released a variety of new hardware and software. Apple’s new iPad is clearly focusing on improving the iPad product profit margin, while also maintaining it strong market share. One of the ways Apple can maximize their profit is by reducing the price of the original iPad mini. Another recommendation that can maximize the profit for Apple is to also make radical improvements to the full-size iPad and the mini. Apple has four products in the iPad lineup. While Apple decided to keep the price of the iPad 2 at $399 Apple dropped the price of the IPad mini to $299. The newest iPad, the new full-size iPad Air is thinner and lighter than the previous full-size iPads and much more powerful. The new iPad Air will sell at $499, while the second new iPad tablet the iPad mini with Retina display will sale for $399. By Apple dropping the price on the iPad mini this move should help A pple maintain market share with it strong competition. Strong competitors like Google and Amazon have recently dropped the prices on their popular tablets. Android tablets such as Google and the Kindle Fire have been gaining on Apple over the past year with the lower prices and higher performance. The Kindle Fire HD sold for $139, this alone affected Apple’s revenue. The price decrease put Apple’s base iPad mini closer to the price of Google and Amazon’s top of the line tablets. Apple chose to drop the price of the original iPad mini tablets to maximize their profits with the competition. Overall by dropping the price, this will draw more individuals to the Apple iPad mini and increase Apple’s marginal revenues and profitability. This will keep Apple’s market share in competition with Google and Amazon without sacrificing too much profitability. Although, there are several competitors in this market; such as The Kindle Fire, The Windows Tablet, Galaxy Table, etc. none are able to uphold the standards that the iPad will carry. With all of our advancements in technology, research, investments, etc. we continue to be in high demand. If our corporation continues to be technological innovative and productive; then we will continue to grow and  c onsistently re-invent. We will be more profitable, growing and will remain cost efficient; when it comes to manufacturing and producing the iPad. Based on the current market conditions, our competitive market analysis concluded that the Apple iPad will be an extremely productive and very successful. References: Duhigg, C., Barboza, D. (2012, January 25). In, China, Human Cost Are Built Into an IPad, p. The iEconomy. Internal Factors: Costs . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.knowthis.com/pricing-decisions/internal- factors-costs Reisinger, D. (2013, October 22). IPad 2 Survives iPad Air, Still cost $399. CNET, p. . University Of Phoenix. (2010). Economics, Eight Edition. Retrieved from University Of Phoenix, ECO365 website. What is an Apple iPad’s Elasticity of Demand?. (2012). Retrieved from http://applecoeconomics.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/what-is-an-apple-ipads-elasticity-of-demand-9/