A Letter to the President Barack Obama Assignment

A Letter to the President Barack Obama - Assignment Example Several concerns inform this view. The pipeline's construction is to facilitate transportation of high carbon content tar sands oil across America's heartland to Texas from Alberta in Canada, the final products of which will be exported after processing. This leaves our country to bear the most of risks involved in the whole process. Our agriculture and water will suffer deadly blows from spills if they occur. Many living things and human beings in this country and beyond would be affected if you approve this carbon project. Thus, Mr. President, it is within your capacity to save us. The project will stimulate Canadian tar sands industry expansion. As you are aware, this will have a direct contribution to global warming. I am concerned that it is not tenable for us to continue implementing carbon-intensive projects as the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are already approaching dangerous levels. Tar sands oil is especially dangerous as it contains a bigger percentage of carbon than conventional oil. This project would thus contribute in a big-time way to global warming, all to our detriment. Further, your approval will come by as a strong signal to the whole world of Americas non-commitment to carbon dioxide reduction as you have claimed severally. It may be argued that stopping Keystone XL may not altogether stop the exploitation of the Alberta tar sands deposits which I view as a threat to the environment globally. However, its construction would offer a critical link to the best refineries in the world. As such, if not signed, this would avert expansion of the deposits as lesser of the oil would get to be transported. Use of trucks and rail would also make the exploitation expensive and as such not viable. This would greatly reduce the number of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere.  

Alcoholism and Smoking Essay Example for Free

Alcoholism and Smoking Essay Looking at the health hazards, including lung cancer, impotency, asthma and heart disease, which smoking can cause, banning it in public places is long time due. However, this is just one of the viewpoints. Most smokers and many restaurant owners will sing an altogether different tune with regards to banning smoking in public places. So, lets get to the bottom of this debate by looking at its pros and cons. Arguments for Lets start with the advantages of banning smoking in public places. The number one being that it will not only help in saving smokers from various kinds of health conditions and diseases, but will also is beneficial for passive smokers. Whether the smoker is using public transport or is in a restaurant, the people around him are bound to inhale the smoke coming out of his cigarette, thus making them prone to all the diseases an active smoker gets. Thus, if smoking is banned, spread of these diseases can be checked. Another argument is that it will put pressure on the smoker to quit. Since, he will be unable to smoke in public places; he will learn how to live without smoking a cigarette for long hours. Moreover, when a smoker does not see anybody around him smoking or smelling of cigarette, it might reduce his urge to smoke too. Thus, one of its major advantages is that it forces people to quit smoking. One of the smokings in public places facts is that it influences non-smokers to take up smoking, especially adolescents. Since teens are in an impressionable age, when they see people around them smoking, they get instigated to try it and then it becomes a habit, increasing the incidence of teen smoking. Moreover, asthma and ear infections are commonly seen in children who live around smokers, so if it is banned in public places, these places will become safe for children and teens, health-wise. Looking from the economic point of view, since smoking is a major contributing factor to many diseases, it leads to absenteeism from work. Moreover, employees smoke tend to take breaks now and then to smoke, thus lowering the number of hours they put in their work. So, if employers want to increase work productivity and want to make sure that their employees remain healthy, they should ban and stop smoking in and around office premises. If you see from the environment point of view, yes it should be. Smoking cigarettes adds to the air pollution, so if its banned, it will help in saving the environment from further deterioration. Arguments against Smoking is a personal choice of an individual. If the government forces people to quit smoking, it is encroaching on individual freedom. Secondly, banning smoking is actually a financial loss for the government as it collects a lot of revenue through the taxes on cigarette sales. Another argument is that it is human tendency to do exactly those things which are forbidden. So, if smoking is banned in public places, adults and teens are more likely to smoke and find their own means to evade this law to continue with the habit. From the economic point of view, restaurant, pub and cafe owners will not be able to cater to everyone. This will reduce their sales, thus causing them losses. Places where smoking is banned might see a reduction in tourist arrivals as well. Lastly, when smokers who are habitual and addicted, may experience smoking withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anger, etc, if they cannot smoke immediately. Thus, in this condition and under stress, they might pose a problem to others. In spite of the above arguments against the ban, looking at the harmful effects of smoking, it would be better if it is. However, for such a ban to be useful, the key lies in implementing it effectively. Alcoholism Alcohol and drugs have been for many years been abused by many people Alcohol is a depressant that slows the function of the central nervous system. It blocks some of the messages trying to get into the brain which consequently alters a person’s perceptions and emotions. People that I have known overuse alcohol have undergone intoxication. Intoxication makes one to be aggressive and angry. Due to this many alcohol users have ended in prison. Alcoholism can be divided into three main stages namely Early stage of alcoholism Here a person depends on alcohol to affect their mood. Most people at this level drink for relief from problems. Most people experience gradual increase in tolerance thus increasing the quantity . The body loses its ability to deal with high alcohol levels and as a result it leads to deteriorating body functions Middle alcoholism stage The need and desire to drink becomes more intense. Their tolerance decreases because of intoxications. A few individuals recognize that there is a drinking problem but they are unable to stop. This stage is characterized by hangovers, blackouts and stomach problems End stage Alcoholism The alcoholic at this stage has become obsessed with drinking to the extent of excluding all other activities. The mental and physical health of the alcoholic is deteriorating due to the damage of most body organs. The alcoholic will consequently suffer from malnutrition and if the alcoholic continues to drink alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. These range from suicide, accidents and damage of body organs etc. Death is the final stage of alcoholisms (Marlatt Donovan 2005) I have actually noted through observation that there are adverse effects of drinking alcohol. Most people who are alcoholic experience bad health effects, such as burnt hips. Too much alcohol within a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning which is characterized by violent vomiting, extreme sleepiness unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, low blood sugar and even death. Alcohol users especially the young people are venerable to risks such as unsafe, unprotected sex resulting to pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases such as the deadly AIDS those results to the end of lives. Alcohol can make you react in some terrible ways. You do and say things under the influence of alcohol and cant even remember, and thats pretty sad.

America’s Doomed Invasion of the Bay of Pigs by Jim Rasenberger Essay

Plan of Investigation This investigation seeks to assess the level of impact that the failure of the American backed invasion force at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 had on the Kennedy administration’s relations with Cuba. This investigation will evaluate the statements and opinions about Cuba made by John F. Kennedy during his campaign and before the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion with Kennedy’s actions taken and decisions made regarding Cuba after the Bay of Pigs invasion to determine the degree of influence this event on American foreign policy with Cuba. A variety of sources are used; primarily, Robert Kennedy: The Unpublished Recollections of the Kennedy Years by Robert F. Kennedy and The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro, and America’s Doomed Invasion of the Bay of Pigs by Jim Rasenberger, which will be evaluated on the basis of origin, value, purpose, and limitation. WORD COUNT: 141 Summary of Evidence ï€ « Campaign Foreign Policy Platform During Kennedy’s campaign, his ideas on foreign policy were criticized by both liberals and conservatives because of the contradictory nature of his platform. While Kennedy was calling for an increase in defense spending, against the advice of current president and former general Dwight D. Eisenhower, he also encouraged third-world neutralism. As a response to allegations that this neutralism made him weak on communism, Kennedy denounced the current Republican administration’s lack of response to Fidel Castro’s coup d’à ©tat and committed to a hard line stance on Cuba’s new communist regime. Kennedy used his hard line stance to attack Republican challenger and Vice President at the time Richard Nixon, who could not reveal the Eisenhower administration’s current preparation for a covert military... ...Sources Combs, Jerald A. The History of American Foreign Policy From 1895. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, Inc, 2012. Dallek, Robert. Camelot's Court: Inside the Kennedy White House. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2013. Daugherty, William J. Executive Secrets: Covert Action & The Presidency. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 2004. Fisanick, Christina, ed. The Bay of Pigs. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Gutham, Edwin O, and Jeffery Shulman, ed. Robert Kennedy In His Own Words. New York, New York: Bantam Books, 1988. Jones, Howard. The Bay of Pigs. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Patterson, Thomas G., ed. Kennedy's Quest For Victory: American Foreign Policy 1961-1963. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 1989. Rasenberger, Jim. The Brilliant Disaster. New York, New York: Scribner, 2011.

Marketing: Strategic Innovation in Globally Diverse Markets Essay

Personalized marketing (sometimes referred to as one-to-one marketing) is the marketer attempt to provide the customer individual attention through a variation of methods. Personalized marketing is a strategic approach which involves tailoring products differently for each and every consumer while retaining the principles of mass production. One-to-one marketing is attributable to two converging phenomena: the interactive flow of information made possible by robots and just-in-time inventory (Lampel & Mintzer, 1996, p. 1). In order for a company to be effective in personalized marketing, the company must be able to gather information on the target individual. Today, with the power of technology this is a widespread practice on the Internet. The Internet provides a medium to make one-on-one personalization practical for a variety of firms (Schibsted, 2001). For example, a web page may establish cookies and track the buying habits of the customer. Based on the customer buying habits, advertisements are geared towards that individual. An example of personalized marketing is something I witness on a regular bases, but did not realize it was referred to as personalized marketing. I consistently purchase items through Amazon. com, in which I typically purchase books. Amazon. com routinely sends me emails, informing me of sales or populates my home page with advertisements relating to certain categories of books I typically purchase. As pointed out by Vesanen, (2007), developments in information and communication technologies have opened up new opportunities to collect and analyze data and implement personalized marketing (p. 09). In today’s market there is an increase in customer satisfaction. In order for businesses to succeed and be competitive they must be in tune to the customer needs and wants. Marketing to the individual customer can be profitable to the company as long as the method of gathering the data and establishing personalization is not complex. As studied by Goldsmith & Frieden (2004), data warehouses allow companies to store trillions of bytes of consumer information. Computer controlled factory equipment , and industrial robots can quickly readjust assembly lines. Bar code scanners make it possible to track parts and products. The Internet ties it all together and makes it easy for a company to interact with customers, learn about their preferences, and respond. Personalize marketing can benefit some companies; however it would be much more difficult for a store to personalized catalogs, pamphlets, or fliers for each of its customers, by proposing deals, rebates and reductions based on the customers shopping habits. Not only would it be difficult, but it would not be cost effective for a company to engage in this type of personalization. Personalization can take many forms, from the customization of Web sites to the customization of products. Whatever the extent of it, it is an expensive and time-consuming activity. While Amazon is the leader in this type of customization, few others are succeeding (Goldsmith & Frieden). Dynamic Pricing Dynamic pricing is broadly defined as the buying and selling of goods and services in markets where prices are free to adjust in response to supply and demand conditions at the individual transaction level (Garbarino & Lee, 2003, p. 495). From a business point of view, dynamic pricing is a profitable concept in personalized marketing. For example, a customer may go to a car dealer and do not see the car they would like on the lot. Therefore, a car is ordered with exact specifications and because of the specialty requirements the price of the car increases, making the transaction profitable for the business. Dynamic pricing enables the business to increase the price on an item; strengthen customers’ allegiance, along with enhancing customer satisfaction. Carroll & Coastes (1999) state that economics define price discrimination as the practice of charging multiple prices for the same good where the difference in price is based on a difference in demand rather than cost. There are three degrees of pricing models commonly used in the retail marketplace: * First-degree price discrimination – different prices are charged based on what the buyer is willing to pay * Second-degree price discrimination – offers a variety of pricing options * Third-degree price discrimination – market-segmentation pricing (Garbarino & Lee, p. 498). From a business stand point, first-degree price discrimination is more profitable because it obtains the maximum value of the item. However, from a consumer stand point second-degree price discrimination can offer more value to the customer. It allows customers to choose the pricing option that will work for them, based on their desires and requirements. Online Retailers versus Offline Retailers The materialization of online retailers is compelling retailers to reassess their business practices and the use of technology. Integrating online and offline channels are very much on the minds of retailers, and it is forcing them to understand how to manage relationships across multiple channels. Retailers need to understand who their customers are, understand their behavior, and execute seamlessly across those channels (Beasty, 2006). Online retailing is the fastest growing channel in which consumers purchase products. Integrating online retailing with offline retailing comes with numerous problems. The consumer may see a product in the store for one price and see that same item online at a different price. Retailers compete nationally and locally on prices and products. Someone in Florida may not want to purchase the same products as someone in Washington D. C. or you may have a retailer located in California, but the company’s web site can be accessed by anyone that can utilize the web. According to study by Beasty, (2006), you mainly see this problem when consumer purchasing is based primarily on price. For example, a PlayStation is a PlayStation no matter where you purchase it, but saving $20 makes a big difference to customers. Another example is a few years ago Circuit City gave one price online, another price in their ad, and a different price in the store, all for the same item, without any explanation as to why (para. 6). This leaves the consumer frustrated, confused and a lack of understanding. Francis, (2007) studies states that one size does not fit all in the Internet retailing marketplace. The author categorized Internet retailing as follows: * Offline goods – items such as, books, groceries, and CDs are purchased and the consumer disengage from the web site and wait for their order to be delivered * Offline services – consumer pay for or book services, such as, travel, event tickets, and hotels online than travel to an offline service deliver location * Electronic-goods – the consumer purchase and download their products, such as software, MP3s, and digital books directly from a website; and * Electronic Services – the consumer purchase, co-produce, and consume the core service, such as banking, brokerage, chat/dating services via a web site. Online retailers must recognize the difference variations in online shopping and ensure customers’ requirements are effectively and properly addressed. Traditional methods of advertising include billboards, TV commercials, radio ads and posters. Companies still use the traditional methods of advertising , but they use the Internet to their advantage by incorporating new advertising with traditional advertising. The habits of today’s consumer dictate the method of advertising for a company to stay competitive. The invention of the TV digital video recorders (DVRs) and the consumer fast-forwarding through commercials makes TV advertising less effective in today’s marketplace. To remain relevant and competitive companies have a multitude of different formats of online advertising, such as banner ads, pop-up ads, floating ads, streaming sidebar ads, pull banner ads, and text ads, just to name a few. In addition, many companies ask you to â€Å"like† their link, in which the company’s page is now on your Facebook or Twitter page. This enables Facebook or Twitter to determine your shopping habits, and you can visit a company’s site right from you social media page. Offline stores has responded to the competition of online retailers by sending out a variety of advertisements, such as direct-mail flyers, catalogs, television, via mobile phones, and the Internet. In addition, offline stores have responded by increasing their presence on the web as well as creating appealing experience within the offline store. Today, many offline stores are dominating the online market with their presence. Even though, online shoppers experience a delay in receiving their product, online stores are continuously improving the delivery turnaround time. In addition, most online stores do not charge taxes, include free shipping, and offer free returns or exchanges. However, some online companies may charge a low-price for an item, but compensate by charging higher prices for shipping and handling. Nevertheless, most online stores are growing faster than offline store. The expansion of the Internet has increased the variety of pricing models available, for example: * Per-user model – involves either a flat fee per user or a tiered fee structure based on the level of use * Per-transaction model – a rate structure is developed to account for different automated processes or functions * Percentage-of-revenue model – is like the per-transaction model in that the monthly fee will fluctuate as the level of activity changes; it differs, however, in that the model is tied to the amount of revenue the user generates each month * Fixed-fee model – a lump-sum monthly fee that covers products and services specified in the contract. Fixed-fee pricing models typically appeal to organizations that want costs to be predictable (Turisco, 2000). The online retailer has to determine which pricing model fits their needs and which pricing model will benefit the company financially and satisfy the consumer. In addition, the company must also consider their overhead and their anticipated growth. Globalization Influence and Marketing Trends Even though, globalization has brought benefits between nations, it has also brought universal problems between nations. According to Kearney, (2003), â€Å"September 11 was a gruesome vindication of the argument that global integration had widened the gap between the haves and have-nots†. The author further argues â€Å"that the persistence of al Quada underscores how hard it is for governments to stamp out stateless, decentralized networks that move freely, quickly, and stealthily across national borders to engage in terror†. Marketers need to recognize the pros and cons of globalization, utilize the benefits, and do not become submerse with complex situations that come with globalization. Authors Reddy & Vyas (2004) reviewed 10 pros and cons associated with globalization from a marketing perspective. The pros included: economic growth, rapid technology transfer, more countries becoming democracies, the rapid spread of free enterprise system, unification of culture, living norms, and work ethic, increased communication through the Internet and other media, instant news worldwide, worldwide improvement of health and living conditions, people living longer, and multinational corporations. The cons included: increased unemployment in developed countries, increased trade deficit in developed countries, terrorism, loss of competitiveness in developed nations, poorer nations feel taken advantage of by advanced nations, increased economic gap between the rich and poor nations, some countries feel their norms and religious practices are violated, comparisons with rich nations make poorer nations unhappy, increased pollution through manufacturing and transport worldwide, the spread of Aids, West Nile virus, and various kinds of flu and other diseases. Globalization is regarded with much criticism, however, globalization will continue. There may be some containment of rapidity because of tightening of the borders, demands for intellectual property protection, setting up firewalls for Internet communication, but the movement continues (Reddy & Vyas, 2004, p. 169). Firms and governments that are aware of the positives and negatives involved with globalization will be able to develop a better approach towards globalization. Influence of Online Today’s technology has changed communication and the way marketers get their message out to the consumer. The rapid diffusion of multipurpose smart phones, broadband and wireless Internet connections, and ad-skipping DVRs have eroded the effectiveness of the mass media (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 476). Marketers were able to reach consumers via three television channels 80% of the time in the 60s. Today, marketers would have to run the same information on at least 100 channels to get the same results. Marketers are using technology to reach a broader audience, but at the same time consumers are using technology to fight back. Consumers feel they are receiving numerous ads that have no bearing on their lives. Internet users are taking advantage of new software to block spam and pop-up ads (Nunes & Merrihue, 2007) and telemarketers are being stopped by caller ID and the â€Å"Do not call registry† to prevent disruptions at home. Marketers are answering back by applying alternative solutions. Per Nunes & Merrihue (2007), there are four strategies available to companies that want to reach broad groups of people without breaking their marketing budget. * Bottlenecks – places where people cannot help being stopped, such as subway, elevators, airplanes, or bathroom * Trojan horse approach – placing advertisements on frequently encountered materials, such as coffee cups and pay stubs * Get the attention of consumers at play outside their homes – placing advertisements on adult play thing, such as a golf cart * Extends the third strategy – seeks to get people to play along, using interactive technology in public spaces (p. 64). These types of tactics can target a broad range of consumers with various forms of advertisement that cannot be turned off. The Internet has affected retailers approach to advertising and promoting their products or services. It is vital for companies to develop an effective brand to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. The Internet opens up opportunity for the consumer to provide feedback regarding products and services, which has a significant impact on the retailer, whether the feedback is positive or negative. The Internet also allows the retailer to be more creative based on feedback from the consumer in a number of online communities. The communication channels to the consumer have expanded in number as well as complexity with the global expansion of the Internet and related information technology based products and services. Information technology has dramatically changed how consumers process (or avoid) information delivered by marketing professionals and has eroded the effectiveness of media advertising. The reason for this erosion is due to fragmentation of retail audiences caused by the introduction enhanced media sources such as cable television, blogs, video-on-demand, webcasting, video games, websites, digital video recorders, and multi-functional communication devices (cell phones). The result of these technological and media advancements creates a shift in bargaining power give consumers choices about how, when, and where they consume information (SCH Management Consultants, 2011). The evolution of the Internet has altered the way the consumer and the marketer relate to one another and also how the consumer purchase products and services. The consumer today is more educated, more income at their disposal, and have multiple ways to obtain information; therefore the Internet cannot be disregarded by the retailer. According to SCH Management Consultants, (2011) retailers seeking to expand their brand into the online environment will need to invest in the online experience, as part of a multichannel strategy, to reinforce and complement the in-store experience. For example, if customer service is a key differentiator in a retail store, then the experience should be replicated by providing interactive help, rich media (video) demonstrations, and product comparisons. Consumers will demand the ability to order online and retrieve/return the product at the supplier’s storefront or other distribution points. The retailer that understands the art of engaging with the customer via the Internet has a better chance of appropriately marketing their products to the consumer and establishing a lasting relationship.

Health and Safety of Using a Computer

You need to use the internet to search for the following information. Use the table below to store your answers along with the web address of websites where you found the information. You should use more than one website to check your answers Why is posture important when using a computer? Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| Your ‘computer posture' can have a huge impact on your health. If it's poor, and you slouch for 7 hours a day in front of your PC, your body will suffer in the long-term. | http://www. fitness-programs-for-life. om/computer-posture. html| Why should you take regular breaks or change of activity when using a computer? Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| Eye muscles that shift focus between your source document and a screen for a long period of time can tire. | http://www. staffs. ac. uk/images/user042_tcm68-12657. pdf| Find an image to show how you should correctly sit when you are using a computer? Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| | http://www. google. co. uk/imgres? imgurl=https://www. ourloungelearning. co. uk/materials/popups/new_screenshots/hse1. gif;imgrefurl=https://www. yourloungelearning. co. uk/materials/popups/health_safety. php;usg=__IFMYnONBLFJMUTBDRGIS4N0Y5NU=;h=328;w=425;sz=27;hl=en;start=3;zoom=1;tbnid=3kv5FZAK84FF1M:;tbnh=97;tbnw=126;ei=JhUxT_mxGIqK0AXjwtC0Bw;prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhow%2Bshould%2Byou%2Bsit%2Bat%2Ba%2Bcomputer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom. microsoft:en-gb%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D852%26sout%3D1%26tbm%3Disch;um=1;itbs=1|Why should computer screens and chairs be adjustable? Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| Adjust your keyboard and screen to get a good keying and viewing position. A space in front of the keyboard is sometimes helpful for resting the hands and wrists while not keying. Adjust seat height to ensure hands are perpendicular to keyboard (height adjustme nt is usually achieved by a handle to the left underside of the chair). | http://www3. imperial. ac. uk/occhealth/guidanceandadvice/computerhealth/compute healthgeneralguidance| Find out at least two health problems that might be related to computer use? Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| 1. Eye Disease 2. Computer Stress Injuries 3. Hurting Hands| http://heheli. com/business/top-4-health-problems-caused-by-computer-use/| Find an image to show overloading sockets and find out why you should not overload sockets Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| | http://images. google. co. uk/imgres? imgurl=http://www. ambethliving. org. uk/images/overloaded%2520socket_m. gif;imgrefurl=http://www. lambethliving. org. uk/Default. aspx%3Fpage%3D516;usg=__PGOPSK2MwkKZwGesrJ2Em_8vjEo=;h=183;w=150;sz=13;hl=en;start=17;zoom=1;tbnid=XTRUfXeqS4U0ZM:;tbnh=102;tbnw=84;ei=IhcxT_7NEM2GhQfr9sz-BA;prev=/search%3Fq%3Doverloading%2Bsockets%26hl%3Den%26s afe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D852%26gbv%3D2%26sout%3D1%26tbm%3Disch;itbs=1| Why should you not have trailing cables around a computer room?Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| A large number of accidents around the work place, are cause by tripping over trailing wires. | http://wiki. answers. com/Q/Why_shouldn't_you_have_trailing_wires_near_a_computer#ixzz1lhKk6ABs| Find out what is meant by ergonomic furniture Information found (copy and paste from the website)| Web address| What does ergonomics mean? | ‘Ergonomics' is the science of designing environments and products to match the individuals who use them.The word ‘ergonomics' comes from the Greek ‘ergon' meaning ‘work' and ‘nomos' meaning ‘law'. â€Å"Fitting the worker to the job not the job to the worker. † * Fitting the job to the worker through task design and procedures * Fitting the worker to the job through the use of proper placement procedures an d training. It should be noted â€Å"What works for one worker may not work for another, so it's important to emphasize individual solutions. † Your basic knowledge of ergonomics is a prevention of physical damage or injuries that may occur.

Yitzhak Rabin - An Israeli Her essays

Yitzhak Rabin - An Israeli Her essays In his life and in his death Rabin was hero. Throughout his life and deeds he showed courage, determination, morality and devotion to the Israeli people and country. If we went over his life stages we would see that him being a symbol was not for nothing. In every stage we can see an act or a deed of heroism. Rabin was one of the first people who had joined the Palmach which was established in 1940. By doing this he showed the spirit of volunteering and his contributing to others and to the country. Soon he became a successful commander of the Harel corps where he led the battles for freeing Jerusalem in 1948. In these tough and hard fighting he played a major role and led to victory. Although many of his friends where killed he has not lost hope and joined the teams who talked about the firebreak agreements. Later on he wrote about those days: I felt in my heart a deep feeling of moral responsibility towards the warriors whom by their courage blocked with their bodies the enemy from coming.... Rabin, who risked his life in the battles, has never thought about himself but on the people who fought beside him. He then made a personal swear to devote his life to ensure that Israel would never be caught unprepared to foreign aggressiveness. The service in the Israeli Defense Forces is one of the most important values in the Israeli culture. Rabin is a model for many people who served and are still serving in the army. After the Independence war he stayed in the army for many more years and promoted to the head of the Operations Department and to the Chief of Staff second in command. In those years he has made a huge contribution for shaping the army structure, training methods and relationships with other armies. After that he was nominated to be the Chief of Staff of the IDF the highest position one can achieve in the army. Most of his activities were ...

Essay Sample on Students with Behavioral Disorders

Essay Sample on Students with Behavioral Disorders Students with behavioral disorders exhibit behaviors that teachers and others in their environment find offensive and intolerable. Noncompliance, one of these behaviors, is increasing in frequency of occurrence among children (Walker Sylwester, 1998). The behavior can be displayed by several topographies. Noncompliance is defined as failure to follow a request or standard/rule. This behavior has been identified as one that leads to other forms of maladaptive behaviors, such as vandalism, stealing, and bullying (Walker Sylwester, 1998). Noncompliant behavior is destructive to the student’s success academically at school and socially in the school, home, and community environments. It often leads to power struggles and other negative verbal exchanges, sometimes resulting in physically aggressive behavior. These types of coercive interactions destroy relationships. A survey of 1,100 general education and special education teachers identified that child compliance to tea cher requests is â€Å"the most highly valued form of adaptive student behavior† (Walker, 1986). Compliance to requests and standards/rules is essential for success in the student’s present and future environments. It has a direct impact on relationship, education, and employment. Teacher and staff behavior (Walker Sylwester, 1998; Martella et al., 1993; Umbreit Blair, 1997) curricular/instructional variables (Umbreit Blair, 1997; Clark et al, 1995; and Daepe et al., 1996), and other aspects of the school environment are relevant contingencies affecting student compliance. In fact, these contingencies may serve as setting events and reinforcers for the noncompliant behavior. Research (Daepe et al., 1996; Umbreit Blair, 1997) suggests that difficult tasks may elicit disruptive behavior and lead to the development of escape and avoidance strategies. The noncompliant behavior may serve as an escape or avoidance strategy when the task presented is perceived aversive by the student. Umbreit and Blair (1997) conducted a study regarding the effects of structural analysis on the aggressive and noncompliant behavior of a preschooler at-risk for behavior disorders. The problem behaviors were resolved through program modification. They reported that there is â€Å"the need to examine potentially aversive stimuli within the school program that may set the occasion† for problem behavior. In addition, Walker Sylwester (1998) made the following program recommendations for what teachers and others can do to increase and maintain compliant behavior: provide areas for individual work, provide areas for cooperative work, directions written on the board, star t-up ideas posted, and involve the student in the development of classroom rules, policies, and procedures. The verbal behavior of teachers and others are also relevant contingencies and may serve as aversive stimuli that occasions problem behavior. Walker Sylwester (1998) identified two types of commands, alpha and beta, which are used to usually initiate or terminate behavior. Beta commands usually consist of multiple commands which are vague and usually administered too rapidly for the individual to have time to respond (Walker Sylwester, 1998). Alpha commands on the other hand are â€Å"clear, direct, and specific† (Walker Sylwester, 1998). And result in more compliant behavior. Sometimes noncompliant behavior occurs frequently enough to warrant an individualized and intensive intervention. To do this effectively, variables that are reinforcing the behavior needs to be identified. One such approach which has proven to be effective in incorporating the development of hypotheses which lead to the identification of variables influencing the target behavior is functional assessment (Dunlap et al., 1993). Functional assessment is a â€Å"process of identifying the relationships between environmental events, the occurrences, and nonoccurrence of a target behavior† (Dunlap et al., 1993). This process should be a consideration when noncompliant behavior is serious and persistent enough to require an individualized intervention. One final point that should be taken into consideration if the goal is to improve student compliance is the training of staff. Martella et al. (1993) conducted a study on improving the behavior of a student with severe disabilities through paraprofessional training. The study was intensive and extensive. Results revealed that improvement in the paraprofessional’s skills resulted in improved student behavior. As indicated earlier, the frequency with which students are exhibiting noncompliant behavior is increasing. Teachers and others in the student’s environment may not be able to control the topography of the behavior that is exhibited, but there are many variables that are within their control which exert considerable influence over the probability of compliance versus noncompliance. They must become aware of what these variables are and use that knowledge to promote compliance and set student’s up for success. Teachers and others must also be informed of effective assessment and intervention strategies to use when noncompliant behavior is persistent over time. This is a sample Education essay written by one of our academic writers. If you want to order a custom essay, term paper, thesis, research paper, dissertation or other written assignment contact our company to get professional academic writing help.

The Meaning of Okuns Law in Economics

The Meaning of Okuns Law in Economics In economics, Okuns Law describes the relationship between production output and employment. In order for manufacturers to produce more goods, they must hire more people. The inverse is also true. Less demand for goods leads to a decrease in production, in turn prompting layoffs. But in normal economic times, employment rises and falls in direct proportion to the rate of production at a set amount. Who was Arthur Okun? Okuns Law is named for the man who first described it, Arthur Okun (Nov. 28, 1928- March 23, 1980). Born in New Jersey, Okun studied economics at Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. While teaching at Yale University, Okun was appointed to President John Kennedys Council of Economic Advisors, a position he would also hold under Lyndon Johnson. An advocate of Keynesian economic policies, Okun was a firm believer in using fiscal policy to control inflation and stimulate employment. His studies of long-term unemployment rates led to the publication in 1962 of what became known as Okuns Law. Okun joined the Brookings Institution in 1969 and continued to research and write about economic theory until his death in 1980. He also is credited with defining a recession as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Output and Employment In part, economists care about a nations output (or, more specifically, its Gross Domestic Product) because output is related to employment, and one important measure of a nations well-being is whether those people who want to work can actually get jobs. Therefore, its important to understand the relationship between output and the unemployment rate. When an economy is at its normal or long-run level of production (i.e. potential GDP), there is an associated unemployment rate known as the natural rate of unemployment. This unemployment consists of frictional and structural unemployment but doesnt have any cyclical unemployment associated with business cycles. Therefore, it makes sense to think about how unemployment deviates from this natural rate when production goes above or below its normal level. Okun originally stated that the economy experienced a 1 percentage point increase in unemployment for every 3 percentage point decrease GDP from its long-run level. Similarly, a 3 percentage point increase in GDP from its long-run level is associated with a 1 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In order to understand why the relationship between changes in output and changes in unemployment is not one-to-one, its important to keep in mind that changes in output are also associated with changes in the labor force participation rate, changes in the number of hours worked per person, and changes in labor productivity. Okun estimated, for example, that a 3 percentage point increase in GDP from its long-run level corresponded to a 0.5 percentage point increase in the labor force participation rate, a 0.5 percentage point increase in the hours worked per employee, and a 1 percentage point increase in labor productivity (i.e. output per worker per hour), leaving the remaining 1 percentage point to be the change in the unemployment rate. Contemporary Economics Since Okuns time, the relationship between changes in output and changes in unemployment has been estimated to be about 2 to 1 rather than the 3 to 1 that Okun originally proposed. (This ratio is also sensitive to both geography and time period.) In addition, economists have noted that the relationship between changes in output and changes in unemployment is not perfect, and Okuns Law should generally be taken as a rule of thumb as opposed to as an absolute governing principle since it is mainly a result found in the data rather than a conclusion derived from a theoretical prediction. Sources: Encyclopaedia Brittanica staff. Arthur M. Okun: American Economist. Brittanica.com, 8 September 2014. Fuhrmann, Ryan C. Okuns Law: Economic Growth And Unemployment. Investopedia.com, 12 February 2018. Wen, Yi, and Chen, Mingyu. Okun’s Law: A Meaningful Guide for Monetary Policy? Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 8 June 2012.

English Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English Paper - Essay Example Acts of obligation must be able to pass the categorical imperative in which you might also will that your maxim becomes a universal law. Liberal Individualism holds that "a democratic society must carve out a certain space within which the individual may pursue personal projects." Like Kantianism, this is a rule-based theory looking at either legal rights or moral rights. Under this theory, individual rights are held to be all-important but these often come into conflict with the individual rights of others forcing rights to be trumped based on the greater good. Communitarianism presupposes that fundamental principles in ethics stem from the values of common good, traditional practices and social aims. Decisions regarding good or bad acts are made based on whether the decision supports or undermines the communal values, regardless of what the individual feels. Tradition and common practice both play a role in this theory and often function in opposition to liberal individualism. Moral decisions are not always as easy to decide as the fairy tales make them seem. There is often no clear-cut difference between good and evil, the bad guy is not always the one wearing black. Many times, moral decisions are made based on which of the four main theories one feels most comfortable with. Although any of these theories could be applied to a situation such as the one found in Susan Glaspels short story "Trifles," the one that seems most appropriate to me is liberal individualism. The women discover the motive and nature of the crime that has been committed, but they keep it to themselves through a sense of moral justice based on individualistic principles. At the beginning of the play, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale arrive at the vacant home of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Mr. Wright has been found strangled in his bed and Mrs. Wright sits at the jailhouse pending

Design of Desire Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Design of Desire - Research Paper Example Most of the people take a little step further than required in purchasing things which they hardly need or require. They basically buy material they do not have use of, but is just a treat for their eyes and mind. The most of the buying or shopping is based on emotional and feelings of a person, rather than on requirement and need. This kind of consuming behavior is not only a financial loss but also can turn out be an uncontrollable habit which they can get addicted to. â€Å"In today’s consumer- driven society ,satisfying consumer needs has less to with the practical meeting of physical needs and everything to do with gratifying desire based upon emotions†(Danziger 11).This kind of frivolous buying behavior is seen among people who are spontaneous and impulsive and they give more importance to their emotional satisfaction rather than real needs. But this is not the case with all, there are the value of the money, and spend it on things which are more essential to them. However, for the spend thrift behavior of the people can be very well blamed upon the marketing strategy of the manufactures, international companies and designer brand producers. The advertising agenda of these product lines is to capture the mind of the buyer and trap them in buying the product no matter what the situation is. The market in every way advertise products taking in to consideration people who are spend thrifts and extravagant .They promote their product to lure them and motivate them to buy the product as if they are necessary commodity for their household use. Since there is a huge competition in the market the companies indulge in various techniques and tactics to attract the buyers and sell out their products. â€Å"The buying process in influenced by buyer’s mood and psychological factor, social surrounding, time, situational factors, social class culture and so forth†(Steiner 59-62). People are more drawn to buy luxury brand also in a way to remain in

An absolute moral standard in the USA in 2015 is following intuition, Essay

An absolute moral standard in the USA in 2015 is following intuition, reflecting and respecting diversity and the role religion does not play in shaping a persons morality - Essay Example There is simplicity in the believer’s perceptive of morality, right and wrong, and that religion does not play a part in shaping a person’s morality. Scriptures differentiate what is right and wrong. It is basically obeying without asking for reasons why you should. For many believers, morality means doing right for fear of God, or in effort to avoid fires of Hell. Based on authoritative goal, this perception is deficient of complete code of rules. Christians for instance, have conflicts over simple moral questions (Packham, 19). Morality recognizes and evaluates diversity in the human cultures and strong morality intuition. High moral grounds appear to be such a crowded place in the sense that religious individuals seem less successful than their non-religious counterparts (Singer). An absolute moral principle lies beyond conformity and devotion to religious beliefs whether it’s Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, Neopaganism and Unitarianism among others. The critiques to the religious role of upholding moral standards argue that immoral acts have been committed in the history of religion. The Bible’s book of Exodus quotes that God gave his servant Moses instructions to murder the Midianites, all of their women, men, boys and non-virgin girls. In itself, this act of brutally depriving people of their life, they argue, is not moral. Incalculable conflicts have also been evidenced in the Islam religion between the Shiite and the Sunni Muslims. The United States have witnessed terror activities that have been fuelled by extremist Muslims. Members of the widely known Alkaeda network consisting of suicide bombers, aboard commercial airlines and divert flights to key predetermined targets. The 9/11 was the date the planes hit the World Trade Towers resulting in deaths of thousands and injuries of many others (Singer and Hauser). The extremism purports

Sand and gravel operators in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Essay

Sand and gravel operators in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Essay Example The availability of sand and gravel facilitated trade for the operators since this era. In this case, the operators’ trade took a unique course within the locality. There was a vivid observation that the operators would sell most of the products within Sault Ste. Marie vicinity. This trend has prevailed for a long duration since the onset of the sand and gravel trade within the locality. Definitely it was attributable to specific facts that involved city policies and regulations. Ontario had been subject to a rugged terrain since history. The city authorities had the zeal to reform the land and propagate agriculture (Mackintosh, 16). In this case, agriculture required a fine terrain with ideal edaphic factors. Agriculture was to become a complement of the pit business and mining in this region. The interests of the authorities were to enhance both sectors in Ontario. In this plan, southern Ontario was engaged in agricultural activities as the northern part was to retain aggreg ate resources (Mackintosh, 16). This led to the production of a policy that credited Sault Ste. Marie to retain the aggregate resources. This was an ideal decision from the authorities. However, it surfaced intricate issues and hardships amongst inhabitants who practiced the different economic initiatives. Conflict arose in places where the agrarian and aggregate land would coincide. After the implementation of the dual economy, agriculture took a rampant growth. This is evident in the production of fruits like cherries, grapes as well as peaches (Mackintosh, 16). As denoted previously, Sault Ste. Marie was dominant in aggregate resources. During its aggregate activities, Sault Ste. Marie was responsible of the blockage and deposits in Root River. It was also responsible for depositing materials in Cannon Creek. These were paramount resources towards the enhancement of agriculture. Therefore, the aggregate deposits were significantly detrimental to the thriving of agriculture. Conse quently, the authorities charged Sault Ste. Marie due to the blockages it had brought. According to the policy, any individual that would make deposits in rivers or at the banks would be charged. A five or ten thousand dollars fine would be imposed to the offender (Laskin, 10). The crime could also lead to both a fine and one year imprisonment. This policy has been existent from the 1970s to date. This is a key reason towards the dismal trade to Ontario for the aggregate resources. Any form of deposit that would deprive the quality of water in this municipality would attribute to legal charges. Evidently, this policy was a key factor towards the decreased trade of aggregate materials to Ontario. The traders of aggregate materials would prefer not to incur a risk in the transportation process. In this case, they preferred to trade with the local buyers of aggregate materials. Their preference of trade remained intact inspire of the low profit margins in Sault Ste. Marie. Therefore, t he Ontario policy was a key factor towards the local preference by aggregate traders in Sault Ste. Marie. Southern Ontario is entirely vulnerable to aggregate pollution (Laskin, 9). Poverty has been a sensitive issue in the confines of Sault Ste. Marie. There has been a major concern to eradicate poverty in this locality (Coulter, 9). Poverty eradication would bring a new phase in diverse sectors of this vicinity. For example, it would enhance education attainment, healthcare amongst others. The eradication would also bring a positive economic impact on the vicinity. In this locality, poverty is in a rampant state to a large populace. Due to this fact, majority of the individuals do not hold professional qualifications for ideal careers. This is a trend in the sand

U06d1 Intelligence & u06d2 Interview Summary 2 part Essay

U06d1 Intelligence & u06d2 Interview Summary 2 part - Essay Example Both of these are completely different and they possess different neural as well as mental systems (Horn & Cattell, 1967). The two as has been understood are quite different from each other and have different impact on people throughout their lives. It is essential to understand that both these form of intelligence tend to grow during childhood and adolescence. However post this period it is noted that the crystallized intelligence continues to grow into adulthood, while the Fluid intelligences grows until the age of 30 – 40 years post which there is a clear and progressive decline that is seen among the individuals (Kirkwood, 1999). With old age, it is common for people to face number of changes in their bodies as well mentally. These changes of mental and physical that the individuals got through lead them to be react differently to different situations and also lead to mood swings and inability to adjust to their surroundings. In the case of Richard, as discussed earlier, he might be facing the issue of lesser fluid intelligence, which in turn leads to a situation where he is unable to create a link to the changing environment and the changing style of living and the newer generation (Kirkwood, 1999). Hence there are clashes between the grandchildren and him. Richard is unable to understand certain perspectives of life and the changes that need to be adopted to live in the current world and this leads him to be unable to respect the decisions of his grandchildren and to doubt their judgements, hence creating an issue among them. Denise and Tom, it is essential for you to understand that your father has been going through tremendous changes in life with the loss of your mum and the retirement as well. At this age elders tend to loos a lot of their rational behaviour and the ability to change and adapt to the new times. The confusion and chaos that they faced internally

Literature. Crusoe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Literature. Crusoe - Essay Example It is not just an immense tree, but is "five foot ten inches in diameter at the lower part . . . and four foot eleven inches diameter at the end of twenty-two foot." Furthermore, time is measured with similar exactitude, as Crusoe's journal shows. We may often wonder why Crusoe feels it useful to record that it did not rain on December 26, but for him the necessity of counting out each day is never questioned. "As I had once done thus in my breaking away from my Parents, so I could not be content now, but I must go and leave the happy View I had of being a rich and thriving Man in my new Plantation, only to pursue a rash and immoderate Desire of rising faster than the Nature of the Thing admitted;" (p.257) All these examples of counting and measuring underscore Crusoe's practical, businesslike character and his hands-on approach to life. But Defoe sometimes hints at the futility of Crusoe's measuring-as when the carefully measured canoe cannot reach water or when his obsessively kept calendar is thrown off by a day of oversleeping. Generally, we see that there is a major sense of class superiority. Robinson hired one "European servant" and a "Negro slave" on his plantation. We are supposed to assume that one is better than the other. The basis of such distinctions is rooted in religion. ... The basis of such distinctions is rooted in religion. Defoe introduces what is perhaps the most important background component to the story--the role of Christianity, particularly as it connects to relationships with other people. What appears to be a friendship between Robinson and Xury is turned into a common master-slave relationship when Crusoe decides to part with him so that Xury will be Christian in ten years' time. The fact that he is willing to forsake his companion in this manner indicates how strongly the Christian faith is entrenched within him. Essentially it is the driving force behind this decision. The excerpt below exemplifies how Crusoe viewed his life when faced with crisis which can have an economic nature and how God acts to help him get through it. "I have been in all my Circumstances a Memento to those who are touched with the general Plague of Mankind, whence, for ought I know, one half of their Miseries flow; I mean, that of not being satisfy'd with the Station wherein God and Nature has plac'd them; for not to look back upon my primitive Condition, and the excellent Advice of my Father, the Opposition to which was, as I may call it, my ORIGINAL SIN." (p. 168) It happen'd one Day about Noon going towards my Boat, I was exceedingly surpriz'd with the Print of a Man's naked Foot on the Shore." (p. 172) The business-like friendship between Xury and Crusoe is further emphasized when the narrator procures a plantation in Brazil. Astounded by the hard work, he wishes dearly for "his boy Xury." The diction of this line demonstrates possessiveness toward Robinson's companion. Ironically, he only longs for his company when there is back-breaking labor to be done. It appears that Xury's un-Christian status degrades him in the eyes of the narrator and

U06d1 Intelligence & u06d2 Interview Summary 2 part Essay

U06d1 Intelligence & u06d2 Interview Summary 2 part - Essay Example Both of these are completely different and they possess different neural as well as mental systems (Horn & Cattell, 1967). The two as has been understood are quite different from each other and have different impact on people throughout their lives. It is essential to understand that both these form of intelligence tend to grow during childhood and adolescence. However post this period it is noted that the crystallized intelligence continues to grow into adulthood, while the Fluid intelligences grows until the age of 30 – 40 years post which there is a clear and progressive decline that is seen among the individuals (Kirkwood, 1999). With old age, it is common for people to face number of changes in their bodies as well mentally. These changes of mental and physical that the individuals got through lead them to be react differently to different situations and also lead to mood swings and inability to adjust to their surroundings. In the case of Richard, as discussed earlier, he might be facing the issue of lesser fluid intelligence, which in turn leads to a situation where he is unable to create a link to the changing environment and the changing style of living and the newer generation (Kirkwood, 1999). Hence there are clashes between the grandchildren and him. Richard is unable to understand certain perspectives of life and the changes that need to be adopted to live in the current world and this leads him to be unable to respect the decisions of his grandchildren and to doubt their judgements, hence creating an issue among them. Denise and Tom, it is essential for you to understand that your father has been going through tremendous changes in life with the loss of your mum and the retirement as well. At this age elders tend to loos a lot of their rational behaviour and the ability to change and adapt to the new times. The confusion and chaos that they faced internally

Response 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Response 1 - Assignment Example I would like to add that health informatics technology is specifically important in the present age when people are generally endorsing more carefree and riskier lifestyles with respect to their diet and life choices, and at the same time, are becoming increasingly forgetful of their medical conditions and history. Health informatics technology is a great addition to the ever-advancing medical technology in that the focus of nurses and clinicians will now be on the selection of the best method of treatment rather than on finding ways to retrieve accurate information from the patients. Your’s is an elaborative response to the discussion questions and the statements and assertions are supported by reliable and credible sources, which reflects depth of research and richness of intellectual response. Just a small suggestion; in my opinion, in the response to the first discussion question, the concluding sentence â€Å"a recent article†¦Ã¢â‚¬  can be relocated to the beginni ng section where other definitions of meaningful use have been discussed to give a better flow and structure to the

Childrens Day Essay Example for Free

Childrens Day Essay Children are adorable. They are like divine gifts that parents get from the almighty. Their eyes are full of innocence. They smile when they receive love and admiration, they cry when it is their first day at school away from their parents, they giggle when they mingle with their buddies, and they signify nothing but the pure and faithful love. They truly symbolise god. 14th November is celebrated as childrens day in all over India. 14th November is also the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India. Childhood memories are sweetest of all. They can be savored for a lifetime. Childrens day celebration is fun for the little ones but it is important for the parents too. Every parent must understand the importance of the childrens day. Parents should be well aware about the little desires of their angels. Chacha Nehrus love for children Do you know why Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus birthday is celebrated as the childrens day? Pandit Nehru was a great leader. He worked passionately for the welfare of children and youngsters soon after independence. He was keen about welfare, education, and development of children in India. He was fond of children and thus became popular as Chacha Nehru (Uncle Nehru) among his little admirers. Nehru was very particular about the progress of the Indian youth. He wanted to create responsible citizens out of young boys and girls. Under his regime he established several educational institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Institutes of Technology, and Indian Institutes of Management. He included and highlighted the point in his five years plan that every child in India would get free and compulsory primary education. Over thousands of schools were built through out the villages of India when Nehru was in power. He also brought the scheme to distribute free meals and milk to school children in India to prevent malnutrition. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru himself was destinys child. He struggled a lot for the welfare of India. It is believed that he admired two things a lot, red roses and children. His love and passion towards children is the reason why we celebrate Childrens Day on his birthday. Why do we celebrate Childrens Day? Childrens Day celebration is the tribute to childhood. John Kennedy, 35th US president has quoted it rightly, Children are the worlds most valuable resource and its best hope for the future. We cannot hide the fact that many children in India are not getting basic privileges like education. Many children are earning money instead of playing with toys. The true essence of childrens day is to understand the significance of childhood in our lives. The values and disciplines learned as a child are responsible for the kind of adulthood one has. Thus childhood is special and should be celebrated. Childrens Day is to remind all young and adults about childrens right to enjoy their childhood without any boundaries and to be educated adult in the future. Childrens Day is to revise the right methods of raising children. Childrens Day Celebration 20th November is Universal Childrens Day. In India lots fun activities and programs are organized on the childrens day. Childrens Day is called as Bal Divas in Hindi. On this particular day government, NGOs (non government organisations), schools, and some private bodies conduct competitions and events for children. Various cultural programs are organized through out the schools. Special television programs for children are broadcasted on 14th November. Parents too are eager about childrens day. Some parents buy gifts for their sons and daughters. Some parents give greeting cards to their children to express their wishes on this special day. As parents we should not let this day pass as other ordinary day. It is our duty to make childrens day special for our child. You may take your child to visit some NGO or childrens home on this day. You can imbibe some precious values in him though generous acts. Your child can give away some of his belongings to other poor children. In such a way he will get to know the real significance of this day. Make every 14th November special for your child. After all, Children will not remember you for the material things you provide them but for the feeling that you cherished them.

The research approaches adopted and methodology

The research approaches adopted and methodology The aims of this paper are evaluate the research approaches adopted and methodology used in assigned research reports. Moreover, reflect and point out the strengths and weaknesses of reports. Social research is a scientific study of society and it purposes are exploring, describing or explaining the social phenomena. Thus, there are major methodological approaches which are quantitative approach and qualitative approach. Firstly, according to Alan Bryman (2008), the quantitative research can be construed as a research strategy which emphasis the quantification in collection and analysis data and involves a deductive approach to the relationship between theory and research which the accent is placed on the theories testing. Moreover, it has incorporated the practices and norms of the natural scientific model and of positivism in particular and there is an external, objective, social reality (or entity).Objective reality exists beyond the human mind (researcher). Secondly, qualitative research can be construed as a research strategy which emphasis in the words in collection and analysis data and involves an inductive approach to the relationship between the theory and the research which emphasis is placed the generation of theories. Thus, it has rejected the practice and norms of the natural scientific model and emphasis on individuals interpret the social world. There is no absolute external, objective, social reality (or entity) which is constituted by how the human mind (researcher) perceives, thinks, interprets or experiences about it. Furthermore, the most common methodologies within the social research include experiments, survey, in-depth Interview, participant observation Part 1 Youth-this research aims to investigate the factors conductive to the success of young people growing up in low-income families and exam the factors that help them to their lives from failure, poverty and social exclusion. It also identifies a range of indicators and necessary conditions for the positive development of them. Thus, evaluate the way which the functions of service participation, friendship networks and various family factors support them in different areas. Youth-the research focus on the effects of service participation, friendship networks, and family support on developmental outcomes in a study of young people from low-income families in Hong Kong. In this research, there are three research hypotheses as follow, firstly, a young person who has received vocational training, services provided by social workers or other helping professionals will have greater opportunity for positive development despite his/her deprived family background. Secondly, a young person who has better friendship networks will have a greater opportunity for positive development despite his/her deprived family. Lastly, a young person with better family support will have a greater opportunity for positive development despite his/her deprived family background. Youth-In this research report, it used the survey research. According to Earl Babbie (2008), the survey research is the popular social research method which is the administration of questionnaires to a sample of respondents selected from some population and it is appropriate for making descriptive studies of larger population. Thus, the questionnaires can be administered through the self-administered questionnaires, face-to-face interviews or telephone surveys. For this report, the research used the quantitative survey of 405 young people recruited from the schools and integrated youth service centres in Hong Kong. Furthermore, as the researcher investigates the factors based on the youth development indicators which are according to the scholars, therefore, this research study used the deductive analysis which is a form of reasoning in conclusions are formulated about particulars from general or universal premises. Youth-In this report, researcher used the survey as the tool in social research. According to Babbie (2008), the survey includes a question which is either open-ended or close-ended and employs an oral or written method for asking these questions. The goal of a survey is to gain information from the selected group and the result is used to investigate the social phenomena. Thus, in this report, a quantitative survey of 405 young people from the low-income families was conducted to explore the factors relevant to their development and success. Also, the respondents were between 17 to 21 years old -the critical age range from teenage transit to young adulthood. Therefore, the result can investigate the factors conductive to the success of young people growing up in low-income families and exam the factors that help them to their lives from failure, poverty and social exclusion Youth-In the findings of research report, over a half of the respondents were female, their average age is 18.33 years and around 55% are completed senior secondary education and 36% has matriculation qualification. Also, most of the respondents are students at the time of the data collection. For the family background of respondents, most of their parents are low educated and employed, living in public housing and low-income. Thus, the result showed that receipt of social work service has positive effects on academic achievement, work performance and mental health. In Addition, the data demonstrated that the size of friendship networks had a significant positive impact on work performance and showed that having more friends with better educational achievement, high employee status and positive social experience contributed to pro-social behaviour. Finally, it evaluated the prediction of youth development resulting from various factor that parents material status had significant posi tive effect on respond ents financial adequacy and their social behaviour. Part 2 Youth-In this report, it is used the quantitative approach as the research methodology and used the survey as the tool in the research. As the researcher set the quantitative survey and hypothesis for given topic, the answer of respondents should be present in numerical. Therefore, in quantitative approach, the data collection is easier to summaries, analysis and measurable because the answer for respondent converting to numerical format. However, there is some weakness of quantitative approach. Firstly, since the respondents recruited from the school and integrated youth centers, some of the youth may not be counter as the respondents (e.g. Hikikomori).it implies that the survey research represents the least minimally appropriate to all respondent and it is often appear superficial in coverage of complex topic. Secondly, the validity of quantitative research is heavily rely on the sampling because most of the quantitative research used survey as the tool, in this report, researcher only recruited 405 youth people as the respondents for investigate the factors conductive to the success of young people growing up in low-income families and exam the factors that help them to their lives from failure, poverty and social exclusion, compare to the large population of the youth group, the result cannot be representing for the group. Moreover, the quantitative research is inflexibility caused the study design is standardized, it would be unaware the new variables importance. As the researcher focus the study on testing the hypothesis and indicate the several factor, the research should be neglect the other factors which related to the positive development of the youth. Part 3 Youth-The study just mentioned the respondents are recruited from 13 secondary school and 18 integrated school located in different districts, however, It has blurred to explain the method for sampling the agency for data collection. Moreover, the definition of the factors of service participation and social capital are undefined. For example, there is no illustration of the positive social experiences in the friendship network, the term seems to be obscure .Also, since the research has targeted the respondents between 17-21 years old which is the critical age range in the transitioj to young adulthood,and the time that is chart Reference Babbie, Earl R. (2007), The practice of social research, 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth Crotty Michael (1998), The foundations of social research: meaning and perspective in research process, London: Sage Publications Bryman Alan (2008), Social research methods, New York: Oxford University Inc

Impact Of Prematurity On Development Essay -- essays research papers

Impact of Premature Birth on Development   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Years ago, premature birth almost always meant death for the baby. Today, however, we have the technology to nurture these infants’ development, and many of them survive to lead normal, healthy lives. Although, very premature infants (that is, those born before about the fifth month) are still not likely to survive, many born at five months and older will thrive. Some preterm babies, however, do have many obstacles to overcome. There are a variety of medical problems that affect some of them, they may have impaired mental or physical conditions, and they may be looked upon by others in their environment as slow, or they might be treated differently because they were premature. All of these factors, plus a few more that will be discussed, affect the development of preterm infants into their adolescent years, and sometimes beyond.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many preterm babies are born with medical problems because they simply were not ready to come into the world yet. They will not have very developed primitive reflexes, and they may look a little strange, with translucent skin, misshapen ears, and fine hair covering their entire bodies. One of the biggest problems for premature infants is a condition called Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), in which the lungs do not produce enough surfactant, which is the substance that keeps the airsacs in the lungs from collapsing. If not treated in time, the infant’s brain will become oxygen deprived, which would lead to death. It can cause some brain damage. Another condition that often affects premature babies is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). This happens when the ductus arteriosus, which connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, doesn’t close, leading to the infant’s blood not being properly oxgenated. This can also lead to brain damage if not caug ht in time. Premature infants also may just stop breathing, which is called apnea. This is why they must be closely monitored, for without close supervision, they could die.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another medical condition common to premature infants which affects the brain is Intraventricular Hermorrage, where the blood vessels in the brain bleed. This affects most premature babies, but it is not very severe in most cases, and is easily treated. In more severe cases, it can be associat... ...nd child had a better relationship, the child showed fewer behavioral disturbances than when the mother/child relationship was bad (Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, v.23 p 328-9). Typically, the more negative the environment, the less well-adjusted the premature child was. Another factor in their emotional development is the income of the family. In higher SES environments, the children were typically more well-adjusted. Birth weight is also a factor in this. The smaller the birth weight, the less emotionally adjusted and more behaviorally disturbed the child will be. Levy-Shift and Gili Einat concluded that the reason why premature babies have these problems is that they are generally less intelligent than full terms. They had more trouble learning, which could lead to negative emotional reactions. They say that premature children sometimes have impaired neurological processes that underlie cognitive dysfunction which is detrimental to behavioral and emotional functioning (Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, v.23 p 329). Premature children are less responsive, less alert, and less active when they are babies, which can lead to a bad start to the mother-child relationship.

Leadership and Management Essay

Initially I plan on reviewing the prevailing leadership styles in my organisation and then assessing the impact of these on the organisation’s values and performance. In order to assess the leadership styles I have produced a questionnaire (see appendix 1). The questionnaire was designed to find out how directive, participative and permissive each manager in our organisation is and then study the most prevailing style. It was evident from the information collated that the prevailing leadership style in our organisation is participative and directive rather than permissive. On assessing this information it became apparent that our manager’s leadership styles reflect a Contingency theory and they rather be present and take part in services in order to ensure controlled success. Contingency theory is a class of behavioral theories that claim there is no best way to lead a company, or to make decisions. Instead, the best action is contingent (dependent) upon the situation. Several contingency approaches were developed in the1960s. They suggested that previous theories such as Weber’s bureaucracy and Taylor’s Scientific Management had failed because they neglected that management style and organisational structure were influenced by various aspects of the environment: known as contingency factors. There could not be â€Å"one best way† for leadership or organisation. Historically, contingency theory has attempted to formulate broad views about formal structures that are typically associated with or best fit the use of different organisations. This perspective originated with the work of Joan Woodward (1958), who argued that skills directly determine differences in such organisational attributes as a span of control, centralisation of authority, and the formalisation of rules and procedures. My Organisation Values and Performance The organisation that I work for delivers a range of high quality services and projects, these services follow the principles of empowering communities, developing lives, furthering equality, diversity and inclusion and strengthening local voluntary sector delivery. These principles dictate the values in which we function. We are very much a voluntary sector, charitable organisation ensuring that at the heart of our services are the people that access them. Performance is measured through a set of service delivery indicators which form the base of our promises to funding bodies, staff, volunteers and customers in everything we do. These indicators are measured via our service development plan. Each year we publish an Annual Report based on our Service Delivery Indicators, which measure our progress and informs the public of our work over the previous year in delivering against our priorities. (See Appendix 2 for our organisations SDI’s) Our organisation values and performance clearly highlight a need for the leadership to be open and receptive. This allows us to except feedback and input from our service users. A directive and participatory leadership style is imposed by managers in our organisation for staff; however when dealing with service users we have to adopt a more directive style to ensure commination is clear and there is no room for bought. We have found in the past when we have given service users who are vulnerable and have mental health difficulties an opportunity to contribute to services they feel empowered, however they need time and guidance in order to make informed decisions. Effectiveness of my Own Leadership Style On assessing my own leadership style I appeared to be more directive, in the middle when it came to participation, however I did not seem to be very permissive. The results did not surprise me and seemed to be consistent with my approach. I tend to direct staff by the use of many models including action plans which are produced in team meeting and each member of staff is allocated actions, timescales, budget and directions. I am participatory when tasks are being carried out I ensure I understand the delivery method and observe when necessary. For example if we are promoting a new group I will ensure all promotion literature is checked by me prior to going out and visit the new group to view session delivery. I do not hide away form front line delivery and ensure I gage with staff, clients and volunteers therefore I understand the reason why on my leadership assessment I did not score highly on being permissive. Therefore I feel my management style suits the organisation. However with the changing nature of our organisation leading towards a more business-like approach I may find I have to review my management style. I may need to become more permissive, less participatory and even more directive. This will ensure I can work more strategically to order to retain services and staff. Changing my approach may be difficult for my staff to accept, however explaining that their jobs may be at risks if I do not manage differently may put it all into perspective. By applying a Contingency theory mentioned earlier I should be able to manage this effectively. I asked my staff to assess my leadership style using the questionnaire I produced and gave to fellow managers (Appendix 1). The results mirrored my self assessment, demonstrating that I understand my own leadership style well and that the staff have the same opinion. Apply Own Leadership Style in Range of Situations Over the last two weeks I have begun to assess my own leadership style in a variety of situations. These have mainly taken the form of meetings. I have chaired a client/volunteer meeting and a full staff meeting. My leadership style tended to change in these situations. I became less formal with the client and volunteer meeting in order to project at their level of understanding. Less detail was presented and less decision making was required. The meeting was more informative and decisions had been made by the staff team prior to the meeting. Feedback and participation was welcomed however it was in a manner in which it could be controlled so as a staff team we could make informed decisions.

Evaluation of Subway’s Branding and its SWOT analysis Essay

NAMEA brand is a combination of name, term, sign, symbol and design intended to identify the goods or services of one seller, which helps him/her to differentiate from those of competitors (Kotler 2006, 269). Subway is first known as Pete’s Super Submarine in 1965. The name was shortened to Subway and it is also then, the first franchised unit was opened in 1974 in Connecticut (Subway 2008). Perhaps, the founder of subway – Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck – realized the importance of developing a good brand name. There are several desirable qualities for a brand name. It should (i) suggest about the product’s benefits and qualities, (ii) be easy to pronounce, recognize and remember, and (iii) distinctive. Subway has fulfilled all these qualities. Its slogan ‘Eat Fresh† suggests the freshness of the ingredients used for the submarine sandwiches. Also, as Subway offers a wide assortment of products like sandwiches, salads, cookies, potato chips etc, making every visit a fresh one for its consumers. The colour green and the use of tomatoes in the logo symbolize the healthier aspect of Subway’s food products. Subway has a high degree of brand awareness; consumers are able to associate Subway with its submarine sandwiches that are filled with fresh vegetables. The brand name is not offensive; it did not create any inappropriate excitement like French Connection’s provocative slogan – FCUK, which has resulted in many controversies in countries including Singapore. Brand name is very important as a good one can add greatly to a product’s success (Kotler 2006, 273). SUBWAY’S OVERALL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES StrengthsSubway has successfully market itself as a healthier alternative to traditional greasy fast food. In the press release on 18 November 1999, Subway has listed the seven low-fat subs with 6 grams of fat or less menu offering convenience and good nutrition food products for consumers’ fast-paced lives. This has made Subway as the best fast food choice for consumers who are concerned about eating right; counting calories or trying to eat healthy. Also, according to the press release, Subway is conscious of the dietary needs of vegetarian consumers and offer options for them – Veggie Delite, which is simply a salad sandwich. At Subway, consumers are able to personalize their own submarine sandwich by choosing the type of ingredients, condiments and salad  dressing they wish to have for their sandwiches. The choice of getting the sandwich toasted is available too. This personalized service is not common in most of the fast food restaurants. Besides, unique sides like freshly baked cookies and potato chips are offered instead of the usual mash potatoes, French fries or coleslaw. Generally, the portion served is relatively in comparison to normal burgers. Overall, Subway’s sandwiches are loaded with fresh ingredients that differentiate Subway from its competitors. WeaknessesSubway’s sandwiches tend to become soggy after kept for a period of time without consuming. This will affect the overall tastiness of the sandwich. Such situation happens most frequently to people who do take-away. In addition, Subway’s sandwiches only come in Six-inch or foot-long sizes. This may be considered a relatively large portion to consumers whom may have smaller appetites, especially for the tweens and those younger. Also, Subway’s sandwiches are not Halal Certified. ‘Halal’ is an Arabic word which means lawful or allowable. Any food or drink that falls under this category is permitted for consumption. (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore 2008) Since subway’s products are not Halal Certified, the affected people would mainly be the Muslims. As a result, Subway may lose such potential consumers, where actually there could be opportunities to tap a global Halal food market of about 1.4 billion people. Hence, stalls with Halal Certification will have a competitive advantage over Subway. (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore 2008) RECOMMENDATIONS 1.To prevent Sandwiches from becoming soggy easily, Subway can separate Sandwich’s dressing for take-away orders. Thus, the taste of the Sandwiches will not be affected. 2.To overcome the weakness of Sandwiches being a relatively big portion to people with smaller appetites, Subway can introduce smaller sizes of sandwich. Also, even though Subway Singapore does provide kids meal to cater to the tweens and younger crowd, known as â€Å"Kids’ Pak†, when compared to kids meal available in McDonald’s and Burger King, Kids’ Pak is relatively unknown. The image of Kids’ Pak. (Official SUBWAY Restaurants’ Web Site 2008)Kids’ Pak ®, a specially designed meal package for children that includes a  sandwich prepared on a 4-inch round deli-style roll, a fruit roll fruit snack, a 100% juice box and a toy premium. (Subway Singapore 2008) (Is it possible for this paragraph to shift to beside the above pic?)Hence, Subway Singapore should widely advertise on the availability of such kids meal to gain more consumer awareness of the product. This can be done through posters and TV advertising, especially on Kids Central – Singapore’s local channel for kids, where children are the main viewers. This way, it will appeal greatly to them and parents will see the meal as a great option for a healthier meal as fats contained within the Subway’s Kids’ Pak – similar to Subway Fresh Fit for Kids is much lesser than in Kids’ Meal offered by McDonald’s and Burger King. (Subway Fres h Fit n.d.) The Image of Halal Certification (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore 2008)However, presently, Subway is not able to obtain Halal Certification due to various market, regulatory and business issues. However, Subway still does cater to customers who need a non-pork menu. Subway obliges by recommending them what is suitable in the menu and would change to a fresh pair of gloves to prepare the sandwiches. (Subway Singapore 2008) IN GENERAL, GIVE 5 EXAMPLES OF PACKAGING OR BRANDING WHICH SERVES A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR A FIRM Coke: The packaging of coke not only offers convenience to consumers, but also helps consumer to identify the product easily through its shape and colour – red and white, of the bottle. In addition, the branding of Coke has facilitated the promotion of all same-brand products. Examples are Coke Zero, Coke Light and Vanilla Coke. McDonalds’: The logo ‘M’ is well recognized worldwide which helps speed consumer purchases by identifying the firms’ product. The colour combination of the logo – red and yellow also acts as a tool in identifying its product. Apple: The logo of Apple denotes product quality and a form as status and self-expresion as apple has successfully brand and market itself. According to Gobe, M., â€Å"The power of their branding (Apple) is all that keeps them alive†, where brands have established deep, lasting bonds with their customers. (Kahney 2002) This foster of brand loyalty serves as a competitive advantage over rival firms. KFC: The acronym of Kentucky Fried Chicken makes it easier for consumer to say and spell. It also denotes the product that it’s selling and differentiates the quality of it chicken sold from competing firms. Moreover, the use of ‘Colonel Sanders’ as a mascot/logo further helps in identifying KFC’s product. (Armin. 2006)Nike: Nike has effectively brand itself using a ‘tick’ as its logo. The incorporating of the simple ‘tick’ onto the design of its products makes it distinctive from rival firms. In general, all these brands are widely recognized, where consumers are simply able to relate the brand name and its products. (Need to write conclusion?)Reference List1.Kotler, P., S. Adam, L. Brown, and G. Armstrong. 2006. Principles of Marketing. Australia. Pearson Education Australia. 2.Subway 2008. n.d. About Subway : History. http://www.subway.com.sg/exec/sam/view/id=540/node=206/ (accessed October 2, 2008). 3.Singapore. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore. 2008. Halal Main Page: Basic Principles. Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/hal.aspx?id=1706 (accessed October 5, 2008)4.Singapore. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore. 2008. Halal Certification: Halal Certification Benefits. Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/hal.aspx?id=1704 (accessed October 5, 2008)5.Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore [Image]. 2008. http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/hal.aspx?id=1704 (accessed October 5, 2008)6.Subway Singapore. 2008. About us: Subway FAQ’s. http://www.subs.sg/aboutus/aboutus_faq.html7.Subway Singapore. 2008. Frequently Asked Questions. http://www.subway.com.sg/exec/sam/view/id=544/node=294/8.Official SUBWAY Restaurants’ Web Site [Image]. 2008. http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/menunutrition/menu/menu_kidspak.aspx9.Subway Fresh Fit. n.d. Fit Kids: Nutritional Information.

Ipod Decision Making Process

Describe and explain the characteristics that affect consumer behaviour and outline the consumer decision-making process as it relates to Apple iPod Introduction ‘Consumer purchases are influenced strongly by cultural, social, personal and psychological characteristics’ (Kotler, Armstrong, Wong & Saunders). This report will investigate the characteristics that affect consumer behaviour and the consumer decision-process as it relates to the purchase of an Apple iPod.This report will be describing and explaining how consumers go through five different stages to reach a buying decision and outlining the consumer decision-making process when a consumer buys a product. The Apple iPod is a brand of portable media players and was launched on October 2001. There are four different types of players, which can play both music and videos, including the ‘iPod Classic’, ‘iPod Touch’, ‘iPod Nano’ and the ‘iPod Shuflfe’. The Apple â⠂¬Ëœitunes’ software can be used to transfer music to the iPods from computers.Both the Sony Walkman and Samsung YP-P2 are the iPods biggest competitors and have the same touch screen control panel. They both can hold similar amount of music to that of an iPod. ‘Mintel forecasts that the UK audio equipment market will grow by an estimated 8% to reach a value of ?2. 2 billion at current prices over the period 2007-12. In real terms, with massive price deflation for electronics taken into consideration, this equates to 100% rate of growth until 2012. (mintel, accessed at 19th November 2009) ‘Market growth since 2006 for the Apple iPod has been in decline due to the high pricing scheme of the devices although price cuts like those applied to the iPod shuffle on Tuesday and cheaper Internet –capable models down the line should help the company reverse course and maintain a steady rate of growth through 2009, says one Wall Street analyst’, (http://www. ap pleinsider. com/articles/08/02/20/growth_potential_seen_in_steadily_maturing_ipod_market. html 20th February 2008). The Apple iPod is aimed at young adults aged between 12-25, both males and females.The Apple iPod is aimed at people in the middle/high class and for those who have a particular interest or passion in music. The report will also provide a discussion of the type buying behaviour related with Apple iPods and compare the process with a less complex product, such as a bottle of water in this report. Marketing recommendations will then be given for the purchase of an Apple iPod. The Characteristics that Affect Consumer Behaviour It can be seen that cultural, social, personal and psychological are the four characteristics that influence consumer behaviour.This section will describe how some of the characteristics associate with consumer behaviour when purchasing an Apple iPod. For the social characteristic influence, this can be that the person who is buying an iPod can be i nfluenced by friends, family or any other groups the person is part of, a friend of the person may recommend an iPod to be the best portible audio player to purchase, which would then give the consumer more confidence to buy an iPod. Inspirational groups, such as celebrities who could be seen using an iPod, might have also influenced consumer behaviour. This may influence a consumer, due to the status of a celebrity.Personal characteristics such as the age of a person can affect consumer behaviour. In this case a consumer may be in an age group where it is cool and common to have an iPod, so this would be more of a want for the buyer to have the product. An Outline of the Consumer Decision-Making Process Type of Buying decision behaviour This section of the report will discuss the type of buying decision behaviour associated with the Apple iPod. The decision behaviour for the buyer of an iPod would be complex buying behaviour due to the high cost of the product and is mainly purchas e infrequently.It could be said that the consumer has much to learn about the product and may have little knowledge about the product before making a decision to purchase it. For example, an iPod buyer may not know what functions of the product to consider. ‘Many product features carry no real meaning to the great majority of potential purchasers’ (Kotler 2008 page 263, p1). This can relate to the iPod when looking at the memory size and price of the product, a customer may not know the difference between a ‘10GB iPod and a ‘160GB’ iPod. So the buyer will pass though a learning process, first developing attitudes, and then making a thoughtful purchase choice’ (Kotler 2008, page 263, p1). So for marketers of an iPod, they must understand the way a consumer gathers information and the evaluation behaviour of a high involvement product. The advertising and size of the iPod may be used to help make it easier for a consumer to understand what the me mory size is of an iPod. Dissonance-reducing buying behaviour can be associated with the buying of an iPod, due to how expensive the product is and how infrequent it is purchased.For example, consumers buying an iPod could face a high involvement decision because of the high price of an iPod compared to a low involvement product such as a toothbrush and how the product can express the consumer, such as the which style and colour of iPod suit the consumer best. The Consumer may evaluate and do some research into the types iPods, prior to the buying decision to make give them more knowledge of the product. An explanation of each stage of the decision-making model This section of the report will explain each stage of the decision-making model for a buyer of an iPod.Below is the five-stage decision making process, buyers go through when they purchase a product. ‘The buying process starts with need recognition – the buyer recognising a problem or need’ (Kotler 2008, p age 265, p4). The first stage of the decision making model is where the consumer has recognised a problem or a need. Need recognition In relation to the iPod, is where the consumer has recognised that the product is available to buy and may have dissatisfaction with their current portable audio player.The iPod is not necessary a need, such as food or water. It is more of an individual want and the consumer may have more income spare to purchase an iPod. The purchase of an iPod could be mainly because of its appeal. ‘A need can also be triggered by external stimuli. Anna passes a bakery and the smell of reshly baked bread stimulates her hunger; she admires a neighbour’s new car; or she watches a television commercial for a Caribbean holiday’. (Kotler et al 2008, page 266 p1). This statement states that external stimuli can trigger a need.In relation to the iPod, the external stimuli could be an advert on television or someone in the public using an iPod, who seems to be having a fun with the product. The second stage of the decision-making model is the information search stage. This is the stage where a consumer is aroused to search for more information about the product they have been attracted too in the need recognition stage. ‘The consumer may simply have heightened attention or may go into active information search’ (Kotler et al 2008, page 266 p2). Heightened attention simply means the consumer becomes more receptive to information about a product.The consumer may pay more attention to adverts and products used by friends. Active information search is where the consumer gathers information, such as searching reading material or phoning friends to gather information, this usually depends of drive of the consumer to search for information about a product. ‘The amount of searching she does will depend upon the strength of her drive, the amount of information she starts with, the ease of obtaining more information, the v alue she places on additional information and the satisfaction she gets from searching’ (Kotler et al 2008, page 266 p2).This statement explains that the more a consumer wants a product, the more searching for information about the product will occur. In relation to the Apple iPod, a consumer may have been aroused by external stimuli such as an advert on television and then may go through active information search, where the consumer can obtain information from any of the following sources: * Personal sources: Family, friends, neighbours Commercial sources: Advertising, salespeople, the Internet, packaging, displays * Public sources: Mass media, consumer-rating organisations * Experiential sources: Handling, examining, using the product Personal sources can be the most effective for some products, as friends and families recommendations can be more reliable than an advert on television. As more information has been gathered from the above sources, the consumer’s knowle dge of the iPod increases. The consumer may know the different types of iPods available and their features that best suit the consumer.The third stage of the decision-making purchase is the information evaluation or evaluation of alternatives. This is the stage of the decision-making process, where the consumer uses information from the previous stage to evaluate other brands, products and services. The consumer also evaluates the benefits and features of the product they are going to buy. For high-involvement products such as the Apple iPod, the consumer is more likely to carry out a more extensive evaluation. Such as evaluating the advantages and benefits of the product they are interested in purchasing.