Financial Statement Analysis Essay

Now complete the tables to develop pro forma financial statements for 1996 and 1998. In making these calculations, assume that the bank is willing to maintain the present credit lines and to grant the requested additional $12750000 of short-term credit effective January 1, 1996. In the analysis, take account of the amounts of inventory and accounts receivable that would be carried if inventory utilization and day’s sales outstanding were set at industry-average levels. also, assume in your forecast that all of SPC’s plans and predictions concerning sales and expenses materialize , and that the firm pays no cash dividends during the forecast period. Finally, in your calculations use the cash marketable securities account as the residual balancing figure. 6. Based on the forecasts developed earlier, does it appear that SPC will be able to retire all this outstanding short-term loans by December 31, 1996? In answering this question, assume that the firm will, if possible, repay the loans at a constant rate throughout the year. Therefore, on average, the amount of short-term loans outstanding will be half of the beginning of year amount. 8. Under that circumstance might the validity of comparative ratio analysis be questionable? Answer this question in general, not just for SPC, but use SPC data to illustrate your points. 9. Revise your pro forma financial statements for 1996 to 1997 on the basis of the following assumptions: a. short-term loans will be repaid when sufficient cash is available to do so without reducing the liquidity of the firm below the minimum requirements set by the bank, and when the company is able to maintain at least the target minimum cash balance (5 percent) b. SPC will reinstate its cash dividend, set at 25% of earning, in the year during which all short-term loans and credit lines have been fully cleaned up(paid in full). 11. On the basis your analyses, do you think Julia should recommend that the bank extend the existing short and long term loans and grant the additional $12750000 loan, or should she recommend that the bank demand immediate repayment of all existing loans? If she does recommend continuing to support the company, what conditions (for example, collateral, guarantees, or other safeguards) might the bank impose to help protect against losses should SPC’s plans go awry?

Fool Chapter 19

NINETEEN SHALL A MADMAN RISE Gloucester was wandering around outside the castle, just beyond the drawbridge, coming dangerously close to tumbling into the moat. The storm was still raging and bloody rain streamed down the earl's face from his empty eye sockets. Drool caught the old man by the back of his cloak and lifted him like he was a kitten. Gloucester struggled and waved about in horror, as if he'd been snatched up by some great bird of prey instead of an enormous nitwit. â€Å"There, there,† said Drool, trying to calm the old man the way one might try to settle a frightened horse. â€Å"I gots you.† â€Å"Bring him away from the edge and set him down, Drool,† said I. â€Å"Lord Gloucester, this is Pocket, Lear's fool. We're going to take you to shelter and bandage your wounds. King Lear will be there, too. Just take Drool's hand.† â€Å"Get away,† said the earl. â€Å"Your comforts are in vain. I am lost. My sons are scoundrels, my estate is forfeit. Let me fall in the moat and drown.† Drool set the old man down and pointed him toward the moat. â€Å"Go on, then, milord.† â€Å"Grab him, Drool, you wooden-headed ninny!† â€Å"But he told me to let him drown, and he's an earl with a castle and the lot, and you're only a fool, Pocket, so I got to do what he says.† I strode forth, grabbed Gloucester and led him away from the edge. â€Å"He's not an earl anymore, lad. He has nothing but his cloak to protect him from the rain, like us.† â€Å"He's got nothing?† said Drool. â€Å"Can I teach him to juggle so he can be a fool?† â€Å"Let's get him to shelter and see that he doesn't bleed to death first, then you can give him fool lessons.† â€Å"We're going to make a fool of ye,† said Drool, clapping the old man on the back. â€Å"That'll be the dog's bollocks, won't it, milord?† â€Å"Drown me,† said Gloucester. â€Å"Being a fool is ever so much better than being an earl,† said Drool, far too cheery for a cold-dismal day of post-maiming. â€Å"You don't get a castle but you make people laugh and they give you apples and sometimes one of the wenches or the sheeps will have a laugh with you. It's the mutt's nuts,[42] it is.† I stopped and looked at my apprentice. â€Å"You've been having a laugh with sheep?† Drool rolled his eyes toward the slate sky. â€Å"No, I – we have pie sometimes, too, when Bubble makes it. You'll like Bubble. She's smashing.† Gloucester seemed to lose all his will then, and let me lead him through the walled town, taking weak, halting steps. As we passed a long, half-timbered building I took to be barracks I heard someone call my name. I looked to see Curan, Lear's captain, standing under an awning. He waved us over and we stood with our backs hard to the wall to try to escape the rain. â€Å"Is that the Earl of Gloucester?† asked Curan. â€Å"Aye,† said I. I told Curan what had transpired inside the castle and out on the heath since I'd last seen him. â€Å"God's blood, two wars. Cornwall dead. Who is master of our force, now?† â€Å"Mistress,† said I. â€Å"Stay with Regan. The plan is as before.† â€Å"No, it's not. We don't even know who her enemy is, Albany or France.† â€Å"Aye, but your action should be the same.† â€Å"I'd give a month's wages to be behind the blade that slays that bastard Edmund.† At the mention of his son, Gloucester started wailing again. â€Å"Drown me! I will suffer no more! Give me your sword that I may run upon it and end my shame and misery!† â€Å"Sorry,† I said to Curan. â€Å"He's been a bit of a weepy little Nancy to be around since they ripped his eyes out.† â€Å"Well, you might bandage him up. Bring him in. Hunter's still with us. He's right handy with a cauterizing iron.† â€Å"Let me end this suffering,† wailed Gloucester. â€Å"I can no longer endure the slings and arrows – â€Å" â€Å"My lord Gloucester, would you please, by the fire-charred balls of St. George, shut the fuck up!† â€Å"Bit harsh, innit?† said Curan. â€Å"What, I said ‘please.'† â€Å"Still.† â€Å"Sorry, Gloucester, old chap. Most excellent hat.† â€Å"He's not wearing a hat,† said Curan. â€Å"Well, he's blind, isn't he? If you hadn't said anything he might have enjoyed his bloody hat, mightn't he?† The earl started wailing again. â€Å"My sons are villains and I have no hat.† He made to go on, but Drool clamped his great paw over the old man's mouth. â€Å"Thanks, lad. Curan, do you have any food?† â€Å"Aye, Pocket, we can spare as much bread and cheese as you can carry, and one of the men can scare up a flask of wine, too, I'll wager. His lordship has been most generous in providing us with fare,† Curan said for the benefit of Gloucester. The old man began struggling against Drool's grip. â€Å"Oh, Curan, you've set him off again. Hurry, if you please. We've got to find Lear and head to Dover.† â€Å"Dover it is, then? You'll join with France?† â€Å"Aye, bloody King Jeff, great froggy, monkey-named, woman-stealing ponce that he is.† â€Å"You're fond of him, then?† â€Å"Oh do piss off, captain. Just see to it that whatever force Regan might send after us doesn't catch us. Don't mutiny, just make your way to Dover east, then south. I'll take Lear south, then east.† â€Å"Let me come with you, Pocket. The king needs more protection than two fools and a blind man.† â€Å"The old knight Caius is with the king. You will serve the king best by serving his plan here.† Not strictly true, but would he have done his duty if he thought his commander a fool? I think not. â€Å"Aye, then, I'll get your food,† said Curan. When we arrived at the hovel, Tom O'Bedlam stood outside, naked in the rain, barking. â€Å"That barking bloke is naked,† said Drool, for once not singing praise to St. Obvious, as we were actually traveling with a blind fellow. â€Å"Aye, but the question is, is he naked because he's barking, or is he barking because he's naked?† I asked. â€Å"I'm hungry,† said Drool, his mind overchallenged. â€Å"Poor Tom is cold and cursed,† said Tom between barking fits, and for the first time seeing him in daylight and mostly clean, I was taken aback. Without the coat of mud, Tom looked familiar. Very familiar. Tom O'Bedlam was, in fact, Edgar of Gloucester, the earl's legitimate son. â€Å"Tom, why are you out here?† â€Å"Poor Tom, that old knight Caius said he had to stand in the rain until he was clean and didn't stink anymore.† â€Å"And did he tell you to bark and talk about yourself in the third person?† â€Å"No, I thought up that bit on my own.† â€Å"Come inside, Tom. Help Drool with this old fellow.† Tom looked at Gloucester for the first time and his eyes went wide and he sank to his knees. â€Å"By the cruelty of the gods,† said he. â€Å"He's blind.† I put my hand on his shoulder and whispered, â€Å"Be steadfast, Edgar, your father needs your help.† In that moment a light came into his eye like a spark of sanity returning and he nodded and stood up, taking the earl's arm. Shall a madman rise to lead the blind. â€Å"Come, good sir,† said Edgar. â€Å"Tom is mad, but he is not beyond aiding a stranger in distress.† â€Å"Just let me die!† said Gloucester, trying to push Edgar away. â€Å"Give me a rope so I may stretch my neck until my breath is gone.† â€Å"He does that a lot,† I said. I opened the door, expecting to see Lear and Kent inside, but the hovel was empty, and the fire had died down to embers. â€Å"Tom, where is the king?† â€Å"He and his knight set out for Dover.† â€Å"Without me?† â€Å"The king was mad to be back in the storm. ‘Twas the old knight said to tell you they were headed for Dover.† â€Å"Here, here, bring the earl inside.† I stood aside and let Edgar coax his father into the cabin. â€Å"Drool, throw some wood on the fire. We can stay only long enough to eat and dry out. We must be after the king.† Drool ducked through the door and spotted Jones sitting on a bench by the fire where I had left him. â€Å"Jones! My friend,† said the dolt. He picked up the puppet stick and hugged it. Drool is somewhat unclear on the art of ventriloquism, and although I have explained to him that Jones speaks only through me, he has developed an attachment to the puppet. â€Å"Hello, Drool, you great sawdust-brained buffoon. Put me down and stoke the fire,† said Jones. Drool tucked the puppet stick in his belt and began breaking up kindling with a hatchet by the hearth while I portioned out the bread and cheese that Curan had given us. Edgar did his best to bandage Gloucester's eyes and the old man settled down enough to eat some cheese and drink a little wine. Unfortunately, the wine and the blood loss, no doubt, took the earl from inconsolable wailing grief to a soul-smothering, sable-colored melancholy. â€Å"My wife died thinking me a whoremonger, my father thought me damned for not following his faith, and my sons are both villains. I thought for a turn that Edmund might have redeemed his bastardy by being good and true, by fighting infidels in the Crusade, but he is more of a traitor than his legitimate brother.† â€Å"Edgar is no traitor,† I said to the old man. Even as I said it Edgar held a finger to his lips and signaled for me to speak no further. I nodded to show I knew his will and would not give his identity away. He could be Tom as long as he wished, or for as long as he needed, for all I cared, as long as he put on some bloody trousers. â€Å"Edgar was always true to you, my lord. His treachery was all devised for your eyes by the bastard Edmund. It was two sons' worth of evil done by one. Edgar may not be the sharpest arrow in the quiver, but he is no traitor.† Edgar raised an eyebrow to me in question. â€Å"You'll make no case for your intelligence sitting there naked and shivering when there's a fire and blankets you can fashion into warm robes, good Tom,† said I. He rose from his father's side and went over to the fire. â€Å"Then it is I who have betrayed Edgar,† said Gloucester. â€Å"Oh, the gods have seen fit to rain misery down on me for my unsteady heart. I have sent a good son into exile with hounds at his heels and left only the worms as heirs to my only estate: this withered blind body. Oh, we are but soft and squishy bags of mortality rolling in a bin of sharp circumstance, leaking life until we collapse, flaccid, into our own despair.† The old man began to wave his arms and beat at his brow, whipping himself into a frenzy, causing his bandages to unravel. Drool came over to the old man and wrapped his arms around him to hold him steady. â€Å"It's all right, milord,† said Drool. â€Å"You ain't leakin' hardly at all.† â€Å"Let me send this broken house to ruin and rot in death's eternal cold. Let me shuffle off this mortal coil – my sons betrayed, my king usurped, my estates seized – let me end this torture!† He really was making a very good argument. Then the earl grabbed Jones and tore him out of Drool's belt. â€Å"Give me your sword, good knight!† Edgar made to stop his father and I threw out an arm to hold him back – a toss of my head stopped Drool from interceding. The old man stood, put the stick end of Jones under his rib cage, then fell forward onto the dirt floor. The breath shot from his body and he wheezed in pain. My cup of wine had been warming by the fire and I threw it on Gloucester's chest. â€Å"I am slain,† croaked the earl, fighting for breath. â€Å"The lifeblood runs from me even now. Bury my body on the hill looking down upon Castle Gloucester. And beg forgiveness of my son Edgar. I have wronged him.† Edgar again tried to go to his father and I held him back. Drool was covering his mouth, trying not to laugh. â€Å"I grow cold, cold, but at least I take my wrong-doings to my grave.† â€Å"You know, milord,† I said. â€Å"The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones, or so I've heard.† â€Å"Edgar, my boy, wherever you are, forgive me, forgive me!† The old man rolled on the floor, and seemed somewhat surprised when the sword on which he thought himself impaled fell away. â€Å"Lear, forgive me that I did not serve you better!† â€Å"Look at that,† said I. â€Å"You can see his black soul rising from his body.† â€Å"Where?† said Drool. A frantic finger to my lips silenced the Natural. â€Å"Oh, great carrion birds are rending poor Gloucester's soul to tatters! Oh, Fate's revenge is upon him, he suffers!† â€Å"I suffer!† said Gloucester. â€Å"He is bound to the darkest depths of Hades! Never to rise again.† â€Å"Down the abyss I go. Forever a stranger to light and warmth.† â€Å"Oh, cold and lonely death has taken him,† said I. â€Å"And a right shit he was in life, likely he'll be buggered by a billion barb-dicked devils now.† â€Å"Cold and lonely Death has me,† said the earl. â€Å"No, it hasn't,† said I. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You're not dead.† â€Å"Soon, then. I've fallen on this cruel blade and my life runs wet and sticky between my fingers.† â€Å"You've fallen on a puppet,† said I. â€Å"No, I haven't. It's a sword. I took it from that soldier.† â€Å"You took my puppet stick from my apprentice. You've thrown yourself on a puppet.† â€Å"You knave, Pocket, you're not trustworthy and would jest at a man even as his life drains. Where is that naked madman who was helping me?† â€Å"You threw yourself on a puppet,† said Edgar. â€Å"So I'm not dead?† â€Å"Correct,† said I. â€Å"I threw myself on a puppet?† â€Å"That is what I've been saying.† â€Å"You are a wicked little man, Pocket.† â€Å"So, milord, how do you feel, now that you've returned from the dead.† The old man stood up and tasted the wine on his fingers. â€Å"Better,† said he. â€Å"Good. Then let me present Edgar of Gloucester, the erstwhile naked nutter, who shall see you to Dover and your king.† â€Å"Hello, Father,† said Edgar. They embraced. There was crying and begging for forgiveness and filial snogging and overall the whole business was somewhat nauseating. A moment of quiet sobbing by the two men passed before the earl resumed his wailing. â€Å"Oh, Edgar, I have wronged thee and no forgiveness from you can undo my wretchedness.† â€Å"Oh for fuck's sake,† said I. â€Å"Come, Drool, let us go find Lear and on to Dover and the sanctuary of the bloody fucking French.† â€Å"But the storm still rages,† said Edgar. â€Å"I've been wandering in this storm for days. I'm as wet and cold as I know how to get, and no doubt a fever will descend any hour now and crush my delicate form with heavy heat, but by the rug-munching balls of Sappho, I'll not spend another hour listening to a blind old nutter wail on about his wrong-doings when there's a stack of wrongs yet to be done. Carpe diem, Edgar. Carpe diem.† â€Å"Fish of the day?† said the rightful heir to the earldom of Gloucester. â€Å"Yes, that's it. I'm invoking the fish of the bloody day, you git. I liked you better when you were eating frogs and seeing demons and the lot. Drool, leave them half the food and wrap yourself as warm as you can. We're off to find the king. We'll see you lot in Dover.†

Fan fiction Essay

Fan Fiction writing is the act of writing material with information from someone without their consent either written or otherwise. The written material is then released to the public on grounds that show the material as owner’s original; and doesn’t acknowledge it as re-edited. This will appear as the original material given that the reader had not had a chance to get the very original material. I want to agree that this activity is not legitimate one, the fact that a writer (author) writes their work and it goes into the public arena doesn’t require reframing or amendments. If the reader thinks of that work in another version, let it remain within them. Let not that which they think would have been better of; go out to the public. Interfering with this is wrong. Supposing all the fans decided to alter this original material into their way and everyone has a different understanding of same article? Letting this out to the public as well? Would not people get confused? I believe if a writer wants an opinion about their article, they know how to go about it, they know where to send it or who to give it to before it is released to the public. By the time it is getting to the public it is usually the writer’s best on that. I quite disagree that fun fiction should be a way of improving young writer’s skills of writing. Why cant these young writers come up with themes yet not released to the public and write on them? Why can’t they also get creative? There are so many things that the writers have not covered so far. It is also so wrong for fan writers to write an article and post it using the original writer’s names. Is this not theft? Is it not offensive to impersonate? The text showed this â€Å"Fan fiction is a good way to avoid learning how to be a writer. Fan fiction allows the writer to pretend to be creating a story, while using someone else’s world, characters, and plot. Coloring Barbie’s hair green in a coloring book is not a great act of creativity. Neither is putting lipstick on Ken. Fan fiction does exactly those kinds of things. † A very good example given on the text ‘the extreme analogy: You send me a photograph of your family reunion, titled ‘The Herkimer’s Get together’. I think it looks dull. So I Photo-Shop it to put your friends and relations into compromising positions in various stages of undress. Then I post it on the Internet, under the title ‘The Herkimer’s Get Together’, and add a note that it was sent to me from Pete Herkimer of Missoula, Montana. Suddenly there is your face and name, and the faces of the people you care about, doing things that you would never do. Are you flattered that I thought your photograph was interesting enough to use? Or are you insulted and horrified? Are you alarmed that I so clearly connected work that is not yours to your good name? Although I must agree with the statement from the text ‘And†¦ As for definitions, to what extent is Paradise Lost a fan fiction of the Bible? To what extent is Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’ a fan fiction of the Odyssey? For much of human history, the concept of creative ownership Hobb seems to be using was thoroughly different: characters could be reused and rewritten as seen fit. Even given the capitalist ‘ownership’ argument, which I personally find distasteful, narrow-minded, and restrictive, once again, the fan fiction under discussion is NON-COMMERCIAL’ There are those exceptions that would be allowed, the example of Paradise lost, and this seems to be a clearer edition of the Bible as far this generation is concerned. The fact that it is a book used for the continuity of the salvation of human race may need to be re-edited but the change of theme may not be altered. Another importance of fan fiction may be an act that is based on a book and probably is used for literature in schools. The author may have not written it as a play but someone else may act it and this way students may understand the book better as compared to reading it. I know that all the fan writers have a different way of looking at a particular article from that of the original writer and that is they want to reframe it, but I wonder where they were when the story was being created in that way which they don’t settle for. Keeping any ideas of how it should have looked to oneself is the best thing. Can’t people respect the work of others and promote original text writings? Fun fiction sometimes may even change the whole outlook of a story, there must be reasons why an author/writer decides to use some words and leave out others. There is a reason why the chapters in a book follow each other the way they do. In case a fan writer for example interferes with the flow of chapters and decides to bring the last chapter in the middle then any other reader might not find a reason of reading the book to the end. The flow is changed therefore the conclusion of the story comes in the middle, so why go ahead and read what you already know? Fan fiction sometimes is used on the internet, whereby an article from a newspaper may be used and with the application of coral draw; alteration may happen. When this same article is sent to people on the net, it might just convince them since they can see that it is from a legitimate source from a well known editor or writer. While this may happen on basis of malice and once the damage is caused rectifying it may be hard. So generally I know that fan fiction may be damaging. All writers have a chance of developing good writing skills but not through fan fiction as written the text ‘The first step to becoming a writer is to have your own idea. Not to take someone else’s idea, put a dent in it, and claim it as your own. You will learn more from writing one story of your own, no matter how bad it is, than the most polished Inuyasha fan fiction that you write. Taking that first wavering step out into the unknown territory of your own imagination is what it is all about. When you can write well enough to carry a friend along, then you’ve really got something. But you aren’t going to get anywhere clinging to the comfort of saying, â€Å"If I write a Harry Potter story, everyone will like it because they already like Harry Potter. I don’t have to describe Hogwarts because everyone saw the movie, and I don’t have to tell Harry’s back story because that’s all done for me. † I agree with this statement totally. A good writer should have their own ideas and develop those ideas into stories. Reading more will help any writer get skill and get broader but fan fiction writing is demeaning to any writer. It makes a writer wholly rely on an article already thought and written instead of promoting the unique ideas any individual writer may be able to come up with. The danger of letting this continue is that we will never know what the original writer of a story intending us to know. We can never differentiate between fiction and true story. My conclusion would be depending on the intention of the fan fiction writer; this is how it can be looked at as a legal act or an illegal one. The writer in the text who is against this uses so harsh language and I found it not fair since it is not everyone who writes for fan fiction has a bad motive. â€Å"Look, the original author really screwed up the story, so I’m going to fix it. Here is how it should have gone†.

Literary Analysis of The Tell-Tale Heart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Literary Analysis of The Tell-Tale Heart - Essay Example This paper aims to analyze this marvellous and excellently written short story by discussing the characters, themes, symbols, textual details and imagery. The Tell Tale Heart may be categorized as a horror short story. The story is written in a first-person narrative style. The story opens with the explanation of horrified feelings and terror. These feelings if observed more closely are the remembrance of those terrifying events and things from the past (Quinn 1998, p. 394). The tell tale heart, is a story narrated by a mentally unstable and over suspicious man. It determines the mental conflicts within the narrator's mind but eventually ends up in murdering his innocent housemate, a pale blue eyed old man. Yet he claims his sanity and stability of mind and tries to bring logic in his cruel act. He kept on insisting about not being crazy and talks about his cold blooded and vicious planning of murder (Bloom 2002, pp. 70-71). He does try to satisfy himself by admitting killing the old man due to fear of his pale blue coloured eyes but he could not get rid of the guilt of his actions due to which he kept hearing old man's loud heart thumping sound and blows his own cover in front of the officers by confessing his crime. The narrator of The Tell Tale Heart seems and convincingly was a mentally unstable person who was dangerous and lost his control in his life, his obsession led to his destruction eventually. He felt hostile about his identity and wanted to stay anonymous. From the beginning he tried to protect his view about life as correct and his over imaginative and suspicious nature as peculiar sensitivity of sensing danger around. The narrator of â€Å"The tell tale heart† is a killer of an innocent man. The narrator of the story seemed well planned and gave acute time to his course in action, leaving no choice for the victim at all. The Tell Tale heart’s narrator waited for 7 nights and murdered the already scared man randomly on the 8th night. The factor of fear is even involved here; he could not stand the fear of his pale blue eyes. The tell tale heart’s narrator was a confused mind person who refused to be insane but did admit the fact that his actions were of a right cause and planned until he chopped the body and hid it under the floorboards. Due to his heighten sensitivity of listening to different sounds, he was unable to distinguish between the real and imaginative sounds so he confessed his crime and but did call the police officers villain as he could not distinguish between his own actions which were vicious. The Tell Tale Heart is the story which describes the feelings of conflict within a person. The use of unambiguous sentence structures and incompleteness of the narrations the author clearly illustrates the conflicts that are prevalent in the narrator’s mind. The unstable mental condition of the narrator is also obvious from the choice of words, unstructured sentences and improper expressing ways by the narrator. The story is tense and the narrator keeps this tension increasing gradually throughout the story until the end when the narrator accepts his sin of killing an innocent person. The story portrays violent act of murdering someone due to the inner obsession with the old man’s eyes. The insanity of the narrator is exposed through the extreme reaction of that obsession in killing him. The narrator does not have control over his actions and reactions which is also a predictor of an

Supervisory Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Supervisory Management - Coursework Example But at times when they make decision-making errors and then further they fail to handle the problem. The biggest reason behind their premature attitude is that they do not follow the proper "Decision Analysis Process" or the "Problem Solving Process". That is they firstly fail to recognize the problem, i.e. the manager fails to analyze the problem in detail and then does not allocate number of solution to it. Further, then the manager should decide one solution that perfectly matches and provide the best possible advantage. Further after the decision is made and the course of action is done a proper feedback is necessary to judge its effectiveness and then finally judge the impact of each decision on the problem itself or evaluate the result. Apart from the process the manager himself should have the major characteristics like the overall managerial leadership skills, good relationship with higher level executives and the peers or subordinates, effectiveness in management practices and they solve problems and gain their achievable goals. 2. Discuss the following statement: It's better for a manger to try to carry out a poor decision for the sake of worker confidence. You can't build worker confidence by continually admitting the poor decision you make. The workers or the labor force confidence in the business or in the management is really important because if these workers will be motivated towards their job it would lead to higher productivity and a good repute for an organization. Because when a worker will be given high incentives and his those strategies would be adopted that would increase the workers belief, it would lead to employee loyalty and there would be less chances of switching, low absenteeism, low turnover and would ultimately lead to satisfied and productive workers. While, if the manger is trying to satisfy the workers it could also result in company's low profits and revenue, and the basic motive of the profit organizations is to increase their productive capabilities so they can enjoy higher turnover. But is the manager fails and keeps making such decisions that would be damaging for the organization and would ultimately be a poor decision. Hence, the manager should adopt such strategies and decision that prov e to be benefit for both the organization and the workers so that both could be equally satisfied and best results could be achieved. 3. What are the pros and cons of decisions made by groups such as committees and tasks forces as compared to decisions made by one person Decision making is one of the most critical and tricky work and decisions are made on daily basis both by groups as well as individuals. There are certain advantages in both the two types, but decision made by groups hold more importance because working in group combines strength, skills among all the members and therefore it would lead to a better performance as compared to individual. Because an individual when making a decision would only look at one factor which he would consider right and he alone could not think of all other factors that could result in a specific problem. This states that a group leads to diverse and innovative ideas. Group decisions are also free from biasness because it requires every group member contribution while an individual decision could be affected by personal belonging or

Social Welfare in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Welfare in America - Research Paper Example The great depression of 1930s had devastating effects to the citizens of United States. Legislatures of that time took an initiative to create Social Security act in 1935, which influenced programs such as pension schemes, address issues touching on the unemployed, and children welfare (Alexander 5). Cushion families from financial difficulties was the intention of the social security act. The government stability depends on its ability to address factors influencing the wellbeing of its people. President Roosevelt’s regime lingers in the minds of the Americans whenever they discus social security programs. US legislatures amended the social security act in 1939 to cater for unemployment compensation (Tushnet 125). Unemployed are susceptible to hard life conditions, which can drive them into committing social crimes as a means to cater for their needs. The program intended to provide stipends, which would cater for their basic needs. Federal government created agencies, which could oversee welfare programs in United States. The agencies created through 1939 social security act include Department of Health and Human Service (HHS), Labor Department, Education, Agriculture, and Urban Development and Housing (Caputo 231). Each department addresses issues affecting US citizens. For instance, the department of agriculture addressed influences that originate from agricultural production in the nation. Education department ironed issues, which influenced acquisition of education in the United States. Historians believe that US welfare has been able to address critical issues, which influence human development (Handel 143). In 1965, US passed a social welfare act, which influenced the lives of elderly persons in the nation. The intention of the act was to compensate old persons by creating a kitty, which would cater for their wellbeing. The elderly have the challenge when it comes to finances, which would settle their bil ls in the society. The elderly compensation program has enabled many elderly persons to lead a positive life after retirement. In 1996, US government passed Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Epstein 46). The intention of the act was to address poverty effects in the society. The growing number of the poor in US was worrying and the government had to develop strategy, which could influence their lives. The act gives the federal government the power to direct funds to various states to cater for the poor. Assisting the poor accords human rights because the government has the mandate to protect the poor (Reintsma 212). Largely, the protection of the poor as stipulated in the in the constitution is a reality through this act. Medicare provision to US citizens has elicited debates on how the poor could benefit from the welfare program. The provision in the Medicare program is to ensure the US citizens can access quality healthcare. The program is in line wi th United Nations requirement, which intends to improve human health care as a basic requirement (Zastrow 136). Medicare social welfare program dates back to the time of President Johnson when United States had to compensate war veterans and their families for their contribution to

The Life of Billy Sunday Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Life of Billy Sunday - Essay Example Rather than stand stoically behind a pulpit, he would leap, dance and slide across the stage, then pick up his chair and spin it over his head. And instead of inviting people to come forward to receive Christ, he told them to 'hit the sawdust trail.'"1 William Ellis agrees and he adds, "Beyond question he is the most vigorous speaker on the public platform today. One editor estimates that he travels a mile over his platform in every sermon he delivers."2 Yet there was no sign in his early childhood or in his growing up years that he will be a great revivalist. Again W. Ellis writes, "His life was normal; no different from that of tens of thousand of other American boys. He himself was in no wise a phenomenon. He was possessed of no special abilities or inclinations. He came to his preaching gift only after years of experience in Christian work." There was no early sign of greatness. He was born William Ashley Sunday on November 19, 1862. His father died shortly after he was born. Two years later, his mother Jeni, remarried an alcoholic who gave up on the family after a few years. So, Billy and older brother Ed was sent to a soldier's orphanage that made Billy independent and stubborn. Years after he was known for his acrobatic preaching some would began to make the connection between his playing days and present ministry. Ellis remarked, "A level head, a quick eye, and a body which is such a finely trained instrument that it can meet all drafts upon it, is part of Sunday's inheritance from his life on the baseball diamond."3 His life was moving on the fast lane until he was invited to join a church service. At the height of his career as a professional baseball player he gave his life to the Lord.4 In 1885 through the famous Pacific Garden Mission he became passionate for the Lord. Some would say that he joined because of the beautiful Helen "Nell" Thompson who would later become his wife. Others, would tell it differently, that Billy met Nell after his conversion but chose to become a member of the Presbyterian Church because of her. Ministry He chose to serve the Lord rather than to continue playing baseball. But he was not able to let go of his first love that easily. Soon after the announcement that he was released by his former club, many invitations came to join a new club with a lot of cash incentives. He finally turned them all down. Billy was no overnight success as a mass evangelist. He had to work hard on his craft and had his start teaching at the local YMCA. Yet his extensive training came at the hands of J. Wilbur Chapman, a traveling Presbyterian evangelist. Success When Chapman retired, Billy felt called to continue his mentor's work as an itinerant preacher. Not long after newspaper reporters began saying that he was attracting large groups of people. Elijah P. Brown recalls, "The religious interest is becoming deeper every day.5 People cannot stay away. As a result, the name of God is being

Police Technological Advancements Research Paper

Police Technological Advancements - Research Paper Example These innovations provide much comfort and to a great extent security to the average consumer. However, despite the valuable assistance that such developments have provided to us, these techno upgrades have also created opportunities for criminals to flourish even more. Cyber crimes abound and identity theft has risen. Here, thieves do not need to hold you at gun point and steal from you, they just need to â€Å"pretend† they are you and let you take the fall for the expenses they will incur in your behalf (Identity Theft & Credit Fraud). Criminals have also found ingenious ways of going around various technological check points such as surgically implanting heroine on puppies. With the advances in technology comes the improvement in the way criminals think and act thereby necessitating that law enforcers up the ante a little bit so as to be one step ahead or at par with these culprits. Police work is a very dangerous business and these men and women have to contend with the r eality of danger each day. But, unlike in the military, policemen are much more inclined to public service and safety hence the need to take in rather than take out the criminals. This reality puts the everyday cop on the block in a quandary as they have to strictly adhere to the sanctity of human life thereby limiting the use of force unless it is severely necessary whereas they are faced with entities that seem to have no regards whatsoever to these rights (OHCHR Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police ). Thus, to ensure safety of the arresting officer as well as to respect and enforce human rights and combat the increasing sophistication of offenders, police forces around the world have commissioned technology to aide them in ensuring public safety. Technological Advances in Detection and Weaponry Aerial Sentinel – the MQ-1 Predator Most people would think that police work is about arresting criminals. However, although it is the part that is mostly reported and where they are most exposed to danger, arresting is only a small part of police work. A very important aspect of doing police work is in safekeeping the public. This involves various forms of reconnaissance to track criminals and secure evidence for prosecution. A big boost in doing this police work is the utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) to help enforces track, pinpoint and ultimately apprehend offenders. After a very successful stint in the armed forces, the UAV has also started a career in police work. Very recently, it has been reported that unmanned UAV’s have taken part in the war on drugs in Mexico wherein the US assisted Mexican authorities in dismantling drug cartels by providing valuable information through their Predators (BBC News). Since respect for territorial sovereignty is key in the cooperative efforts, only the Predator has been used since it is the unarmed variant of these UAV’s. However, though without firepower, this machine is armed to the teeth with state of the art reconnaissance systems and is able to provide up to date images anytime and any day (General Atomics Aeronautical). Stun Guns As mentioned, the nature of police work is to take in rather than take out a target. With the rising global concern on human rights, police forces

Management Risks in Financial Institutions Essay

Management Risks in Financial Institutions - Essay Example Basically, risk and return are related in the same direction. A minor example of this would be a bank charging different interest rates on different individuals who have opted for the same loan. The individual who has a relatively poor credit history is likely to receive a higher interest rate as there are chances of him/her not paying the loan bank. Therefore, there is a higher risk and the bank gets a higher return through the higher interest rate charged. However, risk needs to be managed and there can be several huge losses if the financial institution is not ready to deal with it. Risk management is a type of strategy which every financial institution needs to have at its core and there are several parts involved in this including monitoring the risks, measuring these risks and controlling risks. It is the analysis of risk mixed with the element of quality risk controls. Risk management is required by banks and financial institutions as a safety measure to protect the institutio n from any major financial problems. The uncertainty and the potential inherent risks that come with the financial markets makes it important for most of the financial institutions and banks to use risk management. The risk management controls are one of the major determinants of the financial stability of a bank. The most common types of risks faced by most financial institutions There are several types of risks involved with financial institutions and these risks are as follows: Systematic risk. This is also known as diversifiable risk. Basically this particular type of risk means the risk of the change of asset value associated with systematic factors. Therefore, the risk cannot be fully diversified. There are several subcategories under systematic risks and there are various ways in which the value of an asset can be affected. The determinant of the change in the value of the assets owned by the institution and it depends upon natural and economic factors including interest rate s affecting the value of the assets, an increase in inflation might cause an increase in fuel prices which might affect transportation and stock value and changes in economic conditions which may cause several changes in the value of assets. Interest rate risk is one of the major parts of systematic risk and the institutions needs to measure the variation and the responsiveness of the rate sensitive assets towards the changes in interest rates. Commodity price risk and foreign exchange risk are other risks which come under systematic risks that many investors try to measure and try to minimize these. Credit risk. This is the risk which is related to the payment by the debtors. Credit risk is the risk which all the banks face and they need to manage this in order to be proactive against any future losses. Basically the bank is the lender and is the creditor for the borrower and the risk is that the borrower might go bankrupt and might not be able to pay the bank back. This seems as a pretty low type of risk if a sole individual is involved, however, credit risk also involves borrowings worth millions of dollars by huge businesses. Even if the business is popular and has a good credit history, it can go bankrupt which might result in a loss of millions of dollars to the bank. In other words, it means that the company or the individual defaults which is why this risk is also known as default risk. Counterparty risk. This arises from the

Meaningful Social Studies Essay Example for Free

Meaningful Social Studies Essay The democratic principles and ideals of citizenship reinforces effective social studies. By focusing on rights, responsibilities, and respect, a solid base of social studies knowledge and skills develops civic competence. The foundation of four core disciplines, or strands, from the social sciences are: geography, civics, economics, and history. They are the Louisiana framework for social studies. Each of these disciplines offers a distinct perspective for examining the world. Within these strands, other social sciences, such as anthropology and sociology, are incorporated.  §103. Louisiana Content Standards Foundation Skills The Louisiana Content Standards Task Force has developed the following foundational skills which should apply to all students in all disciplines: Communication, Problem Solving, Resource Access and Utilization, and Linking and Generating Knowledge. Through research, activities, discussions, and real-life experiences, children can and will learn that diversity can be positive and socially enriching. A pluralistic perspective involves students building unbiased, open-minded views towards diversity among their fellow human beings. Teachers of this generation have the combined blessing and challenge of helping students make the most of a world that is rapidly changing. Students must develop the perspective that cultural and philosophical differences are necessary and desirable qualities of a democratic community (NCSS, 1994). I chose the concept of â€Å"Problem Solving† for Grade 6-8th in which I will be teaching in the near future. Problem solving identify an obstacle or challenge and uses the application of knowledge and thinking processes which include reasoning, decision making, and inquiry in order to reach a solution using multiple pathways, even when no routine path is apparent. Bringing students into contact with other people’s various views and conflicting values is very important. In the school and local community, therefore, problem solving/inquiry problems are most often found. Questioning and cooperative learning are two strategies that are frequently used to support meaningful learning. Questioning. This is where all learning begins. The types of questions teachers use guide students’ engagement in the lesson (Harvey Goudvis, 2000). The amount of time a teacher waits between asking questions and calling on students for responses, or responding to answers, affects student responses (Rowe, 1996). On average, teachers wait less than a second before calling on a student or responding to a student’s comment, this has been proven by classroom research. If the teacher wait 3 or more seconds before calling on a student or acknowledging a response, this can increase the length of student responses, the number of appropriate responses, and the cognitive level of the responses. Questions should be planned in advance, relate to the lesson activities, and are written into lesson plans. The Learning cycle lessons begin with questions that all students have a chance to answer. All answers are accepted by the teacher even though some answers may explain more than others. In the class such questions engaged by all of the students. In every learning cycle a central key question is planned for the exploratory phase. In a lesson focusing on the concept of presidential elections, for example, the teacher may ask the key question â€Å"What do you have to do to be elected president?† This is an open question that involves each student in thinking about the main idea of the lesson. Development phase, questions focusing student inquiry on the main concepts, skills, and attitudes of the lesson is done during the lesson. During the lesson development, many questions are narrow or closed. Questions are used to help students apply the concept in a new context, during the expansion phase of the lesson. On open questions, the emphasis is greater although some closed questions may be used. Effects of Emphasizing Student Control What students learn is influenced by how they are taught, the quality of individual and social processes occurring in the classroom, and the perceptions and understanding of social studies as a subject to be taught and learned (NCSS, 1994b). Matching Instructional Strategies to Student Needs One aim of education is to help students be self-directing (NCSS, 1994a, pp. 11–12). The amount of student control during the learning process, is a key factor. The categories, in order from least to greatest student control, are expository, guided discovery, and inquiry and problem solving/decision making. An appropriate instructional strategy is chosen by the teacher that matches the student’s level of social studies content, skill, attitudinal objectives, and developmental needs. These instructional methods are very effective and appropriate in helping students attain a particular level of learning objective. Expository, or Direct, Instructional Methods: Lower Student Control Students are provided with little control over the direction or extent of the learning process using the Expository instructional methods, or direct instruction method. Activity lessons using expository methods include the following characteristics: * The teacher controls the situation, providing adequate directions and motivation. The teacher provides ample opportunities to practice the skill in a wide variety of situations. * The teacher supplies immediate and continuous feedback focusing on correct answers. * The teacher uses lecture and closed, narrow questions to control the learning situation but must provide extensive and adequate directions for the student. Expository Guided Inquiry/Problem Solving Discovery and Decision Making Expository methods require external motivation and careful classroom management. Only lower levels of learning: recall and memorization are produced by these methods. Development of the affective areas of attending and willingness to receive information is facilitated by Expository methods. These methods are occasionally useful in the lesson development phase of the learning cycle in which the teacher explains the key idea of the lesson and the lesson focus involves the need for recall (Rosenshine, 1986). Guided Discovery Instructional Methods: Mixed Teacher and Student Control Students are involved in activities related to a concept and form an understanding of them when using guided discovery instructional methods before they are offered or explained by the teacher. A problem to investigate is created by the teacher and he/or she determines procedures and materials needed, but students collect and analyze data and evaluate the results as they relate to the problem. Guided discovery has four characteristics. 1. Students are provided with the time and opportunity to study relationships in data and form a new idea. 2. Students use several activities focusing on one concept, generalization, value, or skill. 3. Students’ main role is to investigate and discover answers to the questions posed, discussing and displaying data to do so. 4. The teacher provides directions and asks questions that help students begin activities with the learned resources selected. From data students can learn inquiry skills such as inferring, predicting, organizing, interpreting, and draw conclusions. Inquiry and Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Instructional Methods: Greater Student Control Inquiry involving significant student control over the direction the lesson takes, is the third social studies instructional method. The Students create a problem to investigate, determine procedures and materials needed, collect and analyze data, and evaluate results. These lessons have five characteristics: 1. Students are competent in basic social studies inquiry skills. 2. Students select problem areas to investigate. 3. Students work in groups, orally reporting the results of investigations. 4. The teacher guides students in defining the problem to investigate and in helping to identify resources. 5. A safe and supportive classroom environment is maintained. Activities using the Inquiry method are intrinsically motivating because students direct their own learning. A first-grader even is likely to use higher thought processes during an inquiry. For example, a young student’s social studies project could involve making a drawing showing where items in her personal materials basket (scissors, glue stick, crayons, etc.) should be placed. After the student lists three or more problems with the basket, such as the glue stick always falling over, the drawing is made. This allows the student to ask questions, communicate information, make inferences, and build prediction. Facts may form the basic content of the narrative, when writing stories about the experience, but students also often make inferences and construct generalizations. In inquiry and problem-solving/decision-making method activities, students are involved in practicing the full range of inquiry skills. Key social studies ideas and skills are carefully selected and is needed because inquiry methods reduce the amount of material covered to a greater extent than other instructional methods. Meaningful learning of generalizations and higher-order inquiry skills, as well as improved long-term memory and transfer of learning, occurs. Problem solving and decision making is what inquiry focuses on mainly. Students plan how they can participate and work together (Dunfee Sagl, 1967; Meyerson Secules, 2001). Conclusion By building on a core of effective practices in teaching and by designing activities and lessons with learning objectives in place, teachers encourage students to use their strengths and to respond successfully to challenges. They support students as active learners in meaningful activities. Focusing on helping young students identify multiple perspectives on issues and problems is a major learning outcome related to global issues. So also is discussing what are good and positive actions, moral positions, and appropriate behaviors. References Research Evaluation Strategies for Early Childhood Education. Research In Early Childhood Education in Handbook Research on the Education of Younger Children. Springer (2007). Retrieved from http://ww.library.gcu.edu.2048/login?qurl.http$3A2F%2F% www.credoreference.com/entry/sprihsei/table_of_contents. Social Studies Content Standards – Division of Adminstration www.doc.louisiana.gov/osr/28v121/28v121.pdf Sunal-Szymanski, C. Haas, M.E. Social Studies for the Elementary Middle Grades: A Constructive Approach, (4th Ed.). Published by Allyn Bacon copyright (2011) by Pearson Education, Inc. The Evolving Role of Teachers In Effective Schools in Springer International Handbooks of Education: International Handbooks of School Effectiveness and Improvement.

Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) CHAPTER 5 – TREATMENT As we have read previously, clinically isolated syndrome may develop to multiple sclerosis and because there is no way of determining whether an individual will undergo to develop MS after having an episode of demyelination, making the decision to treat and monitor the ongoing changes very difficult. Evidence have suggested that the earlier the start of disease modifying agents in the early course of MS the more effective they are. There are numerous studies have indicated that starting disease modifying agents after clinically isolated syndrome delays the onset of MS, but these studies remains controversial. There have been arguments whether or not to start disease modifying agents after a clinically isolated syndrome. Those who support the start of these agent following diagnosis of CIS cite the results of some clinical trials that shows that these drugs reduce the risk of developing to MS by one third. A â€Å" treat all early â€Å" approach have been proposed as best to ensure all people who would go on to developing MS do receive the treatment . The other side of this argument have existing evidence for the disease modifying agent in MS shows only modest short term effectiveness in high risk cases of CIS. Treatment is unnecessary for those who would never gone on to developing MS after CIS. Four large clinical trials have been conducted to determine whether early treatment following an episode of CIS can delay the 2nd clinical episode, and therefore the diagnosis of clinically definite MS 5.1 Controlled High-Risk Subjects Avonex MS Prevention Study (CHAMPS) The goals of the study are: The early induction interferon beta-1a (AVENOX ) treatment can delay the 2nd episode of demyelination which in turn can signal definite MS If the treatment would have any benefits on MRI detected brain lesions. Subjects have in this study had experienced a single episode of isolated neurological event suggesting demyelination and had multiple clinically silent MRI lesions, which they represent a high risk for a second neurological attack (definite MS) (40, 41). The results indicated that AVENOX (interferon beta-1a) had significantly delay the 2nd neurological attack, and MRI finding showed that AVENOX can decrease the volume of brain lesions and as well as fewer lesions . Based on this study, the FDA approved that patients with clinically isolated syndrome with MRI detected brain lesions to receive AVENOX .figure(2).(40)(42) Figure (2): impact of interferon beta following first neurological attack Source:https://quo.novartis.com/extavia/images/extavia_EFFICACY1_banner.jpg 5.2 Early Treatment Of MS ( ETOMS ) The goals of the study are: Determine if very low doses of interferon beta 1a (REBIF) delay’s the onset of clinically definite multiple sclerosis in people who experienced only one clinical event but had multiple MRI lesions (43,44). Results indicated that: The group of people who received interferon beta-1a (REBIF) who developed clinically definite MS (34%) is fewer than the group of people receiving placebo (45%) during the period of the study.(45) The number of new lesions has decreased in the treatment group and the demyelination areas is significantlylower.figure(3).(45) Figure (3 ): compression between the groups receiving REBIF and placebo Source:http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/archives/image.cfm?archiveid=100714type=imgname=rebif-01.jpg 5.3 Betaseron In Newly Emerging MS For Initial Treatment (BENEFIT) The goals of the study: Determine if interferon beta-1b can delay the onset of clinically definite MS in subjects with first clinical sign of MS or CIS who are at a high risk for developing MS (46). Results At day 255 of the study, one quarter of the subjects in the placebo group had developed clinically definite MS. In the other hand, it took 618 days for approximately same number of subjects in the treatment group to develop clinically definite MS. (47) After the two years study, it was determined that 28% of the subjects under the treatment group had developed clinically definite MS compared to the 45% of the placebo group (47) The FDA has approved that patients who have experienced CIS and have MRI feature consistent with MS to receive the treatment with Betaseron figure (4). Figure (4): comparison between Betaseron receiving group and placebo group Source:http://www.iodine.com/label-content/261fde67-efb2-4bd7-947e-4f68a56e76ff-c71a5c99d2acf2ddb0e66c9266460f4c.jpg 5.4 The pre-CIS study Study goals Determine the period of time it takes for subjects diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome receiving glatiramer acetate ( Copaxone ) to develop a second attack that would confirm the diagnosis of definite MS. Results indicated that the group who received glatiramer acetate in comparison with the placebo group, has significantly reduced the risk of developing clinically definite MS. Based on these results, the FDA has indicated to that individuals who have had first clinical episode and MRI feature consistent with MS to receive copaxone as treatment. Based on these trials , it have been approved the necessity of starting treatments as soon as possible for clinically isolated syndrome patients and those who have first clinical episode and MRI evidence suggestive of multiple sclerosis (48). The interferons agents should be used with high cautions by depressed patients or individuals with history of depression because of some evidence indicated that these meds may progress the depression symptoms. In patients with depression the physician should give best possible treatment decision to not worsen the depression episodes and in same time have positive effects in the case of treatment purpose (49). 5.5 Interferon beta medication Avonex (interferon beta- 1a): it has been shown in the previous clinical trials to reduce the frequency of relapses in MS and the number of the new lesions on MRI, and it also reduces the disease progression. It has been also shown that Avonex reduces the risk to develop MS in clinically isolated syndrome at high risk patients. Uses: CIS and relapsing forms of MS (secondary progressive MS). Dosage: 30 micrograms once a week: IM injection. Side effect: flue-like symptoms following the injections, depressions, anemia, elevated liver enzymes and liver toxicity. Betaseron (interferon beta-1b): in the previous clinical trials, betaseron has shown that it reduces the frequency and severity of relapses. In addition, it also showed that it reduces the number of new lesions or even active lesions on MRI. Like Avonex, betaseron have also the ability to delay the onset of MS in people with CIS and has been approved by the FDA for this use specifically.(50) Uses : CIS and relapsing forms of MS ( secondary progressive MS ) Dosage : 250 micrograms once every two days : subcutaneous injection Side effects: flue like symptoms after injections, injection site reaction, depression, elevated liver enzymes and low white blood cells counts. Rebif (interferon beta-1a): has shown to reduce the frequency, relapses and the number of new / active lesions on MRI. Like avonex and betaseron, rebif has demonstrated that it can delay the onset of MS in patients with CIS. But, unfortunately it have not been approved by the FDA for this use yet. (51) Uses : CIS and relapsing forms of MS ( secondary progressive MS ) Dosage: 20 micrograms every day : subcutaneous injection Side effects: flue like symptoms after injections, injection site reaction, depression, elevated liver enzymes and low white blood cells counts. Copaxone (glatiramer acetate): in addition to interferon beta drugs, Copaxone has shown to reduce frequency of relapses and the number of new/active lesions on MRI scan. It’s been used in relapsing remitting type of multiple sclerosis. Until the present, the mode of action have not been discovered. Some theories have been suggested but no scientifically proven theory is discovered.(51) Uses : CIS and relapsing remitting forms of MS Dosage 44 micrograms 3 times a week : subcutaneous injection Side effects: injection site reactions, a reaction after injection, anxiety, chest tightness, dyspnea and flushing. In conclusions, there is no definite treatment of multiple sclerosis or clinically isolated syndrome in the presence of demyelination of the central nerve system. But, reducing the amount of the lesions, frequency of the episodes and prolonging the period of developing MS in high risk patient is the goals we are looking for. CIS can be difficult to diagnose or to determine whether or not to start the treatment, and the physician may find a hard time to find the best decision in these cases keeping in mind that the sooner the beginning of the treatment the less progressive the disease is (52). 5.6 Prevention Given to the heterogeneous etiological factors and often idiopathic characteristic of CIS, there are no clear means of prevention exists. In postinfectious patients with CIS, prevention of the infection is the best means of prevention. In acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, almost 70% of cases are associated with infections and 5% (approximately) with vaccination. acute disseminated encephalomyelitis rates are estimated with 1.5 per millions (2 per million) in association with live measles vaccine compared to 1 in 1000 risk of postinfectious ADE with measles infections, suggesting that vaccines may decrease the risk of post infection complications. Unfortunately, vaccines are not available for all bacteria and viruses (53).

Case Study Of Qatar Diar Commerce Essay

Case Study Of Qatar Diar Commerce Essay The real estate industry is a development process that involves establishment of real estate in prepared land by individual, government or developers. In this work Qatar was chosen as the country and Qatar Diar as the real estate company. To support growing economy of Qatar with an eye to manage Qatars real estate development priorities Qatar Diar was established in the year 2005 by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) which is the autonomous wealth fund of Qatar state. Northwest of Doha and on the coast of Arabian Gulf Qatar Diars headquarter is located. It started with $1bn capital. Its main concern was investment in real estate and community based projects. Since the start the company has worked on its portfolio which is worth $60bn estimated through its global investments. Vision and Mission: Qatar Diars vision is to be the finest real estate company in the world by valuing consumer imagination, cultural values and inspiring relations. Companys vision statement is so far being honest with its vision. It has since its incorporation focused on luxurious ventures. Despite the fact that Qatar hasnt seen booming real estate bubble like its neighbour UAE Qatar Diar has provided with excellent opportunity to represent Qatar in the real estate market. Mission of Qatar Diar is to improve quality of life of Qatars people and in places they will have project by creating distinguished grand development projects by valuing top industry standards. Since the beginning the company has worked on the standard of its developments and it is evident from the projects they have done so far. More discussion on that will be in the next section. Projects of Qatar Diar: In a short span of time Qatar Diar has managed to create a global portfolio of real estate projects. At present the company has projects in Qatar and GCC, Asia, Europe, The Americas and Africa. Companys first project was Lusail City which was launched in December 2005 and soon it gained momentum. It wasnt long when Qatar Diars innovative outlook started gaining praise for its work. This city is progressively self-contained which is the largest singleton real estate development undertaken in state of Qatar. Although the project hasnt completed yet but Lusail have already created buzz about Qatars grand scale vision on next generation of developments. Qatar Diar already has become synonymous to quality. Lusail Real Estate Development Company started its journey in September 2008 to operate the expansion, construction and other development operations in legendary Lusail City Development. In 2009 November under Qatar Diars flagship Qatar Railways Development Company was established which was of significant value for its portfolio. This company brought Qatars vision of creating a fully integrated national rail network and this regions first ever integrated railway system into reality. In parallel with its developments in Qatar, Qatar Diar has always been committed to focusing on international market simultaneous to domestic market. Not only life of Qatars people was touched by Qatar Diar but also it has touched million people through its worldwide development ventures. As of now it is now one of the most famous, trustworthy, respected real estate company. It has become possible because of its continuous commitment to quality service, developing communities with state of the art innovative designs, worthy partnerships and trademark sustainability promise. In January 2012 report released by Qatar Diar it has US $4 billion capital with currently undergoing 49 projects solely in Qatar related to development and planning. Also they have projects in 29 countries all around the world which combined can be valued at US $35 billion. Strategic Business Management and Planning Tool: Every business operates in micro and macro environment. To be successful in this competitive age every business have to have strategy for its operations whether its company management or marketing its products. For a company like Qatar Diar it has greater responsibility towards its wider stakeholders. For the purpose of this study focus will be given on two widely used strategic tools. SWOT Analysis PESTEL Analysis SWOT Analysis of Qatar Diar: SWOT which stands as an abbreviation of Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats is a widely used tool to analysis an organisations current standing in the business environment. It also looks into the future considering current competitions. This is a comprehensive planning tool where internally it focuses on strengths and weaknesses of an organisation at current state and looks into external impact factors in forms of opportunities and threats (Sadler, 2003). http://www.lindsay-sherwin.co.uk/guide_managing_change/images/01_swot_1.gif Figure : SWOT to Business Strategy (Sadler, 2003) From both external and internal appraisal Confrontational questions are generated. For every single Opportunity which strength element can assist the company to take advantage of the opportunity and which weakness can form a barrier to do so. For every single Threat which strength factor can lead to compete with the threat and which weakness can bound the company not to do so. Following SWOT analysis examines Qatar Diars Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats considering its present scenarios. Strengths: Strengths of a business are all the positive elements that it do exceptionally well and generally are under its control. The strengths of a company gives it competitive edge over other business competitors. Often a company will emphasis on its strengths to reach to new dimensions. Below is a list of strengths for Qatar Diar. Having associations with other robust and prevalent businesses around the globe is a major advantageous point for Qatar Diar as it helps bring in new clients and make business more operative. Qatari Diar since beginning have formed strong alliances in form of joint ventures with construction and management firms. In 2008 it signed agreements with Germanys Hochtief; in 2009 signed agreement with Germanys Deutsche Bahn to form the Qatar Railways Development Committee (QRDC). Under this committee, the Qatar Railways Company manages the expansion of Qatars $35bn rail system. In 2010 it joined with Frances Vinci Construction. Being a market leader, as Qatar Diar is, is key to their success as it increases status, revenue and market share. Under Qatar Diar there are several key real estate development is ongoing which gives Qatar Diar additional advantage. Innovation is a vital component of Qatar Diars overall accomplishment, as this retains them way above the other real estate companies. Riding high in the niche market in Real Estate industry has helped boost Qatar Diar and raised reputation and turnover. It has so far focused on high end luxurious projects. Not only they have ambitious projects in Qatar but also in several other countries with high profile construction work in prime locations. The US $1bn expansion of Londons past Chelsea Barracks is one such instance. The establishments developed by Qatar Diar are sustainable modern, meaning this high valued clients will return to Qatar Diar for future projects. Qatar Diars marketing strategy has proven efficiency. Which helped the company to raise profiles and profits and standing out as a major strength not only in gulf region but in the world. Qatar Diars innovation keeps it a leader in Real Estate as it is frequently implementing new proprietary technology and design. Experienced employees are key to the success of Qatar Diar helping to drive them forward with skill and knowledge. For example in March 2012 Qatar Diar appointed thirteen international law organisations to Qatari Diars six legal boards. High quality machinery used in sites, experienced staff, offices and equipment guarantee the job is done to the utmost standard, and is a strength of Qatar Diar. Qatar Diar has a widespread client base, which is a key strength regarding profit. Qatar Diar is spread in all over the globe in prime locations. Being financially strong helps Qatar Diar deal with any problems, ride any dip in profits and out perform their rivals. Qatar Diar has state backing which helps them to stay strong in volatile market. Qatar Diar has emerged as a strong brand which is an essential strength. Qatar Diars international operations establishes its authority over the business. 2012 World Cup will be held in Qatar. Before then the company will have some of their high profile projects finished which will enable them to capitalize the event. Weaknesses: Weaknesses of a corporation are things that should be improved for a better result; which are under their control. Weaknesses puts a business behind its competitors and create barrier to achieve its target. This section will present core weaknesses of Qatar Diar Global economic crisis will have an adverse impact on the sales of high end products. As more and more people are trying to hold their money in safe investments. Qatar is yet not as promising as UAE which is first preference among many client. Legal issues that buyers may face for the developments is still an issue for Qatar Diar as this creates barrier for potential customers. Opportunities: Opportunities are external deviations, drifts or desires that could improve the business or organisations strategic positioning, or which could be of a benefit to them. This section will summarize opportunities that Qatar Diar currently have. Qatar Diar gets direct backing from Qatar Government which allows them to have additional support when they go overseas or even inside the country with grants and favourable policies. Sudden change or adaptation of technology could give Qatar Diar an opportunity to strengthen future success. Use of social media network to promote its products to target markets may open new windows for them. Qatar Diar is in respectable monetary position, which is an opportunity for them to explore in terms of investment in new developments. Qatar Diar has the opportunity to enter niche market with their ever favourable government support to maintain leading position and therefore lift financial performance. Grasping the opportunity to magnify the customer base is something Qatar Diar can aim for, either geographically or through new products. Qatar Diar has planned to take its innovative developments to other countries in coming time. Qatar Diar can also explore takeover and merger opportunities could be explored for Qatar Diar and which later can be used to acquire new customers, new resources and enter new markets. Threats: Threats are reasons which may confine, harm or put areas of the business or organisation at jeopardy. They are factors which are external of the companys control. Being conscious of the threats and being able to prepare for them makes this section valuable when considering contingency plans and strategies. This section will outline main threats Qatar Diar is currently facing. Consumer lifestyle changes could lead to less of a demand for Qatar Diar products/services. A slow economy or financial slowdown could have a major impact on Qatar Diar business and profits. Rising costs could be a major downfall for Qatar Diar as it would eat into profit. PESTEL analysis of Qatar Diar In the macro environment there are many factor that affects decision making process of organisation. Changes can come in form of law change, trade barrier, impose of tax, demographic change along with government policy changes. These all are changes in the macro environment (Bennett, 2002). We can use PESTEL model to assess and analyse most of these factors. This arrangement differentiates between: Political factors. These factors denotes various government policy for example the degree of involvement in the economy. Which products and services the government wants to promote? Which areas will receive subsidy? Political factors can have tremendous impact on numerous important areas of business. It will determine how healthy the nation is and in terms of infrastructure how good it is i.e. road and rail network throughout the nation. Economic factors. Economic factors includes but not limits to purchase interest rates, taxation charges, slow or high economic growth, inflation and exchange rates. To understand how it might affect a business with high impact lets see the example: higher interest rates might discourage investment since it costs extra to borrow a strong currency may make exporting more problematic because it may increase the price in terms of foreign currency inflation may aggravate higher wage demands from employees and increase costs   higher national income growth may boost demand for a firms products Social factors. Changes in social tendencies can influence on the demand for a firms products and the accessibility and readiness of persons to work. In Qatar Diar most of the workers are from different countries. If they cannot offer a competitive salary with other benefits there might be issue with finding right people. Also in 10 years time there will be Fifa 2022 World Cup in Qatar this might mean there will be additional interest for people to get involved and invest in properties. Technological factors: new technologies generate new products and new procedures. Social networking, online shopping, online booking and computer aided design are all developments to the way we do business as a consequence of improved technology. Technology can lessen costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. These expansions can help customers as well as the groups providing the products. Qatar Diar has access to latest technologies in their work bases which helps them to minimize cost and maximize opportunities. Environmental factors: environmental factors comprise the climate and environmental changes. Tourism industry can get hugely affected by temperature change or issues like changed climate. Due to global warming slowly there is significant environmental awareness which indicates that it is not a problem of a region. Qatar Diar also has implications of environmental factors. Sustainable growth will mean that there will be less scope for doing non-environmental friendly tasks. The recent trend of being more environmental friendly is something Qatar Diar can work on to build up campaign or similar movements which will be beneficiary for the business. Legal factors: These factors are significant for a business in terms of the geographical area where they are based on. For example discriminations on the basis of age, sex, religion can have huge adverse impact on a businesss operation. Following laws of different country is also important as most of the time they does vary geographically. Also lawsuits can cost a company fortune. So having sound legal advisors are a must. Qatar Diar has an experienced panel of legal advisors to assist them with development planning. Different categories of law that has direct relation with Qatar Diar includes: consumer laws; these are intended to guard customers against biased practices such as ambiguous descriptions of the product competition laws; these are designed at protecting trivial firms against oppression by larger firms and safeguarding customers are not exploited by firms with monopoly influence employment laws; these cover parts such as dismissal, sacking, working hours and minimum wages. They aim to defend employees against the misuse of power by bosses health and safety legislation; these laws are aimed at guaranteeing the workplace is as safe as is sensibly practical. This legislation covers important issues such as training, accident reporting and other provision for safety equipment. Classic PESTEL features to ponder comprise: Factor Could include: Political e.g. Qatar government involvement in real state policies, investment agenda Economic e.g. inflation, credit crisis, national debt, exchange rates. Social e.g. view towards certain products, demographic characteristics, income Technological e.g. technological advancement, new ICT product, social networking, new product development by using new technology, rate of technological obsolescence Environmental e.g. global warming, climate change, natural disasters and other environmental issues Legal e.g. laws that company is abide by. competition law, health and safety, employment law However, it is significant not to just list PESTEL factors as this does not in itself tell very much. What business strategic management team need to do is to work out which of the many listed factors may change. For example as a government holding company Qatar Diar will more or less have favourable policies from the government. Problem will arise when it goes to a different geographic location. Qatar Diar has a global portfolio that makes it challenging to take into consideration all the wider aspects of all its development activities. In order to assess a big company like Qatar Diar it will be a good idea to distinguish between factors in terms of local, national and global (Drummond,2001). For example, we can evaluate Qatar Diars PESTEL factors as: Local factors such as designing a government project and its approval. National factors such as government law regarding recruiting people for the construction. Global factors such as entering into new market zones and its impact on business. Conclusion: This paper has looked into Qatar Diars business management from a strategic point of view. It is not long since the business was established. Getting world recognition in such a short time is really uncommon in todays world. Qatar Diar has proved how innovative approach in real estate industry can shape its future. Strategically, Qatar Diar has been lucky to have state support throughout its operation. Thanks to its joint ventures it has seen its growth over 29 countries. In coming years Qatar Diar will reach to its peak and probably 2022 will be a milestone year for Qatar Diar.

Nicotine Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the world today, Nicotine is one of the most frequently used addictive drugs. The impact it has on society is like no other. It is one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. This addictive drug is the primary component in tobacco that acts on the brain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tobacco can be found two ways, it can be dried brown leaves of various sizes or it can be a grown form of tobacco. When extracted from the leaves, nicotine is colorless, but quickly turns brown when exposed to air. It then becomes a poisonous, pale yellow, oily liquid with a pungent odor and acrid taste. The amount of nicotine contained in tobacco leaves ranges from 2% to 7%.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are four ways in which you can use tobacco. They are cigarette smoke, dry or wet snuff, and chewing tobacco. The cigarette smoke is inhaled through the mouth. Most cigarettes in the US contain 10 milligrams or more of the nicotine. Since most of the nicotine is destroyed by the heat of burning the actual concentration of nicotine in smoke is low. So, when inhaling the smoke you actually only take in 1 to 2 mg of nicotine per cigarette. Nicotine is absorbed through the skin, lining of the mouth and nose, or by inhalation in the lungs. Depending on how the tobacco is ta ken, nicotine can reach peak levels in the bloodstream and brain rapidly. Cigarette smoking, for example, results in quick dis...

Violent Behavior and the Brain :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Violent Behavior and the Brain - Do we know it all? The DMZ, which runs through Central Vietnam is a place where undisputed violence was unleashed for over a decade in the late sixties and early seventies. During the year that I worked in Vietnam, I often returned to this spot to watch the American Veterans, who would stand at the top of Marble Mountain, withered, with vacant stares out towards the stretch of beach known only to the Americans as China. It was mystifying to consider the sharp contrast that must have seemed all too apparent to them as the sounds of war loomed in their memories and the calm ocean stretched out before them now so serenely. It was then that I first started to consider what causes man to become so enraged as to commit atrocities of the mind, body and soul. Violence - pure and simple, is intrinsic to humanity. It almost goes unnoticed as a way of life in many communities. Drive through North Philadelphia on a spring afternoon and witness what appears to be life disappearing, receding under the concrete and graffiti. Look closer and witness the bullet holes in the walls of homes and cars. Still, there are other communities, such as North Brooklyn, where the rate of crime has been diminishing for the past twenty-five years. It seems, in fact, that violent crime does not behave as predicted. Social scientists have begun to suggest that, in fact, violent crime needs to be viewed much like an infectious disease. Simultaneously, neurobiologists have developed intricate research models and techniques to examine whether or not there are biological triggers that cause individuals to act violently. What if violence were to be truly considered an epidemic - one with BOTH neurological and sociological explanations? Being a public health practitioner and activist, I am inclined to champion the cause of social scientists and the role that society, economy, and politics play in the make-up of a violent individual. What is the environment that allows an epidemic of violence to overtake a community and how does it initiate in the individual? Epidemiologists consider an epidemic to reach its "tipping point" when it turns into a public health crisis. As Malcolm Gladwell notes in his article, "The Tipping Point", "Every epidemic has its tipping point, and to fight an epidemic you need to understand what that point is." What then, is the tipping point for an individual who is motivated to act violently?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Before Marriage

Today, many couples choose living in before marriage because they believe it will let them know if they are suited for marriage. Living in before marriage has some advantages and disadvantages for the couple and some of those are listed below. Some of the advantages of living in before marriage are: living-together Living together will lower the cost of food, rent and bills because two people are splitting the cost of living. In some cases, one person takes care of all the bills.In those cases, it is usually the woman who gets the benefit of free room and board costs. Having someone there for emotional support, sexual relations and for conversation without being committed in a marriage is considered an advantage for most couples. Living together before marriage allows the couple to test their compatibility. For some people, they want to feel that they can get along with someone while living together before they plan for their wedding. By living together, you will see how loyal your p artner is to you.This will help you build trust together that cannot be shaken if you agree to get married in the future. By living together, you can prepare for marriage ahead by learning someone’s habits, attitudes and manners. There are also some disadvantages of living together before marriage. These are: living-together2 By living together for a long time, you may get too comfortable with each other and totally avoid tying the knot in the future. Living together makes it easier for one partner to walk out on the relationship because there is no legal obligation to the other person.Living together can encourage an easy out for someone who wants it. Living together is often short-lived, statistics has shown. The female is the one who usually suffers if the relationship does not work out. Women tend to feel that they lose time, because of their biological clock, and dignity when they live together with a partner that ends in a break-up. No one knows for sure that living tog ether before marriage is the best thing to do. It is much easier to walk out of a relationship than it is walk out of a marriage.Everyone knows that divorce involves a lot more than what a break-up involves for a couple just living together. Many pastors and marriage counselors advise young couples that if they believe in the institution of marriage to find someone who believes in that themselves. People who believe in the sanctity of marriage do not suggest living with someone first just to get to know them better or see if they are well-suited for each other. After all, marriage is an institution, and we cannot learn things outside of an institution.

An Essay on School

An essay on schoolIssues surrounding school can never be over analysed. At first glance school may seem unenchanting, however its study is a necessity for any one wishing to intellectually advance beyond their childhood. While much has been written on its influence on contemporary living, school is featuring more and more in the ideals of the young and upwardly mobile. Inevitably feelings run deep amongst those most reliant on technology, obviously. Here begins my indepth analysis of the glourious subject of school.Social FactorsSociety is a human product. The immortal and indispensable phrase ‘honesty is the best policy’ [1] globalised an issue which had remained buried in the hearts of our ancestors for centuries. Both tyranny and democracy are tried and questioned. Yet school helps to provide some sort of equilibrium in this world of ever changing, always yearning chaos.Some analysts have been tempted to disregard school. I haven’t. To put it simply, people lik e school.Economic FactorsEconomics has been defined as ‘I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.' To my learned ear that sounds like two people with itchy backs. We will study the Custard-Not-Mustard model. For those of you unfamiliar with this model it is derived from the Three-Amigos model but with greater emphasis on the outlying gross national product.Political FactorsPolitics, we all agree, is a fact of life. Comparing international relations since the end of the century can be like observing school and political feeling.In the words of the star of stage and screen Esperanza Woodpecker ‘People in  glass houses shouldn't through parties.' [2] He was first introduced to school by his mother. It is a well known ‘secret' that what prompted many politicians to first strive for power was school.I wait anxiously. What will the next few years bring for school?ConclusionWe can conclude that the school may not be the best thing since sliced bread, but it's still im portant. It fills a hole, puts out ‘fires', and most importantly it perseveres.Let's finish with a thought from star Nicole Jackson: ‘Oooh yeah school shoo badaby dooo.' [3]

Harshness of Life Essay

Thomas and Frost have both written poems about the harshness of life. Compare and contrast two poems, one by each poet, taking account of the situation and tones of the speakers, and the form, structure and language including imagery, which each poet uses to present the theme of the harshness of life in two poems you have studied. Frost and Thomas both write about the harshness of life in their poetry. I believe the poems â€Å"Out, Out† by Frost and â€Å"The Owl† by Thomas best illustrate this. Frost choosing to show this through the impact of a hard days work on a little boy whereas Thomas uses an owl’s cry to connect the lifes of a solider and the poor/homeless to show the similarity in their lives. Both poets emphasise the same theme but their techniques differ to present this. The title â€Å"Out,Out† has an ominous tone to it, the title is a quote that Frost has used from Macbeth, â€Å"Out, damned spot, out†, this is in reference to the scene where Lady Macbeth dies. From the very beginning of the poem, Frost has set a menacing, almost tormenting tone eminently refering to the harsness of life. In comparision, we look at Thomas’s title â€Å"The Owl†. Owls are known to be solitary animals, many cultures, for example the Africans and the Middle East, believe that owls are harbingers of death or bad omens. Both poets have used their titles to immediatley engage the reader into the theme of the poem. Frost use of blank verse gives the poem more freedom within his lexical field, blank verse also gives Frost’s poem a matter of fact tone to it, â€Å"Call it a day, I wish they might have said† within the language used by Frost a sense is evoked that the day is an ordinary experience. Within the same lines we are given the inevitability of the boys death, this line is almost a plea for mercy automatically concentrating on the foreboding tragedy. Similarily Thomas uses simplistic language in a narrative tone to show the reflections of the speaker. Thomas’s â€Å"The Owl† has casual ryhtm to it, the use of abcb lines keeps the flow of the poem conversational and effectively keeps the reader interested through the ease of reading. While both poets differ in methods, Thomas using four lined stanza’s in contrast to the blank verse of Frost, each depicts the theme strongly. Frosts use of imagery in the rural setting, â€Å"five mountain ranges† creates a sense of insignifance to the boys misfortune of losing his hand. With gentle imagery at the beginning of his poem, â€Å"Under the sunset far into Vermont†, the unpredictability of the accident only further highlights the harshness of life. The personification used with the saw, â€Å"leaped out of the boys hand†, emphasises the horror of the tradgey. Within the phrase â€Å"big boy Doing a man’s work, though a child at heart†, Frost chooses to show us how the gruesomeness and strain of the boys accident could easily have been avoided if he carried out an average little boys life. Thomas’s description of the setting differs from Frost’s approach. Thomas, from the beginning sets a tone of desperation with the speakers state, â€Å"hungry†, â€Å"cold†, â€Å"tired†. The bleak tone of the poem gives a sense of reflection within the speaker. Thomas uses the owl’s cry to maintain the theme, with his repitition of sound and syllables â€Å"no merry note, nor cause of merriment†, he highlights once more the harshness of life.

H&M- brand/marketing Essay

Holiday Inn is a multinational brand of hotels that is run by the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). The Intercontinental Hotels Group carries the Holiday Inn throughout the world to different destinations like South Asia, Europe and the Americas. They provide the guest with different brands that cater to their needs. There are 7 different brands throughout the world that provide services such as food and beverage, lodging, conventions, meetings and timeshares. These brands are Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Select, Holiday Inn Sunspree Resorts, Holiday Inn Garden Court, Holiday Inn Express. Kemmons Wilson founded Holiday Inn in 1952 in Memphis Tennessee. Wilson’s architect Eddie Bluestein named it after the musical film Holiday Inn as a joke and stuck with the name until this day. After the first motel was built the expansion of the Holiday Inn Empire began to grow. In 1991 Intercontinental Hotels Group took over the Holiday Inn hotels and started to expand internationally. The companies core business is service. While their main focus is service they do sell merchandise in their gift shops supporting the Holiday Inn business. By providing excellent customer service to guests, guests remember the holiday inn brand and want to continue to come back and stay. The customers of the holiday inn vary from region to region and from the different brands that the holiday inn represents. For example the Holiday Inn conference center in Barrie caters towards business forward individuals. This particular holiday inn offers private meetings rooms and large conference rooms. But the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resorts that are in the Caribbean would cater towards tourists. The main customer that visits Holiday Inn is male, between the ages of 40-50 with a household income of $75,000 or more. They also have a college education1. Most of the Holiday Inn’s have similar or the same facilities, they offer indoor swimming pools, guest rooms, exercise rooms, onsite food and beverage centers (restaurants), gift shops, and staff that cater to the guests every need. Holiday Inn is part business and leisure industry. Their main business is the commitment to their guests’ needs and pleasures. Holiday Inn’s main competitors are other hotels and motels. The top five hotel chains are the Holiday Inn and IHG, Best Western, Marriott Hotels Resorts, Comfort Inns and Suites, and Hilton Hotels and Resorts. These hotel brands are in constant  competition with each other. Holiday Inn prides itself on its excellent customer service as a differentiator between these hotels. Not only do other hotels compete with Holiday Inn, motels and other resorts do as well. Many people believe that the holiday inn is lower than some of the high-end brands like the Marriott. In fact, the Marriott and Holiday Inn are in direct competition with each other and have very similar statistics. For instance the Marriott is said to have all of the business consumers (41%) but the holiday inn actually as 40% of those business consumers2. As their brand has already grown world wide, the main focus on the Holiday Inn is how to improve their already standing hotels to accommodate the guest better.