Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Polaroid Case Essay Example

Polaroid Case Essay Example Polaroid Case Paper Polaroid Case Paper Polaroid Case Objectives * Introduces the construction and use of statistical process control (SPC) charts and an understanding of the relationship between SPC and conformance quality. * Creating the strategy and implementation steps for transforming an operation from inspection-based to one that relies on statistically controlled process. * Understanding the complex human and organizational problems that occur when the basic operating philosophy is changed. * Applying quality tools to assess the root causes of defect problems. Understanding the limits of product sampling and inspection methods, especially for a product that is destroyed by the inspection process itself Assignment: In the mid 1980s, one of Polaroids instant film plants is reassessing its traditional approach to quality and is trying to move itself onto a new improvement path. Management must decide what recently gathered data reveal about process control and what actions are appropriate. What is the magnitude of cost of quality problems at the R2 plant? How effective were its past procedures for quality management? Using the data in the exhibits and the note on process control charts, construct and analyze the appropriate SPC charts. What conclusions should Rolfs draw? What recommendations would you make to Rolfs in order to address both near- and longer- term issues? How did Polaroid maintain quality film cartridges before Project Greenlight? What are the implications of that approach What is Rolfs strategy for Project Greenlight? From your analysis of the pod weights, is the pod-making process in control? What about the finger height of the injection molded plastic end cap? How can you begin to understand whats going on here? Is the pod weight process a capable process? How is capability determined? What is your assessment of Project Greenlight? Is the quality better or worse as a result of Project Greenlight? Process control at Polaroid Basing your analysis on both quantitative and qualitative tools, what evidence is there that quality is getting better? Pod Weight control According to Pod Weight control chart in Appendix, the pod weight performance variability is within the control limit (between 2. 74 2. 835), which means the process is in control. This indicates the quality is getting better since the Pod Weight defect rate is normal (Pod Weight measurement is a part of defect report issued by operator, which continue 1% after Greenlight implementation) and in control, although they reduce the number of quality control samples. However, each average of sample of the last five shifts has decreasing trend. Therefore, Polaroid might want to investigate the cause before the process is out of control. Less Quality Control expense Since quality control activities do not add value to the Polaroid camera, a company normally wants to reduce the cost of quality control as much as possible. In Polaroid, the quality control process itself can increase the defect rate and makes the sampling product to be reworked. Therefore, reducing the number of samples by implementing Greenlight saves the company’s expense. Standardize the process Prior to the Greenlight project, the process quality at Polaroid was rely on operators’ individual performance since each of them had their own mindset how to handle the machines from their experience. The knowledge of dealing with machines belonged to operators, not the company. The Greenlight project s provides the standard direction, which benefits to the company since now the knowledge belongs to the company. Basing your analysis on both quantitative and qualitative tools, what evidence is there that quality is getting worse? Finger Height control The control chart of Finger Height measurement in appendix is not as good as Pod Weight. 20 of 45 sampling data are out of control. Moreover, the interval between the maximum and average. I. We Need Greenlight But for Which Reason? Quality control of film cartridges on R2 was a routine process, but the QC department found that there are some discrepancies between the defect rate of QC auditors and the Operators. Defects were being passed through the entire manufacturing process unnoticed. While pre-existing measurements at quality control showed low overall defect rates, there were complications in the process and interference from operators that affected QC numbers. Project Greenlight was initially necessary to allow for accurate measurement of processes and quality control during the process as opposed to the end of the process. Once implemented, Greenlight would serve to measure and identify manufacturing process steps that were not in control and might produce defects. While necessary to provide a clear understanding of quality control through each step of the manufacturing process, upper management seemed less interested in Greenlight’s success as a source of continual improvement and more in its ability to cut personnel from the quality ontrol side. Greenlight is necessary in their minds, but not for the reasons we have suggested. II. X-bar and R charts to the Rescue. (Please see exhibits 1-5 in the appendix for R2 process control charts) After generating X-bar and R charts for both the finger height and pod weight processes, we can generate a few conclusions. First, both R-charts show subgroup ranges that are within the control limits, which suggests that the variation between subgroups is consistent. However, we can clearly see from the X-bar chart for finger height that this process is not in control. Moreover, this seems to be a substantial problem, as these limits are violated frequently. Exhibit 5 shows the graphs for finger-height and pod-weight in each shift. The pod weight graphs for Shift A, B and C shows that processes are in control. Finger height graphs for shift B shows that Polaroid Case I. We Need Greenlight But for Which Reason? Quality control of film cartridges on R2 was a routine process, but the QC department found that there are some discrepancies between the defect rate of QC auditors and the Operators. Defects were being passed through the entire manufacturing process unnoticed. While pre-existing measurements at quality control showed low overall defect rates, there were complications in the process and interference from operators that affected QC numbers. Project Greenlight was initially necessary to allow for accurate measurement of processes and quality control during the process as opposed to the end of the process. Once implemented, Greenlight would serve to measure and identify manufacturing process steps that were not in control and might produce defects. While necessary to provide a clear understanding of quality control through each step of the manufacturing process, upper management seemed less interested in Greenlight’s success as a source of continual improvement and more in its ability to cut personnel from the quality control side. Greenlight is necessary in their minds, but not for the reasons we have suggested. II. X-bar and R charts to the Rescue. (Please see exhibits 1-5 in the appendix for R2 process control charts) After generating X-bar and R charts for both the finger height and pod weight processes, we can generate a few conclusions. First, both R-charts show subgroup ranges that are within the control limits, which suggests that the variation between subgroups is consistent. However, we can clearly see from the X-bar chart for finger height that this process is not in control. Moreover, this seems to be a substantial problem, as these limits are violated frequently. Exhibit 5 shows the graphs for finger-height and pod-weight in each shift. The pod weight graphs for Shift A, B and C shows that processes are in control. Finger height graphs for shift B shows that process is out of control as several points fall outside of the control limits. Finger height shift A and C are in control but many points are close to upper control limits in the X-bar charts. From this analysis we conclude that the process involved in finger height is problematic and should be optimized before moving forward on analysis of other parts of the overall process. The regular violation of control limits may point to a significant contribution to overall quality control rejections. III. Quality Check â€Å"Type of Defects† (exhibit 4) and â€Å"Reported Defect Rates† (exhibit 5) suggests that the output quality of R2 has declined. The reported defective rate from the operators had decreased from under 1% to 0. 5% and the defective rate from the central process auditors had increased from over 1% to levels averaging 10% (stated in case). The exhibits also show that although the types of defects noticed by the operator and auditor are same, but the number of times the defect observed by auditor is significantly igher. Factors contributing to decrease in quality of product are numerous. R2 does not inspect for the types of defects that consumers notice. Rather, it inspects for more technical, hidden defects. Operators do not follow the guidelines for interpreting control charts as most of the defects are sighted by Quality Control at the end of the process. Some problems that operators did not regard as important are not reported and result in rejection by quality cont rol at the end of the process. Operators tweak the machines when products do not meet the process control limit resulting in greater inconsistency within the process. All of these influences suggest that overall product quality has declined with the implementation of Greenlight. However, it is more likely that output quality continues to exist at pre-Greenlight levels, but is simply measured more effectively than in the past and is a system in which operators cannot manipulate over QC numbers. IV. Greenlight to the Future Moving forward on the R2 line over the coming six months will involve not only statistical analysis of the manufacturing processes, but alignment of the work staff to achieve continually achieve better results. Creating this culture of continual improvement will be more difficult the measurement part, but in will allow process data to be leveraged to increase quality output and in the end reduce costs on the R2 line. This will begin with a closer partnership with process operators. In the current situation, operators have little reason to buy into Greenlight. For this project to be effective, they will have to have to be compensated for their good performance. We suggest a bonus payment structure that rewards operators not only for improvement of the process step they are responsible for, but also for shift and overall effectiveness at achieving in-control processes and better quality. Additionally, Bud must seek to form a partnership with upper management and convincing this group that capital nvestments will be needed to make Greenlight effective in the long run. While this project has the potential to generate increased efficiencies across the R2 line in the long run, it does not represent a tool for immediate reactionary cost-cutting, which may be upper management’s original reasons for supporting this initiative.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Peacock Facts (Pavo sp. and Afropavo sp.)

Peacock Facts (Pavo sp. and Afropavo sp.) Peacocks are birds known for their showy plumage and piercing calls. While both males and females are often called peacocks, really only the male is the peacock. The female is a peahen, while the young are peachicks. Collectively, they are properly known as peafowl. Fast Facts: Peacock Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus; Pavo muticus; Afropavo congensisCommon Names: Peacock, Indian peacock, blue peafowl, green peafowl, Java peafowl, African peacock, Congo peafowl, mbuluBasic Animal Group: BirdSize: 3.0-7.5 feetWeight: 6-13 poundsLifespan: 15-20 yearsDiet: OmnivoreHabitat: Forests of India, Southeast Asia, and Congo Basin of AfricaPopulation: ThousandsConservation Status: Least Concern to Endangered (depending on species) Species Peafowl belong to the pheasant family (Phasianidae). The three genera are Pavo cristatus, the Indian or blue peacock; Pavo muticus, the Java or green peafowl; and Afropavo congensis, the African peafowl or mbulu. There are also subspecies of green peafowl. The male green peafowl and female Indian peafowl can mate to produce a fertile hybrid called a spalding. Description Peacocks are easily identified by their fan-like crest of feathers and long train of colorful eye-spot feathers. Male birds have spurs on their legs which they use for territorial disputes with other males. While peahens have a feathered crest, they lack the elaborate train. Both males and females have iridescent feathers. Actually, the feathers are brown, but crystalline structures produce vibrant blue, green, and gold colors by the scattering and interference of light. The body of the blue peacock appears blue, while the body of the green peacock appears green. The African peacock is a darker blue-green and brown. Chicks bear cryptic coloring in shades of tan and brown that help them blend in with their environment. Both males and females are large birds, but males are about twice the length of females because of their feather train. On average, adults range from three to over seven feet from beak to tail tip. They weigh between six and thirteen pounds. African or Congo peafowl have shorter trains the green or blue peafowl. Stan Osolinski, Getty Images Habitat and Distribution Originally, the Indian peacock came from the Indian subcontinent. Now it is widely distributed across South Asia. Green peafowl live in Southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Java. The African peacock is native to the Congo Basin. The three peafowl species do not naturally overlap ranges. All three species prefer forested habitats. Diet and Behavior Like other pheasants, peafowl are omnivorous, basically eating anything that fits in their beaks. They eat fruits, insects, crops, garden plants, seeds, insects, small mammals, and small reptiles. At night, peacocks fly to tree branches to roost in family units. Reproduction and Offspring The breeding season is variable and depends largely on rain. Males fan their feathers to attract a mate. A female may select a mate based on several factors, which include the visual display, its low-frequency vibration (picked up by the females crest feathers), or the males call. A blue peacock has a harem of two to three peahens, while green and African peafowl tend to be monogamous. After mating, the female scrapes a shallow nest in the ground and lays between four and eight buff-colored eggs. She incubates the eggs, which hatch after 28 days. Only the female cares for the chicks, which follow her around or may be carried on her back when she flies to roost. Peafowl reach sexual maturity at two to three years of age. In the wild, they live between 15 and 20 years, but they may live 30 years in captivity. Green peahen with chicks. Ronald Leunis / EyeEm, Getty Images Conservation Status Peafowl conservation status depends on species. The IUCN classifies the conservation status of the Indian peacock as least concern. The bird enjoys wide distribution across Southeast Asia, with a wild population over 100,000. The IUCN lists the Congo peafowl as vulnerable and decreasing in population. In 2016, the number of mature birds was estimated to range between 2,500 and 10,000. The green peafowl is endangered. Fewer than 20,000 mature birds remain in the wild, with a decreasing population. Threats Peacocks face numerous threats, including habitat loss and degradation, hunting, poaching and predation. Green peacocks are further endangered by introduction of hybrid birds into wild populations. Peafowl and Humans Blue peacocks are agricultural pests in some regions. Peafowl readily breed in captivity. They are most often kept for the beauty and their feathers and sometimes for meat. Peacock feathers are collected after the male molts each year. While peafowl are affectionate toward their owners, they can be aggressive toward strangers. Sources BirdLife International 2016. Afropavo congensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679430A92814166. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679430A92814166.enBirdLife International 2016. Pavo cristatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679435A92814454. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679435A92814454.enBirdLife International 2018. Pavo muticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679440A131749282. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679440A131749282.enGrimmett, R.; Inskipp, C.; Inskipp, T. Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0-691-04910-6.  Johnsgard, P.A. The Pheasants of the World: Biology and Natural History. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 374, 1999. ISBN 1-56098-839-8.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Utopia and Sonnets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Utopia and Sonnets - Essay Example Regarding the men folk, the Utopians recommended that they should be four years older than the women at the time of their marriage. Utopians were so strict about keeping morality in married as well as familial relationship that they never allowed any kind of illegal relationship prior to marriage, and if there occurred any offending, they persecuted the trespassers. One is thunderstruck when realizing the reality that such kind of offenders were forbidden ever after in their life to marry, and they were forgiven only at the prince’s mercy. If the offence was among the married people, or if it was a forcible seduction, the punishment was so severe. There was possibility for the couples to return to their former life after being felt repentance over their actions. They followed monogamy that one has to keep his wife in pleasure as well as in displeasure and he could part with her only with death, except adultery break the bond. If both husband and the wife are accused, it was th e license of the council to decide the proper. One feels their custom of choosing husbands and wives as absurd that women had to show her nakedness to the wooer. Regarding the Utopians, they had given due importance to this custom and they mocked at other nations and their customs. To the Utopians, it was their ritual which they observed for identifying the physical and moral strength and weakness of their future life partner, â€Å"and the endowments of the body causes the virtues of mind more to be esteemed and regarded†(Of Wedlock, p.91-92). One of the notable features of the Utopian society was that they allowed divorce with the full consent of the couples and they could marry others. To conclude, one can infer that though some of the rules existed in Utopia with regard to marriage was absurd, some others are acceptable even in the modern society. Elizabethan prose has always attracted the attention of many that it was rich in its form and content.  

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Determining the density of an irregular solid Lab Report

Determining the density of an irregular solid - Lab Report Example From the microscopic point of view, any material usually has a specific arrangement of its atoms. The bonding between the atoms determines the strength of the material. Due to uniformity in the arrangement of particles in any solid, the density of the material is observed to be equal irrespective of the size. It was not until Archimedes invention that the problem of measuring the volume of irregularly shaped object was completely resolved. From Archimedes discovery, the volume of water displaced by a completely submerged object was realized to be similar to the volume of the object, which is submerged in water. Having determined the volume, it is used in the determination of the density of the object after the mass of the object is established through measuring (Franklin Turner Jones, 2007). This paper seeks to give an in-depth analysis of the determination of the density of an irregularly shaped body. 2.0 Relevance of Your Testable Question The research seeks to realize the volume of the irregular object, which is useful in determining the density of the irregular object. Water displaced during the experiment acts as a representative of the irregular object volume, which is difficult to realize through other modern available computation means such as calculus. 3.0 Literature Review 3.1 History of density and Archimedes principle Archimedes principles hail from the era before the global Christendom of the Middle East region. In its ancient form, Archimedes confused volume with density where the water displaced was equated to density rather than the volume. It is interesting to give an account of how this striking discovery was innovated. This Archimedes principle, as the new volume computation methodology was coined, was discovered after Archimedes puzzle over the spilling of water in a bath filled to the brim when he was bathing. Archimedes expected the water to remain at the bat h’s brim level even with his body completely immersed in the bath water. He then went on to reason that the volume of the water that spilled over from the bath was equal to the volume of his body submerged under water (Susan Weiner &Blaine Harrison, 2010). However, this literal interpretational use of the Archimedes principle was revised to imply that the buoyancy force experienced by a submerged object is directly proportional to the density of the submerged object. Formula Buoyant force opposes an object’s weight. The pressure exerted on a body while in liquid is proportional to the depth submerged. This thus translates to the fact that the top of an object experiences less pressure than the bottom when fully immersed in water. According to Archimedes principle, the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. Thus, for objects of equivalent mass but different volumes, objects with larger volumes have greater buoyancy. Mathematically, Buoyancy = weight of displaced fluid Alternatively, it can be reformulated to Apparent immersed weight = weight – displaced fluid weight By using the weights quotients expanded by the mutual volume, Density/density of fluid = weight/weight of displaced fluid. 3.2 A review from related articles: how to evaluate density of an irregular solid; According to Willis and Shirley (1999), different bodies float differently in fluids of different densities depending on the up thrust force. However, if the density of the given body is higher than that of the relative fluid, the body completely sinks. Normally, water

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Essay Example for Free

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Essay Company A wholly-owned subsidiary of Belgium-based Anheuser–Busch InBev, is the largest brewing company in the United States. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and nearly 20 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of Americas largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the companys family entertainment division, Busch Entertainment Corporation. It is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. AB’s objectives as a corporation are: * To increase domestic beer segment volume and per barrel profitability which, when combined with market share growth will provide the source for earnings per share growth and improvement in return on capital employed. * To provide a great tasting fresh beer to our consumers by limiting self life to 110 days, and providing a â€Å"born on date† on all our products. * To build a high-performing, diverse workforce, while providing a safe, productive and rewarding work environment, in which all our employees can benefit. * To be a good corporate citizen and good neighbor in every community where we do business and promote the responsible consumption of our products. * To preserve and protect the environment and support communities where we do business, by complying with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and permits. Products and Services Anheuser-Buschs best known beers include brands such as Budweiser, Busch, Michelob, Bud Light, and Natural Light. The company also produces more than 100 beers, import beers, specialty beers, nonalcoholic brews, malt liquors ( such as King Cobra and Hurricane), and flavored malt beverages (e.g. the Bacardi Silver family and Tequiza). Currently, the number 1 ranked beer in America is Bud Light. The company introduced a flavored 12% abv malt liquor under the name Spykes in 2007. It was sold in colorful, 2-ounce bottles. Available flavors included mango, lime, melon and chocolate. Free public tours of the brewery are given. The tour takes visitors through the complex, and those of the legal age can enjoy two free glasses of any Anheuser-Busch product in the Hospitality Room after the tour. Tourists can see beer being made in a working part of the brewery (from behind plexiglas shields). The company keeps a rotation of its famous Budweiser Clydesdales at its headquarters, and visitors to the brewery can observe the Clydesdales in their exercise field and see their places in the carriage house. Some of the herd is kept at the company farm in St. Louis County. The farm, known as Grants Farm (having been owned by former President Ulysses S. Grant at one time), is home to a menagerie of animals. Since 2008, approximately half of the Budweiser Clydesdales are kept at the Warmsprings Ranch. Introduction/History Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. traces its roots to 1852 and the Bavarian Brewery in St. Louis. The struggling brewery was acquired by Eberhard Anheuser, a successful soap manufacturer, in 1860 Anheuser had no experience in the brewing business, but his son-in-law did. Adolphus Busch, a successful German businessman, joined his father-in-law in the business in the 1860s and took on increasing responsibility. Through new technologies and modern marketing practices, he transformed the local brewery into an industry leader. In the early 1870s, Adolphus Busch became the first American brewer to use pasteurization, which allowed beer to be shipped long distances without spoiling. By the mid 1870s and early 1880s, he introduced artificial refrigeration, refrigerated railcars and rail-side icehouses. These technological innovations allowed the company to grow and distribute beer across the country. Budweiser was the first national beer brand, introduced in 1876. Twenty years later, Busch introduced Michelob, America’s first specialty beer. To market his beers, Busch used traditional, proven selling methods but in a far more organized and deliberate manner than his competitors. He pioneered the use of giveaways and premiums, and used his brewery as a show place for the public to visit. When Eberhard Anheuser died in 1880, Adolphus became president of the brewery. In 1901, the company broke the 1 million barrels of beer sales mark for the first time, making it one of the nation’s leading breweries. Adolphus Busch died in 1913 and was succeeded by his son; August A. Busch, Sr. The brewery’s bleakest period began at midnight on Jan. 16, 1920, when national Prohibition became law. Rather than close its doors, as more than half of the nation’s breweries did, Anheuser-Busch diversified and remained in business. Under the leadership of August Sr., the company marketed more than 25 different non-alcoholic products such as soft drinks, truck bodies and ice cream. In preparation for Prohibition, Anheuser-Busch released Bevo, a non-alcoholic cereal beverage, in 1916. On April 7, 1933, beer was re-legalized. Recovery from Prohibition was slow but steady under Adolphus Busch III, who became president of the company in 1934, upon the death of his father, August Sr. Economic conditions caused by the Great Depression also restrained growth, but, thanks in part to the introduction of the metal can in 1936, sales began to climb. By 1938, Anheuser-Busch hit the 2 million barrel mar k. During World War II, the company diverted many of its operations in support of the war effort, voluntarily relinquishing its West Coast markets to conserve railcar space for war materials shipments. Following the war, America and Anheuser-Busch experienced an era of growth and prosperity throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1946, August A. Busch, Jr. became president of the company following the death of his brother, Adolphus III. Beginning with the opening of the Newark, N.J. facility in 1951, August Jr. created a national network of nine breweries. Under his leadership, beer sales increased from 3 million barrels to more than 34 million barrels, and corporate diversification was extended to include family entertainment, industrial products, real- estate and can manufacturing. In 1957, Anheuser-Busch became the leading U.S. brewer, a position it retains today. August A. Busch III was elected president of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in 1974, and the next year succeeded his father, August Jr., as chief executive officer, becoming the fourth generation of the family to lead Anheuser-Busch. August III led the company to build four additional breweries, expand the family entertainment business, and significantly strengthen the company’s horizontal and vertical integration. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch and InBev combined to become Anheuser-Busch InBev. The new company is the world’s largest brewer and one of the top 5 consumer goods companies in the world. Mission It is AB’s mission to be the United States beer company. The company is working hard to elevate and enhance the image and relevance of beer, plus making their brands the preferred beer of choice. It is also AB’s mission to deliver superior returns to their shareholders, which in return will provide more benefits and resources for the company. Product/Bud Light In 1982, the company introduced Bud Light nationally, which grew quickly in popularity and today is one of the world’s best selling beer brands. Bud Light is an American style lager made from rice, hops and barley malt. It is less alcoholic than regular Budweiser beer. It is marketed in the premium-light category, and Anheuser-Busch banks on the drinkability of Bud Light being its defining characteristic Bud Light Marketing Strategy Bud Light beer has long directed their marketing strategy through sports. For years their ads have dominated the Super Bowl advertising bonanza. Bud Light also has used various sports themes in their commercials and has a strong presence in many sporting events (in the venue and through television). Bud Light’s advertising campaign has been extremely effective. They have targeted the young male demographic and have done a phenomenal job of it. Relying on humor and sports has been the staple of their strategy, and it has worked very well with their target audience. Advertisements for Bud Light almost always are a comedy, and as they close they briefly plug the actual product. This has been their recipe for success. Bud Light has well graded commercials and a very high percentage of the beer market. Who can forget the â€Å"secret fridge,† â€Å"real men of genius,† â€Å"hidden Bud Lights,† or countless other commercial lines that Bud Light has created. The ads are remembered, and in marketing that is half the battle. But, that is the issue. Why is beer being marketed solely through the use of comedy? Because comedy is much more successful than a realistic commercial. How successfully would Bud Light market themselves if they were forced to use the reality of their product? Would they show how drunken men get home after football games? Would they show people drinking too much? Would they show the average user of their product? No, of course not. They would never be able to market their product successfully if they used its real circumstances. While Bud Light solely relies on comedy, many other beer manufacturers have taken other approaches. Some show where their beer is made. Samuel Adams commercials currently focus on the early years of their organization and the development of their company. Additionally, most beer ads, other than Bud Light, heavily stress using responsibility while drinking. Guinness beer is a good example. Although Guinness mostly uses comedy to sell their product they stress responsibility in every ad, and even have comedic ads focused on responsibility. Bud Light should consider using a similar formula if they continue to stick to comedy. Bud Light has an amazingly successful marketing strategy through the use of comedy and sports. * Geographic Anheuser Busch sells its beer products domestically and globally. It operates 14 breweries in the U.S., brewing approximately 30 kinds of beer. They offer a wide variety of premium and sub-premium beverages, each of which has a unique taste and price. Another area of interest for A-B is the international marketing of their beer. This segment is regulated by Anheuser-Busch International, which operates 15 breweries – 14 in China and one in the United Kingdom. The product of Budweiser is brewed in seven other countries outside the United States under the direct supervision of Anheuser Busch brew masters. They include Argentina, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Spain. * Psychographics Anheuser Busch reaches out to diverse groups of people with various psychographics. They deal with people that have a social lifestyle and enjoy going out to bars and clubs. They also deal with consumers that are interested in sports. Anheuser- Busch is a major sponsor of every sporting event possible, taking profits in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCA. Lastly, Anheuser – Busch maintains a strong social affiliation with consumers who drink beer just for relaxation and comfort. A major market consists of social drinkers who drink one or two beers a night after work. Consumer Markets Anheuser Busch’s primary consumer market consists of males and females over the age of 21. The age groups range from seniors, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and a part of Generation Y. They also target every category involving family life cycle, including married, single, divorced, widowed, and parents. AB products are not sold to a particular social class, however depending on whether the consumer’s are Capitalists or underclass, might play a major role in deciding which AB beer they purchase. Finally, ethnicity is a major focus for AB, they believe in promoting diversity in all of their relationships. They actively support numerous community programs sponsored by a wide variety of ethnic groups; they encourage the development of minority and women-owned companies by purchasing more than $400 million in annual goods and services from those companies. Anheuser-Busch is also a close friend and partner with Americas ethnic communities. Their programs are designed to preserve the unique traditions within diverse communities and to provide immediate and long-term benefits through joint efforts with national, regional and local organizations. Business Markets AB has a variety of business markets that it is involved with. The most important are grocery stores, super centers (Wal-Mart), convenience stores / gas stations, warehouse membership clubs (Costco), restaurant / bars, and sporting event venues. Restaurants/Bars are the most important business markets for A-B, because they buy and distribute the most amount of beer. Also, restaurants and bars are two of the easiest places that adults can access beer. Finally, in a bar, most beer is distributed from a tap off of keg, and more beer can be distributed with a keg, than selling bottles or cans individually. Size and Growth A-B owns nearly 50 percent of the United States domestic market share in the beer industry. The company produced close to 11 billion barrels of beer in 2009, which is 7.5 times its closest domestic competitor. The company has four trademark brand families; Budweiser, Michelob, Busch and Natural, each of which play a key strategic role as the volume drivers of the company. A-B’s size is definitely strength, because the company has the resources in place to increase beer industry volume, while continuing to meet the needs of today’s consumer. A-B currently offers over 40 brands of beer. Of this wide variety of premium and sub-premium beverages, each beer offers its own unique taste and blend. Yet, A-B is not standing still; the company is committed to creating new beverages that appeal to today’s adult consumers. To meet these changing tastes, A-B introduced more than 30 new in the past five years and encouraged consumers to experiment with their new flavors. Of these, Budweiser Select, the newest addition to the Budweiser family was introduced, and has become one of the company’s most successful new product launches, with more than 2 million barrels sold. Other new offering included malt beverages, flavored beers, and beers such as BE, which combines fruit flavors with caffeine and guarana. A-B’s relentless commitment to constantly improving and innovating new products is keeping them ahead of the competition. Distribution Over the years, Bud light has been distributed in many sizes and containers. Bud light is primarily distributed in just three packages cans, 12-ounce glass and aluminum bottles. Along with this expansion came advances in bottling automation, new bottling materials and more efficient distribution methods. These advances have brought to market many new containers and package designs. Eagle Packaging Eagle Packaging, Inc. satisfies all of Anheuser Busch’s packaging needs. It supplies 100 percent of Anheuser-Buschs domestic crown and closure liner material. This means Anheuser Busch spends less time dealing with numerous suppliers, and more time spent on producing beer. Eagle Packaging, Inc. also stands behind every product they sell, and they continuously work with their manufacturers to provide Anheuser Busch with the highest quality products and services possible. With Eagle Packaging, Inc. as Anheuser Busch’s partner, they improve their business position by offering innovative solutions and proactive ideas. They also work with Anheuser Busch to coordinate a â€Å"Just in Time â€Å"delivery schedule. This saves Anheuser Busch inventory space and costs, while keeping them properly supplied. Longhorn Glass Corp. Longhorn Glass Corp. supplies Anheuser Busch, the nation’s largest buyer of glass bottles, with about 8% of its glass bottles. This Anheuser Busch subsidiary was established in Houston, Texas in 2001. Longhorn Glass Company provides 60% of Anheuser’s, Houston brewery, with its longneck bottle needs. The company primarily produces one product, Amber Longneck bottles. Anheuser-Busch Recycling Company Anheuser – Busch Recycling Company recycles used beverage cans, which are converted into sheet aluminum for manufacturing new cans. The company was formed in 1978 to provide a positive alternative to mandatory deposits and to help reduce container costs. They recycle over 90% of the cans sold domestically by the Anheuser Busch beer company. For over a decade, it has been the world’s largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers. Metal Container Corporation The purpose of the Metal Container Corporation, the largest partner of Anheuser Busch, is to provide cans, lids and services that exceed the expectations of our customers and consumers. Metal Container Corporation was formed in 1973 and operates eight can and three lid manufacturing facilities that are strategically located across the United States. It supplies 60% of Anheuser-Busch’s domestic beer cans and 75% of Anheuser-Busch’s domestic lids. Their main customers are Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Grupo Modelo. In total, the company makes more than 26 billion cans and 29 billion lids annually. Precision Printing Packaging, Inc. Precision Printing and Packaging, Inc produces more than 25 billion metalized labels annually for Anheuser-Busch and other customers including Bush Beans, Wrigley, and Pepsi. The company supplies 80 percent of Anheuser-Buschs labels. Pricing Methodology A-B is best described as market oriented because the sales of their products do not depend on an aggressive sales force, but rather on the customer’s decision to purchase their product. The company focuses on customer wants and needs by offering a diverse selection of products while giving a relentless commitment toward quality and by doing so is able to distinguish its products from competitors’ offerings. The company is also able to adhere to customers wants and needs by offering different prices for their beer, while still offering the same relentless commitment to quality. A wide variety of premium and sub-premium brands, offer a broad range of prices. However, price does not excuse A-B’s commitment to quality on all its products. Budweiser is on the upper echelon, where as Natural is on the lower end. Competition The emergence of the Bud Light brand was illustrated to develop a competition-based position. In the mid-1970s, Miller Brewing Company introduced a brand that was called Lite beer from Miller. In contrast, Lite beer from Miller was positioned as the beer that tasted great, but had fewer calories than regular beer. The advantage of this product was that users could drink more without getting filled up. The campaign, which was developed by Backer Spielvogel, targeted 18-34 year old males with blue-collar occupations, who were the heavy users of the beer category. The campaign was supported by the endorsement of ex-athletes and other beer-drinking personalities and aired on television during sports programming. The result was impressive sales of Late. Consumption of the brand was substantial in-home as well as in bars and restaurants, where 30% of all beer is sold. Unexpectedly, however, the majority of users were not the 18-34 year-old heavy drinkers of beer. Rather, more moderate drinking 25-44 year old professionals were the dominant Lite users. Anheuser-Busch viewed Lites introductory campaign as a potential threat to their Budweiser brand, which at the time commanded 43% of the beer market. A-B responded by entering the light market in 1977 with the premium Natural Light brand and in 1978 with a super premium Michelob Light brand. The logic behind these introductions was that A-B dominated Miller and other brewers in distribution, and this domination would enable A-Bs new light brands to emerge as strong players in the light category. A-B introduced Budweiser Light (currently known as Bud Light) in 1982. The goal was to market a brand that, unlike Natural Light and Michelob Light, would have a strong point of advantage in relation to Lite. The advantage was the heritage of Budweiser, the king of beers. The introductory campaign was targeted at the 25-44 year old professionals, which by this time all light beers were targeting. The position was the light beer with superior quality because it is made by A-B. The introductory campaign featured a clydesdale horse, which was an icon that A-B had associated with their Budweiser brand, running free on the beach and the slogan bring out your best. The voice-over explained that the brand had been developed slowly over time with the same care, quality, and commitment that went into Budweiser to ensure that it lived up to the heritage of Budweiser. Subsequent executions showed season-appropriate sports including football, hockey, skiing and baseball. Each was aired during sports programming. Indeed, Miller Lite had over 50% of the light beer market and Coors light entry was the second leading beer in the light category. Business results were impressive. In 1982, Budweiser Light sold more product than Lite had in its first three years, and by the end of 1983, Budweiser Light achieved a 20% share of the light beer market. At the same time, Budweiser Light had failed to make significant inroads in the out-of-home market. Apparently, when people asked for a Budweiser Light in bars and restaurants, they were more often than not being served either Miller Lite, or a regular Budweiser. As a result Lite beer from Miller maintained a market share of over 50% in the light category. A-B also found that a substantial percentage of Budweiser Light sales were at the expense of the flagship Budweiser brand. To address these concerns, A-B made several changes in their marketing program for 1984. One change was the brand name from Budweiser Light to Bud Light. The other was to introduce a new campaign called Make it a Bud Light. It focused on the fact that Bud Light was a light beer and that if they just asked for a light they might get any number of different objects that were not Bud Light beer. It was anticipated that this campaign would be run for several months and then Bud Light advertising would return to the heritage focus that had been used to launch the brand. However, when it was found Bud Lights sales increased in response to bar call, the campaign was run for five years. In 1987, Miller Lite was still the leading brand in the light category and had actually maintained its advantage over Bud Light. Sales of both brands had grown substantially as light was now almost 30% of the beer market. A-B was particularly concerned about these developments because the growth of the light category was largely at the expense of their Budweiser brand. Indeed, many of the heavy-drinking blue-collar males under 25 were abandoning regular beer for light beer. In addition, the growing consumption of white wine and soft drinks were limiting growth of the beer category. In an effort to capture the under-25 heavy user, A-B segmented the market and developed two campaigns. One was focused at the 25-44 year old professionals, who were the traditional users of the light category. The other campaign was targeted at the under-25, heavy user of beer. It featured a dog named Spuds MacKenzie, a party animal who attracted the attention of beautiful women. As their share and sales began to decline in the nineties, Miller Lite sought a campaign that would deliver news. In 1997, Millers CEO Jack MacDonough decided that a dramatic change was needed if Miller Lite was to reestablish its position as the number one light brand. He hired Fallon McElligott, the hot Minneapolis agency. Their charge was to attract 21-24 year olds with the proposition that Miller invites you to Miller Time, where its always fun, entertaining and unexpected anything can happen. Two Swedes, copywriter Linus Karlsson and art director Paul Malmstrom, developed the Miller Time campaign. These creatives were under 30 and were best known for work on Diesel Jeans in Europe, which included humorous references to American culture. These drastic marketing measures by Miller still weren’t enough to top A-B. Today, the light category has 40% share of the beer category sales and Bud Light is the best selling beer in the U.S and the number one beer in the world. Bud-Light is brewed at all 12 Anheuser Busch based breweries. Environmental Impact * Ethics/Social responsibilities A-B is making many extensive efforts to get involved in the community, by teaming up with charitable foundations and reaching out to those in need. Over the past decade, the company has donated more than $320 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, health care, the arts, cultural enrichment, social services and environmental conservation. A-B released a â€Å"making friends† campaign which involves local communities, disaster relief and â€Å"true music† in which they sponsor music artists and related programs. The company also created a one million dollar â€Å"fallen heroes’ fund† which is a scholarship fund for spouses and children of those killed in Iraq. A-B has worked hard to establish a history of giving back to build on lasting friendships. By investing in and adding communities, the company is enhancing its image and reputation, increasing awareness for its brands, and creating loyalty among its customers. A-B has earned a reputation as the industry leader in the fight against alcohol abuse. The company has promoted responsibility efforts for nearly 100 years, and over the past two decades, have invested more than a half billion dollars in a comprehensive portfolio of more than two dozen community-based programs and national advertising campaigns to promote responsible drinking and help prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. A-B has also created effective community based programs that train bartenders, waiter, store clerks, etc. on ID checking, and also have distributors bringing speakers into schools about issues such as drunk driving and underage drinking. In their effort to promote responsible drinking, A-B is strengthening the community, which in return is strengthening the company’s image and reputation. A-B’s commitment to quality extends beyond packaging development. The company operates with care and concern for the world’s environment. A-B Recycling Corporation (ABRC) is one of the world’s largest aluminum recyclers. In 2009, ABRC recycled more than 1200 million pounds of aluminum and was introduced into the Waste Wise Hall of Fame by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ABRC also develops educational programs that promote voluntary recycling. A-B’s longstanding commitment to waste reduction and recycling programs has not only made up for their consumption of natural resources, but has also built a reputation for about the environment. * Legal/Regulatory/Political A-B experiences many threats do to new laws and regulations regarding the distribution of alcohol, such as: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In dealing with alcohol, the ATF regulates the qualification and operations of distilleries, wineries, and breweries, as well as importers and wholesalers in the alcohol industry. ATF has established mutually beneficial working relationships to minimize the regulatory burdens on businesses while still providing necessary government oversight and protecting consumer interests. The ATF National Laboratory Center is the premier tester of new products coming onto the market, as well as the facility that determines whether any products currently on the market pose a health risk to consumers. To ensure alcohol beverage labels do not contain misleading information and adhere to regulatory mandates, ATF examines all label applications for approval. The goals of the ATF are to ensure the collection of alcohol beverage excise taxes; to provide accurate deposit and accounting for the taxes; to prevent entry into the alcohol industry whose business experience or associations are a risk of tax fraud; and to suppress label fraud, commercial bribery, diversion and smuggling, and other unlawful practices in the alcohol marketplace. Many states have started to use â€Å"Dram shop† laws. Under dram shop liability laws, a person injured by an intoxicated person can sue the business or establishment that contributed to that person’s intoxication. Regulation of the sale of liquor to minors or individuals who are intoxicated; requiring most states require an alcohol license. These limit the time and place where sales take place. The government also regulates the production of alcohol by taxing businesses that take part in the selling and production of alcohol. This provides a source of revenue for the government. The Alcohol Beverage Act of 1988 which, requires all alcoholic beverages to bear a clear and conspicuous label warning of the dangers of alcohol consumption. Laws limiting alcohol distribution, and advertising such as college sporting events * Technology AB continues to implement several cost saving initiatives. Brewery modernizations, such as improvements to packaging line flexibility and increased bottle line speed, reductions in brewery material costs and transportation initiatives, including several consolidation and improved scheduling of shipping carriers, contributed nearly $100 million in incremental productivity improvement savings. Analysis of Marketing Strengths and Weaknesses Through my analysis, I have identified that A-B has many current strengths in all aspects of their domestic operations. They offer a unique product, which is distributed and promoted to precision. A-B has very few if any current weaknesses. Strengths Product A-B owns nearly 50 percent of the United States domestic market share in the beer industry. The company has four trademark brand families; Budweiser, Michelob, Busch and Natural, each of which play a key strategic role as the volume drivers of the company. A-B’s size is definitely strength, because the company has the resources in place to increase beer industry volume, while continuing to meet the needs of today’s consumer. A-B currently offers over 40 brands of beer. Of this wide variety of premium and sub-premium beverages, each beer offers its own unique taste and blend. Yet, A-B is not standing still; the company is committed to creating new beverages that appeal to today’s adult consumers. To meet these changing tastes, A-B introduced more than 30 new products in the past 5 years and encouraged consumers to experiment with their new flavors. Of these, Budweiser Select, the newest addition to the Budweiser family was introduced, and has become one of the company’s most successful new product launches, with more than 2 million barrels sold. Other new offering included malt beverages, flavored beers, and beers such as BE, which combines fruit flavors with caffeine and guarana. A-B’s relentless commitment to constantly improving and innovating new products is keeping them ahead of the competition. Along with variety in beer, A-B is offering a variety in new packaging styles and shapes to elevate the image of beer. A-B launched aluminum bottles for those consumers who want to look stylish when out at a club, bar or upscale restaurant. The company also released a new clear plastic label to its Bud Light and Budweiser Select packages, which enhances the premium image and appeal of the brands. By offering new product lines in packaging, A-B is strengthening its image as the leader in the market. Place A-B owns and operates 12 strategically located breweries in the United States. These breweries give A-B a competitive advantage of its competitors by reducing freight costs associated with shipping out supplies, but also by offering the freshest beer of any major brewer. On average, A-B beers are 14 days fresher than the nearest competitor. Promotion A-B encounters significant advertising and promotional expenses; however these costs are necessary because advertising and promotion are key elements of their marketing strategy. Each year the company advertises through numerous sponsorships, programs and campaigns to focus on their unique imagery and product difference. A-B also does a fair amount of advertising through sporting events, they have been the exclusive beer advertiser during the Super Bowl for the past 18 years, and are also associated with the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and the majority of National Football League teams. They also are currently in contract to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. A-B is also known for its creative, catchy commercials. The Clydesdale horses are recognizable by most, and Budweiser Select’s national advertising campaign featured U.S. beer company President August Busch IV which highlighted the company’s sophistication and its â€Å"Expect Everything† brand identity. Price A wide variety of premium and sub-premium brands, offer a broad range of prices. However, price does not excuse A-B’s commitment to quality on all its products. Budweiser is on the upper echelon, where as Natural is on the lower end. Employee A-B has worked hard to develop and build a diverse workplace, in which teamwork and open, honest communication is valued. They are committed to promoting diversity in ethnic background. At the centerpiece of their effort is â€Å"Partners In Economic Progress,† a structured initiative designed to ensure that minority and women-owned firms have an opportunity to do business with A-B and its subsidiaries. In their efforts to building a diverse work force A-B has strengthened its brand name, as well as developed a strong relationship with many ethnicities. A-B has also worked hard to create a safe, productive and rewarding work environment, where each employee is responsible for contributing to the company’s success. The company emphasizes preparing employees for challenging and rewarding careers through extensive training and education provided by the A-B Training and Development Group (ABTDG). ABTDG’s main focus has been developing skills for employees of all business units within A-B, giving special consideration to technical, leadership and professional development. Technical training focuses on brewing, packaging, sales, maintenance, engineering and information technology, where as leadership and development courses center more general skills needed to prepare the future leaders of A-B. A-B has also offer highly competitive salaries and one of the most generous benefit packages in the industry. Benefits include health, dental, vision, and prescription plans; vacation; holidays; 401 (k); pension.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The World Bank Essay -- essays research papers fc

The World Bank Bureaucracy is one of the pillars of modern western society. Although this statement is debatable from many aspects, most would agree that, at the very least, our lives are greatly affected by bureaucracy. Bureaucracy is the 'pure form of rational organization' (Newson, Jan 11). Not only is it a method for achieving goals efficiently and effectively, but it is acclaimed as the most able strategy to meet objectives. The World Bank is a classic example of a bureaucratic organization. It embodies all the characteristics necessary to qualify; from its complicated hierarchy and impersonal relations, to the specialization and career orientation of its employees. However, not everyone agrees on the competency of the bureaucratic organizational system. George and Sabelli in their book Faith and Credit claim that is the very structure of the World Bank which causes its failures, as well as explaining its continued existence despite these mistakes. Using Faith and Credit, with a focus on chapter six, it will be shown that it is the bureaucratic methods themselves which twist the World Bank's goals, and that these methods undermine the tasks which the Bank has set for itself. The World Bank is one of the world's most powerful agencies. Although it characterizes itself as a purely economic institution -- which controls the lending of billions of dollars -- in practice its influence, wealth, and policies all result in having immense political power (Faith 1). Although originally created to serve as an institution to help rebuild the world (i.e. Europe) after World War II, its task has since shifted to development work and poverty reduction. Through its immense control of wealth, and its international reputation, the Bank has managed to lend billions to 'under-developed' nations. The loans take many forms, including financing of mega-projects and structural adjustment. Beginning in the 1980's vast amounts of criticism on the Bank's policies began to appear, finding faults in much of its work. Many of its projects have been declared more harmful than helpful, often worse names have been used. The Bank has managed to make enemies in many activist circles; including environmentalists, feminists and even the people whose aim is to please: poverty workers (Faith 6). Nevertheless the Bank still remains an eminent institution. It is well respected by many intel... ...iticized as an institution which repeatedly fails to attain its goals, and in fact has forgotten them. Although the Bank has the world's cream of the crop development workers, its own structure has stifled, and silenced these individuals to the point of falling behind in development strategies and not adapting to real world situations of the poor. Its own structure has encouraged a quantity not quality philosophy, any attempts to change this philosophy have only exasperate the problem. Finally the poor reputation of the World Bank, due to its own follies, has led to the Bank to shift its focus from development to self preservation, not through correction of errors, but through falsely presenting itself. It is the very bureaucratic nature of the World Bank which hasled to its failure. Although clearly this paper does not discredit bureaucracy as a world system, it does present the idea that perhaps bureaucracy is not the most efficient and effective method of achieving goals, in all situations. Bibliography George, Susan and Sabelli, Fabrizio. Faith and Credit: The World Banks Secular Empire. Penguin, Toronto: 1994. Newson, Janice. In class lectures. January 18th and 25th, 1996.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

School is bad for children

Seventeen years of reading, cramming, listening and studying. One for kindergarten, six for middle school and another six for high school, plus the dreaded four years in college, all these seventeen years to get a degree and work for a living. Going to school to attend classes, submit homework and projects, and to take examinations have become a part of our culture and tradition. It is deeply embedded in our laws and in our minds. We all have come to believe that without school, we are nothing. We are nothing especially when compared to those who have dedicated 17 years of their lives, money, time and effort in schooling. However, it is not what it seems to be anymore. A place for learning and for growing is being questioned. There have been studies that resulted in concepts that have not been considered when the idea of a school for everybody and everyone was put up. The implications of these have resulted in the skepticism of the current education system, whether or not it caters to everybody or if it still upholds the quality of education that they promised to give. In the essays by John Holt, David Miller Sadker and Myra Pollack Sadker, and Ji-Yeon Mary Yuhfill, several key points were noted that direct to the same issue, schooling has to be changed. These authors were able to identify various reasons that could be grounds for changing the current educational system. As of the moment, all children are required by law to go to school, at least up until high school. College, on the other, is an option that only people who can afford to pay for the tuition fee take. For the rest, high school suffices enough to get them jobs to earn money for providing themselves with the basic necessities. However, John Holt believes that going to school is actually a hindrance for a growing child to become the person that he is supposed to be, David Miller Sadker and Myra Pollack Sadker thinks that the current way of evaluating one’s intelligence is not accurate because of the identified multiple intelligences, and Ji-Yeon Mary Yuhfill found out that what is being taught in the four walls of the classroom is not true to the factual occurrences in history. These three authors are not exactly talking about one thing but they are all on the same page. John Holt’s essay entitled, â€Å"School is bad for children,† talks about learning outside school and compares it to learning inside it. he describes how a child, before entering the school premises, was an explorer and a creative individual who is not scared of trying different things. The independence of learning all by one’s self has become the tool in the growth and development of a child from birth to just before entering school. He asserted that the infant did not really need a teacher in learning something that he thinks is inexistent, language. He was able to manipulate this language, learn it and use it, without the aid of a classroom. He had in him characteristics such as perseverance, patience and determination that he developed by trying out new things, when he explores his environment. None of these he can do inside a school. Holt reasons out that in school, students are taught to be submissive and to be controlled by an environment that is not conducive to learning. Hence, all of the characteristics that he once possessed were kept inside him and he was not allowed to use it when needed. For example, in the real world, the child can make mistakes. He can run very fast and he could stumble and have his skin scraped. Nevertheless, he will stand up and learn the lesson that he should not do that again when the ground is not leveled enough because he is going to have bruises, which is very unpleasant. However, when in school, he is not allowed to run fast. Holt translates this analogy into believing that a child should be allowed to make mistakes and learn the right answers on their own. Then again, in school, one is not allowed to make mistakes, teachers only ask for the right answers, so do examinations. Human interaction is also made insignificant in school. However, this is a very important lifelong ability that we should not dare pass up to learn. Holt emphasizes how the school disallows talking to classmates and playing with them while inside the school premises. This poses a very big problem to learning and developing socializing skills. In David Miller Sadker and Myra Pollack Sadker’s essay, they discuss the importance of the multiple intelligences and the emotional intelligence factor. Eight intelligences have been identified, which are the logical-mathematical intelligence, the linguistic intelligence, the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, the musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligence. Each of these intelligences represent an ability or a set of abilities that manifests as skills and interests that an individual posses and it does not really have to be in the academic field. For example, dancing, painting, singing, and even interacting with other people are considered to be a form of intelligence. However, in schools and in the existing educational curriculum, only the IQ or the intelligence quotient is what seems to be of utmost importance. A student’s ability is rated through the grades and examination performance. The other intelligences do not even make it to the report card; they are only electives in some schools, while in others they are just clubs. The multiple intelligences also tell us that every person is unique and it will stand out in their areas of specialty or their forte. One should not be forced to do something that they have almost no affinity to because they excel in the opposite of that task. Another important discovery made is the emotional intelligence factor and how its determination at an early age was a predictor of the child’s success in the later years of life. Basically, the argument that they presented in the essay is that there is no one test to measure the range of abilities and skills that a student possesses. This is a problem because the current system utilized in schools may become a hindrance for developing the other aspects of intelligence of the students. The essay by Ji-Yeon Mary Yuhfill talked about how she felt cheated because of the historical inaccuracies that she learned in school and how knowing the truth could change one’s life forever. She stated that what she learned in school is that the United States of America was all about how the white skinned people were able to conquer and start a nation so great on their own. However, she learned in her own research later on that this was not the case. She learned that so many other cultures existed during the coming of America as one nation, and that these other people of different ethnicity were of help that time and without them, America will never be the same. These three essays focused on different issues and concepts, but they all arrived on the same conclusion, change is needed in the educational system. Holt presents five solutions that he believes can help our students in becoming more like the person that they should have become right from the start. He suggests that the compulsory school attendance should be banned or there should be a higher number of absences to be allowed. It has become so hard to keep children in school in the first place, and it costs the government more money now keeping kids in school because they do not want to be there. He also mentioned that out of classroom learning should be implemented. This is because much of the real learning for the real world happens outside of school. He also wants that children learn from other children, and that children judge their own work. This is very much needed especially when interacting with others and in trying to create standards for one’s self. In doing so, children are able to share ideas, learn from the other child’s perspective, and learn from their own mistakes. Lastly, he proposes to eradicate the fixed and required curriculum. This proposal may coincide to David Miller Sadker and Myra Pollack Sadker’s case in point, the multiple intelligences. Holt says that there is no point in making children study what they are not interested in or what they do not excel in. each person has their own type of intelligence, and so this is why a standardized measurement of intelligence will not suffice. Albeit indirectly implied, there has to be a new system wherein the personal intelligences of each student can be quantified. David Miller Sadker and Myra Pollack Sadker mentioned the portfolio approach. It is described as a more comprehensive assessment that includes student artifacts such as papers, projects, videotapes, and exhibits, which offer tangible examples of student learning. It does not have to be just a report card anymore. Moreover, learning does not have to be all about the good stuff. It was suggested in Ji-Yeon Mary Yuhfill’s essay that both the good and the bad aspects of history should be taught in school and let the children decide. A multicultural curriculum will not only make the children develop critical thinking, it will also help them develop the skills that can assist in the improvement of their country. I personally believe in change. It is inevitable and it is the only constant thing in the world. If we want to improve things and learn from mistakes, we should start it with the children. Not only because they are the future leaders of our country, but because we want them to become the best person that they could possibly be, the best pianist, the best mathematician, the best doctor, the best chef. We have to let them fall down and make mistakes, because this is the only way they could learn. We have to allow them to flourish in the things that they are passionate about, because it is the only way that they can develop their talents and skills. We have to believe in them, whether or not they believe in themselves, because they would need all our love and support as they struggle to find their true identities. It is not a question of whether or not school is the best for children; it is whether or not we can accept the changes that should be implemented in these institutions. And if we want a better future for everyone, we should.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Greek or Shakespearean Essay

The essential component to any tragedy, Greek or Shakespearean, is a protagonist with a fatal flaw. In Greek tragedy this is called hamartia. This Latin term translates directly into the word â€Å"flaw† but is usually used to describe an excess of a personality trait – virtue or vice. The protagonist’s fatal flaw pushes the the plot and action of the tragedy forward. It is this tragic flaw, which leads to the eventual downfall of the character, his circumstances, and the denouement of the drama. In examining the bulk of the literature’s protagonists, no other character embodies the essential role of the flawed protagonist like Hamlet. Hamlet’s fatal flaw is his idealism. Only once Hamlet overcomes his idealism is he able to seek his revenge. The climax of the play occurs with Hamlet’s realization that the world is not as it seems and that he must shrug off his idealistic values and avenge his father’s murder Act 3, scene 4. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, act 3 scene 4, is a pivotal scene within the play. The scene begins in the Queen’s chamber, as Hamlet slams the door open, with sword in hand. They engage in a dialogue of riddles combined with Hamlet’s mishandling of the weapon makes the Queen uneasy. Hamlet is upset at the Queen for marrying his father’s brother. The Queen screams â€Å"Thou wilt not murder me? Help, ho! † and as Polonius responds, Hamlet promptly shoves his sword into the curtain where Polonius hides and swiftly kills him. Hamlet wonders if it was the King, half hoping that it was Claudius, who Hamlet has been trying to kill the whole play. He fantasies about killing him, in the previous scene, he states â€Å"In th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed. † Hamlet is consumed by the idea of Claudius and Gertrude making love. Once he knows that he only killed Polonius he continues to scold him mother. She responds â€Å"†In th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed† and Hamlet replies † A bloody deed. Almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king and marry with his brother. † Again Hamlet contrasts the two brothers that Gertrude has become involved with. Hamlet must avenge his father’s death. In doing so he must not only kill Claudius but also resurrect his father. He does this by outlining how his father’s good qualities compare to his uncle’s bad qualities. Hamlet laments: Look here upon this picture, and on this, The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. See what a grace was seated on this brow, Hyperion’s curls, the front of Jove himself,. . . This was your husband. Look you now what follows. Here is your husband, like a mildew’d ear Blasting his wholesome brother. Hamlet contrasts the two brothers which he claims are completely the opposite. Hamlet believes that Gertrude might has mistaken one for the other. Hamlet continues to verbally assault his mother. Much of what he says is a rephrasing of Hamlet’s first solioquy, â€Å"frailty thy name is woman† as well as Hamlet aggressive behavior toward Ophelia in the nun scene. Act 3, scene 4 is the part of the play when the climax happens. Hamlet must first confront the cause of this murder, Queen Gertrude. It is within in this scene that Hamlet gets his first taste of vengenance and murder when he easily kills Polonius. After this murder, Hamlet decides he can and must kill his father’s murderer, Claudius. However, Hamlet’s leaves his mother alone because his father’s ghost appears and advises Hamlet to â€Å"Leave her to heaven†. Hamlet respects and loves his father in life and also in death and adheres to the ghost’s advice. Hamlet’s goal is to bring back his father’s reign not just by pointing out Claudius’ faults but also by humiliating his mother and her new world to trash. Hamlet continues: Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed And batten on this moor? Ha, have you eyes? Hamlet is trying to convince his mother give up her new life with Claudius, to find her loyalty to her dead husband, and back to the way things used to be. Hamlet takes the role of â€Å"scourge and minister,† and tells her she can redeem herself from being a whore to being the good wife she used to be. Hamlet advises her to leave Claudius, â€Å"the moor† and climbs up on her dead husband’s â€Å"mountain†. Hamlet explains â€Å" throw away the worser part† of your cleft heart, Hamlet instructs her, â€Å"And live the purer with the other half. † However, Hamlet, as much as he wants to love his mother, can not get past his belief that she is responsible for his father’s death. It is important to note that this scene takes place in the Queen’s bedroom. The conversation symbolized Hamlet and Gertrude essentially â€Å"in bed† together and hints to a sexual relationship. Hamlet speaks like a jealous lover chastising his girlfriend for sleeping with a different man and making their bed â€Å"enseamed†. The Queen is extremely upset and actually asks Hamlet to help her figure out what to do. At this point when Hamlet should have told her to confess, he urges her to stop her relationship with Claudius, â€Å"Not this, by no means, that I bid you do: Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed† (Act III, sc iv). It is in the moment that Hamlet allows his emotion to dominate over his intellect that Claudius was killed. He is consumed by the thoughts of his father’s demise and is haunted by the knowledge that his father’s soul will not be able to rest until his death is avenged. Hamlet willfully concludes, â€Å"My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth† (Act IV sc iv). It is then that Hamlet finally had the ability to suppress his idealistic nature, and do what is right. The murder is not a well planned scheme and occurs in the heat of the moment. Hamlet, after the murder of Claudius never once wavers in his decision. He has done what is right and believes that â€Å"There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow† (Act V sc ii). Hamlet is able to do anything but take vengeance upon the man who did away with his father and has taken his father’s place with his mother. The pain which should have caused him to take immediate revenge was replaced by pity for himself. It is Hamlet’s idealistic nature that creates the ultimate theme and driving force behind all the rising action, falling action, and resolution of this tragedy as well as the death of his mother. The way in which Hamlet views his mother, father, and Claudius is finally revealed in Act 3, scene 4. Once Hamlet is able to be honest about his feelings, he is able to finally seek revenge for his father’s murder. This scene is pivotal to denouement of the play and essential to Hamlet’s transformation from a boy to man who embodies the important qualities which were cherished and expect by an Elizabethan audiences.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations

Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations Introduction The term financial management refers to organization of monetary resources to achieve desired objectives and maximize companys worth while ensuring positive growth. This paper seeks to highlight the four elements of financial management and explain the generally acceptable accounting principles and financial ethical standards. It is evident that the need for proper financial management and adherence to sufficient financial reporting is vital for every organization irrespective of the industries in which they operate.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Financial management Financial management entails planning, organizing, directing and controlling of financial processes in a firm. Financial resources in the enterprise are therefore managed using generally accepted principles to promote transparency and accountability. It takes into consideration investment decisions by defining allocation of financial resources, e.g. capital budgeting. Financial management deals with issues pertaining to raising finances or capital from a variety of sources for purposes of expansion, growth and new investments. Objectives of financial management Control and efficient allocation of resources is aimed at the following: Ensure the company invests in safe endeavors. Strike a balance in capital structure (i.e. there should be a capital balance between debt and equity). Ensure efficient use of financial resources with minimal wastage. Elements of financial management The four elements of financial management include planning, controlling, organizing (and directing) and decision making. Planning ensures that finances are available at the required time to satisfy organization needs as they arise periodically. Planning requires that the company draws up short term as well as long term needs. Short term needs include employee re munerations, payment of utilities, purchases and others. Long term needs include opening new outlets or investing in new options. Financial objectives are also defined in planning. In controlling, the immediate objective is to ensure that financial goals are being achieved. This is done to identify areas that need monitoring and attention within the organization. Controlling seeks to measure efficiency in the use of assets while determining security of these assets. It also entails examining whether all activities undertaken are as per the organizations policies and procedures. Organizing and directing involves deciding how resources will be allocated having identified the most feasible or viable investment options. Directing ensures that the results of organizing are efficient. Decision making is parallel to planning, organizing, directing and controlling. It allows organizations to choose among available investment options based on specific criteria. Decision making relies on info rmation and mostly relates to issues pertaining financing and investment (Baker Baker, 2009).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Accepted financial principles and ethical standards Generally accepted accounting principles include competency, integrity, objectivity and confidentiality. Financial management calls for integrity in terms of honesty and accuracy in disclosure of financial reports. This implies that professional responsibilities must be carried out without prejudice. Confidentiality means that employees should maintain confidential information and should not disclose any information unless legally required to. Competency is with respect to professional skills and knowledge required to execute financial processes effectively. Professional duties must be executed while exercising technical, legal and regulatory measures. Furthermore, personnel must be contin uously trained to sharpen their skills in the relevant knowledge area (which is financial management). Objectivity calls for responsibility to present reports fairly and objectively while disclosing financial information fully to relevant stakeholders. Objectivity is supported by factual evidence. Financial ethical standards are vital in guarding a company from financial mismanagement issues. Independence should be observed by employees by ensuring that they are unbiased, objective and display impartiality in all forms of financial reporting. Activities undertaken must not be subjected to managerial pressures which may negatively affect financial management. Conflict of interest and dealing in deceptive investments should equally be avoided. Financial ethics calls for adherence to regulations established within the financial markets. Financial responsibilities should be carried out with diligence, care and professional competence. Examples of ethical standards of conduct (from real entities) Several companies have upheld ethical standards in their financial dealings. Lenovo is one such firm which has drafted and enforced ethics and integrity in the workplace, accuracy of business records and rules pertaining to insider trading and conflict of interest. They have defined financial obligations to comply with laws and regulations, engage in honesty in contracting, fair competition and protection of privacy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lenovo’s management reveres integrity which in turn is replicated by employees. Amazon has defined its corporate governance by incorporating aspects of insider trading, conflict of interest, record keeping, reporting and financial integrity. Microsoft has equally enforced a standard of financial ethics that ensures employees exercise integrity and compliance in their duties (Code of Conduct, 2008). Lenovo is a success story that depicts the need to incorporate financial standards in an organization for the purpose of ensuring productivity and efficiency in company processes. This provides employees with a proper understanding of the need to exercise acceptable financial ethics and follow guidelines provided in policies and procedures. As a result, the work force feels involved and growth is inevitable. Amazon’s policies reflect the need for conformity to laws and applicable rules. It ensures that internal controls within the company are consistently monitored thereby eliminating the possibility of financial disclosure issues. This ensures reporting reflects a true and fair position of the firm. Employees of Amazon cooperate with set procedures religiously. Conclusion In conclusion, organizations must work towards inculcating ethics and acceptable morals in employees to strengthen adherence to set codes of conduct. This ensures that employees exe rcise responsibility in their dealings with the company. Companies must specify codes and ethics of conduct to govern employee behavior. They should also carry out frequent compliance checks to keep financial management employees on their toes. References Baker, J. Baker, R.W. (2009). Health Care Finance. London, United Kingdom: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Code of Conduct: Ethics in our New World Company. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/about/

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

6th Grade Math Word Problems with Answers

6th Grade Math Word Problems with Answers Math is all about problem-solving. One of the best ways to help children learn math is to present them with a problem in which they have to devise their own strategies to find the solution(s). There is usually more than 1 way to solve math problems and children need the opportunity to discover shortcuts and their own algorithms to determine the appropriate solution, they should also justify their solution(s). The following math word problems are specific for children in the sixth grade and are divided into the main math categories: Number Concepts, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, Data Management and Probability. Children should be involved in problem-solving activities every day. Problems for third grade students should be read to them. Students should also be able to describe why their solutions work or how they know its the right solution. My favorite question to children is how do you know. When they have to explain how they arrived at their answer, you immediately know the learning that has taken place. Patterns and Algebra Kellys classroom organized an e-Pal club. 11 people joined the club. Each of them sent an email to each of the members of the club. How many emails were actually sent? How do you know? Ticket sales for the bake sale were underway. Four people bought tickets on the first day of sales, twice as many people bought tickets on the second day and each day afterwards twice as many people bought tickets. How many tickets were sold after 16 days? Data Management and Probability Pet Parade: Mr. James has 14 cats, dogs and guinea pigs. What are all the combinations he could have? How many different types of pizza can you make with the following toppings: pepperoni, tomatoes, bacon, onions and green peppers? Show your answer. Number Concepts Sam bought 8 ball caps, one for each of her eight friends, for $8.95 each. The cashier charged her an additional $12.07 in sales tax. She left the store with a measly $6.28. How much money did Sam start with? Geometry and Measurement Watch your favorite television show from beginning to end. Time each of the commercials and determine the percentage of commercial time for the entire show. Now determine the percentage of time the actual show is. What is the fraction of commercials? Two squares are beside each other. One square has 6 times the length of the other square, how many times greater is the area of the larger square? How do you know?

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international Essay - 1

Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you - Essay Example My mother and father figures have played quintessential roles within our lives and most significantly within my life’s folds. I value them for their coveted place and nothing at all can come close to matching them in entirety. Ever since I have graduated from school in 2001, my parents want me to go for the PhD degree program which would eventually complete me as a qualified and educated person. As we hail from Saudi Arabia, I understand why my parents want me to be educated because my mother brought me to America for completion of my education. Such is the kind of emphasis that our family pays towards education in essence. Both my parents were studying within America and this is one of the reasons why both my parents would require me to be a part of the Chapman University, which is indeed an esteemed place to acquire education. I hope that I can live up to the dreams of my parents and attain the PhD degree at the

Friday, November 1, 2019

Comparative between two countries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Comparative between two countries - Essay Example The US government is divided into 3 branches that enable its separation of powers, distinguish the control and power the US president receives once elected, and that of the British prime minister who operates in an undivided government. The party systems of both the US and Britain have a common element of the two party system that impact differently on their governance. Constitution The original constitution in USA resembled a version of the former constitution of Great Britain that came with the colonists, who settled on American land with the hope of reforming the rule to avoid oppression that they experienced under the British system of government back then. A central government was hence formed from the alliances of the different states under a written and signed constitution in 1787 that guides in governing the US, and in its distribution of power (â€Å"A more perfect† archives.gov). The constitution hence takes the center place as a superior authority over the law of th e land, from which the judiciary interprets in their regular reviews to make judgments based on the legislature, as expressed in the constitution. On the other hand, the British constitution remains customary and unwritten (lack a single constitutional document), such that though the constitution exists, it occurs in distinguishable documents (Williams 13). The sources of its constitution are fragmented into international treaties and agreements, the common law of judicial interpretation, statute law by parliament, and conventions. These differences in existence of the constitution influence their flexibility to amend their constitutions when need be. The lack of codification of the British constitution makes it more flexible and able to evolve with political circumstances, since all that is required is the majority of the parliament to make changes, while the US constitution can be termed as rigid in its codified manner, requiring two thirds of both the senate and house representat ive, and three quarters of the individual state’s legislature to amend it (Wlliams 13-4). Basically, the US constitution tends to involve different levels of authority from the national figure to all states power, which makes it difficult to change the constitution because of the embedded original idea of federalism. For example, the USA has had about 11000 amendment attempts since 1789, with only 27 being successful after 230 years (Becerra politifact.com) , compared to Britain that recorded numerous reforms affecting referendums, electoral, regional governments and house of lords activities within 1992 to 2001 (â€Å"Constitutional reform† historylearningsite.co.uk). The procedure in theUS is quite onerous and intends to prevent arbitrary changes to the original documents, which is extensive enough to allow participation of the relevant authority right from states to national levels that support efficient decision making without being politically biased. Electoral sy stem The US and British elections are conducted by means of secret ballot, involve prior campaigns, and hold by-elections to replace vacant seats in the parliaments. However, there are numerous variations in requirements for electing individuals into branches of the government, in terms