Reflection On My Learning Skills Development During This...

Nursing: Portfolio Assignment Name Institution Professor Course Date Task 1: Reflection on your learning skills development during this semester Nurse education comprises of practical and theoretical training offered to student with the aim of preparing them for their roles as nursing professionals. This semester has broadened my learning skills, approaches and strategies. My expectations was to develop effective communication skills needed in the nursing profession besides effective learning strategies and approaches that will aid in the completion of my nursing program. I believe that my expectations have been attained because I have developed productive communication and learning skills that will help me succeed as a student in higher education and as professional nurse. The learning styles and practices, academic and communication practices have helped me develop competency in my education and it is my expectation these activities will help in my practice. Initially, I thought the course was taxing, but I came to realise that with determination an d interest, the course is as simple as the previous one. Apparently, the course has helped me to develop improved professional attributes. I must admit that the activities involved in the course have been resourceful and developed my confidence. My skills are broadened and morale towards attainment of my goals boosted. Although the activities have been time consuming and sometimes frustrating, the ULP survey andShow MoreRelatedAdult Literacy and Community Development Essay1724 Words   |  7 PagesMy vision in my work with VOC this year is to explore the intersection of adult literacy and community development. Through research, I hope to learn more about the connection between research and practice in writing for adult learners; through working with a community based organization I hope to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the impact and challenges of working in a literacy program and how this translates into overall goals of improving livelihoods and building a stronger c ommunityRead MoreSemester Reflection994 Words   |  4 PagesSemester Reflection As the semester started, I had set my mind that I was destined to achieve a lot. During the start of the semester, I had several difficulties writing English assignments especially in terms of grammar. During the first week of the semester, I sat down, organized my thoughts and comprehended that throughout the semester, I had to achieve all that I had planned for. As a student of English, I had planned that throughout the semester, I had to improve my skills as a scholar, writerRead MoreMy Learning About Myself As A Learner And Biology1523 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout this semester my learning about myself as a learner and biology is backed by multiple changes in my study habits with the evidence included in my documentation, self-regulation, critical reflection, integration, and my collaboration with a Community of Practice. I enrolled in this Principles of Biology class this semester because it was a requirement for my major. This class is important for my long term goals beca use it is a requirement for me to achieve those goals. Those goals includeRead MoreReflective Writing on Team Work Essay1542 Words   |  7 Pagesplays a role to achieve the team’s objectives. These roles add new and important dimensions to interactions of team members. Bruce Tuckman’s team development theory provides a way to tackle the tasks of making a team through the completion of the project. On the part of the team every member played an important role to achieve the success at the end of semester. â€Å"Our planning (or worrying about) what’s happening next gives us little opportunity or inclination to examine what has just passed† (WallaceRead MoreImproving A Small Set Of Targeted Skills1036 Words   |  5 PagesPersonal development is an active, circular process that one pursues in order to improve on a small set of targeted skills or competencies. Most people are interested in developing competencies associated with your interpersonal skills/style and general managerial skills: The term competencies is meant to be an overarching term that includes behaviors, skills, and styles. The development process is generally segmented into four interrelated phases or steps (2016, May 7) Retrieved from http://higheredRead MorePRS Coursework 11224 Words   |  5 PagesRESEARCH SKILLS (FULL TIME) MOIRA BAILEY 1415792 CINDY OMARI WORD COUNT: 1,051 This reflective paper aims at analyzing my learning experience in the Personal and Research Skills module and how these experiences are likely to help both my post graduate study at The Robert Gordon University and my future career. During my post graduate studies at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Personal and Research Skills was one of the four modules I took in the first semester. This module invokedRead Morepersonal devlopment plan8669 Words   |  35 PagesReview of initial reflection and PDP Significant Change Over the past few years my outlook towards studies has altered vividly. In all the previous years of my life I have been in education were I was not mindful of anything other than school. However in an attempt to discover the way to what my passion is. I went on to university to study my hobby of beauty, which I discoed that was not a long my long term interest and I dropped out in the second year of the course. And went on to work inRead MoreHomework Assignment : Learning Plan1268 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment 1: Learning Plan The Learning Plan is an important document containing key goals, expectations, self-reflections on strengths and weaknesses, my outlook on success and failure; and ultimately, how I deal with disappointment. By developing my Learning Plan, I will create a roadmap to my success in Bus4053. 1. The following are two or three personal goals for the course/semester. Why? Creating and setting personal goals can help my personal development. For the first semester, I haveRead MoreThis Reflective Essay Is Based On My Skills And Knowledge1683 Words   |  7 PagesThis reflective essay is based on my skills and knowledge that have been gained whilst being in education, at university. The idea of this essay is to highlight study skills I have expanded and developed during the first semester of my program and the transferability of my learnt skills. With help from my personal development plan I will be able to begin working independently, to help me prepare for year two of my degree. I will be highlighting incidents throughout this semester where I have actedRead MoreNotes On Competencies Development Plan987 Words   |  4 Pages Student name: Kunal Jain Student number: 743744 Competencies Development Plan Introduction: This assessment provides a descriptive feedback on the skills development activities I am planning to undertake during the length of this course in order to develop my key management competencies. With the help of the reflection activity undertaken in this assessment, I have been able to self analyse my managerial skills and prepare a plan for further building these competencies. Section A: Competency

Informative Speech Essay examples - 1173 Words

OUTLINE General purpose: To inform Speech Goal: I would like to give everybody an insight on Tiger Wood’s life. I will talk about his early childhood, golf career, and the scandal that became his downfall. INTRODUCTION Who in your opinion is the most dominant well-known figure in professional sports? This is up for debate to many of us as we all have different likes or interests. But there is one individual who was destined for stardom and was in the spotlight at a very early age. He is arguably the one individual in our lifetime that transformed his sport. With his presence, the sport of golf became popular and was no longer a ratings buster on television, and became a sport more young kids wanted to get involved in.†¦show more content†¦B. His dad saw that he had an interest in golf at a very early age and designated him as â€Å"The Chosen One† (Callahan 23). 1. When Tiger was a toddler, his dad would put him in his high chair while he would hit golf balls in the basement. He noticed Tiger watching every move he made. Soon enough, Tiger was mimicking his dad’s golf swing and Earl Woods became amazed at what Tiger could do with a golf club by the age of 2. 2. Tiger became noticed by the world at the ripe old age of two yrs. old when he appeared on the Mike Douglas show. He was featured in Golf Digest at the age of 5 and began winning junior tournaments with kids four to five years older than him at the age of 8 (Londino 23). 3. He had a close relationship with his father and it is well documented that Tiger got his mental toughness through him. His dad use makes all kinds of noises while Tiger would attempt to practice. This left Tiger with two choices: He could block out the distraction or lose his composure. 4. At age 15 Woods became the youngest ever U.S. Junior Amateur champion. He defended the title in 1992 andShow MoreRelatedInformative Speech Essay855 Words   |  4 Pagestype of speech would the speaker choose. Well chapter 13 contents the creative process for informative speaking. What informative speaking is how to choose a focused informative topic, how to conduct a research a nd informative outline? The chapter also contains how to organize the body, introduction, and conclusion of the informative speech. Lastly chapter 13 contents explain how to prepare to present the speech and evaluate and informative speech. In order to make a well informative speech the speakerRead MoreInformative Speech912 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Informative Speech: The Causes of Homelessness Subject and Purpose 1. This informative speech on â€Å"The Cause of Homelessness â€Å"is very Inform able and worth listening to, because in today’s economy it could be you or me. Some seem to think homelessness is choice. I find this speech relevant to the world I live in today, due to the high unemployment rate, declining job market, and the economic hardships that families are enduring. This topic is not a broad one, but yet can be spokeRead MoreInformative Speech793 Words   |  4 PagesA List of Informative Speech Topics: Pick Only Awesome Ideas! Just when you thing youre way past through the question How to write an essay?, another one comes. Thats the thing students desperately Google like What is a informative speech? – and, believe experts, this is something youll definitely need some professional help in. Informative speaking is a speech on completely new issue. Tell your audience something they have never known! Now that you know the answer to the question â€Å"WhatRead MoreInformative Speech1497 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ORGC 201 Informative Speech Assignment Create a 5-6 minute presentation using PowerPoint visuals. Make sure your PowerPoint follows the guidelines discussed in class. The purpose of the presentation should be to inform the audience. Your presentation should reflect a topic, theme, or issue relevant to your major. For ideas of topics, you may consider looking at issues of Crains’ Chicago, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, cnn.com, TheRead MoreInformative Speech1451 Words   |  6 PagesInformative Speech Title: Child Care General Purpose: To inform Specific purpose: I want my audience to be informed of child care facilities Central purpose: I want my audience to be aware that they can save money I. Introduction Six months ago, corporate daycare facilities were cleaning out my bank account. I was losing the ability to pay for gas, rent and my utilities because all my money was going towards my son’s weekly daycare tuition. My parents could help me scrap on by here and thereRead MoreInformative Speech978 Words   |  4 PagesInformative Speech: How to Decide on a College Major Benjamin Ownby I. Introduction A. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in a 2013 study, college students changed their major an average of three times. B. Trying to determine a college major is difficult for us. C. Last Spring, I was struggling to decide whether I should continue pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering or change majors to MIS, an interesting major I had recently discovered. I continued to have trouble makingRead Moreinformative Speech758 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Informative Speech with Visual Aids Outline Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about extreme beauty practices in different cultures. INTRODUCTION I. I am pretty sure most of you here have heard the old saying that â€Å"Beauty is Pain.† II. We wake up striving to look better or beautiful everyday more and more. III. That is because as human beings we tend to be very visual and observe the look of a person before finding out who they really are. IV. So, today I will be sharing with you aRead MoreInformative Speech981 Words   |  4 PagesINFORMATIVE SPEECH (David Hurt, COM 108) Low Pay for Women Compared to Men in America How much did you pay for your car? Did you know that the difference between an average man and women’s salary is enough to purchases a new automobile in America. Below I’m going to discuss the pay gaps, Educational aspects with men and women, and why this issue is world wide. In order to better understand this issue of pay between men and women look at your wife’s or husband’s pay and you’ll see theRead MoreInformative Speech1145 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Cheyenne Duran Comm 20 Kelly Glass October 23, 2013 Informative Speech Outline Topic: Gun Control Organizational pattern: Topical Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the controversial subject gun control. Primary audience outcome: I want my audience to know the two sides on the topic of gun control. Thesis statement: Gun control will create laws and licensing to possess a gun to help decrease crime and fatalities, but also people believe gun control is going against our constitutionalRead Moreinformative speech1255 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Title: Information Speech Outline â€Å"The Evolution of Animation† Subject Code: USEL 23 - Speech Communication Prepared For: Datin Minda Hassan Prepared By: Nur Rabiatul Adawiyah Bt Mohd Nor Kamarudin (1411170007) Class: Oregon Program: ADFP Summer 2014 Preparation Outline Informative Speech â€Å"The Evolution of Animation – From 2D Animation to 3D Animation† General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience the evolution of animation. Central

Alibaba Group Holding Limited-Free-Samples-Myassignementhelp.com

Questions: 1.Is the board structure in Alibaba appropriate? Are the shareholders adequately represented on the board based on their Ownership? 2.What problems do you perceive might exist in Alibaba's board in terms of decision-making processes, with particular reference to the Aliplay Case? 3.Have Yahooa's executives fulfilled their duties as directors on Alubaba,s board? If not, what could be some of the possible reasons? Answers: Alibaba Group Holding Limited The Chinese company named, Alibaba Group Holding Limited,is anE-Commercecompany, which is engaged in providing,business-to-consumer,business-to-business andconsumer-to-consumer services of sales throughthe web portals ("Alibaba Group", 2017). It is also engaged in providingpaymentservices through electronic devices, services relating to data-centriccloud computingand a search engine related to shopping. Answers based on the case study 1.The Board structure in Alibaba Group Holding Limited In the Alibaba Group Holding Limited, the control is assumed to be secured permanently, by the insiders group, who are recognized as Alibaba Partnership. Either they are the managers of Alibaba Group or other companies that are related (Trong 2012). The Partnershipof the said company would have an exclusive right of nominating the candidates for the majority of board seats. In addition, if a Partnership does not succeed in obtaining the approval of the shareholder for the candidates, this would lead in the entitlement of its absolute individual discretion. Any additional approval of the shareholder would not be required, for the unilateral appointment of the directors. Therefore, it was made sure that the appointed directors have the maximum board seats. However, one thing that has to be taken into consideration is that, the investors who intend to take part in the Initial Public Offering of Alibaba must be aware of the possibility of exposure of danger relating to the substantial governance risks that would be taken up by them. Alibabas structure does not provide adequate protections to public investors. According to the structure of Alibaba, adequate protection has not been provided to the public investors. Therefore, the shareholders have not been represented adequately on the board based on their ownership. 2.Problems existing in Alibabas board with reference to Alipay case The public investor should not only worry regarding Alibabas divestment of Alipay which benefited Mr. Jack at the cost of Alibaba, but also regarding the conditions of the upcoming transactions between Alipay and Alibaba. As Alibaba depends on Alipay for the purpose of conducting significantly all the payments being processed in the marketplace, the said terms are significant for the future success of Alibaba. Mr. Jack Ma holds a large portion of the equity capital of Alipay, than the equity capital of Alibaba, as he would be benefited economically from the conditions that would be unfavorable to Alibaba. In fact, the initial public investors prospectus acknowledge that John Ma may act for the purpose of resolving Alibaba-Alipay conflict not in favor of Alibaba. 3.The duties of the Executives of Yahoo! As directors on Alibabas board The founder of Yahoo, Jerry Yang played an important role in the listing of Alibaba. The duties of the executives of Yahoo were fulfilled as the directors on Alibabas board. Yet after the refusal of Internal Revenue Service in the month of September for granting its approval of tax-free by-product or result, that has been recommended toYahoos for the $32000000000 stake in Alibaba, the Chinese massive E-commerce company. The CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer was confident to go ahead with the proposed deal. In the later part of October, Ms. Marissa, the chief executive of Yahoo,said that the preparation was on, and the planning was ongoing, to the shareholders. However, the previous week, when Board of Yahoo met for reviewing the January spinoff that was designed, it decided to cancel the deal. On the following Wednesday,it was announced by the board that a result of its central business of Internet would rather be pursued by Yahoo, departing from the stock of Alibaba in the former company. While the Boards of Yahoo said that as earlier, it assumed that the company would be prevailing in any of the disputes related to tax, several individuals on Wall Street were concerned about daring Sam Uncle over a likely $10000000000 tax bill was a huge risk, furthermore the worries were discouraging stock prices of Yahoo. It was apparent that a certain amount of uncertainty was caused in the market. Figure 1: Tracking the IPOS (Source: Rosier 2014). References Alibaba Group. (2017).Alibabagroup.com. Retrieved 21 October 2017, from https://www.alibabagroup.com/en/about/overview Rosier, K. (2014). The risks of Chinas internet companies on US stock exchanges.US-China Economic and Security Review Commission Staff Report,18. Trong Tuan, L., 2012. Corporate social responsibility, ethics, and corporate governance.Social Responsibility Journal,8(4), pp.547-560.

Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus Essay Example

Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus Essay 1. What does Epicurus means by saying that pleasure is our ‘primary native good? When Epicurus writes that pleasure is our â€Å"primary native good†, he is implying that what is pleasurable is also ultimately a good thing. Epicurus is referring to pleasure as a state of well-being and not as a temporary state of excitement and sensual stimulus. In other words, to dwell in a tranquil state of mind that is devoid of pain and fear. Epicurus uses our choice/aversion mechanism to illustrate his doctrine. When an Epicurean chooses a particular course of action over other alternatives, the chosen action is almost always a pleasurable one; not because it gives us immediate happiness but creates conditions for lasting peace and inner harmony. Hence, the pleasure offered by the choice is not inherent in the action per se, but in the overall scheme of things and in the sense of emotional and physical well-being in the broad sense of the word. Epicurus also believed that it is intrinsic in us to live a good life – one that is just, balanced and tranquil. This striving to achieve the good life is the prime mover behind human actions and the guiding factor in this pursuit is the pleasure factor. We will write a custom essay sample on Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer 2. Does Epicurus think that it is good for us to seek every pleasure? What reasons does he give for his view? Epicurus does not think that every pleasure is good for us. In his letter to Menoeceus, he qualifies the following apparently pleasurable experiences as not true pleasure: frivolous merriment, bodily titillation or reveling in good food. These pleasures are enjoyable while they last, but in terms of their effect over a longitudinal analysis, they do more harm than good. Epicurus gives the example of barley bread and water. This apparently modest food offering has in it the potential to not only relieve a person from hunger but also give him/her satisfaction. To experience this pleasure the individual will have to condition himself/herself first and this is done by not indulging in excessive feasting and wining. When someone is pampered with sensual excesses, they will lose the capacity to experience more modest pleasures. But it is the modest pleasures that we are to avail in the long term and hence it is prudent to condition ourselves to experience this. And the best way of conditioning ourselves is through moderating our sensual experiences. Epicurus also refers to other similar examples such as unscrupulous debauchery in the form of indiscriminate sexual intercourse, numerous drinking parties and consuming exotic cuisine; all of which will ultimately lead to painful situations in the future in the form of deprivation, longing and boredom. Hence, it is important to properly understand what Epicurus means by ‘pleasure’ and an Epicurean will not seek every kind of pleasure. 3. Does Epicurus think it is possible to lead a virtuous but unpleasant life? Epicurus’ doctrine does not differentiate between that which is virtuous and that which is a path to pleasure. Conversely, any action of ours that is based on a striving for pleasure is undeniably virtuous. According to Epicurus, â€Å"It is impossible to live the pleasant life without also living sensibly, nobly and justly and conversely it is impossible to live sensibly, nobly and justly without living pleasantly†. Hence the author is equating those cherished virtues of sensibility, nobility and justice to the concept of pleasure. This assertion can be extended to mean that only that which is sensible which brings greater pleasure; only that which is just which is informed by a sense of pleasure; only that is noble which is based on our primary instinctive good. To support this doctrine, Epicurus poses to the reader a few rhetoric questions of the order â€Å"Can you think of anyone more moral than the person who has devout beliefs about the gods, who is consist ently without fears about death, and who has pondered man’s natural end?†, etc. 4. Do you agree with him? The central doctrines of the Epicurean system of philosophy are grounded on human universalities and observations of common human behavior that it is difficult to disagree with any of them. We are likely to benefit if we were to embrace the Epicurean doctrines as guidelines for conducting our own lives. In some ways, the Epicurean thought has semblances to Indian philosophy and Asceticism. But Asceticism talks nothing of pleasure and in that it is markedly distinct from Epicureanism which can be applied in the context of everyday life. On the other extreme, it is a mistake to equate Epicureanism to Hedonism, for the latter is prone to lead to pleasures based on mental perversions. Hence, it is my personal conviction that an Epicurean way of life, having based its doctrines on principles of prudence and moderation, will be a virtuous life.

Respiration

Respiration RespirationRespiration is a physical process in which living organisms take in oxygen from the surrounding medium and emit carbon dioxide. the term respiration is also used to refer to the liberation of energy, within a cell. from fuel molecules such as carbohydrates and fats. Carbon dioxide and water are the products of this process, which is sometimes called cellular respiration to distinguish it from the physical process of breathing.Small organisms of the kingdoms Protista and Prokaryotae have no specialized respiratory mechanisms; instead, they rely on the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across a cell membrane. The concentration of oxygen in the organism is less than that of the surrounding air or water, and the concentration of carbon dioxide is greater. As a result, oxygen diffuses into the organism, and carbon dioxide diffuses out.In aquatic lower animals that are more complex than sponges, a circulating medium carries the respiratory gases from outer tissues to cells that are distant from the sight of gas exchange.Anatomy of the lungs and heartThese animals have gills, which auxiliary respiratory mechanisms keep a constant current of fresh water flowing. The gases are diffused through the epithelium of the gill, and the extended surface, produced by the branching of the gills, enables large quantities of blood to be oxygenated in a short time.The respiratory and circulatory systems of air breathing animals have become adapted and modified for life in oxygen deficient environments. For example, people living in higher altitudes would have larger lungs than people living at lower altitudes. Humans respire through their lungs, as do most mammals and reptiles. Within the thorax, the lungs are held close to the body wall by atmospheric pressure. When the thorax expands, the lungs fill with air drawn through the upper respiratory passages. Relaxation of the muscles expanding...

How to Conjugate Rêver (to Dream) in French

How to Conjugate Rà ªver (to Dream) in French When you want to say she is dreaming or we dreamed in French, youll use the verb  rà ªver. Its a simple word to commit to memory, though youll also need to know its conjugations in order to place it into the present or past tense. A quick lesson will introduce you to the essential forms of  rà ªver  youll need. The Basic Conjugations of  Rà ªver Rà ªver is a regular -er verb, which means that its among the easiest French verb conjugations youll find. This group contains the majority of the languages verbs and applies the same endings to each verb stem. That makes each new word you study just a little easier than the previous one. The stem (or radical) of  rà ªver  is  rà ªv-. Knowing that, you can then use the chart to learn which ending needs to be applied to fit both the subject pronoun and the tense of your sentence. As an example,  je rà ªve  means I am dreaming and  nous rà ªverons  means we will dream. Present Future Imperfect je rve rverai rvais tu rves rveras rvais il rve rvera rvait nous rvons rverons rvions vous rvez rverez rviez ils rvent rveront rvaient The Present Participle of  Rà ªver Like all regular verbs, rà ªvers  present participle  is formed with an -ant  ending. This produces the word  rà ªvant, which may also become a noun or adjective in some situations. Rà ªver  in the Compound Past Tense The  passà © composà ©Ã‚  is a common compound past tense that uses the  past participle  rà ªvà ©Ã‚  to indicate that the act of dreaming has already happened. To form it, you will also need the  auxiliary verb avoir, which needs to be conjugated into the subjects present tense. This will result in short phrases such as  jai rà ªvà ©Ã‚  for I dreamt and  nous avons rà ªvà ©Ã‚  for we dreamt. More Simple Conjugations of  Rà ªver Among the other simple conjugations youll want to memorize for rà ªver are the subjunctive and the conditional. The former says the dreaming may or may not happen while the latter says its dependent on something else. If you do much reading or writing in French,  the passà © simple  and  the imperfect subjunctive  are definitely good to know. These are formal literary tenses that youll want to at least be able to recognize. Subjunctive Conditional Pass Simple Imperfect Subjunctive je rve rverais rvai rvasse tu rves rverais rvas rvasses il rve rverait rva rvt nous rvions rverions rvmes rvassions vous rviez rveriez rvtes rvassiez ils rvent rveraient rvrent rvassent The French imperative  is where all formality is dropped because its for quick and direct expressions. You also get to drop the subject pronoun when using it. Instead of  tu rà ªve, you can simplify it to  rà ªve. Imperative (tu) rve (nous) rvons (vous) rvez

Glob Issues In Business (Barn N Noble going to Ireland) Essay

Glob Issues In Business (Barn N Noble going to Ireland) - Essay Example The largest online and offline bookstore chain in Ireland, Eason and Sons, carries a wide range of books for a wide range of readers and uses. The largest bookseller in Ireland carries college school books, new releases, popular Irish titles, popular titles of American authors, many well known classic British authors, such as Yeats and even the newest Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Eason and Sons has nearly 60 retail locations throughout the four major regions in Ireland. Barnes and Noble would likely become a formidable competitor to Eason and Sons with similarly locates stores. Books appear reasonably price, with the Harry Potter novel at 13.41 pounds, which converts to 18.09 U.S. dollars. Barnes and Noble sells the same title in the U.S. for 20.99. Competitive pricing is feasible with fewer chain stores in Ireland. Barnes and Noble has more competition in the US from both similar bookstores such as Borders and online booksellers such as USAbooks.com. Ire land has many single location booksellers that also offering most of their titles online. Although selections are not as extensive with booksellers such as The Book Nest, located in Sligo, they are limited sources of competition for Barnes and Noble. Competition in Ireland also comes from Amazon.com and booksunlimited.ie, known for selling books at reduced cost.

Computer Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Computer - Coursework Example The digital computer operations are done by logic circuits that are digital circuits. The outputs of such circuits can be regulated by the input conditions. The many processing data within the interior of the computer ought to work in a synchronized way. This is often achieved by regulating them with a steady oscillator that always acts as the oscillator. The CPU is the main storage unit of the computer and sometimes can be referred to as the computer’s memory. Initially, it consisted of vacuum tubes, but later consisted of ferromagnetic cores with doughnut shapes. Data and programs are not always used in the main storage and can always be stored in secondary or auxiliary storage. While punched paper cards have this function, the main materials that are currently in use include flash disks, magnetic tape and flash memories. When compared to the RAM, these are quite cheap. Today, magnetic tape is used mainly for the storage of voluminous data or main backups. In optical and magnetic systems, the norm is similar. The disk drive also has a motor that can spin the optical head. The drives are designed in a number of forms (Knuth, 2003, p.69).  The flash disks have nonvolatile memory, which can be reprogrammed or erased. The central processing Unit (CPU): The circuitry and the motherboard must be powered. The CPU acts as the thinking process or the computer brains just like humans have their brains to process and relay information. The processors usually have a cooling unit that helps in reducing the heat within the computer. The computer usually gives its user all the necessary instructions during operation. The common processors have quad-cores (Knuth, 2003, p.76).  The modern computers have at least two CPUs, which help in the power of processing and to optimize the potential. The power supply: Just like humans need the energy to operate, the computers also need the power to operate. The energy

Working Capital Simulation Essay Example for Free

Working Capital Simulation Essay This simulation has given me a better understanding of what managers and CEO’s go through when making decisions for the company. As I went through each simulation more than once to see what affects the decisions had on cash flows, sales and EBIT. In some situations they changed whether it dropped or risen, and others they were completely stagnant with their movement through each phase. Below I will point out how and why I made each decision. Phase 1, I chose to acquire a new customer and tighten up accounts receivable in both times I did the simulation. I chose to take on a new customer because SNC needed the exposure to become known as it is starting to get widespread exposure. The results of this acquisition were that it increased the sales significantly but also left us with higher receivable an inventory balances. (Harvard SNC Synopsis) The results of tightening up the accounts receivable were that sales have declined but the receivables improved which freed up cash. (Harvard SNC Synopsis) In phase 2, I chose to expand the online presence as well as develop a private label in one simulation and the second simulation I just chose to expand on line. In my first choice since I chose to expand online and develop the label, the amounts varied in increase of cash flows. The expansion of the online presence increased Internet sales and the private label increased the EBIT margin only a little. This also counteracts with the accounts receivable and inventory balances after phase one. But it was not that drastic of a change. In ’17 there was no increase or decrease in cash flows, which only means that in that year we broke even on the developing label side. The last phase, I chose to adopt a global expansion strategy in one trial and in the second I chose to adopt and acquire the high-risk customer. The results of acquiring a high-risk customer increase the sale, but had a dramatic affect on the receivables. SNC has now to consider witting off a portion of the outstanding balance as the company Midwest Miracles filed for chapter 11 bankruptcies. This simulation alone has taught me one of the many risks of doing business with any company. (Harvard SNC Synopsis) I thought that after acquiring the company, they could maybe stand on their own with the help of SNC and pull out of their financial hardship. It had the complete opposite affect on the SNC and it could have potentially ruined my company, as well as made me lose investors. The global expansion however helped the SNC grow its top of the line with the new customer Viva Familia. Like expanding online, the global strategy was another attempt to make sure SNC is the first company consu mers think about when dietary supplements. Limiting access to financing can hinder any company or person from trying to grow their business. It can cause higher interest rates on loans and credit fees as well as force businesses to face hardships when it comes to registration costs, policies and equipment needed for the business. (Parrino, Kidwell, $ Bates, 2012) It can also limit the profits they may encounter with consumers on in the new market. The limit of access to finances also hinders the process to develop and own their own brand of products. Making a if I were really the CEO of SNC or any business, I would need the help of a team to help make these decisions on and expansion and growth as well as investing in other companies. This simulation put in perspective the skill set and education needed after studying finances to even hope that you can make a profit on any decision made. It is a really difficult task to try and manage a company as well as keep up with the market. If this were a sole proprietorship, it would really be stressful to handle all by their lonesome. Reference: Harvard Business Publishing. (2012). Working capital simulation: managing growth. Retrieved May 16th, 2915 from, http://forio.com/simulate/harvard/working-capital/simulation Parrino, R., Kidwell, D.S, Bates, T.W. (2012) Fundamentals of corporate finance (2nd ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

Understanding Alcohol :: Drugs and Alcohol, Addiction, Intoxication

Alcohol is not only the reason why prohibition took place in the 1920s, but it is also the reason why many persons wake up not remembering their previous night’s endeavors. It has always been evident that alcohol has an effect on brain function, which in-turn impairs the behavior of a person. Alcohol can be separated into two separate groups: what is expected to happen, and what actually happens. Alcohol is expected to play social lubricant and aphrodisiac. When it comes to being social alcohol does seem to have a loosening effect on people, however, it is almost the opposite sexually. Alcohol actually acts as more of a suppressant when sex is brought into the picture. It has only be known to be a sort of aphrodisiac because that is the way it is perceived and that is the way in which people choose to perceive it. Given the choice between two women, one holding an alcoholic drink and the other not, a man will more often pick the women with the alcoholic drink due to the fact t hat alcohol is a precursor to the possibility of having intercourse. Introduction Alcohol can be traced back to ancient times when Egyptians used beer and wine for ritual and celebratory purposes (Hanson 1995). Osiris, the god of wine, was praised throughout the entire land of Egypt. The Egyptians believed that this important god also invented beer, a beverage that was considered a necessity of life and was brewed in the home. Both beer and wine were created for and sacrificed to the gods. Fast-forward 12,000 years and the variety of alcohol has become so numerous, people no longer need a reason to drink. However, most of the population is unaware of the chemical reaction that is occurring within their body every time they take a sip. It has always been evident that alcohol has an effect on brain function, which in-turn impairs the behavior of a person. Not only has alcohol been linked to multiple physical issues but also mental and emotional. When alcohol is consumed it can create acetaldehyde in the brain to allow a chemical reaction to take place with other ele ments already in the brain waiting to be activated. When acetaldehyde reacts with chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine then there is a strong chance that psychoactive alkaloids such as salsolinol will be produced (Sullivan et. al 2010). Acetaldehyde is present everywhere in the atmosphere and may be produced in the body due to the breakdown of ethanol.

Incident 2 Organizational Behavior Essay

Mental Ability We know people with higher levels of mental ability are able to process information more quickly, solve problems more accurately, and learn faster, so you might expect them also to be less susceptible to common deci- sion errors. However, mental ability appears to help people avoid only some of these. 74 Smart people are just as likely to fall prey to anchoring, overconfidence, and escalation of commitment, probably because just being smart doesn’t alert you to the possibility you’re too confident or emotionally defensive. That doesn’t mean intelligence never matters. Once warned about decision-making errors, more intelligent people learn more quickly to avoid them. They are also better able to avoid logical errors like false syllogisms or incorrect interpretation of data. Cultural Differences The rational model makes no acknowledgment of cultural differences, nor does the bulk of OB research literature on decision making. But Indonesians, for instance, don’t necessarily make decisions the same way Australians do. Therefore, we need to recognize that the cultural background of a decision maker can significantly influence the selection of problems, the depth of analysis, the importance placed on logic and rationality, and whether organizational decisions should be made autocratically by an individual man- ager or collectively in groups. 75 Cultures differ in their time orientation, the importance of rationality, their belief in the ability of people to solve problems, and their preference for col- lective decision making. Differences in time orientation help us understand why managers in Egypt make decisions at a much slower and more deliberate pace than their U.S. counterparts. While rationality is valued in North America, that’s not true elsewhere in the world.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Application and Human Factor

Unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, is one of the latest aircrafts recently being utilized by the United States Military. Its conception has provided Air Force pilots with assurances of safe return after a combat mission, a feat never before attained in warfare’s history. Since its invention in the 1920’s, several technological advances have been made; extending flight distance and duration capabilities, and pay loading armaments comparable to those of manned fighter jets. Since UAVs are usually controlled by an external pilot on Ground Control Stations, or GCS, it is unavoidable for this system to be faced with human factors, sometimes resulting in mission failures, at times even in aircraft crashes. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Applications and Human Factor Recent technology has introduced to us a new form of aircraft in aviation. Perhaps due to the increasing incidents of aircraft accidents during these past decades, which often resulted in the deaths of even the most experienced pilots, airline conglomerates and military authorities had painstakingly searched for the completion of the invention of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles, or UAV. In this paper, we shall be witnesses to a technology that has the potential to virtually eliminate pilot casualties, whether in war, espionage missions, or even in commercial flights. We shall also see how human factors affect such technology, in terms of control and manipulation of the aircraft, and the causal possibilities of human error in accidents. Background The United States’ Department of Defense defines the UAV as, â€Å"powered aerial vehicles that do not carry a human operator, use aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely† (Bone, 2003, p. 2). United States’ war on terrorism has put UAVs missions as important in the gathering of intelligence data. Its unquestionable successes in the wars in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan had opened the military minds on its advantages during wartime. Missions that used to be reserved for Air force top guns, now the UAVs are slowly taking the front seat. UAVs have two obvious advantages over manned aircrafts: first is, they are found to be cost efficient; and it eliminates the dangers faced by the pilots’ during missions (Bone, 2003, p2). Bone cites a number of reasons on the seeming delay of the technology of UAV. One is because the technology to effectively fly a UAV mission has only recently been made available. Another is due to the Air Force’s slowly fading silk scarf syndrome, which gave preference to manned over unmanned flight missions, thus allowing for the UAV to gain more flight hours. Yet another is due to the earlier absence of a global crisis, which could have allowed for a quicker invention of the UAV due to the extreme shortage in the U. S. military of an espionage aircraft (2003, p. 5). UAVs size varies from a few centimeters in length to that of a 747 jet liner. U. S. Department of Defense currently has in its possession five types of UAVs: The Predator and Global Hawk of the Air Force; the Pioneer by the Navy and the Marines; the Hunter and the Shadow by the Army (Bone, 2003, p2). Despite the notion that UAVs have only recently been developed in the United States, it has been in existence in aviation for almost a century. UAVs were first tested in 1920, during World Wa r 1, but the United States did not put it into combat action. It was Germany who had laid the foundations on this technology during World War 2, with the invention of the V-1 Flying bomb. But it was to be in the Vietnam War that UAVs were first used as an espionage plane, with AQM-34 Firebee. Firebee epitomized what the UAV should be: versatile, easy to operate, transportable to other areas, and can easily be converted to payload missiles. In a speech by former President Bush in December of 2001, he had expressed his belief in the UAVs technology, particularly The Predator, as the future of warfare; as stated in a report to the American Congress in 2003 by Elizabeth Bone: This unmanned aerial vehicle is able to circle our enemy forces, gather intelligence, transmit information instantly back to commanders, then fire on targets with extreme accuracy†¦We’re entering an era where unmanned vehicles of all kinds will take on greater importance† (p. 7). U. S. Military U. A. V. s 1. MQ-1 Predator: It is about half the size of an F-16 fighter jet, a tail shaped like an inverted V, and is 27 feet in length and 7 feet high. It reaches a maximum altitude of 25, 000 feet, but for the fitted video cameras to work at its best, it needs to be at about 10,000 to 15,000 feet in altitude. Its take off and landing capabilities are similar to that of the normal aircraft, with the pilot on ground control. The Predator’s main job is airborne reconnaissance and accurate target pinpointing. It is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, enabling it to see through bad weather conditions. Newer models also have capabilities to launch smaller UAVs to carry out varying missions. Each Predator unit’s estimated cost is $4. 5 million, and $30 million for the whole system (Bone, 2003, p. 25). 2. RQ-2 Pioneer: This UAV is the only type on the Navy’s and Marine’s arsenal (Bone, 2003, p. 29). It was obtained by the U. S. Navy in 1986 from Israel after proving its worth with their war with Lebanon. RQ-2 Pioneer is about half the size of the Predator, at 14 feet in length, and its maximum attainable altitude is 15,000 feet. It can remain airborne for 5 hours straight, and since its acquisition, it has accumulated over 23,000 flight hours giving suppo rt to the Navy and the Marines. The cost of Pioneer is estimated at $250,000 to $1 million, depending on the payload (Bone, 2003, p. 30). 3. RQ-5 Hunter: The Hunter weighs 1,600 lbs, is capable of flying at 25,000 feet altitude, and can stay airborne for 12 hours straight. It is equipped with E-O/IR sensor which enables it to fly in night missions. Recently, plans have been made to use Hunter to act as a reconnaissance to a squadron of attack helicopters, such as the Apache and RAH-66 Comanche, to maximize the helicopters’ attack zone. In 2002, a successful experiment was made wherein Hunter’s control was linked to the mainframe computers of the Apache’s during flight missions. The success of the experiment greatly maximized Apache’s efficiency during battle conditions. Weapons payload includes the Brilliant Anti-Armor submunition, or BAT, an effective annihilator of tanks and armored personnel carriers. Hunter’s cost with payload is $1. 2 million, ad the whole system at $30 million (Bone, 2003, p. 33). 4. RQ-7 Shadow 200: Shadow 200, a product of AAI Corporation, is 11 feet in length and has a wingspan of 13 feet. It was strategically designed for brigade operations, thus its range is only 30 nm and has a flight duration of 4 hours. And although its maximum attainable altitude is 14,000 feet, it works best at only under 8,000 feet altitude. The Shadow is equipped with an E-O/IR sensor video camera for day or night missions, and has the capability to transmit data to ground control in real-time. The Shadow cost is pegged at $350,000 while the whole system is at $10. 7 million (Bone, 2003, p. 36). 5. FQM-151 Pointer: All the branches of the U. S. military have, in the past, tried to develop their own type of hand-launched Pointer that measures around 6 feet in the last 15 years, and some of them had been on war missions, particularly in gulf War and Dessert Storm. However, the design officially approved by the Military is the AeroVironment’s Pointer UAV, which weighs 10 pounds, and has a wingspan of 9 feet. It can stay afloat for 90 minutes and has an up to 3-mile operational distance from ground control, within altitudes of 100-300 feet. Pointer UAVs have been best-suited for pay loading experimental miniscule sensors and have been a popular choice for Drug Enforcement Agency, National Guard, and Special Operations Forces (Bone, 2003, p. 37). 5. RQ-4 Global Hawk: This UAV is by far the most expensive ever produced, with per unit cost amounting to $75 million (Bone, 2003, p. 39). It specializes in high altitude, long duration flights that provides near real-time videos of large geographical sections. It is also the first ever UAV to make a successful trans-Pacific flight, when it travelled from California to Australia in April 22-23, of 2001 (Bone, 2003, p. 37). Its effectivity was tested in Afghanistan, when it flew more than 50 combat missions accumulating more than 1,000 combat hours, despite still being on its experimental stage. Global hawk is about the size of a corporate jet, measuring 44 feet in length and weighing 26, 750 lbs. Its maximum altitude limit is almost double than that of a commercial liner, at 65,000 feet, and is capable of flying over 35 hours without refueling. However, Global Hawk’s most apparent advantage is its capability of taking off, flying, and landing autonomously in any kind of weather. Commanders in the battle field aptly call this UAV as, â€Å"the theater commander’s around-the-clock, low hanging surveillance satellite† (Bone, 2003, p. 38). Global Hawk’s pay load consists of a 2,000 pound group of sensors, which is much larger than on any of the previous UAVs. it includes an all weather SAR with a Moving Target Indicator capability, E-O digital camera, IR sensor, and a Signals Intelligence Sensor, or SIGINT, making it a virtually multi-intelligence UAV (Bone, 2003, p. 8). As a testament to its technological superiority, Global Hawk’s radar-sensors and IR cameras were able to accurately pinpoint Iraqi targets in March 24-27, of 2002, despite of having a near-zero visibility on the ground due to a relentless sandstorm in Iraq. 6. Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle: UCAV is the first ever unmanned aero-system designed primarily and purely for combat missions. It is similar in size to the Air Force’s Predator, at 27 feet in length and a wingspan of 34 feet. Equal to manned fighter jets in weaponry and stealth capabilities, the U. S. Armed Forces plan on having one-third of its deep-strike fighter jets be unmanned by the year 2010 (Bone, 2003, p. 42). Due to its 1,000 to 3,000 pound-weapons payload, UCAV’s primary combat mission would be SEAD, or Suppression of Enemy Air Defense, to be followed by precision targeting of enemy installations. 7. Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical UAV: Commonly known as VTUAV Fire Scout, it is a helicopter-looking design intended as a replacement for the Pioneer. It is about 23 feet in length, with a maximum altitude of 20,000 feet and maximum flight duration of 6 hours. Its maximum distance of operations is 110 nm from the control ship and has a speed of 115 knots (Bone, 2003, p. 43). UTUAV Fire Scout, unlike the Pioneer which utilizes a net in order to be recovered in a ship, ha the capability of autonomously taking off and landing through the use of sensors. Fire Scout is an unmanned equivalent of the commercial-use Schweitzer helicopter, it ahs an E-O/IR sensor that also serves as a laser targeting designator. It is also capable of mine-detecting, and is equipped with Hellfire missiles. Fire Scouts are being utilized in special operations support and homeland security services (Bone, 2009, p. 4). 8. Dragon Eye: it is the opposite of the Global Hawk in terms of range and size. Being a 5-pounder, with just a 45 inch wingspan UAV, the Dragon Eye can provide marines with over-the-hill surveillance of enemy troops, making it an ideal UAV for urban warfare, chemical, as well as biological-oriented missions. It is portable enough to fit in a backpack and can be launched by hand or with a bungee cord. This UAV can stay aloft for 1 hour, at a height of 300-500 feet, with speeds of up to 40 mph. Because of its small frame, its production cost which includes three planes, is only at $90,000 (Bone, 2003, p. 7). 9. Dragon Warrior: Resembling a small helicopter of about 105 inches long and flight range of 50 miles, and maximum duration of 3 hours, this will be a vertical take off and landing UAV designed for surveillance in urban areas. It will also be equipped with E-O/IR sensor camera and a laser target designator. 10. A-160 Hummingbird: The Hummingbird is also an unmanned helicopter designed to have longer flight duration and distance over the other models, with a range of 2,000 nm and a duration lasting for 48 hours, respectively. With its maximum flight altitude of 30,000 feet and a speed of 130-140kt, it will greatly assist in surveillance, targeting thru laser designation, communications relaying, weapons delivery to infantries, and special operations missions (Bone, 2003, p. 49). 11. Scan Eagle: Boeing’s UAV can be optionally launched from a ship, on land, or even from a submarine. The idea if to have a horde of 4-foot UAVs linked directly on a submarine for reconnaissance purposes. 12. Eagle Eye: This type of UAV takes off like a helicopter, and then flips its rotor blades to fly like an airplane. Its speed is up to 220 knots and has a distance of 300 miles. This type of UAV is suited for patrolling the coastline, locating ships in distress, and also has the capability to transmit videos to command centers. Production cost for the Eagle eye is at $3 million per plane (Bone, 2003, p. 50). 13. Micro Air Vehicle, MAV: unlike the UAVs, MAV is only inches in length, and production costs would be in the thousands and not in millions. As an example, the Organic Air Vehicle, or OAV, measures only 9 inches wide. It has a ducted fan design, and carries an E-O sensor, which comes in infrared or acoustic models. Because of its very small size, MAVs can be programmed for watch-and-stare missions on enemy troops while on air, and also while on land. These MAVs can autonomously lift off and land on itself. Modifications have also been done, resulting in the advent of UCAR, or Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft. These will have the capability as a reconnaissance to ground troops, as well as offensive purposes. It will also be capable of system-linking with other manned and UAVs for performing synchronized attacks (Bone, 2003, p. 51). Human Factor in UAV Flights Since unmanned flights have slowly been gaining popularity in both military and commercial uses, perhaps it will be sooner than we expect for UAVs to replace manned flights permanently. It would be wise for us to give insights on issues concerning cognitive factors affecting the pilots, especially since accident occurrences in UAV flights have been proven to be over thirty times more common than in manned aircraft flights (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 2). It is also possible for UAV pilots to be manning more than one aircraft simultaneously, entailing never-before-encountered workload pressures. Manual v Automated Flights 1. It has been widely accepted that the effect of automation has not resulted in the elimination of human workload but the introduction of new ones, forcing the pilots to develop new strategies (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 4). The changing of strategies is often the result descriptive of an imperfect system, not of the computer software type, but of the factors that even a perfectly-running automation system would not be able to detect, such as the icing of an UAV wing. 2. The present UAV take off and landing automated procedures differ according to the model. Such that the Hunter and the Pioneer require an on-site external pilot; the Predator to be controlled on a separate aircraft within the Ground Control Site; while there are some cases, as in Global Hawk, where full automation is integrated. These differences seem to be significant, take off and landing errors make up for a majority of accidents attributed to human factors; Hunter with 67% and the Pioneer with 78%, both are externally controlled (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. ). 3. An external pilot of a UAV basically relies on computer imagery in controlling the aircraft. The visual quality of the imagery, however, has the possibility of being diminished due to factors affecting bandwidth, resulting in poor resolution or a delay in image uploading. Situations such as these may prejudice overall aircraft control and visibility of air traffic. This poses a clear danger in military missions, more so in the planned commercial implementation of autonomic control of commercial flights. 4. On way of solving the problem stated in #3 is by the use of enhanced reality, or synthetic vision (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 7). In this system, images from the actual camera shots of a UAV will be converted to display landmarks on a given terrain, thus creating a virtual reality world that the external pilot can manipulate. The problem with this system is that pilot’s over reliance on synthetic imagery would lead to a possible neglect of some natural landmarks not visible in the imagery system. Thus, using this method would be beneficial for the UAV performance but comes with a potential risk. . One of the resulting effects of separating the pilot from the aircraft is that the pilot would be denied of his real-time sensory reactions otherwise available in a manned aircraft, and that he would have to rely on computer monitors provided for by the cameras onboard the UAV. Hence, we can conclude that the external pilot only functions in a relatively sensory isolation from t he UAV he is controlling. It would be of utmost importance for the developers to design an alarms system to keep the pilots abreast of the real-time environmental situations and probable system failures. . Since UAV pilots are not in danger of injury or death in the event of their aircraft crashing, this could, in theory, prove to be a big difference in the pilot’s risk-taking decisions, such as in going through a flight plan on a bad weather. Sensory isolation factor could be magnified during these situations (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 10). 7. The accepted norm during long endurance UAV flights had been to switch control among different external pilots within a single flight. This process usually takes on three types: First is the transfer of UAV control from one Ground Control Station to another; second is through the transfer of control from one team of operators to another, within the same GCS; and last is through the transfer of control from one pilot to another within the same team. It has been documented that a significant number of UAV accidents happened during the transfer from one pilot to another, because the GCS taking over control of the UAV was not properly briefed beforehand (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 0). 8. Instances of a total failure of the Ground Control Station-UAV communications link would prove to be disastrous. This scenario can be considered as a human factor because of the need for the Automated Traffic Center, or ATM, to be aware of the default programs of the UAV system in order to properly manage air traffic within their area. It would also be of the utmost importance for the external pilots themselves to be aware of the comm unications link failure as quickly as possible. 9. Researches on whether experienced manned pilots are better operators than novice manned pilots have ended in differing conclusions. Although generally, as the experiments revealed, experienced manned pilots reached the desired level of performance in landing and basic maneuvering skills faster than that of the novice’s. Other studies, however, based on the Army’s Job Assessment Software System, or JASS, revealed that piloting skills does not constitute a great deal in UAV operations, thus making the selection of top pilots as UAV operators insignificant (McCarley, & Wickens, 2005, p. 3). 10. Questions on medical qualifications of the UAV operator should also be brought into light. Since physical factors concerning high altitude temporary mental perception failure does not concern AUV pilots, still some type of medical fitness qualifications must be practiced. These must be able to determine if: the said qualifications should be more stringent or less for the UAV pilo ts; and, work duration limits should be established for long endurance missions. 11. Since the pressures and work load of a UAV pilot differs from that of a manned aircraft, and since formal training in flight schools are usually focused on instructing pilots for manned vehicles, which constitute less amount of time on simulations and more on the actual flight, the need arises for a training more attuned to giving more flight simulations to pilots of UAVs. This should be able to determine up to what extent trainee pilots should spend time on simulations in order to obtain a UAV certification. 12. Technological researches must be made to improve on the controls of the external pilot. At present, the controls of the UAV are similar to that of a radio-controlled hobbyist’s plane. This design poses a problem in the directional movement of the UAV with respect to the controller. As such, when the UAV and the pilot differ in position by 180 degrees, a rightward movement on the rudder will result in leftward movement of the UAV, and vice versa. Control rudders must be made to conform to the principle of human motion compatibility as to avoid further confusion for the pilot (McCarley & Wickens, 2005, p. 6).

Should You Go to College 4 Pros and 3 Cons

Should You Go to College 4 Pros and 3 Cons SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The decision to attend college is a big one. Getting a college degree takes time: at least four years for most people. Getting a college degree also costs money: tens of thousands of dollars for most people. You might be asking yourself, "Is it worth it? Should I go to college?" In this article, I'll explain the benefits of going to college and detail some of the potential drawbacks. Furthermore, I'll give you all the information you need to decide whether or not you should pursue a college degree. 4 Major Benefits of Going to College Going to college can make you richer, happier, and healthier- sounds good to me! Here, we take a look at the four biggest benefits of attending college. #1: There Are Many Financial and Career Benefits Let's start by considering the financial advantages of a college education. In 2015, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earned 56% more per year than those with a high school diploma or its equivalent. In addition, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings in 2017 for those with a bachelor's degree was $1,173, compared with $836 for those with an associate degree and $712 for those with only a high school diploma. Here's one of the most cited statistics that shows the benefits of a college education: a person with a bachelor’s degree will, on average, earn almost $1 million more over the course of her lifetime than somebody with just a high school diploma will. While I don't think money should be the biggest priority in anyone's life, there's no doubt that a higher salary will give you more opportunities, alleviate stress, and allow you to more easily support a family. Moreover,college-educated Millennials have much lower unemployment and poverty rates. According to a Pew Research study in 2013, 12.2% of Millennials aged 25-32 with just a high school diploma were unemployed, whereas a much lower 3.8% of those with at least a bachelor's degree were unemployed. In addition, those who attended college are more likely to get married and less likely to be living in their parents' homes.Statistics indicate that attending college has more economic benefits for Millennials than it did for previous generations. Going to college might be more important now than ever before! Finally, a college degree is required for many entry-level jobs.According to a study done by the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, by 2020, 65% of jobs will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school, and 35% of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree. As you can see, there are tons of financial benefits to getting a bachelor's degree. But what about the professional advantages? In college, you can make connections that will help you land a good job after you graduate. Experts estimate that70%-80% of jobs aren’t advertised publicly.Often, you simply have to know the right people to secure employment. Many companies also offer internship programs to college students that can lead to full-time employment after you graduate. Furthermore,most colleges offer free career counselingand can put you in touch with employers and alumni who can help you find a job. Colleges will often have job fairs as well,where recruiters come to campus looking for qualified students to work for their companies.These fairs give you an opportunity to form relationships with company representatives who can assist you professionally. Lastly, many of your peers will probably go on to professional success. Your college friends might one day be able to offer you a job, refer you for a job, or make a lucrative business deal with you.As a college student,you'll (likely) be surrounded by many motivated, talented people who, in the future, will want to work with those they know and trust- and this could very well include you. #2: You Get to Explore Your Interests College opens up a whole new world to you academically.In high school, you generally only have a choice of a handful of elective classes, but in college you can literally choose from among hundreds of classes and majors. While there are core requirements at most colleges, for the most part, you can decide what you want to study and take classes in subjects you want to learn more about.Many students are able to spark academic passions in college. You could take classes in anthropology, psychology, sociology, microbiology, or osteology.I have several friends and former students who were inspired by college classes that positively changed the course of their academic and professional lives. Also, while in college, you'll have the chance to pursue tons of extracurriculars and opportunities you might not otherwise have done. These activities can become lifelong passions, help you form meaningful relationships, and even prepare you for a future job. For example, you could write for the campus newspaper, or you could be aDJ for the school radio station.You could dance for a hip-hop group, or join acampus organization that provides tutoring to underprivileged kids. You could help build houses for those in need.You could work on political campaigns or join groups that advocate for various social issues. The choice is yours! Howard Stern started his career working at the radio station at Boston University. #3: You'll Have Fun and Make Friends Almost everybody I know thoroughly enjoyed their college experience. Too often people discount the importance of fun when it comes to education, and some of my best memories and most fun times are from my college years. On a college campus, you can attend parties, plays, sporting events, and concerts; you can also create your own random fun with your peers. Most schools bring exciting events and speakers to their campuses, too. Colleges will often host famous musicians and comedians. For example,The Weeknd has performed shows at Syracuse, Northeastern, Lafayette College, and the University of Minnesota, while Drake has performed at numerous colleges, including Howard, SUNY Purchase, and the University of Kentucky. Besides entertainers,world-renowned academics and political figures often give speeches on college campuses.Hillary Clinton made appearances at Philander Smith College in Little Rock and Morningside College in Sioux City, whereas Ben Carson spoke at Alma College in Michigan. Colleges will also sponsor parties and other on-campus events that are just meant to be fun and facilitate social interaction.At Stanford, there’s a tradition known as Full Moon on the Quad. On the first full moon of the school year, students gather in the quad, and the seniors welcome the freshmen by kissing them. There’s a lot of kissing. It might not be hygienic, but it's memorable. Most of my closest friends are people I met during college.In college, you get to befriend people from all over the US and even other countries.A big part of the college experience is having the opportunity to learn from and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Overall, you have the chance to study, live, party, and participate in extracurricular activities with your peers. There will probably be no other time in your life when you get to spend as much time with your friends, and the amount of quality time you get to spend with them will form the foundation for meaningful lifelong friendships. #4: It Gives You Space for Self-Improvement For many students, college is the first time in their lives they’re not living at home. During college, they learn to be self-sufficient.They learn domestic skills and budgeting- even how to motivate themselves without parental encouragement.At the same time, most college students can still go home or call home if they’re in need of some money or advice. Many of the people I know who didn’t go to college remained at home for at least a couple of years after high school. Though they had more freedom than they did during high school, their routines and mindsets didn’t change nearly as drastically as those of my friends who went to college.In my experience, even students who live at home and commute to college experience more growth than those who bypass college. Whether you go to an in-state or out-of-state school, your college will likely expose you to a new city and environment.I grew up in California, but Stanford (my alma mater) was a six-hour drive from where I lived. I was able to experience life in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, which has a different vibe, culture, and climate from Los Angeles. I enjoyed living in the bay, and I’m grateful that I was able to have the opportunity to live in a different environment. Furthermore, most colleges have study abroad programs that can give you a chance to take classes in countries around the world. At Emerson College, you can spend a semester in a 14th-century medieval castle in The Netherlands.At the University of Chicago, you can studyabroad in Paris, Beijing, Barcelona, Berlin, Kyoto, Bologna, Cairo, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, London, Oaxaca, Vienna, Milan, and a few other places, too. You can learn about the world by traveling and studying in countries around the world. Finally, people who go to college tend to be healthier.According to a CDC report, people with a bachelor’s degree live about nine years longer than people without one.They’re also less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise. Similarly, according toa study published by the American Journal of Public Health, people who get a bachelor’s degree after 25 years of age exhibit fewer depressive symptoms and have better self-rated health at midlife. College and apples are good for your health. 3 Possible Disadvantages of Attending College Even though attending college can offer you many benefits, there are potential drawbacks. Note that you only get many of the benefits of going to college if you're able to graduate. A 2019 NPR article reported that only 58% of students who enrolled in college as first-time students in the fall of 2012 had earned a degree. Now, let's take a look at the three biggest cons of attending college. #1: There's the Risk of High Costs and Potential Debt College is really, really expensive, with costs continuing to rise, and many college graduates are burdened with astronomical student loan debt. The College Board estimates that the average cost of attendance for an in-state public college for 2018-19 is $10,230, whilethe cost of attendance for a private college averages $35,830. Remember, though, that most students receive financial aid that covers at least part of the cost of attendance if they demonstrate financial need. Unfortunately, many students don’t receive the aid they need to fully cover the costs. As a result, they take on unsubsidized student loansto finance their college education.Sadly,student loan debtincreased from $260 billion in 2004 to $1.5 trillion in 2019. Average debt per student in the class of 2017 was $28,650- that's a pretty staggering amount. Overall, student loan debt can dramatically impact your life after your graduate. It can affect the jobs you take and cause you to delay buying a house or starting a family. #2: The Financial Benefits of College Might Be Overstated The claim that college graduates earn $1 million more in their lifetimes might actually be skewed by graduates from top universities. A 2018 study by PayScale.com found that there are only five schools (out of 1,878 four-year schools) at which earning a college degree can get you a $1 million return on investment. Basically, the reported number that college graduates make $1 million more over the course of their professional lives is not that accurate. Moreover, it's important to note that while most people are in college, they’re not working or only working part-time.So in addition to the financial costs and debts you're incurring while in college, you probably won’t be able to get the salary you could be making from working a full-time job during the four to six years you’re in school. #3: College Might Not Actually Make You Smarter The last con of attending college is that going to one might not actually increase your intelligence. A 2011 studyfoundthat 45% of 2,322 traditional-aged college students studied from 2005 to 2009 made no significant improvement in their critical thinking, reasoning, or writing skills during the first two years of college. After four years, 36% showed no significant gains. Given the cost of attending college, you'd hope that higher education would have a dramatically positive effect on these skills for all students- but this might not actually be the case. Should IGo to College? How toMaketheRight Choice for You Admittedly, I’m somewhat biased because I’ve spent years stressing the importance of attending college to high school students. However, I do recognize that college might not be for everyone. Other than the pros and cons of college I mentioned previously, here are some additional factors to consider when deciding whether or not to attend college. Very Few College Graduates Regret Going to College The vast majority of college graduates are glad they went to college.Many college grads have debt and some have a job they could have gotten without their degrees, but very few people regret going to college. According to 2012 datafrom the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, only 3% of college graduates from 2006-2011 wish they had not gone to college. You’ll Have More Options With a College Degree You might be planning to enter a trade that doesn’t require a college degree and will provide you with a good salary and benefits.However, if you end up deciding that you don’t like that field after a few years and you don’t have a college degree, your employment options will be limited. Also, if you take up a trade that requires physical labor and you suffer an injury, you might struggle to find work without a college degree. There Are Ways to Pay for College You might be turned off by college because of how much you think it will cost you. But remember that you might not know your out-of-pocket expenses until you get accepted to college and get a financial aidpackage. In reality, there are manygrants and scholarships that can alleviate the financial burden and make college more affordable for you. You Might Not Need College If You’re Already Successful If you’re one of those rare people who has already achieved tremendous professional success before attending college, then going to college might not benefit you much financially. For instance, say you get drafted in the first round of the draft by Major League Baseball and are offered a multi-million dollar signing bonus. Nobody would fault you for bypassing college. After all, you can always take college classes in the off-season or get your degree when you're done with your playing career. If you’re a mini Mark Zuckerberg or starring in your own sitcom, going to college might not lead to a higher income or a better job after you graduate. Bill Gates and Miley Cyrus were able to do OK professionally without college degrees! You Might Not Be Academically Inclined Most people are capable of doing college-level work if they’re motivated and apply themselves. That being said, some people just detest school or don’t have the aptitude to do well in a college environment. Keep in mind, though, that college gives you so much more freedom than high school to explore your academic interests and find the fields in which you can excel. Similarly, if there's a subject that confuses you and that you absolutely abhor, you can probably avoid taking classes in it in college. wecometolearn/Flickr Conclusion: Should You Go to College or Not? There's no denying that college offers many financial, professional, and personal benefits. Numerous studies have shown that college graduates have far better financial and job prospects than those who don't attend college. What's more, few people regret going to college despite the tremendous amount of student debt and the less-than-ideal economy. If you're worried about the cost of attendance, make sure you know about financial aid and how to limit your debt when you graduate. College is an investment that pays off for the vast majority of people who graduate. Admittedly, some people don't need college to achieve their personal or professional goals. While you can of course be successful without a college degree, college graduates tend to fare better. If you're considering college, make the decision that will benefit you the most now and in the future. What's Next? Decided you want to go to college? Then take the first step and find out how to apply. If you don't think you'll be able to get into college, check out these open admission colleges and these colleges with the highest acceptance rates. If you still need to take the SAT or ACT for college,take a look at our ultimate SAT study guide and ultimate ACT study guideto learn more about the tests and what you'll need to know to ace them. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

More Answers to Questions About Commas #2

More Answers to Questions About Commas #2 More Answers to Questions About Commas #2 More Answers to Questions About Commas #2 By Mark Nichol Here are three recent questions from readers about the use of commas, along with my responses. 1. Can you tell me why there should be a comma in this sentence: â€Å"Such programs will also reduce operations costs and indemnity payments, and improve communications between employer and employee.† It seems like there shouldn’t be, because these aren’t two independent clauses. It’s common for writers to insert a comma before a conjunction in a sentence when the conjunction does not begin a new clause but the phrases before and after it include their own conjunctions. This effort to make the sentence’s organization more obvious is not wrong, but it’s unnecessary. The sentence structure becomes clearer if the first verb, the one that’s overworked in its efforts to support the entire sentence, is relieved by being repeated in a parallel position after the major conjunction: â€Å"Such programs will also reduce operations costs and indemnity payments and will improve communications between employer and employee.† 2. I saw this sentence in one of your posts lately: â€Å"It enables individuals and groups to meet online to collaborate, and to share presentations, applications, or their entire desktop, while increasing reliability and security and reducing costs.† Why is there a comma after collaborate? The first comma in this sentence does not have the same function as the extraneous one in the previous example. It is the first in a pair of commas that mark a parenthetical. The phrase â€Å"and to share presentations, applications, or their entire desktop† may be omitted from the sentence, and the remaining statement will still be grammatically sound. 3. In â€Å"Our vision statement is a succinct way of explaining our purpose to others, be it our own staff, our residents or community clients or the wider public,† the two ors make it clunky to me. The or between â€Å"our residents† and â€Å"community clients† signals that the sentence is about to end, and then theres another or! Should I have a comma in there somewhere? If your style calls for serial commas (â€Å"a, b, and c†), insert a comma after clients: â€Å"Our vision statement is a succinct way of explaining our purpose to others, be it our own staff, our residents or community clients, or the wider public.† If not (â€Å"a, b and c†), leave it as is. However, if that solution seems clumsy to you (I don’t find the final or confusing), separate â€Å"our residents or community clients† into two items: â€Å"Our vision statement is a succinct way of explaining our purpose to others, be it our own staff, our residents, our community clients or the wider public.† (Insert a comma after clients, or don’t, depending on whether you insert or omit serial commas.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:36 Adjectives Describing LightHang, Hung, HangedOne Scissor?

Paradise Lost by John Milton term paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Paradise Lost by John Milton term paper - Essay Example venge over this, Satan or the Lucifer, in other words, decided to bring the downfall of man by making them to eat the forbidden fruit in the Paradise or the Garden of Eden. Consequently, one may have the temptation not to believe in Christianity by basing on the reason on what could make God allow Serpent to revenge on His creation (God) if He truly loved them. The story of the Paradise begins from hell where both the Lucifer and his followers recover from the defeat after losing the battle initially in the war they had with God. For example, they constructed a monument that they referred to the Pandemonium where they were weighing the options of making a return to battle or just to forfeit it by accepting the defeat. Consequently, they also had the considerations of exploring the new world contained in the prophesies of creation for effecting the safe infliction of their planned revenge against mankind. As a way of enforcing their mission with full force, Satan decided to undertake the task alone minus engaging his followers. He feared that his followers might suffer extreme damage or run away from him during the battle (Driven, 45). At the onset of the mission, Satan met with his offspring who were the Death and the Sin. Thereafter, they unbarred the gates for him. Satan proceeded with his journey to the chaos until he ensured that he ha s the visualization of the Universe floating next to the globe that was the heaven. Through this instance, God predicted the fall of man when He saw Satan moving in the world. In consequence, Gods son who was at His right hand decided to sacrifice himself for the purpose of saving the mankind from the wrath of destruction by Satan. However, Satan still managed to maneuver his ways into the new universe where he flew to the sun and proceeded to trick angel, Uriel into showing the direction leading to the home of the man. After the guidance to the way to the home of the man by the deceived angel Uriel, Satan managed his ways into

Strategic Plan Part 1 Conceptulizing a Business Essay

Strategic Plan Part 1 Conceptulizing a Business - Essay Example All the aforementioned components exemplify the nature and purpose of an organization, its long-term goals, intention and logic behind its actions. This paper will present a comprehensive view of the function of the aforementioned elements in the formulation of a strategic plan. This paper will show this by establishing a mission, vision and values for Health and Beauty Rejuvenate (HBR). Proper business planning allows for the fulfillment of needs of both the firm and its customers. The objective of Health and Beauty Rejuvenate is to become the most recognized and preferential spa of choice where customers to enhance their innate beauty. The firm will strive to offer its customers a tranquil environment with the view to provide the best spa services to its customers. The center of the spa’s vision is to manage its operations in a long-term milieu with the aim of enhancing both shareholder and customer value and giving back to the local community in which the business will operate. The organization has a single focus i.e. to pamper its customers. The organization’s mission is not only to restore and relax its customers but also to rejuvenate its customers’ wellness and beauty. HBR intends to cater for its customers’ needs fully by providing first class services at immensely affordable rates. HBR aims at creating a peaceful environment, which ensures the clients instantly forget about their every day stresses, as well as providing services, which enhance clients’ lives. HBR will attain this objective through the employment of highly skilled and educated professionals committed to gaining thorough knowledge and appreciation of the firm’s clients to meet all their needs (Pearce & Robinson, 2009). Since the mission of HBR is to become a world class and the spa of choice, HBR will endeavor to expand its business and attain permanence through the realization that its values are crucial to the execution of these

Virginia Business Lawsuit Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Virginia Business Lawsuit - Term Paper Example This would lead to the endangerment of their lives and would also inconvenience them in their shopping. The plaintiffs complained of there parking spaces being built on slopes and that the curb ramps were built on excessively steep grades. They also complained of the mall having improper access point to the buildings making access to the building for the disabled difficult. The malls also lacked handrails to assist the disabled in their movements into the mall. This made it to be increasing difficult for the disabled customers to navigate efficiently in the malls. The restrooms had toilet facilities that were unsuitable for the disabled customers since, they did not have the required specifications to accommodate the disabled. All this factors led to the disabled taking action against the mall for discrimination and ignorance on the needs of the disabled. The lawsuit involved the major malls located in the region. They included â€Å"Crossroads mall, Valley View Mall, Tanglewood Mal l, Towne Square Shopping Center, Lake Drive Plaza and Spartan Square Shopping Center† (Hammock, 2012). The lawsuit was forwarded on behalf of the plaintiffs by the national alliance for accessibility. The group cited the lawsuit was because of the gross violations by the malls on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The act was created to protect the rights of the disabled by ensuring they can access public places. The act has litigation that governs the environment that is needed to make certain that this admission is realized. The lawsuit also included other public institutions. These institutions comprised of two motels and a university (Hammock, 2012). The management of the malls had not put the interests of the disabled high on their agenda. They seemed to have forgotten about the special needs of the disabled segment of the clientele. This neglect led to the lawsuits that not only discredited malls, but also suffered financial consequences for the violations. It is essen tial for the management to ensure that their companies or organizations follow the rule of law. This is by ensuring that the set requirements for the business are met to avoid legal consequences. In the case of the disability lawsuit, the managers of the malls mentioned in the lawsuit could have avoided this whole scenario if they complied with the law. The managers of the malls and the other mentioned institutions should have carried out a risk assessment. This is in order to know what risks the customers and employees face, in the mall environment. This would have enabled the management to categorize the issues that need to be rectified and the matters that need to be addressed. This risk assessment would have enabled the management to be conscious of the predicament of the disabled and correct them before they became a legal matter. The risk assessments are inclusive since the views of customers and employees are collected. If the risk assessment would have been carried out, the management would have become aware of the plight of the disabled customers. This would have made it possible for them to rectify the problem avoiding lawsuits that would rise from the issue. This would have saved the company legal fees and settlement payments. The risk assessment would also have been helpful in that other problems that the management was not aware of would be brought to light

Elemica Global Expansion Strategy Business Information Technology Essay

Elemica Global Expansion Strategy Business Information Technology Essay Elemica is a global e-commerce company in the chemical industry which provides web-based order management and supply chain applications and services. This report aims at outlining the strategy for Elemicas e-business trading hub global expansion. First, the environmental analysis of Elemica has been discussed. The SWOT analysis of Elemicas current business is discussed, followed by evaluation of elemicas online B2B industry using Porters five forces model. The various ICT challenges which will be faced by Elemica during global expansion have been identified. The various risks, opportunities available, associated costs and critical success factors for the global expansion have been discussed. A strategy map has been defined along with a balanced score card which measures the effectiveness of the B2B expansion strategy. After exploring all the opportunities and risks involved and evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy, the following recommendations have been made: Switch to cloud computing in order to easily expand into international market and be updated with the latest technology. Follow all the regulatory compliances in its e-business initiative and apply business ethics to be followed in different countries. Ensure that all the cross-border transactions follow security protocols and are safe and secure. Being sensitive to cultural differences in expanding countries and making the change management process smooth. These recommendations will thus help Elemica to successfully expand its B2B e-business strategy and establish a dominant position in the world market. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 Table of Contents 3 1.INTRODUCTION 4 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 5 2.1 COMPANY ANALYSIS 5 2.3 CORE COMPETENCIES 8 2.4 MAJOR COMPETITOR 8 2.5 CURRENT BUSINESS MODEL 8 2.6 MARKET ANALYSIS AND TRENDS 9 2.8 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES 11 3. BUSINESS CASE FOR ELEMICA 13 4.PROPOSED PROJECT PLAN 19 4.1 PROJECT PLANNING AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT 19 5.ASSESSING ONLINE B2B INDUSTRY TRADING HUB 21 5.2STRATEGY MAP 24 6.RECOMMENDATIONS 26 6.4 BUSINESS PROCESS REDESIGN AND SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 28 6.7 SUPPORT SERVICES 29 CONCLUSION 30 LIST OF REFERENCES 31 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 33 1.INTRODUCTION This report aims at understanding the business of Elemica and hence, develops a strategic plan for the global expansion of e-business at Elemica. As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Elemica, an in-depth analysis of the company is presented in the report. It includes environmental analysis of Elemicas online B2B trading industry hub and also identifies the potential for global expansion of e-business. The report will assist the company to expand its core activities in the international market. It also highlights the risks associated with expanding the e-business globally. It identifies the target groups, the characterization of target groups, and how to build value into Elemicas services as desired by its customers, which are essential for the success of e-commerce (Fellenstein Wood 2000). Many inhibiting factors related to culture, security, language, legal rules, cross-border data flow, ethical regulations etc. which are present in global systems (Laudon Laudon 2006), have also been discussed. It also evaluates the entire plan by providing a Balanced Score Card to measure its effectiveness and a strategy map that will ensure the integration of strategy with implementation. The basic purpose of this project is to determine whether Elemica should go ahead with the global expansion of its online B2B trading hub or not. . 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Elemica is a global e-commerce company founded by 22 leading corporations in the chemical industry which provides web-based order management and supply chain applications and services. It provides a single hub which provides companies with a one-stop solution through which companies can buy and sell chemicals to one another through their ERP systems or web alternative. It enables companies to link their internal IT systems through a neutral platform. Elemica is the first e-commerce company in the chemical industry which has successfully commercialized its ERP-to-ERP connectivity. It provides a modular, hosted solution that simplifies sales, procurement and financial processes; integrate supply chain partners in order to diminish communication barriers; and reduce overhead and errors. 2.1 COMPANY ANALYSIS Elemica is a privately held company with 150 employees. It has 2500 partners in its supply chain network and $60 billion in annual transactions. It is headquartered at Pennsylvania with offices in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Seoul, London, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo. VISION: To be the leading provider of supply chain integration and optimization services to the industries we serve; tire and rubber, chemical, energy and selected manufacturing industries. Clients rely on Elemica solutions and services to deliver Bottom Line Results, Enhanced Supply Chain Reliability, Quick and Easy Implementation, and Deep Industry Expertise. (Source: www.elemica.com) SWOT ANALYSIS: It is necessary to conduct a SWOT analysis of Elemica in order to develop a competitive advantage by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Friend, 2009). It will enable Elemica to build on its strengths, overcome its weaknesses, identify the opportunities available and reduce its exposure to threats. STRENGTHS: One of the most sophisticated technology platforms in B2B space A single hub for all transactions One stop solution to its clients Addresses e-commerce needs of companies of all sizes Helps companies automate their businesses Creates efficiencies and economies of scale Reduces clients overhead and errors WEAKNESSES: Does not buy, sell or own a product Highly fragmented chemical industry with large number of companies Internet is required for the service OPPORTUNITIES: Expansion into international markets Diversifying its industry such as the rubber and tire industry, etc. where B2B e-business is possible Including reviews and feedback from long term customers so that new companies get attracted Facility of online auctions Providing for private collaborative hubs THREATS: Non-acceptance of business model in international markets Outdated technology in some time Emergence of new competitors with better technology 2.2 VALUE PROPOSITION OF ELEMICA Value proposition is the benefit that a companys products or services provide to its customers. (Turban et al, 2010, p. 591). The value proposition offered by Elemica is as follows: A single hub for all the companies to do all their transactions. Only one connection needed for all transactions unlike some other companies offering similar services. A super platform which connects the ERP systems of all participating companies which allows the companies to electronically communicate with each other and to conduct the transactions. Acts as an intermediary which only links all the companies together and then they can conduct confidential transactions electronically. Enables a company that signs up for its services to conduct business with all the other buyers as well as suppliers which are linked through Elemica. It offers four modules: procurement, logistics, and customer replenishment (automate inventory replenishment and ordering), and order management. Provides support of Elemicas Professional Services and Implementation Team to its new clients. This ensures that the on-boarding process is successful and increases acceptance of the business value with its major trading partners. Addresses e-commerce needs of chemical companies which are of all sizes. Results in improved operational efficiency, reduced costs and a higher percentage of safe and reliable deliveries 2.3 CORE COMPETENCIES The core competency of Elemica is to provide web based order management and supply chain applications and services. It delivers this by: Providing four modules: procurement, logistics, and customer replenishment (automate inventory replenishment and ordering), and order management. Single hub for all transactions. 2.4 MAJOR COMPETITOR The major competitor of Elemica in this space is ChemConnect, which was founded in 1995. It offers services similar to Elemica, but it does not connect the ERP systems of the participants. It has 9000 customers and is spread out in around 150 countries. (Figures as in 2009). 2.5 CURRENT BUSINESS MODEL Elemica provides a one-stop solution to all its customers to carry out transactions. It integrates the flow of information among the trading partners by using a Business Process Network (BPN). Once a client is connected to Elemica, it gets access to thousands of buyers and suppliers. The clients are charged for the service on the basis of volume of usage. The business model works in the following way: When a client is in need of some material, it puts up a message on its ERP system. This message goes to Elemicas platform asking its members for the availability of the material. Several of Elemicas members respond to the message by responding with quotations. At this point, both the purchaser as well as the seller is anonymous. The client decides from whom to purchase based on the quoted prices. When the shipping is arranged, the identity of the parties is revealed. When the order is confirmed, the platform is used to paln and co-ordinate delivery, automate invoice and pay one another. Elemicas revenues are generated by charging transaction fees from its clients on a per-transaction basis. Elemicas business model is sustainable because it integrates all the supply chain partners, thus reducing the communication and transaction time. The customers are able to connect to a large number of buyers and suppliers on a single platform, without having to purchase any internal system for themselves. Also, since they are charged on a transaction basis, the revenues are continuous and sustainable and are more efficient than older EDI based solutions which charged on the basis of inter-company transactions. Also, it addresses the needs of chemical companies of all sizes. It thus results in increased operational efficiency, lowering of costs, less inventory, and safe and speedy deliveries. These results in customer satisfaction and thus result in attracting more new customers. 2.6 MARKET ANALYSIS AND TRENDS With the advent of internet, there has been a major shift in the way companies do business. There has been a high visibility of B2C e-commerce, whereas it is the B2B e-commerce which provides a large amount of marketplace spending ( Pierfrancesco Manenti, 2010). The total spending by B2B e-commerce is more than 85% of the total spending of B2X e-commerce all over the world (according to IDC estimate). Research has shown that B2B e-commerce is more used by the firms in U.S. However, it is growing at a fast pace in Europe as well because the manufactures are becoming more acceptable to this concept. It has been found that only 4% of the total turnover in manufacturing sector is generated through B2B e-commerce sales (data from Eurostat). Hence, there is a great scope for e-commerce to expand in new countries as well as expand their business domain, which provides Elemica with a great business opportunity. 2.7 EVALUATION OF ELEMICAS ONLINE B2B INDUSTRY TRADING HUB The best way to evaluate Elemicas online B2B industry is by using Porters five forces model. According to the model, there are 5 forces which affect the industry and the economic value that gets divided among the industry players (Turban, 2007). Threat of new entrants: Due to continuous advances in technology, there is always a threat of a new company coming up with a latest technology and dominating the market scenario. This might make Elemica outdated. Hence, there is a high risk of new entrants coming into the market which makes it inevitable for Elemica to continuously improvce it systems and be updated with the latest techniques. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The bargaining power of suppliers is limited for Elemica because Elemica just provides a platform for them to make transactions. Also, the suppliers in the chemical industry are also buyers themselves, and hence are dependent on each other. Also, Elemica provides them with a neutral platform where they can easily transact with intermediate costs and time wastage removed. Threat of substitute products or services: Threat of substitute products/services entering the market is high because e-commerce is a very dynamic business. Any new technology or concept can easily replace it. Also, physical transactions can also easily act as a substitute to online services. Bargaining Power of Buyers: The bargaining power of buyers is again limited because of the interdependence of buyers and suppliers on each other. But since they have a large number of options available, they can easily choose from among them and get the best deals. Rivalry among Existing Competitors: There is a large scope for e-commerce online industry to grow as a whole. Also, with limited competitors in this space, there is less of a rivalry and majorly the company providing easy and better services will dominate the market. 2.8 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES With Elemica planning to expand globally, there are several ICT challenges that will be faced by Elemica: As the customers will become increasingly global, a major chaleenge for Elemica is to manage the relationship between buyers and suppliers who may belong to different countries and cultures. Hence, Elemica must develop a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system in order to ensure that the customer relationships are long term, sustainable and add value. It will also need to be considered as to how Elemica will integrate the legacy systems that the companies currently use. Instead of connecting the ERP systems of the companies to the hub, Elemica can switch to cloud computing which will eliminate the need for integration. In order to keep up with the latest technology, Elemica can switch to cloud computing which will provide all the network facilities over the network without any need for connecting the ERP systems of the clients. The companies will then be able to access their account at any computer with internet access. This will reduce the costs incurred as well as attract more number of customers globally. While handling cross-border transactions, Elemica needs to be extra careful about the security issues and the data transfer protocols and standards to be followed. It needs to be in compliance with the international copyright laws and security standards. 3. BUSINESS CASE FOR ELEMICA 3.1 OPPORTUNITIES AND OBJECTIVES The opportunities available with Elemica are as follows: Expand its business to other countries and thus provide online supply chain integration by acting as a neutral platform for all the transactions. The challenge is to expand the system into other countries and also take care of the logistics for distribution. Adopting latest technologies so that the existing technology does not become obsolete. This will add more customers to the e-business and also make the business model more sustainable. For global expansion, Elemica can shift to cloud computing. This will save the companies from connecting their ERP systems to central software. The applications needed to run the business could be stored on servers. This will save the company costs and companies across the globe can easily do business just by logging into the internet. It will help them connect to anybody and anywhere in the world. Also, the customers can easily collaborate and work on big projects in real time. Another opportunity in the area of expansion for Elemica is that it can allow buyers to compare products from different vendors and customize their product requirements from a variety of vendors. Elemica must also start interaction among the vendors wherein they can post their comments and reviews about its services. This will help attract new customers and also enhance the credibility of the company. 3.2 CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS Critical success factors (CSFs) are a few key activities that can determine the success or failure for any type of organization (McLeod Schell, 2001). By identifying the critical success factors, companies can develop strategies and also prioritize their activities for future business (Ward Peppard, 2002). The critical success factors for Elemica to go in for a global expansion are: Need to be more customer oriented in order to be sensitive to cultural differences and be responsive to their varying needs. The web interface must also be in the local language of the countries where Elemica plans to expand. Deliver secure and reliable connection to its users. Ensure that all the transactions and data transfers remain confidential and privacy policy is adequate. Compliancy with international standards must be maintained before entering into expansion into international markets. The tax implications must be kept in mind for the success of a business in other countries. It needs to be ensured that the company is in compliance with the local tax rules. Need to be up-to-date with the latest technology so that the business model does not become obsolete and also to prevent competition. 3.3 COSTS AND BENEFITS (ROI) It is essential to calculate the return on investment before taking any business decision to ensure that the returns will be favorable for the business. It is a tool which helps in evaluating information technology and electronic commerce investments (Turban, 2008). The ROI formula divides the total net benefits (revenues less costs, for each Year) by the initial cost, resulting in a ratio that measures the ROI for each year or an entire period (Turban 2010). The various costs involved in the expansion of Elemica globally will be: Marketing costs: A marketing strategy needs to be developed in order to attract customers all across the globe. Also, advertising costs will be incurred to establish the brand image of Elemica in new countries. This will be a significant cost because the marketing campaigns need to be customized according to different locations and local markets. Operating costs: Operating costs will differ for each country. This will include the training assistance program costs and other support costs to its customers. These costs will vary because the currency values in each country will vary and the exchange rates also need to be taken into account. Also, operating costs will increase because now the hub needs to be customized for local markets and more number of customers means higher maintenance costs. Employee costs: More number of employees will be needed to handle the expanding business. Local people will have to be recruited in order to understand the local needs and be responsive to them accordingly. Administrative costs: Administrative costs will go up with an increasing number of customers. Opportunity costs: It is the cost associated with not taking an electronic commerce initiative (Schneider, 2007). If Elemica does not go ahead with the expansion, some costs will be incurred for not going with this plan, called as opportunity costs. The revenue will be generated through: Transaction fees: The clients are charged on a per transaction basis. With increased number of customers, the number of transactions will increase and hence the revenue. Training fees: The training fees charged for increasing acceptance and making the on-boarding smooth will also increase with increasing number of members. 3.4 BENEFITS OF EXPANDING GLOBALLY The benefits associated with expanding globally are: It will offset sales decline in the domestic market, if any. Even if there is not much decline in revenues in the domestic market, having a global network will act as a safeguard for future. It will increase the life cycle of our services because it may be possible that this technology gets outdated in the domestic market, but in new markets this might still be new. If Elemica goes into cloud computing, it will attract a large set of new clients, both in the domestic as well as international market, thus leading to increased revenues and higher market share. It will improve its competitive position and help in establishing itself as a global brand. 3.5 RISKS ASSOCIATED Having a web based platform makes the system susceptible to risks associated with the internet. Hence, it is important that the problems which will most likely cause damage is addressed (Van der Walt, 2002). Hence, the risks associated with global expansion of Elemicas e-business are as follows: Security issues: With data and transactions scanning across the globe, there might be security concerns and different protocols to be followed in different countries. Also, there might be concerns regarding the misuse of information that is transferred over the internet. Payment issues: With difference in currencies and exchange rates, it might become difficult to make payments among the collaborating parties, which might result in loss of cross border transactions. Threat of Frauds: Proper mechanism would have to be in place to prevent any fraudulent customers to join the network and take undue advantage. Server crashes: There might be server crashes due to expansion into remote areas which might cause the entire system to fail and thus result in huge losses. Improper integration: Risk of improper integration of the hub with ERP systems in remote locations. Violation of laws: There might be systems which may violate the home country laws, thus creating troubles for Elemica in future. Cultural differences: The local people in target countries might not be comfortable with the concept of online buying and selling of stock. This may lead to a failure of the entire business model in that country. Hence, a proper understanding of the local culture needs to be developed before entering into expansion. Changing technology: Elemica needs to be up to date with the latest technology so that their services do not become obsolete. Lack of IT infrastructure: It might be possible that some countries might not have appropriate internet infrastructure. This will hamper the expansion of e-business in that country. 4.PROPOSED PROJECT PLAN 4.1 PROJECT PLANNING AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT Elemica needs to develop a detailed project plan to carry out all the planned projects, evaluate the various options available, identify specific milestones, allocate requisite resources, and manage the projects (Turban et al. 2010). There are five basic stages in developing a project (Haughey, 2010): Initiation Planning and project design Execution Monitoring and controlling systems Completion Elemica will first need to identify a project champion who will ensure that proper time, resources, and attention is given to the project throughout its initiation to implementation (Turban, 2008). Then a project team needs to be established who will develop a detailed project implementation plan. For expansion strategy, Elemica can pilot test it in some other country, which will help identify the problems and successes, thus helping in modifying the strategy accordingly (Turban, 2008). Accordingly, staff requirements are identified and fulfilled; and training given to them for the latest technology. After the completion of the proposed plan, it should be reviewed at each stage in order to overcome the inefficiencies and loopholes which were identified and then constant monitoring of the project needs to be done. Change management is a major issue which needs to be handled by Elemica during its global expansion because people will resist change. An appropriate communication strategy needs to be developed which will aim at keeping all the employees as well as Elemicas clients up-to-date with the companys strategy and latest happenings. This will help them cope with the changes (Schneider, 2007) and also help them adopt the new changing culture easily. Confidence and buy-in needs to be inculcated within the employees so that their support can be garnered for the project, which will be essential for the success of the business. 4.2 RESOURCE ALLOCATION The various resources which need to be allocated during Elemicas expansion will be human resources and IT resources. Human resources will include business managers, project managers, web designers, graohic designers, system operators and administrators (Schneider, 2007). IT resources which will be needed are the hardware and software development and its maintenance. 5.ASSESSING ONLINE B2B INDUSTRY TRADING HUB 5.1BALANCED SCORE CARD The most popular system for performance management is the use of a balanced scorecard (Turban, 2007). It was designed by Kaplan and Norton in 1996 and it describes a holistic measurement system which flows from the overall strategy of the organization and crystallizes into measureable indicators (Kaplan Norton, 1996). A balanced score card evaluates the effectiveness from the following 4 perspectives: Financial Customer Internal Business Processes Learning and Growth PERSPECTIVE OBJECTIVE METRIC RATIONALE 1) Financial Increased market share 1) Increase in the number of clients 2) Increase in the revenues 3) Increase in the number of locations where Elemica provides services Increase in market share is an important metric in determining whether the global expansion of the business has been successful or not. Only if there is an increase in the market share, it will indicate that the business is successful and is gaining more customers. Increased ROI 1) Increase in the number of transactions between clients, hence resulting in increased revenues. 2) Increase in the number of customers. It is important to measure the revenues earned in order to ensure that even if market share might have increased, the revenues have also increased along with it. Also, it is important to know that the returns are increasing on the money invested. 2) Customer Increased customer satisfaction 1) Increase in the number of repeat transactions 2) Decrease in the number of customer complaints 3) Increase in the number of positive customer reviews 4) Reduction in the response time for resolving customer complaints. Customer satisfaction is a top priority for the success of any business. Customer satisfaction ratings will indicate whether the existing customers are satisfied with the services and this in turn will determine the new customers getting added to the network. Increased visibility of Elemica 1) Increase in the number of transactions on Elemica. 2) Increase in the number of new subscribers. 3) Increased visibility among other chemical companies. This will determine whether the new marketing campaigns and expansion strategy has worked or not. Whether it will be able to generate more revenues or not. 3)Internal business processes Increase in efficiency 1) Increase in the quality of service 2) Decrease in the lag time between a complaint and resolving that complaint. 3) Increase in the number of transactions that can be handled at a particular time. 4) Increase in the speed of transactions This will help in delivering best service to the customers and will help in continuously improving upon the existing services. Better technology and transaction security 1) Increase in the transaction security even while cross-border transactions take place. 2) Adopting the latest technology and making the hub more user friendly and easy to implement. This will take of the security concerns which may arise during the expansion process in different countries. Also, the latest technology will keep Elemica inline with the competitors and help in dominating the market share. 4) Learning Growth Better skilled staff competent to handle latest techniques and varying cultures 1) Increase in % of employees who are highly skilled. 2) Develop the competencies in the staff to work in a dynamic and competitive environment. A highly skilled and competent staff will ensure that the company progresses and delivers the best to its customers all across the globe. This will also help in identifying the gaps in the skills of employees and work upon them. Increased organizational learning 1) Increase spending on RD to improve the technology used, hence delivering better services. This ensures that the latest and the best technology is used and the organization is ready to respond to the changing environment all across the globe. 5.2STRATEGY MAP The strategy map below shows the linkages between the four perspectives of Balanced Score Card and how they result in achieving the overall business strategy. INCREASED SHAREHOLDER VALUE HIGH ROI MORE MARKET SHARE FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE LEARNING GROWTH PERSPECTIVE HIGH EFFICIENCY CUSTOMER SATISFCATION INCREASED VISIBILITY SECURITY COMPLIANCE LATEST TEHCNOLOGY MORE CUSTOMERS MORE CITIES MORE TRANSACTIONS SKILL DEVELOPMENT INCREASE IN RD COMPETENCIES HIGHLY SKILLED AND COMPETENT WORKFORCE INTERNAL PROCESS PERSPECTIVE CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE 6.RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are in order of their priority. Each one will be needing 5-6 months to implement and can be started concurrently. 6.1 OUTSOURCING OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE In order to strengthen the ICT infrastructure of Elemica, it should adopt cloud computing. It will hence result in business process automation. All the facilities will then be available over the network without any need for connecting the ERP systems of the clients. This will help in reducing the costs of setting up hardware or software and its maintenance. Clouds are a pool of easily usable as well as accessible virtualized resources such as hardware, development, platforms and/or services (Vaquero et al. 2009, p. 51). Shown below is how cloud c