The Social Psychology of Health

Introduction From the olden days of human evolution, people have faced different challenges in the society. Nations encounter various challenges that directly or indirectly affect the economic standards of a country. These challenges vary from one individual to another and from one country to another. Vandiver (62) argues that some challenges faced by societies are natural while others are human created.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Social Psychology of Health specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These challenges may include outbreak of chronic diseases, poverty, increase in crimes and disabilities among others. These challenges strongly affect human life and their social relations in a given society. An individual with a chronic disease that is incurable has to learn on how to leave with it. Similarly, those with disabilities have to find a way to cope with the disability if the situation is beyond human cont rol. According to Molloy (75), natural environment puts some people in some life threatening situations and people, societies and countries have to adapt to the situation in order to continue living. Different scholars have come up with several theories and perspectives that can help the society overcome and learn on how to cope with different life challenges. Some of these perspectives and theories include the Coping-succumbing framework, Insider-outsider distinction, and Adjustment to misfortune perspectives. This paper seeks explore the utility and applicability of coping-succumbing framework to misfortune perspective in comparison to the other two mentioned perspectives, in explaining adaptation process following a chronic disease and disability and delivery of services within a rehabilitation center. Comparison of adjustment to misfortune perspective with other two perspectives According to Marinelli (83), misfortunes always happen in life. Some come and leave while others come to stay. According to this scholar, these misfortunes can be life threatening if not positively taken. In the case of disabilities and chronic diseases, man is deprived the ability to easily work to earn a leaving. Most of the victims end up depending on the society for survival. However, some families and societies are unfriendly to people with disabilities and other chronic diseases. Some societies treat such people in isolation while in others such people are perceived outcasts.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Such unfriendly environments cause psychological torture to these unfortunate people in the society. Comparing the three perspectives mentioned above, the coping-Succumbing framework best suits in addressing a society succumbed by such misfortunes. The Insider-outsider distinction perspective in social applications brings out the normal, healthy, educated, and wealthy to be in a better placed than the uneducated, sick, disabled, and other less fortunate members of the society. Instead of placing some people in better positions than others, the coping-succumbing framework perspective explains that since misfortunes are part of life, people affected in the community should learn the best ways of adjusting to them when they occur so that they do not affect the social relationships and interactions with the social-physical environment. The adjustment to misfortune may also be used in addressing victims of misfortunes. It explains that n once faced by misfortunes one needs accept and adjust to them. However, the theory places the victim in a very an awkward state of asking the why questions. The room of asking ‘the why’ questions causes torture to the victim. The theory gives the victim a chance to ask questions that none can respond to appropriately. The victim of for example, disability may feel unwanted and a burden to the society. Alt hough the theory applies the idea of religion, which is very important to the victim in accepting the unfortunate state, the fact that it gives the victim a personal chance to such for the cause and meaning of the misfortune makes it not effective. In comparison to the two other perspectives, coping-succumbing framework perspective remains more applicable. This is because of its ability to explore the coping mechanisms in adapting to misfortunes in life. This theory creates clear environment for the victim to accept and appreciate the misfortune as part of life, thereby responding through developing ways to adapt and cope with the misfortune. Utility of the perspective in explaining and predicting the process of chronic illness and disability adaptation From the discussion above it is clear that the perspective of coping-succumbing framework can be well applied in explaining and predicting the process of chronic illness and disability adaptation. The theory entails examining of the misfortune and defining the relevant psychosocial mechanisms for coping and adapting to the situation. In this theory, the psychosocial management starts from the onset of the disease or disability.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Social Psychology of Health specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It explains what affects many victims of chronic illness and disability is stress on the realization of their state. This perspective first gives the stress coping mechanisms to the victim. The theory offers the coping properties that include adoption of behaviors that are purposeful and flexible, realization of the present life and future as well and introduction of the victims to the reality of the situation. These coping properties accompanied by several ways to encourage them accept and appreciate themselves. Their role in the society is highly valued and appreciated. This theory also involves the removal of all barri ers to that may limit the interaction of the victims with both the physical and social environment. By so doing, the social and physical interaction of the victim with the environment is not affected in any way. This theory clearly outlines the dangers of succumbing to chronic diseases. Succumbing is strongly discouraged because it makes an individual have the inability mentality a situation that can worsen the victim’s situation leading death or other complex situations. According to Vandiver (47), infection with chronic disease or having a disability does not mean lack of ability to achieve. The scholar points out clearly that though disabled or sick man must leave. Such victims still have the capacity and potential to achieve as much as any other person can. This theory helps individuals in the society to prepare and predict the occurrence of chronic diseases and disability in the society. How this perspective can be applied to service delivery within rehabilitation facili ties In rehabilitation facilities, it is always important to apply the most appropriate theory that that can help the disabled and those with chronic illness. In rehabilitation centers, one factor that management must know how to deal with is self-pity. The victims would develop the ‘why me’ feeling. Such a complaining heart will make one develop a negative attitude towards almost everything that is within their surroundings. According to Molloy (94), Coping-succumbing framework is the most appropriate strategy that can be used to handle these victims. An individual suffering from a chronic disease should be made to appreciate the fact that the condition does not change his or her social standing.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, an individual who is disabled should be made to appreciate his or her condition. This theory holds that once one cannot cope with his or her condition, then he or she shall succumb. This theory employs the notion that one should be positive about his or her condition. According to Nuovo (121), people who are suffering from chronic diseases may develop denial mechanisms towards their condition. In such cases, such people would start withdrawing to themselves. Withdrawal of such people may act against their developmental process within the rehabilitation centers. According to Miller (72), within the rehabilitation centers, the main aim is always to find a correctional mechanism that will make the patient improve and feel comfortable. Some of the diseases cannot be curable. When a patient suffers from such condition, he needs to accept the condition. This is what this theory holds. According to Marinelli (83), most rehabilitation centers have experienced cases where a pat ient or a person suffering from a disability commits suicide. This is a clear case of inability of an individual to accept his or her new condition. This is very common when such a person develops the condition when he or she has advanced in age. Such people develop the feeling that they have become useless. They feel that they can no longer make positive contributions that they were making before, and therefore, believe that they are not fit to live. They would cut their lives short either to avoid being a burden to their families, or to escape the experience that people with such disabilities live with. When this happens, such a person shall be considered to have succumbed to his or her condition Rehabilitation facilities should eliminate such cases. These centers should be source of hope to the disabled and those suffering from chronic diseases. They should be made to feel that they have a bright future ahead of them. They should realize that their contribution to the society rem ains very important, and that they will always be an asset to their families other than liabilities. This is what the coping strategy proposes in this framework. First, the person must come to appreciate his or her condition. If the condition can be changed for the better, he or she should be made to realize that the ability to get better depends on their effort they make to come out of the condition. If the condition cannot be changed, then they have to appreciate the fact that that is their condition and life must continue. The most important factor in that case will be to determine how to cope with the condition. Coping with the condition will depend with the willingness of the individual to cope with this condition, and the effort that people around him or her put to elevate the condition of the patient. People who are disabled hate being sympathized with by others. According to Lubkin (17), when one sympathizes with a lame person, the person will develop the feeling that he or she cannot make it through in life. The person will feel that his or her life is ruined. This will make them feel self-pity. This does not help in elevating the condition. As Kasperson (117) observes, the rehabilitation facilities should be places where the disabled and people suffering from chronic diseases can draw their challenge. These people should be made to feel that they have a potential that cannot be tied down by their condition. This way, the will have a vision beyond their disability. They will feel that life does continue even with the disease or the disability. They will strive to meet the challenge posed, and this is one of the best ways of managing chronic diseases and disability. The rehabilitation facility should revive hope in these people. In order to achieve this, there should be people with such disabilities or chronic diseases that must have succeeded in some areas that should be invited to give motivational speech. According to Hinshaw (78), coping with chron ic disease and disabilities requires a medicine of the heart. It requires the individual to tune the mind to success. He or she should get convinced that the condition is not in any way, interfering with their capacity to achieve their desires in life. This will be the role of the motivational speaker. They will identify with them, and believe that they can lead successful lives with their disability. Conclusion Chronic diseases and disability are challenges that a person can face at any stage in life. However, it is always a big challenge to accept the condition, especially when one acquires it when he is older. Such an individual would consider life meaningless, and if not taken care of in a proper manner, then he or she can succumb to the condition. The society, and especially the rehabilitation centers, should be able to help these individuals cope with their condition. They should be made to feel that there is a lot to achieve in life despite their new condition. Works Cited Hi nshaw, Stephen. The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print. Kasperson, Jeanne. The Social Contours of Risk: 1. London: Earthscan, 2005. Print. Lubkin, Ilene. Chronic Illness: Impact and Interventions. Burlington: Jones Bartlett Learning, 2013. Print. Marinelli, Robert. The Psychological and Social Impact of Disability. New York: Springer Pub. Co, 1999. Print. Miller, Thomas. Handling Construction Defect Claims: Western States. Gaithersburg: Aspen Law Business, 1999. Print. Molloy, Susan. Handling It: You and Your Long-Term Disease. Melbourne: Hill of Content, 1995. Print. Nuovo, Jim. Chronic Disease Management. New York: Springer, 2007. Print. Vandiver, Vikki. Integrating Health Promotion and Mental Health: An Introduction to Policies, Principles, and Practices. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. This essay on The Social Psychology of Health was written and submitted by user D0m1n0 to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Constitution of Sacred Liturgy The WritePass Journal

Constitution of Sacred Liturgy Introduction Constitution of Sacred Liturgy IntroductionThe Constitution on the Sacred LiturgyThis statedThe Constitution of Divine RevelationThe Decree of EcumenismBibliographyRelated Introduction Many churches undergo changes throughout history, however, some of the most immense changes took place when the Second Vatican Council was convened and is considered one of the most important religious events which took place during the twentieth century.   The second Vatican Council was the 21st Ecumenical council recognised by the Catholic Church.   POPE JOHN XXIII, who claimed it was necessary to bring the Church up to date, summoned the council on the 25th January 1959.   Over the next few years the council prepared, the first gathering was on 11th October 1962 and was presided over by Pope John XXIII.   His opening remarks were  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I want to throw open the windows of the church so that we can see out and the people can see in.† Over a period of the next four years and approximately 178 meetings, 2540 Bishops attended the council from all around the world.   Pope John’s XXIII vision for the church was awareness, renewal and dialogue. Throughout the Council’s history they agreed 4 main constitutions, 3 declarations and 9 decrees.   The majority are aimed at the renewal and reform of Catholicism, but four affect the relationship and the non-Catholic world, they addressed all aspects of Catholic life on all levels: the global, the local and particularly at the parish level. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy One of the documents, which changed the spiritual life of the Church, was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy- Sacrosanctum Concilium. These changes affected every Catholic and inevitably many found these changes disturbing especially the older generation.   During these times Mass was commonly said in Latin and many believed that it should be preserved. The Council agreed and expressed its first decree in the â€Å"Constitution of Sacred Liturgy†. This issue was addressed because the Liturgy of the Western Church was said in Latin something which none of the participants understood and came to an understanding that this was only benefiting the papacy and the clergy and it created a separation between the clergy and its believers.   This constitution had hopes that the entire congregation could participate in the mass with the readings, the singing, and reception of the Eucharist.   It also was used to change the liturgy when it came to administering Sacraments and administering the Eucharist to the sick.   This Constitution was finalized December 4, 1963 with only four votes against it. This stated â€Å"The use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin Rights.†[ Sacrosanctum Concilium, paragraph 36:1] However, many parts of the Mass were singled out by the Council, who authorised the use of the vernacular or mother tongue.   The council also suggested that where possible the High Alters should be placed facing the congregation to help create a connection to God and that the priest should now face the congragation.   Many of the old ceremonies were discarded, such as the prayerful attitude or hardly noticing your neighbour.   Now they were asked to greet their neighbour with a â€Å"Sign of Peace† Another change within the Liturgy involved the time of the fasting before they could receive Holy Communion. Prior to the second Vatican Council, it was considered a mortal sin if you consumed either food or water, not even a few drops after midnight. â€Å"To fast from midnight means to take nothing by way of food or drink or medicines after midnight† [Eucharist Law and Practice by Durieux page 179] During the Vatican II changes about the fasting went from midnight to 3 hours. Then a decree by Pope Paul VI in November 1964 announced a concession: â€Å"In view of the difficulties in many places regarding the Eucharistic fast, Pope Paul VI, acceding to the requests of the bishops, grants that the fast from solid food is shortened to one hour before communion in the case of both priests and faithful. The concession also covers use of alcoholic beverages, but with proper moderation being observed.† [Documents of the Liturgy, 272, 2117] This change in regulations confused a lot of people who questioned, why does a mortal sin change because a group of men decide it is no longer a mortal sin!   What of all those people who have died without receiving Holy Communion because of mortal sin, how is that affected?   This opened a lot of questions, which are not easily answered. Others believed that a one-hour fast is too short to be defined as a fast and a possible 3-hour fast is much more fitting with the encounter of Christ. Other changes included vestments were made of   everyday material such as cotton and polyester. The chalices were reproduced in pottery, there were new names and meanings for the seven sacraments. Communion could be received on the hand and in a standing position, prayers at the foot of the Alter were shortened, â€Å"To promote active participation, the people should be encouraged to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs, as well as by actions, gestures, and bodily attitudes. And at the proper times all should observe a reverent silence.† [Sacrosanctum Cconcilium, Paragraph 30] Another principle concern of the Second Vatican Council was one of Christian Unity. The Constitution of Divine Revelation The Constitution of Divine Revelation or Dei Verbum (Word of God) was approved and published in November 1965. Before the installation of this doctrine it was taught that the Bible came second in religious life and people were discouraged from reading it. Many home contained a Bible but mainly for storing date and names of baptism.   The new constitution hoped to teach new respect for the scripture and the interpretation of the Bible, the Papacy hoped that by teaching that all religious truth are found in the Bible that Scripture and Church would become united. It encourages the Catholic scholar to read the Bible, â€Å"For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating† [Dei Verbum paragraph 12] Since the publication of this document many Catholics have learnt to respect scripture and tradition. It is now permitted to read and study the Bible and it has also lead to new ways to teach the Bible in Seminary. This was a major shift fir the Church and an important transformation. â€Å"The word of God may spread rapidly and be glorified.† [2 Thess 3:1] Christ entrusted his message to his disciples. This has continued down through history within the Church, â€Å"flow from the same divine wellspring† [Dei Verbum paragraph 9] This tradition and teaching of scripture is the basis to our faith and belief. The interpretation of God’s word is entrusted to the teaching office of the Church, â€Å"above the word of God, but serves it† [Dei Verbum paragraph 10] The Decree of Ecumenism Dogmatic Constitution of the Church was the fourth decree made.   In the past the Reformation of the church was viewed as a super state and the Pope was the head of it.   There was also a strong opposition to anything not related to the church.   With this decree more emphasis was placed on making the church a mystery and as People of God with equality being a key element. â€Å"An individual bishop is given collegial responsibility by his very ordination as bishop. The permanent diaconate is revived; even married people may become deacons. The doctrine on Mary is included in the teaching on the Church; it is no longer something separated from the Church.† Though another decree was made later it has relevance to the Dogmatic constitution of the church, it was the Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops.   This Decree was instituted due to the Bishops not having a lot of authority or say in the administration.   The changes with this decree helped bishops have contro l over other bishops and over their diocese of people. Bibliography http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_30_37/ai_75247932/pg_2/?tag=content;col1

Business Model and Strategic Plan Essay Example for Free (#5)

Business Model and Strategic Plan Essay Strategic Plan (66) , Business model (48) , Catering (14) company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints For any journey the path must be defined with clear and recognizable details for it to be successful. The concepts of markers and landmarks which define the direction of a journey apply to that of any business. We need detailed plans and objectives as well as landmarks and directions we would like the business to travel. The objective of Two Brothers food truck is to create a trusted and popular place for people of the Wenatchee valley to enjoy a quality meal using locally sourced goods and services at a value which all residents of the valley can easily afford. With this detailed strategic business plan we will discuss the concepts which will guide our plan and the obstacles we may face and how we will work to overcome them. Strategic Objectives, Measures, and Targets The objective is the same in all business and that is to keep the business operational and profitable. The profitability of any business is the main reason for which we strive to open and operate businesses; this fact will be  the main reason to implement fundamental financial objectives. The concept of Two Brothers food truck is to keep costs low, maximize profits while maintaining quality ingredients and service to the consumer. The main factor which way affect the profitability of the food truck is locally sourcing fresh ingredients due to the grow cycle of our region. At some point the truck will have to purchase items from a vendor or local grocer to maintain inventory levels. However the other menu ingredients like breads, meats, and dairy items will in most cases be readily available thanks in part to the availability to local butchers and dairies, we plan on baking our own breads. Thanks to the lack of competitive restaurants using locally sourced items we see no issues wit h these items. Methods of Monitoring and Controlling Two Brothers Strategic Plan We understand the importance of a happy employee and their relation to happy customers and relationships play a major role in any business. We strive to build relationships with the community and place high regard on personalized service to each person that visits Two Brothers whether it our guests are local or people visiting the Wenatchee valley. One major way we intend to ensure this will happen is to always empower our staff and make our staff feel like they are part of this business and guide them to feel as emotionally invested in the ideas and concepts of Two Brothers food truck as we do. We plan to offer incentives like shift meals, paid time off after time invested in the company, profit sharing, company events, and bonuses for college students whom receive exceptional grades, we feel the food truck should be a stepping stone and an example of characteristics they can take with them into their careers. We feel that investing the time and energy in our staff and showing them we care as much about them as we do the business will encourage them to feel the same and want to invest time and energy in our customers to ensure their return business and the customers overall satisfaction. Marketing and Information Technology Strategies and Tactics In today’s era of social media and more and more people using their mobile devices for everyday operations we feel we need to maintain that connection. Luckily for Two Brothers food truck the Wenatchee valley is relatively small and offers great coverage for mobile data with most carriers. We would like  to take that a step further and offer a Wi-Fi hot spot as well as charging stations for most devices, we would like to power these items using mainly solar energy to add to the concept of a sustainable culture we are trying to maintain with the business. We understand the importance of technology and social media in the operations of business and how technology can be an aid in our business operations. We plan on focusing our attention on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets to advertise our business which will provide the customer with daily information on specials as well as access to coupon programs we provide. Using social media will provide an outlet for our customers to provide reviews and feedback on our business. Many people feel that bad reviews can hurt a business; we feel that bad reviews provide an opportunity for us to make a new friend and change a process which may harm our business with future guests. Two brothers would also like to develop a smartphone application for iOS and Android which we find is also lacking with many businesses in the Wenatchee valley. This application will also provide instant access to our business as well as letting us track our market. As far as marketing outside of social media we plan to brand our image using items like car clings, bumper stickers, clothing, and sponsorship of local team sports, we feel that the Wenatchee valley is a closely knit tight community and word of mouth and these visual cues will travel fast into making Two Brothers a household name in the Wenatchee valley. Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues Regulatory conditions for mobile food service entities like Two Brothers food truck are rather strict in the Wenatchee valley. We will need to focus on consumer safety within the regards of the regulations put forth by the local health department and maintain or equipment and employee paperwork to remain compliant with these standards. Another important element of the food truck will be a base of operations where we store product and prep for day to day operations. This facility will also have to fall within the guidelines set forth by the health district to ensure food and consumer safety. Two Brothers also plan to offer beer and wine at some point in the future operations of our food truck which is legally allowed in Washington State. We will also have to follow the guidelines set forth by the Liquor Control  Board which are monitoring levels of service, age appropriate clientele, and ensuring on premise consumption only. All of these aspects will be factored into our operational details and regulations will be posted per Washington State RCW’s. Business Model and Strategic Plan Part I The goal is to bring a cross section of favorite foods to the community. Some of these will consist of a local high school favorite the Zombie. The Zombie is fluffy dough stuffed with a variety of meats and cheeses then baked to perfection. Other culinary options will include the popular Cuban sandwich as well as bratwursts, homemade fried chicken, fresh cut fries, and several types of wings and sauces. The goal is to bring in as much locally grown items as well as using local providers for most of our items, keeping it home grown is one of our mottos. We also plan and scratch making as many items as we can to provide the highest quality and freshest product possible, another concept lacking in our town. The goal is to bring the highest quality foods for the most reasonable price that we can. I our idea will be to closely follow what Costco tries to bring to their customers. The goals of Two Brothers food truck are to bring items to customers with little or no access within walking d istance to their locations. We will highlight our operating times to ensure each location we stop at will have ample time to order and receive their items in a fashion congruent with their time frame. We will also provide an â€Å"Order Early† option via text, email, and phone orders so that clients will be able to bypass lines and pick up items whilst on the go. Wenatchee is a smaller mid-size market with many businesses and average options for quick lunch options. Wenatchee offers the same fast food and casual dining as larger cities with a sprinkling of mom and pop restaurants which make up the rest of the options none of which offer high quality ingredients with reasonable pricing structures it is usually either quality or fair price, Two Brothers will accomplish both high quality and fair pricing by operating on volume sales to move business. The plan for Two Brothers is to hand craft all possible food items to cut costs and increase quality of our products because we believe that the more hands something touches through the supply chain the more cost it involves in the end product. This will set us apart from most other options locally and  create an amount of exclusivity of market. What will also help Two Brothers is the relative lack of food trucks within the Wenatchee valley area. We plan to monopolize this fact and create a structure where we remain the top contender with first to market entry with home baked breads, oven roasted meats, and locally grown produce (when available). We will market on our commitment for high quality, price friendly foods which focus on family and togetherness. The vision that I see for the Two Brothers is for it to grow into a family run business with maybe two to three locations in total in the valley, keep it home grown and support the valley by staying true to family, friends, and c ommunity. While the quality and reputation of the establishment are paramount, so is the success of profit. Once I am able to show continued growth and a solid profit margins the possibilities are limitless for expansions. Are good profit margin will also allow for commitments like sponsoring a little league team, giving us a positive public image. The guiding principles or values would be to stay true to myself stay grounded if the business does become a success, and keep my promise to the customers by providing them with fresh food and a fun experience at Two Brothers. The culture of the business reflects my culture and that of my family, and when I say culture I mean that of respecting everyone whom we interact with. We will have a diverse menu because I want a diverse crowd. The social responsibility and ethics would be making sure we only provide fresh ingredients, only buy from the best, and never serve anything that is subpar our internal motto is â€Å"create what you would want to eat.† I will not hesitate to take the opportunity to make things right and apologize on behalf of the business, always treat others the way I want to be treated, and with respect. The business cannot be a success if the mission or vision statement is not only followed but also if the staff and owners do not promote what they inspire. The vision is to have the business grow, but it can do only that if the customers are treated with respect. We as a business must keep our word or promises on the service and products we say we will deliver on. For the business to be successful every promise made must be followed up by not only the owners, but also by staff, and those who we conduct business with Two Brothers. The only way to maintain a competitive advantage over larger chain restaurants, sandwich shops, and fast food joints, is to keep the promise we made in our mission statement,  and continue to stay focused on what is most important, the customer. Strategic Plan Part II: SWOTT Analysis The business world of today the rate of a business succeeding is far outweighed by the rate at which they fail and this needs to be understood when undertaking these endeavors. One of these factors to success or to failure is external factors and how they will work in the operations of a business. In this paper there will be a definition of some external factors for the Two Brothers food truck and how well the business adapts to these factors. We will analyze the supply chain and as well as the operations into consideration along with the identification of other issues and opportunities that may happen. Economic, Legal and Regulatory Forces and Trends One of the biggest driving external forces that can impact my business is the need for people to know where their food is coming from and that it is a good and healthy choice for them. Today’s focus on obesity has many people turning away from the fast food chains like McDonald’s and turning to options like Chipotle for healthier options and knowledge that their food is coming from excellent sources and is handpicked as well as made fresh daily. The Wenatchee Valley is very compact so the ability for people to travel for lunch is easy except the only real options are fast food restaurants dominating a large percentage of the choices. Because these health trends are extremely popular among the many in the valley it is wise to include social factors of healthy living are a huge positive trend for the food trucks fresh philosophy. The active population of the valley is more likely to be health conscious because it is the goal to be in shape and fit with the amount of outdoor recreation in the valley and surrounding areas. Therefore, by eating healthy homemade options provided by the truck, the average Wenatchee resident is a positive external force. Competitive analysis as an external force that we can use to measure the possibility of success or failure or trends which may affect the business. Since the food truck is in the Wenatchee valley and we are known for our agricultural history there is a large population of Hispanics thanks in part to the long history agriculture and the need for skilled labor. Mexican cuisine and  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Taco trucks† are quite prevalent in the area and a different style food truck would be an outlier among the usual fast food chains and the family-owned restaurants. This provides an advantage as the food truck has something new, and different to offer. In addition, the resta urant is mobile and can be available in various areas gives it advantages over restaurants and most other food trucks since most are mainly stationary and no longer mobile. Because the food truck will be in a mobile we can monopolize areas where many people work with the least amount of food options available, we have to cater to them this way and offer a quick high quality option for lunch. The Wenatchee valley also has many spots for tourist exploring attractions of the city and events that could support the food truck. Since the warms temperatures of the valley in the summer and the mild winters, I expect people to at least stop for food or for something to drink year round as well as eventually becoming a destination spot for locals. External technological forces/trends could go either way depending on how the business is opened. First impressions do matter – as much as businesses do not want them too especially in the era of social media. Wenatchee is a smaller town so word of mouth spreads quickly via sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Craigslist so in this situation, it is very important that the food truck makes a strong first impression. Also the local newspaper is a popular source of information to the valley and perhaps some sort of coupon or deal in the newspaper would be a good way to attract residents to the restaurant. Because the written part of paper has its counterpart on the web, online advertising would probably be an attractive option in attracting the many tourists which visit the city all year round. Supply Chains Organizations Impacts Considering the resource logistics for any business, a strong force that can negatively/positively affect the food truck is the cost of transportation of materials. Originally, the plan was to hand pick fresh material daily through local growers and vendors. However, this would be inefficient and extremely expensive. It makes more sense that these material are obtained from a local source which can deliver on a weekly basis. These items should be items that would definitely have to be locally or regionally located because they have to contribute to the buy local stay local theme. For  example, the vegetables would mainly be locally grown within the season and meats locally purchased and regionally harvested while any baked goods would be homemade by us using regionally sourced materials. Identification of Issues or Opportunities Culture is another internal force, which can make the food truck a great and popular option. Having a family-owned business with a small group of friendly employees makes a huge difference in how a local business is perceived. Hiring employees who not relate well with the business owners generally results in employees perform their duties but may not love the business or take part in the enjoyment that the owners may have in operating the business; in other words, these employees will do their job but they will not have the passion that family has operating the business. Generally, the friendly service that customers will receive from the deli will likely be an incentive for them to return again. The feeling should be relaxing enough that customers will want to continue to hang out after their meal if they have the time. Over time, places like these become a sort of â€Å"favorite† hang out for people; this is very similar to how bars become places where people can hangout and relax while socializing and eating. With technology being so prevalent and because this is a tight knit valley, it is expected that people will have want to socialize so providing portable seating will be an important element. Leadership is an essential part of any business and can lead to better efficiency. It’s very important for the business to have a good set of leaders. In a small business situation the leaders should be the owners, there is a sense of warmth and gratitude when being greeted and served by the owners/operators. Sometimes, a customer may ask a certain question that requires a bit of prerequisite knowledge about a certain type of food or product and to answer the question. When the owners are available, and a part of the general operations, that knowledge is passed on the other employees when the owner is serving guests. Good leadership also is integral to making a business run smoothly. There usually has to be someone â€Å"in charge† that can direct people around in case they are lost. In this  case, if an employee is making a certain product and is confused on how to finish it or continue with it, the owner can usually step in and aid in the completion of the product. Therefore, a good leader will run the business in a smooth manner while the lack of a leader can result in the business losing money because of customer dissatisfaction (due to problems such as excessive wait for food, bad service, bad food, etc.) The internal strategy will be to keep consumers pleased and to keep their visit to the food truck memorable so they would want to come there again. Operating the food truck as a fun family oriented business will keep people hopefully wanting to hangout and comeback for that family open arms feel. Possibly providing outdoor games and events will give the customer something to keep them occupied and enjoy their stay. To keep the menu a bit unique, there would be a diversified menu by serving specific options and specials on different days of the week. There would also be incentives provided in the form of discounts, punch cards and options for catering a large group of people, such as parties, weddings or other events. Economic forces and trends that can benefit or work against the food truck are most definitely included the price of oil and prices of raw materials. Because transportation is a must in any business to bring items to the truck and the truck to the clients, rising gas prices will hurt business and cost more. Similarly, a lack of local items in the area will also exacerbate the situation and raise prices of raw materials to be used by the food truck. Nice weather in the summer and good snow in the winter increase the draw of tourism to the valley this would increase the number of potential customers increasing business. In regards to regulatory forces/trends that would affect this business would be the health inspection and how they regulate length of time a certain product is fresh. As an example, if health regulations of food trucks are usually more stringent and regulated than say a brick and mortar business since the food truck has the ability to become mobile and the options of  safe storage of foods is limited more so than the regular restaurant. By not following health procedures and safety, laws would be broken and there would be the risk of the business closing or people being hurt by contaminated foods. Because this is a small food truck business, it would not be too difficult to make changes unless the changes are extreme – like the change corresponding to the reliable sourcing of local goods. Making changes to the menu or making different items is usually just a change in how a certain product is prepared. Because food trucks usually provide food made on premise and is easily adaptable to many items this will not be very difficult if changes needed to be made. However, if people were to ask for particular items or drinks these would have to be purchased and that could take some time for delivery. The food truck is a small scale business; it is easier to apply changes than it is for bigger businesses that may be spread out in several locations. The most recent global issue for most business right now is the price of oil. Gas keeps the trucks moving and the equipment operating whether they are buying items, operating as in cooking food items, or moving from location to location gas is an unavoidable cost and rising prices could pose a threat to the sustainability of the business. Other options of clean energy can be examined to ensure the best operating options for the business. Providing great service seems almost nonsensical as every business strives to do so. Small businesses have to make greater strides in this department. Consistency is the key in order to be consistent a system or process is needed for every detail. When there are definite procedures for the everyday tasks the employees and the customers know what to expect. For instance the opening and closing procedures will have specific tasks and duties every day. This type of consistency will keep a positive momentum. Strategic Plan Part III: Balanced Scorecard The reason an individual opens a business is to be successful and make a profits to provide as their livelihood. My vision and my mission for my  business are to be one of the most popular food trucks in the Wenatchee Valley area. In addition, should be a highly respected business and not just another business serving food. Getting to know the customers on a personal basis and prove friendly service that is appreciable and that leaves customer with a sense of superior service that keeps them coming back. But mostly, the food truck will provide great food that people will enjoy to eat and crave. The vision for the food truck is to see it open and available to travel to multiple locations throughout the Wenatchee Valley so that the entire valley can access the unique options we offer. Because the initial location will be near the main medical facility and high school in the southern part of the valley, it can hold a considerable market share over other restaurants in that area of the valley since no other locations exists. After that the financial perspectives include market share, the vision influences the market share in this way and it allows for enhancement of profitability and the competitive position. More restaurants around the valley use the same supply chain operations that the initial food truck would have, keeping the costs relatively the same. Increasing the number of food trucks would, also help to lower prices of raw materials because the business would be buying larger quantities for more trucks and use volume pricing. This in turn would reduce the cost of spending but would increase the profits. The mission values are to provide great tasting food to a large variety of people of different social groups and to provide great service. To achieve such a goal, it is very necessary that some objectives for customer service and employee satisfaction are put into place. Obviously, the amount of satisfaction that the employees will have will translate to a higher level of service they provide to customers. Therefore, increasing employee satisfaction is a must for the food truck. Stimulating and offering incentives to the employees is a great way to keep them productive. A method of stimulating the employees would be to rotate the duties. A rotation of duties ensures that all of the employees understand the functions of the different stations but they also understand all the cleaning duties as well and knowing each station helps in the overall  understanding of the business. This, in turn, affects their productivity and how they relate to the customers. The satisfied customers, in turn, helped to enhance the customer’s value perspective in areas such as customer retention and customer value. Providing warm, friendly service is an asset to the food truck will have and will set it apart from other options in the valley. An objective that should be maintained is to keep the same level of service and customer satisfaction going throughout time. Ways to measure customer satisfaction is how customers react to the food truck on social media sites such as Facebook and Craigslist or frequency in which they visit. Offering a punch card with a reward is way to measure the frequency that they visit the food truck. Obviously, a majority of people frequenting the food truck signifies that the truck is a popular destination and signifies the mass popularity of the truck. Noticing changes in trends can help an owner to understand where problems may exist. An important strategic objective that should be respected in the organization of the food truck is keeping service quick and without any hassle and maintains a high level of quality and service. To achieve this objective, the food truck needs to, again, maintain a fast and reliable service plan for the company. This requires planning, as the employees need efficiently to produce the product that the customer wants. This is not only encompassing the employee perspective but also the customer service perspective. Popular restaurants usually have a method through which they create menu items in an efficient manner. They create recipes and options on the menu which staff and customers can use to guide their experience and production processes. This orderly method that will be developed is essential for the business to run properly because it reduces the work that the employees do and allows the customer more freedom in choosing how they want their foods prepared as well as options available. In addition, I feel like this will be a necessary feature of the food truck because other restaurant businesses serving food create items from various  ingredients and recipes will also be producing their products in a similar procedure. Therefore, to keep competitive and streamlined to business practices of the industry this method should also be used in the food truck. Designing and building a strategic objective is a crucial element for any business to operate successfully in the world today. Creating a mission statement with clear and defined objectives will help guide the business through their operations and should be looked to consistently to maintain the objectives set forth by the business creators. By doing this the management and operations of the business will be understood and how the business relates in the marketplace and how to operate through growth and handle competitors. A foundation of objectives will maintain the core concept of the business when changes or shifts in the market place occur and when new strategies need to be developed to handle these changes. The foundation of any business operation is the consumer and the major influence on whether they become a customer for life is the employee. These two factors are the direct drivers for any business and their happiness can bring about failure or ensure success. When the mission and core values are established and clear then it becomes easier for these two factors to provide the success businesses need to remain operational and sustainable. Reference Pearce, John A. , & Robinson, Richard B. . (2009). Strategic management. formulation, implementation, and control. United States: McGraw-Hill. Thompson, Arthur A. , Gamble, John E. , & Strickland, A. J. (2006). Strategy: winning in the marketplace: core concepts, analytical tools, cases. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies. MacDonald, Denise. (2008, October 15). Mcdonald’s marketing strategy. We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you

Managed crisis public relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managed crisis public relations - Essay Example audiences for this plan include the government, customers, employees, stakeholders, the media, regulatory bodies, the affected passenger and his family, as well as the national public. The crisis communications plan seeks to deliver a specific message to each of the above audiences. The plan seeks to reassure the audience of the company’s commitment to working on resolving the issue of promoting the safety of passengers and providing them with remarkable transportation services. The company will rely on the principle of prompt communication as well as providing constant updates concerning the situation. The company seeks to reassure the government, its customers, and the public of its commitment to promoting high levels of safety. The company will also update the public on the progress of the affected passenger and the measures taken to compensate him. The spokesperson will exhibit high levels of confidence and remain accurate concerning the incident to ensure that the public does not have speculations. The company will rely on different forms of media to communicate effectively. There is a salient need for the company to identify a crisis communications team that will take charge of all the communication processes concerning the recent event. The formation of the crisis communications team should take place with immediate effect because there is an urgent need to provide the government, our customers, as well as the public with information. Crisis communications team should identify a reliable spokesperson and develop a communications policy that all the members of the staff must obey. The crisis communications team will exhibit immediate response by notifying the management team of the company concerning the recent incident. Moreover, the team will develop proper media alerts and call for a press conference that will allow the identified spokesperson to give detailed information to the public and the government. The crisis communications team will review the

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria Lab Report

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria - Lab Report Example We used standardized procedures in the process of cultivation of bacetia. We received pure culture of unknown organism. Using Bunsen burner the loop was sterilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with free hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. ... erilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with fre e hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. Gram stain For completing the Gram stain we needed Gram stain reagents (crystal violet, Gram's iodine, 95% ethyl alcohol, and safranin), microscope slides and bacterial cultures. In preparation of the Gram stain asepttci principles were used. Inocultion loop was sterilized by burning on a Bunsen burner until bright red color appeared. Five loop of the unknown colony were placed on a microscope slide and the material was sread even on the surface of the slide. The material was left to air-dry and room temperature. After this

Berlin Wall Essay Example for Free

Berlin Wall Essay The Berlin wall caused much strife during its existence. It started with the conflict between the USSR and the Allies and quickly escalated from there. The long years it stood were full of separation and conflict. The story of the Berlin wall is not one easily forgotten. During WWII the Soviet army captured the German city of Berlin. The U.S., Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union all occupied a sector of Berlin. The United States, Britain, and France occupied sectors in West German and Berlin while the Soviet Union occupied the East. Because of this, when the Cold War started, East and West Berlin were divided both in opinion and territory. The Soviets were communist and the leaders of West Germany were determined that all of Germany should be communistic. The Soviets tried to force the Western powers to give up their control over their three sectors. After their attempts to convince them to give up their control failed, the Soviet side cut West Berlin, which was isolated in the middle of East Germany, from all land and air travel. West Berlin was frozen and starving, but they refused to give in. The Western Allies started what is commonly known as the Berlin Airlift. Great amounts of food and supplies were dropped by plane. West Berlin was not given up by the Allies. East Germany however, did give up the blockade of West Berlin after a year. They determined that something else must be done. East Berlin lost many people to West Berlin. It was said approximately two and a half million people escaped the communistic East Germany simply by crossing the border from East Berlin into the West. A common method of this escape was by subway. At one station they believed that one out of every three people leaving the station was actually an escaping citizen of East Germany. East Germany was rapidly losing its much needed work force. Walter Ulbricht was the man most blamed for the building of the Berlin Wall. In public, he denied all rumors of even the consideration of cutting off the border routes. The denial of the idea of closing the border was a plan to keep the flow of people escaping from increasing before the wall was built. Ulbricht believed that people would desperately flee as soon as they heard of the plans for the wall. On a Saturday night in 1961, the wall was hastily built. Since it was the weekend, the unsuspecting people were vacationing after their week of long work and did not notice the hidden rolls of barbwire and timber slashed away where the wall was to be built. People whose houses stood where the separation was were no longer allowed to use their Western doors. Many used the windows to escape but others were caught by the East police or lost their lives in the process. By the end of the first couple weeks, the windows and doors were sealed off with bricks. The Berlin was more than a sliver of grey concrete. It was watchtowers, guards, guns, barbed wire, and even mines. As determined as many East Berliners were to cross to freedom, they had to risk so much in the process. For many, the risk led to their deaths. The wall was disapproved of by many of the citizens. Because of the sudden construction, many families were instantly separated. The dangers sometimes outweighed the thought of unification. Wanting to at the very least see their loved ones, platforms were built on the West side of the wall and families would find some comfort in mere glimpses of their loved ones. Another negativity of the wall was the sheer conflict of beliefs. Some who did not share the opinions of Germany were quickly forced in a problematic situation. They couldn’t escape from the strict rules of communism. The wall had clearly put them on the wrong side. Family and beliefs were not the only things the wall separated. Though not physically, the Berlin wall drew a line right through Germany. You were either East German or you were West German. There were no in between grey sections. People had to choose sides or their side was chosen for them. Of course, through all this, France, Britain, and the United States stood beside their West German sectors. Tension of the cold was thick. Many showed what side they were on by simply choosing to support East or West Germany. Those who supported the East were Communistic. Those who supported West Germany were supporters of democracy of freedom. The problems within East Germany became more and more obvious as time went on. The most obvious problem was the existence of the wall itself. Many died from the wall and it wasn’t just the start. The problems of East Germany were from social to economic. At first, it was very possible to make it across the wall. People would break through with trucks, dig tunnels, fight their way across, sneak across during construction, forge papers, and all manner of escape. People didn’t let the risk of death keep them from their freedoms and families. Not everyone was lucky enough to make it across. One example of misfortune was a pair of young men who determined to sneak across a weak part of the wall. The first made it successfully across, but his friend did not. Shot by the guards, the young man lay injured and bleeding at the wall. Still on the East side, people from the West could not retrieve the dying young man. The guards waited for him to bleed out before disposing of his body. His screams and cries for help haunted and outraged the people. Fearing a future uprising, the guards were commanded to move bodies and dying individuals out of sight so the people wouldn’t be quite as disturbed by their deaths. After many made it across the Berlin wall, it was decided to reinforce the wall. This reinforcement crushed many people’s hope of ever crossing and killed many of those that retained their hope. The wall at first had been simply a tall concrete wall with armed watchtowers, searchlights, and barbed wire. The reinforcement included a higher fence with a column of concrete that was seemingly impossible to grip, extra fences, tripwires connected to automatic machine guns, and a seemingly hopeless run to safety. Forged papers at the gates were the most likely means of escape after the reinforcement. In East Germany, the work hours were long, the opportunities were few, the tension was high, and the rules were strict. Music was censored and lives were limited. East Germans created a distinct culture because they had to avoid breaking so many rules. You watched what you said and who you were with. Rules in East Germany were not taken lightly because the people never knew when they were being watched. The neighbors, their best friend, their lover, or even their mother could’ve been one of them; one of the agents for Germany’s secret police, that is. The secret police were called Stasi. Anyone could be suspected of being part of the Stasi, since the Stasi used anyone they could. The Stasi was a huge network of agents who watched over East Germany. They had their eyes on over one-third of the population. The Stasi spied on, arrested, and manipulated countless people. They picked up on plans of escape, wormed their way into possible rebellion for information, and even kept records of their target’s lives in incredible detail. Along with the suspicious activity they stored in the files pertaining to the lives of their targets, they included elaborate plans for their victims. These plans interfered with lives, ruined marriages, kept certain kids from getting into universities, and even destroyed futures. They didn’t stand for any possible uprising. They snuffed out any spark that could lead to anything contradictory to East Germany’s policies. Pollution was a major problem in East Germany. Their pollution was actually so great that it actually caused diseases not seen since Victorian ages. The diseases killed many of the people. People started environmental programs to try and do something about the pollution and stop the tragedy of diseases. A bit of freedom was the beginning of change and the start of hope in East Germany. The rules were loosened on churches across the land. Slowly but surely the church became the centers of protest across the land. People came to meetings with the accepted excuse of praying for the country or involvement at environmental programs at the church. The church quietly became the center of reformists. Because of the hope sprouted by the reformist church meetings, a protest of seventy-thousand people occurred openly in East Germany. The world watched in tense concern. Many feared that East German officials would use the â€Å"China option† where they would simply massacre the protestors like what had recently occurred in China. The world was shocked when there seemed to be no immediate consequences for the massive protest. The opening of the Berlin wall was a great event and actually an accident. After many years of separation and conflict, one man’s misunderstood words caused the great event. While an East German bureaucrat, Gà ¼nter Schabowski, was at a press conference on November 9th, 1989, his uncertain answer to a simple question was misunderstood. The misunderstanding was that travel restrictions were being lifted and effective immediately. People flooded to the gates of the wall demanding access they believed was granted by one man who simply misspoke. These people could not be turned away though what Schabowski had said was far greater than what the authorities had intended to do. For hours, the gates remained closed and the guards were hammered by questions and demands from the eager citizens. The guards tried to get an order from the higher ups, but at the time the whole system of authority was in chaos and disorder. No one seemed to know what to do. Finally, at about 11:30 that night, after countless meetings and useless phone calls, the order went out to open the gates. This order was given by Lieutenant-Colonel Harald Jà ¤ger, the senior officer in charge at the Bornholmer Strasse border crossing. When he gave the order, people flooded through the gates and climbed the walls. Harald Jà ¤ger later gave his report of what had occurred that night. It was apparent to all of the guards that something was amiss and that people would soon show up trying to pass through the gates as they watched the press conference. They were all surprised at the words spoken at the press conference but did not understand the enormity of the consequences that were to come. He said, â€Å"All I thought was: Now youve got to find out whether theyre allowed to travel immediately or not.† He called his higher up to ask, but it was apparent that he was just as surprised and simply ordered him not to let anyone through. Harald apparently held countless meetings with his officers all that afternoon. Everyone demanded that he tell them what to do. Fearing the consequences of letting them through and wanting to know if the men would support his decision, he had asked if they should open fire on the people. When the guards objected he knew what he must do. The people were bound to get hurt in a scuffle if he waited too long so he reached his decision. â€Å"†¦ I gave my people the order: Open the barrier!† The destruction of the wall was almost immediate. The world watched in awe as the socialistic experiment on East Germany quickly crumbled as the East and West citizens of Germany united in joy and merriment. The opening of the wall was well received by the West. That very night, they made their way over the wall to join and rejoice with their Eastern brethren. Even the Chancellor of West Germany called the current President of the U.S., George H. W. Bush, and ecstatically relayed the events of the night. They knew Germany would never be the same. Despite all the official government problems with the occasion of the wall falling, the East and West strove to be together again. After forty years of that cursed wall, the people finally had their chance to tear it down. They gladly took that chance. The people of the White House shared the Chancellor’s enthusiasm and encouraged the President to go to Germany. The President refused to take any credit in the happening, â€Å"This is the German moment.† The people of Germany jumped at their chance to seize freedom and unity. They feared they would lose the opportunity as abruptly as it came. Germans wanted freedom to decide their own fate. They wanted the freedom to see their loved ones and choose who they wanted to lead them. They wanted to be a whole nation again. As joyous as the world was at the fall of the wall, many feared what was to come. How would the world take it? What would it lead to? How was the Soviet Union going to handle this? The very symbol of socialism had fallen by the hand of its own people. Was this reunion of sides going to be allowed? Or would there be a violent backlash? Leaders and the world watched anxiously. There were so many consequences that could occur, but everyone simply wondered whether they would be positive or negative. Mikhail Gorbachev was a name well known among the USSR. He was the man who was trying to reform the Soviet Union from the inside. He was trying to make a stronger, greater Soviet Union, but even his supporters in the Soviet began to think he had taken it too far with the opening of the wall. It had never been his intention to open the wall, but it had happened on his watch. Everyone feared that this would somehow end up in violence. A man by the name of Helmut Kohl, the Chancellor of Germany, saw this even at the opportunity to reunite Germany. Many called his idea premature and the very idea made people uneasy. The concept of having a reunified strong Germany struck concern into Germany’s neighbors and nations around the world and Europe. People feared another German attack and the change that could take place. As much as the concept of reunification was feared, it turned out that it was actually out of the European leaders’ hands and in the people’s. The people of Germany started the ball rolling on the reunification of Germany. Within the first day of the fall of the wall, over one million East Germans made their way to West Berlin and within the first week over nine million had done the same. It was almost a large party. The mood was full of celebration. They were even given a welcome gift as they came. People went to shop and to drink and simply enjoy the fact that they were now on the other side of the wall and the gates were open. It became extremely obvious to the East Germans that personal freedom meant that they had the option of doing whatever they desired to do. They could lose their job, try to find a new one, follow their dreams, and they all had to change. The economy of East Germany couldn’t avoid a drastic change. It was unstable, but the Germans determined that they were going to do what they wanted. Though it was roughly known that the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl desired a reunified Germany, he had not officially stated any means of doing so. Upon hearing that others were already beginning to discuss their own plans for East and West Germany, the Chancellor felt that he should hold a speech that stated his views and display his plan for reunification. The plan was supposed to take about five to seven years to complete and had been carefully crafted within his group of trusted advisors. Helmut Kohl had not consulted with his allies before holding his bold speech for the entire world to hear. Had he done so, he believed the speech would have never been made. Thought his speech had been a gamble, it was one that paid off. Because of it, he was personally identified with reunification of Germany. The United States decided to fully support Kohl’s plan for reunification. The only problem now lay in convincing the leaders of France and Britain that a reunified Germany would be beneficial to Europe. While world leaders struggled to decide what was to be done and what Germany was to become, the people of Germany had gathered their own to plan their new land. They continued to daily tear down more and more of the ugly wall that had so long separated them. The people didn’t want a Germany that was simply a larger West Germany, but a completely new Germany that took both the best of the West and the East. The people planned on taking this into their own hands and becoming a form of Democracy. The group who were planning such an event was a group called the Round Table. Among one of the first things they strove for was and open election in East Germany, something that hadn’t been done in over sixty years. Of course, not everything would turn out right. One major cause of concern was when the Round Table had received a report that things were turning violent. An angry mob was reported storming the East German secret police’s, the Stasi’s headquarters. They feared that many were about to be lynched, but to their surprise, the mob simply stormed the headquarters and no violence actually seemed to occur. They now found themselves surrounded by mass amounts of information, years of spying and reports written about them. They had overthrown the Stasi. In March of 1990, East Germany held their first election in over sixty years. Many were torn between voting for the conservative West German runners since they had the money to pull them out of their bad economy and the Democratic candidates of the East that had pulled them out of their situation in the first place. As time when on, many began to realize that the people were pushing for materialism over all other things. The feeling of revolution was quickly dying out as they voted for those they believed would grant them prosperity. It was all too obvious that a new Germany was no longer desired. The East simply wanted to be like the West. The majority of the elected officials were rich conservative Westerners and only a handful of reformists. A major problem with the gradual reunification was the horrid, polluted economical state of East Germany. It dawned on many Westerners that they would have to pay a lot of the price for the East German pollution problems. It was estimated that as the lifelong security of jobs guaranteed by the strict East Germany was destroyed that almost every two out of three jobs were lost by East Germans. They abruptly had to face the reality of joblessness and strive to succeed in other places. Despite the hardships, Germany was indeed being unified. One of the symbols of reunification was when the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union gathered to watch the removal of checkpoint Charlie, one of the focal points of the Cold War. The Soviets were facing the reality that their East German socialist empire was quickly meeting its end. The last thing blocking German unification was Soviet permission for Germany to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). When this was surprisingly overcome, there was nothing standing in the way. On October 1st, 1990, the four victorious powers formally gave up their rights to Germany. Germany was now free to do as they chose. Less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall on October 3rd, 1990, Germany became one nation. Mikhail Gorbachev was forced to resign and blamed for the fall of the Soviet empire who suffered a great loss when Gorbachev chose to give up Germany. Despite this, he believed he had done the right thing in the end. The leaders involved in the reunification of Germany all seemed to stand by their decisions that it was right to let Germany choose who it was going to be. The Cold War had peacefully ended. The people of East Germany were now free and unified. They were free to enjoy music, free to see their families, free to choose their own jobs, free to say what they wanted, and free from fear of the Stasi. East and West Germany ceased to exist, and though there is still a distinction between the people, they grow more and more unified as time passes on. Parts of the wall still stand, but people now simply see it as a reminder of what had been and a way to urge themselves to look to a greater future.

Captains of Industry :: essays research papers

In 1796, president George Washigton wrote a farewell address to speak to the nation before he retired. In this, he explained valid reasons to keep America an isolated as well as neutral country. It is clearly prominent that Washington's farewell adress was necessary. This is due to the fact that it gave the nation something to ponder as well as dwell upon. Washington's intent was for his adress was to serve as an itenerary for the future of our nation. This did not succeed. Although it would be reasonable to be used today, we continue to remain allies with some countries, and enemies with others. Washington's address analyzed the nation's domestic difficulties. He stated that, "...anthipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded, and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings toward one another should be cultivated." In this, he expressed his desire for neutrality in the nation. Another main point that explains the necessity of the address was to cement the fact that we should stay out of other country's affairs; that we should be our own independant nation. Washington did not want America to take sides, because at that time, America was stilll forming as its own country and he believed that we should concentrate on our country. If America is to be an independant country, why should we have affairs with other countries? For example, Europe. Washington strongly felt that we should break ties and establish none with other foreign contries and that we should not, at any circumstance, interfere with European affairs. In his reasoning, he expressed his desire for isolation in the nation. Being a strong figure that many looked upon, Washington's intent for his policy of isolation and neutrality was to serve as a prescription for future years. By using VALID reasoning combined with hope for his nation, Washington denounced the idea of favorites and enemies in order to for our nation to be "a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation to give mankind the maganimous and too novel example of a people always guided by exhalted justice and benevolence..." His speech was also addressed at the end of term, in order to serve as a basis for the future of our country to follow. Despite this GRATUITUS attempt, his address did not succeed in being the precedent it was designed to.

Favorite Brand Paper Essay

Sony is one of the leading if not leading technology Corporation within the technical business world today. This organization headquarters can be found in Tokyo, Japan. Sony business is focus on electronics, entertainment, and gaming systems, and it also has a financial service sector. The Sony organization mainly focus on electronics such as video games, and TV networking. With these elements it makes Sony a premier organization that deals with consumer satisfaction, and gives them a comprehensive identity within the technology industry. This corporation has many different brands to offer to the public. Yet, only one stands out in my opinion, and that’s the PlayStation 4. The PlayStation gaming system has been around for many years. Now in there are plenty of features that stands out. The price is one of the most interesting factors. Sony has dropped the price in the early stage of the PlayStation 4 to affordable price of $299.00. Making it’s a affordable gaming console that offers a wide range of different games. Another reason why I enjoy this gaming console it offers a built in wifi system with no extra cost. Other features that makes this brand stand out is the graphics and design of the console. With any type of computer like system the heart of it is the  central processing unit. This feature gives the PlayStation 4 an excellent graphic experience that causes individual to fall in love with its system. The gaming console controller is featured with gripped handles and easy to understand movements of the controls. Sony Corporation has established an excellent long-term connection with consumers worldwide. This organization is known for offering credit to loyal consumers across the board. By giving discounts as well as payback procedures. Sony risk management is one of the key reasons why their growth is superior within their industry. By developing consumer surveys that help enhance their product, and shows their loyalty by taking in account consumers opinions. In using this strategy Sony has now discover that consumers have a exceedingly high expectation when it comes to quality, the value of their money. Therefore, Sony gives a complete effort to make  consumers satisfied with their experiences using their products. The new Playstation 4 has a share of competition such as the Xbox 360 as well as his counterpart the Xbox One and as well is the Nintendo. In order to be competitive sony has to have compassion dealing with consumers by being compassionate with their prices. Microsoft gaming console’s are expensive at price of $100 more then the PlayStation 4. The other brands or somewhat cheaper but does not have the design and graphics the PlayStation 4 has such as the Nintendo. This gaming system has different devices, and they are very cheap with a price tag of $114.00 to $200.00. This is another japanese made product, but does not have the features as the PlayStation 4. Offering only the basic gaming experience. Another factor that makes the Sony brand stand out is that it offers an elite online gaming thats free. The Xbox 360 in the Xbox One has an annual price they charge for their online games, and individuals limited to games, as for the Nintendo it does not offer these feature. Individuals as well can play Blu Ray high definition DVDs on their Playstation 4. The competition is limited in this category offering only the basic views  dealing with DVDs & high definition games. With all these elements concerning the gaming industry. PlayStation 4 continue to outsell its competition. Which is the Xbox One as well is the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo. In turn makes it the number one gaming console worldwide. Sony has committed to cultivating it’s gaming system for the next generation to enjoy the product. Sony PlayStation 4 has no pressure with it status in the gaming industry with it significant prices, and design. With gives reasoning to buy the console. Therefore, marketing is all about identify as well as being committed to consumers needs. I have the pleasure of stating that this organization have successfully built a market that is loyal to their customers. Sony has alway created dissimilar products that allows them to build capital and become a leader within their respective industry. By working internally dealing with each divisional labor department to ensure correct research training as well as planning their marketing mix to serve the global community. Reference www.1 to 1 media.com/view.aspx?itemid=30928 www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/06/13/the-5-best-reason-to-buy-ps4/ http://www.playstation.com/en-us.

Learning Through Play: Games and Crowdsourcing for Adult Education Essay

Games are a powerful to engage people with ideas and with each other. They are a way to learn new skills, and to interact with other people. This interaction can be with other people in the same room or with people online. Games are fun. This is obvious, but sometimes it can become forgotten about in the discussion. In research in 2011 by Bond University for the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association * pcs are in 98% of game households with 62% of game households using a pc for games. Game consoles are in 63% of game households, dedicated handheld consoles in 13%. Mobile phones are used to play games in 43% of game households, tablet computers in 13% * 43% of people aged 51 or over are garners * most garners play between half an hour and an hour at a time and most play every other day 59% play for up to an hour at one time and just 3% play for five or more hours in one sitting 57% of all gamers play either daily or every other day. * 83% of parents play video games. (1) Comparable statistics are not available for board, tabletop and card games. This is unfortunate as, from word of mouth, board games are very popular. The German, or European, style games have strong appeal for adults. Games in this category include Settlers of Catan (2) and Carcassone. (3) Board games can be used as part of an education program exploring games, game design, history, and strategy. They could also be used to introduce adults to games they did not play when they were growing up–and that is just the start of what is possible. Find the future New York Public Library received much coverage for its 2011 game Find the future (10) which ran as part of their centenary celebrations as a way for people to discover and explore the collection. The game was deliberately designed with an education focus. The first night of the game was run as an event for five hundred people. After this people could play this game at their own pace and in their own time, at the library. Changing thinking about games There is still reluctance, despite the overwhelming statistics, for many libraries to admit how many of the adults who use their collections and services probably play games. Earlier this year Heikki Holmas, the new Norwegian minister for international development, was given media coverage because of his public statements about his own playing of Dungeons and Dragons, and how skills are learned in games which have real world applications. This means that his tabletop games skills will help him in parliament. (11) Adam Grimm highlights some of the skills and attributes gained or developed by playing Dungeons and Dragons which include imagination, structure, performance and problem solving. (12) People like Heikki Holmas and Adam Grimm are using our libraries and we are rarely giving them a way to engage–or may be guilty of making judgments about them because of the games they play. The Central Arkansas Library System ran programming for adults teaching people about playing World of Warcraft. This may seem an unusual game to be part of a library education program. However, the aim of this education program was social inclusion, and it was thought that playing a game like World of Warcraft may be one way to assist in this locally. Library staff were pleased with the outcomes. (13,14) There are many opportunities in libraries using games for education Some of these can be done by showing how exciting games can be and by having people realise that the boardgames they may have played as children, or even have played with their children have developed and new possibilities target adult players. Playing Carcassonne could be used as part of an adult education program on medieval history, so people could be discussing the history they are reading, but also play a game constructing a medieval town and so apply the ideas they have learned from reading or hearing about the medieval world. Games can allow a different angle on creativity in education programming. Brian Mayer and Christopher Harris in their book Libraries got game: aligned learning through modern board games have written about this from a primary school aged perspective, but many of their ideas apply to learning through games at any age. (15) They also make the point strongly that a game has to really be a game. This sounds obvious, yet people forget this point surprisingly often. There is a lot of tools to help with boardgames. BoardGameGeek (16) is an invaluable online resource with detailed reviews about boardgames as well as walk throughs of the different games. Table Top with Wil Wheaton by Geek & Sundry (17) is an excellent video channel to learn how different table top games are played–so you can start thinking about their place in educational programming, and not simply programs about learning to play games. The Game Library for the School Library System of Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (18) has some useful resources for games targeting infants and primary aged children. Science games There are also ways to draw in the community through games. A game like Fold.it (19) a University of Washington initiative which is about folding proteins has resulted in scientific breakthroughs. (20) It was designed to trigger scientific discovery, but the game is also an experiment. Fold.it could be used as part of a series of science talks, with visiting or local scientists, at a library where the participants could join in with others who are contributing to scientific discoveries. Then people could be working in a collaborative space in the library, folding proteins together interacting with the other people also in the library space as well as others online in Fold.it. This could appeal to a wide range of ages, from students considering science careers, to adults wanting creative and puzzle solving options. It is a free, social, online game. EteRNA, (21) a collaboration between Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University has similar concepts. This is a game about RNA molecules, and again serious science is being done through playing games. (22) This would also make for interesting library programming. These games could be part of a series about science, but equally they could be part of a series about games to help more people understand the range of options available to people who play games exploring creative problem solving, and helping to do science at the same time. Both Fold.it and EteRNA would be useful inclusions with library based science programming, and could provide a useful tie in to your library collection, including databases. The Science Museum in London has a significant collection of online games about science, which could be used to help people learn more about specific ideas, as well as to explore ideas of game design and engagement. (23) Through all this science it is important to remember the ideas of Mayer and Harris, that first and foremost the games have to be fun. Zombie Climate Apocalypse (24) run by The Edge at the State Library of Queensland may seem an unusual inclusion for science games–however the game is about survival. The players have to problem solve a vast range of survival skills (including water purification) so science is really important. A game like Zombie Apocalypse taps into many library collections (books, dvds and databases with information about the idea of zombies and survival), and can help bring a new range of clients to the library. A game like this can also be used to bring in ideas from places like the USA Centre for Disease Control and its web pages about zombie preparedness (25) which they created as a different way for people to think about disaster preparedness. If you are ready to survive zombies you are probably ready for other natural disasters as well. Science is well suited to education programs involving games, using ideas for partnerships mentioned above. Unlike Orange County Library Service we are not all going to have Otronicon in our area. Otronicon explored the science, art, technology, careers and fun behind videogames, simulation and digital media. Each year, multiple industry partners join the Orlando Science Center to celebrate how digital media technologies impact the way we live, learn, work and play. (26) Orange County Library Service has also been highlighting games as part of its services, and as part of the education program. They have classes teaching game design, but also educating people about the employment possibilities presented by games. (27) We will all have scientists in our communities, no matter how small. It just requires some creative thinking to explore partnerships, and to consider who you might invite to your library as part of a science education program including games, collections and science databases. Games design for all ages This is an area of potential partnership with universities which teach game design (if they are local to your area) or with local games groups. It is a specialist area of education. Some public libraries and museums have been running programs on game design, mainly targeting children and teenagers. There is much underexplored potential for running this kind of education program for adults. It also might be about seeing if you can create a game to help people explore the history of their area so the education elements would be around research (so that the history of the area can be explored), and games design (to see if a meaningful game can be created for the community). This is a specialist area, needing specialist trainers. Be open to the formats you are considering, as the games do not need to be made on computers or even for computers. Board games are a very popular format, as are large scale games outdoors.

Word Choice Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Word Choice Qualitative vs. Quantitative Word Choice: Qualitative vs. Quantitative If you’re studying at college, you’ll hear the terms â€Å"qualitative† and â€Å"quantitative† used at some point. These describe two approaches to research, each of which is associated with different techniques and methods. Mixing up â€Å"qualitative† and â€Å"quantitative† can, therefore, detract from the clarity of your written work. As such, knowing how to use these words correctly is essential. Qualitative (Related to Quality) One sense of the term â€Å"quality† is â€Å"a distinctive characteristic of something.† As such, â€Å"qualitative† means â€Å"related to the quality of something.† In research, this means focusing on the subjective meaning or character of something. In the social sciences, for instance, researchers are often interested in peoples opinions or motivations. A paper in this field might therefore say: This research used a qualitative approach to assess intention to quit among teaching staff. Methods associated with qualitative research include interviews, direct observation, and case studies. Spying on your neighbors doesnt count as qualitative observation, by the way. Quantitative (Related to Quantity) At this point, you won’t be surprised to find out that â€Å"quantitative† means â€Å"related to quantity.† In academic research, this involves working with numerical data (i.e., things that can be counted or analyzed statistically). Quantitative approaches are often associated with the sciences, but they’re also used in everything from marketing research to anthropology (the key factor is using numbers): Population change was estimated using quantitative techniques. The methods used to gather quantitative data vary, though they range from using hi-tech measuring instruments to statistical analysis of survey data. Numbers! Numbers everywhere! Qualitative or Quantitative? â€Å"Qualitative† and â€Å"quantitative† look similar on paper, so it’s easy to mix them up. However, since they cover very different types of research, you must use the correct term when writing up a study, even if using a mixed-methods approach. The important thing is that qualitative research is concerned with subjective meanings (i.e., the quality of something), while quantitative research deals with numbers (i.e., the quantity of something). Remember: Qualitative = Related to subjective human understanding Quantitative = Related to numerical data and statistical analysis

Article summery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article summery - Essay Example With the help of the caregiver, it is important for pregnant women to calculate the estimated delivery date (EDD) by accurate determination of the last menstrual period (LMP) or through an early ultrasonography, which should be carried routinely to establish EDD and lessen the necessity for labor induction. Additionally, accurate dating is imperative for timing screening tests and interventions, as well as for optimum management of complications. The first three months of pregnancy are a time of formation of fetal organs and fetal vulnerability teratogens is very high. For this reason, there is need for counseling about risk behaviors. Other issues for discussion in early pregnancy include air travel, breastfeeding, exercise, hair treatments, hot tubs and saunas, labor and delivery; medications including prescription over-the-counter and herbal remedies; substance use including alcohol, illicit drugs and smoking; sex and workplace. Performance of history and directed physical examina tion is also necessary to detect conditions linked to increased maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Prenatal examination also allows for cervical cancer screening, ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy loss – ectopic pregnancy should be a consideration with the present of risk factors, bleeding or abdominal pain.

For or Against Governing Early Childhood Education through play by Jo Personal Statement

For or Against Governing Early Childhood Education through play by Jo AilWood - Personal Statement Example games, they acquire knowledge on how to control their emotions, and how to transform the large, mystifying world events into a little, controllable status. Play also enables children to improve on their social skills as they assign themselves certain responsibilities and resources. Despite the significance of play in early childhood learning processes, I believe there are some pitfalls to play that need to known to the learning fraternity. I think the significance of the circumstances under which a play is executed has not been anybody’s concern, even as more people continue to advocate for the governmentality of early childhood education through play. Current learning-based plays are only looked upon from the positive perspectives rather than from all sides to ascertain its real significance. Ailwood avers that play in early childhood education has been mired in more rhetoric than tangible results. In most cases, play has fallen short of equipping children with the required skills expected out of such activities (291). Childhood play has been found to be boring, and usually isolating for some children. Additionally, play has been largely entertaining, rather than enhancing the skills of the participants. Play also reduces the role of a teacher to merely keeping an eye on those engaging in bad games and maintaining the hygiene of children who take part in such activity. In light of the valorisation of play, brought about by divisions along social lines, play does not contribute to the unity and social diversity required in learning