Structure and Culture of Small Medium Enterprises

‘The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro.’ (Definition, 2011) Above explained is the new definition reconstructed by European Commission based on the developments to business environment. This was published in the year 2005 in their website further talking about the importance of SME’s to the European community in the report they issued. Looking further into how and why SMEs plays a major role in the business environment the report explains that, the 25 million SMEs provides 75 million jobs covering 99% enterprises in 25 European union countries. Nonetheless, SMEs has to face difficulties in capital and other important factors such as investment loans especially during the early stage which makes it less stable and short period existence for these types of businesses. (Introduction, 2011) However, some determined minds working through this field tend to survive the obstacles faced in the early stage and carry on with the other phases. Usually SMEs have less than 250 employees. This small community also has to have an intranet among them to be updated and connected to each another. One of the most common tools is paper based communication. Paper based communication requires plenty of paper, more procedure, and more time, which is less reliable and difficult to manage. It also has its advantage of having long time proof of records. But that is not the basic factor highly prioritized in today’s business world. As alternatives keeps the place tidy and stores the record internally in any hard disk or any software. Most importantly, company records are much safer where there is more IT involved. Though, communication is a basic factor in every business organization, not every company has established the latest technology of communication. Different industries or companies have communication process based on their level. Like, huge companies use modern and efficient and/or costly ways of communication whereas; small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use alternative modes which are cheaper and more procedure involved means of communication. This report is based on SME’s highlighting their ways of communication with their stake holders and most importantly, upon how they can improve the method of communication with lower cost. Instead of complicated communication systems these SMEs also could rely on more efficient ways which is more IT related. Among every possible upgrade the key factor for SMEs would be to analyze and go with the minimal cost plan. Executive Summary The introduction of the report explains about what exactly are SMEs. This highlights upon the business culture and structure also the methods they could apply in order to upgrade the existing techniques for an easier method of communication. Alongside, coming up with low cost upgrades as SMEs would not have huge amount in their turnover, moreover it would not be valuable for them for spend abundantly on communication within the organization. Hence, I have shared some opinions which they could rely on and at the same time which would fix into their budget. The report further gives explanations on how the SMEs could grow in its scale by following some method to aware the customers of its existence. And what other IT related yet cheaper ways in which they could keep records like, stock, daily sales and attendance. As far as record keeping is concern in a business organization, SMEs also needs to maintain daily stock report and sales report in a daily basis in order to avoid stock imbalance. If stock is not handled well as a daily/weekly, at the end of the year, missing stocks would be numerous and mysterious. This is going to be a hard task for the company to investigate specially for SMEs. The options elaborated in the report helps to identify some different techniques which help to standardize the majority of work done within the organization. The methods are been separately explained on how each can be utilized and the outcome result of it. Most of it talks about the efficient and effectiveness brought by using the methods. Like how to computerized the stock report and the result in quick search of a transaction or any stock details. Also methods on how the SMEs can reach their customers by spending the least amount on advertising. Structure and Culture of an SME SMEs are usually sole traders who have no more than 250 employees and less turnover of Rs50 million and below. (Fernando, R. 2003) The organizational behavior within the SMEs is less formal than of a larger organization. There are no specific standard followed by the employees. Where attendance maybe the only effective factor for any employee. These types of businesses are usually referred as bureaucratic organization, where the manager/owner has high authority in decision making in every aspect without any recommendation and knowledge by the staffs. For instance, owner decides how a shift would work; if/whether the interior has to be changed and to recruit more staffs and so on. Also he plays the leadership role in deciding how to contact with the customer. Like, if the purchase bills has to be made or not and if so how; printed receipts or manual. Taking a look at why smaller and medium enterprises have a less formal routine is due to cost cutting, result in manual work with cheaper materials to work and also they do not keep a record of day to day business other than the cash-flow. Cash flow records are also maintained in a log book where the cashier list down the items sold, each one separately till the end of the day. And what if a customer needs the receipt? They get a manual receipt with company stamped and purchase details hand written by the cashier, costing more time work and procedure. Meanwhile, the owner keeps a record of bulk purchase in his logbook noting it down after every purchase. This kind of record keeping is difficult to maintain if they want to find something quickly. Moreover, human errors and easy going behavior of a staff may lead to mysterious results of stock imbalance. The external communication; customer communication is preferably poor in SMEs as they do very less advertisements and direct approach to the customers are almost nil regarding its existence. Most of its customers may not know if they have a new stock or introduce a new brand and so on. To be in contact more with the customers is the only way a business can run successfully. But as I have mentioned earlier that SMEs would not prefer any expensive methods of communicating within its organization, below are some upgrades they could bring on in order to connect with the customers and have more efficient way of communicating within the organization. Additionally, some advanced system to keep record. Improved procedure within the business Method 1 Though it has been a tradition to SMEs to keep paper records, they could switch to more IT based information storage. The owner could purchase sales software which is user friendly and easy to train cashiers and/or related department like stores. The registration of the software can be made annually with an annual payment method based on the license to use it. Thus, stock can be maintained in this specific platform at the same time encoding items can result for easy access. Sales software would not be of high cost as it has to be paid annually and compared to the ease it makes in maintaining the majority of the work. Thus, the SME’s would save much time on stock maintaining in efficient way which is more effective; most importantly, with low cost. Method 2 If sales software is considered as high cost per annum simple spreadsheet documentation can be maintained by help of a Microsoft excel expert. Microsoft excel provides a solution to store and calculate the raw data by customized formulas also with the help of the in-built formulas available in the software itself helps to solve minor calculations. It has the potential to create a spreadsheet of raw data into flowcharts, tables and reports to bring a better understanding. The cells are editable which enables to reenter if any changes have to be made. A sales chart can be made in terms of a day, week, month or a year based on their preference. If a company preferred to list down the sales and the stock details in a daily basis, they could include different days tagged in different tabs. While creating different excel documents for different months. Hence, any record can be searched easily with shortcut keys. Meanwhile the SME can keep a good record also record keeping method would be more efficient. SMEs connecting with customers The reason behind low interaction between SMEs and its’ customer is also is to avoid expenses while running business. Bad assumption of SMEs is that communicating to the customers through advertisements are overheads to the company, in fact the attraction gained by the customers would only cause them to have more trade and eventually more profit. To obtain these, SMEs can integrate with modern and IT related communication system which would cost them a lower rate. Method 1 Not only internet can be used as a tool to market but also mobile advertising can be the best and more direct way of approaching to the customer personally. The company can register corporateSMS service from a local telecommunication centre. It helps to forward the same text message with many recipients at the same time. This service can be used to notify the customers for new stock arrivals and so on. News spreads easily, thus a single text message can reach the news to a family and close friends. Overall another 5-10 people would be aware of the news. This makes the direct communication more useful and effective. Method 2 Online marketing is the leading method in modern community. It has become so common that the SMEs also could hire an UI designer to build a platform for their business on the web. This could provide their information regarding the business and products available. Updating the website helps the customers to be familiar with the present availability. There are many web hosting companies which sometimes charge less than $10 per annum. This is quite very few amounts to spend in order to collect more customer and profit to the business. Method 3 Why spend a cent when you can advertise for free? The organization can created a web page about themselves on social networking sites, most common; the Facebook. Owning a page does not require any payment. Numerous amounts of people can search and go through the page as Facebook is in fact, the top rated social networking site where over billions of active users login almost daily. Hence, the chance of more people viewing the page is high and meanwhile, they get to know about the location, service and products available in the organization. The page can be more attractive if company could share pictures of products to make it more helpful the buyers. The details like, history of the organization, mission/vision/objectives and how the customers can contact can also be also included as more details in the information tab provided. Hence this method of online marketing can help to reach more customers without costing any. Method 4 Apart from advertising to the customer, a proof of purchase is required when a customer makes a transaction. In most SMEs a receipt is not provided unless the customer request for it. Hand written slip with a seal of company is how they usually provide it. In my opinion along with sales software they would be able to link to a POS (point of Sales) centre thus a computer generated receipt can be printed through a receipt printer. This method would help both the customer and company to minimize the time of sales. Recommendation Based on the methods mentioned above, my recommendation on how the SMEs could manage their stock is by using a sales software as this is a computer programmed method the chance of mistakes are less compared to using an excel sheet to write down the records manually. Plus, the purchase bill or receipt can be automatically printed after every sales entry if required which leads to a more reliable and quick sale. Thereby, providing the customer a proof and the system detects a sale been done and automatically adjust the balance amount. In the excel sheet this could also be done using the formulas yet it is not reliable if not well maintained. And in most situations daily maintenance cannot be done since the manual work is larger than the automatic level. In case of the sales software technique the normal selling routine goes parallel with the automatic generating of the stock report. It makes the handling procedure much easier and effective. Talking about the marketing point, since Facebook requires none to create a page in the website, this can be easily done to promote its business. This method is the highest effective way because the website is a well-known platform for almost every region. Hence, people around the world will get to know the company and by chance the SMEs could also grow larger in their business according to the income and time. The second best choice I recommend is to register with corporateSMS and to directly approach for customers. This could be done by introducing a visitors’ book and recording the basic information of the customer like; name, contact and preferred item. While the company receives new stock they could text specific group of people with common interest of item, thus the same message can be delivered in bulk. This kind of advertising is more direct and effective. Conclusion Effective communication is the base of the business. If the communication process is reliable then the company can run smoothly. Running a smooth business requires sufficient ways to overcome any conflicts. Any loop holes has to be fixed; starting with the procedure within the company and how to interact with its stakeholders. If a good policy can be retained then the SMEs would also be a well-established part of the society. Rather, having to discontinue soon after starting the business. The success story comes with strong determination; the willingness of a person is all it counts. The report has been highlighted with few methods to improve the existing nature of the SMEs to produce a better procedure to them for their future. Ways in which they could rely on making more profit by spending a small amount of money. Let me conclude by saying that, in my opinion these methods to upgrade the existing techniques followed by SMEs would help them save more time and minimize errors and mistakes from sales maintaining. SMEs can develop their existing communication process within the organization for an efficient and effective system, where they could easily communicate with its customers also within the business community. The opinions mentioned are of low cost also more efficient and convenient to run a small and medium enterprise for a better communication to the organization.

American Literature Order

As I lay dying by William Faulkner tells the story of the death of Addie Bundren and the trials her family undergoes as they carry her body to Jefferson, Mississippi, for her burial. Addie’s husband, Anse; her four sons, Cash, Darl, Jewel and Vardaman; her, daugter Dewey Dell; and several neighbors all reveal their relationship to Addie in the course of the story. A series of mishaps besets the family; in crossing a flooding river. The mules drown, Cash’s leg is broken, and the coffin is upset and rescued by Jewel.Later, in the story the family rests at a farmhouse, where Darl sets fire to the barn, in an  attempt to destroy the now-putrescent corpse; again the coffin is rescued by Jewel. The family reaches Jefferson to bury Addie; Karl is taken to the insane asylum, and Anse acquires a new wife. It is revealed in the course of the narrative that Jewel was born of Addies illicit affair with Whitfield, who is local preacher.Addie’s relationship to Anse had been spiritually and emotionally barren of feelings, and was based on words alone. Significally, Jewel is a silent man and is active and passionate, while Darl is sensitive and is perceptive, as he is living inside the world of his own mind.The story unfolds in some sixty short sections, each labeled with the name of the character who is to narrate his or her thoughts and perceptions next. Like THE SOUND AND THE FURY, Faulkner, utilizes the stream of conscious technique. AS I LAY DYING is a grim story of the ordeals of fire and water, the novel is often called comic, ending with the new wife, who is â€Å"Duck-shaped† and popeyed. The point of view in Faulkner’s AS I LAY DYING I find is an experiment in narrative Page 2 writing. The language in which Faulkner utilizes with each character as they turnsnarrating the story is highly subjective and highly. Each character having a recognizable change in their individual voice. Each character lends a different characteristic to t heir section from confessional to a stream of consciousness. The novel itself is a collection of inner monologues, which consists of fragmented passages that piece together Addie Brundren’s story of her death and the transport of her body to Jefferson. The story demonstrates unity, although the narrative appears fragmentary. The story is limited to the span of only a few days, and the sub-plots are interwovenlogically. It is to the reader’s advantage that the authors innovative unified set of events forces the reader to look at the story from different perspectives, from which are highly subjective. Faulkner made use some of this technique first in THE SOUND OF THE FURY. However in AS I LAY DYING, he provides the reader with an even greater range of voices. Additionally, THE SOUND AND THE FURY, also provides a clearer distinction between reliable and unreliable sources. The voices in AS I LAY DYING are many and ambiguous. Darl is the first narrator and most important o f the novel. He is alsosensitive, intuitive, and intelligent. His monologues are more eloquent and represent the most intricate representation of the process of thought. Some of the other interior monologues are straightforward, except Darl’s, which is more of a stream-of- consciousness. One of the challenges of the novel is the complete absence of an objective perspective. All we learn about the characters in the novel is told to us through the eyes of a subjective narrator, because of Darl’s sensitivity and isolation from the other Page 3 characters involved in the story. The readers relay on his version of the events happeningin the story. Darl is eloquent and intelligent and is also isolated. Isolation plays a recurring role in the novel. The novels unique structure highlights the characters isolation. An example of this is when Darl tells the readers what he alone can observe, and his isolation is the most poetic and the most tragic. The readers feel, from the ver y first section, the strong sensory and sensual images in Faulkner’s novel. Although the novel takes the form of interior monologues, each character in the novel is powerfully influenced, in their own way by the physicality of their own place in the world.The place in society, women have during the time of the novel are pieus, Isolated, lonely and annoying to the reader and the other characters in the book. Dewey’s Dell isolation is apparent in her narrative. The only daughter of the family, Addie’s death leaves her as the sole female. This role might explain the possessiveness she feels as she watches over Addie. She is lonely, isolated and is suffering from it. Some part of her excepts and enjoys this isolation. She resents and fears Darl because he intuitively understands her isolation and can see her secrets. Dewey Dell seems partial to Darl mostof the time. Both enjoy a closeness and love that is evident to the others in the family. However, she voices rese ntment in the first section; that explains her actions later in The in the novel. â€Å"And That’s why I can talk to him with knowing with hating because he knows. † (23) In the character of Cora Tull, Cora’s self-righteous and irritating piety comes through clearly. Her daughter Kate seems healthier in comparison as she complains Page 4 about the insensitivity of the rich. Cora’s attitude of acceptance seems kind at first, however turning out to be self-righteous and angry in the end.Cora continues to tell the reader about the cakes, thinking about them again without reason and continuing to take comfort in the power of God â€Å"Who can see into the heart. † (4) Cora’s interior monologue is she does not have to judge the rich because God will. Kate, and Eula are preoccupied with Cash, Darl, and Jewel and the possibility of future matrimony. Kate speaks with some scorn about Jewel’s fiery nature. Kate also speaks with scorn about Ans e, predicting that if Addie dies Anse will find a new wife before cotton-picking time. Darl narrates the death of Addie Brundren.He tells the readers that Addie wanted to see Jewel. Anse informs her Jewel and Darl have gone off to ship lumber. Addie calls out to Cash, he fits two boards together for her to see. She looks at Vardaman, and it seems as if the light leaps back into her eyes, then suddenly goes dead. Weeping hysterically, Dewey Dell throws herself on her mother’s dead body while Vardaman, terrified, slips out from his mother’s room. Religion plays a role in these characters lives by way of the author who is critical of the religious characters of the book in a sense they are often blinded by theirown piety. Many of the characters muse about God and man throughout the novel. Faulkner seems to be critical of simplistic Christianity. Eg: Minister Whitfield is revealed as a self-satisfied hypocrite who is hiding his transgression with Addie and yet is maintains that he has wrestled with devil and won. Cora’s piety grows increasing annoying throughout the novel especially when it becomes clear she ignores any fact which will contradict her beliefs. The Tulls and Peabody’s provide valuable outsider Page 5 perspective. They universally condemn Anse, for his laziness and weakness. Tullnotes that one can always tell Anse shirts apart: â€Å"There are no sweat stains, the implication being that Anse never works. † (27) Meanwhile the Bundren’s opinions vary. Cora is extremely fond of Darl, she sees a sensibility and gentleness in him than any other Bundren. So much so that she seems to have illusions about him. She believes he begged to stay with Addie instead of delivering the lumber. She claims in her monologue that Vernon had told her too, while in Vernon’s own monologue we get the exchange with Darl. As Vernon’s Tull’s monologue depicts it, Darl hesitates and seems sad aboutleaving while Addie dies, however he does not beg. This example highlights the complexity of the characters In AS I LAY DYING. The readers listen to the strong opinions of how each character feels about the other. Interior monologue is usually emphasized far more than dialogue. While dialogue is used to reveal the way the characters would provide more objective evidence, we would lose the psychological complexity of the character portraits. Faulkner depicts the structure of what the novel suggests, real intimacy and tenderness are close to impossible in the Bundren family.Work and reality of poverty darken all aspects of life, hope, and longing are always expressed alone. The family lives in squalor with cramped conditions, and yet isolation is one of the families trademark. For eg: Darl reflects on his boyhood, and the first time he’s masturbated. Cash is sleeping not a few feet away, however Darl does not know if Cash is doing the same thing. Solitary masturbation in the dark is the only glim pse we get of Darl’s and sexuality. Addie’s death reminds us again of the harshness of rural poverty. The Page 6 themes of poverty and work run through the novel.Motherhood depicted in the novel is is life-destroying venture, without life or happiness. Peabody says of Addie and her fierce unspoken insistence that he leave the room: â€Å"Seem them women like Addie, drive from the room them coming with sympathy and pity, with actual help, and clinging to Trifling animal to which they never were more pack-horses† (41) Even more striking is the description of Addie’s hands. â€Å"The hands alone still with any semblance life, are curled, gnarled inertness; a spent yet alone quality from which weariness, exhaustion, travail has not departed, as though they doubted even yetthe actuality of rest, guarding with horned and penurious alertness the cessation which they know cannot last. † (46). Addie’s hands bear the mark of her hard life on Earth. De wey Dell’s thoughts are very muddled in the book. She doesn’t speak with the complicated, and eccentricity of Darl, however instead in a voice near-hysterical with worry. Her mother’s death is deeply painful to Dewey Dell. She throws herself upon Addie’s dead body, with an unexpected intensity. She has lost her lover, who has abandoned her and left her pregnant. Dewey Dell’s isolation is clear however she is soUsed to being alone that she begins to resent people’s intrusions. Darl earns her resentment for example, because of how intimately he understands her. Even more Intrusive is the baby growing in her womb, which leads Dewey Dell to realize she must begin to worry about finding a way to end her pregnancy. The third section of the novel has Vardaman narrating. He is disturbed by the idea of shutting Addie up in the coffin. He speaks as if confused about the wonders of town and the mysteries of his mother’s death. He doesn’t understand he’s a country Page 7boy and why there is a difference between the city life and the country life. He doesn’t understand the idea of death and his thoughts are confused when he compares Addie’s dead body to a dead fish. He feels the need to get Vernon, because he thinks Vernon saw the fish. A storm has began as Tull narrates. He is woken by Peabody’s passing team. Cora hears the noise and thinks Addie has passed. She wants to hitch up and go to help, but Tull prefers to wait until they are called. Vardaman, arrives at the door dripping wet and speaking incoherently about fish. His babbling is strange and eerie, andTull shares in the reader’s reaction. â€Å"I’ll be durn if it didn’t give me the creeps. † (63). Both Vardaman and Darl are taken by questions of being, consciousness, and identity. His mother’s death has only added confusion to these questions; Vardaman does not understand how something that  "is† can become a â€Å"was. † In other words destructive power of time. The terror of morality, and the mystery of no longer ceasing to exit on Earth becomes it is too much to handle for Vardaman. In his mind, his mother has become something else. Vardaman, turns death into a transformation. Eg: his mother is a fish.He imagines her as a rabbit, because she has gone far away, just like rabbits. He is also disturbed by the fact that they are going to eat the fish. Vardaman struggles to find teleology for the events around him. He tries to connect what happens to reasons, when in fact often things happen for no good reason at all. He blames his mother’s death on Peabody, because he believes Peabody’s arrival preceded his mother’s death. His reasoning though clearly incorrect, however it is much more reasonable than the rest of the characters explanations and thoughts in the novel. Reference Site: AS I LAY DYING By William Faulkner.

Brief a case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Brief a - Case Study Example Despite the presence of a valid handgun permit the officer issued Washington a summons to show in court. The key issue is that of Melvin Washington’s interlocutory appeal in retaliation of the court’s denial of his motion that demands that all evidence discovered while the vehicle was searched be repressed. He states that the search was in direct violation of the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution and also that of Article 1, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution. On November 12, 2008, Washington was charged by the State for the possession of marijuana, as a Class A offense and a Class C infraction for not having fully functional headlights. On 29th April, 2009, Washington appealed to suppress the drugs found in his vehicle. This motion was denied by the court on the 18th of May, after an analysis of evidence and briefs from both parties. However the court accepted Washington’s interlocutory appeal in August. The justification for the bases of the decision taken by the court is primarily focused on placing a paramount importance on officer safety. The action taken by Officer Reynolds was therefore relevant as he conducted a search for the weapon in order to ensure his safety. There are divergent opinions pertaining to the case mostly because of the lack of a warrant obtained in order to search the vehicle when no prior suspicion was aroused and Washington has cooperated to the fullest. Hence there was no legitimate concern for the officers safety or any solid bases to believe if any crime was or had been conducted. Based on this notion the search was illegal and hence the evidence it resulted in should have been

Tesco Company Structure and Leadership Assignment

Tesco Company Structure and Leadership - Assignment Example All these executive staff reports to the Group CEO and the Board of Directors. TESCO has very many executive positions a fact that reflects the group’s complex operations. Tesco is organized hierarchically with and its organizational structure takes the shape of a very tall pyramid. The Tesco could not have chosen a better leader that Philip Clarke to head the world second largest grocery chain in the competitive business environment. Clarke began his career at Tesco in 1974 and has developed his leadership skills in the Tesco management training programme (Tesco PLC 2014). His wide experience in Retail management is one of his greatest strengths as the CEO of Tesco. Since his appointment as the CEO in March 2011, Tesco revenue has grown substantially and the supermarket has overtaken Carrefour to occupy the position of world largest retail chain by revenue collection and profitability. Tesco offers its customers a range of products and services and has come with several new Store concepts in the UK and in other locations where it operates (Lowe and Wrigley 2009). Tesco today offers a cheap alternative and premium quality good in its own-label product range. Tesco’s finest line of food labels offers the best quality products at the highest level (Humby, Hunt and Phillips 2008). Tesco’s main revenue bases have been mainly food items but they have recently diversified into the non-food market. Recently, retail chains have realized that non-food items have higher profit margins than food items (Seth and Randall 2001). By 2004, Tesco was earning 20% of their sales revenue from non-food items (Humby, Hunt and Phillips 2008). Clothing is among the fastest growing Tesco revenue streams with Cherokee, Florence and Fred capturing more than 4 percent market shares in their first year of introduction (Ma, Ding and Hong 2010).

Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion - Essay Example he Sealing of the Servants of God who are the 144,000 and the multitude; chapters 8 and 9 is about the Altar and Prayers, the Trumpets, and the Woes; chapter 10 is about the Mighty Angel and the open sweet bitter Book; chapter 11 discusses The Temple and the Two Witnesses; chapter 12 is about the Woman and the Dragon, the Church, and the 7 battles lost by Satan; chapter 13 is about the Two Beasts from sea and earth and the Antichrist; chapter 14 speaks of the Triumph of Christ with the 144,000, the Condemned and the Harvest; chapter 15 is about the Victorious, the Victory over the Beast; chapter 16 is about the 7 Last Plagues (or 7 Bowls, 7 Cups, 7 Vials); chapter 17 talks of the Woman on the Beast and Babylon, the Great Harlot; chapter 18 talks of the Doomed City, Babylons complete fall; chapter 19 deals with Armageddon, the King of kings on the white horse, the quadruple Alleluia and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; chapter 20 discusses the Millennium and the Great White Throne Jud gment; chapter 21 deals with the New Jerusalem and the New heaven and New Earth; and chapter 22 talks of the New Jerusalem and the River of Life (Dominguez 2006). Bible scholars have different interpretations of the Book of Revelations. Some say it is a description of the difficult times that the Israelites were going through during the Old Testament and ends with the birth of Christ. On the other hand, some scholars say it is about the journey that the New Testament Christians are going through beginning with Christ’s birth until His final return to take the believers with Him. What ever is the standpoint of these Bible scholars, the fact remains that as seen through the themes of each chapter of the Book of Revelation there is a pattern of a flow of events from dark to light. The dark times represent the difficult times and the light is the hope that finally someday all these trials will come to an end and that happiness will at last be attained for â€Å"He will wipe every tear

Doctorate of business administration in international business (DBA) Personal Statement

Doctorate of business administration in international business (DBA) - Personal Statement Example In fact, I had never heard of these terms, and did not think it was necessary to carry out such activities. Consequently, as you can imagine, I lost all my money from that experience. Fortunately, my parents were still financially supporting me, and I wasn’t responsible for a wife and children, car payments, or rent, etc. I was grateful that I still had a roof over my head, but I felt like a complete fool. I vowed then and there not to let that happen to me again. I learned some very important lessons from the above-mentioned debacle, especially about greed. Slow, steady earnings that keep pace with your life are just fine. Investments that yield higher profits more quickly are nice but they are also inherently risky. Using the Madoff scandal as a model of what not to do as an investor, I know now that diversification of assets is essential. Putting all your eggs in one basket so to say is never a wise practice in the world of investment. There are just too many uncontrollable and uncertain variables that could take down any one company or industry. I learned from my failures in investing. With a long career ahead of me, I can afford to take some risks, but should also focus on building a stable, long-term portfolio. On a much larger scale, this is the best time to be studying the failures of our economic systems and how we can build stronger, more secure ones for the future. It is clear that having a comprehensive knowledge of the law is as important as studying business alone. It is also important to do business with trustworthy institutions, and to do extensive preliminary research, such as through examining the company’s own as well as independent reports. In the past, we could rely on reputable brokerage firms, stockbrokers, and the advice of successful friends, but this is no longer an option, and calls for greater international regulatory and enforcement agencies have been

Laboratory Medecine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Laboratory Medecine - Essay Example Further, they stain slides and perform routine tests on the blood's tissues, fluids, and other components. Also, the work involves keeping records, cleaning and sterilizing equipments as well as the use of microscopes, computers and other lab technologies to gather data. This data is used to determine the absence or presence and/or the cause of diseases. The duties also involve handling delicate substances and experiments with utmost care, having an open mind to cater to various perspectives before arriving at a conclusion and various such aspects that have to do with serving human kind. Coming to the decision of entering the field of laboratory medicine was not an easy or clear cut call for me. The preliminary reason why I chose this field of the many career options lurking before me, was the fact that I needed to learn while helping people around me. I would like to understand how the very basic elements of our bodies work and how we can make a difference through research. It is my natural instinct to make a difference towards human kind and this kind of a role helps me learn about varied related fields like molecular virology and immunology to name a few. I feel that these reasons in part also contribute to the fact that I am well suited for this line of work. I feel I will be ready to take on any challenge and come out a more enriched person. Also, my educational background and exposure as well as basic interests lie in this field which makes me a suitable candidate for such a career choice. 3. What are your career goals My career goals in life are very simple. I would like to begin by studying in order to enter the field of laboratory medicine as it is a life long learning process. To begin with I would like to enter the medical laboratory technology program through an associate degree. From here, I would like to proceed towards becoming a student in the clinical laboratory technology program. As a medical laboratory technician, I would like to most of all work in a team and build a niche filled with competent people. As a career, I plan on using my skills in laboratory medicine for the overall betterment of mankind and towards making far reaching contributions to the field of medicine and healing in general. My career will be nothing without these

Case study biomedical science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study biomedical science - Essay Example He was required to undergo splenectomy and surgical repair to the liver, lungs, and kidneys. A septic shock is defined as a continuum response of human being to infection. It is predominantly caused by gram negative organisms. The most common source of gram negative infection is the genitourinary system, followed by the respiratory system, and lastly, by the biliary system (Schwatz 1994). Plasma sodium concentration is the primary measurement that is available readily to the clinician in evaluating the fluid status of a patient. Under many conditions, it is a reasonable indicator of plasma osmolarity. Although plasma osmolarity is not measured routinely due to sodium and its associated anions that is mainly chloride, it accounts for more than 90% of the solute of extracellular fluid. Hypernatremia is a condition when the plasma sodium concentration is above normal. On the other hand, hyponatremia occurs when the plasma sodium concentration falls below normal level (Guyton and Hall 1996:308). This patient has hyponatremia (plasma sodium concentration of 132mmol/L) that is caused primarily by trauma and volume depletion. In addition, the high amount of potassium in the blood of the patient (6.8mmol/L) is linked significantly with renal dysfunction and haemolytic anaemia. The renal dysfunction could be from severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance secondary to septic shock. Blood urea is an indicator of renal function. Increased urea concentration exhibited by the patient (10mmol/L) is due to enhanced protein metabolism, a normal reaction of trauma injury, stress, haemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract, and sepsis (RNCeus 2006). Creatinine clearance is a test that gives an estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is a good indicator of renal function. Increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels support the diagnosis of septic shock (Health Diseases 2008). Plasma bilirubin measures

Envisioning America & What Caused the Pueblo Revolt Essay - 2

Envisioning America & What Caused the Pueblo Revolt - Essay Example With this New England, we can rid our country of the offal that can work on the land whilst bringing riches to the emptied coffers of the Treasury. Moreover, the potential wealth from this country could launch more ships in the efforts to expand Her Majesty’s empire. Once the Treasury will bear the fruit of the rewards of this New England and we can rid our country of the criminal peasants stirring trouble in the North and Scotland, Her Majesty will be eternally grateful to our efforts in conquering this new territory. The only problem I can see in appropriating this New England to Her Majesty’s territory is the natives. I hear that there are nearly a million of them living between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. On the journey to New England, I heard numerous stories from the other travellers of these natives being barbarians, worshipping pagan gods that wear no clothes. At worst, I heard that these natives were warriors engaging in cannibalism and anti Christian practice. However, on arrival to this abundant new territory, most surprising and most welcome have been the natives in their unconditional hospitality. Whilst unusual in appearance and their religious beliefs clearly far from the trueth, they are far removed from the barbarians and haughty people seen in pictures back in England. Indeed, they are friendly, loving and faithful and void of treason. Yet their religious practice is pagan and they lack enlightenment. What they don’t know at home in England is that there are many different tribes amongst these natives, all with different cultures and different practices. Their nature leads me to believe that we shall be able to reform their religious ways and be faithful to the Christian religion, but the task will not be easy. The different tribes believe in different gods and have developed

Outline the history of excavation and interpretation at Great Essay

Outline the history of excavation and interpretation at Great Zimbabwe. What does this history tell us about colonialist ideolog - Essay Example At the Ruanga and Chipadze ruins, cattle were important. Five of the excavated ruins have produced dates that suggest they were all built and occupied between the beginning of the fourteenth and the end of the fifteenth centuries. Some have been dated as late as the sixteenth century (Fagan, 1984). In terms of development in the colonial era, the church offered education and what would today be known as "development" for Africans on the model of charitable church acts. These historical ties laid the foundations for modern development efforts: Christian missions worked arm-in-arm with the state to provide education as well as agricultural training in attempts to "educate" Africans, and at the same time, to create a passive, productive rural labor force for colonial capitalism. There has been widespread scholarship on colonial missions in Africa (Hall, & Bombardella, 2005). The colonial era was marked by the efforts of the state to control the work of missionaries, and by tensions of i nvolvement between missionaries and colonial administrations. These dynamics are important not only in terms of historical context, but as points of reference, as they are noticeable in the modern work of Christian NGOs. In southern Rhodesia, missionaries worked in collaboration with colonial administrators, bargaining with Cecil Rhodes, the head of the British South Africa Company, for land to build schools, chapels, in addition to hospitals (Shepherd, 2002). The system of indirect rule positioned local rulers in opposition to missionaries. Although missions served the colonial regime by intervening the spread of Western culture as well as morally legitimizing colonial rule, they also undermined the regimes dependence on customary authority and "heathen" practices. In northern Rhodesia, this turned volatile, when native catechists worked in opposition to the traditions of the customary rulers supported by British indirect rule. To the extent that the command of African chiefs depen ded on the culture as well as customary infrastructure of social life, missionaries produced a novel type of "disorder" from the perspective of the colonial administration in the form of millennial movements. Garlake, (1982) documents how in South Africa, as missionaries advocated nonconformist native relations as well as abolitionist movements, they were placed in opposing and collaborative relationships with the colonial and settler states (Hall, 1995). After independence and through the newly formed socialist state, ZANU-PF renewed and transformed dialogues of community development from development-as-charity in the colonial era to development as the right of Zimbabwean citizens. In so doing, the state faced a challenge of legality as it required gaining authority over a rural population that had been politicized in opposition to the Rhodesian state during the war (Piriyaki, 1999). As the mission-educated African elite came to power in recently independent socialist Zimbabwe, the church once again (as in the colonial era) was politically associated with the state. In the early years of independence, doctrines of Christian socialism imposed a welfare state that promised to relieve economic inequalities created by colonialism and to bring fairness to all Africans (Fontein, 2006). This period saw a large propagation of NGO activity in Zimbabwe as the

Technology Solutions for Human Services Essay Example for Free

Technology Solutions for Human Services Essay There are numerous barriers in every aspect of human service; they vary as much as the clients themselves. These barriers can come in many areas of human service like services, planning, funding, or empowerment. Every human service agent needs to look at each barrier as a personal challenge. This will help the agent find an application that could overcome the barriers. Three main barriers are technology, perceived differences, actual differences, and finances. There are numerous types of barriers that also can be the solution such is the case with technology. If an agency is behind the times their equipment may be slow, not efficient, and not work properly. This can cause loss of information, irritation, or cause client frustrations. â€Å"As resource-strapped human services agencies face countercyclical demand, leaders are exploring emerging technology applications to improve efficiency and capacity. They know they must serve increasingly connected customers who expect immediate, convenient access. They recognize that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has provided additional resources that, if deployed strategically, can enhance modernization. They know too that they must drive coordination and collaboration to truly integrate human services delivery. Despite these imperatives, technology decisions in human services can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged down in a swirl of concerns — from financing and infrastructure to security and compliance. But in planning an IT agenda, human services agencies should specifically focus on four opportunity areas where the fish are swarming — and all else will follow† (Swaminathan, 2012). The solution could be updating it, but this can cause other barriers like finances, maintaining equipment, parts, accessories needed to make technology work, staff training, staff rejection, resistance, human errors while learning, and the issues of incorporating new techniques. Sometimes it is just adding a small program that can increase accessibility to tools that can make an organization run smoother. Like adding a Microsoft suite package r office package that would cost a smaller amount then rewriting entire programs, but would assist with tools like excel, word, Powerpoint, or adding something like a camera and a free chat service like Skype. †Everyone would like to do more with less. Regardless of the service an agency provides, every organization is looking for faster and more efficient ways to provide that service. In many ways, technological advancements have allowed organizations to increase productivity; however, in human service organizations, technology can impede organizational effectiveness† (Goliday, 2013). Issues in technology can have compounded issues like causing communication problems and service issues as well. So when considering technology an agency needs to realize how much technology can be a barrier if not used correctly. Another barrier can be the infusion of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Some of the barriers created by this can affect different aspects of both the client and the agent. It can touch services, planning, funding, and empowerment. There can be a different set of beliefs, practices, language skills, communication, and translation issues. There also can be barriers in health beliefs, attitudes, time orientation, and concepts of achievement (Scheppersa, Dongenb, Dekkerc, Geertzend, Dekkere, 2006). â€Å"Everyone has a basic right to health care. This is a principle that all people should share and all nations should strive for. Achieving this goal means working to break down the barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need. Sometimes those barriers have to do with resources, when people can’t afford the treatments they need. Sometime those barriers have to do with geography, for example when people live in rural areas with little access to health care providers. And sometimes those barriers have to do simply with who people are – and that’s what we’re here to talk about today† (Sebelius, 2012). The barriers can extend into areas of respect, hand gestures, and word meaning. Some barriers that come with ethnic and culture groups are values concerning health, illness, perceptions, knowledge of physiology, knowledge of disease, religious practices, personal resources, immigration rules, income/financial means, health insurance, knowledge of services available, perception, health practices, traditional, and self-treatment (Scheppersa, Dongenb, Dekkerc, Geertzend, Dekkere, 2006). Any of these or any combination can cause barriers for the client and the agent. The way to work with these would be raising awareness, educating, learning, and remember that no one view is right. â€Å"The barriers are all tied to the particular situation of the individual patient and subject to constant adjustment. In other words, generalizations should not be made† (Scheppersa, Dongenb, Dekkerc, Geertzend, Dekkere, 2006, Pp. 325-348). These barriers can cause all sorts of new barriers like emotional distancing, client may become removed, depression, fear, communication may break down, and loss of empowerment. This leads to barriers of perceived differences and orientations. Overcoming perceptions can be a huge barrier to health services. An agent’s own beliefs and opinions kind of need to take a backseat to the needs of his or her client. This can sometimes be harder than almost any other barrier because an individual always wants to share his or her opinions. An agent needs to set aside beliefs on age, sexual preference, mental status, criminal activity, and sometimes their opinion on almost every topic, view, opinion, and stereotype because to help a client those personal barriers cannot exist. Another barrier is finances with the economy and all the budget cuts, it makes an agent’s job all the harder. They have to struggle with service cuts and older equipment to help their clients and their clients suffer because of the lack of funds. Agents need to use the tools they have available to find the things he or she needs like using the Internet to find resources or free tools to help out his or her clients and agency. Barriers can overwhelm a person completely and block his or her way, but agents need to remember the struggle is for the people he or she is helping. Some barriers affect small areas and some large. There are barriers that the solution itself creates other barriers. As an agent faces these personal challenges, he or she needs to focus on the needs of his or her clients. As they struggle over each barrier, they need to know that one barrier can lead to another, but there are solutions available they just need to be found.

Religion in Ancient China Essay Example for Free

Religion in Ancient China Essay The earliest information found about religion in ancient China is during the Shang Dynasty and so religion in the Xia dynasty remains unknown. Religious beliefs and rituals were prominent during the Shang Dynasty. The most significant deity was Shang Ti, Ti meaning ‘Deity Above’ or the ‘Lord on High’. He ruled as a supreme god over all the other gods and spirits. The gods and spirits were believed to symbolize objects found in nature; the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain, everything from mountains and rivers to the stars in the night sky. Ti is believed to have punished those who disobeyed or offended him and rewarded those who pleased him. It is said that Ti formed a noble court in heaven consisting of all deceased worthy ancestors. The Chinese’s belief in family harmony was associated to belief in the afterlife. The ancestors who were considered commendable served Ti, helping him govern the world. Ancestors were also worshipped and were said to act a mediators between the gods and humankind. It was thought that if ancestors were appropriately honoured, respected, and provided for, they would promote the familys prosperity. A favour or grievance to a member of the family was considered a favour or grievance to the ancestors; consequently, people were reluctant to offense or harm descendants of a powerful family. It was believed that in the afterlife they would live in a celestial court in many ways similar to their earthly courts. Each Chinese family was expected to have an ancestral shrine in the centre of their home to honour and venerate their ancestors. Sacrifice to the gods and the ancestors were also a major part of the Shang religion. When a ruler died, slaves and officials were sacrificed with them in order to guarantee that their afterlife would be the same or similar as their life on earth. People were also sacrificed in smaller numbers when significant events, such as the founding of a palace or temple, took place. Along with their deceased ancestors, the Chinese had people on earth who acted as mediators between the celestials and the human race. Priests were among these intermediates and were responsible for a number of tasks including reading prayers and overseeing sacrifices and funerals. An augur is another type of mediator, responsible for asking gods questions on behalf of humans using various practices of foretelling to unearth the answers. The use of oracle bones was the most notable form of divination. The augur would ask the question, punching holes into the bone, usually the shoulder-bone from an ox, and in some cases the shell of a tortoise. The bone would then be held over a fire, until cracks appeared. These cracks would be made more evident by rubbing ink over the bone. The augur could now read the cracks and determine the answer of the god. Records of the questions and answers of readings were engraved on the bone. Questions on these oracle bones included issues of weather, warfare, agriculture, hunting, childbirth, and sacrifice. In reflection with their agricultural nature, the ancient Chinese use to honour the local deities of soil in order to increase the fertility of earth and to promote the growth of crops. Over time, this practice of earth worship began to dwindle and the veneration of Heaven increased. Divination was considered the only way to determine the requests and future actions of the ruler of Heaven who was also seen as a kind of ancestral figure. The Chinese were animistic and so believed that nature had many spirits. Good spirits, referred to as shen, and bad spirits, referred to as gui, were both thought to dwell in Heaven and Earth. The sun and the rooster were believed to have authority over the gui. This concept of shen and gui later influenced the formation of the yin and yang concept. The people of ancient China believed that there were two contrasting forces abiding in everything in nature; that is yin and yang. This concept was thought to be formed with the influence of the shen and gui concept from earlier ancient China. Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, or tranquil; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime. Yang, on the other hand, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, or aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime. During the time of the Eastern Zhou, religion in China underwent an evolution. The early gods were forgotten and replaced with ideologies that worked as both philosophies and religions. A phenomenon called the ‘Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought’ took place in ancient China. Schools and philosophers flourished around this time and it was dubbed an era of great cultural and intellectual expansion in China. The four most prominent schools of thought that evolved during this epoch were Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism. Confucius was born 551 BC and grew up to become one of the most influential philosophers in Chinese history. Confucianism is a composite philosophy of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought. He built his philosophy around five virtues: compassion, morality, decorum, wisdom and honesty. Compassion was considered the cornerstone, symbolizing loyalty, filial piety, patience and benevolence. He also believed that everyone should be in harmony with one another and establish a society ruled by standard etiquette and conduct. A legendary philosopher by the name of Laozi is believed to have established the religious philosophy of Taoism. The ‘forces of nature’ is the central belief behind the concept of Tao, which is literally translated as the path or the way. Taoism is in many ways the contrary of Confucianism, focusing on the individual within the natural realm rather than the individual within society. It also focuses on the affiliation between humanity and the cosmos, vigour and long life, and wu wei, that is action through inaction, which is said to create harmony with the Universe. Mo Di or Mozi was another Chinese philosopher form the Eastern Zhou period. He was strongly opposed to the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism. Mohism was based on the idea of universal love, ‘everyone is equal before heaven’. Mozi believed that everyone should practice communal love in order to create a heaven on earth. He also believed that an individual’s perception should be the basis of human cognition and not imagination or logic. Mozi advocated abstinence, and therefore opposed music, regarding it as excessive and a waste of resources which could instead be used to help those in need of basic necessities such as food, water and shelter. He even opposed elaborate funerals also regarding it as a waste of money which could be used in more useful matters. He also advocated pacifism thus disapproving of offensive war, only accepting aggressive action to defend the weak. Legalism, while the term itself was invented in the Han dynasty, was one of the major doctrines followed during the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought. It was established by Han Feizi and Li Si and theorizes that the human race is evil and in order to prevent this evil causing chaos, laws need to be put in place. Legalism wasn’t concerned with the nature or purpose of life, not even the welfare of the public; rather it sought the states prosperity and military aptitude. Out of these four philosophies, only Confucianism and Taoism are considered religions by scholars, as only they contain spiritual elements. Confucianism and Taoism both became part of what is now known as The Three Doctrine. Buddhism is the third doctrine however it was imported from India and flourished during Imperial China.

Critique Of Living With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Nursing Essay

Critique Of Living With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Nursing Essay This assignment will be appraising a study by Fraser, D.Kee, C and Minick, P (2006) à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insidersà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ perspectiveà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ , The aim of the study was to gain a better understanding of older people who suffer from severe COPD and their experiences of living with the condition in their daily lives, including techniques used to manage their disease. This knowledge could then be used along with nursing knowledge to aid patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease so they can achieve their maximum quality of life (Fraser et al2006). The appraisal will also include the researcherà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s suitability for carrying out research for the study, the validity, methodology, ethical approval, data collection and analysis as well as sampling methods; it will touch upon what nursing implementations can be taken from the authorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢ „ ¢s findings. Although not much is mentioned in the article to ascertain the suitability of the authors to carry out the study there is one small paragraph in the article at the bottom of the introduction which states the lead author (Fraser, D) had hospital experience in pulmonary nursing which then motivated her into getting a better understanding of the disease from the patients point of view, this form of clinical experience and dedication gives the author some insight into this disease which will contribute to the study (Parahoo 1997 p, 24) upon further investigation one of the other authors has various research interests including Nursing expertise and patient outcomes, Pain management, Phenomenology, Critical care nursing with several national and internationally published papers(Minick 2008), this form of academic achievement improves the rigor of this paper through its trustworthiness and its credibility. According to Parahoo (1997) abstracts are short summaries of information from the study aimed at giving readers enough details of the article so that they may decide whether the article is of interest to them or not. The Fraser article is set out in a similar way to how Parahoo (1997) describes, such as it briefly states the aim of the study, its background, the methodology used in the study, the studyà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s findings and its conclusion, however it does not state what form of sampling was used in the study such as convenience sampling, purposive sampling or snowball sampling, there was also no mention of the type of data analysis that was used during the study as well as no mention of whether the interviews where structured or unstructured (Newell and Burnard 2006). This article is laid out in an organised manner with clear sections which make it easy to follow, these include what the aim of the study are, ità ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s design, how data was collected and analysed, its findings, discussion, study limitations and its conclusion. However there is no section on what recommendations can be made from this study although it is mentioned in the conclusion section. According to Fraser et al hermeneutic phenomenological research was used for the qualitative study due to the way it allowed the researcher to ask the subject a host of open à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ended questions that are focused around the aim of the research study, this unstructured interview technique allows the subject to answer in their own words, this also allows the researcher to ask questions for elaboration on specific areas of the story so that they may get a better understanding of their experience, this in turn can allow intriguing and vivid insight into the patients care and their experiences (Newell and Burnard 2006). However Qualitative research does have its limitations such as the interviews themselves, Parahoo (1997) states that not enough information is given on what actually takes place between interviewer and the subject, this makes evaluating difficult. Secondly as the interviews were semi-structured the subjects may not be asked the same questions which may make yo u question the validity of the findings. Hermeneutic phenomenological research may be problematic when it comes to the rigor of the study itself for example this study may produce different results if the study was conducted on a different day or at a different time due to the subjects experiences being affected due to illness, moods or some other factor that could change (Parahoo 1997). Fraser et al (2006) states Participants were contacted by telephone where a brief explanation about the purpose of the study was given, the article also states that consent was given prior to the interview and that they were interviewed either at the participantà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s home or at the hospitals pulmonary rehabilitation centre. However it does not mention whether it was informed consent that was given and it also makes no mention if the study was clearly explained and understood by the participant (Ryan et al 2007). There is also no mention of the duration of the interviews for example were they carried out over two hours in one day or over several interviews throughout 2003 (Parahoo 1997). Analysing qualitative data can be done in several ways and it is essential that the correct process is used to determine the credibility of their findings (Ryan et al 2007). The seven steps outlined in Colaizzià ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s (1978) method allows the researcher to develop themes in the transcriptions by extracting specific phrases and statements, this can only be done by carefully reading the transcripts to get a better understanding of the subjects. Although this method allows the researcher to validate and verify the themes and conclusions with the subjects, this can cause problems with some researchers due to subjects changing their minds. This can happen for a number of reasons such as having time to think about the interview or looking at the question from a different perspective (Newell and Burnard 2006). The reason for literature reviews is to determine what has already been published or researched on a given subject area, Caughlan (2007) states that literatures reviews are used to develop the research question which should help identify the correct method to use for data collection. This review would also identify any gaps in the literature that might be filled using the current research topic. Parahoo (1997, p96) also agrees that although a literature review helps those primarily doing the research it also gives the reader an insights into what research has been done previously and why the current study is necessary. Despite the Fraser et al article focusing solely on elderly people with severe COPD defined by the GOLD (2003) revision the author does believe that their study will contribute to the research of COPD and seems to agree with the other authorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s findings. There are some issues that appear in the article in relation to ethical approval such as there is no mention of informed consent being sought from the participants additionally the author has not stated whether the research process was explained to them clearly. This should have been clearly stated in the article (Griffiths, 2006), however Fraser et al does point out that ethical approval was obtained from the sponsoring University and the hospital institutional review boards. A purposive sample of participants was taken aged 55 or older who were living at home, English speaking and willing to speak about their experiences with COPD (Fraser et al 2003). This sample consisted of five men and five women eight of which were Caucasian and two were African American and met the GOLD (2003) revision. This form of sampling can aid the researcher to hand pick his subjects based on his/her criteria. Sampling of this nature is often small as the researcher is not trying to generalise their findings this ensures richness in data for the study (Ryan 2007). Fraser (2006) states that the aim of the study was to explore the experiences of older adults with severe COPD to get a better understanding of how this disease effects their lives, this form of sampling may not be representative of the population due to possible subjectivity of the researcher (Black 1999). The research findings were broken down into three themes knowing what works, hanging on à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¦barely and losing control-gaining control. Letà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s look at knowing what works as an example to what type of information this method of research uncovers, the participants talk about the various ways they control and manage dyspnoea such as the use of inhalers or nebulizers, oxygen therapy and breathing exercises. They also talk about what doesnà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t work such as friends and family hovering around and telling them what to do. The author recognised the study limitations that are common with most qualitative studies these include size of sample the limited geography of the sample and the criteria inclusion for the study. The author also accepts the fact that the participants may be better educated in their illness and thus have a better management of their illness due to their involvement in the relevant programs from which they were part of. More information could have been obtained in this study using a quantitative and qualitative approach known as Mixed Method triangulation (Maclnnes 2009). This form of study would give the researcher the statistical information as well as the in-depth richness which in turn would produce more insightful findings into the study (Maclnnes 2009). More research needs to be carried out to get a more accurate account of patients experiences of living with COPD, this study would need to include a larger sample from a wider geographical area so that it may be more representative of the population in question. Due to the scale of such a study, Mixed Method triangulation (Maclnnes 2009) may be better suited. There are several aspects of this article that could have implications for nursing practice such as COPD affects everyone in different ways and no two days are the same. Nursing staff must take this into consideration when treating the patient as the patient has more experience with the illness than the nurse treating them and knows what does and doesnà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t work. This is also stated in the NMC (2009) where à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"you must support people in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their healthà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  (NMC 2009). Another important point made in the article is addressing any interventions that may be implemented to help patients quality of life must have input from both patient and nurse. Fraser et al also states that you must acknowledge the changes and problems that are associated with COPD, this understanding will aid the rapport and communication between nurse and patient. The author also stated that general nursing care for all patients with this condition should include monitoring medication proper education on the use of that medication as well as breathing techniques, appropriate exercise and making sure patients have access to organisations that can help with financial aid, depression loneliness and other information that they may need.

A Comparison of Beloved and Don Quixote Essay example -- comparison co

On reading Beloved by Toni Morrison and Don Quixote by Kathy Acker, there seem to be quite a few similarities in themes and characters contained in these texts, the most prevalent of which seems to be of love and language as a path to freedom. We see in Acker’s Don Quixote the abortion she must have before she embarks on a quest for true freedom, which is to love. Similarly, in Morrison’s Beloved, there is a kind abortion, the killing of Beloved by Sethe, which results in and from the freedom that real love provides. And in both texts, the characters are looking for answers and solutions in these "word-shapes" called language. In Acker’s Don Quixote, the abortion with which the novel opens is a precondition for surrendering the "constructed self." For Acker, the woman in position on the abortion table over whom a team of doctors and nurses work represents, in an ultimate sense, woman as a constructed object. The only hope is somehow to take control, to subvert the constructed identity on order to name oneself: "She had to name herself. When a doctor sticks a steel catheter into you while you’re lying on your back and you to; finally, blessedly, you let go of your mind. Letting go of your mind is dying. She needed a new life. She had to be named" (Don Quixote 9-10). And she must name herself for a man – become a man – before the nobility and the dangers of her ordeals will be esteemed. She is to be a knight on a noble quest to love "someone other than herself" and thus to right all wrongs and to be truly free. In another of Acker’s works she writes: "Having an abortion was obviously just like getting fucked. If we closed our eyes and spread our legs, we’d be taken care of. They stripped us of our clothes. Gave us white sheets... ... the end of the text by a community getting in touch with a "language of their own," while Acker’s protagonist is subverting texts to find or create something this "primal." Don Quixote is far more easily paired with the ghost of Beloved. They both are searching for a language they can use and understand and know with the "word-shapes" that they are given. They are both on quests to find love and freedom that are not a product of "slavery." They both are in search of a name, an identity, that is not a product of an "abortion." They are both childlike yet adult, trying to understand. And neither of them are asking for, or offering, forgiveness. Works Cited: Cervantes, Miguel De. Don Quixote. Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed Mack, Maynard et al. WW Norton and Co. New York, NY. 1992. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York, Penguin Books USA Inc, 1988.

Lebanese Awakening :: history

Lebanese Awakening Under the Ottoman Empire, the Lebanese enjoyed a social & cultural development phase that was flourishing. The Lebanese Christians kept good ties with the Europeans that would occasionally visit and spread their influence. The Ottoman reform had an impact on every part of the Empire, including a major role in Lebanon. The Muslims recognized the strength and superiority of the western military; therefore they adopted some of the westerners’ methods. The Muslims feared the western domination, but were subject to change for scientific enhancements. However, the Lebanese were living through a â€Å"ray of freedom† in which they wanted to modernize and enhance their ways of life. The population density in Lebanon was crowded and that kept people in communities. The Lebanese are also open to foreign influence. They now have secure lives and own property. Some young Lebanese went to Italy to become priests. Of them, some went on to spread Orientalism in Paris and Rome while the rest came back to open schools to preach in. During the 18th century the influence from Roman graduates started to show. Through the church reforms, education was spreading through the opening of schools in Bqrqasha, Louwaze and Zougharta. In the 18th century, the best Maronite education was in Ayn Waraqa. These graduates carried on to become powerful figures through the 19th century. The Greek Catholics came from Syria to Lebanon to join the maronites and improve literacy. Main problem was that only well-off families could be educated while the rest stayed ignorant. The Muslims didn’t want the Arabic language to be used because they considered it sacred and holy. The only education Islamic people taught were religion and the Koran. In return the Druze and Greek Orthodox were the only ones left without superfluous educational levels. Besides the Druze protected their holy texts so much they had nothing to learn. The next problem rose with the lack of books. As schools opened, there were less and less books available because they were handwritten. The press could not use Arabic because of the Muslims so they used Syriac. First books written were about religion, and then eventually developed into culture. The cultural movement didn’t have a popular effect, because only a minority was getting educated. Niqula Turk was a pioneering Lebanese poet that awakened new ambitions among his younger contemporaries. Al-Turk represented a wide literary movement in which more poets were rising such as Butrus Karam.

An Observation of My Friend Essay -- Profile Essays, Observation Essay

Sunday - the day of self-loathing for most college students who have squandered their weekends and dread the awaiting workload. Crammed into lounge booths, commiserating over brunch, students nurse sullen moods and hangovers with orange juice and french toast. Allen Wilcox is playing with his broccoli, head cocked, eyes crossed. Looking sidelong to make sure that people are watching, he picks up the half-bagel from his plate, thick with cream cheese, stands up on his chair and rubs it erotically all over the front of his pants. This is so typical. Allen’s world is a stage and the spotlight is on him. We are, all of us, the audience for his life-series of mini-dramas packed with love and heartbreak, pranks and partying and outbreaks of rage. His behavior may be juvenile, but most of us would rather say it is something outlandish, or playful, or just simply and extravagantly histrionic. Allen makes people laugh and sometimes speaks beautifully (did you know that he writes poetry?). This is the same young man who, last summer, kicked a hole through both layers of sheet rock in the ho...

Reasons for the Increase in Housing Profits in India

Reasons for the Increase in Housing Profits in India 3y josalonso The recent global economic recession has generated many problems worldwide, such as increased unemployment, lack of consumer confidence and reductions in salaries and wages. in India, Delhi and Mumbai are among nine cities which have seen marginal increase in house prices in the July-September quarter with Kochi topping the chart, a latest National Housing Bank (NHB) survey showed on Friday. Prices in Delhi rose 3. 8% from the previous quarter while Mumbai posted an increase of 0. %. Kochi recorded the sharpest rise with a increase in the September quarter. Low interest rates, the amount borrowers paid to lenders for the ability to use the money, would cause a shift in demand, the skill and Willingness to consume a commodity, below (Figure I, D to 01). This iS because consumers are inspired to borrow extra, that would lead to increased spending. Consequently, the equilibrium should move from A to S, emerging in an incr ease in price(P to P I) and an increase in demand.Furthermore, low Interest rates should lead to lower mortgage repayments, hence ermitting homecuners, normally predicted to vend their residences during a recession, to no longer doing so. An inwards shift In the supply ot homes would be caused(below). the skill and willingness to furnish a cornmodlty, as less proprietors select to vend their houses. changing the equilibrium. the worth should rise from PO to Pt. Overall. the change in worth (PO to P2) should number to 3. 8% it was predicted that after there is a development in attention rates in the upcoming month . he housing marketplace could experience little falls in average price. This is because as attention rates rise. there is a higher tendency to save than spend. Thus. the demand would shifts inwards Also. homecaners could favor to vend their houses because of higher mortgages, making the supply move outwards . A upcoming rise in attention rates could alter desperate stakeho lders in assorted ways, Those who have elevated mortgage repayments could vend their residences and pursue to find smaller and cheaper housing, Consequently, the demand for small residences could rise, as emand for larger residences could decrease.The article presents the soon housing Will fall more This iS upheld by the anticipation Of higher attention rates. Also, because customer assurance iS IOW' due to the globe commercial recession, after supply catches up alongside demand, it could be said that the benefits will not go any further. Hence, an economists should say that it is most probable that the benefits will fall. In supply, the rise of worth added tax In January back to the preceding rate of 17. 6 , should cause there to be an Increase In employment to compensate for the higher prices. Thus, less customers should be able and keen to buy new residences and demand should drop, leading to The article states the reasons for why India houseing profits increased by 3. 8%. In con clusion, the article is precise in its Justification, the prices of housing in india has to reach the equilibrium point or els falls will continue to occur. As well as the government would need to implement price floors or celaings.

Alternative Courses of Action

For SK-II line of grate care products, Procter and chance should accept stood more firmly. Instead of denying the allegation, they should keep back explained and stressed more clearly that the delicate amount of those criminalize chemicals in the SK-II skin care products are not speculative to health. They should befuddle sought all the attention and legal assistance of the concerned departments need to prove their case.In that way, they would not need to voluntarily offer refunds to consumers as it has been announced belatedly by the Chinese authorities that the banned substances did not pose a health hazard. In this way, though image and give had been tainted because of negative publicity and perception, at that place pass on be no operative loss financially as they would not need to offer refunds anymore. In addition, the adventure of returning counterfeit products and cases of violence would have been avoided as well.The piece Procter and lay on the line heads trong to voluntarily offer refunds to consumers, they have declare that they have lapses on their part which created instances for consumers to work that way. For Gillette products in Russia, Procter and Gamble should have expect the fluctuation of Russian ruble. They should have lively countermeasures when Russian ruble plummet which had happened. They should have expected this good-natured of problem the moment they have decided to amalgamate with Gillette Company.In this fussy instance, I rump say that Procter and Gamble had overlooked planning causing this kind of failure. For disruption of sales in accepted countries, Procter and Gamble should have anticipated this as well. The moment they have decided to merge with Gillette Company, they should have expected that this problem will happen. They should have studied the market of these accredited countries more intensively so they can plan how to deal with this considerable overlap.