Branding and brand management Essay

What is a brand? A brand is a name, term, sign, symbol, or design, or a combination of them, intended to identify the goods or services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them form those of competitors Essentially a marketer’s promise is to deliver a specific set of features, benefits and services consistently to the buyers Cadbury’s best tasting chocolate constitutes the main ingredient of much of these products including everything from solid blocks to chocolate filled bars and novelties The Cadbury brand is associated with best tasting chocolate Marketing managers at Cadbury are working to ensure this association is continually developed. Key concepts of quality, taste and emotion underpin the Cadbury brand. These core values help to differentiate Cadbury from other brands and ensure its competitive advantage A brand is a complex symbol that can convey up to six levels of meaning 1. Attributes – a brand brings to mind certain attributes – Cherry Ripe – ripe juicy cherries and moist coconut smothered in rich ‘Old Gold’ Dark Chocolate – Crunchie – golden honeycomb smothered in Cadbury ‘Dairy Milk’ Milk Chocolate – Flake – unique, delicate strands of crumbly, flaky Cadbury ‘Dairy Milk’ chocolate – Picnic – combine delicate fingers of crisp wafers, temptation of chewy caramel with goodness of rice crisps, all generously encased in Cadbury chocolate – Roses – delicious mix of Milk and Dark chocolates, ideal token gesture for any occasion – Dairy Milk – the goodness of a glass and a half of rich full cream milk in every 200g, Australia’s favourite chocolate 2. Benefits – each brand’s attributes must be translated into functional and emotional benefits to the consumer 3. Values – Cadbury’s mission statement says simply: ‘Cadbury means quality’; this is our promise. Our reputation is built upon quality; our commitment to continuous improvement will ensure that our promise is delivered’ 4. Culture – For many people, chocolate is Cadbury, and no other brand will do 5. Personality – taste, colour purple and the glass and a half symbol all all hallmarks of Cadbury personality 6. Users – the kind of consumer or who buys or uses the product. Loyal customers are the most valuable customers to have because they will buy your product over and over again Brand equity – Brands vary in the amount of power and value they have in the marketplace – Brand equity is an asset – Cadbury brand equity is highly differentiated from other brands with consumers. Brand equity is the value consumer loyalty brings to a brand, and reflects the likelihood that a consumer will repeat purchase. This is a major source of competitive advantage. Brand name decisions – Manufacturers and service companies who brand their products must choose which brand names to use – Cadbury brands include the Corporate name combined with individual names – The company name legitimises, and the individual name individualises the new product – A suitable name, must be chosen and registered; it must be unique to the product and in today’s business arena, it should be capable of international use. Careful checks must be made to ensure that the selected name does not mean something different in other languages Brand-building tools Amongst the most important tools for attracting attention to Cadbury brands are: – Public relations and press releases – brands can gain a lot of attention from well-placed newspaper and magazine stories. – Sponsorships – brands are frequently promoted in sponsored events. Cadbury sponsor the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the animal nursery’ at the Royal Show, and the three time AFL premiership champion Brisbane Lions – Factory visits – Cadbury have factory tours in which they invite visitors to spend the day at their Claremont factory in Tasmania – Event marketing – product launches – Social cause marketing – some of the projects that Cadbury support are the Students In Free Enterprise, Foodbank and the Variety Club Brand strategy decision Generally a company’s brand strategy varies depending on whether the brand is a functional brand, image brand or an experimental brand – functional brands – are purchased to satisfy a functional need such as immediate eat i.e. chocolate bars – image brands – arise with products or services that are difficult to differentiate, or to assess quality, or convey a statement about the user – experimental brands – involve the consumer beyond simply acquiring the product Over time, each type of brand can be developed further. A company can introduce line extensions (existing brand name extended to new sizes or flavours), brand extensions (new brand names in existing product categories), multibrands (new brand names introduced into same product category), new brands (new brand name for a new category product) and co-branding (combining two or more brand names) Brand auditing and positioning Cadbury need to periodically audit their brands’ strengths and weaknesses It will occasionally discover that it may have to reposition the brand because of changing customer preferences What are Cadbury’s key brands? The Cadbury Dairy Milk block is the company’s flagship brand There are many other favourites including Fruit & Nut and Hazel Nut, as well as popular cream filled products such as Snack and Caramello Cadbury produces a variety of boxed chocolate assortments, most notably Milk Tray and Roses. Children’s lines include Australia’s long time favourites Freddo Frog and Caramello Koala. Famous Cadbury chocolate bar lines such as Cherry Ripe, Picnic, Flake and Crunchie also feature amongst Cadbury brands Are there different brands for different target markets? The Cadbury brand has a profound impact on individual product brands. Brands have individual personalities aimed at specific target markets for specific needs e.g. TimeOut, for example, is an ideal snack to have with a cup of tea Consumers know they can trust a chocolate bar that carries Cadbury branding The relationship between Cadbury and individual brands is symbiotic with some brands benefiting more from the Cadbury relationship, i.e. pure chocolate brands such as Dairy Milk. Other brands have a more distant relationship, as the consumer motivation to purchase is ingredients other than chocolate, e.g. Crunchie. Cadbury has identified brand values and adjusts its advertising strategies to reflect these values in different markets. Its strategy can vary from increasing brand awareness, educating potential customers about a new product, increasing seasonal purchases, or as is currently the case in the ‘Go Another Cadbury’ campaign to highlight the positive emotional value of the brand. How are the brand images related to Cadbury’s overall positioning in the market? Customers come to know a brand through a range of contacts and touch points, particularly trough word of mouth, personal observation and use, and images through advertising and promotion The ‘taste’ of Cadbury’s chocolate has long been the focus of Cadbury’s advertising. This has been supported by the slogan ‘a glass and a half of full cream milk in every 200 grams’, accompanied by a picture of milk pouring into the Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate block. This was a tremendous advertising coup and has served the brand well for over 50 years. The image has become an integral part of the packaging design and has been featured in magazines, and on buses and trains, billboards, and television Cadbury’s unshakable dedication to tradition and philosophy of using only the finest quality of ingredients and finest quality goods help to position it not only in Australia but all over the world Cadbury has established itself as a company of fairness and integrity, which always attempts to operate as a socially responsible business The choice to support and sponsor certain events and organizations alos shapes these images References: Kotler, P 2003, Marketing Management, 11th edition, Pearson Education, NJ, USA Cadbury, http://www.cadbury.com.au, http://www.cadbury.co.uk, http://www.cadburyschweppes.com Cadbury Head Office, The story of Cadbury and Chocolate Making, Port Road, Hindmarsh, SA Gain Report #AS2042, Australian Product Brief Confectionery Products 2002, Australian Centre for Retail Studies

Literature Review: the Teacher as a Researcher

Literature review Teacher and pupil understanding of ICT and e-safety in schools is an issue that is current and topical due to its increasing presence in primary education. The Byron Review (2008) has drawn attention to this with its extensive assessment of the internet and video games and how they affect children. This Byron Review supports the key issues in Internet safety and ICT use by identifying just how integral these technologies are to children’s lives.Teacher Cadet EssayThe review makes explicit recommendations to needed protect internet users whilst highlighting the importance of furthering our understanding of the risks and then educating ourselves on the benefits and dangers of e-safety and ICT. This highlights the vital role teacher play in safeguarding pupils to ensure they can use the internet and other technologies safely (Woollarda et al 2009). Cox and Marshall (2007) carried out a review of ICT posing the question ‘Effects of ICT; Do we know what we s hould know? ’ (p. 9) both authors of this paper have a prolific reputation in the area of ICT and education over the past decade and their paper addresses the importance of increasing our understanding ICT, and its long and short term impact on students learning and how it affects learning (p. 59). The importance of ensuring not only our knowledge of the impact of ICT on students learning but also how it impacts students thinking and acting (p. 68). This has direct implications on the use of ICT technologies in the many methods and settings now available to students such of the internet.By ensuring teaching professionals understand the true extent to which ICT affects students learning, attitudes, values and beliefs is essential to all individuals involved in education and the future of ICT in education. Across research into ICT and its implementation the central role of teachers in ensuring these technologies are used safely and effectively across the curriculum is acknowled ged (Woollard et al 2009. Cox 1997; Sunderland et al 2004; Tondeuret al 2007; Loveless, 2003; Pearson and Naylor 2006).This role of teachers is in pivotal in ICT and its future in education and has a direct impact on students experiences and understanding of e-safety. Woolard et al (2009) Carrier out a study focusing on identifying the training needs of teachers with regards to ICT communications in schools and e-safety (p. 188). This began with an evaluation of current e-safety resources and then a study of how trainees responded to these resources and PGCE based training. This study confirms the need for training teachers adequately to ensure they have the confidence, knowledge and adaptability necessary (Jones 2004).These skills are essential to all teaching professionals to safeguard pupils whilst ensuring ICT technologies are implements effectively in the classroom to reap the rewards on pupils learning and motivation that have been identified (Liao 1999; Cox and Abbott 2004; C ox 1997; Hennessy et al. 2005; Goodinson 2002a; Goodinson 2002b). (415 words) Bibliography Byron, T (2008) Safer Children in a Digital World. The Report of the Byron Review. DCSF Publications ; Nottingham UK. Woollarda, J,. Wickensb, C.Powellc, K and Russell, T (2009) Evaluation of e-safety materials for initial teacher training: can ‘Jenny’s Story’ make a difference? Technology, Pedagogy and Education. Vol. 18, pp. 187–200. Routledge: UK Cox, M. Marshall, G (2007) Effects of ICT: Do we Know what we should? Education and Information Technologies. 12: 50 – 70. Springer. Cox, M. J. (1997). The effects of information technology on students’ motivation. Final report. National Council for Educational Technology, Coventry. Cox, M. J. , & Abbott, C. (2004).ICT and attainment: A review of the research literature, Coventry and London, British Educational Communications and Technology Agency/Department for Education and Skills. Goodison, T (2002) Enhan cing learning with ICT at primary level. British Journal of Educational Technology. Vol 33, 215 -228. Goodison, T (2002) ICT and attainment at primary level. British Journal of Educational Technology. Vol 33, 202 -211. Hennessy, S. , Ruthven, K. , & Brindley, S. (2005). Teacher perspectives on integrating ICT into subject teaching: Commitment, constraints, caution and change.Journal of Curriculum Studies, 37, 155–192. Jones, A. (2004). A review of the research literature on barriers to the uptake of ICT by teachers. Coventry: Becta Liao, Y. K. C. (1999). Effects of hypermedia on students’ achievement: a meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 8(3), 255–277. Loveless, A (2003) The role of ICT. Continuum. London Tondeur, J. van Braak, J and Valcke, M (2007) Curricula and the use of ICT in education: Two worlds apart? British Journal of Educational Technology. P. 962–976Dwyer, J (2007) Computer-based Learning in a Primary School: Dif ferences between the early and later years of primary schooling. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education. Vol 35. pp. 89 – 103. Sutherland, R. , Armstrong, V. , Barnes, S. , Brawn, R. , Breeze, N. , Gall, M. , et al (2004) Transforming teaching and learning: Embedding ICT into everyday classroom practices. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20, 413-425. Pearson, M. , & Naylor, S. (2006). Changing contexts: Teacher professional development and ICT pedagogy. Education and Information Technologies, 11, 283–291. Literature Review: the Teacher as a Researcher Literature review Teacher and pupil understanding of ICT and e-safety in schools is an issue that is current and topical due to its increasing presence in primary education. The Byron Review (2008) has drawn attention to this with its extensive assessment of the internet and video games and how they affect children. This Byron Review supports the key issues in Internet safety and ICT use by identifying just how integral these technologies are to children’s lives.Teacher Cadet EssayThe review makes explicit recommendations to needed protect internet users whilst highlighting the importance of furthering our understanding of the risks and then educating ourselves on the benefits and dangers of e-safety and ICT. This highlights the vital role teacher play in safeguarding pupils to ensure they can use the internet and other technologies safely (Woollarda et al 2009). Cox and Marshall (2007) carried out a review of ICT posing the question ‘Effects of ICT; Do we know what we s hould know? ’ (p. 9) both authors of this paper have a prolific reputation in the area of ICT and education over the past decade and their paper addresses the importance of increasing our understanding ICT, and its long and short term impact on students learning and how it affects learning (p. 59). The importance of ensuring not only our knowledge of the impact of ICT on students learning but also how it impacts students thinking and acting (p. 68). This has direct implications on the use of ICT technologies in the many methods and settings now available to students such of the internet.By ensuring teaching professionals understand the true extent to which ICT affects students learning, attitudes, values and beliefs is essential to all individuals involved in education and the future of ICT in education. Across research into ICT and its implementation the central role of teachers in ensuring these technologies are used safely and effectively across the curriculum is acknowled ged (Woollard et al 2009. Cox 1997; Sunderland et al 2004; Tondeuret al 2007; Loveless, 2003; Pearson and Naylor 2006).This role of teachers is in pivotal in ICT and its future in education and has a direct impact on students experiences and understanding of e-safety. Woolard et al (2009) Carrier out a study focusing on identifying the training needs of teachers with regards to ICT communications in schools and e-safety (p. 188). This began with an evaluation of current e-safety resources and then a study of how trainees responded to these resources and PGCE based training. This study confirms the need for training teachers adequately to ensure they have the confidence, knowledge and adaptability necessary (Jones 2004).These skills are essential to all teaching professionals to safeguard pupils whilst ensuring ICT technologies are implements effectively in the classroom to reap the rewards on pupils learning and motivation that have been identified (Liao 1999; Cox and Abbott 2004; C ox 1997; Hennessy et al. 2005; Goodinson 2002a; Goodinson 2002b). (415 words) Bibliography Byron, T (2008) Safer Children in a Digital World. The Report of the Byron Review. DCSF Publications ; Nottingham UK. Woollarda, J,. Wickensb, C.Powellc, K and Russell, T (2009) Evaluation of e-safety materials for initial teacher training: can ‘Jenny’s Story’ make a difference? Technology, Pedagogy and Education. Vol. 18, pp. 187–200. Routledge: UK Cox, M. Marshall, G (2007) Effects of ICT: Do we Know what we should? Education and Information Technologies. 12: 50 – 70. Springer. Cox, M. J. (1997). The effects of information technology on students’ motivation. Final report. National Council for Educational Technology, Coventry. Cox, M. J. , & Abbott, C. (2004).ICT and attainment: A review of the research literature, Coventry and London, British Educational Communications and Technology Agency/Department for Education and Skills. Goodison, T (2002) Enhan cing learning with ICT at primary level. British Journal of Educational Technology. Vol 33, 215 -228. Goodison, T (2002) ICT and attainment at primary level. British Journal of Educational Technology. Vol 33, 202 -211. Hennessy, S. , Ruthven, K. , & Brindley, S. (2005). Teacher perspectives on integrating ICT into subject teaching: Commitment, constraints, caution and change.Journal of Curriculum Studies, 37, 155–192. Jones, A. (2004). A review of the research literature on barriers to the uptake of ICT by teachers. Coventry: Becta Liao, Y. K. C. (1999). Effects of hypermedia on students’ achievement: a meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 8(3), 255–277. Loveless, A (2003) The role of ICT. Continuum. London Tondeur, J. van Braak, J and Valcke, M (2007) Curricula and the use of ICT in education: Two worlds apart? British Journal of Educational Technology. P. 962–976Dwyer, J (2007) Computer-based Learning in a Primary School: Dif ferences between the early and later years of primary schooling. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education. Vol 35. pp. 89 – 103. Sutherland, R. , Armstrong, V. , Barnes, S. , Brawn, R. , Breeze, N. , Gall, M. , et al (2004) Transforming teaching and learning: Embedding ICT into everyday classroom practices. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20, 413-425. Pearson, M. , & Naylor, S. (2006). Changing contexts: Teacher professional development and ICT pedagogy. Education and Information Technologies, 11, 283–291.

International Business Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Business Operations - Essay Example ccording to the Wall Street Journal (2012), the increasing labor costs in China have influenced a decrease in market share and also rising competition from countries that have realized the potential that lies in manufacturing. Other than this, China’s labor providing population also lacks the necessary skills required in the diversified production market, hence pushing manufacturer’s to seek services from other countries. It is also difficult for foreign manufacturer’s to set up base in China because state-owned companies are the most dominant. The other aspect is likely to put China out of the manufacturing business is the fact that more and more countries are looking to set up their own manufacturing companies within themselves as a way of cutting down on production expenses. The shipping costs related to the exportation of raw materials that exporter’s haveto incur is one of the key aspects that countries have sought to override by failing to give China the manufacturing job. In my view, most of the competition that China is facing tends to be from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, which have taken up most of China’s market exports to the US for clothing (McCann 2011). In essence, the trading environment provided in other nations such as Vietnam have made America to shift their manufacturing interest from China because of the free trade agreements provided by the latter. In this regard, Vietnam has become the greatest gainer because most of the US investors such as Nike have made their established their manufacturing base because of the projected cost benefits that would come as a result of not operating in China. Therefore, Vietnam is the greatest competitor to China as they have also attracted investors in the electronics sector, which was China’s stronghold to companies such as Samsung and Nokia. On the other hand, China is also losing out its market share in the manufacture of automobiles to Mexico because of the competitive labor costs

The 21 st Century Public Company Audit Summary Essay

The 21 st Century Public Company Audit Summary - Essay Example Thus the government authorities passed under the Bush administration to have a strict watch over all the companies and auditing firms formed new standards. These standards require all the auditing firms to abide by the standard procedures defined within their scriptures and have also expanded the horizon of the minimum requirement for an auditor about having the knowledge of operation of its clients and /or companies. These standards include ; The bill passed by president bush is known as the corporate and auditing accountability and transparency act of 2002 also known as Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) act. SOX is an effective measure taken towards restoring investors interest in the public limited companies. SOX also made another governing body known as public company accounting oversight board. Within two years this body PCAOB placed three major auditing standards. The question that how well these standards can clear the overall view is still unanswered. However, the introduction of these new standards and policies will surely increase the quality of auditing performed. The one additional thing that matters to the auditors now is the identification of the methodology of implementing these standards in their auditing practices in a foolproof and transparent manner. The introduction chapter gives a brief over view of the concerns of the government and its new policies regarding them. However, to what extent will the policies and standard be successful in making sure that every thing goes legal and legitimate is yet to be determined Chapter 2: Auditing standards have been facing many changes due to the changing business environment. Right from the time of simple book keeping till the time the financial statements are made, the techniques of auditing were being required to adapt to certain changes for the sake of such events. Companies had been growing large; large enough to stop any auditing firm from doing the detailed evaluation of the entire book keeping stuff. Thus, now the emphasis is on monitoring the internal controls of a company. As per the SOX section 404, internal auditing by public limited companies is a common standard procedure carried out by all within as well as outside U.S. The auditing now also includes checking on the inventories declared and the accounts receivables identified in the balance sheet(s). The most significant step was the introduction of audit risk model (ARM). The risk auditing includes completeness, obligations, correct valuation, presentation and disclosure of certain elements. If any de viation is found by the risk test, the internal auditor is supposed to take the required corrective action to bring the level of risk to the tolerable level or considerable range. While performing disclosure of certain events, a couple of evidences are acquired to support each n' every element. EBS is the minimum requirement set to act as a source of evidence. Auditors need to base their assessments on a couple of evidence and standards. Feedback: This chapter is about controlling the risk factor by internal auditing practices and controls. This requires a honest internal auditing department to implement policies avoiding any risks, as implied by regulations. Thus this is easier for the auditing firms to have a

Do the provisions of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 on the passing of Essay

Do the provisions of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 on the passing of property and risk, and their effects, make sense today - Essay Example This paper looks at the Sale of Goods Act of 1979 with regard to its relevance in the modern business environment. It does this by looking at some of the changes which have happened in the recent times, such as the introduction of ecommerce and how this affects the relevance of the Act. The Sale of Goods Act of 1979 was meant to make the transaction of goods between one individual and another easy. It took care of how goods are transferred from one point to the other and also the contractual obligation that regard such transaction. The act also details the issues of how ownership is transferred, and what triggers this ownership transfer. Like most acts which are meant to make the business world run in a smooth way, the act has a number of issues which must be taken into consideration. This is because as Rotherham (89) argues, the business world has evolved a lot in the past twenty years and although the Sale of Goods Act 1979 was amended in 1995 to highlight some new challenges in the business world, it still faces many issues as the nature of business has changed. Some of these issues include the following; When the act was being drafted 35 years ago in 1979, the nature of business was much differentiated from the way it is today. International trade was not as established as it is today. Because of this, the Act seems to have only considered the transaction of business within the borders and between people under the same legal jurisdiction. However, international trade has changed over time and in the modern commerce world, it is often that individuals are trading across the UK borders and the international borders. This brings in numerous challenges because the parties to a business translation may not necessarily be under the English law. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 lacks a lot with regard to dealing with this modern business environment. The Act of 1979 has several rules as regards the transfer of

Academic Writing for Adults Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Academic Writing for Adults Class - Essay Example I believe that Academic Writing for Adults will be a good venue in which I could pick up pointers for improving my writing style. I understand that the course is for academic writing, which will provide me a greater opportunity to express myself better through my writing for the purpose of passing my courses, maybe even get better grades. In my youth, I had moderate difficulty in writing; I believe, though, that it was not so much because I was afraid of writing, or because I did not know how to write. At a young age, there appeared to be little to write about. I felt that I had not experienced as much as I had to in life, for me to gain enough insight to write about things. Of course, it was different about lessons. When needed, such as in an examination where essay writing was required, I usually could find enough to say, in order to create a decent-enough essay, and was confident in writing. When the type of writing is about impersonal things, such as subject matter that comes fro m lessons or a book, I have had little problems in writing. You might say that these are things that could be studied and memorized, then repeated when it becomes necessary to do so. However, when the requirement is to write about my personal insights and to venture my own opinions, I sometimes grope for the words that I must put together, in order to express what is formed as a concept in my own mind. Because of this, I feel that my problem with writing. In my youth, I had moderate difficulty in writing.

LEARNING PAPER 3-OTHER CULTURE GROUP Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

LEARNING 3-OTHER CULTURE GROUP - Research Paper Example is means that American citizens were under obligation to play a significant role by adopting lifestyles that would maintain and preserve the youthful state of their bodies. In the next few years, the media began to concentrate on discussing various aspects of human health. This was accompanied by a considerable increase in the health related services and goods. This then spiked an even greater preoccupation, in the public, with subjects such as health consciousness. Citizens also started showing anxiety that was related to the possibility of developing conditions that would harm the body. Even in past civilizations, people sought to find ways in which their behavior influenced the state of their health. Modern medicine has shown that there is a definite connection between what people consume, how they live, and their state of health. This reality has spurred a health culture that revolves around regimens involved with hygiene, diet, and daily exercise. Today’s health culture calls for citizens to take supplements, partake in regular exercise, and consume only healthy foods. Today, there is an emphasis on self-care movements, adopting holistic practices, and acquiring attractive body images. This trend has been internationalized by the corresponding increase of media consumption, along with the efficiency with which modern advertising is conducted. Today, the internet, television, radio, newspapers, and other forms of media all carry information about weight loss, magazines, vitamins, books, energy-foods, and dieting. There are numerous educational advantages that have been brought about by the increase in health knowledge. For instance, people today are more knowledgeable about the connection between health and science. They understand their own bodies better, and have more confidence in their abilities to heal with as little assistance as possible from the medical sector. Due to the fact that many people recognize the symptoms of deadly diseases, the modern

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - Research Paper Example Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL, is the most common malignant carcinoma in pediatric patients (Cipoloti et al., 2003). It is characterized by abnormal proliferation of leukemic blasts that are poorly differentiated, leading to inadequate hematopoiesis (Siddique et al., 2011). Pathogenesis There are several studies that dissect the underlying cellular events responsible for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The basic mechanism for abnormal proliferation of any cell remains the same. The cell cycle consists of different phases with various check points to control abnormal division. The most important are the transition from G1 to S phase and G2 to M phase. Division of cell only takes place after receiving instructions from some external stimulation (Cipoloti et al., 2003). There are various mechanisms by which cells are regulated for division. This includes stimulation from special molecules called mitogenic substances, inhibition by various anti-proliferative cytokines and regulation by adjacent cells. Most of the cancer cells including those involved in ALL, abandon these regulatory mechanisms. Various studies including one by Cipoloti et al. tried to isolate mutations in those tumor suppressor genes that are responsible for keeping a check during cellular division. An example is the inactivation of p15 gene in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.... According to the report, Notch 1 is a signaling pathway crucial for the development of T-cells and its mutation is found commonly in patients with ALL. To verify the extent of this abnormal expression, real time PCR was used to detect the gene and its mutation. It was evident in the results that most patients had overexpression of Notch 1 gene that contributed to overproliferation of T cells in ALL (Lin et al., 2012). Subtypes It is important to remember that there is no single cause of cancerous growth of cells in ALL, but various factors unite together and lead to this abnormal proliferation. Moreover, there are various subtypes within ALL, such as precursor B-Cell and T-Cell leukemia. All these subgroups show some variation in their pathogenesis. A study by Teuffel et al. in 2008 focused on anemia and survival in children suffering from various subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In the above mentioned cohort study, 1162 patients were analyzed for the subtype of ALL and thei r associated Hb levels. It was evident that patients with the T cell subtype had a higher level of hemoglobin as compared to the B cell precursor type. Moreover, less severe anemia was associated with an increased survival rate in early childhood. This explains that various subtypes have different impacts on the hematopoietic system and, therefore, variable survival rate. Risk Factors Few risk factors have been isolated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Those which are assumed to be associated with ALL are poorly verified and contain diverse controversial evidence. A matched control case study found that increased maternal age is associated with increased incidence of ALL. Paternal age showed no association and only a weak link

The topic is Young Goldman Brown. discuss the readings. What did you Essay

The topic is Young Goldman Brown. discuss the readings. What did you think of each of the stories Did it have any meaning in your life Is it still relevant today Things you didn't like - Essay Example Goodman seems that he believed in his father and grandfather until he met the elderly man in the forest who could be the devil: the old man claimed that he knew both of them. The old man, however, proves his erroneousness when he asserts that even Faith is corrupted. He seems to trust Faith exceedingly and has to consult with her every time he necessitates anything. Goodman lacks a true religion, and this makes him susceptible to transformations and his faith shaken. Hawthorne, however, believes that the Puritan religion is exceptionally corrupted since most of its followers also have a dark side including the founders- his grandfather and father. Although the activities that occurred in the forest are not evidently stated whether they are real or a dream, Goodman’s life and beliefs will never be the same again since either way he would still be distressed. In today’s societal setting, one has to choose what to believe, but it should not be too distant from the beliefs of others. Young people should not be influenced by their ancestor’s beliefs, and should do what they are contented with; this makes these readings relevant today. The things I did not like is the fact that Goodman had to consult with Faith when he wanted to do anything, showing how he was unable to make his own

Education & life Essay Example for Free

Education life Essay Education has always been an important part of my life. I have always believed that through hard work and dedication, I may be able to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. Furthermore, I am more inclined into becoming one of the most successful graduates our school has ever had. I want to be able to show the world how an individual like me can make a difference in life. My name is (insert your name here) in taking (NAME OF COURSE) at the (NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY). I consider myself to be a well rounded individual. As a student, I am proficient with subject relating to Math, History and Science (insert subjects where you’re good at). Unlike others, I never experienced any difficulty with Math, for I am able to easily interpret and solve mathematical equations. This great fascination also led to an inclination for Science. History, on the other hand, opens my knowledge to greater heights, for I am greatly interested in the circumstances that happened in the past. I believe that being knowledgeable about these things would help me grasp things that happen nowadays. Aside from my fascination for education, I am also active in my extra curricular activities. I am a well socialized person and loves dealing with everyone else. I believe that having many friends is one of my greatest achievements because I can relate to their ups and downs. Moreover, I also have passion in taking care animals more specifically marine animals. I was overwhelmed when I received my license in scuba diving and this boost my confidence even more. The said license gave me more opportunity to travel beneath the sea and meet my favorite mammals like dolphins and sharks. I am very proud of this achievement because the water world and animal kingdom are part of the society that is not yet congested by pollutions and negative activities as compared to the land. Receiving my license in scuba diving is not that easy. I undergo various exercises and lessons before I succeeded. This can be compare to life and education as well. If I will not work hard and follow the instructions I will end up drowning not only in water but in the pool of ignorance and misery. Education is best achieved when one works harder each day. Being admitted to your good university will serve as the path towards my dream of becoming (insert ambition here). I know that my skills and talents are not enough for me to be considered for a position in your school. All I know is that I am equipped with my determination to succeed and fulfill my dreams. From my experiences, excelling in both co-curricular and extra curricular activities is not easy. Success surpasses just the basics of passing all subjects in school and excelling in them. Success also requires much determination, dedication, hard work and prayers. Moreover, my dreams and aspirations do not end after graduation. I would use my experiences and knowledge to be of service to those in need. Furthermore, I would indulge myself in more programs that could help me become a better individual and a unique professional. I would apply everything that the (insert name of university here) imbibed in me and still yearn for more information and ideas that would help in the upheaval of our society. Being a graduate of this prestigious institution would also come to my advantage, for I may be able to inspire others to strive hard and become known in their chosen fields. My life is filled with numerous decisions, and choosing the (insert name of university here) is definitely the answer to my dreams.

Management of Provision in the Early Years Setting

Management of Provision in the Early Years Setting Introduction: This essay is built on the management case study. I am going to critically analyse the case study using theoretical and research evidence of the management of provision in early years setting. This will provide a critical analysis of the management of provision of the setting in terms of these factors. (a) The manager’s role and responsibilities. (b) Leadership styles. (c) Government early years policies that influence the management of provision. (d) Financial and human resources management. To understand the manager’s role and responsibilities I and my friends in decided to interview a children centre manager. I was asked to make an appointment with the manager. I called the manager and arranged interview time with groups mutual understanding. But unfortunately my mates were not ready to go for the interview. So with my lecturer’s permission I went alone to interview children centre nursery manager. Provide relevant contextual information about the setting where you did the interview, for example is it a school-based early years provision, a private nursery, or Children Centre? Is it in a rural or urban location? Is the area social and ethnically mixed? What ages of children attend? (150 words approx I visited Children Centre in Hackney to interview nursery manager. The purpose of interview was to understand the role and responsibilities of nursery leader or manager in early years setting. The Children Centre is located in Central London under Hackney council authority. The children centre provides health and education services for children and families. The nursery provides the provision for 0-5 years old with the maximum capacity of 75 children. It consists of two baby rooms; both rooms can have 12 children in each room. Also, they have two toddler rooms; large room can have 14 children and small room with capacity of 12 children. The pre-school can have 24 children in the roo m. According to the manager, all rooms are full with maximum number of children and have two years waiting list for baby room and long waiting list for other rooms for children from outside admissions. According to Ofsted report (April 2014) The centre provides outstanding service for children and families and the nursery educators are supporting children to get ready to school and support them to learn numeracy and phonics before starting school. To understand leadership role in the early years setting it is vital to understand the contextual meaning of leadership. According to Northouse (2013, p4) â€Å"leadership have different meanings for different people and there is no common theory about leadership† It is vital to have good management to deliver good provision on children in early years settings. The management or leadership in early years settings should have good knowledge and understanding of early years foundation stage curriculum, governments policy and guidelines, current research and practice and work in partnership with parents, staff and other agencies to provide high quality provision for children. Northouse (2013) suggests that â€Å"leadership needs followers and leaders role to achieve a common goal with followers with a common purpose†. According to Blatchford and Manni (2007, p.1) effective management provides better outcome for children when there are better and warm relationships between practitioners and children. Also children learn better when practitioners use open-ended questions to give chance to children to use their critical thinking and answer with confidence. For effective leadership role, appropriate training is essential to provide good quality of provision for the early years because, leadership role involves multi-professional work. Moyles (2006) suggests that leader and manager have different roles but complement each other. In early years the mangers role is to making sure that the organisation is running smoothly by good planning and coordination. However, the leaders role is to inspire and motivate others for change. The manager and leader both characteristics are important in education field. Therefore, it is more important especially in pre-school age, when manager, leader, parents, and teacher rapidly form relationship. It is vital to examine government’s policy to provide highly qualified and trained workforce as leaders and managers in early years settings and children centres, to provide better care and education for children and excellent working partnership with patents. A good leader always encourages the staff to accomplish set targets or tasks. The tool of supervision is a useful way to support staff by listening to their voices, thoughts, interests and needs. It is essential to unfold government of UK’s policy on early years education. Ang (2012) states that government of UK gives high priority of training and qualification programmes for leadership to work in early years. The workforce and development council (CWDC) introduced Early Years Professional Status (EYP) award in 2007, to all graduates from different sectors to get qualification and training to work as early years professional (EYP). It is nationally accepted standards for professionals to work as a leader in children centres or schools within early years settings. The government of UK have facilitates students with full grant to accomplish the EYP status. Its Managers duty to make sure that nursery is running smoothly on daily basis and provides high quality provision for the children. For example, during my interview with nursery line-manager in Children Centre in Hackney, I asked one part of my question. [Q] ‘How do you ensure the continuing development of staff s strengths and areas of development? [A] â€Å"I use tool of supervision and appraisals to ask staff if they need any support or want to go to any training. Sometimes, I used my initiative to recommend certain training for staff such as my one staff was not confident to deal with children with challenging behaviour so I spoke to her and recommended training ‘Working with Children with Challenging Behaviour’. Also Centre teachers make observations on staff on monthly basis. It’s including outdoor play and small language sessions and literacy sessions. Teachers give comments what they observe and give copy to staff as well to read feedback from teacher and write any comments. During teachers observations if teacher feel that education officer needs support and training to support children, then we send them on relevant training or on next session teacher and the educator take the session together and educator observe the teacher to improve her techniques to run l anguage or literacy sessions. According to staffs strengths they have been designated areas of responsibilities such as staff with creative skills is given creative area and to manage displays in the room†. Rodd (2006,p) suggests that â€Å" the professional support provided through effective supervision helps staff to listen to and accept constructive feedback and learn to reflect upon and critically evaluate their own performance†. The new collation government policy (2013) is emphasis on to provide better child care, by raising the standards and quality and giving parents more choices. The recommendations were set out after ‘Nutbrown report’ was published in 2012.It was commissioned by the government and Cathy Nutbrown was responsible to carried out the research. According to BBC report (2012) on ‘Nutbrown Review’, the report says that early years students have not questioned on competency in literacy and maths. Professor Cathy Nutbrown(2012 ) recommended that â€Å"Well-taught courses and learning routes which lead to reliable qualifications can help early-years practitioners to improve their skills, knowledge and personal qualities, constantly developing in their roles†¦.This can only benefit young children, both in terms of their day-to-day experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage and future learning outcomes. [Q] What system do you have in place to ensure effective assessment and early years profiling. Do practioners have time away from the children to complete this work? How do you ensure that assessment clearly informs planning for the medium and short term? [A] â€Å"When we recruit new staff , always make sure that candidate have minimum level 3 qualification or diploma in early years care and education and good knowledge of early years foundation stage curriculum with good communication and writing skills to produce well structured assessment and daily observations. All staff is taking one hour time out to do assessments or filling every week. Also every week each room is having time out to have planning meeting for one and half hour to share observations with colleges and plan for target children. During planning staff looked into medium term planning before implement activities for coming week†.

Free Macbeth Essays: The Value of Sleep :: Macbeth essays

The Value of Sleep in Macbeth I'm sure you know what it is like to not have a good night sleep for a day or two, or maybe even a whole week, but imagine not being able to sleep through the night for an entire year. Macbeth grows to know this feeling all too well in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Every time that Macbeth is involved in murdering his so-called friends, his waking hours grow longer and longer. He almost goes crazy the night that he kills King Duncan, and he can never get over this because he immediately has to kill again in order to protect himself Each of these killings causes Macbeth to sleep less and eventually leads to his insanity. It all starts when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth agree that it will be the best for both of their futures if Macbeth sneaks into the king's chamber and slaughters the king in cold blood. Here, he gets just a small glimpse of what's to come. He begins to already hear voices in his head. They say to him, "Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep," and "the innocent sleep . . . Macbeth shall sleep no more" (II.ii.38-46).And he does not really sleep much more after this night. Macbeth kills innocence when he kills the sleeping Duncan. There is no possible way that Duncan can defend himself. He is completely helpless and innocent, but Macbeth kills him anyhow. Finally, there is no choice for Macbeth but to kill his best friend Banquo in order to destroy any thoughts that Macbeth is actually Duncan's murderer, Macbeth has lost countless amount of sleep due to his conscience. He can not even think straight. For him to even consider killing his friend is demented enough, but to follow through with his plans is completely insane. How can you kill the man you have told everything to, and who you have spent most of your fun times with. Macbeth shows even greater weakness when he claims to see Banquo's ghost at the dinner table the evening of the murder. He acts so insanely that his wife has to stand up and say, "Sit worthy friends. My lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat" (III.iv.53-54). Macbeth's own wife has to stand up and lie for him because Macbeth has gotten so little sleep that he actually thinks this ghost is real, even though he knows that Banquo is dead.

Child Development Essay -- Child Rearing, Natural Growth

Lareau (2003) reports that social class plays a very important role in a child’s upbringing because it helps determine the way a child will be raised. In Lareau’s (2003) study she came to the conclusion that there were two different patterns of child rearing: concerted cultivation and natural growth. Concerted cultivation is the child rearing method that middle class parents use focusing on not only caring for their child, but developing a personality by enrolling their children in many structured activities and developing language skills (Lareau, 2003). Natural growth is the child-rearing method that working class and poor parents use to raise their children because there is not a lot of time and money for structured activities and long verbal discussions with the children (Lareau, 2003). Families who practice natural growth child rearing practices need to focus on providing the simpler needs of the child like providing shelter, clothing, food, and water therefore unab le to have the structured activities and worry about establishing communication skills. This is important to consider because the way children are raised because this has a social impact. The children that are being raised today will eventually grow up to be a part of their own society; there are social impacts on the current society because of the methods of child-rearing and the consequences that these child-rearing practices are having on children with the way they interact in society, There are benefits and disadvantages to both childrearing methods reported by Lareau (2010) however there are definitive differences in the child’s outcome due to the child’s social class and thus the method the child was raised with. In concerted cultivation children spend a ... ...nd sometimes talk to my extended family I seldom see them or would by any means categorize our relationships as strong kinship ties (Lareau, 2003). This I feel has been an unfortunate result of concerted cultivation because I see how some of my other cousins behave towards each other as they are so close talking everyday and meet several times a week for lunch or dinner. I feel this is sad because while I would love to have stronger ties with my extended family I realize it is not a part of the way I was brought up because of my middleclass child-rearing. The concept of my social connections often being mostly in homogenous age groups as a child is very accurate (Lareau, 2003). Because of the activities I participated in and the area in which I lived and went to school I predominately have friendships through activities with children much like I was at the time.

Openess Trade and Growth Essay -- Economic Development, Trade Liberali

The economic growth story is as long as the history of economic thought. Since the early classics like Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus studied the issue of growth or introduced fundamental concepts such as diminishing returns and their relationship with the accumulation of physical or human capital, the relationship between technological progress and labor specialization or focus competitive analysis tool dynamic equilibrium. As part of these theories appears arises that relationship between trade openness and economic growth is positive. These theories between trade openness and economic growth can be located more than 200 years, with the mercantilist theories. Under these concepts, International trade benefited a nation only if the other was impaired. In 1776, Adam Smith broke with this theory stating that if two nations trade voluntarily with one another, both benefit. This is based on "absolute advantage." Later, David Ricardo (1817) said that while a nation was less efficient than another in production of both goods, it is still likely to trade in a mutually beneficial. This essay attempts to show what is the relationship between trade openness and economic growth and explain their implications for Paraguay. There are many conceptions about the relationship between economic growth and trade but all the authors implies that there is a beneficial situation. For example, Yuhong Li,, Zhongwen Chen, Xiaoyin Wang (2010) Conclude that In open economies, development of foreign trade greatly impacts on GDP growth. According Douglas K. Agbetsiafa â€Å"Openness of the economy to international trade promotes economic development and growth while growth itself brings about associated increase in openness to trade† (p.... ...ee of trade openness has been a topic of debate in the literature in recent years for its effect on the growth of countries. Some authors argue that trade openness is positive because to diversify the supply and provision of goods and services to a emergency. The other position assumes that trade liberalization does not imply any benefit as all internalize external shock quickly. Trade openness is related to the agricultural export structure and dependence on imported products. Paraguay has to make ever-increasing efforts to receive the same amount of income whereas the increase in the volume of exports was higher than the value. Much of the current discussion on the impact of trade on growth is relevant to Paraguay considering that there has been trade liberalization, but public policies are needed to support the development of related institutional factors.

Martin Kuther King

â€Å"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches â€Å"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World â€Å"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"I have decided to stick to love†¦Hate is too great a burden to bear. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches â€Å"Let no man pul l you so low as to hate him. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Only in the darkness can you see the stars. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. ?Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. â€Å"Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of tr ue education. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Everybody can be great†¦ because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry.He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘ Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. â€Å"I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls. † ? Martin Luther King Jr. , I Have A Dream http://www. goodreads. com/author/quotes/23924. Martin_Luther_King_Jr_

Inmate Classification

Inmate classification, as soon as the person is convicted of a crime, he is sent to the level of a prison accordingly with respect to his crime. The nature of a crime determines the level of a prison, if a person committed a more violent crime; it is likely that he would be sent to a more secured level of a prison. There are four levels of prisons, minimum, medium, close and maximum. However, I would like to just discuss minimum and medium level. Minimum – Minimum security prison consists of dormitories that are not very secured, and are monitored by correctional officers regularly.As they used to hold people who committed a crime that wasn't as violent such as driving drunk or other crimes of such nature, there are no watch towers surrounding minimum security prisons, and they usually have a single fence perimeter. The movement of inmates isn't controlled, and they’re free to move within the prison without any problem. The inmates in minimum security prisoners are usua lly asked to do community based work such as road maintenance or working for a civilian employee etc.Medium – Medium security prisons are not as secured, but securer than minimum security prisons. They usually consist of dormitories that are capable of holding around forty-nine to fifty inmates. Unlike minimum security prisons, inmates are not allowed to move as freely, and are supervised almost all of the time. At night each dormitory is locked, and supervised by a correctional officer who monitors every movement. Medium security prisons are also covered by double fenced perimeters, and usually have watch towers, so that no one escapes.

Identify Harley Davidsons Strategy Essay

Harley is a globally recognised brand firmly associated with large motorbikes with a historic emphasis on style, individuality and freedom rather than on technology, speed or sports. From a segmentation view they belong in the heavyweight motorcycle market and are particularly strong within a sub-segment of super heavyweight. Their bikes are strongest in the Cruiser motorcycle segment, feature in the Touring bikes segment (focus on their style and image) and through acquisition of Buell, now have a presence in the Performance models segment. The Harley-Davidson image and the customer loyalty earned and sustained by the unique ? Harley Experience’ are its greatest assets. The appeal of the Harley brand was central to the corporate strategy. The focus of the strategy was to reinforce and extend the relationship between the company and its consumers. The Harley Owners Group was established to be a vehicle to unite management, employees and customers in a special community and to foster relationships and shared experiences towards a bonding with the brand and the company. The loyalty of Harley owners is evident in their repeat purchase behaviour ? over 50% of sales between ’99 and ’05 were to previous owners, while brand attraction helped account for a 20% share from first time buyers. The brand was also successful in effecting a demographic and socioeconomic shift away from young workers to middle-aged, higher income owners. Harley lagged behind its competitors in terms of technological innovation and rapid progress but insisted on playing the game on their home strengths of distinctive features and traditional designs. They lacked the economies of scale of their competitors who could spread the costs of research and development across higher unit volumes of products and multiple product lines. Instead they concentrated on incremental improvements to their engines, frames and gearboxes to increase reliability and power and reduce vibration. In 2006 they had 36 models available with lots of customisation options so that each purchaser could virtually have a personalised motorcycle. This captures their reconciliation between differentiation and economies of scale ? a wide range of customisable options while standardising on key components. Sales of parts, accessories and merchandise had grown to a 20% share in 2000. Harley established a dealer development program to improve its distribution and position it in support of the brands requirement for a sustained ? Harley Experience’. The program increased support for dealers while imposing higher standards of pre- and after-sales service and better dealer facilities. Training programs, test ride facilities, rider instruction classes were all initiatives designed to differentiate the Harley products from their competitors and success is evident with sustained demand. Not all initiatives were so successful, the intent of the Buell acquisition was to broaden the customer base by merging the comfort and style of a Harley cruiser with the performance attributes of a sports bike. While by no means a failure the Buell strategy has performed steadily but has not attracted the same demand from the market and annual shipments now approach just 12 to 13 thousand. Compare Harley’s resources and capabilities to those of Honda. What does your analysis imply for Harley’s potential to establish cost and differentiation advantage over Honda? Harley has continuously upgraded its manufacturing operations and invested in plant and machinery both to introduce advanced process technologies and to expand capacity. Despite constant development and investment, Harley’s low production volumes relative to Honda and the other Japanese manufacturers imposed severe cost disadvantages. They simply could not attain economies of scale to match their large competitors. A related area was their weakness in buying power ? While not having the volumes with which to bargain quantity discounts Harley emphasised the internal roles of Purchasing Managers to foster close relationships with suppliers. Honda, in particular, are renowned for their engine technology and they can sustain continued engine innovation as they have a very large product range to which engines are central and over which the costs can be amortised more easily. Harley turned to their own strengths and organisational capabilities to achieve cost efficiencies and product / brand differentiation. By utilising ? Strategic Innovation’ they chose to establish competitive advantage through creating value for customers from novel experiences, product delivery, customisation options and customer care. As a smaller organisation and one which adopted a non-hierarchical, team based structure, Harley successfully engineered a transformation in employee commitment and job satisfaction which also helped the company sustain this competitive advantage once it had been achieved. By ensuring that the ?Harley Experience’ was kept to a very high level it proved impossible for imitators or competitors to tap into the brand attractiveness. The sustainability of Harleys differentiation is less vulnerable to being overturned by changes in the external environment and is more difficult to replicate. Harley differentiate on more than one plane ? their products certainly, but also their design, marketing and customer interactions ? have you ever seen a group of Honda owners get together BECAUSE they are Honda owners ? Way to go Harley. How can Harley D. sustain and enhance it’s competitive position? The essence of differentiation advantage is to increase the perceived value of the offering to the customer either more effectively or at lower cost to competitors. This requires that Harley continue to match the requirements and preferences of customers with its own capacity for creating uniqueness. Successful differentiation requires a combination of astute analysis and creative imagination. The Value Chain provides a useful framework for analysing differentiation advantage. By regularly analysing how value is created for customers and by systematically appraising the scope of each of the firms activities for achieving differentiation, the value-chain permits matching demand-side and supply-side sources of differentiation.

TBD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

TBD - Essay Example This paper discusses persuasively the need for people to embrace volunteering in their community in a clear and outright way. The solution to the trend of the minimizing rate of volunteering in the American society is emphasizing on the importance of volunteering to the public. This can be done through the start of volunteering clubs in various learning institution. The clubs will create a platform where the students are taught the importance of volunteering in the community. The impact of this will be a generation that embraces voluntary work in their community thus this culture will be evident in years to come (Paxton, 14-15). Also, learning institution should support and motivate the students who are volunteering. This may be done by recognizing their efforts and awarding them individually with certificates of merit. It is evident that when students get to be involved in volunteering while they are young the future Corporate Social Responsibility is in good hands. Companies also should encourage their staff to be involved in volunteering through setting up of workshops to teach them on the importance. This is an open forum where every staff member will participate and give his contribution on the topic. Also, companies should set up programs of Corporate Social Responsibility in their locations. This will create opportunities for the locals to volunteer for the benefit of the development of the area (Brummel, par 4). It is evident that companies that embrace Corporate Social Responsibility have a competitive edge in the market space as it leads to a good reputation of the company. Some of the remarkable CSR companies can be involved in is the setting up recycling plants that will help in conservation of the environment. Another one is providing habitat for humanity. This involves building of affordable homes to the low-income families in the

Influence Leadership and Personal Development Reflective Portfolio Essay

Influence Leadership and Personal Development Reflective Portfolio - Essay Example The above knowledge has helped in enhancing my productivity and efficiency in dealing with several subjects. Gaining efficiency in terms of both theoretical and practical knowledge has helped me in sharpening my business and communication skills. In addition to the above I have acquired other skill set which helps me achieve targets on time and also in sustaining a healthy relationship with the client base of the concern. Again speaking on the above note I feel encouraged in working together in a collaborated fashion within a team framework for the successful accomplishment of multifarious and multidimensional business objectives. My working with different organisations for a span of four years in profiles like marketing and sales assistants and also as negotiators has helped in enhancing my expertise in delivering projects in a highly professional manner. The above facts have thereby augmented my dynamism and endeavour to deliver better in the professional framework and help in the enhancement of the portfolio (Brown and Irby, 2001, p.15; Zuzelo, 2007, p.10). Highlights – Work done The work highlights are presented hereunder in a historical fashion starting from the financial year 2006-2007 which would help in the portfolio management (Knoerr and McDonald, n.d.; Jafari and Kauffman, 2006, p.87). Work highlights are used to enhance the dimension of reflective portfolio through the presentation of evidences and a critical analysis of the work path (Smith and Tillema, 2005, p.15; Loughran, 2005, p.815). During that period I was employed with Mundi Color Holidays as a Sales Manager where my area of responsibilities constituted of the following activities. I had to regularly update the agencies in regards to changes in the commission levels and also in gaining access to other agencies. Further I was also required to update the information gathered in the computer and also in helping to fill up the vouchers and also arrange for the proper despatch of old peop le travelling over to Spain. In that I acted as the liaison between the managerial bodies of the concern and the client base and rendered important feedback based on client interface. During the period ranging from 2007 to 2008 I acted as the Lettings Negotiator in Orchild Properties which is an Estate Agency. In that through the help of software like Estatepro and a website named findpropetty.com I effectively carried out the sales and marketing activities through which different promotions relating to property were raised. Apart from finding and promotion of the different properties I also through the use of information technology helped to enhance the presentation aspects of the new properties. The company’s website was vividly used for the above purpose along with creation of window displays for the same. Finally I was also entrusted to conduct the bookings for the above properties and also in administering the entire letting process. From November 2008 to 2009 I worked a s the Senior Negotiator in Manolia Homes. In this concern I worked in the management of contracts protecting the rights of both the landlord and the tenant. Further I also carried on effective negotiation with the tenants and rendered the feedback to the team so as to chalk out plans for the meeting of targets based on weeks and months. Customer interaction and complaint management were carried out by me with also efficiently administering the

White Collar Crime in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

White Collar Crime in America - Research Paper Example â€Å"White-crime statistics are drearier still. Though two out of every three Americans have been the victims of a white-collar crime, 85 percent of victims don't file reports with the authorities. An untold number may never even know they have been the victims of crimes such as stock manipulation, double billing for purchases, unnecessary home or auto repairs, embezzlement, or as evidenced by recent events, Ponzi schemes.† (O'Donnell, Jan 29, 2009.) Is there a permanent solution to root out white-collar crimes from American society and if so what are the measures to be initiated? White collar crime baffles definition. The industrialization and the internet revolution which are the foundation stones of the materialistic civilization have contributed much to the advancement of the white-collar crime. Explaining the inability of the thinkers and writers on the subject to come to an acceptable conclusion to tender a definition that is acceptable to all, David O Friedrichs goes to elaborate the major crimes which can be classified as white collar crimes. He writes, â€Å"Some of these terms include economic crime, commercial crime, business crime, marketplace crime, consumer crime, respectable crime, â€Å"crime at the top†, â€Å"suite† crime, elite crime and deviance, official crime and deviance, political crime, governmental crime, state (or state-organized) crime, corporate crime, occupational crime, employees crime, vocational crime, techno-crime, computer crime †¦.†(Friedrichs, 2006, p, 5) That which is evident needs no further app reciation, explanation or elaboration. White collar crime has taken hold many segments of society and is growing in all directions like the octopus. This is also a contentious topic- whether one is committing a legitimate business activity in a free enterprise system which is the hallmark of a capitalist society or indulges in white-collar crime.  

How To Help A Friend By Selwyn Hughes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

How To Help A Friend By Selwyn Hughes - Essay Example In â€Å"How To Help A Friend† Selwyn focuses on how to go about the counseling ministry. Whereas the author also adopts the psychological principles in counseling, it is important to note that the foundation of counseling in â€Å"How To Help A Friend,† is purely a Christian approach. The model that Hughes proposes is anchored on the teachings of the Bible on values and how to live a righteous life before the Lord God. It is a firm foundation of Christian living and Christian view of the contemporary world. Hughes offers a rich and varies way of helping friends, family and the church through a difficult situation through Christian approach to counseling. One may observe that by basing his model on Biblical principles and insights, Hughes simplifies the process of counseling. He focuses on the importance of communication during the counseling process as a vital technique. Hughes also offers guidance particularly for young people in the church who face identity crisis su ch as the question of â€Å"who am I?† For Hughes, human behavior may be seen as a result of chance. On the effectiveness of the suggested counseling techniques in the context of a local church and the suggested skills application in the Christian counseling process, Hughes model would apply as follows. In consideration of the uniqueness of Christian counseling, the context of a local church is better approached from the segment. There is the youth ministry, the church as a whole and the church leadership. Hughes model would apply in totality for all the segments.  ... In specific context, using Hughes perspectives, a Christian counselor should facilitate an effective counseling through attending, loving, listening, polite digging for information, responding and terminating the sessions. To begin with, once Christian counselor has identified a situation and intervened, the counselor is advised to give the counselee an undivided attention. This is achieved in the form of giving the counselee a good eye contact. Their posture and body language should communicate that the counselor is at ease with the counselee. This is the foundation of the counseling and it sets grounds for the rest of the sessions (Collins, 2007, p. 89). A Christian counselor must also approach the counseling with unconditional love irrespective of the situation. Hughes approach to counseling with love is based on Jesus teaching on the need not to judge others (John 8:1-11) and expression of genuine love for others (as demonstrated in Luke 7: 36-50). This way, a Christian counselor should approach all the counselees with the love of God that Jesus emphasized in his teachings. Hughes technique of approaching counseling with love may also be seen to be drawn to be anchored on Jesus teaching that we love one another just as he has loved us. He said, â€Å"This is my commandment that you love one another (John 15:12-17).† The effectiveness of this approach is that it allows a Christian counselor to identify the feelings that a member of the local church may be experiencing. The subject could be experiencing anger, setbacks or frustrations. When the counselor reflects back such feelings to the subject, this is likely to create a feeling of being understood and cared for within their unique situations with love. It helps one to open up. When dealing for

Construction Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Construction Economics - Essay Example 2.0 Basis of the Report and Assumptions The report is based on the relevance of cost benefit analysis in determining the feasibility of a project. It is assumed that the developer is aware of the prevailing market rates but is not conversant with the costing strategy that can match the rates. The essence of this report is therefore to recommend the actions on whether the project is viable or not depending on the cost benefit analysis results (Schmitt, B., 2007). 3.0 Site Location Information The construction site is located in London, towards the south east of England. It has a conglomeration of retail constructions, residential and commercial properties. The environment is well developed and the area has easy accessibility to the center of London City. The plan is to have the ground floor as a shell for tenants who intend to rent to fit them out to their suitability. The rest of the floors will be for multipurpose businesses. Figure 1: Rental Units in the Commercial area Figure 2: R ental Units in the Residential Area 4.0. Market Conditions Affecting Value The construction site is in a prime area. The demand in the area for real estate properties is so high in the area pushing the cost of acquisition and development of the plot to go up. ... assessment, the competition from other developers in the area could be a challenge however setting competitive rates will be advantageous to the business (Schmitt, B., 2007). Also the inflation rates in the real estate property market could be a challenge however with the stability in the market the rates could be manageable to the stakeholders. Using the same assumptions, the future demand may be unbearable but the value of the project may be a great advantage to the stakeholders in the future. The high demand for land in the area and the continued rising rates is propelling the already high costs. 5.0 Developers Budget 5.1. Development Cost The cost of development at the present market value covers the cost of acquisition of the site together with the cost of labor and construction materials. The budget for the development is as follows: Demolition: ? 150,000 Planning costs and fees, including s.106 agreement – upgrading infrastructure: ? 250,000 Site surveys: ? 25,000 Const ruction costs: Infrastructure: ? 273,000 Landscaping: ? 15,000 Structure: ?1,100/m2 Extra for office floors: ? 550/m2 Extra for residential floors: ? 650/m2 5.2. Expected return Out of the budget, the return from the rental units will determine whether the expenses are higher than the earnings or less. The present market rates for residential property units will earn about ?500 per month, coming to about ?6000 per unit per month. For the 7 rental units available, the total earning will be ?42000 per year. For every office unit, the project will earn about twice that of residential units, which is about ?84, 000 per year. Parking will be expected to earn about ?10000 per year, making the total annual revenue a consolidated estimate of about ?136000 per year. With the continuous growth in market

Strengths and Weaknesses of Internal and External Recruitment Essay

Strengths and Weaknesses of Internal and External Recruitment - Essay Example This essay describes today’s dynamic companies needs to adapt swiftly to the changing environment. Often the human resources department is required to fill vast number of jobs as the company develops new markets and pursues new strategies. New positions tend to require specialized skill sets while new management philosophies look for softer skills such as interpersonal skills. To complicate the matter further, today’s employees are more likely to change jobs, due to the availability of myriad opportunities. The researcher focuses on describing of the process of th human resources department that must define the job requirements, advertise the position, sort though the applicants and choose the best candidates effectively and efficiently. The most successful recruitment depends on the amount of preparation before the actual process. There are many ways to attract a pool of suitable applicants that are described in the essay. The method chosen depends on the time and reso urces the organisation can afford and the nature of the business. This can be accomplished by weighing the knowledge level, skills etc. of the required candidate to fill the job, how much training he will require, and how much value add the candidate would bring to the table. Investing the time and resources in getting a successful recruit represents sound business practice. Above all, the researcher states that being an employer of choice is a reputation that recruiters need to build within their industries and that is a powerful tool in attracting top talent.

Financial pros and cons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial pros and cons - Essay Example Capital Budgeting decisions of Debt Financing vis-a-vis Equity Financing and Capital Expenditure The essay analyses the financial viability of setting up a new production plant including the financing decisions and whether Superior Living Inc. should go for an IPO. Financial Analysis of Superior Living Inc. Profitability and solvency position of a company is a direct way to understand how well a company is performing. For the purpose of analyzing let us look at the following ratios and how the company has fared: Net profit margin: The Company has been earning a healthy net profit margin which has been constantly increasing from 10.66% in the year to 11.77% in the year 2003. Operating margin: The Company has a better operating margin in 2003 of 19.60% over the previous years. This indicates the company is very efficient in managing its operating expenses to generate revenue. Return on Capital Employed: The Company have earned handsomely for its investors as return so far on its capita l employed stands at approximately 25% which is far more than the cost of capital, assuming it to be at 10%. Debt Equity ratio: This ratio identifies the solvency of the firm by measuring the leverage position of a company. Higher the ratio the more leverage a company is and vice versa and hence higher financial risk. Superior Living Inc. has a very low debt equity ratio i.e. ... Pros and cons of going public Raising money by going public indicates accepting money from investors in exchange of ownership and control of the company without the obligation of paying back the money. The company as per its convenience benefits the investors by paying dividend from time to time. This sounds like easy money for the company but the flip side is that the ownership and control over the company would be foregone for the amount invested via equity financing. In the case of Superior Inc. the company is comfortably placed in terms of book debts. The debt equity ratio very low which means the company has not used debt to the extent it should have used. Generally the ideal debt equity ratio should be 1:2 but for Superior it’s around 1:40. Therefore, the prudent course of action for Superior Inc. is too raise capital by debt financing route which also brings in tax advantage as interest paid on debts is deductible from profits and dividend paid on equity cannot be deduc ted from profits. Debt financing does not affect the ownership structure of the company; hence the control remains with the owners of the company. Pros and cons of a capital expenditure Superior Living Inc. plans to start a new production plant as part of their expansion plans. To determine the financial viability of the this capital expenditure, various capital budgeting decision tools were used which includes payback period, net present value, internal rate of return and modified internal rate of return. The cost of project is $5,000,000 over a year and cash flow would start flowing in the company only from the second year. The expected cash inflow as a result of new production plant is expected to

Leadership and Human Behavior Essay Example for Free

Leadership and Human Behavior Essay Leadership and Human Behavior Introduction In today fast moving world, characterized by major changes in technologies, different industries are constantly forced to revolutionize their products and services to the point that the business world has become more competitive and unpredictable than ever. There is a great need for people who are able to cope with change. In his article of â€Å"What Leaders Really Do, John P. Kotter said that, â€Å"mre change always demands more leadership. † The question of interest to me is to know which leadership approach suit the best in coping with change. In this paper, I will first develop an understanding of the concepts underlying the term leadership. Secondly, I will examine different leadership style through analysis of some cases studies explored in class. Subsequently, I will reflect on my personal style and present my conclusion. Definition and understanding To begin with, it is worth understanding what the term â€Å"leadership† means. There are hundreds of definitions out there related to this term, but each of them differs from one to another. The most appealing definition I found is the one from Don Clark of Big Dog Leadership. He defines leadership as a â€Å"process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. † My interest to this definition resides in the way the author refers to some important elements of leadership such as influence, people, and objective. Kevin Martineau of Port Hardy Baptist Church has nicely put together the common elements that many leadership definition share that I thought to be useful in my understanding of leadership concept. First, he mentions that â€Å"leadership has to involve people. Without people following, being influenced, having their needs met or being motivated, mobilized, resourced and directed there is no leadership. † Next, he adds that â€Å"leadership is taking people to a destination/goal. Leaders take the people who are following them on a journey†. On that journey there is a destination. A leader must know what the destination/goal is that they are leading people to. † To conclude, he states that â€Å"leadership involves influence. A leader must be able to influence, motivate, mobilize and help others reach the destination. This means that the leader must be equipping and helping others to reach and realize their potential. † This in-depth description gives us a clear understanding of what leadership means and what effective leaders really do. However, the question we might wonder is to know â€Å"how† leaders carry out their everyday jobs? Certainly, it would be difficult to provide just one specific answer that best respond to this question, considering that there are many factors that play into account. However, in this paper I will focus on the type of leadership style used. Leadership Style Through the readings, analysis and class discussions of different cases studies explored in this class, I gained awareness of different leadership styles. In the following lines, I will like to highlight some cases that caught my attention. The first is the case study of â€Å"Amelia Rogers at Tassani Communications. † Rogers had a very task-oriented leadership style. She had a set of skills needed to get thing done, great sense of vision and strategy. Some people in the case described her as a â€Å"good thinker, hard worker, and she delivers what she says she is going to deliver†. Her tendency of being so focus on getting work done and seeing results led her to have tough management style and she was not thinking much about her work relationship. She found herself being in conflict with her co-workers on numerous occasions. Describing her own management style, she said that, â€Å"I like to nip my conflicts right in bud and deal with them head on, straight on, not hide them under things.

Ineffectiveness of Therapeutic Communities in Prisons Essay Example for Free

Ineffectiveness of Therapeutic Communities in Prisons Essay Prisons release 650,000 offenders to the public annually and 70% of those exoffenders will commit new offenses within three years (Fields, 2005, p. A4). According to the JFA Institute (2007), â€Å"two-thirds of the 650,000 prison admissions are people who have failed probation or parole—approximately half of these people have been sent to prison for technical violations† (p. 1). As prison crowding occurs, prison officials are challenged to keep inmates busy by assigning them to productive tasks and incorporate therapeutic programs (Center for Justice Reconciliation, 2007). If criminal justice professionals fail to keep up with programming expectations, program shortages may influence inmate idleness resulting in disruptions, prison violations, and mental-health issues related to stress and depression (Fields). During 2003 and 2004, approximately 900 criminals entered the nation’s jails and prisons each week based on a report issued in April 2006 by the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (p. 1). Jails and prisons in the U. S. house more people with mental illnesses than many of the inpatient psychiatric facilities, and virtually all correctional facilities experience the impact of this population that is increasing at an unprecedented rate (McCuan, Prini, Wasarhaley, 2007). During 2006, 41% of inmate assailants were listed under the mental health caseload (Collins, 2006). In 2006, the U. S. Department of Justice released statistics revealing that 23% of state prisoners reported symptoms of major depression. An estimated 61% of state prisoners and 44% of jail inmates who had a mental health problem also had a history of past violent behavior. In a 1999 report (Dawn, 2007), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill reported that there are three times as many seriously mentally ill individuals in prison and jails than there are being treated in hospitals. Equally disturbing is that the criminal justice system will have some type of experience with 25 to 40% of the mentally ill in the U. S. population. Inmates with mental illness present additional expenditure problems for prison systems already overburdened by population demands. The influx has challenged criminal justice professionals to extend their budgets to cover the costs of appropriate programming for every offender in an effort to minimize potential inmate unrest, a situation that leads to assaults and other infractions associated with idleness (Wilkinson, 1998). In 2007, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) reached a population milestone with a count of 50,000 offenders. As the inmate population rises in Ohio prisons, the possibility of inmate assaults may also go up â€Å"because overcrowding exacerbates the chronic pains of imprisonment† (Haney, 2006, p. 2). One way to manage a potential increase in assaults is to keep offenders engaged in some type of community activity and participating in therapeutic programs. Some officials reported that therapeutic programs and community service theoretically should be one of the most effective ways to engage an inmate’s time and energy and keep infractions at a manageable level. DRC views the involvement of inmates in community service and therapy as vital to their release. Ohio prison Director Terry Collins stated that ex-offenders who served as program participants during their incarceration help close the gap between themselves and their communities. As a result, these inmates are better prepared to function as lawabiding citizens â€Å"†¦because they have stayed in touch with the community and have given something of value back† (Collins, 2007, p. 1). â€Å"Very crowded prison systems are difficult to manage† (Wilkinson, 1998, p. 76). As prison crowding occurs, prison officials are challenged to keep inmates busy by assigning them to productive tasks. â€Å"Good prison management is engaging prisoners in meaningful activities such as educational programs and work assignments† (Wilkinson, p. 76). â€Å"The most important single factor (among many) that helps to explain the current crisis in American corrections—the lack of effective programming and treatment† (Haney, 2007, p. 76). Although prison jobs such as mopping floors, kitchen duty, and making prison garments occupy inmates’ time, more meaningful community service as a restorative justice measure may be an effective way to address the challenge of prison crowding (Center for Justice Reconciliation, 2007). â€Å"The meaningful aspect is critical because it may help to instill responsibility and a changed attitude about criminal activity† (Wilkinson, p. 76). Prisons in the United States are facing the challenges of crowding including inmate idleness as it relates to programming expectations. Lack of programming in prison is a serious safety and security threat to the staff, the public, and the offenders. As inmate populations increase, once stable prison systems can become volatile environments and endanger prison staff and the systems they are charged with protecting (Gaes, 1994). When criminal justice professionals fail to keep up with programming expectations, program shortages may influence inmate idleness. Inmate idleness can lead to disruptions, prison violations, gang-related activities, and mental-health issues related to stress and depression (Wilkinson, p. 76). Another issue confronting the criminal justice system is the increasing number ofyouth being sentenced to adult prisons (Fields, 2005). Every state within the U. S. has at least one statutory component that addresses the procedure of processing juveniles as adults in criminal court (Wilkinson, 1998). Prison officials also have other challenges. One challenge officials face includes accommodating the needs of state prisoners with symptoms of mania (43%) and major depression (23%) according to the U. S. Department of Justice (2006, p. 1). A major problem is that inmates with mental health problems are unable to defend their situation so they remain in prison. Although prison officials face the issue of crowding, they are also seeking ways for inmates to become engaged in some type of activity that will keep them busy for the majority of their waking hours. When offenders engage in some type of prison program or activity that helps with their transition from prison to society successful reintegration is possible. The theoretical framework of community service in the prison setting is the restorative justice model (Zehr, 2002). The restorative justice model advocates that offenders must demonstrate a desire or a goodwill gesture to pay back the public for the misdeed they committed in order to reconnect to their community. Restorative justice is a philosophical framework for responding to crime that focuses on the injury resulting from crime and the actions needed to mend this harm. It focuses on crime as an act against another individual or the community rather than the state. It is a future-focused model that emphasizes problem solving instead of â€Å"just deserts. † (Carey, 1996, pp. 152-153) Although several justice models exist, the restorative justice model combines the best features of the traditional, liberal, and conservative theories. â€Å"Restorative justice has brought an awareness of the limits and negative by-products of punishment. Beyond that, however, it has argued that punishment is not real accountability† (Zehr, 2002, p. 16). By participating as community service volunteers, inmates choose to serve the community. The inmates’ actions demonstrate a desire to give back and a desire to assume responsibility for their actions. Community service programs have a restorative justice component that considers an offender’s successful transition from incarceration to community integration (U. S. Department of Justice, 2006). When considering the large number of offenders in jails and prisons nationally, the problem demands the public’s immediate attention (U. S. Department of Justice, 2006). Providing offenders with productive activities through programs like community service sends a message to the public that its safety and security is vital. It is also important to assist inmates in their transition back into the community by engaging them in an activity that keeps them connected to a society that has been offended by crime. Wilkinson (1998) reported that a significant percent of exoffenders that participated in community service while in prison did not recidivate compared to those offenders that did not participate (p. 91). Although community service may have a positive impact on an inmate’s community re-entry, the type of community service program inmates do during their incarceration may also improve their quality of prison life. Barak, Savorai, Mavashev, and Beni (2001) reported that dogs are becoming a valued therapeutic tool among health-care providers in clinical and non-traditional settings because of the calming affect dogs have on the physical and mental conditions of patients. Community service programs serve a useful role in managing inmate behavior and controlling the frequency and severity of inmate infractions within adult prisons. However, as prison crowding occurs, prison officials struggle to keep inmates busy by assigning them to productive tasks. Inmate idleness is something that most states are confronted with and while prison jobs such as mopping floors, kitchen duty, and making prison garments keep inmates occupied, these jobs are not enough to satisfy programming requirements to address the needs of rising populations. As inmate populations increase, stable prison systems could become volatile environments endangering prison staff as well as the inmates the systems are charged with protecting. When there are a limited number of prison jobs to address the population challenges, offenders find inappropriate ways to address their own idleness. The choices offenders make may lead to fights, staff assaults, riots, and other forms of aggression. References Barak, Y. , Savorai, O. , Mavashev, S. , Beni, A (2001). Animal assisted therapy for elderly schizophrenic patients: A one year controlled trial. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 9(4), 439-432. Fields, G. (2005, January). Congress prepares to tackle prisoner recidivism: Lawmakers plan for bipartisan measures after report offers advice for overhaul. Wall Street Journal, p. A4. JFA Institute. (2007, November). Unlocking America: Why and how to reduce America’s prison population. Retrieved November 10, 2007, from www. jfa-associates. com U. S. Department of Justice. (2006, September 6). Study finds more than half of all prison and jail inmates have mental health problems. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://www. ojp. usdoj. gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2006/BJS06064. htm McCuan, R. , Prins, S. , Wasarhaley, N. (2007). Resources and challenges: Corrections and mental health collaborations. August 2007, Corrections Today: Female Offenders Collins, T. (2006). Ohio Department of Rehabilitation Correction: Pieces of the puzzle. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://www. drc. ohio. gov/ Dawn, B. (2007). Managing the â€Å"other† inmate. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://www. corrections. com Wilkinson, R. A. (1998). The impact of community service work on adult state prisons using a restorative justice framework. Division of Research and Advanced Studies of the University of Cincinnati, College of Education. Haney, C. (2007). Testimony of Professor Craig Haney. Prison overcrowding: Harmful consequences and dysfunctional reactions. University of California, Santa Cruz.