Article review and summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Article review and summary - Essay Example Conceptual model have been proposed to evaluate the performance of the CFO for making compensation decisions. Earlier it considers the quantitative financial performance measures and the managerial duties of the CFO but now it also considers fiduciary duties of the CFO in the post Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) era towards the judgment of CFOs compensation. Conceptual model also takes into account two interactive factors and that are governance oversight and costs of firm of financial statement misreporting. Hypothesis tests, control variables, correlation matrix, robustness test and a look back analysis have been conducted to show the relationship between ICMW and the CFO compensation. Thus this paper focuses on the various threads of literature in judging the CFO compensation. Summary of Article Under the SOX Act of 2002, the CFOs and the CEOs i.e. the chief executive officer are required to maintain, establish and assess the effectiveness of internal control and also required to report o this assessment in both annual and quarterly financial statements. In the post SOX period CFOs have been more responsible for their actions as they play primary role in the oversight of internal control fulfillment. ... to reward attainment of firm annual objectives and long term mechanisms are designed to encourage sustainable growth of the firm and to align the management interest with those of shareholders. Different proxy statements state that along with the compensation committees, CEOs also plays an important role in deciding the CFO compensation. The discussion suggests that in the current year i.e. year t, with the disclosure of ICMW, CFO compensation has resulted a decline in comparison to previous year. Managerial duties of CFO involve adding towards operational decisions which influences the financial performance and fiduciary duties include maintaining top quality internal controls. Prior research has not observed the association between internal quality control and the CFO compensation because compensation of executives was earlier based on financial performance measures only but now it depends on nonfinancial performance measures also. It is expected that ICMW disclosure has resulted a decrease in CFO compensation. The conceptual model expresses two factors that influence the relationship between the CFO compensation and the ICMW disclosures. First is governance oversight and the second factor is costs of firm of financial statement misreporting. Agency theory stresses on the disagreement between shareholders and managers. The conflict is that though the shareholders employs the managers to take actions on their behalf but sometimes the manager’s interest are not aligned with those of the shareholders. There are certain difficulties associated with financial performance measures so, nonfinancial measures are considered more important in evaluating agent’s performance and also regarded as the key drivers of the firm value according to the prior research. Internal

Twitter Emerges as a Digital Marketing Tool Case Study

Twitter Emerges as a Digital Marketing Tool - Case Study Example Thousands of businesses in the United States are using tweeting as part of their marketing strategy. A survey revealed that over 88% of businesses in the U.S tweet messages to their customer base. The online connectivity of smartphones has made it easier than ever to follow tweets in real time. Key Marketing Issues Digital Media – consumers have become more accustomed to receiving their daily news through electronic media channels. One of the fastest growing media channels are social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Electronic Marketing – Electronic marketing has become more popular than ever in the 21 century. In 2011 the global online advertising industry generated $71 billion in revenues (Plunkett Research). Social network – Social networks have grown in popularity during the past few years. Facebook is the industry leader with over 845 million users (Facebook). Twitter has become more popular among business owners due to its ability to receive followers without having the need of being in the network of friends. Personal Case Analysis The case study showed the growing tendency of people being in love with social network websites. The interesting thing about the article was that it showed how companies are taking advantage of this lifestyle change among consumers. I think that companies should use Twitter because it is a cost effective way to market to a growing population of consumers that use the services of Twitter on a daily basis. People in the Unites States have become addicted to their smartphones. These devices can be used by people to follow tweets in real time from any location. Interactivity is a feature that brings a lot of excitement to consumers. Case Questions 1) Why is Twitter appealing to companies? Twitter is very appealing to companies because it provides firms with a cost effective marketing medium that can be used to reach thousands of customers instantly. Advertising on Twitter is very cheap in comparison with the advertising costs of traditional media channels such as television and radio. The size of the Twitter population is another attractive feature of the website. There are over 175 million users of Twitter (Carlson). Twitter gives companies the ability to interact with its users. The use of Twitter can be very effective to target younger buyers between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. 2) How can Twitter be used to strengthen customer relationships and to gather customer feedback? Twitter is a great website because it connects people and businesses with each other. Customers that are interested in the products or services of a company can follow the latest company news using Twitter. Customer relationships can be reinforced by creating loyalty programs in Twitter that allow customers to receive special deals through the twitter feeds. Twitter can also be used as a tool to collect secondary data. â€Å"Secondary data is the data that have been already collected by and readily av ailable from other sources† (Managementstudyguide). 3) What are some of the drawbacks of using Twitter as a marketing tool? Twitter can be a very effective marketing tool that can be implemented at a low cost, but there are certain drawbacks associated with its use. The use of Twitter for marketing purposes is limited to the reach of the medium. A lot of people are not users of social media websites. Other channels such as television and the written press have greater reach than Twitter. The use of Twitter is not as popular among senior citizens as it is among teenagers. Using Twitter as a sole marketing strategy does not let companies achieve adequate penetration among all demographic groups. Another drawback of the use of Twitter

Analysis of Home Based Aquaponics System

Analysis of Home Based Aquaponics System RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter outlines the rationale for the research approach adopted and how the detailed analysis of a specific home based aquaponics system is undertaken. The methods for data collection and analysis that is used is as well described. The overall design and structure of the study was driven by the need to fill the gap that exist in the study on home based aquaponics systems in Mauritius. Also, the only home based aquaponic practitioner’s system identifed was closely studied, so as to allow for solid findings and a well-grounded analysis. However, it reflects as well on the limitations of the research methods and how these might affect the findings and conclusions. In this study, the qualitative research using case study analysis is chosen as the appropriate method as it enables to answer the research questions. The qualitative method helps in preparing a careful planning of a research design that encompasses all aspects of the study, from research questions to data collection and analysis. To this effect, qualitative research is chosen using the case study method in order to collect rich, descriptive data on aquaponics. Nevertheless, studies on aquaponics have found that qualitative research results can differ from quantitative results, highlighting the importance of exploratory qualitative data collection for a holistic understanding (Conroy, 1999; Conroy Walker, 2000). Following thorough research on internet and with government authorities and other institutions having insights of the field of aquaponics, only one home based aquaponic practitioner has been identified. He was contacted through Facebook social networking and some informal interviews were undertaken through online communications, following which a formal meeting was scheduled at his premise in order to study his backyard aquaponics system. Indeed, from the close analysis and structured interview undertaken with the aquaponic practitioner, valuable information is gathered regarding his aquaponics system, complete designs, scale, production rates, management practices and water testing parameters and results. His approval was required for consequent visits to closely study his aquaponics system, assist him in effecting the water testings and to carry out additional interviews accordingly, as the dissertation progresses, to gather information as needed. All information is documented to b e used for analysis. The consent of the interviewers has been asked and an explanation of the study has been provided in order to begin any interview for the purpose of this study. Indeed, the aquaponic practitioner gave his consent for his name and pictures of his aquaponics system to be acknowledged and presented in this work. Further, since there is no comprehensive list of aquaponics practitioners in Mauritius, informal interviews were carried out with some organisations having insights of aquaponics system. Furthermore, I assisted the aquaponic practitioner in carrying out water testings in line with some specific parameters, being given that water testing in line with such parameters (PH,Temperature,Nitrate and Ammonia) are vital for the proper sustainability, monitoring and flow of the aquaponics system. Indeed, assisting in the water testing exercise with the aquaponic practitioner helped me better involve in the study as well as understand and analyse the system which helped me consolidate my findings. Moreover, in line with the research objectives in view to gain a better understanding of home based aquaponics system, questions are explicitly framed to highlight the elements of a home scale aquaponics technology. In view to analyse and truly understand a home based aquaponics system, the only genuine home based aquaponics system identified was closely analysed in helping to develop a more grounded insights on more favourable or unfavourable combinations of factors that could be used to increase the awareness, implementation, effectiveness and sustainability of home based aquaponics projects in the future. Furthermore, Maxwell (2005) and Yin (2009) argue that qualitative research needs a clearer pre-structuring. Despite this, I was realistically flexible about the necessary timing of my research activities in view to accommodate for the inevitable challenges that arose from trying to schedule meeting with the busy aquaponic practitioner. To ensure this need for flexibility, a plan was written up to guide the research. However, the data collection process was greatly facilitated by being able to visit the aquaponic practitioner and be on the site of his aquaponics system. Data Collection Methods When conducting a study, it is recommended to use various sources in order to grasp understanding of the context and a more solid foundation which helps in making the accurate choices. Also, the use of multiple sources enhances the reliability and validity of evidence as well as strengthens the author’s arguments (Yin, 2003). Therefore, both primary and secondary sources are needed for data collection. The primary source in this study is gathered through observations, analysis and interviews. The secondary sources include journals, articles, technical reports, policies and some previous studies which are used mainly in theoretical part. My data collection methods included formal observation, site visits, analysis and review. I also conducted structured interviews with the aquaponic practitioner. To comprehend the aquaponics system of the home based aquaponic practitioner that I had chosen to examine, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of the press articles online and by other academic and media sources in relation to home scale aquaponics. I reviewed local government websites and policy documents and did research on internet search engines in relation to home based/backyard aquaponics. I also spoke informally with the chosen aquaponic practioner to gain a sense of direction and understanding to better prepare my research work and formal interview. From his responses and my research work, I drafted my interview questions to gain diverse perspective in analysing the home based aquaponics system. My main data was sourced from a combination formal and informal interviews. Formal interviews were carried out with some stakeholders having insights of aquaponics and both formal and informal interviews were undertaken with the identified aquaponic practitioner. The structured interview questions were designed following formal interviews and in line with literature review. The data generated from the interviews allowed me to confirm the themes by which the data was eventually analysed; it also helped me to refine a line of inquiry for subsequent informal interviews. The fact that informal interviews were conducted with some stakeholders other than the aquaponic practitioner, means that I could to some extent prevent the risk of ‘key informant bias’ (Maxwell 2005 p. 91). Their insights were also essential for addressing the question of authenticity, credibility, representativeness and meaning. Following the structured interview, I conducted informal qualitative interviews with the aquaponic practitioner to ask specific questions regarding the case study and clarify any discrepancies I had noticed in the interview data. I covered the history and his future plans, as well as the challenges he had encountered along the way. In all the interviews I directed my questions accurately to add to the depth of perspective on the case study and my analysis. The data were further supplemented with analysis of the observations made through several site visits. Unstructured interviews were considered suitable because I wanted to allow for unpredicted events or findings (Bryman 1999, Yin 2009). The interviews were kept within a time limit of one hour and questions varied according to the role and expertise and context of respondent. Analysis of Data Bryman and Burgess (1999) urge the researcher to be aware that the data available for analysis are only as good as the data that are recorded. As such the choice of a case study analysis was further justified by potential limitations associated with a unique case available to analyse. The data generated by the case was analysed accordingly as well as considering the external context, environment and the impact that these elements have had on the development, sustainability and monitoring of the aquaponic system being analysed. The knowledge I had gained from my literature review had distinguished recurring themes that form the basis of my analysis framework. Thus, the headings in the qualitative findings section mirror the headings in the literature review. In addition to the key themes identified in the literature, my analysis was influenced by informal interactions and observations of the stakeholders, case subject and sites, as well as my own interest and ongoing appreciation for aquaponics. Limitations The major limitation of the case study is that the data were collected on only one home based aquaponics system in the Northern region of Mauritius and can only be validated in the literature. Since literature in home based aquaponics in Mauritius is scarce, some of the claims cannot be validated and are just observations. In spite of these limitations, the identification of the only home based aquaponics system and a case study method approach to data collection ensures that enough conclusive evidence was generated to identify what factors to establish and operate a home based aquaponics system.

Summary of Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx Essay -- Karl Marx Communi

Summary of Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx Introduction Karl Marx was born in 1818 into a middle-class, German family. During his studies, Marx was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Hegel. He joined a group called the â€Å"Young Hegelians.† The group, though â€Å"inspired by Hegel, [was] determined to champion the more radical aspects of the old master's system.†[i] Though he was a strong scholar, he got into trouble because of his radical political views.[ii] In 1847, together with fellow German, Freidrich Engels, Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto. The Central Authority of the Communist League approved The Communist Manifesto January of 1848, and the document began printing the next month.[iii] The manifesto was â€Å"inspired by the emergence of the modern working class, [he] developed a wholly new socialist outlook based upon the principle of socialism from below.†[iv] In Marx’s version of socialism, there were two central themes, one of which was that the working class had to libe rate themselves from their oppressors, and the other involved the working people overthrowing their current government to create a new, democratic society for themselves.[v] Summary of Section 1 Marx begins by showing that throughout all of history humans have divided themselves into certain ranks or classes. For example, in the Middle Ages social divisions were â€Å"feudal lords, vassals, guild-masters, journeymen, apprentices, [and] serfs.†[vi] As long as social stratification has existed, one group or groups have been the oppressor while another group or groups have been the oppressed. The fight that exists between the oppressed and the oppressor is destine to end reconstruction of society triggered by revoluti... ...o of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.. New York: Russell and Russell, 1963. [vii] Marx [viii] Marx [ix] Marx [x] Marx [xi] Marx [xii] Marx [xiii] Marx [xiv] Marx [xv] Marx [xvi] Marx [xvii] Marx [xviii] Marx [xix] Marx [xx] Marx [xxi] Marx [xxii] Marx [xxiii] Marx [xxiv] Marx [xxv] Marx [xxvi] Brians, Paul. Study Guide for The Communist Manifesto. 15 March 2002 . LINKS TO: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/hum_303/manifesto.html Study Guide for The Communist Manifesto. http://marxist.org http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/marx.html http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/marx.htm http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/marx.htm http://www.classicnote.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/communist/ http://homepages.udayton.edu/~santamar

Final Strategic Plan Essay

Everyone wants to have a delicious meal that will not cost them a lot of money. There are many restaurants that try to sell you their services. Greg’s Family Restaurant is a restaurant which will provide a wholesome nutritious meal and great customer service for all our patrons. Mission Statement The mission of Greg’s restaurant is to provide wholesome meals at unbelievable prices the competition cannot compare. Our restaurant is to provide customers the service each and every one of them want and deserve. We will provide this type of service with the technology that is available to us as a business. With this technology we provide our customers with great service and delicious meals at an unbelievable price. We will become the best restaurant in the area that provides our customers with Mexican, Afro-American cuisine. The employees of Greg’s restaurant will be like family. Organization Vision Vision is the strategic planning of a company to achieving its goals. â€Å"A vision statement presents the firm’s strategic intent that focuses the energies and resources of the company on achieving a desirable future† (Pearce & Robinson, 2009, p37). The aim for Greg’s restaurant is to in the next 2-4 years to be above and beyond the competition and to expand the business to other areas within the city. The future planning of the restaurant is to come up with menu items that will continue to help the business to prosper. Guiding principles: Culture, social responsibility, and ethics Greg’s restaurant is following many values and cultures according to the needs of customers. The menu items of the restaurant represent different cultures that can attract customers of different nationalities and societies. Greg’s restaurant is multi- cultural and offers a wide variety of menu items that everyone can enjoy. Greg’s restaurant gives priority to the values of honesty and integrity in full support of their valued patrons. The restaurant also offers specials throughout the week and also issues coupons to get half off on certain menu items. The business is using products that are environmentally friendly and to help protect the environment and health of the community. The vision, mission, and values statement of the restaurant will provide the framework, structure and the company’s goal. The vision is the end goal the restaurant wants to achieve whereas the mission and the values will provide the business with the everyday activities the business already performs and also the structure and framework for the strategic plan for the business. The business will address customer needs by providing good service and meals to each and every patron that enters the establishment. All customers will get the same fresh meal the first customer to the last customer. The staff will act in a professional manner and provide great customer service and our suppliers along with the restaurant will serve the freshest ingredients available. Organization Strategic Direction Without strategic direction the business will not be able to accomplish its mission or vision. So it is very important that a company has a strategic direction for the implementation of its mission and vision. Strategic direction is defined as strategies made by a business or company to fulfill its mission. Strategic direction helps the owner and employees to know what is needed or required to achieve the mission of the company. Customer needs and competitive advantage At Greg’s restaurant it is important for the business to provide a relaxed comfortable atmosphere to the customers so they can like at home. At Greg’s restaurant there has been mechanisms added to provide the customers with the necessary seating and waiting areas to help them feel more comfortable at the restaurant. It is also a positive direction the company has taken is there is no priority of any culture or religion to dine at the restaurant. Honesty is a key element that we strive when dealing with patrons. Strategy planning helps the company review the mission and vision and to make sure that the company is headed in the right direction on achieving the goals. The future planning and vision of the restaurant has an impact on the restaurant strategy and it could impact the way the business will do over the next few years. The business has to utilize its vision and mission statements to make new decisions or to improve on the decisions it makes about the future of th e business and what is going to benefit the business. SWOTT Analysis In the restaurant business and by being new to the industry which is very competitive a SWOTT analysis plays a key role and is needed for a business to succeed. Greg’s Family Restaurant sets itself apart from other restaurants by servicing their customers with excellent customer service and meals. When analyzing a business one has to look at the internal and external factors that affect the company. A SWOTT analysis provides a breakdown of all these factors even factors that could affect a business internally and externally. SWOTT analysis is a tool a company uses in forming a strategic plan. It is the most effective tool a company uses to determine and uses for a strategic plan. SWOTT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats, and Trends a company must face. Business can use SWOTT as a tool to create and overview of the organization strategic situation. (Pearce & Robinson, 2009). For a new establishment like Greg’s Restaurant a SWOTT analysis is necessary to establish and compare where it is in a competitive market. When operating any type of business preparation is a key element: looking into as many potential options as possible is a must to prevent the company from profit loss along with the shareholders but in this case it is Greg’s stakeholders at risk. By eliminating all possible threats and creating opportunities with limited financial resources and concentrating on the long- term goal is the key to the success of the business and the future. SWOTT provides basic framework for business existing or new. More opportunities can be created by eliminating various weaknesses. External forces which are opportunities, threats, and trends are sets of uncontrollable factors the restaurant face and must overcome to succeed in the restaurant business. After conducting a SWOTT analysis legal and regulatory, economic, technology, Global and social trends were found external forces that need to be addressed. Legal and Regulatory Because of the external forces of opening a new restaurant or possible refitting and exiting building you will have to deal with the zoning laws. Restaurants need licenses and permits to operate or a food service establishment permit, alcohol license and food safety permit. Food safety health codes vary from state to state but restaurant businesses have to abide by the rules and laws that are put forth. The rules and regulations are to help protect the consumers and business. Economic Information regarding to products, services, tools, technology, and suppliers will compromise the economic environment of the restaurant. In 2001 California restaurants are projected to register 63.8 billion in sales, every $1 spent generates additional $1.19 in sales for the state economy. In 2010 there were 62, 794 eating and drinking places in California; every extra $1 million spent in California’s restaurants generates an additional 23.8 jobs in the state. In 2012 California restaurants employ 1,445,000 people (www.restaurant.org). Macroeconomics is very sluggish at this point in time. Inflation is at a high and banks are increasing interest rates. People are not spending as they did in the past they are more frugal with their finances. With the housing market in a slump, unemployment on the rise and with energy prices on the rise it is giving the restaurant industry a hard time. Changing labor conditions and cost is affecting smaller family type restaurants to eventually lose their business. Globalization Globalization shows opportunity for Greg’s restaurant to expand outside the United States. Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) it protects your personal assets from any liability the business incurs. If the owner plans on setting up a restaurant in different locations have separate LLC for the location. Social Socially people love to meet, dine, and have a drink and fun. But given the economic conditions of today it is hard for people to dine like they once did in the past. People are also concern about eating healthy and given the increase of a lot of food recalls in the past. Social media is also playing a big role in the marketing aspect of the restaurant industry. Technology Technology in the restaurant industry is very vital to the everyday operation. There is software available to track inventory, supplier orders, and to manage food orders. Technology is being developed every day to improve the way restaurants do business. Managers are no in more control of their staff with remote monitoring systems. Internal forces are more controllable factors a business can use to improve the operation and its path to success. After conducting an internal evaluation these were the factors the business came up with that is logical: strategy, strategic capabilities, and structures. Strategy In order for the restaurant to grow and expand a strategy has to be designed to which the business should offer products and services which customers could not receive from anywhere else. As far as strategizing the restaurant has the use of resource control which is key i.e. (operations, finance, supplies, and manpower). Strategic Capabilities Strategic capabilities play a big part in the restaurant industry. A business can create its own uniqueness through its marketing and strategic capabilities. A well- organized supply chain, a well trained staff, and a competent management team are strategic capabilities that will help the restaurant to fulfill its vision. The business also needs to consider its ability to manage working capital, expecting manpower issues and customer expectations and the ability to think ahead of the competition. As the industry changes over a period of time the threats and opportunities the restaurant will face the strategies and model of the business will have to adapt to these changes to meet the needs of the customers. It is very critical management focuses and maintain a product mix that works well for the business. The restaurant should position itself to reach specific demographic groups. Issues and Opportunities As mentioned in internal forces issues that are apparent is the lack of interactions between the employees. With these issues it allows opportunity to create meetings between employees and management. These meetings will allow staff to feel they belong and part of the family. It also allows employees to express what is working and not working for the business and what need improvement since the staff are the ones interacting with the customers. Balance Scorecard To develop a Greg’s Family Restaurant a balance scorecard is essential. It is key component for defining the goals and targets of a business as well as the mission vision and SWOTT analysis. A balanced scorecard is, â€Å"A set of four measures directly linked to a company’s strategy: financial performance, customer knowledge, internal business processes, and learning and growth† (Pearce & Robinson, 2009, p. 202). Financial Perspective/ Shareholder Value A well thought out vision and mission statement will facilitate the restaurant to achieve its target. The restaurants objectives are to increase the performance of the restaurant. The responsibility of the restaurant is to seek its customer satisfaction. Increase revenue, and also achieve financial stability. Customer Value Perspective Customers determine the success of the business. The ups and downs of the restaurants as well as the delivery of the services the business provides relates to the customers satisfaction. The more the customers are satisfied the better the business will do to attract more customers. Process/Internal Operations Perspective Strategic planning is very effective to give a nutritious meal to customers. This should be done in accordance with the customer needs. The most important thing is to determine the purpose and intentions of the strategy, because this will help the business towards its goals. The restaurant should set its goals and the path while keeping in minds the values and interest of the patrons. Customer comment cards should be available so customers can express their comments and concern. Greg’s family restaurant is always taking initiatives to improve service and products to increase their customer base. Learning and Growth Perspective Learning and growth process is the prospective to know about your business and if it is developing into the type of business you dreamt of. Learning in accordance to Greg’s family restaurant means to learn about the attitudes of the employees which are internal and customers which are external. Strategic planning within the growth and learning perspective should focus on employee training to have competent employees. Balance Scorecard Shareholder Value/Financial Perspective Strategic Objectives * Market share should increase * Net revenues should increase * Financial stability should be achieved * Production cost should be minimized Performance Measure * Revenue growth * Increased operating cost * Return on interest and capital Targets * 3-6 % market share increase over the next 3 years * 20% profit margin Customer Perspective Strategic Objectives * Focus on public interest * Quality food should be delivered * Community support * Improving brand name in market Performance Measures * New Menu Items should be offered * Awareness of brand in public Targets * 100% customer satisfaction * 15% increase in customers for the next 3 years Initiatives * Restaurant should expand to other cities * Benefits & rewards program Learning & Growth Perspective Strategic Objectives * Employees retention increased * Technology should be improved * Employee satisfaction Performance Measures * Customer satisfaction should improve * Employee turnover rate decreased * Surveys, monitoring and training Targets * 100% participation of all employees Initiatives * Staff training * Improved customer service * Analysis of Staffing References Pearce, J. A. II, & Robinson, R. B. (2009). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill www.restaurant.org http://www.balancedscorecard.org/BSCResources/AbouttheBalancedScorecard/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Police Brutality Essay

When one thinks of a cop what should come to mind is â€Å"hero†. Cops should be a sign of safety, when a cop comes around you should feel safe and protected. Although a few years ago it was that way it is no longer true. Now day’s cops are seen as people you want to stay away from, people are afraid of them. Cops are now abusing, assaulting, and killing innocent people, this is called police brutality. Police brutality can be caused by policeman’s ability to assume everyone is up to no good, racism, and thinking they have the power to do whatever they want, and it results in falsely accused young adults, death, abuse of power by troubling the lives of others. All over the world people are getting falsely accused and charged with crimes they did not commit, abused, and even killed because of police brutality. When police cars drive around in certain neighborhoods and see a bunch of teens standing around or just any type of people around in groups they automatically start to assume that they are up to no good. In the video I am Sean Bell a child said â€Å" There’s been a lot of times where people got shot over nothing. Like one guy he got shot just for pulling out a brush.† This shows that even though the man wasn’t doing anything wrong and didn’t have anything illegal on him the police just assumed that he was up to no good and was going to fire a weapon. Now days you can’t even pull out a brush without getting shot by police officers. In my eyes they are not protecting us they are taking us down. Nationally 83 percent of police are white; this is most likely why black males are locked up and get pulled over daily. Racism is something that is still a huge problem in America. White people are always seeing blacks as criminals and anytime there is a crime blacks are the first ones who are blamed. â€Å"Tonight there is anger here in New York City as 5 police officers fire 50 rounds into a vehicle last weekend killing one man, injuring two others. Victims were all black and unarmed.† – I am Sean Bell. Why was it necessary to shoot 50 rounds into a vehicle? What did they do that was so wrong for police to fire 50 rounds into their vehicle? The men in the  vehicle were not armed so why were two of them injured and one killed. Police see black people and see them all as criminals that lead to situations like this. If cops weren’t racist maybe so many black people would not be locked up or killed. When a person becomes a police officer they all a sudden thinks they have all the power in the world and can do anything they want and get away with it. Policemen think that they can do anything in the world, they think they have godlike powers and when they do certain things they will get away with it, and the truth is most of the time they do get away with it just by saying â€Å" I thought it was the right call†. Just because they think something is up doesn’t give them the right to start shooting or arrest someone. Everyday people are getting searched without consent, with no warrant, with no reason whatsoever for their actions other than they wanted to. A lot of policemen will pull citizens over for no reason; the biggest reason is to meet their quota. At the end of the month when they don’t have enough tickets to give to their chief they just start pulling people over for going 2 miles over the speed limit, which is unnecessary. â€Å"Some of the interacti ons are entirely situational and unpredictable, driven by each party’s immediate constructions of the others motives or actions. Voice may be expressed and altercations may occur when officers show disrespect towards a citizen or when officers refuse to provide reasons for their actions.†(Weitzer) Policemen go around and tackle citizens to cuff them when all they had to say was put your hand up. By watching numerous episodes of cops I’ve learned that cops don’t give anyone any time to follow their instructions. If you don’t comply within a second they result to force which is completely unnecessary and may injure innocent citizens. Police use unnecessary force before they even find out what the story is. In my view police really need to tone it down and do their job the way it is supposed to be done and not hurt or kill innocent people. In conclusion policeman these days do not know how to do their job without injuring, or killing innocent or even guilty citizens. The job of a policeman is to clean up the streets effectively and with the least amount of casualties possible. The police are not doing their job the way it is  supposed to be done. They are being extremely violent, and killing innocent people, they don’t give people the chance to do what they want them to do. For the safety of others the police need to change, Cops are now abusing, assaulting, and killing innocent people, this is called police brutality. Police brutality can be caused by policeman’s ability to assume everyone is up to no good, racism, and thinking they have the power to do whatever they want, and it results in falsely accused young adults, death, abuse of power by troubling the lives of others. Sources Christina, Lund, et al. â€Å"Violent Criminal Recidivism In Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Follow-Up Study Of 13–20Years Through Different Sanctions.† International Journal Of Law And Psychiatry 36.Special Issue on Prisons and Mental Health (n.d.): 250-257. ScienceDirect. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. Media That Matters: Films I Am Sean Bell. Dir. Stacey Muhammad. Media That Matters Film Festival News. Media That Matters, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Goodman, Amy, and Denis Moynihan. â€Å"October 24, 2013.† Democracy Now! Democracy Now, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.

Research-Based Ways to Live Through Finals

Research-Based Ways to Live Through Finals The finals are obviously stressful. Either youve got a lot to catch up with or simply prove your diligence once again – the pressure is enormous. Fortunately, one doesnt have to struggle alone. Not only your friends and family are always ready to come to the rescue. The whole world of science works to make your life if not awesome, then at least bearable. Dont believe it? Check out our top picks and use them to ace your exams one by one! Move Around Preparing for final exams you may get that â€Å"groundhog day† feeling. Sitting at the same library desk on a daily basis, doodling on its dusty surface, thinking that theres no end to all of that. Not only its a bit frustrating, but it also makes you less sharp at learning and remembering new things. The study has shown, that switching studying locations has a positive impact onto recognition memory. Having placed yourself into a different context, you force your brain to activate and build new, vivid associative connections. That results in better understanding and memorizing the material. So grab that cup of coffee and go to the park to study! Theres never been better excuse for that. Test Yourself Theres no need to whine: we know, youre going to have plenty of those soon. However, forewarned is forearmed. Plus, the research has proven memory tests improve long-term retention. Making yourself go through tests of various forms makes you engage your brain to the greatest extent and think of the material youve got to learn from different sides. Usually, the things you struggle to remember during the preparatory tests will leave deep imprints on your brain. In addition, youll reduce the levels of anxiety when the actual test-day comes. Squeeze Anxiety and finals go hand in hand. No matter, either its pre- or post-exam, it never is a pleasant experience. Theres a remedy, that might help you loosen up and perform better as a result. Thats a progressive muscle relaxation. The process is quite simple: youve got to tighten your muscles group by group, and then let go. Start with the toes and move to the shoulders. Youll feel significantly better, as your muscles will relieve pressure, theyve been holding in for a while. Plus, youre likely to distract from â€Å"I cant do this† thoughts and enter the exam hall with the boost of confidence you need. Take Deep Breaths Aromatherapy demonstrated a beneficial effect onto the students, dealing with pre-exam anxiety. The study concentrated on the impact of lavender and rosemary, however you may feel free to experiment. What sets the perfect mood for getting the grade you need? Is it a zingy orange? Or, possibly, a cool mint? Choose the smell that makes you feel both inspired and calm. Take deep breaths and go for those great results stress-free! C is for Cardio Different research projects keep demonstrating that aerobic exercise is awesome for your brain. Your memory improves, you get less worried. In addition, your cognitive abilities improve: the subjects of the research have completed a certain test before and after a 20-minute bike ride. They coped with the after-ride test a lot faster, maintaining the same level of precision. And you get a leaner body, just as a bonus. Seems pretty cool, doesnt it? Teachem Why do you think your professors are so good at the subjects they teach? Because they repeat pretty much the same stuff over and over again! According to the study, reciting is a highly efficient memorizing tool. Why dont you use it? Retell the material youve been cramming to your friends or family. If these guys dont want to listen to you – teach a bunch of stuffed animals, for instance. (The end justifies the means, right?) The humans are a bit better here, though: they may ask questions, youll have to answer! This helps you look at the topic from different angles, thus, carving it onto your brain. Build a Schedule When it comes to preparation to finals, time-management is essential. Not just when you need to fit a little nap into your tight revision schedule, but also in terms of letting your brain have some rest between studying sessions. This way information will soak in far more effectively. Pomodoro Technique may be of a great help. Youll divide your time into cycles of work and relaxing, lasting for 25 and 5 minutes respectively. The rhythm will keep your brain alert during the active intervals and will help you really cherish those 5 minutes of rest. The length of periods may differ: you could also try the 50/10 principle. Intermittent manner will help you memorize things better, for longer periods of time. Nighty-Night The study has once again demonstrated that sleep deprivation is extremely harmful for ones cognitive functions. You get distracted much easier, things you seem to have memorized forever just leave your head, that buzzes with serene, untouched emptiness. Thus, if you dont want this to happen – dont push your way through the all-nighter. Get the maximum amount of peaceful slumber the last night before the big test. Find out how to study for a test the night before so that it wont be harmful for your health! Sleep On It Your brain strengthens memories in your sleep. The research has shown, that learning new information before going to bed helps you remember it much better next morning. Dont just go over and over the stuff youve known already. Concentrate on new things. Make sure to leave at least an hour of a gap between studying and dozing off: bringing your textbooks and notes to bed may result in deteriorating your quiet sleep. Well, now you know what to do. Get that lavender oil, go for a jog and then study before sleeping! Just kidding. Use the tips you like and brace yourselves. And remember: its going to be just fine! image credit: wikimedia.org

Free Essays on Phonics In Schools

by asking questions and coming up with their own answers. None of my students are on the same reading level or learn the same way. We cannot expect one form of curriculum, whether it is phonics or whole language, to help all children in California to read.... Free Essays on Phonics In Schools Free Essays on Phonics In Schools The article titled fah-niks (phonics), in the November 2001 Better Homes and Gardens magazine, suggests phonics is the â€Å"in† way of teaching reading, as opposed to the whole language approach which was introduced several years ago. Children learn to read by seeing a word’s meaning in context with the whole language approach. The phonics approach begins with letter sounds which blend into words. The article states that California performed poorly on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in Reading tests because the children were not taught phonics. Children do not learn how to read the same way. Some children do not understand the phonics concept of letters having sounds, blending together to create words. Other children do benefit from learning phonics. Educators need to expose students to not only phonics, but the whole language approach as well. If children in classrooms are exposed to different learning strategies, one of the teaching methods wi ll click in a child’s mind. Narrowing down the classroom to one approach to teach reading is not the way to reach each child individually. In my classroom, the four and five year old students are to be able to recognize all letters, capital and lower case, as well as cursive. They are also expected to be able to know all of the phonics sounds and be able to read. I am given a strict curriculum, which is not developmentally appropriate for their age, and does not have different teaching approaches. I have to figure out which child learns best from games, which child understands the concept of letters, sounds, and words by asking questions and coming up with their own answers. None of my students are on the same reading level or learn the same way. We cannot expect one form of curriculum, whether it is phonics or whole language, to help all children in California to read....

Beneficence vs. Non-maleficence

Beneficence vs. Non-maleficence Beneficence and Non-maleficence are two interrelated concepts which consist of bringing no harm to others. Although the two are interrelated, there is a big difference between the two. Beneficence refers to the act of helping others whereas non-maleficence refers to not doing any harm. Therefore, the main difference between the two is that beneficence asks that you help others while non-maleficence asks that you do no harm to others to begin with. When you combine both concepts, the main point is that you must act selflessly in a way that will help the other individual and you must not act on your own beliefs. As mentioned before, beneficence refers to the actions that help others. In other words, these actions are done for the benefit of others. According to the UCSF school of medicine, â€Å"beneficence is an action that is done for the benefit of others. Beneficent actions can be taken to help prevent or remove harm or to simply improve the situations of others† (Pantilat, 2008). The UCSF school of medicine also provides clinical applications in which they mention how physicians are â€Å"expected to refrain from causing harm, but they also have an obligation to help their patients† (Pantilat, 2008). It certainly seems confusing considering the fact that sometimes in order to provide care, patients can experience harm. UCSF also mentions that there is a difference between obligatory and ideal beneficence. UCSF mentions that there is a common confusion between ideal beneficence and obligatory beneficence. According to the UCSF school of medicine, â€Å"Ideal beneficence co mpromises extreme acts of generosity or attempts to benefit others on all possible occasions† (Pantilat, 2008). According to the UCSF, â€Å"physicians are not necessarily expected to live up to this broad definition of beneficence,† however they most certainly are required to promote the welfare of patients no matter what (Pantilat, 2008). Because of the knowledge that physicians possess, they are obligated to prevent and remove harm and â€Å"weigh and balance possible benefits against possible risk of an action† (Pantilat, 2008). Not only this but the UCSF expands on the definition of beneficence by saying this can also include â€Å"protecting and defending the rights of others, rescuing persons who are in danger, and helping individuals with disabilities† (Pantilat, 2008). The following are a few examples the UCSF provides in regard to beneficence: â€Å"resuscitating a drowning victim, providing vaccinations for the general population, or helping someone quit smoking† (Pantilat, 2008). Non-maleficence as defined earlier basically states that you must do no harm no matter what and refrain from providing â€Å"ineffective treatment or acting with malice toward patients† (Pantilat, 2008). UCSF makes a point to say that this principle offers little useful guidance because many times therapies or treatment provided by physicians can also have serious risks or consequences (Pantilat, 2008)). According to the UCSF, â€Å"physicians should not provide ineffective treatments to patients as these offer risk with no possibility of benefit and thus have a change of harming patients† (Pantilat, 2008). The school of medicine continues to say that, â€Å"In addition, physicians must not do anything that would purposely harm patients without the action being balanced by proportional benefit† (Pantilat, 2008). The reason UCSF says this is because they believe that many procedures and interventions can cause harm in relation to benefits and therefore, the physician must make sure to inform the patient of all risks prior to any procedures. And ultimately, the physician should not pressure the patient into having any procedure done and should solely allow the patient to decide based on the proper information provided to him or her. An example of non-maleficence is stopping any medication that is shown to be harmful or refusing to provide treatment to a patient which has not been proven to be effective in trials. Another example of non-maleficence is not encouraging someone to smoke when you know how harmful it can be.

Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 22

Research Paper Example Thus, social media is changing the mind sets of people and changing the meaning of privacy for people who once valued their privacy more than anything else. The meaning of privacy depends on how each individual perceives it. The literal meaning of privacy is a state of being free from public attention and not being disturbed by others. It is true that no individual has ever perceived privacy in such an intense meaning. Privacy for an individual has meant being free from constant observations, disturbances, or interferences. Every person needs their personal space and their privacy in which they can be themselves and practice their freedom. Every state gives its citizens the right to be left alone if desired. No person is obligated to reveal their location, personal information, or daily activities to anyone until they are willing. This privacy lets people enjoy their freedom, stay calm and peaceful, and gain wisdom. Unfortunately, social media and the enhancing trends have changed the meaning of privacy as it is perceived by individuals (Spinello 43). The internet has been in the society since a long time but the social networking phenomenon is very recent. Historically, an internet user was not required to reveal any of the personal information. It was enough for the user to have an online presence through which he could communicate and exchange information. The websites respected the privacy concerns and personal information was not as openly required as it is today. Often people didn’t even know whether the other person they are talking to over the internet was a girl or a boy. In every sense, privacy was respected and protected which made the internet a secure and positive place (Albarran 154). It is important to note that the meaning of privacy is constantly changing and evolving in the 21st century. In a general context, the notion of privacy has changed sufficiently. The continuous developments taking place

Feature story base on interview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Feature story base on interview - Essay Example you are currently placed, if you believe that you have it in you, you are today more likely to fit into the increasingly diverse and inclusive world of PR. In a modern day PR firm you are very prone to find PR teams comprising of generously assorted misfits like self style writers and editors, compilers of cheap record books, university drop outs, techno geeks, part time waiters, blog writers, fitness enthusiasts and what not. It’s a brave new world. A simpleton may construe this to mean that the standards of contemporary PR professionals have deteriorated abysmally. No sir, it is nothing like that. The real thing is that the next generation of PR professionals not only avoid giving in to ego hassles, when it comes to gaining experience, but a grass root level insight into the mass consciousness actually endows them with an eye for value and mass interest. Yet, nobody will advice the likely aspirants to drop on the basics because many acclaimed PR professionals did so. Having a sound academic base and taking care to allay the parental anxieties by securing good grades curtails much unwanted stress and opposition. In fact, doing is more likely to provide you with the much needed emotional support and financial backup, which you will need during the initial years. If the contemporary PR environment defined by multimedia portals and a diverse consumer base has increased opportunities for the newcomers, it has at the same time curtailed the honeymoon periods that the editors could extend to the newcomers. The saving grace is that as in any other vocation, in PR also, some old fashioned values still hold. Young professionals who enter the world of PR because they have a passion for it are more likely to make it, as compared to those who enter, lured by the craze for money. The learning graph is often long and arduous, marked by much bitter criticism, disappointments and ample failures. Therefore, only those who have a real interest, manage to hold on and sustain

The Visconti Book of Hours Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Visconti Book of Hours - Essay Example In addition, a large number of mistakes used to be included. Saying so, 'The Visconti Book of Hours' does present a startling revelation of form and structure. And its illuminated teachings make raise question on whether such manuscripts, by way of their rich representation can help us understand the important aspects of the reader's response to a text, its contents and whether such manuscripts did help publisher's cater to the concept of a wider market that profited out of the phenomenon of easy acceptability of the masses. If the liturgy used enormous paintings to affect the reader's mind instantly, then the printing press too, tried to imbibe such helpful aspects, but not after much later. The Visconti Hours is a 14th century book of hours. "A Book of Hours is a compendium of devotional texts that takes its name from its one essential text, the Hours of the Virgin, or more properly the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is called an 'Hours,' or Horae in Latin, because it is subdivided into eight parts, one for each of the 'hours' of the liturgical day - Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline". The manuscript actually divided was into two separate volumes. They were the Biblioteca Nazionale, Florence, under the cataloguing numbers Banco Rari 397 and Landau Finaly 22. Illuminated by two quite different artists, Giovannino dei Grassi who painted the first folios for Giangaleazzo Visconti, despot of Milan., and after Giangaleazzo's death in 1402 it was resumed by Belbello da Pavia for Giangaleazzo's son, Filippo Maria, after he became Duke in 1412. Book of Hours refers to Giangaleazzo as Count and was supposedly written before his coronation in 1395. His concern for the acceptance of his authority is quite clear from the way he displays his heraldic devices and mottoes abound the prayer book made primarily for private use. In addition, Giangaleazzo himself is represented three times along with the Duke of Berry, who also insisted on being portrayed in his Book of Hours. While Giangaleazzo does not appear in the prayer before the Virgin or a saint, his head alone is depicted in a medallion unrelated to the religious scenes. Judging from all these one ma conclude that the latent forces of secularity or a subtle contest between religious and the secula r (Divine Right of the king) has come into play, which may be a new idiosyncrasy of the printing age of the Renaissance, when human values were coming to the fore and man was the centre of celebration. Between 1385 until 1402, Giangaleazzo devoted himself primarily to the expansion of his political power and his chief interest in sports like hunting wild animals, did not escape the autobiographical mention in the Visconti Hours too. Trained birds of pray populate the borders, while his profile is framed with a hunting dog and a stag in Folio 115, thereby bringing David the hunter from the psalm join the king's passion. From helping build a library of illuminated books in Palvia, he shared his love for nature and animals by serving as a patron of such illustrated manuscripts devoted to plants and animals, which did not escape his Visconti Hours too. Here we see a dedicated involvement with religious teaching along with a worldly touch that bespeaks of an era where man

Water Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Water - Essay Example My firm would therefore wish to bring this issue to your attention to get the attorney’s signature for quicker solution to the health risk faced by the big population of Manhattan. Besides, EPA has set enforceable regulation referred to as the maximum contamination level (MCL) which works closely with the MCLG to ensure that systems and equipment are put in place to detect and eliminate harmful agents using appropriate treatment technologies. However, considering that water contaminated with lead usually corrodes the pipes in the system, EPA has come up with an alternative treatment called the Lead and Copper rule which was embraced in 1991 where the system besides reducing lead levels, prevents corrosion too. Following recent research done by my firm in the Upper East Side for the past two months, it was discovered that most 93% of households have water supplier pipes that are highly corroded. Tests run on these plumbing pipes and water by certified laboratories confirmed the presence of lead and other chemical agents. This composition is of a higher health risk particularly to pregnant women and children(Troesken,2004) Such problems can be solved using the Lead and Copper rule where your town council can start a foundation and build up strategies to replace all the corroded plumbing pipes in every household. Furthermore, use of chrome-plated brass can be adopted in household that prefer cold to hot water. Finally, my firm is hopeful to work with your town council to see the lives of the people of Manhattan improved in terms of consumption of risk-free water .Please consider the strategies mentioned

Holidays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Holidays - Essay Example During spring break I enjoy going fishing with my friends and family. The time I get off during spring break gives me an opportunity to catch up on my reading. Spring break is a great time to have fun. The nighttime scene always gets better during spring break vacation. I enjoy having a few drinks with my friends during spring break. It is the best time of the year to party. A holiday I have always enjoyed a lot throughout my lifetime is Halloween. When I was a small kid Halloween represented the perfect time of the year to collect candy from all my neighbors. As I grew up I have always celebrated the holiday by dressing up and going to Halloween parties. If no parties are available I dress and go trick or treating on my own. This experience helps me reminisce over my youth. I always prepare my home with Halloween decorations. If I don’t go out to trick or treat I stay home to treat the visiting kids with candy. Americans should continue the Halloween tradition forever. The most important holiday for me is Christmas. Christmas represents the birth of the baby Jesus. Santa Claus has become the favorite character of the festivity since he is the one that brings young kids the toys they want. Adults also celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to their loved ones. For me decorating the Christmas tree is a fun tradition to follow during Christmas. It is said that is better to give than to receive. During Christmas season I always try to volunteer my time at the local homeless shelter in order to help out the poor. The Christmas holiday is a time to show love for others. Spring break is a great holiday because people are looking to have fun in social gatherings. The Halloween holiday is a great American tradition that allows kids and adults to dress up and find candy. Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in which people get a chance to give gifts of appreciation to each

The Visconti Book of Hours Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Visconti Book of Hours - Essay Example In addition, a large number of mistakes used to be included. Saying so, 'The Visconti Book of Hours' does present a startling revelation of form and structure. And its illuminated teachings make raise question on whether such manuscripts, by way of their rich representation can help us understand the important aspects of the reader's response to a text, its contents and whether such manuscripts did help publisher's cater to the concept of a wider market that profited out of the phenomenon of easy acceptability of the masses. If the liturgy used enormous paintings to affect the reader's mind instantly, then the printing press too, tried to imbibe such helpful aspects, but not after much later. The Visconti Hours is a 14th century book of hours. "A Book of Hours is a compendium of devotional texts that takes its name from its one essential text, the Hours of the Virgin, or more properly the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is called an 'Hours,' or Horae in Latin, because it is subdivided into eight parts, one for each of the 'hours' of the liturgical day - Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline". The manuscript actually divided was into two separate volumes. They were the Biblioteca Nazionale, Florence, under the cataloguing numbers Banco Rari 397 and Landau Finaly 22. Illuminated by two quite different artists, Giovannino dei Grassi who painted the first folios for Giangaleazzo Visconti, despot of Milan., and after Giangaleazzo's death in 1402 it was resumed by Belbello da Pavia for Giangaleazzo's son, Filippo Maria, after he became Duke in 1412. Book of Hours refers to Giangaleazzo as Count and was supposedly written before his coronation in 1395. His concern for the acceptance of his authority is quite clear from the way he displays his heraldic devices and mottoes abound the prayer book made primarily for private use. In addition, Giangaleazzo himself is represented three times along with the Duke of Berry, who also insisted on being portrayed in his Book of Hours. While Giangaleazzo does not appear in the prayer before the Virgin or a saint, his head alone is depicted in a medallion unrelated to the religious scenes. Judging from all these one ma conclude that the latent forces of secularity or a subtle contest between religious and the secula r (Divine Right of the king) has come into play, which may be a new idiosyncrasy of the printing age of the Renaissance, when human values were coming to the fore and man was the centre of celebration. Between 1385 until 1402, Giangaleazzo devoted himself primarily to the expansion of his political power and his chief interest in sports like hunting wild animals, did not escape the autobiographical mention in the Visconti Hours too. Trained birds of pray populate the borders, while his profile is framed with a hunting dog and a stag in Folio 115, thereby bringing David the hunter from the psalm join the king's passion. From helping build a library of illuminated books in Palvia, he shared his love for nature and animals by serving as a patron of such illustrated manuscripts devoted to plants and animals, which did not escape his Visconti Hours too. Here we see a dedicated involvement with religious teaching along with a worldly touch that bespeaks of an era where man

Holidays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Holidays - Essay Example During spring break I enjoy going fishing with my friends and family. The time I get off during spring break gives me an opportunity to catch up on my reading. Spring break is a great time to have fun. The nighttime scene always gets better during spring break vacation. I enjoy having a few drinks with my friends during spring break. It is the best time of the year to party. A holiday I have always enjoyed a lot throughout my lifetime is Halloween. When I was a small kid Halloween represented the perfect time of the year to collect candy from all my neighbors. As I grew up I have always celebrated the holiday by dressing up and going to Halloween parties. If no parties are available I dress and go trick or treating on my own. This experience helps me reminisce over my youth. I always prepare my home with Halloween decorations. If I don’t go out to trick or treat I stay home to treat the visiting kids with candy. Americans should continue the Halloween tradition forever. The most important holiday for me is Christmas. Christmas represents the birth of the baby Jesus. Santa Claus has become the favorite character of the festivity since he is the one that brings young kids the toys they want. Adults also celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to their loved ones. For me decorating the Christmas tree is a fun tradition to follow during Christmas. It is said that is better to give than to receive. During Christmas season I always try to volunteer my time at the local homeless shelter in order to help out the poor. The Christmas holiday is a time to show love for others. Spring break is a great holiday because people are looking to have fun in social gatherings. The Halloween holiday is a great American tradition that allows kids and adults to dress up and find candy. Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in which people get a chance to give gifts of appreciation to each

Hacking is Stealing Essay Example for Free

Hacking is Stealing Essay Hacking started in the ‘70s when a group of friends decided to tap into phone lines and make calls for free. Those people were called Phone Phreaks, a group of young men who twisted technology and used their technological know-how to create simpler solutions to complicated problems. What started as an intrinsically good past time slowly became a form of pranksterism. The Phone Phreaks soon held phone conferences from everywhere in the world. However, Telephone companies were less than delighted, and phone tapping became a crime. As more and more Phone Phreaks got persecuted for these crimes, the movement stopped, and the Phone Phreaks were almost of the extrinct race. However, the sensibilities of trying to one-up learned engineers and big corporations did not die down. A couple years passed and the same Phone Phreaks discovered a new form of technology to â€Å"play† with: the computer. And the exact same people who started and led Phone Phreak conferences were the people who started hacking computers, a new revolutionary product that everyone wanted to have. Back then, computers really did not have any practical purpose at home, but for a hacker, the simple joy of watching the screen light up, and looking at moving blobs of colors were enough. However, with the advent of the internet, everything changed. When the internet was first used, all the information was open for everyone to use and manipulate. However, with the internet slowly becoming a place of business and transactions, where a lot of personal and, supposedly, confidential information about people and companies are stored, hackers posed as a huge threat What started as a hobby of manipulating electronics to prank people and find easier solutions for common problems turned into something more serious. While Phone Phreaking in the 70s was encouraged as somewhat of an exercise of the mind, computer hacking was a far different story. Computer hackers did not stop at pranking people; they started to use information they gained from hacking government and corporate computers. Hacking became a crime. According to PCWorld. About. com, some people even rigged phone systems to win two Porsches and other prizes at a radio contest. This poses an ethical problem that has always been a problem in society since the beginning of time: stealing. No matter what mode they use, may it be as blatant as rigging telephone lines to win prizes, or as furtive as stealing an identity to escape prosecution by the law, it is still all considered stealing. Taking someone else’s property, and using the results of someone else’s hard work (without permission, and through deceit) to your advantage is very unethical, and is one of the most basic things society teaches us not to do, no matter how hard times may be. Somehow, hackers forget that what they do is stealing, because they are too focused on breaking down systems and trying to outsmart companies and electronics. Hackers are intelligent people, yet instead creating their own products and reap the fruits of their own labor, they do the opposite, and use their skills and abilities to take advantage of other people’s weaknesses.

The Strength Weakness Opportunities And Threats Analysis Information Technology Essay

The Strength Weakness Opportunities And Threats Analysis Information Technology Essay Selecting Google as main organization for the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats Analysis (SWOT) has many reasons, which i cannot not elaborate fully all of them here due to some limitations, but no doubt everyone knows the advantages and reliability of finding and searching easily anything through Google. In this era of upcoming technologies, Google is also doing research like other organizations who are working day and nights to serve their customers fully and satisfactorily to yield the customers trust and to keep strengthen their market strategies. Here is a short overview of the Google which will give the detail specification and a birds eye view of the achievements (Battelle J., 2005). In the list of global internet related technologies and advertisement organizations, Google holds a significant name. It was designed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996 in Stanford, USA., who were actually Ph.D. students. Its offer services relating to gateway search engines and also those organizations who are doing advertisements for different companies through Google. Googles search engines are responsible for holding a huge pile of web links and other relative online content which anyone can find easily there. Googles main income profile starts from delivering World Wide Web advertisement for various organizations. The organization operates with a massive workforce of almost twenty thousand people, based in Mountain View in California, USA. During the year of 2009, Google hit the target successfully to a remarkable figure of twenty three and half thousand million dollars with an increment of eight percent from year 2008. The organizations operating profit was almost eight thou sands and three hundred millions in year 2009 with an increment of twenty five percent from year 2008. In year 2009, accumulative profit for Google was sixty five hundred million dollars with an increment of fifty four percent in year 2008. With above given facts and figures we can understand well the ongoing performance of Google organization. Gradually its going up and up every day as compared to its last year performance. Google is not only giving services in search engines and web content but also in holding email accounts, communication softwares, offering news to the people and one of the most important feature which is Google maps. With Google maps we can find every place by just giving the name of the place or the city or country name and Google will pinpoint exactly which we type but it can also give the names of two or more places, like Virginia is a place which is in two or more countries. (http://www.google.com/corporate/milestones.html) Strengths An essential toolkit to implement in which way many human beings are finding is commonly available to the other people. By luring and giving attraction to the searching engines and its site traffic which is a significant ongoing and continuous improvement is bringing business for almost every person in relative field. People across the globe use Google search engine to find everything relative to their field of profession. People who belong to nearly every part of the life, even if they are students or high stream professional, architecture or scientist, they are using Google search engine to find quick results. Normally people use three browsers which are Firefox and Internet explorer and Mozilla. But most of the people like Google chrome as well because it supports many applications which hold music, movie streaming and operating websites. Now, many browsers do not support some features like some music or juke boxes but Google chrome nearly supports everything which viewers want to enjoy and they also inform other friends and family as well. No doubt colourful and delicate images perform an important role to attract the customers. When we go to some websites, images and scripts running at the back are the only first things which are most attractive and colourful to lure the customers to come back again and again. Even its a selling and buying Amazon or eBay website like or its pornographic website, people love images and they want to have a good experience. So there should be such an internet browser which could support all types of images and to show them in some real colourful life (Elias J. C., 2010). Commerce driven by electronic channels or in short term what we call E-Commerce relates to commercial actions which are buying and selling the products and other financial or legal services with the help of electronic systems specially Google. Internet and other electronic machines like FAX or communicating devices like network routers carry out the service over computer networks. Google relates also to Electronic Commerce whose history goes back to seventies and eighties where initially EDI(Electronic Data Interchange) and fund transfer happened been introduced to the world. From that time an enhanced and fast production system started in electronic commerce which elaborated in almost all scenes of the commercial organizations as well. For example Distribution systems management, implementing transactions and electronic marketing and also stock management. Googles mechanism of business strategies can also be analyzed and structured in many good terms and also brings down turns like any other normal commercial institute. We take a birds view of those significant and essential good and bad things of the Google. Among all of these huge and mighty good things of Googles services, is firstly makes able a corporation or sole trading business to get to the world market. Hence, it holds the requirements of all the local and international market volume, even if corporation actions are no more locked by global hurdles. Google is no doubt helping to mini organizations as well which get the availability of the introducing their products and to also bringing others services or products into their country. While implementing corporation activities sometimes huge implications might come across, where Google fights back to implement commercial transformations almost twenty four hours and on the day offs and on weekends as well. Enhancing business cond itions like that definitely mounts the sales figures up which pleases the share holders (Yadhav S. Sharma Y., 2010). E-commerce provides the consumers the availability to find for relatively buying those products which are available on cheaper rates. Google is also helping customers by giving an adversely easy approach on millions services and products and even by giving the producers detail to consumers which helps everyone to find the respective product at the cheaper level(www.buzzle.com). There are proven facts and figures that buying electronically is normally more easy and conceivable and its also saves the time of the customers rather than basic outdoor shops. Apart of all of these persons might find different feedback which are sent by other customers concerned to those products which have been bought form the respective website which might hold complain about the product. Issues related at corporation level, Google draws back and down turn the cost and figures involve in marketing, care of the consumer, storing information and stock holding management. These techniques cut down the time elapsed which have been involved in corporation planning and also in engineering involvement, customized services and products which face the available demand of the specific consumers, mounting production levels and consumers card holding services. Google decreases the weight of administration to hold corporations and hence increases the figures of the share holders fund availability to further essential investment. These issues make able respective consumers care help lines. Weaknesses Google is basically structurized in so many technology breakthroughs and intellectual peoples recommendations whom have limited the quantity of the persons utilizing the revolutionized schemas. One of the tallest disadvantage of Google is the world wide web services still have not given the benefits in some parts of the world, whether its the Zulu tribes in South Africa or its the red Indians living in the caves of the panama, still mankind has to bring the charming connectivity of the internet to some significant parts of the world. Even though a huge amount of the people who do no utilize the benefits of the internet due to some sort of the financial conditions they are still trying to achieve that. Beside of these issues many people still decline the trustworthy online business communications because they think they cannot see the other business party face to face. Most of the people still require reserved places due to the needs and goals which are highly conceivable among those people who have been trying for a while to achieve those. The basic surrounding factor of Google is that because its not in that suiting conditions to some people who want to buy food related products. There has been a local news that a girl bought some food from an Indian takeaway which has been advertised on the Google. The girl had an allergy consisted to nuts eating allergy but the takeaway management did not mention that food they make might contain allergy so eventually the girl dies on the spot. Still people relate to be in the shop in some more traditional method to use Google for buying food. So, finally Google is not very good for those business situations. The era in which we deliver these services to the people might require some physical products which might be some basic and essential in some cases. So many telephonic calls and electronic mails need to get assorted by people. Hence, coming back to the products and getting refunded in some more troublesome environment is quite consuming and elapsing. Thus, by analyzing the different advantages and disadvantages, we might assume that the pros and cons of the Google is quite essential to among all the people which are using that service (Bazalgette, P., 2008) Opportunities An enhanced and illustrated technique to find the relative issues which ties up the basic requirement and needs in consumer trust, might indulge the basic infrastructure and the continuous changing world. Google is basically regarded to some technological related factors because they have some inside concurrent issues which are considered very much accumulative due to the financial conditions of the company. No doubt Google is the biggest name of the century and it cannot be forgotten till end of the time because it has brought the people together and offered them different services. A massive quantity of human beings still are not in proper connection with an internet there are some geographical and environmental issues because they cannot buy internet related infrastructure. Recently Google launched their Android software for small pocket size electrical devices like mobile phones and games consoles. Sony Erickson and Google are in a joint business, where Google is designing operat ing software for the mobile phones of Sony Ericsson. These kinds of joint ventures of different organizations are necessary for long term business deals and projects. After launching their Android based devices people started enjoying their different features and they can also download a huge number of applications from the web. Threats No doubt scientist are working on their ongoing projects. Research work is being handled at regular basis in different institutions around the world specially in USA, Germany and Sweden. Reason of that is these governments are working hard to achieve research related targets and they also encourage people to think differently in scientific fields. Sweden and Germany are offering free education to everyone around the world but in return local universities achieve a handsome cash from government but in return they get research from different students. In response of the ongoing development and progress in World Wide Web and electronic commerce, different people are working hard to invent new technological breakthrough. Recently Face book which was designed by another student has become remarkably very popular among people around the world. So, to overcome financial and marketing related issues, Google must have to perform extra ordinary to yield the market and to keep stay top in the list. The most important and effective implications is the still a huge number of people are not comfortable buying food products through searched Google. Human being still want to buy from shops, like grocer giants TESCO and Sainsbury and Waite Rose and other market leading owners are delivering products, and its happened once a customer bought a packet of bananas which were brought from South America and they found a lizard hiding inside the pack of yellow bananas, so these kind of issues can come across to the producers and it can cause problems for the main company as well. Beside of buying on the shop, people have an idea to go outside with their friends and family and they enjoy shopping as well. Analysis Every organization has some good points to be leaded by other organizations and also some draw backs of which other companies keep themselves aware of that. Below is a table of general products consumed by people, which we can explain here: Sales Projection (Millions of $US and %) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1 Total world sales $US 12,878 42,820 44,533 46,314 48,167 50,094 2 Total electronic music % 4.3 4.5% 4.7% 4.9% 5.2% 5.4% 3 Total electronic music $US 1,776 1,926 2,093 2,280 2,489 2,724 4 Estimated total online sales % 1.0 1.9% 3.5% 6.0% 10.5% 17.1% 5 Total online sales $US 402 812 1,554 2,800 5,040 8,568 6 Total online electronic $US 17 36 73 137 260 466 7 ar.com mkt share of above % 0.5% 2.0% 4.0% 6.4% 9.0% 11.6% 8 ar.com sales $US 0.087 0.73 2.92 8.82 23.34 54.26 Source : http://www.businessplans.org/audio/audio03.html Weighted average is defined in the second line which represents the market volume in electronic bought music. Line 5 shows the sales of the music which will overwhelm over the internet, because music is also downloadable, where CDs are delivered to customers, infect many people are still buying music in HMV and TESCO DVDs renting on the spot because they can see which one is available. The main reason is line5 is measured to the Jupiters facts and figures which tell that nearly half online sales happened in United States. It is very essential to remember that electronic equipment is not the basic music quality. Its require to increase its market. The bigger music names and on the web music shop like MP3.com are not in contact to help the market. The consumers view on the web buying is basically has some limitations, only twenty percent of survey shows that people have been buying music from world wide web. We even have faith that this service is basically has some draw back and with less music quantity which might affect the sales and fact and figures of the respective products and services. Infect, due to the concurrent online questionnaire, forty three percent people have inclined to pay for the music available on the web, where nineteen percent showed heavily interest and they bought the items on the web. The basic targeting strategy for Google is very uncertain, as it is inclined to those human beings who are tended to listen their favourite music and they want to buy music on the web. Google arranged a facts and figures survey of hundred repliers, among most of them basically in Canada, with nearly ten percent of repliers were from different countries and that facts and figures ratio were obtained from the web. As the people related to the marketing orientation and other factors which are essential for the betterment and easiness for the consumers are bringing reliability to the utmost reward of the pioneer higher management of the bigger and higher market leaders, nearly the age of twenty five which is a average age and one to three from university related people are buying the music from the web, besides of these situations the study also revealed that sixty five percent of the consumers were male. Another fact revealed that eighty one percent people from buyers have computers at home and they have the easiness of internet as well, almost ninety seven percent have the broadband facility at homes and they spent most of the time to watch and listen music from the World Wide Web. They do have the bandwidth speed reliability speed which is thirty one percent which is regarded to an average among the other people who do not use computers very often according to some different categories. People also intended to pay for high definition portable computers and TVs which is also available on high price on the market, but people still want to buy because they have easy accessible range to view and find the specifications of the products available in the online market. Almost twelve percent of the electronical music equipment and relative accessories loving people basically customize their products to their own musical accessories. This suggests that the rising prices of the high definition products nearly seventy five percent would likely to but by end of this coming year. This is because of the online marketing campaign of the marketing professionals and other people who are offering their services in this field. For example, in Germany and USA and Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Muscat, these countries are considered to maintain themselves with the upcoming technological breakthrough with the time of the environment, the main reason of that is the people in these countries are highly paid an average people income is higher than other developing countries. To authenticate the plan and design of the product features and its life cycle, it is highly determined factors that something is very much important and valuable which is deserved to be declared. Even in some all accessible and private owned computer machines and networks whereas the internet is including as well, to authenticate is basically go through the use of the username and pass code. By knowing someone pass code is highly sensitive issue and these private information should be kept safe and never written down on any paper or computer file. Reason of this is because hackers are always in a situation to grab someones ids and pass code to enter into a system where they are not allowed. For example, HSBC bank provides user id and password to their customers and they allow their customers to do online transactions and to do transfer money as well. But when money involved in any matter it become more serious so it should be handled very carefully and log out function plays also an important part there when a user finishes his or her online work they should finish their work. In case if they do not sign out or log out they might come across some hacking experience and fraud interventions in some public computers, so this is very sensitive matter. A concurrent World Wide Web related matters where a user name is entered is the basic mainframe of a user entry website. Database holding applications are very important web links because they hold all the customer information regarding their liking and disliking. Whenever a customer comes to the website, the customer operates and browse different pages and the websites hold the data he or she provide by user name and password by giving submitting the data, so the database holds the customer basic generic data to keep safe and to also keep their interests in their. Data integrity is also important, though, new flash drives have been designed and these drives are working well but there is still some factors involve that it might damage and its reliability can come across to some fatal damage. The basic and conventional method to dissolve this issue is called mirroring, by holding the both copies of the data on two different drives to hold the data. Finally, if Google designers are working on different projects then they should make sure that the world wide web link for their new website should be designed which could gently lead the client through the learning and sales process. The text of sales should be designed and planned to the utmost level of the grammar. Make sure there is well enough amount of text contents on the website to attract the searching engines and to inform respective consumers as well. (Babin, L.A. and Carder, S.T, 1996). Conclusion Hence, this discussion seems to be endless and Googles goals and objectives are the most popular world wide web resources for communication equipment and surfing the web, no matter what the people are accelerating the site of the purchasement and buying signals of the consumers, this is very important and significant factor to show that consumers is about to buy something but they dont know what to buy that the reason they choose the search engine. No doubt the IT and world wide web have some aspects on commercial decisions of the organizations. Corporations are taking huge money to electronic commerce applications but are still facing hard analysis and its effects to the modern infrastructure of the organizations. It clearly shows how a model can go ahead to lead to identify and to give properties of electronic commerce and its operations. We have taken a look that how a schema of recommendations works out and how its providing help to improve Google website can mount the sales targets and the organizations revenues. Google maintains the basic marketing strategy which aims to support the affirmative infrastructure and social ties among different sections of the people. Because when a product is launched, different advertising agencies worked on that and they spend utmost energy to introduce that product to the eyes of the consumers because this the basic step which people want to see the first hand product and finalize their purchase. Google conclude the essential E-commerce strategy which holds the main barriers to the conceivable energy among those people as well who are still neglecting the main stream professional line of the executives, because they are no doubt working on the best to introduce and bring the most beautiful picture to the horizon and even on the buses as well. Consequently, Google is offering services to almost every corner of the todays life and every individual human being or organization. Besides serving the whole global community Google management must have to bring new t echnologies inside their search engines to keep maintaining the latest requirements from the customer to yield the market in this tough marketing criteria.

Confessions For the Rest of Us :: Literary Analysis, God, Augustine of Hippo

Novels are written with the intent to entertain, textbooks to educate, and scripture to exhort. All writing has a purpose, intentional or otherwise. If this were not the case, writing would contain nothing of value. Autobiographies typically serve to inform the reader about the life of a specific person, yet, in Confessions, Augustine of Hippo displays loftier aims. Among other goals, he attempts to use his life story to indirectly guide others to God and truth, an objective to which he applies his considerable literary skill. Often famous historical icons seem to tower in the public eye, casting a shadow of influence that only increases through the ages; they seem somehow more than human. St. Augustine is just such a figure, yet his simple, candid commentary of his life in Confessions paints him as an ordinary man. Augustine went to great lengths to achieve this image, especially in the commencement of his narration. He begins by hyperbolizing his sin even in childhood stating, â€Å"At the time of my infancy, I must have acted reprehensibly† (Augustine 9), and continues this pattern of self-degradation throughout, not out of false humility, but to prove to his audience that he was not born a saint. Augustine spends greater time than necessary covering his ‘sin’ of stealing pears (Augustine 29-34), an act that most would consider a childish prank, and his sexual desires (in which he certainly was not the greatest sinner of his time) not only to explore the nature of transgression b ut also to build his reputation (or lack of it) with his reader (Augustine 24-28). Later in the narrative he describes what most would view as a moral triumph: I also recall how, when I had decided to enter for a poetry competition at the theatre, a soothsayer of some sort sent to ask what fee I would give him to ensure victory. But I replied that I hated and abominated those vile mysteries, and that even if the crown were immortal and made of gold, I would not allow a fly to be killed to bring about my success. For in his mysteries he would be going to kill animals, and by offering these creatures in honour of daemons, his intention was to gain their support for my winning. (Augustine 53-54) He then proceeds to condemn his intentions saying, â€Å"I refused sacrifice to daemons on my behalf; yet by adherence to that superstition I sacrificed myself to them† (Augustine 54).

Roberto Goizueta and Jack Welch are two of the best leaders in American

Roberto Goizueta and Jack Welch are two of the best leaders in American companies. Welch and Goizueta Leadership Assignment Introduction ============ Roberto Goizueta and Jack Welch are two of the best leaders in American companies. They have created much value and wealth for their shareholders. Goizueta was born in a wealthy family and is an aristocratic, formal gentleman who likes a nice predictable schedule. He has a deep respect of tradition. Being the chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola, he essentially runs a one-product company. Whereas Welch was born in a poor family and grown in an environment that was full of competition. Welch is impulsive and charming. Being the chairman and chief executive of General Electric, he runs a conglomerate with a dozen businesses. He puts almost every aspect of GE management a heavy element of competition. Though there are many differences in their style of working, both of them do have good wealth-building skills and share some common characteristics to become successful leaders. In the following, an analysis of these common characteristics will be discussed. Common characteristics ====================== First of all, both of Goizueta and Welch have the vision and the ability to sort out the noise from the signal and then to drive just for essence of what’s important. Good leaders need to direct the employees to do things that will be beneficial to the companies, and discourage them from doing thin...

Leadership Observation

Apart from the KAIZEN approach being widely practiced in Japan, the one thing which, despite belonging to their culture, has given the Japanese manufactures a competitive edge is their methodology of   inviting open discussion from each n’ every employees of the company on regular basis. Toyota has proved itself to be the world’s best not only in terms of automobiles manufacturing an d assembling but compared to all manufacturing concerns any where in the world. Achieving the status of the market leader wasn’t an easy task! Toyota (Japan) however made it possible. It was only through the participative approach employed by them as a basic requirement of their very corporate culture. Toyota motor corporation (TMC) has been the world’s third largest automaker (2001) offering full range of models from mini-vehicles to large trucks. Global sales of its Toyota & Lexus brands, combined with those of Daihatsu and Hino, totaling 6.17 million units in the calendar year 2002 (Goldoftas & Levine, 1999). On September 11, 2003 it was reported that Toyota gained a learned leading position on the ‘Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)’ in the 4 automobile sectors. The growth that Toyota has been enjoying is not a one night growth but is part of a longer chain that stems out of their very cultural norms and values. Katsuaki Watanabe, the president of Toyota has much to be accredited with in regard of the Toyota’s recent overwhelming and world renowned growth factor. Toyota’s success is not only because eof any tools or equipment they use; but the encouragement by the there top management people such as Watanabe, who allow the employees to experiment and thus achieve a higher result regarding what they do in the company’s production process. Be it as simple as installing a seat to as complex as designing and offering a new model to the production department. The Toyota Corporation has trusted its employees in delivering their best and they do it very-well. The time is a huge constraint in any organization especially regarding critical and/or strategic decisions regarding the future plans; competitors’ move etc. at Toyota, Watanabe like other of his predecessors has continued the practice even in the time of so much rapid advancements in the technology. The Toyota employees had the solution to the time management too. Each employee knew very well about what he/she was responsible to do and how they did it. At the end of each day when they were gathered they were asked to go through what they did and how they think they can improve it. This reduces the time taken by mangers to keep wandering about which topic they would be covering and the can get the accurate information about each n’ every scenario of what has been going on. In participative leadership, open and easy way communication is critical. Watanabe ensured that and at the production facilities every one assembles in the huge hall assigned for the assembly. This is a step to have a clear communication session between the top management and the other member of the organization. The culture of sharing ideas and the social networking with friends and colleges is part of their practices and they are used to it. Watanabe has been successful in delegating both pleasant and unpleasant task to the employees after giving them enough authority and responsibility regarding their tasks. He as the president, devised the plan of clarifying goal sto each and every employee and to provide support to them so that they can work at their best and update company with confidence on any improvements that they think are necessary, hence resulting in a cumulative positive effect on the overall performance of the company creating a synergy of individual efforts to achieve corporate objectives via allowing effective participation of employees so that they feel that they have a â€Å"say† in the organization’s decision making. The participation of employees, at Toyota, along with Katsuaki Watanabe has yielded significant benefits. References Adler Paul S., Goldoftas Barbara & Levine David I. (1999) Flexibility Versus Efï ¬ ciency? A Case Study of Model Changeovers in the Toyota Production System: Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.