Geopolitical profile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Geopolitical profile - Essay Example ty to project its power across the globe and it is mainly as a result of this that it has been able to retain its influence long after falling from its superpower status. Russia is the largest country in the world with its borders stretching from northern Europe across northern Asia to the Bering Straits. As the largest country in the world, with an area of 17,075,400 square kilometres, it is one of the few countries in the world that have a diversity of natural resources, people, as well as neighbouring countries. The result is that this country has come to exert a lot of influence over a large territory as well as its neighbours for centuries. Its geographical position is unique because it allows it to wield some influence on three continents as well as being able to project itself militarily. Russia incorporates a wide range of climates and environments within its territory and these have had an effect on its historical development. Moreover, this country has borders with a diverse number of countries including China, Norway, Lithuania, Finland, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the United States across the Bering Straits, among many others. The geographical position of this country has also placed it on top of the largest oil and gas reserves on the planet and this country has been able to ensure that this resource is used to further its geopolitical power over the Eurasian region. In addition to oil and natural gas, Russia has other significant resources which include deposits of timber, coal, and as well as mineral resources that have given it an advantage over other countries in the region. As the largest producer of natural gas in the world, Russia is in a unique position to determine the futures of some of its neighbouring countries, most of which were former member states of the Soviet Union. It is through its unique position as being the number one producer of natural gas, in addition to oil, that it has been able to ensure that it maintains its influence over the

Basic Control Mechanisms of Thermoregulatory Process in Livestock Essay Example for Free

Basic Control Mechanisms of Thermoregulatory Process in Livestock Essay Introduction Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different (Wikipedia, 2012). Thermoregulation could also be referred to as the mechanisms and control systems used by the body to balance thermal inputs and thermal losses so as to maintain its core temperature nearly constant (Monique, 2002). This process is one aspect of homeostasis: a dynamic state of stability between an animals internal environment and its external environment (the study of such processes in zoology has been called ecophysiology or physiological ecology) (Wikipedia, 2012). If the body is unable to maintain a normal temperature and it increases significantly above normal, a condition known as hyperthermia occurs and any prolonged exposure (longer than a few hours) at this temperature without control mechanisms to bring it back to normal is tantamount to death of the animal. The opposite condition, when body temperature decreases below normal levels, is known as hypothermia. Most body heat is generated in the deep organs, especially the liver, brain, and heart, and in contraction of skeletal muscles (Guyton and Hall, 2006). Animals and humans have been able to adapt to a great diversity of climates, including hot humid and hot arid. High temperatures pose serious stresses for the animal body, placing it in great danger of injury or even death. For animals, adaptation to varying climatic conditions includes both physiological mechanisms as a byproduct of evolution, and the conscious development of cultural adaptations (Harrison et al., 1988; Weiss and Mann, 1985). There are four avenues of heat loss: convection, conduction, radiation, and evaporation (Wikipedia, 2012). If skin temperature is greater than that of the surroundings, the body can lose heat by radiation and conduction. But if the temperature of the surroundings is greater than that of the skin, the body actually gains heat by radiation and conduction. In such conditions, the only means by which the body can rid itself of heat is by evaporation. So when the surrounding temperature is higher than the skin temperature, anything that prevents adequate evaporation will cause the internal body temperature to rise (Guyton, 2006). During sports activities, evaporation becomes the main avenue of heat loss (Wilmore et al., 1999). Humidity affects thermoregulation by limiting sweat evaporation and thus heat loss (Guyton and Arthur, 1976). The skin assists in homeostasis (keeping different aspects of the body constant e.g. temperature). It does this by reacting differently to hot and cold conditions so that the inner body temperature remains more or less constant. Vasodilation and sweating are the primary modes by which humans attempt to lose excess body heat. The brain creates much heat through the countless reactions which occur. Even the process of thought creates heat. The head has a complex system of blood vessels, which keeps the brain from overheating by bringing blood to the thin skin on the head, allowing heat to escape. The effectiveness of these methods is influenced by the character of the climate and the degree to which the individual is acclimatized. Classification of Animals by Thermal Characteristics Based on thermal characteristics, animals could be classified into four broad groups: †¢ Endotherms: These are animals that create most of their heat via metabolic processes, and are colloquially referred to as warm-blooded. Most mammals and humans belong to this group. †¢ Ectotherms: These are animals that use external sources of temperature to regulate their body temperatures. They are colloquially referred to as coldblooded despite the fact that body temperatures often stay within the same temperature ranges as warm-blooded animals. Examples of animals that belong to this group are fish, amphibians and reptiles. †¢ Homeotherms: These are animals or organisms with stable body temperature which is independent of the temperature of the surrounding environment. Most endothermic organisms are homeothermic, like mammals. Although, fish are ectotherms because all of their heat comes from the surrounding water. However, most are homeotherms because their temperature is very stable. †¢ Poikiotherms: These are animals or organisms with variable body temperature. The body temperature varies according to the temperature of the surrounding environment. Animals with facultative endothermy are often poikilothermic, meaning their temperature can vary considerably. Examples of poikilotherms include amphibians, reptiles and fish. The Hypothalamus as a Thermoregulatory Centre Thermoregulation in both ectotherms and endotherms is controlled mainly by the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus (Romanovsky, 2007). In general, the posterior hypothalamus controls responses to cold, and the anterior hypothalamus controls responses to heat (Martha, 2010), hence, both serving as thermoregulatory centres. This area receives input from temperature receptors in the skin and mucous membranes (peripheral thermoreceptors) and from internal structures (central thermoreceptors), which include the hypothalamus itself (Dominika, 1998). The temperature sensory signals from the preoptic area and those from the periphery are combined in the posterior hypothalamus to control the heat producing and conserving reactions of the body. The hypothalamic thermostat works in conjunction with other hypothalamic, autonomic and higher nervous thermoregulatory centers to keep the core temperature constant. Some of these thermoregulatory responses are involuntary, mediated by the autonomic nervous system, some are neurohormonal and others are semi-voluntary or voluntary behavioral responses (Dominika, 1998). The brain receives signals regarding body temperature from the nerves in the skin and the blood. These signals go to the hypothalamus, which coordinates thermoregulation in the body. Both sets of information are needed so that the body can make appropriate adjustments. The thermoregulatory centre sends impulses to several different effectors to adjust body temperature. The signals from the hypothalamus control the sympathetic nervous system, which affects vasoconstriction, metabolism, shivering, sweating, and hormonal controls over temperature to bring the increased or decreased temperature back to normal (Wikipedia,2012) Figure 1: Schematic representation of the thermoregulatory centre role in thermoregulation (IHW, 2006) Feedback Control Mechanism for Thermoregulation in Hot Condition When the surroundings are hot or when the animal body is vigorously exercising, the following could be described as the summary of the feedback control system responsible for regulating the temperature back to normal: †¢ As the body core temperature starts to rise, the increase in temperature is detected by heat receptors in the body. †¢ †¢ These receptors send signals to the hypothermic thermostat. The thermostat inhibits the adrenergic activity of the sympathetic nervous system and stimulates the vasomotor system to dilate the capillaries underlying the skin. †¢ Arteriolar vasodilation occurs. The smooth muscle walls of the arterioles relax allowing increased blood flow through the artery. This redirects blood into the superficial capillaries in the skin increasing heat loss by convection, conduction and radiation. †¢ If the heat is sufficiently intense, the cholinergic sympathetic fibers, wh ich innervate sweat glands release ACh, stimulating sweat. †¢ The eccrine sweat glands under the skin secrete sweat (a fluid containing mostly water with some dissolved ions) which travels up the sweat duct, through the sweat pore and onto the surface of the skin. This causes heat loss via evaporative cooling; however, a lot of essential water is lost (Wikipedia, 2012). †¢ The hairs on the skin lay flat, preventing heat from being trapped by the layer of still air between the hairs. This is caused by tiny muscles under the surface of the skin called arrector pili muscles relaxing so that their attached hair follicles are not erect. These flat hairs increase the flow of air next to the skin increasing heat loss by convection. †¢ Behavioral responses to heat, such as lethargy, resting, lying down with limbs spread out or wallowing in pool of water or mud, decreases heat production and increases heat loss †¢ As the animal body gets cooler, the hypothalamic receptors detect this and diminish the heat loss prevention responses . †¢ The body core temperature returns to normal. It should be noted that most animals cant sweat efficiently. Cats and dogs have sweat glands only on the pads of their feet. Horses and humans are two of the few animals capable of sweating. Many animals pant rather than sweat because the lungs have a large surface area and are highly vascularised. Air is inhaled, cooling the surface of the lungs and is then exhaled losing heat and some water vapour. Figure 2: Schematic representation of thermoregulatory process in the body of an animal (IHW, 2006) Feedback Control Mechanism for Thermoregulation in Cold Condition When the surroundings are cold or when the animal body is resting, the following could be described as the summary of the feedback control system responsible for regulating the temperature back to normal: †¢ As the body core temperature starts to drop, this is detected by cold receptors in the body. †¢ These receptors send signals to both the hypothalamic thermostat and higher cortical centres in the CNS. †¢ The activation of the sympathetic centre results in several response which slow down the activity of the sweat glands. †¢ This lowers the production of sweat and it decreases the evaporation of sweat, which reduces heat loss by evaporation. †¢ The muscles under the surface of the skin called arrector pili muscles (attached to an individual hair follicle) contract (piloerection), lifting the hair follicle upright. This makes the hairs stand on end which acts as an insulating layer, trapping heat. †¢ The hypothalamus also signals the vasomotor system to constrict the capillaries underlying the skin. †¢ Arterioles carrying blood to superficial capillaries under the surface of the skin can shrink (constrict), thereby rerouting blood away from the skin and towards the warmer core of the body. This prevents blood from losing heat to the surroundings and also prevents the core temperature dropping further. This process is called vasoconstriction. It is impossible to prevent all heat loss from the blood, only to reduce it. In extremely cold conditions excessive vasoconstriction leads to numbness and pale skin. Frostbite only occurs when water within the cells begins to freeze, this destroys the cell causing damage (Wikipedia, 2012). This reduces heat loss by conduction, radiation, and convection. †¢ A Shivering Center in the hypothalamus is also activated which activates the brainstem motor centers to initiate involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles causing shivering. This increases heat production as respiration is an exothermic reaction in muscle cells. Shivering is more effective than exercise at producing heat because the animal remains still. This means that less heat is lost to the environment via convection. There are two types of shivering: low intensity and high intensity. During low intensity shivering animals shiver constantly at a low level for months during cold conditions. During high intensity shivering animals shiver violently for a relatively short time. Both processes consume energy although high intensity shivering uses glucose as a fuel source and low intensity tends to use fats. This is a primary reason why animals store up food in the winter (Wikipedia, 2012). †¢ There is also epinephrine secretion from adrenal medulla that increases thermogenesis.

What Impression of Inman is created in chapter 1 of Cold Mountain? Essa

What Impression of Inman is created in chapter 1 of Cold Mountain? Throughout Chapter one Frazier establishes Inman’ s character in sufficient detail for the reader to feel involved in his life and get an insight into the way he thinks. This gives the reader a feeling of superiority as to their knowledge of Inman and his feelings. Inman is based on Frazier’s great uncle. This gives them a better impression of him and a greater feeling of pity for him and his situation. He appears to be very sensitive to his surroundings as the environment of the hospital seems to affect his feelings in a very negative way. An example of this is where he thinks about how he obtained his wound. This shows his strength of character both physically and mentally. This is because he is strongly affected by the battles he has experienced and is horrified and haunted by it. His description of the train journey to the hospital is very sensual. This shows how he is extremely observant and has a great memory for detail. It also shows how vivid the horrors are that he has faced throughout his ...

A need for old age homes in modern times Essay

It’s a shameful state of affairs that there has arisen a need for old age homes in modern times. Why do we need these homes? Why are we considering our older relatives as a burden on us? Not too long ago we used to have a strong joint family system. It was an unquestioned norm of the society to take care if of the elderly. It was considered an honour and a blessing. Sadly, joint families have become relics of the past. In this nuclear age, old people are considered a liability. Time is money. And time and money determine our priorities today. Why are old age homes a symbol of societal ingratitude? Obviously, the absence of near and dear ones and the lack of their love and affection are the causes. Definitely, old age homes stand out as sore thumbs in the society, symbolic of our negligence towards our aged parents. As Thomas Merton, a catholic author rightly said, ‘These people, who live the evening of their lives in old age homes live unloved and die unmourned. Death comes to them as a great reliever.’ Are we not negating the role they have played in catapulting us to what we are today? Can we be so mean and selfish? Do we ever realise how priceless senior citizens are to the nation because of their wide experience and wisdom? How can we overlook their sad forlorn faces and concentrate on our triumphs? Don’t you remember all those countless hurdles and sleepless nights they have faced? So why don’t we make a fresh start? Let’s work together to weave a web of love and compassion to shelter our elders who have been torch lights of guidance all their lives for us. The elderly of the world today are more in need of love, kindness, safety and comfort from their own children and family members than that coming from a stranger. They can do without the amenities and/or luxuries that any OLD AGE HOME, SANITARIUM or GERIATRIC HOSPITAL WARD can give them. You might very well be paying a high price to keep a domestic helper or cook for your elderly parent(s) or grand-parent(s) – but that is not what the elderly  really WANT. They need the aid of a helper in their daily lives, it is true – but it is for a smile, a kind, polite word, attention and love that they really crave for. They crave for somebody who will talk to them and laugh with them – people who will stay by their side when the darkness of night falls and the fear of dying alone creeps in. Whether you want to believe it or not, old people crave for a TRUE AND LOYAL FRIEND. An emotional and moral â€Å"SUPPORT SYSTEM† that comes from one’s own loving and ca ring family members has more curative value in the longer run than all the allopathic drugs and medicines put together. now a days our Indian society is intensely influenced by the western world.. & we have become obsessed with money so that we are gradually losing our morality. †¨its time to realise that Aged parents are like children. & we should take care of them†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¨finally i wanna say 1 thing that†¨WHATEVER WE GIVE IN THE PRESENT ONLY WE WILL GET IN THE FUTURE†¦.!!!†¨so it is preferable if possible and the children are willing to look after you. in case the children are not favourable then it is preferred to live in a good old age home who can take care of of you till your death. but the people who do not have their children then the preference is to live in old age home only old people are big support for the family. bcz they are our base and having better experinces den new age people. and bcz old age people we r kwn in the society.and they r the strength of the family. so don’t let dem to old age home keep them in family bcz in this age they need family support and care†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. well according to me everyone has right to live with their family happily †¦.. to days people are trying to avoid their responsibility †¦ they think old parents are only burden†¦there is no use of them†¦but i think if you got saperate by your old parents ..send them old age home.. then you are the next one who will suffer the same problem†¦. Can not agree with your view even with best effort. Did our parents think the same way when they spared time, attention and energy for us? The answer is no. If our parents could find time for us, surely we as well, can think the same way both for our children and parents. Provide quality time as also while we need to pay back even if it is at the cost of a few promotions less in job or making less money in other vocations. Being competitive was very much known to our parents as well and so was the rat-race, yet if they avoided we must appreciate that gesture. Of course few from â€Å"Rat-race† may realize of this being a differentiating factors to be called Human. my opinion Parents make great sacrifices for the care of their children. Day after day, parents protect their children from danger, attend to their cries, and reassure them after a bad dream. Parents give up necessities for their children everyday†¦.But when the children grown up and if they reach better postion in the society, they are forgetting their own parents†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦I cant able to undersatnd, how they(children) can forget their past lifehow they can avoid their own parents in their lifeIs it Good? that it’s shamefull that we have to discuss this matter as we are forgetting our culture which tell us that mother father are god in the world . I agree with your views that parents must be kept with us if required we can keep servent to tocare for them in our absence and after coming from work we can spend some time with them .This much will keep them happy . Our parents are taking too many difficulties or we can say they are sacrificing for the welfare of their children. Hence it should not be the right thing to leave them in the oldage homes. It is the duty of every one to keep their old age parents with them and should be taken care by their children. In case the old age parents are left in the homes by you, which will be watched by your own children and tomorrow you will meet the same thing by your children. Whether elderly people should live with their children and grandchildren or  in retirement homes depends on their personal choice and the circumstances in which they have been living till then.I personally feel elderly people must live with their children and grand children.†¨ The chief reason for my view is old people are like infants who need constant care and attention.Most of them have some or the other medical conditions which may require assistance from people around.Some people may or may not be financially sound to live in retirement homes.Above all,it is the primary duty of the children to take care of their parents at such an age For example,In India most of the parents live with their children in their older age.This develops bond between different generations and bridges the gap between them.Younger generation can learn a lot from the older generation where as older generation can know about the progress which the newer generations are making. Moreover living with the family creates a sense of security and warmth which might be lacking in any other type of residences.Finally,living with the family would be a better option. They did not ponder much about lack of privacy whenever we barged into their romantic rendezvous. They did it all for Us! Is this how we pay back? By dumping them in old age homes? i know Okay, times have changed. Now, both parents might have to work to run the home. Maybe, we don’t want to miss out on our promotions. After all, the money from that promotion will also be used to give parents a ‘better old age home!!’ And now-a-days, old age homes are all spruced up like hotels with all facilities including medicine and entertainment readily available. Fine, but pray tell me, if we have the time to party, if we have the time to watch television can we not find a little time for our parents at home? Is it too much to ask for? Old age homes may provide all material requirements but surely, we are wise enough( or are we?!) to understand that an old age home cannot fill in the vacuum of love and affection that only a family can provide. Even if we call them every other day, can the phone call fulfill the anticipations and expectation that a parent has to meet his/her son or/and daughter? Come on friend , I am telling you a little story † one day my friend’s father made a little mistake then my friend shout on them.. his father replied , son , when you were small (child) you made lot of errors but i never rebuked on you , you did several mistake but i always tried to show  you good manner to do that task. but today , when i am getting sick , my memory and body is not supporting me , you are not doing the same as what i did in past for you . Friends they are treasure for us, with lot of experience of life, with lot of love, with lot of honor . don’t loo se you wealth , they are root of your life , without root , you will not be strong and steady. I believe that they should live in family and with family.I believe that whatever we do we do it for our family.If we can manage our small kids who also want special care why not our parents.We dont send them to some other kid care center then why there is problem with parents.If one can afford them to old age home then it could also be managed, care and attention could also be provided at our home by arranging some professionals who will come to home and take care of them.Definitely it cost higher but I think they deserve it.They don’t need money,they need family and want to die in front of there loved one rather than some unknown professional. We should understand that no matter how high we rise in our life but we are in life because of them and we should help them to get the LOVE,RESPECT that they deserve. Here I want to post something that i recently gone through. Today I’m sharing something that is very close to us & also very true. We all go through this †¦plz read through†¦ At 4 Years†¨ My daddy is great.†¨ †¨ At 6 Years†¨ My daddy knows everybody.†¨ †¨ At 10 Years†¨ My daddy is good but is short tempered†¨ †¨ At 12 Years†¨ My daddy was very nice to me when I was young.†¨ †¨ At 14 Years†¨ My daddy is getting fastidious.†¨ †¨ At 16 Years†¨ My daddy is not in line with the current times.†¨ †¨ At 18 Years†¨ My daddy is becoming increasingly cranky.†¨ †¨ At 20 Years†¨ Oh! It’s becoming difficult to tolerate daddy. Wonder how Mother puts up†¨ with him.†¨ †¨ At 25 Years†¨ Daddy is objecting to everything.†¨ †¨ At 30 Years†¨ it’s becoming difficult to manage my son. I was so scared of my father†¨ when I was young.†¨ †¨ At 40 Years†¨ Daddy brought me up with so much discipline. Even I should do the same.†¨ †¨ At 45 Years†¨ I am baffled as to how my daddy brought us up.â € ¨ †¨ At 50 Years†¨ My daddy faced so many hardships to bring us up. I am unable to manage†¨ A Single son.†¨ †¨ At 55 Years†¨ My daddy was so far  sighted and planned so many things for us. He is†¨ one of his kind and unique.†¨ †¨ At 60 Years†¨ My daddy is great.†¨ †¨ Thus, it took 56 years to complete the cycle and come back to the 1st. Stage. Realize the true value of your parents before it’s too late†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Bye the way I want to thank the owner of this debate and to Disha.who gave me an opportunity to take part in this debate I don’t think people have time today even to take care of their own parents, I mean they are busy running behind money and creating better future for themselves but are forgetting who provided a better future for them in the first place, and even parents at times think that they don’t want to be a burden on their children and they themselves at times get registered to these oldage homes, as they are seeing whats happening infront of them and they dont want to be let down by their own kids infront of others I strongly feel that older people should spend rest of their lives with their children because there are some things that money can’t buy especially â€Å"LOVE†. Old age especially demands affection. Children are brought up by their parents since they are too young. Especially in a society to which I belong, Technology-integration in Old Age Homes in India A Status Paper Sugan Bhatia, Ph.D. President Indian University Association for Continuing Education Delhi 1.1 The elderly (aged 60 years and above) in India account for more than 9 percent of the total population. The National Population Commission estimated that the population of the elderly is expected to grow from 71 million in 2001 to 173 million in 2026. This demographic scenario appears to indicate a very precarious condition for the older persons in terms of their capability to enjoy the right to life with dignity. While those in the age group 60-69 years could be expected to lead a fairly healthy life and offer their services as volunteers for informal care giving to others in the two higher age groups, both the 70-79 years age group and the 80 + years age group would require critical social and medical healthcare support – both  informal care giving and formal care giving. 1.2 The growing incidence of elder abuse and severe fissures in the multigenerational family or household has forced many older persons to abandon their family home; some of them have also been â€Å"pushed out† and have thus been left shelter-less. Most urban areas appear to have a growing incidence of cases of abandoned elderly. A new culture of â€Å"peer group participation† being attempted by the old persons appears to be taking roots in many parts of urban India; Old Age Homes of various types are rapidly becoming a choice for many â€Å"abandoned†, â€Å"left out† or â€Å"neglected† old persons with or without survival resources. 1.3 The vision of â€Å"alternate shelter† for older persons, as enunciated in both national and global policy frameworks, includes Group housing for older persons, No physical barriers to mobility, Health care and nutritional support, Development of age-integrated communities, Recreation services, Age-friend ly, easy and safe accessibility to shopping complexes, community centers, parks and other services, and Provision of ramps†¦

EBay Inc. and Amazon.com Essay

EBay, Inc. and Amazon.com Introduction Problem definition and historical context            In broad spectrum, the case of eBay and Amazon explores the strategic interaction between the two organizations as they embrace different business models. This case considers how competitors in the market can successfully challenge the rival in highly competitive market where business is defined by strong network effects and fluctuating costs. The audiences in this case are given a chance to assess the merits and the demerits of the business platform utilized by eBay in contrast to Amazon’s online based retail model (Harvard business school, 2012). In addition, the case allows those interested to evaluate business performance in the event of looping value because of the indirect interactions in the two industries. The case offers a vivid exploration and analysis of how Amazon expanded its business in the competitive environment as well as discussing how eBay responded and the strategies they can adopt to lower the difference in earnings between the two. All this is done through an in-depth analysis of acquisition of GSI commerce by eBay in 2011. Briefly, business competition is the main issue in this case. Case research            Business competition between the two corporations rapidly grew in 2011, ten years after a story by â€Å"Businessweek’ labeled eBay vs. Amazon was released. The publication by Businessweek clearly depicted that between the two, the company that would win the biggest market share would probably dominate the future of internet-based business. By the time of this publication, Amazon was leading in all aspects of online transactions. Inherently, the history of the two corporations is based on Royal battle. The rivalry between the two companies is very high. Actually, Amazon and eBay are the biggest firms in online business. They are competitors of each other. Despite being in the same business, the two corporations have been operating by taking different business approaches. In terms of financial growth, Amazon had established itself as the market leader. Its financial aspects had grown by 37% as compared to eBay’s 6% (Harvard business school, 2012). Mor eover, eBay specializes in focusing on being a facilitator in internet business while Amazon focuses on becoming a one-stop platform. It is in the is respect that the case establishes that Amazon in the long-run will outrun eBay in the online stage. The two companies expand their markets by merging with other related companies. Industry/Goal/Product            EBay Company offers a market place where both retailers and buyers interact. The company aims at enabling both buyers and sellers to agree at a neutral price that can be referred to as action price. Similar to Amazon, e bay offers its clients with variety of products where they can choose on what to buy or sell. Both companies deal with used good but strictly dealing with e commerce as mode of payment. Generic Strategies Grid (2 char. per axis) 291909541338500 The generic strategies are mostly applied in analyzing competitive advantage of the business environment of both companies. Cost leadership Differentiation 147637518796000 Cost focus Differentiation focus This chart articulates ways how e Bay company can gain competitive advantage over the other viable competitors. Five Forces Model            In business context, Five Forces Model is paramount as they help then businesses analyze their competitive advantage. It is paramount to understand both internal and external business environment so in order to develop viable strategies to remain in the competitive edge. In reference to the case study, the Five Forces Model will greatly help to analyze the intense competition between Amazon.com and e Bay. More importantly, Five Forces Model is a viable tool to help both companies to plan in ways such as coming up with new products needed by the customers. Supplier Power is the first element that deals with suppliers and prices of the commodities (Harvard business school, 2012). With the intense competition as witnessed in the case study, each company is striving with best ways how they can demand the prices of commodities to lower. Indeed, E bay has collaborated with many suppliers by offering clients with variety of products ranging from different prices.            Buyer Power is the second element in the Five Forces Model. Ultimately, this element is concerned on how best the buyers can bring down prices of commodities. Quite different from Amazon, E bay has offered their customers with a direct linkage with their suppliers with an urge to bring down cost of goods. Competitive Rivalry is another model vital to understand all potential competitors around the business. As noted in the case study, potential competitors in this industry include newspapers cites, music or video shops and personal homepages among others. Threat of Substitution is less as both companies have a strong CRM hence making it difficult for other companies to displace them in the market. Lastly, the companies face intense competion from Threat of New Entry companies such as yahoo among others. Strategic analysis Value chain analysis            Value chain analysis entails analysis of the manner in which companies ensure value creation to their customers with the use of their resources and strategies. In relation to eBay, the company ensures value creation to their customers through price cutting, enhancing its customer search capabilities and ensuring its new business model. The company’s inbound logistics are well-built. EBay is tight-lipped in regard to their approach to payment processing, communications, website operations and more importantly customer support. With respect to its operations, the company does not restrict the maintenance of a marketplace and this resulted to it entering new markets outside U.S.A in 2011 (Harvard business school, 2012). Evidently, eBay unlike Amazon is depicted a powerful in relation to its operations. With the introduction of its core business segments, that is communications, payments and marketplaces, eBay aimed to maintain the trust and opportunity by devel oping new business communities globally with the help of e- business. In this case, the company compared to Amazon generated much revenue and increased its popularity around the world. Project risk model            Project risk management aims to measure the company’s capabilities and risks and the most effective measures it adopts to prevent various risks as it conducts business. With respect to project risk model, eBay is depicted as one with clear project risk management process. On the other hand, Amazon also has a well established project risk model to address company’s capabilities and risks. Model justification            The business model assumed by eBay that is auctions marketplace is depicted by the article and paramount in ensuring the success of the company especially in the competitive business environment. The model provides effective and efficient means of payments, communication and means of entering new markets. Based on the article, the business model assumed by the company connects buyers and sellers in such a way that it ensures value creation. The model is also portrayed as effective as it improved the revenue of the company in the year in 1999 (Harvard business school, 2012). Alternatives flow from strategic models            To ensure its competitive, eBay according to the article used groundbreaking business platforms and models to attract more customers globally. However, the article depicts that the company should also focus on expanding and transforming its business and project risk models in areas such as marketing and services to its customers. In this case, the company should be in a position to compete with competitors such as Amazon. Technology and costs            Technological changes are occurring drastically hence citing the need why the companies should be at par with these innovations. The technology used by both companies is effective to enhance the search catalog and ability to retrieve information at ease hence cutting operational cost. Use of AWS has huge benefits, as it is not only reliable but also secure. Another advantage of this technology in relation to cost is that it is simple in scalability. Use of superior technology such as AWS, S3, catalogue and EC2 enhances the company to reduce fixed prices of commodities (Harvard business school, 2012). Recommendation            Competition between the two corporations is high and specifically eBay should adopt several strategies to minimize the available gap. For instance, eBay should embrace better advertisement strategies and search for better advertisement partners. This will help attract some of the Amazons customers to their side. Secondly, to ensure that they stand a chance to reduce the business gap, eBay should focus on its strengths. Getting into the digital media sales should be another area to strategize on. In terms of internet technology, eBay should ensure better internet search as well ensuring improved tagging approaches. Lastly, it is of importance for eBay to reduce the PayPal fees to entice and attract more clients. On the other hand, Amazon should materialize on making their products better besides competing with their close competitor on price. Reference Harvard business school.(2012). Bay, Inc. and Amazon.com (A) and (B). Source document

televsions effect essays

televsions effect essays Television is a pervasive and complex part of childrens lives, there are many factors that affect how much and what they view. In the essay Teaching as an Amusing Activity (1987), Neil Postman argues television conditions us to tolerate visually entertaining material measured out in chunks at a time. He explains the ways in which the media is changing the way our children are learning. Neil Postman starts off by explaining how television is being used as an attractive and seductive medium to make children to like school with shows such as Sesame Street. He describes how in a classroom setting allows the student to participate in asking questions and being interactive, while television lures the children with stimulating, colourful and creative images. Neil Postman than compares the difference in learning behaviours between the classroom setting and sitting in front of the television, which is the problem that is facing America today. Television does not encourage children to go to school but also affects their cognitive and social development. Neil Postman continues on with his idea on how children should learn. It is not what they are learning, since television shows can all be educational, it is how you learn it that is important. By watching television, the children are only expected to play a viewer role, while not realizing the familiarity of their role as a student in a classroom. This is leading American culture in the process of converting their culture from a word-centered to an image-centered society. Television is more and more becoming a curriculum as pointed out by Postman. It influences, warps and manipulates the young minds of children into believing that education is entertainment. Postman(1985) states that there are three basic commandments that educational television provides (pgs.147,148). The first one is Thou shalt have no prerequisites. It means that the viewer does no ...

The History of Vending Machines

The History of Vending Machines Vending or automatic retailing, as the process of selling merchandise via automated machine is increasingly known, has a long history. The first recorded example of the vending machine comes from the Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria, who  invented a device that dispensed  holy water inside Egyptian temples.   Other early examples include small machines made of brass that dispensed tobacco, were found in  some taverns in England around  1615.  In 1822, an English  publisher and bookshop owner named  Richard Carlile built a newspaper dispensing machine  that allowed patrons to purchase banned works. And it was in  1867 that the first fully automatic vending machine, which  dispensed  stamps, appeared.   Coin-Operated Vending Machines During the early 1880s, the first commercial coin-operated vending machines were introduced in London, England. Invented in 1883 by  Percival Everitt, the machines were found at railway stations and  post offices, as they were a convenient way to purchase  envelopes,  postcards, and  notepaper. And in 1887, the first vending machine servicer, the  Sweetmeat Automatic Delivery Company, was founded.   In 1888, the Thomas Adams Gum Company introduced the very first vending machines to the United States. The machines were installed on the elevated subway platforms in New York City and sold Tutti-Fruiti gum. In 1897, the Pulver Manufacturing Company added animated figures to its gum machines as an added attraction. The round, candy-coated gumball, and gumball vending machines were introduced in 1907. Coin-Operated Restaurants Soon, vending machines were available that offered almost everything, including cigars, postcards, and stamps. In Philadelphia, a completely coin-operated automat restaurant called Horn Hardart was opened in 1902 and stayed opened until 1962. Such fast-food restaurants, called automats, only took nickels and were popular among struggling  songwriters and  actors, as well as celebrities of that era.   Beverage Vending Machines Machines that dispensed drinks go as far back as 1890. The very first beverage vending machine was located in Paris, France and allowed people to buy beer wine and liquor. In the early 1920s, the first automatic vending machines started dispensing  sodas  into cups. Today, beverages are among the most popular items sold through vending machines.   Cigarettes in Vending Machines In 1926, an American inventor named William Rowe invented the cigarette vending machine. Over time, however, they became increasingly less common in the United States due to concerns over underage buyers. In other countries, vendors have addressed the issue by requiring that some sort of age verification, such as a drivers license, bank card or ID be inserted before a purchase can be made. Cigarette dispensing machines are still common in  Germany, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Japan.   Specialty Vending Machines Food, beverages, and cigarettes are the most common items sold in vending machines, but the list of specialty items sold by this form of automation is almost endless, as a quick survey of any airport or bus terminal will tell you. The vending machine industry took a big jump around 2006 when credit card scanners started to become common on vending machines. Within ten years, almost every new vending machine was equipped to accept credit cards. This opened the door to the sale of many high-priced items through vending machines. Here are just some of the specialty products that have been offered via vending machine:   Fishing baitOn-line internet timeLottery ticketsBooksElectronics, including I-pads,  cell phones, digital cameras, and computers.  Hot foods, such as french fries and pizzaLife insuranceCondoms and other contraceptivesOver-the-counter drugsMarijuanaAutomobiles Yes, you read that last item correctly.  In late 2016, Autobahn Motors in Singapore opened a luxury car vending machine that offered Ferrari  and  Lamborghini  cars. Buyers clearly need hefty limits on their credit cards.   Japan, Land of the Vending Machines Japan has gained a reputation for having some of the most innovative use of vending machines, offering machines that offer products including fresh fruits and vegetables, sake, hot foods, batteries, flowers, clothing and, of course, sushi. In fact, Japan has the highest per capita rate of vending machines in the world.   The Future of Vending Machines A coming trend is the advent of smart vending machines that offer things like cashless payment; face, eye, or fingerprint recognition,  and social media connectivity. It is likely that the vending machines of the future will recognize your identity and tailor their offerings to your interests and tastes. A beverage vending machine, for example, may well recognize what you have purchased at other vending machines all around the world and ask you if you want your usual skim latte with a double shot of vanilla.   Market research projects that by 2020, 20% of all vending machines will be smart machines, with at least 3.6 million units knowing who you are and what youd like.

Four Tips For Successful Web Writing

Four Tips For Successful Web Writing Four Tips For Successful Web Writing Four Tips For Successful Web Writing By Sharon If you want people to read your web content, you have to make it appeal to them. Heres how to do it. First, pick a great title or a good one. A good title is one that tells the reader what your article or post is about. You can use humor or you can play it straight, as long as you inform the reader. Titles with number in them tend to do well. A good title, like a good article, answers the whats in it for me question for readers. Next, talk to your readers as if theyre sitting in the same room. Use the word you liberally, as you were if you were talking to someone. Good web writing is like having a conversation with the person who is reading it. Your writing voice will be a bit like your speaking voice let your personality show. Write short, clear sentences. Make it easy for people to understand what youre talking about. The web audience is international, and not everyone speaks English as a first language. So when you write, avoid jargon and obscure language and provide examples to illustrate your points. Summarize. Use bulleted lists to help people understand the essentials of your topic. Its the old rule: tell them, then tell them what youve told them. Heres a recap. Four ways to write a good web article are to: Pick a good title. Address your readers directly. Keep sentences short and clear. Provide a summary. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:7 Examples of Passive Voice (And How To Fix Them)Among vs. AmongstWhile vs. Whilst

Review on the readings below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Review on the readings below - Essay Example At full capacity of its pipeline, Azerbaijan’s revenues rose to $20 billion, growing by a third every year (De Waal 171). In 1994, the government signed a $10 billion contract with nine foreign companies, which created the Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC). From these contracts, Azerbaijan used oil to become a politically visible country. Until present times, Caspian energy remains a strategic tool in the political decisions and foreign affairs of the U.S. in the region. Thomas de Waal is a British journalist and a writer on the Caucasus. He is a valid source on the Caspian issues because he has written several books and articles on them. What is most interesting in the chapter is how oil has become the center of political battlefield in Azerbaijan. The familiarity with such issues is only in the Middle East, but it is clear that the South Caucasus also presented the same political-economic nexus. The chapter is relevant to the course because it shows how widespread the oil war is, both economically and politically. Chapter 7 narrates the rise of modern Georgia, its Rose Revolution and other internal and regional conflicts. The Rose Revolution of November 2003 aimed to establish a democratic society and to enhance human rights and living conditions. At the same time, it wanted to decrease corruption and improve the national economy. Corruption was most prominent in 1999, under President Eduard Shevardnadze. Dismal economic conditions lasted until 2003. The Rose Revolution was initiated by the military to generate political and economic changes. However, conflicts continued afterwards because of the failure of the new government in addressing reforms and the remaining tension between Georgia and Russia. Chapter 7 provides a good example of a government that was changed from within through military intervention and not through any other popular

Final Case Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Final Case Report - Essay Example In 2011, the entry of the crystal silicon producers mainly from China has resulted to the reduction in the module costs. In order to face the increase in competition, First Solar has applied new technological approach in order to manufacture solar cells. The case of First Solar revealed the fact that the concerned company has been effective in performing operations competitively owing to cost advantage in using crystal silicon. The key strategic issues identified from the case of First Solar are that the company has faced increased competitions from other producers of solar modules. In addition to this, the entry of Chinese firms in solar industry has been affecting the leadership position enjoyed by First Solar as an individual competitor in the solar industry. In this respect, the competition from other firms had a negative impact on the market share of First Solar (First Solar Inc, 2013). The aim of the essay is to develop strategic planning report for First Solar on the basis of identifying the problems or issues faced for market competition. Furthermore, internal and external analysis of the environment has been conducted with the intention of identifying the threats as well as opportunities for the concerned company. In addition to this, strategies have been developed based on the issues identified using different analytical models that are essential for the success of the company in the long run (First Solar, 2015; First Solar Inc, 2013). First Solar is the global producer and seller of solar modules and uses photovoltaic energy for producing the same. First Solar as one of the renewable energy organizations is devoted to sustainable business practices in order to gain competitive position in the market. The mission statement of the company reveals the objectives of the organization. The mission of First Solar is to provide clean and affordable solar electricity worldwide. In addition to the use of eco efficient solution to generate

La Maravilla Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

La Maravilla - Essay Example ...Remember, you are not white, and if someday you find yourself asking a white man's questions, the answer will not be there for you" [Vea, 217-218]. Adobe homes, shacks made up of tarpaper, Cadillacs adorned with rust, and of course, out of shape trailer trucks that were popularly known as "Buckeye". It was in the desert outside of the city of Phoenix wherein the wonders of various cultural myths, were brought to life. La Maravilla symbolizes being a part of two different worlds and of being pulled apart by love and fear of both. It depicts the blanket of marigolds - the flower of the dead - adorning the graves of Mexican cemeteries as well as the imaginary dog considered consecrated by the Aztecs; a dog that was believed to have returned from the lower-world to guide a person to the land of the dead known as Mictlan. The gaps were represented by the two different worlds which were not far from being reached by a person.

The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter - Essay Example Divisions in the Democratic Party arose over the direction of domestic policy and split party unity. A divisive Democratic primary between Carter and challenger Ted Kennedy (Dem, MA.) left the campaign in disarray. According to Hamilton Jordan, Carter's chief political advisor, the Democratic outlook was "...not enhanced or strengthened by the contest, but damaged severely" (qtd. in Biven). Yet, against this backdrop of failure and frustration, even darker clouds had gathered. By July 1980, Carter's approval rating had dropped to 21%, lower than Richard Nixon's at the time of his resignation. This dramatic drop was precipitated by two key events. America's runaway inflation and the Iran hostage ordeal had taken a heavy toll on America's confidence in the Carter presidency. There is an old political saying that says Americans vote with their pocketbooks. This was certainly true in the 1980 reelection bid of Jimmy Carter. Rampant inflation had severely reduced wage earners purchasing power throughout the Carter years. Carter opposed Gerald Ford in the presidential race of 1976 during one of our history's greatest economic slumps. During the campaign Carter had criticized Ford for his inability to deal with inflation and unemployment. When Carter was inaugurated in 1977, the country was beginning to show some signs of improvement. However, after four years of Carter's administration inflation had risen from 4.8% in 1976 to 12% at the time of the 1980 election (Huckshorn). Inflation, the public's measure of the economy, was rooted in Carter's inability to deal with major economic issues. Carter, had a long-term vision for energy policy, but was ineffective at dealing with America's immediate need for oil during his short term as President. OPEC's tight control of the oil market had boosted prices and in the period from 1978 to1979 oil prices nearly doubled (Williams). Not coincidentally the national deficit was also rising at record rates. America's debt resulted in further erosion of the dollar on the international market. These economic forces conspired to send inflation to a lofty 20% in January and February of 1980 (Biven). Though consumers probably suffered less than was conventionally believed, the overriding shadow of the double-digit inflation rate in the daily papers dashed any hope Carter had for reelection. While faced with growing domestic discontent, Carter was presented with what became the most overpowering and difficult problem of his presidency, the Iranian hostage crises. In November 1979, militant Iranian students took control of the American Embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats and others hostage while demanding the return of the previously overthrown Shah .The hostages were released in January 1981, after being held for 444 days, but the damage to Carter had already been done. The fate of the hostages and the ever-present news broadcasts magnified the inability of the Carter administration's incompetence in handling the crisis. A failed rescue attempt and general frustration added to the public's eroding approval of the President's performance. Carter's popularity continued downward as the election was held and Carter was handed defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan. Carter's administration was working behind the scenes to free the hostages,

NUTRproject 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

NUTRproject 3 - Assignment Example Make this personal (as opposed to simply providing a book answer). Will you experience the consequence(s) of this behavior anytime soon, or do you not truly see this as a threat to your well-being in the next 5 years? 2. Using your knowledge of nutrition, list 3 advantages of the target behavior you selected. Again, please don’t just provide a book answer. What might changing this behavior provide to you today as opposed to 10 years from now? Is that worth the perceived â€Å"sacrifice† of changing whatever it is you’re currently doing? Why or why not? I am in this stage: ___________ Preparation: Description of target behavior doesn’t match my current behavior patterns, but I am motivated and confident that I can change them to be more like it in the next 30 days. 7. Start to recognize any successes you have had in practicing this behavior, no matter how small. Look over the records you kept and/or assessments you completed. When were you successful in following the desired behavior even a little? Why do you think you were successful? The times when there was a lot of activities during the day, that I missed the time for doing the exercises. I consider that introducing breaks of 30 minutes between the activities to involved in brisk walking or any other indoor physical activity can be helpful in adopting my target behavior 9. Increasing your knowledge of the advantages of practicing this behavior and/or the disadvantages of failing to do so can help motivate you for change. Using what you have learned in class so far, and/or other resources as needed, write a paragraph describing how you will benefit from making your target behavior a part of your lifestyle. If you need help finding a resource to help you, contact your instructor. Making the target behavior part of my lifestyle will help me in reconciling with my body, thereby promoting maintenance of my body composition. Healthy body composition is

The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter - Essay Example Divisions in the Democratic Party arose over the direction of domestic policy and split party unity. A divisive Democratic primary between Carter and challenger Ted Kennedy (Dem, MA.) left the campaign in disarray. According to Hamilton Jordan, Carter's chief political advisor, the Democratic outlook was "...not enhanced or strengthened by the contest, but damaged severely" (qtd. in Biven). Yet, against this backdrop of failure and frustration, even darker clouds had gathered. By July 1980, Carter's approval rating had dropped to 21%, lower than Richard Nixon's at the time of his resignation. This dramatic drop was precipitated by two key events. America's runaway inflation and the Iran hostage ordeal had taken a heavy toll on America's confidence in the Carter presidency. There is an old political saying that says Americans vote with their pocketbooks. This was certainly true in the 1980 reelection bid of Jimmy Carter. Rampant inflation had severely reduced wage earners purchasing power throughout the Carter years. Carter opposed Gerald Ford in the presidential race of 1976 during one of our history's greatest economic slumps. During the campaign Carter had criticized Ford for his inability to deal with inflation and unemployment. When Carter was inaugurated in 1977, the country was beginning to show some signs of improvement. However, after four years of Carter's administration inflation had risen from 4.8% in 1976 to 12% at the time of the 1980 election (Huckshorn). Inflation, the public's measure of the economy, was rooted in Carter's inability to deal with major economic issues. Carter, had a long-term vision for energy policy, but was ineffective at dealing with America's immediate need for oil during his short term as President. OPEC's tight control of the oil market had boosted prices and in the period from 1978 to1979 oil prices nearly doubled (Williams). Not coincidentally the national deficit was also rising at record rates. America's debt resulted in further erosion of the dollar on the international market. These economic forces conspired to send inflation to a lofty 20% in January and February of 1980 (Biven). Though consumers probably suffered less than was conventionally believed, the overriding shadow of the double-digit inflation rate in the daily papers dashed any hope Carter had for reelection. While faced with growing domestic discontent, Carter was presented with what became the most overpowering and difficult problem of his presidency, the Iranian hostage crises. In November 1979, militant Iranian students took control of the American Embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats and others hostage while demanding the return of the previously overthrown Shah .The hostages were released in January 1981, after being held for 444 days, but the damage to Carter had already been done. The fate of the hostages and the ever-present news broadcasts magnified the inability of the Carter administration's incompetence in handling the crisis. A failed rescue attempt and general frustration added to the public's eroding approval of the President's performance. Carter's popularity continued downward as the election was held and Carter was handed defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan. Carter's administration was working behind the scenes to free the hostages,

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

Mail - Essay Example However, it might also be possible for the seller to deliver their products to retail stores that are near the customer where it is possible for the customer to receive and retrieve their product (Kotler & Keller, 2012). This form of mail order service, which appears to be a catalog, is very popular and, in this case, it contains the product, prices of the product inventory, and descriptions of the product. Usually, these publications are sent to consumers who are most likely to purchase the decoder being sold. The format used for this publication is not unusual as such, although it is quite innovative. This can be seen from the way in which the seller uses fanciful paper, as well as the colorful nature of the fancy paper. There are several eye-catching graphics, including the words ‘The Cable Crusher’ placed in a vice, in which some of the letters have cable connection jack pins at their ends. There is also a graphic that shows animated airplanes, most likely indicating that the cable company carries cartoon packages, while there are several remote controls shown for only one decoder, which could represent the numerous choices available on the cable network. As noted, the paper used is fanciful, while the printing is colorful and clear with the most important points being written in color. Possibly the thing that most held my interest was the image of a vice next to a graphic showing package offer reductions. Printed make a mail order sales will always be fashionable because of their ability to focus on direct messages (Kotler & Keller, 2012). The fact that this publication is targeted and brief makes it believable because the message is directed current and prospective customers, meaning that the company seeks to build a relationship with those who choose to buy their cable services. However, there are questions regarding its limited time offer that provides for a return of $150 after mail redemption, specifically because the highest price for

Voice of the Customer Case Study Essay Example for Free

Voice of the Customer Case Study Essay 1. Explain how the Voice of the Employee sup ports improved internal processes (Voice of the Business), and how the Voice of the Business supports customer satisfaction (Voice of the Customer).  As stated by the United States Postal Service annual performance report, The Voice of the Customer goal category focuses Postal Service resources on growth to generate sufficient revenue to support the public service mission of universal service that â€Å"binds the nation together. † Providing timely, consistent delivery across all classes of mail will increase customer satisfaction and generate growth in support of our central mission (2002). The Voice of the Employee goal category focuses on creating a workplace environment that fosters a motivated, productive and inclusive workforce and embraces the values of fairness, opportunity, safety, and security. The Voice of the Business goal category focuses on maintaining the affordability of Postal Service products and services by improving productivity so as to control costs and improve contribution levels to grow business (USPS annual performance report, 2002). For each Voice, a goal statement focuses on the overall performance sought. For Voice of the Customer, the goal is to provide services that meet the needs of different customers in competitive markets and grow the revenue necessary to support the public service mission of the Postal Service. For Voice of the Employee, the goal is for a motivated, productive and inclusive workforce and a goal of affordability for the Voice of the Business. 2. While Figure 8. 14 shows only representative measures associated with the balanced scorecard, suggest some other measures that might be included, using your knowledge of postal operations. Traditionally, performance measures used to assess success were financial in nature. This allowed only one view of what happened. The measure is complete only at the moment, and there are limited indications where current operations are effective or ineffective as the measures are historical in nature. Financial measures are outcome measures that show what has happened in the past. A more forward looking set of performance measures tells managers and employees where they are headed, what aspects of the organization are succeeding, and what aspects need improvement to effect future successful outcomes. For example, customer satisfaction levels tell us something about the future predisposition of customers to use our service in the future, which relates to future financial measures. In the same manner, if we know there is a connection between meeting customer requirements and internal process measures that are tracked, and then there is a clear sense of what we need to do in managing our processes in order to meet customer needs (Thompson Mathys, 2006). 3. Note what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a Balanced Scorecard approach. The first advantage of using the balanced scorecard method is that by looking at four aspects of a companys performance, you really do get a balanced view of company performance. Unlike traditional methods of tracking the financial health of a business, the balanced scorecard gives you a full picture as to whether your company is meeting its objectives. While it may seem that a company is doing well financially, it may be that customer satisfaction is down, employee training is inadequate, or that the processes are outdated (Bowen, 2011). As explained by Bowen (2011), by using a balanced scorecard approach, the immediate future isnt the only thing being evaluated. Often, when an accountant sees the financial bottom line (perhaps the company isnt doing well), suggestions are given that are immediate, but do not look at the long-term. Using balanced scorecards allows for stakeholders to determine the health of short, medium, and long-term objectives at a glance. Finally, by using a balanced scorecard, a company can be sure that any strategic action implemented matches the desired outcomes. Will raising the price of a product help the bottom line of the company in the long run? It might, if the customer is satisfied with that product, or if the processes involved with creating that product make the product of a higher quality (Bowen, 2011). While there are many advantages to using balanced scorecards in your accounting toolbox, there are a few disadvantages to the method as well. First, the balanced scorecard takes forethought. It is not a tool you can just think up one night to solve a problem. Instead, it is recommended that you hold a meeting to plan out what goals you would like to see your company reach in each of the four above areas. Once you have clearly stated objectives, you can then begin to break down these objectives in what you will need, financially, to bring these objectives to fruition. As explained by Bowen (2011), while the balanced scorecard gives you an overall view of the four areas for concern in business growth and development, these four areas do not paint the whole picture. The financial information included on the scorecard is limited. Instead, to be successfully implemented, the balanced scorecard must be part of a bigger strategy for company growth that includes meticulous accounting methods. Many companies use metrics that are not applicable to their own situation. It is vitally important when using balanced scorecards to make the information being tracked applicable to your needs. Otherwise, the metrics will be meaningless.

Product and SWOT analysis of kinder bueno

Product and SWOT analysis of kinder bueno Kinder Bueno is a chocolate bar from Ferrero. Ferrero SpA is a producer of chocolate in Italian with other confectionery products. It founded by confectioner Pietro Ferrero in 1946 and based in Pino Torinese, Italy. There is a Reputation Institutes 2009 examination ranks that Ferrero is the most trustworthy company in the world. Ferrero is a private firm owned by the Ferrero family. It has been described as one of the worlds most secretive company (wapedia, 2010). Strengths The Ferrero success story as a main result of the strengths is its brands. In the Ferrero family, all best in their types: Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Kinder Bueno, Kinder Surprise, Tic Tacà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Although Kinder Bueno is a chocolate bar, it is so characteristic. Firstly, Kinder Bueno is 43g. So it is light and it easy to take. Here is an example. Chocolate is the most popular snake for peoples life. Almost of people can put some chocolate into their bags. When someone is hungry and he cannot go anywhere. The chocolate is the best choice. Kinder Bueno has two bars inside. They are detached pack. If people want to share with friend, that is a good idea. Secondly, Kinder Bueno is delicious combination. It includes crispy wafer and creamy hazelnut filling all wrapped up in smooth milk chocolate (kinder bueno, 2010). By explanation, milk is a wholesome healthy food, and the fact that Kinder Bueno has increased milk and decreased cocoa. Thirdly, Kinder Bueno has two kinds of taste: milk chocolate and white chocolate. People get one more choice. Weaknesses Chocolate market is one of the most competitive and crowded in the world, with more than 500 brands and many kinds of taste products. For any brand, they need try their best to achieve standout in such a scene is a hard job. In these companies, Ferrero does not have the price superiority. If price is a bit higher than other brands, people in Australia prefer Cadbury, Nestlà © or other substitutions. For instance, the net weight is the same such as hazelnut chocolate. The price of Kinder Bueno 43g is $1.15, but Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut gives a lower price ($1.09) in Woolworths. If these two companies have the similar quality and credit worthiness, more customers may prefer Cadbury Daily Milk Hazelnut rather than Kinder Bueno. The second disadvantage is type. Now there are so many types of chocolate in the market. For example, black chocolate, milk chocolate, with fruit and so on. People not only choose with hazelnut today. So it will be reduced profit. The last one, Kinder Bueno just has one package. One package only has two bars. If Kinder Bueno has four bars or six bars each package and price decreases 5-10 cent, it will keep some customers. Opportunities Chocolate is the most popular in peoples life in Australia. Almost of people eat chocolate every day. Kinder is as a German word which the meaning is children (Kinder-chocolate.com, 2009). Today Kinder strives to provide an alternative to the traditional brands, and it has instituted itself as a strong player in the childrens chocolate confectionery market. As a confectionery brand, offering a wide range of products including chocolates, biscuits and toys. Kinder planed particularly for children. Children are important customers in the market. Parents hope their child is healthy and has a happy life. All Kinder products get free from artificial colourings and preservatives. Although there are many kinds taste of chocolate in the market, but Kinder still have more than five kinds of products. They are Kinder Chocolate, Kinder Schocolade, Kinder Surprise Eggs, Kinder Happy Hippo Cocoa, Kinder Bueno, Kinder Happy Hippo Hazelnut, Kinder Country, Kinder Shoko-Bons, Kinder Riegel and so on(12 kinds of products)(Wikipedia, 2010). Each of products has their own character. So both of points, they can keep a lot of children and parents. Anyway, Australia as important as stockbreeding, so milk is specialty in Australia. Using local milk, Ferrero SpA can get some profit. Threats Today, we can see more and more different kind taste of chocolate or different brands in supermarket. As well as we know that more and more substitutions, Cadbury, Nestlà ©, Lindt and so on. If Ferrero has no new goods or special goods, its hard to keep some customers. Today, there are some new competitors in chocolate market. Because of Kinder Bueno package is made of plastic, it can not be recycled. It must pollute environment. Product Ferrero SpA provides many brands. It excludes Nutella, it still produces many different products: the chocolates Ferrero Rocher, Confetteria Raffaello(coconut candy), Pocket Coffee, Giotto(wapedia, 2010). Kinder product series include Kinder Chocolate, Kinder Surprise Eggs, Kinder Happy Hippo Cocoa, Kinder Happy Hippo Hazelnut, Kinder Bueno, Kinder Schocolade, Kinder Country, Kinder Shoko-Bons, Kinder Riegel ,Kinder Delice and so on(Wikipedia, 2010). People can choose any taste or needs if they want. Ferrero SpA also provides other parts of goods such as drink. However no more competitors provide these different kinds of goods in the supermarkets, like Woolworths, Coles and so on. They consider the market of special customers, designing the packaging easy to open. For example, Kinder Surprise Eggs, as well as we know that children are main customers for Kinder series of products, so the packaging must to be easy to open for children. In addition, a small one is easy to take such as Kinder Bueno 43g. Ferrero SpA was established in 1946 which company has a long history. The older brand may affect consumers. When people buy some goods, they more like to choose the brand which they have heard it before. In another words, awareness index of a brand may influence people to rely and accept its goods. Ferrero has the advantage in this area. That makes Ferrero steadier in peoples mind. The Kinder brand as one successful brand of all Ferrero Brands whose has a secret the ability to convert a TRADEMARK into a strong and powerful BRAND (Brioni.G, 2009). As well as we know that children are main customers for the Kinder, so that sits in childrens minds and has a strong attachment to their hearts. Ferrero has another advantage is the packaging. About the packaging, Ferrero has two unique features make them so appreciated by consumers. Kinder Bueno is packaged in boxes with two small chocolate bars. It has individually-wrapped in order to better keep the product and allow the portion control. Another special packaging is Ferrero Rocher. Its an imaginable way to celebrate the holidays, birthday and other special day and show that special someone who you care. Some heart shaped boxes and square boxes look like so beautiful. They are clear plastic boxes. Ferrero Rocher is available in all sorts of different sized. The small size has three packs inside. The big size is called Ferrero Collection has three taste (Rocher, Raffaello and Rondnoir ) (amazon.com, 2010). It looks like so amazing. Every Ferrero series product can has a nutrition label printed in the wrapping paper. Customers can see the different number of energy, protein, fat-total and sodium in different kinds of chocolate. For example, Kinder Bueno 43g per package has two packs. So quantity per 100g has energy is 2365kj and protein is 9.3g or quantity per serve has energy 508kj and protein is 1.9g. Chocolate can get some benefits for peoples health. It clear to know that, cacao is included in chocolate which contains antibacterial agents that battle tooth decay (momscapers, 2010). The smell of chocolate can increases brain waves, making people relaxation. Chocolate also contains phenyl ethylamine which makes people mood mild. For example, people like eating chocolate who lives a year longer than those who do not (momscape, 2010). According to a study shows that 8000 male Harvard graduates of chocoholics lived longer than abstainers (chocolate, 2010). Accidentally or not, there are many oldest super centenarians in the world such as Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) and Sarah Knauss (1880-1999) were chocoholics and overpoweringly love of chocolate. Jeanne Calment habitually ate two pounds of chocolate per week, but her physician induced her to give up sweets at the age of 119 until after three years her death aged 122. These rich benefits are reason to purchase these goods. Price As we all know that price and demand are Mutual Influence. When the price increases, the demand will decrease. And when the firm finds the quantity of the consumers purchase is too low, they will try to decrease the price to improve the demand. There are two factors to influence the changing of the price. The first one is the competitors. In fact that Ferrero SpA has many mighty competitors such as Cadbury, Nestlà © and so on. Ferrero does not have the price superiority in the market. If price is a bit higher than other brands, people prefer Cadbury or Nestlà © or other substitutions in Australia. But Ferrero give special price of Kinder Bueno for customers in supermarket such as $0.99 for each one. Sometimes, it is reduced about 2 for $1.5. Some consumers who do not care the brand will choose the cheaper one as the substitutes. The other factor is the cost. Australia is a predominantly agricultural country. Australia milk is really popular in the world. If Ferrero series products use the preponderant location to reduce the cost of production, that can get a higher profit to Ferreo firm. Place The distribution component of the marketing mix focuses on the decision and actions involved in the making products available to customers when and where they want to purchase them. Ferrero using special channel which moves good from the producer to a retailer and then to customers. Ferrero firm has their own logistic team deliver their products to different retail stores and supermarkets. The three types of utilities (time, place and possession) are suitable to put in the Ferrero daily business operation. They need to analysis how long will the quantities of chocolate sell out; which location is the best place to sell to customers and estimates the number of stock to sell the products. Intensity of market coverage Kinder Bueno marketers must determine the intensity of coverage of the product should get such as the number and kinds of outlets in which it will be sold. Kinder Bueno is a convenience product, so it uses intensive distribution method to distribute their products to all available outlets. With the strong coverage of the well established local network and high quality of the support service. Ferrero products can be found in the supermarkets, school, mass retail stores, primacies, convenience stores and many other food selling storesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦etc. Promotion Kinder Bueno spends lots of money on the promotion part to stimulate product demand. Through different methods of promotion, Kinder Bueno can gain several benefits such as create awareness, stimulate demand, retain loyal customers to achieve companys sales goal. There are four elements in the promotion mix: advertising, personal selling, public relations and sales promotion. Kinder Bueno uses those four elements to promote its product. Advertising Chocolate is a convenience product. It is easy to buy in the market. Kinder Bueno spend huge amount of money on the advertisement to promote their brands product. The mass media such as television, radio, the internet, newspapers, magazines, outdoor display and signs on mass transit vehicles are the main tools to get the target market group attention. Personal Selling In general, Kinder Bueno is rare to use this method to promote their product. This is due to Kinder Bueno has enough image in the customers mind. The cost of reaching one person through personal selling is considerably more than through advertising. Kinder Bueno will only use this method when it lounge new products. Public relations Cause of personal or environmental reason, a lot of healthy problems are paid close attention to. The big problem is over-eating. The incidence of obesity and its rapid growth make Ferrero SpA to support food education and sponsored together with the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission actively (ferrero, 2009). Sales Promotion In Australia, there is almost of chocolate is being sold in the supermarket. Woolworths, Big W, Coles and Frinklin share in the mass retail store sector. Therefore, Kinder Bueno does lots of sales promotion in those supermakkets. The sales promotion includes have a special price on buying 2 or 3 items in the same time; discount ont the individual package product. Kinder Bueno also use the point of purchase material likes outside signs, window display, display racks and self-service cartons to attract attention. Conclusion Through doing the marketing mix analysis and select the target customers, companies will know the product sell to which type of customers. They can put more resources on promoting the selected target customers to receive maximize profit. Company also can set a goal and make a long term marketing plan to achieve the goal and for the long term growth of the company. Frerro SpA is one of the most successful companies on building their brand equity, positioning itself in the market and expands their product line to enhance their target customers. Reference lists Amazon.com, 2010, viewed 02/09/2010 Brioni.G, 2009, TRADE MARKS AND BRANDS, PP.2, viewed 02/09/2010 Chocolate, chocolate: Directory Of Chocolate, viewed 02/09/2010 http://www.chocolate.org/index.html Ferrero, 2009, COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES, viewed 09/09/2010 Kinder bueno, viewed 02/09/2010. Kinder-chocolate.com, 2009, Kinder, viewed 02/09/2010 http://www.kinder-chocolate.com/ Momscapes, The Health Benefits of Chocolate: Can Chocolate Benefit Your Health? viewed 02/09/2010 Wapedia, Ferrero SpA, modified 02/09/2010, viewed 02/09/2010. Wikipedia, Kinder Chocolate, modified 26/07/2010, viewed 02/09/2010

Definition Essay - The Meaning of Private -- Definition Essays

Definition Essay - The Meaning of Private Freedom and confinement, contradictory as they seem, are both integrated into the description of what it means to be private.   The meaning of private is even further dual in nature when interpreted personally or in community contexts.   On a smaller scale, individual people classify private as an expected amenity, intended to be a confined to oneself.   On the other hand, communities perceive private as the quality of being independent or free from any public organization or institution.   In reference to dictionary definition, there is a dual understanding and common usage of the word private, each derived from the context in which it is used, either individual or communal. The individual perspective derives the meaning of private from the feeling of confidentiality, expected to be reserved for personal or familial possession.   Common usage associates the word â€Å"secret† with private, as a synonym to its’ meaning. Students living in Campbell Hall on campus at MSU claim that privacy, the state of being private, â€Å"isn’t talked about, concea... Definition Essay - The Meaning of Private -- Definition Essays Definition Essay - The Meaning of Private Freedom and confinement, contradictory as they seem, are both integrated into the description of what it means to be private.   The meaning of private is even further dual in nature when interpreted personally or in community contexts.   On a smaller scale, individual people classify private as an expected amenity, intended to be a confined to oneself.   On the other hand, communities perceive private as the quality of being independent or free from any public organization or institution.   In reference to dictionary definition, there is a dual understanding and common usage of the word private, each derived from the context in which it is used, either individual or communal. The individual perspective derives the meaning of private from the feeling of confidentiality, expected to be reserved for personal or familial possession.   Common usage associates the word â€Å"secret† with private, as a synonym to its’ meaning. Students living in Campbell Hall on campus at MSU claim that privacy, the state of being private, â€Å"isn’t talked about, concea...

Where Are The Americans?

In spite of the fact that the American Government Led NATO against Serbia and that the American military is here, and their largest military base outside the United States is in Kosova, Kosovars are still asking: â€Å"Where Are The Americans? † Of course, a more complete elaboration on the basic question is: â€Å"Where Are The Americans? Why aren't Americans supporting our full Independence? Why hasn't their government recognized the full Independence of Kosova? Why aren't the big American corporations coming to Kosova? Why do they let the EU run everything in Kosova? Why isn't an American the Special Representative to the Secretary-General of the UN in Kosova? They went against European opposition and convinced NATO to go to war against Serbia and liberate us from oppression, but where are the Americans now? † Certainly the Americans are here, but the answer to many of the questions rests with the Kosova people, and the politics of Europe. Kosova is in Europe, and it is only natural that the European Community has the central concern and input regarding the status of Kosova. Under the current circumstances, any proclamations by the United States would be viewed as interfering with the European Union, and this would be diplomatically improper. Currently, the official communications regarding the situation in Kosova, and the issue of â€Å"final status† is limited to UNMIK and the European Union, as these are the entities that have UN delegated responsibilities regarding Kosova. The Americans are stronger in their influence within KFOR, which is separate from UNMIK Administration. However, when Kosovars clearly declare their Independence from Serbia, and demand that the UN fulfill its obligations in accordance with 1244(1999) for Kosova to have: â€Å".. provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo. † Then, and only then, can the United States and other nations respond to a direct request by Kosovars for support in the establishment of an independent democratic process within Kosova! The Americans and others would then be able to question the EU more directly, as to why the European Union is against the full Independence of Kosova, when the history of the Serbians has been one of repeated aggressions, and an absence of any remorse. It is a logical question to ask, why after so many conflicts and so many losses by the Serbs, does the European Union continue to appease Serbia, rather than imposing harsh consequences? We must learn the process of politics and diplomacy. We have been great leaders and warriors, but we must not forget that we have never had a leader in peace. We are physically and morally strong, we are intelligent but we are not experienced in politics and diplomacy. However, we cannot let this situation continue, and we must now use any and all means to become as effective in Politics and Diplomacy as we have been in war. Kosova's political leaders have been active, but we must accept the reality of Kosovar limitations and ensure that all leaders quickly become truly adept in politics and diplomacy. Another response to â€Å"Where Are The Americans† is that the American people are at home in the United States, working, playing, studying, watching Television, listening to the radio, reading newspapers; and all of these things are being done in English. It is true that there are a few thousand Americans who speak Albanian, but how many are in positions of authority and how many are actually doing anything effective to bring the â€Å"message† the â€Å"truth† about Kosova to the American people? How can the average American care about Kosova, if they know nothing about Kosova? Americans are paying close attention to world events, such as the terror threats and the issue with Iraq, and they are paying attention because they are being communicated to in English. Why should American journalists pay attention to Kosova when anything of importance has to be translated from Albanian to English by them? We speak out, and demonstrate, but nothing is said or written in English. If we want to get Americans interested in Kosova, we must speak and publish in the English language in addition to Albanian. Every key speech given; every key event; every meeting attended must be also presented in English. Our daily newspapers should have at least one page in English presenting all the headlines and a brief about the story, and our television news and key presentations must also be done in English. If we want people to listen to us, then we better speak their language! Our periodicals should contain English features, and every major press release by any organization of influence should be prepared in good English. This last statement is important, for if we present English copy that is poorly done, we will look uneducated in the eyes of those reading the material. In the few instances when our business and/or government organizations have provided English versions, they appear to the reader as having been done by a child just learning to speak and write in English. We must utilize the skills of professional translators in any and all areas that affect our future, especially if we wish to reach and involve the American people. We certainly do not provide a good image if we cannot express crucial issues in good English to the world. In business and politics, it is the English language that predominates, and we better catch up fast! Just about every adult Kosovar knows that the European Union is â€Å"concerned† about the unification of ethnic Albanians; the development of a Kosovar military; and the potential for a significant American business, monetary and political influence in the Balkans. But as long as We Kosovars remain silent in English, and the citizens of America remain ignorant of the truth, the EU has nothing to worry about. In the eyes and minds of Americans, it appears that â€Å"everything is OK† in Kosova, and they believe that if everything is going well, why should Americans continue to support the American Military being in Kosova? Americans believe: If â€Å"everything is OK,† let Europe bear the costs of taking care of Kosova and we can move our troops to where they are needed! American politicians respond to the will of the American people, and Kosova politicians and the Kosovar people need to recognize this fact and reach out to the Heart of the United States, the American people! We must have the courage to make strong and timely Diplomatic moves, such as the publicly restating our Independence, and request direct assistance from particular nations in order to counter the current negative intent and actions of the European Union and Serbia to keep us within and under Serbian Dominance. We Kosovars need to â€Å"wake up, and stand up† and speak out, in a loud, firm, clear and unified English Speaking voice, against the effective Serbian Propaganda, The Manipulation of The Hague, and the Appeasement efforts of the European Union. They are making their propaganda in English, and it must be countered in English!

The Highlight Reel of Marxism in American Football

Abstract: During many weeks in 2010, the Football dilemma started to arise as a social issue in society. Raising the question of what should be done if any by the National Football League to prevent traumatic and sometimes deadly hits on the field. Varying degrees of opinions as to what should be done; questions include inquiring on the ethics of the NFL and their lack of safety toward players as any kind of progressive movement. Stagnate would be the suitable term to use as describing the action taken by the NFL. Since the years of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted football outlawed in the 1900’s. The president himself could not enact the needed changes. American football is one of the largest industries in the nation with an overwhelming abundance of financial resources. So the question arises, why has there not been any fundamental change in the game or even changes in the guidelines that govern the sport? The answer would be Marxism. This paper will define NFL’s match to the Marxist perspective in their handling of players and their stagnant approach to change. This is a social a problem that relates to every aspect of society including the demise of the American family. This paper will also define the Marxism theory in relation the American football and the mental health epidemic caused by the dangers of the game. In recent weeks, the full contact sport of football has made headlines in America. There have been an overwhelming amount of injuries due to high impact contact to the head, which leads to various head injuries such as, concussions, spinal cord injuries, and deaths. According to Barry Wilner, The National Football League only represents a fraction of men playing the deadly sport. Colleges, universities, high schools, and middle schools have an overwhelming amount of young men who are amateur players. Many of these players suffer from some of the same forms of injuries and deaths as their pro counterparts playing in the National Football League. Leaving many to wonder the lag in the responsiveness for the NFL to make drastic changes after all the NFL is only has approx 1,900 players a season, leaving the separate class structures such as high school football and college football to absorb the majority of injuries related to football ndustry. In an article published by Paul Tenorino in, The Washington Post, he interviews George Atallah the assistant executive director of external affairs for the National Football League Players Association says, â€Å"He hoped the recent actions taken by the NFL and its players would help create a trickledown effect about the proper way to handle a concussion. † Based upon the actions and the structure of American football and NFL the majority of change is needed on lower levels within its system such as high school and middle school that represents more than 3. million players. Statistics do not lie. The numbers are the numbers. The vast majority of injuries are occurring outside of the National Football League. In a recent report published by Richard C. Senelick M. D has: Determined that there are only 1,900 active NFL players each season; There are more than 3 million children playing football at the youth level and 1. 2 million more playing high school football levels This report does not count the numerous collegiate athletes that play the sport. Colleges and universities along with various secondary education institutions have an epidemic on their hands and something needs to change, †¦he has estimated that a college lineman experiences over 1,000 sub-concussive head hits in an average season. He further goes on to say that a line man in the 3 point stance is the most vulnerable of all the players to a brain injury. Explanation in the lack of commitment in the prevention of injuries from the National Football League can be related to the need for power and the valued economics of the professional athletic system that is described as the Marxist Theory, by taking that approach to football the National Football League developed system that only benefits them. According to Barry Wilner, â€Å"The National Football League has begun raising fines for illegal hits from the average $5,000 to $10,000 to now $50,000 and $75,000 and has even implemented suspensions for repeated illegal blows. Raising fines and illegal hit, but not changing how the game is played, taking money from the players/workers in order to promote change but not implementing change or being specific to what hits are no longer allowed. Is the money that is taken from fines of players at the professional used in research to develop safer equipment in order to create safer play? No, it is given directly to the pockets of the NFL, and its governing organization. In Marxist theory, human society and community consists of two parts: Base and Superstructure. The base structure is the material relation and condition of production – division of labor, property relation, employer/employee, slave/master condition and relation. The relations of the base structure fundamentally determines and influences society's other ideas and conditions, namely the Superstructure – arts, institutions, state, habits, customs, cultural representations like, law, philosophy, science, sports and etc. We can see this example portrayed out in the design of football in America linked to society within in its class structures of football from pee wee, to middle school, to high school, to college to NFL. According to Imani Cheers, â€Å"Studies have shown that amateur players run a higher risk of head injuries that those in The National Football League. † All linking classes are a step up from the other one; allowing the National Football League to draw upon the usage of varying football players. Example: at the age of six little Johnny and his father sit together and enjoy a game of Monday night football, Johnny’s father emotions become ecstatic when little Johnny announces to everyone that he now wants to play football. Little Johnny’s father begins working with him showing him passes catches , the proper way to tackle and ultimately how to become a â€Å"real man† by playing football. Soon, Johnny is registered for peewee league and in now fully indoctrinated into the system set up so well to train that allows the National football league to groom and condition them into their system. Playing in leagues that are not under any professional governing authority, regulations are not decided based on the protection of the younger player, medical guidelines are not based on the requirements set by standards from any medical organization who would know that; the bone plates in a young child’s head does not full fuse together till after the age of twenty. This allows the younger players to be very sustepiable to head injuries vs their much older professional counter parts. Eventually, Johnny is known for being dedicated to his favorite sport, in middle school Johnny respect for the game and his training teaches him to take risk’s on the field trying plays that he has never been fully trained on how to carry out. Soon developing the approach to allow risk taking is a permissible and even heroic if you just win the game. High school for Johnny brings more challenges and opportunity hoping to be spotted by a college scout and achieving the status of â€Å"real man† an occasional injury occurs from time to ime, but nothing Johnny cannot walk off and then return back to the game. Finally, a respectable college notices Johnny’s dedication and, determination to the sport, they offer him a scholarship if he will play for their school; bringing with it the dream of possibly being drafted into the National Football League. Johnny declares his value as a man to society, with the show of wealth and riches by his multimillion-dollar contract; he finally receives as pay to participate in his loved sport. Johnny begins his college football career with high hopes. As a college freshman he does well at practices and the coach decides to make him a second string lineman allowing him the opportunity to develop his football skills and sharpen his aptitude on the field. His second year playing college ball he is allowed more playing time during game but is not moved up and a first string lineman, giving him even more opportunity to develop his tackling regimen, after a couple of head injuries he is benched for the season, hoping he will recover by the start of the next season. The next season, Johnny’s junior year, he is watched even more by coaches and supporting staff to make sure here are no issues from the previous season’s injuries. After a few games Johnny is finally moved up to first string lineman, allowing him the opportunity to achieve higher stats, he is further conditioned to play hurt, walking off the field and letting anyone know that he has just had his â€Å"bell rung† will only reduce the chance of him being able to play. Without pay, Johnny continues to play, sacrificing all for stats and the hopeful future of being drafted. Finally, Johnny’s senior year, he makes first-string lineman; and is allowed to start the game, giving him even greater need to cover up injuries. During the middle of his senior year, he is injured and benched only for the following next play, he returns to the line of scrimmage; back playing he is knocked around, proving to himself that being a man means to play under any circumstance no matter what. Eventually, he is noticed by professional scouts who take an interest in him because of his dedication to the game and his sacrifice of playing hurt for his team. After all the hard work he finally is a third round draft pick. Placing Johnny in the top ninety men eligible for recruitment after college, by the professional league and finally earning wages for the sacrifices to his body he has made all these years. The system within the football structure shows a varying display of the different class categories within the professional football league; that organize in the same way as the Marxist set up of workers. Starting at the bottom and working your way up through promotions or to the top, the difference is that the football system requires years of hard work and sacrifice without pay until you reach the very top or professional level. The lower class levels in the system are not monitored by any labor board or governing body to insure the safety of players, because all players go without pay until the professional level is reached. All levels have the same positions; same amount of players on the field, and safety equipment. The majority of the rules are the same with the exception of weight limits in the peewee league. There are not weight limits in any of the other categories of football. In the peewee league, in order to play you can weigh up to a certain amount for position in which you carry the ball, and then after that weight is exceeded, you can only be a center guard or tackle. Meaning, you can have a seventy- five pound quarterback, which is at the top of the weight scale, and the tackle can weigh two hundred pounds. Varying weights depend on each league rules, within that division. Those divisions is not monitored, by any professional division, only until you play sports within an educational system does a league have governing bodies, charter rules, medical restrictions. Allowing football to becoming more and more dangerous of a sport as the chain of classes develops up the line of class structure by allowing bigger players and no regulation or guidelines monitored by professionals. Marx would tell you, that the type of sport that plays in a given society would precisely reflect its economic/production basis. All of this given in higher economical societies (superstructure) are reflected and directly influenced by their historical material/economic means; Marxism, the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class. That class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, will after a period of dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society. Marxist sociology is based around five main theories that hypothesis as to how a society functions. Historical materialism, which portrays human history as a series of conflicts resulting from an old systems reshaped to fit the interest of the current society. The theory of surplus value, which describe how the capitalist make a profit from those who they employ; class division and struggle . Which, examine the bourgeois and the proletariat and how they conflict; alienation of the proletariat through the means and methods of the bourgeois. The â€Å"theory of politics† explains how the inevitable transition of capitalism to communism in a society. The theory of surplus value explains, the way in which capitalists exploit consumers and make a profit from the goods that they sell. The capitalists own the raw material and the means to work with them. Profit, is then added to the raw material through necessary labor from the payment of workers to work with the raw material labor and the payment of labor, longer working hours and cheaper pay for the workers, which together allow the production of more for less. The goods are the sold for more money that was received, was paid to receive, and was paid to have the goods produced. This process means that capitalists make a profit from the workers and consumers that both produce and consume their products. These capalists’ methods are clearly visible in professional football as identified by Brohm, as the spectator sport of commodity, which sells football along normal capitalist lines. Examples of these capitalist processes are illustrated and discussed in the text, Sport: a prison of measured time, authored by J. M Brohm. In the text, Brohm provides twenty theses on sports, eleven of which discuss the birth of modern capitalist sport. All the structures of present day sport tie in to bourgeois, capitalist society† (Brohm 1978, p. 47). Some of these illustrate how capitalists use the systems present in society in order to make a profit. For a start the very existence of sport on the scale at which it is now played can be attributed to the capitalist bourgeois society, as summarized by Brohm who said, â€Å"Sport is a direct consequence of the level of development under the productive forces under capitalism† (1978, p. 176). What he means by this, is that due to the mechanization of the workforce by capitalists in order to produce more for less, workers found that they had more free time; time in which they took up sport as a form of recreation. This occurred during the industrial revolution, which meant that improved travel and communications allowed newly formed teams to organize, travel and play matches during the free time that they now had. Notice that, the free time, travel and communications that were now available to the working class were all controlled by the bourgeois, -allowing them to effectively continue to profit from the working class population. The way sports operate can easily be compared to how companies operate in the business sector – different sports compete for viewers (who are effectively consumers as they pay money to the clubs for merchandise or viewing purposes), and the relationships with which the athletes have with the team owners are very similar to wage relations between company managers and workers. Brohm stated that, â€Å"The capitalists of sport appropriate players and athletes who thus become their wage laborer’s† (1978, p. 76). This view on football enhances feelings that it is as an enterprise more than a competitive form of game used to entertain the viewer – a consequence of football adopted by capitalists as another form of profit. Football players are similar to the workers in the Marxist system – who sells their labor to someone who is willing to pay them. The capitalist then make a profit from the athlete by using them to create entertainment that will draw larg e crowds who will pay to watch the player perform. How much the employer makes from the player is determined by the law of supply and demand – if the player has a skill which is not found commonly then people will pay more to watch them and the employer makes a greater profit. Brohm said athletes of, â€Å"Amateurism ceased to exist a long time ago. All top level sportsmen are professional performers in the muscle show,† meaning that all top level sport is no longer about playing a fair but competitive game; it is about people making a profit (Brohm 1978, p. 176). This action is demonstrated in the NFL’s, lack to make significant changes to the structure in which the game is played. Instead of making changes in the structure, the NFL fines players for aggressive tackles, and further pockets the money. Never considering the health of players to be important enough to ensure their safety, head injuries are a major concern to the lives of the players. The future lives of players and the quality of daily living is not being considered when the 3 million children playing football at the youth level and 1. million more playing high school football level, are not protected against the sport of football. There remains a significant issue with medical care, monitoring, guidelines and problems with equipment. The NFL instead for pushing for regulation changes in the lower class structure, â€Å"hope a change in dealing with concussions,† will be a result of the NFL fining players. Knowing that the lower structures are where they draw their future players from, they refuse to implement real changes that require the structure as a whole to change. Changing the whole structure, as we know it today would ensure healthier players, giving the majority of players, longer playing time. Longer playing times in the lives of professional players would cost the NFL more money in contracts, health insurance, and retirement pension. No change in the system guarantees the future profits for the teams, and guarantees the NFL an abundance of already trained players, therefore relieving them any responsibility, or commitment in protecting the health of future football players. Football can therefore be identified as just another tertiary sector in the capitalist system where large amounts of money is stood to be made by investors who hire athletes to essentially sell to consumers, â€Å"Economic trusts, banks and monopolies have taken over the financial side of sporting activity, which has become a prized source of capitalist profits† Brohm (1978, p. 177). Attempts by capitalists to maximize the profits they are making is shown by the increasing number of competitions and games that are played during each season in order to increase the number of people who come to watch. In addition to adding more game every year, the games rise in costs. It is not just the viewing rights that capitalists make money from, In order to increase profits further, we can see the production of goods and products, produced with necessary and surplus labor. Advertising rights being sold for money and the establishment of a sports betting industry all of which are sold for a greater cost than was used to produce them, allowing capitalists to benefit further from the sports industry, Leading to the support of hegemony. Football is a place where we can see the use of hegemony through sport is in class structure and social stratification. Sage, defines social stratification as, â€Å"structures that cause social inequality among groups of people† (1998, p. 35). This involves the bourgeois class using various methods of power to oppress the proletariat class football provide the bourgeois with a prime opportunity to do this. â€Å"The dominant classes control over the working class peoples free time was manifested in sports†(Hargreaves 1986 p. 85). One of the ways that the bourgeois established control over the playing and administration of sports was that when sports were initially becoming popular among society. Football first played and taught at schools where the majority of pupils came from families of high social status. According to Sage, â€Å"Students of these colleges, that played American Football, when it first achieved popularity, were overwhelmingly from wealthy families† (Sage 1998, p. 44). Apart from not being present in the places where sport was evolving and improving, people from lower class backgrounds also had another disadvantage in that they had less money. Which limited how much access they could have to sport even if it was available to them, â€Å"the higher the economic status, the higher the sports involvement (Sage 1998 p. 44). † These factors meant that by the time working class people were consistently able to participate in sport, the bourgeois class were already in control of game formats, equipment and location, allowing them to continue to oppress the proletariat class of society through sport as well as other social mechanisms.