Computer Technologies essays

Computer Technologies essays At the end of the Cold War computer technology was on the verge of new era. Glocal satellite communications and the Internet opened a new portal to the world and if the U.S. Navy wanted to stay the dominant power to control the seas it had to take advantage of every technological advancement and innovative idea. Organizing a private intranet network incorporated with web applications and technology quickly became the backbone of global and local Navy vessell coordination and synchronization. High-tech multitask computers became the core of projects for new Navy ships where their use made the crew volume decrease by a hundred, a hundred and fifty percent. Also the versatility of cumputer and web applications allows the Department of Navy to stay just inside its budget, which is declining every year, by the integration of comercial everyday software into their systems to help the Navy build their global computer network. Applications like these, some of which people even use in their h omes, saves the Navy money by not having to purchase and design special software for military-only purpose. The most significant and impactful project for the network centralization of the Navy using modern computer technology is the "Information Technology for the 21st Century" project also called IT-21. Ever since its deployment the IT-21 quickly gave favorable results and promising future, and one of the most valuable benefits from it, was the coordination of vessels to conduct massive operations: : "This first IT-21 deployment was a revolution in connectivity for cruiser-destroyer (CruDes) units. The combination of enhanced IT systems, expanded connectivity paths, and power projection placed them in a prominent role during the execution of Tomahawk strikes in support of Operation Allied Force in May and April 1999. A group consisting of a guided-missile cruiser, guided-missile destroyer, destroyer, and two attack submarines conducted the initial p...

How Index Fossils Help Define Geologic Time

How Index Fossils Help Define Geologic Time Every fossil tells us something about the age of the rock its found in, and index fossils are the ones that tell us the most. Index fossils (also called key fossils or type fossils) are those that are used to define periods of geologic time. Characteristics  of an Index Fossil A good index fossil is one with four characteristics: it is distinctive, widespread, abundant, and limited in geologic time. Because most fossil-bearing rocks formed in the ocean, the major index fossils are marine organisms. That being said, certain land organisms are useful in young rocks and specific regions. Boom-And-Bust Organisms Any type of organism can be distinctive, but not so many are widespread. Many important index fossils are of organisms that start life as floating eggs and infant stages, which allowed them to populate the world using ocean currents. The most successful of these became abundant, yet at the same time, they became the most vulnerable to environmental change and extinction. Thus, their time on Earth may have been confined to a short period of time. That boom-and-bust characteristic is what makes the best index fossils. Trilobites, Hard-Shelled Invertebrates Consider trilobites, a very good index fossil for Paleozoic rocks that lived in all parts of the ocean. Trilobites were a class of animal, just like mammals or reptiles, meaning that the individual species within the class had noticeable differences. Trilobites were constantly evolving new species during their existence, which lasted 270 million years from Middle Cambrian time to the end of the Permian Period, or almost the entire length of the Paleozoic. Because they were mobile animals, they tended to inhabit large, even global areas. They were also hard-shelled invertebrates, so they fossilized easily. These fossils are large enough to study without a microscope. Other index fossils of this type include ammonites, crinoids, rugose corals, brachiopods, bryozoans, and mollusks. The USGS offers a more detailed list of invertebrate fossils (with scientific names only). Small or Microscopic Fossils Other major index fossils are small or microscopic, part of the floating plankton in the world ocean. These are handy because of their small size. They can be found even in small bits of rock, such as wellbore cuttings. Because their tiny bodies rained down all over the ocean, they can be found in all kinds of rocks. Therefore, the petroleum industry has made great use of index microfossils, and geologic time is broken down in quite fine detail by various schemes based on graptolites, fusulinids, diatoms, and radiolarians.   The rocks of the ocean floor are geologically young, as they are constantly subducted and recycled into the Earths mantle. Thus, marine index fossils older than 200 million years are normally found in sedimentary strata on land in areas that were once covered by seas.   Terrestrial Rocks For terrestrial rocks, which form on land, regional or continental index fossils may include small rodents that evolve quickly, as well as larger animals that have wide geographic ranges. These form the basis of provincial time divisions.   Defining Ages, Epochs, Periods, and Eras Index fossils are used in the formal architecture of geologic time for defining the ages, epochs, periods, and eras of the geologic time scale. Some of the boundaries of these subdivisions are defined by mass extinction events, like the Permian-Triassic extinction. The evidence for these events is found in the fossil record wherever there is a disappearance of major groups of species within a geologically short amount of time.   Related fossil types include the characteristic fossil, a fossil that belongs to a period but doesnt define it, and the guide fossil, one that helps narrow down a time range rather than nail it down.

Final paper traft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Final paper traft - Essay Example If they are denied equal rights under the law, it is unreasonable discrimination. Heterosexuals are allowed to marry. Homosexuals should be allowed to marry. A. Cultural variation exists and has long existed, with respect to the form of marriage. In some cultures, marriage is between one man and one woman. In an example of regional Tibetan culture, marriage is between one woman and all brothers of a family (Berreman, 1975). In other cultures (Muslim and traditional Mormon, for example), marriage is between one man and various women. From the news there periodically come articles about a man who married a mountain and a popular female celebrity who married a tree. B. The man who married a mountain did so out of a strong spiritual connection, and the woman who married a tree did so as part of a traditional spiritual solution to strengthen her upcoming marriage. Tibetans, Mormons and Muslims participate in their cultural variation because it is seen to strengthen the family and have positive spiritual implications. Variation and choice are part of marriage in most cultures. C. Many cultures recognize both homosexual and heterosexual marriage. While there are cultural pockets where homosexuality is strongly abhorred (for example in Sri Lanka, where male homosexuality is a serious crime), the modern trend is toward increased legal and social acceptance of variation and recognition of human rights. From Canada and America to India and other countries in Asia, gay marriage is being legalized and supported. There is increased tolerance even in cultural pockets currently prohibiting homosexuality. D. Homosexuals do not differ in any capacity for the sincere performance of marriage, with all its meanings and outcomes (Graff, 1999). Their variation from the norm is not a reflection on capacity, just as other variations the world over do not reflect on their

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Project management - Essay Example According to Quinn a company should first of all define and map the various types of development projects. The management in Musimax will have to invest in the commercial and research development projects. So the management will have to put in place cost reduced versions of the existing products. The management will also have to set aside funds for research so as to create the know-how and know-why of new technologies and materials that will eventually lead into development of these products (Quinn, 1985). Q2) .If the management actually want to cut costs by 40% in the next two months it should focus on the following solutions which will be beneficial. According to Macgregor and Carlisle, the management should stop making all the operating decisions for themselves. Instead the management should hold weekly meetings with its subordinates and be informed of what they are doing and how they are dealing with arising issues. Using the above it will be easier to appraise their managerial and technical abilities. Actually this will make them know how to solve problems on their own and it will help save time and thus the company will generate more income probably in less than two months. The other project that the management should focus on in order to cut down costs is always train their employees and making the workplace a learning environment. According to Macgregor when employees are well equipped with knowledge then they will be able to solve problems quickly and thus avoid wastage of ti me. They will also be willing to assist other employees when there arises a problem since this will eventually be beneficial to them. It will help a lot especially when there are vacancies they will be the appropriate candidates to fill the gap instead of wasting money looking for new staff. If the management promotes it own existing staff to fill certain vacancies then it will save a lot on advertisement costs and all the costs required in employment of

Global Warming Poses Threat to Ski Resorts in USA Essay Example for Free

Global Warming Poses Threat to Ski Resorts in USA Essay The American west is marvellous, it is large with grand landscapes and mountains reaching to the sky . The plains unfold to the horizon and the vistas present an unimaginable panorama. Just like any where else in the world, water is an essential element to life here but it is scarce hence creating the wests vulnerability. Precipitation is generally low and cannot support agriculture it is for this reason that agriculture is only possible through irrigation. This precipitation is not only scarce but scarcest in the summers when it is mostly needed but falls disproportionately and mostly in the mountains in the winter. The only saving grace is that in winter it precipitates as snow and stays as snow packs throughout the winter. It is on the basis of these weather patterns that the winter sports tourism is established. This industry has served as the main economic driving machine of the west and other other areas for decades. However, changing climatic patterns and global warming has emerged as a serious threat to the existence of the winter sports industry. Projected increases in average global temperatures due to increases in green house gases in the atmosphere has been incriminated in widespread glacial and white cap decreases, ocean level rise and warming but most importantly in the reduction of snow cover and the decrease in the duration of winter tourism. The unpredictability of the future and the climate sensitive nature of winter sports tourism has led to many initiative aimed curbing the increase in green house gases and consequently making snow available. Introduction Compelling evidence suggests that global climate has been on a progressive change since the industrial era and is projected to continue over the 21st century and beyond. Global warming and climate change is an unequivocal phenomenon. Global mean temperature has been on the increase with an approximate increase of 0. 760 C between 1850-1899. the same increase has been found between 2001 and 2005. This means that global predictions of temperature bear a 90% probability (IPPC. Climate Change and Tourism, 2007). These increases in average temperatures are a direct result of human activities that increase the concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere. The extent of these discernible human influences have also extended to other climate change aspects such as temperature extremes, changes in wind patterns, continental average temperatures and ocean warming. The same is applicable to the widespread glacial and white cap decreases coupled with warming of the ocean surface temperatures, the result is a sea level rise of approximately 1. 8mm yearly from 1961-2003 and approximately 3. 1mm yearly from 1993-2003. The resultant effect of biological response in ecosystems and species diversity presents an unpleasant scenario and these statistics are recorded in virtually every continent. It is projected that the probability of increase in global temperatures will further accelerate green house gas emissions at the present or above the present rates. The prediction pushes overall global temperature rise by 1. 80C -4. 00C. Assuming that the atmospheric concentrations of green house gases are stabilized, the warming effect would still continue due to the levels of green house gases from past emissions and the consequent thermal inertia of oceans. The biological response would also be extrapolated to future centuries even if the levels are stabilized at the present concentrations today. The discernible manifestations worldwide will be hot temperature extremes, extreme heat waves, heavy precipitation, peak wind speeds and precipitation in tropical cyclone events and an additional heavy precipitation associated with increases in tropical sea and surface temperatures. Together with these climatic changes extra tropical storm tracks are projected to shift towards the poles. All these changes together with the decreases in show cover will continue into the future. The economic and environmental risks are unfathomable and would effectively impede nations strides towards the achievements of sustainable developments. However, there is hope that if precautions and measures are taken to reduce green house gases today the high costs of environmental and economic destruction and disruption can fairly be mitigated. This calls for lifestyle changes, economic policies and regulations and international efforts that not only help reduce the causative agents of climate change and global warming but also foster adaptation and mitigation measures to meet the challenges of climate change. Climate change and Tourism Climate change, especially global warming has grown to be a pivotal issue in the development and management of tourism. The relationship between the environment, climate and tourism sector is currently a highly sensitive economic matter. Climate change is increasingly driving tourism development and decision making, changing tourism destinations and even tourist tastes. Tourism sector remains a non negligible contributor to climatic changes. GHG emissions from transport and accommodation must be reduced in accordance with international standards. Tourism sector cannot address the challenges of climatic changes themselves and in isolation but they can only do this in the context of sustainable development and the broader international development agenda. Tourism and the sustainability of tourism destinations is dependent on climate variability. The length and the quality of seasons as well as destination choice and the level of tourist spending are all determined by climate change. Climate change and winter sports Winter sports constitute a very source of income and the reliability of snow is a key element in the touristic offer. Skiing and snowboarding are the most common forms of writer sports but others such as snow hiking and cross-country skiing also depends on the reliability and the availability of enough snow. Mountainous areas are always very sensitive to climate change hence less snow, melting permafrost, receding glaciers and extreme events such as landslides. Additionally climate change shift mountain fauna and flora. These effects pose a direct threat to ski resorts in the United States. Lower earnings in winter tourism will only serve to exacerbate economic disparities that exist between the alpine regions and the more developed urban areas. These changes will also increase the risk of only skiing at high altitude up the mountain. If this was to happen there would be an intense concentration of sports activities in certain regions as well as further putting pressure on the environmentally sensitive high mountains. The extrapolation of the effects of global warming on winter tourism extends to the viability of the mountain cable way companies that use the availability of snow as a prerequisite for their financial stability. Without snow or enough snow the profitability of the ski industry is impossible. The absence of snow in the mountains will be like having a summer without a sea. The variability of the winter season with response to climate change will deny the winter sports industry the right levels of snow at the right time. These forecasts are a necessity in planning for trips at shorter notices especially the weekends (Rolf Burki et al, 2003) Studies undertaken in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland and the United States to establish the impact of climate change on the tourism sector show severe implications especially to the winter sports industry. While some regions with high technological advances like adaptation strategies (artificial snow making) will maintain their tourism, others unable to adapt the expensive technologies will lose out. These transitions in business volumes will not only be driven by limiting snow levels but also the fact that skiers respond flexibility to snow conditions. During a snow poor season, 49% of skies are most likely to change to a resort that is fairly more snow reliable, 32% would reduce the frequency of skiing and only 4% would give up the sport. Coupled together with the fact that climate change has a direct effect on the number of ski days, those unable to adapt to expensive technologies will be disadvantaged and pushed out of business. (Rolf Burki et al, 2003). Snow resorts not concentrated in snow reliable high altitude areas will be forced to withdraw from the market because of decreasing levels of snow. For transport industries that will offer access to high altitude areas (sometimes higher than 200m) business prospects will be good due an expected increase in skiing at the high altitudes. The effect of this will be quantitative expansion of the high altitude skiing resorts hence eliciting a negative environmentally feedback effect caused by disruption of the ecologically sensitive high altitude mountain regions. Presently, this expected expansion to high altitude areas has been the theme of many concept studies that influence the opening up of High Mountain (Breiling and Charamza, 1999) It is for these effects of climate change that during a recent campaign in Portsmouth, N. H, Barrack Obama the Democratic Party presidential candidate reiterated that there is need to address the urgency of global warming on the ski industry. He said that global warming is not a future problem but a present one. This problem has made New Hampshire to have shorter sporting seasons and people are losing jobs. He further reiterated that residents of North America ski areas together with their customers should work hand in hand to change their energy spending. habits and resort to green technology if they were to prevent climate caused melt-downs (Laura Bly, 2007) Resorts have started investing in sustainable seafood practices, local food supplies, biodiesel powered snow cats and embracing the use of more energy efficient snow making equipment. To achieve this, campaigns on global warming and discounts are being offered to guests who come in hybrid cans. What is even more impressing is that resorts have taken the challenge of campaigning for these changes as well as acting as advocates for intergovernmental change. Effects of global warming have also been reported in Burlington Vt. The city is usually carpeted in December but unfortunately changing climatic conditions has created a mild situation where snowfall is meager just an inch thick. The temperatures are becoming warmer and fewer trails open. However, these fears have been allayed by the optimism of the meteorological department prediction that the season will progress as Christmas approaches. According to Michael Berry; president of the National ski Areas Association, the potential impacts winter recreation, the mountain ecosystem and the way of life of residents in these areas cannot be ignored. Global warming has a direct and profound effect on the ski business as it depends solely on the variability of weather. To drive this process of change, the association has adapted a policy to regulate and control climate change. The reduce, educate and advocate approach was adopted to help in the fight against global warming. Key in the policy is a call to ski resorts to work towards the reduction of green house gas emissions individually and collectively, educate the public and guests on the potential impacts of climate change to writer sports industry and be the advocate in pushing for institutional and regulatory changes aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions (Michael Berry, 2007). To this end almost half of the 59 ski resorts, who have purchased renewable energy credits or utilized green energy for their lifts and other facilities are 100% green powered hence reducing carbon dioxide emission by 427,596,000 pounds an equivalent of planting almost 17 million trees. Customers are encouraged to offset their emission and work towards increasing green energy use in their home. Generation of renewable energy through on site solar projects or micro hydro power projects and wind energy has greatly increased with Jimmy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts installing the first wind turbine powered ski area in August 2007. Resort vehicle fleets are now using alternative fuels like biodiesel, they also provide or promote car pooling or mass transit use. Ski resorts are being built using green building techniques and retrofitting existing facilities all with the aim of saving energy. Though an outreach program called â€Å"Keep Winter cool† millions of people have been educated on global warming and encouraged to institute lifestyle changes to help curb global warming. Specific Impacts of Global Warming on Winter Tourism . Snow The financial viability and stability of the winter sports tourism industry solely depends on the availability of sufficient snow. Less snow pack is caused by higher average temperatures, on the other hand if there are extremely low temperatures at night then it follows that there is likely to be an average increase in daytime temperatures. In both cases the resultant effect is less mountain snow cover and a reduction in the duration of cover. (Stephen Saunders et al, 2005). This means that recreation will be shortened and the snow will be slushier. The big difference to earlier situation where snow cover was considerably reduced is that, the capital intensity of the winter sports tourism will be considerably high. When this is analyzed in the context of profits from ski dependent businesses, taxes from local and state governments, the financial prospects of industries in the winter tourism sector look bleak. However, the most important link between climate change and mountain tourism is less snow and, as a consequence, less earnings in ski tourism. Glaciers Statistics all over the world point to the fact that there is a general retreat of glacial cover all over the world. Taking Switzerland as an example, since 1850, the Swiss glaciers have lost slightly more than 25% of their surface. If this was to continue in the future, by 2030, approximately 20% to 70% of the total Swiss glacial cover will disappear. This is a real problem for the ski industry not only in Switzerland but across the world as ski tourists will resort to other countries with snow availability. The effect of this trend will be putting more pressure on the existing ski facilities as well as acting as an incentive for investment in high altitude areas. Permafrost Melting of permafrost due to global warming makes mountain areas vulnerable to landslides. Transport facilities such as the mountain cable way stations, the lift masts and buildings become instable. Them costs incurred in bracing and anchoring such buildings when permafrost melts are extremely high. Hiking and climbing in these areas is also made more dangerous hence the loss of revenue due to potential risk of injury like rockfall or other health outcomes. Despite of cries over decreases in snow levels in the future, there is a possibility of winters with heavy snow like that of 1998/1999 that brought a great deal of losses in the winter tourism industry. The avalanche winter destroyed mountain cable ways, ski-lifts and chair lifts. The expenses incurred on sow clearing and the overall loss incurred was in excess of US $ 130 million. Adaptations for the future ski industry should therefore inculcate these historical weather unpredictability patterns in improving the industrys financial viability. Adaptations and Strategies Used by the Tourism Industry to Mitigate Against the Impacts of Global Warming All tourism representatives at political,organizational, entrepreneurial or operational level have been in the forefront in pushing for adaptation strategies to curb climate change and help mitigate the potential effects of global warming. The experiences that project what is going to come in the future are prevalent today and is widely accepted that snow deficient conditions will determine whether winter tourism will remain a viable economic activity. To achieve this a multi sectoral framework that consists of the National Ski Areas Association(NSAA), Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), the federal government through the Senate Environment and Public Works, state stakeholders and other non governmental civil society organizations have developed a Climate Change policy aimed at reducing the concentrations of green house emissions. Ski resorts have been encouraged to adopt safe and efficient energy usage through the exploitation of renewable energy resources. It is this concerted effort in mitigating climate change challenges that also saw the support and endorsement of McCain/Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act to spearhead the fight against global warming. Specifically these attempts will help stabilize the US$ 5 billion mountain resort industry that currently offers employment to 165,000 people. Despite the existence of facts that predict radical effects in the industry, some argue that climate change issues are very exaggerated and politicized by science and the media. They argue that even though the effects could intensify problems in the industry, the majority of resorts in medium and high altitudes will be barely affected. Discussions should yield strategies that take into account the accuracy of statistical data disseminated on climate change and critically analyze the potential consequences. These issues should further be analyzed with reference to the global competition in the winter tourism sector. The facts that accrue from these forums should then be integrated in the construction of artificial snow flaking facilities, extend existing ski runs. Opening of high altitude ski resorts (2000-3000m)should be guided by the potential ecological effect. Climate change should not only be viewed as a negative challenge to winter tourism but also as a catalyst to drive radical structural adjustment and change. These developments should take into account the present risks and opportunities as well as foster development that is in line with the strive for environmental and socio economic sustainability. This will create a highly competitive market where customer preference is not only driven by snow availability but by the efficiency of service in some very high end but smaller less extensive resorts. Such top resorts will offer attractive offers for skiing tourists and hence reduce attention on expansive developments with less attractive offers. Artificial Snow making This is an ubiquitous strategy that is widely employed to mitigate the risk of climate change. Since its inception in 1953 at the Grossingers Resort in New York, it has grown to become the principle in the ski industry with an approximate 95% of the resorts engaged in the strategy. Its success has mainly been driven by its invaluable superior nature that offers a complete substitute to natural snow fall as well as making it possible to extend skiing durations(Daniel D. D. McGill, 2007). However, this technology is heavily dependent on temperature and is only effective in cases at low temperatures. Technological advances has seen the reduction of labor costs through the use of snow guns operated by computers. Snow making utilizes vast volumes of water and therefore the availability of water must be guaranteed for efficient blanketing of a large resort. Weather Derivatives. These are weather risk management tools structured to enable ski resorts make appropriate and informed decisions. They can be structured on snow fall temperature according to the customers specifications. Other factors that can be utilized to mitigate the effects of global warming include r4evenue diversification, cloud seeding and marketing to insulate the resorts against variability of weather by enabling them to maximumly capitalize when the weather is excellent. Conclusions Climate change and global warming remains will continue to remain key challenges in the winter tourism industry especially the ski resorts. Less snow, less glaciers and extreme weather events such as landslides are the key determinants of the future viability of ski resorts. Strategies instituted to meet the challenges of climatic change and mitigate the impacts of global warming can never be successful if implemented in isolation. It is commendable fact that the skiing industry has adopted sustainable building techniques,inculcated green principles and technology in their operations among others. These precedents are admirable but we have to admit that when taken in the global context, these measures do very little in stemming the worrying tide of global warming whose effects are felt indiscriminately. Global warming is a worldwide problem and therefore all the measures undertaken by the tourism industry must be in line with national and international guidelines that aim at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, tourist developments will not only be evaluated and judged with respect to their environmental or socio-economic compatibility and viability but they will also be assessed with respect to the climate-compatibility angle.

Essays --

Paul Rà ©e, an English psychologist, wrote The Origin of the Moral Sensations in 1877. Through this text, he separated morality from God, in order to find a naturalistic source for things like altruism. He discusses an idea of altruistic emotional motivation, such as pleasure, usefulness (benefits), and the avoidance of pain. Nietzsche argues against Rà ©e’s notions, saying that morals do not come from usefulness, pleasure or the avoidance of pain, but through will to power. His notion of will to power is an instinct for independent freedom. This notion is manifested differently in different people, depending on individual traits and circumstances. In his first essay, Good and Evil, Good and Bad, he explains the manifestations of power and how they are viewed. He differentiates the manifestations of the will to power in two categories: Master Morality and Slave Morality. The master morality is the notion that, â€Å"†¦the noble, powerful, high-stationed and high-minded, who felt and established themselves and their actions as good†. The word â€Å"good† in this sense is not a good represe...

Best Buy Co., Inc. and Customer Centricity Essay

Best Buy Co. , Inc. is a specialty audio retail company that, through its unique marketing methods and willingness to risk and experiment, has expanded unto numerous subsidiaries across and among continents for providing consumer electronic products and services. It adopts the concept of customer centricity, in which a company’s efforts are designed to align their target and potential clients’ needs, wants, feelings, and behavioral patterns. Though they have incurred considerable challenges and losses along the way, Best Buy Co. , Inc. ’s journey to the business accomplishment has been one that has garnered them extensive experience and strong business disposition that has truly worked not only for their principle and processes but more importantly on their development. Marketing Case Study: Best Buy Co. , Inc. and Customer Centricity Best Buy’s Top Concern: Understanding of Consumer Behavior Best Buy Inc. , Co. has made it of great importance to center their business and marketing trade operations on better recognizing and identifying the how’s, why’s, and what’s behind their consumers’ approach dynamics to electronic retail purchasers. Philip Kotler defines consumer behavior as â€Å"the study of how individuals, groups, and organizations select, buy, use, and dispose of good, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy their needs and wants† (Kotler, Keller, Ang, Leong, Tan, 2006, p. 179), which Best Buy has made their top priority through and through. With a humble beginning as â€Å"The Sound of Music† during the mid-nineteen sixties, Best Buy initially suffered a disaster blow which they quickly translated to building a sense of customer relations and, in every extent, better brand recall. As Store Service Manager Joe Brandt emphasized, â€Å"When the tornado hit, we decided to market to the community as a whole, and get electronics out there to everybody. We geared our selves up to win by understanding what consumers want in technology,†Ã¢â‚¬â€Best Buy has not only managed to turn the most unfortunate of circumstances into positive output, but they also exuded their willingness to identify who their consumers were, why they purchase from them, and what would make them happy (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. 139). During the steady growth through the mid-nineteen eighties, Best Buy wanted to keep the customer connection they have started. Thus, they broke away from traditional business sales by â€Å"eliminating commissioned sales representatives† (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. 139). Despite having experienced momentary financial woes, the company pushed through furthering circumstances. Amidst many adjustments, significant acquisitions of Geek Squad and Magnolia Audio and Video were made possible. Today, Best Buy is more equipped to depart from individual selling and is capable of providing better, wider, and more customer-focused services, from in-store, home, and office computer services needs. Focusing on the end-users, the development in understanding the various attributes the customers and clients led to the company’s five segment priority. This meant that discovering more about who their clients really are and how their clients shop for their electronics meant that in-store service processes could be further developed to suit their target consumers and those others in between who do get their electronics needs at Best Buy. The five segment priority not only gave them the opportunity for bettering customer service and knowledge, but also with customers’ and their respective segments as the focal point of all operations, personalization even in a the setting of business relations were made possible and sustainable. The process which Best Buy Inc. , Co. started and revolved centrally on different aspects for their customers, of which they were able to maintain through out and has been key their growth and success which translated to â€Å"1,172 stores, 140,000 employees, and $35. 9 billion in revenue† and world-wide business achievement and recognition (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. 139). Best Buy’s Journey through Customer Centricity With the employment of customer centricity as the company’s foremost business principle, Best Buy has learned many business lessons which they had to accept, adjust, balance, and realize as either forms in reward or drawback. The most obviously beneficial characteristic of customer centricity which provided Best Buy with a strong sustainable business advantage is its soaring customer relations. Creating an atmosphere wherein customers are not only comfortable but also confident that all their electronic needs and concerns shall be tended and answered in any Best Buy store. Through building individual customer rapport, Best Buy creates a business situation where brand retention, customer service, quality product, and service offering are all and more associated with their name and reputation. However, in considering the whole process of adaptation, the company underwent some difficulties. In the early-on stages that led to the principle acclimatization, Best Buy experienced an increase of expenses and a decline of profits when they decided to deviate slowly from doing business via sales representatives. Additionally, this move was critically queried by analysts, but more importantly, it was greatly identified and appreciated by the customers. As the market for consumer electronics slowed down, Best Buy continued to differentiate their style of business from the competition. Hence, risk was its key catalyst that brought success, though accompanied by some hardships. In creating the five-customer segment priority—Barry, the affluent professional, Jill, the soccer mom, Carrie and Buzz, early adopters, Ray, practical adopter, and Small business—Best Buy financially endeavored through the company’s vision of centering on the customer and were prepared to incur loses to better understand the inner-workings of their consumer. Within each segment, all had specific needs and features to which Best Buy fittingly offered solutions both product and service-wise. In the process of appreciating and grasping the purchasing techniques of their customers, Best Buy realized the need for financial pre-requisite that the adaptation entails to substantiate the processes and services to better fit the client, via the trialing of â€Å"lab† stores. These lab stores stood as an evidential gauge on who customers would receive, react, and respond to â€Å"product offerings, store designs and service offering targeted at each segment† (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. 140). In the transition of adopting, Best Buy computed costs up to $600,000 to qualify a specific store outlet as customer centric. However, it all paid off since it was positively acknowledged and received by its customers (relatively performing better, compared to the average chain counterpart). Thus, it spearheaded the formal integration of Customer Centricity throughout all its stores. With this, the identification of customer qualities had to be more specific, as they had fleetingly overlooked the differences between men and women as consumer electronics shoppers. Yet, with extensive research and tuning, consumer markets further distinguished their full potential was explored and utilized. Best Buy’s Pursuit to Accommodate Male and Female Market Shopping Qualities The constricting soccer mom segment seemed to limit the female market. â€Å"Research showed that women spend $68 billion on consumer electronics each year and influence 89 percent of all purchases. † This suggests that there is much potential for profits and improving female customer relations for Best Buy (Author Last Name, Year, p. 140). In addition to this, in terms of their shopping style, â€Å"men tend to be independent, whereas women tend to seek assistance while shopping for electronics† (McGraw-Hill Irwin, n. d. ). With these facts in hand, Best Buy opted to gear their processes even more to better answer the needs of their female market. Incorporating the customer assistant program was also premeditated and established for any and every query the customer has to bring â€Å"personal shopping to the next level† (McGraw-Hill Irwin, n. d. ). The personal shopping assistant not only facilitates the discussion of the clients’ electronic needs, but they also thoroughly explain key benefits on how and why certain electronic products would impact the lives of the customers, relating them on a personal level at each transaction, which favors the more dependent shopping style of women. Also, after broadening the Jill segment, Best Buy modified their in-store design for women, from color theme, lay-out, and displays of kitchen vignettes to packages, to house more appropriately their needs and thus, be more â€Å"female friendly† (McGraw-Hill Irwin, n. d. ). Best Buy Co. , Inc. truly adapted a system in which customer comes first, in every possible business and marketing scenario and circumstance. Through centricity, Best Buy elevated their brand and brand of service which put them in a class of their own, above from competition, beyond traditional marketing, and in the minds of their customers. References Kotler, P. , Keller, K. L. , Ang, S. H. , Leong, S. M. , Tan, C. T. (2006). Marketing Management: An Asian Perspective (Fourth Edition). Singapore: Prentice Hall. McGraw-Hill Irwin. (Producer). (n. d. ). Best Buy: Using Customer Centricity to Connect with Customers [Case Study Video]. Retrieved February 20, 2009 from http://www. mhhe. com/business/marketing/kerin9e/video/Ch05_BestBuy. swf. Last Name, First Initial (Author). (Year). Book Title. (Edition). New York: McGraw Hill Irvin.

Pros and Cons of Globalization

Susan McCormick PLSC323 The Pros and Cons of Globalization Starting out, I would first like to define globalization. It is† The worldwide movement toward economic, financial ,trade, and communications integration. Globalization implies the opening of local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world with free transfer of capital, goods, and services across national frontiers. However, it does not include unhindered movement of labor and, as suggested by some economists, may hurt smaller or fragile economies if applied indiscriminately. †(Parikh,Jan. 010) Globalization has become one of the most debated subjects of the 2000's. It has been said that it is one of the best things to happen to the world by its proponents, and its opponents are labelled at is neo-imperialism. According to CNN†Globalization and localization are two sides of the same coin. More than ever, local communities are the secret of economic succ ess. In the coming decades, the number and strength of America's brain hubs will determine whether, as a country we will prosper or decline. Physical factories will keep losing importance, but cities with a large percentage of nterconnected, highly educated workers will become the new factories where ideas and knowledge are forged. Supporting growth in America's innovation hubs while arresting the decline elsewhere is the real challenge that we face as a nation. †(CNN today, October 9,2012) There are numerous pros and cons of globalization of which I will attempt to talk about both in the upcoming pages. I am beginning with the pros: Productivity grows quicker when countries produce goods and services in which they have a comparitive advantage. Some argue that globalization gives a rise to new industries and more jobs in developing countries.It also gives organizations access to cheap resources and labour in developing areas in the world. It leads to greater employment opportu nities for the people and also consumers get quality goods at competitive rates. Transport and distribution systems are also more efficient than ever before, making it much easier faster, and cheaper for businesses to deliver their products to consumers. Electronic transfers also make making and receiving international payments more secure and faster. Companies also have more flexibility to operate across borders therefore they can profit through domestic as well as international nd also they can have access to much cheaper capitial from other countries if the rate of interest is low. Globalization gives you a larger market therefore you can sell more goods and make more money. Global competition and cheap imports keep prices low and steady, so inflation is less likely to interrupt economic growth. The products are improved due to global competition. Cooking styles, languages, customs have all spread due to globalization. The spread of education worlwide is also affected meaning you can go anywhere in the world and get the education you seek. Foreign trade is impacted on an conomy, the WTO controls the way things are handled throughout the world. Comparitive advantage is a factor. Politics are merging and decisions that are being made are actually beneficial for people throughout the world. We have become more social and open and tolerant towards other countries, and we don't treat people from other countries as aliens. There are numerous other pros to globalization, but I will end there. The cons are just as much as the pros. Some of the cons are that smaller domestic firms lack the resources to compete with the big international companies and may be forced out of business.All the traveling of the people and the goods from country to country could spread infectious diseases that are extremely deadly. One of the biggest complaints about globalization is that it makes the rich richer and the non- rich more poor. Opponents say that globalization makes it easier for those rich companies to act with less accountability. Claims have also been made that countries' individual cultures are being taken over by Americanization. Exploitation of labor is another problem. Prisoners and child workers are used to work in inhumane conditions, and their safety is being put in jeopardy in order to produce cheap goods.There is also an increase in human trafficking. The social welfare schemes are under enormous pressure in developed countries because of deficits and other economic ramifications of globalization. Multinational companies and corporations which were held back from commercial activities are increasingly influenced the political decisions. Most people think that there is a threat of corporations to rule the world because they are gaining power due to globalization. As far as jobs go, millions of Americans have lost their jobs because of production or imports shifts abroad. Most find new jobs with less pay.Other millions of people are afraid to l ose their jobs at the companies operating under competitive pressure. They also face pay cuts from employers which most of the time threaten to export jobs. The white collar jobs are increasingly vulnerable to operations that are moving offshore. Some of the poorest countries in the world,such as Africa may get even poorer. They do not have the education or the new technology that we do. It can cause unemployment in industrialized countries because companies move their factories to places where they can get cheaper workers. Globalization also can lead to environmental problems.Say a company wants to build a factory over in a poor country in the Third World. That country because of the new factory may have to cut down more trees to sell wood, and also take up the land which they use for resources such as food and supplies. Being of disadvantage,the under developed countries most of the time have to do what the developed companies tell them what to do. As far as poorer countries go th eir chance at fair trade is hindered, forcing the developed countries to produce export foods wanted by wealthier companies instead of producing food for locals to feed their own population. The bigger companies develop rchards and plantations and once again reduce the land for the production of local food supplies. When it comes to whether or not I am pro or con globalization I would say I am on the fence. I do not agree with the work conditions that the people in the factories are subject to. Inhumane treatment is unfair and jusat plain cruel. I was watching the news a couple of weeks ago and watched people jumping out of the Apple building windows commiting suicide due to the horrible work conditions. There are also what they call â€Å"suicide nets† placed outside of factories due to the window jumpers from poor condtions. The spread of life threatening iseases also concerns me from the back and forth of import and exports. The fact that countries that are bigger and more powerful can overrule the less fortunate and smaller developing countries seems a bit unfair. The taking of Third World companies land to benefit or make profits and deprive them of their resources by also building factories on their land also does not sit well with me. The unemployment rates in industrialized countries is caused by globalization because firms move their factories over to places where they can get the cheapest laborers. With globalization we must also keep in mind that we want to make ure that both sides are profiting from the exchange of goods. I also think that we should as a more technoligical and educated country give back to the third world better education and and resources to more technology so that they can gain more profit from globalization. I am also not happy with the way the economy is playing out. On the plus side, I am pro as well. I love the fact that I can open up my computer,click start and get to just about any product in the world and sometimes even cheaper than I can get from the United States. For instance,I do not have health insurance.I have certain conditions that I have to be on medication for otherwise my health will will fail. In the US at any pharmacy my medication costs me over 400 dollars! I then was turned on to a Canadian pharmacy that I could get three months worth of my medication for a little under three hundred dollars! Without globalization this would never happen. I also love exotic food and fruits that are imported into the US from other countries. I like the fact that we are friendly with other countries and are able to trade without any political problems. I can go to another country and get just as good of an education or even better over there.Export jobs produce more income than other jobs. Globalization gives us a wider market which means you can sell more goods and make more money. The more globalization the cheaper the products become, and the faster they get to us. Bibliography: Business Week, â€Å"The pros and cons of globalization†, April 2000 University of Western Sydney â€Å"The Impact of globalization† Manufacturing. net, â€Å"Saving American Manufacturing†, by Mike Collins,6/28/2010 Letslearnfinance. com,†Ad vantages and Disadvantages of globalization† Taking Sides,†Clashing views on Global Issues†,fourth edition,Hart and Lombardi,2007

The 100 Most Commonly Used Words in English

The 100 Most Commonly Used Words in English Listed here, according to the 100-million-word British National Corpus, are the 100 most commonly used words in English. Many of these words are function words: they glue pieces of sentences together into longer syntactic units.   Where needed, the part of speech is identified to distinguish different grammatical uses of the same word.   thebeofandain (preposition: in the old days)to (infinitive marker: to sing)haveitto (preposition: to the country)for (preposition: for you)Ithat (relative pronoun: the book that I read)youheon (preposition: on the beach)with (preposition: with pleasure)do (verb: I do)at (preposition: at school)by (preposition: by midnight)notthis (determiner: this page)butfrom (preposition: from home)theyhis (determiner: his job)that (determiner: that song)sheorwhich (determiner: which book)as (conjunction: as we agreed)weansay (verb: say a prayer)will (auxiliary verb: I will try)wouldcan (auxiliary verb: I can go)iftheirgo (verb: go now)what (determiner: what time)thereall (determiner: all people)get (verb: get busy)her (determiner: her job)make (verb: make money)whoas (preposition: as a child)out (adverb: go out)up (adverb: go up)see (verb: see the sky)know (verb: know a place)time (time: a time to laugh)take (verb: take a break)themsome (determiner: some money) couldso (adverb: I said so)himyearinto (preposition: into the room)itsthenthink (verb: think hard)mycome (verb: come early)thanmore (adverb: more quickly)about (preposition: about you)nowlast (adjective: last call)yourmeno (determiner: no time)other (adjective: other people)givejust (adverb: just try)shouldthese (determiner: these days)peoplealsowell (adverb: well written)any (determiner: any day)onlynew (adjective: new friend)verywhen (conjunction: when you go)may (auxiliary verb: you may go)waylook (verb: look here)like (preposition: like a boat)use (verb: use your head)her (pronoun: give her)such (determiner: such problems)how (adverb: see how)becausewhen (adverb: know when)as (adverb: as good)good (adjective: good time)find (verb: find time)

Parallelism in Writing for English Learners

Parallelism in Writing for English Learners Parallelism takes place when two similar phrases are joined to make just one sentence. For example: Tom plays the piano.Tom plays the violin.Parallelism Tom plays the piano and the violin. This is just a simple example. There are many types of parallelism and the important point to remember is that both forms must be the same. In other words, if you have two parallel verb structures the tenses must be the same. For example: Peter works hard and plays hard. NOT Peter works hard and play hard. Single Word Parallel Structures Both of the previous examples are single word parallel structures. Here is an overview of single word parallel structures: Nouns Jack eats fish and chicken.Sarah writes poetry and short stories. Verbs Our neighbors have moved and have sold their house.My sister walks or rides her bike to work. Adjectives The class is not only fun but also helpful.She is not only strong but also fast. Adverbs Peter drives quickly and aggressively.They work carefully and effectively. Phrase Parallel Structures Parallelism can also take place with phrases. This type of parallel structure can be more difficult to recognize as the sentences are more complex. Here are some examples: Having fun is as important as working hard.She advised me to get some sleep and take some time off work. Here are phrase parallel structures. Each type of structure includes a note about important points/problems to take into consideration. Noun Phrases Work is as necessary as play.Apples are as good for you as oranges. NOTE: Noun phrases are either singular or plural in nature and impersonal (it or they). Verb Phrases As soon as I arrive home, I put on my shoes and go for a run.Before she leaves for work, she usually eats breakfast and has a cup of coffee. NOTE: All verbs in a verb phrase with parallel structure have the same conjugation. Adverbial Phrases Peter and Tim will probably arrive in less than an hour and in time for the meeting.They want more time off in the summer and on weekends. (at weekends in British English) NOTE: An adverbial phrase is made up of more than one word which functions as an adverb. In this case, in less than an hour and in time expresses when something is going to happen. Gerund Phrases He enjoys playing tennis and working out.They dont mind waiting and talking while you get ready. NOTE: Make sure not to mix the infinitive (to do) and the gerund (doing) in parallel structures! Infinitive Phrases Jackson hopes to visit his parents and see his old friends when he goes home.She advised me to find some new friends and forget about the event. NOTE: Make sure not to mix the infinitive (to do) and the gerund (doing) in parallel structures! Participial Phrases Discovering her financial losses and not knowing enough about the current market, she decided to stop investing.Driving through the German countryside and speaking to the people, Mark began to understand the culture better. NOTE: This is a rather complex structure. Notice how a comma is placed after the parallel structure participial phrases that introduce the sentences. Clause Parallel Structures Finally, clauses can also be used to make parallel structures. In this case, remember that you must use full clause structure (subject verb objects) and that the subjects of BOTH clauses will be the same. This causes the verb conjugation to remain the same in both clauses. Noun Clauses She said that she was having fun but not that she was meeting people.Peter felt that he had made an excellent deal and that he had bought a masterpiece. Adjective Clauses She is a woman who is intelligent and, at the same time, who seems distracted.This is a product that is easy to use and that is simple to clean. Adverb Clauses As he didnt understand and because he refused to try, they let him go.Since it was easy to use and because it was cheap, it sold very well.

Online Journalism, Mass Media and Communication Essay

Online Journalism, Mass Media and Communication - Essay Example Most researchers and academicians assert that the internet communication is a superior way to attain competitive advantage in this century. This is critical since timely information facilitates accurate and timely decision making towards execution of valuable activities. It is imperative for institutions and various individuals to embrace technological advancement towards ensuring quality provision of information. This paper gives an insight about online journalism especially the web and blogsphere. 2.0 Web and blogsphere Journalists are bound, with professional ethics and obligation, to disseminate credible information based on factual elements. This is critical since information they make available facilitate progressive decision-making. Web 2.0 and blogosphere provides an online edited gathering of essay and information, which gives discursive and communicative facts (Mitchelstein & Boczkowski 2010). Consequently, blogs also exist together as connected community where various indi viduals publish various opinions for internalization globally with an example being the New York Times where blogs serve as communicative avenues. It is a concept, which currently is adoptable due to increased need for timely information touching on various issues. ... bility towards the provision of timely information based on factual events and matters cannot be challenged easily especially in the current century (Lowrey & Kim 2009). The world is presently a global village through technological enhanced services thereby rendering blogging venture reliable and relevant. Variably, journalist’s updates via the internet are fit and subject to regulation by international journalism standards, which ensure that value is achievable within the reported content of information (Deuze, Neuberger & Paulussen 2004). Evidently, internet communication has positively resulted to sound performance in various institutions; for example, it benefits businesses through customer retention, conversion, reach, and community integration. According to Frey (2011), it has the potential to leverage performance in the modern societies towards building strong information based capacities. Clearly, individuals require timely and valuable information to facilitate choice making on various matters like economic issues due to dynamic changes. It is stated that quality performance is reliant on the eminence of communication in various departments and sectors (Frey 2011). That is, timely provision of quality information facilitates superior decision making which in turn leads to excellence in various institutions. Consequently, blogging also expands ones network system and societal integration through adoption of best practices in life with an example being the political dispensation in US, which is often affected by blogs. According to Srisuwan (2008), technology is a key pillar towards developing sustainable communication networks thus institutions should ensure integration of technological activities for sound performance. Similarly, Morozov in his articles