Canadian history pre-confederation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Canadian history pre-confederation - Essay Example All the different groups of people who resided in geographical region of Canada added in one way or the other to the culture and identity that we recognize today. However, the popular version of history as it is taught to the masses often glosses over the contribution of and lifestyle followed by one set of people, that is, the slave groups who were also amongst the early settlers of the region. Canadian history, when it discusses the role of slavery and the slave trade within the region only highlights the fact that the government was amongst the first to hasten the demise of the abhorrent practice. The Canadian society as a whole has difficulty accepting the fact that slavery was actively practiced in New France and this fact has been documented as far back as 1629 with the arrival of the Kirke brothers and their young slave boy in Quebec2. The institution of slavery formed a significant part of Canadian society and hiding this fact is doing a disservice to the identity of the thousands of the African and Aboriginal men, women and children whose lives were impacted and molded by the practice. Slavery was a part of life in New France as well as under the Lower Canada during British rule. Slaves were owned by people from various demographics including religious, military and political leaders and the merchant class3. Popular historical narrative tended to portray that the slave trade had only reached the region after the British had conquered the region in 1760, however in the book â€Å"Canada’s Forgotten Slaves: Two Hundred Years of Bondage† historian Marcel Trudel provides extensive details of the people who lived as slaves before that time as well as the people who eagerly owned and ‘flaunted’ them. He states that â€Å"Slavery in Quebec was not some economic imperative, but rather a form of public extravagance which conferred

The Effects of Business Planning, Financial Management and Performance Monitoring Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Business Planning, Financial Management and Performance Monitoring Essay Heraclitus (535bc-475bc) was a philosopher who believed in the power of change, claiming that everything would find repose by changing (Harris, 1994). This may not be true to the average sense of the concept of housing as a basic need to mankind. Housing has and will always be a constant, essential need and a basic right for every human being (United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 25, www. un. org). However, this paper may agree with him on the existence of uncertain changes in the political, social and economic states of countries at various times and how these changes affect housing policies. This essay shall examine the impact of these changes on housing businesses with the social housing sector as the area of interest. It will identify these uncertain changes as risks to the business of social housing and ultimately discover if business planning, financial management and performance monitoring are important to the productivity of the social housing sector. (Balchin and Rhoden, 1998) claim that housing is most times the largest and most expensive acquirable item. Next to agriculture, it usually requires the most use of land space. The only need that precedes housing in mankind’s scale of necessities is food. Otherwise, housing needs consume the most land space, thus making this need an expensive and enterprising one with governments and private individuals investing heavily in businesses related to supplying such needs to people. (Ogu and Ogbuozobe, 2001), classified this supply process in their theory that two paradigms are present in social housing provision in Nigeria. They referred to them as the â€Å"provider† and the â€Å"enabling† (supporter) paradigms. But claim also, that most governments in developing countries lack the financial strength to run the â€Å"provider† paradigm scheme. Hence they adopt the â€Å"enabler† strategy which was encouraged by the City Summit (Habitat II) held in 1996. (Reeves, 2005) elaborates these theories as he defines social housing bodies in the United Kingdom as primarily local authorities and housing associations which provide and manage houses even after tenant occupation, regardless of ownership. He states that they could be direct providers (e. g. housing association develops and manages a property), or enablers (e. g. a local authority, indirectly houses tenants by funding another body like a housing association by grants to build houses). This explanation is similar to Ogu and Ogbuozobe’s paradigms mentioned above. He concludes however, that the largest enabler in any country is the government (e. g. housing corporations and local authorities). (Lansley, 1979) had also stated years ago that housing corporations support social housing authorities with exchequer grants as they are primarily non-profit making organisations. This characteristic differentiates them from the primarily profit oriented nature of private enterprises. According to (Nyssens, 2006), Social Enterprises started in the late 1970s as an approach to tackle social needs collectively without the desire for individual profit. It is an alternative to conventional co-operative societies which functions in a manner that it assists low income earners tackle social exclusion (in this case, through provision of affordable housing). Because they are indigenously organised by a group of citizens, participatory and non profit oriented in nature allowing equality in decision making (not based on capital ownership), they have been proactively accepted by the local tenants and the government as housing service providers. (Paton, 2003) agrees that Social Enterprises have had positive impact on the social housing sector, but he also shows that they may be problematic as they consist of numerous stakeholders. He claims that contrary to its equality based nature, there is always a dominant stakeholder with the most influence. He also adds that the problem it faces is performance. But as social enterprises in the housing sector are also regulated by government policies, this paper would disagree with him as performance can be enhanced by methods which shall be analysed in this essay. This essay would refer to Social Enterprises, Housing Associations and local authorities as Social Landlords. According to (Ogu and Ogbuozobe, 2001), the economic recession of the 1980s negatively affected the housing sector as structural adjustment policies created by the International Monetary Fund to tackle economic problems were implemented without consideration of their effect on housing businesses and its stakeholders. This shows how international organisations make policies which affect social landlords in several countries as well. It also points out the possibility of economic uncertainties affecting the housing sector. Reeves, 2005) furthermore, illustrates how differences in economic performance in different regions of a country affects demand and supply of housing. He compares London and the South-East to the Midlands and the North-East, stating that the economic growth in London and the South-East (coupled with sustained shortages in skilled labour) created a rise in average wage levels and a consequent rise in house prices as demand for private ownership of houses rose beyond s upply. And that fluctuating growth levels negatively affected lower income earners making them unable to meet the prevailing housing cost. He blames this outcome on the inability of developers and social landlords to provide adequate housing as they strive keep prices at a level where they can maximize profit. This is another example of how inefficient preparedness against socio-economic issues affects social landlords’ decisions and ultimately, tenants. (Housing Corporation Centre for Research and Market Intelligence, 2008) also funded a research showing how the credit crunch of 2007-2009 had adverse effects on social landlords as the pace of building new houses slowed down with developers waiting for a change in the market condition. Unlike the case described by (Reeves, 2005), housing demand was poor as there was lack of access to mortgages for buyers leading to numerous unsold houses being carried over to the following financial year. The research ultimately showed that social landlords had to employ several financial and risk management procedures to stay in business. Some strategies initiated by the government to tackle social housing problems were analysed by (Garnett and Perry, 2005), who blame the late twentieth century’s decline in the demand for council housing on reduction n investment that led to inefficient building maintenance with most council houses occupied by low income earners. They state that the Chattered Institute of Housing (CIH) made a report which resulted in the Governments reaction of setting up a ten year programme for housing standards. They also highlighted the targets of this programme in the April 2000 housing green paper as; increasing investments in existing council housing stock, government demand for business plans from councils, demand for detailed council funding options (e. g. ublic or private financing), creation of the Decent Homes Standard with 2010 as its target year for all homes to meet its requirements and finally, directives to carry out monitoring and appraisal to evaluate progress. From this review it is clear that the government is the major policy maker in the United Kingdom as the (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006-www. communities. gov. uk) explains to citizens that the â€Å"Decent Homes Standard† was formulated to regulate developers as well as landlords on the building and maintenance of houses to a set standard and the (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister- www. pdm. org, 2004) claims that it will ensure that all houses attain the laid down standards of decency by 2010. This is one of the latest in a series of policies that have evolved over time of which social landlords are mandated to effectively implement in their business planning schemes. Because as (Garnett and Perry, 2005) illustrated, the government has requested for business plans from housing authorities possessing housing stocks and a Housing Revenue Account-HRA. They explain that this plan must be taken after consultation with tenants and other stakeholders and must show detailed financial managerial strategies, stock condition management, demand and availability of resources, financial forecasts, priorities and a detailed, updated record of progress. Although this requirement might offer social landlords a basis to organise, strategise and enhance their businesses, (Garnett and Perry, 2005) also show evidence of feasibility problems as they reported that this business plan requirement was not achieved in Scotland and Wales whose authorities were required to deliver similar plans by April 2005. This probably questions the possibility of meeting the Decent Homes Standard policy by 2010. (Harrison and Lock, 2004) state that a project cannot be managed without risk consideration. From the illustration of (Garnett and Perry, 2005), the achievement of these requirements is a ten year project which the government has given to social landlords. And from the enabler theory explanation of (Reeves, 2005), these social landlords are sometimes given grants to facilitate these projects. Harrison and Lock, 2004) show the importance of identifying risks early in any project. They show how project success can be achieved by early identification, assessment and classification of risks and their mitigation methods. The required business plans are expected to include such risk management processes as stated by (Garnett and Perry, 2005) who also explained that the production of a detailed business plan involves financial planning and management with a view to not just cutting cost, but making the best use of resources. They add that financial management is the responsibility of not just the finance department of the organisation but every section as it generally involves value management. In conclusion, they state that financial management is important to housing organisations because it analyses long term and current outcomes of investing in a stock or service. Another approach was introduced by the (Improvement and Development Agency- IDEA, 2008) (which is one of four partner organisations with the Local Government Association). They call it â€Å"Place Shaping†, a concept developed by Sir Michael Lyons who describes it as creatively using authority to facilitate the overall wellbeing of a community and its citizens. It aims to provide strong governance through local strategic partnership, create a common vision within the local sustainable community strategy and promote local tenant involvement. In summary, they state that after a detailed research on the drivers that influence and affect local neighbourhoods (e. g. opulation growth, jobs, good schooling, antisocial behaviour and crime, and the quality and range of housing on offer), they would address these problems and supply affordable housing for all sections of the community with low income earners in mind and generally encourage the development of sustainable communities. This approach is a summary of the risk management strategies of (Harrison and Lock, 2005), where data is collected, brainstorming sessions are done, risks are identified, asse ssed, classified and their mitigation measures are implemented. Performance monitoring ensures accountability to all stakeholders as it is an open and interactive process involving the monitoring body, the social landlords and the tenants. This was clarified by the set of questions inspectors will use to appraise social landlords. These questions are known by the Audit Commission as Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE). (Audit Commission, 2010-www. audit-commission. gov. uk), state that they were developed to provide inspectors, social landlords, tenants and other stakeholders with a framework through which to review and assess service planning and delivery. It also recognises the relevance of political leadership, collaboration and spatial planning in creating effective methods, and demands that the housing long term plans must involve plans to develop sustainable communities. It however states the need for flexibility among councils as they are all not expected to use the same exact approach. Tools like the Balanced Scorecard may be used for such appraisal schemes. In another report (Audit Commission, 2010-www. audit-commission. gov. k) reveals that the new methods adopted by the government have received immense support and inspectorates have succeeded in concentrating on outcomes and local priorities. It also claims that monitoring and appraisal have also resulted in more efficient functioning of some local public services. As for the achievement of the Decent Homes Standard, the Head of the National Audit Office (Morse, 2010) claims that progress has been made. But he admits that there are risks facing the programmes completion. Addi ng that weakness in information is an undermining factor to the department’s efforts.

the yellow wallpaper -- essays research papers

How Passivity and Submissiveness lead to madness by Charlette Perkins Gilman and Henrik Ibsen â€Å"He told me all his opinions, so I had the same ones too; or if they were different I hid them, since he wouldn’t have cared for that† (Ibsen 109). As this quote suggests Charlotte Perkins Gilman, in â€Å"The Yellow Wall-Paper† and Henrik Ibsen, in A Doll House dramatize that, for woman, silent passivity and submissiveness can lead to madness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The narrator of â€Å"The Yellow Wall-Paper† is driven to madness after she withdraws into herself. â€Å"I am alone† (Gilman 44), she tells us. Desperately trying to express her feelings to John, she says â€Å"I told him that I really was not gaining here and that I wish he would take me away†(Gilman 46), but â€Å"I stopped short; for he sat up straight and looked at me with such a stern reproachful look that I could not say another word.† Instead the narrator â€Å"keeps quiet.† She settles into quiet submission: I â€Å"am much more quiet than I was. John is so pleased† (Gilman 48). She is â€Å"afraid† to â€Å"irritate† John or â€Å"to make him uncomfortable† (Gilman42). She makes herself believe that as a â€Å"physician† he knows what’s best for her and, therefore, acts passively, letting John control her even though she gets â€Å"unreasonably angry with† him (Gilman40). Writing in her journal is the only thing that keeps her sane; yet John takes that away from her: â€Å"I must put this away-he hates to have me write† (Gilman 41). The narrator yearns to confess to John how she really feels, but she prefers to keep her feelings bottled up: â€Å"I think sometimes that if I were to write a little it would relieve the pressure of ideas and rest me† (Gilman 42). Instead, she is passive and hides her emotions. â€Å"I cry at nothing and cry most of the time. Of course I don’t when John is here, or anybody else,† only â€Å"when I am alone† (Gilman 44). She tells us that â€Å"John doesn’t know how much I really suffer† (Gilman 41). Even when the narrator tries to communicate with him, he immediately dismisses her: â€Å"I tried to have a real earnest reasonable talk with him,† but â€Å"John wouldn’t hear of it† (Gilman 40). Instead of speaking her mind and standing up for herself, she withdraws and does â€Å"not say another word†(Gilman 47). Convincing herself that John is always â€Å"right,† she obeys whatever â€Å"John says,† which only causes her condition to â€Å"worsen† despite the fact ... ...y Torvald: â€Å"He used to call me his doll-child, and he played with me the way I played with my dolls†¦I went from Papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything to your own taste, and so I got the same taste as you-or I pretended to†¦ Now when I look back it seems I have lived here like a beggar-just from hand to mouth† (Ibsen 109). Rather than be â€Å"sheltered† (Ibsen 108) by him unlike Gilman’s character, Nora is able to speak up for herself and confront her past.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both Nora and the narrator of â€Å"The Yellow Wall-Paper† suffer from their silent passivity and submissiveness. Nora Helmer, who nearly â€Å"lost [her] mind† (Ibsen ), is able to save herself by being assertive and speaking out, confronting Torvald, her past, and her need to educate herself in the ways of the world. Unfortunately Gilman’s character keeps her feelings inside, and, as a result withdraws into herself and becomes insane. The narrator asserts her disjunction from reality as she tells John: â€Å"I’ve got out at last†¦in spite of you and Jane...and you can’t put me back† (Gilman 53), sloughing off the person she once was, â€Å"Jane† to become the â€Å"woman† in the paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Cloud Computing Essay -- Technology, Cyber Criminals

â€Æ' Introduction Over the past several years the term cloud computing has become common in homes and organizations alike. Cloud computing can be defined as a pooled set of computing resources that are furnished via the internet. There are three types of cloud services typically available, these services are Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Organizations can benefit greatly from cloud services because they eliminate the need to buy and manage physical resources. Although such an action cuts cost it leaves organization victim to the vulnerabilities and threats that exist in cloud computing. Throughout this paper I will discuss the vulnerabilities and threats that come along with the adoption of cloud computing. In addition, I will discuss standards and policies that effectively manage the risk associated with cloud computing. Threats & Vulnerabilities The abuse and nefarious use of cloud computing is a threat to any organization that takes advantage of cloud services. Most providers of cloud services make it all too easy for cyber criminals to register for service, all that is need to register for service with many providers is a valid credit card (Cloud Security Alliance, 2011). In addition to the ease of registration providers offer free trials of their services allowing attacker to carry out attacks covertly on cloud services. By gaining such access cyber criminals can deploy malicious code, abuse known exploits, and send spam messages to those that are sharing the same resources. Organizations are aware that threats can be internal as well as external, those that provide cloud services are no exception. The people who the service providers employ can pose... ...ncy use(CIO, 2011). FedRAMP is not alone in the effort to create standards regarding cloud computing. The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) has published two draft publications specifically related to cloud computing. The first document, Special Publication 800-145 (Draft), has been created provide the NIST definition of cloud computing. The NIST has defined as the following: â€Å"Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.† (NIST, 2011)

Metaphysical Poets Essay

The term metaphysical poets was coined by the poet and critic Samuel Johnson to describe a loose group of British lyric poets of the 17th century, whose work was characterized by the inventive use of conceits, and by speculation about topics such as love or religion. These poets were not formally affiliated; most of them did not even know or read each other (Wikipedia). Their work is a blend of emotion and intellectual ingenuity, characterized by conceit or â€Å"wit†Ã¢â‚¬â€that is, by the sometimes violent yoking together of apparently unconnected ideas and things so that the reader is startled out of his complacency and forced to think through the argument of the poem. Metaphysical poetry is less concerned with expressing feeling than with analyzing it, with the poet exploring the recesses of his consciousness. The boldness of the literary devices used—especially obliquity, irony, and paradox—is often reinforced by a dramatic directness of language and by rhythms derived from that of living speech. Esteem for Metaphysical poetry never stood higher than in the 1930s and ’40s, largely because of T.S. Eliot’s influential essay â€Å"The Metaphysical Poets† (1921), a review of Herbert J.C. Grierson’s anthology Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the Seventeenth Century. In this essay Eliot argued that the works of these men embody a fusion of thought and feeling that later poets were unable to achieve because of a â€Å"dissociation of sensibility,† which resulted in works that were either intellectual or emotional but not both at once. In their own time, however, the epithet â€Å"metaphysical† was used pejoratively: in 1630 the Scottish poet William Drummond of Hawthornden objected to those of his contemporaries who attempted to â€Å"abstra ct poetry to metaphysical ideas and scholastic quiddities.† At the end of the century, John Dryden censured Donne for affecting â€Å"the metaphysics† and for perplexing â€Å"the minds of the fair sex with nice speculations of philosophy when he should engage their hearts . . . with the softnesses of love.† Samuel Johnson, in referring to the learning that their poetry displays, also dubbed them â€Å"the metaphysical poets,† and the term has continued in use ever since. Eliot’s adoption of the label as a term of praise is arguably a better guide to his personal aspirations about his own poetry than to the Metaphysical poets themselves; his use of metaphysical underestimates these poets’ debt to lyrical and socially engaged verse. Nonetheless, the term is useful for identifying the often-intellectual character of their writing (Encyclopedia Britannica). Without doubt Samuel Johnson’s choice of the word metaphysical to describe the followers of Donne was directly influenced by these earlier usages (th e Cleveland passage is quoted in Johnson’s Dictionary of 1755 to illustrate the definition of ‘Metaphysicks’). The category of poetry that indulged in metaphysics was a live one for later seventeenth-century poets, but for them metaphysics was a word used to mark the point at which strongly argued verse bordered on self-parody. There is more value than this, however, in the group name. Even in the earlier seventeenth century members of the core group of metaphysical poets were connected by a number of social, familial, and literary ties. Izaak Walton relates that Donne and George Herbert enjoyed ‘a long and dear friendship, made up by such a Sympathy of inclinations, that they coveted and joyed to be in each others Company’ (Walton, 57–8). Donne addressed poems to Herbert’s mother, Magdalen, and preached her funeral sermon, as well as writing a poem to Herbert’s brother, Edward, Lord Herbert. Herbert of Cherbury in turn read both Donne’s poetry and that of his own brother with care, and was a friend of Thomas Carew and Aurelian Townshend. Henry Wotton was the addressee of epistles in both verse and prose from his close friend John Donne, and at one point intended to write a life of Donne. Henry King (whose father ordained John Donne) was in daily contact with Donne at St Paul’s Cathedral, where the older poet was dean while King was chief residentiary. Donne bequeathed to King a portrait of himself dressed in his winding-sheet. Not surprisingly King’s verse is haunted by that of his friend, from whom he received manuscripts, as well as books and themes for sermons. Later in the century there were other close groupings of poets, who, although not linked by direct personal familiarity with Donne and Herbert, were bound to each other by ties of family, friendship, and literary consanguinity. Thomas Stanley was a cousin of Richard Lovelace and the nephew of William Hammond, and became a friend of John Hall, one of the most underrated of the minor metaphysical poets. Cowley was a friend and eventually elegist of Richard Crashaw. Pockets of metaphysicality also survived in several institutions: it cannot be an accident that Henry King, Abraham Cowley, Thomas Randolph, William Cartwright, and John Dryden all attended Westminster School. But by the later seventeenth century the bonds of friendship and affinity that had linked Donne and Herbert were in the main replaced by looser ties of literary indebtedness. Declaratory utterances to imagined or absent addressees who are summoned into being by the force of the speaker’s eloquence are common among poems by members of these networks, as are works that explore the balance and imbalance between the demands of the body and the spirit. Direct attempts to persuade, either through comparisons or through arguments that self-consciously display their logical elisions, are also among the most evident legacies left by Donne to his poetical heirs. No single one of these elements constitutes a metaphysical style, and it would also be wrong to suppose that all of them must be present in a given poem for it to be regarded as belonging to the tradition. It is also incorrect to believe that a poet who sometimes wrote poems in a metaphysical manner was always and in every poem a metaphysical. The metaphysical style was various. It also changed in response to historical events. Donne’s Poems and Herbert’s The Temple were both posthumously printed in 1633. Those publications immediately extended the literary communities of their authors through time and space, and the fact that both volumes were posthumous had a significant effect on the kind of influence they exerted. Donne and Herbert rapidly became models for imitation, but they could also be regarded as ideal representatives of an age that had passed. Imitation of them could therefore become an act not just of nostalgia, but of politically or theologically motivated nostalgia—as occurs most notably and heavy-handedly in the high Anglican pastiches of Herbert included in The Synagogue by Christopher Harvey, which was regularly bound with The Temple after 1640. In the political and ecclesiastical upheavals of the 1640s the metaphysical style moved on. Imitating Herbert in particular could signal a desire to resist the depredations suffered by the English church during the civil war. Richard Crashaw’s Steps to the Temple (1646) explicitly links itself by its title to Herbert’s volume. The editions of 1646 and 1648 include ‘On Mr. G. Herberts Booke’, which declares ‘Divinest love lyes in this booke’. Henry Vaughan’s preface to the second volume of Silex scintillans (1655) ascribes to Herbert’s influence his conversion from writing secular poems, and he marks the debt by adop ting the titles of several poems by Herbert for his own works. By the second part of Silex these allusions to Herbert carried a political charge, intimating Vaughan’s resistant attitude to the forcible ejection of conservatively minded ministers from churches in his native Wales by commissioners acting under the parliamentary ordinance for the propagation of the gospel. The gradual replacement of networks of closely connected individuals by relationships between dead authors and their readers is perhaps a central reason for the emergence of metaphysics (in the pejorative sense) in later seventeenth-century verse. The two later poets stigmatized by Johnson as ‘metaphysical’, Cleveland and Cowley, knew Donne only as a voice in a book. Efforts to reanimate that voice often show signs of strain. But the move from personal to textual connection between members of the group did not always have undesirable consequences. Andrew Marvell, who ever since John Aubrey’s ‘Brief life’ has tended to be regarded as an isolated figure in the literary landscape, has perhaps the most distinctive poetic voice of any member of the group. By describing pastoral figures with wounded or sullied innocence who argue perplexedly about their own fate and the unattainability of their own desires, Marvell transformed the metaphysical style into an idiom appropriate for a period of political division and national crisis. He was not entirely disconnected from its other practitioners: he was at Trinity College, Cambridge, at the same time as Abraham Cowley, and he wrote a commemorative poem for Henry, Lord Hastings, in Lacrymae musarum (1649), a volume that included poems by Dryden as well as John Hall. He and Hall were both among those who composed dedicatory poems for Richard Lovelace’s Lucasta (1648). Like Cleveland, Marvell owed his reputation in the later part of his career largely to his political and satirical poems, but his posthumously published Miscellaneous Poems (1681) shows that a reader of earlier metaphysical verse who actively responded to his changing times could transform the idiom of his predecessors (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). Works cited Colin Burrow, ‘Metaphysical poets (act. c.1600–c.1690)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, online edn, Oxford University Press, Feb 2009 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/theme/95605, accessed 5 Aug 2012] Encyclopedia Britannica www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/377915/Metaphysical-poet Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_poets

Free Essays on Motherhood is Womanhood

Motherhood is Womanhood: The Identity of Woman in Buchi Emecheta fs The Joys of Motherhood Let it be known that Buchi Emecheta, the author of The Joys of Motherhood, does not consider herself a feminist. She has said herself that she identifies much more with the term  gwomanist. h Whatever you call it, Emecheta clearly identifies with the plight of the Nigerian Woman in her novel The Joys of Motherhood. The story, set in colonial Nigeria around the time of the Second World War, paints a picture of life in the port-city of Lagos and an Ibo village. Nnu Ego is the character who traverses these two existences and whose life presents the framework in which the book unfolds. Emecheta explores the dualities and complexities of the Colonialist shift through the dualities and complexities of Nnu Ego fs life, which is desperately devoted to the pursuit of successful womanhood in two cultures at the same time. By tying womanhood and motherhood together, the inextricable link is made. Nnu Ego cannot be a real woman unless she is a mother, if she is not a successful mot her she has no value as woman. With the exception of the first chapter of the book, Joys of Motherhood is propelled by a linear narrative that begins with the story of Nnu Ego fs mother and finishes with the death of Nnu Ego herself. The scenario that begins Emecheta fs tale is a quick account of Nnu Ego fs reaction to the death of her firstborn child.  gFor how would she be able to face the world after what had happened? No, it was better not to try. It was best to end it all this way, the only good way. h (8) Nnu Ego would rather die by her own hand than face her family and friends as a failed mother. By isolating Nnu Ego fs suicide attempt from the rest of the narrative, Emecheta begins her story by turning her readers f attention to the focus of Nnu Ego fs life and where her priorities are. To many western readers, it would appear that although... Free Essays on Motherhood is Womanhood Free Essays on Motherhood is Womanhood Motherhood is Womanhood: The Identity of Woman in Buchi Emecheta fs The Joys of Motherhood Let it be known that Buchi Emecheta, the author of The Joys of Motherhood, does not consider herself a feminist. She has said herself that she identifies much more with the term  gwomanist. h Whatever you call it, Emecheta clearly identifies with the plight of the Nigerian Woman in her novel The Joys of Motherhood. The story, set in colonial Nigeria around the time of the Second World War, paints a picture of life in the port-city of Lagos and an Ibo village. Nnu Ego is the character who traverses these two existences and whose life presents the framework in which the book unfolds. Emecheta explores the dualities and complexities of the Colonialist shift through the dualities and complexities of Nnu Ego fs life, which is desperately devoted to the pursuit of successful womanhood in two cultures at the same time. By tying womanhood and motherhood together, the inextricable link is made. Nnu Ego cannot be a real woman unless she is a mother, if she is not a successful mot her she has no value as woman. With the exception of the first chapter of the book, Joys of Motherhood is propelled by a linear narrative that begins with the story of Nnu Ego fs mother and finishes with the death of Nnu Ego herself. The scenario that begins Emecheta fs tale is a quick account of Nnu Ego fs reaction to the death of her firstborn child.  gFor how would she be able to face the world after what had happened? No, it was better not to try. It was best to end it all this way, the only good way. h (8) Nnu Ego would rather die by her own hand than face her family and friends as a failed mother. By isolating Nnu Ego fs suicide attempt from the rest of the narrative, Emecheta begins her story by turning her readers f attention to the focus of Nnu Ego fs life and where her priorities are. To many western readers, it would appear that although...

Trance Dance of the San

Trance Dance of the San The trance dance, which is still practiced by San communities in the Kalahari region, is an indigenous ritual by which a state of altered consciousness is achieved through rhythmic dancing and hyperventilation. It is used for healing sickness in individuals and healing negative aspects of the community as a whole. The trance dance experiences of San shaman are believed to be recorded by southern African rock art.    San Healing Trance Dances The San people of Botswana and Namibia were formerly known as Bushmen. They are descended from some of the oldest surviving lineages of modern humans. Their traditions and way of life may be preserved from ancient times. Today, many have been displaced from their native lands in the name of conservation, and they may be unable to practice their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The trance dance is a healing dance for individuals and the community as a whole. It is their most prominent religious practice, according to some sources. It can take several forms. Many adults, both men, and women become healers in San communities. In one form, the women of the community sit around the fire and clap and sing rhythmically while the healers dance. They sing medicine songs that they learn from their youth. The ritual continues all night long. The healers dance in counterpoint to the rhythm in single file. They may wear rattles attached to their legs. They dance themselves into an altered state, which often includes feeling a great deal of pain. They may scream in pain during the dance. Upon entering the altered consciousness through the dance, the shamans feel healing energy awaken in them, and they are careful to channel it to those who need healing. They do this by touching those who have sickness, sometimes generally on their torso, but also on body parts that are affected by the illness. This can take the form of the healer drawing the illness out of the person and then yelling to eject it into the air. The trance dance can also be used to draw away community ills such as anger and disputes. In other variations, drums may be used and offerings may be hung from nearby trees. San Rock Art and the Trance Dance The trance dance and healing rituals are believed to be depicted in paintings and carvings in caves and rock shelters in South Africa and Botswana. Some rock art shows women clapping and people dancing as in the trance dance ritual. They are also believed to depict rain dances, which also involved trance dancing, capturing a rain dance animal, kill it in the trance state and thus attract rain. San rock art often depicts Eland bulls, which is a symbol of curing and the trance dance according to Thomas Dowson in  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Reading Art, Writing History: Rock Art and Social Change in Southern Africa.† The art also shows hybrids of humans and animals, which may be representations of healers in the trance dance.

Marketing Study on Portable Water Cooler Essays

Marketing Study on Portable Water Cooler Essays Marketing Study on Portable Water Cooler Essay Marketing Study on Portable Water Cooler Essay Executive Summary Breeze Waters will introduce a bottled water cooler that is portable and easy to bring outdoors and will provide cool/cold water anytime, anywhere. The product’s main feature is its portability. Bottled water coolers are mostly indoors and are place in a fixed spot in vicinity. Our product will take on the mobility of users as the target market will be professional athletes that are always on the go in their trainings and game tours, and other professionals whose work are mostly on the field and access to a cool/cold water is limited to stores and offices. We are also taking advantage on the health benefits of cold water as a daily human need. The primary marketing objective is to achieve first year Philippine market share of one percent (1%) with unit sales of 1,000,000. The primary financial objectives are to achieve first year sales revenues of P5 million, keep the first year losses to less than 100000, and break even early in the middle of first year. I. Situation Analysis A water cooler is a device that cools water. It is generally broken up in two categories. First is the bottle-less or the point of use (POU) water coolers where the device is hooked to a water supply. Second is the bottled water coolers (BWC) that requires large bottles from vendors. In recent years, with increasing attacks from the environmental movement on bottled water in small plastic disposable bottles, water coolers has emerged an arguably the more environmentally friendly approach to dispensing bottled water. Market volumes for water coolers are holding steady, despite difficult market conditions. Whilst the overall market was stable, figures showed an increased bias in favor of POU coolers as against BWC. However this decline for BWCs is expected to slow over the coming year. Market value in 2009 had decreased since the peak experienced in 2005 but still showing some growth taking as a whole decade since 2001. Philippines market for water coolers had developed slowly since the 1990s, but aggressive cut-price competition has resulted in very low margins that are insufficient to offer quality delivery service to the consumers. Consumers mostly in the public sector felt it was best for staff working in large offices to have ready access to water and for this reason BWCs can provide a more flexible option. In the private sector, too, smaller companies and those, for example on construction sites, who need ready supply of water, choose the bottled variety. However, current market has not yet considered providing cool/cold water to workers that are always on the go and does not stay in an office for a long period of time, through the use of a BWC. To gain market share, Breeze Waters will focus its efforts on a specific target market bringing in the feature of portability as a value to be created in a growing market of water coolers. 1. Market Summary Breeze Waters’ market consists of professional fieldworkers (sales representatives, field auditors, surveyors, etc. ) and athletes who are always on the go and seldom stay inside an office or a building. After being on a field for a long period of time, these consumers would like a drink of cold water especially during hot and humid temperatures, and would find it more convenient if a cool/cold water is readily available. Exhibit A shows how Breeze Waters addresses some of the most basic needs of the target market in a cost-effective manner. The additional benefits like temperature adjuster, being cordless, and chic design of the product just enhances its appeal to the identified segments. Bottled water coolers are operated by either thermo-electric or compressor units. Thermo-electric units are silent and the most cost-efficient to operate but are not suitable for use in very hot environments. Compressor units, on the other hand, are extremely powerful and produce colder water, even in the highest temperatures. Both types can dispense cold, or room-temperature, depending on the particular brand and model. Exhibit A: Needs and corresponding Features/Benefits of Breeze Waters |Target Segment |Customer Need |Corresponding Feature/Benefit | |Professionals Clean and crisp cool water while on the go |Portable water cooler from 12 ounce to 1 liter | |Fieldworkers, |Â   |sizes. | | | | | |Athletes | | | | | |Stays cold for a longer period of time. | |Readily available whenever and wherever |Can be plugged in to any power source. | | |Cordless |Battery operated and rechargeable. | | |Adjust water temperature |Temperature adjuster based on the user | | | |preference. | [pic] 2. Market Demographics The profile for the typical Breeze Waters customer consists of the following geographic, demographic, and behavior factors: Geographics Breeze Waters will initially focus its effort of distribution in the Philippines, particularly in multinational and local companies that have employees engaged in field works such as pharmaceutical companies, heavy equipment companies and other organizations that invest heavily in marketing agents and sales representatives to sell their products. ? Breeze Waters will also cater to Philippine national and college/university sports teams particularly basketball and football. ? Total targeted population is 100,000 users in the first year of operations. Demographics ? There is an almost equal ratio between male and female users. The working group aged 22 to 35 will be the bulk of Breeze Waters products. They are mostly the age group that companies hire to be their sales representatives and/or agents. ? Part of Breeze Waters clientele will be the sports athletes both in university and national levels. This will comprise of users aged 17 to 21. Behavior Factors ? Users enjoy cold and crisp water anytime, anywhere especially after hours of working and/or practice/games. ? Users usually bring handy water containers when travelling long distances. ? Users are always on the go and are assigned to far flung areas where instant access to cold water is unlikely. Market Analysis | | | | | | | |Potential Customers |Growth |2013 |2014 |2015 |2016 |2017 | |Working group aged 22 to 35 |15% |50,000 |57,500 |66,125 |76,044 |87,450 | |Sports Athletes |Â   |Â   |Â   |Â   |Â   |Â   | | National |10% |35,000 |40,250 |46,288 |53,231 |61,215 | | Collegiate/University |5% |20,000 |23,000 |26,450 |30,418 |34,980 | |Other |3% |10,000 |11,500 |13,225 |15,209 |17,490 | |Total |33% |115,000 |132,250 |152,088 |174,901 |201,136 | 3. Market Needs Breeze Waters is providing the market with a handy water cooler that anyone can bring anytime and anywhere, and have a cold and crisp water at their beck and call. The c ompany seeks to fulfill the following benefits that are important to its customers: ? Portable/Mobile. Users can bring anywhere a water cooler to provide them with fresh and cold water anytime they want. ? Rechargeable. Permanent power source will not be needed always as the product runs through battery. Users can just bring spare batteries like for cell phones and digital cameras to continue usage of Breeze Waters. Adjustable Temperature. Users don’t just get cold water, they get the cold water they want. Drinkers of cold water have varying preference as to the degree of coldness in the water they are drinking. Some like it ice cold, some just like it chilled, and some like it depending on the weather. With this feature, Breeze Water is able to give the drinker the freedom to adjust the water’s temperature according to preference. 4. Market Trends Breeze Waters will differentiate itself from other similar products in the market in its portable and rechargeable feature . Research of the current market revealed that no product exists similar to Breeze Waters. Closest product to Breeze Waters is the typical water coolers that operate on a permanent power supply and smallest size cannot be conveniently put inside an average backpack or is too bulky to carry around. The water cooler market is composed of approximately 360,000 bottled water coolers. Over the last several years many bottled water cooler customers have migrated from bottled coolers to mains-fed plumbed-in. POU (mains-fed) water coolers now account for approximately 50% of the market. However, the migration from bottled to POU (mains-fed coolers) has all but ceased. Latest available data (2000 to 2013) showed that the total market will enjoy modest growth of 1% or 2% per annum over the next four years, with little or no change in the product mix between bottled and POU coolers. [pic] 5. Market Growth Using figures based on factual volume and financial data provided directly from members of British Water Cooler Association, the review contained some surprising results as it reported on the trends for Point of Use and Bottled Water Coolers over the last 5 years. There was a modest growth in bottled water coolers and a continuing reduction in the growth for mains fed water coolers, with improved margins for bottled coolers against plummeting margins for mains fed coolers. The same too can be expected in the Philippines as people are clamoring for clean water especially that not all places in the Philippines can provide clean water. Plus the need for cold water especially in areas without electricity is also high. Giving them the alternative of battery operated water coolers albeit in small sizes is more than welcome. [pic] 6. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis Breeze Waters has several strengths on which to bank the product, but our major weakness is the lack of brand awareness and imaging due to little investment in marketing. The major opportunity for the product is its portability and mobility which is a feature that is yet to be tapped in the bottled water cooler market. A major threat on the other hand is that of the mass availability of substitutes like bottled waters that can easily be bought from stores. Strengths a. Portability/ Mobility Breeze water comes in tumbler-like sizes of twelve (12) ounces and one (1) liter that will be easier to bring or put inside a bag for the yuppies and sportsmen that are always on the go. b. Cordless ? Breeze Waters is a water cooler that is able to cool water from a portable power source (battery pack) without any cable or cord to limit its mobility. Furthermore, the user may opt to cool his beverage at the time of drinking which gives a crisp coolness to the water instead of cold water turned tepid due to long period of time being ignored. c. Rechargeable ? The portable power source that makes Breeze Waters portable is rechargeable. Users can bring as many battery packs as they can when travelling to continue easy access to a cool/cold water anytime, anywhere. d. Adjustable temperature ? Breeze Waters is capable of adjusting the cooling level of water depending on the desired coldness of the user. Weaknesses a. Lack of brand awareness ? Breeze Waters has no established brand or image as no similar products are yet available or/or known in the market. Brand awareness will be the primary goal of advertising in the early months after the product launch. b. Small sizes ? The product’s main feature is its portability and mobility which makes the size to be inherently small. Small sizing of Breeze Waters may not satisfy users as to the volume of water they can cool at one time anytime, anywhere. To counteract this weakness, we will emphasize on the value of Breeze Waters that good things come in small packages. Opportunities a. Growing market for water cooler industry ? Customers are becoming more demanding with regard to the look, features and service of water coolers whether in the office or on the go. b. Product is in the introduction phase of product life cycle ? Breeze Waters can be a pioneer brand in the classification of portable water coolers , and intellectual property may be established. Threats a. Varying substitute products ? Instead of bringing portable water cooler in the field, consumers may just go to any retail stores to buy bottled cold drinks and a wide array of choices are available. Breeze Waters have to intensify marketing of the advantages and benefits of a portable water cooler especially in far flung areas where cold water is hard to come by due to, for instance, the absence of electricity and commercial establishments. In such cases having a cold water to drink is a luxury- a luxury that Breeze Waters only can offer. b. Aggressive cut-price competition of water coolers in the Philippine market ? This resulted to very low margins that are insufficient to offer quality delivery service to the consumers. Breeze Waters’ objective of breaking even with the second-year sales is realistic, given the low margins in the Philippine market for water coolers. 7. Competition Research of the current market revealed the absence of product similar to Breeze Waters with regards to size and features. Hence, no direct competition can be identified. However, several substitutes exist as follows: a. Portable Insulated Water Cooler Jug ? Heavy duty construction resists dents and corrosion. Extra thick insulation keeps beverage hot or cold. Screw tight insulated lid. Interior lid vent for smooth pouring. Fast flow faucet for easy pouring. b. Bottled Beverages ? Any potable liquid substance contained in a bottle. Bottled drinks are not limited to water, it also includes soda, energy drinks and others. c. Tabletop Water Cooler Tabletop water dispenser offers both hot and cold water dispensing and thermoelectric cooling. Lightweight design includes durable ABS construction, push button faucets for hot and cold drinking water, a removable drip tray, built-in cup holder, and full LED display for all functions. Hot and cold water operations have separate on/off switches . 8. Product Offerings Breeze Waters offers the following standard features: ? Operates in an ion-based battery pack capable of easy recharging and replacement ? Temperature of water may be controlled depending on the user’s preference ? Handy- sizes of twelve (12) ounces and one (1) liter ? Chic and stylish First year sales revenues are projected at 1 million, based on 50,000 units of 12 ounces and 50,000 units of 1 liter, sold of Breeze Waters at a wholesale price of 500 and 1,000 respectively. Bigger sizes of Breeze Waters will be introduced in the second year and will be focusing on providing cold water to areas without electricity, as a direct competition of main stream water coolers operating through a permanent power source. 9. Distribution Breeze Waters will be distributed through a network of wholesalers and retailers in the top 100 Philippine markets. Among the most important channel partners being contacted are: ? Electronic specialty stores Breeze Waters will be included in featured electronic must haves of the season (summer). ? Appliance Centers Leading appliance centers in the country will carry Breeze Waters in stores, in catalogs and also on-line. ? Bottle fillers To line up with the traditional water coolers and dispensers, Breeze Waters will be included as a handy and chic version of water coolers now available in the market. ? Sports apparels stores Breeze Waters will be introduced as a better and permanent substitute to conventional water jugs and tumblers as workout companion. Distribution will initially be restricted in the Philippines, with appropriates sales promotion support. Expansion outside the Philippines will follow after target sales have been reached. 10. Keys to Success The key to success is being able to engage big companies and teams to contract with Breeze Waters. Through this, the company can establish niche and loyal customer base. As the target market of the product are athletes and field workers who usually travel places, bringing Breeze Waters with them will also serve as advertisement to places where regular publicity and promotions of Breeze Waters cannot reach. 11. Critical Issues As start-up business, Breeze Waters is still in the introduction stage. The critical issues for Breeze Waters are: ? Establish itself as the premier provider cordless and portable water cooler. ? Emerging microbial control issues in cooling water systems ? Constantly monitoring consumer satisfaction, ensuring that the growth strategy will not compromise service and satisfaction levels. II. MARKETING STRATEGY Breeze Waters will aggressively be courting sports apparel shops and bottle filling stores to intensify the product’s distribution to sportsmen/athletes and industry field workers, on the first phase after product launching. Being able to attach Breeze Waters to a popular sports person or team will be a good mode of advertising and publicity for the product. The same thing with the field workers, companies can add to their usual procurement Breeze Waters product for their field personnel and even to office based workers. Being able to contract with big companies will give a steady stream of sales for Breeze Waters at least as the product goes about the introduction stage. After launching Breeze Waters, it will join the season must haves of specialty electronic stores that will present Breeze Water products as personal collectibles, gift items and the likes. Finally, Breeze Waters will join other electronic appliances and conventional water coolers and dispensers in appliance centers nationwide. 1. Mission Breeze Waters mission is to provide cold and crisp water anytime, anywhere through a portable and cordless water cooler, chic and small enough to carry around or put inside an average backpack. 2. Marketing Objectives ? Maintain positive strong growth each quarter (notwithstanding seasonal sales patterns). ? Achieve a steady increase in market penetration. ? Achieve 1% market share in the water coolers market through unit sales of 1 million in the first 2 years of operation. 3. Financial Objectives ? Sales of to achieve first year sales revenues of P5 million. ? Keep the first year losses to less than 500,000. ? Break even early in the middle of first year. 4. Target Markets As mentioned in Exhibit A above, efforts will be focused to the field workers agents and sports people who spend most of their time outdoors. 5. Positioning For professionals on the go who like their cold and crisp cold water readily available anytime, anywhere. Unlike conventional water coolers, Breeze Waters are easy enough to carry around to give the drinker instant access to cold water without the need of a permanent power source. 6. Strategies The utmost objective is to become the pioneer of cordless water coolers available in the market, serving our fieldworkers and athletes in the outdoors where access to cold and clean water is limited to stores in a given area. The marketing strategy will seek to first create customer awareness concerning the offered product. Compared to other industries, the cooler industry has a significant opportunity to use marketing and PR to drive business forward. Small distributors will be tapped given their entrepreneurial expertise. Breeze Waters will be matched with the right markets (fieldworkers and athletes primarily), and the right players within the market. In addition, we like our brand to be perceived as the pioneer in the market that delivers innovative and state of the art water coolers at reasonable prices. 7. Marketing Program ? Pricing. This will be based on a per product retail price. Distribution. Breeze Waters will be introduced to four different channels: electronic specialty stores, appliance centers, bottle fillers, and sports apparel shops. ? Advertising and Promotion. Aside from collaborating with top companies and school and national sports team, promotions will come in small packages as smal l distributors especially in rural areas will also be utilized to widen the reach of the product. Aesthetics will also play an important role in Breeze Waters advertising, as consumers are naturally drawn to attractive things and the photography we will be using reflects the quality of the products and attention to detail we put into it. Customer Service. Perpetual warranty will be provided. Breeze Waters believes that products sale is not the end of the cycle. Customer satisfaction is constant and hence perpetual. 8. Marketing Research We need to cover two main elements of market research: ? Manufacturers. We need to know the market of manufacturers in the geographic area of our target market, including market trends and developments related to manufacturers of water coolers. ? Channel Marketing. We nee to know the trends in channel competition, emergence of new channels, economics, major competitors and substitutes, new technologies and major players in the target market. Being in the introduction stage, our research is mainly secondary research generated by keeping up with the media, including trade press, international association of water cooler companies and the Internet. We should quickly establish a strong filing system so that we can use the information that appears in secondary sources and catalog and organize for effective use later on. III. Financials The following sections will outline the important financial assumptions. Breeze Waters will address break-even analysis, sales forecast, expense forecast, and indicate how these activities link to the marketing strategy. 1. Break-even Analysis The Break-even Analysis indicates what is needed in monthly revenue to break even. Break-even Analysis |12 ounce |1 Liter | |Monthly Units to break-even |1,000 |500 | |Monthly Sales break-even | 500,000. 00 | 500,000. 00 | |Assumptions: |Â   |Â   | |Average per unit revenue |500 |1000 | |Average per unit variable cost |350 |700 | |Estimated monthly fixe d cost |150,000 |150,000 | 2. Sales Forecast Breeze Waters conservatively projected its sales. It will steadily increase sales as the advertising budget allows. Our sales will have a steady minimum increase of 10% per year both for the 12 ounces and 1 liter sizes of Breeze Waters. Sales Forecast |2013 |2014 |2015 |2016 |2017 | |Sales: | | | | | | |12 Ounce Breeze Waters | 6,000,000. 00 | 6,600,000. 00 | 7,260,000. 00 | 7,986,000. 00 | 8,784,600. 00 | |1 Liter Breeze Waters | 500,000. 00 | 550,000. 00 | 605,000. 00 | 665,500. 00 | 732,050. 00 | |Total Sales | 6,500,000. 00 | 7,150,000. 00 | 7,865,000. 00 | 8,651,500. 00 | 9,516,650. 0 | | | | | | | | |Direct Cost of Sales (70% of Sales) | | | | | |12 Ounce Breeze Waters | 4,200,000. 00 | 4,620,000. 00 | 5,082,000. 00 | 5,590,200. 00 | 6,149,220. 00 | |1 Liter Breeze Waters | 350,000. 00 | 385,000. 00 | 423,500. 00 | 465,850. 00 | 512,435. 00 | |Subtotal Cost of Sales | 4,550,000. 00 | 5,005,000. 00 | 5,505,500. 00 | 6,056,050. 00 | 6 ,661,655. 00 | 3. Expense Forecast The expense forecast will be used as a tool to keep Breeze Waters on target and provide indicators when corrections/modifications are needed for the proper implementation of the marketing plan. The same with monthly sales, expenses are also expected to grow at least by 10% each year and a steady contribution margin of 30% for five years. |Monthly Expense |2013 |2014 |2015 |2016 |2017 | |Payroll | 420,000. 00 | 462,000. 00 | 508,200. 00 | 559,020. 00 | 614,922. 00 | |Sales and Marketing Expense | 600,000. 00 | 660,000. 00 | 726,000. 00 | 798,600. 00 | 878,460. 00 | |Depreciation Expense | 60,000. 00 | 66,000. 00 | 72,600. 00 | 79,860. 00 | 87,846. 0 | |Leased Equipments | 144,000. 00 | 158,400. 00 | 174,240. 00 | 191,664. 00 | 210,830. 40 | |Utilities | 120,000. 00 | 132,000. 00 | 145,200. 00 | 159,720. 00 | 175,692. 00 | |Insurance | 24,000. 00 | 26,400. 00 | 29,040. 00 | 31,944. 00 | 35,138. 40 | |Taxes | 240,000. 00 | 264,000. 00 | 290,400. 00 | 319,440. 00 | 351,384. 00 | |Total Expenses | 1,608,000. 00 | 1,768,800. 0 | 1,945,680. 00 | 2,140,248. 00 | 2,354,272. 80 | | | | | | | | |Percentage of Sales |24. 74% |24. 74% |24. 74% |24. 74% |24. 74% | |Contribution Margin | 1,950,000. 00 | 2,145,000. 00 | 2,359,500. 00 | 2,595,450. 00 | 2,854,995. 00 | |Contribution Margin/Sales |30. 00% |30. 00% |30. 00% |30. 00% |30. 00% | IV. controls This plan is about implementation, introducing new and innovative products and making it better. It is worth nothing if not implemented. In this chapter we look at specific implementation programs, and the details that it takes to make it happen. ? Implementation. The following table and chart identify the key marketing programs. Dates and budget are clearly established. Point persons are informed of their main programs and they are on board with implementation We will be tracking plan vs. actual results for each of the programs and discussing them at our monthly meetings. The programs will be revised each year. This year’s plan includes only the programs to be implemented this year. Milestones |Â   |Â   |Â   |Â   | |Corporate Identity Revisions |3-Jan |5-Feb | 10,000. 00 |KMDM | |PR Development Quotes |20-Jan |22-Oct | 20,000. 00 |ACM | |Website Online |2-Jan |30-Mar | 55,000. 00 |KNDM | |Standard Page Brochure |3-Mar |30-Apr | 50,000. 00 |KNDM | |PR: Sponsorship in schoo l leagues |12-Jun |30-Sep | 350,000. 00 |ACM | |Targeted Advertising |16-Aug |15-Nov | 100,000. 0 |KMDM | |Athletes (collegiate/national) |16-Aug |15-Nov | 500,000. 00 |ACM | |Industry Fieldworkers |11-Sep |31-Dec | 300,000. 00 |ACM | |Press Release 1 |6-Jun |6-Jun | 5,000. 00 |KMDM | |Press Release 2 |1-Dec |1-Dec | 5,000. 00 |KMDM | ? Marketing Organization. Our Marketing Department is headed by Arnold C. Madrio, a seasoned marketer exposed in various marketing efforts brought about by his previous experiences in the field. We need the marketing department to maintain its professional integrity above and beyond the specific associates looking out for our marketing goals and implementing the marketing program as best fits our strategy. ? Contingency Planning. The most likely change in the marketing scheme is adding bigger sizes of Breeze Waters and introducing the same to a different market segment. We will be keeping a close eye on the market trends related to this plan. As of today, we expect we can develop our niche and focus without direct competition from the market with the same product specifications. Worst case scenario is that Breeze Waters cannot support itself on a going concern basis and having to liquidate equipment and intellectual capital to cover liabilities.

Effects of different corticosteroids on the immune system Research Paper

Effects of different corticosteroids on the immune system - Research Paper Example The glucocorticoids are used in replacement therapies for various inflammatory diseases, in severe allergic reactions such as asthma, in the management of some autoimmune disorders and in some cancers as well (Howland, Mycek, Harvey, Champe, & Mycek, 2006). The therapeutic role of corticosteroids has expanded since their first application for the treatment of reheumatoid arthritis in 1949 (Doan, Melvold, & Waltenbaugh, 2005). Different therapeutic corticosteroids are available for replacement therapies, and they play an important immunosuppressive role by mediating the adaptive and innate immune cells of our body. Cortisol is the basic and fundamental glucocorticoid produced in the human body. The three main functions for which corticosteroids are widely used therapeutically include their use as anti-inflammatory agents, for suppression of the immune system, and as a replacement therapy for replacing the hormones not produced at normal levels by the body (NHS Choices, 2013). The prod uction of cortisol reaches its peak during the early morning followed by a drop and then again a peak, relatively smaller, in the late afternoon. Cortisol has various body functions. It promotes the production of glucose and protein catabolism and the degradation of lipids by lipolysis. Cortisol increases the body’s resistance to stress by elevating the blood glucose levels, which helps in more energy production, and fighting stress situations such as cold, trauma, infections, fright, and bleeding. Cortisol also plays an important role in decreasing the blood cell levels which include eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. This particular action is important in the treatment of leukemia. The lowering of peripheral lymphocytes and macrophages also helps in mediating an anti-inflammatory action. Cortisol increases the production of growth hormone (Howland et al., 2006). The immunosuppressive action of corticosteroids is used in the treatment of many autoimmune diso rders such as inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematous, and rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids are also helpful in treating several renal autoimmune diseases such as nephrotic syndrome (Doan, Melvold, & Waltenbaugh, 2005). Numerous corticosteroid preparations are used for therapeutic purposes. Hydrocortisone is used as a topical preparation or in an injectable form. The injections are given to reduce inflammation in joints and tendons of affected individuals. Dexamethasone is used in acute conditions such as severe breathing allergic reactions, and is utilized mainly in the intravenous form. Prednisolone is used in several autoimmune conditions and allergic reactions and is available in suppository form, injections and as oral tablets. Fludrocortisone’s fundamental usage is for Addison’s disease, in which there is a deficiency of normal body steroid production (NHS Choices, 2013). Cortef contains hydrocortisone and is readily absorbed from the gastroi ntestinal tract. It has a wide variety of indications including rheumatic disorders, adrenal insufficiency, SLE, dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, allergic conditions such as asthma, serum sickness, rhinitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, ophthalmic diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, optic neuritis, haematological diseases such as acquired haemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic

Policy Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy Report - Research Paper Example The agreement was initiated in the year 1994 comprising of complex principles as well as lengthy documents. Altogether, the principles have been documented in eight sections, 22 chapters and nearly 2000 pages. It generally sets rules for international trade as well as investment between Canada, the United States as well as Mexico (USDA, 2004). The major issues associated with NAFTA can be identified with reference to various occasions. For instance, since the agreement has been signed, a substantial deficit became gradually apparent between the three nations leading towards dislocation of resources. Furthermore, the manufacturing sector also had to witness a decline that endorsed numerous US jobs. Besides, it was observed that most of the US companies re-established their manufacturing units to Mexico at the cost of many US jobs. To mitigate such consequential effects, countries attempted to impose threat related to the re-establishment of businesses to squeeze concessions in wages and thus attain greater benefits (Office of United States Trade Representative, 2012). There are numerous parties who have been involved in resolving the issues at NAFTA including the Mexican economy, multinational companies based on any of the three countries (i.e. Mexico, Canada and United States) and US Federal Government acting as a combined decision maker bloc of Canada and the United States of America. These three parties play a vital role in assisting United States at minimising the trade deficit which was initially observed in the international trade affairs between the allied nations. The other parties involved in this process include the US companies who must have the capability to compete on the world stage, socially conscious as well as responsible organisations that are sponsoring training programs (Office of United States Trade

Relexology Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Relexology - Term Paper Example According to the theory of reflexology, different areas on the palms of hands and soles of feet correspond to various organs and glands of the body. Applying pressure on these reflex points stimulates the flow of energy. This creates a balance within the body and brings about a state of relaxation and peace of mind. In reflexology, the term reflex corresponds to ‘reflection’, and comes from the belief that these reflex areas are small mirrors that reflect the internal state of the body (Wills 2004). The oldest evidence of reflexology, dating back to 2500 BC is in the form of a painting that was found from the tomb of ancient Egyptian physician Ankmahar. This painting shows two people, one receiving a foot massage and the other getting a hand massage. Another belief that is particularly held for the reflexology techniques observed among North American Indians is that is that it originated from Incas civilization of ancient Peru in 12000 BC. In 1955, Dr. Henry Bressler pub lished a book called ‘Zone Therapy’ after studying the effects of applying pressure on certain points on feet and its effects on internal organs of the body. He wrote about the use of reflexology techniques in middle Europe countries and also stated its use to date back to the 14th century. Nevertheless, the technique of reflexology came to be realized as a definitive form of healing and therapy when Dr. William Fitzgerald, an ear nose and throat specialist documented that applying pressure to one part of the body can block pain signals in another part of the body, away from where the pressure is applied. He performed various minor surgeries involving ear, nose, jaw, face, throat and shoulder using this technique, without the need of using anesthetics (Keet 2009). In 1917, Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Edwin Bowers published their work on reflexology in their book ‘Zone therapy’. It divides the body into ten equal longitudinal zones through an imaginary line runni ng from the top of the head, down through the center of the body. Five equal zones on each side of the imaginary line end on the soles and palms. Zone one starts from the thumb, includes the arm, shoulder neck and the brain. Running downwards it moves straight towards the big toe. Zone two starts from index finger, running up to include the corresponding areas on the arm, shoulder, neck and brain, it moves down towards the second toe. The third zone starts from middle finger and includes the arm, shoulder, neck, brain and runs down towards the third toe. Zone four starts from the ring finger and includes arm shoulder neck and brain and runs down towards the fourth toe. Fifth zone starts from the little finger and extends up the arm to include shoulder, neck and brain and then down the body up to the fifth toe. Each zone includes the muscles and organs underlying its division. Dr. Fitzgerald also gave courses on reflexology and soon medical practitioners started adopting these techni ques and incorporating them in their practice. The credit for the development of this pressure point technique from ‘zone therapy’ to ‘reflexology’ goes to Eunice Ingham, who is considered as ‘mother of reflexology’ by many (Keet 2009). She related the zones on feet to the anatomical structure of the body. She also documented the higher sensitivity of feet to

Summarizing articles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summarizing articles - Essay Example He offers that such can be achieved through building relationships and complementing customers in brand marketing. In this article, the author observes that emotions supersede reason and logic whenever customers make a decision on what to buy. He points out that effective management of B2B should be focused on creating a personal relationship with the business. Here, Julie Davis, the author, points that the age of technology has enabled businesses to reach their customers through various online platforms. He advises that both B2B and B2C should listen to customers’ feedback that would enable them improve their customer service. In this article, Larry Myler focuses on B2B strategies for improved sales. Myler offers that focusing on an established goal is the first step. He proceeds to outline that such a goal should address different buyers, establish trust and reduce cost of operation amongst others. Davis argues that in order for a B2B to benefit from online marketing, it has to improve its SEO. He offers that doing so would entail trying to understand customer search habits, investment in a competent IT department and expand its SEO terms to have more traffic. Garvin Finn asserts that many B2B fail to innovate owing to the fear of change of strategy. He offers that many cling to a strategy that is not working owing to a kind of fear he terms cognitive dissonance. He advises that B2B should just explore alternative solutions. In this article, Peter Friedman observes that although millennials are techno-savvy, they should not be entirely left in charge of social media marketing. He advises that millennials would impart a B2B positively by allowing them work under a senior who directs their efforts and skills appropriately. The articles have helped me understand the topics addressed in B2B in the following ways. To begin with, the articles have helped me

Japanese culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Japanese culture - Essay Example They seek the support of supernatural powers for their rescue as well as for the solution of their difficulties. Thus, religion provides spiritual guidance and emotional relief to the humans. Being one of the most developed and cultivated countries of the contemporary world, the examining and exploration of ancient Japanese cultural traits and spiritual thought has always been a subject of great interest for the archaeologists, historians and anthropologists. However, researches find no solid records of the Japanese cult and culture in Paleolithic era; thus, either the indigenous Japanese of the Old Stone Age had perished away, or they had been invaded and killed by the outsiders during early Neolithic era. â€Å"Because no full skeletons have yet been found, it has been difficult for the archaeologists to make judgment about the racial character of the Old Stone Age Japanese.† (Varley 2000, 1) Since the Japanese maintained strong faith in Shinto belief during the first six ce nturies A.D., they used to seek spiritual inspiration from Kami, the main objects of worship according to the Shinto faith. Kami worship had been in vogue among the Japanese even under the Jomon and Yayoi dynasties, few centuries before the advent of both Christianity and Buddhism. Kami was not confined to one single object only; rather, it contained several natural phenomena including the Sun, which had always been a source of great inspiration and motivation for them. Thus, the earlier Japanese built shrines and temples of the Sun Goddess and used to seek her support for their worldly matters on the one hand, and for their spiritual uplift on the other. â€Å"The principal monument to the Sun Goddess is the Ise Shrine, which houses her image in the form of mirror the most precious object of the imperial regalia.† (Varley 2000, 17) The political establishment of the Japanese culture had also been laid on the foundation of their religious belief. Consequently, they considered their emperor as Deity, and there were no two opinions on this sensitive-most issue. Thus, the Japanese emperor was also one of the Kami objects according to Shinto belief. It is therefore the imperial Uji clan of Japan enjoyed the divine respect and status among the rest of Uji tribes. Consequently, the imperial Uji could select non-imperial Ujis as ministers even during sixth century A.D, and these appointed ministers were looked at with reverence provided they had been selected by the Kami. The ancient Japanese led very simple and barbarous life and maintained least familiarity with the tools; as a result, the invaders from the neighboring Asian regions overcame them and left indelible impact of their cult and culture on the Japanese. Hence, the Japanese had sought religious inspiration from the neighboring far eastern and south East Asian cultures. The Chinese civilization had been the most dominating one in this regards, and captured the spiritual structure of ancient Japan. T he findings reveal that the ancient Japanese were the followers of Shinto faith, which still prevails in the country. During pre-history to the first quarter of sixth century A.D., Shinto had been the central belief followed by Japanese, though basic customs and conventions of this period are unknown. The Shinto religion is now divided into different sects. â€Å"Shrine Shinto (Jinja Shinto) is the principle form, in existence from the beginning of Japanese history, through which others act. Folk Shinto (Minzoku Shinto) is a sub-string of this, centered on the veneration

Summarizing articles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summarizing articles - Essay Example He offers that such can be achieved through building relationships and complementing customers in brand marketing. In this article, the author observes that emotions supersede reason and logic whenever customers make a decision on what to buy. He points out that effective management of B2B should be focused on creating a personal relationship with the business. Here, Julie Davis, the author, points that the age of technology has enabled businesses to reach their customers through various online platforms. He advises that both B2B and B2C should listen to customers’ feedback that would enable them improve their customer service. In this article, Larry Myler focuses on B2B strategies for improved sales. Myler offers that focusing on an established goal is the first step. He proceeds to outline that such a goal should address different buyers, establish trust and reduce cost of operation amongst others. Davis argues that in order for a B2B to benefit from online marketing, it has to improve its SEO. He offers that doing so would entail trying to understand customer search habits, investment in a competent IT department and expand its SEO terms to have more traffic. Garvin Finn asserts that many B2B fail to innovate owing to the fear of change of strategy. He offers that many cling to a strategy that is not working owing to a kind of fear he terms cognitive dissonance. He advises that B2B should just explore alternative solutions. In this article, Peter Friedman observes that although millennials are techno-savvy, they should not be entirely left in charge of social media marketing. He advises that millennials would impart a B2B positively by allowing them work under a senior who directs their efforts and skills appropriately. The articles have helped me understand the topics addressed in B2B in the following ways. To begin with, the articles have helped me

The extent to which the understanding of the history and development Essay

The extent to which the understanding of the history and development of business help in the understanding of business today - Essay Example The extent to which the understanding of the history and development of business helps in the understanding of business today depends on the effectiveness of economic policies instilled in the past. An examination of the history of some of the successful corporations reveals that most big companies were based on diversified groups. This is because they could take advantage of the economic scales easily because of the characteristics of the internal markets. It is also evident that authoritarian regimes helped in the development of businesses. This can help in the development of business today because it enables individuals make wise choices regarding the development of the economy (Trompenaar, and Wooliams, 2003). An understanding of the history behind the development of business helps in understanding of business today because the economic policies that were used in the past. This is because they ensured the restriction of imports and the growth of exports, which enhances the develo pment of businesses in terms of investments. It is evident that, in the past, companies did not pay attention on light labour intensive sectors. This is likely to help in the development of business today because the cost of labor will be low, causing the company to gain extra profits. History also depicts that there are governments that intervened by supporting private companies, therefore, enhancing the development of businesses. ... The development of business models has enhanced the establishment of businesses by enhancing businesses with architecture of value creation. An examination of the history of development of business reveals that the development of business ethics has also helped in enabling businesses adhere to their daily dealings. Business ethics help in the development of business by enhancing the interaction of businesses all over the world (Trompenaar, and Wooliams, 2003). How does the nature of globalization help in the understanding of business today? Globalization refers to the expansion of investments, trade and business interactions worldwide. The nature of globalization has helped in understanding business today in that it has enhanced prosperity for most businesses. Most people who support free trade claim that globalization enhances the creation of opportunities for businesses. It is thought that when a business is allowed to offer its resources to the global market place, then the busine ss is likely to improve. Globalization tends to increase competition resulting to the growth of businesses because of the development of new products (Hopkins, 2004).   Globalization has enhanced the development of business today because it not only increases the need for the acquisition of knowledge concerning cultural differences, but it helps in the establishment of cooperate cultures. History depicts that globalization has caused businesses to transfer experts from one country to another in an attempt to enhance the development of the business. Globalization helps in the development of the business because it enhances an understanding of the communication styles, cultural influences and the social behaviors of different societies. It has enhanced an

Competence in the Work Environment Essay Example for Free

Competence in the Work Environment Essay 2.1Compare the strengths and weaknesses of assessment methods. Assessment can take place in a variety of settings, such as classrooms, lecture rooms, workplaces (or in a simulation of workplace conditions), community and training establishments or examination halls. No matter where it takes place or what form it takes, assessment always involves observation, evaluation, or questioning or a combination of some or all of the three. There are many different methods of assessment, a few regularly used are:-observation, evaluation or questioning. Whether they are used formatively or summatively, the most important issue is whether the assessment is appropriate for the intended outcome. Each learner is initially given a learning styles questionnaire to complete. From this questionnaire the assessor can establish which from assessment may suit the learner best. Observation The assessor observes the learners as they carry out tasks defined in the standards for the qualification. This observation often takes place in the workplace, or the conditions of the workplace, but it can also be carried out in any other place where the learner is undertaking practical activities which is a positive. Assessors should ideally plan observations to take advantage of any skills or activities that occur naturally in the learning environment, and to make the best use of the available resources. There are times however when an assessor may spontaneously observe a learner carry out a task which can be written up as an observation. One of the weaknesses of observations is that some learners amy beome self –concious or shy/embarresed and feel they are ‘being watched and graded’. The residents or clients may also act differently if they are aware that an observation is taking place and can lead to a distorted picture of the true nature of the learners role . Evaluation In some areas, as learners work towards achieving their qualifications they will generate evidence in the form of products of their work. This is the case in qualifications in Health and Social care for instance which is primarily a work-based or practical qualification. Learners may produce CVs, diet plans, weight charts, reflective accounts which can all be used to assess their knowledge in a chosen subject area. These can be incredibly posistive and allow the learner to reflect and be proud of his/her practices and positives. The weakness with evalution is that it has to be done correctly, with enough time to explore areas that may need extra work and encourage the learner in a positive way. Questioning and discussions with the learner Questioning can be used whenever an assessor wants to assess knowledge and understanding and the various different applications of knowledge such as reasoning, planning, analysing and evaluating. Questioning can be used to: * confirm knowledge and understanding where it is not apparent from performance * Address gaps in knowledge and understanding in performance based units * Authenticate evidence by asking learners to explain part of the evidence and/or describe the process of producing it * Assess contingencies where it would not be practical or safe to wait until the skill or activity can be observed * You can use oral or written questions, depending on the requirements of the outcomes of units being assessed and the circumstances of the assessment. Your choice of method should reflect any special assessment requirements your learners may have. For example, some learners do not respond well to written questions — in any case, you should always ensure that the appropriate reading level is used Discussions give the assessor the opportunity to gauge the learner’s knowledge and highlight areas lacking which can be taught at a later date. A weakness in discussions and questioning is that the assessor has to be careful not to lead or prompt or give the answer to the learner as it may not be valid. Outcome 3Understand how to plan assessment 3.1Key factors when planning assessment When planning an assessment there are a number of factors to be considered. Who are you assessing? What do you want them to achieve? Where will the assessment take place? How long do you have? Once you have answered these you then need to look at applying a holistic approach. Using a holistic approach means that many areas of work and outcomes can be covered at the same time. The assessment process isn’t just about watching a learner complete a task it is about, discussion, planning, implementing and reflection. Areas of risk that may be involved when I assess a learner in the care setting are minimal but may still arise. An example of this would be assessing a learner carrying out a manual handling task. Has the learner had the appropriate training to carry out the task? Is there a piece of equipment involved and has it been tested for use. Is the learner competent and confident to carry out the task? Do I feel that I have assessed any risk involved and am I happy for my learner to proceed? If I am not happy at anytime then the assessment will be stopped and a further risk assessment carried out. During the initial meeting the learner will have completed a Learning Styles Questionnaire, this should have highlighted any areas such as advanced learning needs or dyslexia and the planning of an assessment should take this into consideration. 3.2 Benefits of using holistic assessment Using a holistic assessment enables the assessor to cover a large range of outcomes in a number of diploma units with one piece of evidence. Holistic assessment may for example cover infection control and manual handling. By referencing outcomes well the learner will see that good progress is being made and opportunities area taken. It saves time from both the learners and the assessor’s point of view. 3.3 How to apply holistic assessment when planning assessment As the assessor meets with the learner and plans each technical certificate or unit of work they should be thinking about how best a holistic assessment would fit into the plan and how it can be cross referenced. The learner must then be in agreement and sign the plan. 3.4Summarise the types of risk that may be involved in assessment When talking about ‘risk’ there are a number of different kinds. There is physical/environmental risk to learner, client and assessor and there is emotional/psychological risk. Environmental issues in care setting such as fire, health and safety, trip hazards, the clients themselves. Emotionally learners could feel they are being pushed if too much work is given at once or they may not feel they are being challenged enough. This creates unrealistic and unnecessary risk stress on the learner and is far from beneficial and conducive to good work being produced. 3.5.1 How to minimise risks through the planning process. Plan number one that is produced with the learner will have ensured that the learner is working in safe conditions and if needed any risk assessments have been done, i.e. if the learner is under 18 years old. The plan will also check that the employer’s insurance liability is up to date. The assessor will discuss with the learner how best to handle their work load to cause minimum stress. Some learners prefer large assignments whilst others prefer small chunks at a time. By knowing your learner you will know whether their work is authentic and justifiable, it is important that they are told about not copying and pasting articles as their own work and explain to them what plagiarism is. Outcome 4Understand how to involve learners and others in assessment 4.1 Explain the importance of involving the learner and others in the assessment process There are a large number of reasons why it’s so important to involve the learner in assessment. The diploma is for the candidate, it’s their work, and there goals and they need to feel as if they own it. By clear involvement the learner will know what is expected from them and clearly understand the standards and criteria. By involving others in the planning such as senior colleagues and managers then witness statements can be provided, time allocated for learning and support. 4.2 Types of information available to learners. In order for a learner to complete their diploma they should be given any necessary teaching and resources. This may include handouts, oral teaching sessions and websites to look at. Other types of information are items such as standards and the criteria they need to meet. The learner will be told how the evidence is gathered an in what format such as written accounts, reflective accounts, observations. 4.3 How can peer and self-assessment be used to promote learner involvement and responsibility? 4.4How can assessment arrangements be adapted to meet the needs of the individual learner? Each candidate’s assessment needs must be considered in relation to the assessment being undertaken. Most candidates will require more than one assessment arrangement. For example, candidates who have a visual impairment, hearing imparient or advanced learning needs . Outcome 5Understand how to make assessment decisions 5.1 When judging evidence we use the following terms:- Valid, authentic, current and sufficient. When assessing a learner’s evidence as an assessor I have to be satisfied that the work submitted is the learners own work and not plagiarised from a book or the internet. It is often easy to tell when this happens as the terms used and flow of the writing changes. Within the realms of health and social care the standards, policies and procedures are continually updated to ensure national standards are met, with this in mind it is important that the learners work is current and up to date with knowledge that his relevant and not historical. I also have to consider whether the work submitted is sufficient, has it covered the entire outcome required and does it show an understanding of the subject. 5.2 In order for assessment decisions to be reliable and fair between learners there are a set of learning outcomes and criteria that have to be achieved. Each learner is made aware of these outcomes and criteria and their work should demonstrate this. Each learner is assessed against the criteria and outcomes. Outcome 6Understand how your assessments contribute to the quality assurance of assessment 6.1 6.2 6.3 There is great importance of quality assurance in the assessment process as it shows whether the performance targets are being met against national standards that are in place. Within my workplace all work is quality assured by an Internal Verifier (IV). The IV is qualified and occupationally competent in the subject that they verify. The role of the IV is to provide support, advice and guidance to the assessing team. The IV holds regular standardisation meetings with the assessors and also gives one-to-one support and feedback on learner’s portfolios. When the portfolios of learners have been assessed and internally verified, and all the assessment criteria have been met, the IV should arrange for the centre to apply for certification for those learners. This will prompt a visit from the External Verifier to confirm the assessment and verification decisions made at the centre. The IV is responsible for ensuring that the details of the learners applying for certification, the assessor(s) involved, and the IV activity in relation to those assessors. The EV will visit the centre to verify the assessment and internal verification decisions made by centre staff. Where there are large numbers of learners this is normally done on a sampling basis. The sample is selected by the EV, to allow them to verify the work of all assessors across a range of evidence types and performance criteria and is based on the IV’s sampling plan. It may be necessary for the EV to sample more portfolios than was originally planned, or all the portfolio s in the group, so all portfolios should be available on the day of the EV’s visit. If a learner feels †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Outcome 7Understand how to manage information relating to assessment of occupational competence 7.1 7.2 It is important to follow procedures for the management of information relating to assessment for a number of reasons. The assessor should regularly update learning records to provide accurate information on the learner’s achievement. At my place of work we use a computer system called ‘Zylab’ which tracks each learner’s progress through a colour chart system. The up to date information contributes to evidence of quality assurance and standardisation, pointing out learners that need extra help or who are falling behind. I use the Zylab forms to show my learners how they are progressing, to see a visual representation of progress and can be extremely rewarding and increases willingness to learn and achieve. The use of feedback and questioning during the assessment process allows me as an assessor to clarify and judge the learners understanding and knowledge in certain areas. Giving critical feedback to someone is a delicate process. It is very important to assure that you approach the task with sensitivity to the persons feelings to avoid the common problem of a very defensive reaction. An example of giving positive, negative and positive feedback is:- You really did an excellent job with that Communication essay everybody has been very impressed! In the future, it would be better to avoid naming people that havent accepted all the methods you outline. Its great that you put so much thought into this and a lot of people are going to benefit from it! This is often referred to as a feedback sandwich. Outcome 8Understand the legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment 8.1 The organisation that I work for has legal requirements, polices and procedures in relation to assessment. Each visit to see a learner I ask whether there have been any incidents that have occurred, either emotionally or from a health and safety perspective. If there has been then I check an incident form has been completed (if appropriate), what measures have been put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again and I take time to listen to the learner express themselves. All work undertaken is dealt with in a confidential manner. No names of places, clients, service users or staff are used in portfolio evidence and the learner knows that they can talk to me in a confidential manner. Clear records of learning are kept for all learners as mentioned before we use Zylab sheets which must be updated every Friday. The organisation has a responsibility to ensure that all learners are given equal opportunity to develop and learn and the organisation recognises the diversity in each on e. 8.2 The use of technology can make in the assessment process is invaluable. I have a learner with advanced learning needs who really struggles with writing and spelling. To overcome this we use a Dictaphone and use the recording as oral evidence. The organisation now offers on line training which for many learners is ideal as the use of computers within day to day lives and workplaces becomes far more common. It has to be remembered though that there are older learners that we assess that don’t have the computer skills and would rather use a paper portfolio. Each learner needs to be assessed as an individual. 8.3 There are legal and best practice requirements that have to be met in relation to assessment with regards to gender, disability, race/culture/religion and language. Each learner that enrols on a course is initially assessed as to any factors which could lead to advanced learning needs. These needs may be due to language barriers, religion or culture. For every learning need identified the organisation has a duty to ensure each one is recognised and the appropriate support is given.