Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Virgin Group Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Virgin Group Company - Essay Example The Virgin Group is considered to be one of the world’s Superbrands, receiving regular industry-generated rewards and accolades for establishment of a successful business model built on effective marketing promotion. Maintaining presence in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, this multi-national organization maintains significant brand recall and recognition worldwide that gives it many new market entry advantages for foreign direct investment. A Virgin Group Company, Virgin Galactic, was founded in 2004 under the premise of providing space tourism to consumers whilst also advancing aerospace knowledge through a business model that supports space-based research. Virgin Galactic is currently working under a multitude of partnerships with reputable agencies such as NASA to develop space-faring tourism vehicles slotted for launch in 2013. The company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, is currently doling out millions of Pounds to license Virgin Galactic produ cts and services, attempting market entry in the United States for this revolutionary and innovative brand supported by Virgin Group superbrand status. This report highlights the impact of globalisation in this new market, the competitive advantages gained through this new business model, and provides a critical evaluation of market entry strategy developed by Virgin Group and Richard Branson. 2. The dynamics of Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic is still in the development and construction phases in the space tourism industry. In 2009, Virgin Group contracted with Aabar Investments PJSC in the United Arab Emirates in which the company agreed to invest $280 million USD to assist in developing the space tourism industry (Space News 2009). Aabar Investments took a 32 percent ownership in Virgin Galactic, making them one of the largest venture capitalists supporting the Virgin brand. NASA, an American space organisation, also invested over 1.5 billion dollars to rent lab space in suborbit al vessels and for contract to resupply the International Space Station upon launch of Virgin Galactic’s service (Del Castillo 2012). The space tourism industry is an untapped market, an innovation from conception to actual impending launch. To facilitate all of the operational components necessary to achieve a viable space tourism business model, Virgin Galactic must invest considerable capital resources. This involves establishing a cost effective and efficient supply chain consisting of multiple vendors in multiple industries (e.g. technology, metallurgy, software support systems, etc.). Virgin Galactic is currently developing an entire fleet of space tourism vehicles, each vessel maintaining its own focus for research and development as well as consumer-centric tourism services. The United States represented the most viable market for entry due to the ease of distribution supported by a vast and well-developed distribution infrastructure in the country and the consumer in terest in space tourism as a potential lifestyle enhancement. To achieve the return on investment required on preliminary capital expenditures in the billions of dollars, Virgin Galactic had to identify a target market that would provide the best opportunity for revenue production upon launch of the tourism model. Figure 1: Ghemawat + AAA strategic framework applicable to Virgin Galactic Source: Ning, L. (2012). The most important

Monday, October 28, 2019

Appalachian Mountains Essay Example for Free

Appalachian Mountains Essay The â€Å"Appalachian Mountains† refers to the mountain range that covers most part of the eastern North America and some sections of another country, the neighboring Canada. Professionals believe that the Appalachian Mountains is divided into three; the south part, the north part and the central portion of the Appalachian Mountains. The presence of the Appalachian Mountain range is important for the US because of several reasons. One of the reasons is that the Appalachian Mountains act as a dividing line separating the Midwest territory of the US from its eastern seaboard via the Eastern Continental Divide, which traces a path alongside the Appalachian Mountain range starting from Pennsylvania leading up to Georgia. There are also other important roles that the Appalachian Mountain range play and it can be socially, economically and geographically. Another important characteristic that is attached to the Appalachian Mountains and it formation is that it marked the beginning of plate collisions which was in turn responsible for the building of several mountains and mountain ranges in the planet, and this mountain building phenomena was believed to be responsible for the creation of Pangaea (Klyza and Trombulak 14). Because of the importance of the Appalachian Mountain range, studies on its geological aspect have been undertaken for years now. The Appalachian Mountains is believed to have undergone a series of different physical transformations and the movements that the Appalachian Mountains experienced throughout its history and creation have made it what it is today. Like other mountain ranges in the world, the Appalachian Mountains, at various times through ages, have risen to great heights from the sea or have been continental rock covered by shallow oceans (Adkins 49). The geological history of the Appalachian Mountains is a very important and very interesting topic to delve on. Because of this, the focus of the paper is centered in discussing the different aspects of the changes that happened on the Appalachian Mountain ranges, from its creation, the timeline involved and the processes that shaped the formation of the Appalachian Mountains from the start until today. When did they form? Most experts believe that the geology of the Appalachian Mountain ranges goes as far back as nearly 500 million years ago, particularly around 480 millions years ago. The timeline of the formation of the Appalachian Mountain ranges involved the changes that happened in several different eras. According to professionals, as far back as the Paleozoic Era there were already movements happening in the natural rock formation of the planet that lead towards the creation of the Appalachian Mountain ranges. This was particularly in the era’s Ordovician Period which was believed to be the time where rock movements led to the rising of the Appalachian Mountain ranges and its transformation from an erstwhile buried state, being submerged underwater during earlier times (Geologic Provinces 3). After the Paleozoic Era, there were still changes that affected the Appalachian Mountains. During the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era, structure and feature changes affected the creation of Appalachian Mountains, and some uplifting in the rock formation during the Cenozoic Era also contributed to some of the changes that happened in the Appalachian Mountains (Geologic Provinces 8). How did the Appalachian Mountains Form? The Appalachian Mountain range is a very complex and very old natural geological feature of the planet. The physical characteristics of Appalachian Mountains provide the observer with hints and clues towards how the Appalachian Mountain range was formed and what processes were involved in the formation of this particular mountain range. A major characteristic of its geology is the presence of elongate belts composed of marine sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, as well as parts of an ancient ocean floor. These are all impacted by thrust faulting and folding processes that shaped the Appalachian Mountain ranges from how it was during its initial formation up to how it is now after years of constant transformation owed to the natural rock movements that impact natural geological formation of rocks on the planet (Adkins 50). Before it would rise up and become a mountain range, the region where the Appalachian was to rise from was considered as a passive plate margin. Because of this, there are times when the area is found underwater, buried by sea water under a sea that was nonetheless shallow, especially since there were also periods where it was above water. The Appalachian region would not remain passive forever, and the change from being passive to being active happened during the Ordovician Period, wherein plate motion movements changed and paved the way for the Taconic orogenym or what is known as mountain building event, in this case the first during the Paleozoic Era. By this time, the Appalachian is already considered as a plate boundary that is very active in its movements (Geologic Provinces 3). The Iapetus, another oceanic plate situated close to the Appalachian, was considered to collide against the Appalachian. Because the collision eventually sank, it submerges itself under the craton of North America. Because of what was happening in Appalachia and what has happened in the Iapetus, there was a resulting creation of what is known as the new subduction zone. The creation of this new particular feature was believed to be the birth of what would be known today as the Appalachian Mountain ranges (Chapter 2: Plate T-11. Appalachian Mountains 11). The Taconic orogeny was not the first mountain building plate collisions that helped create and develop the Appalachian Mountain Ranges, because there are still a series of other plate collisions that is set to happen that impacted mountain building, particularly the building of the mountains of the Appalachians. Several other orogenies, like the Caledonian orogeny, the Acadian orogeny, the Quachita orogeny, the Hercynian, orogeny as well as the Allegheny orogeny all contributed to the mountain building process that shaped the Appalachian Mountain ranges (Chapter 2: Plate T-11. Appalachian Mountains 5). As the Appalachian Mountain range was developing through the years, experts believed that at one point, it was standing as high as, or even higher than the height of the present day Himalayas. This is largely because of the consistent collision of ancient continents that pushed the mass of land upwards and raised mountains like the Appalachian higher and higher. The activity in the rock features shaping and re-shaping several geological features like the Appalachian mountain ranges experienced change, leading towards being still once again after the Pangea continent started to break apart during the Mesozoic Era. After this, erosion took over, and the once towering Appalachian was transformed into a vast plain. But this situation would not remain permanent. There were new waves of uplifting that would affect the region in the near future following its transition towards becoming a vast plain, and the uplifting allowed the Appalachian to rise up again, particularly during the Cenozoic Era (Geologic Provinces 7). What Geologic Processes were Available for the Formation? There were several geological processes that contribute to the shaping of the features of the Appalachian mountain ranges and the creation of the Appalachian mountain range itself. The most important perhaps is the plate collisions, which pushed the rocks upward to create the mountain range. Erosion was also part of the history of the formation of the Appalachian Mountain ranges. It comes into play during the time when the Appalachian region was flattened, a temporary state since the mountains will eventually be a towering feature again in this area after activity in rock movements resume and allowed the Appalachian mountain range to rise up. Other geological movements, like thrust faulting, are also at play throughout the history of the Appalachian mountain range. Criticisms Despite the presence of the theory on how the Appalachian Mountain ranges was created, there are still criticisms that challenge existing belief by providing newly discovered data involving the geological events and changes directly involved in the shaping and re-shaping the Appalachian Mountains. This is normal especially since the information on the Appalachian mountain range formation is not yet set on stone especially since there are still gapping holes that are not closed because of the absence of solid proofs to support scientific claims. One of the criticisms was raised in 2006 after scientists believed that they have found new evidence that can change how experts look at the formation of the Appalachian mountain ranges. According to an Ohio University professor, the ocean involved in the collision that started the creation of the Appalachian mountain ranges was not Iapetus but rather Rheic (Ohio University 7), which was believed to have been closed down after the collision between Gondwana and North America, leading to the formation of Pangea and the creation of Appalachian Mountain ranges (Ohio University 8). There are also those which point to other assumptions involving the Appalachian mountain ranges. Some believe that there were other mountain ranges and chains involved or interconnected with the Appalachian mountain ranges during the millions of years of its rise and erosion. What is today traditionally called the Appalachian Mountains really represents several different mountain chains, formed at different times over a span of at least 130 million years (Klyza, Trombulak 14). But despite the criticisms, the study and understanding of the Appalachians contribute significantly in scientific study. The scientific attitude and approach towards understanding and studying tectonics as well as mountain-building was developed largely by the efforts to study the Appalachian mountain ranges. Other plate tectonic concepts, even those that involve the studying of how oceans open and close before, was also influenced significantly by the study on Appalachian mountain range formation (Chapter 2: Plate T-11. Appalachian Mountains 3). Conclusion The history of the Appalachian Mountain ranges is something that is eventful and important today because it is significantly important to other important aspects of world history, like the formation of super-continents and its breaking apart, influencing the geography that modern world has today. Understanding this phenomenon may not be as easy but modern literature is growing and growing to provide more information about this aspect. Works Cited Adkins, Leonard M. Appalachian Trail: A Visitors Companion. Menasha Ridge Press, 1998. â€Å"Chapter 2: Plate T-11. Appalachian Mountains. † National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 6 October 2008. 25 February 2009 http://daac. gsfc. nasa. gov/geomorphology/GEO_2/GEO_PLATE_T-11. shtml. â€Å"Geologic Provinces of the United States: Appalachian Highlands Province. † United States Geological Survey (USGS). 13 January 2004. 25 February 2009 http://geomaps. wr. usgs. gov/parks/province/appalach. html. Klyza, Christopher McGrory and Trombulak, Stephen C. The Story of Vermont: A Natural and Cultural History. Middlebury College Museum of Art. 1999. Ohio University. â€Å"Geologists Find New Origins Of Appalachian Mountains. † Science Daily. 17 November 2006. February 24, 2009, from http://www. sciencedaily. com/releases/2006/11/061117123212. htm.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

B/M Ratio Essay -- Research Analysis

We can see from regression I of Panel A and B that B/M is highly significant relative to the future returns, which are consistent with the B/M effect theory. The B/M effect for NOA/P^NOAï ¹ ¤1 data also cannot be rejected for the ambiguous t-statistic. Similarly, the enterprise B/M ratio is confirmed by regression II. The testing results for one factor model of financial leverage (ND/M) presents that the financial leverage is not significantly relative to future returns, or even negatively relative to future returns. It is an anomalous phenomenon that the leverage (financial risk) reduces the expected returns, but it may be explained by the negative association between leverage and operating risk. Actually, these results are also consistent with also correlation analysis in Table 2. When NOA/P^NOA≠§1, leverage is positively and insignificantly relative to the NOA/P^NOA. However, when NOA/P^NOAï ¹ ¤1, leverage is negatively relative to NOA/P^NOA. Regression V shows the leverage coefficient under controlling for operating risk (enterprise B/M ratio). For full sample tests, the coefficient is insignificant which means we cannot get any reliable conclusions from this result. And for NOA/P^NOA ≠§1, the coefficient is insignificantly positive, for NOA/P^NOAï ¹ ¤1, the coefficient is significantly negative. If we split the ND/M ratio into financial liabilities/market value and financial assets/ market value like in regression VII, FA/P coefficients are significantly positive in all of three panels, but the FL/P negatively or insignificantly relative to future returns. It indicates that the high future return premium is awarded for the high operating risk rather than financial risk. As the financial leverage is insignificant in some regressions, we u... ...returns, and this association is even insignificant for most NOA/P^NOA portfolios. The only exception is in the highest two NOA/P^NOA portfolios, highest ND/M portfolios give higher returns than lowest ND/M portfolios. Similarly with US evidence, the findings in UK evidence suggest that the UK FTSE 350 stock returns are inconsistent with PRT’s equation 2. In Panel B of table 4, we use similar methods with Panel A to spilt the year-firm observations into 10 portfolios, and sort these observations into five groups by B/M ratio rather than leverage ratio. According to PRT equation 1, if NOA/P^NOA >1, a higher leverage ratio will lead to a higher B/M ratio; if (NOA )/P^NOA 1, a higher return the higher B/M ratio.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Lower Levels of Convictions of Woman for Criminal Offences Essay

Assess explanations that sociologists have offered for lower levels of convictions of woman for criminal offences Sociologists have offered explanations for lower levels of convictions for woman for criminal offences. For example women are treated more leniently and woman are socialised to commit less crime in the first place. Most crime appears to be committed by men. According to recent national statistics men are four times more likely to commit a crime than woman. For example official statistics suggests there are gender differences in the types of crimes committed such as men committee violent crime and woman committee shoplifting. One explanation for the lower levels of convictions of women is that they are treated more leniently. One explanation that has been put forward is that the agents of criminal justice such as police officers, magistrates and judges are men and men are socialised to act in a chivalrous manner towards women. In the 1950s Pollack argued that men felt they had to protect women, so the criminal justice system is more lenient towards them. So there are some crimes that are less likely to turn into official statistics. This then does not give an accurate understanding in rates of offending and official statistics will show the extent of gender differences. Women are also more likely than men to be cautioned rather than prosecuted. For example, the Ministry of justice figures for 2009, show that 49% of female offenders were cautioned compared to only 30% of men. Similarly Hood’s study of over 3,000 defendants found that woman were about one-third less likely to be jailed in similar cases. However, there is evidence against the chivalry thesis. Box argues women who commit serious offences are not treated more favourably than men. He argues women show remorse which may be why they get cautioned rather than going to court. Heidensohn argues that in fact when women commit more serious crimes and deviate from expected norms of behaviour they are punished more harshly. For example stereotypical gender roles influence judges decisions. Heidensohn accepts there has been an increase in female crime but it’s due to poverty and being socially marginalised. Walklate argues that in rape case it is often not the defendant who is on trial but the victim. Steffensmeier argues that women are treated more leniently in court because judges are reluctant to separate woman from their children. Another reason that could explain lower conviction rates for women is that they are socialised to commit less crime in the first place. Functionalists argue that lower levels of females crime can be explained by gender role socialisation and the expressive role that Parsons argues is the one that women take on within the home. While men go out to work and take the instrumental role as provider, women are socialised to be gentle and nurturing. Parsons argues that boys reject feminine role models they engage in what Parson calls compensatory compulsory masculinity and become aggressive and anti-social behaviour which can slip over into an act of delinquency. Cohen argues that boys that are more likely to join gangs to gain stats and identity. Whereas the girls have their mothers as role models which means they are less likely to behave in anti-social ways. However, critics of the sex role theory are that this view is dated and boys and girls have different role models and influences in their life to the ones illustrated by Parsons. Walklate criticises sex role theory for its biological assumptions. Parson assumes that women are best suited to the expressive role as women gave birth to children. Feminists are interested in how patriarchal society controls women, and this control might explain lower levels of criminality and therefore lower conviction rates. Heidensohn argues the most different thing about women’s behaviour is how conformist it is as women commit fewer crimes than men. Heidensohn notes that women are controlled in a number of ways. For example women are controlled by the amount of time they have to spend looking aft er home and children. Also in the public domain women are controlled by the threat of male violence especially sexual violence. The Islington Crime Survey found that 54% of women avoided going out alone. This therefore reduces their opportunity to offend. However Carlen explains how some women commit crime when they are let down by patriarchal society. It is the failure of patriarchal society to deliver the promised deals that removes the controls. Cohen argues that working class women are led to conform by what she calls the class deal which is being offered rewards at work that allow a good standard of living. Also the gender deal where women have rewards from family life by living a normal domestic gender role. Critics argue that this underplays the importance of free will and choice in offending. Adler argues that as society changes so women may turn to crime. He uses the liberation thesis to argue that as women become liberated from patriarchy female crime rates will rise. As society changes so too have women’s roles within it. There is evidence to support this for example female offending rates have risen. However, critics argue that female crime rates started growing in the 1950s before the women’s liberation movement. In conclusion, the main reason why there are lower levels of convictions of women is because the criminal justice system is more lenient towards women. This is due to men protecting the women and official statistics show that men are more likely to commit crime than women.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

To Kill a Mockingbird- How Maturity Affects the Characters

When growing up in today's world, people must face the many challenges of maturing. Whether it is physically, emotionally, or mentally, every person matures individually. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the court trial of Tom Robinson matures three main characters in the book. They learn what growing up is all about. Jem, Scout, and Dill are the most affected by the trial and all matures throughout the book. Jem specifically matures throughout the process of the Tom Robinson case and learns a positive lesson from the trial.After seeing the unfair way Tom Robinson was treated, Jem wants to protect and care for people no matter their age, skin color, reputation and personality. Jem also learns a few lessons from Atticus regarding the judgement of others. At the beginning of Chapter 25, His sister Scout is about to kill a roly-polly bug, Jem stops her and she asks why, Jem responds, â€Å"Because they don't bother you. † (Lee 320) This quote relates to when Atticus teaches Sc out and Jem about the importance lesson of not to kill a mockingbird because they do not harm anyone and sing their hearts out.Jem takes this lesson, the way Tom Robinson was treated just for his skin color, and uses it, as a result of becoming more mature and sharing the lesson with Scout when stopping her. Atticus teaches his children very well about the meaning of treating everyone equally no matter what they hear from the people around them. Scout is who she is because of the way Atticus raises her. Scout learns from Atticus through the Tom Robinson case what can happen  when you lose hope and courage. During the second half of the novel, courage is portrayed by all blacks and Atticus as he fights for the case of Tom Robinson, but Tom Robinson has lost all hope.Scout is devastated by this but also learns bad things can happen when you lose hope and courage. Atticus is the first to teach Scout this important lesson, he says, â€Å"real courage is when you know you're licked be fore you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what†, he continues by saying, â€Å"You rarely win, but sometimes you do†. (149) Scout learns how courage is important through Atticus and Tom Robinson's case, and this is an important aspect of growing up and maturing. While Scout and Jem are maturing quickly because of Atticus's influence, Dill Harris, the outsider of Maycomb County, matures urely but slowly when is exposed to the Tom Robinson case.He still shows child-like aspects such as crying uncontrollably at the injustice of Tom Robinson being treated so differently from the white witnesses. He also shows signs of maturity when Tom Robinson's trial is in action. Scout claims that Tom Robinson is just a Negro, therefore it does not matter all that much, Dill responds maturely and says, â€Å"I don't care one speck. It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do ‘Em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talking' like that, it just makes me sick. (266) Dill sees Tom Robinson for the mockingbird he really is. Jem,Scout, and Dill all learn lessons that impact their life and affect their maturity. A few of these lessons are learned from the Tom Robinson case. Learning to not judge people for what they hear, taking responsibility, and learning right from wrong are all a part of growing up, they do just that. It might be challenging, but courage and bravery bring them through it. As long as it may take, everyone grows up in one way or another, whether it is physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Third World Development essays

Third World Development essays Understanding the nature and types of underdevelopment is the key to analyzing the degree of severity in which a state is underdeveloped. The term underdeveloped can describe several different situations. These different types of underdevelopment are economic, social, and political. Underdeveloped nations may experience a combination of these types ranging in different degrees of severity. These different types also affect each other as they naturally interact. Handelman explained this perfectly when he said that wealthier, more educated countries...tend to be more stable, responsive, and democratic than desperately poor nations (11). More economically advanced countries can educate more of their population and provide better health care. An educated citizenry, in turn, contributes to economic growth and participates in politics more responsibly (10). These aspects clearly influence each other, and thus can influence progress or regression. Religion also plays a huge role in the nature of a society. If that society is based on a particular religion and the government subscribes to that religious doctrine, then the society will follow the religion before it follows the example of other societies, thus impeding progress. However, depending on the religious movement, progressive religion can actually provide a median for progress. In Latin America, the progressive Church offered a shield against political repression and a voice for the poor. As different as they are, Islamic revivalism and the progressive Catholic Church both received much of the impetus from government repression and corruption. In short, the resurgence of Third World religion was, in part, a reaction to the deficiencies of modernization and the political-economic order (43). Religious fundamentalism can cause hostility within a state as well as strained relations with other states. ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

School Entry Essay

School Entry Essay School Entry Essay School Entry Essay: How to Cope with Entering a school is always an exciting and interesting event in the life of any person. Of course, all this bustle with the choice of the school, new hopes and dreams, meetings and opportunities are really thrilling. Entering school is very stirring, without doubts. However, you do not have to forget about your school entry essay writing. A successful school essay is your ticket to the new life full of surprises and fun. That is why you have to treat your school entry essay writing too seriously: School Essay Writing Can Be Frightening Of course, it is rather frightening for you to write your school entry essay, as you do not have experience in writing it. However, the devil is not so terrible as he is painted. Nowadays, with the appearance of the Internet and different custom essay writing services you receive 100 percent of friendly support while your school essay writing, and not only entry essay, but also all the other kinds of school essay; that makes the every day routine full of difficult essays not to be so panic striking. Get Help through Our Custom Service Thus, if you do not know how to write your school entry essay this is not a tragedy anymore. With the help of our custom essay writing service, you are welcome to receive all the necessary information in order to write a good school entry essay and to be admitted. Thousands of tips and pieces of advice are presented for you at the convenience of our site. Read the articles at the subject how to write school entry essay, and become a professional in school entry essay writing. You can also edit your ready-made school entry essay at our site. You see, even the best school entry essay loses its brilliant content if there are some mistakes. That is why the process of editing school entry essay is as important as the process of editing it. There exists an opportunity to order school entry essay and not to vex yourself while writing it. The writers who work at our service are the great professionals with the highest degrees; they know for sure how to write successful school entry essay. You can mention all your requests, ideas, and all they will be taken into account by our professionals. Our staff is so virtuous that we are able to meet all the deadlines. That is why if you need any kind of help while your school entry essay writing, you will find it at our site. We wish you good luck with your school entering. Related posts: Merchant of Venice Critical Essay Writing the Analysis Paper Sociology Paper Report Writing Help Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Green Revolution History and Overview

Green Revolution History and Overview The term Green Revolution refers to the renovation of agricultural practices beginning in Mexico in the 1940s. Because of its success in producing more agricultural products there, Green Revolution technologies spread worldwide in the 1950s and 1960s, significantly increasing the number of calories produced per acre of agriculture. History and Development of the Green Revolution The beginnings of the Green Revolution are often attributed to Norman Borlaug, an American scientist interested in agriculture. In the 1940s, he began conducting research in Mexico and developed new disease resistance high-yield varieties of wheat. By combining Borlaugs wheat varieties with new mechanized agricultural technologies, Mexico was able to produce more wheat than was needed by its own citizens, leading to them becoming an exporter of wheat by the 1960s. Prior to the use of these varieties, the country was importing almost half of its wheat supply. Due to the success of the Green Revolution in Mexico, its technologies spread worldwide in the 1950s and 1960s. The United States, for instance, imported about half of its wheat in the 1940s but after using Green Revolution technologies, it became self-sufficient in the 1950s and became an exporter by the 1960s. In order to continue using Green Revolution technologies to produce more food for a growing population worldwide, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation, as well as many government agencies around the world funded increased research. In 1963 with the help of this funding, Mexico formed an international research institution called The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Countries all over the world, in turn, benefited from the Green Revolution work conducted by Borlaug and this research institution. India, for example, was on the brink of mass famine in the early 1960s because of its rapidly growing population. Borlaug and the Ford Foundation then implemented research there and they developed a new variety of rice, IR8, that produced more grain per plant when grown with irrigation and fertilizers. Today, India is one of the worlds leading rice producers and IR8 rice usage spread throughout Asia in the decades following the rices development in India. Plant Technologies of the Green Revolution The crops developed during the Green Revolution were high yield varieties - meaning they were domesticated plants bred specifically to respond to fertilizers and produce an increased amount of grain per acre planted. The terms often used with these plants that make them successful are harvest index, photosynthate allocation, and insensitivity to day length. The harvest index refers to the above-ground weight of the plant. During the Green Revolution, plants that had the largest seeds were selected to create the most production possible. After selectively breeding these plants, they evolved to all have the characteristic of larger seeds. These larger seeds then created more grain yield and a heavier above ground weight. This larger above ground weight then led to an increased photosynthate allocation. By maximizing the seed or food portion of the plant, it was able to use photosynthesis more efficiently because the energy produced during this process went directly to the food portion of the plant. Finally, by selectively breeding plants that were not sensitive to day length, researchers like Borlaug were able to double a crop’s production because the plants were not limited to certain areas of the globe based solely on the amount of light available to them. Impacts of the Green Revolution Since fertilizers are largely what made the Green Revolution possible, they forever changed agricultural practices because the high yield varieties developed during this time cannot grow successfully without the help of fertilizers. Irrigation also played a large role in the Green Revolution and this forever changed the areas where various crops can be grown. For instance, before the Green Revolution, agriculture was severely limited to areas with a significant amount of rainfall, but by using irrigation, water can be stored and sent to drier areas, putting more land into agricultural production - thus increasing nationwide crop yields. In addition, the development of high yield varieties meant that only a few species of say, rice started being grown. In India, for example, there were about 30,000 rice varieties prior to the Green Revolution, today there are around ten - all the most productive types. By having this increased crop homogeneity though the types were more prone to disease and pests because there were not enough varieties to fight them off. In order to protect these few varieties then, pesticide use grew as well. Finally, the use of Green Revolution technologies exponentially increased the amount of food production worldwide. Places like India and China that once feared famine have not experienced it since implementing the use of IR8 rice and other food varieties. Criticism of the Green Revolution Along with the benefits gained from the Green Revolution, there have been several criticisms. The first is that the increased amount of food production has led to overpopulation worldwide. The second major criticism is that places like Africa have not significantly benefited from the Green Revolution. The major problems surrounding the use of these technologies here though are a lack of infrastructure, governmental corruption, and insecurity in nations. Despite these criticisms though, the Green Revolution has forever changed the way agriculture is conducted worldwide, benefiting the people of many nations in need of increased food production.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Psychology - Essay Example I begin to focus all of my attention on this tooth, wiggling it more and more. The tooth does not hurt when I wiggle it, but I am sure that if I can just work the tooth loose, I will be able to get relief from the oppressive feelings I am having. Finally, the tooth pulls free and I have an instant feeling of relief. I feel so good to have that loose tooth out of my head! But almost immediately, I feel as though I need to check again for another loose tooth so that I can increase my amount of relief. I have had this dream several times over the course of my life. Some times, I have followed this process to remove as many as three teeth from my head before the dream ends. I really am not sure about what to make of this dream. I think I have connected it to concerns about my personal safety. I have always had this dream when I have been living in dangerous neighborhoods or under dangerous circumstances. I think that part of me is concerned about my safety and so I need to do something extraordinary in order to ensure my safety. But why pulling my own teeth? How is that going to make me safer? I know that it is irrational, but my teeth are something I have great pride in. They are the one part of my body that is flawless. I have never had braces or a cavity. I don’t need to whiten or treat them in any way other than basic hygiene. I believe that my dream represents my willingness to do anything to stay safe when I am in difficult or dangerous circumstances. That includes making great personal sacrifices for my own safety and I hope, the safety of those that I love. This dream is a highly visual dream. I often only have dreams about feelings, but in this dream the colors were vivid. I am in a lush forest. The trees and grasses are all the deepest shades of green. It is not lush in a tropical sense, but more in a fairytale sense. There are bugs and all manner

The Hawaiian revolution ( History of the United States ) Essay

The Hawaiian revolution ( History of the United States ) - Essay Example This paper will look at some of the events that led to the Hawaiian Revolution, and what the revolution meant to the people of Hawaii during that period. Being a monarchial state, Hawaii was ruled by a royal family, which ensured the safety and protection of the land. The king, David Kalakaua, got his authority from the people of Hawaii after successfully managing to reduce the power of the missionaries in the region. He ruled but was unsuccessful in completely eliminating the foreign powers in Hawaii, who would later turn against him. This led to the drafting of a new constitution that would limit his authority (Lightner 67). After the death of the king, Liliuokalani, his sister, succeeded him in 1891 and she refused to recognize the constitution in place opting to bring forth another that would give the native Hawaiians the right to vote and restore power to the monarch. It was at this point that the wealthy American class in Hawaii chose to establish the 13-member committee, which would ensure that the queen was overthrown for her treachery against the constitution. The coup took place on January 17, 1893 after the shooting and wounding of a police officer who tried to cease armament meant for the committee. In order to avert violence in the region, the queen opted to surrender peacefully after her palace was surrounded by the committee’s militia. It was at this point that the committee put in place a government that would rule the region and had a president who was given the authority to rule over the dominion. In 1895, however, a group of Hawaiian loyalists who believed in the old ways and traditions started their own coup, but failed in securing the region back to its rightful owners (Fritz 59). In some history books, this has been identified as the counter-revolution, which was brief and the lack of casualties makes it largely forgotten by most people. After its failure, the

Friday, October 18, 2019

Healthcare Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Healthcare Management - Case Study Example Healthcare management as a practice provides many challenges to most players in the industry, understanding how to have properly manage the healthcare system for sustainability is crucial. Shortell and Kaluzny (2000) propose different options for the future that can assist in healthcare management; they talk about the four different scenarios that can be used. The scenarios include healthcare as a normal business, healthcare when government is pressured or hard times, healthcare as an economic development issue, and health care as a shared vision. The healthcare industry has been among the fastest growing industries in the recent times but on the other side it has been among the slowest industries in adapting the new technologies and techniques, which places the sector in a challenging position (Porter & Lee, 2013). When looking at the different scenarios, we have to consider the effect on the different efforts to contain the costs, the access to healthcare, the role of management, a nd the efforts to change the organization’s culture. In the paper, we are examining how the four different scenarios outlined by Shortell and Kaluzny on the different aspects of healthcare. The underlying principle in this scenario is that we have to view healthcare like any other business in our daily lives and not any specific business in particular. Here, we have to consider the fact that a business has to generate revenue, it has to be profitable for it to operate and continue in business. The understanding that the primary goal of any health care facility or the health care sector at large is to treat people still holds, but the goals and strategies should be aimed at maximizing revenues for the business.

Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 77

Reflection - Essay Example Franklin Roosevelt highlighted that the American nation was willing to use its energy, organizing power and resources to defend freedom of other nations. He was keen to highlight that America’s efforts would ensure that the world experiences the four critical types of human freedoms. Roosevelt highlighted that the first essential human freedom was the freedom of speech and expression while the second was the â€Å"freedom of every person to worship God in his way everywhere in the world†1. He further highlighted the third freedom as the freedom from want based on economic understandings that foster a measure of economic security in every nation. According to Roosevelt, the world also needed to enjoy the freedom from fear without any potential threat of physical aggression. Therefore, the freedom from fear was defined as the fourth freedom. Philip Randolph was a civil leader who delivered a speech titled, â€Å"why should we March?†. His speech urged Negros to participate in the march of African American on Washington. Randolph highlights that African Americans had been denied an opportunity to work in the US defense industries. Moreover, other industries did not give African Americans job opportunities. Therefore, many African Americans were subjected to discrimination under the Jim Crow rules. A close analysis of the racial discrimination that Randolph was fighting against reveals a high level of irony when compared to Roosevelt’s, which highlighted the four freedoms. Notably, the American nation promoted the four freedoms but only to the whites. It is ironical that African Americans lived in fear and poverty. Additionally, the African Americans were denied the freedom of speech and expression. Notably, the African American population did not have the chance to enjoy the four freedoms that Roosevelt had talked about. According to Randolph, â€Å"the community is democratic only when the humbles and weakest person can enjoy the higher

Thursday, October 17, 2019

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

Macroeconomic - Essay Example The shift of scarce resources from the private to the public sector would result in a budget deficit because the government would have to increase the interest rates in order to capture the attention of the population to buy the debt. An increase in the government spending in particular areas can also be an instrumental way of promoting technological innovation, the skills of the workforce and the social infrastructure. For instance an increase in government spending on transport infrastructure will not only have a cumulative effect on the aggregate demand but will also promote productivity and competitiveness (Riley). Likewise, if the government spends more on education, it would have direct effects on the population, producing more educated individuals and a skilled workforce. An increase in the spending of the government would have a direct impact on the aggregate demand. Increased government spending would cause an increase in the aggregate demand, which would in turn have an imp act on the entire economy. The increased AD would culminate in the rise in the output as well as the prices. Moreover over a long period of time, the increased government expenditure causes a fiscal policy multiplier, characteristic of increased consumer spending (Mankiw 484).

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

Assigment - Essay Example In addition, some companies have reviewed their policies in order to embrace changes that have occurred in relation to changes of gender roles. The attitude and behavior of how men and females are expected to act within the society has been changing tremendously, and some have a positive effect towards development of the society while others generate negative effects to the society (Lindsey 120). Traditionally, females were expected to earn less than males in society, but it is no longer an issue in the society today. Gender roles are learnt through the socialization process. The way a child is brought by the parent determines what roles the child will learn from the parents. Usually, children learn through examples from the parents and view their parents as their role models. Through this process, the children acquire gender roles. In addition, other institutions such as schools help in learning of the gender roles. Majority of males are not able to deal with the changes that occur in the society. Several changes have occurred regarding biological, education, parenting and genetic factors. As gender roles change, they have created new opportunities for females. Males face a huge dilemma trying to adjust to the changing gender roles. Take, for example, some males are not capable of adjusting when they find out that their wives earn more money than they earn. Men should be capable of embracing change whenever there is an adjustment of conventional gender roles (Lindsey 119). Because of the changing conventional gender roles, females have encountered many opportunities that open up from this change. These opportunities usually come with a price making some things take a slower change. Women no longer face discrimination in the workplace, which they used to face before because of adoption of new gender roles. However, though gender roles are changing, there are some things, which a female is always associated with, and there are those things,

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

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

Macroeconomic - Essay Example The shift of scarce resources from the private to the public sector would result in a budget deficit because the government would have to increase the interest rates in order to capture the attention of the population to buy the debt. An increase in the government spending in particular areas can also be an instrumental way of promoting technological innovation, the skills of the workforce and the social infrastructure. For instance an increase in government spending on transport infrastructure will not only have a cumulative effect on the aggregate demand but will also promote productivity and competitiveness (Riley). Likewise, if the government spends more on education, it would have direct effects on the population, producing more educated individuals and a skilled workforce. An increase in the spending of the government would have a direct impact on the aggregate demand. Increased government spending would cause an increase in the aggregate demand, which would in turn have an imp act on the entire economy. The increased AD would culminate in the rise in the output as well as the prices. Moreover over a long period of time, the increased government expenditure causes a fiscal policy multiplier, characteristic of increased consumer spending (Mankiw 484).

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Comparison or contrast of East-West philsophical thought Essay

Comparison or contrast of East-West philsophical thought - Essay Example The wider areas surrounding India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Arabic countries are taken as representing Eastern thought. Western thought is taken as mainly stemming from Europe, and North America, with some concession for Christianity, as it originated in the Middle East, rather than in Europe or North America. Additionally, while Christianity is considered the major Western religion, some consideration is also given to Greek and Roman philosophical thought, modern scientific though and rationalism. In terms of the philosophical thought considered in this essay as eastern, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, forms of Yoga, and Islam were considered. For many years, within the fields of academia and scholarship, Syed Farid Atlas (2002) argues that Eurocentrism â€Å"†¦values, attitudes, ideas and ideological orientations that are informed by European uniqueness and superiority.† (as cited in Yoshitaka, 2010) dominated much discourse. This has perhaps been to the detriment of philosophical thought as a whole. There are certainly positive aspects to the philosophical thinking of the east and the west with value. Neither should be dominant. In the west, it is accepted and encouraged that the individual will succeed on his/her own. Personal achievement is valued, and to achieve the individual should be independent of others, even independent of the environment. In contrast, eastern societies are structured around the collective. The family and the community or society are considered important, sometimes more so than the individual. The interdependence of people, and their environment, and even the universe at large is always acknowledged and accepted. This means that philosophical thinking, presented in explanation of human existence and purpose, differs widely in the east and west. While in the east, Truth is accepted as universal, independent of the individual, it is a proven, scientifically tested

Monday, October 14, 2019

Pink Flamingo Essay Example for Free

Pink Flamingo Essay In Jennifer Price’s essay entitled â€Å"The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History†, she uses rhetoric devices to convey her opinions of the emptiness of American culture. Price interprets the pink flamingos as a symbol of affluent American culture during the 1950’s. Price’s comparison of pink flamingos to American culture is demonstrated through the use of tone, satire, irony, comparison, and diction. Price varies her writing style as she varies the usage of rhetorical devices in this essay. She blatantly uses irony when she mentions that it is â€Å"a little ironic, since Americans had hunted flamingos to extinction†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lines 13-14)Price mentions this historical fact to criticize that Americans are using the image of a bird that they had themselves once killed with no serious thought behind it. She belittles Americans because Americans would only use the image of the bird without any interest in the actual bird itself. She compares pink flamingos to American culture in order to illustrate the flamboyant and affluent society that America now experiences like the color of the flaming after the gray days of The Great Depression. The author wants the readers to understand: Flamingos now serve as an icon, a symbol of the wealthy, affluent, and thriving American culture. Price sets the positive away from the noun that presents with dashes to accentuate the importance and the meaning of the word that it conveys. â€Å"Las Vegas: the flamboyant oasis of instant riches† gives more emphasis on the extravagance and the richness of the atmosphere of Las Vegas through the use of a positive saying. Price often uses periodic sentences in order to give more explanations on what she is trying to say. They are often used when she gives the historical information of the pink flamingos: â€Å"When the pink flamingo splashed into the fifties market, it staked two major claims to boldness. † But not only does it add the explanation, but also highlights the â€Å"claim† of the pink flamingos. What had once been only an option available for the wealthy high-class of America, vacations had started to open up to even people of the middle-class. The flamingo not only showed that there was a need for change in American lifestyle, but that a time for change in the way Americans behave is now. The flamingo was a motivator of behavior and cultural change in the U. S. , and even today it is still the symbol of the essential 1950’s lifestyle. Now is this Author really talking about â€Å"pink flamingos† or is she really saying something more? Almost like a hidden message, Price is telling just how we as Americans consume anything and everything we have access to. Price says â€Å"Americans had hunted flamingos to extinction,† can this bird be representing the power of Americans to us thing up as way to live? Jennifer Price is telling us something in her passage, and that is us consuming and diving out something to extinction. Americans as well as the rest of the world have been doing it for years and we will keeps doing it until the world is dried up. Therefore, until we find the next big break through everyone wonders what is going to be its future on us.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Dell Corporation SWOT Analysis

Dell Corporation SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis Dell Computer Corporation was founded by Michael Saul Dell in 1984 with their simple premise as the basic foundation that personal computers could be built and sold directly to customers and by doing this, Dell could address their specific needs and provide the best computing solutions that meet those customers needs. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Basically, Dell is using Direct Method which provides two advantages: 1. reducing marketing and sales cost by eliminating markups of distributors and retailers and 2. building to order reduced inventory costs and risks of retaining inventories. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Dells Direct Model is the main reason why Dell has achieved its high status in business today. This tactical model enables Dell to interact with customers directly providing them with fast, reasonably-priced and friendly means of production and distribution. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) (S)trengths Dell is one of the largest technological corporations (PC maker) in the world that develops, manufacture, sell and support personal computer, laptops and other computer peripherals. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) Dell is ranked at number 38 on the Fortune 500 in 2010. Fortune also ranks it as the Number 5 most admired company in computer industry. Dell has large acquisitions and mergers. For example acquisition of Perot Systems in 2009 and Alienware in 2006.  (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Besides that, The Dell brand is one of the best known and renowned computer brands in the World. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Dell has experienced management and leadership. For example Michael Dell who is presently the computer industrys longest-tenured (CEO) chief executive officer. Dell is also a highly inventive company in its industry and has very strong E-commerce and supply chain management. Dell is the biggest firm in the Austin and second biggest non-oil corporation in Texas and fifth la rgest in Texas by revenue. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As we know, Dell is using Direct Model which contributed the success to Dell by enabling the company to offer direct relationships with customers such as corporate and institutional customers. Their strategic method also provides other forms of products and services such as internet and telephone purchasing, customized computer systems; phone and online technical support and next-day, on-site product service. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Now, in a market that is ever changing, competitors are challenging Dell with new and unique products in an effort to overcome the superiority of the Direct Model. (Docstoc, 2010) This extensive choice of products and services is absolutely one of Dells strengths to compete with its competitors. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) The growth and development of laptop computers is a primary area in which Dell can work for continued success, despite the threats posed by its competitors. (Docstoc, 2010) Clearly, many of the Dells strengths come as results of the Direct Model. The model itself could be considered one of the companys greatest assets. However, a few specific advantages are gained from through the Direct Model relative to the laptop market. (Docstoc, 2010) First of all, the Direct Model allows the consumers to fully customize their laptops. The market is becoming more educated, now more than ever individuals want a product that can target their specific needs. In the case of laptops, this means that customers want more choices in terms of both performance and profitability. (Docstoc, 2010) By understanding customers needs and preferences is important strength of the company, Dell has cut out the retail seller and sells directly to the customers with no use of a middle man. Dell has made it possible for all customers to have the chance to fully customize their product. (Docstoc, 2010) In term of capture data on its loyal consumers, Dell is using information technology and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) approaches. Thus, a customer could selects a generic PC model, and then adds items and upgrades until the PC is kitted out to the customers own specification. Components are made by suppliers, never by Dell. (Oppapers, 2010) In addition to this customization, the Direct Model benefits the customers with fast delivery of products. This allows customers to place their order, and receive their customized computer often within days. Both these advantages are the greatest assets in targeting the home-user market segment. (Docstoc, 2010) Besides the fast delivery, Dell also offer their customers the ability to track their delivery. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) Customers can keep track of their delivery by contacting customer services which is based in India. The finished goods are then dropped off with the customer by courier. Dell has total command of its supply chain. (Oppapers, 2010) Dell also has an advantage in their inventory turnover time, and in their well established relationship with their suppliers. (Docstoc, 2010) These just-in-time (JIT) producing approach creates huge cost savings by minimize the costs, which Dell can pass on to its customers. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As a result, Dell produces the products which is customized, low-priced and deliver to the customers door within days. (Docstoc, 2010) Dell has differentiated itself from competitors by providing potent systems to the customers at competitive prices. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) By low assembly costs by using relatively cheap labour(Oppapers, 2010), low manufacturing costs(Quality Assurance Solutions, ND), and also boasts the industrys most efficient procurement, manufacturing, and distribution system allow Dell to offer the customers powerful systems at competitive prices. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, Dell has strong customer base too. Dell is targeting the business executive category by approximately two-third of Dells sales is generated from government agencies, large corporations and educational institutions. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) In other words, Dell has already created long-term relationship with large companies, and this provides most of their business. These companies, in turn, pass the relationship on through their employees, providing them with Dell products. (Docstoc, 2010) (W)eaknesses The significant weaknesses of Dell is fail to attract the market of college student segment. (Docstoc, 2010) Dells sales revenue from educational institutions such as colleges only average of 5% in total. Due to much focuses on business customers, it affected its ability to form relationships with educational institutions. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) And, as many students purchase their PCs through their school, Dell is clearly not in a position to take advantage of the college market. (Docstoc, 2010) Dealing with huge amount of supplies of products and components from many different countries can causes Dell some embarrassment when products are recalled. (Oppapers, 2010) For example, great troubles in quality, manufacturing and services.  (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Dell. In 2004 Dell had to recall 4.4 million laptop adapters because of a fear that they could overheat, causing electric shocks or fires. (Oppapers, 2010) Another weakness of Dell is there is no diversification and the company is only focusing on the PCs business. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010)  Dell is a computer maker, not a computer manufacturer. (Oppapers, 2010) In other words, they build computers, not develop them. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) Dell buys from a group of concentrated hi-tech component producers. Whilst this is a great advantage in terms of business processes, allowing Dell to focus on marketing and logistics, the company is reliant on a number of large suppliers, and to an extent is locked in for periods of time. For example, due to the lack of large suppliers in the World, Dell unable to switch supply. (Oppapers, 2010) In term of home users, Dell have the serious problem on its direct method and customization approach. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) First, customers cannot go to retailers, try a few different products, and walk home with a computer all in a single trip because of Dell does not use distribution channels. (Docstoc, 2010) The very differentiates thing if Dell from its competitors, customization also creates a problem in that customers just cant buy Dell as simply as other brands. It is because each product is custom-built according to their specifications and this might take days to finish. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) And due to this, many computer buyers are wary of a product that they cannot personally examine it before purchasing. In addition, some of the anxious buyers would have no patient to wait for their products to deliver for a number of days. (Docstoc, 2010) Moreover, Dell also has weakness on its technology. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) It   have no proprietary technology to offer the market , Dell is currently using the technology which are shared by the other major competitors. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) Besides that, it changes its technology at very fast rate. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) (O)pportunities Personal computers are becoming a necessity nowadays. Demand for laptops is also growing much faster than desktop computers. As a matter of fact, demand for laptop has overtaken the demand for desktops. This is create a great opportunity for Dell to grow in all other segments. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, the trend toward more educated buyers also provide great opportunity for Dell by increasing the number of second-time buyers. (Docstoc, 2010) Second-time buyers would most likely avail of Dells custom-built computers because as they have purchased computers in the past know what they want, so do their need to experiment or use some additional computer features. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Here, Dell makes use of the Direct Model which can provide the framework for customers to make truly personalized computers in a relatively hassle-free environment. (Docstoc, 2010) Furthermore, improvement in technology will help Dell to introduce efficient-manufacturing systems which will decrease the production cost. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) For example, increased communication and technological integration, such as Internet create good opportunity for Dell because all the customers can now go to visit Dells website to place their order or to get information. Since Dell does not have retail stores, the online stores would surely make up for its absence. It is not only benefits to Dell, but all the customers. It gives the customers convenience to shop online than to actually drive and do purchase at a physical store. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Another opportunity for Dell would be maintain the excellent lead that was taken by the founder of Dell, Michael Dell will be challenging. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)Kevin Rollins replaced Michael Dell in 2004 as Dells Chief Executive Officer. Dell remained the companys Chairman. Despite founder Dells massive success, new blood and a change in management thinking could lead the company into a new and more profitable time. Dell was born in 1965, and founded Dell in 1984 with $1000 whilst studying at the University of Texas. He became the youngest Fortune 500 CEO in 1992, and will be a tough act to follow. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Diversification in related and unrelated business, such as softwares, broadband, security devices, and PC software are some of the rapid growing segments in Dell company. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Besides, innovation makes Dell to introduce many new products to its range which includes printers, toners, LCD televisions and other non-computing goods in order to respond to the rapid changing industry. Thus, Dell is competing against iPod and other consumer electronics brands. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Furthermore, sustaining low-cost leadership is also an important opportunity for Dell. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Dell is branding and selling low-cost, low-price computers to PC retailers throughout the world in order to open other avenues of branding opportunities. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)The PCs are unbranded and should not be recognised as being Dell when the consumer makes a purchase. Rebranding and rebadging for retailers, although a departure for Dell, gives the company new market segments to attack with the associated marketing costs. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Thus, Dell has opportunity to sell computer directly to retailers. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) (T)hreats The single biggest problem of Dell is the competitive rivalry that exists in the PC market globally. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Dell is facing strong competition in the industry, such as IBM and Intel to sustain its market share. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As with all profitable brands, retaliation from competitors and new entrants to the market pose potential threats. As we know, Dell sources from Far Eastern nations because of the low labor costs, but there is nothing stopping competitors to follow what Dell is doing, such as sourcing the same or similar components from the same or similar suppliers. Remember, Dell is a PC maker, not a PC manufacturer. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) In a volatile market such as personal computers, threats abound. Computers change in a constant sometime daily basis. New software, new hardware and computer accessories are introduced at a lightning speed. Thus, the innovation is essential for Dell by always looking out for new things or introducing new computer systems to the market. The threat to become outmoded is a pulsating reality in computer industry. Not only that, companies are also facing the challenge to produce products that are high in quality but low in price. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Therefore, one of the biggest external threats to Dell is the increasingly lower prices for products amount their competitors (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) and make the price difference among brands is getting smaller. Although Dells Direct Model attracts customers because it saves cost, other companies are also able to offer their products at low costs which could threaten Dells price-conscious growing customer base. Since the prices of the brands are identical, price difference is no longer an issue for a customer. Therefore, they would choose other brands rather than waiting for the delivery of Dells customized computers. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Due to the growth rate of the computer industry is slowing down, Dell which has the biggest share of the market has also slows down the demand of its products. If the demand slows down, the competition will become stiffer in the process. Dell has to work doubly hard to differentiate itself from its substitutes, such as Ipad which introduced by Apple Corporation in order to continue holding a significant market share. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Technological advancement is a double-edge sword. It provides an opportunity but at the same time a threat for Dell because advancement in technology outmoded the manufacturing facilities as well as the company. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Low-cost leadership strategy is no longer an issue to computer companies therefore it is important for computer companies to stand out from the rest of competitors. Therefore, in order to compete with others, Dell has to always keep up with its technological advancements. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, due to being global in its marketing and operations, Dell is exposed to fluctuations in the World currency markets. Although it is a very lean organization, orders do have to be placed some time ahead due to their company size or value. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Changes in exchange rates could make the companys global business exposed to potential losses in certain parts of its supply chain. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Learning the Hard Way :: Personal Narratives Climbing Flagstaff Essays

Learning the Hard Way The backcountry of Alaska is one of the wildest places left in this country, an excellent place to study wildlife in it’s natural environment. To a wildlife Biology major with an overwhelming draw to the outdoors, the chance to study this wildlife would seem to be the opportunity of a lifetime. When this opportunity presented itself to me this past summer, I didn’t hesitate to take it. This would be great experience for the career path I am taking and it would give me a chance to work with professionals in the field of my studies. At the time I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to do some soul searching and spend quality time in the backcountry before I married next summer. I was expecting this summer to change me as an individual, allowing me plenty of time to reflect on my life. Never did I expect these changes to occur in the way they did. A life changing event can occur when and where they are least expected. The evening in the backcountry of Denali National Park when I made one small misstep would change my life forever. I would learn how strong love can be and gain a better perspective of what is truly important to me in my life. It was mid June, a beautiful cloudless day in Denali National Park. I was hiking deep in the backcountry, with only the millions of mosquitoes to keep me company. I was on the fifth day of a scheduled six day trip, and I couldn’t have asked for a better week. Denali, the tallest mountain in the northern hemisphere, became visible for the first time of the year and it stayed out for the duration of my trip. Hiking in the trail less backcountry, where the grizzly bears outnumber the people by more than three to one, truly makes a person feel alone. Walking through the alpine tundra, with tiny little flowers acting as a carpet, I encountered twice as many moose as people on this trip. Never had I felt so alone and been so happy about it. Little did I know, that would all change, challenging me to be stronger than I have ever been, both mentally and physically.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Classic detective story Essay

      It had to be something a lot smaller because the only other opening in Julia’s room that communicated with somewhere outside of the room was the ventilation shaft in the ceiling which was directly connected to the ventilation shaft in the ceiling of Dr. Roylott’s room. Holmes also spotted the mysterious bell pull, which turned out to be a dummy. The strange thing about this bell pull was that it was hung from somewhere inside the ventilation shaft and it was positioned directly above the pillow on the bed. Holmes then goes in into a deep state of reverie putting everything that Helen Stoner told him happened together with all the clues that he had found in Stoke Moran. This matches my expectation of a classic detective story where the detective finds clues, analyses them and them puts them all together with all the information he has obtained from other sources such as the victim, people who knew the dead person, people who had some sort of relationship with both the person that died and the victim. In this deep state of meditation he solves the mystery but he has yet to solve the crime. So Holmes tells Helen Stoner to place a lamp outside of her window when Dr. Roylott retires to his chamber at night. Holmes also tells Helen to leave the shutters open in the room so that he and Watson can get in when she signals them. Holmes and Watson wait for the signal at the village inn. Later when Helen signals them with the lamp they head for Stoke Moran. They go into her room through the open shutter and wait for a number of hours before Holmes spots a snake coming through the ventilator. At this point in time Holmes knows who has committed the crime and how for sure. This then matches my next expectation that with all that is happening the detective then deduces what must have happened and if it was a murder who the villain was that committed the crime. He then immediately switches on the light and strikes at the snake causing it to return through the ventilator in a very angry mood. Then they all here the terrible screen of a man’s hoarse voice. They all immediately head for Dr. Roylott’s chamber and find him dead. He is killed by an Indian Swamp adder, which they find wrapped around his head. Holmes then explains how he solved the mystery and then the crime. This all matches my final expectation of a classic detective story, which is that the villain is either arrested or killed. The expectations of plot that are fulfilled in the Gatewood Caper The Gatewood Caper begins with a private detective being sent to help a man called Harvey Gatewood get his kidnapped daughter Audrey back. The detective is known only as the â€Å"the continental Op†. In this essay I will refer to him from now on as â€Å"the Op†. The Op is sent by the Continental Detective Agency to solve the kidnap of Harvey Gatewood’s daughter Audrey and to find out where she is being held then rescue her. In the Gatewood Caper the mystery surrounds the kidnap of Harvey Gatewood’s daughter Audrey, so my first expectation of a classic detective story’s plot and how it should involve some sort of mystery is fulfilled. In the Gatewood Caper it is the detective that comes to offer help to the victim and not the other way around like in the Speckled Band where the victim asks the detective to investigate something for them. So my next expectation that the victim approaches the detective to get his help is not fulfilled. No one has died and my expectation of a classic detective story that a there is a death and that it is either the result of a terrible crime or accidental is not fulfilled. This all makes the Gatewood Caper even less like a classic detective story. The only person that can solve the crime in this story is the Op and so that matches my next expectation of a classic detective story that the only person who can solve the crime is the detective. The Op then listens to Gatewood’s story and this fulfils my next expectation of a classic detective story where the detective listens to the victim’s story. Harvey Gatewood tells the Op what happened before he last saw Audrey. He tells to the Op about everything that he saw Audrey do before he last saw her. He tells the Op that the last time he saw Audrey was the day before at around seven in the evening. The next morning Gatewood receives a letter from the kidnappers demanding a ransom of $50,000 in $100 bills (American for notes) for her release. In the Gatewood Caper the detective doesn’t really ask many questions to Gatewood because he is so uncooperative. It’s more like the reverse of my expectation that the detective questions the victim is fulfilled. It’s almost like Gatewood has been described so much like a villain that it’s almost impossible to think of him as a victim. My next expectation that the detective investigates the scene of the death is not fulfilled because there is no scene of death in the Gatewood Caper as the crime is a kidnap. Instead in the Gatewood Caper the detective investigates Audrey’s rooms to find any clues or anything that will point to anyone who would want to kidnap Audrey. He finds nothing. Then the next day at 2:30 Harvey Gatewood gets a call from the kidnappers saying that they want him to the deliver the money straight away to someone he will spot when they signal him by holding a handkerchief to their face and then dropping it. They tell Gatewood that he will have to deliver the money to the person somewhere between his house and the waterfront along Clay Street. A woman signals Gatewood using the handkerchief he gives her the money and a couple of the other Ops follow the woman. They loose the woman in an alleyway where they find her clothes discarded all over the floor. They quickly realise that this must have been a woman disguised as a man. The trail of clothes leads to a backdoor of an apartment, which they find was occupied by a man called Leyton. The Op investigates this apartment and finds nothing but this fulfils are expectation that the detective investigates the scene to find any clues but again the Op finds nothing. The only clue that the Op has now has to work on is Leyton’s description. So he starts to investigate all the clothes shops in the Oakland area asking them whether or not they have seen anyone matching Leyton’s description buying woman’s clothes and if they have any records or names. The Op gets lucky with the first shop he investigates because they have a record of a man who bought woman’s clothes matching Leyton’s description. This mans name is Mr. Offord and the Op also gets the address. The Op goes to see Mr. Offord and then finds out that he is not living alone but with a young woman possibly Audrey. The Op recognises Mr. Offord as being a conman. The Op goes up to his room but is then shot at but the bullets miss. The Op then kicks the door down and finds Audrey. He then explains how he solved the mystery of Audrey’s kidnap to â€Å"penny† Quayle the conman and Audrey. This fulfils are expectation of a classic detective story’s plot whereby from all the information the detective gathers he puts it all together to deduce what really happened. The villain in the story actually turns out to be the victim and in the end does not get punished because she blackmails her father with the threat of going to the papers with incriminating information that she has about him about his previous illegal activities. My expectation that the villain is either arrested or killed is not fulfilled making this story even less like a classic detective story. The Speckled Band is a perfect example of what a classic detective story should be like because it matches all my expectations in every way. The Gatewood Caper is completely different and is nothing like a classic detective story. Although it does match some of my expectations of how the plot of a classic detective story should be like it is a very modern story with a very modern plot. The main difference between the plot in the Speckled Band which is a classic detective story and the plot in the Gatewood Caper which is a modern detective story is that in a classic detective story the plot goes along a straight line and everything that happens we might expect to happen, happens whereas in the plot of a modern detective story everything we might expect to happen doesn’t always happen. Expectations of character that are fulfilled We expect the character of the detective in any classic detective to be a man who is extremely clever, intuitive, observant, inquisitive, deductive and highly instinctive. The name of the detective in the Speckled Band is Sherlock Holmes. Holmes matches all of my expectations of how the character in a detective story should be and so too does the Op in the Gatewood Caper. The big difference is that the Op is a lot weaker in all of these aspects when you directly compare him to someone of the likes of Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes probably the greatest detective of all time whereas the Op is just an ordinary policeman turned detective. We expect the character of a detective in any classic detective story to be something of a superhero but what we see in any modern detective story is the character of a detective has a big sense of realism associated with him which makes it all that little more believable so that we can relate to the detective more. We also expect the character of the detective in any classic detective story to be very strong (powerful), tough, very brave, a good soul and an expert in his field of work. Again Holmes is these things and personifies greatness whereas the Op is also has all these aspects but again is weaker in every department. This is again done on purpose to make it all more realistic and believable. Sherlock Holmes is the more classic detective whereas the Op is the more modern detective. We also expect the detective in any classic detective story to go into soliloquy and Holmes does this a lot whereas the Op never does this and we aren’t able to connect with his thoughts as much as we do with Holmes. We expect the character of the villain in any classic detective story to be man who is extremely clever, very strong (powerful) and tough but at the same time a man who is evil, devious, very greedy, and deceptive. We also expect the villain to be dangerous and psychotic. In the Speckled Band the villain Dr. Roylott matches all my expectations of how a villain should be like in any classic detective story whereas the surprise villain in the Gatewood Caper is nothing like my expectations of how the character of a villain should be in any detective story. Dr. Roylott is a huge giant of a man who bends pokers to scare people, whereas because Audrey is a woman she is portrayed as being weak in the Gatewood Caper but is still the villain. Audrey Gatewood has parts of the character of the victim mixed in with parts of the character from the villain. She is a woman and that is the main the difference between what a villain could never be in a classic detective story and could possibly be a modern detective story. Although she might be a woman she is certainly not the victim because she is not innocent, helpless, afraid, a good soul or someone who is grateful for anything. In fact she is the exact opposite a spoiled brat. Also although she is not the victim she is certainly the villain because she does in fact have all the qualities of being a villain except that she is not very strong, or tough. Dr. Grimesby Roylott is the more classic villain whereas Audrey Gatewood is the more modern victim. We expect the character of the victim in any classic detective story to be a woman who is weak, innocent, helpless, afraid, a good soul and someone who is extremely grateful to anyone who will help them. Firstly in the Speckled Band the victim Helen Stoner fulfils all of these expectations whereas in the modern detective story the Gatewood Caper the victim is Harvey Gatewood and he is nothing like the victim but everything the villain is in a classic detective story. He simply does not belong in the role of the victim so he does not fulfil any expectation of the character of the victim in a classic detective story. He has every quality of a villain in a classic detective story and the exact opposite of every quality the character of the victim has in a classic detective story. In fact the way he is described in the story he is almost identical to Dr. Roylott in the Speckled Band. Helen Stoner is the more classic victim whereas Harvey Gatewood is nothing like a classic victim and is the more modern victim. Setting The setting in the Speckled Band was very interesting because of how it was described in such high detail from every blade of grass to the huge mansion of Stoke Moran. The setting really did provide an excellent atmosphere because it was so complex and always changing. The story starts off and is set in one the biggest, most highly populated cities in the world, London. It is a bustling metropolis and you can imagine the atmosphere it creates and how strong it is over everything else. While this huge feeling of atmosphere is creating by the setting Helen Stoner is going to see Sherlock Holmes. Then the setting changes once Helen arrives to see Holmes, it suddenly changes from being an extremely busy and chaotic atmosphere to an extremely peaceful, quiet and relaxing environment whilst inside Holmes’s home. I enjoyed the setting when Holmes and Watson leave for Leatherhead from Waterloo station as I have always like trains so I can imagine exactly what it would have been like with all the steam trains and the huge atmosphere created by people getting on and off the trains to get off at London or travel to other places. Then when at Stoke Moran the setting changes to this mansion with a small village nearby. The setting here is a dark, scary and lonely place. You can feel the mystery and danger resonating from every wall, every corridor and every room. We don’t feel safe in this place because we know that it has a very mysterious past and a very mysterious owner. It is a very old building built in the 17th century and is almost crumbling to pieces because of decay in some parts. You can imagine the sense of fear that would be created from a setting like this just by walking through the long dark corridors. With each step moved you would here the echo through the whole building because of the dominating silence. The only light would be of that slipping through the small dirt sprayed windows adding to the feeling of loneliness and fear creating extreme suspense. The setting in the in the Gatewood Caper is my favourite personally. I enjoyed the very beginning of the story because of the deep sense of tension that is created by the description of Harvey Gatewood’s Lumber Corporation HQ. I can imagine a it as a huge building full of people working for this one Scrooge like tyrant of a businessman who absolutely loves to quash all opposition and dominate his industry. This setting provides a huge sense of excitement and liveliness. You rarely get a sense of fear or loneliness in the Gatewood Caper because of the setting and how there are always people wherever the Op goes and so there is always someone to talk to. This is another big difference between classic and modern detective story’s where in a classic detective story there are less characters but they are more detailed and you get to know them better whereas in a modern detective story there are more characters who are less detailed which often makes it very confusing. You can then imagine all the cars speeding through the city and past Gatewood’s empire, all the people coming in and out of the building, all the noises caused by the people and machinery creates an immense feeling of power and prosperity which makes me feel good as I can really relate to this kind of setting having being born and raised in modern day London. I loved the setting between Gatewood’s house and the waterfront walking along clay Street. I can just imagine the sense of excitement that I would get if a were just an innocent bystander walking along Clay Street and I saw the mysterious drop off of $50,000 and then saw someone dressed like a woman in black but with the figure of a being followed by so many private detectives. I also enjoyed the setting of the police station at the end with all the detectives in the station drinking coffee and eating donuts. Between the two stories I enjoyed the setting in the Gatewood Caper the most because it was more modern and a lot more like I was used to seeing in life. I definitely expected the setting in the Speckled Band to be old and lonely. I also expected the setting in the Gatewood Caper to be so modern and lively. Structure The structure in the Speckled Band is very different from the structure of the Gatewood Caper. In both stories at the very start of the story we find out what it’s all about and whom everyone is as is the case with the beginning of any detective story. What is very different about the beginning periods of both stories is that one is a complete mystery and it is uncertain what has happened whereas the other is not a mystery at all as the crime is known. In any classic detective story the crime is not known until somewhere in the middle or at the end of the story whereas in a modern detective story the crime is usually known and made clear right at the very beginning. This is a key difference in structure because in any classic detective story the mystery is of great importance because it draws suspense and tension into the reader whereas in a modern detective story the crime is usually more important than the mystery is because modern day readers generally have less patience and want what they read to get to the point quickly. In the Speckled Band the period of uncertainty is both in the beginning period and the middle period of the story whereas in the Gatewood Caper it is in the middle period and also the ending period. In both stories the mystery is solved and the crime explained in the end period. Style of writing When I read Speckled Band the style of writing created a very slow and dull mood within me but I couldn’t help being captivated by it even if it may have been dull or slow. The writer built up suspense using highly implicit and detailed language.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

College Life Essay

College was always my main goal throughout my whole entire education life school was not for me but I managed to make it to college. I graduated from a Catholic High School with all boys who have already mentally allowed me to focus on other issues and concentrations of focuses. I still sometimes wonder what I am going to do with my major and completion of college. I need to know my future and when I leave for school I am going to have to use my morals and higher education to help me understand and cope with other everyday experiences. There are three main categories of things that I want to gain in my life experience. I want to gain moral things, also strengthen my personality, and gain a higher knowledge. After I graduation from high school, I had plan to do several things. The most important thing I plan to do is go to college, because there are so many other detractions other than a degree, from a college education I plan to pursue higher learning, to begin a career, and to make history in my family. Making history in my family is the most important thing I hope to gain from a college education. My mother was the one parent that parents graduated from college, I have two brothers and a sister who did attend college which motivated me to want to go to college; my other relatives a least graduated from high school. Taking a look back has motivated me to reach farther. Being able too graduate of a catholic department system and also a highly respected person in my senior class. I plan to make history in my family by being the first also to get a Degree in History. Pursuing higher learning, beginning a career, and making history in my family are things I hope to gain from a college education other than a degree. It is very important that I accomplish these goals so that I will have continued success. If I believe it, then I can achieve it. I am not after the meaning of life but by the grace of God I know all of these things that I know and able to learn more whenever possible. College is a step in my lifelong search for knowledge that will hopefully bring me closer to my goals. Lastly one thing I hope to gain from a college education is higher learning. Learning goes far beyond a high school education and is very necessary in today’s society. It allows us to be familiar with our environment and everyone in it, and it allows us to maintain assurance of ourselves. A lot of us would be lost without any learning at all, and our world would be very confused. One must learn to do such things as apply math skills as well as be responsible and independent. I know that a college education would allow me to acquire this ability.

Electronic medical records Essay

Electronic medical records are believed to be the way of the future. Hospitals and other healthcare settings are increasingly turning to electronic records over traditional paper records. However, many still have not made the leap and continue to use paper instead of electronic. Healthcare practices must weigh the pros and cons before deciding which records management system to use. An electronic health record (EHR) is a representation of all a patients’ data; know as a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. Paper-based records are the most common method of recording patient information for most doctor’s offices and hospitals in the United States. The digital information is usually stored in a database and is accessible from everywhere via a network and EMRs contain mainstream data normally found on a patient’s medical records. It contains all information ranging anywhere from a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results that have been combined and structured in a digital form. It allows for an entire patient history to be viewed without the need to track down the patient’s previous medical record volume and assist in ensuring data is accurate, appropriate and legible. It reduces the chances of data replication, as there is only one modifiable file, which means the file is constantly up to date when viewed at a later date and eliminates the issue of lost forms or paperwork. There have been many issues debating if this is a good system, and pros and cons that go hand in hand. Electronic records have many benefits, including accessibility. They are currently the preferred system because of how easily they make it for doctors to coordinate patient care. Accessing electronic records is a lot easier and faster than waiting to receive paper ones. This can greatly speed up doctor collaborations in patient care and perhaps improve the quality of care that patients receive. There are many companies that sell these systems, so healthcare practices can choose a system with an EMR interface and features that best suit their needs. These interfaces can also be coordinated with billing systems for an extra degree of convenience and functionality. The case for medical records is compelling. They can make healthcare more efficient and less expensive. It can also improve the quality of our healthcare system by making patients medical history more easily accessible to all the people who treat them, being a hospital or doctor. The Government has given 6.5 million in incentives and hospitals and doctors have spent billions more. Some complain that the electronic systems are time consuming and designed more for bureaucrats than physicians. Although the health care industry has been slower than many others to replace paper records with electronic ones, some of the advantages of computerized systems are becoming obvious. EMRs translate into better treatment for patient’s efficiency and speed of diagnosis translates into better health care service for patients. Similar to the previously discussed point, correct and timely information can significantly increase the quality of health care service rendered to patients. EMRs can save lives. Improvements to patient safety are found throughout EHRs. For one, drug-drug and drug-allergy checks help prevent unintended reactions to medications. Secondly, photo-enabled EHRs help identify the patient. Thirdly, but definitely not the last one, barcode medication administration checks for the five rights to ensure the right patient receives the right medication at the right time. Electronic health records provide an avenue for better care coordination between multiple health care providers and the patient. Information can easily be shared between the inpatient, outpatient and ED settings. Furthermore, patients are able to more easily access their information, either by receiving an electronic summary of care record or logging into a patient portal. Electronic health records provide the tools to help physicians and nurses make better care decisions. For example, clinical decision support tools, like making medication recommendations based on diagnosis, and built-in clinical pathways, which help guide a hospital through recommended procedures, help ensure patients receive the best, research-proven care. EMRs give patients control over their health records. Based on the principle that since it’s the patient’s medical record, the patient should control it, decide what should be in it, and who gets access to it there are currently many online EMRs available. In spite of the many perks, electronic health records do come with some drawbacks. One major disadvantage is the significant start-up costs. From the technology, including hardware installations and software upgrades, to staff training, the start-up costs of migrating to electronic medical records are significant, especially for a small medical practice or for a large medical network of remote offices. There is a lot of time and labor involved up-front to migrate paper files to a completely electronic platform. Another would be the lack of quality patient time. When doctors, nurses, and administrative staff are unfamiliar with the technology and how a new system works, they often spend more time on it. Or, they may be uncomfortable using it so it will take them longer to execute a task. All this lost time could be potentially spent servicing patients or tending to other mission critical matters. Since electronic medical records, as an industry, is still in its infancy, we have yet to see a standardization of EMR requirements and utilization across healthcare organizations, insurance companies, pharmacies, etc. The problem is when these disparate systems do not synchronize; it results in errors, duplication of efforts, or a lag in time in service. Security concerns are still an issue. While many might think that migrating to an electronic system would be safer, another one of the disadvantages of electronic medical records is vulnerability those systems inherently create. There is still a real concern that no matter how many firewalls, password encryptions, and other security features added, there will be a hacker who can beat the system and potentially compromise and steal personal information. All these concerns can be addressed by potentially partnering with an outsource company that specializes in electronic medical records as they have the technology and trained staff to handle large volumes of patient information. They have also invested the time and resources into the latest equipment and security measures. The irony is that while EMRs were designed to improve communication and increase time spent with patients, they actually have enabled some doctors to engage less with patients because they have much more information before actually seeing the patient. In addressing these concerns, there is one key way to circumvent these and other disadvantages of electronic medical records. Working with a highly specialized electronic medical records solutions provider will assure that best-of-breed technologies, and the industry and operational expertise, is in place. By outsourcing the entire process, your staffs can also then focus on core business areas and foster the company’s service reputation. An electronic medical records partner also best ensures systems integrate with others in synergistic industries, and that the best and most current security mechanisms are deployed to keep patient information inaccessible to those unauthorized to view.