Atoms, Molecules and Elements Essay

Atoms, molecules and elements are the building blocks of everything we can see, hear, and touch. Though not visible to the naked eye, it is the combination of millions of these tiny substances that make us who and what we are today. Many elements make up the world around us, and each element reacts differently to its surroundings. The definition of reactivity as pertained to chemistry states, â€Å"The relative capacity of an atom, molecule, or radical to undergo a chemical reaction with another atom, molecule, or compound† (Reactivity, 2014). The reactivity of some elements or gases is greater than that of others. When Dmitri Mendeleev created the periodic table he arranged the elements based on their relative atomic mass. Alkali metals are very reactive when mixed with other elements and are placed in Group 1A of the periodic table. There are also extremely reactive nonmetal elements called halogens and are known to be in group 7A in the periodic table. Both the alkali metal s and the halogens (nonmetals) on considered to be main group elements. When the number of outer shell electrons is closer to one or seven the higher the elements reactivity. Alkali metals contain a single electron in their outer shell which makes them highly reactive and halogens contain only seven electrons in their outer shell. Noble gases, such as helium, are not reactive because they are chemically stable and will not combine with other elements. Hâ‚‚S and Hâ‚‚O are molecules formed from atoms that share similar properties. While the molecular structure of these compounds looks similar they are actually very different. When Hâ‚‚O is combined a liquid is formed whereas Hâ‚‚S forms a gas. What is meant by the electronic structure of an atom? This describes how the electrons are organized around the nucleus of an atom. The protons and electrons of an atom both have an electrical charge. While a proton has a positive charge, an electron has a negative charge and when moving toward each other they will be attracted to each other. When two protons move toward each other they will repel away, as is true with two electrons. â€Å"The more energy an electron has, the farther from the nucleus it will be, thus electrons are arranged in shells at various distances from the nucleus according to how much energy they have† (Science Southwestern Advantage, 2011, p. 319). The charge of an atom works much like that of a magnet, if you try to put the two negative ends together they will push apart. Knowing the electronic  structure of an atom helps chemists to predict the outcome of chemical reactions by knowing if the properties will be attracted to each other or repel from one another. With all that scientists know about atoms, molecules, and elements I am sure there is much more to learn. Knowing how metals, gases, and elements work together can assist in predicting the outcome of experiments. References Reactivity. (2014, July 7). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com Science Southwestern Advantage. (2011). Nashville: Southwestern/Great American Inc.

Existential Therapy: Death, Freedom & Self-Awareness

Existential Therapy: Death, Freedom & Self-Awareness Some people rely on others to validate who they are, and to give them meaning. However, they must realize that they are alone in this world and they must find meaning from within themselves and not from others. Nevertheless, for many people being alone causes anxiety in which people feel that their life has no meaning. A person can become aware of who they are but not accept who they are while being alone. Existential therapy helps people to look within and find a way to cope with their emotional experiences they have encountered in order to recover from them.When individuals learn to love themselves and be content with themselves, they will then know how to love others. Existential therapy is different from other theories. It is therapy to help people understand that they are the authors of their own life and that they are free to choose how they respond to it. The important factors of existential therapy are getting the client to find personal meaning and truths. Taking responsibility for any decisions, he/she makes. Being able to live in the present and not the past: getting the client to experience life by living in the moment.Tolerating anxiety, as a part of life, this will reoccur throughout life. Finally, to help clients understand and accept death and a greater gain of self-awareness. Death and Meaning The only absolutes are life and death. Many people give death too much power by fearing it, instead of embracing it. â€Å"Death is often one of the most powerful forces which keeps us from truly living† (Hoffman, 2004). When a person sincerely accepts death, they realize that their purpose in life is to do something meaningful by helping others.By dealing with death through the loss of loved ones and friends, I have learned to appreciate life and use my time here on earth wisely. As a little child, I was always afraid to die, due to my parents dying at a young age. I just knew I would die early too. Eventually after witnessing so many deaths year after year, I could no longer be afraid. The anxiety was so strong at one point I would have nightmares. , However, after losing my husband I grew to be content with death and love life much harder.Not to just love life but to live for each moment, not looking in the past but looking towards the future, what can I do now to help humanity. If we question ourselves on what we would do if death would come on a certain day, it would sincerely change people’s attitude about dying and change them in a way to live more freely. Moreover, in order to accept death one must find meaning. Meaning asks questions like, who are we, what will we become, and what is our purpose for being here? Unfortunately, it took death and pain to help me realize what my purpose in life was which is helping people.Helping people to cope with their issues gives me more reason to live. Freedom and Responsibility Individuals are free to choose to do good or bad, right or wrong. Being free means that people are accountable for their own actions and that they have to live with the decisions they make. When we choose to act in a certain way, we should not blame others for the way we act. People have full control over their emotions so we need to take full responsibility for our own actions, how we live our lives, and not make excuses for what we did not do. However, with freedom there is much responsibility.When clients do not want to accept responsibility a counselor will then encourage the client to reflect on his or her life and find meaning and/or their purpose of living. Since we are free, we cannot blame others for our problems. As stated in the eighth edition of the Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (Corey, 2009), while people claim they desire freedom, the existential belief declares that most will try to escape this freedom. People do this in order to avoid responsibility of making choices, (p. p. 140-141). Peo ple have to live for themselves and make their own decisions and to take charge of their lives.If a person commits a crime than that person cannot blame their upbringing or society for being the reasons of committing the crime, they themselves committed the crime so they will suffer the consequences for their actions. Self-Awareness Self-awareness is a person’s ability to know who they are fully. The more we know ourselves the more we grow. The more we grow the more freedom we have to choose and make good choices. When we are fully aware we can accept that no matter what we have been through in life, those circumstance do not define who we are.Dealing with pain and suffering for many years I have let go of what I experienced (holding on does not help with counseling), however learning to handle situations helped me to react differently and live free from any anxieties. It is up to people to want to progress from their old way of thinking and adapt to a new ones (this is how w e make better choices), we cannot get better even with therapy if we do not find a way to do so. Strengths and Weaknesses Existential therapy focuses on the concepts of death, meaning, and purpose, which are all critical issues that play an important part of human existence.Counselors seek to help not train the clients to do better, client’s progress on their own terms. Clients learn to cope with being alone and not seek support from others around them. It teaches clients to understand anxiety because it will always be a part of our lives but knowing how to deal with it helps make us better people. Counselors are open-mind to different issues and can handle all types of attitudes, beliefs, and experiences. Weaknesses to this type of therapy: Melton (2010) states that, â€Å"a major criticism that this approach lacks a systematic statement of the principles and practices of psychotherapy.

Risk Management and Investment Coursework Portfolio Lab Report

Risk Management and Investment Coursework Portfolio - Lab Report Example I also limited the number of shares because of the fee charges that runs the portfolio. When the portfolio balance grew from the investment returns, I increase the number of shares and changed the investment of the contributions. After passing the initial phase, I planned to tweak the investment so that they spread across the portfolio’s stock. I also gave a concern on the number of shares that strikes a perfect balance between ease management and diversification (Fabozzi 1989). I settled on 10 portfolios because it was easy to manage. The allocation I employed is 20% for each stock. Going through the fund’s list, I avoided investing on unpredictable outcomes like future inflation. Although the fund’s performance looks good, there still yet there exist many risks in this portfolio that needed to be cared. In this section, the fund’s risk analysis will described and discussed in the order as follows. Standard deviation is an indicator to measure the price’s fluctuation or the return’s volatility. A larger standard deviation means a larger volatility, which contains the bigger risk. As is shown in the overview of the investment fund, the largest standard deviation of price is 252.60 while the smallest is 2.77. Thus DGE is more risky than the others and the bond brings few risks to the portfolio. Moreover, the standard deviation of return ranges from 0.00213 to 0.0198. That demonstrates that PRU has the largest risks and the bond do few contributions to the risk of the fund. In sum, the assets with large standard deviation may prevent the fund’s aims to be achieved. If the confidence level is 95%, then the maximum and minimum VaR of the assets are 415.49 and 4.5593, which means there is 5% chance in a day that DGE and GILT face a loss of over 415.49 and 4.5593. Meanwhile, the portfolio’s VaR is 74189974.39, which means there is 95% possibility that the fund will not suffer a loss more than 74189974.39 in a day.

Why Was the Nile River Important for the Rise of Successful States in Essay

Why Was the Nile River Important for the Rise of Successful States in North Africa - Essay Example Most of the history of Nile River has a connection to Egyptian civilization. Were it, not for river Nile, there would not be the rise of successful states in North Africa and particularly Egypt. The river originates1 from the Blue Nile and White Nile tributaries originating from Ethiopian highlands and Lake Victoria respectively. The river flows in the northern direction for about 2000 kilometers through the Sahara. Nile River is 10 kilometers wide and supports thousands of people in strips of arable land. The river Nile valley can be regarded as a narrow and long oasis where human beings live, thanks to the river. It is the longest river so far in the world. There are several ways through which Nile River was crucial for the rise of successful states in North Africa. This paper will discuss the importance of river Nile in the rise of successful states in Northern Africa. First, due to River Nile, the people living on both banks of the river can be able to produce abundant harvests. There was a myth of the miracle in river Nile. The annual flooding of the river was much beneficial to farmers along the river. Annual flooding was advantageous to the farmers around the river as there was silt deposit after the flooding. When the river flooded, it left nutrients to the farms which were essential for growing healthy crops. The river was rising in the summer from the rains in Ethiopian highlands and central Africa between September and October. The flooding was recurrent, and farmers could predict the seasons of agriculture (Erik & Reynolds,  2012). The deposits of silt left by the river enriched the soil. This land was referred to as the fertile land. The flooding of the river could not be seen as life threatening but life enhancing. Unlike the flooding of Mesopotamia Rivers, Nile’s flooding could be predicted and used to be gradual. Although an organized irrigation system was still necessary, the villages along the Nile River made an effort without state i nterventions. Abundant supply of the food was one of the factors that led to civilization. The civilization in Egypt was rural with a majority of small population centers located along the narrow band of river Nile. The river splits 2into two branches before emptying into Mediterranean Sea. River Nile forms a delta which is a triangular shaped territory, commonly referred to as the Lower Egypt. The river created a large area; several miles wide at the banks. The created area was capable of producing plenty of harvests. The most famous cities in Egypt developed at the delta of river Nile. Up to date, a large population of people in Egypt is crowded at the banks of river Nile. The surplus food, grown along river Nile, led to prosperity of cities. Trade was established between cities, and leading trade items included agricultural products, fish, goats, sheep and cattle (Keim, 2009). The flooding enabled the Egyptians to grow wheat, beans, barley, lentils, leeks, peas, and onions. They were also able to grow fruits such as figs, dates, grapes and melons. This is an indication that the Egyptians were able to enjoy bread, wine and beer in abundance. The presence of fish in river Nile improved the food security along the river. The other reason as to why Nile River was vital for the rise of successful states in North Africa is that it served as a unifying factor. It was used as a means of transport along the cities near the river. In the ancient times, using river Nile was one of the fastest ways of travelling through the land. The river helped to make transport and communication along the states developed in North Africa. The winds originating from the north helped to push the sail boats south. Most travelers headed downstream. When people were travelling downstream, they used paddles or long poles

How were Russians influenced by American media regarding body image, Term Paper - 1

How were Russians influenced by American media regarding body image, beauty and the way they behaved - Term Paper Example On the other hand, it cant but be stated that Russian national values have drastically changed under the influence of America mainly through mass media, and especially television (Hentoff, 2002). The question remains to be open, whether Russians are too weak to resist to the influence that is determining their behavior, way of life and predicting their actions for the nearest future. Actually, it must be mentioned that the values, which they used to hold earlier, have not changed, but their attitude towards them is absolutely different in comparison to what it used to be a couple of decades ago. Thus, it is essential to discuss this issue and to prove that Russians are greatly influenced by America and this influence is more positive than negative. Before talking about how exactly the way of life of Russians were influenced by America, it is essential to trace the history and roots of such influence. We live in a world of contradictions, where there is a constant need to prove the strength and power. From time immemorial there exists a confrontation between superpowers. Russia and the United States of America are the brightest samples of such confrontation (Rios, 2006). It is hard to say definitely why the American-Russian relations are so specific: different mentalities, lifestyles, cultures and, of course, ideology and history. The situation was injected by the journalists, authorities and just people eager to create sensations. An iron curtain was hung over the former USSR. The USSR mass media made monsters even of ordinary Americans and vice versa. Such situation was suppressing and largely created artificially. It was a time of proxy wars that destroyed lives on both continents .People are still getting through the effect s of so-called â€Å"Cold War† which, according to The United States Department’s expression, was a global competition of two ideologies of The Free world and Communistic

Explain Mysticism and how it relates to Christiany Research Paper

Explain Mysticism and how it relates to Christiany - Research Paper Example ............................................. 6. Conclusion............................................................................................................... Thesis Statement: Religion and Mysticism are complimentary in nature, and Christianity has very closer association with Mysticism that stresses the need for prayer and meditation in one’s life. Introduction Mysticism has often been regarded as concept with a deeper level meaning in almost all religions of the world. It is the close association mysticism with religion that very often leads many to consider it as quite equal to some of the religions. But a closer analysis will certainly unveil mysticism as a different perspective from religious teachings. Even a mere observation will be sufficient enough for unearthing this close association and it is identifiable that some of the religions are proclaiming some of the aspects of mysticism. Among the religions that are very much associated with mysticism Christi anity stands to be a supreme one. Many researchers have clearly recognised this close association and have affirmed the closer relationship of Christianity with mysticism. The proximity between Christianity to mysticism had led many to think to supplement one with another. In a closer look one can find out that these two are different even though some apparent similarities are there. The closeness of mysticism and Christianity paves for the analytical study between these two. The proposed study is aimed to explore the close association between Christianity and Mysticism. Various factors concerning both Christianity and Mysticism will be analysed in the paper and specifically, the researcher will endeavour to establish the fact that religion and Mysticism are complimentary. The essay takes note on the relationship of Christian teachings to mysticism and will analyse the major components of mysticism and Christianity through comparative studies intended to expose their relation. There fore, the study proposes the thesis that, religion and Mysticism are complimentary in nature, and Christianity has very closer association with Mysticism that stresses the need for prayer and meditation in one’s life. What is mysticism? Researchers have often been expressed their difficulty in properly defining mysticism. Of course, the word mysticism is originated from Greek culture. Some regard it as quite similar to asking a foolish question like what beauty is. However, different religions attribute different aspects to mysticism. Many have observed it as more difficult to define than socialism and the words of William Ralph Inge makes it crystal clear when he reveals the various attributes of Mysticism. He says, â€Å"Sometimes it [mysticism] is used as an equivalent for symbolism or allegorism, sometimes for theosophy or occult science; and sometimes it merely suggests the mental state of a dreamer, or vague and fantastic opinions about God and the world† (Inge, 16). It clearly indicates the fact that defining mysticism is not easier as one thinks. The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines mysticism as, ‘the belief that knowledge of God and the real truth can be found through prayer and meditation rather than through reason and the senses.’ A more acceptable fact regarding mysticism can be identified with Margaret Smith when she rightly commented thus, â€Å"Mysticism itself represents something much wider than its derivation: it represents a spiritual tendency which is universal, for we find it in

BUSINESS LAW II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BUSINESS LAW II - Essay Example In other words, if any financial institution fails, not the customers and taxpayers will bear the cost of such failed financial institutions but Wall Street. Additionally, bad debts will be dropped since banks among other financial institutions will be restrained from incurring unforeseen financial risks. This means that nearly all borrowers will be evaluated thoroughly to minimize obvious defaults. Notably, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 works with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that ensures that financial institutions have high financial standards that they uphold at all time of their operations (Berson and Berson, 2012). It is also worth noting that the retained percentage will also minimize the losses incurred by financial institutions in case of defaulters. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and its components seems not to be favoring financial institution since it does not provide bail out for financial institutions during rough economy, rather, the government will shut down them down as they will be considered as failed

Distance Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Distance Learning - Essay Example This is considered a significant problem to the people who have chosen to use this mode of studying, so as to meet the requirements of their courses and the relevant units in their field of study. In addition to this, the students may lack proper guidance because they are not near the learning institutions. Although there are some cases where the issue of implementing distance learning can affect the individuals’ concentration, the use of distance learning with a combination of technology has been effective and should be considered for use so that people can be able to study and do other types of tasks at the same time developing the nation. Relative to many studies that have been carried out, the traditional way of studying was done by ensuring all students were in the institution, and all the activities were carried out in an environment where there was a protocol to be followed. This meant that all the lessons were to be attended, and all the concentration was to be in the classroom environment (Chickering and Gamson 5). The implementation of the traditional way of learning, however, affected the way of operation of other students as they felt uncomfortable working under strict rules and regulations in their studies. This meant that they had to look for other ways, which could enable them to operate under some free environment, and this affected their relationship with the instructors. The issue of having to implement the distance learning to students have also been analysed from those who have been using the method before and different individuals had different reasons as to why the idea was either effective or not, to their studies. Relative to those who had experienced working with distance learning, they had to complain about the congestion that was being experienced in rooms, that were used for chatting as they studied. This meant that, the work they were being given had to delivered to them after the time required and students also had to give i n the work after the time that they were expected to submit. This influenced the way that the students and the instructors operated (Mantyla and Richard 12). The traditional way of studying, however, is being replaced with the introduction of technology in the world today. This has led to people having to learn from their own comforts, and finally being awarded a certificate in the long run after they are through with their course work and examinations. Benefits of Distance Learning Distance learning has been immensely beneficial to the environment as it influences the operations being carried out by the people, as well as the organizational aim to improve the economy of the nation. This is mainly because, individuals can be able to work as they study and finally have all the requirements of the society met within a specified range of time (Chickering and Ehrmann 7). The time that is needed for several years of study can be reduced by ensuring that an individual embraces the use of distance learning. This is mainly because, the individual will have time to work as they study at the same time. This ensures that as the individual works they also get some income to help them improve their living standards and work according to the requirements of their families and society. Distance learning helps those individuals who are not able to be found at the place of study because of various reasons that they can hardly avoid.

Human development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Human development - Essay Example As stated Metelev et al (2015), the focus of human development is on improving the lives of people rather than improving the economy and assuming that economic growth will automatically lead to wellbeing of the people. Human development is therefore an alternative approach that is based on social justice as an approach to determining human progress. Capabilities are central to understanding of the concept of human development. Capabilities refers to what people can do and what they can become hence are the equipment that individual has to pursue life. According to Burman (2012), access to knowledge, quality healthcare and quality standard of living are regarded as the basic capabilities that one need to be successful in life. Other capabilities that may influence individual’s wellbeing include; ability to participate in decisions that affects one’s life, freedom from violence, have fun and have control of person’s living environment. For instance providing high quality education for a girl would ensure he acquire the necessary skills to succeed in jobs, however, if that girl is denied job opportunity then her education will not be useful. Another scenario is when such girl is not provided with quality education that matches the labour market then her education will not be useful. Metelev et al (2015) outlin es three foundations for human development, access to resources and knowledge and: healthy, creative and long life. According to Bilbao-Ubillos (2013), the basic foundations mentioned above then open up other opportunities that creates favourable conditions for human development and includes: human rights and security, environmental sustainability, gender equality and participation in community and political life. Human development is also fundamental about choices because as opportunities increases, it creates various alternatives for people to choose from. According to

Women Abuse in India Essay Example for Free

Women Abuse in India Essay Violence against women in India Violence against women in India isn’t just a current issue, but rather has deep seated traditional roots in the culture. In order to combat the problem, we must understand its causes. In India, the problem of violence against women is a result of a long standing power imbalance between men and women. Men have control over access to property and resources. There is also a sexual division of labor in India that results in female exploitation–physically, mentally, and commercially. Oppression in India Women in India are subject to all forms of violence. Female infanticide is quite common in Haryana and Punjab because there is a preference for sons because male children carry on the family lineage. The education of sons is also considered much more important. In these two states, the sex ratio is lower than the national average. Discrimination within the household Within the household, there exists gender discrimination which determines intra-household distribution of food. Because women and girls are given less food than men, malnutrition among adolescent girls and women is quite prevalent in India. Lack of opportunity to work Due to lower educational levels, a woman has a much lower capacity to earn. Women from upper castes are seldom allowed to work outside the home. However, work participation rate among low caste women is better compared to that of upper caste women. Honor killings Honor killings are quite common in Haryana and Tamil Nadu when young girls marry somebody outside their caste and clan against her family’s wishes. Women as property  Dowry is demanded from the husband’s side (in-laws) when younger women get married. Newly married women become subject to verbal and physical abuse. In many cases, young brides are burnt to death by her in-laws if the parents fail to meet the requisite dowry demanded. Women are also viewed in terms of their virginity, as chastity is considered as a great virtue. In terms of family planning, women have been used as the subjects of experiments. Governments promote contraceptives to lower fertility among women, at the  behest of multinational corporations and the corporate sector, without thinking about their consequences. Population control and family planning is considered a way to control women’s sexuality. Photograph posted on Flicker by â€Å"Mckay Savage.† Data on violence against women In a country like India, it is difficult to rely on statistics pertaining to rape cases. The data may show that such crimes being committed may be going up or down. But in reality, women are afraid of even lodging FIRs (First Information Report) in police stations despite being raped or sexually harassed. The judiciary and the legal system are biased in favor of men. Cases of violence against women are under-reported. According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau 2007, a total of 1,85,312 incidents of crime against women (both under Indian Penal Code-IPC and Special and Local Laws-SLL) were reported in the country during 2007 as compared to 1,64,765 during 2006, thus recording an increase of 12.5% during 2007. These crimes have continuously increased during 2003-2007 with 1,40,601 cases in 2003, 1,54,333 cases in 2004, 1,55,553 in 2005, 1,64,765 cases in 2006 and 1,85,312 cases in 2007. The total number of sexual harassment cases were 10,950 in 2007. The total number of cases pertaining to cruelty by husband and relatives was 75,930. There were 61 cases of importation of girls. Altogether there were 38,734 cases of molestation in 2007. (See the URL: http://ncrb.nic.in/cii2007/cii-2007/FIGURES_2007.pdf). The number of rape cases has increased by nearly ten fold from 2487 in 1953 to 20737 in 2007. Young girls also become victims of child abuse at the hands of their closest male relatives, which they are unable to protest. What can be done When women protest against their exploitation, many try to silence them. The experience of Bhanwari Devi, the ‘sathin’ from Rajasthan, is a case in point. She was gang-raped for working against child marriage practiced by the upper castes in her village. According to the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) 2008, respect for women seem to be the worst in Andhra Pradesh, which accounted for 83.5 per cent of cases under Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of total cases across the country. Out of a total 1,200 such cases, Andhra had registered 1,005 incidents in  this regard. The NCRB data clearly points to the profile of the average rapist – over 75% were known to the victims. In fact, nearly 10% were relatives. Another disturbing aspect was that about a quarter of the rape victims were minors. During the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in September 1995, the United Nations Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, said that violen ce against women is a universal problem that must be universally condemned. The United Nations has termed violence against women as a gross violation of human rights. In India, a survey showed that for each incidence of violence, women lost an average of 7 working days. Role of media Media that includes television, radio and newspapers can play a positive role in creating awareness about the pitfalls of violence against women. Mass media’s power should not be undermined by our policy makers See more at: http://www.conversationsforabetterworld.com/2009/12/violence-against-women-in-india/#sthash.rCyr6L9P.dpuf

Geriatric Health Conditions: Types, Causes and Support

Geriatric Health Conditions: Types, Causes and Support Name: Clare Josephine Montuya Student No: 12001442 Introduction Generally, as we are living in the area of progression, we forget to look back into the ones, who in their prime, have done their best to establish the growing community that we are today. We tend to forget that we age along just like them. From this sentiment alone, we should be able to return the favour by means of answering their needs in a holistic manner and at the same time educating future generations about any problems that may arise from present-day health care so they would innovate means to address them in the near future. Time after time, problems tend to arise not from the premise that people have pre-existing health-related problems but from needs that have been overlooked or unaddressed. This report aims to discuss existing knowledge on common geriatric conditions, support organizations as well as services provided to the present day geriatric population so that rest homes, particularly Kindly Residential Care Rest Home, would be able to meet or exceed the expectations of clients or residents. Task 1 Dementia Dementia is a progressive-degenerative disorder that widely affects the general geriatric populace. It is progressive in a sense that those affected by it tend to develop severe symptoms as they age and degenerative by nature because of degeneration of certain and/or parts of the brain, resulting into changes in cognition, emotion, behaviour and personality. Although this may be prevalent among the elderly, this does not mean that the young adult populace is exempted from such. In present-day society, young adults tend to develop symptoms sooner than they think and tend to disregard the possibility of developing dementia in the long run. A hallmark sign of dementia is forgetfulness or short term memory loss. People as early as in their twenties tend to forget the keys to their room, their mobile phones, their assignments, and all other day to day activities no matter how simple these tasks may seem. But memory loss alone is not enough to diagnose dementia. A person should be able to have memory loss accompanied by four or more of the following criteria: language disturbance, trouble carrying out motor activities, failure to recognize or identify objects and trouble with planning, organising things and making judgments (Perkins, 2013). The severity of dementia can be categorized into mild, moderate and severe. In mild dementia, one can still be independent in carrying out certain tasks though they may tend to have one or two symptoms of it. This is most prevalent in the young to middle adult stage. In moderate dementia, supervision may be required to be able to execute important tasks and most likely some of a few activities of daily living. In severe cases, full and extensive assistance and supervision is needed to carry out activities of daily living. Early Stages of Dementia Early symptoms of dementia may vary in progression depending on the type of dementia presented. Dementia may be categorized into the following: Alzheimer’s disease Short term memory loss is the most profound symptom of the disease. A good example of such would be losing or misplacing things, inability to concentrate or focus, inability to follow conversations, have trouble using the telephone since he or she would tend to forget phone numbers, inability to keep track of recent events at certain times and constantly ask questions for a time because he or she forgot the answer. Another symptom would be having trouble to plan, organize or carry out decisions. One could forget to pay the bills on time or even keep track of certain events in the office and the like. Poor sense of direction is another where one lost his or her way in a mall he or she has visited more than twice in a week. Emotional changes may happen as well, such as increased anxiety, embarrassment in social situations, anger or frustration, powerlessness, suspiciousness, boredom or worse depression. Vascular Dementia Due to any damage or obstruction in the blood vessels in the brain, certain parts of the brain are deprived of oxygen from insufficient blood supply, hence causing damage to certain lobes of the brain responsible for cognition and emotion. Although short-term memory loss is a common denominator for all types of dementia, another significance of this type is the earlier onset of the loss of executive skills. Considered to be an after effect of multiple stroke attacks, it causes a lot of frustration, most particularly the emotional aspect of a person’s well-being. They become overly emotional at most times. In the medical world, a person becomes labile. A person may tend to be furious over a small issue or even cry at something funny. Lewy body dementia Persons suffering from this type of dementia would usually display loss of concentration and impaired judgement. Short-term memory loss is usually present but at its earliest stages, it is way better compared to Alzheimer’s disease. Another unique symptom would be able to have visual hallucinations, which would eventually lead to fear and depression. Frontal lobe dementia The front lobe of the brain is mainly affected in this particular type of dementia due to insufficient blood supply. They may have some similarities with vascular dementia but in its earlier stages, people suffering from such type would initially experience personality changes such as being tactless or breach rules of social etiquette. They tend to have difficulty expressing their feelings and have a problem reciprocating the appropriate response or emotion. Worst case scenario, they express no concern for their surrounding environment. They tend to feel that they are purposeless, so they tend to slack off or feel powerless to do anything. As a result, hygiene would be a concern for them and would require assistance and supervision in carrying out certain tasks of daily living. Interventions Regardless of what type of dementia the person has, dementia in its early stages is not to be taken lightly. Awareness is the key so information on dementia should be disseminated especially to clients and their families who are directly affected by it. This also does not limit to direct family members of the client but also to other health care professionals involved in his or her care. Taking care of the financial and legal aspect in the earlier stages of dementia is one of the many important things to prepare before the client. Security of assets such as having joint accounts, or preparing last will and testament and making advance directives before the client reaches a severe stage of dementia. Another would be to develop a routine for them to do and make these tasks simpler than they used to be. In any case there is a certain routine that they stick to, never break their routine. Providing them references to different support groups and providing access to their services is the best intervention so they could achieve the quality of life they desired. Support Organizations Access to these support groups would be essential to the geriatric populace. Alzheimer’s New Zealand This organization aims to disseminate information and promote high standards of education for people with dementia, their caregivers, families and health professionals. The regional member organisations may offer all or some of the following services: Support through group â€Å"get-togethers† for the person diagnosed with dementia Support group meetings for carers and family members Home visits by member organisation staff or field workers Carer education programmes Volunteer services Day-care programmes Regular newsletters Library – books and audio resources (http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/world_report_2012_final.pdf ) Eldernet This support group provides options to clients as to how and where they want their care delivered. Either they need care delivered in a large community or in the comforts of their home, Eldernet is able to provide links to these services such as list of different residential care homes, rest homes, support services and retirement villages. National Dementia Cooperative The said support group has been created to facilitate sharing of information regarding support systems made available and share ideas to achieve the goals of the cooperative. Age concern Age Concern provides free and confidential Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services in many major cities and provincial areas throughout New Zealand. These services employ professional staff to work with older people and their carers, providing support and advocacy so that older people can be happy, healthy and safe. The services also raise awareness of elder abuse by providing education for aged care workers, community groups, families and anyone with an interest in the wellbeing of older people. There are also other providers of Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services. (http://www.ageconcern.org.nz/ACNZPublic/Services/EANP/ACNZ_Public/Elder_Abuse_and_Neglect.aspx?hkey=df8b9042-ce1e-4d3a-9fe5-861fc17d2ecf) New Zealand Aged Care Association New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA), is a not-for-profit, national membership organisation which represents all parts of the aged care residential sector. Our members provide long and short term residential services to the over 65 cohort. Services include: Long term residential care Rest home care Hospital care Dementia care Psychogeriatric care Short term residential care Respite care Carer support care ACC care Non-weight bearing care Services Residential care This type of service is ideal for clients whose family wishes them to stay for a long period of time. People entering into residential care would normally experience separation anxiety and would be difficult for the staff to establish rapport. As much as possible, an initial assessment for the first 48 hours is made and the staff should be able to gather enough information as to the routine care that they will be able to include in their care. After enough background history or information is gathered, a profile is made as basis for the plan of care. The care plan is then discussed with the family and must be reviewed or updated every six months or when significant changes have taken place. Regular meetings with the family are held every now and then to promote collaboration in the care of the patient. Activities cannot be only limited to the confines of the facility but outings are encouraged as well. A walk in the park, spending the afternoon in a familiar coffee shop or any recrea tional activity that keeps them company. But when it comes down to having outpatient visits to the doctor, a family member must accompany them as they know the history of the patient well than any other caregiver. In any case they wish to have services such as a reflex massage on the foot, or a manicure or pedicure, or hairdresser, these services can be brought from the nearest parlour to their very doorstep. But when dementia gets severe enough that the facility can’t handle, these clients will then be endorsed or sent to a higher level of care facility such as the hospital. End of Life Support Palliative care is an essential care pathway when clients reach their terminal stage in life. This not only applies to the physical aspect but also the emotional, cultural and spiritual well-being as well. Advance directives are made in advance while the client’s cognition is still intact and involve the family as well in the decision-making. Heaps of issues tend to arise from this as well, affecting the delivery of care to clients. One would be medical issues, such as addressing clients with terminal stage illnesses like pneumonia, cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, stroke and more chronic diseases. We should also consider the hydration status and nutrition of each of the clients to ensure that they keep up with their nutritional needs. Another issue to address is euthanasia or â€Å"Death by Dignity†, an ethical issue that is still debatable to this day. According to Perkins, a system called Liverpool Care Pathway was developed to ensure the best p ossible end-of-life care delivered to the individual in the last few days of his or her life (Perkins, 2013). In the care of the terminally ill in the home setting, a private duty nurse can be arranged to assist the family in taking care of the client. Hospices Though this may be similar to end of life support, these facilities specialize in taking care of demented clients with diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. Palliative care is still the main intervention for this facility. Hospitals These facilities offer numerous services open 24/7 to be able to cater to the health needs of patients requiring a higher level of care. In this setting, they require to people to assist in the care of the client. Demented clients who become frail and enter into dementia of a severe kind are most likely to be admitted. Rest Homes In this facility, the residents are more likely to take care of themselves independently but still require supervision and a bit of support from health care assistants. These are privately-owned and offer 24-hour staffing who are trained well in dementia care. A registered nurse may be present but not at all times. They tend to have limited hours to visit and may tend to visit whenever there is an emergency. Advocates Advocates for the demented elderly support their rights to care they deserve in order to achieve good quality of life. They organize and provide information about dementia and share links to certain support groups. They do everything they can to help protect and defend the rights of the client in getting what they want out of the care given. Task 2 On Stigmas of Dementia They say that what you wouldn’t know couldn’t kill you. What if what you thought about dementia isn’t as bad as it seems? What if something you thought was wrong seemed to help at all? Here a few things that you thought wrong about dementia: Social isolation of the individual and their family What it actually is†¦ People shouldn’t look at dementia as something to be ashamed of but rather something that could open barriers of communication. Individuals who suffer from dementia tend to create more bonding moments with their family and their caregivers as well as both family and caregivers collaborate together to give much attention to the needs of the client. Being a resident in a rest home doesn’t mean being confined behind four walls for the remainder of his or her life. Recreational activities in the facilities and getting them involved in support groups help answer the emotional and social needs of the residents and clients. So people should start to see that they won’t be that alone after all. Assumption of automatic loss of independence What it actually is†¦ Dementia, once diagnosed at an early stage, can still be managed since it is in this stage that people can still carry on effectively and independently certain activities of daily living. Although they may be under supervision, that does not mean that independence has been totally taken away from the individual. Health care providers stick to the code of upholding the rights of the clients, therefore independence isn’t lost after all. Unable to make decisions about own care What it actually is†¦ This stigma may be considered granting to it that one is already in a severe case of dementia. Though health care providers and family members tend to make certain decisions on the care of the client, they are still guided by the laws protecting the rights of the client to make health care decisions. If the client has something to say about how he or she wants it to be, then there is nothing they can do but respect it. Therefore, clients can still make decisions about their own care after all. Dissatisfying interactions with the medical community What it actually is†¦ A lot of issues tend to arise from care rendered by caregivers. Proper lines of communication is essential to establish rapport and eventually gain cooperation from the client. Health care providers, especially trained in dementia care, are guided by the ethics in caring for these clients. Though there may be a few reported to have ill-mannered staff, that does not generalize the entire medical community to be the same. Appropriate disciplinary actions will take place and every client has every right to complain about the care rendered to them. Therefore, not all health care providers in the medical community are that mean after all. Uncertainty of support services and treatments What it actually is†¦ Support services and treatments are all just a click away. The internet is flooding full of advocacy organizations and support groups, which allows families and affected individuals as well easy access to the services they desire. If in any case that the internet is not within their reach or when computer literacy may pose as a challenge to the elderly populace, then they can always consult health professionals for referrals to such support groups. After all, there is no harm in asking. Conclusion Awareness is the key to unlock all the possible barriers to the demented client’s right to attain the quality of life they desire. Raising awareness of dementia, especially in its early stages, and eradicating any stigmas surrounding it would be able to help the affected individuals gain access into support systems that are readily available to accept them and advocate their rights to proper care and treatment. As soon as they get in contact with these links of support groups, they could gain access to the services they desired. Cisco Systems: SWOT Analysis and Marketing Analysis Cisco Systems: SWOT Analysis and Marketing Analysis Principles of Marketing Abstract This study aims to provide information on key marketing concepts and strategies adopted by Cisco Systems Inc. It critically analyzes Ciscos business strategies and practices by describing and evaluating its market orientation along with the impact of its marketing practices on business thereby providing an overview of its competitive advantage and SWOT analysis. One of the most vital and comprehensive marketing tools Ansoff Product-Growth Matrix has been implemented for Cisco, identifying its potential development, segmentation and diversification tactics. Porters Five Forces framework has also been included to derive five forces that determine competitive intensity and attractiveness of markets. Ciscos B2B and B2C segments are identified in conjunction with the marketing mix of product, price, promotion and place to support its marketing strategies in order to align it with its adopted business model. Introduction Cisco Systems Inc, a networking systems developer and manufacturer, was founded by two computer scientists at Stanford University in 1984. Cisco went public in 1990. Computers on local networks had not been able to communicate easily with computers outside that network, until Cisco introduced its first commercial router in 1986. Geographically dispersed networks of computers using different networking protocols, were able to be linked together by Ciscos multi-protocol router. Cisco quickly emerged a global leader in networking hardware, software and services, expanding to over 40,000 employees along with annual revenues of $23.8 billion by the end of 2000, although the economic downturn affected Ciscos 2001 revenues and compelled Cisco to layoff close to 14% of its employees (Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2001). Cisco Systems, Inc. is the global leader in computer networking for the Internet. Today, networks form an integral part of education, government, business systems and home communications. Cisco hardware, software and service contributions are used to establish the Internet solutions that make complex networks possible, enabling easy access to information anywhere, at any time, by individuals, organizations and countries. Additionally, Cisco has pioneered the utilization of the Internet in its own business practices and provides consulting services based on its experience and expertise to support other organizations around the globe. Since the companys inception, engineers at Cisco have promptly contributed in the innovation of networking technologies based on Internet Protocol (IP). This tradition of IP innovation endures with the evolution of industry-leading products in the core technologies of switching and routing along with advanced technologies in areas like home networking, security, IP telephony, storage area networking, optical networking, and wireless technology. Cisco offers a broad range of services, including technical support and a dvanced services in addition to its products. Cisco markets its services and products, both directly through its channel partners as well as through its own sales force, to service providers, commercial businesses , large enterprises and consumers. Social responsibility and customer focus are the core values on which Cisco operates as an organization (Cisco Systems Inc 2004). Over time, Cisco has proved its ability to successfully capture market transitions. Commencing in 1997 with the certainty that voice and video would all be converged to one, proceeding to the Network of Networks in 2000 and the network becoming the podium for all related web technologies and the base of customer solutions along with the most recent market transition of collaboration and Web 2.0 technologies. At Cisco, product offerings evolve as per market transitions only to best meet customer requirements. Cisco has emerged from Enterprise and Service Provider solutions to recognizing and approaching customer needs in numerous other segments including Small, Consumer and Commercial. To a large degree, the network has evolved to into a platform for providing one transparent and seamless customer experience. A key aspect of Ciscos culture is connecting and collaborating with others to make the world smaller through innovative technology and use it to enhance life experiences. Thats the Human Network a place where everyone is connected. (Cisco n.d.) Market Orientation Jaworski and Kohli (1996) defined market orientation as the organization wide generation of market intelligence pertaining to current and future customer needs, dissemination of the intelligence across departments, and organization-wide responsiveness to it. Customer and Market Focus In recent years, market-driven organizations have begun to evolve as the new industry giants. The market-driven formula for success in todays marketplace is to produce the right product at the right price at the right time (Bill Barrett 2001). The right product is the one that solves the customers problem and delivers the highest value. The right price is what the customer is willing to pay. The right time is when the customer needs the product. Customer needs and priorities are continuously changing. Therefore, an organization must know how customers wants, needs and values emerge over time to be successful. To gain the desired knowledge of the customer, an organization must focus on the current and prospective markets and customers it serves and put the customer first in every aspect of the organization. Marketing-orientated companies focus on customer needs (Jobber 2007: 6). By including the customer in an organizations mission and goals, market-driven organizations make providing value to the customer a top priority. This commitment to the customer is evident in Cisco Systems mission statement: To shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors and ecosystem partners (Cisco n.d.) Ciscos market focus begins with its emphasis on delivering unprecedented value to its customers, as well as other stakeholders, including employees, investors, and environmental partners. Ciscos mission statement is consistent with market-driven perspective of serving the objectives of all the stakeholders (Bill Barrett 2001). We believe Ciscos market orientation emphasizes continuous improvement of the processes since information gathering is one of the main characteristics of a market driven organization. As the market demands and customers requirements change continuously, it is extremely essential for such organizations to gather relevant data in all environmental sectors competitive, political, cultural, economic, technological, human resources and most importantly the consumer. Thus, it can be said that Ciscos orientation is rightly aligned with its mission statement./p> Relationship Strategies The market-driven concept suggests that putting the customer first in all aspects of an organization results in satisfying all stakeholders, which challenges the belief that multiple stakeholders often have conflicting goals. Market-driven organizations use relationship strategies to form partnerships and alliances with stakeholders to create synergy and minimize or eliminate conflicting goals. Cisco Systems has formed strategic alliances with suppliers and customers to deliver a customer-centric, total solutions approach to solving problems, exploiting business opportunity, and creating sustainable competitive advantage for our customers (Bill Barrett 2001). Cisco and its partners recognized that their products and services, combined with those of suppliers and customers, created a total solution that was more valuable than the sum of the individual pieces (Bill Barrett 2001). The most fundamental way in which Cisco views its strategy is around the idea of change, and how change aff ects customers. Essentially, it believes that market transitions that most affect customers define competitive opportunities. Change is recognized as endemic and adaptation considered to be the Darwinian condition for survival (Jobber 2007: 6). Cisco prepares for market transitions by listening to customers and by taking risks, innovating and investing 3-5 years in advance of a major transition in order to capitalize on it before competitors when the transition is realized in the market (Cisco n.d.). Ciscos vision and innovativeness can be clearly seen from the above statements that promote its connoisseurship in computer networks and the recent developments of the Internet. Its ability to anticipate and prepare for such market transitions is the key plot of its customers and its own success. Changing needs present potential market opportunities, which drive the company (Jobber 2007: 6). Cisco makes every effort in its power and scope to work towards its vision by its innovativeness which has provided enormous potential market opportunities. This approach is by far one of the largest contributors to its success in the Silicon Valley amongst its competitors in the industry. It has led to Cisco being one of the big names among industry giants like Microsoft, Apple, Sun Microsystems etc. Elements of Market Orientation Customers guide where we go and we stay ahead of market shifts so that we are ready to help our customers evolve, as their industry evolves (Cisco n.d). The customer centric approach is vital to the product development at Cisco. It signifies the presence of market orientation in the organization with respect to the customers needs and requirements that form the basis of marketing strategies at Cisco. Some of the most influential market orientation elements are strategies based on providing value for customers, rapid response to negative customer satisfaction, immediate acknowledgement to competitive challenges, and speedy detection of changes in customer product preferences (Pelham 2000). Cisco has been concentrating on the consumer markets as part of their marketing strategies. It transitioned itsLinksyssubsidiary into a dedicated consumer business group, formed a consumer-focused council, and made key changes in the way it builds consumer products. This change has accentuated Cisco s efforts in building brand awareness among customers worldwide. Cisco has tried to adopt a unified approach to consumer market since it acquired Linksys, a home networking company. It can be seen as a strategy based on creating value for customers and its focus on the much fragmented home networking segment where Cisco had expansion plans due to its belief in home networking being on the cusp of a major market transition. Cisco Business Strategies Reaching Market Adjacencies through a New Management Model Cisco business strategy for the fiscal year 2009 was to address not less than 30 market adjacencies, and they concentrated mostly in those areas where the networking technology and protocols have not seen widespread adoption (Chambers 2009). Emerging markets like India and China have provided Cisco ample growth opportunities and value for their customers and shareholders. In order to capture these opportunities, Cisco requires to move with speed and thought leadership. To accomplish this, they have a new management model based on Councils and Boards which will collaborate to set a long term direction for their business strategy. The council and board members decisions will help the organization to ensure that the goals are aligned throughout the company (Chambers 2009). Capturing Market Transitions Ciscos success also comes from capitalizing on market transitions before they occur. Their goal is to capture these market transitions faster than their competitors by identifying the technologies which play a crucial role in the future of communications and Information Technology. Acting on this differentiated strategy, they made multiple acquisitions in fiscal 2008 2009 (Chambers 2008) including wireless, unified communications and security technologies. Cisco continues to grow through internal development, acquisitions, their global partnerships, and cross-functional teamwork. One area of their differentiated strategy includes a goal of growing each product category in their advanced technologies to capture $1 billion-plus in annual revenue and the number-one market position (Chambers 2008). Providing customer satisfaction is one of Ciscos core values. Creating sustainable customer partner ­ships is a crucial part of Cisco strategy and provides invaluable insight into market tr ansitions. In addition to their technology, Ciscos knowledge of economic development, education, government, healthcare, national security and public safety issues has increased customer trust in Cisco (Chambers 2008). Being close to their customers is they believe the best way to uncover opportunity for the next market transition, long before it becomes obvious to others. Sustained Differentiation across Customer Segments and Geographies Ciscos strategy is made upon four pillars: To capture customer driven market transitions by identifying, investing and positioning. Constant innovation which is enabled through building, buying or collaborating with their partners. Cisco differentiated market approach with their ability to bind together both their business architectures and the technology. Prioritization of initiatives and cross functional teamwork that drive execution across customer segments, products, geographic theaters and value added services. Ciscos differentiated strategy has evolved based on their customer requirements to create sustainable differentiation in the industry and better serving of the needs of all their customers (Chambers 2007). Cisco is continuing to expand their services, product offerings and distribution capabilities to the strategic market. Small and medium sized businesses are increasingly taking on networking technology as they realize efficiencies from their investments in Ciscos products. With the use of efficient networking hardware and software products, SMEs have discovered new ways to work effectively and efficiently (Chambers 2007). From a geographic perspective, Cisco was pleased with the strong and balanced performance they achieved in their four largest theaters. These include European Markets, United States and Canada, Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific. Perhaps Ciscos greatest geographic success of fiscal 2007 was their Emerging Markets Theater, where their revenue grew by 39 percent on a yearly basis (Chambers 2007). Cisco believes that its business processes and collaborative approach to their emerging markets sector have significantly contributed to its growth. Cisco Channel Strategy Cisco is partnering with best in class providers to ensure that their customers receive the highest standard of support and the solutions for its products (Cisco 2009). They consider their partners as an extension of Cisco and their partnerships are truly based on long term commitments and mutual benefits. Cisco is creating market growth through their direct investments, in conjunction with the investment in partnerships which allows them to expand their knowledge, visibility and experience in new technologies. Ciscos strategy is to actively invest in all the major technology segments on a global basis. As with acquisitions, all the investment targets are thoroughly examined and analyzed for both their business and technology. Below are the Cisco acquisitions for the fiscal year 2009 (Cisco 2009). Set-Top Box Business of DVN (Holdings) Ltd.-November 2, 2009 DVN has major operations in China and they are the market leader in digital cable solutions. DVN shares Ciscos vision of performance, scalable and services-rich cable interactive platform extending into every home.Market opportunity for Cisco with this acquisition is cabling solutions. ScanSafe, Inc.-October 27, 2009 The company ScanSafe is a market leader of software services and they provide web security solutions for global enterprises as well as small businesses. By this acquisition Cisco can lead as provider of on-premise content security and their market opportunity from this acquisition turns out to be network security. Starent Networks, Corp.-October 13, 2009 Starent Networks is a leading supplier of IP based mobile infrastructure solutions, targeting mobile and converged carriers. According to Cisco there is an active investment in this market by the service provider, since the global mobile data traffic is expected to double every year. The market opportunity for Cisco with this acquisition is mobility. Tandberg-October 1, 2009 Tandberg is a global leader in video communications. They have a broad range of world class video endpoint and network infrastructure solutions. So with this acquisition, Cisco will expand its collaboration to offer more solutions to a number of customers further accelerating market adoption globally. Tidal Software, Inc.-April 9, 2009 Tidal Software is the creator of intelligent application management and automation solutions. This acquisition will advance Ciscos data center strategy by enhancing product and service delivery offerings. Pure Digital Technologies Inc.-March 19, 2009 Pure Digital, are creators of the best-selling Flip Video brand. They are pioneers in developing consumer friendly video solutions and with this acquisition Cisco can expand in the media enabled home solutions segment and capture the consumer market transition to visual networking (Hooper 2009). Richards-Zeta Building Intelligence, Inc.-January 27, 2009 Richards-Zeta Building Intelligence Inc, they are leading provider of intelligent middleware technology that enables businesses to integrate building infrastructure and information technology (IT) applications over a common Internet Protocol (IP) network, resulting in improved efficiencies, greater energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint. Ciscos market opportunity with this acquisition is physical network security. The Next Market Segmentation for Cisco Cisco has been targeting towards getting a two digit sales growth from the telecommunication sector for the year 2009. Cisco is a market leader in the telecommunication sector and they are very optimistic to realize the target. For Cisco, telecommunication sector is one of the massive market segmentations for their products, especially in the IP technology. Cisco launches 2 to 3 solutions periodically for their technology which consists of updates or some added features as extensions of their current products (Yulyanto 2009). Cisco Key Success Factor After only a few years of its foundation, Cisco became a powerhouse in network technology. It was largely unfamiliar to the average consumer until the dot-com explosion, which resulted in a large customer base, such that it became worthwhile to reach potential decision-makers in a variety of ways. The arrival of the Internet as a ubiquitous part of our lives meant that increasing numbers of small businesses and average consumers rapidly became a part of Ciscos customer base. Both market segments contribute to the addition of extra computers, whether for new employees or for family members who want to surf the web simultaneously, which has driven the demand for simpler networking products that even a non-techie can set up. In fact, sales to small and medium businesses accounted for approximately 20 to 30 percent of Ciscos US$ 18.878 billion in revenue that ended in July 2003 (Cook 2004). While the late 1990s and early 2000s saw an explosion in large computer networks as companies upgr aded their infrastructures or simply set them up for the first time, the next several years likely saw a huge jump in small networks, thanks to the ability of Wi-Fi to share a single broadband connection with several computers without the need to drill holes or run Ethernet cables (Cook 2004). The Impact, Positive and Negative, of the Organizations Marketing Mix Marketing Mix Marketing mix is defined as the tactical tools that the marketers use to implement their strategies mixing the controllableelementsof aproducts marketing plan which arecommonly termed as 4Ps: product,price, place and promotion (Kotler 2008: 202). These elements are adjusted until a balanced proportionis found thatservestheneedsof the customerswhile generatingoptimumincome. Product Product can be defined as anything that can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition, use or consumption that might satisfy a want or need. It includes physical objects, services, persons, places, organizations and ideas (Kotler et al. 2008: 539). Ciscooffers a wide range ofproductsand networking solutions designed for enterprises and small businesses across a variety of industries. They are also addressing their customer requirements in many other segments including commercial and small business. The network has become a platform for providing a transparent customer experience (Insight 2009). Managing the Product Mix Positioning and Repositioning A well planned and executed brand repositioning helps Cisco to increase their brand value along with sales. Cisco is very closely aligned with their corporate strategy, regular investments in their brand positioning or repositioning to always renew the brand significance and maintain its connection with their customers. By brand positioning Cisco has gained enormous benefits as shown below: Brand Measure The branding campaigns conducted by Cisco have lifted its brand equity and helped it to gain shares and grow sales. This has also helped them to strengthen their overall brand recognition and exceed the averages on core brand measures. After the campaign launch, Cisco has been positioned into the security space by lifting their IT security brand consideration by 54% among their tech audience in six months (Slideshare 2008). Ciscos success brand repositioning depends upon their close alignment with their overall corporate strategy which includes product positioning, channel/alliance strategy and acquisitions (Slideshare 2008). Market Share Cisco has strengthened its dominant share in the core market by 72% in switching and 80% in routers. It has also expanded their share in the new products by 6% in messaging applications, 41% in web conferencing and 21% in the video conferencing segments respectively (Slideshare 2008).The market share has been increased for the entire r ange of Cisco security products including their firewall applications, VPN and for secure routers. Jobber (2007: 405) explains Product Strategy as: The emphasis on product portfolio analysis is managing an existing set of products in such a way as to maximize their strengths. But companies also need to look to new products and markets for future growth. A useful way of looking at growth opportunities is the Ansoff Matrix. Cisco Ansoff Analysis Market Penetration Market penetration is the fundamental method of a growth strategy in which the business focuses on selling current products into existing markets. It maintains or increases the market share of current products, restructures mature markets by driving out competition and increases the usage by existing customers (Tutor2u 2009). Acquiring competitors may be one of the major ways of gaining market penetration. It may also be achieved by more aggressive ways of promotional campaigns, supporting it with a competitive pricing strategy and dedicate more resources to selling products. Cisco is known for its innovative products and introduction of those products into the market before its competitors that helps in generating mature markets. Its products like Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Network Analysis Module, Cisco 7600 Series routers, Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Firewall Services Module and many other products have already captured the market (Cisco 2009). It is increasing the market share and customer loyalty through social networking sites, blogs and public interviews. Its main strategy to penetrate the existing market is through acquisitions. It acquired Audium Corporation in June 2006 that gives it opportunity to penetrate into the IP enabled voice telephony market, Cognio, Inc in September 2007 through which it entered into wireless networking, Nuova Systems, Inc in April 2008 that gives it chance to enter into data centers and ScanSafe, Inc in October 2009 that helped Cisco to capture the network security market (Cisco Systems 2009). Market Development Market development can be essentially termed as a growth strategy where the business aims to sell its current products into new markets. Such a strategy can be achieved by venturing into new geographical markets, new product dimensions and new distribution channels. Alternatively, different pricing strategies can be adopted to attract customers and create new market segments (Tutor2u 2009). Cisco recognizes the common strings that exist between sales, engineering, security and marketing groups. Once the main links are identified by its RD Team, it tries to build a suitable interface between the groups which contributes to the companys market development. Develop, Partner or Acquire is the 3 Tier strategy followed by Cisco. It teams up with industrys major companies and then provides persuasive offers to the customers. WirelessLANs, content networking,storage networking, voice over IP and Metro IP includingoptical networking are the extended product dimensions for market development ( Cisco 2001). In addition to this, Cisco is attempting to establish its marketing presence in other potential geographical locations like China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan etc. Product Development Product development can be defined as a strategy where a business seeks to introduce new products into current markets. It requires the development of new competencies and new products which may appeal to the customers (Tutor2u 2009). Existing product lines may be extended to provide existing customers with greater choice. Cisco sets vision and then makes its strategies to achieve its targeted goals. Its strong RD capitalizes the current market situation and then provides customized business solutions according to customer needs and further plans for new products. Cisco has identified four key requirements to increase acceptance in the business world: security, availability, quality of service, and reliability (Payataqool 2009). Diversification Diversification is the advancement strategy where a business introduces new products in new markets (Tutor2u 2009). This strategy involves high risk since the business targets markets where it has no or very little experience. Cisco has started its diversification in the emerging countries that extend from Russia to the Eastern Europe and Middle East that will also include Africa and Latin America. Industries in developing countries still use limited technology despite of having concentrated wealth, less government transparency and the customers willingness to use the most advanced and high tech products and services. The company not only targets to supply advanced networking equipment but also focuses on the target countrys revolution. Cisco has successfully initiated transformation projects in Chile, Turkey and South Africa as part of its diversification strategy (Deign 2009). Managing product over time Product Life Cycle With the dynamic state of todays economy, an organizational change should not only adapt to the current climate, but it must also encourage growth (Wrage 2009). Cisco has followed this by moving from a traditional silicon based organization to a lifecycle business model. These changes are challenging for Cisco since they have more than 60,000 plus employees supported by their 46 data centers worldwide. This new life cycle consists of six separate stages: In the prepare phase it determines the business case and the project requirements. Plan phase develops the detailed project plan describing the resources and responsibilities. In the design phase it details the alignment of business goals and the technical needs. Implement phase delivers the new capabilities with the integrations. Operate phase monitors and reviews the implementations. Lastly, the Optimize phase has a continuous improvement activity of the existing processes (Wrage 2009). So with these steps in place, Cisco has start ed progressing into an organization that is best suited for the service-oriented network infrastructure organization making the cost savings and efficiency a reality (Wrage 2009). Promotion Promotion means activities that communicate the merits of the products and persuade the target customers to buy it (Kotler 1999). Promotion is one of the factors which influence the buying behavior of the customer. It helps to inform people about the product and its usage. Cisco is using many means of introducing their products in global markets. They use advertising as the main tool to introduce new products and to connect with potential customers. They advertise their new products and services through public relationship, direct marketing, internet and online promotions. Cisco also uses the social media channels such as networking and blogs as a tool to promote and to extend their products to the larger audience. Cisco follows the following elements for their promotion strategy: Direct Marketing As stated by Peter Drucker (2009), Marketing is not a function; it is the whole business seen from the customers point of view. Direct marketing captures the customers by avoiding intermediaries. Cisco uses various methods to promote their product such as direct mail, telephone, telemarketing, e-marketing and other tools to directly communicate with the customers. Cisco conducts various direct marketing campaigns such as online shopping, cable television infomercials, which helps them in getting the direct response from their target audience and also to meet their demand generation goals. Advertising Advertisement can be defined as Any paid form of non personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services by an identified sponsor (Armstrong, Kotler 2009:383). Cisco can be grouped under the product oriented advertiser category, which highlights product features, their services and price through various advertising channels as internet, magazines, television and by e-marketing. AIDA Model AIDA is a model generally adopted by the sellers to stimulate the purchase decision of the customers. Attention The element attention, describes the stage where the brand manages to obtain customer attention, informing the customers about the product. This could be either a positive or a negative attention. The next step is to build a relationship with customers by means of advertising which is a prominent tool in the marketing mix. The product is then launched in order to encourage the customer decision of buying the product. Interest In this stage, it generates the confidence in the buyers about the products that company plans to promote. The seller then explains how this product will meet the customers requirements. Cisco as a brand has interested its customers and built the confidence in the buyer about their product interests the customers. Desire In this stage the seller inspires the customer towards the product and then relates the products to their needs. Here, advertising strategies are best suited. Since customers have the choice of choosing their configuration, it stimulat es the desire to purchase the product. Action This phase deals with persuading the consumers to buy the product and explain them the immediate benefits of the product. Advertising and direct ma

Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih Essay -- Season of Mig

Written by Tayeb Salih, the novel ‘Season of Migration to the North’ as described by The Observer â€Å"is an Arabian Nights in reverse, enclosing a pithy moral about international misconceptions and delusions.† The novel is set both in England and the Sudan, showing the stark social differences within these two locations. In this essay, I will evaluate the reasons supporting and opposing Mahjoub’s statement as defined in ‘Season of Migration to the North’. In the first line of the novel (and once more later in the book: "dear sirs" page 62), the narrator introduces the reader to a male-dominated world by suggesting his audience is masculine; "It was, gentlemen, after a long absence—seven years, to be exact, during which time I was studying in Europe—that I returned to my people.† Despite the subtlety of the word â€Å"gentlemen†, this, I believe is purposefully done, to immediately show the reader the extent to which village life is dominated entirely by the male. Its subtlety reflects the idea that male dominance has become just a normal part of life, to the point where it can almost be looked over. The death of Mustafa Sa’eed meant that his widow was placed in the care of the narrator, â€Å"You’re the bride’s guardian.† This suggests that even as a widow, a woman was not free to do as she pleased, with regards to who she was to wed. The fact that a widow was being dictated to, showed that the village society was more patriarchal than that of the society that existe...

American Legion Report :: essays research papers

American Legion Post 108 Oxford, MI   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The American Legion was chartered on November 11, 1919. It was formed with the purpose of helping out retired war veterans and the communities surrounding their posts. All members, or former members, of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to become members of their local American Legion. They are eligible as long as they were honorably discharged after serving on active duty during basically any major war in our history. Presently there are 325 legion members in Oxford, and nearly 3 million members’ nation wide.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Oxford American Legion is a sponsor of many clubs and groups within our community. Some of the sponsored groups are: Boy Scout Troop 108 Cub Scout Pack 44 and Little League baseball teams Along with sponsoring clubs and groups, the American Legion also hosts regular events in the Oxford community such as: St. Patrick’s day dinner Memorial Day Parade Strawberry Festival Parade Softball Pool Tournaments Halloween Party Christmas Parade and New Years Party The Oxford Post is also the only post in the the state of Michigan that has a â€Å"Military History Museum.† It is a collection of uniforms, weapons, books, and other artifacts spanning over two hundred years of our American history. The museum is open to the public every Friday evening from 5-9 p.m. American Legion Post 108 Oxford, MI   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The American Legion was chartered on November 11, 1919. It was formed with the purpose of helping out retired war veterans and the communities surrounding their posts. All members, or former members, of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to become members of their local American Legion. They are eligible as long as they were honorably discharged after serving on active duty during basically any major war in our history. Presently there are 325 legion members in Oxford, and nearly 3 million members’ nation wide.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Oxford American Legion is a sponsor of many clubs and groups within our community. Some of the sponsored groups are: Boy Scout Troop 108 Cub Scout Pack 44 and Little League baseball teams Along with sponsoring clubs and groups, the American Legion also hosts regular events in the Oxford community such as:

Harlem Renaissance :: essays research papers

When you think of Harlem the Harlem Renaissance, What is the first word that comes to mind? Harlem Renaissance was the great movement of the black race from the deep rural south to the urban Harlem city during the 1920s to 1930s. It was the time of the black Americans to show and reflect their talents throughout society. It was the time to prove something to the world. The time of emancipation, the time of dignity, the time of passion, the time of the art, the time of the music, etc. Do we really know why these people have migrated? What caused them to migrate? These are some of the questions that filled in my mind when I think of the Harlem Renaissance. Where did these great talented people came from? What motivated them into becoming and showing to the world that they are somebody? Looking back through the years and years of poverty, bad condition, unequal living, and having no right to be able to have their own voice in a white dominated society, these were just the bits of images that African Americans or should I say "blacks" because either way, even if you were black from Jamaica or from some other places, the white majority still considered you as "niggers". A race that is inferior and has no way into revolting against the domination of whites. There were a lot of regulations and restrictions that blacks faced during the time of slavery. Being considered a property is one of the hardship that they went through. They were basically treated like animals with no saying. They were sold here and there. There were also times that a person would get separated from their family. That person will never again see their family! The blacks were considered second class citizens. Although there were many obstacles that they encountered during their time period, they were able to escape that adversity. The main reason why people were able to escape that adversity was because they were willing to do anything, anything that would improve their life condition in the South. "The wash and rush of this human tide on the beach line of the northern city centers is to be explained primarily in terms of a new vision of opportunity, of social and economic freedom, of a spirit to seize, even in the face of an extortionate and heavy toll, a chance for the improvement of conditions.

Failure and futility Themes in “1984” and “Never Let Me Go” Essay

Comparison of how Orwell in 1984 and Ishiguro in Never Let Me Go use failure and futility in human relationships as a theme in their dystopian novels As humans, we judge ourselves by how others perceive us and seek to conform to a universally accepted code of ethics and laws. It is this inherent value that we possess, a conscience that make us different from animals and it is also what is missing to a large extent in Orwell’s â€Å"1984† and Ishiguro’s â€Å"Never Let Me Go†. The futility of relationships in these works is part of what makes the worlds in which they are based seem so bereft of hope and consequently, dystopia in nature. In Orwell’s vision of humanity’s future, the only truly acceptable thing to ‘love’ is Big Brother. The Party restricts all other love so as to break down the ties between family, friends and lovers whilst transferring this loyalty to the Party itself as a form of control. The Party is said to have, â€Å"cut the links between child and parent, and between man and man, and between man and women.† This does not just show the breakdown of re lationships, but the reduction of the self. The Party is removing the essential links that allow humanity to be more than a collective of individuals and instead uses this to its own ends, although what these are, beyond a desire for control, we never truly discover. It is partly this lack of knowledge of the Party’s overall goals that makes the situation seem so desperate, it is as though love is being removed without explanation or justification, making the whole process seem devoid of hope as there is no specific element against which to rebel. A similar lack of knowledge also plagues the children of Hailsham in â€Å"Never Let Me Go†. Their future is not clearly explained; instead it is an undercurrent to their education that leaves them prepared for, but not truly conscious of, their fate. As Miss Lucy says, the students have been, â€Å"told and not told.† The situation is much the same for the reader, we learn with the children about their function. Thus we can empathise with the characters; the reader feels a part of the story. Setting it in the 1990s also adds to this sense as it is easy to associate with our own lives. It is for this reason that cloning is a key feature of dystopic fiction from the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries as it does not seem a distant concept but a real possibility. Some may see keeping the children in the dark over their fate as a kindness, however in many ways it seems a further cruelty that they are allowed to hope when this will avail them nothing. Miss Lucy goes on to tell  the children that they had been, â€Å"created†, that they were, â€Å"brought into this world for a purpose†¦ [with] futures, †¦ decided.† This is an indication of what is to come for the students, gaining more meaning the further the reader progresses through the novel, it is in reflecting upon events that the true horror is revealed. It is also a symbol of their relationships with the outside world. They cannot become part of a society we would recognise, for this is not their â€Å"purpose† and so they are kept apart from it. The world of the chil dren seems lonely and isolated for this reason, especially so as it is told to them, and us, as fact by someone in a position of authority. This version of their future seems inevitable and so any hope Ishiguro builds in the minds of the reader in the rest of the novel seems almost foolish, as we have been told that Kathy and her companions have only one path to follow. Orwell uses similar devices in â€Å"1984†. We are told in the first chapter after Winston writes in his diary that â€Å"The Thought Police would get him† and yet through the novel, largely thanks to his relationship with Julia, we come to feel that there may be a chance for him. However, as in â€Å"Never Let Me Go†, this is crushed. Both Orwell and Ishiguro give their characters and their audiences hope and despite all else that is wrong in their worlds, they have an intrinsic human emotion to hold on to, but when both stories conclude, this feeling is shown to have been futile and misleading. The traditional structure of society in â€Å"Never Let Me Go† is altered, as there is clearly a subsection of humanity that the dono rs inhabit which is not apparent in our own lives. However, Ishiguro’s world is not so different from our own, Hailsham seems like it could easily be a twentieth century boarding school with the result that the events have a more profound effect on the reader. Orwell uses a slightly different technique as the structure of human life is reduced in â€Å"1984† rather than altered. It is carried out up to the point where, â€Å"No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend†. Instead they turn to the only thing in their life that seems concrete, Big Brother. The Spies are the ultimate example of this because the Party has managed to sever the paternal bond, which should be stronger than almost anything else. The extent to which this is achieved is shown by Parson declaring he is, â€Å"proud† of his daughter for denouncing him as it proves that he, â€Å"brought her up in the right spirit.† It is as though the greatest achievement for a parent has become to create a tool for the  party. Winston sums this up by saying, â€Å"The terrible thing the Party has done was to persuade you that mere impulses, mere feelings, were of no account, while at the same time robbing you of all power over the material world.â₠¬  To protect and nurture your offspring is a natural instinct, but the Party has removed this and in doing so has reduced humanity. It is this that makes the breakdown in the family so crucial to Orwell’s dystopic literature, if the feelings had been punished there is hope for salvation but by removing them, there is no hope for a future where the family is once again a pivotal element within a person’s life. When Orwell was writing there was a strong feeling of despair amongst modernist authors and artists relating to the fracturing of society and the reduction of tradition’s role in people’s lives. This is clearly shown in â€Å"1984† through characters such as Parson. Orwell’s reduction of traditional structures is shocking but also hard to relate to, as it seems so extreme. It can be said that Ishiguro’s alteration may not have the same immediate impact, however this slight apathy is caused by the situation presented being all too possible. On reflection this serves to makes it more disturbing; many groups in society are marginalised and so it is not difficult to imagine a situation where there are ‘clones’ amongst us yet not with us who are treated as an inferior race. Ishiguro demonstrates this through the use of the word, â€Å"completion† when the donors die. This is much like a euphemism for death, something else that is treated as taboo, but â€Å"completion† has far more sinister connotations. It suggests the donors have fulfilled their â€Å"purpose†, particularly as the word â€Å"completion† is usually associated with a positive outcome. This can be interpreted as Ishiguro, as a post-modern author, suggesting that a society relying on such a complex structure, is capable of dehumanising and exploiting the death of fellow humans. This is unlike Orwell in â€Å"1984† who bemoans the fracturing of traditional structures, however both show how the breakdown in relationships and marginalisation of certain groups can remove some essence of humanity and it is through this that the authors present their works as dystopic. Winston identifies this loss when he says â€Å"The Proles are human beings†¦ We are not human† because in comparison to Party members, â€Å"They were not loyal to a party or a country or an idea, they were loyal to one another.† Winston himself recognises what it is to be human and sees how he is in some way lacking. He goes on to tell  Julia that they will inevitably be captured and this will leave them both, â€Å"utterly alone† and, â€Å"utterly without power of any kind†. The implication here is that the connection they share is what gives them power but that the Party can overcome this. Despite acknowledging what is necessary to be human and finding his own source of strength, Winston still sees himself as ultimately powerless. Rather than this moment being an epiphany, as you would expect from a traditional hero, Winston is filled with hopelessness and in turn shows his love for Julia as being ultimately futile as it cannot lead to any salvation at all. Julia’s cool acceptance of this only makes it seem more inevitable as she states, â€Å"Everybody always confesses. You can’t help it. They torture you.† The short sentences make each statement a fact rather than a possible future. However we are also given a small glimmer of hope when Winston says to Julia that the, â€Å"real betrayal† would be if they could, â€Å"make me stop loving you† and Julia responds that, â€Å"They can’t do that.† This gives the reader hope that maybe they can best the Party. They may forfeit their lives in doing so but by staying loyal they could prove that love is more powerful than the control of the Party. However this is crushed at the end when they both betray each other. Having demonstrated how important interpersonal relationships are to the nature of humanity, Orwell then shows how easily such relationships can be demolished. This perhaps more than any other feature of â€Å"1984† makes it d ystopic literature as, what is an inherent belief in many that love can overcome any challenge, is destroyed and with it the image of humanity. In â€Å"Never Let Me Go† we are led to believe that what Kathy and Tommy share could be their salvation as we believe that the ‘system’ can be overcome by love. This is shaped by countless stories with which all are familiar where love bests evil. Both Orwell and Ishiguro play on our expectation that a resolution will be found in order to shock the reader to a greater extent when it is shown that hope is lost. This happens in â€Å"Never Let Me Go† as the society presented places small value on these emotions. Miss Emily understands they have, â€Å"hoped carefully† that deferrals might exist, but has to explain to them it was only ever, â€Å"A wishful rumour.† It is this element that shows the dystopic nature of the novel as, up to this point we feel Kathy must achieve some kind of success to fulfil her role as principle character, but it doesn’t happen. The use of the word, â€Å"hoped†, is also key as this is essentially  what the story is about, it reminds the audience that for Kathy and Tommy, their love represents hope of future happiness and leading lives with a meaning beyond being someone else’s spare parts. Both â€Å"1984† and â€Å"Never Let Me Go† demonstrate how fundamental relationships are to human lives. They are what shape us, what allow us to interact with a greater society and what gives us hope. However in both novels relationships are broken down and shown to be futile, in neither do the protagonists find a way to escape their fate through love and nor do they get any real comfort from it as they are always fighting against systems that do not accredit a value to such emotions. It is when these relationships are finally proved to offer little to those involved that faith in a redeeming future is lost in and as such it is when the novels are shown to be dystopic. This is clearly a fundamental element of the authors’ dystopian literature as love tends to be what humankind clings to as the last vestige of hope in a dire situation and even this is removed from these works.