How Islamic Architecture in Spain Changed from the Seventh...

The Great Mosque of Cà ³rdoba was built in Cà ³rdoba, Andalucà ­a, southern Spain: the capital at which Muslims exist. The great Mosque of Cà ³rdoba went under massive changes over centuries. These changes occurred because the Mosque was conquered by groups of people following different religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Each religion marked its conception through changing or adding a unique artwork that symbolized its essence. The Great Mosque of Cà ³rdoba was built by Arab architects in the eighth century and then a cathedral was added by Christian conquers in the sixteenth century . Islam was born in the seventh century but Islamic architectures’ uniqueness among other architectures appeared in the eighth century after the†¦show more content†¦The three successive Abd ar-Rahman monarchs of the Ummayyad dynasty chose Cà ³rdoba to seal Muslim presence in Spain. became the gateway through which the culture of Islam was sent to northern Europe , but it was also the gateway through which the Europe of the barbarians came to renew their links with their lost Mediterranean past . Arabs were able to mark their presence on the Iberian Peninsula that contains Spain and Portugal, by expressing themselves through architecture, food, and teachings, along with many other things. Arabs replaced the Roman system. They introduced the cultivation of sugar cane, rice, cotton and the palm tree. Arabs didn’t force conversion to Islam on people, but they did influence the region’s people through the teaching of science, medicine and astronomy. Arabs symbolized their religion through architecture, knowledge, philosophy and medicine. They constructed buildings with Islamic worship facilities, and they treated these places as a place of worship and they did religious practices. One of the most recognized examples of Arab influenced architectures was â€Å"The Great Mosque of Cà ³rdoba†. It was known for its notable worsh ip features. Each feature explained how a task should be done and by whom. The facilities demonstrated the full task of worship and prayer that Muslims do. These features included the prayer niches and prayer hall, each characterized by its uniqueShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesCataloging-in-Publication Data Essays on twentieth century history / edited by Michael Peter Adas for the American Historical Association. p. cm.—(Critical perspectives on the past) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-4399-0269-1 (cloth : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4399-0270-7 (paper : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4399-0271-4 (electronic) 1. History, Modern—20th century. 2. Twentieth century. 3. Social history—20th century. 4. World politics—20th century. I. Adas, Michael, 1943– II. American Historical

Everyday Use by Alice Walker Essay - 643 Words

Everyday Use by Alice Walker In the story Everyday Use, by Alice Walker, the value of ones culture and heritage are defined as a part of life that should not be looked upon as history but as a living existence of the past. Walker writes of the conflict between two Black cultures. Dee and Maggie are sisters whom do not share the same ideals. Mama is torn between two children with different perspectives of what life truly means. In the story, Walker describes the trial and tribulations of one daughter whose whole life is tormented by fear, failure and weakness; while the other has held life always in the palm of one hand(61) and moves to a better lifestyle. The possessions of the past will ultimately change the†¦show more content†¦The change of her name signifies her conscience effort to remove the past from her life. However, in an attempt to salvage her culture and heritage she tries to take numerous items from the home as ?souvenirs? of her past. The butter churn top, dasher, and the quilts are used everyday. However, Dee needs and wants these items to decorate her home. The resistance of Mama to allow Dee to take the quilts creates an image of self-awareness. Mama perceives Dee as a dream in her life. One of her greatest fears is to loose her daughter who has encountered and grasped the culture and heritage passed on through living. ?Maggie can?t appreciate these quilts! She?d probably be backwards enough to put them to every day use.?(61) Maggie is more deserving of the quilts, as she will use them. To allow Dee to take them, as decoration, would destroy the relationship that Maggie and Mama have developed over the years. ?They had been pieced by Grandma Dee and then Big Dee and me had hung them on the quilt frames on the front porch and quilted them.?(65) The quilts represent the past, present and future for Maggie. The fear of loosing the culture and heritage leads Dee back home. The possessions that she asks for are a small way to regain a portion of life she has forgotten. Dee does not accept the lifestyle that Mama and Maggie are living. ?You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It?s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama stillShow MoreRelatedEveryday Use By Alice Walker852 Words   |  4 Pagescomes or belongs to one by reason of birth. In â€Å"Everyday Use†, by Alice Walker, the theme of the story can be considered as the meaning of heritage or even the power of education. Alice Walker uses many symbols and motifs such as the following: quilts, education, knowledge, Asalamalakim, and the renaming of Dee. In the story, African heritage and knowledge takes a major role. The African heritage plays a major role in the story, â€Å"Everyday Use†. Alice Walker emphasizes the meaning of heritage by havingRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1372 Words   |  6 PagesEverday Use† research paper In â€Å"everyday Use,† Alice Walker tells a narrative of a mother’s frustrating relationship together with her two daughters. At this facet, â€Å",Everyday Use†, tells that how a mom little by little refuses the cursory values of her older, successful daughter at the aspect of the useful values of her younger, much less lucky daughter. On a deeper outlook, Alice Walker takes on the theme of heritage and its norms as it applies to African-Americans. Everday Use, is set insideRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1102 Words   |  5 Pagespoem â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers† can be read similar to Alice Walker s short story Everyday Use† both are compared by the women’s ways of showing their strengths and how they identify their values, expressions and strength. Advertised in the general outlines of the plot, both literary themes talks of a quest for freedom, the characters identity and self-expression. Adrienne Rich â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers† Alice Walker â€Å"Everyday Use† Comparison Paper Analyzing the two types of literatureRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1372 Words   |  6 Pagessociety as a whole, but more specifically in the African American Community. Alice Walker gives slight insight into   what being forced   to assimilate is like. She says in her short story Everyday Use: She will stand hopelessly in corners homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs eyeing her sister with a mixture of envy and awe. Statements such as these are a regular occurrence in her works. Walker often speaks on the ever so disheartening topic of cultural assimilation and theRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker996 Words   |  4 PagesIn the short story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, the author describes different ideas about one’s heritage. Culture and heritage is at the main point of the story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker as symbolized by the quilt. The bond that Mother and Maggie share is brought by their common talent to make works of art like quilts. Dee does not have similar capacity because she does not appreciate manual labor nor believes in her heritage. The idea of pride in culture, heritage, and family is the mainRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1721 Words   |  7 PagesIn her short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† Alice Walker summarizes the representation of the beauty, the conflicts and struggles within African-American culture. â€Å"Everyday Use† focuses mainly between members of the Johnson family, consisting of a mother and her two daughters. One of the daughters Maggie, who was injured in a house fire and has living a shy life clinging to her mother for security. Her older sister is Dee, who grew up with a grace and natural beauty. â€Å"Dee is lighter than Maggie, with nicerRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1655 Words   |  7 PagesIn â€Å"everyday Use,† Alice Walker tells a narrative of a mother’s frustrating relationship together with her two dau ghters. At this facet, â€Å",Everyday Use†, tells that how a mom little by little refuses the cursory values of her older, successful daughter at the aspect of the useful values of her younger, much less lucky daughter. On a deeper outlook, Alice Walker takes on the theme of heritage and its norms as it applies to African-Americans. Everday Use, is set inside the late ,60s or mid ,70sRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1735 Words   |  7 Pages â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker and â€Å"Brownies† by ZZ Packer are two different short stories with different lessons but both talk about the topic of race. Both stories talks about the time in the 20th century when slavery just ended but racism are still active between African Americans and Caucasians. Walker described a story about a single African American mother who is waiting for her daughter to arrive from college. Packer described a story about these African American fourth graders who are inRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1111 Words   |  5 Pagestheir culture. Alice Walker highlights and distinguishes the dissimilarities and clichà © of country African American women with the actualities that make up their lives. Characterized by short, compound sentences, with long adjectives and use of literary elements, her style is eloquent co nversational and authentic. Alice Walker’s short story, Everyday Use is stylistic, ironic and narrates profound interpretation of unique views and approaches to African-American culture. Walker’s use of characterizationRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1725 Words   |  7 Pages17 April 2017 Everything is Not What it Seems Sometimes people forget that heritage has to do with truly understanding their past. Many often misrepresent it, especially the younger generations who just accept its presence. Alice Walker’s short story, â€Å"Everyday Use,† revolves around an African American family that consists of three women, who are very different from each other. The story begins with Maggie and Mama waiting in the yard for Dee, the main character, to visit from Augusta. Dee is

Grandparent Rights Free Essays

My First Grandson How many of you have grandparents that have played an important role in your life? Were they there when you needed them? According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, there are over 29 thousand children in Idaho alone who are being raised by their grandparents. I am one of those grandparents. On November 21s, 2004 Destin Hardy was born and this is when the bond of grandparents and grandchild began. We will write a custom essay sample on Grandparent Rights or any similar topic only for you Order Now Destin was 12 months old when his parents decided to move to Washington. It was so hard for me to let him go. I knew however that anytime I wanted to see him I was able to. It was in 2006 when my grandson and my son came down for a visit, they ended up staying with us on a permanent basis. My son was 20 years old and was just getting back on his feet, so I suggested that Destin stay with us until my son had a stable environment for him to go to. I at this time didn’t know the big effect this would have on my life. Another kid was all I could think about. I wasn’t worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, as I have raised four children of my own. I was actually worried about how to do it. Raising a child in today’s world is more difficult than when I was raising my children. Being a grandma and being a mother are two different things. I wanted to spoil him rotten. And as we all know once spoiled, always spoiled. So life began with a spoiled baby. It didn’t take to long for me to change to the mother mode though. My parental instinct took over and all of the skills I had used before came back to me. Destin was so active at this age. He loved the water and playing ball. I think his favorite thing to do was to jump on the trampoline or was it riding the lawn mower with â€Å"my wavier† (Xavier), as he called him. Even at night time he would want to read or color. I placed him in preschool at the age of three and watched him grow with knowledge. I can remember that every day I dropped him off; he would take my hand and show me the parakeets and the big parrot. He had to make sure they knew he was there. While attending preschool, Destin began reading at a higher level than expected. He was five and graduated with a preschool graduation diploma with special recognitions â€Å"Outstanding Learner†. This was a proud day in grandma’s life. Guiding Destin and talking to him as if he was a mature child helped with his language skills and communication skills. He is a very intelligent young man and knows more than an average child should know at his age. At the age 6 1/2 Destin decided that he wanted to get involved with football like his uncles. I thought about this long and hard deciding that it wasn’t in his best interest. I then decided that Tai Kwon Do would be better for him. He could use a little more self-discipline and balance skills. What a great idea. Destin’s accomplishments have been great. In one year he graduated 4 belts and received his green belt one month ago. From the day that Destin was born, to watching him turn into a little man. Destin has brought a great joy to my life. I would never take back a minute of sharing his life with him. I wonder what the future holds for my grandson. I know that with the right guidance and love he will go on to accomplish great things and one day be a great leader and mentor to his children and grandchildren. Bibliography http://healthandwelfare. idaho. gov/Children/EarlyChildhoodInfo/ActiveParenting/tabid/161/ctl/ArticleView/mid/1373/articleId/583/Grandparents-Raising (U. S Census Bureau, 2005-2009) How to cite Grandparent Rights, Essay examples

Operations Management in CQuest Marine-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Case Study Operations management in CQuest Marine Laboratory. Answer: The operations management in CQuest Marine Laboratory is aimed at the ecosystem based management (EBM) for maintaining the coral ecosystem and fish habitats in a healthy, resilient and productive condition along with tourism sector management by implementing the policies and the management measures. However, by a planning competent authority a cross-sectoral planning can be held which is in the hands of the sector competent authority, for implementing the management measures that are required within their operations for achieving the ecosystem based management goals and objectives (Bromiley Rau, 2016). It is suggested that the scientific obstacles to the EBM are found to be no longer important in implementing the EBM operationally. Rather, approaching the EBM within the current approach of policy cycle is considered so that it will provide the required process step for policy making for operationalizing the EBM. The processes of policy making in addition to permitting and facilitati ng the exchange, collaboration, understanding as it is promoted by EBM it will also need that policy has to be implemented with the help of measures, procedures, concepts, models, programs, and controls which are having the expected outcomes from the policy objectives. It is of the view that moving the ecosystem based management from settings of objective and planning to the implementation of operational management than it will be involved in solving the issues rather than a scientific one (Brown, Bessant Lamming, 2013). Current situation The CQuest Marine Laboratory (CQML) on the basis on the Great Barrier Reef consists of a floating platform of 600M2 that attached permanently alongside the coral cay. CQML has begun as the marine laboratory where scientists are involved in studying the coral ecosystem and the habitats of fish. It is now owned by Douglas and Amy Patterson, who are the private owners. A marine park permit was granted to CQML five years ago for sharing their eco-marine venture of science with around 120 tourists per each trip (Galindo Batta, 2013). From that time, they made a contract with a company which is involved in operating the catamaran for transporting the tourists from Trinity Inlet in Cairns to the platform which is 30 nautical miles. A 15-metre long two-masted schooner was retained by them for supporting the scientific voyages away from the platform as a mother-ship (Harvey, Heineke Lewis, 2016). As a part of operations management in the marine laboratory, CQML has won an international tourism award in early 2017 for maintaining the best management in their business by analyzing all the operational issues and providing good hospitality for the tourists. Hence, the owners Doug and Amy are now keen in taking up their unique experience of tourism to the next level. They are in a plan of expanding into $3M in which addition of the second level of the platform is included for providing accommodation for at least 10 tourists overnight, in addition to which 4 scientific staff would remain on the platform (Heizer, 2016). They have to expand the kitchen facility along with the bathroom amenities and its quality. It even requires a permanent chef and the team of two person hospitality for providing a butler style service so that the platform of the laboratory will be functioning both as the marine laboratory and a small hotel. Amy is totally worried about the facility layout and the fi t out quality as it would be the chances with the expectations of high-end tourists. Operational management at CQML The ecosystem based management is defined by Hendricks, Hora Singhal (2005) that in the sea level the management range for the tourists should be in the form of an integrated approach which aims at maintaining the services of the ecosystem and the hotel at the best condition. In addition to this, the services to the tourists have to be provided as per their needs and necessities (Hendricks, Hora Singhal, 2014). However, Amy has the aim of maintaining the laboratory structure and function and also to sustain the composition of the ecosystem for tourist purpose. It is stipulated by Hitt, Carnes Xu, that the management means it is the implementation of all the practices, protocols and policies and has to make them adaptable by continuous monitoring of the services that are offered to the tourist and by researching them appropriately for achieving the explicit goals (Hitt, Carnes Xu, 2016). To Cairns, there is an international tourism, which has returned to the pre-GFC levels. In Cairns, 95 percent occupancy levels are being experienced by the hotels due their good hospitality and services. In the northern hemisphere during some seasons there would be a demand and it reflects best in the tourist visits which means that at the time of northern summer the best time that coincides with the weather for visiting Cairns is between the months of May to October. Between the months of November and April in the southern hemisphere, the demand for tourism is more in Australia and New Zealand that coincides with the summer holidays (Khanna, 2015). During this time it is a monsoon season that attacks with cyclones and is known to be a common threat. At these times, managing the supply side for the tourists is easy when compared with the demand for fluctuations that is caused by the media reports regarding the dangers occurring from cyclones, crocodiles in salt water, and marine stin gers. Douglas is wondering what kind of soft experience is sought by the tourists at CQML. It is argued by Krajewski, Ritzman Malhotra at this statement that there should be an integration of the sector-specific policies and the macroeconomic factors which should be combined with the actions taken by management for controlling the sources and also the effects of the changes in the environment for achieving the sustainability in the ecosystem (Krajewski, Ritzman Malhotra, 2013). Hence, it is reliant ultimately upon the implementation of the measures, practices, and procedures that are taken by the management for improving particular activities for tourists in order to achieve the goals of the ecosystem-based management. Evidence based arguments The operations of the platform that is existing manipulate the movement and the program of the tourist groups all over the cellular layout of the marine laboratory due to the severe environmental incidents such as cyclones, the threat of saltwater crocodiles, etc. observation of underwater in the Cairns is also made possible with the tubular walkway. Tourists are also provided with the opportunity of participating in the diving tours. The leader of the scientific team Dr. Fiona Fullbright is struggling high in maintaining the scientific output with the help of her team. At times she felt in such a way that the team is becoming a skilled closure instead of getting engaged in science which contributes to the studies showing an impact on global warming these are some of the issues faced by them (Langabeer II Helton, 2015). The concern shown by her seems to be deep rooted by the visiting of the tourists which has become a bottleneck because of the present day tour. They are afraid that this tourism is kind of disturbing the operations of the laboratory and the operational management of the CQML is not up to the mark in maintaining the services further when the crowd is increasing and has to concentrate more in the hospitality management which needs to be expanded further to satisfy the tourists. But on the platform, if the plans processed for prolonging the stay for two and half day tour than the occurrence of bottlenecks are difficult. Other than this if the guests have to say overnight than what kind of experimental activities would they expect is another issue? Dough and Amy have become sympathetic and felt true about her concerns and thought if there is any way for better flow of design that makes possible for the unique experience that is preserved in making small groups than encouraging more people gathering in particular areas at particular times (Mahadevan, 2015). From the analysis done in a scientific way they need to evaluate the objectives and the priorities should be informed by the management team along with the stakeholders related to the cultural, social, ecological, and economic effects from various objectives and the activities to consider for taking action in their planning, whether are specified in the context of the goals that are desired and in addition to this they have to identify the tradeoffs and the contradictions that are possible among these objectives (Malhotra, et al., 2014). The most important priority science role while setting the objectives is they need to define the safety and the operating space for all the desired goals that are taken into consideration as a part of the development of the socio-ecological system. For instance, the following are some of the things which might be included in the ecosystem of the laboratory as the potential impacts such as the changes made in the culture of the local community and the benefits and the expenses of the society and the scale of the economy on whole. These inputs are found to be in the form of evaluations to be made on future scenarios like assessments on the integrated ecosystems, the cumulative effects have to be identified and the assessments of impacts, cultural, ecosystem, and the socioeconomic overview report. Further, they even have to concentrate on the hospitality and the safety objective analysis should be carried out on the return on investment objectives and also, return of investment opportunities and the risk assessments are to be made due to environmental defects (Santibanez-Gonzalez, et al., 2016). Further, the things that are taken into consideration in the current case study is the management of the end to end experience of the tourist. As a part of the operational management, the administration of the CQuest Marine Laboratory wanted to implement the new practices in business for creating the highest level of efficiency that is possible within their tourism organization at the sea level. For making maximum profits for the organization, it wanted to expand further into their operations, which were obstructed by the natural calamities fluctuations in climate as these have been noticed to be responsible for lowering the inward flow of tourists due to media reports (Slack, Brandon-Jones Johnston, 2013). On the platform, the services that have been always centered were their focus on the activities that are value adding and the interaction of eco-marine science and the experience gained by the tourists. From this study, it has been understood that other than the day visit the overnight stay and the two and half day trips of the tourists increased numbers might reduce the scientific authenticity at CQML and becomes more of a tourist place (Smith, Maull CL Ng, 2014). It has been realized by the administration that there would be more problems arising as the volume increased where the facilities are to be of world class and there is a requirement of the operations manager for looking at the whole experience of tourism and getting the ideas regarding the problems faced and existing and provided them suggestion on how it can proceed with the plans of expansions if it can be done. Especially, now they are in a concrete position of how they can configure the experience and delight the rang e of tourists consistently. This is still even after the tourist visits is renowned place worldwide for the marine scientists for using it as the field site. For a significant proportion of activities of tourism in CQML, the marine environment will be providing a backdrop with respect to natural resources like the scenery, the marine animals, and the seabirds which are the most popular attractions in that coastal environment. On a relatively unspoiled environment, this dependence in creating the opportunities for the tourism might be driving the force for making sure that tourism on the marine environment has to be appropriately managed (Taghavi, Adams Berlin, 2014). Management of the environment is found to be the growing issue in the tourism industry, especially in the marine tourism environment and in this case study it has been noticed that authorization, by having codes of practice and by proper environmental planning which is being adopted in an increasing manner within the marine tourism sector, however, still there is a great deal for more progress to be made ahead. Consequently, in this case, study for regulating the marine tour ism sector at CQuest Marine Laboratory, it was investigated with respect to the operational managements opinion of the central, local, and the self-regulatory authorities. References Bromiley, P., Rau, D. (2016). Operations management and the resource based view: Another view.Journal of Operations Management,41, 95-106. Brown, S., Bessant, J. R., Lamming, R. (2013).Strategic operations management. Routledge. Galindo, G., Batta, R. (2013). Review of recent developments in OR/MS research in disaster operations management.European Journal of Operational Research,230(2), 201-211. Harvey, J., Heineke, J., Lewis, M. (2016). Editorial for Journal of Operations Management special issue on" Professional Service Operations Management (PSOM)".Journal of Operations Management,42, 4-8. Heizer, J. (2016).Operations Management, 11/e. Pearson Education India. Hendricks, K. B., Hora, M., Singhal, V. R. (2014). An empirical investigation on the appointments of supply chain and operations management executives.Management Science,61(7), 1562-1583. Hitt, M. A., Carnes, C. M., Xu, K. (2016). A current view of resource based theory in operations management: A response to Bromiley and Rau.Journal of Operations Management,41(10), 107-109. Khanna, R. B. (2015).Production and operations management. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.. Krajewski, L. J., Ritzman, L. P., Malhotra, M. K. (2013).Operations management: processes and supply chains(Vol. 1). New York, NY: Pearson. Langabeer II, J. R., Helton, J. (2015).Health care operations management. Jones Bartlett Publishers. Mahadevan, B. (2015).Operations management: Theory and practice. Pearson Education India. Malhotra, M. K., Singhal, C., Shang, G., Ployhart, R. E. (2014). A critical evaluation of alternative methods and paradigms for conducting mediation analysis in operations management research.Journal of Operations Management,32(4), 127-137. Santibanez-Gonzalez, E. D., Sarkis, J., Dolgui, A., Koh, L., Govindan, K., Jin, M., ... Zhang, Z. (2016). Low carbon economy and equitable society: production, supply chain, and operations management perspectives.Journal of Cleaner Production,117, 7-9. Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnston, R. (2013).Operations management. Pearson. Smith, L., Maull, R., CL Ng, I. (2014). Servitization and operations management: a service dominant-logic approach.International Journal of Operations Production Management,34(2), 242-269. Taghavi, N., Adams, C., Berlin, C. (2014). Social sustainability KPIs in operations management: a gap between the reactive and the proactive stance. InSwedish Production Symposium 2014, SPS14.

How Music Influences an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

How Music Influences by Expert Prof. Richardson | 20 Dec 2016 How music Influences Listeners over time Music has its different purposes and reason of use to different people. But no matter what that reason is music has always affected people in different ways. Music has its wide use like in dance, therapy, entertainment or whether it may be a part of rituals and other cultural use. Many people nowadays feel that music is a part of their lives and makes up their personality. At times people attributes you to the kind of music you listen to and determines your attitude as well. Although at some point it is not necessarily true that the kind of music you listen to makes a totality of what your personality. Sometimes people think that just because music is a big part of the person, actions and decision are sometimes affected by it. At some point it maybe correct but I say that people do not just base their actions on the type of music they listen to but they do want they want based on whatever they think is appropriate and just for them. Need essay sample on "How Music Influences" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed People Usually Tell Us:I'm not in the mood to write my essay. Because I want to spend time with my friendsEssay writers recommend: If You Think About Someone To Write Your Paper - Essaylab The Right Place!Essay Help Services Essay Writing Service Buy College Papers Online Paper Writing Service Music has also been widely use for therapy. Soothing music helps therapeutically by stimulating a persons mind to relax and decrease stress in their body. Some research shows that music helps improve blood circulation, decrease blood pressure, improve breathing and helps inpidual to cope easily in the environment when in pain or hospitalized. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music helps ease depression and aids to memory loss by stimulating the immune system. Studies also shows when premature infants listen to lullaby and other soothing songs it helped them gain weight. Music also helps relieved children anxieties during their hospital stay because of the painful procedures and medical exam done to them. A pediatric music program used music as their form of therapy for asthma patients by enhancing their breathing while listening to music. Other studies regarding music shows that it is even helpful to adults and geriatric inpiduals especially those that are living in stressful way. It helps them cope up with stress easily and helps function better by improving their health conditions. In some way or the other music have its effects on people. The different style of music makes people look and act persely. People take music in a different level based on how much they have understood and how persuaded they are. The impact of music to everyone was more of a fashion statement. It causes people to act in extremes at times even merely to those that have not quiet understood it. It is kind of fashion in a way that it dictates the type of dress you wear and even the people you are with. Listeners get a hang of what they listen to because its a way where they could actually express themselves. Music inspires people to be a part of something, its way of finding something that really shows a part of you that you want to share with others. For example not everyone can sing but why is that every time we hear a song we feel like singing to it. When a new artist or singer that comes out why do we think that this person attracts many people? It is because the listeners identifies and embarks themselves to the artists music and style. Nowadays music has been blamed for demeaning and corrupting teenagers mind. Rap music has been heavily associated to crimes while rock and heavy metals are attributed to have dark thoughts that influence young teens to commit suicide. Media believes that rap and rock songs are to blame for the bad behaviors that teenagers have nowadays. Some parents also blame rap and rock music in influencing their child to behave badly but the real reason is unseen really. Rap music does not influence teenagers to shoot people or to commit crimes it is mainly about the life, the hardship of the artist before becoming artists. It speaks about reality and what is going and not what should be going on but of course some people thinks its easier to blame rap artists like Snoop Dog or Eminem regarding teenage life. Rock artists are also blamed for teenagers who act violently or even those who commits suicide. But what they neglect to know is the real problem that these teenagers have. Heavy metals and rock artists mainly attracts teenagers on their fashion and not about violence. They do not pierce themselves or tear their pants because they are in favor violence but they do these because its a way of expressing themselves differently. One does not act violent even if his clothes are different from the rest, although the clothes we wear is a part of the personality that we have it is not the basis for acting violently or committing suicide. A persons clothing does not defy his decency or for committing something bad. Parents and media should keep in mind that if teenagers are responsible and have been raced well they would never do something that could hurt them or the people around them (Cyber Essays, 1998). One of the many artists who is very influential to the music industry is Eric Clapton. He has greatly influenced other musicians like him to be in the industry of music and has made great music all throughout his career and even presently. He has become legendary for being in the industry of music. He was established as one of the worlds major rock stars and one of the best guitarists of his generation. His genre was on rock music but is different from the heavy metals and rock songs presently. Classic rock, country rock, hard rock, blues, pop and soul types of music are one of many his styles. Listeners like his kind of music because his music is very authentic and even though he has change his style whether it maybe blues or rock, but he has never left his roots on the kind of music he would play. His music is always about where he comes from and about his personal experience in life. Using his personal ups and down in life Eric Clapton brought listeners an insight , wisdom and inspiration by showing that although he is an artist his life experiences is just the same as any other human being. His listeners like his kind of music because it shows reflection of his work. His works are attributed to the people that he meets and has inspired him. As an artist his music was also influenced by other artists like him including Bob Dylan. His music is arranged in a distinct way that connects to listeners. The authenticity of his work is truly magnificent. He just not writes song because its what he does but he writes his music in a way that his music would live up to his life. His music touches his listeners personally and encourages them about lifes struggle. This is why Eric Clapton is praised by many artists that he influenced and those listeners he was able to connect with. Music has played a crucial part in his life as well as to those around him. Music is important to listeners because it allows me have a momentarily leap towards their problems or whatever stressful situation they are faced. It allows them to think differently and allows them to be creative. Music influences everyone for a long period of time in whatever genres or period of development because it speaks what we are not able to. Listening to music somehow eases discomforts and even pain to some. It is widely spread because music connects to people. They defy the barriers of men, race, culture and even the social status. People from different country are able to share music because music does not give any criteria of who should learn or listen to it. People listen to music because it gives them something to listen to. Listening to music influences people differently whether it may be positively or negatively, it does not regard whether the person is bad or good. Conclusion Each person has their own cultural heritage, parental roots and other self notion that plays a great impact on the things that influences them. Music is a big part of this. Music influences an inpidual in differently and in many ways. Music is everywhere, whether it is on the radio, television, internet, in the malls and or even the places that we never thought it would be. People listen to music with whatever reasons they have. It may or may not influence them but music definitely plays a big part of peoples lives. Music can be a form of attraction or entertainment to the people who listen to it. Listeners as a whole listen to music with different reasons whether it may be a positive one or not. Music is a way to connect, to belong and even to be accepted by some. Listeners today take music as a part of who they are or what they are. Listeners are able to identify themselves to the music they listen to. It allows them to think outside the box. The kind of music they choose shows a percentage of what they cannot express freely. It does not mean though that if your music is not a soothing like heavy metals or rap song makes you a disturbed person but its a way to show that these songs are actually just outlet of the things that we are not in control of. Music effects vary because of its distinctness. One of the many effects of music is therapy. Music is a therapy, some people may not be aware of that but music can heal. It helps people at a very emotional stage to get over depression. Studies shows how music can calm people with anxieties and helps them cope with stress easily. Music stimulates the brain according to some researchers those babies that listen to music shows weight gain. People that have a hard time getting over things listen to music to help them somehow forget. It helps them in forgetting the pain or loss. Music has influenced listeners to move on especially those people who have lost someone. The type of music people listen to also reflects the kind of mood they are in. Whether youre happy or sad music has its way of comforting you. It alleviates your feelings towards something. Couple who listen to music helps them to relax and enjoy the times they have with each other. After losing someone really important to you, you listen to music in order to remember that person and the memories that you have and suddenly you realize that its not that bad after all. Teenagers are heavily influenced by music, it is because young generation nowadays is faced with different battles in life and music helps them cope up. Although there are a lot of stereotypes regarding music influences in teenagers, music still play an important role in todays generation. Teenagers are able to identify themselves as a person that somehow at times when the world has misunderstood them, the music that they listen to helps them think that whatever life shows and brings they are not the only ones that have gone through this stage. Whether it maybe Eminem, Michael Jackson or Eric Clapton and many other artists, music will continue to influence listeners. Music inspires listeners to be a pat of something. It even helps people in a lot of way. Eric Clapton had music with him through the ups and down of his life. He became a part of something and helped people become a part of him as well. His listeners are influenced in a good way to the insights and wonders of life. Through his music he was able to influence other artists like him to write songs that inspire and motivate people in their dreams. Many listeners are influenced by his music because it reflects the true person he really is. Music is a crucial part of his life just as his listeners. Music will continue to influence listeners over a longer period of time. Music is a universal language that connects nations and people together. No matter how music has influenced you or how important it is to a person it is still wise that when we become a part of something we take responsibility of it. Listeners listen to music because of different or even personal reasons but it does not define who we really are. We all are different in our choices or even preferences but certainly one thing connects us all and that is the love of music. But let us still take into accounts that whatever or whoever influences us, we still have a choice and enough reasoning to justify whatever actions we make in our lives. References Cyber Essays (1997-1998). Musics Important Influence. Retrieved May 2, 2008, from http://www.cyberessays.com/Arts/38.htm Fried, C. B. (2003). Stereotypes of Music Fans: Are Rap and Heavy Metal Fans a Danger to Themselves or Others?. Journal of Media Psychology. 8(3), 2-20 Kaleimamahu, W. K. (2003). Intrapersonal Communication: A Musical Influence. Hohonu- A journal of Academic writing. 1(1), 1 Schramm, H. (2006). Consumption and effects of music in the media. Communication Research Trends. Retrieved May 2, 2008 The Eric Clapton Fan Club Magazine. (2007). A brief Biography of Eric Clapton. Retrieved May 2, 2008 Waterman, M. (1996). Emotional Responses to Music: Implicit and Explicit effects in Listeners and Performers. Psychology of Music. 24(1), 53-67

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral Therapy Free Online Research Papers Behaviorism is a school of thought that emphasizes the role of experience in governing behavior (Klein 2008). Behaviorists regard behavior as overtly displayed, measurable, learned physiological reactions to environmental stimuli, rather than of mental state. Psychological disorders are seen as causes of maladaptive learning. Behavioral therapy is one in which the basic tenets of learning theory the elementary principles of how learning occurs are used to change behavior (Kroger 1977). Behaviorist’ research of the processes of learning and unlearning has provided psychology with behaviorist learning theories and models used to explain and modify behavior. Even though the mental state is an essential focus in Clinical Hypnosis, behavior therapy principles play a crucial role in clinical hypnosis. The objective of this essay is to briefly evaluate this role. The application of behavioral therapy techniques in Clinical Hypnosis is referred to as the hypnobehavioral approach. This essay focusses on the works of the main behaviorist theorists Watson, Pavlov, Thorndike, Skinner and Wolpe, and the principles of their work relevant to hypnobehavioral techniques found within Clinical Hypnosis, in the context of the treatment of phobias, anxiety and unwanted habits. With regards to therapy, the essay will then evaluate the benefits of using either the hypno-behavioral or the behavioral approach. Discussion Behaviorism explains behavior and behavioral modification through a number of learning theories, of which the principle of conditioning forms the basis. Conditioning is the process by which a reflexive response to a stimulus is acquired (Gross 2005). Pavlov ‘s work with dogs involved pairing certain signals (unconditioned stimuli) with the arrival of food (unconditioned stimulus). After a while, the dogs would salivate when the signal (now termed a conditioned stimulus) was given, without the presence of food; they had learned to associate the two events. Salivation became a learned involuntary response to a stimulus. Pavlov termed this learned behavior a Conditioned Reflex or Conditioned Response (CR). He termed the process Classical ‘Conditioning’. If the signal were repeated several times with the food being withheld, the dogs would eventually learn not to salivate. This process of unlearning the CR Pavlov termed ‘extinction’ (Waxman 1989). Th e process of counterconditioning is a more active unlearning of the CR; the intensity of the CR (f.i. anxiety) is reduced by establishing an incompatible response (relaxation) to the conditioned stimulus (a spide, f.e.), until this new S-R connection has been established. Watson applied conditioning to the study of human behavior. He paired a loud noise when presenting a small animal to an infant, resulting in the infant learning to fear the animal. This showed evidence of classical conditioning in humans (Gross 2005). Through one of his students, Watson observed that humans can also unlearn fear towards a particular stimulus if that stimulus is paired with -in this experiment- food. Thorndike and Skinner developed the theory of Operant Conditioning, whereby voluntary behavior is modified by the use of consequences. Thorndike theorised that behaviors that are followed by pleasant consequences are likely to be repeated in the future. Skinner researched shaping behavior through positive or negative reinforcement (the response will increase) and punishment (the response will decrease). Extinction’ occurs when a CR will occur with less frequency or ceases altogether as a result of producing neither favorable nor unfavorable consequences. The work of Pavlov, Thorndike and Skinner is significant for behavioral and hypnobehavioral therapy as it shows how people could potentially learn anxieties, phobias and habits, and how existing behaviors could be unlearned. Wolpe is another behaviorist whose theories find their application in Clinical Hypnosis. Wolpe (1973) stated that Behavior Therapy is relevant in syndromes that owe their existence to learning. Therefore, as one is not born with f.i. the desire to smoke, in theory, these behaviors can be unlearned. And, if phobias are, as Wolpe (1990) describes, a maladaptive learned habit, then, in theory, conditioning can establish a more appropriate behavior. He developed a therapy called ‘Systematic Desensitisation’, based on his theory of ‘Reciprocal Inhibition’: the inhibition of the action of one neural pathway by the activity of another (Gross 2005). This occurs when a stronger, incompatible response is introduced towards a particular stimulus, competing with and overriding the previous response. Wolpe argued that certain mental states are antagonistic to anxiety. These antagonistic mental states are relaxation, hunger, thirst and sexual arousal. A person cannot feel anxiety when experiencing any one of these antagonistic mental states. Desensitisa tion means becoming insensitive to a stimulus. In hypnobehavioral therapy, these principles are applied when treating maladaptive anxiety-reponses with Wolpe’s technique of ‘Systematic Desensitisation’. In imagination and in trance, the patient is gradually exposed to a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking stimuli, whilst responding with a previously learned relaxation-response, overriding the anxiety. The patient learns to associate the two; a new CR to the anxiety-provoking stimuli has been established. Before testing the responses in vivo, the patient completes the process in trance, communicating with IMR (ideomotor response) to indicate their coping limits whereupon relaxation can be deepened. This behavioral therapy lends itself well to being practiced in trance as a hypnobehavioral therapy and is known as ‘Hypno-desensitisation’ (Joseph 1994). This therapy is very effective in the treatment of phobias and anxiety, as well as for maladaptive habits resulting from anxiety. Hurley (1976) reported a case of severe bridge and height-phobia treated by modified Systematic Desensitisation in hypnosis. In functional anxiety-responses, appropriate traces of anxiety must be left to enhance performance or protect from danger. Learning Theory states that learning occurs through association and repetition. With this in mind, behavior modification can be achieved in hypnosis using a.o the following behavioral techniques, based on the behavioral principles discussed: Aversion Therapy, Flooding, Assertiveness Training, and Massed Practice (and Systematic Desensitisation, as already discussed), hereby applied in the Hypnobehavioral treatment of phobias, anxiety, and unwanted habits. Extinction of a phobia can be caused in hypnosis by the technique of ‘Flooding’: continual imagined exposure to the feared stimulus without the benefit of associated relaxation.The patient experiences the anxiety until the stimulus loses its effect both through physical exhaustion of the patient and the patient learning there are no aversive consequences (Operant Conditioning), becoming desensitised. This is a last resort-technique a.o. due to risk of further traumatising the patient. Aversion Therapy consists of administering an aversive stimulus to inhibit an unwanted response, thereby diminishing the habit strength (Wolpe 1973). Based on Classical Conditioning, the patient will associate the prodromal stimulus with the aversion, resulting in suppression of the undesired behavior. This technique should be a requested, last resort-treatment, after informed consent of the patient has been gained. Massed practice eliminates a habit by continued repetition of the stimulus that triggers the bad habit, or by repeating the habit behavior until it exhausts itself (Wolpe 1973). The patient becomes desensitised to the stimulus or habit. Since imagining a habit could lead to its in vivo expression, this technique is contraindicated where there is risk of damaging the patient. Assertiveness Training is used to treat anxiety-responses (phobias, habits such as stammering) triggered by social stimuli. The patient is desensitised to the feared stimulus, and, on top, depending on behavioral type, diaphragmatic breathing influencing voice-projection and changing of physical posture is taught, which is likely to influence other people’s responses in turn, due to their conditioning. Direct Suggestions can break or reinforce S-R connections. Cues such as as soon as use the principles of Classical Conditioning as a strong association is formed between S-R, reducing risk of extinction. Suggestions for relaxation continually delivered on the exhalation may start to function as an anchor. For all three maladaptive behaviors, hypnobehavioural therapies use Homework, generally incorporating Self-hypnosis and Pseudo-Orientation in Time, to reinforce desired behavior, as well as in vivo-exposure-tasking, breaking the cycle of avoidance of the feared stimulus. Deiker and Pollock (1975) showed how pseudo-orientation in time can be effective in allowing the patient to picture themselves in the future having beaten the phobia. Regular reinforcement through pseudo-orientation in time allows the patient to visualise the goal-orientated, motivating, positive consequences of the desired behavior, based on the principles of Classical and Operant Conditioning, setting a template for success. The most powerful reinforcement comes from experiencing the ultimate in vivo positive consequences of the modified behavior. The patient that has undergone hypnobehavioral therapy, will be thoroughly prepared. Conclusion It can be strongly argued that the hypno-behavioralist approach could be more effective than the behaviorist approach. Kroger (1977) stated that hypnosis facilitates learning. This allows more rapid behavioral modification. As therapy is done in the unconscious mind, bypassing critical conscious interference resulting in increased suggestibility, a suggestion can be accepted in one session, while behavioral therapy relies on repetition to enable conditioning. Hypnosis achieves enhanced feelings and greater depths of relaxation, increasing effectiveness and speed of many techniques. Hypnosis is valuable at treating anxiety as the process of induction and deepening generally relieves anxiety (Hammond, 1990). The hypnobehavioral approach allows the conditioning process to be carefully controlled, offering greater safety for the patient. IMR allows the therapist to check on progress, allowing greater control and respecting the patients coping level, thus reducing risk of retraumatising and breaking rapport. Other advantages of the hypnobehavioral approach include the ability to give post-hypnotic suggestions to encourage behavioral responses to situations that were imagined (Deyoub and Epstein 1977), as well as enhanced scene-visualisation (Deiker and Pollock 1975), increasing effectiveness of Pseudo-orientation in time. Ego-strengthening is a vital ingredient of the hypnobehavioral approach, as it increases the patients coping-ability, and thus success of therapy. Ego-strengthening can help prevent relapses of undesired habits (Rist Watzl 1983). Self-hypnosis empowers the patient by gaining control over their responses, as well as reinforcing conditioning in between sessions; all adding to preparation for in vivo exposure. However, much depends on the patients personality, situation and presenting symptom. Not everyone is a good hypnotic subject, and there are situations where hypnosis is contraindicated. In therapy, we can make best use of either approach when we allow them to cross over and compliment each other. References Carlson N and Buskist W (1997) Psychology: The science of behavior 5th edition Allyn Bacon Deiker TE and Pollock (1975) Integration of Hypnotic and systematic desensitization techniques in the treatment of phobias: a case report American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 17:117 Deyoub P L Epstein S (1977) Short term hypnotherapy for the treatment of flight phobia; A case report American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 19, 251-254 Gross R (2005) Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour Hodder Arnold Hammond D C (1990) Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestion and Metaphors Norton Hurley A D (1976) Unsystematic desensitization using pleasurable images to inhibit anxiety Journal of Behavioral Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 7 Joseph M (1994) Hypno-desensitisation European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1 (2): 14-20 Klein S B (2008) Learning: Principles and Applications 5th edition Sage Publications Kroger W S (1977) Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2nd edition Lippincott Rist F Watlz H (1983) Self-assessment of relapse risk and assertiveness in relation to treatment outcome of female alcoholics Addictive Behaviours 8, 121-127 Waxman, D (Ed) (1989) Hartlands Medical and Dental Hypnosis 3rd Edition Bailliere Tindall Wolpe J (1958) Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition Stanford University Press Wolpe J (1973) The Practice of Behavior Therapy 4th edition Pergamon Bibliography Alcock J (2001) Animal Behavior 7th edition Sunderland Domjan M P (2007) The Principles of Learning and Behavior 5th edition Academic Internet Publishers Marks I M (1987) Fears, phobias, and rituals: Panic, anxiety, and their disorders New York Oxford University Press Watson J B (1913) Psychology as the Behaviorist Views it Psychological Review, 20, 158-177Yadav N (2003) A Handbook of Educational Psychology Anmol Publications Research Papers on Behavioral TherapyThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThree Concepts of PsychodynamicStandardized TestingEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalGenetic EngineeringInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andOpen Architechture a white paper

Compare curanderismo, espiritualismo, with Afro-Caribbean Santeria, Essay

Compare curanderismo, espiritualismo, with Afro-Caribbean Santeria, Pentecostalism - Essay Example Moreover, there are several objects that are used by the practitioners. They include the holy water, crucifixes, lemons, eggs, candles, saints, incense, candles, spices, eggs, limes, and oils. Evidently, curanderismo originated from the Mexican culture following its colonization by Mexico. It derives its meaning from the word curar which is Spanish for ‘to heal.’ Incidentally, curanderismo is a combination of the indigenous Latin American folk medicine and Catholicism. Presently, curanderismo is practiced in a number of Latin American countries and also in the United States. To this end, it has retained its popularity among certain Mexican-American people as an alternative mode of medicine. Its popularity is largely due to the belief that it offers spiritual alleviation from ailments that are beyond conventional medicine. Espiritualismo involves the practice of spiritualism. Evidently its practice is based on the belief that the spirit world can offer intervention within the human world. To this end, it is practised by a majority of Caribbean’s and also by some citizens from Latin America. However, it is different from Santeria since there are rituals c haracterized by animal sacrifices. Espiritualismo is further regarded as a philosophical movement that is based on reverence to God and the soul, the spiritual and moral principles, and the immortality of being. Moreover, espiritualismo believes in reincarnation, survival ideals of the soul, and the relation between the disembodied and embodied. The general principles of espiritualismo include the belief in God, his helpers and angels; spiritual adoration and worship; the original root of religion and other manifestations of religion; and the divine reverence of the Great Spirit known as ‘God.’ Moreover, mineral, plants, oils, prayers, trees, candles, flowers, and music equally play a pertinent role in the belief of espiritualismo. Evidently, the doctrines of espiritualismo espouse that when a person is born, he or she is a constituent of two bodies. The first body is the physical and visible entity which is earthly and temporary. The second body is the spiritual entity which is eternal and invisible. Furthermore, after death the physical body ceases to exist but the spiritual body continues in an eternal existence under the control of God. On the other hand, Santeria is a combination of religious beliefs and traditions that constitutes a similar African traditional religion. Evidently, its origin can be traced back to Brazil and Cuba. It is characterized by a combination of the worship elements of Catholicism and the traditional Yoruba faith. The Santeria religion is based on creating relationships between the human beings and mortal spirits which are powerful and known as the Orishas. Evidently, the Orisha is a reflection of the god also known as Olodumare. In this regard, the adherents of Santeria believed that the spirits provided them with the gift of life when they performed satisfactory rituals. This consequently enabled them to be blessed with the destiny bestowed upon them before their birth. Interestingly, the Santeria religion exhibits a relation with the Roman Catholic church through the association between Orishas and the Catholic Saints. For example, Our Lady of Charity was known as Ochun in the Santeria religion. She is the Yoruba goddess in charge of the river. The goddess was equally associated with love, sweets, water, love and yellow. Saint Lazarus was the alternate version of Babalu-Aye in Santeria religion.

Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes - Essay Example Some are even outright fraudulent. In February of 2006 state inspectors in Kentucky inspected the largest nursing home in the state, which was a 286-bed facility in Highland Heights known as Lakeside Heights Nursing Center. Inspectors found numerous health and safety violations. They declared that ten patients were in "immediate jeopardy" and had discovered that one patient had died after the staff had failed to treat his medical problems properly. A report done by state inspectors (2006) found widespread problems with the facility: The report said the facility was often critically understaffed and that on 24 occasions only one licensed nurse was assigned to the entire facility and at times, the nurse on duty was not trained to administer intravenous fluids, which placed three residents in jeopardy. According to the report, the residents often could not get services or supplies from outside vendors because of bills that the nursing home had not paid. The inspectors documented one case in which a patient, who was frequently choking on solid food, could not get to an appointment with a doctor because the home was in arrears to the cab company. The report said the local water district threatened to shut off service to the facility if the nursing home did not make immediate payments on an overdue bill of $40, 000. Those and many other problems in the report led Kentucky's Inspector General, Robert Benvenuti III, to tell the Cincinnati Post, that this was the worst case he had seen in his 26 months on the job. Mr Benvenuti said a major source of the problems was too few workers, which kept basic care from being performed. In one instance, a state inspector saw a resident sitting, urine-soaked, in a wheelchair and two new pressure sores were identified on the patient's buttocks and the patient was not being checked every two hours as required by law. In another case, an inspector saw a resident moving about the home in a wheelchair with an open, uncovered wound to the big toe and observed dirt and pieces of hair stuck to the wound, according to the report. The resident reported having asked for new dressing at 7 am that morning, and when nobody responded, removed the old dressing. The report noted that a new dressing was not provided until 5:30 pm that day. With not enough staff to get patients out of bed or turned in bed, inspectors found that residents developed new bed sores, or sores that they already had had worsened and that 31 residents did not receive doctor-ordered treatment for their sores. One patient died of an electrolyte imbalance after the nursing home failed to follow the instructions of doctor ordered treatment. The report said that nursing home staff failed to notify doctors of changes in the patient's condition, failed to properly assess the patient's condition, and failed to establish a plan to care for that person. According to the Cincinnati Post, another resident did not receive treatment for blood coming from his mouth for eight hours, during which time bleeding also started in a chest wound and his rectum. In another case, a resident left the nursing home unsupervised and without permission several

Global warming Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global warming - Research Paper Example Scientists predicted that the average temperatures to be experienced in the U.S. could increase by 3 to 9 degrees by the end of the century if global warming is not reduced (Simpson, 2008). Causes of Global Warming Global warming is caused when carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases pile up in the atmosphere like a thick blanket, traps the sun's heat and cause the planet to warm up. Naturally, global warming is caused by the release of methane gas from the arctic tundra and wetlands. Methane being a green house gas, traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere. On the other hand, the man-made causes include air pollution and overpopulation population. Burning of fossil fuels causes pollution in the earth’s atmosphere. Silver (2008) states that coal and oil, are examples of fossil fuels that cause air pollution. When these fuels are burnt, they emit carbon dioxide, which is a green house gas. In addition, during the mining of coal or oil, methane is also dug out as i t is naturally in the ground. High human and animal populations naturally imply the need for more food and transport. Because of these two, more fossil fuels are used which means that more greenhouse gases are released in the atmosphere. With a high population, more agricultural activities are done with the aim of increasing the food supply to the growing population. Methane is produced by manure, which is mainly used in agriculture. The increasing populations also use more cars implying an increase in the use of fuels and resultant pollution. According to Silver (2008), carbon dioxide contributes to global warming. The rising level of carbon dioxide from animals’ breaths worsens the situation. Also, Humans are destroying forests without planting more trees. Trees are valuable in the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen. The trend is worsening the global warming experienced in the earth. Global warming cause for serious concern The Union of Concerned Scientists (2010) concl uded that these effects can cause serious destructions. The effects include reduced snow accumulation due to melting glaciers, severe droughts causing more deaths and water shortage, rising sea levels leading to coastal flooding. A warmer temperature in the sea causes stronger hurricanes, which cause serious damage of property in Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The wild fires experiences may lead to more loss of trees in the environment. Some plant destruction may lead to the extinction of some animal species because of the global warming. Warmer temperatures causing bad things to happen The increased heat and the warm condition are causing many damages in different parts of the world today. Simpson (2008) notes that the hotter conditions are causing a rise in the water levels in the sea. The melting of glaciers and ice in Antarctica and the greensands is causing the rise. The snow accumulation has reduced and the winter season are taking shorter time. Due to the rise in wate r levels, hurricanes and floods have been experienced by different countries. The extreme heat condition has also caused deaths in India and Europe. Wildfires have also been experienced in some states in America, and floods have caused a lot of damage to property and peoples lives. Global warming and hurricanes The strength of hurricanes is increased by global warming. The hurricanes are getting stronger and dangerous than before. The warm oceans and tropical storms make the hurricane become more powerful than it used to be. The change in

Performance comparison of two fast food businesses

Performance comparison of two fast food businesses The purpose of this article is to measure the performance of two companies in the same area of business, which is fast food industry. This study benchmarks two established global fast food sellers who have expanded operations further afield over their illustrious histories, displaying innovation, vision and success in the operation. The companies will be assessed using a range of financial methods such as horizontal, trend, vertical and ratio analyses. This will be done based on the companys financial statements for the last three years. Non-financial performance measures, which are based on evidence of business performance, will also be used. A SWOT analysis will then be done for each company in order to give the reader a concise picture about where both companies are now, and what they can do to improve their position in the market. Each company will then be assessed to see how attractive it is to both investors and employees. The companies chosen for this report are McDonalds and Burger King. They are two of the biggest fast food sellers that dominate the not only the UK but also the world fast food sector. When deciding how to position a product, marketing managers need to understand how product differentiation affects competition. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between product differentiation and prices and profits in the fast food industry. These companies were chosen as they are of interest to the author. The two fast food sellers are similar in nature as although they both have a substantial share of the UK market, either they are all famous the world. Therefore their financial data is relatively comparable. Historical BackgroundNames, addresses and logos of companies: Address McDonalds Plaza Oak Brook IL 60523 USA Address 5505 Blue Lagoon Drive Miami Florida 33126 USA Company History McDonalds Corporation McDonalds Corporation is the worlds largest hamburger fast food restaurants, serving more than 58 million customers every day. McDonalds concentrate on sells hamburgers, chicken products, French fries, breakfast, soft drinks, shakes and deserts. It represents the trends of Western nations. While at the same time, it faces the criticism over the healthiness of its products. McDonalds has modified its menu to include alternatives considered healthier such as salads, wraps and fruit. The business began in 1940, with a restaurant opened by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. The site of the McDonald brothers original restaurant is now a museum. With the expansion of McDonalds into many international markets, the company has become a symbol of globalization and the spread of the American way of life. The company operates through five subsidiaries (structured on a geographic basis): McDonalds USA, McDonalds Europe, McDonalds AMEA (Asia, Middle East and Africa), McDonalds Latin America and McDonalds International. An additional subsidiary was created in McDonalds Ventures, which consists of the companys non-McDonalds brand. Burger King Corporation Burger King often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants like McDonalds headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. Burger King Corporation banner operates the international business. The company began as a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain in 1953. After the company ran into financial difficulties in 1955, its two Miami-based franchisees, David Edgerton and James McLamore, purchased the company and rechristened it Burger King. Over the next half century the company would trade hands four times, with its third set of owners, a partnership of TPG Capital, Bain Capital, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, taking the company public in 2002. The current ownership group, 3G Capital of Brazil, acquired a majority stake in the company in a deal valued at $3.26 billion in late 2010. The companys business is divided into three geographic segments; the US and Canada; Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific (EMEA/APAC); and Latin America. About 7,512 Burger King Stores are located in the US and Canada. Over 2,379 of the companys restaurants are located in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), 672 restaurants in Asia Pacific (APAC) and 1,002 restaurants in Latin America. Business activities and Product treeMcDonalds Corporation McDonalds operates, franchises, and services a worldwide chain of about 31,000 fast food restaurants in the world. Franchisee, Affiliate and Corporation are three ways, which McDonalds operate the worldwide stores. About 25% of the companys revenues come from franchisee outlets. The company and its franchisees use special method to guarantee uniformity in both services and standards. McDonalds restaurants offer a substantially uniform menu. It also tests a range of new products on an ongoing basis and sells a variety of other products during limited-time promotions. Source: McDonalds website Burger King Corporation Burger King (BKC) is the worlds second largest chain of fast food hamburger restaurants. Burger King operates more than 11,565 restaurants in 71 countries and the US territories, of which 1,360 restaurants are company restaurants and 10,205 are owned by independent franchisees. Among of these, 7,207 restaurants are located in the US and 4,358 are located in international markets. Burger King offers a range of reasonably priced food items, which content burgers, sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. The Whopper sandwich is its largest-selling product. Burger King was the first fast-food chain to introduce drive-through service, which now accounts for a majority of the companys business. But the development of drive-through stores is less than McDonalds. The company generates revenues from three sources: sales at company restaurants, royalties and franchise fees and property income from certain franchise restaurants that lease or sub lease property from the company. Source: Burger King Website Financial AnalysisThe following financial analysis of both companies uses the data provided in the Annual reports of each company from Fame or official website. Horizontal, trend, vertical and ratio analyses will be used as rationale to benchmark performance between the firms. Horizontal Analysis Conducting a horizontal analysis allows us to compare different items in each companys financial statements. This can be done over a period of time so that any changes that have taken place can be noted. Therefore it is a useful tool for comparing the performance of two companies. The data below shows the consolidated income statement of both firms between the years of 2007-2009. However, McDonalds financial report is calculated about in Europe, while Burger King is calculated in UK. Each companys performance will be analyzed and compared and any notable differences will be discussed below. McDonalds: there was an increase from 2008 to 2009 (3.2%) due to the world financial crisis. But there was also a significant decline from 2009 to 2010(11.9%), one reason is that the company is too large to operate. Burger King: with 6.0% growth from 2008 to 2009, Burger Kings performance is better than its competitors. Following with financial crisis end, there was 8.4% growth between 2009 and 2010. Gross Profits: This is worked out by taking the cost of sales figure away from turnover. Both companies even with high increases in operating cost for 2008, they ended up with a small increase in net income. This can be contributed to the exceptional gross profit earnings for the year. McDonalds gross profit for 2008 increased 3.2%, while Burger King only increased 1.3%. This can be attributed to the McDonalds grabbed the opportunity of financial crisis. However, McDonalds and Burger King also suffered a decline in 2009. The main reason is that companies with global operations translate sales and franchise revenue from foreign currencies into dollars. That can boost revenue and profit when the dollar is weaker but hurt results when the U.S. currency is stronger because foreign sales then translate into fewer dollars. Operating income The pattern visible for the operating income over the three-year period is different to the other indicators and causal factors are difficult to establish. It shows a huge increase in 2008, this could be attributed to the considerable increase in gross profit compounded by the operating expenses being trimmed providing a much-improved operating income for the year. In 2008 however, operating income falls, likely due to a combination of a gross profit decrease and an operating expense increase. Net Profit: this is the actual earnings of the company after all expenses and taxes have been paid and are usually referred to as the bottom line. Both companies are experiencing a small rate of organic growth in the year of 2008. This is despite the economies financial difficulty during 2008; people prefer to choose fast food as their daily food. It is likely that during 2008-09, the rise in turnover is partly down to the high price of fuel, caused by high oil. In Europe, two companies performance reflected Europes strategic priorities to upgrade the customer and employee experience, enhance local relevance, and build brand transparency. In addition, McDonalds enhanced customer trust in our brand through communications that emphasized the quality and origin of McDonalds food and our sustainable business practices, while Burger King did much better. Trend Analysis By conducting a trend analysis we can see the ways in which the companies have changed over the last three years. The year 2007 is taken as the base year and set at 100%. Each following year is then expressed as a percentage of the base year using this equation: Gross Profits: Whilst both companies experience similar growth in their turnover, McDonalds experience a decrease in gross profits in 2009-10. Burger King does not have this problem and so they experience almost same level in gross profits over the three-year period. Percentage Change in Gross Profit Operating Profit: Both companies experienced increases in their operating profit. This McDonalds plan is leading to the company becoming more efficient, which is reflected by this increase. Through this, the company has significantly reduced its administration expenses over the three-year period. They have also experienced a rise in other operating income pre operating profit, which has led to the rise in operating profit, despite the fall in gross profit. Percentage Change in Operating Profit Net Profit: Burger King net profit remains consistent for the first two years and then drops during the year 2009-10. This pattern is to be expected due to companies with global operations translate sales and franchise revenue from foreign currencies into dollars, which led to people trying to spend less money. McDonalds Net Profit rocketed in 2008-09, due to the fact that people would like to choose fast food during financial crisis. Percentage Change in Net Profit Vertical Analysis A vertical analysis shows us the relationship between each income statement item to the turnover. In other words, it shows all other figures as a percentage of the turnover or net sales, which is set at 100%. The following equation can be used in order to work this out: Balance Sheet A vertical analysis can also be conducted on the companys balance sheet, representing all items as a percentage of the total assets. In simple terms, this allows us to see where a business spend and receives its money. Fixed Assets: Fixed assets are those with a remaining useful life of over one year. Tangible fixed assets refer to physical assets such as buildings; land etc. and intangible assets refer to items such as goodwill and trademarks. McDonalds is much bigger than Burger King, which means it has more stores in Europe and UK. Current Assets: Current assets are those that are held for less than a year and can be realized quickly. They act as a source of funds for day-to-day activities (Investor Words, 2009). During the world financial crisis, two companies were under its influence in 2008. While in 2009, two companies had made a quick change. So their current assets suffer from a huge increasing. Total Liabilities: This figure is made up of both current liabilities and long-term liabilities. Current liabilities are the debts to creditors and suppliers, which the companies are expected to pay within a year, often in cash. Long-term liabilities are debts that do not need to be repaid within a year. Burger King has a lower share of long-term liabilities than McDonalds does. This suggests that Burger King is in a better financial position when it comes to repaying debt, as the majority of their capital comes from Shareholders funds instead of loans. Ratio Analysis Conducting a ratio analysis allows us to compare the specific items in each companys financial statements over the three years period. There are four classifications of ratio analysis: Profitability, Liquidity, Efficiency and Investment. Conducting a ratio analysis from each of the four classifications should give a good overall picture of each companys performance. Profitability: Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit Margin = Gross Profit x 100 Turnover Gross profit margin allows us to see the proportion of sales that is left over once the costs of sales have been accounted for. This gives us an idea about how much money the company is making on their sales alone, before accounting for other income, administration expenses, interest and tax. This is a particularly relevant measure for this industry as the vertical analysis showed that the cost of sales takes up a huge percentage of the total turnover. Generally, the higher the gross profit margin is the better a company is performing. Liquidity: Current Ratio Curent Ratio = Curent Asset Curent Liabilities The current ratio is used to test the liquidity of company. A high current ratio of over 2 to 1 suggests that a company would easily be able to pay off its debts using its current assets, putting them in a good financial position. Efficiency: Asset Turnover Asset Turnover = Sales (Turnover) Total Assets This ratio measures how efficient a company is at utilizing their assets in order to generate sales. A high ratio indicates that a company is making good use of its assets. McDonalds is using its assets more efficiently than Burger King. Both companies experience improvement in their asset efficiency throughout the two year period which could again be attributed to the improvement programs that they are both currently running. While in 2009, two companies suffered from a small declining. However, McDonalds is much better than Burger King. Investment: Price/Earnings Ratio P/E Ratio = Market Earnings per Share Price per Share This final measure is a clear indication to potential investors, of the earnings they will be receiving. The ratio essentially indicates the price they are paying for a unit of income. If one company has a higher ratio than the other then the relative earnings received is for the price of the share is less than the other company. When comparing two companies they can use as relative prices to determine which one delivers the greatest benefit for their price. In addition, the lower the value, the quicker the investment will be recovered through earnings. Both companies started in a similar position in 2009-10. This ratio does not necessarily mean the investor will receive less because the fluctuations in share prices paid by each investor may differ greatly, especially in this three year period where the decline was drastic in 2008. However, upon analysis by a potential investor, it may indicate that at the end of 2008s financial year, Burger King looks to provide slightly better earnings per share relative to the price paid. However this is not rigid, prices fluctuate by the hour and do not always resemble financial performance. Non-Financial Analysis It is also important to factor in a variety of non-financial measures of performance in order to help us to assess the position of these companies. This may help to explain why one company is experiencing success over another. The fast food industry in the world is extremely competitive and so a number of different performance measures ¼Ã…’ which are thought to be relative to the industry have been used. Global operations McDonalds concentrate on globalization, sometimes referred to as the McDonaldization of society. The Economist newspaper uses the Big Mac index to describe the McDonalds globalization. McDonalds was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. McDonalds wants to open a large number of drive-through stores in the world. McDonalds make a deal with the French fine arts museum, the Louvre, to open a McDonalds restaurant and McCafà © on its premises, in November 2009. Burger King was successful in the US and then it brought Chicken burger to Europe. Consumers are urged to cheat on beef, with the message that Burger King announces can offer more than just beef burgers. The creative marketing is likely to engage consumers, while chicken may appeal to more health to customers. To assist in its global expansion, Burger King has established several subsidiaries to develop partnerships and alliances to expand into new areas. In Europe, Burger Kings subsidiary Burger King Europe GmbH is responsible for the licensing and development of BK franchises in the that market. At the end of 2010 year, Burger King is the second largest hamburger fast food company, which the first one is McDonalds (32,400 locations) and the fourth largest fast food restaurant chain overall after Yum!(37,000 locations), McDonalds and Subway (32,000 locations). Success of Branding and Advertising im lovin it is an McDonalds Corporations slogan. It was created by Heye Partner. The English part of the campaign was launched in the UK in 2003. With the music of Tom Batoy and Franco Tortora (Mona Davis Music) and vocals by Justin Timberlake is famous all over the world. In Spring 2008, McDonalds published their new image and slogan: What were made of. This was to promote how McDonalds products are made. Packaging was tweaked a little to feature this new slogan. In Fall 2008, McDonalds started new packaging, eliminating the previous design stated above with inspirational messages, the im lovin it slogan. McDonalds also updated their menu boards with darker, yet warmer colors, more realistic photos of the products featured on plates and the drinks in glasses. In 2009, McDonalds expects to have all of this nationwide. As to Burger King, Golden Age of Burger King advertising was during the 1970s when it introduced its Magical Burger King. And then several well-known and parodied slogans appear. In 2003, Burger King published new advertising with the hiring of the Miami-based advertising agency of Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B). They have reorganized Burger Kings advertising with a series of new factors. It centered on a redesigned Magical Burger King character accompanied with a new online presence. A Burger King advertising running in recent weeks declares the Kings gone crazy. It shows the burger chains royal mascot running through a building and crashing through a plate glass window before being tackled to the ground by men in white coats. The advertising is supposed to trumpet Burger Kings new Burger King Steakhouse XT burger: The kings insane for offerings so much beef for $3.99, said the advertising. Success of Menus McDonalds decision to display nutritional information, including calorie and fat content and also on its product packaging well help restore faith in the brand by empowering customers menu choices. However, the move does not represent a fundamental change to the companys overriding mission. It just provides cheap, flavorsome food, served quickly. McDonalds clearly wants this increased disclosure will restore trust in its products. Indeed, data monitor research shows that transparency is clearly needed: 40% of UK consumers are skeptical about health claims made by food manufacturers, compared to 32% who are trusting. McDonalds healthier menu items that have this year helped promote sales in Europe. Consumers will soon be able to read that the Cheese, Ham and Pepperoni Deli Brown Roll contains 616 calories, compared to 493 in a Big Mac, along with almost 10% more fat and more than double the amount of salt. Nonetheless, as the worlds leading fast food company, McDonalds will always per form better. In contrast to other industry players, Burger King has not focused on making its food healthier in the past, believing that the Superfan values taste over health when making food choices. In 2005, for example, the company invested a lot on fast foods to make them less unhealthy, with less salt, sugar and fat, stating it wanted to focus on providing tasty foods. By focusing on taste, Burger King aimed to gain a competitive advantage and achieve a reputation for producing tastier burgers. While this focus on taste is appealing to the Superfan, health is an issue of growing importance to a large sector of society. Therefore, in order to remain competitive, the company has had to respond to this growing demand for healthier foods. Its rivals have already made health changes to their menus and, with this in mind, Burger King has reformulated some of its menu items. Consumers are urged to cheat on beef, Burger King announces that it can offer more than just beef burgers. The creative marke ting is to tall consumers, while chicken is more health. Burger King has announced that it will be provided new hamburger named the Tender crisp Premium Chicken burger in the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. At the same time, Burger King wants to create new imagine that consumers go to fast food stores looking for health beneficial products, which will makes them feel better about their choice in turn. Market share Burger King has around 7,800 restaurants locally, while McDonalds has whopping 13,000 locations locally. Burger King has approximate 21.9% of the market share, while McDonalds has more than double that, a whopping 44% market share of the fast food industry. Comparatively, McDonalds has been expanding rapidly into the international market; in fact McDonalds has expanded in many third world countries, which include India, China, etc. Although Burger King also has international reach, its nowhere near McDonalds reach. Burger King has managed to expand in only a handful of international markets. Company PotentialMcDonalds SWOT Analysis McDonalds SWOT Analysis Strengths Market-leading position Robust all-round growth Strong brand equity Opportunities Alliance with Warner Home Video Innovations in the Menu Rising Hispanic population in US Strengths McDonalds is the worlds largest foodservice retailing chain. McDonalds serves one of the worlds favorite and most well known menus. The company has shown a strong growth in revenues. Its consolidated revenues have increased at a compounded annual growth rate. All segments of the company have witnessed strong growth. Europe, McDonaldss largest geographical market, saw revenues increase by 14.7%. McDonalds has a well-established brand that appeals to varied age groups and customer profiles. The Business Week magazine has ranked McDonalds as one of the ten most recognized brands in the world, a position that creates significant opportunities for the company. The company makes some of the largest selling fast foods in the world. Weaknesses The company witnessed an operating loss from its non-McDonalds brand restaurant operations. Operating losses from both these segments have lowered McDonalds overall profitability. McDonalds revenue per employee compared quite poorly with the average figures in the foodservice and restaurants industry. This indicates that the companys per employee productivity and profitability is lower than that of its competitors, a disadvantage in a fiercely competitive marketplace. During 2007-2009, McDonalds selling, general and administrative (SGA) expenses for Europe region increased substantially. Increasing SGA expenses in these segments have adversely affected the overall profitability of McDonalds. Opportunities A popular live-action series featuring Ronald McDonald will help further McDonalds popularity, especially amongst children. The company can cash in on this and boost its revenues. McDonalds continues to evolve its menu in order to maintain its leading market position. New products and branded everyday value remain a focus for McDonalds, as the company continues to refresh its offerings with its Euro Saver Menu in several European markets. Threats The company is facing pressures due to an increase in raw material prices. Owing to various import restrictions and higher demand, prices of beef. Further, the prices are expected to remain high during 2010 also. Beef is the major raw material for the companys products. A further hike in beef prices can have a negative impact on companys profitability. Over the past few years there has been a newfound emphasis on healthier eating. With a change in lifestyle, people are becoming more aware of the negative effects of unhealthy eating habits. This has a direct effect on the sales of the fast food chains that are associated with unhealthy food. Consumers are showing increased preference for fat-free and healthy food products. Food items containing trans-fat are losing market share as they are linked to cardiovascular diseases. Some negative publicity could adversely impact the revenues of the company, especially as consumers and government bodies all over the world get more conscious abo ut health effects of fast food. Burger King SWOT Analysis Burger King SWOT Analysis Strengths Strong market position and brand equity signifying customer acceptance Greater franchise mix-an attractive business model Innovative marketing campaigns and advertising to provide greater visibility Opportunities Expansion in existing and new markets-the rate of expansion in 2009 was 28% higher than the prior year Initiatives such as remodeling and usage if Bluetooth to enhance operational efficiency Positive outlook for quick service restaurant segment Strengths Burger King enjoys a strong market position with 11,925 restaurants operating in 73 countries and US territories. It is the worlds second-largest FFHR chain as measured by the total number of restaurants and system-wide sales. Additionally, BKCs Burger King and Whopper brands are two of the most widely recognized consumer brands in the world. Overall, the companys established brand image has enabled it to penetrate various global markets. The company leverages its strong market position to gain economies of scale and increase its bargaining power. BKC utilizes innovative marketing, advertising and sponsorships to drive sales and generate restaurant traffic. Strong and innovative marketing efforts will provide better visibility to the company, which will in turn have an impact on the revenue generating capacity of the company. Weaknesses Declining comparable sales growth-2009 recorded the lowest rate in three years BKC recorded a decline in its comparable sales growth in the recent past. Despite positive comparable sales growth across all reportable segments during 2009, comparable sales for the period were negatively impacted by significant traffic declines during the third and fourth quarters across many of the markets in which BKC operates. This was primarily driven by the continued adverse macroeconomic conditions, including higher unemployment, more customers eating at home, heavy discounting by other restaurant chains and the H1N1 flu pandemic. Declining comparable sales growth indicates the necessity of the management to focus on various product offerings that caters to the value conscious customers during times of poor economic conditions. Concentrated operations in terms of geographic presence and dependence on selected distributors-increases business risks. Opportunities Expansion in existing and new markets-the rate of expansion in 2009 was 28% higher than the prior year. Burger King is focusing on expanding its presence in existing and new markets. Expanding presence in existing and new markets will allow the company to establish a global footprint and favorably impact its revenue generating capacity. Initiatives such as remodeling and usage of Bluetooth enhance operational efficiency. Threats The fast food industry is intensely competitive and Burger King competes with many well-established food service companies on the basis of product choice, quality, affordability, service and location. As the restaurant industry has few barriers to entry, the company competes with large competitor base including restaurant chains and individual restaurants that range from independent local operators to well-capitalized national and international restaurant companies. McDonalds and Wendys are BKCs principal competitors. The company also competes against regional hamburger restaurant chains. The company also competes against national food service businesses offering alternative menus, such as Subway, PaPa Jones and Pizza Hut. Some of the Burger King competitors have greater financial, non-financial and other resources, which may help them to react to changes in pricing, marketing and other segment in general better than Burger King. Investor Potential This section will examine the attractiveness of investment into McDonalds and Burger King. The following two graphs show the variations in each companys share price over the three financial periods looked at throughout this reports. Both companies graphs are taken from Yahoo! Finance as this website showed the fluctuations during the three years that the financial analysis was conducted, allowing the share price to be compared to the businesses financial success. Share prices vary depending on how a company is performing; with more investors buying shares when they think the company is about to experience success. Success leads share prices to rise, due to the laws of supply and demand. McDonalds share price This graph shows that McDonalds experienced an overall increase in share price during 2006 to 2010. This could be due to the success of the McDonalds strategies, suggesting that the company has adopted a successful growth strategy and encouraging people to invest. Burger King share price Burger King have seen a steady drop in their share price relative to their drop in net profit in 2007-08, which could lead investors to become less attracted to the company. However, Burger King does have quite a strong growth strategy

Implementing Uniforms In School is The Right Thing To Do Essay

The argument whether uniforms should be allowed in school has been debated over the last few decades. Implementing a uniform policy within schools would help reduce the rise of violent crimes. In today's high schools, too many innocent youths become fatalities due to gang warfare that has spread into the school system. Many parents feel that if a uniform policy was implemented the spread of gang warfare and the idea children have to have name brand clothing would decrease drastically. However others are worried that this policy would infringe on students First Amendment rights. Yet there are other parents that all worried that the uniforms will cost too much. In the following essay these issues will be addressed. Proponents of uniforms argue that the widespread violence in schools is due largely to the gangs. They believe that the distinctive gang colors and symbols are used to intimidate non-gang members and reinforce gang allegiance. Gang members are often found wearing clothing with professional sports teams logos on them. The clothing is often stolen from local stores or from other children. Children who where this kind of clothing to so only because they like it or it is in style. Jim Steinberg of the San Francisco Examiner believes that," They have become a fashion statement and sometimes a gang statement." (1) This is why so many parents want the schools to go to a mandatory uniform policy. Many parents believe that if children wore uniforms, the violence in schools would drop drastically. Long Beach unified school district was the first large urban school district in the United States to implement a mandatory uniform policy. " In 1994, the Long Beach unified school district in California became the nation's fi... ... down from one child to another. By doing this they would come out ahead in the long run. The controversy whether to implement the uniform policy has gone on for quite a few years now. Both sides of the argument give compelling reasons why or why not the policy should be implemented. But with the rise in the violent crimes in the school system, I feel that it’s his time to protect our children and implement it. If we do not do it now, America's children will grow up knowing only violence. They will not know what it's like to live a life without fear. So if you have a chance to implement the uniform policy; do it. Bibliography: Works Cited â€Å"Dressed For Survival.† The Economist 3 Sept. 1994: A32 Dyson, Sen. Roy. â€Å" Do You Favor Mandatory Uniforms In The Public Schools?† 12 July 1996. Online Posting. Southern Maryland Online. 04 Mar. 1999