Extended School Day Essay

Imagine you are a seven-year-old whose’s parents work until five each night. When you come home after school there is no one home with you. What could you get into? You might know right from wrong but you still might get yourself into some trouble. Just out of plain curiosity you might get into something or an accident could happen without you even being involved in it. But I say there is a way to stop this from ever happening. I think we should either keep schools open longer or introduce more after school programs. Many advantages would come from either of these ideas. For one the parents would not have to be in a state of worry about whether their child is safe at home or in trouble. Plus you always have that added guilt about not being able to help your kids with their homework. Now with either longer days or more after school programs a lot of stress could be taken away from your family. No more having to pay for sitters which could stress out a families finances. Also th e dangers of the kids being home and getting into trouble would be cut down severely. And also with the longer days or more after school programs parents would be able to get home, at least one parent would be home, to pick their kids off the bus. I wanted to suggest some programs I feel would help out with the problem at hand. These programs would be a reading and math after school program. One program I would suggest is a reading after school program. It is said that today, too many children fail to read at a level we would expect for the grade they are in. In a study done in 1998, the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that, thirty eight percent of our nation’s fourth graders failed to read at the basic level. That fact alone says we must enforce more after school programs. Now they also found that sixty-four percent of African American and sixty percent of Hispanic American fourth graders read below the basic level. This shows we need to not only put these programs in suburban schools but also city schools. Research has shown that students who are behind in reading can catch up to grade level with additional reading instruction and tutoring after school and in the summer. And that is what I am trying to put in effect. We all know that to succeed in school all students need good reading skills, and that’s just a fact. Another program that I think is good is a mathematics after school Program. I has been found that students who take rigorous mathematics courses are much more likely to go on to college and into promising careers than those who do not. And with technology becoming more prevalent in the workplace, the need for employees with mathematics backgrounds has greatly increased. In my research I have found that far too many students finish middle and junior high school without developing a solid foundation in algebra and geometry. Research done by the international comparative assessments said that U.S. student achievement in mathematics falls below the average in the middle grades. We need to help improve this. I think some other important facts help support my case for the longer school day and the after school programs in this little cha rt. Some reasons why the public supports after school programs: *Over 28 million school-age children have both parents or their only parent in the workforce. *At least 5 million children — and possibly as many as 15 million — are left alone at home each week. *Many children, especially low-income children, lose ground in reading if they are not engaged in organized learning over the summer. *Experts agree that school-age children who are unsupervised during the hours after school are more likely to receive poor grades and drop out of school than those who are involved in supervised, constructive activities. *Statistics show that most juvenile crime takes place between the hours of 2:00 and 8:00 pm, and that children are also at much greater risk of being the victims of crime during the hours after school. Here is another chart showing that after school programs enhance a child’s academic achievement. *Participants in after-school programs:* *Show increased interest and ability in reading *Develop new skills and interests *Show improved school attendance, increased engagement in school, and reduced dropout rate *Turn in more and better quality homework and can spend more time on task *Are held back or placed in special education classes less frequently *Show higher aspirations for the future, including intention to complete high school and go to college. These facts are real. This is why I picked trying to make a longer day and more after school programs. And with these two programs the numbers will go up. I plan on adding more programs to what I have wrote in here. But I think implementing a longer school day and these after school programs should help not only the parents of these children but the children themselves.

Comparison of Two Restaurants

Summary Restaurants business one of major segments of Hospitality industry in United Kingdom. This assessment report mainly focuses on the analysis of two difference restaurants base on food and beverage principles and theories. Here writer selected McDonald’s Hanger lane for fast food segment and O’Neill’s Ealing for fine dining segments. Evaluation process based on the writer experienced of those two restaurants and used meal experienced check list prepared using food and beverage theories and concept. In addition, writer created SWOT analysis for each restaurants for enhance analysis external and internal factors.Comparative analysis done using several topics for improve clear understand for readers. Used difference academic journals, books and reputed web site details for deliver evidence to support the discuss points by acknowledging relevant authors of such valuable sources. In addition, knowledge grab during the class contributed more to complete this asse ssment report. Prominent points highlighted during the conclusion for revise reader attention for such points and end of report provide recommendations to the both restaurants to enhance their business performance.There are main two limitations of this this report, first, all provided recommendations relevant only for discussed two restaurants and difficult to generalised and second, majority of points discussed base on writer experienced and that have possibility of involved of unintentional personal biased. 1. Introduction 2012 restaurants market update of keynote shows that market value increase 1. 7% during the 2011 compare to 2010. Government informed that UK emerging from recession in this year by Wintour and Stewart (2012). This shows the creating good business atmosphere within the UK.Restaurants are one of main business sector within the hospitality industry and it has several types of categories such as fast foods, fine dining and ethnic special. This report mainly focuses on the compare and contrasts the two differences restaurants, based on the writer meal experienced of those two restaurants and finally try to gives suggestions that important for improve customer experience and sale of such restaurants. Here writer selected O’Neill’s Ealing mainly for fine dining restaurants and McDonald’s Hanger Lane t for fast food casual restaurants.This comparative analysis base on the writer experienced of those two restaurants and use Meal experience check list (See Appendix: 1) for evaluate these two restaurants. These two restaurants working on difference market segments, however base on the food and beverage theories can easily analysis and evaluate two restaurants. 2. Overview of Restaurants 2. 1. O’ Neill’s – Ealing O’Neill’s is one of restaurants chain of Mitchells and Butlers PLC operation in England and they are specialisation of Irish foods; however they offer both table d’hotel and A la carte menus.Other than restaurants facilities, O’Neill’s have bar section. This restaurants under the non-captive market and they have powerful strength from the mother company that leader within the UK for Restaurants and Pub including brands like † Harvester† and â€Å"all bar one† (www. mbplc. com). However, Ealing O’Neill’s need to differentiate itself to face greater competition from surrounds restaurants in Ealing area (See Appendix: 2 for SWOT: O’Neill’s Ealing). 2. 2 McDonald’s – Hanger Lane (Near Quill Street) The world’s largest quick chain restaurants and 1200 restaurants located within the UK (www. cdonalds. co. uk). However McDonald’s under semi-captive food market because customers can choice only from offer alternatives. Open in 24 hours and drive through facilities adds more strength for Hanger Lane McDonald’s apart from the reputed global name. (See Appendix: 3 for SWOT: McDonald’s Hanger Lane) 3. Comparative Analysis This comparative analysis and evaluation doing in using separate topics and only consider the restaurants part and not consider their additional activities such as bar in O’Neill’s and drive through process of Mc Donald’s . 1. Service SystemMcDonald’s following fast food service system and O’Neill’s following fine dining service. McDonald’s always follow single point service and take away service; however O’Neill’s use waiter’s assistant systems. Both restaurants service are well maintenance and give good service for customers. Restaurants service systems direct effect of the image of the restaurants and that enhance the customer loyalty. (Ryuet al. 2012) 2. Staff Staffs of both restaurants are well trained and committed to provide full customer satisfaction with higher hygienic practices.All staff members wear proper dress code and very polite and try to pro vide best options for customers. Observed that, McDonald’s staffs mainly follows the grater standardised control procedures and O’ Neill’s staff more empowerment for taken some decisions. Highly standardised lead to more control of staff in Mc Donald’s (Ingram and Jones 1998). Employee empowerment enhance customer responsiveness and as well as employees retention with organization (Ashness and Lashley 1995). 3. Use of Special Equipment and Services Two restaurants always try to use more effective equipment to reduce energy consumption.McDonald’s using high efficiency British Thermal Unit (BTU) fryer to reduce energy consumption and give quick service to customers. O Neill’s also follow green concept and energy consumption reduce strategy (Mitchell and Butler annual report 2011). Card payment accepts by both restaurants that give more convenient for majority of customers. 4. Meal Experience 3. 4. 1 Interior Arrangement, Decoration and Enterta inment O’Neill’s interior design and dining area prepare for more comfortable and classic way for retention customers more time within the restaurants.Arranged seating to facilitate personal and business discussion among the customers and provide slight normal music for give higher feeling to customers. Every Friday and Saturday O’Neill’s provides live music for customers. O’Neill’s provide high class tableware and decoration of all tables. McDonald’s interior design comparatively low and provide plastic chairs and tables and no much intention to keep customers long time in restaurants due to concept of fast food serving (Lillicrap and Cousins 2010). Customers repurchasing behaviour and satisfaction highly depend on customer waiting time in fast foods chain outlet (Law et al. 004). Therefore, McDonald’s basically focus to provide higher number of customers within limited time. O’Neill’s lighting arrangements compa ratively good and it provide more attraction and comfort for long-term discussion. However, McDonald’s hanger lane does not use specific lighting arrangement. 3. 4. 2 Safety and Hygienic Hygienic conditions are higher in both restaurants and displayed the council certificate, safety notice, singe and whole restaurants clean and tidy. This is the last part of the food supply chain and majority of customers believe that restaurants maintain good hygienic conditions (Knight at el. 007). According to the Mitchel and Butler annual report, all food suppliers require to meet British Retail Consortium Global Certificate requirement and need to face regular safety and quality audits. McDonald’s has own food quality audits systems (www. mcdonalds. co. uk). 3. 4. 3. Food Price Price is important factor for purchasing decision of consumer (Mendez et al. 2006). Observed that both restaurants provided good value for money and this confirmed by few consumers in two restaurants as wel l as writer own experienced. However, O’Neill’s need to consider their food price for face competition in Ealing.Competitive pricing lead for price war and that can affect for long term sustainability of business (Davis et al. 2008). 3. 4. 4 Food, Beverage and Menu O’Neill’s provide eight difference menus basically focus in Irish foods and provide special menu for kids and Sunday. On the other hand, McDonald’s provided own menus basically focus on the fast food category. Two restaurants always keep their menus within some limitation with less variation. However, O’ Neill’s menus are very attractive and give full description for customers (see Appendix 4) (http://www. oneills. co. k/oneillsealing). O’ Neill’s provides foods very decorative way compare to McDonald’s (see Appendix 5) and both restaurants provide foods in good temperature. Foods aroma was fantastic in both restaurants that enhance appetite of customer s. Beverage supply was very good in both restaurants. 3. 4. 5 Customer Segments O’ Neill’s major customer range is people who like to go out with business discussion or friends or get some functions to meet each other’s. However McDonald’s major customer range is people who hurry to office or school with kids and back to home at evening.Identify of customer segments is important for sustain in business (Kotler and Keller 2006) 3. 4. 6 Location and Facilities Both restaurants located at very convenient place to consumers, however McDonald’s Hanger Lane have very good vehicle parking facilities O’Neill’s Ealing does not have. McDonald’s Hanger lane located near the traffic colour lights that give added advantage showing their name for majority of customers use Ealing road (see Appendix 6). In addition, MacDonald’s Hanger lane opens 24 Hours for customers. However O’ Neill’s Ealing have open limited time for d ay.McDonald’s provides free Wi-Fi and Baby Changing facilities for their customers. 7. Promotions Both restaurants provide special offer for focus market segments, example that O’Neill’s provide â€Å"Three meals for price two† and McDonald’s provide â€Å"4 weeks for 4 tastes†. Promotions are important for build good customer relationship and attract potential customers (Kotleret al. 2010). 4. Identification of Present trend in Food Industry Both restaurants not properly address present trends and food related health matter witan the UK. One or more than one shows diagnosis or undiagnosed diabetic within 20 people in UK (Diabetic in the UK 2012). 010 NHS data showed that 26% of adults (age above 16) and three of ten boys and girls (age between 2 to 15) showing either overweight or obesity within UK. However, Observed that both MacDonald’s and O’Neill’s not change for their foods for cater this current trend. In addition , predicted 10. 3% increase of the UK vegetarian foods market within next five years and main retailers such as ASDA, TESCO, Morrison and Sainsbury already started their vegetarian series (Keynote Market assessment 2012). However, both McDonald’s and O’ Neill’s not properly address this new market trend in UK. 3. 6 Sales MixObserved that Hanger Lane McDonald’s main sales product is Burgers and other main sales products are sandwiches, dessert, chips and beverages. Proper awareness of sales mixes importance for decide price of products as well as manage revenue (Kotleret al. 2010). However, Irish foods are the main sales products of O’ Neill’s and observed that majority of customers prefer for their Irish foods. 3. 7 Marketing McDonald’s comparatively have powerful marketing strategy than the O’Neill’s. McDonald’s have some benefits of marketing due to global brand and product range is unique for every McDonaldâ₠¬â„¢s.However, each of franchise has limited resource for own marketing process that related for area. McDonald’s have single web site that covering all outlets in UK, however O’Neill’s Ealing has their own web page under O’Neill’s main web (see Appendix 7). This is give opportunity for customers to directly contact Ealing management, find the new functions and specific menus. However, McDonald’s web site is more attractive than O’ Neill’s web site and it include nutritionals value and allergic information of the foods (See Appendix 8).McDonald’s provide special service for their customers â€Å"McDonald’s on your phone† that give location of nearest outlet, menus and latest promotion (www. mcdonalds. co. uk). 4. Conclusion These two restaurants cater their service for difference customer segments in market. However, observed that they always try to dominate in their market segments and very less considerat ion of current market trends in UK such as such as healthy foods and vegetarian foods. Both restaurants committed to give full customer satisfaction and try to attract customers using difference promotion and giving high quality safe foods.Both restaurants have proper identification of own sales mix and they use specific marketing strategy to enhance competitive edge in own market segment. 5. Recommendations All discussion based on these two restaurants and therefore these recommendations relevant only for above two restaurants and difficult to generalised. O’ Neill’s Ealing 1. Enhance variation of foods in menu – This is important to attract customers who have difference needs such as Chinese, Mexican, vegetarian, diabetic foods etc. 2. Consider the food price – Need to consider price of foods with compare competitors especially near the Ealing area. . Separate bar area from restaurants. – Bar together with restaurants area give some interference for family dining. Therefore, important of physical separate of dining area from bar section to attract more families to restaurants. 4. Band competition – They can invite Ealing area musical bands to perform in their restaurants that give more attract of local residents and young people to restaurants. 5. Provide nutritional value in in foods – That important to customer to select best suit foods for them and give attraction of customers. 6.Phone application to customers – iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Ovi – O’Neill’s special promotion, menus and special news, this important to always keep customer live with restaurants. 7. Try to get some parking slot beside road side after discuss with Ealing Council. Especially Friday and Saturday nights. 8. Provide loyalty card to regular customers to enhance revisit of regular customers. 9. Provide discount and promotion during the winter period to attract more customers by considering present positive condition of economic growth of UK. McDonald’s Hanger Lane 1.Increase seating capacity; keep more employees that enhance their attraction of McDonald’s products. 2. Concern of healthy foods and vegetarian foods – Need to consider present market trend of healthy foods, especially foods related to children. 3. Provide more attraction inertial decoration – That gives more attraction of customers to restaurants. 4. Provide attractive lighting system. 5. Provide foods in more decorative way to enhance customers’ attraction. 6. Give some higher consideration and facilities to on-site eating customers like takeaway customers. 7. Try to provide combo pack or student pack for attract families and students. . Install indication board beside Ealing road side before the outlet to enhance remind for customers before see outlet and provide information of additional facilities. 9. Start some functions or entertainments, especially at Friday or Saturday to attract customers. Bibliography Ashness, D. and Lashley, C. (1995) Empowering service workers at Harvester Restaurants. 24(8), p. 17 – 32. Emerald: Personnel Review [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Guardian. co. uk (2012) GDP figures show UK emerging from recession: full reaction. 25 October 2012 [Online].Available at: http://www. guardian. co. uk/business/2012/oct/25/gdp-figures-uk-emerging-recession-full-reaction%20-%204/11/2012 [Accessed: 3 November 2012]. http://www. diabetes. org. uk/Professionals/Publications-reports-and- resources/Reports-statistics-and-case-studies/Reports/Diabetes-in-the-UK-2012/ (2012) [Online]. [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. http://www. ic. nhs. uk/pubs/opad12 (2010) [Online]. [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. http://www. oneills. co. uk/oneillsealing/ (2010) [Online]. [Accessed: 25 October 2012] Ingram, H. and Jones, S. (1998) Teamwork and the management of food service operations. 4(2), p 67-73.Emerald: Team Performance Management [online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Keynote (2012) Market Update 2012: Restaurants Knight, A. J. , Worsoz, M. R. and Todd, E. C. D. (2007) Serving food safety: consumer perceptions of food safety at restaurants. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 19(6), p. 476-484. Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Kotler, P. and Keller, K. L. (2006) Marketing Management. 12thed. New Jersey: Pearson prentice hall. Kotler, P. , Makens, J. C. and Bowen, J. T. 2010) Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism. 5thed. New Jersey: Pearson prentice hall. Law, A. K. Y. , Hui, Y. V. and Zhao, X. (2004) Modeling repurchase frequency and customer satisfaction for fast food outlets. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 21 (5), p. 545-563. Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Lillicr ap, D. and Cousins, J. (2010) Food and Beverage Service. 8th ed. London: An Hachette. Mendez, J. L. , Oubina, J. and Rubio, N. (2006) Explanatory factors regarding manufacturer brand: Journal of Product & Brand Management, 15 (6), p. 02-411 Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Mitchell and Butler annual report 2011. Ryu, K. , Han, H. and Jang, S. (2010) Relationships among hedonic and utilitarianvalues, satisfaction and behavioral intentions in the fast-casual restaurant industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 22(3), p. 416-432 Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 3 November 2012]. www. mbplc. com. www. mcdonalds. co. uk Appendix: 1 – Meal Experience Check List . Physiological and Food quality Description of items |Very |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Variation of foods ( Vegetarians or| | | | | | | |diabetic) | | | | | | | |Presentation of food ( Decoration) | | | | | | | |Colour of foods | | | | | | |Taste of foods | | | | | | | |Texture of foods | | | | | | | |Temperature of foods | | | | | | | |Variation of beverage | | | | | | | |Temperature of beverage | | | | | | | |Selection of condiments e. g. alts,| | | | | | | |sauces, pepper | | | | | | | |Portion of foods | | | | | | | |Portion of beverage | | | | | | | |Consumer specific | | | | | | | |Quality of food serve | | | | | | | |General hygienic conditions | | | | | | | Economical and convenient |Description of items |Very |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Prices of foods | | | | | | | |Price of beverages | | | | | | | |convenient location | | | | | | |Special offering | | | | | | | |Outdoor catering | | | | | | | |Home delivery | | | | | | | |Past service | | | | | | | |Parking facilities | | | | | | | Service and restaurants conditions Description of items |Ver y |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Staff greet pleasantly | | | | | | | |Staff knowing of regular customers | | | | | | | |Staff attention to the customers | | | | | | | |Staff willing to service to | | | | | | | |customers | | | | | | | |Manger attention to customer | | | | | | | |Waiter take order properly | | | | | | | |Staff understand of the products ( | | | | | | | |special offer, prices) to select | | | | | | | |proper food and beverage | | | | | | |Staff friendly and polite | | | | | | | |Service fast and quick | | | | | | | |Staff wearing proper attire | | | | | | | |Decoration of restaurant | | | | | | | | Tidy of restaurants | | | | | | | |Tables are clean | | | | | | | |Tables arrange properly | | | | | | | |Table is enough space to keep foods| | | | | | | |Staff give correct bills and | | | | | | | |changes for customers | | | | | | | |Restaurants open hours | | | | | | | |Staff response when leave the | | | | | | | |restaurants | | | | | | | |External appearance of restaurants | | | | | | | |Interior colour of restaurants | | | | | | | |Temperature conditions in | | | | | | | |restaurants | | | | | | | |Background music | | | | | | | |Live music | | | | | | |Table decoration | | | | | | | |Type of linen | | | | | | | |Appropriate tableware | | | | | | | |Furniture conditions | | | | | | | |Arrange of tables | | | | | | | |Layout of restaurants | | | | | | | |Sign of rest room | | | | | | | |Access of disabilities | | | | | | | |Children play area | | | | | | | |Tidiness of the rest room | | | | | | | Marks Very Satisfied – 5, Satisfied – 4, Unsure- 3, Dissatisfied – 2, Very dissatisfied – 1 Appendix: 2 – SWOT Analysis for O’Neill’s Ealing. |Strengths |Weakness | |Reputed National brand and Mother Company. |In side bar lead to reluctant for family dining especially with | |Specialization of Irish foods. |children. |Performing of Live bands that not in other restaurants near Ealing |No proper parking area. | |area. |Foods price comparatively high. | |Located near the Ealing shopping complex area. |Web site not attractive. | |Bar facilities. | | |Attractive decorations and arrangement. | | |Quality service with experienced staff. | | |Provide decorative foods. | | |High clean and hygienic conditions. | |Eating out increase in UK | | |Quality certification. | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Can provide other specific menus like Chinese and Indian cuisine. |Higher number of competitive restaurants in Ealing. | |Enhance seating facilities. |Less prices foods and drinks introduce by surround restaurants. | |Healthy food e. g. diabetic |Retails group (e. g. TESCO , M & S) introduce they are own foods. | |Attraction can be improved. Majority of customers knowing specialization for Irish foods only. | |Better promotion ability. |Higher control from Mother Company leads less reaction for situation| |Emerge of UK economy from res cission. |and location. | |Showing the nutritional values in foods. |Extreme weather conditions. | |Use of new technology to contact customers. E. g Phone update |Rising of fuel and employee cost. | |Possibility to provide more innovative products. |Majority of customers cut of their eating out during the recession. | | |Increase of number of restaurants direct to price war. |Appendix: 3 – SWOT Analysis for McDonald’s Hanger Lane. |Strengths |Weakness | |Reputed Global Brand. |Seating condition not comfortable. | |24 Hours opening. |Seating capacity very low. | |Drive through Process. |Lighting arrangement not attractive. | |No competitive restaurants nearby. |Less decorative of foods. | |Close to busy Ealing road. |Due to quick service oriented less concern of inside customers. | |Large parking area. |Holidays less vehicles use of Ealing road. | |Wi-Fi facilities. | | |Trained staff. | |Clean and tidy environment. | | |Baby changing facilities. | | |Attractive web site. | | |Phone updates facilities. | | |Quality certification. | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Can increase seating capacity. Possibility of come new restaurants nearby areas. | |Concern of healthy foods. E. g Diabetic |Concern of Healthy foods. | |Introduce specific foods e. g vegetarian, Mexican. |Marketing mainly decide by Head office. | |Attraction can be improved. |Retails group (e. g. TESCO, M & S) start to introduce they are own | |Better promotion ability due to location. |cafe and foods. | |Emerge of UK economy from rescission. |Higher traffic in Hanger Lane during the busy hours, reluctant to | |Introduce of innovative products. |turn for McDonald’s. | | |Extreme weather conditions. | | | | | | Appendix: 4 – O’ Neill’s Menu. [pic] [pic] Source: O’ Neill’s restaurants menu Appendix: 5 – Photo of Decorated O’Neill’s Foods. [pic] Source: Food decoration photo taken from O’Neill’s website. A ppendix: 6 – Location of McDonald’s Hanger. [pic] [pic] Source: McDonald’s Hanger lane photos taken by writer Appendix: 7 – Web page – O’ Neill’s Ealing. [pic] Source: O’Neill’s web page Appendix : 8 – McDonald’s web site with nutritional value and allergic information. [pic] Source: McDonald’s web page

White Collar Crimes (Embezzlement)

Introduction I’m here to talk about the dangers of embezzlement. Throughout my discussion I will discuss the underlying factor to the rise in the rate of embezzlement. We will also look at how a few big embezzlement schemes have influenced their business and their business’s industry. Because of this growing threat we will look at some factors that perpetrators are affected by that might influence him/her to commit company theft which can aid to help further prevent and detect company theft.Lastly I will discuss some preventable measures and steps companies can take to further detect criminal activity within their business, specifically employees who handle cash flow. What is Embezzlement? So what is embezzlement? The federal bureau of investigation defines embezzlement as the misappropriation or misapplication of money or property entrusted to one’s care, custody, or control. Embezzlement in Businesses (What is Embezzlement? ) – General and Relevant Facts All types and sizes of businesses can be victims to embezzlement (small/large businesses as well as non-profit and government entities).Businesses have to be vigilant when dealing with criminal activity which is especially true for small businesses. The Association for Certified Fraud has found that 39% of all fraud occurred in companies with fewer than 99 employees. Up to an astonishing 30% of small businesses fail due to criminal activity. It is estimated that small businesses faces on average $190,000 loss due to embezzlement compared to the $159,000 for average sized businesses. Why is it rising?It isn’t a disputed fact that the rate of criminal activity increases during a time of economic recession and in difficult economic conditions, businesses are struggling to compete for fewer business opportunities. This creates an incentive for companies to deviate from proper business practices and engage in fraudulent activity to maintain revenue. This idea can be depicted in t his quote, â€Å"Some individuals, especially small business owners, become obsessed with a failing business endeavor, cannot walk away from it, and will go to ‘extraordinary’ measures to keep the business going† (Lindquist & Goldberg, 2009)There was evidence of an increase in company theft during the economic downturns of 1987, 1991, and 2001. For example just after the savings and loans crisis in the 1990s arrests shot up by 52% and during the recession in the early 2000s criminal activity increased by 25% From this we can conclude that there is definitely a correlation between a recession and a rise in embezzlement. Impacts of embezzlement According to David O’ Friedrichs, a criminal justice professor at University of Scranton stated â€Å"white-collar crimes have further, reaching, deeper and more lasting impact than street crime. Thefts by employees are of the most costly problems facing new and existing businesses. Experts have shown company theft h as the potential to reach 240$ billion dollars which includes intellectual property stolen during that year. It isn’t a surprise that the cost of embezzlement is two to three times than that of street crimes. Also 30-50% of all businesses affected by embezzlement fail. Other potential effects include increase in taxes, lost investments, and increase in unemployment. Guarantee Building & Loan AssociationOn December 9th, 1930 Gilbert, the founder of Guarantee Building & Loan Association was found to have embezzled an estimated $8,000,000 which in today’s amount would be $100,000,000. Many local businesses and individuals were crushed by his embezzlement scheme. According to TIME Magazine â€Å"no less than 2,500 Guaranty depositors have gone to the poorhouse or the insane asylum, some 30 have committed suicide†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This example demonstrates the extreme ripple effects of a multi-million dollar scheme. Commonwealth Building & Loan AssociationDuring the winter of 1955, Minnie Magnum, the assistant secretary-treasurer was accused of misappropriated an estimated 3 million dollars (36 million dollars in today’s amount). This scheme was highly publicized because the scheme lasted for up to 22 years before detection. This demonstrates the evasive nature of embezzlement. In the end the Commonwealth Building & Loan Association had to file for bankruptcy. This is only one of the many businesses that fail due to embezzlement. Brunei’s Battle Royale Brunei is a small country that consists of 300,000.Their council consisted of people in royalty with high positions in their government and key businesses. It became a big story when Prince Jefri Bolkiah was accused of embezzling billions from the state treasury and his businesses. Not only was he the finance minister for his country, he also was the chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency, and head of Amedeo Group which pretty much increased his opportunity for criminal activity. John M. Ca llagy, a lawyer who represents Amedeo Hotels Ltd. , estimated Prince Jefri to have siphoned off $40 billion. The small country of Brunei needs the mission billions to help recast its economy.This example demonstrates how even government entities can also be vulnerable to theft. Behavioral Characteristics of White Collar Criminals Now that we have a better grasp on the dangers of a multi-million/billion dollar embezzlement scheme we can go onto discussing what exactly motivates perpetrators to steal from their company. Dr. Donald R. Cressey believes understanding factors that influence white collar criminals to steal from their company can manifest in helping society create better procedures to reduce the rate of embezzling during an economic recession.Dr. Cressey believes there are internal and other factors when it comes to why people violate company trust. The classic fraud triangle theory can also aid us in realizing the mentality behind company theft by employees. The fraud tria ngle theory states that there must be three basic elements for fraud to come about – they are opportunity, incentive/pressure, and rationalization/attitude. The classic fraud triangle theory can be linked to behavioral characteristics of white collar criminals. Internal Factors (Incentive/Pressure)An internal factor or conflict that an embezzler faces when he makes the decision to commit the crime is based behind the idea of personal failure. For example if an individual loses the majority of his savings because of a gambling addiction, Dr. Cressey believes that individual will commit to embezzling because he/she has too much self-respect and pride to tell his family, friends, and company (employer) of how he exhausted all his money. So to continue to support his friends and family financial he has a greater incentive/pressure to steal from his company to support his lifestyle.Other â€Å"personal failures† include shopping addiction, substance abuse, entrepreneurial f ailure, investment failure etc. â€Å"Other† Factors (Rationalization/Attitude) Other factors that influence employees to commit company theft is based on the idea behind entitlement belief – he/she believes they are more deserving of the money which ties in with the attitude element of the classic fraud triangle theory. Other factors also include financial need, supporting a personal business, and supporting a significant other which ties in with the rationalization element.How do we tie these factors to preventing and detecting? As of now there is not enough data to fully explain the embezzlement phenomenon in a psychological stand point. The psychologies behind these factors as well as the classic fraud triangle theory is essential and should be dissected further to better create procedures to help reduce the rate of embezzlement. I believe once enough research is done there can be changes to the hiring strategies for prospective employees. Preventing and Detecting: The Steps How society views white collar crimes have slowly been evolving.In the past many people viewed white collar crimes to be victimless; that perpetrator did not deserve a long prison sentence. Nowadays we understand how dangerous and harm a huge embezzlement scheme can inflict. The shift in society’s mentality behind white collar crimes emphasizes the need for polices to be implemented to safeguard against potential scandals especially during an economic recession. Step 1: Create a Policy Many companies think it is unnecessary to create a policy that states stealing is wrong.In reality this step is one of the most important and effective step a company can take to diminish company theft. Creating a policy against company theft helps creates the idea that the company is always aware of their employees and that they will not tolerate criminal activity within the workplace. Secondly, this is important because there are grey areas and company theft needs to be defined. Ex amples can include not knowing when to actually charge the company credit card to pay for meals or using the company phone for certain calls, etc.Step 2: Creating Checks and Balances One of the biggest reasons small companies are more vulnerable to embezzlement is because they do not have checks and balances that established businesses have. For example they could be a recently established business and there can be a few or one employee controlling the majority of the positions that handle cash flow. This creates a bigger opportunity for that employee to embezzle money from the company. Creating checks and balances decreases the opportunity element.One checks and balances procedures a company can commit to is a separation of duties as implied earlier. Meaning different people should handle different positions within the business. Companies should designate different employees who deal with cash receipts and deposits, cash disbursements and electronic fund transfer operations, and ba nk reconciliation. Another effective control procedure includes internal audit procedures for monitoring cash, accounting for transactions, and preparation of financial statement. Companies can also cross-train employees, require vacation time, reate a periodic financial check for their employees, and separate and monitor payroll functions to help decrease the overall rate of embezzlement in our economy. In general, the company should â€Å"follow the cash trail. † Step 3: Inspecting your employees Focusing on finding the right employee for a position is extremely important, especially for a position that handles cash flow. Some tools companies can use to help them along the hiring process would be using an employment agency. Administering drug and background checks. Of course monitoring employees does not stop there.Inspecting your employees should be an on-going process. Companies can hire an independent CPA to provide a periodic audit of dual controls and theft prevention which allows for better scrutiny of their employees because they will not know when they are going to be investigated. Lastly the company can review employee expense reports to check for illegal spending. Step 4: Setting an example/practicing zero tolerance Setting an example for people who have embezzled money can be an effective method to help deter others from doing the same.Conclusion Now that we realize there is a growing threat for the rise in the rate of embezzlement, there is a stronger emphasis for the need of companies to establish the controls procedures to help prevent and detect embezzlement. Hopefully in the future there will be more studies on the behavioral traits of embezzlers which can be a very important to helping finding the right candidate for a position. Companies without crime prevention and detection measures are sure to be more susceptible to business failure.

Carnap Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology Essay

Carnap Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology - Essay Example The concern on the use of abstract entities in semantics comes from the two divergent views held by semanticists. One group of semanticists; especially those inclined to science hold that some expressions refer to entities including both concrete materials and abstract entities. Concrete materials refer to tangible objects such as trees. However, other semanticists oppose such a view and argue that such a perspective goes against the principles of empiricism and takes semantics back to the â€Å"Metaphysical Ontology of the Platonic Kind† (Carnap 242). By saying that such a perspective takes semantics to â€Å"Metaphysical of the Platonic Kind† implies that the approach reduces semantics to imitation where semantics can only refer to observable objects. The paper will therefore explore the best approach that may used in inclusion of abstract entities into semantics and avert a controversy as one brought out by Carnap. It will be achieved by first discussing linguistic f rameworks, numbers as abstract realities and the implication of accepting a new kind of entities. To dispel the controversy presented above, Carnap begin by discussing the linguistic frameworks. Carnap poses a question on whether there exist classes, properties and propositions and goes ahead to assert that such can only be understood by recognizing the distinction between two forms of questions touching on the reality of entities (242). Firstly, Carnap discusses about internal questions that are formulated using new structures of expression. Answers to internal questions may only be achieved by following a logical sequence or empirical methods based on whether the framework is a factual or logical one (242). Logical sequencing refers to finding answers through a series of questions. Empirical method refers to answering question using theories. On the other hand, external questions are in complex forms and require closer evaluation. The reason

Duke Ellington Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Duke Ellington - Research Paper Example This brief paper will examine the life and legacy of Duke Ellington. Let us begin with some well known facts about Mr. Ellington. He was born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. Unlike many black composers of his time, Duke Ellington did not grow up in poverty. Rather, he was raised in a middle-class area of Washington D.C. by two involved and seemingly loving parents. In fact, his parents were talented musicians as well, which lends credence to the saying ‘like father like son’. Naturally, Duke’s father encouraged him to learn to play various instruments from an early age. It is noted that, by the age of 7, he was already learning and getting quite good at the piano (Unger 75). As the story goes, the name ‘Duke’ was bestowed upon him because he was such a gentleman in all that he did, even from an early age. His parents encouraged him to work when he was a teenager, which he did, but his first passion was always music. It is well known that his fir st published song was wrote while he was working at a soda fountain in the D.C. era. The song ‘Soda Fountain Rag’ was written at the age of 15 and was noticed by many people in the area as the song that got Duke noticed. He was so musically inclined that he was offered a scholarship at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. As appealing as that was to him, and with his parent’s blessings, he passed it up to begin playing professional as a jazz musician when he was only 17 years of age (Unger 75). As the reader can already ascertain, Duke Ellington began to shape his legacy at an early age. He was raised properly by parents who nurtured him and helped him to foster his own love and passion for music. People in the D.C. area quickly figured out that they might have a child protege on his hands. He began to form ‘big bands’, which was something new in American culture. These bands uplifted and encouraged others. As his career stretched into the early 30â€⠄¢s, Americans needed some joy in their lives, and Mr. Duke Ellington and his band often provided this. He eventually formed a 10-piece ensemble, which is still a model for jazz bands today. Ellington, however, did not want to create normal, everyday music. Rather, he sought out to redefine jazz music. This was represented in the band members that he chose. He did not, for example, just set out to recruit any gifted saxophonist. Instead, he sought out a saxophonist who had a unique sound that the world had not yet encountered. As he formed his band, he ended up with a group of the most talented musicians, all performing together, and they quickly got noticed on a global scale. In fact, in the 1930’s, his band toured the continent of Europe on two separate occasions. This was something that was extremely rare during those days. This has furthered his legacy as, to this day, Duke Ellington and his band are not just remembered in American social circles, but he remains popular t hroughout Europe as well. Duke Ellington is known as a great pianist, band leader, and composer. His mark on the music world is assured. Beyond that, however, he as adored by millions as a genuinely good person. If he had a girlfriend before he met his wife, we are not privy to it. He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart when

Biology 206 U4IP Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biology 206 U4IP - Research Paper Example Components of Cigarettes that Affect the Respiratory System: The toxic components in tobacco include substances and gases that affect the respiratory system and lead to cancer. These include components such as benzene, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, aromatic amines, arsenic, nickel, chromium, cadmium, and radioactive elements, and gases such as acetone, ammonia, acrolein, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, phenol, formaldehyde, and benzene. The gas phase of smoking directly affects the respiratory tract of the body. The other constituents together cause damage to the respiratory tract with loss of cylia. Hypertrophy in the mucus gland occurs. The peripheral airways, the bronchioles also suffer and cells of the bronchial tree suffer from inflammation as a result of these constituents. The cardiovascular system, the gastric system, the cataracts are other parts of the body that are affected by smoking and its constituents. COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is th e other form of disease caused by smoking affecting the functioning of the lungs (Robinson and Scullion, 2008, pp.544-546). Increased Carbon Dioxide Levels in Blood Through Smoking: The amount of carbon dioxide in the human blood is balanced by the presence of receptor sites in the blood. However, such balance is disturbed with toxic substances being intruded in the flow of blood, and the levels of carbon dioxide can change as a result of such toxins (Francis, 2011, p.85). Increase in the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood mainly occurs when enough carbon dioxide is not exhaled out of the body. This occurs when the lungs and the respiratory system do not function properly. Thus, chronic and obstructive lung diseases that are caused by the smoking lead to increase in the levels of carbon dioxide in blood. Lung cancer causes obstruction of the lungs resulting from uncontrolled development of malignant cells, thus leading to higher levels of carbon dioxide (Cargill, 2011). Effect of Smoking on Other Organs of the Body: Smoking not only affects the lungs and the respiratory system, but it affects almost all the organs of human body, that include the heart, the blood vessels, eyes, mouth, reproductive organs, bones, bladder, and digestive systems. Blood cells in all these organs are affected by the chemicals and toxic substances present in tobacco, thereby damaging the functions of these organs. Besides the lungs, the negative effects of smoking have been mostly obtained in heart and the blood vessels, leading to severe heart diseases of humans (How Does Smoking Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels? 2011). Correlation of Cellular Respiration with Respiratory System: Physiological respiration or the respiratory system involves the process through which gases are exchanges by human beings and animals with their surroundings. This involves the process on oxygen intake in the body and exhalation of carbon dioxide from the body. The correlation of the respiratory syste m with cellular respiration is that cellular respiration involves the reactions that produce ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate), with the reactions occurring in the mitochondria. It is termed as cellular respiration as use of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide is done for these oxidative reactions (Russell, 2008, p.998). Effects of Smokeless Tobacco: Although many tobacco

Fluorescence Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fluorescence - Lab Report Example In this experiment, anthracene was the electronically excited species while carbon tetrabromide was the quencher. A 250 ml solution of 0.1 mM anthracene (AN) was prepared in spectrometric quality n-hexane and used as a â€Å"solvent† to prepare 25 ml of 15 mM â€Å"stock† solution of CBr4. Eight dilutions of the AN/CBr4 were made using AN as the solvent starting with 0% (10 ml of AN) and ending with 100% (10 ml of CBr4). The solutions were then introduced into a fluorescence cell and deaerated with dry N2 for two minutes one after the other. The full fluorescence spectrum was then recorded using the instrumental conditions set by the TA. The fluorescent intensities of all the dilute solutions were recorded. The Stern-Volmer plot in this experiment is curved upward because the system is considered to be suddenly exposed to a steady-state excitation source. A graph of I0/I vs [Q] gives KÏ„0 as the slope. The rate constant value obtained from the Stern-Volmer plot was 8393.7 Lmol-1s-1 while the theoretical value is estimated at 5.37 Ãâ€" 10^10 Lmol-1s-1. The rate constant obtained in this experiment is lower than the theoretical value due to factors such as ground-state complex formation between A and Q, competition between A and Q for the incident light and polarization effects. From equation 10 a graph of (I0/I) versus [Q] gives KqÏ„0 as the slope, and knowing the numerical value of Ï„0 then the value of Kq can be

Environmental Scan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Environmental Scan - Research Paper Example The changes in economic cycles affect the sales of the two firms in the beverage and snacks industry e.g. fluctuating interest rates, exchange rates fluctuations and income levels (PepsiCo, 2010). Reduction in the income level will reduce the two company’s level of sales. The social factor like the cultural beliefs and practices determines the level of sales in the global arena. There are some regions across the globe where the consumption of snacks are discouraged hence reduce sales level. Demographic factors like youth population, family sizes further influence sales. Since the two firms operate globally, the political changes that determine the legislations, taxation and regulations affect the firms equally. The adoption of enhanced technology that reduces operational costs and efficiency will make the external environment (Coca-Cola, n.d). The internal environment that includes financial strengths, employee enthusiasms, organization culture, and innovation remain core to t he businesses. PepsiCo core competitive advantage is the diversified portfolio of products and brands, high innovation and differentiation of products and ability to enter into new markets successfully. The healthier food makes customers purchase their goods. The company strategy is to rethink and implement new efficient ways of production and best practices that would enhance customer satisfaction (PepsiCo, 2010). On the other hand coke competitive advantage include market leadership, business partnerships, multi-segmentation, strong brand portfolio, collaborative customer relationships, sustainable development and managerial expertise among others. These make core a leader in the snack industry. Coke strategy is the maximizing growth and profitability to create shareholders value through transforming commercial models, multi-segmentation, product innovation, and expansion

Monkey in the Mirror Essays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Monkey in the Mirror Essays - Essay Example But there are several things that mark us as being different from many of these other animals. Some of them are purely physical – for instance we have bipedal motion that is absent in the rest of apes (Tattersall, 2002 p. 89). But we also have many metaphysical qualities that mark us as different from our ancestors, such as the creation of music, art and culture. There is no one single thing that can truly account for all the ways in which we are different, but there are a few pieces that had to come together. One of which is our brain, which is by far the largest brain compared to body mass of any animal in the history of the world (Tattersall, 2002, p. 151). This probably had to develop in conjunction with a lot of other developments to be useful – for instance, larger brains would not have been useful if we were not already prehensile apes who were adapted to living in trees, and could thus use our prehensile hands to create and use tools (Tattersall, 2002 p. 69). Bu t probably one of the single things that sets humans apart from other animals the most is the development of speech. A change in our voice box and brain simultaneously occurred at some point in the evolution of homo sapiens, which allowed humans to differentiate themselves from previous iterations of humanity (or pre-humanity), and begin to do things that are truly novel in the animal kingdom Tattersall, 2002). One of the things that makes language so important is that it augments our innate intelligence, so that instead of things that become created instantly dying out when the person who created them dies, they can pass on the teaching to succeeding generations. This creates culture, which is probably the one biggest things that separates humans from other primates and other animals. If Gould and Tattersall were to have a conversation with each other, they would probably come to cross roads. Gould tended to entirely

Last Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Last - Essay Example argument that they had the same constitutional rights and standing as biological parents, ruling that the application of the â€Å"Existing Indian family exception† did not apply in the said case. The ruling on this case has two major implications. First, Brewer, according to the words of Barbara Atwood, notes that it scraps the ‘Existing Indian Family’ exception, one that has always been a cause of disagreement within the Californian Courts. Secondly, the ruling also discards the constitutional issues brought forward by the foster couple in favor of their argument. This ruling signals a predisposition of the nation towards rejecting Existing Indian Family exception. To answer the questions, in the event that the court rules against John E, he will still be obliged to provide child support to Baby A. According to the principles underlining guidelines formation, both parents should share the legal responsibility of their children, and John is no exception here. Secondly, the Child Support Recovery Act of 1992 and the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998 can both be used to compel John towards providing support to the child. Furthermore, paternity tests did show that he is the father to the child, and thus he must take the full responsibility. However for the mother to Baby A, this far little has been heard about her, but in the event that she shows up, and given that she is a well-known drug addict, her fitness must be confirmed before she can be allowed near the child. If the tests prove her fit, the she should be allowed access to the baby, but not custody. The bonding the child has created with the caretakers is healthy enough at this point , and disrupting it by allowing the mother to have her might be detrimental to her wellbeing. In the case of Stanley v Illinois, the initial ruling had some inadequacies. The argument that the bond between a mother and a child is often stronger than that between a father and a child was sound; however, in the event

Report on the company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Report on the company - Essay Example Coca-Cola is a 128 year old multinational company that has its presence in over 200 countries, and produces over 3500 products (Lim and Wong, 2014). It does not take a single hand to accomplish that amount of success within those numbers of years in all these countries that include USA, Britain, Kenya and many others. Its success depends on the several suppliers that it depends on to provide raw materials and valuable resources. . These provide the system with materials such as ingredients, packaging and machinery, as well as goods and services (The Coca-Cola Company 2014). Coca-Cola products range from soft drinks to drinking water, such as coke, Fanta, sprite, Dasani, Aquapure among others. This diversity in production calls for a long list of supply products to manufacture these include syrups and concentrates, sweeteners; juices; mineral waters; finished product; carbon dioxide; fuel; PET (plastic) preforms; glass, aluminum, and plastic bottles; aluminum and steel cans; pouches; closures; post-mix (fountain syrup) packaging; and other packaging materials (Wikinvest 2014). The supply chain of Coca-Cola Company involves all the companies that come into contact with the company’s products. This includes every company involved in making parts for the product, putting it together, delivering and finally selling. In other words it involves the suppliers, Manufacturers and retailers (Investopedia 2014). Due to the fact that the whole process begins with the supplier, the whole process cannot stand without the suppliers. This makes them a very key element. To understand the impact of suppliers to the Coca-Cola Company, their roles must be laid out clearly. One of the roles of the suppliers is acquisition. They provide the company with equipment, spare parts and raw materials. This enables the company to service and repair machinery, and produce end products. During the process of acquisition, they keep in contact with clients to make

Overcoming Adversity Essay Example for Free

Overcoming Adversity Essay Throughout every person’s life, there always stands an obstacle to overcome. While some choose to retreat from the challenge, others choose to surmount whatever it is holding them back. I have always believed that if someone wants something bad enough, they will work however hard they have to in order to achieve their goal. I can honestly admit that through years of determination, research, and self-motivation I have been able to prevail over my adversity: stuttering. Many people try to mask this speech impediment with flowery terminology such as â€Å"blocking†, â€Å"bumpy speech†, or â€Å"mild disfluency. † To a stutterer, no matter how specialists or professionals refer to this disability, it is far from trouble-free. Each and every day I deal with stuttering with the conviction and determination to speak well. I can say with confidence that my stutter has never held me back from doing anything. Even as a young boy, I knew I could not let this road-block stand in my way of success. This isn’t to say that my stutter at times did not go undetected. There have been many moments of ridicule and embarrassment throughout my life, but I have learned to simply brush them off and move forward. Quite frankly, these uncomfortable situations gave me the strength to work harder, attain more, and help me gain a greater sense of compassion. I feel that an important quality is emotional intelligence. For example, as a class representative and peer mediator, it is important to empathize with others and display this sense of compassion. I believe my stuttering has made me more resilient. It has given me the confidence to know that I can prevail even in the toughest of times. Whenever I am presented with something that is deemed inconceivable, I never back down from the challenge. For example, in wrest ling, whenever I was told someone was â€Å"unbeatable,† I never stopped. In fact, it motivated me to do everything I could to succeed and prove that the title given to my opponent was in fact overrated. Stuttering can be an obstacle only if a person makes it one. In my case, this disorder has only driven me to become the best I can possibly be. I feel that in many situations, whether it be school or athletics, I have overcompensated for what many may see as a deficiency. I have used it as a  stepping stone to success, rather than an anchor to failure. I can remember the countless oral presentations that I would lose sleep over during the previous night. Only a person who stutters can feel the anxiety that one goes through prior to speaking. It was not long after one of my sophomore English class oral presentations that I decided to take an alternative measure. I was either going to let my handicap take hold of me, or strive to plow through this blockade. For years, I had been researching an expensive device made specifically to improve the speech fluency of a stutterer; however, I was raised in a middle class family, where one does not throw around $5,000 for an â€Å"experimental† device. In order to pay for this device, I decided to become a certified lifeguard and work in the summer. I now use the device whenever I have to present anything orally. Stuttering has made me the person I am today: determined, ambitious, and compassionate. Along with the difficulties that I have encountered, I believe it has been instrumental in taking away my sense of complacency. Each and every day I set my expectations high, and know that my tenacity is the essential prerequisite to my future success.

Emergency Response to Terrorism

Emergency Response to Terrorism Past Acts of Terrorism On September 11, 2001, America experienced an attack. Early in the morning at around 8:45 am a flight carrying 20, 000 gallons of jet fuel made its way to the northern side of the world trade centre tower hitting the 80th floor. This lead to the death of hundred plus individuals plus other were trapped on the higher floors of the world trade centre located in New York. Some few minutes later the same world trade centre building was hit with another plane which hit the 60th floor, and this led to a massive explosion that alarmed the whole state that indeed America was under attack. Immediately during the attack, the media managed to make a live broadcast of the attack so as to inform the public of the occurrence. The planners of the attack of the September 11 did it perfectly such that they ensured that there was no leak of the attack to the public. The attacker did not make use of any electronic form of communication, and thus this radio silence helped them execute their plan effectively. During the attack, the federal government experienced various communication breakdown, and this affected how the disaster was handled. An official from the 9/1 1gave a statement and said that the federal government experienced various communication breakdowns during the attack (Asaeda, 2005). The report that was given showed that the systems of communication that were put in place had failed. During the attack, those who were operating the planes tried to reach the Federal Aviation Administration via teleconferencing, but this proved difficult. The FAA did not join the conference for almost 15 minutes and even after they had joined they did not take an immediate move. The FAA personals involved in the conferencing did not have the authority to deal with the situation as the senior officials were absent. This delay in the relaying of information between the operators and the FAA contributed a lot to the attack being successful. If the official responded in advance, then an immediate solution would have been adopted to deal with the situation. Immediately the attack took place it only took a few minutes, and the firefighters were on the ground. The attack led to several individuals being hurt and may others losing their lives. The hospitals in New Jersey, New York and the neighbouring areas prepared themselves for the attack. The hospital beds were secured, and the elective surgeries that were taking place were put to a halt to make room for the victims of the attack. St Vincent who was the closest trauma centre approximately 1.6 km from the world trade centre was filled with victims of the occurrence. New York Cornell Hospital dealt with the burn patients as it is the only burn centre in Manhattan. The nurses and the doctors were not allowed to leave the hospitals because of the large number of patients that were being rushed to the hospitals (Kendra Wachtendorf, 2003). The rescue teams including the firefighters and the policemen were in place to ensure that the situation was under control. In total the rescue team mana ged to save the lives of twenty individuals who had been trapped in the building. The first responders encountered several challenges when the WTC attack took place. After the bombing of the world trade centre in 1993 radio repeaters were installed in the tower to ease communication but the firefighters were not aware that the repeaters were functioning. During the attack, there was little communication between the police department and the fire department and thus when the police were notified to evacuate the building after realising that the tower was at a risk of collapsing the firefighters were not informed. The firefighters lacked information about the collapse of the building because they were not watching the news broadcast and also because the communication centre for the police which could have used to inform them had been evacuated due to the threat that the building will collapse. The supplies for various equipment needed for rescue delayed and this thus crippled the rescue situation. The government agencies responded pretty well to the disaster. The various rescue teams and firefighting teams were in place, and they showed their bravery in the scene. They managed to save a lot of lives, and those who were injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. The hospital having been alarmed by the situation had already prepared for the disaster and had their doctors in place to take care of the situation at hand. The rescue teams experienced problems with communication, and thus the crowding of the communication network made it hard for the hospital to determine the patients are coming from the world trade centre attack (Simon Teperman, 2001). Despite the communication breakdown the hospitals still managed to take care of the patients and create more beds for the world trade centre victims. In future, the government should, therefore, ensure that they have communication backup in case of such an occurrence in future. The world trade centre sent an awakening call to the government of the United States concerning their preparation for such disasters. The fact that the tower has been a site of interest for many terrorists because of the many people it accommodates and its location as well. The government should, therefore, put in place security measures that will help curb such situations in future. The awakening call has also helped the government to improve the disaster management technique that was in place before. References Asaeda, G. (2005, September). World Trade Centre Attack. In International Congress on Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management. Yale, New Haven. Kendra, J. M., Wachtendorf, T. (2003). Elements of resilience after the world trade centre disaster: reconstituting New York Citys Emergency Operations Centre. Disasters, 27(1), 37-53. Simon, R., Teperman, S. (2001). The World Trade Center attack: lessons for disaster management. Critical Care, 5(6), 318. Emergency Response to Terrorism Emergency Response to Terrorism Decontamination On a wide scope of meaning, the word decontamination refers to the idea of making a place safe once it has been made unsafe in which ever manner. It involves getting rid of any dangerous objects like bombs or even people that make places unsafe. Cases of decontamination have been very severe as time has gone by mostly encouraged by the fact that there is high rate of technological development. High School In society, schools are one of the institutions that carry the highest number of people. They will have so many people or students who have gone to acquire knowledge and this is almost on a daily basis. Some of the reasons why a school could be attacked include; Many people will die or be affected during the attack due to the high population which is a characteristic of most schools. A terrorist always finds ways of affecting the highest population that he possibly can. The number of deaths that will be experienced in a school is quite high because the school has young children who may not know how to help themselves or how to offer proper first aid to their injured friends due to panic. This means that the number of deaths will be so high. The school has students from almost all walks of life or even at times from different countries and races. Attacking the school will mean that the different families where the children come from will be affected. A large portion of the country and state will be affected in the process. Initial considerations To make a school safe again there are so many things that I will have to look at; The nearness of the school to the city The population of the school is important so that one can prepare and approximate the number of first aid material that will be needed. The Decontamination Once we get to the school; Take all the casualties to the hospital without wasting any time so that we can save as many lifes as possible. This is the very first step to making the school safe by ensuring that the lives of those who have been affected are secured. Once that is done the facility should be cleared so that all people are kept as far away as possible from the school to avoid any more damages. Specialists in the area of bombing are then called in to survey the whole school and check if there are any more bombs. Any that is still on should be disarmed in the most careful way. The school should be then closed till its proved to be safe for any further learning. ÂÂ  Explain why your chosen initial decontamination considerations are important to this particular attack, and explain how, as a first responder, you will meet these challenges. The unfortunate aspect of the school in this case is that it is quite near to one of the big cities in the state and this poses a risk to the city. The people in the city will panic due to fear that they are next. The best way to deal with this is to use the media to inform them of what exactly happened and to ask them not to panic but to be cautious. The school is one of a high population of students and that goes without saying that I will need a lot of people in the rescue team for efficiency. Such a school may have a lot of casualties as the many students fought for safety out of their classes or the bomb may have affected many (Houghton,2016). Football stadium This is a good target for an attack because so many people love football and so he will get the attention he needs from the public. Since different people of different ages and ways of life go to watch football, no one will be able to tell who was responsible for the attack. A person can easily sneak the bomb in and out of the stadium. Initial considerations The architecture of the stadium- Some of the stadiums are quite complex in the way that they were built and this may make it even more difficult to decontaminate. It will require the help of architects especially when it comes to the issue of assessing the place for any bombs that may be hidden. The decontamination Approach scene with caution -While going to the arena, it is important to be careful as you go to the rescue because you can find that there are other bombs in the stadium that are still yet to go off and cause more death. Assess the place and find out where the bombs are located and disarm those that are still on to avoid further damage. Identify signs and indicators of CBRN incidents;-Take time to acquire patterns of things that were done deliberately to cause the bombing. This means establishing how the security was bridged all that was done for the bomb to go off It is important to know how many people lost their lives and to also identify who they were. People will come looking for their family members who might have lost their lives and so establishing the identity is important. For accountability purposes, the citizens will also expect to have a comprehensive report on the number of causalities in the bombing. Establish all the resources that will be needed for the cleaning up of any hazardous material left in the stadium. This will rely on the extent to which the bombing affected the place and the size of the stadium. The facility needs to be closed off from any further use till it is completely made safe for use. This will involve clearing of any chemicals or hazardous gases that may have been released. It can only be opened once professionals in this filed certify it as safe for use. Conclusion There are different forms of contamination in the world where bombing is one of them. This has been the cause of mass loss of life in the human history. These needs to be approached with care because any mistake made could make things worse. All the above listed steps or more should be followed with great caution so as to make places safe for use again. One fact remains; attacks will always be on places of large population (Simpson, 2014). References Houghton, B. (2016). The Changing Nature and Tactics of Terrorism. Oklahoma Politics, 25, 1-16. Fuse, A., Okumura, T., Hagiwara, J., Tanabe, T., Fukuda, R., Masuno, T., Yokota, H. (2013). New information technology tools for a medical command system for mass decontamination. Prehospital and disaster medicine, 28(03), 298-300. Simpson, E. (2014). The poor mans nuclear bomb.

How Research Has Changed Nursing At The Bedside Nursing Essay

How Research Has Changed Nursing At The Bedside Nursing Essay Research is crucial in defining the best practices of the nursing profession. It provides a means of ascertaining efficient medical practices and further advancing the existing body of knowledge regarding nursing. This paper therefore seeks to find out how research has revolutionized conventional nursing. The emerging technological changes and adjustments in health care policies have greatly changed the health care environment. This have prompted the nursing profession to re-invent itself to enable it provide satisfactory health care to patients in this new scenario. As part of the changes, nurses contemporarily have a more defined and professional role to play in the health care field. The role of ordinary nurse practitioners has further been widened to prescribe drugs and treat common illnesses, a role previously left only to doctors. Apart from looking after patients under doctors supervision, clinical nurse specialists now make diagnosis on patients and prescribe medication for p atients. How Research has Changed Nursing at the Bedside Nursing research constitutes a systematic inquiry designed to develop, refine and broaden knowledge in the nursing field. The nursing profession is undergoing tremendous changes and experiencing new challenges. To counter these social and technological challenges, the profession must employ patient oriented practices based on reliable findings from research. Research is normally used to assess the impact of nursing care on health of patients and effectiveness of nursing procedures (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Significance of Research in Nursing Research in this field includes all the aspects of health care that are vital to nursing. These range from disease to injury prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles and patient support. The changing legal, technological, educational and professional environments are also important areas for research in nursing. All nurses should therefore be involved in the research process though their roles may vary depending on educational and professional qualifications. The knowledge gained though research is crucial in implementing evidence-based nursing practice (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Research has always been used to guide the nursing practice and nurses efforts to improve patients wellbeing. Positive findings are then adopted into patient while increasing efforts to eliminate sources of patient discomfort. To fit these findings into the clinical setup, the procedure involved their critical analysis and evaluation. By incorporating research findings into clinical practice and evaluating the progress achieved, the gap between researches and actual nursing practice has been effectively reduced (Curie, 2007). Higgins et al., (2010) suggest that clinical research is vital in finding new treatments and improving patient care. Research in nursing has improved amongst others the early diagnosis of patients, providing proper prescription and developing effective processes of looking after patients. Consultant nurses are at the forefront of research since they interact with patients at more personal levels and thus better understand their needs. An example of recent research involved finding ways of reducing accidental falls by hospitalized elderly patients at North Shore University Hospital (North Shore University, 2012). The use of low beds in the acute care setting resulted in elimination of vest restraints and received positive feedback from staff members, ailing patients, and their families. However, consultant research nurses need a thorough understanding of the research process and an in-depth knowledge of the specialty under investigation. Teamwork is also crucial in research investigations to achieve the intended purpose. Each member of the research team has unique skills and expertise to hasten the process. Participants first-hand knowledge further gives researchers better insight into important issues to address that may otherwise be overlooked by clinical officers. Duties of a research nurse include preparing trial protocols and documents for the research. They must also submit study proposals to the relevant legal authorities and coordinate the research to its (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Accordingly, nurses must play the key role of patient advocacy during research studies to ensure their safety and protection. The patients must further willingly consent to participate in such research. This requires that participating patients be given full information regarding any potential benefits and risks they may be exposed to. It is therefore, crucial for nurses to have excellent communication and other interpersonal skills. Research nurses further need organizational skills in information technology to effectively manage the research process in the new millennium. A solid foundation based on years of experience in nursing is vital to this role. A comprehensive understanding of the specialty of research area and extensive knowledge of the research process and research-related legislation are also crucial. Collaboration with other researchers and members of the multidisciplinary team is crucial for successful research (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). How Research has Revolutionized Nursing The conventional role of the bedside nurse has changed over time due to adoption of technology and changes in the educational curriculum of nurses. Although the traditional role of nurses still guides nurse practitioners, more efficient ways of caring for patients have also emerged. The rapid changes in the health care environment means that nurses cannot only rely on school acquired knowledge but must constantly modernize their practices. According to Young (2012) the changing burden of disease requires a shift from acute care in hospitals to supporting people with long term conditions in the community. This can be facilitated through research to develop more efficient mechanisms of caring for terminally ill patients. Consultant nurses are at the forefront of revolutionizing nursing from the conventional bedside caring role. They are involved in establishing more reliable ways of caring for patients. They are also clinical leaders who can ensure that all quality initiatives are directed towards achieving the best outcomes for patients and to documenting and publishing patient, clinical and service-centered outcomes in ways that allow patients, families and members of the public to see how local healthcare providers perform. Clinical nurse specialists improve patient outcomes and are cost effective, so it is unwise to cut expenditures on health care research (Young, 2012). Darkins (2012) affirms that technological solutions have further modernized the nursing practice from the traditional perspective of bedside caring. Telehealth applications enable nurses hold face to face meetings with patients from remote locations. These applications also assist nurses to monitor patients from diverse localities. For instance, telehealth applications enable nurses to retrieve and transmit patients data in real time from their sick beds. Such technology has helped medical facilities with adequate nursing resources. The new technology has also reduced the need for home visits and 24 hour home based care. By adopting telehealth applications, nurses can extend their knowledge through easy information sharing (Darkins, 2012). The role of implementing recommendations from research is the responsibility of the individual nurse and requires restructuring of the entire health facility. Individual nurses should further be continuously striving to improve their practice to provoke significant change in the health care centre. For nursing practitioners to actually utilize evidence, the proposed solution must both be relevant and appropriate to solving the problem. Evidence Based Nursing Evidence based nursing uses evidence from research to make decisions concerning patient needs (Winters Echeverri, 2012). Based on existing resources and patient preferences, clinical officers are able to implement strategies that best address their patient interests. To gain the full benefits of evidence based nursing, nurses must adopt the most reliable sources of information including medical publications. It uses the premise that outcome on patients is highly dependent on the quality of information and how effectively it is used in decision-making. Evidence based practice seeks to replace the conventional bedside nursing practice. It uses controlled research trials to guide action from research results. It further raises accountability in nursing by identifying the best nursing practices. The major aim of evidence-based practice is to increase patients satisfaction and reduce instances of trial- error treatment. This is achieved through provision of high quality and cost-efficient nursing care. The focus is therefore shifted from common nursing habits and traditions to research oriented nursing. It eventually advances the quality of care provided by nurses (Winters Echeverri, 2012). It is imperative to note that nurses who participate in research projects promote research utilization and are more likely to apply research techniques in their daily practice. Furthermore, nurses who appreciate the significance of evidence-based nursing assume the role of mentoring their colleagues who are yet to realize the impact research inform ation in their duties. Conclusion Nurses are considered as key decision makers within the healthcare team. However, to make the right call, they need reliable and accurate first hand information concerning their patients. This is only possible from conducting accurate research regarding the problem area with clear set objectives (Curie, 2007). Patients provide the most accurate and reliable source of information in nursing research. By applying a holistic approach to patient care, nursing research has developed initiatives that are both effective and widely acceptable. Evidence based practice is a good example of the success of nursing research in patient care. The evidence-based practice decision-making model follows the path of searching, appraising and implementing effective strategies in patient care (Winters Echeverri, 2012). The health sector makes crucial advances daily that constantly expand the boundaries of conventional medicine. Nursing research implements these changes by developing new therapies for pat ients.

Lord of the Flies :: science

Lord of the Flies Through my reading of Lord of the Flies, I have concluded that the subject of the novel is adulthood. The focus of this novel is on peoples desire for a more civilized and structured society. In this novel, adulthood does not represent a state of existence, but life that seems to exist as rational and structured. At the beginning of the novel after the reader is introduced to Piggy and Ralph, they discover the beautiful conch, resting in the weeds of the shoreline. Piggy says, â€Å"We can use it to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear us. (p.12)†, gleaming with pride. This quote illustrates the adult imbedded in him, drawn from the influence of society. Living under the influence of leadership and politics, the suggestion of holding a meeting was instinctive and automatic. Piggy drew upon his lifelong experiences gained from his parents and other adult influences and applied it to a situation. Piggy decided that the situation lacked the order and structure that he was accustomed to. After the boys gathered into a mock assembly by the sounding of the conch, one yelled â€Å"A chief! A chief! (p.18)† in desperation for leadership in the midst of an awfully boisterous crowd. â€Å"Lets have a vote, (p.18)† yelled another. The boys were not accustomed to a society that was ungoverned as it was in the adult word. They wanted to recreate that structure to maintain that sense of order in the group of boys. Ralph won the vote for chief in account of his image. The boys’ saw that â€Å"there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out (p.19)† and they sensed a certain hint of adulthood in his manner that they relied on at home. Under the constant leadership of adults, a child grows acquainted to their temperament and the boys saw this in Ralph. â€Å"With a convulsion of the mind, Ralph discovered dirt and decay. (p.82)† At home, the boys were raised with and became habituated to proper European mannerisms and dress passed down to them from parent and other adult mentors. To act upon these mannerisms and proper dress became second nature when around adults, though on the island, they had lost that adult influence. Suddenly, â€Å"Ralph was struck with this new mood of comprehension (p.82)† that he had lost that visible image of being proper that he had been raised with for so long.

Hawthorne To Faulkner: The Evolution Of The Short Story Essay examples

Hawthorne to Faulkner: The Evolution of the Short Story Nathaniel Hawthorne and William Faulkner’s short stories â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and â€Å"A Rose for Emily† use a moral to endorse particular ideals or values. Through their characters examination and evaluation of one another, the author’s lesson is brought forth. The authors’ style of preaching morals is reminiscent of the fables of Aesop and the religious parables of the Old and New Testament. The reader is faced with a life lesson after reading Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown:† you cannot judge other people. A similar moral is presented in Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† The use of morals combined with elements of Romantic era writing show the stories of Hawthorne and Faulkner to be descendants both of fables and of Romance literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† tells the story of a young man who decides to league himself with the devil. Goodman Brown is a citizen of a typical town with its share of good people and not-so good people. Goodman Brown believed that he knew the inhabitants of the town fairly well. He knew Goody Cloyse, for example, to be â€Å"a very pious and exemplary dame, who had taught him his catechism in youth, and was still his moral and spiritual advisor, jointly with the minister and Deacon Gookin† (598). He knew Deacon Gookin was a strict man of the Church and was always â€Å"bound to some ordination or ecclesiastical council† (599). However, in his travels through the woods with the old man, Goodman Brown notices Goody Cloyse progressing down the path. â€Å"‘A marvel, truly that Goody Cloyse should be so far in the wilderness at nightfall,’ he [Goodman Brown] said† (598). Just as he begins to have doubts about the woman’s pureness of heart, he comes across Deacon Gookin in the woods as well. As they are supposedly fine, upstanding citizens of the village, Goodman Brown has to wonder why they are traveling through the woods on the same path that he is taking with the devil. Afterwards, he is astonished to see not only these two upstanding citizens at Satan’s ceremony, but almost everyone else in the town as well. It is through his assumption that his fellow townspeople were good that Goodman Brown learns the story’s most important lesson: namely that you should not judge people at face value; anyone can put on airs, and his encountering of the devil’s ceremony emphasize... ...b ¾that he was not a marrying man† (461). Later in the story, Faulkner makes reference to Emily’s possible necrophilia, although no direct statement is ever made. Homosexuality and necrophilia would in no way be topics to be discussed in Hawthorne’s time. As a modern writer, Faulkner had a considerable amount of freedom in what he wrote, and this freedom is reflected in his work. The short story began as fables and parables that evolved into more complex psychological studies of virtues, ideals, and values. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† emphasizes these morals as he examines the inner workings of his main character’s thoughts as he encounters the devil and the townspeople. Faulkner also uses these techniques in his modern style of writing, however he tailors them to fit the more controversial issue of his generation while still maintaining a hold on the past generation he is examining. Over time, values and ideals stay the same, but the manner in which the technique is used evolves with current affairs and modern vocabulary. Works Cited Charters, Ann. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 1995.

frank sinatra :: essays research papers

Sinatra, Frank (1915-1998), American singer and motion-picture actor, one of the most famous American singers of his generation. Born Francis Albert Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey, he sang with the big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey in the 1930s.Influenced by American singers Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, Sinatra anticipated the decline of big-band instrumental jazz music and helped establish an enthusiastic climate for popular singers. In the 1940s Sinatra embarked on a solo career and became the idol of so-called bobby-soxers, teenage girls who swooned over his crooning, soft-voiced singing. He appeared in such film musicals as Anchors Aweigh (1945), Till the Clouds Roll By (1947), and On the Town (1949). In 1953 he won an Academy Award for his nonsinging performance in From Here to Eternity. His performances in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and The Detective (1968) were also highly regarded. During the 1950s and 1960s Sinatra teamed with a number of talented jazz arrangers, including Nelson Riddle, Neal Hefti, Quincy Jones, and Billy May, and produced a number of albums, now regarded as classic recordings, including Swing Easy (1955), In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (1958), Nice 'N' Easy (1960), and Strangers in the Night (1966). In the 1960s he also recorded with the big bands of American jazz musicians Count Basie and Duke Ellington. After a brief retirement from 1971 to 1973, Sinatra resumed his singing career. In 1993 he released the album Frank Sinatra Duets, on which many of his standard songs were engineered as duets with other famous singers. Contributors to the album included American singers Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, Latin American recording star Julio Iglesias, and Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock group U2. The album sequel Duets II (1994), which won Sinatra his ninth Grammy Award in 1996, includes collaborations with country-and-western star Willie Nelson, jazz singer Lena Horne, and popular singer and songwriter Neil Diamond. frank sinatra :: essays research papers Sinatra, Frank (1915-1998), American singer and motion-picture actor, one of the most famous American singers of his generation. Born Francis Albert Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey, he sang with the big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey in the 1930s.Influenced by American singers Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, Sinatra anticipated the decline of big-band instrumental jazz music and helped establish an enthusiastic climate for popular singers. In the 1940s Sinatra embarked on a solo career and became the idol of so-called bobby-soxers, teenage girls who swooned over his crooning, soft-voiced singing. He appeared in such film musicals as Anchors Aweigh (1945), Till the Clouds Roll By (1947), and On the Town (1949). In 1953 he won an Academy Award for his nonsinging performance in From Here to Eternity. His performances in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and The Detective (1968) were also highly regarded. During the 1950s and 1960s Sinatra teamed with a number of talented jazz arrangers, including Nelson Riddle, Neal Hefti, Quincy Jones, and Billy May, and produced a number of albums, now regarded as classic recordings, including Swing Easy (1955), In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (1958), Nice 'N' Easy (1960), and Strangers in the Night (1966). In the 1960s he also recorded with the big bands of American jazz musicians Count Basie and Duke Ellington. After a brief retirement from 1971 to 1973, Sinatra resumed his singing career. In 1993 he released the album Frank Sinatra Duets, on which many of his standard songs were engineered as duets with other famous singers. Contributors to the album included American singers Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, Latin American recording star Julio Iglesias, and Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock group U2. The album sequel Duets II (1994), which won Sinatra his ninth Grammy Award in 1996, includes collaborations with country-and-western star Willie Nelson, jazz singer Lena Horne, and popular singer and songwriter Neil Diamond.

Admission to Business Program

My experience prior to enrolment in Seoul business school includes everything I need to succeed in the program and later on – technical expertise, leadership challenges, and work in multicultural environments. The course in Seoul business school will surely help me to take these skills to a new level and build on that course as yet another prerequisite for a successful career.Since my background is in IT, I started to build my professional career with gaining technical skills in the area I believe to be the most crucial in propelling global growth and spearheading development. Working for 7.5 years as a technical project manager at the Bank of America in Korea, I accumulated substantial knowledge in my specific area.Being a highly qualified professional, I was appointed to supervise a project that involved IT specialists from both European and Asian branches of the company. With the environment being multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural, I found myself at the crossing p oint of various perspectives, viewpoints and ways of doing business.At this point, I realized that the main focus of project management was not technical expertise that I had already begun to take for granted, but business communication skills specifically attuned to multicultural environments in global companies. Grasping intuitively for ways to bring the maximum efficiency to the project, I found gaps in my cross-cultural education and management skills.Relying on my traditionally strong problem-solving skills, I was able to resolve most situations, but each time I came across a management problem, I felt that I could do better than before with help from a knowledgeable instructor. Since trying to do my best is one of my inherent traits as a professional, I decided to leverage my experience with the help of an education, which is the reason why I decided to pursue a new course in international management to help me advance the business side of my work.This international focus is t he reason why I chose Seoul business school, renowned for its international student body and diversity of program. I was impressed with the well-balanced curriculum of the school that provides intensive training in strategic management, building in students skills applicable in any part of the globe.During my studies, I hope to make a breakthrough in my understanding of international management and learn from students with diverse backgrounds, incorporating their perspectives and transforming them into my own unique management style.I do not expect ready-made answers from my business studies – instead, I am seeking a chance to rise above my current level with the help of new knowledge and take a bird’s-eye view of my future career path and goals. With the impact of a quality business education program, I am sure to attain new horizons in my career, becoming a successful international leader.With my previous experience in leading projects and motivating people, I feel t hat I will be able to incorporate the elements of the program to achieve success in any future endeavours.2) Tell us about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge or problem.Most would think that IT jobs are mechanical and boring, leaving room for creativity. In my experience, however, I found that the greatest challenge is not the technical problems that can be overcome after some careful thinking; people, on the contrary, are an ongoing challenge as they generate all kinds of surprises.Dealing with my IT staff, I had to bring up all my creative potential to help our employees open up THEIR potential for creativity, problem-solving and other skills.Empowering IT employees was my greatest challenge since we all spent an enormous time sifting through petty technical problems. Forcing subordinates to run and check with me every small detail was consuming a lot of my time that could have been used for better purposes. At one point, I became so exhausted with the process that I felt some sort of solution was necessary to relieve them of the fear to make the decision on their own.Teaching them to progress slowly seemed a good idea which led me to instruct them to solve at least one problem a day on their own, selecting from the range of problems they previously reported to me.At the end of the day, we all had a five-minute assembly in which the team members would share what kind of problems they ventured to solve on their own and what solutions they came up with. It proved that their solutions were for the most part sound, so that our project did not suffer any major disruptions in its functioning.The greatest asset of my invention was the psychological climate in the team that was suddenly transformed as employees began to sense a change in their role. No longer cogs in the machine, they were now independent thinkers, feeling the drive to expand the boundaries of their knowledge to meet their new function.To do this, they shared informat ion with each other in more frequent exchanges and would come up to me, but not with the details of a specific problem as before, but with broader questions that gave me a chance to increase their expertise. Our cooperation assumed a more lively character, and I could sense that my employees were now getting more satisfaction from their work.Little by little, we went from one to two, then to three independently solved problems a day. This change significantly increased the capacity of my subordinates, expanding the productivity of our teams that could now process more tasks in the same limited timeframe. Most importantly, my invention helped to remove the fear of mistake in my subordinates, making them aware of their strengths at problem-solving.Needless to say, I was deeply satisfied with the results and since then, have continuously been thinking about other possible innovations aimed at employee empowerment. I believe that helping people to bring out their potential is the most r ewarding function of the managerial job that is lead to a breakthrough in the project’s chances for success.3) Tell us about one thing in your personal or professional life for which you have a great deal of passion.Throughout both my professional and community involvement, I have been trying to make my input valuable by trying assist those who are hampered by disadvantages that are no fault of their own. This can include helping the disabled, the poor, or those living in developing nations. Among the activities in which I engaged with a lot of passion, the memory of volunteer work in an NGO stands out from the rest.Perhaps the reason is that, in my feeling, with this work I could make a real difference in the lives of many people. I first started volunteering simply out of desire to help a friend working at the same NGO. As I began to see the bigger picture of what they do, I felt the need to make my personal contribution to the lives of people in developing countries.The wo rk there really kept me in touch with what was going on in the rest of the world where people were less fortunate than myself and offered wonderful opportunities for striking up friendships and making contacts.Having a successful professional background to draw upon, I felt myself both able and obliged to use my professional expertise to assist the populations of developing countries like Cambodia in improving access to information communication technology in rural and remote areas.In my view, the capacity to utilise existing and evolving communication possibilities will be the key to these nations bridging the gap between their present condition and the industrialised world. It was exciting to think of how I can use my time and skills to help people around the globe make a transition to the information society which would be the necessary prerequisite for building sustainable economies.My work in the NGO began from writing an e-mail newsletter and continued with preparation for sem inar aimed at raising a subscription. Finally, I saw myself planning new initiatives within the organization to utilise existing capacities in the realm of information technology in order to facilitate information exchange with developing nations. We launched a few projects aimed at giving all people equal opportunities in the realm of information access.I found working there that with my experience in the field I could often provide other people with advice that helped them to get a more coherent picture of what was going on in information technology and how the organization’s resources in this area could have been used with the maximum efficiency.I believe that by applying our individual knowledge to help people in the less developed world we can truly make a difference since more affluent societies provide their members with more opportunities to acquire expertise in the professional field.Once we absorb this professional knowledge, we can use our creativity of our minds t o generate new ideas and connect them to the needs of other people. In my volunteer work, I did my best to leverage my previous experience to create a stimulating information-rich environment for other people where they, too, could have used their natural abilities to develop the economies of their nations. My deepest belief in the fundamental right of all people to have equal access to information fuelled my passion for this rewarding work.4) Please detail the five-year plan for your career including the jobs you would like to have, how you would leverage your education, and how you would otherwise prepare yourself for this path. Tell us why your goals make sense given your plan and your background.In my post-school years, I am determined to integrate my previous experience with the knowledge obtained in the school to succeed in a career that will incorporate my technical and management skills. Within a five-year timeframe, I hope to become IT consultant in a global company, concen trating on providing top-notch services to customers all around the world.An education obtained in Seoul Business School will be an important factor in my success as IT consultant. Working in a dynamic, challenging business environment of IT consulting requires continuous improvement of one’s skills, ability to think on one’s heels, out-of-the-box solutions, and ability to meet the most unexpected customer needs.A broad base of business knowledge I hope to gain from Seoul Business School will enable me to get a deeper insight into the nature of my clients’ businesses and prompt more productive solutions that can advance their operations in innovative, effective ways.Having a quality educational background to draw upon, I would be able to utilise this knowledge to meet the diversified needs of customers with flexibility and speed, making a contribution to the success of many companies around the globe.