Company Analysis HSBC

Executive Summary HSBC Bank is one of the largest banks in the world, and the largest foreign bank operating in Canada. The bank has been pursuing entry into the Kenyan economy, an economy which is characteristic with unskilled and semi-skilled labor, like all other developing economies. The Kenyan authorities have been exercising caution, avoiding harm on the people, the economy and the available resources.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Company Analysis HSBC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s characteristics, which will favor its entry into the Kenyan banking industry, include its promotion of trade links between different economies, its identification with host economies, and its efforts to foster the development of modern banking and finance services. The bank will also be favored by its reconstructive strategies, its favorable entry strategies, and the strategies of identifying and addre ssing the financial needs of marginalized groups. These characteristics will favor the minister’s verdict, regarding allowing the company to enter the Kenyan economy. Introduction The HSBC Bank of Canada is a bank operating in Canada, as a part of the expansive British banking company, HSBC, which is among the world’s largest banking groups. HSBC is the seventh principal banking company in Canada, running outlets in all Canadian provinces, except Prince Edward. The bank is the largest foreign owned banking company within the country, with its corporate headquarters at the financial hub of Vancouver, British Columbia. The company has been pursuing entry into the Kenyan market, an economy which is characteristic with unskilled and semi-skilled labor force. The Kenyan government has also been pushing to nurture an industrial base, which will help offer employment opportunities and aid in raising the living standards of the Kenyan people. The Kenyan government has also bee n practicing caution, by not allowing foreign and local companies to set up economic ventures, which are likely to harm the country’s economic base, the country’s people or the available resources. This paper is an explicative report written to the Minister, explaining the company, and discussing how its entry strategy and venture approaches will be favorable to the Kenyan economy. The report will show how the company is a favorable candidate to venture into the Kenyan economy, as it is a candidate not likely to affect the economy negatively.1Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discussion Since its 1865 inception, the company has been financing trade between China and Europe. The bank’s inception was also based on the substantial demand for local banking services, both at Hong Kong and the China coastal trade lines. Throughout the 19th century, the bank ex panded its operations into China, the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia, North America, Japan and Europe, pioneering modern banking services and trade finance. As a result of the diversity of the economy, the bank started diversifying its business through mergers, amalgamations and alliances. The strategic approaches of the bank, also include banking on marginalized groups, which are often not addressed by mainstream banking, including women and the youth, who may not own assets to present as security for credit. The bank further identifies with the areas and the markets it is operating at. T he 1990s saw the consolidation of different businesses into the company, including the joint venture, for example, the formation of the Wells Fargo HSBC trade bank in 1995. In 1997, a new auxiliary Banco HSBC Bamerindus was created in Brazil. In 1999, the bank signed an M.O.U with the Korean government, towards the acquisition of a controlling stake in Seoul Bank, a major commercial bank in Korea.2 From a detailed analysis of the Kenyan economy, it was clear that the economy identified with a number of characteristics, all associated to developing economies. These include low standards of education, poor health care, unemployment, poverty and limited access to resources and infrastructure, like safe water. From evaluating the entry strategies of HSBC, the bank will help eliminate these weaknesses of the economy in a number of ways. The company’s strategies, since its inception, were based on fostering international trade, which helps eliminate the economic imbalances within the Kenyan economy. This is the case, as by promoting the development of international trade through financing export and import trade, the company will aid in the creation of employment as well as reduce the poverty levels registered among the country’s citizens. From the historical track record of the company, it has focused its operations around the major areas of demand, in offerin g banking services.3Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Company Analysis HSBC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Throughout the 19th century, the company registered a track record of fostering the up-take of modern banking and trade finance services, which can be very helpful to any economy, based on the benefits drawn from adopting modern banking models and trade financing. For example, the bank has been fostering the uptake of more flexible, convenient and effective banking models, which can be accessed at any time, when banking customers need such services. From entry into the Kenyan economy, the bank will offer models that are likely to foster the flexibility of access to banking services and banked finances, these including the creation of 24/7 banking models.4 From the track record of the bank, it has engaged in the reconstruction of economies like that of the Hong Kong economy, which it rebuilt after the Seco nd World War. The bank did that by identifying areas of financial need and development insufficiencies. From venturing in the developing economy, the bank will aid in development, through identifying areas of financial need and development, including unemployment and poverty, which can be addressed through the creation of finance access platforms and capacity building. From this company’s strategy and economy entry model, the company will be able to identify areas of financial need and development insufficiencies.5 The company’s reputation can also be identified in its ability to revise strategy and strategic diversity, for example, its shift to expanding its operations in other countries through alliances, mergers, amalgamations and acquisitions. From the usage of such strategies, the company stands the chance of not threatening the banks, already operational within the developing economy. As a result, it will not harm or threaten local companies, and the peopleâ€⠄¢s welfare, which relies on the employment from such companies.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company will also not affect the resources of the nation, through capitalizing on established and accepted means of resource exhaustion.6 From the historical record of the bank, it also banks on marginalized groups, these including women and youths, who are more vulnerable to economic constraints and the lack of access to credit facilities. The bank achieves this through employing its wide range of personal finance packages, which will offer employment and income creation opportunities for these groups. As a result, it fosters economic development from their contribution, thus the realization of a faster economic development. As a result, this will be advantageous to the development of the entire economy, that of the people as well as the Kenyan resource base, which will be very advantageous to the entire economy. From this strategy, the company will help in building trade capacity, which will help the workers as well as the companies operating within the Kenyan economy, realize the full advantages of local and international trade opportunities. From such a model, there will be the establishment of reciprocal trade agreements between the different areas where the company is operating in, which will help the Kenyan economy as well as the workers, draw from the system. Based on the company’s recognition of un-identified groups, the elimination of poverty and unemployment will be fostered, thus should be allowed entry into the Kenyan economy.7 Bibliography Berger, Allen, and Robert DeYoung. â€Å"The effects of geographic expansion on bank efficiency.† Federal Reserve Board Finance and Economics 2 (2001): 3-5. Berger, Allen et al. â€Å"The consolidation of the financial services industry: causes, consequences and implications for the future.† Journal of Banking and Finance 23. 2 (1999): 135-94. Berger, Allen et al. â€Å"The efficiency of financial institutions: a review and preview of research past, present and future.† Journal o f Banking and Finance 17. 2 (1993): 221-249. King, Frank. The History of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1987. Mauro, Guillà ©n. Multinationals, Ideology, and Organized Labor. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2003. Muirhead, Stuart. Crisis Banking in the East: The History of the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London and China, 1853-93. New York: Scolar Press, 1996. Sullivan, Arthur, and Steven Sheffrin. Economics: Principles in Action. New Jersey: Upper Saddle River, 2003. Footnotes 1 Frank King, The History of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991), 25. 2 Stuart Muirhead, Crisis Banking in the East: The History of the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London and China, 1853-93 (London: Scolar Press, 1996), 34. 3 Arthur Sullivan and Steven Sheffrin, Economics: Principles in Action (New Jersey: Upper Saddle River, 2003), 471. 4 Guillà ©n Mauro, Multinationals, Id eology, and Organized Labor (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2003), 123. 5 Allen Berger et al., â€Å"The consolidation of the financial services industry: causes, consequences and implications for the future,† Journal of Banking and Finance 23. 2 (1999): 135-94. 6 Allen Berger et al., â€Å"The efficiency of financial institutions: a review and preview of research past, present and future,† Journal of Banking and Finance 17. 2 (1993): 221-249. 7 Allen Berger and Robert DeYoung, â€Å"The effects of geographic expansion on bank efficiency,† Federal Reserve Board Finance and Economics 2 (2001): 3-5. This report on Company Analysis HSBC was written and submitted by user Brandon Goff to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Minister Jailed During Rape Trial essays

Minister Jailed During Rape Trial essays MINISTER JAILED DURING RAPE TRIAL Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter jailed Jung Woo Lee, a fifty two year old pastor at a church in Flushing, for raping his twenty-one year old niece. Lee said that he realized he was attracted to her almost as soon as she arrived because she was wearing short shorts and also the way she crossed her legs, like movie star Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. Lee admits to having sex with the niece, but not raping her. When asked if he thought she was leading him on, he said that he has no idea how womens minds work and could not give a straight answer. The prosecutors say that the only reason why he even admitted to having sex with her is because they found his sperm stains on her pants. The alleged victim arrived in the United States on a student visa on May 23, 1998. She was to live with her aunt and uncle while studying English at Fordham University. On June 5, the uncle testified, he told the girl that he was fond of her and kissed her. They made an agreement that she wouldnt tell anyone about this. The next day, he says, he embraced her and kissed intimate parts of her body, however she was shaking her head in a negative way. On July 5, they became intimate to the fullest degree when they experienced the act of sexual intercourse. The very next day, the victim says, she went to live with a friend and shortly afterwards flew back to Korea. Upon telling her mother the story, she filed charges and returned to the United States for the trial. The issue being discussed here is rape. It is also being analyzed, how rape should be defined and what constitutes a rape. What part does provocation play? The issue of leading on is one often discussed. We habitually blame the alleged rapist for the crime, but what role does the victim play. Does wearing a short skirt constitute means for rape? The idea that no ...

Current Business Strategies At Tesco Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5750 words

Current Business Strategies At Tesco - Essay Example The company started trading its shares to the public in 1947 to boost its capital base. In the late 1950s, Tesco took over the ownership of numerous of grocery stores within the UK, among them being Harrow Stores Ltd, a 200-grocery chain. Moreover, Tesco has implemented strategies to penetrate the international market through acquiring already established stores. With the coming of e-commerce, Tesco has developed strategies to harness this great potential. In 2010, the company started a mobile phone based website to allow customers make purchases from their smart phones. However, the strategies adopted by the company have not always gone down well with different stakeholders. Early this year, the business has proposed to tailor its deals according to the income of the nearby shoppers. Clarkson (2012) asserts that 75 percent of the Tesco’s shoppers are opposed to a new strategy by Tesco to base its deals on the income of nearby shoppers. 1.2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The research u ses a methodology of reviewing various sources that have discussed the strategic operations of Tesco. I relied mostly on internet sources to carry out this research. 1.3: Findings 1. Tesco has relied on a strategy of acquisition of its competitors 2. Tesco has continuously adopted strategies to penetrate into the international market 3. Tesco has a strategy of diversifying the products it offers to customers 4. Technology has fuelled the growth of Tesco, with adoption of e-commerce and mobile-commerce 1.4: Recommendations 1. Tesco should carry out a market research before implementing a strategy to avert what dissatisfaction among customers. 2. Tesco should continue increasing its express stores 3. Tesco should continue making stronger brands as this... This paper approves that key implementation issues and risks faced by the company are as follows - Tesco is planning to enter new global markets. The strategy adopted by Tesco is to protect the brand image and promote expansion plans. It has been in controversy over the treatment of customer and staff. Additionally, it’s approach in foreign business has been criticised. Tesco’s biggest criticism has been that it has been creating a monopoly in the market over products. Furthermore, the company had aggressive planning in building new stores. Tesco has adopted information systems to increase its sales through ecommerce. This report makes a conclusion that the retail business of Tesco is highly competitive and it needs technological support and innovative solutions for getting competitive advantage. The innovative solutions Tesco can introduce are - new format stores and creating a novel online shopping experience. What’s more, implementation of technologically advanced online solutions is not expensive and takes 6-8 months. For sustained competitive advantage, the company should have command over price by delivering value added competitive products and services. For example - it can introduced health foods for different age groups. The process of production of health foods will take 6 to 7 months. It needs to work on internal advantages and reduce weaknesses to create a platform for innovation, research & development. The company should also be able to organize the process of implementation along with globalization and diversification.

Special Education Needs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Special Education Needs - Essay Example It should however be noted that though EAL pupils or bilingual learners have specific linguistic needs, they may not necessarily require special education needs, and thus EAL needs should not be confused with SEN (Milton, 2004, p. 4). This is because the difference between the instruction language and learner’s own language is not in itself a disability and does not solely make learning difficult. Provision of special education needs was emphasized at the Warnock Committee forum where special education needs and provision of special learning were broadly articulated and recommendations made to provoke official thinking about special education. Earlier disability concerns revolved around deafness, blindness, physical and sensory impairment, and speech defects that have medical interventions. Defects such as educational ‘sub-normality’ and maladjustment could not have been addressed medically. No children regardless of their impairment levels should be regarded as n on-educable and hence special education needs must be available to all children with disability (Beevridge, 1999, P.2). More recent models that have addressed special education needs in children included the ‘Every Child Matters’ strategy of 2003 and the 2004 model ‘Barriers to Inclusion’. ... Generality across different areas of learning could be mild or severe. Special education needs include aspects of special access to the curriculum, provision of tailored curriculum and attention to the learning environment. Children with sensory and physical impairments require special equipment, adapted written material or/and attention to positioning to fully participate in learning experiences. Assessment is vital in every stage of special education provision and involves early screening to determine the child’s abilities in terms of language, cognitive, emotional, and social orientation. Screening helps determine additional needs. The method of assessment for English language acquisition in EAL pupils with physical and sensory impairments should be similar to that for EAL counterparts without disabilities. The measurement of performance of EAL pupils with disabilities should be similar to that of their monolingual colleagues. To inform planning and targeting, a clear asses sment of second language acquisition by EAL learners is important (Milton, 2004, p.4). When decisions are made that the identified cases have special needs, special attention is recommended (Algozzine and Ysseldiyke, 2006, p.8). Also of importance to the teacher is the concept of ‘keep it simple’ in content delivery which is part of expository approach, use of the appropriate pace during instruction to allow content synthesis and amount of assistance accorded. To promote learning for EAL learners with or without SEN, certain strategies are useful such as creating a team set up and embracing collaborative activities, pairing and mentorship,

Human Resource Management Process Research Paper

Human Resource Management Process - Research Paper Example Human resource, as the name implies, refers to the workforce, and the management of the human resource is essentially the management of the workforce. The workforce is one of the most fundamental resources of an organization because all work is conducted through the workforce. Management of human resource includes addressing the individualistic and collective needs of the workers and keeping a check on their daily performance so that their salaries or other organizational benefits can be adjusted to suit their performance. Planning is the first phase of human resource management process. In this phase, managers assess the specific skills required to accomplish the tasks that need to be done in the project at hand. Different tasks require people with different sets of abilities. Some tasks require more physical input, so they need to be assigned to physically strong employees. Other kinds of tasks that require more mental input need to be assigned to employees that are mentally sharp and have a good academic record. Once the required sets of skills have been identified, the managers assess the various options for recruiting the employees. There is a whole range of methods that can be used to recruit the workforce. These methods include but are not limited to a face-to-face interview, interview over phone or skype, physical test, and tests directed at checking the intelligence quotient (IQ). Interviews can also be classified according to types in addition to the means of conversation. There are behavior-based interviews that tend to estimate an individual’s personality by listening to the individual’s behavioral response to a situation that he/she is likely to experience in the kind of job he/she is applying for. Interviews may be structured or unstructured depending upon the choice of the manager. In structured interviews, the manager assesses the responses of individual candidates against a particular set of questions. There is no addition or subt raction to these questions. The questions are chosen with the mutual consensus of expert professionals. In unstructured interviews, there is no definite set of questions that are to be asked to the candidate. The conversation can take any route but it ultimately leads the manager to make a rational assessment of the skills of the candidate. Interviews may be conducted individually or in the group. In the individual interviews, candidates are called into the office one by one for interview whereas, in group interviews, candidates are called in in groups. Big companies usually recruit the employees by conducting panel interviews of each candidate individually. In such interviews, the candidate is supposed to satisfy a whole group of experts, that tend to analyze the candidate’s abilities in their own ways. The candidate is first given a brief demonstration of the organization, it works, and its culture, and then each professional avails his/her turn to ask the question.

Harmful Effects Of The Concentration Of Media Ownership Media Essay

Harmful Effects Of The Concentration Of Media Ownership Media Essay There has been a tendency in the media world that companies merger into larger media giants in order to reach a better, more secure financial status and to constitute stronger firms. Hunt and Ruben highlighted another aspect to media company mergers. They say, the world had become one large marketplace and, as the investment jargon suggests, a few players dominate the distribution and the production of services and the goods in the world.(140) This is also true to the media business. As the mass media offers huge and fruitful monetary opportunities, some of the most influential businessmen and investors dove into the media industry, forming huge media branches with concentrated ownership, like the Australian Rupert Murdoch, who became the strongest and richest media mogul of our time. By controlling such large percentages of the mass media, Murdoch has great power in his hands, which might mean certain dangers towards the public. In our modern society, the media enjoys enormous importance, since the overwhelming majority of the people familiarize themselves with current affairs, the happenings of their surroundings and the happenings around the world through the mass media. I strongly believe, that such concentration of media ownership, overall, is harmful to the public. According to Dominick, the media system currently working in the United States of America and many European countries, (by now, most probably in most European countries), is a model with decentralized control and private ownership.(62) This model of course may seem better than a system of media supervised and controlled by a central power, probably by a government, as common, westward looking, sense dictates. This system gives the opportunity of exercising freedom of speech, and the accessibility to all materials and information, excluding of course information concerning homeland security. This seems fair and nice, but in reality, I believe, the system works a bit differently. Since the moguls of media industry are virtually the owners of the mass media, they enjoy complete authority over their property, and authority over what their companies publish or broadcast. This is a power that can very easily be abused. Since for the owners of giant media branches, the mass media is just another field of financial opportunities, they usually customize their material in order to attract the largest audience, giving the opportunity of advertising on a huge scale. The money oriented nature of this kind of media ownership puts the quality of information published to the people under dispute. As Wilson pointed it out, a particular example of this phenomenon is Rupert Murdoch and his actions in the United States, where he purchased a number of newspapers, including the New York Post, and managed to turn them into papers publishing sensationalist articles in order to boost the selling. Wilson goes on saying that this demonstrates that Murdoch was not particularly interes ted in providing quality information and journalism to the public, but was more into making profit.(410) Consequently, the quality of the information declined in these papers, not informing the public properly. Apart from the ethical question of the example above, it also raises issues concerning the response of the public to the sensationalist information. It is also possible that these articles may contain information that cannot be proven, or worse, not true at all. This may result in the misdirection of public opinion, and can lead to serious consequences. Another important issue concerning the concentrated ownership of media chains is the question of objectivity on the side of the journalists. Since the resident Gods of the media chains have expectations of profit and ,in some cases, forming the overall opinion of the medium in crucial topics like politics or economy, there may be a multi-layered system of pressure in the hierarchy of the owners and workers of these firms, all concentrated on the journalist. The simple worker crumbles between the principles of objective journalism and the thoughts of the editor not letting their work to be published, or worse, losing their job. In the giant media chains owned by powerful media moguls, journalistic objectivity may be under pressure, so in this way the quality of information presented to the public may be biased, or faulty. Conflict of interest can also be a major factor in the mass media, and within the media giants with centralised ownership, the phenomenon may exist on a considerable scale. Wilson brought up an example for this issue as well. He writes about a case in 1987 when a congressman from Kansas called for an order by the Congress to require General Electric, the second largest producer of defense weaponry of the United States, to sell its company owned television network, NBC. The congressman disputed how the television network could give an objective report about the Strategic Defense Initiative without having conflict of interest.(405) This example of Wilson highlights a very important issue concerning media chains, journalistic objectivity and the quality and quantity of information presented to the public. It is most probable, that a news agency such as a chain of newspaper or a television network cannot report objectively about the affairs of those businesses, in which they own corpor ate holdings, because such a situation would include heavy biasing, filtering information, and of course withholding information. The very last point is the issue of the possibility of political bias of media giants. Reliable Sources, a programme on CNN gave a short coverage on Rupert Murdoch and his appearance in an interview with Marwin Kalb, at George Washington University, in which Murdoch openly criticised his rival television networks, MSNBC and CNN. Murdoch said his rivals tend to be Democrats while his own network, Fox News are not Republicans. Later on at the question and answer round of the interview, Murdoch said they have people at Fox News who are affiliated with the Democratic party, but when he was asked to name people, he struggled to name even one worker. Consequently the information output of Murdochs network may be politically biased. When it comes to the effects of this sort of bias on the public, I believe it may be the most harmful. Political bias may result in dividing the public, may induce reactions from people who feel exposed or vulnerable, and may as well make people paranoid. I beli eve, that in some cases, this can be the aim of such enterprises motored by corporate power and driven by profit. For example in election time, the media support or attack of a certain political party has enormous force, and helps to bias and persuade the electorate. In concluison, I strongly believe that the concentration of media ownership is harmful to the public, concerning the following points made. Firstly, the profit-oriented nature of media chains with concentrated ownership can affect the quality and quantity of information published to the people. Secondly, conflict of interest may be a major factor in information publishing by such media powers. Lastly, biasing, and namely politically biased information dissemination has large grounds in these chains. (1162 words) Sources: Brendt, D. Ruben. and Hunt, T. Mass Communication: Producers and Consumers. Harper Collins College Publishers, 1993. Print. Dominick, J. R. The Dynamics of Mass Communication. McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1990. Print. Wilson, S. L. Mass Media / Mass Culture: An Introduction McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993. Print. Reliable Sources Highlights Murdochs Inability to Name a Democrat Employed by Fox News. Media Matters for America 11. April 2010. Web. 13. April 2010.

The Death Penalty Is Unfair, Inhumane, and Ineffective Essay -- anti-c

Although the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly prohibits â€Å"unusual and cruel punishment†, the United States Supreme Court in the 1947 case of Louisiana ex rel. Frances v. Resweber ruled that the death penalty is not cruel or unusual, and it is still in practice (Hartley 1). While all the other democratic countries have already abolished the death penalty, it is still legal in most of the states. As for today, thirty-five out of fifty states have capital punishment statuses. The state of Texas â€Å"had carried out slightly more than a third of all the executions in this country† (Death Penalty Progress). An issue of should or should not the death penalty be constitutional is at its rise for about three decades now, since the Supreme Court reaffirmed its acceptance of the use of capital punishment in the 1976 Gregg vs. Georgia case (Hartley 1). The arguments for and against the death penalty are strong on both sides, but the capital punishment should not be constitutional in such a civilized and democratic country as it is the United States of America. There are many people who see the ultimate punishment as essential castigation of those who do not value a human life. Nevertheless, there is a risk of executing an innocent person. A case of Cameron Todd Willingham may be just one example. He was convicted to the capital punishment for setting a fire and thus killing his three small children. After remaining on death row for 12 years, he was executed in Texas in 2004, but later â€Å"rigorous scientific analysis has since shown that there was no evidence that the fire in a one-story, wood frame house in Corsicana was the result of arson, as the authorities had alleged† (Herbert 1). Moreover, as Death Penalty Information Cen... ...015. http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/issues/death-penalty/us-death-penalty-facts/death-penalty-and-race â€Å"Death Penalty Progress.† Dallas Morning News, The (TX). (Dec. 2013): A14. Web. 30 Dec. 2015. Enquirer, Cincinnati. â€Å"Death penalty not a good answer to crime.† National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. 27 July 2012. Web. 3 Jan. 2015. Hartley, Rogen. "Capital punishment." In Schultz, David, ed. Encyclopedia of American Law. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2002. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 30 Dec. 2015. Herbert, Bob. "Innocent But Dead." New York Times 1 Sept. 2013: A29(L). InfoTrac Newspapers. Web. 3 Jan. 2015. â€Å"There Is No ‘Humane’ Execution.† The New York Times 14 Dec. 2014: A30. Web. 4 Jan. 2015. â€Å"Top 10 Pros and Cons. Should the death penalty be allowed?† Death Penalty.ProCon.org. N.p., 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2015.

Mkt Research

Assessment activity 1 1. 1   In conducting research on behalf of your organization or for a client organization, what factors could influence the choice of sources used? The intention of the research and also the types of products and services. 1. 2   Why can data and information cross-checks and cross-references be necessary when doing research? It is important not to rely on a single piece of information if you can avoid it, so also look for corroborating evidence unless the source is absolutely unimpeachable.Use reliable sources or cross-check and find supporting data wherever possible. Knowing how data was obtained is central to knowing its value. If the information comes from a survey look to find the sample source and size. Assessment activity 2 2. 1 Scenario: You have been asked to conduct research on behalf of the organization for which you work. Why is desk research the first research you should undertake? Their relative low cost, they can be an efficient use of time and they avoid duplicating research that has already been undertaken by others. . 2 What desk research sources could you use to collect and organize data? Company reports Data from previous research 2. 3 Why should your desk research include the collection and analysis of data relative to the organization’s current and past performance? It will help aid in the development of useful and useable hypotheses, accurately targeting research, designing and developing research tools. There is no point gathering information on the migration patterns of flamingos if the company is in the business of making clothes for the larger male.That is an absurd example, but if there are even subtle diversions between the company mission and your data gathering, you will be off track and have wasted energy and resources. Assessment Activity 3 Describe and explain the reporting formats that you have used or might follow when submitting desk research results. Normally each company has its own template but typically using chart and graphs besides tables and texts is a preferred way in most companies as it is clearer and more quickly understandable. Assessment activity 4 4. 1 Give 3 examples of hypotheses that you have used (or could use) when conducting market research.Salary packaging will increase loyalty and productivy at work Uncontrolled media undermines democratic government Plain packaging will not reduce the sales of cigarette. 4. 2 How do these hypotheses help to focus the research? A hypothesis will help to focus your research. It will help to guide the development of a research project and aid you in determining the direction you need to take and the questions to which you need answers. Assessment activity 5 5. 1 Why might a researcher choose to conduct qualitative research rather than quantitative research?Qualitative analysis provides information on how customers perceive a business, how they rate it in comparison to competitors and whether they plan to buy the organ ization products/services in the future. Also dealing with opinions, attitudes and behavior. 5. 2 Which method/s might be used to collect the data and why would you consider these to be the most appropriate? Processes used to collect customer information can include questionnaire surveys, face-to-face, written, and electronic or telephone survey methods; observational surveys; focus groups; product test results; retail audits.Data can also be collected, via desk research, from government organizations such as the Bureau of Statistics, the Census Bureau, from media companies, chambers of commerce, other research organizations or from university databases. 5. 3 What groups would you target and why? Customers, previous customers, stakeholders are often the target in a research, but it always depends on the information the company requests on its research. 5. 4 Explain what a measure of central tendency is and how it is used in analyzing market research data. Are measures used to locate the middle points of a distribution.The mean (average-obtained from adding all variables and dividing by the number of variables used), median (variable at the centre of the range) and mode (most frequently occurring variables are measures of central tendency). They serve to identify the points between the extremes. As an example, if a survey asked users of a certain product their age, measures of central tendency help to determine the typical age of the user. The youngest might be 10 years and the oldest 70. However, the values in between these extremes are the most useful for the marketer.Knowing that the mean (or average) age is 32, the median 34 and the mode 31, 32 and 35, indicate that typical age of a user is early thirties. Assessment activity 6 Complete the following table Method for collecting your data| Circumstance for choosing this method| Reason for choosing this method| Telephone survey| Large number of responses to a small number of questions required in a short peri od of time. | Efficiency and low cost per response. Responses can be qualified if necessary and data entry is immediate. | Focus group  | Effective when qualitative data is required.Can be expensive but can provide effective results. | Effective results and efficient scribe. | Formal questionnaires  | Inexpensive way to gather responses from a large number of respondents. | Effectively and can gather information to correlate performance and satisfaction among different groups of users. | Simple observational survey| Simplistic methods of conducting market research. | Can provide valuable and useful data. Determine who purchases what from where. | Mystery shopping observation  | Actual experience of the service| Is needed from a trained observer| Product testing  | New product valuation| Opinions for improvement| Informal discussion and feedback forms. | Gives you a simple and quickly answers. | Efficiently way and cheap processes which gives you answers in a short time. | As sessment activity 7 Why is it essential that market research plans demonstrate that they will collect information that will enable clear identification of customer needs, wants and expectations? It can be used to identify problems, strengths, potential markets, needs for change or to forecast sales of new or improved products/services.Customer focus is essential for success in the highly competitive markets of today. It should demonstrate to the organization exactly what is their customers or potencial customers require of them. Assessment activity 8 & 9 8/9a Explain how you might identify respondents for a product/ service survey. You can identify thru some surveys, segments and samples, questionnaires, focus groups and research such as: Geographic segmentation; Demographic segmentation; Psychographic segmentation; Beliefs and values; Lifestyle segmentation; stage of life; 8/9bWhich of the following are relevant in identifying and selecting respondents for marketing research Re spondent Characteristic| On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is important and 5 is not important – rate the importance (circle or make bold or delete unselected #)| A customer|      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| A potential customer|   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Not a customer|   1  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  5| Was selected at random| 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Was a stakeholder| 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Required an incenti ve to bother| 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Was interested| 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Had the time and was available| 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Was someone who disliked the products| 1     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   5| Assessment activity 10Why is preparation of facilities and equipment in readiness for the research procedure important? Preparation is the key to effective data collection. Staff should be fully informed about what is required, must be appropriately trained and must be supplied with the necessary resources. Assessment activity 11 11. 1 Wh at reports might an organization ask to be submitted after the surveying process has been completed? What types of information would the report contain? Written responses, verbal recordings, e-mail, postal results or data and sets of numbers collected as a result of focus groups or testing groups. Information like- numbers of respondents; ease with which respondents were contacted; -ease with which respondents were encouraged to participate; -ease with which respondents were able to use the survey format;   -numbers of responses in various information collection categories; – suitability of the survey questions and other resources; -costs applicable to the survey; – a general assessment of the success of the survey; -problems or issues that were identified during the research   -suggestions for improvements to the research process. 11. 2 How might survey tools be kept confidential and accessible only to authorized people? Safe Locks on door Passwords Assessment act ivity 12 12. What procedures should be followed to check the quality of the data collected during market research? Quality of the data collect will have to be considered and will include: Quantity, Type of responses and Depth of responses. Ask: – Did the survey questions elicit the necessary data? –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Is there enough significant and useful data to support or reject the original hypotheses? –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Were the respondents properly targeted? –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Were respondents correctly qualified? –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Is the data useful and does it meet its intended purpose? –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Can the data be easily analyzed to produce the necessary information? 12. 2 Why are quality checks necessary?The quality of the data should be checked as early as possible because decisions depend on valid and reliable data. Data quality can be assessed in several ways, using dif ferent types of analyses: frequency counts, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and median), normality (skewness, kurtosis, frequency histograms, normal probability plots), associations (correlations, scatter plots). Other initial data quality checks are: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Checks on data cleaning: have decisions influenced the distribution of the variables? The distribution of the variables before data cleaning is compared to the distribution of the variables after data cleaning to see whether data cleaning has had unwanted effects on the data.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Analysis of missing observations: are there many missing values, and are the values missing at random? The missing observations in the data are analyzed to see whether more than 25% of the values are missing, whether they are missing at random (MAR), and whether some form of imputation (statistics) is needed. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An alysis of extreme observations: outlying observations in the data are analyzed to see if they seem to disturb the distribution. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Comparison and correction of differences in coding schemes: variables are compared with coding schemes of variables external to the data set, and possibly corrected if coding schemes are not comparable. Assessment activity 13Select a market research project from your experience or elsewhere. Explain how the data for this project was aggregated and summarised and why it is necessary to summarise the data. Answer is enterprise and experience dependent so use an example: We had done a random sampling with our product which is a Brazilian meat. So we go to a night clubs early night and offer some of our product to customers and give them a sample of our meat and also a voucher which gives them the opportunity to come to our restaurant and enjoy our food with 20 % off discount. So when them coming back to the resta urant we can analyze the number of respondents by noting the number of vouchers collected and wrote a report.Assessment activity 14 Describe software packages or filing systems that could be used to record and manage research data. (Suggest search of www for brand names) SPSS – is a computer program used for survey authoring and deployment, data mining, text analytics, statistical analysis and collaboration and deployment. MS Access – is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. Minitab – is a statistics package. Assessment activity 15 15. 1 Describe a format that might be commonly used in an organization to present research reports. Suggestion: search of www for examples) – Title page – shows name and type of study, date, who produced it and for whom – Table of contents – Executive summary – brief statem ent summarizing reports main points – Introduction – details research projects background and objectives – Research methods – strategies and techniques used and why – Study data – includes all relevant charts, diagrams, tables and study results – Recommendations / Conclusions – Appendices 15. 2 Under what circumstances might you use charts and graphs? Give examples of the data that might be represented by specific chart or graph formats. Most common are graphs, pie charts, tables, histogram, time line.To compare what’s the proposed now and what was the beginning of the research is important to use charts and graphs, also to determine whether the research has highlighted any threats, opportunities, weaknesses, problems associated with the product/service/company under review. 15. 3 Why is it a good idea to utilize charts, graphs and other visual presentations of data? They can easily show results and statistics data also show changes, percentages, compare 2 data sources and make clearly if you need any kind of changes. 15. 4 How can a force field analysis assist in presenting data relative to proposed change and how does market research data contribute to the analysis? In determining whether a change is necessary, list the forces the change and those opposing the change.Balance them against each other to determine the necessary outcome. This is very much like a pro’s and con’s list. It shows whether the forces for or conditions requiring change are greater than those for not changing. It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of the exercise is to make the information clear, unambiguous and easy to understand. 15. 6. To whom might an organizations research report and findings be submitted? Whoever asked for the research and anyone they said to give a copy to. 16: Additional Questions Create two Quantitative questions, one using a scale another using check boxes 1- How useful to you was the orientation session at the College? please circle the number that best represents your opinion) Extremely  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Not at all Useful  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Useful   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4 5  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   6  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   7  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2- Did you know that when you recommend the college to someone and they then enroll in a course you can receive a $300 finders bonus? Yes  Ã‚   ____  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   No _____ Create two different qualitative questions 1 – Can you describe the orientation session at the college? 2 – How you feel about the money you receive for recommend the college?

Geodesy and the Earths Size and Shape

Geodesy and the Earths Size and Shape Earth, with an average distance of 92,955,820 miles (149,597,890 km) from the sun, is the third planet and one of the most unique planets in the solar system. It formed around 4.5 to 4.6 billion years ago and is the only planet known to sustain life. This is because of factors like its atmospheric composition and physical properties such as the presence of water over 70.8% of the planet allow life to thrive. Earth is also unique however because it is the largest of the terrestrial planets (one that have a thin layer of rocks on the surface as opposed to those that are mostly made up of gases like Jupiter or Saturn) based on its mass, density, and diameter. Earth is also the fifth largest planet in the entire solar system. Earths Size As the largest of the terrestrial planets, Earth has an estimated mass of 5.9736 Ãâ€" 1024 kg. Its volume is also the largest of these planets at 108.321 Ãâ€" 1010km3. In addition, Earth is the densest of the terrestrial planets as it is made up of a crust, mantle, and core. The Earths crust is the thinnest of these layers while the mantle comprises 84% of Earths volume and extends 1,800 miles (2,900 km) below the surface. What makes Earth the densest of these planets, however, is its core. It is the only terrestrial planet with a liquid outer core that surrounds a solid, dense inner core. Earths average density is 5515 Ãâ€" 10 kg/m3. Mars, the smallest of the terrestrial planets by density, is only around 70% as dense as Earth. Earth is classified as the largest of the terrestrial planets based on its circumference and diameter as well. At the equator, Earths circumference is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16 km). It is slightly smaller between the North and South poles at 24,859.82 miles (40,008 km). Earths diameter at the poles is 7,899.80 miles (12,713.5 km) while it is 7,926.28 miles (12,756.1 km) at the equator. For comparison, the largest planet in Earths solar system, Jupiter, has a diameter of 88,846 miles (142,984 km). Earths Shape Earths circumference and diameter differ because its shape is classified as an oblate spheroid or ellipsoid, instead of a true sphere. This means that instead of being of equal circumference in all areas, the poles are squished, resulting in a bulge at the equator, and thus a larger circumference and diameter there. The equatorial bulge at Earths equator is measured at 26.5 miles (42.72 km) and is caused by the planets rotation and gravity. Gravity itself causes planets and other celestial bodies to contract and form a sphere. This is because it pulls all the mass of an object as close to the center of gravity (the Earths core in this case) as possible. Because Earth rotates, this sphere is distorted by the centrifugal force. This is the force that causes objects to move outward away from the center of gravity. Therefore, as the Earth rotates, centrifugal force is greatest at the equator so it causes a slight outward bulge there, giving that region a larger circumference and diameter. Local topography also plays a role in the Earths shape, but on a global scale, its role is very small. The largest differences in local topography across the globe are Mount Everest, the highest point above sea level at 29,035 ft (8,850 m), and the Mariana Trench, the lowest point below sea level at 35,840 ft (10,924 m). This difference is only a matter of about 12 miles (19 km), which is quite minor overall. If the equatorial bulge is considered, the worlds highest point and the place that is farthest from the Earths center is the peak of the volcano Chimborazo in Ecuador as it is the highest peak that is nearest the equator. Its elevation is 20,561 ft (6,267 m). Geodesy To ensure that the Earths size and shape are studied accurately, geodesy, a branch of science responsible for measuring the Earths size and shape with surveys and mathematical calculations is used. Throughout history, geodesy was a significant branch of science as early scientists and philosophers attempted to determine the Earths shape. Aristotle is the first person credited with trying to calculate Earths size and was, therefore, an early geodesist. The Greek philosopher Eratosthenes followed and was able to estimate the Earths circumference at 25,000 miles, only slightly higher than todays accepted measurement. In order to study the Earth and use geodesy today, researchers often refer to the ellipsoid, geoid, and datums. An ellipsoid in this field is a theoretical mathematical model that shows a smooth, simplistic representation of the Earths surface. It is used to measure distances on the surface without having to account for things like elevation changes and landforms. To account for the reality of the Earths surface, geodesists use the geoid which is a shape that is constructed using the global mean sea level and as a result takes elevation changes into account. The basis of all geodetic work today though is the datum. These are sets of data that act as reference points for global surveying work. In geodesy, there are two main datums used for transportation and navigation in the U.S. and they make up a portion of the National Spatial Reference System. Today, technology like satellites and global positioning systems (GPS) allow geodesists and other scientists to make extremely accurate measurements of the Earths surface. In fact, it is so accurate, geodesy can allow for worldwide navigation but it also allows researchers to measure small changes in the Earths surface down to the centimeter level to obtain the most accurate measurements of the Earths size and shape.

Diary Of a Madman essays

Diary Of a Madman essays In Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness Oe explores two father-son relationships: one prematurely cut and the second, inversely, abundant with parental attention. The story concentrates around a man who has lost his father too early to have appropriately bonded with him, as well as this mans relationship with his won new born son who, ironically, will never appreciate his fathers efforts due to a mental defect. The plot unfolds as the main character vainly attempts to investigate his fathers mysterious death after the elders long and unexplained isolation. He feels the lack of an enduring relationship with his father must be the source of aberration that has struck his own life. More often than not boys tend to grow closer with their fathers than they do with their mothers. A certain bond becomes forged between father and son, a bond than helps both get through the hardships of life. The destruction of such a bond may prove to have potentially long-term traumatic effects on the young man, as he is left bitter and without appropriate guidance. This seems to be the case with the main character of Oes story. A possible resolution, however, presents itself at the arrival of a new born son an opportunity for the man deprived of a relationship with his father to mend his troubles by raising the child of his own in a healthy family atmosphere. But the main characters childhood trauma finds itself into his adult life. Unable to cope with this loss and still wanting to have know his parent, he resurrects his father through a biographical text. He then begins to take this recreation to an extreme and, perhaps subconsciously, begins to imitate his fathers final years of life. At this point he may be entertaining hope that if he follows through in his fathers last footsteps he will come to face the same demons his father did and discover the mysterious reason for his beloved parent&apo...

Book summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Book summary - Essay Example Mercator projections typically hanged on pentagon offices and classroom walls usually place the US in the middle where it is separated from Europe to its East by the big Atlantic Ocean and from Asia by to its West by the Pacific Ocean. Our preference for the perspective reflects a particular national egocentrism and has for a bigger part of the past two centuries made a recommendable deal of a strategic sense (Kaplan, 154). Through a big part of the 19th century, oceanic moats made possible the era of free security as a historian by the name C. Van Woodward called it. United States then projected much of its power primarily towards East Asia and Europe as it stepped on the World stage and grew stronger. In the 20th century, America would wage wars, cold and hot, aiming to protect vital regions against the dominion of hostile forces. Their earlier purposes, notwithstanding, the ancient maps are no longer meaningful having outlived their usefulness. After the cold war had come to an end, with much intensity and speed since 9/11, focus shifted towards South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and towards the western Pacific waters. Robert D. Kaplan in monsoon argues that fresh ways of viewing the World are needed. This is needed mostly in seeing those parts that are integral elements despite being split by old projections (Kaplan, 165). Kaplan’s goal was providing his fellow countrymen with a similar map centered the Greater Indian Ocean, the region that stretched eastward right from the Horn of Africa going past the Arabian Peninsula, Iranian plateau as well as the Indian subcontinent going all the way to Indonesian archipelago and even beyond. He was glad that the monsoon winds shifted direction regularly at six month intervals, making connecting of the far-flung shores by waters to be readily navigable even when there were primitive sailing vessels. The greater Indian Ocean was initially linked by Muslim merchants, later Portugal

Natural Detoxification Using the Niacin Sauna Program Essay

Natural Detoxification Using the Niacin Sauna Program - Essay Example According to Page (1998), "They are gentle, non-invasive, and in almost every case, free of many side effects" (p. 114). Niacin - Sauna Therapy is one such program and it is this program which will be researched and analyzed in this paper. With regard to Niacin-Sauna Therapy, Haas (2004) says "A special detoxification process has been developed to help in the release of chemicals, pesticides, and pharmaceutical drugs" (p. 44). Like any good detoxification program it begins by cleansing noxious elements, rebuilding the loss of nutrients in the process and maintaining a state of good health by fostering good habits pertaining to health and fitness. This program is an intensive program which seeks to flush out the toxins located in fat. It includes a combination of techniques that have detoxifying properties such as a juice diet, exercise, sauna therapy and intake of niacin. "The idea is to cleanse hidden chemicals from fat through juice cleansing, weight loss, niacin therapy, exercise and sweats" (Haas, 2004, p. 44). This is a fledgling program but initial results are encouraging, particularly when followed by individuals who are showing the adverse effects of exposure to pesticides. This process can also be used to wea n addictive individuals from drugs (pharmaceutical as well as recreational types), alcohol and nicotine. It can also be followed in the comfort of home, provided a physician has been consulted and certain precautionary measures are taken. The Rationale and Scientific Evidence behind this Program Niacin is also known as nicotinic acid and vitamin B3. It plays a role in the release of energy from nutrients. It is found in cereals, legumes, liver, poultry, meat, nuts, whole grains, and fish. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Research has shown that niacin can effectively reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), a form of cholesterol referred to as "good cholesterol" lowers the risk of arteriosclerosis and cardiac arrest. "The researchers cite niacin as the most effective medication for raising HDL cholesterol" (Payne, 2005, p.5). Thus it helps clean out the circulatory system. Further according to Jensen (2000), niacin may be used "to flush the toxins from the organs and peripheral tissues, speed up the elimination process, and reduce production of cholesterol by the liver" (p.103). Therefore it seems fitting that niacin serves as the major component of a detoxification program. Sauna therapy is based on the principles of overheating therapy or hyperthermia. This form of healing has proved beneficial from time immemorial. According to Page (1998), "Slightly raising body temperature speeds up metabolism, inhibits the growth of harmful viruses or bacteria, and literally burns out invading organisms" (p.3). Today, sauna therapy is popular all over the world as a means of ridding the body of toxins. A sauna activates the sweat glands and induces profuse sweating. As the sweat evaporates through the skin, it takes with it potentially harmful substances, while acting as a natural coolant. Thus it may be said that such sweats are therapeutic and have healing properties. This method in addition to removing toxins via the skin uses