Barbour’s Entry into Spain

John Barbour and Sons is Ltd is a cloth manufacturing company that has been in operation since 1894. They manufacture garments that are waxed to provide a waterproof finish. The clothes have been used by fishermen, naval officers and cyclists. The company’s products have gained varied popularity response in different regions depending on the perception of their clients. Some have considered it as functional while others view it as a passing fad and fancy. In spite if the varied reactions by the customers, the Barbour company has managed to sustain its market share and keep its reputation high by maintaining its mains principles.The company, originally from Britain has gained popularity in the international market and has moved to other neighbouring countries like United States, Canada, France and Spain. Due this expansion, the company introduced new products in terms of designs to cater for the new markets. Their unique marketing strategy and the development of new designs hav e played an important role in their success especially in the international market hence solving the exchange rate inconveniences.The launch of the company website was another great achievement of the Barbour Company that came with a lot of benefits including improved business-customer relationship and developed brand loyalty. The uniqueness of the company’s marketing strategy has lead to formation of two clubs on their website that is, Barbour owners club and Barbour members club. This is a competitive advantage they have against their competitors. They also provide for cross selling through their website database Product standardizationBarbour Company is very popular with manufacturing of classic waxed clothed in the European market. Since there is increased competition in the international market, the company has to do a great deal of promotion and marketing in order to remain competitive in the developing market. One of the strategies to do this is to carry out product st andardization (Carlo 1994). Though marketing abroad is very tricky and the products for export are not necessarily the same as those for domestic market, core aspect still remain crucial for both markets.In order to maintain competitiveness in the international market, the Barbour Company should carry out international strategies that include customization, product adaptation, and innovation other than standardization. In the international market, the extent of standardization should be limited to certain degree since the requirements may not be the same as the domestic needs. Three methods commonly applied by some of the successful companies include; 1. adopting the same promotion and marketing policy home and abroad 2. the company takes care of the specific requirements of foreign customers3. The firm may opt to start designing from scratch, products for the foreign market. The reasons why Barbour Company needs to carry out some standardization its marketing strategy is the benefi ts that come with the standardization of product in the international market. They include; the company is more likely to benefit from economies of scale, this means that the company would enjoy discounts and expenses that it would benefit as a result of the increased production. Per cost production is reduced and production volume is increased (Carlo 1994).Common consumer needs allow for product standardization, there are some commodities that are universally used and need same prerequisite across borders for example, raincoats and jackets. Standardization allows cutting down of costs that could have been incurred in designing other products from scratch. Consumer mobility is another strategy in International marketing process. This process helps firms to specifically manufacture products for the markets abroad. Other than standardization, consumer mobility is a strategy that brings about consumer retention and consumer mobility.This process will be used by Barbour Company to answe r very elementary questions about the foreign market before venturing in to it. They include subjects like, how do the clients arrive at a purchasing decision, what is the customers’ judgement of the stores presentation and how does it influence buying behaviour. These topics would help the management of Barbour a great deal in the prediction of in-store consumer trends and the other factors that affect their purchasing habits. Such findings can be very useful in designing the marketing strategy that would be used in the foreign market (Carlo 1994).Understanding consumer mobility and purchasing relationships would assist in predicting the expected trend and flow of products in the market and would encourage innovative technology to meet the customers’ requirement as observed by the customer mobility trends. Production adaptation the opposite of product standardization and is equally important in marketing in new markets especially overseas. Product adaptation involves modification and innovation of a firm’s products based on the existing products of the competitors in the market.This strategy exploits the competitor products and not on ground-breaking innovations, it follows the existing product portfolio. Since in Spain there are existing cloth manufacturing already, Barbour Company needs to carry out a research on the existing consumer requirements and specifications and make modifications on their products and promote them in the international market (Carlo 1994). Many exporting companies have or those that are multinational and have branches in other nations have engaged in product modification of their supply and has devised very efficient foreign marketing style.Designing such strategy should consider the available resources and the profits. Having eight retail stores U. K and its presence in over 28 countries in the European market including Spain is a very challenging circumstance for the Barbour Company. The company has to employ the following adaptation techniques in product adaptation as a marketing strategy depending on customer desires and market objectives; 1. Same product same needs – this strategy would help to popularize Barbour Cloth Company along other companies that are producing similar products both in domestic and foreign market.This is because they meet similar deeds 2. Same product different needs – this could be used when similar products are intended for different purposes. Some cloths may be viewed as essential for example, waxed coats used by fisher men while other clients may view them as just fashionable. 3. Different product, similar needs – this strategy would help to provide alternative products in the market for customers in both foreign and domestic market. 4. Dual adaptation – this king of product adaptation would involve modifying the product as well as the purpose for its use.This is usually very expensive and would not be very necessary unless it sho ws greater success rates in a field not yet exploited. 5. Invention – this helps the companies in question to cater for customers who may not be able to afford what already exists in the market. This is because some customers have low income and might not be able to manage to pay for expensive garments or the same adaptation can be applied where a company discovers a cheaper production technology that can be used to accomplish the same requirements.Developing Integrated Communications Strategy Integrated marketing communication is a way of ensuring that all information and messages are connected. This means that the process involved go beyond just the coordination of a company’s outgoing information (advertisements and promotions) through different media and the reliability of the message (Schultz et,al. 1996). Integrated marketing strategy utilizes widespread customer information to plan and develop a marketing approach.Barbour Company has to develop a well designed i ntegrated marketing strategy because it would enable the company to have an on paper plan which would be very effective in sustaining its market niche in a competitive world as well as discover new marketing requirements and unmet customer needs (Schultz et,al. 1996). Steps in designing this communication mix are; 1. Creating customer database – bearing in mind that Barbour Company operates its own data base, creation of customer database would enable the management access customer information and analyze the purchasing habits and trends in the market.2. Laying down on-paper strategies – the marketing strategy is usually developed form the information obtained from the customer database. Business communication, sales and promotions are designed from the insights from the customer information. 3. Designing working tactics – once the general strategy has been laid down, proper promotional plans can be specified to target specific marketing goals. 4. Evaluation of Strategy – the outcomes of the new information about the consumer habits is investigated to establish the efficiency of the strategy set to operate. Marketing Communication MixThis defines the exact advertising medium to be used, personal selling, market promotion, and business – customer relationships the company would use to meet the objectives set in the marketing strategy (Schultz et,al. 1996). The best marketing strategies usually work out the 4 P’s Versus the 4 C’s analysis Product and Customer – in designing consumer products, the company should make sure that the customer needs and requirements are met. Both the international and local markets have changed so much that businesses no longer trade in what they can make rather the product specification is determined by consumers specific needs.Since the customer is the â€Å"man† in business, then meeting the requirement puts a business at a better position in the market mix. Price and Cost – the pricing of products should be designed to comply with the consumer’s cost to satisfy his/her needs. Research has found out that price is just one element of the consumers’ cost structure in meeting their needs (Yeshin 1998). The intrinsic cost plays a very critical part for example; it’s the cost of time to watch a movie and the cost of guilt for not treating your friends well.Place and Convenience – provision of products at the right place at the right time should be matched with the convenience the customer would enjoy. Convenience covers characteristics of physical or practical location, easiness of access, and reduced transaction time (Yeshin 1998). Promotion and Communication – promotional marketing should not be hard to comprehend as the purpose of the message may not be accomplished. The best mediums for communication and promotional activities in marketing should have a feedback mechanism to enable two way communications ( Yeshin 1998).The message should be understood by the customer in a way to create the need to purchase products being marketed. The revolutionized marketing communications has prompted the change of mass marketing strategy to more target specific marketing. The changes and improved information and communication technology has facilitated market segmentation. The progress in information technology especially the aspect of media fragmentation has encouraged narrowcasting as opposed to broad casting The BenefitsThough integrated Marketing Communications would require a lot of resources from Barbour Company, the benefits (competitive advantage, Profits and increased sales) that come with it are worth the cost and the effort invested in the strategy. Integrated communication wraps information around consumers and shortens the time spent in the buying. This enable to reduce queues and the sales made in a day could be greatly increased; this efficiency usually improves company reputation as well as creating a better relationship between the customers and the business (Yeshin 1998).Barbour Cloth Company would be able to retain customers in this competitive environment as good relationship between customers and the company builds customer loyalty. This is very essential in eliminating unnecessary onslaught of competition. The possibility of maintaining customers for a long time is a very strong competitive advantage. Integrated marketing communication will result in increased returns due to efficiency involved. The current advances in information and communication technology have adopted the use of effective unified message as opposed to incoherent innumerable messages.Consolidated and crystal clear message will have higher chances of penetrating the busy environment and reaching the target consumers. Integrated marketing can to a great extent heighten sales by stretching messages across numerous communication tools to d generate more opportunities for customers to acce ss and obtain awareness of the products, stimulate the need to have the product being advertised and ultimately getting the potential customers to actually purchase the goods.Finally the adaptation of an integrated marketing system would enable the Barbour cloth company to save a lot of money that could have otherwise been used to duplicate graphics and photos. In IMC, the photos can be shared and used for advertising, presentations and promotional literature. Agency costs are cut down buy the use of a single agency for all communications and even if the company might use several agencies, time is a saved for meetings, briefings and strategic planning.Workload is reduced and hence the efficiency of the marketing strategy is improved, work stress is completely eliminated. Pricing of Products Price is one of the important aspects of the integrated marketing strategy as identified earlier. This is because it’s closely linked to the positioning of the product in the market. On th e other hand, the price of a product significantly influences other elements of marketing (Phillips et,al. 1994). There are many ways of developing prices for gods and services.Come the most crucial one are; Premium pricing – this allocation of high prices depending on uniqueness of the products, Penetration Pricing – prices are purposively set low in order to achieve a market niche, Economic Pricing – prices are set based on low manufacturing and marketing costs, Price Skimming – higher prices are set as a result of the established competitive advantage, Psychological pricing – prices are set based on the emotional perception of the consumer, Product Line Pricing – pricing benefits are granted on a range of products, Product Bundle Pricing – prices are collectively set for a collection of Products as a single package, promotional pricing – prices are set to enhance promotion of the product and Value pricing – prices are influenced by external factors such as competition, and recession. Pricing Objectives Barbour Cloth Company has to develop pricing objectives in order to settle on the most favorable pricing of their products (Phillips et,al. 1994). There are different objectives for pricing, but the basic reasons include the following; 1. Profits – the purpose of any business organization is to make maximum profits, bearing in mind the expenses and other overhead costs. Present profit maximization may not be the superb pricing strategy if it results in lower profits. 2. Revenue – the purpose of the business is to establish long term trend in profit margin by expanding the market segmentation and reducing costs. 3.Quality leadership – the prices usually indicate the position of a product as the quality leader. This builds consumer confidence and loyalty. 4. Status Quo – prices may help a firm to sustain its position in the market by making a stable and consistent profit level. Conclusion Business success is the dream of many business ventures, expansion and enlargement in to the foreign market is the sign o0f success. With efficient marketing strategy in Place, Barbour cloth company is likely to attain success both in Home market Britain and abroad including Spain. The few set backs that might be encountered would include the Spain’s government policies and business regulations.Barbour being a family business needs to be cautious with the law and utilize all aspects of legal (LE-PEST C Analysis) environment for business operations. References Carlo A. (1994). Product Standardizatuion.. A Management Process. American Society for Healthcare Central Service Personnel of the American Hospital Association Phillips C. Doole I. & Lowe R. (1994). International Marketing Strategy. Anlysis, Development and Implementation. Routledge. Schultz D. E, Tannenbaum S. I & Lauterborn R. F. (1996) The New Marketing Paradgm. Integrated Marketng Communications. M cGraw-Hill Proffessional. Yeshin T. (1998). Integrated Marketing Communications. The Holistic Approach. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Computer Mediated Learning Education

For busy adults with conflicting schedules facing a multitude of family and work demands, who still wish to add to their academic credentials or vocational qualifications, computer mediated learning may seem like an ideal way for such adults to satisfy their educational needs. For an elementary school instructor, however, computer mediated learning lacks the supervisory, mentoring, and hands-on capacity that is usually deemed necessary for imparting basic skills. An â€Å"on-line, collaborative learning approach using the Internet offers solutions to many of the problems plaguing university education,† such as oversubscribed classes and the difficulty for university students to gain access to the required classes that they need to graduate on time. (Jones, 2004) At a higher education level, computer mediated learning allows for students to be enrolled in more sections on a year 'round basis in a university environment-but this is not an advantage enjoyed by elementary school students. At best, in terms of dealing with high enrollment, the computer-mediated classroom is an asset, not a supplement to face-to-face learning on the lower levels of education. Even advocates of distance or computer mediated learning on the university level have stressed that such an educational format works best when students are mature, preferably adult learners, â€Å"comfortable with independent learning and computers,† who have a clear intention of why they wish to obtain their degree. Jones, 2004) Such a description could not be more antithetical to elementary school children. Moreover â€Å"to be successful, the implementation of such a learning approach requires significant technical and educational skills and experience,† as well as motivation on the part of the learners. (Jones, 2004) Does this mean that computer based learning has no place in an elementary school curriculum? Not necessarily. Foreign language instruction that would not otherwise be available to elementary school children is possible through the use of computer based learning, as children can hear and interact with native speakers, and even communicate with classes their own age, across the world. (Perez, 1996) When teaching a foreign language, one teacher found that the new technology encouraged students to think critically, encouraged self-directed learning, and provided a library on-screen of different texts in the language the students was learning. But because the computer medium can allow for passivity on the part of the student, Lucia Perez stresses that a teacher must take an intensively constructivist or hands on approach, to motivate the students to be proactive in their learning, such as assigning independent research topics, rather than permitting students to ‘veg out' in front of a screen, as might be their custom at home when using the computer for pleasure. Likewise, when using computer based learning to teach, for example â€Å"the teaching dilemma was how to simultaneously motivate the students by applying mathematics learning to real life problems of concern to them, and help them to gain quickly the basic skills to do the necessary mathematics manipulations almost automatically,† and once this motivation was integrated into the computer based learning, the program appeared to work well. (Shaw, 1996) Thus, computer based learning can and must be more than simply an effort to transfer face to face classroom instructional practices into a different or virtual medium, for the learning does not take place face to face, but is primarily student-directed. Also, there is more responsibility upon the head of an average Elementary teacher to create assignments that motivate and engage student's imagination when making use of computer based learning for specific, targeted purposes, but when done so effectively, the rewards are great for both teachers and students.

Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic Essay

Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic - Essay Example Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic It helps to increase customer loyalty and thereby thwarts customers from switching to the products offered by other companies. Mosaic UK is a useful tool utilised by many companies to develop their segmentation strategy based on the consumer classifications provided in the Mosaic profile system. First of all a detailed analysis of the Mosaic profile system developed by Experian plc is presented in this study. Next this study would include analysis of information reports prepared by Experian related to three retailers operating their business operations in United Kingdom. The customer profiling related to each of the three retailers would be compared to have an idea about its impact on the different marketing strategies followed by the organisations. Segmentation of customers is an important marketing strategy followed by the business organisations and its importance has also been included in this study. Next this report takes help of a case study for suggesting some consumer marketi ng ideas for some fashion retailers who might be interested to target a specific Mosaic Group. Experian plc has developed a system which helps in classification of the households in UK and has been named as Mosaic UK. It is a type of geo-demographic segmentation system which is available commercially. Consumer classification reports prepared through Mosaic UK are helpful in understanding the Behaviour, demographics and lifestyles followed by all the households and individuals present in UK. Understanding the consumer behaviour patterns in different parts of UK is critical to the success of any organisation because it helps the companies to develop products that best satisfy the particular needs and requirements of the customers. Mosaic UK is helpful to the organisations in three ways: The companies are able to increase the values of its customers through in-depth understanding of the behavioural patterns of their customers in UK The value of a particular location in which a company targets to sell its products is also increased through the development of proper marketing mix u sing information from Mosaic UK Mosaic UK is also helpful in assessing the risks associated with investing in a particular location in UK Thus Mosaic UK developed by Experian is thus an important tool to segment and classify consumers in UK based on various characterising features. The latest version of Mosaic UK that is available in the market now helps in classification of consumers present in UK into 67 different types which are spread over 15 distinct groups of people (Experian Mosaic, 2010). A brief overview of each of the 15 groups of people identified through Mosaic UK is given below: Group A: Alpha Territory – This type of group comprises of the most influential and wealthy individuals staying in UK. Group B: Professional Rewards – The managerial and executive classes of people are categorised in this group. Group C: Rural Solitude – This type of group includes people living in isolated cottages and small villages in UK. Group D: Small Town Diversity â⠂¬â€œ This type of group are classified as people living in small and medium sized towns in UK. Group E: Active Retirement – This group of people are aged over 65 years and are spending their

The impact of the Financial Crisis on Banking Industry Research Paper

The impact of the Financial Crisis on Banking Industry - Research Paper Example In 2009, the â€Å"Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation† failed almost 305 banks. Even though this is comparatively small proportion of the entire banks, the tendency that this reveals is the actual reason for concern. This amount is greater than 12 times the amount, 25, which failed in the year 2008. Among these banks which were forced to shut their doors in 2008 was â€Å"Washington Mutual†; the leading bank to date which has been compelled to shut their doors. Nevertheless, they were capable to get away total amount of liquidation by being engrossed by â€Å"JP Morgan Chase†. This benefited the â€Å"JP Morgan Chase† since this gave them a trail on the west-shore which they had been requesting for some time (Bexley et al., 2011, p. 2). Due to these negative externalities, the problem of credit crunch has been generated which has reduced the amounts of investment and investable funds across the globe. Also the problem of subprime lending has also been a ggravated in global economies, mainly in US which has reduced the banking transactions in the country (Bexley et al., 2011, p. 6). ... to this high level of inflation, consumers are not getting capable of purchasing costliest goods and services and hence business organisations which are engaged in production of these goods and services are leaving the industry. Again this is reducing the level of income in the country and hence the level of demand for necessary goods and service. The Fed is expecting to have a subdued in the next few years because of weaker level of real economic activities prevailing in the country. But the Fed is expecting that the rate of inflation will remain unresponsive in newt few years due to the fact the American economy is still under the curse of financial and economic crises situations (Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, 2011, p. 1). Future solutions: Again, it is expected by the researchers that the rate of interest will remain comparatively low as well as stable in the next year following the rapid growth of developing countries. This increasing growth of countries such as I ndia and China will increase the volume of trade in favor of USA. Also the corporate bonds and the share market are expected to be much stable in the next year than it is now. These aspects are expected to improve the performance of the banking sector in the US (Elwell, 2011, p. 4). The rate of interest on â€Å"91-Day Treasury Bills† in the next year is expected to be 0.2% and that of â€Å"10-year treasury notes to be 3.5% (Fiscal Year 2013: Analytical Perspective: Budget of the U.S. Government, 19). These improvements in the economic variables of the country is expected to create significant amount of positive effect on the increment of the level of private as well as public consumption spending of the country. Consumption spending is most likely to remain the most crucial part of the

The Advantages of Homlessness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Advantages of Homlessness - Essay Example The freedom that a homeless person would have from these bills would be unimaginable to some. There would be a great deal of financial freedom if one were homeless, but one would need to consider as well where they could find shelter in the event of bad weather conditions. I would not choose to be homeless due to this reason. One would replace the worry of constant bill paying with the worry of finding safe and adequate shelter, sometimes on short notice. In addition, if one has children, being homeless is simply not a viable option. Children require stability and protection. The choice to be homeless would need to be made by adults with no children involved. I feel that personally, I would not be comfortable with the uncertainty of homelessness, the not being able to call the place my own. I would prefer to be a slave to work as it is then a slave to freedom. Freedom comes a price. If I had the power, however, to make and execute a social policy which would bring equality between classes, I would develop a policy that ensured essentially equal provisions for all. I would first implement a system that provided socialized health care for each and every individual who needed it. It would also provide for housing to any person or persons who needed or wanted to house. There would be no such thing as forced homelessness. If individuals chose to be homeless, there would be shelters established simply for their need for temporary shelter.   No one would be turned away at any time unless they were not following rules or laws. The rules would be simply to respect others at all times and no illegal activities.

Slavery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Slavery - Essay Example The story of Equiano demonstrates the inhumane situation of the slaves and the acceptance by slaves the white racial theories. In the middle of the XVII England has been shaken by the political crisis because of Oliver Cromwell revolution. The Putney Debates of 1647 revealed the English Revolution as an abolishment movement, a 1659 Parliamentary debate on slavery and the â€Å"free-born Englishman†, held on the eve of the restoration of Charles II and the Stuart monarchy, marked a counterrevolutionary reversal (Linebaugh, 132). The Putney Debates between Thomas Rainborough and Henry Ireton raised the questions of the struggle for the commons and struggle against slavery. Domestic wars and conflicts led to appearance of the new slavery forms in England: white slaves in Barbados, slavery in West Africa, Jamaica. Irish radicals and foes were sent by Oliver Cromwell to the Barbados, in the 1649 British merchants ordered the construction of a trading fort on the Gold Coast. The ski n color wasn’t decisive for the slavery - it was a matter of the profit for the merchants and elites. And Equiano in his autobiography gave us great example when even in the mid of the XVIII century there was an incident during the way through the ocean, when â€Å"one white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it: and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute† (Equiano, 423). The interracial co-operations were not solitary: for example, Africans and Irish conspired together in plots of 1675, 1686, 1692 and alliance between slaves and servants was what planters feared most of all (Linebaugh, 126). The slavery began to acquire the racial shade in the 1670s. The resistance of plantation workers exploded in 1675-1676 in Virginia. There were two uprisings. The first one began in 1675 and was a war for land by freedmen and small farmers a gainst Indians and a portion of the colonial ruling class in Virginia. The second one was a war against slavery, waged by servants and slaves. After rebellion the planters charged the governor with restraining â€Å"any inhumane severity which by ill masters or overseers may be used toward Christian servants† (Linebaugh, 137). And the result of this rebellion was legislation in 1682 that provided â€Å"all servants not being Christians, being imported into this country by shipping† should be servants for twelve years, instead European servants – for five years. Of course, this legislation was directed toward the Africans. The defeats of the servants and slaves that was detailed represented in the â€Å"The Many-Headed Hydra†, became the reason why the elites, nobles, â€Å"whites† began to establishing new rules that had aim to discriminate the rebels and to justify himself. From the 1670s legislation was enacted to protect and Christians, â€Å"w hite† people (Linebaugh, 139). Rulers from the England, merchants and planters dispossessed tens of thousands more in Ireland, Barbados, West Africa and Virginia and made the slavery of Atlantic capitalism (Linebaugh, 141). Indeed, the masses of cheep labour in the America and Europe created the possibility to very fast enrichments. Slaves were very good investments. The people from the lowest classes had no wealth, they had no property. The capitalists wanted to control them,

Cover letters memo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cover letters memo - Essay Example First of all I have studied the specific skills sought for by the employers and understood the qualities that will be crucial in the selection process. Then with the important skills in mind I have outlined my specific strengths and experience in a way that answers the recruiters’ needs. I have presented myself as the most suitable candidate for the job by explicitly unpacking my academic qualifications and offering answers to the specific needs required by the advertisements. I have also systematically presented my previous work experience, accomplishments, working history, training, skills and competencies in a manner to provide a solution to the employers’ particular needs. My curriculum resume is also written professionally utilizing standard fonts with enough spaces between points to ease the work of recruiters when reading through. This is because I realize and appreciate the professional standards when it comes to font size, color, type and style when writing any official document. In all my cover letters I have made it my culture to always show the potential employer that I really need the job not for the salary but to offer my contribution. My cover letters outline to the employer how I am an incredible performer on the job, how my personality is a very likable and how easily I am capable of fitting into the team. I thoroughly research before getting down to craft a cover letter to any job and hence my letters are addressed to the right persons, they tell the specific reasons for my interest in the particular organization and make the recruiters understand the much I can go in order to deliver results. I want any potential employer and any recruiter reading my cover letters and resume to see how I am a handy on candidate. I therefore have outlined a summary of my personal strengths such as problem solving skills, ability to work in winning teams, flexibility and desire to always learn new competencies. The

The Struggle for Civil Liberties and Social Justice Essay

The Struggle for Civil Liberties and Social Justice - Essay Example The name of Martin Luther King is synonymous with the Black civil rights movement. The quintessential element of King's quest for civil rights was its allegiance to non-violence and its respect for human rights (D'Angelo 2000). That is why, even today, Martin Luther King is considered a human rights icon. Through his zealous and immaculately polished oratorical skills, King tried his best to sensitize the American masses to the universal quest for human respect and dignity. What King intended to do was to hit hard against racial discrimination and social injustice. However, this essentially peaceful and non-violent champion of civil rights was brutally assassinated in 1968. Malcolm X's commitment to black pride and social justice had its origins in the racial harassment that he and his family had to bear with in his growing up years. Being a smart and brilliant student, he soon realized that though violence was certainly not the right strategy to combat racial injustice, yet it was important to be ardently vociferous in one's struggle for social justice (D'Angelo 2000). Hence, he became an active member and spokesperson of the Nation of Islam. However, this non-violent but fiery crusader for social justice had to meet a tragic death because of his moral opposition to the Nation of Islam leader Elijah Mohammad.One another prominent name in the universal struggle for civil rights and social justice is Chico Mendes. Chico was a regular Brazilian rubber tapper who also happened to be an avid environmental activist and a guardian of the rights of native rubber tappers. Chico's struggle for saving environment eventually metamorphosed into a fight to save the Brazilian rainforests and in turn to save the future of humanity. Tragically, this peaceful adherent of social justice was violently silenced by his more radical opponents. Rosa Parks also known as the mother of Modern Civil Rights Movement was an African American civil rights activist (D'Angelo 2000). Parks' gestures of blatant defiance to the festering symbols of racial injustice bestowed on her an iconic status. Courtesy her jest for social justice, she received many national and international honors and accolades. The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo was a group of Argentinean mothers and concerned citizens who peacefully and non-violently protested against the disappearance of many children and youngsters during the military dictatorship that lasted roughly seven years. Several members of this group were abducted and assassinated.Hence, the one thing common to all the above-mentioned civil rights movements and activists is that they were predominantly non-violent and their peaceful struggle enabled them to win a conclusive and lasting victory over their more violent adversaries.References D'Angelo, Raymond. The American Civil Rights Mov

Economic naturalist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economic naturalist - Essay Example This is the reason for what the movies visualized in past were on the specific stream, heroism was the most popular theme. With the passage of time, after revolutionary measures were taken in Hollywood arena, the scenario was turned towards new altitudes. History observed that the demand of female models was being increased, might be it was deliberately. But now it is uncontrollable. The concept of feminism has been popularized enough that even an advertisement of cigarette is found incomplete without a female model. The most tax paying celebrities in advertisement industry are of course none others but female models. The economic perspective which supports this practical phenomenon and being provisioned by the experts is demand and supply combination. It is probably due to high demand of female models in Hollywood as compared to male category of models. However it slightly differs in case of acting and modeling. In modeling, this is most important that a leading female model should be in the package. It is for image management. The demand of leading and successful female models is high whereas the male models are lesser in number but the ones who are in the fields; no doubt they are leading and money takers. But the overall budget and per cast rate is found higher in female models category. The revenue and success rate of the advertisements in which women models have performed is high and are having decidedly cited records. People have favorites in commercials where they find a female model performing for some brand. The influencing rate is more. It is recognized that the brands which are endorsed by leading female models get raise earlier even the standard is not that much extraordinary. Another very important factor in high cost female models is that they have to spend more money on their personal maintenance. They are required to wear expensive clothes, jewelry and other accessories in order to retain their persona. This

Informative Speech Outline Essay Example for Free

Informative Speech Outline Essay Purpose: To inform my audience members about diabetes, the complications of diabetes, and what they can do to prevent diabetes from happening or how they can manage and maintain a healthy lifestyle if they are currently living with diabetes. Introduction I. Show of hands, how many of you know someone who has diabetes? Need/Connection II. According to the National Diabetes Report, 2014 from the centers for disease control and prevention, nearly 29.1 million people in the United States have Diabetes Speaker Credibility III. Almost all of my family are now currently living with diabetes, and one of them is my mom, she has type 2 Diabetes and having to see her inject herself with insulin every day and have to watch her not being able to eat all the food she wants is tough since she always has to watch how much sugar she intakes. Topic and Main Points IV. Now, although some of us may not all have diabetes, diabetes is the fastest growing disease in the country, and is also one of the top ten leading causes of death. Today I will speak to you about the types of diabetes, complications of diabetes, and steps you can do to prevent yourself from this disease or ways to keep your diabetes under control. Transition Statement V. I will begin by informing you all on what exactly diabetes is, and the types of VI. Body A. What is diabetes? According to the Joslin Diabetes Center; diabetes is defined as a disease in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. And a person with diabetes cannot absorb glucose properly, and glucose stays circulating in the blood damaging tissues over time. B. Types of diabetes I. Type 1 Diabetes: Formally known as juvenile diabetes, which is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is where the body does not produce any insulin, and people who have type 1 diabetes must take daily injections or pumps to be able to survive on a day to day basis. II. Type 2 diabetes: Formally known as adult-onset or non- insulin dependent diabetes, type 2 is much more common than type 1. Type 2 diabetes is where not enough insulin is produced, and people with type 2 diabetes will need to take either medication or insulin to help regulate the insulin in their body. III. Gestational Diabetes: According to the Baby Center Medical Advisory Board when the body needs additional insulin, the pancreas dutifully secrets more of it, but if your pancreas can’t keep up with the increased insulin demand during pregnancy, your blood levels rise, eventually resulting to gestational diabetes. Most woman with gestational diabetes don’t remain diabetic after the baby is born, but the women are at higher risk for getting it again during a future pregnancy and for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Transition Statement Keeping diabetes under control can reduce the risk of having future complications C. Complication of Diabetes I. There are many risks and complications with diabetes that are serious, and can sometimes even result to death. Just to give a couple examples: heart disease, nerve damage, amputations, and vision problems. II. According to the World Health Organization diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease. Transition Statement There are many complications associated with diabetes that can be very scary, and life threating. But there are many steps you can do to keep your diabetes under control or prevent diabetes from entering your lifestyle. D. What we can do to maintain/prevent normal blood sugar levels. I. For those who are currently living with diabetes you can take some measures to keep your condition in line by exercising regularly, eating healthy, and taking medications instructed by your doctors. II. For those who don’t have diabetes we can take preventative measures to stop diabetes from happening  to us. Although it may tough to stay away from all those sweets, once in a while we can make some healthy eating choices and increase our physical activity. Transition Statement By better understanding of what diabetes is, and becoming knowledgeable on the consequences of diabetes we can prevent it or still maintain a healthy lifestyle while living with diabetes. Conclusion I. Diabetes is an incurable disease that affects a large amount of people today, but if we are well informed we can make smart decisions. II. There is no real cure for diabetes, but those who are diagnosed with it can still live a long healthy life if they take care of themselves. To better understand diabetes we need to recognize the types of diabetes, and realize the steps we can take to prevent and maintain this disease. Works Cited Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Diagnosis Treatment. BabyCenter. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. What Is Gestational Diabetes? American Diabetes Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. Translation, Division Of Diabetes. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014(n.d.): n. pag. Web. National Diabetes InformationClearinghouse (NDIC). Diabetes Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. Large squirrel 556

A Budgetary Control Systems Accounting Essay

A Budgetary Control Systems Accounting Essay I have re-read my last years HNC paperwork and used my current years HND paperwork to help with the various aspects of the report. I used my HNC costing booklets and lecture notes, HND Investment Appraisal literature, HND Business Tax literature, HND Capital Allowances literature and HNC Standard Costing literature. I went to the library and used college resources such as ebray for information of more in-depth budgeting control systems. I used Cost and Management Accounting books which covered cost assignment of direct and indirect costs. They covered issues about fixed, variable and semi variable costs. I used Accounting Theory and Practice for in-depth budgetary planning and variance analysis. I used an up to date Taxation book to allow me the most up to date tax percentages to be used, the correct Asset Investment Allowances applicable and the written down values for Capital Allowance calculations. CASE STUDY ANALYSIS This formal report has been requested by the Managing Director by Ergo design He requires a full business report which will appraise the launch of a new quality ergonomic chair. As well as the appraisal, the managing director would like advice on how to set up and implement an efficient budgetary control system. Ergo Design already make a different range of products and are wanting to find out if it would feasible to undertake the making of another new product. The company currently has spare capacity and as they dont want spare capacity are looking into making a new chair. This however involves the purchase or hire of a new asset namely a new machine which will be capable of making the new product. This asset is not inexpensive and cost  £125,000. Ergo Design are guaranteed an order for 1 year amounting to 1800 chairs to be distributed evenly over the month. The factory is only open 48 weeks of the year to allow for maintenance, repairs etc and therefore leaves 12 periods of 4 weeks to evenly distribute 160 chairs per 4 weeks. The company have had a trial p eriod and all seems to be well. The MD awaits reports before committing final sanctions. APPENDICES 1-9 Attached as appendices is the Activity Based Costing comparison followed by the functional budgets then Capital Investment Appraisal and lastly a Break Even Analysis based on my figures. Appendix 1. Activity Based Costing comparison. I have used Activity Based Costing (ABC) to work out the costs of producing the new product. Ergo Design in previous years have recovered costs using a blanket wide rate based on the number of machine hours. The last two years however they have changed to ABC. I have made a comparison using traditional overhead recovery and ABC. ABC was developed in order to more accurately reflect the factors which cause overhead costs to arise. Overhead costs are attributed to products on the basis that it is activities that cause costs to arise. Each activity can be identified with a cost driver and the cost drivers I have used are machine hours, Labour hours, number of orders, production runs, set up hours and inspections. After the cost drivers have been identified then each cost drivers overheads are collected together. These collections of costs are called cost pools. Each pool is then divided by its driver, for example all overheads in the cost p ool for the materials ordering process would be divided by the number of orders placed to give a value for the cost of placing an order. The costs of all activities relating to a product would be added together to give the overhead element of the cost of production. Because activity based costing shares out overheads using cost drivers compared with the traditional costing systems which use departments, then a greater number of drivers can be used, reflecting all the different activities taking place in the manufacturing process. This leads to a fairer and more accurate way of charging overheads to the products. The traditional methods ignore the detail of many of the activities that actually take place. In my findings the cost of producing the new product using ABC is  £167.95 per unit whereas the blanket method only  £150.18 is allocated for cost, This would give a higher contribution and a higher profit. I have assumed that we are going to be charging  £195 per unit and at this price we are still making a profit of  £63,975 for the first year. We can look at raising prices at the end of the initial 3 year period if the turnover is still constant. My creditors are to allow me credit purchases payable for : Aluminium Sheets. 1 month Memory Foam.2 months Fabric1 month Hardware3 months My debtors are to be allowed 1 months credit sales. A new asset is to be purchased at a cost of  £125,000, which will gather depreciation over 10 years straight line method. The new machine will need to be replaced after this time and will have a residual value of  £15,000. Maintenance will need to be carried out regularly to allow for optimum usage and guarantee residual value. The maintenance cost will be estimated at 5% of the capital cost per annum. The asset is purchased with a long term loan for the full  £125,000. The loan will have a 3% fixed rate interest per annum. The interest is added to the original amount and not compounded yearly. This is to be repaid over 10 years with repayments and interest payments split. The total cost of the loan is  £162,500 with repayments being  £62500 every 6 months and Interest being  £1,875. There is currently spare capacity within Ergo Designs production facilities and can therefore produce 2 batches of 20 chairs per week for the full 48 weeks that the factory is open. This allows for surplus stock of (1920-1800)=120 chairs surplus at the end of the year. We will supply 150 chairs per month to the customer and make 160 chairs to allow for full capacity, this will leave us a surplus of 10 chairs which will be opening stock for the month of Feb and the units will 10 more units every month compounded. The following budgets are prepared for the first six months of the new multi-level chair and include: Appendix 2. Opening Balance at beginning of the month of Jan. This is the beginning of the month and lists the purchases made to enable the company to begin production and sell them at the end of the month. Appendix 3. Key Variables input. As the figures were given for batches I had to break them down into single units costs so that a uniform approach was taken across the board. The direct material costs have accounted for the biggest costs followed by the labour then the variable overheads. Appendix 4. Sales budgets- This is also the main budget which has to be prepared first. It shows that we are to sell 150 units per month at a cost of  £195 creating a sales value of  £29,250. Production budget- This budget is prepared after the sales budget and states the amount of units to be produced within the period. I have carried over excess units in case of any unforeseen circumstances which will reduce production in later months e.g. machinery breaking down and staff absences etc. The machinery is also working at full capacity if I make the amount required as well as the excess. Direct Material usage budget is prepared next and the figures are for 1 single unit which is obtained from the key variables sheet shown in Appendix 2. Direct material purchases budget is next with figures for the required production for each month and the cost of goods to be purchased. The cost figure is taken from the key variable appendix 2. Direct labour budget figures come from the production budget for the amount to be produced multiplied by the cost of the direct labour unit from key variables appendix 2. Overhead budget gives us monthly fixed overheads and depreciation figures taken from key variables in appendix 2. Variable cost budget†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.This budget takes the amount of units to be produced multiplied by the variable cost per unit. Both these figures are from the key variables sheet. Production cost budget†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦This budget gives us a breakdown of how much each unit will cost to produce. It takes into consideration the material and variable costs and add the figure to the raw material costs. Debtors budget†¦..We have been giving our debtors 1 month to pay after receiving their finished goods. Creditors budget†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦We have 4 of these for each of the different raw materials we need. Each shows opening balances, purchases, payments and closing balances. Appendix 5. The Cash budget shows the inflows and outflows and gives a final figure for the bank balance to go into the Balance sheet. Appendix 6. The Operating statement lists the cost of sales when taken from sales will give us a profit. Expenses are then deducted leaving us with healthy net profit of  £25,744.25 Appendix 7. The Balance sheet is the 6 month balance sheet ending on 30th June 2013. Our current assets are a higher amount than our current liabilities and therefore give us net current assets to be added to the fixed assets. Once the long term liabilities come off then this leaves us with a balance of  £25,844.25 Appendix 8. Capital Investment appraisal. I have started this by working out the inflows for the first 3 years as we know the selling price and we know the change in production. After year 3, I have assumed that turnover will remain stable and have therefore carried out my Capital Allowance calculations over 10 years. I have deducted the Asset Investment allowance of  £25,000 and written down value for each year at 18%. I have assumed a residual value of the machine to be  £15,000 and added the balancing allowance figure to the capital allowances. Using the inflow figures and deducting capital allowances for each year, I was able to work out the taxable amount and tax it at this years appropriate amount. I carried out 2 Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methods , 1 being Net Present Value (NPV) and the other is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The DCF includes all cash flows and the time value of money telling you what you  £1 will be worth in X years ahead. The IRR also includes th e time value of money and includes all cash flows but the IRR if far more easily understood. If the net present value is zero or positive, the project is accepted, I have used 15% and 45% discount factors and they are both returning a positive number so the project should be accepted. You can think of IRR as the rate of growth a project  is expected to generate and a higher IRR value would provide a much better chance of strong growth. The rate for this project is 59.93 so again promoting the acceptance of this project.. Appendix 9. I have put in an extra break even analysis chart for your perusal as break even charts work well with a single product. The break-even analysis is a calculation of the approximate sales volume required to just cover costs, above which production would be profitable or unprofitable break-even analysis focuses on the relationship between fixed costs, variable cost, and profit. The summary shows that the BEP in units 1058 and the margin of safety in units is 742. Costs taken into account are distinguished by variable costs which change in according to the production level. BUDGETARY CONTROL SYSTEMS A budget is a financial plan for an organisation prepared in advance for a given period. Budgets can be prepared as a whole or broken down into component departments e.g. sales and production or purchases or cash or capital etc. There can be many different types of budgets and for a variety of departments such as sales or production or financial items such as capital, expenditure, manpower, purchase etc. The budgeting process is a vital part of a businesss planning and control. The overall objective of the company is prepared in advance and agreed with cooperation and detailed into a feasible plan of action. It is about planning, monitoring, reviewing and amending budgets to suit management objectives. When the long term strategies are written down everyone is starting from the same place and it will not matter if new people come and go, the long term plans will still be there. Long term objectives after being decided need to be broken down into manageable chunks of short term objectives. A limiting factor needs to be distinguished and a budget is prepared solely for this. The most common limiting factor is sales and this needs to be as accurate as possible as all other budgets will be based on the limiting factors budget. Once all the budgets are prepared a master budget is drafted and given to all of the budget holders for agreement. Once any tweaks or changes are made and an agreement reached then the master budget is presented to senior management. When the budgets need to be prepared again for the next period then actual figures are measured against budgeted figures and there are favourable and adverse variances produced showing management what areas need attention and where money is being lost, it may be efficiency problems that are highlighted for attention etc. There is actually an 8 step plan involved in advanced preparation budgeting. Step 1 is agreeing long term goals Step 2 Changing long term goals to short term goals Step 3 Identify limiting factor Step 4 Prepare limiting factor budget Step 5 Prepare all other budgets Step 6 Bring all budgets together to prepare the master budget Step 7 Agree with all budget holders Step 8 Present to the management There are many benefits to having financial planning and good budgetary control to name a few, by doing extensive planning there is a much clearer picture on where the business is going. It will reduce stress in the work place with all staff knowing where, when and how things are to done. Management can keep on top of things and have peace of mind. With budgeting control there is a more detailed structure of how the business is organised. With all the planning, organising and controlling it is easier for management to keep on top of changes and variances and make it easier to quickly adapt to the said changes. There is co-ordination with everyone working in the same direction. Budgets can be used to make communication and motivation more effective using them to exchange information concerning ideas, goals, achievements etc. thus giving staff a sense of togetherness and teamwork with everyone working towards the same goal. There is however barriers with a lack of knowledge, resources or motivation making the planning extremely difficult to start. Maybe not knowing where to start or even how to start. Maybe needing to sacrifice some things for others. Budgets are a time consuming job and to draw up each individual budget is a laborious task but it is still worthwhile as the benefits usually outweigh the efforts. If there is no co-ordination then the planning will fall apart. Preparing budgets is extremely subjective and they are based on predicted assumptions. ADDITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES The company has taken out a loan for the CNC machine perhaps they could have hired it for a year or so, see how the product is doing then maybe buy it later on. Leasing equipment means there is not maintenance or repair costs to consider. Instead of keeping the CNC machine for 10 years with a value of  £15,000, Ergo designs can sell it sooner when it is worth more money. The company have adequate production facilities at this time and are therefore not considering contracting out however with proper budgetary controls in place it will be easier to spot any variance changes with efficiency or cost and it may be that in the future it may well be cheaper to contract certain parts of the process out to someone else. They do not run at full capacity in the other products they make and look at contracting out some of that work instead. The company should put in place an advertising campaign for when they believe sales will stabilize to generate renewed interest in the product which can be researched by potential buyers now as it has been on the market for 3 years. As Direct material has accounted for the biggest cost maybe Ergo Design can look around for cheaper suppliers or substitute certain ingredients for others. A price increase could be implemented in later years. CONCLUSIONS The launch of this new product is feasible. It is returning a good profit and there is lots of potential for increasing profitability in the coming next few years and there is room for selling price increases. The new asset can be used for its economical life, sold off earlier or can be hired out to other companies so more room for increased profitability. RECOMMENDATIONS A proper budgetary control system should most definitely be put in place. Future advertising is also a must. They need to do this sooner rather than later as they have only projected increases in turnover for the next 2 years. As the cost of materials are so high, I would recommend that the buyers look around for alternative materials or try to negotiate more with the current suppliers for larger discounts. Lets be aware of the future, this can be done easier with the budgetary control in place. We need to be aware of what our competitors are up to and trends in markets. We need to be aware of what the government is changing and how it will affect the business e.g. Higher corporation taxes, inflation rates etc.

The Metamorphosis :: Example Personal Narratives

The Metamorphosis    When I look back over the past few years, I realize how much I've grown and changed.   I arrived at Harvard Boarding School without any idea of what to expect. I entered my second year of high school as an innocent thirteen year-old feeling about a thousand miles from home. My interests at the time were cars, planes, major league basketball, movies and tennis. Midway through my senior year at Harvard Boarding School, my interests have changed dramatically.    If there is one common occurrence that takes place for every single person in the diverse student body at Harvard Boarding School, it is that we all grow up much faster for having lived there. I do not know whether this speeding up of the maturing process is generally good or bad, but I definitely have benefited.    The classroom has become a whole different realm for me. Before, the teachers and students alike preached the importance of learning, but it was implicitly obvious that the most important concern was grades. At [school' s name] teachers genuinely believe that learning is the most importance objective and deeply encourage us to collaborate with each other and make use of all resources that we may find. In fact, in a certain class this year, my teacher assigned us to prepare every day of the week to discuss a certain book; there were only two requirements in this preparation- we had to maximize our sources, gleaning from everything and everyone in the school, but we were not allowed to actually look at the book. As a result, I know more about that book than any other that I have actually read. It is teaching methods such as this that ensure that we will learn more. Indeed, this matter of " thinking" has been one of the most important aspects of my experience. Whether in Physics or Engl ish, I' m required to approach every problem and idea independently and creatively rather than just regurgitate the teacher' s words. In discussion with fellow students both inside and outside of class, the complex thoughts flowing through everyone' s brain is evident.    However, I believe that the most important concepts that I have espoused in being independent of my parents for half of each year, deal with being a cosmopolitan person. The school' s faculty and students are conscious about keeping all of the kids' attention from being based on the school.

The Platonist Tradition and the Ordering of Knowledge Essay -- Educati

The Platonist Tradition and the Ordering of Knowledge ABSTRACT: I argue that the contemporary crisis in education — that nothing appears valid as a discipline unless it has a utilitarian value — may be challenged from the perspective of the Platonist tradition. The ascent through philosophy to the vision of Beauty in itself in Plato's Symposium affirms the perception of beauty or nobility as the ultimate end and value of all knowledge. Marsilio Ficino's adaption of Plato in the Renaissance articulates a more metaphysical ascent which broadens the objects of knowledge in order to include the cosmos and the arts as well as philosophy. Together, these two accounts provide a foundation for understanding the ordering of all knowledge toward the end of the perception of beauty or nobility. There is no dichotomy between the sciences and the humanities: there is only a hierarchy of disciplines according to a scale of metaphysical nobility. The sciences, the arts, history, and philosophy are the steps toward knowledge of Beauty in itself. They constitute a vision of liberal education that is not utilitarian, but whose value must be understood precisely through the moral concept of nobility that is the end of such an education. In embracing the concept of beauty or nobility, liberal education affirms the value of life itself. The task of education today is beset increasingly by utilitarian pressures. Mathematics and the sciences seem to be of little interest in themselves, valued only for the Cartesian goal of making humanity the "masters and possessors of nature." (1) The arts are despised, and history and literature simply dismissed—for these require not only reading with care, but the perception of significance within the daunti... ...tary VI. 4, p. 112. (12) Ibid. V. 2, p. 86. Pulchritudo is Ficino's word for "beauty." (13) Ibid. V. 6, pp. 93-94. (14) Ibid. VII. 15, p. 172. (15) On this development, see Kristeller, "The Modern System of the Arts," in Renaissance Thought and the Arts, pp. 163-227. (16) Alberti, On Painting, trans. Cecil Grayson, ed. Martin Kemp (London: Penguin, 1991), p. 71; On the Art of Building in Ten Books, trans. Rykwert, Leach, and Tavernor (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1988), p. 303. (17) See the selections in Elizabeth G. Holt, ed., A Documentary History of Art, 2 vols. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1982), 2: 74-86, 141-46. (18) On the importance of narrative, see MacIntyre, After Virtue, pp. 215-16. (19) Aristotle, The Politics, I, 1-2, 1252 a1 - 1253 a35. (20) See G.W.F. Hegel, The Philosophy of History, especially the Introduction.

Christianity in Crime and Punishment Essay -- essays papers

Christianity in Crime and Punishment While reading Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the notion that it is a novel about Christianity seems absurd at first. Its central story focuses on revenge, murder and punishment – ideals contrary to Christian beliefs. Although the book may appear to be non-Christian, there were many instances where faith, suffering and redemption were present. These occasions show that the underlying theme of Crime and Punishment is one of Christianity. The references to icons, Lazarus, New Jerusalem and the constant presence of suffering prove that the novel has biblical connotation. In the beginning of the novel, when Raskolnikov goes to the pawnbroker to pawn his father’s watch, Dostoevsky describes Alyona’s apartment. â€Å"The furniture, all very old an of yellow wood, consisted of a sofa†¦ In the corner a light was burning before a small icon.† Even from the very first chapter, Dostoevsky made a reference to a Christian image. An ‘icon’ is a picture or representation of a saint or other Christian figures. I believe that the author did this to make it evident right from the start that Crime and Punishment is irrevocably a novel about God. An icon reappears every now and then in the rest of the book to reiterate that God will always be around, watching and guiding over everyone. Also near the beginning of the story, the man Raskolnikov met at the bar, Marmeledov, declared the first primary Christian message in the novel. Ironic as it was, being that he was drunk, he cried out, â€Å"Crucify me oh judge†¦ He is the One... He will forgive my Sonya.† The idea that God could forgive is a very strong belief throughout the novel and this concept is one that is vital to the transformation of ... ...tly, she knows that he loves her and that they will have a future together. â€Å"†¦ The dawn of a new future, a perfect resurrection into a new life...† The Lazarus image recurs. Love has raised them from the dead. This love is the love of God that has shown through their suffering. By loving Sonya, I believe Raskolnikov is ready to love God. The seven years that remain on his sentence have a religious significance too, for seven is the number of creation, as well. In closure, the Christian content in Crime and Punishment is definitely evident and teaches many morals to the reader. The story has a message of faith and enlightens those who do not have any. In reading this novel, I came to realize that â€Å"you must accept suffering and redeem yourself by it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  For if you do not, then you will being like Raskolnikov and suffer the punishments for dong the crime. Christianity in Crime and Punishment Essay -- essays papers Christianity in Crime and Punishment While reading Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the notion that it is a novel about Christianity seems absurd at first. Its central story focuses on revenge, murder and punishment – ideals contrary to Christian beliefs. Although the book may appear to be non-Christian, there were many instances where faith, suffering and redemption were present. These occasions show that the underlying theme of Crime and Punishment is one of Christianity. The references to icons, Lazarus, New Jerusalem and the constant presence of suffering prove that the novel has biblical connotation. In the beginning of the novel, when Raskolnikov goes to the pawnbroker to pawn his father’s watch, Dostoevsky describes Alyona’s apartment. â€Å"The furniture, all very old an of yellow wood, consisted of a sofa†¦ In the corner a light was burning before a small icon.† Even from the very first chapter, Dostoevsky made a reference to a Christian image. An ‘icon’ is a picture or representation of a saint or other Christian figures. I believe that the author did this to make it evident right from the start that Crime and Punishment is irrevocably a novel about God. An icon reappears every now and then in the rest of the book to reiterate that God will always be around, watching and guiding over everyone. Also near the beginning of the story, the man Raskolnikov met at the bar, Marmeledov, declared the first primary Christian message in the novel. Ironic as it was, being that he was drunk, he cried out, â€Å"Crucify me oh judge†¦ He is the One... He will forgive my Sonya.† The idea that God could forgive is a very strong belief throughout the novel and this concept is one that is vital to the transformation of ... ...tly, she knows that he loves her and that they will have a future together. â€Å"†¦ The dawn of a new future, a perfect resurrection into a new life...† The Lazarus image recurs. Love has raised them from the dead. This love is the love of God that has shown through their suffering. By loving Sonya, I believe Raskolnikov is ready to love God. The seven years that remain on his sentence have a religious significance too, for seven is the number of creation, as well. In closure, the Christian content in Crime and Punishment is definitely evident and teaches many morals to the reader. The story has a message of faith and enlightens those who do not have any. In reading this novel, I came to realize that â€Å"you must accept suffering and redeem yourself by it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  For if you do not, then you will being like Raskolnikov and suffer the punishments for dong the crime.

The Role of Financial Institutions and Markets

Technology, globalization, competition, and deregulation all have contributed to the revolution of worldwide financial markets and the creation of an efficient, internationally linked market. However, these developments have created potential problems (Brigham 1995: 111). As the worldwide financial crisis, which started in the early summer of 2007 in America and spread globally, still shapes the headlines of newspapers and the political agenda of developed countries. These recent economic developments drew back societies’ attention to the importance of the world economy and financial markets. A financial market is considered as â€Å"a market in which financial assets [..] can be purchased or sold† (Madura 2012: 3).Here, any kind of marketplace, where buyers and sellers participate in the trade of financial assets such as equities, bonds, currencies and derivatives, is meant. Mostly financial markets have transparent pricing, basic regulations on trading, costs and fees , and market forces that determine prices of securities that are traded. There are three relevant classifications of financial markets in the context of the financial crisis: money versus capital markets, primary versus secondary markets, and organized versus over-the counter markets (Madura 2012). The money versus capital market distinguishes in various points: The money market is only short- term oriented, a maturity of less than one year, and the trading objects are referred to as money market securities, which are debt securities.These have a â€Å"high degree of liquidity† and therefore offer a low return; however, they are less risky (Madura 2012: 5). In contrast, capital markets promote the sale of long-term securities, called capital market securities, which are most often bonds, mortgages and stocks. These are often bought with the intention of financing the purchase of capital assets such as buildings, equipment, or machinery. Capital market is composed of primary m arkets and secondary markets: In the primary market only the trade of newly issues securities occurs, whereas in the secondary market previously issued – so existing – securities are traded (Madura 2012). The organized versus over-the counter markets differentiate in the location factor.Whereas the organized markets represent true visible marketplaces, where member meet to trade and securities are listed like the New York Stock Exchange, the over-the-counter markets are a wired network of dealer, which do not need a central and physical location to trade, because it is a direct trade between the two participants (Madura 2012). Telecommunication and Internet allowed businesses to trade all over the world in every financial market. However, this global interconnection of financial markets also has its side effects as the fall of the Lehmann  Brothers and following economic developments have shown.In 2008 and 2009 there has been a worldwide crisis in the international f inancial markets, which has lead to an extreme high number of credit defaults and amortizations on speculative assets of banks and financial institutions. The financial crisis has been triggered by the lending practice, the insufficient collateralisation of mortgages and securitization of credits in the real estate market in the United States of America. The speculation on rising real estate prices bursted and risky bonds lost their value dramatically.The financial crisis developed to a liquidity crisis, because the credit lending of banks, which are equipped with liquidity, to banks, which need cash and cash equivalents in form of credits, stopped despite the fact that the most important national banks decreased the discount rate under 1 %. Due to lack of trust between the banks, the interbank credit lending decreased dramatically, so that the liquidity crisis turned to a bank crisis. Henceforth, this crisis covered the goods market, in result unemployment rates increased, internat ional trade decreased and the recession settled. Due to the dimensions the economic slump took it is considered as the new world economic crisis (bpb 2013).2. Financial InstitutionsFinancial Institutions are firms that provide access to the financial markets, both to savers, who wish to purchase financial instruments directly, and to borrowers, who want to issue them (Cecchetti/ Schoenholtz 2010). In fact, financial institutions – also referred to as financial intermediaries – are like most other businesses: the primary business is to generate profit by minimizing the costs and maximizing the revenues. Additionally, financial intermediaries design and sell financial products and services in accordance to customers demand at a reasonable profit level (Pilbeam 2010: 46). A financial intermediary interacts with savers or lenders and borrowers simultaneously; thereby it produces a set of services, which facilitate the transformation of its liabilities into assets such as l oans, which is referred to as intermediation (Madura 2012: 12).2.1 Types of Financial InstitutionsGenerally, there are three classifications of financial institutions: depository institutions, contractual saving institutions, and investment institutions. Firstly, depository institutions such as commercial banks and savings banks accept and manage cash deposits as well as make loans (Pilbeam 2010: 46). Furthermore, deposit-taking institutions strive to make a profit in the way of ‘spread income’ between the cost of the deposits that they accept and other sources of funding, and the return that they receive on their investment portfolio in the way of loans, equity stakes and other investments (Pilbeam 2010: 46).Depository institutions underlie default risks, regulatory risks as well as liquidity risks (Pilbeam 2010: 46). Secondly, contractual savings Institutions attain funds under long-term contractual arrangements and invest them largely in the capital market especially in long-term equity and debt instruments such as life insurances, private pension funds, and funded social pension insurance systems. Due to the agreement’s requirement of regular payments from for example policyholder and pension fund participant, contractual savings institutions have relatively stable inflows of funds.The stable cash flows – both inflows and outflows – are relatively stable as well as predictable, so that liquidity is not a predominant factor in the asset management of these institutions (Impavido/ Musalem 2000: 3-5). Thirdly, investment institutions are commonly known as investment companies, corporations, or trusts. An investment company issues securities and is predominantly engaged in the business of investing in securities.Hereby, it aggregates funds of a large number of investors into a specific investment in compliance with the objectives of the investors. Individuals invest in diversified, professionally managed portfolios of securiti es, whereby they have access to a wider range of securities and a guaranteed spread of risk than without the investing company as intermediary (Pilbeam 2010: 53-54).2. 2 Role of Financial Institutions in the Financial MarketAs previously described in reference to the financial crisis, financial markets are imperfect; participants in the market do not have full access to information (Madura 2012: 10). For example, an investor is not able to verify the creditworthiness of potential borrowers and there is a lack of expertise to assess this creditworthiness. Here financial institutions’  function is to resolve the limitations caused by market imperfections.Therefore, financial institutions are involved in the information processing (Madura 2012). Thereby, they investigate the financial conditions of the potential customers to figure out which have the best investment opportunities (Cecchetti/ Schoenholtz 2010). Consequently, financial intermediaries are saving information costs as well as transaction costs, because financial institutions â€Å"assist in the transfer of funds from surplus to deficit units in the economy† (Pilbeam 2010: 63). For example, there are many lenders/ surplus units, who all strive to lend various low value money market securities for different periods of time, or there few borrowers/ deficit units, who wish to borrow capital market securities for a fixed period of time – here financial institutions are useful as an intermediary.Lenders do not have to search the markets for suitable borrowers and vice versa. Financial institutions borrow various amounts of money from surplus units, reform these into an amount suitable for the final deficit unit, and transform them into a maturity suitable for the final borrower. Thereby financial institutions serve the special needs of the deficit units and surplus units (Madura 2012: 10-11). Overall, flexibility is existent for all participants, because lenders can change the terms a nd conditions of lending to the intermediary without the intermediary or final borrower being at disadvantage.While financial institution act as intermediary, they bear the risk and in result, the risk is reduced. By diversification meaning offering various bundles of financial assets, financial intermediaries spread the risk and thereby, transform risky assets to less risky ones (Madura 2012: 10-11). In fact, individual investors are capable of diversification, however, they may not do it as cost efficient as financial institutions and therefore, they possess a crucial role in financial markets.In conclusion, financial institutions â€Å"ensure that the costs and risk are lower than if the surplus and deficit agents dealt directly with each other, and thereby ensure that there is greater flow than in the absence of financial intermediaries† (Pilbeam 2010: 63). Pilbeam means with greater flow that intermediaries increase investment as well as economic growth (Cecchetti/ Schoe nholtz 2010).2.3 Role of Financial Institutions in the Financial CrisisFinancial crises mainly manifest themselves at the level of financial institutions; especially, the role of banking institutions in the occurrence and transmitting of financial crises is a deciding one for the recent financial crisis (Andries 2009: 151). Financial Institution such as banks can facilitate the financial crises through their activities in the financial markets. Their activities can influence the interest rates, the uncertainty on the market and the price of assets (Andries 2009: 152).The worldwide financial crisis of 2008 was subject to several developments of banks’ practices: Financial innovations and risky speculations such as in subprime mortgages and collateralized debt obligations have been practiced, loans have been expanded and the prices of assets increased without economic basis and unexpectedly decreased, so the orientation changed towards liquidity (Andries 2009: 149). Overall, ba nking institutions have overdone diversification and practiced financial innovations meaning structured finance, which were new complex products, whose risk could not be assessed by the rating agencies (Fratianni/ Marchionne 2009: 8-9).While the crisis there has been uncertainty among market participants and default risk increased, so that borrowers increased the interest rates to all borrowers (Fratianni/ Marchionne 2009: 13). Simultaneously, â€Å"banks reacted by selling assets to reduce leverage, setting in motion a vicious circle of asset liquidation and price declines across a vast range of assets. Financial integration and made possible for the crisis to spread virtually worldwideâ€Å"(Fratianni/ Marchionne 2009: 21).3. ConclusionIn conclusion, financial institutions possess a vibrant role in the financial markets and accelerate the development of financial crises, because of their activities. Furthermore, financial institutions act as an intermediary, thereby they decreas e transaction costs and risk, and simultaneously increase efficiency through information processing. However, besides economic growth financial institutions encourage side effects: Especially the banking institutions’ practices are responsible for the development of the recent financial crisis. Their striving for more profit with practices under the theme of no risk, no reward lead to the downturn of  the worldwide economy. In the future, governments and international institutions meet certain requirements and establish regulations, in order that such practices and activities are restrained.

A Gap of Sky

The short story written by Anna Hope is about a girl called Elli. Her life is a typical dystrophy student's chaos, dominated by drugs, anticipation parents and a distracting Identity crisis. There are several themes that concern the story, and I shall now review some of them. As my aforementioned statement points out, Identity crawls Is an essential Issue throughout the story. Her mind Lies In a dilemma between either to follow her desires, or the expectations which are upon her.She doesn't know whether o succumb to the temptation of the drugs and partying, or to complete her course and score high grades for the good of her mom and dad. Other themes which could cover a Gap of Sky would be issues like expectations, responsibility, drugs, youth and pressure. The narrator is using the stream of consciousness† technique throughout most of the story, which is very similar to similar to Virginia Woofs writing manner. It gives the reader a slightly confusing and unfocused interpretati on, though it also manages to pull the reader Into the main character's mind.In spite of the fact that you may easily feel; that the narrator Is Elli herself, It Is actually a third person omniscient narrator. The language of the text Is highly Influenced by slang, and has a typical youngster† stereotypical use. The story begins In an â€Å"In medias rest† and follows a linearly progression. It has its turning point when Elli begins her adventure of finding ink, by walking out of her door. There is also a use of similes, metaphors and symbols. Especially the similes are visible – for example in line 49 â€Å"(†¦ And it feels like ledge, like thick dark sludge†, and line 83 â€Å"(†¦ ) and her skull feels as though it might split open†. The metaphors aren't particularly prominent in the text, but these, plus the similes, make you get a more figurative interpretation, than if there weren't any. The last rhetorical device used in the text, th at I shall go into, is the personification which for example Is used In line 128 â€Å"(†¦ ) she wants to receive this night and Its great dark pulsing† Symbols are dominant In the text. Some very obviously, some less obvious.The love on line 61, which has its â€Å"buck finger†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ raised, makes Elli think â€Å"Buck it all†. It is therefore a symbol of Else's rebellious side and the way that Elli wishes to follow her dreams without any concerns for her surroundings. But this sensation vanishes when Elli sees the skull at the exhibition. Her state of mind suddenly orbits the thought of life and death. She feels that it isn't a coincidence that she's there. She thinks that the exhibition is made to tell her something, to wake her up. She becomes so afraid of facing death, that she has to run away from the museum.There is also the red Jasper to mention. Although the symbolism of this object is explained to some extent, it Is worth to mention how much the stone voices the regret Elli has over how much she has taken her mother's love for granted. Despite all the loving and caring Else's mother has yielded, Elli has been entirely ungrateful. Also the title of the story â€Å"A gap of sky plays an Important part In this analysis. Somewhere In the story Elli sees a gap of sky. This is partially a metaphor, which illustrates the gap in her state of broken, or a gap where something new can grow.Where something can change. There is a certain enumeration of nouns in the short story, which creates a dynamic understanding and concludes with a certain amount of short sentences. Especially in line 28-37. It takes place over a couple of hours, from afternoon to early evening in central London. It is also the city where Elli lives and studies. One might almost say that â€Å"A gap of sky' is a parallel history to Virginia Wolf's life. The fact that both of her parents killed themselves caused, that Virginia went through a long time clogged tit d epressions and nervous breakdowns.The outcome of it was that she, at the age of 59, threw herself in the river near her home and drowned. In the end of the story Elli comes to a river at the end of The Strand. This river is yet another dilemma. The aforementioned climax at the exhibition, makes her become afraid of death, thus afraid of drugs. The river could be the place where she would be able to wash herself clean. On the other hand the river could also be the place where she could end all these troubles and worries, like Virginia Wolf.The ending of the story makes it up to ourselves to figure out what will happen next. This whole scenario that we, as readers, are brought into, is not only a Journey through the streets of London, but also a Journey through Else's mind and thought. You have to notice that Elli is not only a simple human being. She is also representing the dilemmas and crises that teenagers have to go through nowadays. They have so many possibilities, and therefore also a lot of responsibility. That is the fundamental topic in A Gap of Sky.

Employment Law and HRM Strategy Essay

Employment laws play a critical role in human resources management strategies and in an organization operation. Employee laws are design to protect the employees by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) â€Å" federal enforcement agency enacted to ensure that employers follow and abide by rules set forth in the Civil Rights Acts of 1964†(Web Finance, 2012). However, the act insisted of â€Å"people should be given the same opportunities and equal changes to obtain employment regardless of their color, race, gender, national origin, or religion† (Stewart & Brown, 2012, pg. 0). After researching the employment laws of Georgia by visiting ga. gov and after inserting â€Å"employment laws,† the research will give a descriptively analysis of a description of a scenario that will correspond with the employment law provide. Next the analysis will describes a recommended plan to manage the HRM situation within the confines of the law. Third, the approach will be justified by the scenario to HR management. Fourth, the analysis will describe a competitive advantage may be gain by ensuring HRM practices meet the necessary employment laws. Final, a speculation will be made with an assumption of the situation was not handled in accordance with the appropriate employment laws. ? Description of the scenario that corresponds with employment law: The scenario that was beneficial compliance with the Georgia Employment Law is â€Å"disciplinary action training for supervisors of diverse employers. † The current state that analysis was research of the state of Georgia and the informative information that was providing from www. ga. gov.  Georgia’s employment laws and the HRM strategies are in compliance with the state’s regulations. However, Georgia is considering as an at-will provision. Meaning which the employers have the right to â€Å"freely discipline or discharge employees provided that the adverse employment action is not motivated by any discriminatory intent or administered in a discriminatory manner†(Morris & Manning & Martin, 2012). When an employer is actively training for supervisors of diverse employers the same Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) guidelines are applied throughout the training. Employers have to determine when terminating or have to discipline an employee to comply within the state’s laws by not violating the federally protection classes that is consist of age, race, national origin, religion, sex, or other status. If these actions are violating the individual(s) have the right to suit the organization. However, just last month the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) requested that all employers review their anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. Reason being, the† Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued some serious concerns to the employers in an afforded to reiterate its commitment to justice from vulnerable individuals† (Flahardy, 2012). The reason for the request for the Title VI and the ADA applicants was concerns from a previous case that was review in the courts. The 6th Circuit rules that counseling recommendation violated the ADA† (Byrne, 2012). The action suit was proceed after an employee by the named of Emily Kroll’s suited White Lake Ambulance, for counseling constitutes a â€Å"medical examination,† under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emily Kroll was employed with the emergency medical technician at the White Lake Ambulance Authority (WLAA), in which Whitehall, Mich. , in 2003 (Byrne, 2012). However, her supervisors initially considered her to be good employee until, a personal affair occurred when her marriage with a coworker failed. Krolly’s supervisor concerns grown after; Krolly and a colleague proceed into an argument and Krolly fail to administer oxygen to a patient. Krolly’s supervisors asked her would she attended counseling sessions whereas, Krolly’s supervisors claimed that they did not specific an exact theory. Emily Krolly refused the counseling and proceeds to resign from her position. Thereafter, Krolly proceeded to file suite with White Lake Ambulance (WLAA), claiming that â€Å"her supervisors† request that she obtained counseling violated under the act â€Å"Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Byrne, 2012). Description of a recommendation plan that concerns HRM situation: Human Resources Management (HRM) is a critical part of an operational organization. Human Resources Management (HRM) is an organizational fundamental that deals with issues related to people such as: hiring, termination, performance organization development, training, benefits, and ompensations. However, when proceeding to make recommendations; although process has to be plan out that will incorporate certain situations and thoughts for future objectives and goals that need to be obtained within the confining of the law. However, in the case analysis, the first recommendation should have been Krolly’s supervisor should have directed her to the Human Resource Division when Krolly’s supervisor became aware of Krolly’s workplace behavior begin be problematic following an affair of a coworker. After this incident, another recommendation would be extra training courses such as: extra training courses related to the current incident, employers, and employees relationship, patients awareness. Included within the extra training courses, the Human Resources Division have to comply with the State or Federal laws and compliance with Title VII, of 1964 civil right Act. Also included in the training, the Human Resources Division should review employee’s handbook with the entire staff. Justification of the HR management’s scenario: The approach of justifying the Human Resource Division’s scenario, request for the entire staff to proceed to an important meeting. Within the meeting, the Human Resource Manager will take the approach of outlining the key elements of the importance for the meeting. The HR manager will review the current laws of Title VII, of 1964 and how it coheres with the organization’s policies and procedures. The HR manager will address to the managers and employees that the organizations have to stay within comply of the rules and regulations of the organization. The HR manager will have to address related important information that would pertain from the previous incident. The HR manager also has to address to each individual, if questions or concerns developed throughout the training; the manager will suggest to the employees, to address any concerns or questions that may develop throughout the training. Final, the HR manager will be addressed to the staff, at the end of the training session; an agreement document will have to be sign, stated that all individual understood the reason for the extra training course. Description of a competitive advantage of ensuring HRM practices: A competitive advantage of ensuring HRM practices that meet the necessary employment laws would depend on how efficiently the HRM division within the organization? The competitive advantage of ensuring HRM practices is whoever, is in charge of the HRM division is well train in order; for the right qualified person(s) to relate accurate information to the employees. An experience HRM manager(s) will have an inspiring attitude to encourage other people. Speculation will be made with the assumption of the situation according to the law: The speculation according to the scenario and complying with the law; if the writer were Emily Krolly’s supervisor or manager whereas, she would have made the decision to have a sit down with Emily and discussion the reasons she did not attended to the patients care? In comply with the law; the writer would acknowledge the guidelines of the laws and the expectations of the organization in taking care of patient’s well-being. The other incident that occur, the writer would direct Emily to the HR managers and let he or she handle the situation. In conclusion, the analysis address the scenario of Emily Kroll’s suite was complying with the Georgia’s law and with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requirements. The analysis describes recommendations that manage the HRM situation. Final, the analysis identifies a competitive advantage aspect of ensuring HRM practices meet the necessary employment laws.

Health and Social Care L3 Unit 618 Essay

As individuals are all different, they can respond to the same situation differently. In the same way, individuals can view and cope with their mental well-being and mental health differently. Someone with a negative view of their own situation may feel that they are to blame or not accept the consequences of their actions, they may find it difficult to deal with their own mental health and well-being. A positive individual may cope better with factors affecting their mental health and well-being. They may deal with their mental state in a more pragmatic way. 2.There are a range of factors which may influence mental well-being and mental health problems across the life span. These are biological, social and psychological factors. The biological factors include alcohol or drug dependency and long and short term illnesses. The social factors could be family relationships and friendships, unemployment, homelessness or social exclusion. Psychological factors include mental illness such as depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder or learning disabilities. 3.Risk factors and protective factors influence levels of resilience in individuals and groups in relation to mental well-being and mental health. Risk factors include inequalities and poor quality social relationships. If an individual experiences inequalities they could be restricted in the help and support they receive to recover or cope with a mental illness. Read more: Essay About  Mental Well-being and Mental Health If they have poor social relationships, they may lack the support they need to mentally recover as they have no one to turn to. Protective factors include socially valued roles, social support and contact. With the right social support and adequate contact, an individual can assess help and support to recover from a mental illness. They will be given more resources and a strong support network. With a socially valued role their resilience to mental health problems may be stronger as being socially valued could increase their self esteem. Socially valued roles and support should mean groups or communities are equipped to cope with mental health issues. Outcome 2 1.An individual can take steps to promote their mental well-being and mental health. These steps could be social connections, being active, learning and developing themselves, social involvement and self awareness. Connecting  with other people and developing relationships are important for an individual’s mental well-being. Staying active can help maintain a positive mental state. Learning new skills can create a sense of achievement and improve self esteem. Involvement in the local community or other social groups can develop strong social inclusion encouraging mental well-being. Being aware of own feelings and emotional state means an individual can maintain their mental well-being. 2.It is important to support an individual in promoting their mental well-being and mental health. When offering support it is important to be patient, understanding and accepting. Talking to the individual can provide an insight into what they are going through and offering advice based on their current state of mind. Researching different mental health issues and offering resources to the individual can help them to develop new strategies to cope. 3.When supporting an individual to promote their mental well-being and mental health, there are different strategies to use. One strategy could be to involve them in activities such as trips out, arts and crafts or cooking. In participating in activities, the individual can be given a distraction from any mental health issues they may be experiencing. Providing the activity is catered to the individual’s preferences, it may stimulate their mind. A planned activity can offer the individual a positive to look forward to. However, this strategy could have an adverse reaction. The individual may not be interested in the suggested activity. If the activity was planning too far in advance, the individual may change their mind on the planned day. 4.A national strategy for promoting mental well-being and mental health is No Health Without Mental Health. The key aspects of the strategy are six objectives; more people will have better wellbeing and good mental with fewer people developing mental health problems, more people with mental health will recover a quality of life, more people with mental health problems will have a good physical health, improved services will result in fewer people suffering avoidable harm, more people will have a positive experience of care and the public understanding of mental health will improve. 5.The national charity Mind aims to help people experiencing mental health issues to take control of their condition. In providing information and training on a national scale, it should help to promote more positive public views on mental health which should help individuals with  mental health issues to speak openly. Mind delivers training to local and national services to further this public understanding. The charity aims to give individuals experiencing mental health problems the rightful opportunity to live full lives and maintain a role in society. The charity advertises nationally and has shops as well as hospital advertisements and has its own website, but individuals may still find it too difficult to contact them for support. Like other national strategies, it hopes to reduce the stigma attached to mental health conditions, but unfortunately mental health still receives some negative views, therefore some individuals feel too shamed to access the help and support the strategy offers.