Thesis Statements - 1159 Words

Jacob Dearing APUSH 2/20/13 Thesis assignment 1. The American city was changed drastically in the first half of the 20th century with the beginnings of the industrial revolution and the ongoing flow of foreigners into an already crowded United States. 2. Many men around the time of the 20th century had parts in the progressive era reform and were influential in politics and majorly through social conditions. 3. Progressive era reforms were not that prominent in the late 19th century and the early 20th century, although they were a part of the workings of that time the progressives lacked the political power to make any real changes in the state or federal government, the workplace was also a place that has been†¦show more content†¦During the Great Migration, African Americans began to build a new place for themselves in public life, actively confronting economic, political and social challenges and creating a new black urban culture that would exert enormous influence in the decades to come. 12. ollowing Wilson s de claration of war against Germany, only the socialists continued to actively oppose the U.S. war effort. But in 1918 the Chicago Federation of Labor created a labor party predicated on anti-militarist and anti-imperialist principles and subsequently spearheaded the drive for a national farmer-labor party committed to these same principles. Although the labor party movement proved short-lived, it provided an intellectual legacy for interwar pacifists who sought to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts outside the framework of the League of Nations.Chicago once again became a center of antiwar agitation during World War II, boasting one of the most active â€Å"America First† chapters in the country. Profoundly influenced by their experiences during World War I, members of the America First organization believed that American democracy could be preserved only by keeping the nation out of European wars. America First bitterly attacked Roosevelt s policies in support of the allies during 1940–41, arguing that they would provoke a German response which would make American entrance into the war inevitable. Although America First was dominated by conservatives,Show MoreRelatedThe Most Important Thing You Remember About A Thesis Statement Essay1040 Words   |  5 Pagesremember about a thesis statement is it gives the reader your opinion and you are entitled to your opinion. You are also giving the reader a new article to read and allow them to give feedback if necessary. This isn t new to me, for I ve done a thesis statement before and received good feedback from fellow classmates. What s different is all of us were focused on once topic and had to come up with our own thesis on that assigned topic. It worked out well. Thesis Statement Number 1: JudgingRead MoreThesis Statement2070 Words   |  9 PagesHOW TO WRITE A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT A WRITING CENTRE HANDOUT 1. UNDERSTAND THE ACADEMIC WRITING TASK You can begin to formulate a good thesis statement only after you have got a solid grasp of the purpose of the assignment. If you’re asked to write a paper in response to a specific assignment question, then your first task is make sure that you clearly understand the academic writing task. Determine which of the following critical thinking skills you are primarily being asked to apply to yourRead MoreThesis Statement1030 Words   |  5 PagesThesis Statement Water pollution has had devastating effects on the environment, which include irreversible effects to the oceans ecosystem, health problems and abnormal conditions. interference of the oceans ecosystem - Plastic storage bags can kill animals in the oceans like dolphins, turtles and whales. It is easy for wildlife to swallow and eventually causes death. * Over 1.5 billion tons of plastic water bottles end up in US landfills each year. It takes over 300 years to degradeRead MoreDeveloping a Thesis Statement607 Words   |  2 Pagesï » ¿Developing a Thesis Statement After choosing a topic, it is important to understand the role a thesis statement in the essay. A thesis statement serves as a road sign that gives  sign  of what the writing  is intended  to tackle; it is the answer to the question asked. A thesis statement is an assertion; it takes a stand announcing the writers position on the topic. It is important for the writer to explore the topic to find a particular narrow subject. It is also important for the writer to knowRead MoreEXAMPLE OF THESIS STATEMENT1195 Words   |  5 Pages Thesis Driven Essay Examples Thesis: William Golding uses symbolism in the form of the conch to represents the concept of society. The boys’ evolving relationship with the conch illustrates that humans, when removed from the pressures of civilized authority, will become evil. 1st TS: In the beginning, the boys view the conch as an important symbol that unites them and gives them the power to deal with their difficult situation. 2nd TS: Gradually, however, the conch becomes less importantRead MoreOutline Of A Thesis Statement Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesSpecific Purpose: To persuade Thesis Statement: Nurse practitioners should perform primary care and treat minor illness to reduce cost, improve time effectiveness and to reach those who are underinsured or uninsured in community. I. Introduction A. Attention getter: How would you like to get the same or better primary care with lower bill for your healthcare services, improve the community health status or reduce homeless? B. Introduce topic and motivate audience: The healthcare cost hasRead MoreOutline Of A Thesis Statement3601 Words   |  15 PagesThesis / Claim Station: Your claim or thesis statement is the most important part of your argumentative essay. It is the sentence where you state your main argument and outline how you will prove it. There are many ways to structure a thesis statement, but we will work on one specific model: counter-claim-reasons (CCR). Here is an example: Although surveillance cameras may be expensive, schools should install them because they increase safety, reduce vandalism, and keep both teachers and studentsRead MoreAn Introduction With A Thesis Statement1064 Words   |  5 Pages Week 3 - Assignment D. Josh Rhoderick BUS311: Business Law I Instructor: Daniel Malvin Nov 30th , 2015 Final Paper Proposal: Develop an introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper: I have been tasked with figuring out if contracts with several large businesses will be governed by common law or the Uniform Commercial Code. Analyze with the owner formed a contract with the businesses, and apply the five essential elements of an enforceable contract. The business is growingRead MoreFinancial Statement Thesis Statement767 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"You can’t connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backward.† I deeply believe that the Ph.D. program at Carroll School will help my professional experience and academic training come together in the long term - My long term career goal is to become a Finance Professor to teach, conduct research, and produce research publications that would add value and contribute to my field of specialization. At Carroll School, I intend to concentrate in Behavior Finance and ComparativeRead MoreOutline Of A Thesis Statement2067 Words   |  9 Pages Outline THESIS STATEMENT: Individuals who are found guilty of vehicular manslaughter should be sentenced to a minimum of ten years in prison I: Introduction i. Definition of vehicular manslaughter ii. Causes of vehicular manslaughter iii. Sentences for various charges if found guilty II: Body i. The punishments for vehicular homicide according to different states ii. Common penalties if found guilty iii. Why these penalties are not sufficient enough iv. Arguments against justifiable homicide

Alex Sharpes Portfolio Solution Essay - 1231 Words

Context: Alex Sharpe currently invests her children’s educational savings in Vanguard 500 Index Fund, which tracks the performance of Samp;P 500 and is passively managed. However, she is now considering switching her investment strategy to a more active one to achieve better outcomes. Hasbro, a toy manufacturer, and Reynolds, a tobacco firm, have come into Sharpe’s sight and she wants to choose one of them and invest a small proportion of equity funds in it. In order to select a more appropriate investment target, the following issues should be taken into consideration by Sharpe: 1) What are the risk-return characteristics of each stock 2) What are the impacts of either stock to the overall risk-return profiles of the equity†¦show more content†¦2. Perform a regression of each stocks monthly returns on the Index returns to compute a beta for each stock. How does this relate to your answer in question 1? Regression analysis of Reynolds and Hasbro’s returns on market index’s returns shows that Reynolds has a much lower beta coefficient than Hasbro (0.736 compared with 1.42). It is a supporting evidence for our calculation in question 1. Lower beta means that Reynolds is less positively correlated with the market as a whole. So it is obvious that its contribution to overall portfolio’s variance will also be smaller. Take a deeper look at the regression outcome, we found that Intercepts of both stocks have quite large p-value (0.225 for Reynolds and 0.659 for Hasbro). It indicates that those test statistics are not significant enough to reject the null hypothesis that intercept of Reynolds and Hasbro are 0. A more important thing is p-value for beta coefficient. Although Reynolds’s p-value is 0.0285, meaning that null hypothesis that beta is zero will not be rejected for a level of significance at 1%. However, we normally consider a 5% level of significance, so it is enough to reject null hypothesis and Reynolds’s beta is really different from 0. For Hasbro, p-value is far small enough to reject null hypothesisShow MoreRelatedAlex Sharpes Portfolio Solution Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesAlex Sharpe’s Portfolio 1. Returns and Risk Estimate and compare the returns and variability (i.e. annual standard deviation over the past five years) of Reynolds and Hasbro with that of the SP 500 Index. Which stock appears to be riskiest? SP 500 Annualized Expected Return: 6.8920% SP 500 SD (Annualized): 12.477% Reynolds Annualized Expected Return: 22.4980% Reynolds SD (Annualized): 32.446% Hasbro Annualized Expected Return: 14.2060% Hasbro SD (Annualized): 28.114% Reynolds

Osteogenisis Imperfecta Free Essays

string(150) " The height of the child in terms of expected growth, signs of scoliosis or laxity of ligaments, and range of motion of the joints are all important\." Osteogenisis imperfecta (OI) is â€Å"a rare genetic disorder of collagen synthesis associated with broad spectrum of musculoskeletal problems, most notably bowing and fractures of the extremities, muscle weakness, ligamentous laxity, and spinal deformities.† (Binder, 386). Other collagen-containing extraskeletal tissues, such as the sclerae, the teeth, and the heart valves are also affected to a variable degree. We will write a custom essay sample on Osteogenisis Imperfecta or any similar topic only for you Order Now OI has a â€Å"common feature of bony fragility associated with defective formation of collagen by osteoblasts and fibroblasts.† (Smith, 1983, 13) This disease, involving defective development of the connective tissues, is usually the result of the autosomal dominant gene, but can also be the result of the autosomal recessive gene. Spontaneous mutations are common and the clinical presentation of the disease remains to be quite broad. (Binder, 386) OI is most commonly referred to as â€Å"brittle bones†, but other names include: fragilitas ossium, hypolasia of the mesenchyme, and osteopsathyrosis. Osteogenisis imperfecta is still not completely understood, and while there have been advances in diagnosing the disease, treatment is still limited. Osteogenisis imperfecta is the result of mutations in the genes for type I collagen. In the mild dominantly inherited form of OI (type I), † a non-functional allele for the alpha 1 (I) chain halves collagen synthesis,† (Smith, 1995, 169) and is largely responsible for the inheritance. Single base mutations in the codon for glycine causes lethal (type II) OI by wrecking the formation of the collagen triple helix. Types III and IV are the â€Å"less dram- atic outcomes of similar glycine mutations in either the alpha 1 (I) or the alpha 2(I) chains.(Smith, 1995, 169) The clinical signs can be caused from defective osteoblastic activity and defective mesenchymal collagen (embryonic connective tissue) and its derivatives, such as sclera, bones, and ligaments. The reticulum fails to differentiate into mature collagen or the collagen develops abnormally. This causes immature and coarse bone formation and thinning. (Loeb, 755) The signs and symptoms of OI vary greatly depending on the type. The most commonly used classification is the Sillence (type I to IV): Type I is the mildest form of OI and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The sclerae(middle coat of eyeball) is distinctly blue. Type I is broken down into IA and IB — the difference being whether dentinogenesis is present. IA has a life expectancy nearly the same as the general public. The physical activity is limited, and may appear to have no disability at all. The bones have a mottled or wormian appearance, forming small islands. (Isselbacher, 2111) Type II is lethal in utero or shortly there afterbirth. The survivors live from just a few hours to several months. The kayotypes of parents are usually normal. This type is broken down into three subgroups: IIA is characterized by a broad, crumpled femora and continuos rib beading, IIB by minimal to no rib fractures, and IIC by a thin femora and ribs with extensive fracturing. While in the uterus, there is poor fetal movement, low fetal weight, poor ossification of the fetal skeleton, hypoplastic lungs, the long bones of the upper and lower limbs are shortened or deformed, and the head is soft. Intrauterine fractures occur, and parinatal death is usually from intracranial hemorrhage due to vessel fragility or respiratory distress from pulmonary hypoplasia. The bones and other tissues are extremely fragile, and massive injuries occur in utero or delivery. The ribs appear beaded or broken and the long bones crumpled. (Isselbacher, 2111) Type III and IV are intermediate in severity between types I and II. Type III differs from I in its greater severity, and from IV in that it increases in severity with age. It can be inherited as either a autosomal recessive or dominant trait. The sclerae is only slightly bluish in infancy and white in adulthood, although the average life expectancy is 25 years. Type IV is always dominant. With types III and IV multiple fractures from minor physical stress occurs leading to progressive and severe deformities. Kyphoscoliosis may cause respiratory impairment and predisposition to pulmonary infections. â€Å"Popcorn-like† deposits of mineral appear on the ends of long bones. (Isselbacher, 2111) The symptoms of OI tarde (types I, III and IV) can appear when the child begins to walk, and lessens with age. The tendency to fracture decreases and often disappears after puberty. Later in life, particularly during pregnancy and after menopause, more fractures occur. The bones are usually slender with short, thin cortices and trabeculae (fibers of framework), but can also be unusually thin. (Smith, 1983, 136) Narrow diaphysis of the long bones contributes to the fractures and bowing deformities. Scoliosis is common. The haversian cells are poorly developed. The bones lack minerals needed to form bone matrix. Epiphyseal fractures (end of the bone) results in deformities and stunted growth (dwarfism). Osteopenia, the decrease in bone mass, is symptomatic. Other signs of OI include hyperextensibility of the joints — double-jointedness– and abnormally thin, translucent skin. Discolored (blue-gray or yellow-brown) and malformed teeth which break easily and are cavity prone are found in patients Patients with OI have a triangular-shaped head and face, a bilaterally bulging skull, and prominent eyes with a wide distance between the temporal region. (Loeb, 755) Hearing loss by the age of 30-40 is the result of the pressure on the auditory nerve because of the deformity of its canal in the skull, and the development of otosclerosis. Recurrent epistaxis (nosebleeds), bruising and edema (especially at the sight of fractures), difficulty tolerating high temperatures and mild hyperpyrexia are other symptoms. Thoracic deformities may impair chest expansion and the ability to effectively breath deeply and cough. (Loeb, 755) Patients are also more susceptible to infection. In assessing a patient data is needed about the genetic history and birth of the child, as well as a complete development assessment from birth. Vital signs are taken, and periods of increased heart and respiratory rate and elevated body temperature are note- worthy. Skin should be examined for color, elasticity, translucency, and signs of edema and bruising. A description of position and appearance of a child†s trunk and extremities and facial characteristics should be noted. The height of the child in terms of expected growth, signs of scoliosis or laxity of ligaments, and range of motion of the joints are all important. You read "Osteogenisis Imperfecta" in category "Essay examples" Sight and hearing should be tested since there are sensory problems associated with OI. The appearance of the sclerae and tympanic membranes and defects of primary teeth and gums are important. (Jackson, 1699) X-rays usually reveal a decrease in bone density. â€Å"There is no consensus, however, as to whether the diagnosis can be made by microscopy of bone specimens.† (Isselbacher, 2112) DNA sequencing and incubating skin fiboblasts are two ways help diagnose OI. Prenatal ultrasonography is used to detect severely affected fetuses at about 16 weeks of pregnancy. Diagnosis of the lethal type II by ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy is by the identification of fractures of the long bones. Compression of the fetal head is seen by ultrasound probe, and low echogeneity of the cranium can be signs of skeletal dysplasia (faulty development of the tissues). Diagnosis is confirmed by postmortem examination including radiography and biochemical studies of cultivated fibroblasts from the fetus. (Berge, 321) Diagnosis by analyzing DNA sequencing can be carried out in chronic villa biopsies at 8-12 weeks. There is no known treatment of OI at this time. Treatment therefore is predominantly supportive and educational. Because of multiple fractures and bruising, it is important to diagnose this disease in order to prevent accusations of child abuse. Treatment of fractures is often challenging because of abnormal bone structure and laxity of the ligaments. Splinting devices are used to stabilize the bones and to protect against additional fractures. Treatment aims to prevent deformities through use of traction and/or immobilization in order to aid in normal development and rehabilitation. Limb deformities and repeated fractures can be corrected by intramedullary rods — telescoping rods that elongate with growth. After surgical placement of the rods, extensive post- operative care is required because greater amounts of blood and fluid are lost. (Loeb, 755) It should be noted that the healing of fractures appear to be normal. (Isselbacher, 2112) Braces, immobilizing devices and wheelchairs are necessary. Physical therapy is important in the treatment of OI. Bone fracture density in unfractured bone is decreased when compared with age-matched controls due to limited exercise, so it is essential to stay as active as possible. Physical therapy is also used for strengthening muscle and preventing disuse fractures with exercises with light resistance, such as swimming. Regular dental visits are necessary to monitor the teeth. Monitoring by opthalmol- ogists for vision and audiologits for hearing is also essential. Radiologists need to examine the structure and density of the bones, and an orthopedist is needed to set fractures and take care of other bone related problems. Counseling and emotional support is needed for both the patient and the family. It is important not to limit a child because of his/her disabilities, and to realize that many victims of this disease live successful lives. Debrah Morris, a successful business woman, and active fighter for disability rights and helping other patients of OI, says, â€Å"If I had the choice to be anyone in the world, I would be exactly who I am. The people I have met, the challenges I have faced, the opportunities that I have been presented — all are directly related to dealing with being a little person with brittle bones.† (Kasper, 53) Many of the symptoms of OI can be confused with those of a battered child. X-rays are used to show evidence of old fractures and bone deformities to distinguish the difference. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (OIF) has is a national support group that offers assistance to families in this position and to increase public awareness. The OIF has a medical advisory council, chapters, support groups, regional meetings, biennial national conferences, and parent contacts to help families feeling alone and helpless. They also publish a newsletter, provide literature and videos about OI, and sponsors a fund to support research. Magnesium oxide can be administered to decrease the fracture rate, as well as hyperpyrexia and constipation associated with this condition. (Anderson, 1127) A high-protein, high-carbohydrate, high-vitamin diet is needed to promote healing. A growth hormone has also been administered during childhood, and is shown to substantially increase growth. Treatment with bisphosphorates and related agents has been discussed to decrease bone loss, but no controlled studies have been done. (Isselbacher, 2113) Since there is no cure for oseogenesis imperfecta, appropriate and properly timed rehabilitation intervention is of the utmost importance to ensure that the child is able to function to the best of his/her ability in society. A ten year study that was submitted in 1992 proves this. 25 of 115 children with severe OI were observed since birth or infancy at the National Institutes of Health, MD and the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic at the Children†s National Medical Center in D.C. One was Type I, two Type II, nine Type III, and thirteen Type IV. They were classified by physical characteristics and functional capacity: Group A consisted of those who were severely dwarfed with large heads and marked bowing , contractures, and weakness of extremities. The highest functional skill expected was independent sitting. Group B was growth deficient, but with a normal sized head. Femoral bowing, scoliosis, and contractures of the hip flexors were characteristics. they were expected to stand and/or ambulate with braces. Group C were less growth deficient, and had good strength, but poor endurance. They had marked joint laxity and poorly aligned lower extremity joints, but were ambulators. (Binder, 386-387) Group A patients were the most severely involved. Most were basically sitters. The majority were totally dependent in their self care. Group B had the potential to become at least short-distance ambulators. These patients had acquired the ability to move to sitting, but had transitional moving problems, such as sitting to standing. All were part- ially independent in their self care. Group C had antigravity strength and 50% had good strength in their extremities. All were physically active and age-appropriately independent, but none were good long-distance walkers. (Binder, 387-388) Progressive rehabilitation of these groups all included posture exercises and active range of motion and strengthing exercises. Group B had additional ROM and posture exercises, as well as Developmental exercises. Group C added coordination activities. Conclusion, â€Å"Management of patients with OI should address the child†s functional needs. Even though the degree of disability may be severe, management should not be limited to orthopedic procedures and bracing. Treatment planning should be considered, but not totally based on genetic, anatomical, and biochemical abnormalities. Our experi- ence suggests that clinical grouping based in part on functional potential can be useful in the appropriate management of children with OI.†(Binder, 390) Independence was stressed in this study, and even patients with limited sitting ability, upper extremity function can be improved to at least minimal independence in self-help skills. Potential ambulators should be helped because, although their ability might not progress past indoor ambulation, walking will make them more independent and may result in increased bone mineralization. Poor joint alignment, poor balance, and low endurance can all be improved with persistent, individualized physical and occupational therapy. For best results, therapy should be started as soon after birth as possible. Mainstreaming school aged children is also important. All of this together leads to â€Å"age-appropriate social development and markedly improved independence and quality of life in the majority of patients.†(Binder, 390) Osteogenesis imperfecta is the most common genetic disorder of the bone. It occurs in about 1 in 20,000 live births, and is equally prevalent in all races and both sexes. The Type I OI has a population frequency of about 1 in 30,000. Type II has a birth incidence of about 1 in 60,000. Types III and IV are less common and may be as high as 1 in 20,000. (Isselbacher, 2111) The occurrence of OI in families with no history or blue sclerae is about 1 in 3,000,000 births.(Smith, 1995, 171) The recurrence risks in families is estimated to be 6 to 10%, but is only estimated because most couples choose not to have any more children. 15 to 20% of patients with OI do not carry the gene for abnormal collagen, making many wonder if there is yet another genetic problem undiagnosed at this time.(Smith, 1995, 172) How to cite Osteogenisis Imperfecta, Essay examples

Australia’s Genocide Tasmanian History †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Australias Genocide Tasmanian History. Answer: The thesis of this essay mainly debates about Australias genocide and gives an insight about it. It basically talks about the Tasmanian history and the question that the writer proposes through this is whether the treatment that happened with Tasmanian history all through the British colonization that has constituted genocide (Taylor, 2013). This book shows the murdering stream of the world. The British colonization almost destroyed all the indigenous organization and it widely shows the conflict between them. Henry Reynolds have acknowledged this and brought out the topic to the people. However there are debates that whether the genocide was done intentionally, though many genocide scholars believe that this genocide was a condign judgment. The writer in his book gives a fact which seeks to again write about their nations foundation. This war took place on the Australian soil. British declared this war for the first time. The first Tasmanian were extremely driven and committed about their ancestral land that none of the obstacles could have stopped their determination. The thesis of Tasmanian genocide has been presented as the history of wars. The genocide is termed as a political notion by misinterpreting the understanding of history. Reynolds has written about this forgotten war with a straightforward remark. Reynolds spoke about the injustice that happened with Aboriginal tribes in Tasmania and however the attitude in Tasmania remained unaffected. Reynolds remarks that there are about 5000 memorials all over Australia in order to remember soldiers who fought in this war (Pihama, 2014). Another key point is that Reynolds mentions that around 5000 settler got killed on this war. Even though all of them were not soldier s like the indigenous warriors who fought as an alternative to guerilla strategy and horror, who attacked several houses and killed families in respect to their own benefits . The Black Wars which took place in Tasmania has an agenda, they were fighting for Australia. In 1835, the population of Aboriginals has vastly reduced due to this war (Lawson, 2014). Aborigines also fought back gradually. Reynolds also mentions that the historical explanation actually differs from the actual reasoning in order to determinate the incidence of genocide. Genocides are an outcome which is based on the assessment of those times. In the further investigation the policy of the colonial government has been shown, that how it was a necessity to examine the steps that has been taken further. The ghost of genocide should be confronted and Reynolds did a just in his book (Docker, 2015). References Docker, J. (2015). A plethora of intentions: genocide, settler colonialism and historical consciousness in Australia and Britain.The International Journal of Human Rights,19(1), 74-89. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642987.2014.987952 Lawson, T. (2014).The last man: A British genocide in Tasmania. IB Tauris. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=eJykAgAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PP1dq=Lawson,+T.+(2014).+The+last+man:+A+British+genocide+in+Tasmania.+IB+Tauris.ots=uKAyO-fOhYsig=N48xNCS5peMPVOvewXw4wd77EyUredir_esc=y#v=onepageqf=false Pihama, L., Reynolds, P., Smith, C., Reid, J., Smith, L. T., Nana, R. T. (2014). Positioning historical trauma theory within Aotearoa New Zealand.AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples,10(3), 248-262. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/117718011401000304 Taylor, R. (2013). Genocide, Extinction and Aboriginal Self?determination in Tasmanian Historiography.History Compass,11(6), 405-418. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hic3.12062/full

King Henri Iv Essays (1377 words) - Dauphins Of France,

King Henri Iv King Henri IV was born at Pau in Bearn on December 13, 1553. Raised by his mother, Jeane d'Albret (Queen of Navarre), Henri was brought up in a remote castle in the Pyrenees. He grew up amongst the peasant children of that area and raised on a diet of bread, cheese, and garlic. As a youngster Henri was brought up in the Protestant faith, which was the opposite of his father's wishes. As result, Henri was taken to Paris on his father's orders and given a Catholic tutor. However, he stubbornly refused to attend Mass. Consequently, after the death of his father, Henri was once again instructed by a Protestant tutor. By the age of ten, Henri had already changed religions twice. Remaining in Paris, Henri attended classes at the College de Navarre. Gradually he learned to speak and write fluent Latin and Greek, and he had managed to attain some Spanish and Italian. In 1567 Henri reestablished himself in Pau, reuniting with his mother and sister Catherine. His education was continued, this time including fencing and military arts. Five years later, after an outbreak of several religious wars, the marriage between Henri and the reining king's sister, Marguerite de Valois (a Catholic), was arranged so as to bring temporary peace to France. After Henri's mother's death, the wedding took place. The two were wed on August 18, 1572 at Notre-Dame. Little did the new king know, that day would mark the prelude of a great tragedy. During the wedding, Catherine de Medici consented to the assassination of Admiral de Coligny. On August 22 he was shot at from a window but was merely injured. The Huguenots (French Protestants) were enraged. Queen Medici finally agreed that a general massacre was the only solution to terminate Admiral de Coligny. Before dawn on Sunday, August 24, 1572, the Duc de Guise's swordsmen broke into the Admirals bedroom. He was brutally skewered with a pike, then his corpse was thrown out of a window and hanged by the ankles from the public gibbet. The signal was given and the Paris mob was unleashed. The mob was totally merciless, savagely slitting the throats of all possible Protestants without the willing pity unto children and pregnant women. The Louvre was transformed into a slaughterhouse; the bodies of dead and tortured Huguenot bodies gathered along staircases and piled up against walls. Henri and his cousin Conde were spared only for the sake that they beheld royal blood within the ir vanes. After that, Henri was forced to change his religion for a third time. In addition, he remained prisoner at court for four years. After the death of King Charles IX, Henry of Navarre's cousin, Henri III became king. King Henry made peace with the Huguenots. After being defeated multiple times by superior Catholic armies, King Henri III turned to Henri of Navarre for help. The help of Henri of Navarre made it once again possible for Henri III to recover his lost powers. Together the pair soon controlled the entire area between the Loire and the Seine. On July 30 he besieged Paris with an army of 40,000. On the peak of this achievement, the king was stabbed by Dominican friar, Jacques Clement. Henry III died that night after ordering his followers to take an oath of allegiance to Henri of Navarre. As result, Henri by name became king of France. However, Henri was refused loyalty by most of his subjects on account that he had been excommunicated and that he was Catholic. Only a mere sixth of France supported Henri. His only source of the reconciliation of loyalty, he soon found, would to be to appeal to those who preferred peace rather than religious war. After victoring numerous accounts of battle with Catholics, Henry IV eventually managed to besiege Paris with 15000 men in May. Unfortunately, Paris remained totally Catholic. Henri then decided to starve the city into submission rather than cause war. By July Paris was pathetically hungry. Cannibalism was a common case?children could be seen chased through the streets by starving elders. People resorted to eating dead dogs (including the skin), rats, garbage, and flour made from bones (those who ate the flour died). Thirteen thousand

The Five

The Five The five-factor model employs five fundamental and important factors that are useful because organization and companies need to understand the character traits of their employees. Scholars and psychologists presume that the model elucidated by the five-factor theory represents all behavioral traits.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Five-Factor Model of Personality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to McCrae (2002), the five-factor model is very useful to many companies and organizations because it clearly explains different personality traits demonstrated by employees. The traits include neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, and extraversion. Neuroticism personality trait has features like sensitiveness, nervousness, ineffective management of emotions, and feelings. In other words, individuals with the trait demonstrate emotional instabilities. The conscientiousness personality tra it is associated with interactive, accountable, organized, and objective people, whereas agreeableness trait has features such as teamwork and kindness. In addition, openness personality trait shows discipline, responsibility, organization, and self-control. Extraversion is a personality trait that is associated with characters such as excitement, talkativeness, and assertiveness. In this view, the term paper focuses on openness to experience and conscientiousness, which are two personality traits as elucidated by the five-factor theory. The five personality traits of the five -factor model are very important to organizations and managers as they enable organizations and companies understand how to handle people with different personalities and temperaments. Gully, Payne, Koles, and Whiteman (2002) argue that a good understanding of personality trait also enables individuals to understand and appreciate each other. Since the five-factor model presents five major traits of personalit y, individuals and organizations can employ the theory in managing their workforce. Moreover, it also enables people create good relationships, which are fruitful and productive, and thus enhance teamwork in a number of organizations and societies (Levy, 2013). The theory is consistent and encompasses a wide range of demographics. Furthermore, the model employs five factors to explain the different personalities of different individuals. Openness to experience is a personality trait that displays features like creativity, inquisitiveness, adventure, and innovativeness. Openness to experience shows the level of creativity, individual preference, and interest of an individual.Advertising Looking for term paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Cattell (2007), openness is a trait that depicts preferences of an individual towards a wide range of activities, which are performed regularly. Individ uals who have the trait are innovative and creative. Moreover, openness to experience is associated with high levels of curiosity and desire to engage in new experience and ideas. Furthermore, the personality trait makes an individual more adventurous and less conservative. Cattel (2007) states that people who have the trait are more likely to demonstrate relationships that are productive and reasonable. Additionally, individuals with the trait understand their feelings and express them in an assertive manner. Hence, openness to experience is an important personality trait, which is useful in distinguishing liberal and artistic individuals. Conscientiousness is a personality trait, which has features such as organization, efficiency, and commitment. Individuals with the conscientiousness personality trait are responsible, goal oriented, disciplined, and independent. In addition, individuals with the trait have good control of their impulses and are watchful of facts. People with the conscientiousness personality trait are usually smart, orderly, and organized. Furthermore, the trait makes people to be more watchful, thoughtful, objective, and determined. McCrae notes that conscientious individuals are responsible, committed, and critical as they perform their duties perfectly. The conscientious personality trait has two major attributes, namely, industriousness and organization. Industriousness is an attribute that depicts meticulous, neatness and systematic way of performing duties, while the organization is an attribute that shows determination, responsibility, and productivity. Hence, people who have this trait are good problem solvers and conflict managers. Additionally, these individuals can interact and socialize well with other members of staff, a factor that is important in understanding and minimizing workplace conflicts. Conflict Management in the Workplace Conflicts are ideological differences between two or more parties, the differences can lead to heated debates and emotional flare-ups. In extreme scenarios, conflicts can turn into violent exchanges. Conversely, when controlled and managed effectively, conflicts produce positive results that help the company grow and attain its objectives (Rahim, 2002). Negative consequences of conflicts take place when there are no control measures to solve or manage the disagreements in their early stages. Usually, conflicts spiral out of control and even result in riots.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Five-Factor Model of Personality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conflicts are common in every organization because individuals working in companies have different personalities, thinking capacities, and behaviors. Levy (2013) argues that conflicts take place when the individuals differ in terms of opinions, ideas, and points of view. In addition, conflicts take place when an individual or a party is not willing t o compromise and reason from the perspective of the other party. While working as a hotel supervisor, I witnessed a number of conflicts between the junior staff and senior staff, executive and staff, or between clients and employees. The conflicts started because of misunderstandings, poor service delivery, and failure to reach compromise on matters that relate to unfair promotions. According to Keith and Frese (2005), conflicts in the workplace are common, and thus organizations should formulate effective measures to reduce the negative effects occasioned by conflicts. The conflicts greatly affected the performance of the organization. Consumers received poor services, as many employees were in conflict with one another. In addition, the chain of communication was hierarchal and bureaucratic; hence, junior and senior staff could not present their grievances or complaints on time. Therefore, the firm could not effectively manage the difference of ideas and points of view among the m embers of staff on time. Furthermore, conflict management strategies were not efficient, as many members of staff did not get enough time to know and understand the characters of other employees in the firm as they had busy schedules. Additionally, teamwork, which is one of the important components of a successful organization, was no longer practical as many employees, management team, and the executives had frequent conflicts and disagreements. Therefore, many staff members preferred doing duties according to their own will and interests. The result was reduced productivity, poor product quality, dissatisfied clients, and frequent strikes. Poor working relationship among members of staff created a hostile environment for the employees, management team, and clients, which affected organizational performance. Keith and Frese (2005) argue that substantial conflicts transpire when group members disagree over a task or on how to perform the task. Therefore, the organization was experie ncing substantial challenges such as intra-organizational and interpersonal conflicts as the members of staff disagreed over crucial issues that are central to organizational performance.Advertising Looking for term paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Most members of staff were not willing to compromise with their colleagues so that they would arrive at workable solutions to challenges in the workplace. The unwillingness attitude further complicated the magnitude of conflicts among employees, management team, and clients, and thus hampered organizational performance. There was a need for the firm to devise strategies that would help in the resolution of conflicts. According to Rahim (2002), â€Å"conflict management minimizes the negative outcomes of conflicts and promotes the positive outcomes of conflict with the goal of improving learning in an organization† (p. 208). Hence, the firm had to quickly employ conflict management skills and provide realistic and workable solutions to the conflicts. This would not only help the management in improving the firm’s performance, but also enhance working relationships among the members of staff. Relevance of the Five-Factor Model Theory in Conflict Management The five-facto r model theory is very instrumental in providing solutions towards conflict management, which is the existing situation in the firm. The organization can use qualities of openness to new experiences and conscientiousness personality traits from the five-factor model theory to manage and resolve existing conflicts. Furthermore, the organization can instill features such as openness and encourage their employees to be assertive so that they can express their feelings without hurting others and without fear (Cattel, 2007). This will enable the human resources of the firm to present their views and opinions assertively without hurting other members of staff. Additionally, the five-factor theory of personality will help the organization and its employees understand different behaviors of individuals and the different ways of handling each personality. Therefore, an understanding of the personality traits is paramount in an organization because it helps in shaping organizational behavior. The understanding of personality enables human resource managers to hire individuals who are suitable for a given job. Furthermore, employers can also place people in various job positions basing on their traits, and thus become relevant as they can turn ideological differences into productive conflicts. In addition, Rahim (2002) states that conscientiousness and openness will help an organization and the members of staff to control their emotions, mind about others, attain smartness, and become responsible. These factors are very vital in ensuring that an organization achieves its targets. Furthermore, the individuals will work in creative a manner by turning conflicts into avenues for organizational growth. References Cattel, H. (2007). Personality Theory and Testing. London: Sage. Gully, S. M., Payne, S. C., Koles, K., Whiteman, J. A. K. (2002).The impact of error training and individual differences on training outcomes: An attribute-treatment interaction perspective. Journal o f Applied Psychology, 87(1), 143. Keith, N., Frese, M. (2005).Self-regulation in error management training: emotion control and meta-cognition as mediators of performance effects. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(4), 677-685. Levy, P. (2013). Industrial Organizational Psychology: Understanding the Workplace. New York: Worth Publishers. McCrae, R. (2002). An Introduction to Five Factor Model and its Applications. Journal of  Personality, 60(2), 175-215. Rahim, M. (2002). Towards a Theory of Managing Orgsanizational Conflict. The  International Journal of Conflict Management,44(5), 206-235. The Five Executive Summary The study of operational management has been around for decades. A general understanding of the nature of operations in management takes businesses to the next level.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Five-star Hotels’ Operational Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Any business has a number of operations divided by their functions, such as the accounting and sales divisions and in any operational unit, work processes exist to smooth operations and eliminate mistakes. All operations of a company are important. They complement and aid each other in the overall operations. This paper will analyze a historic five-star hotel’s operations. It will focus specifically in its current marketing operation. The marketing division is in focus because of the current setback the hotel is experiencing. The hotel used for this study has special features that provide information adeq uate for the study. Common operational management concepts are used to identify and evaluate the current system. Concepts from lectures and other secondary data are also used to describe, supplement, and reference previous research. Some concepts used are lean manufacturing, benchmarking and business process re-engineering. They were used to identify problems and challenges of the hotel. Potential problems and following recommendations were explored by the end of the paper. The main concern for the hotel is the decreasing number of customers because of the cheaper and quaint hotels in its vicinity. This information is the reason for selecting the operational unit focused on. Methodology The existing data available is provided. There are certain features in the information provided that will allow me to assume a number of things, such as the implications that being a historic hotel will offer.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can h elp you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The concepts used to analyze the data from the hotel and its operations were presented in a lecture during class. They will be discussed on the historic hotel to provide useful information for the improvement of the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of the hotel. Other secondary data will also be used. The method of analysis will be as follows. First, the current situation of the hotel and the specific operational unit chosen will be described and analyzed. Then existing problems of the hotel and the operational units will be identified and analyzed. Next, the paper will provide recommendations for solutions to the current problems identified. Lastly, the paper will provide potential problems, recommendations, and opportunities that the hotel can plan ahead for. This paper will refer to concepts presented from the class lectures and will aim to improve the overall operations of the hotel by the above method. Brief Description of Special Features Special features of the hotel are as follows: the hotel is historic, it was highly profitable and popular before the past few years, it is privately owned, it is a five-star hotel, it is near hotels which appear economical and quaint, it is strategically in the center of an international city that has a high level of tourists, particularly international tourists. A â€Å"historic† hotel means that the hotel was the setting of a historical event, whether it is a cultural or political event. Thus, it would hold a certain ambience prevalent to the culture of the country in that time of history. The hotel will have retained the architectural style of the period it was built in or at least influenced by it. We can assume that the hotel was popular throughout the years because of this and as suggested by the statement of its high profitability.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Five-star Hotelsâ₠¬â„¢ Operational Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More That the hotel is privately owned means it is not publicly traded in a securities exchange in the country (Privately owned n.d.). Depending on which type of economy the nation falls into, privately owned enterprises such as this hotel will have a number of implications. If it falls into a traditional economy, operations would be controlled and less dynamic than other systems. A command economy has strong government control while a free market economy has little government control. Mixed economies which combine elements of command and free market economies are the most common economies used by many countries today because of it provides an enough mix of public and private interventions on economic decisions and resource allocation and distribution. (Schmoop Editorial Team 2008). Since it was not stated in the problem what the hotel is like in its economic decisions we will assume it is under the most common economy which is a mixed economy. The historic hotel is described to be a five-star hotel. This means its standard for quality is of the highest ranking. Five-star hotels are expected to offer excellent service and the highest standards of comfort for their guests. Additional features of five-star hotels include originality in architecture and interior design, high quality construction, and special touches such as fresh flora as decoration. Space, services, and amenities are always sufficient and comfortable (Star rating system hotel requirements for four, five star etc n.d.). Analysis of Hotel There are several operational units in this hotel. These would include general management, front office, rooms division, maintenance, food and beverage, purchasing, marketing, human resources, finance, security and safety, and parking (Best practices n.d.). An overall process flow follows. Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The hotel’s processes are service types. They are considered service shops, which are characterized by medium levels of volume of customers, medium or mixed levels of customer contact, medium or mixed levels of customization, and medium or mixed levels of staff discretion (Slack, Chambers Johnston 2010). These characteristics put the operations between the extremes of professional and mass services. The implications provided by the description of the hotel are that the hotel’s design is not contemporary and the accommodations are pricey. The main problem of the hotel is in marketing their products and services to tourists amidst cheaper hotels in the area. The hotel is in an area where competition is high because it is located in an international city and in a tourist spot. It is essential that a new marketing strategy is applied to save the hotel from lesser profitability in the near future and possible bankruptcy in the long-run. Although not on the same level, com petition with the cheaper hotels is challenging and needs to be addressed immediately. The hotel’s marketing division, since this is the main concern, is the focus of the paper. Analysis of Marketing Operation I chose the marketing division as the operational unit to focus on because it pertains to the mentioned problem of the hotel, which is the decrease of customers. The marketing team is responsible in providing leadership on serving guests better. They provide insight on how to serve the hotel’s customers better by developing pricing, conducting customer surveys, contributing insights on product and service development, and examining competition. The team also supports other divisions in their operations. They support the general management and the purchasing division. Marketing is responsible for advertising and promoting the establishment. Different media are used to do so. Finally, the marketing team is responsible for managing relationships, whether with suppli ers, competitors, or customers (4 core marketing strategies n.d.). Below is a process flowchart of the marketing division. The hotel is said to have lesser customers due to the existence of cheaper quaint hotels around its vicinity. It is located in the middle of an international city and is a tourist spot. Tourists choose other hotels because of the price and charm of neighboring hotels over our hotel. This is not unexpected since tourists do generally vacation on a budget. Affordability is a major factor taken into account by most tourists (Tourists seek cheaper travel options 2012). It is, however, not the only reason as we will discuss later. What the hotel needs to do is ‘think outside the box’ and innovate their services to attract tourists to stay at their hotel regardless of the price. Although the hotel can be said to offer exceptional services as evidence of its five-star status, it needs to think outside the box and market what it can offer to customers that other hotels cannot. Tourists on a budget trip do not mind cheaper hotels’ lack of quality service and the competition in the area is the main challenge the hotel faces. What the hotel needs to do is to â€Å"think outside the box.† Jones (2001, p.82) says that consumers are increasingly looking for â€Å"solutions†, where product, service, advice and expertise are seamlessly integrated. Innovation is important in any industry. It is important for the hotel we are looking at. Innovation with products and services will give the business a competitive edge against competitors in the vicinity. It will give value and uniqueness to the product and services offered and it is up to the managers of the hotel to think of â€Å"solutions† for the customers. Once consumers needs are determined and agreed, then can the innovators work out precisely what to deliver to the consumers and when. It is sensible to learn from past mistakes. A lesson learned from automakers from the past is this – while western automakers focused on ‘adding luxury’ to their vehicles, Japanese automakers focused on ‘adding quality to everything’ (Tennant 2001, p. 4). It is a feature of any five-star establishment to be luxurious but the lesson the hotel can draw from this is to re-focus efforts not on adding luxury to the products offered but to the quality of existing products and services of the hotel. Continuing from this line of thought, the hotel can also do this – focus on quality – by adapting ‘lean’ principles in its operations. Lean principles state that expenditures of resources, if not seen by consumers as value-adding or worthy, should be eradicated (Holweg 2007). This practice reduces unnecessary costs and staffing requirements. For the management of a luxury hotel though, it can be hard to decide if the luxuries offered are reasonable. There is a fine line for five-star establishments between lux uries and those extras that should be eradicated because in definition, luxuries are extra indulgences conductive to pleasure and comfort (Luxury n.d.). The hotel can also do to benchmark. Benchmarking is identifying, analyzing, evaluating, and adapting the industry’s best practices for the advantage of the hotel (Boxwell 1994). The hotel has function rooms that can be used for all kinds of events, from weddings to conferences. Von Starck (2004, para. 3), a general manager of a five-star restaurant and a consultant on hotel marketing issues, particularly on food and beverage issues, says that the design and furniture of function rooms gives an establishment a big advantage. Socialites and brides, in particular, are heavily attracted to the appearance. Food and beverage is also important in drawing good reviews. Food, he says, should be imaginative, with good presentation. The service provided is also important. The quality of service will keep customers coming back developing good relations to clients. Von Starck (2004, para. 6), also said that hotels could really boost sales by working on their menus. By customizing the style, pictures, and look of the design, menus could target different audiences, separately and discretely. Another good marketing strategy practiced by hotels is to bring a personal touch to their websites. Von Starck (2004, para. 1) claims it a fact that the most visited websites are those that include stories and bios about employees of the establishment. The reasoning behind this is that people want to know about the people behind the business. In addition to what the business offers to its customers and what the staff is like, people want to know how these will reflect on them. They want to know if the business will coincide with their personality and lifestyles. They want to know if the business is worth paying and they base these off the websites. The internet is the most convenient and economically friendly media both for busine sses and consumers (Negi 2011). The hotel’s website is a helpful tool in marketing if used wisely. Studies showed that people are increasingly using the internet to book reservations (Crick n.d.). There may come a time when it will become the only media for information gathering that people will use. The hotel having problems with its marketing implies that the current marketing operation is not effective or efficient anymore. Another concept that might help the business in the long run is the concept of business process re-engineering. Business process re-engineering or BPR means that process or work flow of marketing operation will be scrutinized, analyzed and changed if its performance is not effective or efficient for the hotel anymore (Business process re-engineering 2001). The steps in BPR requires the analyst to first identify the processes in the work flow, review and analyze the data and information gathered, design a new work flow, test the new work flow, and after adjustments, implement it. Implementation of BPR is said to be difficult. The rate of failure of BPR is over fifty percent (Revenaugh 1994). The process of changing the work flow takes time and persistence because it requires participation and cooperation of everyone involved. Possible Difficulties and Recommendations It is daunting to face major challenges, especially in the large-scale. Innovation always comes with risk. Implementation of new strategies requires careful planning and attention. There should always a contingency plan or a backup for when going through with a new radical idea. When implementing new strategies, there will be risks of failure. There is a potential that the business would lose more money than they would have gained. When benchmarking and adapting new practices, there is the potential that the best practices do not go well with the particular establishment. Working on smaller projects for the hotel might be more difficult. When working on menus and websi tes, it is noteworthy to be meticulous. A potential problem for the management when looking to eliminate products or services that add no value is the risk of opposite results. When implementing a new work process, problems such as resistance or difficulty in transition of persons involved is expected (Allen Fifield 1999). Careful planning is important when acting on new strategies. To avoid losing money and other set-backs, management should take the time to test products before buying them in bulk and be certain that new services offered will perform to standard before applying them to customers. Management should have contingency plans and emergency procedures for retaliating on defects and errors to stop problems at the earliest time. Maintenance and constant monitoring is necessary to avoid accidents. Opinions and suggestions should be welcomed and taken into account. Resources should be used wisely to avoid loses (Lean manufacturing techniques 2011). Summary of Key Findings B y analyzing the given business using several concepts in operational management, this paper was able to discuss and evaluate the hotel. To start, the hotel needs to think outside the box and implement a new marketing strategy to increase profitability – a demand from any establishment when competition is high in its area. To do this, management needs to add value to their products and services to meet consumers’ ever evolving wants and needs. Instead of focusing on adding luxury to the products and services, management should look at the current quality offered by the hotel and work on improving that. The lean practice of operational management suggests that the establishment eliminates products and/or services with no value to the customers, therefore reducing costs and unnecessary actions. The hotel can benefit greatly by benchmarking. Learning from the best in the industry and adapting practices that suit the establishment will allow the hotel to grow and be competi tive amidst heavy competition. Improving the establishment’s tools is helpful. Paying attention to menus and websites will subtly improve the hotel’s marketing. Adding personality gives the hotel uniqueness and advantage. Finally, the business process re-engineering method would be helpful in the long-run but be prepared for the difficulties it would ensue. Reference List 4 core marketing strategies n.d., marketingplan.net/marketing-responsibilities/. Allen, D Fifield, N 1999, ‘Re-engineering change in higher education’, Information Research, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 104-110. Best practices n.d., bestpracticehotel.com/. Boxwell, R 1994, Benchmarking for competitive advantage, McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, London, UK. Business process re-engineering (BPR) 2001, http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/business-process-reengineering. Crick, C n.d., Travel opinions – key influences on tourist decision making, http://ezinearticles.com/?Travel-Opinio nsKey-Influences-on-Tourist-Decision-Makingid=3296190. Holweg, M 2007, ‘The genealogy of lean production’, Journal of Operations Management, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 420-437. Jones, D 2001, ‘Thinking outside the box’, ECR Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 81-89. Lean manufacturing techniques for identifying waste 2011, http://manufacturing.hubspot.com/bid/30958/Lean-Manufacturing-Techniques-for-Identifying-Waste. Luxury n.d., merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luxury. Negi, S 2011, E-publishing: the most convenient, eco-friendly and 244 accessible online media, http://technology.ezinemark.com/e-publishing-the-most-convenient-eco-friendly-and-244-accessible-online-media-7d2dc205ae62.html. Privately owned n.d., investopedia.com/terms/p/privately-owned.asp#axzz1mirAxVZh. Revenaugh, D 1994, ‘Implementing major organizational change: can we really do it?’, The TQM Magazine, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 38-48. Shmoop Editiorial Team 2008, Types of economic systems, shmoop .com/economic-systems/types.html. Slack, N, Chambers, S Johnston, R 2010, Operations Management, 2nd edn, Pearson Education Limited, England. Star rating system hotel requirements for four, five star etc n.d., cerf-resort.com/hotelstarratings.html. Von Starck, E 2004, Food and beverage: how caterers can cream hotels and what to do to get the business back, panetieremarketing.com/news_articles/caterer_beats_hotels.html. Von Starck, E 2004, Menus that work as a sales tool, panetieremarketing.com/news_articles/hotel_menus_marketing_tools.html. Von Starck, E 2004, Personality on your web site and why, panetieremarketing.com/news_articles/personality_sells_website.html. Tennant, G 2001, Six sigma SPC and TQM in manufacturing and services, Gower Publishing Company, England. Tourists seek cheaper travel options 2012, cruiseshalong.com/content/tourists+seek+cheaper+travel+options+/8/2856.

Company Law - See attachment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Company Law - See attachment - Essay Example 1 Liquidation can voluntary or even compulsory. It is said to be voluntary when it is initiated by the will of the company through a resolution of the equity holders. It is said to be compulsorily carried out when the order of the court becomes the cause of the winding up of the company. 2 In a nut shell, there are two basic kinds of Liquidation procedures whose nature is explained in detail below: Voultary Winding Up In this kind of liquidation the company goes on to willingly wind up the affairs of the company and distribute the assets of the company after paying off the liabilities of the company. ... nding up Creditors’ voluntary winding up is usually due to the company becoming insolvent and unable to pay off its liabilities in due course and the company is perused by the creditors in order to prevent further debts accruing and to receive the due liabilities through the realization of the assets of the company in a process of liquidation. 3 Compulsory Winding up This kind of winding up takes place when the company is ordered to be wound up by an order of the court. There are numerous potential ways of this procedure to institute however the most general one is through the petition filed by the creditors on the argument that the company is unable to pay off its liabilities in due course and since it has not been deemed likely to arrive at a voluntary agreement on liquidation, the compulsory winding up via the court is instituted. The nature of the compulsory winding up is such that the company comes under the process of liquidation under an order from the court on grounds of inability to pay the debts or where the company has certain going concern issues which cannot be resolved through a successful surgery of the company’s affairs or the provision of cash inflows or bailouts where the company may be able to restore the balance of its affair on the positive side.4 However, a request to obtain a leave to prosecute a company which is being compulsorily wound up may be made to the Court who gave the order of winding up of the company. Consequences of Winding up When a company goes into liquidation, mainly due to the compulsory winding up process there is usually a cause of inability to pay its debts whereby the company has to face certain consequences during and after the liquidation and the victims of those consequences are mainly shareholders, employees and even

Developing Learning Skills and High Academic Achievements Essay

Developing Learning Skills and High Academic Achievements - Essay Example My previous pedagogical experience will ensure high academic achievement for my students. During my experience, I have learned and trained many pedagogical methods which can help me in my future pedagogical activity. For example, I have gained the ability to be a good and effective manager. It is very important for a teacher to be a good manager as he must be a real leader and a positive example for students. As a manager I will be able to organize the teaching and learning process very effectively – it will ensure high academic achievement for my students. In addition to that, I have learned to have high expectations of myself and other people. So, I will be able to be exacting and make my students fulfil appropriate tasks which will ensure their high academic achievements. I also have learned to pay appropriate attention to small things – it is also very important for effective classroom management and different kinds of teaching activities directed to high academic a chievement for students. The task-oriented teacher also can direct students to their learning achievements and improve their learning outcomes, and my previous experience has taught me to be a task-oriented person. In addition to that, my experience helped me be open to new theories and views, including new learning and teaching methods which can promote higher achievements to my students. I also became ready for different pedagogical activities outside the class as I understand that teacher profession includes many kinds of such activities, and I am aware that it also promotes high pedagogical and learning results for my pupils.

HIV and HBV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HIV and HBV - Essay Example This in vitro study is called transient transfection cell culture systems and has been used to establish sensitivity or cross resistance to analogues. Imperative in this activity is the acquisition of quantitative real time data and previous knowledge on the replication and pathogenesis of HIV or HBV. Any difference in expression of the transfected cell is identified and analyzed. Another approach is to introduce derivatives from certain sources that can serve as potent inhibitor of in vitro HIV or HBV replication. For example, synthetic DNA molecules called antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) were administered to cells transiently and stably transfected with HBV protein encoding plasmids. The cells were observed for any HBV replication and pathogenesis for 48 hours. It was found that there ODN effectively inhibited viral protein expression and replication. ( Karayiannis, 2003) Animal models have also been very useful in understanding the replication and pathogenesis of the virus mentioned. Many of the models are na've primates such as chimpanzees, rhesus macaques and Aotus monkeys. HBV or HIV carrier animals are administered with potential cures.

How Coca Cola HBCs practices enable it to achieve strategic goals

How Coca Cola HBCs practices enable it to achieve strategic goals Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to assess how Coca Cola HBCs practices enable it to achieve their strategic goals. It is aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the organisation and information factors which affect the planning, management and delivery of its products. Coca Cola HBCs strategic supply chain management and operations approach is a success story enable them to achieve . The company has been able to identify the real problems in production and their causes, which has enabled it to correctly address them. Theyve also had targets for improvement and accomplishment, which has helped the throughout the way. Coca Cola HBC is a solid and very well managed company and its approach to establishing long-lasting relationships with customers, suppliers and retailers is a key aspect to success in todays challenging and aggressive business environment. Introduction Humble beginnings for Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. were marked by a single soft drink packed in small glass bottles at its modest headquarters in Greece in 1969 . This single product was a response to the simple business environment encountered by the company then. Operations were straightforward and supply replenishment to distribution centres were a simple job for the drivers who would only have to load the trucks, determine a route and drop off supplies. Throughout the years, with the impact of globalisation upon world consumption and production, the business environment was transformed and the company steadily grew and adapted to these changes. More products were developed, production increased and its operations became more competitive and complex. In 1981 a private holding company acquired majority interest in the firm. After this, the organisation expanded its business through acquisitions. Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company was formed in 2000 as a result of the merger of the Hellenic Bottling Company and London-based Coca-Cola Beverages. Today, the company is one of the largest bottlers and vendors of The Coca Cola Companys products in the world, and the largest one based in Europe. The company produces markets and sells to customers one of the most well-known brand in the world, Coca Cola. 1 Operations Management Practices Critically assess the extent to which CCHBCs operations management practices enable it to achieve strategic goals as set out in the Four As credo. Coca Cola HBC focuses on a Four As credo in order to sustain its constant and growing demands in its markets: Availability Affordability Acceptability Activation Their operations strategy cleverly brings their processes together to form a supply chain that extends beyond the physical walls of the organisation and reach further involving suppliers and customers. According to Krajeski et al (2010) a firm competes not only by offering new products, innovative marketing or expert finances, but also through its unique competencies in operations and solid management of core processes. The Sand Cone Model suggests that firms can develop four sustainable competitive advantages following a particular order of strategic priorities. The proposed order is quality, dependability, flexibility and cost. Excellent operations performance in quality gives the company the ability to deliver high quality products. Excellent operations performance dependability will give the company the ability to compete on fast and reliable deliveries (availability). Excellent operations management in flexibility gives the company the ability to deliver on a wider range of products and new products (activation). Excellent operations performance in cost gives the company the ability to deliver on low price (affordability). The model suggests that if this focus is followed, organisations are then able to build up their advantages concerning all the elements. Considering the Hayes Wheelwright four-stage model for manufacturing competitiveness, Coca Cola HBC can easily be described as externally supportive, or stage 4. Their operations are managed proactively to drive the business strategy of the entire organisation. Operations are world class and seen as the means to achieve customer satisfaction. The establishment of mutual beneficial relationships with suppliers enables them to deliver the best value in terms of quality, cost, service and innovation, helping to achieve the four As in their credo. These relationships involve regular collaboration over long-term direction of these partnerships and generally cover operational issues, but can also accommodate business issues such as joint investments and operations. Relationships are so tight that various international suppliers have established local production in different countries. y in order Product data and information sharing with trade partners is also a critical part of operations management practices. New product developments, promotions and other marketing initiatives, new advances in operational processes, supply availability, pricing strategies, costing, logistics plans should be undertaken in a sharing culture between all involved where there is a high level of honesty and trust. Nowadays bar codes are an essential technology for supply systems, independent of the product. The use of this technology enables the unique identification and tracking of all products through the supply network. Like many firms, Coca Cola HBCs operations strategies are only feasible with the use of bar codes, electronic data interchange (EDI) and point of sale (PoS) data sharing, which firmly link all activity in the supply system to real time customer demand. It is not understood whether the company uses it, but electronic data interchange (EDI) is also a vital technological component to enable links between firms in a mutual operational network. This technology is capable of extending the interconnection between retailer and supplier to an entire network. EDI is also used as a means to support electronic trading facilitating global sourcing and acting as a low cost communication option. The establishment of good relationships and partnering with customers, suppliers and other members of the supply chain enables CCHBC to save on costs whilst addressing and influencing consumer preferences at the point of sale. For this type of company, point of sale (PoS) data collection is vital, but it would be of little use if retained only by the organization. This data is essential for a flexible and responsive supply and demand can only be met using forward inventory builds and forecasting rather than operating in-line with real time demand patterns. This helps to support a continual and automatic replenishment system which is important to enable items to be restocked by a vendor or supplier to the exact rate of sale. Demand information can drive operational schedules and replenishment is direct from production output rather than stock holding. These tight relationships also help them to involve customers, retailers and suppliers in the processes of product development, modification and planning. This allows the rapid development of new products or innovative packaging to be tested in-store prior to product launches, for example. Their intelligent production and better and faster supply chain offers a high degree of response, speed and agility. Despite high initial costs and time to fully implement, many supplier manufacturers are increasing the use of this form of production organization as long term benefits are very valuable. All of these practices are important building blocks of Coca Cola HBCs operations strategy. These are the forces that help shape them into a customer-driven and customer-focused organisation. Their operations function provides the basis of competitive advantage and set standards for the entire industry. Todays marketplace is increasingly complex. The retail landscape is ever-changing, consumers are seeking greater variety and our customers are demanding higher service levels. In this vibrant and dynamic environment, we are constantly evaluating the way we do business as we strive to achieve profitable and sustainable growth. To ensure that the business results we deliver are sustainable over the longer-term, we implemented a new strategic initiative in 2006. Excellence Across the Board focuses on developing best-in-class commercial and distribution capabilities, as well as streamlining the management of financial resources. In particular, we are building powerful route-to-market systems and dynamic partnerships with customers to ensure that our execution in the marketplace is unparalleled. At the same time, we seek to optimise the use of our financial working capital and rethink internal processes and systems. In addition to the Excellence Across the Board strategic initiative we are looking to Expand into territories that prove to be a geographic fit and contribute to our long term growth prospects while we remain committed to Explore other adjacent business areas to leverage our infrastructure, strengthen customer relationships and explore new avenues for growth and value. We also manage our business following the six priorities: to increase our beverage categories in order to become a more diverse non-alcoholic beverage company to build brand equity in order to create value for customers to drive profitable package mix and exploit new channels in order to enhance margins to manage capital for growth and value to drive cost efficiency throughout our business to create superior sustainable returns Here are some examples that show how we fulfill these objectives. Customer collaboration Coca-Cola Hellenic aims to have an excellent co-operation with the 1.4 million shops, restaurants, supermarkets, discount chains and other businesses that sell the Companys beverages. In view of this, we enhance our route-to-market and commercial capabilities to ensure the availability of an ever-expanding range of products in the marketplace. Effective route-to-market systems Another key element in driving sustainable growth is the Companys route-to-market strategy for the fragmented trade channels. This strategy is focused on adopting the most effective means to ensure the full availability of our products in the marketplace and build lasting relationships with outlet owners. Excellence in marketplace execution Excellence in marketplace execution is supported by our continuous investments in building salesforce effectiveness. We invest in merchandising equipment to generate impulse sales and equip our sales people with mobile devices to enhance order taking, invoicing and asset tracking. The second key element of our business imperatives is to develop each of our markets by providing superior customer service and quality products. In Coca-Cola Hellenic we work hard to adapt our business to the changing needs of our customers. We initiate a number of customer-specific programmes. This aims to facilitate a cross-functional approach to planning for the purpose of better aligning our organization with the way our customers do business. The goal of this approach is to create value for our customers. Improved preparation of joint annual plans encompassing promotional planning and revenue growth initiatives, inventory management and customer-specific cooler placement strategies, are examples of what we believe will bring additional value to our customer relationships. In serving consumers our blueprint can be summarised in four words: availability, affordability, acceptability and activation. Availability We place our range of products within easy reach of consumers in the right package, in the right location, at the right time. We focus on developing strong relationships with our customers to ensure that the right products are in stock, highly visible and readily accessible wherever and whenever consumers may desire a non-alcoholic beverage. Affordability We offer a wide variety of desirable, premium quality products, in packages appropriate for the occasion, at the right price. In doing so, we aim to reach as many consumers as possible while taking into account the differing levels of purchasing power in the countries in which we operate. Acceptability We supply an extensive and growing range of products that meet the highest quality standards in each country, increasing their acceptability to consumers. We have a detailed understanding of consumer needs and access to the most effective communications channels. Combined with our experience in quality control, customer service and efficient distribution, we are able to reach out to customers and consumers in each of our markets and meet their demands. Activation We motivate consumers to choose our products by improving product availability and attractiveness at the point of purchase and by building brand strength in our local markets. We achieve this in close cooperation with our customers through: the placement of cold drink equipment, such as coolers and vending machines the provision of signage and other point-of-sale materials the implementation of local marketing and promotional initiatives 2 Capacity Management Approach How would you characterise CCHBCs approach to capacity management (including production, planning and control). What are the specific challenges of this approach? The success of an organisation is greatly determined by their ability to meet customer demand and to respond promptly and effectively to changes in this demand over time. Only an effective approach to capacity management will enable this to be achieved. According to Barnes (2008), the aim of capacity management is to match supply and demand. If capacity is insufficient the company risks having many dissatisfied customers and losing prospect sales as consumer demand cant be properly met. If capacity is excessive, costs will generally be higher than necessary as resources wont be fully utilised. Coca Cola HBCs approach to capacity management is certainly to try and match capacity to demand. This strategy relies heavily on being able to produce reliable future demand forecasts, which is notoriously proven to be a difficult task. Whilst this seems to be the most appropriate approach for this company, it still means the organisation is not able to meet sudden upturns in demand as capital investment decisions can typically involve a long lead time. Barnes (2008) points out that decisions involving adding capacity should be made within the necessary lead time as in some cases it can take years to devise the necessary structure and equipment. Coca Cola HBC consider that production planning based on long term forecasting is no longer necessary. Instead, they have opted to operate a continuous planning process. Krajeski et al (2010) agree, as they affirm that forecast accuracy declines as the forecast horizon lengths. However, Barnes (2008) disagrees asserting that forecasting future demand is important both in long term and short term scenarios. He defends that long term forecasts are needed when planning investment in new facilities and equipment and short term forecasts are important to manage effectively existing capacity. At Coca Cola HBC, a dedicated forecast manager is responsible for using historical sales information and consumer data to produce a weekly demand plan. Whilst this approach is based on the use of scientific methods and data mining tools, accuracy is still an issue. Unfortunately, independent of the number of forecasting methods used by an organisation, none of them are particularly accurate in predicting demand. Barnes (2008) affirms that nonetheless any forecast is almost certainly better than none as it forces managers to think about the future and consider how they can best respond to changes in demand. Assuming a quantitative method based on time series analysis is used, Coca Cola HBC are using the past to predict the future, which might not always be the case. A casual analysis should also be utilised in order to help them identify relationships between demand and relevant happenings, such as exceptional weather, advertising campaigns and major sports/music events. Although not clear in the case study, its very likely that they also use qualitative methods such as market surveys and scenario planning to assist them in forecasting demand. These methods are based on estimates and judgements made by either customers or managers but again cannot guarantee accurate forecasts. Their continuous planning process is also heavily dependent on achieving a consensus plan amongst all relevant senior managers. This approach can be considered valuable as it is designed to satisfy the targets and limits of all involved. However, it relies heavily on effective communication and outstanding teamwork of all members which is something far from easy to achieve. Unless relationships are very tight and teamwork is ____exceptional members could tend to focus more on their individual targets rather than the teams goal. Most challenges faced by the organisation as a result of their capacity management approach are eased by fostering good relations and partnering with customers, suppliers, retailers and other members of the supply chain. The organisation has a extended and complex supply network which makes it more difficult to manage. A firms capacity management approach should be constantly revised as capacity planning decisions have implications for all members and processes in the supply chain as well as various departments within the organisation. Therefore, the whole chain should be designed for effectiveness. Agile supply chains are more capable to meet unpredictable demand surges as they are action-oriented, competitive and driven to perform. 3 Supply Management Approach Assess CCHBCs approach to managing its suppliers. Coca Cola HBC has a truly global mindset with Coca Cola HBC has a global sourcing network with facilities in a number of countries. All activities (purchasing, etc ) are integrated and coordinated across the whole organisation and theyve worked on building fair and mutually beneficial relationships to deliver the best in terms of quality, cost, service and innovation. Relationships with suppliers They work extensively with their suppliers helping them to improve their processes, reduce costs and deliver innovation and efficiencies. Suppliers range from big international companies to smaller local companies. A number of international suppliers have established production in different countries allowing CCHBC to source from them. Relationships are managed both at country and Group level. Multi-functional teams ensure quality and efficiency. All suppliers of ingredients and primary packing materials must be approved. Suppliers must follow strict standards for business ethics, human rights, labour practices and environmental management. Independent auditing of suppliers for compliance with these principles is undertaken by independent third party firms every two years. 4 Management Information Systems How could an MIS help Coca Cola to monitor the achievement of its A for availability credo? Support your answer with specific examples that demonstrate the value of your chosen reports and information. It is widely known that good-decision making abilities and problem-solving skills enable organisations to reach its objectives and goals. Managing information systems (MIS) can help an organisation to achieve these goals by providing an insight into the day-to-day operations of the company so that they can control, organise and plan more effectively and efficiently. According to Stair et al (2008) a management information systems (MIS) is an integrated collection of people, procedures, databases, hardware and software aimed at providing managers with information to enable them to make better decisions to achieve organisation goals. Besides supporting internal operations, management information systems also enable collaboration between companies in the supply chain. Using high speed networks and data bases companies can easily share more reliable data to better manage the supply chain as a whole and their own individual operations. Hugos (2006) defends that the use of this technology is the key to a companys triumph. An effective management information system can benefit an organisation in many ways: Facilitates planning quality of planning is improved as the relevant information for decision making is available. Minimizes information overload it transforms a large amount of data into summarized form and avoid confusion that may arise when information is too detailed. Coordination facilitates the integration of activities and connect all decision centres in the organisation Aids control serves as a link between managerial planning and control. Improves ability of evaluating and optimising performance Decentralization allows monitoring of operations at low levels and frees up resources for departmental managers to devote time to strategic activities. The output of a management information system is information that sub serves managerial functions. A variety of reports in the form of charts, graphs, tables, summaries, etc, can be produced, all aimed at supporting management decisions. There are 5 main types of reports and Coca Cola CHB could utilise each one in a different context, but all with the same objective, which is to provide an insight to the companys regular operations. To guarantee availability of its products, Coca Cola HBC could use scheduled reports, produced periodically to monitor and control manufacturing output. The SCM manager could use a daily summary report to ensure he is meeting production targets. He could also guarantee that profitability targets are being achieved by using a weekly summary report to control labour costs. A key-indicator report is also a valuable managerial tool in order to understand the previous days activities. By analysing this report the production manager can take quick and corrective action in case any deviation is perceived, i.e. due to an unexpected stoppage in production or supply shortage. Demand reports can also be produced to fulfil requirements for specific information upon request. The SCM manager should use these to check on production status of particular products or measure performance of a certain production line. Coca Cola CHB could also use exception reports, which would be automatically produced when an unusual situation arises or when a problem requires management action. They could be generated when there is a production problem, for example. This would then enable the relevant manager to make a quickly, timely and informed decision. As the name suggests, drill-down reports provide very detailed data about a specific situation. This report could be used to analyse sales to determined countries, regions, cities or even unique retailers. All of these reports enable the relevant managers to make the best decisions and solve problems according fully supporting the organisations strategic planning and corporate policies. Production scheduling, inventory control, manufacturing resource planning and quality control are all activities that could potentially be optimised with the use of these various reports. In fact, Coca Cola CHB realises the importance of business reports and according to their 2009 Annual report, theyve been successfully rolling out SAP information systems which are expected to improve the efficiency of their entire business, by increasing the speed and accuracy of production, warehousing and sales functions, while increasing customer service levels. The company could also follow Coca Colas example in the United States and use a Group Decision Support System (GDSS). GroupSystem 5 helps Coca Cola save time and money by using a meeting facilitator and giving all participants an anonymous voice in decisions. This has eliminated the typical problem of a few people dominating decision-making meetings. The system displays only anonymous comments and outlines options. Interaction is allowed but kep to a minimum. The results: shorter meetings, less stressful conferences, a focus on shares values and concerns and increased efficacy. Competitive advantage can be achieved by the effective utilisation of the management information system and its reports as managers are supported whilst they work to achieve corporate goals. With an effective management information system in place, Coca Cola HBC can monitor the achievement of the Availability credo identify problem areas and opportunities for improvement. By aligning company goals with customers desires and needs, they can provide the right product, in the right location and at the right time. 5 Data Mining and Search Tools Analysis Coca Colas acceptability factor demands, among other things, effective customer service. Using specific examples, explain how data mining and related search tools can enable Coca Cola to analyse performance here. Many businesses and organisations collect data about their operations. They then examine this data for insights into their operations and into the transactions their business performs. This may be as simple as a periodic glance at a business report or may involve complex analysis using the latest software tools. Data mining is utilized because it can improve customer service, better target marketing campaigns, identify high-risk clients, and improve production processes. It is mainly used to help a company save money. Data mining can be successfully employed at the very beginning of a product lifecycle to lower costs during research and development. It can also be profitably employed to save money in manufacturing. Sensors can be installed to keep record of many variables particular to a process. The output from these sensors is then controlled by computer programs that can order slight adjustments to keep production within the proper bounds. Data mining also helps marketing professionals improve their understanding of customer behavior Good customer relationship management requires understanding of customers, their needs, their likes and dislikes. When data mining is correctly utilised within the organization the whole company will be able to benefit from an increased understanding of its customers and market, a better-focused marketing strategy and a more efficient use of resources. According to Berry Linoff (2004) data mining plays an important part both in advertising and direct marketing to identify the right audience, choose the best communication channels and pick the most appropriate messages. Coca Cola HBC can integrate their systems with retailers in order to analyse shopping baskets in supermarkets. Unexpected shopping patterns can easily be identified in this way. Another form of employing data mining is by using past behaviour to rank customers. Coca Cola HBC can use sales data to distinguish between profitable and unprofitable customers. They can also use this to predict which customers are likely to switch to an alternative brand in the future. Recently, Coca Cola started using a new vending machine, equipped with a flat screen, which displays the different products available. The machine offers a wide range of drinks, many that are not yet available in retail. The main objective of this new vending machine is to extract data regarding individuals consumption. With this data, Coca Cola is then able to recognise new consumption trends and subsequently identifies potential new blends and products to develop. Berry Linoff (2004) affirm that the promise of data mining is to return the focus of business to serving customers and to providing efficient business processes. This is very important in todays world, where weve learned that targeted marketing will lead to more satisfied and more profitable customers. Identify unexpected shopping patterns in supermarkets. Optimize website profitability by making appropriate offers to each visitor. Predict customer response rates in marketing campaigns. Defining new customer groups for marketing purposes. In short, Data Mining can be applied anywhere in your business or organization where you are interested in identifying and exploiting predictable outcomes. Using Web-based Tools for Service and Support The Web continues to put an indelible stamp on the way people live and work, impacting the way they communicate, do business, and conduct social interactions. It has empowered the population in countless ways, and continually layers on new mechanisms for connecting with anyone, anywhere. Its given voice to every kind of business and end user, as they take to social networks, blogs, wikis, videosharing, virtual reality worlds and tweets in growing numbers. This level of communication has dramatically changed the way business gets conducted, to the joy of many high-profile companies who have leveraged it to great fortune. But to the horror of some businesses, the voices directed at them are harshly revelatory: theyre bringing to light broken business practices, service faux pas, product malfunctions, and corporate malfeasance. Some of the loudest voices stem from service and support transactions, which, thanks to the Webs instant communication capabilities, can be broadcast loud and clear across a range of media. Epic stories of bad service bound around the Web in various incarnations, only replaced by the next fiasco. Businesses, particularly those who havent kept pace with newer marketing and customer response strategies, find they have less and less control over their own brands. Theres a real shift from CRM, which is very data-centric, to customer-managed relationships, says Michael Maoz, an analyst with Stamford, Ct.-based Gartner Inc. You can spend as many billions of dollars as you want, but with their Web at their disposal, your customers are going to determine your brand for you theyre going to make it or break it. Indeed, while more people are starting and concluding their support transactions in online channels, theyre shifting their search away from their providers own properties, says Tom Sweeny, an analyst at ServiceXRG. Instead, theyre increasingly going to third-party forums or relying on Google searches to get the support information they need. The upshot: The provider loses the benefit of interacting with their customer or learning from the issue. Weve taken for granted for so many years that support questions were an annoyance and came at a cost. But what happens when those interactions dry up and take place somewhere else? says Sweeny. Somebody else is creating and shaping the experience. They can shape the perception of your company, sometimes inaccurately, without you