The History Of The Worlds Legal Systems Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Secondary rules supplement primary rules by providing mechanisms for allowing their identification, their violation, and their modification. According to Hart, secondary rules are rules of recognition, rules of adjudication and rules of the amendment (Hage Pfordten 2009 118). Moreover, other authors see modern legal systems as strictly characteristic of advanced industrial economies, where there are differentiation and stratification of institutions. These elements of stratification and differentiation are reflected in the legal systems as well. In these systems, lawmaking is more extensive and laws are more voluminous, with clear divisions (Sutherland, Cressey Luckenbill 27). Aside from the presence of secondary rules, modern legal systems can be differentiated from primitive legal systems by the existence of an apparent distinction between the civil and criminal jurisdictions, and the public from privacy laws. In early civilizations, there was no clear distinction between crimin al and civil cases. Thus, all cases were heard by the same courts, although there was usually a hierarchy of courts and appeals were allowed to the next higher court. The highest courts are usually at the state level staffed by the king s men and the lowest at the neighborhood or village level. We will write a custom essay sample on The History Of The Worlds Legal Systems or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page In the Aztec society, both criminal and civil cases were appealable to the ruler established court (Trigger 2003 pp.

Is There Anybody Out There. Drug Abuse Is A Major Problem

Is There Anybody Out There? Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day. As Maia Salavitz points out, â€Å"Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.† When you hear the words drug addict you think of a â€Å"junkie† or â€Å"crack head†, and when you see someone pan handling for money on the street, passed out, or swaying in a doorway you wonder why don’t they get help? Through my research, I hope to show what barriers people face when trying to seek the†¦show more content†¦According to results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 2.4 million Americans used prescription drugs non-medically for the first time within the past year, which avera ges to approximately 6,600 initiates per day. This population would seek help if not for the fear and shame they feel about being labeled as a drug addict. These stigmas perpetuated by people believing that addiction is a character flaw or a sign of weakness can create such fear in a person that they won’t ever get the help they need. They worry about losing their jobs or family so opt to go without treatment despite the consequences to their health, which could even lead to death. In the â€Å"Addiction† article published by the Gale group it states that â€Å"According to the CDC, in 2013 more than sixteen thousand people died from prescription opioids, an increase of 50 percent in three years.† Addiction does not discriminate; it makes no distinction between a person’s age, sex, color, or financial situation. However, the fear one gets does and the stigma of addiction leaves many Americans unwilling to fund better treatment. Insurance plays a major role in whether or not a person can be treated for addiction. Even when insurance does cover treatment, there might not be an available treatment center or provider to help with your needs. An article written by Brandy Pugh in the National Center onShow MoreRelatedDrug Addiction : Today s Society945 Words   |  4 PagesDrug addiction is one major problem in today’s society. Really, every country faces such issues today. A ton of measures are taken to battle against medication misuse, and, certainly, a few improvements are obvious. Nonetheless, this issue is not dispensed with and, maybe, will never be. Today, Americans are losing their employments, families, and even their lives over the misuse. There are a considerable measure of legal drugs that Americans are dependent on, yet there are additionally a great dealRead MoreEssay about Drug Legalization1209 Words   |  5 Pages Drug Legalization Strong drug enforcement in the United States is correlated with the reduction in crime , drug use, and drug addiction growth rates. The impact on tougher drug sanctions has been overshadowed by a myth that U.S. drug enforcement has become too lenient. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;This myth has been promoted by the multi-million dollar pro-drug legalization lobby, civil libertarians, and misguided academic researchers to the public with limited review and challenge. Attacks onRead MoreDrugs And Its Effects On Society893 Words   |  4 PagesDrugs are everywhere. There are many reasons why people turn to drugs, such as peer pressure, depression, and etc. Using drugs is a choice that many people decide to do. Drugs can get prescribed by people such as doctors and psychiatrists and those drugs can be used to help cure the body. Even with those prescribed drugs some like to abuse them, which can have a negative effect on our bodies and can lead to many different things. Things such as possibly going to jail, losing your job, ruin relationshipsRead MoreIs There Anybody Out There?. Maia Szalavitz, Author Of1484 Words   |  6 Pages Is There Anybody Out There? Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, points out in an article about our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, â€Å"Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.† Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and moreRead MoreEssay on Homeless in America825 Words   |  4 PagesBeds for Everybody One of the major issues nationally is people who are becoming homeless and the fact that one third of the homeless population have served this country, which is around 195,000 veterans. Thats more than the death count of the Vietnam war. Most homeless people are male about three percent are women, most are single and come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its a major issue, this is America there should not be thousands of people across this nation that are homeless especiallyRead MoreWho Feels Grief?1779 Words   |  7 PagesLittle by little, hour by hour, day by day, people die. The people that die could be loved ones, strangers, friends, foes, just about anybody! Death is a terrible ordeal that one has to go through. Although people die every day the loss that someone feels changes them; as well as those they love, those they were close too, even those they don’t know. How can something that is so frequent effect people in tremendous days? Shouldn’t death be expe cted? Though people are always cautioned to expect theRead MoreEssay on The Drug Heroin1390 Words   |  6 PagesDrugs Drugs have been around for hundreds of years. Indians were known to have used Opium and other drugs for medical and various other purposes. During the 7th Century A.D. in China a drug emerged called Opium. Opium, the dry juice from immature seed pods of the opium poppy plant, is a narcotic drug that is very powerful in the relief of pain but is also very addictive. At the beginning Opium was like any other drug, but then people unaware of the harm it could cause began to useRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Abuse On Children1443 Words   |  6 Pageslead to impairment or distress in many different ways such as, â€Å"recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home, recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous, recurrent substance-related legal problems, continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance† (Susic, 2007). According to the Foster Care Club, there are preciselyRead MoreEssay on Reasons for the Legalization of Marijuana987 Words   |  4 PagesThe War on Drugs has been fighting a tough opponent over the past few decades. Aimed at cutting down on drug use and sales, this war has brought many negative side effects along with it. Aside from limiting the freedoms of millions of Americans, The War on Drugs has caused many more problem s while also managing to fail at drug deterrence and distribution. Since many citizens already back the legalization of marijuana, as demonstrated by Oaklands passing of Measure Z, which makes marijuanaRead MoreSubstance Abuse And Bipolar Disorder1301 Words   |  6 Pages Separately, substance abuse and bipolar disorder are two very serious conditions, and both have been proven to be caused in part by heredity. Shockingly, co-occurrence of both disorders in a single person is a very common combination, and it can be very dangerous. People who have both bipolar disorder and an addiction are understood to have a â€Å"dual-diagnosis† or â€Å"genetic overlap†. Often, each condition can worsen the symptoms of the other; having both problems increases the risk of mood swings

The Effects of Physical and Verbal Abuse on Children Free Essays

One of the rising issues among children in our society today is the verbal and physical abuse they are receiving from their parents and guardians. This is creating unhealthy families and dysfunctional environments where children are the victims of these abusive homes. Another cause of concern is the psychological and emotional detachment abusive children have to endure. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects of Physical and Verbal Abuse on Children or any similar topic only for you Order Now These affects occur when they have a history of being neglected or physically abused. A UNICEF on child wellbeing reported that the United States and the United Kingdom are ranked lowest among industrial nations with respect to child well being.They also found that it’s more common for child abuse to occur in single-parent families than in families where both parents are present. This will only lead to more patterns of abuse in other relationships down the road. We are looking at children who will be scarred for the rest of their lives. As they are being raised in this environment, it will ultimately affect their future in society, their psychological behavior’s, and the emotional behavior. Many abusive homes do not realize the affects it has on their children’s future with society.A numerous amount of these children carry baggage’s of pain and scars on their body. They leave home with being neglected and unloved during their upbringing. The common trail they take is an escape from that reality. In other words, abusive kids try to find something that will fill out their empty space. Usually turning to alcohol, drugs, parties, sex, and other things that puts them out of touch with their current reality. What this all leads to are serious illegal consequences. According to dreamcatchers, eighty percent of juvenile and adult prisoners were raised in violent homes.That is a staggering statistic when seeing the overpopulation of criminals in prison. Another future consequence is the deprivation abused children will encounter in future relationships. They will be deprived of the necessary skills of a healthy relationship due to the distortion of their abusers. This can lead to repeated abusive patterns that was manifested in their upbringing. In other words, the behaviors they learned growing up will create abusive mentalities toward their future families, coworkers, and peers.Which repeats the same cycles that they experienced during their childhood. According to Pears and Capaldi, â€Å"they suggested that parents with poor discipline skills experience a great deal of stress and frustration in dealing with their children. When this stress is coupled with a history of physical abuse, the outcome is more likely to result in the transmission of abuse from one generation to the next† (Pears Capaldi). The statement proves that future abusive children will experience tough times staying disciplined with their future children.It’s very likely that they are going to pass on the same patterns of abuse on to the next generation of children. In order to overcome these future results, a close relative or a friend must report these problems must either to the police or a shelter home. It will at least begin a process of saving a child who needs to escape a dysfunctional reality. Not only that, they can receive medical attention and treatment on any physical wounds from their attackers. This leads to evidence that the child has been physically abused and give the police an opportunity to impose future jail time on their abuser.Another good example would be to come up with a variety of fundraisers for the community to participate in. The money would go to building more group homes church events in the poverty communities, and an increase shelter homes. In the meantime, psychological behaviors play a big part in childhood upbringing. Children tend to develop fears against doing anything outside attackers control over their decisions. This occurs because they are afraid of being beaten or possibly killed. The child will begin to lose a sense of curiosity of the world and this causes them to stop trying new things.Which keeps them from ever achieving their intellectual potential. Another psychological concern is the physical stress. If the child is continually exposed to multiple violent and trauma acts, they will be physically stressed out. When the child experiences this act over and over again, there are permanent psychological changes. A child having over-reactions to things that remind them of the original event can create difficulty in concentration and attention. There are emotional effects such as isolation and inability to trust other peers.This essentially can translate into low-self esteem and depression. In one long-term study, â€Å"as many as 80 percent of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21. These young adults exhibited many problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide attempts†( Silverman, Reinherz Giaconia, 1996). NSCAW found that children who were placed out of home-care due to abuse or neglect were scored lower on measures of cognitive capacity, language development, and academic achievement.In other words, they experienced difficulties with their academics being neglected or abused by parents or relatives. Other factors related to child abuse is shyness. More abused children will tend to shy away from meeting new people. This creates antisocial traits as they grow up. Raised under these conditions leads to personality disorders and violent behavior as well. One of the violent behaviors in abusive children is disruptive disorder. They develop a habit of excessive aggressiveness and irresponsible behavior towards their peers.According to Reshma Jirage, about 80 % of abused children are at higher risk of developing certain serious psychiatric problems and mental illnesses. Abused children are put at an unfair advantage due to these psychological distortions. It’s wrong for a child not to be raised under a healthy roof. Instead they are put in a position where the real values of a family are non-existent in their current lives. Every day is a battle of survival for them. As a solution, more educational institutions need to inform their students of this on-going issue in our society. It could help prevent many children who are growing up in these type of homes to be aware of the psychological future effects of an abusive upbringing. People need to be aware that it’s happening around their towns, their neighborhoods, and their streets. Usually when a child grows up their emotional scars and physical scars disappear completely. Therefore, if they are never informed about future consequences of being abused, repeated behaviors will occur. If education is viewed in America as the source to success, then why not install this into a course for children to have an opportunity to save their lives.Isn’t it important as a society to make sure that our future generation receives every parental resource before they have any children? For the safety of abused children, a class about child abuse will only educate the minds of young adults to not repeat the same behavioral patterns as their parents or guardians. In addition to the psychological behaviors, there ar e emotional problems as well with the child. Emotional abuse is defined as â€Å"any behavior which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development.This includes name-calling, shaming, shouting and yelling at the child, comparing the child to others in a negative manner, and making the child feel worthless or a failure. It also includes failing to give the child the affection and support necessary for the development of a child’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual well-being. This includes withholding physical affection, not telling the child he/she is loved and cared for, withdrawal of attention, and lack of praise and support. In other words, Emotional abuse causes more inner damage that ultimately destroys or impairs either the development of a positive sense of self. This type of abuse is the most prevalent and can be the most destructive of all types. Some of the reasons why parents act out in these inappropriate behaviors is the lack of poor parenting skills, lack of available resou rces, and unrealistic expectations from their children. A child being constantly ignored, shamed, terrorized, or humiliated will suffer just as much abuse than if they are physically assaulted.Signs of this abuse can be seen by the child’s insecurity, poor self esteem, and suicide. They also grow up thinking that they are deficient in some way. Another common factor when being emotionally abused is the development of interpersonal problems. Always being corrupted into accepting their ideas or behaviors can toy with a child’s mind. The insults, ridicules, and imitating are all ways of degrading a child. All of these types of emotional abuse are usually based on power and control. That’s why so many abusive children are never able to find out what their calling is in life. Cause their mind is filled with degrading thoughts about what their parents have labeled them as in society. It confuses them to the point where they believe that the emotional abuser’s statements are true. They also will struggle accepting positive compliments from their peers or friends. Furthermore, these problems must come to a stop, a few suggestions such as safe childcare opportunities and taking an abused child to a pediatrician are great ways to deal with child abuse.For safe childcare, this gives parents the opportunity to put your child into a daycare for a few hours. This would release any tension or stress on the parents from work. Then when picking up the child their won’t be any emotional outburst on the child. The home would be peaceful and no permanent damage would be inflicted upon the child. More responsibilities are put on our parents, it would be wise to give the child some supervision in order for the parent to recuperate from other demands. On the other hand, children receiving help from certain health How to cite The Effects of Physical and Verbal Abuse on Children, Papers

Strategic Management Dynamic Markets and The Productive Technologies

Question: Discuss about the Strategic Management for Dynamic Markets and The Productive Technologies? Answer: In accordance with the present day scenario, the dynamic markets and the productive technologies primarily emphasizes on the sustainability of the competitive advantage. Implementation of effective strategy thus plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the marketing tools. The strategy is thus defined as a range or way that emphasizes over the long term achievement of a given organization. Focusing more to improve on all other fonts, their focus on improving the viable competitive position gradually decreases. Michael Porter first argued regarding the fact that though operational effectiveness is a necessary tool for highlighting the superior performance but since the methods are not easy to imitate, it is not very much sufficient. This report will thus help in analyzing the contribution of the given article to the mentioned subject area along with the critical appraisal of the article. According to Porter, the different kind of tools like quality management, benchmarking and other do help in improving the operation of a given firm, but it effectively fails in providing sustainable profit to the company. Thus, the primary cause of the problem is the inability of the management to distinguish between the strategy and the effectiveness of the organization. The article thus contributed to highlighting the different aspects are providing to the subject area. In the contribution to the subject area, the article presently helped in enhancing the idea regarding operational effectiveness, origins of strategic positions, tradeoffs, competitive advantage, the role of leadership and sustainability. Operational Effectiveness It has been stated by Porter that a company can only outperform the rivals by establishing a difference that it can primarily preserve. Thus, the concept of competition based on operational effectiveness helped in developing an idea regarding the productivity frontier. Origins of Strategic Positions Porter helped in understanding regarding the different kinds of positioning based on strategy. This primarily includes variety-based positioning; access based positioning and needs to be based positioning. Thus, it helped in understanding the fact that positioning is not always considered as the function of difference based on the demands of the customers. Strategic Positioning Requires Tradeoffs This aspect particularly helped in understanding the concept of sustainable advantage by the introduction of suitable tradeoffs with respect to another positioning. As given in the article which states that A trade-off means the more of one thing necessitates less of another (p. 68). Competitive Advantage This aspect contributed to the understanding of the positioning choices that helped in determining how the companies that need to configure the individual activities and not only the single activities associated with the enterprise. This helps to focus mainly on the effectiveness of an individual identity and strategy concentrating on the combining activities. In accordance with it, the three types of fit that arise include first order fit, second order fit and third order fit. The understanding of the different fit assists in understanding the central component of the competitive advantage. Role of Leadership As quoted in the article the challenge of developing or reestablishing a clear strategy is often primarily an organizational one and depends on leadership" (p. 77). This primarily helped to focus upon the fact that strategy is not only about choosing the things to do, but it also helps in determining the things that do not need to be done. Thus, the understanding of the strategy helps in deciding not only to serve their customers but also to satisfy their needs. Thus, implementation of a clear strategy requires a clear communication and proper discipline. Hence, the approach guides the employees in making practical choices that arise because of the trade-offs. Sustainability Understanding the present concept, helps in providing idea regarding strategic fit helps in providing a sustainable advantage as because it helps in replicating the activity of a particular individual. Thus, the concept of sustainable competitive advantage contributes to providing a unique position for a given firm. It also helps in tailoring activities strategically. Critical Appraisal and Conclusion From the above discussion based on the article, it can be concluded that the aspects that have been outlined in the given article critically help in the understanding of the several factors enhancing the different his method of strategy regarding operational needs. Operational effectiveness helps in the understanding of the activities for successful implementation of the strategy while the strategic operations are defining various kind of positioning assists in the understanding of the different positioning. The tradeoffs also help to appraise the positioning of the competitors regarding imitating a valuable positioning in various ways critically. Therefore, the critical appraisal helps in enhancing the knowledge regarding the significance of the article in context to strategy. References Porter, M. (1996) What is Strategy?, Harvard Business Review, 74 (6) Nov-Dec, pp. 61-78.

Art Histroy... compare and contrast.. two art works.. essays

Art Histroy... compare and contrast.. two art works.. essays The Nineteenth Century European Paintings and Sculpture Galleries Van Gogh, Flowering Orchard (56.13), Annenberg Van Gogh Gallery Monet, The Four Trees (29.100.110), Annenberg Monet Gallery Visual perception is a function of our eyes and brain. We see images as a whole rather then in parts. However, images can be broken into their visual elements: line, shape, texture, and color. These elements are to images as grammars are to languages. They, together, allow our eyes to see images and our brain to recognize those objects. In this compare and contrast essay between the Works of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet French-born Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) and the French, Claude Monet (1840-1926), both painted vibrant and expressive paintings during the twentieth-century. In this case, the chosen paintings are Van Gogh "Flowering Orchard", 1888 and Monet "The Four Trees", 1891. Both of these compositions are painting. Nothing is of more importance than the Flowering orchard. The orchard in Van Goghs painting, dominated by the rich, red-brown tree growing in the foreground, reaching out and upward with delicate searching branches. All of which give the flowering orchard an emerald expanse of grass carpeting the ground expression. In Monets case, the four trees were created solely with the use of layered similar colors close to each other. and a very random synthetist outline technique (a similar technique the post-impressionist painter Gaugin used). Modigliani outlines his figure moreso in black than Villon. Mme. Fulgence's age is understood by the strong dynamic colour quality that has been used to break her face apart. In a way, these colourful divisions act as wrinkles. For instance, the chunk of layered pink on her lip creates a scowl and the heavily applied white on her nose helps it to seem upright; a 'snobbish' upturn. Colours such as the oran ge, have been used to highlight her l...

How to Craft Customer Case Studies That Convince And Convert

How to Craft Customer Case Studies That Convince And Convert The struggle is real for marketers because they are in the midst of a customer trust crisis. And things are only getting worse. Studies show that only 48% of the general population in the United States trust businesses. Earning the trust of customers can be difficult, so deliver what you promise when it comes to your products. Writing a case study is a great way to do just that. Today, we’re talking to Whitney Deterding, product marketing specialist, who focuses on the company’s case studies. You’ll learn from her that case studies need to resonate with your prospects and have a purpose. She shares best practices to use when selecting customers and avoiding pitfalls. Discover how to craft case studies that move your prospects down the funnel. Case studies need to have social proof to build trust; gives people insight into how great your product or service is direct from the customer’s mouth ’s Customer Success Team has direct connection to customers; identify which customers should be used in case studies and testimonials Sales Team deals with prospects all the time and become aware of the problems they face and trends in various industries Incent is a common tactic used to get customers to be in case studies; both and its customers reap benefits Send personal Thank You messages or gifts to the customers to show how appreciative and grateful you are for their time Questions to Ask: What is the problem that your service/product solved? What steps were taken relieve a pain point and generate results? Do research beforehand to help you discover and uncover unique things that a customer might discuss Transcribe and listen to interview recordings to highlight quotes and case studies Present case studies with the customer’s logo, headshot, demographics, and other items to make it authentic and give readers something valuable to pull out Once you’ve done the interview, there are many ways you can use that information to move prospects through the funnel Measuring the ROI of a case study depends on how it’s being used; include a call to action to measure conversions Common pitfalls include trying to do too many case studies together they tell the same story, and don’t control the interview be able to pivot Links: Edelman Trust Barometer Joanna Wiebe ’s Customer Stories Write and send a review to receive a care package If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Whitney Deterding: â€Å"The most important thing about a case study is that it gives people insight into how great your product or service is direct from the customer’s mouth.† â€Å"The beauty of a case study is that once you’ve done the interview, once you have that information at your fingertips, there are so many ways you can use it, and you can pepper it throughout the entire funnel.† You want to make sure that regardless of what experience someone’s having, as a reader, they’re going to pull out something valuable from it.†

Film Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 8

Film Analysis - Essay Example While at the city, Daniel acts as a choir conductor and this earns him so much fame due to his proficiency in teaching choir members how to alternate their voices and how to sing in harmony. While teaching the choir in the city, Daniel urges the members to work as a team and not as competing parties. In the city, Daniel plans his undertakings with so much ease because he performs what he feels like. During this time, Daniel has enough money that enables him to conduct his planning activities effectively. While at the city, Daniel is jovial and freely interacts with people who surrounds him and this gives him the morale to plan for more activities and to visit more churches and institutions to aid various choir groups in coming up with good and appealing music (Brussat 2009). His ties with the high and mighty at the urban center makes Daniel a center of attraction especially from women who find him to be loving and easy to work with. Many city dwellers in Sweden envy how Daniels plans his activities in a simultaneous way and this acts as an inspiration to many people. During his conducting activities, Daniel encounters a heart attack that drastically alters his plans and activities. Being unable to plan his activities effectively, Daniel retires to his rural home in Norrland in Northern Sweden where he settles at their home that his mother leaves him before her death when Daniel was of tender age. It is at their rural home that Daniel’s plans undergo great alterations. First, the protagonist does not want to associate with others and he locks up himself in the house the whole day. This inconveniences his activities so much given that he is of ill health and unable to socialize with the people he is fond of. The arrival of this character to their hometown evokes so much suspicion, interest and curiosity from the residents of Norrland. However,

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words - 1

Marketing - Essay Example Procter & Gamble has one of the largest portfolios of consumer brands that are commonly known in the household, such as Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Pantene, Bounty, Always, Folgers, Downy, Crest, Olay, Pringles, Actonel, Wella, lams, Gillette, and Charmin. Its community consists of over 138, 000 employees in over 80 countries worldwide, making P&G a company whose products reach households of different nationalities. The company started as a small, family-operated soap and candle business, which later transformed into a big transnational corporation that provides products and services of superior quality and value to consumers in more than 180 countries. Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500, American global corporation based in Cincinnati Ohio whose focus of manufacturing is a wide range of consumer goods. As of 2008, it has placed itself as the 14th largest US company by profit and 23rd by revenue. In 2007, it was placed 10th in Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list.1 It was recorded t hat it spent more on U.S. advertising than any other company in 2007, doubling the $2.62 billion spent by General Motors.2 Procter & Gamble was founded in 1837 by William Procter, a candle maker, and James Gamble, a soap maker. William Procter was an immigrant from England while James Gamble was from Ireland who both settled in Cincinnati and met each other when they married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris.3 As electricity became more and more common, the company stopped producing candles in 1920 and as it grew larger in the early 20th century, it began building factories in other parts of the United States because of a high demand of products outgrowing the Cincinnati facilities. P&G also became known for its research laboratories in the 1900s, in which chemists produced new products. It also pioneered in the area of market research, probing on product appeal and consumer needs. When radio became popular in the 1920s

Theory paper for sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Theory paper for sociology - Essay Example Thus, family acts as an integrating mechanism. Secondly, family helps create social order. In this way family acts as a unit of stability for the society to function as a whole. Talcott Parsons takes this concept a step further by explaining two essential functions of family. These functions tell us the way the family behaves and tells us the behavior of the individuals in the family. The first essential function of the family is the primary socialization of the young. Parsons (1951) argues that families are like factories producing human personalities and identities. It is the family alone that provides the security and emotional covering to the individual at an early age. An example of such behavior is the christening of the child or when they celebrate birthdays. The child learns that society is like a human organism where pains and happiness is shared. The family is a miniature society and behaves in a similar way. The other function of family mentioned by Parsons is the stabiliz ation of adult personalities. According to him through the sexual division of labor family helps maintain adult personalities and stabilizes them. The man has the instrumental role of a bread winner and the female has an expressive role within the family.

Energy Consumption In India And Tamil Nadu Environmental Sciences Essay

Energy Consumption In India And Tamil Nadu Environmental Sciences Essay India is 7th largest country in world comes under Asian continent, containing 28 states and 7 union territories. India is a peninsular country surrounded by Bay of Bengal in East, Indian Ocean in South and Arabian Sea in West. The neighbouring countries are Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Burma, China and Sri Lanka Electricity by type.gif Above figure shows Energy produced in India from the period of 1990 to 2008. Its seen that Energy produced from Thermal power constitutes nearly 70 %, and in this coal, lignite, oil, natural gas are the main resource. Remaining 22% is produced through Hydro power projects, approximately 5% from nuclear energy and remaining from Geothermal, Solar, Wind and Wastes, and its seen that India has showed its interest towards renewable energy resource only in this decade Petroleum (Thousand barrels per day) Total oil production 878.73 Consumption 2,980.00 Demand 2,101.27 Natural Gas (Billion Cubic feet) Production 1365 Consumption 1811 Demand 446 Coal (Million short tons) Production 568 Consumption 637 Demand 69 Electricity (Billion kWh) Net Generation 761 Net Consumption 568 Amount of Carbon dioxide emission from fossil fuels alone accounts 1494.88 Million metric tonnes of CO2. Below table lists the amount of installed power production by region wise North Region 34,207.15 MW Western Region 37,099.86 MW Southern region 36,569.32 MW Eastern Region -18,881.95 MW Islands 80.69 MW As India being a huge country we are given our native state to discuss about Energy production and consumption which is Tamil Nadu located in Southern region of India. Tamil Nadu produces 10214 MW of energy and out of which 8348 MW is needed for Tamil Nadu, which has nearly 66 million populations. The main source of energy productions in Tamil Nadu are Thermal, Hydro, Wind, Biomass and Solar. Out of which Wind Energy dominates the other source of energy productions. Wind power sector started its growth from 1990 and many Foreign wind energy started to boom due to attractive subsidies and incentives offer by the government for setting up their manufacturing plants. Wind Energy contributes 3545 MW to the state. The farms are located in Aralvoimozhi, Palghat, Sea Shore, Shengottah and Theni. In which Aralvoimozhi is the largest producer contributing nearly 35% of total wind power to state. Secondly the most energy resource is Thermal power. In Tamil Nadu, there are 5 Thermal power plants which pump out energy. They are Ennore thermal power station (ETPS), North Chennai thermal power station (NCTPS), Mettur thermal power station (MTPS), Tuticorin thermal power station (TTPS) and one more major power station is Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) which is alone owned by the Central Government of India. Total Energy produced from Thermal plants is 3463 MW. Thirdly Hydro Electric Power plants which produce 2390 MW. Tamil Nadu has many rivers flows into it from Western Ghats to Bay of Bengal. The water collected into many small dams and used for agriculture purpose during summer and at the same time these are used for energy production too. One of the biggest energy producers is Metter Dam. Finally we have Solar and Biomass which contributes 102MW and 609 MW respectively and rest of them are from wastes. Out of 10214 MW, 5288 MW is produced by State, 1058 MW from private sectors and rest is contributed by Central government. Even though Tamil Nadu produces excess energy than its need, but the state has been suffering from lack of power every day. This is due policies which are framed by central government to share the produced energy with neighbouring states. Huge population cover which is 66 million out of which 11 million population is in Capital City , a bit more than the Swedens population, which could be the causes for energy demands and also Tamil Nadu is being one of the largest industrial state. So, it is obvious that energy demand raises and due to these effects, causes the state to use its all available resources. Change in seasonal rainfall has lead to less energy production from Hydro power plants. So, its been pushed to focus on energy production through non-conventional resources. India is being covered by three sides of coastal areas, its rich in Wind energy, Tidal wav es and Solar Energy. Tamil Nadu has renewable energy grid power with installed capacity of 4790 MW which is nearly 32% of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Boards total grid capacity. TEDA (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency) was established in 1985 with following policies To set up RD To promote use of Renewable energy and to implement projects To promote energy conservation activities To conserve resources development on renewable source of energy Activities done by TEDA towards sustainability development Attracting investors through setting up demonstration wind farms , tax breaks Conducting Awareness campaign to educate people about use of renewable energy and energy conservation. Promoting renewable energy utilisation products like Solar light, solar heater, Wind mill water pumps in villages since majority of the population is in Villages and in small towns. Â  setting up of Grid Interactive Solar Power Plants India is being a heavy user of coal, which accounts in large amount of CO2 emission. Wind turbines can help to overcome emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. Wind farms are helping to reduce Indias reliance on fossil fuels and will reduce emissions by an estimated 50,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, which is comparatively large when compared with amount of CO2 emitted. India has aimed to reduce 20-25% CO2 emission. Apart from Wind Energy, Solar Energy is also a major source as far as India is concerned since it has sun light at an average of 9 hours a day throughout the year. India has planned to generate 22 GW of energy by 2022 from solar energy. Very recently off shore Wind farms are being installed and Solar energy is also being given importance.

Uses of ICT in Theatres :: ICT Essays

Uses of ICT in theatres Databases may contain information regarding: * Props - & people who make them * Costumes - * Actors * Producers * Directors * Regular visitors * Scenery - makers, painters * Make-up people * Rehearsal times * Staff rotas Publicity: * Programmes * Filters * Press releases * Posters * List of contacts Smoke/fire alarms Emergency lighting A theatre may use ICT for a wide number of tasks: Ticket-booking systems (both on- and off-line) Internet site Staff rotas Promotional materials Cash flow Automatic lighting systems Central management system Accounts Scheduling User interfaces Alarms Data Protection Act -relates to any personal data (relating to living individuals who can be identified from that data) that may be stored. - Hence, general data collected from point of sale terminals and websites are not usually affected. - Requirements of Act also cover many categories of manually held data. - Rome types of data that must be registered under the Act: -- Public and internal directories (e.g. of students, customers, staff) - Includes contact information. -- Staff/customer biographical information pages. -- Online forms (registration etc), include contact information. -- Online research surveys - includes data that identifies any individual response to a survey. -- E-mail list subscriptions (e.g. keep up with the latest results). -- Other ways, such as scripts that allow a user to personalise web pages, server-based cookie file systems, etc. Companies collecting any of the data outlined above must appoint a data controller and register with the Information Commissioner. Data Controllers must notify the IC, before processing personal data, of: - Their name and address - The data to be processed - The category(s) of data subject to which they relate - The purposes for which the data will be processed Companies are checked to ensure data security before being registered. The Act places a legal obligation on DCs to follow the data protection principles: - Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully - Personal data shall be obtained only for one or more specified lawful purposes - Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose/s for which it is to be used - Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date - Personal data processed for any purpose/s shall not be kept for longer than necessary - Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the act - Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unlawful or unauthorised processing of personal data, and against loss, destruction or damage to personal data. - Personal data shall not be transferred to countries/territories

In the Face of Betrayal, Lewis Discovers Loyalty Cosi Essay

The play ‘Cosi’, written by Louis Nowra, is set in 1971 amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War. Australia’s involvement in the war was a topic of great controversy, and being the first televised war, reality was brought crashing into the lounge rooms of Australians. The horrific images displayed in people’s homes sparked anger from those involved in the fight against communism and conscription. The loyalty of Australians was heavily tested during these times, with society divided in their support of anti-communism. Nowra exposes the audience to the harsh treatment of those living in mental institutions during these times; a result of society’s’ predisposition to neglect those labelled ‘insane’ in the 70’s. Through the play he encourages the audience to ignore these perceptions and recognise the mentally ill as equals instead of undermining them. Furthermore, Nowra highlights society’s conflicting attitudes towards love and fidelity. When compared to the barbarism of the war, faithfulness was often viewed as irrelevant. However contending this idea, Nowra expresses the need for loyalty and taking care of one another, even when confronted with seemingly more ‘important’ matters. Through the journey of the protagonist of the play, Lewis, the audience learns that even in the face of deep betrayal, loyalty can be found. Although Lewis initially explains that he is directing the play due to his lack of money, it is evident that Cosi Fan Tutte becomes more than just a quick way to earn cash. In the beginning of Cosi, Lewis expresses his reason for directing the play by stating â€Å"I need the money, Lucy.† He is confronted and uncomfortable when first meeting the patients under such foreign circumstances, overwhelmed by the idea of having to deal with these â€Å"mad† people. Nowra embodies society’s negative attitude towards those with mental illnesses, where anyone classed as ‘insane’ were removed from society and thrust into the confinement of institutions. Instead of dealing with these people in a humane fashion, it was accepted that ECT treatment, drugs and surgery prevented them from creating a hassle. Lewis’s doubt and concerns about working with the patients are encouraged when he can’t convince them to perform ‘The Exception and the Rule.’ Instead, the antagonist of the play Roy, is determined to perform ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, a Mozart play about fidelity and love. Lewis is not keen on the play and what it represents, his view on love evident when he states â€Å"Love is not so important nowadays.† Through Lewis, Nowra highlights the similar opinions of so many people during these times. In the face of war and politics, with horrific televised images thrust into people’s homes, fidelity was rated an irrelevant concept. This was the view held by Lewis and even more so his girlfriend Lucy, who states â€Å"After bread†¦.comes maybe love.† However the audience soon experiences a change in Lewis’s mindset towards not only the patients, but the importance of love and loyalty. He finds himself relating to the patients more and more, building relationships and accepting their quirks and issues. When Lewis’s close friend Nick confronts over his absence at the moratorium, stating â€Å"You said you were going to help out†, Lewis explains that Cosi Fan Tutte is more important, â€Å"This comes first.† It is clear that Nick does not support Lewis in the play or share his view of the patients â€Å"Only mad people†¦..funny farm.† Again, Nick’s comment only further exposes Lewis’s opinion, when he replies with â€Å"Nick, they’ll hear you.† Lewis’s comments exemplify his unwavering loyalty towards the patients and likewise, Nowra promotes the audience to recognise the importance of loyalty and support. Lewis’s changed perception of love is shown when he contends Lucy, telling her the Cosi Fan Tutte is â€Å"about important things, like love and fidelity.† This proves his changed attitude towards love, which he originally placed little value on. Nowra influences the audience to be open to the idea of fidelity and see the values within it. He contends society’s views in the 70’s and encourages the audience not to neglect and degrade the mentally ill, but see and treat them as equals. In the face of betrayal, Lewis experiences unswerving loyalty from a conservative Henry. Henry, a depressed and quiet man, is seemingly reserved. However it is clear when he learns that Nick gives money to North Vietnam for supplies, that Henry is strongly opinionated and willing to stand for his beliefs, â€Å"My ffffather fought†¦..you are traitors.† Henry’s loyalty to his father, who was a soldier, is deep seated and deeply held. His attack against Nick and Lewis proves that despite being ‘crazy’, he has the ability to stand up for what matters to him. Nowra demonstrates that everyone deserves the right to stand for their values. Henry’s loyalty is again demonstrated when Lewis learns that his girlfriend Lucy is sleeping with Nick. Lucy explains â€Å"I have sex with him and sleep with you,† highlighting her belief in ‘free love.’ On the contrary it is clear that, Lewis wants Lucy to be faithful, â€Å"It’s over. I’m shifting out of the house.† When Lewis confronts Nick over the matter, he repeats Lucy’s explanation â€Å"No, she’s sleeping†¦..having sex.† It is here that Henry shows his support and loyalty to Lewis, offering to beat up Nick, â€Å"Do you want me†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦stand up?† Henry’s display of loyalty highlights the relationship he has formed with Lewis. Nowra exhibits that we should not take advantage of our relationships with others, and value the loyalty and commitment that they offer us. Also, one can hold strong political values whilst also displaying empathy and loyalty. Despite Roy constantly undermining and insulting Lewis, when he suffers from stage fright Lewis provides him with encouragement and reassurance. Roy is extremely passionate about the performance of ‘Cosi Fan Tutte,’ displaying enthusiasm from the beginning when he alerts the cast to his plans, â€Å"I’ve already chosen what we’re doing. ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’.† Despite complaints about his choice and the difficulties it will create, Roy is utterly undeterred by any issue the Italian opera presents. His desire for the play to be performed the way he imagines it results in constant attacks regarding Lewis’s direction, â€Å"Couldn’t direct a nymphomaniac to a stag night.† Despite Roy’s passion, when it comes to the final performance he struggles with stage fright, telling Lewis â€Å"I can’t do it.† Putting aside the abuse and insults from Roy, Lewis only offers him encouragement and support, replying with â€Å"Yes, you can,† and, â€Å"I’ll whisper the lines to you.† Lewis understands how much the play means to Roy, and furthermore, it is clear that Lewis wants Roy to have the opportunity to succeed in his performance, â€Å"I want you to be noticed all the time.† Nowra suggest the idea that not only Roy needs to be noticed, but all those who have been locked away from society. That the mentally ill should no longer be ignored, but seen as equals with the rest of the world. Through evidence of the loyalty Lewis develops towards the patients, Nowra demonstrates that despite whether somebody is classed as ‘insane’ or not, strong relationships and trust can be built. Overall, Cosi demonstrates in numerous situations that whilst facing betrayal, one can also experience true loyalty and friendship. This is evident through Lewis’s support of Roy, and when Henry stands up for Lewis. Furthermore, Nowra highlights the cruel and degrading treatment towards mentally ill people during the 70’s, and promotes the audience to reconsider these views. Through Lewis’s acceptance of the patients and the relationships he builds with them, he influences us to alter our negative perceptions. Additionally, Nowra promotes the idea of fidelity and trust. Despite the reality of the televised war leading people to hold more ‘important’ values, Nowra encourages not to forget the importance of loyalty and love. On the whole, Cosi portrays what Nowra depicts to be important values; loyalty, trust, acceptance and empathy.

Comparator

COMPARATOR a device which compares two  voltages  or  currents  and switches its output to indicate which is larger. COMPARATOR WITH HYSTERESIS Hysteresis is achieved by positive feedback and makes the comparator less sensitive to noise on the input. [pic] VHYS = V2 – V’2 V2 = R2 R2 + R1 V2 = R2 R2 + R1 Jonathan Archer captain of the first starship Enterprise The most difficult task facing any captain, any crew, is the loss of a shipmate.We've come here to honor one of our own. In the time we knew him, he showed us just how much one life can truly matter. We will never forget what he did for us, and for the ship he loved so much. We will go forward with renewed determination to complete this mission, so that his sacrifice won't just have been for the people on this ship, but for all the citizens of Earth. Samuel J. Palmisano Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer IBM CorporationThere are, however, certain kinds of aspirations that can't be achieved th rough organizational capabilities, global reach or technology—or by applying the lessons of the past. To capture the biggest economic opportunities or to tackle society's most daunting problems—to imagine what the world might be, and actually to build it—people have sought something more fundamental: a unique ability to conceptualize opportunities, to analyze developments, to tackle and overcome grand challenges. SHINICHI SASAKI EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATIOFully aware that support from customers is essential to its continued success, Toyota is striving to provide its customers with the highest-quality products and services under its â€Å"Customer First† policy. Based on the â€Å"kaizen (continuous improvement)† philosophy at the heart of its manufacturing activities, Toyota is working hard to continuously improve customer satisfaction through initiatives in all areas of its business activities, including development, purchasi ng, production, sales and after-sales services, throughout the entire Toyota Group.

Who Is Todd Spiewak 8 Must-Know Facts About Jim Parsons’ Partner

Who Is Todd Spiewak 8 Must-Know Facts About Jim Parsons’ Partner SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Who is Todd Spiewak? To the public, he's known as Jim Parsons' boyfriend. The couple has been together since at least 2003. We know a lot about Todd's beau, who plays the lovable, eccentric genius Dr. Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Like his television persona, Jim hails from Texas. He had an extensive background in theater before getting his big break playing Sheldon. On the other hand, Todd Alan Spiewak has managed to remain a mystery, despite being linked to one of Hollywood's most prominent actors. I couldn't even confirm his date of birth, which has been reported as January 19th, 1977. However, I did some digging and was able to learn quite a bit about this mystery man. Let's get to know Mr. Spiewak, who is an accomplished fellow in his own right. He's Educated Todd graduated from Boston University in 1999. That's rather impressive considering Boston University only accepts only about a third of its applicants and is among the top 50 National Universities in America according to US News. Furthermore, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, a major which requires both technical and artistic skills. He Has a Good Job He's employed as an Art Director. You may be wondering what an art director does- I know I was. An art director is responsible for the visual style and images in product packaging, magazines, newspapers, and movie and television productions. I would be terrible at that job. Some of Todd Spiewak’s clients include American Express, Barnes Noble, HP, KitchenAid, and The New York Times. Todd Spiewak is an artistic fellow. He Works With Jim Jim and Todd started a production company together called That’s Wonderful Productions. In 2015, they hired former Paramount Insurge development and production executive Eric Norsoph to be head of development and production. Let’s hope that Jim and Todd can be as successful together in business as they’ve been in romance. He Loves Dogs Jim's character, Sheldon Cooper, is a fan of the felines, but Jim and Todd are dog lovers. The couple lives in Los Angeles with their two dogs, Otis and Rufus. Here are Otis and Rufus wearing ties: They don't look like the best guard dogs, but they're kinda adorable. His Internet Presence Is Limited Even though dating a celebrity gives Todd fame and a platform, he has chosen to mostly stay out of the limelight. You can't find much information about him online. He's not posting on social media. He's not sounding off on any issues; he's basically an anti-Kardashian. So Todd Spiewak remains an enigma to the general public. I assume he's content with allowing his boyfriend to be the focal point. Good luck finding online info on Todd. Jim Gave Him a Shout-Out at the Emmys In his 2013 acceptance speech for winning Best Actor in a Comedy Series, Jim started thanking a bunch of people. Eventually he said thanks â€Å"to [his] favorite person on the planet, Todd Spiewak.† See for yourself. Jim's speech starts at around the 2:00 mark. Todd must have felt pretty special that night. I want somebody to tell me that I’m her favorite person on the planet in an acceptance speech at the Emmys. Sad face. Todd and Jim Are Not Engaged Despite rumors and reports to the contrary, Todd and Jim don't have plans to wed. In 2014, The National Enquirer, perhaps not the most reliable source, reported that they were in fact engaged. Then Jim posted this epic response on Instagram to clear up any confusion and let everyone know that they they're happy, but neither has put a ring on it: Also, on an Ellen appearance in 2014, Ellen DeGeneres asked Jim if he and Todd are going to get married. Ellen was pressuring poor Jim to get hitched and a flustered Jim said that he hasn’t â€Å"been enthusiastic enough about it and [he] feel[s] like a loser for the cause.† Awww. And Todd was watching. Todd and Jim Made Their First Public Appearance in 2013 At the 9th Annual Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Respect Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Todd and Jim made their very first public appearance when they were given the Inspiration Award. Todd’s parents even flew in from Philadelphia to attend. In his acceptance speech, Jim said this: I’ve never considered myself an activist. I’ve never considered my relationship with Todd to be an act of activism. Rather simply, it’s an act of love, coffee in the morning, going to work, washing the clothes, taking the dogs [out]- a regular life, boring love. After Jim finished his speech, Todd lovingly said, â€Å"Well, as always, Jim didn’t leave much for me to say.† They don’t need to be married to act like a married couple. Are Jim and Todd the Gay Brangelina? In 2015, US Weekly named Jim and Todd one of Hollywood’s gay power couples. Other â€Å"gay power couples† included Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita, Lance Bass and Michael Turchin, and Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. I’m pretty confident that Jim and Todd were more honored to receive GLSEN’s Inspiration Award, but being part of a power couple sounds fun.

Interpretation and Significance of Lao Tzu's Sayings Essay

Interpretation and Significance of Lao Tzu's Sayings - Essay Example Taoists have developed their principles through the processes of self- realization and self-invention based on a variety of philosophical and environmental contexts. Like other organized religion, Daoism has its own doctrines or scriptures for its followers. In their collaborate effort Yijie Tang, and TÊ »ang I-chieh have rightly put it: â€Å"The early form of Daoism (Taoism) held that its body of belief was made up of the tenet of â€Å"the ascent of the three in one â€Å"that is,† the unity of heaven, earth, and man for the attainment of the Great Peace; the blending of the essence, breath and shen to become a saint.† (Yijie Tang, and TÊ »ang I-chieh, 1991, 76 pp.). Daoism (Taoism) is familiar to the world through the famous books Chuang-Tzu and Tao Te Ching. Daoist sayings are more comprehensive, filled with metaphysical principles and these principles emphasis a formation of ‘oneness’ that follow the complex form of diverse world. The book had wide ly accepted as the great sayings of Lao Tzu. It has considered as the unique ideology in Chinese history. Lao Tzu explores his ideas through the help of rhyme and rhythm, paradox, analogy, and proportion. In his masterpiece Lao-Tzu remarks, every people have his/her own freewill and desires. The Chinese word Tao/ Dao means the way to the universe. When analyzing these sayings, one can understand that it is difficult to define these sayings appropriately. In the first part of this work, the author tries to give the foundation about the ideology Tao Te Ching. When analyzing the plight of modern man one can easily find that the sayings of Lao-Tzu have enough relevance. The temporariness of material things and pleasures have well expressed in the sayings of Lao Tzu. The followers of Lao-Tzu purport that the ultimate aim of life is to gain the ‘Great Peace’. One cannot attribute it a clear form or structure that it may appear in any name or material existence.

Analysing the Environment Burden of Your Diet Essay

Analysing the Environment Burden of Your Diet - Essay Example The main objectives of the issue to be analyzed are what impact our food consumption has on the agricultural production. What changes can we bring in our daily diet so that the growing burden on our environment can be minimized. The diet consumed by different age groups as well as the gender differs greatly. The people who are involved in physical form of labor surely need a different and a healthier diet as compared to the ones who are not physically that active. We seriously need to examine the degradation of the environment, the consumption of nonrenewable resources, population growth and the possible decline in prosperity. Reduction of population density would ensure individual prosperity and quality environment for future generations. Today's consumption pattern of the world is undermining the base of the environmental resources and putting a great burden on it. The existing consumption pattern especially seen in certain countries can put great stain on the environment and its natural resources, which can have serious impact on the world society. But what needs to be analyzed is how much of the environmental degradation that we see today has resulted from overpopulation and how much of it is due to the exploitation and due to geopolitical interests and consumerism. Consumption is not the real issue; the problem is its pattern and effect. Globally, 20% of the people of the world in the highest income countries account for 86% of the total private consumption expenditures- the poorest 20% and the minuscule 1.3%. The following consumption pattern of the rich countries shows how stark the inequality of the above mentioned percentage is: Consume 45% of all meat and fish, the poorest fifth 5% Consume 58% of total energy, the poorest fifth less than 4% Have 74% of all the telephone lines, the poorest fifth 1.5% Consume 84% of all paper, the poorest fifth 1.1% Own 87% of the world's vehicle fleet, the poorest fifth less than 1% Runaway growth in consumption in the past 50 years is putting strains on the environment never seen before. The excessive use of petroleum and fossil fuels, plus erosion and other misuses of our natural resources are reducing the carrying capacity of our ecosystem. The concept of sustainable development is universally accepted as a means of protecting the environment for the whole of mankind and demands, that the future manufacturing technologies must be cleaner, yet economically strong and ecologically beneficial. To analyze how much intake of different food items is consumed by an individual, the following chart will be helpful. But again the diet taken by people of different age groups and gender will differ greatly. Given below is a chart describing the different food items consumed by "me" during the past week: Top of Form Bottom of Form This can be taken just as a rough guideline of the diet of an average person and can be used to analyze how much food is consumed by the huge population around the world. If we further go into details and see how much food "I" used in one week, we would need to see how much land per hectare was used to produce the fruits, vegetables and grains consumed; how much water for irrigation was needed; the fertilizer used and insecticide sprayed to

Total Environments, Health, and Safety Management Research Paper

Total Environments, Health, and Safety Management - Research Paper Example Employees who are working on the construction site are subjected to a constant change in their nature of work, mix of workers and location of work. In view of most of the people, construction industry has most risky working environment as compared to other industries (Broadbent, 2004). In case of construction industry, the concept of safety culture is relatively a naà ¯ve concept. However, in recent past this concept has gained popularity due to its unique ability of accepting all the psychological, behavioural, perceptional and managerial factors. Multitasking and paying attention to more than one tasks (professional or non professional) at a time result in accidents. While employees are performing their duties without wearing their protective equipments or just talking on their cell phone, they place themselves at risk just only to make themselves comfortable or to save time. In short, in construction industry most of the accidents occur not due to the lack of skill, training and knowledge but are related to relatively poor decision making skills (Cooper and Phillips, 2004). Management, starting from the individuals, who are occupying the highest position in hierarchical order, all the way through the low level management (leaders, superintendents, supervisors etc.), and all the way down to the people working in production area must engage themselves in the combine efforts to systematically reduce or eradicate the chances of being exposed to any of the hazardous condition or situation. An effective and successful safety culture has following elements: By developing and managing the process of safety in a more effective manner, any organization can reduce the chances of injuries, increase the awareness among workers about safety, can increase overall productivity and also raise the morale of the workers. In order to check compliance, the

Structure and symbolism in The Lottery Essay Example for Free

Structure and symbolism in The Lottery Essay In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson relates an unusual story concerning an old ritual within the setting of a small American village. Reading for the first time, most readers will be tremendously shocked by the ending: with an idyllic village atmosphere settled down at the beginning part, the cruel and outrageous ending comes all too suddenly and out of expectation. However, a careful examination can reveal that the shock is not sudden at all; The Lottery actually fuses two stories and themes into one fictional vehicle: the overt, easily discovered story appears in the literal facts, producing an immediate, emotional impact; whereas in the second story which lies beneath the first, the authors careful structure and consistent symbolism work to develop gradually the shock and to present a profound theme: Man is not at the mercy of savagery; he is the victim of unexamined and unchanging traditions which he may easily change if he only realizes their implications. The symbolic overtones which develop in the second story can be sensed as early as the fourth word of the story when the date of June 27th alerts us to the season of summer solstice with all its overtones of ancient ritual (The ancient rituals were traditionally held in summer solstice so as to ask for harvest of autumn. ) Carefully the scene is set-The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of the full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. The children newly freed from school play boisterously, rolling in the dust. But, ominously, Bobby Martin has already stuffed his pockets with stones and Harry Jones and Dickie Delacroix follow his example, eventually making a great pile of stones in the corner which they guard from the raids of other boys. Thus by the end of just two paragraphs, the author has carefully indicated the season, time of ancient ritual of sacrifice; and the stones, most ancient of sacrifice weapons. Then The men began to gather, talking of the planting and rain-the central issues of the ancient propitiatory rites, and tractors and taxes-those modern additions to the concerns of man. The men are quieter, more aware, and the patriarchal order, the oldest social group of man, is quickly evidenced as women join their husband and call their children to them. When Bobby Martin tries to leaves the group runs laughing to the stones, he is sharply rebuffed by his serious father, who knows that this is no game. All these descriptions clearly show that this is more than the surface idyllic small town life, the symbolic undercurrents prepare us to be drawn step by step towards the ultimate, where everything will fuse.

Ford Motor Company: Challenges and Opportunities

Ford Motor Company: Challenges and Opportunities The purpose of the following report is to identify the most significant problems facing the Ford Motor Corporation and recommend a course of action that most adequately resolves the challenges of todays marketplace. It begins by outlining three of the major challenges facing the Ford Motor Company: Fords current business plan is not as financially and environmentally sustainable as it could be. Global economic markets are performing far worse than Ford had expected in prior planning. Fords market share in developing foreign markets is lower than desired. The report recommends that Ford should focus on creating a more financially and environmentally sustainable business model by developing energy efficient and environmentally sustainable automobile models in every vehicle class. These models should be developed without significant increases in consumer cost or decreases in overall performance. This is to be accomplished by revamping Fords research and development program. Some potentially promising areas of research include hybrid electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles. Ford has the opportunity to make the most progress by focusing on hybrid vehicle research and development. This is to be done by redirecting other RD expenditures and efforts, scaling back production to free up additional funds, initiating a new public relations campaign to inform consumers about the new sustainable Ford plan, and creating partnerships with leading technology and engineering firms. The report then presents an ethical screen outlining the moral considerations this course of action entails. While the creation of a more sustainable business model builds upon Fords ethical commitments, the loss of jobs resulting from proposed production and retail facility closures conflicts with these principles. And while a course of action that brings about greater job losses to Ford employees is less than ideal, it arises from market conditions. Lack of action may result in even greater job losses on a long-term scale. In this way, the recommended course of action resonates with the ethical commitments outlined in Fords Mission Statement. A feasibility report discusses Fords ability to achieve these goals. As of 2007, the Ford Motor Company maintained the second highest RD budget in the world, with a hybrid vehicle program already well underway. In the year 2000, Ford unveiled the first U.S. made hybrid-vehicle, an accomplishment that sets Ford apart from its U.S. competitors. This report concludes that Ford possesses adequate resources and abilities to reach these new goals. A cost-benefit analysis then weighs potential losses against gains that may arise from this plan. The proposed course of action is high-risk is cost-intensive, however the potential benefits of increased income outweigh the expenditures Ford stands to lose while pursuing this goal and the equally high-risk option of failing to act on this pressing challenge and opportunity. Finally, the report outlines a preliminary budget, timeline, and a step-by-step course of action. Overall, the proposed plan is intended to cost Ford little in terms of net expenditure, and should be completed in its entirely by the year 2015. Position The Ford Motor Company is one of the largest automotive manufactures in the world (OICA). Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company is currently one of Americas Big Three auto manufacturers, along with Chrysler and General Motors (Datamonitor 13). As of 2009, Fords net worth in assets was $222.977 billion (Ford 67). Fords market capitalization in 2006 was reported at just over $13 billion (Kiley), and the companys total equity as of 2009 stands at negative $17.311 billion (Ford 67). Debt notwithstanding, Ford stands apart from Chrysler and GM as the only Big Three manufacturer to not seek bankruptcy or government bailout since the onset of the current financial recession. Ford has incorporated Lincoln Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and one-third of Mazda into its brand roster. Fords Mission Statement is titled the One Ford Mission. It is divided into three parts One Team, One Plan, One Goal and is included in this reports Appendix on page 17. Ford strives to be one of the leading automotive manufacturers in the world, and to sustain this position for generations to come. Furthermore, Ford strives to provide its consumers with an affordable, ethical, and quality product. There are a number of key stakeholders that rely on the Ford brand, including financial investors, consumers, and large companies and government organizations that depend on Ford to maintain reliable fleets of vehicles (Datamonitor 14). Challenges to Ford While the Ford Motor Companys influence on the automotive industry is undeniable, a wide variety of challenges are preventing Ford from capitalizing on the opportunities presented by todays shifting economic and social landscapes. Three of these challenges will be outlined in the following section. They are listed in order of priority. Fords current automobile models are not as energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable as they could be. William Clay Ford Jr. echoes the sentiments of Ford Motor Companys Mission Statement in a recent interview: For us, sustainability is not just about the environment if you dont have a sustainable business model, none of the rest matters (Bonini and Kaas). Ford prides itself as a company built both on innovation as well as ethical responsibility. Yet Ford trails significantly behind Toyota in terms of hybrid technology and GM in terms of larger-class hybrid vehicles (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson 21). With no hybrid or alternative energy models of its own in several vehicle classes, Ford has much ground to cover in becoming a leader in environmental sustainability. Global economic markets are performing far worse than Ford had expected in prior planning. This poor planning has resulted in a $34.3 billion debt that strains Fords already tight budget (Ford 28). Compounding these problems, consumer confidence is, in turn, exasperatingly low (Datamonitor 9) with most consumers unwilling to make large purchases until markets improve. While government incentives such as the so-called cash-for-clunkers legislation and tax-credits for hybrid vehicle owners have helped American auto manufacturers weather unusually low sales figures, these fixes are temporary (U.S. Department of Energy). Fords market share in developing foreign markets is lower than desired. While Ford posted a 1.1% gain in domestic market shares this year (16.1% up from 15.0% at the close of 2008), the company remains fourth in total global sales behind Toyota, GM, and Volkswagen (OICA) and possesses only 2.0% of all automotive sales in the companys South Asia Africa sector, which includes the rapidly emerging markets of China and India (Ford 19). While Ford ultimately must address all of these challenges to remain competitive and fulfill its Mission Statement, the remainder of this report will focus on how Ford can create more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable automobiles. In so doing, Ford stands to develop consumer acquisitions and brand loyalty by addressing rapidly changing needs of consumers and other stakeholders. Consumer Needs Research is showing that more and more consumers do not want to own cars that are not fuel-efficient. This is due to financial as well as ethical considerations (Prickett 29). Rising gas prices are increasing the importance of fuel-efficiency for consumers (Bonini and Kaas) and governments are willing to offer incentives to consumers in exchange for their purchases of more fuel-efficient vehicles. As the U.S. economy is based largely on fossil fuel usage and as increasing scarcity is beginning to characterize fossil fuel sources worldwide there is social interest vested in increasing overall reliance on sustainable energy sources. To remain competitive, Ford must not only acknowledge this future, but embrace it. Domestic and global auto-manufacturers stand to gain a competitive edge if Ford does not act on this changing consumer need quickly. More and more hybrid models emerge every year, with GM leading the way in larger hybrid vehicle models (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson). Chinas government and domestic auto-manufacturers have made it clear that they intend to make China the next center of hybrid and light vehicle construction (Gallagher). The clock is ticking and Fords window of opportunity is closing. Sustainability at Ford Ford must work to create sustainable models in all vehicle classes. These models must compare to conventional counterparts in terms of ticket price. On top of this, Ford must ensure that public infrastructure can adequately support these innovations so that consumers are not burdened with new operating complications, costs, or maintenance issues. Potentially promising areas of development include hybrid vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles (Bonini and Kaas). Hybrid vehicles present the least complicated fix in terms of infrastructure and consumer familiarity compared to other alternative fuel types. And while all options must be explored, Fords first step is to focus on developing and expanding its hybrid program. Fords hybrid program is already well underway, and would require less allocation of resources to build upon in comparison with other areas of research and development. Revamping Fords hybrid program will require significant financial commitments. In markets that already leave little breathing room for addition expenditure, this report recommends that Ford funnel all research and development funds into innovating Fords hybrid program. Ford must also develop cooperative RD facilities with leading energy firms, government research groups, and NGOs to save on costs and consolidate resources and knowledge. In addition, Ford should continue scaling back production to meet the lower demands of recession markets (Canis and Platzer) and redirect most of these savings into an expanded RD program. By making these changes in tandem with a massive PR campaign, Ford stands to gain considerable market shares both domestically and abroad (Byron). And while this recommendation is high-risk, the history of the Ford Motor Company demonstrates that Ford functions best when setting itself apart from competitors and taking risks. The Ford Motor Company was build on big thinking and technological innovation (Wren and Greenwood 73), and it is through these methods that Ford will overcome the most pressing challenges of todays market. Benefits to Sustainability Ethical screen. The notion of a more environmentally friendly Ford Motor Company is not only ethically compatible with Fords Mission Statement, it reaffirms and builds upon it. At the same time, there are consequences to this course of action that contain further ethical considerations. Due to the proposed closing of several production and retail facilities, a number of Ford employees stand to lose their jobs. This move is extremely unwelcome in a nation with an unemployment rate already averaging 9.7% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Ford stands to suffer from bad publicity and to potentially contradict the ethical commitments outlined in its mission statement. This course of action, however, is necessitated by recession markets and does not represent the ultimate intentions of the Ford Motor Company. The strategy of creating a more sustainable Ford is intended to protect the job security of all Ford employees on a long-term basis (i.e. the creation of a more sustainable business model). It is the conclusion of this report, therefore, that this course of action complies with and upholds the ethical commitments outlined in Fords mission statement. Feasibility analysis. In terms of pure research, hybrid technology is fairly well understood and is already utilized by the Ford Motor Company. Focus must be placed on improving hybrid efficiency, performance, and reliability, as well as maintaining affordable costs to consumers. Furthermore, Fords RD facilities are top-notch and already working to develop Fords hybrid program. As of 2007, Ford had the second-largest research and development budget in the world at approximately $8 billion annually (Vijayenthiran). Additionally, Ford was the first auto-manufacturer to offer a U.S.-made hybrid vehicle (in the year 2000) (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson). Based on this information, it is entirely feasible that Ford can produce additional landmark models in the near future provided that adequate resources and proper strategies are applied towards revamping its current hybrid RD program. Cost-Benefit Analysis. There are a number of initial costs that Ford must account for in order to properly execute this course of action. Costs must be covered immediately and will rely on the success of several preliminary budget-saving steps. That said, the total price of developing hybrid models for all vehicle classes is intended to be accounted for through internal budget recoveries; reductions in production costs are meant to reduce the need for increased net spending. The potential benefits of these investments far outweigh initial costs, but are long-term and may not bring significant returns until the entirety of the plan is completed. And while this proposal is financially risky, the current problems facing the Ford Motor Company its potential inability to respond to the challenges and opportunities of a changing marketplace are dire enough that the competitiveness of the company itself is at risk. In this sense, these costs should not only be considered investments, but preventative measures. Costs: public relations campaign: $300 million annually includes costs due to advertising in print, television, radio, and internet media, partnerships with non-profit organizations, market research, and product promotions; revamped RD facilities: $700 million annually includes costs due to equipment, larger research/design staff, new/upgraded facilities, fair-use of patents and other legal expenses, materials, and partnerships with technology firms, government research groups, and NGOs. Total costs: approximately $1 billion annually for the next five years. Monetary benefits: A report from 2009 estimates that by 2015 the global hybrid vehicle market will have risen by 31.3% and be valued at around $67.7 billion (Global Markets Direct). In 2009 the U.S. market comprised 47.5% of all hybrid vehicles sold worldwide (or a predicted $32.16 billion annually in 2015, if the U.S. market share remains the same). Of these 2009 sales, Toyota has currently sequestered the highest market share of 72% percent (R.L Polk Co.). If Ford succeeds in obtaining the highest U.S. market share in prospected hybrid sales by 2015 and if this market share is roughly the same as Toyotas first-ranked share in 2009 Ford could earn up to $23.15 billion in hybrid vehicle sales in 2015 in the U.S. alone (72% of $32.16 billion). While this estimate is extremely rough and represents a very high performance in terms of Fords future hybrid sales, it illustrates the potential monetary benefits that may result from focusing on hybrid development over the next several year s. Other benefits: Financial and environmental sustainability should be considered tremendous benefits in their own right. It is through both that Ford ensures future competitiveness and remains true to its Mission Statement. Recommendations for Ford This report recommends the following steps to achieve success in its goal of creating a more sustainable Ford Motor Company. First, Ford must begin a PR campaign focused on educating consumers about the current status of the automotive industry and to raise awareness about the future Ford is helping to build. The campaign should focus both on consumers who, in general, already look favorably on hybrid vehicles, as well as those who may be skeptical about hybrid performance, cost, and feasibility on a larger scale. Ford must use this campaign to unveil to consumers its five-year plan to create a more sustainable Ford. This should begin immediately and be fully operational after a transition period of no more than four full quarters. Ford should continue this campaign until the Ford brand is synonymous with sustainability. A total of around $300 million per year (from an estimated $1 billion gleaned annually from facility closures) will be allocated towards the development and maintena nce of this new PR campaign. Market research teams will evaluate the success of this campaign twice per quarter. The PR campaign will be considered a success once the Ford brand is recognized above all global competitors as the leader in sustainability and hybrid vehicle production. Second, Ford must begin to significantly scale back production. This should be completed within the next four quarters. While the PR campaign should begin immediately, it may take several months for Ford to assess which production and retail facilities are most extraneous. Qualified workers can be transferred to different positions at RD facilities and public relations departments (Ford will begin recruiting internally). This step will be considered successful once Ford has reduced its production costs by a goal of around $1 billion annually. Managers will monitor the progress of facility closures with goals set at reducing operating costs by about $250 million annually per quarter for the next four quarters. Third, Ford must immediately direct newly acquired funds towards revamping its RD program and focusing this program upon the development of hybrid technologies. This should be completed within the next four quarters and will utilize an additional $700 million annually (gleaned from the estimated $1 billion in reduced annual operating expenses). Achievement teams will assess the growth of Fords hybrid RD program twice per quarter, ensuring that a gain of at least $175 million in addition annual RD funds are available at the end of each quarter. Fourth, Ford must begin to develop relationships and partnerships with leading energy firms. By creating cooperative RD facilities where research tasks, budgets and innovations are shared Ford stands to make significant strides at lower costs and accelerated rates. By sequestering their cooperation early on, Ford stands to gain a competitive edge against competitors. Ford must gain cooperative relationships with the majority of leading energy and engineering firms such as General Electric and Lockheed Martin as well as non-government organizations and federal research groups like the EPAs National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Costs and evaluations will be incorporated into expanded RD departments. Fifth, Ford must unveil several new models of hybrid vehicles in all vehicle class types. This should be accomplished completely by 2015, followed by the eventual discontinuation or transformation of existing conventional-engine-models in years to follow. Hybrid models should cost no more than current conventional counterparts, and perform comparatively. Vehicle design budgets will be incorporated into expanded RD departments. The challenges facing the Ford Motor Company are great, but will be overcome through innovation and an increased dedication towards environmental and financial sustainability. Ford has repeatedly acted as a revolutionary force throughout history, and it is only through equally radical revolutions and innovations that Ford can help usher a new era in the global automotive industry.

Elmer Gantry Essay -- Essays Papers

Elmer Gantry The majority of all books are trash. Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry is a great book because it has credibility, a timeless theme, and it has the necessary action. Any book that can do that is a great book. The credibility of Elmer Gantry is something that will keep this book eternally great. Although the actual time period is dated, the plot is not dated. Most people can relate to the different characters in the book. Elmer is a pompous football player who thinks that he is higher than any religion. However, people try, and successfully convert him. He attempts to please two masters at first: his vices and God. He eventually makes the decision to live by God, but of course he will occasionally fool around with his old vices, especially adultery. Most people know someone who is like this and still somehow succeeds although he shouldn’t have. Although Elmer is more extreme than the people the reader is likely to know, he is still a very credible characters. Another thing th at makes this a timeless novel is that it has the needed action to attract the reader who only wants entertainment. Elmer often gets into fights that will keep the reader in the edge of their seat. He will face odds that most would run away from, but also has times when he backs down from a fight, such as when Brother Naylor and Brother Bains confront him about â€Å"fooling around† with Lulu. It also has enough opportunities for the modern person to think about sex although it doesn’t graphical... Elmer Gantry Essay -- Essays Papers Elmer Gantry The majority of all books are trash. Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry is a great book because it has credibility, a timeless theme, and it has the necessary action. Any book that can do that is a great book. The credibility of Elmer Gantry is something that will keep this book eternally great. Although the actual time period is dated, the plot is not dated. Most people can relate to the different characters in the book. Elmer is a pompous football player who thinks that he is higher than any religion. However, people try, and successfully convert him. He attempts to please two masters at first: his vices and God. He eventually makes the decision to live by God, but of course he will occasionally fool around with his old vices, especially adultery. Most people know someone who is like this and still somehow succeeds although he shouldn’t have. Although Elmer is more extreme than the people the reader is likely to know, he is still a very credible characters. Another thing th at makes this a timeless novel is that it has the needed action to attract the reader who only wants entertainment. Elmer often gets into fights that will keep the reader in the edge of their seat. He will face odds that most would run away from, but also has times when he backs down from a fight, such as when Brother Naylor and Brother Bains confront him about â€Å"fooling around† with Lulu. It also has enough opportunities for the modern person to think about sex although it doesn’t graphical...

Managing Conflict Essay

Managing conflict Medicolegal issues We live in an increasingly demanding and vociferous society and incidents of conflict and aggression are sadly commonplace. Kate Taylor, Clinical Risk Manager at the Medical Protection Society offers advice on how to deal with the problem Working in general practice is busy and demanding, with increased workloads, stretched time and some patients having greater expectations of care. At times, when expectations are not met, we can find ourselves in conflict with patients – and in some situations this can turn to aggression. As nurses, how should we deal with potentially difficult situations? This article aims to increase our understanding of conflict and provide strategies to deal with it effectively. It also includes practical tips to reduce risks associated with managing conflict and aggression. DEFINITIONS Conflict means different things to different people. The Health and Safety Executive defines workplace violence as ‘any incident where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or  health’.1 Non-physical violence can be defined as the ‘use of inappropriate words or behaviour causing distress and/or constituting harassment.'[ 2] The scale of the problem There is limited documentation relating to violence against nurses working in general practice. However, a recent survey carried out by the British Medical Association, to which 20% of doctors responded, found:[ 3] * Violence is a problem in the workplace for half of doctors (same for GPs and hospital doctors). * 1 in 3 respondents had experienced some form of violence in the workplace in the last year (same for hospital doctors and GPs). * 1 in 5 doctors reported an increase in violence in the past year, but the level remained constant for the majority. * Among doctors who reported some experience of violence, most had been the victim of verbal abuse in the past year while more than half had received a threat, and a third had been physically assaulted. Most injuries were minor, but 5% were serious. In April 2011, NHS Protect was set up. It is responsible for leading on work to protect NHS staff and resources from crime in England.[ 4] According to its statistics, physical assault against NHS staff is steadily increasing. However, these statistics do not capture the incidents where staff have been subjected to non-physical violence. In general practice, members of staff are more likely to be subjected to non-physical violence. Imagine working as a practice nurse and an unhappy patient threatens you, telling you ‘I know where you live?’ We cannot underestimate the impact that such non-physical violence can have on individuals. CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS Circumstances * Members of the general practice team are particularly vulnerable as they often consult with patients alone. Doctors and practice nurses often work in small numbers. * Home visits are usually carried out alone. System and Organisational Problems * Delays, restrictions and mistakes such as lost prescriptions or delays in test results * Lack of appointments * Patient disappointment often results from unmet expectations, whether  realistic or unrealistic. Environment * Waiting room (heating, lighting, noise and seating) * Cramped consulting rooms without easy exit for health professionals * Lack of privacy * Availability of potential weapons. Patient Factors * Increased expectations and the difficulties in meeting these demands. Dissatisfaction with the care provided is perceived as the most common cause of aggression and violence * Strong patient emotions e.g. uncertainty, frustration, stress and anxiety. Anger is often secondary to emotions such as anxiety or grief * An underlying medical condition such as hypoglycaemia or psychotic illness * Physical symptoms including pain, headache or over-tiredness * Mental health problems such as * Personal problems e.g. financial, relationship, stress at work * Drugs and alcohol. Staff Factors * Under pressure staff-working in noisy cramped rooms, unable to trace or contact staff * In adequate staff numbers * Escalating the situation by confrontation, over-reacting, poor ccmmunication, inconsistencies in handling patients, patronising behaviour, ignoring a situation or falling to apologise. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Good communication with patients is likely to reduce the risk of conflict and violence. As nurses, how we communicate with our patients can have an impact on how difficult situations develop. We need to think about what we say and how we say it. We should rely on our strong communication skills to determine with our patients what they can expect from the services we provide. A study by American psychologist, Albert Mehrabian, determined that non-verbal communication represents over 50% of an interaction.[ 5] Being aware of your own body language can be the first step to understanding how it is perceived by our patients. Listening and empathising with patients are essential skills for nurses-so how do we ensure our patients know we are listening? * Give the patient your undivided attention * Don’t trivialise the patient’s issue * How is the patient feeling – are they angry, afraid, frustrated? Respond to the emotion as well as the words * Allow the patient to finish what they are saying * Ask questions, paraphrase and reflect to ensure you understand the message. CHALLENGING INTERACTIONS Challenging interactions with patients can be a significant cause of stress for nurses, yet the nature of most clinical jobs makes these encounters unavoidable. It can be difficult to communicate your point of view effectively for fear of generating conflict, which can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, and may affect your ability to give good care. It is vital to build a trusting relationship with the patient in these circumstances; ensure you listen attentively, empathise and avoid confrontation. Maintain eye contact and try to establish a shared understanding of the patient’s problem. Having acknowledged their perspective, respectfully inform them of your position. Then work on achieving a mutually agreeable solution or way forward rather than focussing on points of disagreement, which can otherwise degenerate into an argument. Then help and support the patient to achieve the agreed solution. After challenging interactions that have required you to state your position, ensure there is effective communication with other members of the practice clinical team, along with a clear record of the discussions held. This will ensure consistency should the patient approach a different clinician seeking to re-negotiate an alternative plan or outcome. PRACTICAL TIPS Practices should consider: * Providing a side room or separate area to deal with upset/aggressive patients or those who need more privacy. * Providing good temperature and ventilation control, adequate seating and clear signage * Providing calming measures to reduce frustration, anxiety or boredom such as distractions in waiting room e.g. toys for children, magazines for adults * Adding an agreed marker to the summary of a patient’s record who has a history of violence (and ensure it is factually accurate) * Having a protocol for involving the police and removing patients from the list * Using CCTV * Ensuring all practice staff have access to panic alarms * Providing locks for all areas where patient access is restricted CONCLUSION We can and will experience conflict in general practice due to the sheer volume of patient contacts that occur every day. The key to managing a conflict situation is to try to de-escalate it as much as possible.confidentiality is central to the trust between nurses and their patients – think how easy it may be to breach confidentiality when you have a situation with an aggressive patient. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of conduct clearly states ‘you must respect people’s right to confidentiality’.[ 6] As a last resort you can remove a patient from the practice list. However, this can be seen as an emotive issue, risking criticism from bodies such as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the GMC and the media. You can find useful information on how to go about it in the MPS factsheet, Removing patients from the practice list (September 2013).[ 7] http://www.medicalprotection.org/ uk/england-factsheets/removing-patients-from-the-practice-list. CASE STUDY Nurse E is about to start her clinic when she notices Mrs S on the list of patients for the day. Her heart sinks. Mrs S often presents with one or more complaints, talks nonstop and does not listen to advice provided. She knows from experience that interactions with Mrs S will be challenging. Mrs S is called in 20 minutes later than her planned appointment and she lets Nurse E know that she is not happy. Nurse E admits that her clinic is running late but tells Mrs S that she had an unavoidable emergency. She proceeds to take Mrs S’s blood pressure and other vital signs. Mrs S then asks Nurse E for a prescription for antibiotics as she is going on holiday and wants them ‘just in case her chest flares up’ while away. Nurse E advises her that she will need to make an appointment to see the GP. Mrs S, now increasingly unhappy, begins to raise her voice and bang her fist on the desk, demanding a prescription before she leaves. Nurse E, staying calm, advises Mrs S that she is unable to give her a prescription as she doesn’t have any active symptoms. Mrs S storms out of the consultation room pushing past Nurse E. Understandably upset, Nurse E calls the practice manager to report the incident. How could this situation have been dealt with better? * Apologise when mistakes occur or when clinics are running late. Some practices ask reception staff to inform patients when they are checking in if clinicians are behind schedule * Ensure patients are well informed about how systems at the practice work to try to reduce unrealistic expectations * Acknowledge the patient’s emotions and allow them to express them, which can take time. Ask the patient to tell you about their concerns. Listen actively using comments such as ‘I see’, or ‘go on?’, and nodding your head. Summarise their experiences, feelings and concerns back to them * Work with the patient to resolve the situation. Agree a plan for dealing with their concerns and moving forward. * Try to offer an alternative solution to demonstrate that you are keen to help them. For example, ‘I’m sorry Mrs S, but I am unable to give you a prescription. However, if you wish to make an appointment with one of the GPs you can discuss this with them’ * Consider the layout of the consulting rooms and reception area to ensure you can leave the room if the situation escalates. Aggression in healthcare settings is becoming all too common REFERENCES 1. Health and Safety Executive: work related violence www.hsegov.uk/violence 2. NHS Business Services(2012) Not part of my job http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/ SecurityManagement/NP0J1 .pdf 3. British Medical Association (2008). Violence in the workplace. The experience of doctors in the UK. http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/ PDFviolence08/$FILE/Violence.pdf 4. NHS Protect 2013 http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Protect.aspx 5. Mehrabian, A(1971) Silent messages Belmont, CA:Wadsworth 6. NMC(2011)The code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives http://www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/Standards/ nmc TheCodeStandardsofConduct PerformanceAndEthicsForNursesAndMidwives%5FLargePrintVersion.PDF 7. MPS Factsheet removing patients from practices list September 2013 http://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/england-factsheets/removing-patients-from-the-practice-list ~~~~~~~~