Computers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Computers - Essay Example computer which would respond to the specific needs. It becomes quite a task for someone who is not well versed with computers to actually choose what will be the best buy; every computer comes laden with a number of specifications, configurations as well as technical decisions that one must make in order to select the best possible investment; there are a number of issues including the space in the RAM, hard disk, type of processor, graphics card etc to pick that may end up confusing someone. In the market currently, there are a few best computers that will best suit the needs of an organization. The computers must work in tandem with one another and make it easy to share files and documents within the organization in order to get the work done faster. (Botella, A) One of the computers is the iMac, created by Apple Computers. Apple Computers is best renowned for its sophisticated taste in creating digital products that completely enhance the experience that a user has. These computers are thus favored by people because they are not only smooth in terms of operations but are also very classy to look at and work with. The iMac 21.5 inch computer has an excellent screen with wonderfully displayed graphics (HD 6750M) which enables people to play video games, watch movies and videos, as well as view photographs beautifully. The computer also comes with a built in camera of 720 pixels which enables the user to make use of Face Time software assisting people to video call each other within the office. If an office has a number of these computers, people can easily stay in connect with each other through video calls; furthermore, it also becomes easier to have video conferences with people living in different states and countries. On the downside howev er, what sets the iMac apart from other personal computers is merely its suaveness. Most people that use the iMac, do so when they have to deal with graphic work and the use of high resolution displays; apart from that, it is very expensive and thus if the firm does not have too much money to spend, then choosing the iMac as a computer for every desk would prove to be a very expensive task. (Mac vs PC - Pros & Cons Comparison Review) The Dell Inspiron One 2320 is one of the sought after computers at present as well. It is considered to be an all-in-one computer and has been taking over big firms and organizations as a favorite. The best part about this computer is the touch screen – it comes with a portable mouse as well as a screen that one can constantly poke and prod, giving it a very laptop like personal feel. It thus becomes easier to sift through documents and files, photos and websites by simply

Distracted by Today’s Technology Essay Example for Free

Distracted by Today’s Technology Essay We are part of a country that is focused on making life easier and faster. Technology is something that is constantly on the rise, we are always looking for that new gadget better than the last that is meant to facilitate the everyday life. As a result, many people are starting to lose the ability to show emotions or even carry on a face-to-face conversation, therefore making it difficult for those individuals to develop appropriate social skills. Unfortunately, we fail to see the damage that is being caused by the amount of time being spent on texting, playing with video games, or spending countless hours on social networks as an alternative to making new acquaintances or spending quality time with their loved ones. Let’s start with text messages, known as one of the most popular method of communication these days. It is an unavoidable fact that the text message has become a necessary part of our lives. Like with new couples, who are unable to attain an appropriate sense of what their new partner is actually like. These couples often prefer the convenience of texting as a way of getting to know each other, as opposed to talking on the phone or going on dates. What they fail to realize is that, by trying to maintain a relationship mostly through texting and with barely any physical interaction they are truly inhibiting their ability to assess reactions, expressions or feelings shown by the other person. Sadly, these couples usually choose to end their relationship before knowing if it truly had a chance to flourish into a something meaningful. Although talking on a cellular phone while behind the wheel of a car has been proven to be dangerous, it has now taken a back seat to those drivers who surf the internet and text while on the road. According to a study done by The American Automobile Association, forty-six percent of teens who were interviewed admitted to being distracted behind the wheel because of texting. Many parents will instruct their children not to text while behind the wheel, when in all reality they are not following what they preach by continuing to put us all at risk. Overall, it is a real source of concern that these individuals are consciously adding to the increasing number of accidents on our roads today. Then we have video games, which have been around for decades. In recent years, the popularity of video games has sky rocketed amongst our youth. Our children are learning how to hijack a car from a pregnant mother with her two kids, shoot a gangster with an automatic weapon, and even drag race down the streets of a quiet neighborhood, all from the comfort of their couch. The days of going outside to play with friends and bike riding have been replaced by sitting in front of a television set and playing with your Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation, just to name a few. Homework and chores are often overlooked, but worse are the many parents that are using these gaming devices as babysitters as an alternative to spending quality time with their kids. Many parents remain satisfied by simply knowing that their children are safely in the house, dismissing the possibility their children are becoming couch potatoes with no social skills. Sadly, many of these children are not receiving any other exercise than what is given during their P.E. class in school. These are the children that will likely end up as obese, anti-social members of our society. Lastly, we are now surrounded by social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter that are dedicated to connecting friends and family that live all around the world with the intentions of increasing communication between them. Friends can post pictures, write about what they are doing at the moment, and surf other friends profiles. While we cannot deny the benefits that these sites may provide, we should also not fail to realize the many dangers that can be linked to these social networks. Computer viruses are one of the most common disadvantages seen with social networks, one wrong click and you could send all you personal information to some crook across the country. But more damaging are the ill effects that our children are likely to encounter. Cyber bullying is much more intense and malicious than what some of us may have experienced in our high school hallways. Teasing, harassing, and name calling are now posted on the internet for everyone to see. In 2006, a teenage girl committed suicide for the constant bullying she received from her classmates and even one of their parents, her mother never suspected any of it. More importantly, many children and teenagers are now sharing too much information with strangers that they meet online, believing they are someone of their same age and with their same interests. Unknowingly, they are making themselves easy targets for predators of all kinds. This could possibly be avoided if parents were to limit the time spent online and diligently monitor their internet usage. I understand that some people may disagree with my views on the damaging effects that could be associated with allowing too much technology into all aspects of our lives. At the end of the day, what are the benefits we are receiving from allowing technology to play such a large role in our lives? Are we coming together at the end of the day? The days of â€Å"family dinner time† are slowly becoming memories of the past. Fewer are the families that sit around a table to share a meal, socialize, and relate stories about their day. We are missing out on opportunities to bond with our children and watch them grow. As well as new couples that would benefit from more phone conversations and dates, perhaps giving themselves a better chance at a more meaningful and stable relationship, possibly reducing the current divorce rates. It is a fact that we live in a world that technology has become a must in our lives. We are now dependent on cellular phones, and computers, while our children are consumed by their games. I also agree that all of the advancements made by technology are simply indented to somehow improve the way we function on a daily basis. But there should be a limit to how much technology we allow in our lives. Maybe we should make an effort to dedicate time to our families by turning off the cellular phone and put aside the computer a few nights a week. The benefits we will receive for maintaining a loving and nurturing relationship with our loved ones will continue to be evident for years to come.

Custom Essay: Shakespeares Hamlet and the Character of Gertrude

Hamlet and the Character of Gertrude      Ã‚  Ã‚   Bryan N. S. Gooch in "Review of The Shapes of Revenge: Victimization, Vengeance, and Vindictiveness in Shakespeare," presents as a victim Gertrude’s closest woman friend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet:    Harry Keyishian rightly recognizes that distinction between various manifestations of revenge is crucial in coming to terms not only with many of Shakespeare’s characters -- and some were notable and clearly nasty avengers of perceived yet unsubstantiated wrong -- but also with his social and moral milieu. . . . Moreover, the author clearly presents in Chapter I, "Victimization and Revenge: Renaissance Voices," a useful survey of the problem, drawing from books on the passions and moving on to consider not only the power of the revenger but the powerlessness of victims, e.g., the Duchess of Gloucester, Ophelia. . . . (1).    If Ophelia is a victim, certainly Gertrude is likewise, having died from imbibing the poisonous drink intended for Hamlet by Claudius and Laertes. This essay intends to explore this aspect and many other aspects of   the character of Gertrude.    At the outset of the tragedy Hamlet appears dressed in solemn black. His mother, Gertrude, is apparently disturbed by this and requests of him:      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Do not for ever with thy vailed lids   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Seek for thy noble father in the dust:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Passing through nature to eternity. (1.2)    The queen obviously considers her son’s dejection to result from his father’s demise. Angela Pitt considers Gertrude â€Å"a kindly, slow-w... ...Psychoanalysis Into' Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet." Early Modern Literary Studies 6.1 (May, 2000): 2.1-24   http://purl.oclc.org/emls/06-1/lehmhaml.htm Pitt, Angela. â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Rpt from Shakespeare’s Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html Smith, Rebecca. â€Å"Gertrude: Scheming Adulteress or Loving Mother?† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from Hamlet: A User’s Guide. New York: Limelight Editions, 1996. Wilkie, Brian and James Hurt. â€Å"Shakespeare.† Literature of the Western World. Ed. Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1992.

Responsibilities of Business Organizations

With the rate at which technology is currently growing and the number of competitors available in markets also increasing, responsibilities by firms is obligatory. With all this, it is of great importance to observe issues relating to business ethics with a very keen eye. For businesses to be valued in terms of ethics, they must observe principles related to ethics. This value attached to business ethics can make a business boost its performance and achieve set objectives and goals (Donaldson & Werhane 34). Customers, employees and employer satisfactions will dictate the type of ethics to be followed in a business.The responsibility of acting ethically lies on the hands of each single person in the organization. Acting ethically means more than adhering to company rules, policies or laws. Everything done counts and constitutes of visibility concerns that must be held high. Some of the business’ responsibilities expected to be practiced include the following. Legal Systems It i s argued that the law binds the business to its ethics. Milton Friedman the view’s pioneer said that as long as businesses are faced with the obligation of making profits, all its activities should be inline with the country’s legal system.Friedman says that businesses should conform to core rules of both the country of operation and the ethics of the location where the business is located (Donaldson, & Werhane123) The legal system of a country ensure that firms are regulated from engaging in activities that can prove detrimental to the broader perspective of social good including its citizens and environment. It’s the responsibility of the firm to ensure that all these regulations are complied with as far as running its activities.This is despite the inability of government laws being unable to cover all perspectives of business operations. Business Practices and Priorities Businesses are expected to be responsible in performing their activities. This is becaus e the most crucial stakeholders of the firm dictate them to be. For instance it is the obligation of the business to carry out activities that are in agreement with their employees views. This is due to the benefits that accompany increased engagements and cooperation of employees. Other key stakeholders include customers, investors and consumers.The community of operation and regulators all require their needs to be satisfied by the corporations. It’s upon the organization to determine the degree of importance of each stakeholder and how to satisfy their different needs. Community Expectations It is the responsibility of the firm to work hand in hand with the local community. This in turn will prevent conflicts that are bound to take place when disagreements regarding some actions taken or not taken by one of the parties involved. The community will hold the corporation responsible for its actions.The community expects so much from the business and it’s of great impor tance if the firm fulfills this expectation. This can be in form of employment creation, participation in community activities and provision of better and improved living standard due to the other amenities attracted to the region. Education and Crisis Management It’s the responsibility of the organization to ensure that the society is educated regarding its operations. The society and the corporation should be able to work collectively with the society to tackle pressures that are taking place due to constant changes.If the company is involved in activities that can lead to crises, the duty of taking up cleaning measures lies on it. This is to avoid the effects that may result from the actions taken. The business has the responsibility of creating awareness to its customers and consumers regarding the side effects of their operations in the region and the products it’s selling. References Donaldson, Thomas& Patricia, Werhane. Ethical Issues in Business: A Philosophica l Approach. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008.

FASB Accounting Standards Codification Essay

This section deals with certain general background considerations and information related to the FASC and the answers can be found by clicking the â€Å"About the Codification† and â€Å"Notice to Constituents† sections on the FASC Welcome Page. This section is a good general source of information about the FASC and should be reviewed prior to starting to answer the specific questions set forth in all sections. The related research questions that you must answer are: (a) When did the FASC Codification become effective? †¢It was released on July 1, 2009 and became effective for Interim and Annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. (b) Did the FASC change prior GAAP? †¢No it didn’t change, it only got restructured. (c) What does the FASB expect from the new FASC structure and system? †¢The System is expected to reduce the amount of time and effort that is used to solve an accounting research issue. (d) What are the â€Å"topics† used in the ASC? †¢The General Principles †¢The Presentation †¢The Assets †¢Liabilities †¢Equity †¢Revenue †¢Expense †¢Broad Transactions †¢Industry (e) Are Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) references included in the ASC? †¢Yes It is. 2. Transfer of Receivables FASC 860-10 As the new staff person in your company’s treasury department, you have been asked to conduct research related to a proposed transfer of receivables. Your supervisor wants the authoritative sources for the following items that are discussed in the securitization agreement. Access the FASB Codification at http://asc.fasb.org/home to conduct research using the Codification Research System to prepare responses to the following items. Provide Codification references for your responses. (a) Identify relevant Codification section that addresses transfers of receivables. †¢ 860-10-05 (b) Provide definitions for the following: (i) Transfer †¢transference of a noncash financial asset by and to someone other than the issuer of that financial asset (ii) Recourse uncollectable †¢When the transferor of receivables retains the risk of uncollectability. (iii) Collateral †¢Assets that a borrower pledges as security for a loan, which the financier seizes if the borrower seizes to pay (c) Provide other examples (besides recourse and collateral) that qualify as continuing involvement. 3. Inventories FASC 330-10 Jones Co. is in a technology-intensive industry. Recently, one of its competitors introduced a new product with technology that might render obsolete some of Jones’s inventory. The accounting staff wants to follow the appropriate authoritative literature in determining the accounting for this significant market event. Access the FASB Codification at http://asc.fasb.org/home to conduct research using the Codification Research System to prepare responses to the following items. Provide Codification references for your responses. (a) Identify the primary authoritative guidance for the accounting for inventories. †¢Accounting Research Bulletins (ARB) No.43 Chapter 4. (b) List three types of goods that are classified as inventory. †¢Goods awaiting sale (finished goods) †¢Goods in the course of production (work in process), †¢Goods to used directly or indirectly in production (raw materials and supplies) What characteristic will automatically exclude an item from being classified as inventory? †¢Long-term assets that are subject to depreciation accounting †¢Goods which, when put into use, will be so classified as depreciable Assets (c) Define â€Å"market† as used in the phrase â€Å"lower-of-cost-or-market.† †¢market means current replacement cost (by purchase or by reproduction) provided that it meet the two conditions 1.Market shall not exceed the net realizable value 2.Market shall not be less than net realizable value reduced by an allowance for an approximately normal profit margin

Battle of Stoney Creek in the War of 1812

Battle of Stoney Creek in the War of 1812 The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought June 6, 1813, during the War of 1812 (1812-1815). Having conducted a successful amphibious landing on the Lake Ontario side of the Niagara Peninsula in late May, American forces succeeded in capturing Fort George. Slowly pushing west after the retreating British, U.S. troops encamped on the night of June 5-6, 1813. Seeking to regain the initiative, the British launched a night attack that resulted in the enemy retreating and the capture of two American commanders. The victory led Major General Henry Dearborn to consolidate his army around Fort George and largely ended the American threat on the peninsula. Background On May 27, 1813, American forces succeeded in capturing Fort George on the Niagara frontier. Having been defeated, the British commander, Brigadier General John Vincent, abandoned his posts along the Niagara River and withdrew west to Burlington Heights with around 1,600 men. As the British retreated, the American commander, Major General Henry Dearborn, consolidated his position around Fort George. A veteran of the American Revolution, Dearborn had become an inactive and ineffective commander in his old age. Ill, Dearborn was slow to pursue Vincent. Finally organizing his forces to chase Vincent, Dearborn delegated the task to Brigadier General William H. Winder, a political appointee from Maryland. Moving west with his brigade, Winder halted at Forty Mile Creek as he believed the British force was too strong to attack. Here was joined by an additional brigade commanded by Brigadier General John Chandler. Senior, Chandler assumed overall command of the American force which now numbered around 3,400 men. Pushing on, they reached Stoney Creek on June 5 and encamped. The two generals established their headquarters at the Gage Farm. Scouting the Americans Seeking information on the approaching American force, Vincent dispatched his deputy assistant adjutant general, Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey, to scout the camp at Stoney Creek. Returning from this mission, Harvey reported that the American camp was poorly guarded and that Chandlers men were badly positioned to support each other. As a result of this information, Vincent decided to move forward with a night attack against the American position at Stoney Creek. To execute the mission, Vincent formed a force of 700 men. Though he traveled with the column, Vincent delegated operational control to Harvey. Battle of Stoney Creek Conflict: War of 1812Date: June 6, 1813Armies Commanders:AmericansBrigadier General William H. WinderBrigadier General John Chandler1,328 men (engaged)BritishBrigadier General John VincentLieutenant Colonel John Harvey700 menCasualties:Americans: 17 killed, 38 wounded, 100 missingBritish: 23 killed, 136 wounded, 52 captured, 3 missing The British Move Departing Burlington Heights around 11:30 p.m. on June 5, the British force marched east through the darkness. In an effort to maintain the element of surprise, Harvey ordered his men to remove the flints from their muskets. Approaching the American outposts, the British had the advantage of knowing the American password for the day. Stories regarding how this was obtained vary from Harvey learning it to it being passed on the British by a local. In either case, the British succeeded in eliminating the first American outpost they encountered. Advancing, they approached the former camp of the U.S. 25th Infantry. Earlier in the day, the regiment had moved after deciding that the site was too exposed to attack. As a result, only its cooks remained at the campfires making meals for the following day. Around 2:00 a.m., the British were discovered as some of Major John Nortons Native American warriors attacked an American outpost and noise discipline was broken. As the American troops rushed to battle, Harveys men re-inserted their flints as the element of surprise had been lost. Battle of Stoney Creek, June 6, 1813. Public Domain Fighting in the Night Situated on high ground with their artillery on Smiths Knoll, the Americans were in a strong position once they had regained their poise from the initial surprise. Maintaining a steady fire, they inflicted heavy losses on the British and turned back several attacks. Despite this success, the situation began to quickly deteriorate as the darkness caused confusion on the battlefield. Learning of a threat to the American left, Winder ordered the U.S. 5th Infantry to that area. In doing so, he left the American artillery unsupported. As Winder was making this error, Chandler rode to investigate firing on the right. Riding through the darkness, he was temporarily removed from the battle when his horse fell (or was shot). Hitting the ground, he was knocked out for some time. Seeking to regain the momentum, Major Charles Plenderleath of the British 49th Regiment gathered 20-30 men for an attack on the American artillery. Charging up Gages Lane, they succeeded in overwhelming Captain Nathaniel Towsons artillerymen and turning the four guns on their former owners. Returning to his senses, Chandler heard fighting around the guns. Unaware of their capture, he approached the position and was quickly taken prisoner. A similar fate befell Winder a short time later. With both generals in enemy hands, command of the American forces fell to cavalryman Colonel James Burn. Seeking to turn the tide, he led his men forward but due to the darkness mistakenly attacked the U.S. 16th Infantry. After forty-five minutes of confused fighting, and believing the British to have more men, the Americans withdrew east. Aftermath Concerned that the Americans would learn the small size of his force, Harvey retreated west into the woods at dawn after carrying off two of the captured guns. The next morning, they watched as Burns men returned to their former camp. Burning excess provisions and equipment, the Americans then retreated to Forty Mile Creek. British losses in the fighting numbered 23 killed, 136 wounded, 52 captured, and three missing. American casualties numbered 17 killed, 38 wounded, and 100 captured, including both Winder and Chandler. Retreating to Forty Mile Creek, Burn encountered reinforcements from Fort George under Major General Morgan Lewis. Bombarded by British warships in Lake Ontario, Lewis became concerned about his supply lines and began retreating towards Fort George. Having been shaken by the defeat, Dearborn lost his nerve and consolidated his army into a tight perimeter around the fort. The situation worsened on June 24 when an American force was captured at the Battle of Beaver Dams. Angered by Dearborns repeated failures, Secretary of War John Armstrong removed him on July 6 and dispatched Major General James Wilkinson to take command. Winder would later be exchanged and commanded American troops at the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. His defeat there allowed British troops to capture and burn Washington, DC.

information security and BC essays

information security and BC essays Business continuity is of great importance to organizations and continually attempt to find better ways to protect the availability of information through technology. There are three business drivers that have brought this issue to the forefront of management and boardroom discussions. They are the rising cost of downtime, available technology to combat security breaches, and an overall heightened risk awareness. By analyzing some of the costs of major power outages and terrorist acts, one can see how big an impact that downtime has on an individual organization as well as the economy. Some companies have been looking at some of the most recent solutions to disaster recovery by using data compression software and data replication using IP versus physical tape backup. The increased awareness has been apparent in the formation of a national cyber security task force to help organizations understand the importance of including information security into their corporate governance fr amework. Information security is the biggest piece of business continuity and can be seen in current issues of internet and network security. The Internet is plagued by e-mail SPAM and viruses costing companies hundred of thousands of dollars in lost employee productivity as well as lost data and information. One can also look at the damage estimates of some of the biggest viruses over the past 6 years to see the impact that this security breach has on the worldwide economy. Lastly, network security has become a primary concern as organizations are looking to create their own virtual private networks (VPN) to connect remote employees and distant offices to secure information. Other methods of keeping networks secure is the use of WORM discs, which allow users to write data to a disc that is not re-writeable for security purposes. Lastly, companies need to find ways to require employees to periodically delete old files and other data to help save on ...

Steam Engines and the Industrial Revolution

Steam Engines and the Industrial Revolution The steam engine, either used on its own or as part of a train, is the iconic invention of the industrial revolution. Experiments in the seventeenth century turned, by the middle of the nineteenth, into a technology which powered huge factories, allowed deeper mines and moved a transport network. Industrial Power Pre 1750 Before 1750, the traditional arbitrary starting date for the industrial revolution, the majority of British and European industries were traditional and relied on water as the main power source. This was a well-established technology, using streams and waterwheels, and was both proven and widely available in the British landscape. There were major problems because you had to be near suitable water, which could lead you to isolated places, and it tended to freeze or dry up. On the other hand, it was cheap. Water was also vital for transport, with rivers and coastal trade. Animals were also used for both power and transport, but these were expensive to run because of their food and care. For rapid industrialization to take place, alternative sources of power were needed. The Development of Steam People had experimented with steam-powered engines in the seventeenth century as a solution to power problems, and in 1698 Thomas Savery invented his ‘Machine for Raising Water by Fire’. Used in Cornish tin mines, this pumped water with a simple up and down motion that had only limited use and couldn’t be applied to machinery. It also had a tendency to explode, and steam development was held back by the patent, Savery held for thirty-five years. In 1712 Thomas Newcomen developed a different type of engine and bypassed the patents. This was first used in Staffordshire coal mines, had most of the old limitations and was expensive to run, but had the distinct advantage of not blowing up. In the second half of the eighteenth century came inventor James Watt, a man who built on the development of others and became a major contributor to steam technology. In 1763 Watt added a separate condenser to Newcomen’s engine which saved fuel; during this period he was working with people involved in the iron-producing industry. Then Watt teamed up with a former toy manufacturer who had changed profession. In 1781 Watt, former toy man Boulton and Murdoch built the ‘rotary action steam engine’. This was the major breakthrough because it could be used to power machinery, and in 1788 a centrifugal governor was fitted to keep the engine running at an even speed. Now there was an alternative power source for the wider industry and after 1800 the mass production of steam engines began. Considering steams reputation in a revolution which is traditionally said to run from 1750, steam was relatively slow to be adopted. A lot of industrialization had already taken place before steam power was in major use, and a lot had grown and improved without it. The cost was initially one-factor holding engines back, as industrialists used other sources of power to keep start-up costs down and avoid major risks. Some industrialists had a conservative attitude which only slowly turned to steam. Perhaps more importantly, the first steam engines were inefficient, using a lot of coal and needed large-scale production facilities to work properly, while much industry was small scale. It took time (until the 1830s/40s) for coal prices to fall and industry to become large enough to need more power. The Effects of Steam on Textiles The textile industry had used many different sources of power, from water to human in the many laborers of the domestic system. The first factory had been built at the start of the eighteenth century and used water power because at the time textiles could be produced with only a small amount of power. Expansion took the form of expanding over more rivers for the waterwheels. When steam-powered machinery became possible c. 1780, textiles were initially slow to adopt the technology, as it was expensive and required a high starting cost and caused trouble. However, over time the costs of steam fell and use grew. Water and steam power became even in 1820, and by 1830 steam was well ahead, producing a large increase in the productivity of the textile industry as new factories were created. The Effects on Coal and Iron The coal, iron and steel industries mutually stimulated each other during the revolution. There was an obvious need for coal to power steam engines, but these engines also allowed for deeper mines and greater coal production, making the fuel cheaper and steam cheaper, thus producing more demand for coal. The iron industry also benefited. At first, steam was used to pump water back up into reservoirs, but this soon developed and steam was used to power bigger and better blast furnaces, allowing for an increase in iron production. Rotary action steam engines could be linked to other parts of the iron process, and in 1839 the steam hammer was first in use. Steam and iron were linked as early as 1722 when Darby, an iron magnate, and Newcomen worked together to improve the quality of iron for producing steam engines. Better iron meant more precision engineering for steam. More on coal and iron. The Importance of the Steam Engine The steam engine might be the icon of the industrial revolution, but how important was it in this first industrial stage? Historians like Deane have said the engine had little impact at first, as it was only applicable to large-scale industrial processes and until 1830 the majority were small scale. She agrees that some industries used it, such as iron and coal, but that the capital outlay only became worthwhile for the majority after 1830 because of delays in producing viable engines, high costs at the start, and the ease with which manual labor can be hired and fired compared to a steam engine. Peter Mathias argues much the same thing but stresses that steam should still be considered one of the key advances of the industrial revolution, one which occurred near the end, initiating a second steam-driven phase.

Comcast voip telecommunications Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Comcast voip telecommunications - Research Paper Example This age is known as the age of information technology and we see information technology everywhere. In this scenario, Comcast based VoIP is completely an innovative and high-tech technology for the superior management of business and corporate issues. Additionally, Comcast Digital Voice presents a completely new set of alternatives for our home telephone service with the Comcast superior broadband network. For example, Comcast Digital communication and phone service allows us to choose unlimited local as well as long distance communication plans through which we can keep our present telephone number as well as touch-tone telephone. Moreover, we can enjoy all of our preferred options similar to call waiting, voice mail, caller ID and a lot more (OnlineComcast, 2011). This paper outlines strategic Implications of information technology on COMCAST with a focus on VoIP Telecommunications over the next three years. This paper will also present a recommendation on what Strategic Action sh ould be taken. Technology Overview Comcast VoIP has emerged as a modern and high-tech technology service that offers a lot of facilities for the business management. Presently Comcast VoIP service is attracting a large number of VoIP clients every quarter and has extremely quickly turned out to be the nation's (US) 4th major phone carrier. However, they are not only one of the major VoIP communication service providers, but they also present the maximum quality local and international calls. Additionally, the Comcast VoIP Digital phone service offers a range of improved telephone characteristics with cost savings that exceed a lot of customary telephone services. In addition, the modern services of Comcast VoIP technology based service allows its users to keep their present telephone number as well as touch-tone telephone thus offering advantages of countless characteristics similar to improved Voice Mail that allows the users to get and send their messages through online or phone s ystems. Moreover, digital phone service as well allows the users to take pleasure of unlimited local as well as nationwide long distance calls, such as calls to Puerto Rico and Canada at least monthly price. Thus, people are able to save money. It also allows its users to connect TV and Internet service with Comcast phone service and take pleasure pay less for the entire Comcast communication services (Bode, 2008) and (OnlineComcast, 2011). Company  Background For this report I have selected Animusoft Company that is making use of VoIP services offered by ActivePBX. While using traditional VoIP services, Animusoft Corporation faced a lot of problems regarding internal communication of business and departmental interaction. The business is aimed at improving its overall services and potential working capability with new VoIP services. In this way the company will be able to achieve high level performance (Animusoft Corporation, 2011). Current Business Issues of VoIP   VoIP is a c omparatively modern technology. In this scenario, the research work shows that a lot of corporations are now making use of VoIP technology to reduce costs, tonnage efficiency and maintaining strategic position.

Commercial Marketing of Aloe Vera Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Commercial Marketing of Aloe Vera - Assignment Example [internet]). The two hundred plus phytonutrients are found in the gel inside the leaf. (Adams, Mike. How to Harvest Fresh Aloe Vera Gel. NaturalNews.com. [internet]). It is said that the hair can generally benefit from Aloe Vera. The plant cures the scalp from whatever it suffers by balancing the level of acidity, getting rid the pores of unclean elements and stops too much loss of hair, among others. Most of all, Aloe Vera reduces seborrhea. The rejuvenating and regenerating characteristics of Aloe Vera help make the skin constantly moist and hydrated. (Aloe Vera Plant History Uses and Benefits. DISABLED WORLD. [internet]). These are the elements which are likely the ones enhancing hair growth and rehabilitation. In an article, it is suggested that aloe juice be applied and massaged into the scalp for its good health every day before going to sleep. This must be done for a month and the application of the gel should be direct from the stem leaving the aloe on through the night. It m ay then be rinsed the next morning during shower. (Ni, Maoshing. Natural Tips for Gray Hair, Hair Loss, and Dandruff. Ask Dr. Mao. Dec 08, 2009. Yahoo! Health. [internet]). The observations seem to imply that the use of Aloe Vera as a healing medium should be in its fresh stage. This may be so because it is claimed that laboratory findings show that the ingredients of the plant no longer have beneficial effects after being processed. (Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera Guide. [internet]). It is also necessary to state here that there have been so many testimonials about the use of Aloe Vera having succeeded in re-growing hair but there is no scientific basis for this yet. (Aloe Vera. herbs at a glance. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. [internet]). One account says that a grandmother told stories of Aloe Vera being used to treat split ends, dandruff and falling hair. (Aloe Vera Express.com. [internet]). Another article straightforwardly say s that it prevents hair loss. (Berry, Yulia. The Benefits of Aloe Vera and How to Use. Aloe Your Miracle Doctor. Aloe Vera and Handy Herbs. [internet].). There are theories that Aloe Vera helps hair growth because of what nature has provided for its contents. Aloe Vera gel naturally gives moisture and nutrients to the scalp healing it or making it healthier. The gel can be applied direct from the leaves or in commercial forms duly preserved. (Bradley, Charlie. Does Aloe Vera Help Hair to Grow Again. eHow. [internet]) The proposal in this feasibility study is the commercial marketing of Aloe Vera gel for hair care, restoration or rehabilitation. It is thus necessary that the fundamentals of the planned project are premised above. Presumptions This project feasibility study will cover the whole process from cultivating to selling. A farm of five hundred hectares for Aloe Vera will be established in the Philippines, a country in Southeast Asia and which has sufficient historical proof that Aloe Vera has been a native in the land as evidenced by folklores. (History of Aloe Vera. 21st Century Aloe Vera. [internet]). The place is chosen firstly because of its reasonable labour cost and land rentals. The second reason is its proximity to Hong Kong which will become the jump-off point for the delivery of the finished product to the United Kingdom, the final destination for marketing. Gathering

How does light and sound travel in water Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

How does light and sound travel in water - Essay Example Usually, temperature varies from about 28Â °F around either North and South poles, or 90Â °F or above near the Equator or around the Tropics. Salinity or saltiness of the sea water, differs roughly from 32 to 38 ppt. Its impact on sound waves or sound speed is often minor, but salinity rates by the virtue of its location—for instance, near the land or masses of sea ice—can have remarkable impact. In constant coefficients, change in speed of sound through temperature changes increases by +3 meters per second; while there is approximately +.5 meters per second per change in 30 meters in sea depth; and by change of per ppt. salinity, about +1.2 meters per second; The SSP, or sound speed profile, is used to measure the combined effects of temperature, salinity and depth in relation to sound speeds. It is a vertical column of water consisting of an iso-speed layer (also called the mixed surface layer). Under it, there is a seasonal thermocline which measures down to 250 meters; and below, the larger main thermocline. Due to the changes of the water’s temperature, there exist variations in the SSP. Under the main thermocline, the temperature is usually constant. Also, because of depth, changes in pressure slowly increase and therefore give the dominant impact on the SSP. Absorption occurs when the energy in the sound waves is absorbed by the water itself, as sound moves through a body of water. It is followed by the shrinking of the original sound waves’ magnitude (amplitude). Light also travels in water, as sounds do, since it goes in waves. Water absorbs light and its different wavelengths at different values depending on the depth of the body of water, or the clarity or turbidity of the water. The speed of light depends on the optical density of the water—and light travels more slowly in water than it does in air. As water absorbs light, it reduces the light’s quantity and

International Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Strategic Management - Essay Example Today’s smart and customised phones are taking lead in the market. These tiny electronic gadgets perform multi-various functions added on with computer operating systems. These instruments can run various applications such as Twitter, games, guiding owners in shopping and dining and a host of other features. Mobile phones have such added functions as big displays, keyboards and internet availability. Old models of mobile phones are easier to operate than the new mobile phones (Yonkers, 2011). Some mobile phones have only selected features as per the needs of the customers. Our product the smart customized mobile phone caters to specific needs of the customers; they can be made to suit each customer’s individual preferences. Country Introduction (Philippines) Research indicates that in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, an emerging global market, Philippines could be the ideal market for almost any product. The feel good factor is that Philippines is not against foreign direct investment in their country. It is the 19th largest export market of the United States with an approximate annual export of $8 billion. For launching a new product, the Philippines can be the perfect launching pad as people there have liking for the imported products. Language is not a barrier, as the Philippine is the third largest English speaking country (US Commercial Service, 2011). The Philippines market environment for the mobile phone products, called the Cellular Mobile Telephone System (CMTS) is quite encouraging. Let’s review different environmental aspects related to the Philippines economy, politics, legal, regulatory, technological, and social factors to ensure that the launching of our customised mobile phone would succeed in providing a secure international platform to our company. Market Environment in Philippines Our leading electronics product, the customised mobile phone would find a ready and ripe market as the mobile phone is a favourite digital device for the Filipinos. More than 22 million Filipinos have a mobile phone. The number of mobile subscribers is growing fast; in 2004 the growth rate touched to 34% to more than 30.2 million. In Short Messaging Service (SMS), this country is the world leader. As per the market report, carriers cover more than 1 billion text messages a day in Philippines. The above scenario regarding the mobile phone market and the Philippine’s 100 years old friendly business relations with the U.S. are enough to build up confidence of our company to enter in the Philippines market with its product launch, i.e. customised mobile phone (US Commercial Service, 2011). Industry Overview For providing a ready platform to our customised mobile phones, we need to develop an industry life cycle approach concurrent with the dynamic rationales for product strategy development, fit for Philippines. Ever-changing industry dynamics are impacted by such factors as the aggressive int ernational competition and the need to react fast to advances in technology affecting consumer preferences. As it happened in 2000s, the mobile phone industry saw a surge in demand because of innovation in the product and process of the product model. Surge in the demand for newer mobile phones is not going to dampen as sophistication in the produ

Advance taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Advance taxation - Essay Example X can also invest in government securities by evaluating the risk of investment. If X plans to take more risk to earn higher reward, X can invest in shares. X also has the option to give the surplus fund to X’s four children. In this case X has to evaluate tax implications on the basis of inheritance tax. In the given situation, X wants to find out the tax implications of each of these alternatives and then choose the best option to invest. Tax Implications for Set up of Business as Sole Trader It is the simplest of all business structures. Setting up a business as a sole trader can be very scary because X‘s liability would be unlimited. But at the same time rewards are also unlimited as X will have claims to the extent of profit earned by business. Moreover, X does not have to register with the Companies House and this means that X won’t have to pay the corporate tax which X had to pay had he set up an incorporated company. Another advantage for a sole trading bu siness is that if X is not maintaining a payroll, paper works for the employees then red tapes will be reduced greatly. But this business structure exposes X to greater risk for which X may need to cover up with insurance policy. Thus as a sole trader, X can keep all profit after paying taxes on them according to tax slab.

Japanese Popular Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Japanese Popular Music - Essay Example ers, who though being naturally conversant with and affiliated to the ancient Japanese musical traditions, were really open minded towards the influences extended by the American, British and European artists. Hence, J-Pop is not steel jacketed or a rigidly monolithic entity, but a pliable and variegated concept that comprises of all the current genres of Western music that one can think of. Therefore, it is not a surprise that J-Pop is oft blamed of pirating beats and lyrics from the Western musical scene (Japanese Lifestyle, 2009).There is no denying the fact that the primary source of inspiration for J-Pop is Western pop music. However, it will be grossly simplistic to say that J-Pop is merely a pirated Japanese version of the original Western pop compositions. The motivation for the assimilation of American and British pop influences is enshrined within the history of modern Japan. As Japan became respective to the foreign ideas and influences in a post II World War scenario, it was natural and inevitable for its fledgling pop culture to be colored by the more virile Western music scene. Hence, this is a reality that most of the J-Pop artists look towards the West for new ideas and inspiration. Still, the real forte of J-Pop is its unique ability of subjecting the Western compositions to a distinctly local influence that alters them conspicuously, thereby giving them a very discernable Japanese pop flavor (Japanese Lifestyle, 2009). Thus, the Western audiences are though often able to identify the sources of motivation of some J-Pop compositions, still they simply could not resist appreciating the implicit uniqueness and ingenuity of J-Pop. In fact, it was J-Wave, a local FM radio station that christened this distinctly Western version of the... Just a decade ago, a majority of the J-Pop artists looked towards Western markets to realize their ambition of becoming an overseas success. Despite enjoying a close cultural affinity with the neighboring Asian countries, the J-Pop artists were reluctant to foray into the Asian climes owing to fears of large-scale piracy . Yet, it is a fact that a majority of the Asian masses being unable to identify with Western songs and compositions are more receptive and open to J-Pop. Things are fast changing and Japanese music companies are responding to this propitious opportunity by resorting to aggressive marketing in Asian countries. At present, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea happen to be some of the largest markets of J-Pop outside Japan. The advent of the internet has further added to the international appeal of J-Pop. With the works of celebrated J-Pop artists available on online retail stores, the musical side of the Japanese popular culture is expected to be further globalized. As J -Pop is getting international, even Western audience are succumbing to its appeal, as it is really ease to respond to the essence of J-Pop compositions even if one does not understand the lyrics. J-Pop happens to be an essentially Asian music genre that reluctantly began as an outcome of the political and cultural constraints, limitations and opportunities that faced the post War Japan. An aesthetic trend, which started with an urge to appeal to the taste of the victorious Western audience, very soon ended up having a distinct identity of its own. All that was needed was a cosmopolitan platform and astute marketing possibilities that were facilitated by the TV and the internet. Today J-Pop is an art form whose sway is destined to proceed beyond Asian markets to win the loyalty and fan following of the Western masses.

Advance taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Advance taxation - Essay Example X can also invest in government securities by evaluating the risk of investment. If X plans to take more risk to earn higher reward, X can invest in shares. X also has the option to give the surplus fund to X’s four children. In this case X has to evaluate tax implications on the basis of inheritance tax. In the given situation, X wants to find out the tax implications of each of these alternatives and then choose the best option to invest. Tax Implications for Set up of Business as Sole Trader It is the simplest of all business structures. Setting up a business as a sole trader can be very scary because X‘s liability would be unlimited. But at the same time rewards are also unlimited as X will have claims to the extent of profit earned by business. Moreover, X does not have to register with the Companies House and this means that X won’t have to pay the corporate tax which X had to pay had he set up an incorporated company. Another advantage for a sole trading bu siness is that if X is not maintaining a payroll, paper works for the employees then red tapes will be reduced greatly. But this business structure exposes X to greater risk for which X may need to cover up with insurance policy. Thus as a sole trader, X can keep all profit after paying taxes on them according to tax slab.

Finance Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Finance Industry - Essay Example At present, debt factoring and debt subordination are the preferred means for companies to finance their needs for additional working capital. The financial flexibility provided by these two alternatives does not require the company management to relinquish any portion of their control or equity. They simply come with costs that then form part of the company's financing-related expenses. Many companies have huge accounts receivables in their balance sheets, relative to their other asset items. These accounts receivables can be of much better use to the company if they can be converted to cash sooner than their dates of collectability. Their conversion to cash through debt factoring should enable the company to do more business transactions and to produce higher income figures. (ABFA, 2009) Debt factoring is a three-party transaction that is consummated when a factor buys a company's accounts receivables, generally without recourse. Hence, the factor shoulders any losses resulting from the debtors' inability to pay. These debtors, by virtue of the factoring transaction, will be liable to pay the factor - not the original company creditor - the amounts due from them. (Brigham & Houston, 1998, p. 691) The factor does all three things: ensure the collection of the company's receivables, shoulder the losses resulting from bad debts and provide financing for the company through the purchase of its receivables. (Brealey, Myers & Marcus, 1995,p. 506) Meanwhile, debt subordination involves giving a specific creditor the last ranking in terms of claims on the debtor company's assets and income. Thus, subordinated debenture bonds - or uncollateralized debts - are issues that entitle owners to payments that are secured by what is left of the company after its secured debts, debenture bonds and other general liabilities have been settled. (Fabozzi, 2000, p. 86) Both debt factoring and debt subordination are available to companies with good credit records. Both can be handy tools for raising money to beef up the company's working capital, to take advantage of opportunities that require cash, to fund the company's acquisition of new plant equipments, to finance an expansion phase or to accomplish similar ventures. The Costs of Debt Factoring and Debt Subordination Factoring, then, helps to improve a company's cash flow. It also significantly reduces the expenses a company ordinarily incurs in doing preliminary credit investigation on each customer applying for a credit line and in ensuring the actual collection of their accounts receivable. In return for these benefits, debt factoring as an alternative comes with two costs that would have to be paid by the company: the interest and the fees. The interests charged amount to 1.50 to 3.00 percent over the prevailing base rate. Then fees in the scale of 0.75 to 2.50 percent of turnover are as well collected. (The UK Insolvency Helpline, 2009) Issuing subordinated debts, meanwhile, entail paying the service fees of investment companies and rating agencies and the interest rates attached to the debt instruments which may range from 10.00 to 15.00 percent. Related expenses are further incurred in the presentation, road-show and similar marketing activities that are all orchestrated to sell the company's subordinated debt instruments. Preparation

Why are standards so important for NICs, connectors, and media Essay Example for Free

Why are standards so important for NICs, connectors, and media Essay Use your textbook and Internet research to justify your answer. Standards are put in place to make everything work together error free. Because Stability, Consistency, Minimization of packet errors. 4.1.2 The voltage for registering a bit of 1 on Ethernet can be as low as 2.5 volts or even 1 volt. Why is this so low when the capacity for transmitting electricity on the copper wire is so high? Use your textbook and Internet research to support your answer. Because the voltage used to transmit data needs only be high enough for the receiver to detect it. Making the voltage higher would make the receiver electronics more difficult. 4.1.3 The voltage for registering a bit of 1 on Ethernet can be as low as 2.5 volts or even 1 volt. Why is this so low when the capacity for transmitting electricity on the copper wire is so high? Use your textbook and Internet research to support your answer. Hospitals, security systems, PA recording studios. The drawback of STP cables is that they will increase the total cost of an installation. STP cables are more expensive due to the shielding, which is an additional material that goes into every meter of the cable. The shielding also makes the cable heavier and stiffer. Thus, it is more difficult to handle. 4.1.4 Complete the entries in Table 4- 1. Use your textbook and Internet research to compose your answer. The common connector for interfacing UTP wires to a computer for networking is the Registered Jack 45 ( RJ- 45) interface. This uses eight copper wires ( four twisted pairs) to complete the connection between interfaces. The pinout for these wires defines the order in which the individual wires connect to the network interface card and how the wires transition from one end of the cable to the other. A straight cable is used to connect a device to a network hub or switch. This type of cable does not change the wiring order from one end to the other. You can see an example of  this in Figure 4- 1. Cat 310MbpsToken/10 base T Cat 416MbpsToken Cat 5100MbpsEthernet/Token Cat 61000MbpsGigabit Ethernet Cat 6a1GbpsGigabit Ethernet 4.1.5 Another computer. Using Figure 4- 1 and Table 4- 2 as an example, create the diagram and color coding for a crossover cable. Use your textbook and Internet research to compose your answer. Hint: The crossover cable is more complex than simply reversing the entire set of wires. You are wiring the input pins to the output pins and vice versa. 4.1.6 Briefly describe the layered construction of a coaxial cable from the inner core to the outer insulation. Use your textbook and Internet research to compose your answer. Coaxial cable consists of a core of copper wire surrounded by insulation, a braided metal shielding, and an outer cover. 4.1.7 Based solely on the distance limitation of UTP cable, what should you guarantee about any network you plan for UTP cable? Use your textbook and Internet research to justify your answer. 100 meters a signal repeater 4.1.8 What type of cable is necessary for each connection in Figure 4- 2: straight or crossover? You can assume that S1 and S2 do not have the ability to resolve crossovers ( called Auto- MDIX). Use your textbook and Internet research to compose your answer. They both need straight UTP 4.1.9 If all the connections in the network from Figure 4- 2 use UTP cable, will they all be able to communicate correctly? If not, which links will not function and what should be done to resolve the issue? Use your textbook and  Internet research to justify your answer. 4.1.10 Briefly describe the purpose of each of the following network testing devices: Multimeter- an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. Tone generator-electronic audio acoustics and equipment testing and setup, or informational signals, commonly associated with a telephone system Pair scanner- used to locate problems in a LAN system Time domain reflectometer is an electronic instrument used to characterize and locate faults in metallic cablesa.

Goal And Objectives Of A Spar Business Tourism Essay

Goal And Objectives Of A Spar Business Tourism Essay Through its vast network of research on the consumer and industry, some researchers were pinpointed the following spa industry trends: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa is a Lifestyle: Research shows that more than 2 million spa-goers took part in lifestyle classes in 2005. Examples of lifestyle offerings include healthy cooking classes, seminars on achieving balance and managing stress and treatments which allow guests to customize their own at-home spa experience. more people are embracing the spa experience as it is linked to lifestyle decisions based on health and wellness. Issues such as stress, obesity, and environmental toxins being serious concerns, many spas are incorporating lifestyle elements, which include fitness, diet and overall health into the traditional treatment-based spa concept. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa Visits are Necessary and an Entitlement: This trend is catching particularly among baby boomers. The most common reasons for visiting spas include soothing sore joints/muscles, relieving/reducing stress to feel better about oneself and for mental/emotional health. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Looking for Results: People expect more than just pampering from their spa visits simply. More than one in ten spa-goers treat spa-going as part of their larger health and wellness lifestyle. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Medical Components: The annual growth of 69 percent from 2003 to 2005 shows that medical spas are one of the fastest growing segments of the industry. The most popular medical treatments are microdermabrasion, chemical peels and natural weight loss measures such as body wraps. Increasingly, the medical industry in general, and the plastic surgery sector in particular, are incorporating spa treatments such as acupuncture and naturotherapy into their service structure. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Living at the Spa: Spas are adding residential components and real estate developers are building spas in gated communities and condominiums. For example it is particularly visible in cities like New York City and Las Vegas. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Socialization: Todays spas are offering enhanced opportunities for socialization. Many spas are merging the traditional spa concept with entertainment and networking. Eight percent of U.S. spa-goers say they use their time at the spa as an opportunity to socialize. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Customization: In todays times Spa-goers desire experiences that are customized to their personal needs and desires. Right from booking time, to selecting the background music, room temperature lighting, and massage oils; being a spa-goer is no longer a spectator sport. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Gender-specific experiences: consumers are looking for experiences tailored specifically to their gender. As 45 percent of spa-goers are men, the demand for products and services designed specifically with men in mind is at an all-time high. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa Vacations: About 63% of U.S. spa-goers have visited spa while traveling from home. Apart from budgetary considerations, trips to spas are shaped by desires to visit particular places and have specific types of vacations. Women are more likely than men to be spa-goers, though spa traveling reduces the gender gap considerably as 36 percent of spa travelers are male. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Experiential Journeys: Spa-goers are drawn to indigenous treatments and products, especially when traveling. New textures, aromas and sounds with meaningful story-telling help forge connections to people, places and traditions. Additionally, another trend to watch for is skin care evolving from a product-based service to an experience-based service. Industry Background The spa industry has grown significantly from 2005 to 2007. According to the latest Global Spa Research of ISPA (International SPA Association) there are nearly 100 million active spa-goers globally. The need to relax transcends borders. Regardless of where they live, the primary reasons spa-goers visit spas are to relax and relieve/reduce stress. Most spa businesses market a Web site to advertise products or services. It may not be an attractive or professional looking page on the Internet, but businesses are still using these uninviting Web pages. Owners are staying away from potentially helpful management software, because they are caught up in the paperwork. If all businesses used an Internet strategy, sales and new clients would increase significantly. Its a matter of developing an Internet strategy, sticking to a plan, and remembering the big picture. The purpose of this research is to determine whether having an Internet strategy is beneficial in the spa industry. Internet art icles, e-books, personal interviews, and books were used for research purposes. Overall, research suggests that having an Internet strategy proves beneficial for clients, spa technicians, and management. With a willingness to learn about new software and ways of doing business online, revenue will increase as fast as over night. Goal and Objectives of the Business and Milestone Our mission is to run a profitable business by providing high-end therapeutic massage and aesthetician services in a caring, upscale, professional environment. We offer massage in a variety of styles traditional Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue work, Sports Massage,  Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, and others.  Our licensed aestheticians offer the latest in skin treatments, body treatments and anti-aging therapies.   Our goal is to tailor the clients experience based on initial interview information, as well as feedback during the treatments, to ensure the clients comfort and satisfaction, and to increase repeat business.  We are mindful of the overall experience using only the finest oils and lotions, beauty treatments and aromatherapies. Special lighting, music, decor, and textiles  are used throughout the spa to  complete the comfortable, plush environment  and enhance the clients overall spa experience. Objectives of the Business Achieve $33,900in sales the third month after opening by performing 16services per day. Achieve $81,600 in sales the 6 month after opening by performing 27 services per day. Have a local client return rate of 90% by the end of the first 6 months. Become an established community Spa destination by the end of the first 12 months. Perform 23 services per day by the end of the first year. Uniqueness of Product or Service Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Owner is a proven, 15-year sales executive.   Marketing will be the first strength to our success and a huge competitive edge. Professionalism: Which are includes everything from maintaining confidentiality, to hiring the very best LMT and Aestheticians. Individual Attention: Each clients experience will be tailored to his or her preference. Repeat business/Recommendations: giving the kind of service that brings people back for regular treatments, and encourages clients to recommend us to friends, and other health professionals to recommend their clients. Unique Treatments: We have the latest in techniques with the best products from around the world. Fantastic Location:  Orchard road A Few More Notable Itemsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Treatments that use two or more therapists are also seen as being on the rise.   Spa-going moms desire products and experiences designed for them. The most reason that customer want go to spa is to reduce and relieve their stress, painfuls and the attractiveness of our spa is stone and fruit massage. Marketing Plan Research and Analysis Knowledge of the target market provides a basis for determining the appropriate marketing action strategy that will effectively meet its needs (Hisrich, Peters Shepherd, 2008, p245). Market Segmentation A basic foundation of relationship marketing is market segmentation (Zeithaml Bitner, 2003, p.164). Through market segmentation, our company can reach target market easily. Market segmentation is variable. For our company, the main segmentations are as follows. Demographic Segmentation Age:The chart above is the result from our survey. That indicates the main customers of our company are aged from 25 to 40. Occupation Our market segment will include officials and housewives. Officials in Singapore are always stressful because of work. Therefore, doing spa will make them be relaxed and comfortable. Housewives always have a lot of leisure time. In that case, spa would be one of their favorite activities. Income group Our market segment would include people with high income. Because of our company not only provides traditional massage, also provides special Day spa, like hot stone treatment and fruit spa, our clients should has high income. Behavior Segmentation This segmentation is based on peoples lifestyle. Our companys market segment would include people who prefer to take massage to relax. In addition, people who like to take massage as a healthcare method also can be seen as our target segment. Geographic Segmentation Our main target segment is tourists who are from other countries. Target Market Firstly, tourists would be our companys major target market. Meanwhile, based on the demographic segmentation, our company would target local people aged from 25 to 40. According to the left graph below, the population of Singapore had a dramatically increase from year 1970 (2,013,600) to year 2009 (3,733,900), which means the number of people we can serve also increased. In addition, the chart on right depicts people at age group from 25 to 40 is a large segment therefore that is a huge market for us. It is also has a growth trends from 1999 to 2009. These are good signals for running Spa Company. Source: Statistics Singapore, 2010 Market Analysis The spa industry in Singapore is prosperous. This country has been positioned as the urban spa hub of Southeast Asia by the tourism board. (Melinda Taschetta-Millane, 2007). Source: Singapore Tourism Board, 2010. The graph above depicts the number of visitor arrivals in Singapore. It is clear that, the number of tourists increased from 2003 to 2007. After that, the number decreased slightly, probably because the economic crisis. However, visitor arrivals to Singapore registered 26.7% growth to reach 950,000 in June 2010, the highest ever recorded visitor arrivals in the month of June (Statistics Singapore, 2010). Thereby the number of tourists is still large. In that case, the market size of spa industry is very big in Singapore. On the other hand, our survey also asks peoples opinion on whether spa is popular. The chart below indicates that the percentage of people who state spa becomes more popular is 94. Figure: Survey result of whether Spa become more popular However, there are many key players in spa industry, such as Spa Esprit, Estheva Spa and Raffles Amrita Spa. Based on many years operation, these spas already have good brand image and many loyalty customers. Therefore, they already got a large number of market share. In that case, our company should use business strategy to gain at least one percent market share at the first year, such as use the latest in techniques with the best products from around the world. Competitor Analysis As the spa business is growing day by day, competition is becoming more challenging than before. The graph above indicates which spa is the most favorite. This is done by survey from our own. It is clear that most people prefer to Spa Esprit. It is one of the key players in spa industry. However, our companys competitors would be a Fond and Esprit Spa which are located in Holland Village. The main competitive advantage for them is their experience from long term operation. In addition, they might have some loyalty customers which would affect us. Our company not only has direct competitors but also has indirect competitors. For instance, OSIM Corporate which has variety kinds of massage tools. People can take massage at home by using their massage chair. That would also impact our company as our potential customers would loss. Marketing Plan Our strategy is to implement the most aggressive marketing and networking in the community, followed by the best services in the business.  Our prices are competitive for the area, and our personnel plan, which includes using a pool of skilled, commissioned therapists and aestheticians, will give us a financial advantage. Competitive Edge Our competitive edge is our ability to market effectively and creatively to bring in the clients and then back that up with the best service and products in the business.   In addition, our  combination of unique services, outstanding location and our interaction with the customers are setting us up for huge success. Market Strategy: Sale Distribution Local Advertising Seasonal Promotions: Local newspaper advertising, local fliers, grand opening party kick-off and promotion for first 30 days.   Continue regular advertising and plan for seasonal events like Christmas, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Chinese New Years. Local Networking: Charities, womens groups, country clubs, wedding planners, and membership with the  Spa Association Singapore (http://www.spaassociation.org.sg/). Health Care Referrals Prior to opening: Work current contacts and create new contacts with health care providers, especially chiropractors.   Also, become a Provider with health insurance companies that offer Alternative Care to their members.   Most people dont know that massage therapy is usually paid by insurance when billed correctly and when prescribed by a physician.   aFond and Esprit Spa already has practice management software to handle medically billable massage.   When the insurance does not cover the entire amount of a service the client will pay the difference.   For that reason, we will not want to participate with any PPOs that require write-off for amounts over the usual and customary fee (which tends to be too low).   A list of acceptable insurance company plans will be maintained and those clients will be able to handle massage therapy through their insurance.   Any opportunity to convince allopathic physicians MDs to see massage as having long-term healing benefits for their patients will also be  taken, since they  hold to key to having  massage paid for as medically necessary.  Ã‚   The client will also help drive that with the physicians if they are properly educated.   Hotel Referrals: Hotels that do not offer their own spa services will send their guests to our spa or use our out-call spa  services.  Prior to opening, I will make contacts with managers and concierges at local hotels to ensure they are aware of the services available.  Promotions will be offered to professionals in these industries to create buzz and build relationships. Online Website: Our spa will show up on  every  major  search engine  and in the phone directory.  The website will have a full menu of services and eventually have the ability to schedule appointments on-line.  The spa software we are using will allow a user to see the schedule and make an appointment without making a phone call. Location traffic: It is imperative that we  be located in a high-traffic strip road, Tanglin road, which is high-end, modern, and clean.  We prefer locating near a complementary business like a nail or hair salon, shopping centre that does not offer any massage or facial treatments.  Ã‚   Pricing Strategy If, as it has been said, the top three items which determine success in business are location, location, location, then a busy location at Culway Pla in a thriving residential community represents our top marketing strategy.  With the owner focusing on the sales, marketing and management and delegating the massage and aesthetician therapies to employeesbusiness profitability potential is exponentially maximized over a one or  two person operation by a  direct care-giver without any marketing, management or sales background. As the owner, Madame Pamperzhou has done extensive market research and visited some of the best spas in the world Beverly Hills, Paris, Amsterdam, Vegas and Arizona and has taken ideas from the best to offer an upscale, ultra-amenity, spa experience.  Once a client experiences the luxurious, high-end level of personalized care that we offer, we are confident that we will have a return client.   Advertisement and Promotions The business is still in its introductory stages. Therefore, it is necessary for the business to advertise heavily through mass media. There are various ways of doing so: Newspapers and magazines: The Company may choose to advertise with color in the standard newspapers. Leaflets, brochures and pamphlets: These will be prepared for the purpose of informing the customers about the prices, the activities and the general background information concerning the nature of the business. Banners and posters: For the sake of large-scale advertising, the most eye-catching form would be the banners and the posters. These will be used to illustrate the name of the business, its nature, location and the products we offer. They will be located in areas concentrated with the target market. 5. Business cards: They will be distributed in the market since our business comprises of offering services, it is a good form of increasing clientele. 6. Travel agencies: They will be used to market our spa packages. A certain fixed amount will be paid to them annually to issue our brochures and leaflets as they will be the first ones to come in contact with potential customers. 7. Face book: Perhaps, the easiest and most effective form of advertising in the modern days. It will deliver our message to our target market directly. 8. Discount vouchers: Since our business is heavily outsourcing with various companies, to promote our business in return, they may issue discount vouchers for certain activities or packages for our business, in order to promote it and attract more clients. 9. Hotel referrals: we can make contacts with managers and concierge at local hotels that do not offer their own spa services; this will help to create more awareness about our services. Operations Plan 3.1. Company Location and Facilities Location 1 Development Name: 41 Holland Drive Property Type: Shop / Shophouse Price: S$ 8,000/ month Negotiable Size: 731 sqft / 68 sqm PSF (built-in): S$ 10.94 psf Developer: Housing Development Board Tenure: 99-year Leasehold Lease Term: 2 years The convenience location in the bustling Holland Village vincity, walking distance to 2 Mrt: Bouna Vista Mrt upcoming Holland Village Mrt. Ample carpark space just behind the shop and another multi-storey car park across the street. Upmarket neighbourhood with sophiscated consumers, highly suitable for specialised clinics/education centres/niche retail concept shop/etc. Operation Hours Our business is day spa so the operating hours will be from 9 am to 7 pm. We will run the business all 7 days and during holidays the business will increase because many people have plans to spent time in holidays. In public holidays also our spa will be opened, the staffs will be paid incentives during public holidays. Transportation The transportation facilities in Singapore are easy and economical. Holland Village is usually reached from other parts of Singapore either by bus or taxi, and is linked to Orchard Road via Holland Road. Holland village is nearby to Queensway. 3.2. Products and Services The products we use in our Day Spa are body treatments like body scrub and body scrub, facials and fruit massage. Services Body Scrub Body scrub will remove your dead skin and unveil a smoother more rejuvenated skin with these divinely aromatic scrubs. Your skin will feel refreshed and reborn. Body wrap Our body wrap recipe is made up of a fresh daily blend of ingredients that includes special herbs and oils. The more times you perform a body wrap the faster and better the results. You will be amazed at how soft and healthy your skin will feel and look after. Facials This is a fresh and radiant treatment nourishing you skin. In twenty steps including whether it is: cleansing, deep cleansing, Peeling, Massaging and improving your skin by using mask and specific serum depending on skin type. Nourishing Treatment for Normal Combination Skin. Moisturizing Treatment for Dry Skin. Purifying Treatment for Oily Skin Fruit Massage This Moisturizer provides that lock in the skins own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking, this new formula nourishes dry skin and helps retain moisture giving your skin a softer and smoother feeling like never before. Suppliers The products for our spa are mainly brought from Amber Products. The Amber products are one of the favourite brands for the customers. Amber has been a dedicated partner with spas and salons around the world for 30 years. Their goal is to build awareness of the importance of maintaining health and well-being through spa services. Packages In our Spa the package is very open and allowed guest to choose any product they like not more than 2 things. 3.3. Licenses and Permits to Start a Business in Singapore Compulsory Licenses A compulsory copyright license is an exception to copyright law that is usually philosophically justified as an attempt by the government to correct a market failure. As an exception to copyright, another party can exercise one or more of the copyrights exclusive rights without having to obtain the copyright holders permission (hence compulsory) but will have to pay a licensing fee. Some compulsory licenses protect those who wish to use a work for educational or non-commercial purposes. In cases when it is judged too burdensome for scattered or small-scale buyers and sellers to find one another and negotiate a price, governments sometimes issue a compulsory license for the use so that the relative difficulty of obtaining permission for it does not extinguish it. Intellectual Property legislation in Singapore is pepped with regimes for compulsory licensing. Business Activity License And Permits A business license is a permit or registration required by the federal, state, county, or local government to conduct business. Besides the basic operating permits, business owners should investigate other possible licensing requirements based on their location and industry. Conducting business without the proper licenses and permits may result in penalties, notices, and the inability to operate. 3.4. Legislation and Regulation Due to spa business, company also needs certificates or licenses for each employee to show the credibility. In the pre-opening of our spa, if employees do not have licenses, we would like to pay for them to training section and get the certificate or license. This method gives benefit to both employees and employers. In order to work smoothly, our spa needs to get prove from union that our work place is safe, employees have the proper social security, holiday, salary, wages, and other benefits are enough for their living standard. Operating as the company is a must to pay TAX to the government; however, we cannot be sure how much tax will increase or decrease in the specific period. Management 4.1. Management Team Key Personnel Benny: Managing Director and one of the investors holding 40 % of the share in the investment for the business. He comes from a business family having an amazing business skill and is a PR in Singapore, also has a good knowledge about SPA and Massage as he owns some of the popular Massage shop in other parts of the city. He will only be present for the monthly meetings with the management team and would not be looking after the day to day operations. Raja: Finance Manager and holds 30 % of the investment share in the business. He has a good knowledge of finance as he has done his masters in finance from University of Wales. He will be looking after the cash inflow and outflow, would be preparing the balance sheet and profit and loss statements and would help the management team in taking the financial decisions of the business. Becky: Operational Manager having a sound academic background and holding 20 % of the investment share in the business. She has a good work experience as he is in this industry from the last 10 years. She has worked in some of the best restaurants lounge in the city. He will be having the sole authority of the operations in the workplace. Varun: Marketing Manager having a good work experience. His responsibility is to update the management from time to time with the Spa and lounge industry, watching out the competitors, negotiating and finding reliable suppliers. He will also serve the business as a Receptionist during the day time. Nathan: Floor manager and will look after the inventory supplies and will provide assistance to the operational manager. 4.2. Legal Structure Employment Agreement Employment agreement is also known as employment contract. It is an agreement between an employee and employer that specifies the terms and conditions of employment (Janus Corporate Solutions Pte , n.d.). A violation of one or more of the terms in an employment contract by either an employee or employer is considered breach of contract. Employment agreement will include several important clauses such as: Code of Conduct This Code is a concise outline of the Companys standards of business ethics and conduct (A. T. CROSS COMPANY, n.d.). It deals with various laws and Employee should act honestly and always in the best interests of the employer. Employee should follow all the rules lawfully and proper direction of the employer (ipccc, 2004). The employee must not use any item belong to the employer for their personal use. The employee must not smoke and take any drugs on the workplace. Salary/Wages The Salary will be paid according to the appointment position. The salary must be paid at least once a month within 7 days after the end of the salary period. Overtime pay, if applicable, must be paid within 14 days of the stipulated salary period. This will be paid to the employee by electronic fund transfer. The employer is required to make contributions to the CPF fund. Both employee and employer make monthly contributions to the fund. Hours of Work Employees are entitled to work not more than 44 hours per week (focus singapore, n.d.). The employee may be required to work for additional hours depending on requirements. Employee ordinary daily hours of full time work are not more than eight hours per day. Employees are entitled to take a break for 30 min after working not more than 6 hrs. Public Holidays Employee is entitled to paid day off on public holidays. These are the following public holidays in Singapore. New Years Day, Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, National Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Hari Raya Haji, and Christmas Day (8Links, n.d.). Annual Leave Employee must have served at least 3 months with the employer for qualifying the leave for 7 days. An  employee is entitled to 14 days of sick leave per year, and 60 days of hospitalization leave provided the employee has worked for at least 6 months for the company (The Law Society of Singapore, n.d.). Employee Benefits Employer offer medical insurance plans that extend to dependants and typically cover personal accident and hospitalization. Company will provide a per-day allowance, transportation allowance or reimbursement of actual expenses while travelling.  The company will sponsor employee training programs and educational courses (The Law Society of Singapore, n.d.). Stock Agreement This agreement is between the supplier and the customer. This agreement is mandatory for all the business. For the spa there must be an agreement between the spa and the supplier of the materials. Stock agreement will include several important clauses such as: The Engagement The spa has appointed the Supplier to supply the goods and the supplier have agreed to supply the Contract Goods for the Customer. And the supplier will be the sole and exclusive provider of the Contract Goods to the Customer. Prices and Payment The spa has agreed to pay the Supplier the prices for the Contract Goods as negotiated. The Supplier must issue a Tax Invoice for the Contract Goods supplied. If for whatever reason the spa does not pay for any Contract Goods when payment becomes due the Supplier may stop the supply until all the dues will be cleared. Suspend supply of the Contract Goods until all outstanding payments have been made. Retention of Title Until the spa has paid the Supplier for the Contract Goods, title in the Contract Goods will not pass to the spa. The spa must keep the Contract Goods insured noting the Suppliers interest therein. The title remains in the Supplier, the Contract Goods will be at the spas risk until they are paid for. Quality of Contract Goods The Contract Goods must comply with all safety standards, codes and applicable legislation. Ordering, Delivery and Packaging All Contract Goods must be ordered by the spa on the Suppliers standard order form or standard method which order form or method the Supplier may from time to time change. Any damage during the transportation will be the suppliers liability. Financial Plan (Detail Balance Sheet) Critical Risks The risk refers to the probability, and magnitude, of downside loss, which could result in bankruptcy. The risk of downside loss is partly derived from the entrepreneurs uncertainties over market demand, technological development, and the actions of competitors (Hisrich, Peters Shepherd, 2008, p477). There are several potential problems for our company in the tourism industry. Firstly, the natural disasters would be our potential risk. For instance, the erupted of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland lead to many flights canceled, as a result of Singapore lost a large number of tourists. Our companys potential customers also would decrease. Other natural disasters effects are the same. During that period, our company should focus on local customers to reduce the losses. Secondly, the economical factors also would be our potential risk. During the economic crisis period, people would not prefer to spend money on spa. It would affect our company directly. In that case, our company should do many promotions to attract people, such as distribute gift certificate and lower prices. Thirdly, the increasing number of competitors would be our companys risk. Singapores population is not large therefore if there are many competitors, the number of our companys potential customers will decrease. On the other hand, our company provides the special spa-fruit spa, which is the first company use this kind of treatment. It means that it would be our competitive advantage. However, other company also can imitate tha

Euthanasia Essay -- essays research papers fc

Here is another essay for you to use! It's alittle screwed up, but perhaps you can do something with it. It was a lot worse than this, it had strange marks all over it and the paragraphs were everywhere. I fixed it a bit, but I would go crazy if I stared at a computer screen any more!!!! Euthanasia, is one of the most controversial issues of our time. This diver issue raises many questions such as: how should decisions be made, and by whom? What should be determined as a matter of law and what left a matter of discretion and judgment? Should those who want to die, or who are in a "persistent vegetative state" be allowed to die voluntarily? Who should decide: the patient, the physician, the courts, or the families? The pro-euthanasia arguments turn on the individual case of the patient in pain, suffering at the center of an intolerable existence. When life becomes unbearable, quick death can be the answer. If living persons become so ill that they cannot tolerate the pain they have a "right to die" to an escape from torment. So long as the right to die means not prolonging the life by undesireable treatment, it may be classified as rational suicide. The term "euthanasia" means "good health" or "well dying"; it is derived from the Greek "eu" and "thanatos". In its classical sense, it is a descriptive term referring to an easy death as opposed to an agonizing or tormented dying. In Greek literature, euthanasia connoted a "happy death, an ideal and coveted end to a full and pleasant life." The concern to die well is as old as humanity itself, for the questions surrounding death belong to the essence of being human. All people die, but apparently only people know they are to die. They live with the truth that life is under the sentence of death. Thus, from the "beginning of the species concern with how one dies has been an implicit part of the human attempt to come to terms with death. " Paul D. Simmons, ÃÆ' ÃÆ'Birth and Death: Bioethical Decision Making (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983) Page 117. There is still a question involved in the contemporary debates about euthanasia which is posed by a case such as the terminally ill who are dying. The issue concerns the morality of mercy in aiding the dying patient. The question goes beyond simply withdrawing treatm... ... D. Simmons, Birth and Death: Bioethical Decision Making (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983) p.113. Paul D. Simmons, Birth and Death: Bioethical Decision Making (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983) p. 113. Ann Wickett, The Right To Die: Understanding Euthanasia (New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986) p.114. Samuel Gorovitz, Drawing The Line: Life, Death, and Ethical Choices in an American HospitalÄ (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991) p.10. Samuel Gorovitz, Drawing The Line: Life, Death, and Ethical Choices in an American Hospital (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991) p.10. Samuel Gorovitz, Drawing The Line: Life, Death, and Ethical Choices in an American Hospital (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991) p.17. Samuel Gorovitz, Drawing The Line: Life, Death, andEthical Choices in an American Hospital (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991) p.21. Ann Wickett, The Right To Die: Understanding Euthanasia (New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 198 6) p.107. Ann Wickett, The Right To Die: Understanding Euthanasia (New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1986) p.117. Thomas W. Case, Dying Made Easy (New York: Neal Bernards Inc., November 4, 1991) pp.25-26.

Lockheed Martin Corporation Essay

Lockheed Martin is an American aerospace multinational that also specializes in defense, security and advanced technology industries. The corporation was instituted in 1995 following the merger between Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta (Yenne, 2000). The corporation is based in Bethesda in Maryland with global centers that specialize in different aspects of the corporation’s many operations. Currently, the corporation employs over 120,000 employees scattered across the world. Presently, Lockheed is one of the largest defense contractors in the world and enjoys almost unlimited orders across the world. The operations of the corporation are divided into different segments comprising electronic systems (27%), aeronautics (27%), information systems and global solutions (27%) and space systems (19%). Today, US government contracts account for much of the corporation’s revenue while foreign government contracts also make up a substantial share of the revenue. On the other hand, orders from commercial clients only make up a mere 2 % of the total revenue the corporation nets in a year. In 1996, the corporation finalized the plans to acquire Lorad Corporation which subsequently became part of the corporation at a cost of $9. 1 billion. Like any other global corporation engaging thousands of employees across the world, Lockheed is certainly faced with a myriad of challenges that normally define business operations in the present world. One of the greatest challenges facing the corporation is the need to address employee concerns and effectively tackle the aspects of employee and industrial relations without many problems like is always the case. On certain instances the corporation has had to face the challenge of striking workers and go slow as employees complained about various aspects relating to their operations in the organization (Terris, 2010). In that regard, the aspect of dealing with these employee concerns has been one of the greatest employee challenges affecting the organization. Like most workers in the industry, most of Lockheed’s workers are unionized under the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers and are always part and parcel of the activities steered by the association. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is a worker organization, which draws its origin in 1888 when a group of nineteen machinists came together and formed the Order of the United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers. With time, the small organization grew in membership and adopted the present name. The organization has had a turbulent history characterized by the growth of labor movements in the twentieth century. The growth of the union went in tandem with the development of the transport industry throughout the years as more and more workers became employed in the industry. During its formation, the organization was generally a secret affair given that employers of the time were very critical and hostile toward organized labor movements. However, the Order rapidly spread beyond its formation zone of Georgia and was soon a recognized affair in the United States. Much of the growth in the membership of the union was mostly evidenced during the World Wars when workers in the transport industry increased owing to the increased demand of vehicles and airplanes (Cimini, 1994). In the course of the 1970s, the union was segmented into several divisions dealing with specific issues affecting the members. These included civil rights, organizing, older workers and retired workers and women. At a convection held in 1984 in Seattle, Washington, the delegates voted and decided to use the Placid Harbor Education Center in order to train and educate the members of the union. In 1998, the center was renamed to the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in order to recognize and honor the late president of the union. Throughout history, the union has always addressed the issues affecting the workers and negotiated with the relevant employers on specific aspects relating to the welfare of the employees Contract Management, 2010). Over 3000 workers of Lockheed Corporation are unionized under the IAM and are always in track with the labor union. The union has always negotiated in several instances regarding the welfare of the workers of Lockheed. In 2009, IAM came under much negotiation with the management of Lockheed at Fort Worth where the corporation manufactures jets. The issues at play in that case were healthcare costs and pensions where the workers were over 3,900 people in total opposition with the management of the corporation. At an address to the workers on 19th April, 2009, IAM President promised the workers that the union would keenly negotiate for a fair and just contract between the members and the management of Lockheed (Julian & Denver, 2011). The core of the matter in this regard emerged out of the decision by Lockheed’s management to announce that it would eliminate pension programs for new hires and would also increase healthcare costs for all the workers at the corporation’s Fort Worth plant. The IAM Negotiating Committee promised that it would effectively address the issue with the parties and warned Lockheed against its wrong moves. There were also allegations that the company was planning to introduce very expensive healthcare plans if the workers rejected the idea of elimination of the then present healthcare plan (Sears, 2006). In the course of the negotiation, the union thwarted the efforts by the company to keep the proceedings away from the workers. They periodically informed the workers on whatever was transpiring between them and the management. Much of this effort was complemented when the union created a website from where information relating to the preceding talks was posted and the workers could easily follow. The union organized a series of committees to handle the various logistics of the strike and to keep the employees as well as the public well informed of the proceedings. Several committees came into formation, including the strike committee, communication, community service, film crew and kitchen (2010). These committees were basically assisting the union officials in addressing the challenge of the talks given that the public and the government had very special interest in the whole situation. In the course of the negotiations, the union officials presented the management of the corporation with an economic counter proposal. The management was supposed to go over the proposal and respond to the various questions that were thereby addressed. After going through the contents of the proposal, the officials of the organization invited the union officials to the bargaining table. In their arguments, the management enunciated that their plan to cut off the pension for the new hires was just appropriate and was basically a process of addressing the challenges the organization was facing at that time. In the process, it appeared that the management of the corporation was very adamant and did not want to cede ground on the bargaining table. While the management claimed that they actually paid their workers well and they could therefore afford the new proposal it was putting forward, the union members totally rejected the notion as giving through one hand and taking by the other which was basically unethical in business practice. As part of the initial negotiations, the management of Lockheed confirmed that it had given the union the option of accepting a 3 percent wage rise increase for the contract workers who were facing the challenge of the healthcare plan (Boyne, 2010). Moreover, additional signing bonus of $3,000 was also offered per worker as part of the deal. This was to be supplemented by $ 800 to cover the annual increase in the cost of living in the United States. According to the management, this was basically to be a contingency plan in order to address the fundamental issue at hand and enable the workers to return to their work. In the same process, Lockheed was facing similar pressure from Pentagon and was seriously in a fix to accept the proposals of the union. It was, however, a blow for the company when the union officials totally rejected the contingency plans on the account that they had never been successful in the past and that the company had always not honored such obligations (Anderson, 2009). In retaliation, Lockheed created the view that it could effectively continue its operations without much regard to the unionized workers who were seeking a change of the healthcare plans. The corporation announced that the mployed workers would effectively replace the unionized workers in the course of the operations ((IAMAW, 2012). For a while, amid the negotiation talks, it appeared that the strike was actually an unending affair given that most operations in the corporation had began resuming despite the striking unionized members. It was certainly a blow and a great challenge to the negotiation process and it created the need for further talks and measures to address the situation. The emerging situation presented the union officials with a lot of challenges and they opted to seek for alternative measures of operations while continuing with the negotiation process. Collective bargaining was effectively used in the negotiation between the union officials and the management of the corporation. For a while, it appeared that much of the efforts of the union and the workers would not bore any fruit given the obduracy of the management in seeking to rescind the initial plans. However, light was seen at the end of the tunnel when finally the management of Lockheed agreed to give their presentation regarding a new pension plan that they had opted to adopt instead of their earlier proposal. However, the union was very keen on accepting the proposal and several more negotiations were further made before an amicable solution was reached. In any case, collective bargaining had been the most applicable strategy in the negotiation process and it certainly appeared that most of the challenges of the workers at that time had been resolved at least for a while. The unit that was involved in the collective bargaining process was drawn from the members of the union and also had representation from the unionized members. The committees that were established had actually been drawn from the corporation’s workers. The negotiation process basically consisted of the union officials and the management of Lockheed who were mostly represented by the top officials at the corporation. The corporation being the largest defense contractor in the United States and beyond meant that the government has a lot of interest in its operations. Pentagon, therefore, played a great role in the negotiation process by its advice on the management to seriously regard the specific aspects that were under consideration in order to avoid any disruption of the production process. At the end, it was realized that the basic issues of health care and pension plans that had actually affected the workers were resolved quite amicably and the whole episode ended effectively. The management of Lockheed is certainly faced with a myriad of challenges, which normally affect the operational process. In any case, the corporation has always continued to address the issues affecting the employees in the most effective manner that mutually benefits all the parties in the negotiating table. (Rubenstein, 2007) In conclusion, it has to be stressed that the aspects of employee relations is a fundamental issue that affect large and small corporations alike. The most important concern is, however, the need to provide effective working environment and address the challenges facing the employees in the most effective way possible. The role of the labor unions in this regard cannot be overemphasized given their imperative role in representing the needs of the workers. In the collective bargaining process as a way of seeking to arrive at amicable solution with regard to the issues affecting the organization, it is realized that mutual understanding on each part of the bargain team is certainly an important consideration in the process. Whichever the case, negotiations can always help address the issues so long as the parties approach such negotiations with the seriousness they certainly deserve.