The Abortion Controversy Essay - 1423 Words

The controversy within the biomedical ethics topic, abortion, has two main proponents. The first is the view against abortion, also known as pro-life. The other view is rooted upon the belief of being pro-choice, or basically for abortions. These two different views are like two mathematical principles, in that although these two views have many differences, they also have larger similarities in the background. For example, when pro-choice activists support abortions due to unwanted pregnancies, the activists are not rallying behind the idea of sexual incompetency (pregnancies due to lack of birth control). Rather, they are supporting the idea that women have the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. In order to understand†¦show more content†¦They believe that through love, and guidance anyone with any form of deformity or disease, can lead a normal life. The cases pertaining to rape also have different anti-abortionists views. Many anti-abortionists believe tha t the child can actually help the mother get through the turbulent times in her life, by providing each other with a loving environment. Finally, in the case of economics, the pro-life activists believe that having an abortion due to financial reasons is ridiculous. Because, it doesn’t mean that the child will have a life full of isolation and depression. The pro-life activists argue that there are also numerous welfare programs for such families. However, the pro-choice or the activists for abortions, argue that if a family is in a state of financial trouble, then abortion should be a practical option. Otherwise, the child would be born into a life of suffering, and inadequate living conditions. The pro-choice believers, bases their beliefs, upon the fact that having an abortion is the inalienable right of women. They believe that by outlawing abortions, women aren’t allowed to practice their freedom of privacy. In a way, women are being denied their constitutional rights. Many pro-choice activists also state that abortion is justifiable, because at the time of fertilization the ensuing embryo is not yet a human being. It is not a human being, but a potential one. Therefore, its death does not constitute a murder. Pro-choice activists’Show MoreRelatedThe Abortion Controversy1006 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Abortion Controversy† Many outsiders see the United States as a place of peace and harmony. But for those who live within it, know that it is the complete opposite. The United States has numerous amounts of worldwide problems from the economy to obesity to even pollution. Although some are more important than others doesn’t mean the small issues should go unnoticed. Abortion, the termination of pregnancy is considered a problem by many but also reflected as nonfactorRead MoreLegalization of Abortion: A Controversy2153 Words   |  9 PagesAbortion Should abortion be legalized? Part One: Introduction and Thesis Abortion is the termination to a pregnancy after the baby has been conceived. It basically involves the woman putting an end to her underdeveloped embryo or the fetus. This may be done at different stages of the pregnancy and may be done for various reasons. The controversy exists between whether or not this is ethical and whether it should be legalized. Some countries allow the woman to put an end to her pregnancy withRead MoreThe Debate Over The Controversy Of Abortion1600 Words   |  7 PagesWhen taking the emotional aspect out of the abortion argument, what premise would most support individual liberty? The debate over the controversy of abortion continues because of its frequency of occurrence, and the cultural, legal and religious status that varies extensively in different parts of the United States. While the emotional arguments regarding abortion can be compelling, but should have no bearing in the legal discussion, the individuals’ rights to life and liberty shou ld be held aboveRead MoreThe Controversies Regarding Abortion798 Words   |  3 PagesAbortion With the subject of abortion, it seems that no consensus will ever be reached. Those who argue in favor of choice will never see from the perspective of the pro-lifers and vice versa. The major difference is that those who are pro-choice have never been responsible for the deaths of the opposition. Before the Roe v. Wade case made abortion legal in this country, abortions were unlawful in the United States. Anyone who needed or wanted an abortion for any reason, physical or emotional, wouldRead MoreThe Debate Controversy Over Abortion Essay1812 Words   |  8 PagesControversy On Abortion Since technology has developed rapidly over the last several years, many endless controversies have broken out in America. One particular controversy that has become a continuous issue in America is abortion. Over the last decade the controversy over abortion has become a dividing conversation in America. The introduction to this paper is to discuss the controversy of abortion and its connection between individual rights and government control. Several people believe abortionRead MoreControversy of Abortions Essay example547 Words   |  3 PagesControversy of Abortions The topic of abortion is one of the most controversial and sensitive for the society and myself. The debates and confrontations between two opposite groups of opinion are long and sometimes even brutal. Both sides have strong supporting arguments: pro-lifers base on moral principals, which is life before birth, while pro-choicers defend political and social rights, such as right to privacy and right of choice. Neither side can be absolutely right or wrong; basicallyRead MorePro And Anti Abortion Controversy4704 Words   |  19 Pagespro and anti abortion Controversy 1970-1990 In the photo to the Left we can see women marching in protest for REPEAL, these women are Pro-Choice and wanted to change the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act. In the photo to the Right we can see Pro-Lifers marching in the ‘Rally for Life’ with banners protesting to abortion. Leading up to the Controversy Leading up to the Controversy in the 70s and 80s - An introduction to where it all Began Before the abortion debates in the 70s to 80sRead More Abortion Controversy Essays2467 Words   |  10 PagesThe Abortion Issue Introduction Abortion has been a very controversial subject over these past few decades. Every time you pick up a paper or magazine it seems there is always some protest regarding abortion, whether it be for fetal rights or womens rights. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica the definition of abortion is the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it has reached the stage of viability (in human beings, usually about the 20th week of gestation). An abortion may occurRead More The Controversy Over Abortion Essay2078 Words   |  9 PagesThe Controversy Over Abortion One of the most controversial topics over the years, and still today, is abortion. Is abortion murder or not? When does a fetus become a human? There are no answers to these questions. Everyone individual has their own beliefs on whether or not abortion is justifiable. Abortions have been performed throughout many of centuries. Recently, there has been a number of court cases that has changed the legality of abortions, especially in the United States, for exampleRead More A Rational Look at the Abortion Controversy Essay3888 Words   |  16 PagesA Rational Look at the Abortion Controversy One of the most hotly contested issues inside and outside of biomedical ethics today is abortion. The discussion received a new impetus at the release of the controversial abortion drug RU-486, a pill to increase access to abortions and let women get them privately from their own doctor instead of facing shouting protesters at clinics.2 As is the case with all controversial issues, there are very passionate people on both sides of the fence. Unfortunately

Tobacco Product Should Be Banned - 1413 Words

Tobacco Product should be banned According to World health organization –WHO (2014), tobacco keeps on killing 6,000,000 every year globally. Tobacco practice has been going on from ancient times. In ancient time, tobacco was used for smoking and chewing just as it today. But, now it’s time to stop this practice. Because today not only people are dying due to consumption of tobacco products, but also they are suffering from very serious diseases caused by it. Besides it is also carry great risk and annoying to non-smoker. In addition to serious health issue, it exerts financially toll on federal and affect the individual’s family. It is also one of the main cause to pollute the environment. While there are some obstacle to sell tobacco product such as cigarette which generate a large tax revenue, increases the GDP- Gross domestic product and many people which are associated with tobacco business but at the end consumers has to suffer from its life taking results. Due to those reasons tobacco product should be banned. Tobacco product is considered a potential hazard for health. According to Surgeon General’s Report (2014), more than 480,000 people die every year any many more suffer from dangerous diseases due to smoking, in United States of America itself. Additionally, many people are dying because of tobacco than Human immune deficiency virus (HIV), Illegal drug and Alcohol use, car accident, and Firearm-related incidents combined (Center for Diseases and ControlShow MoreRelatedTobacco Products Should Be Banned1905 Words   |  8 PagesTobacco products have been used for chewing and smoking in the North American continent for over a thousand years. Tobacco products have been a part of United Stated history since its colonization. However, although tobacco products have been used for centuries there have been studies done in more recent years that have linked tobacco products to widespread health problems. This has caused controversy in the world today on whether or not tobacco product s should be banned in this country. There areRead Moreâ€Å"Cigarettes† A Death Product of Tobacco Industry should be Banned1544 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Cigarettes† A Death Product of Tobacco Industry should be Banned In the present age smoking cigarettes has emerged out as a fashion, especially in our teenagers. Quiet often, a boy or a girl can be seen puffing around on streets proudly. Their parents try their best to refrain them, yet all in vain. They are unaware of the possibility that most will find it very hard to give up this addiction. Alike the young, adults smoke far too often for a reasonable human being, indifferent to the consequencesRead MoreSmoking Tobacco Is The Leading Cause Of Death Worldwide880 Words   |  4 Pagesrespiratory issues than nonsmokers. Tobacco products such as, snuff and chewing tobacco also contribute to similar health issues and risk. The idea of banning smoking and tobacco products is great because it could prevent millions of deaths yearly. There are many different negative side effects that come along with the use and smoking of tobacco. Smoking tobacco is often referred to as a â€Å"slow death†, because it shortens a person’s life expectancy. The use of tobacco often leads to many differentRead MoreBAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT IN INDIA800 Words   |  4 PagesBAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT IN INDIA In 2004 the government of India banned tobacco companies from advertising their products and sponsoring sports and cultural events. The objective was to discourage adolescents from consuming tobacco products as well as empower the government with the power to launch an anti tobacco program. . This issue created a serious problem in that it was both ethical and commercial, the government on one hand, believe it was its responsibility to protect the welfare ofRead MoreEthical Considerations : Ban Tobacco985 Words   |  4 PagesEthical Considerations: On the one hand, was tobacco, the most dangerous consumer product known, which killed when used as the makers intended. Just like most dangerous substances like cocaine were banned so from the ethical point of view it was not alien for the government of India to ban tobacco. Therefore from an ethical standpoint, the Government had to discourage the habit, as it was responsible for the welfare of its citizens. In view of international precedents and statistics the ban wasRead MoreBanning Tobacco Advertising Ban On The Public Health Of Their People976 Words   |  4 PagesIn February 6, 2001, the Government of India announce their plan to soon pass a bill banning Tobacco companies from displaying any source of advertising or sponsoring any public events. The advertising ban took effect from May 1, 2004. In October 2, 2005, the Government of India prohibited any new programs or movies from showing any actors or actresses smoking as it glorifies smoking and sends a bad message to its viewers. According to a CNN article written by Leo Juarez, some actors seem to supportRead MoreShould Cigarettes Be Banned in the U.S.?1444 Words   |  6 Pages Tobacco has been around in the world for over 2.5 million years. It was not until a few hundred years ago when the tobacco industry decided to put these crops into use and conjure up tobacco products for the community. A popular tobacco product in soci ety is cigarettes, as they are cheap and simple to use. As long as one is over eighteen, acquiring cigarettes is a straightforward process for a reasonable price, albeit the sin tax. It was not until recently when cigarettes became widely controversialRead MoreShould Cigarettes Be Banned in the U.S.?1400 Words   |  6 PagesShould Cigarettes Be Banned in the U.S.? Tobacco has been around in the world for over 2.5 million years. It was not until a few hundred years ago when the tobacco industry decided to put these crops into use and conjure up tobacco products for the community. A popular tobacco product in society is cigarettes, as they are cheap and simple to use. As long as one is over eighteen, acquiring cigarettes is a straightforward process for a reasonable price, albeit the sin tax. It was not until recentlyRead MoreBan Banning Should Not Be Banned981 Words   |  4 Pagesthat should not only be avoided, but also banned. In India specifically, a country that is renowned for its high use of tobacco production and use, the idea of smoking has become a national crisis. With tobacco companies trying to push for freedom of speech† with advertisements, and the government attempting to assume a sense of responsibility, it seems almost impossible to find a solution that can encompass all perspectives. Pro-banning arguments Many feel that the Indian government should be allowedRead MoreNon Smoker Policy1028 Words   |  5 PagesTo: Senior Policy Maker From: Shirley Kyere Subject: Tennessee’s Non Smoker Protection Act Date: November 12, 2017 Policy Background In 2007, Tennessee, one of the largest tobacco-producing state in the United States endorsed the Non-Smoker Protection Act (NSPA) that banned smoking in enclosed areas in Tennessee with some exceptions (â€Å"Information for Employers†, n.d.). The law went into effect on June 11, 2007 and municipalities had to observe it no longer than October 1, 2007. This law was enforced

Managerial Economics Models of Duopoly Pertaining

Question: Discuss about the Managerial Economics for Models of Duopoly Pertaining. Answer: Introduction Markets are everywhere and lie at the heart of all economic activities. These markets differ from each other in respect of their structure, level of competition and their response to competition. Hence, an understanding of market structures is of immense importance for businesses to operate effectively in the industry. This understanding helps them to identify the characteristics of firms, degree of existing competition, number of buyers and sellers, type of product, capacity of a firm to influence other firms in the industry and other similar aspects related to market in which the firm operates. This further helps in identification of optimal price, output and level of promotion or differentiation required to stay profitable in a particular industry. Throughout the lifetime of any business organization, it is attached to one or the other market structure and its product, price, output and other factors are influenced by the market structure. The commonly identified market structures are monopoly, duopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition. The following essay discusses various aspects of these market structures in context of different industries of Australia along with highlighting their distinct features and identifying the industries with these market structures. Market structures in Australia Market structure refers to level of competition available in the market for particular goods and service. Market structure includes product as well as service sector and it identifies competitors available in particular market. It includes the condition of entry and exit of new buyer and seller for dealing. Market structure includes various forms of market such as monopoly, duopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition. These markets have different features and market strategy to deal with customer. Market structure helps to determine different market strategies and policies of the firms to stay in this competitive market. Monopoly market can defined as availability of single seller with huge number of customer without having any close substitute (Waschik, Fisher and Prentice, 2010). Duopoly is similar as oligopoly, which refers to availability of two independent firms in market without any agreement. Duopoly has effect in market as similar as monopoly that includes changing the price of product according to customer demand. However, under duopoly, there are two independent sellers of a similar product as compared to single seller in case of monopoly (Free, 2010). Oligopoly refers to market condition that includes few firms that sell homogonous product in market. In this market, it is not easy to identify the number of competitive firms in the industry because there are few firms available in the market and the act of these firms can affect the performance of other firms (Free, 2010). Monopolistic market structure is the most different of all the structures and is characterized by high number of buyers and sellers in the industry. Hence, any single firm cannot control the production of the firm as well as substitute of product. These markets differ not only in context of number of buyers and sellers, but also in context of the product that they provide, the prices they charge and marketing strategies that they adopt to lure customers. As monopoly is the only seller of a particular product, its product is highly homogeneous, prices are generally high and the seller hardly uses advertising strategies to lure customers. Hence, monopoly is the price maker (Waschik, Fisher and Prentice, 2010). Duopoly, on the contrary, affects consumers purchasing power as consumers purchase the product at high price due to high competition between these firms. However, firms under duopoly provide more or less homogenous products, indulge in price wars and have loyal customers (Free, 2010). In oligopoly market, firms can produce either differentiated heterogeneous products. Further, perfect oligopoly can occur with availability of industrial goods and imperfect oligopoly can occur due to availability of customer goods. At the time of production, these firms have the power for setting the price of goods and service. It provides different product at different price to the society. These firms have certain barrier in the entry of new firms in industry. Finally, monopolistic structure is highest degree of imperfect competition where sellers try to gain market share by providing highly differentiated products, using different promotional tactics and differentiated price levels. Any single firm cannot control the production of the firm as well as substitute of product, entry and exit is easy and the firms have to provide products as competitive prices (Hubbard et al., 2014). In context of Australia, all these market structures can be found in different industries. For example, Australia Post reflects a monopoly market structure. It is single supplier of posts and does not allow private enterprises for supply of postal from post office box (Carmody, 2015). Australias telecommunication and airline industries are example of duopoly market structure with Telstra and Optus in telecom industry and Virgin, and Qantas in airline industry (Ramli, 2015). The Australian retail/supermarket and banking industry faces an oligopoly market structure (Dagge, 2015). In supermarket retail segment, Woolworth and Coles are market leaders with 70-80% market share and other retailers like Aldi are followers (Ramli, 2015). In Australia, fast-food/restaurant industry has the condition of monopolistic competition where firms like McDonalds, Burger King and Subway provide highly differentiated products such as burger, sandwich, pizza and many more at competitive prices (Hubbard et al., 2014). Moreover, they also indulge in intense promotion and marketing strategies to capture market share. Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be concluded that Australian industry has high competition in the market that depend on the market structure such as monopoly, duopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition. In Australian market, Australia post has the situation of monopoly that have the barrier for private postal company to supply of postal from post office box. Further, duopoly market is found in telecom and airline industry. In addition, Coles and Woolworth have the oligopoly market condition in Australian retail market and finally fast food/restaurant industry in Australia has the condition of monopolistic competition that includes market players like McDonalds, Burger King, Subway and many others. References Carmody, B. (2015) Australia Post is hurting small businesses with PO Box monopoly, says delivery company Sendle, Smart Company. [Online]. Available at: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/49035-australia-post-hurting-small-businesses-with-po-box-monopoly-says-delivery-company-sendle/ (Accessed: 14 December 2016). Dagge, J. (2015) Study finds Australian monopolies have better results, Herald Sun. [Online]. Available at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/study-finds-australian-monopolies-have-better-results/news-story/83436800178abede28b01f82135a5da5 (Accessed: 16 December 2016). Free, R. C. (2010) 21st Century Economics: A Reference Handbook, Volume . UK: SAGE. Hubbard, R., Garnett, A., Lewis, P. and OBrien, A. (2014) Microeconomics. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Australia. Ramli, D. (2015) Australia's phone and internet market could become duopoly, says Optus chief, The Sydney Morning Herald. [Online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/business/australias-phone-and-internet-market-could-become-duopoly-says-optus-chief-20150604-ghgm5b.html (Accessed: 15 December 2016). Waschik. R., Fisher,T. and Prentice, D. (2010) Managerial Economics, Second Edition: A Strategic Approach. George: Routledge. ED (2016) Models of Duopoly Pertaining to Price Output Decisions. [Online]. Available at: https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/duopoly/models-of-duopoly-pertaining-to-price-output-decisions/3793 (Accessed: 17 December 2016). Layton, A.P., Robinson, T.J.C., and Tucker, I.B. (2011) Economics for Today. USA: Cengage Learning. TM (2016) Game Theory of Oligopolistic Pricing Strategies. [Online]. Available at: https://thismatter.com/economics/oligopoly-game-theory.htm

Organization Learning and Development Ability

Question: Discuss about the Organization Learning and Development Ability. Answer: Introduction: Volunteering in the society is a valuable activity that provides support in increasing skill, confidence and engagement ability of the people. It also helped to create positive impact on the social empowerment perspective. Volunteering reflects a process that utilizes different members of the society within a particular area for the fulfilment of several social requirements. Effective utilization of volunteering technique allows all members of the community to have equal opportunity to live their lives in an appropriate manner. Now, performing all the responsibilities of the volunteer requires sufficient level of skills and knowledge. Otherwise it will be very difficult for the volunteers to fulfil all the objectives of the charity organization. In this report, the focus will be New2U Thrift Shop, which is an additional initiative of Singapore Council of Womens Organization to provide assistance to people living below the poverty line. The focus organization sells books, pre-loved cl othing, households, ornaments and other accessories at a very cheap rate so that it can able to support for the poor families in an appropriate way. The entire operational process of the focus organization is handled by the volunteers. Therefore, it is necessary for New2U Thrift Shop to provide effective training program to all the volunteers in order to fulfil all the objectives of the organization in an appropriate way. For that reason, New2U Thrift Shop has focused on implementation of several strategies so that it can able to provide desired level of assistance to the families living below the poverty line. Exploring the principles of the focus organization: As per the article by Salas et al. (2012), proper evaluation of the organizational principles is necessary for providing effective training to the volunteers. For that reason, it is necessary for the New2U Thrift Shop to include different strategies so that it can able to cover all the business principles in an effective manner. Now, the focus organization has made conscious effort in providing assistance to the people below the poverty line. Therefore, it has implemented several types of strategies in order to identify people living below the poverty line effectively so that the prime objectives of the organization can be fulfilled. For that reason, New2U Thrift Shop will have to select trainer with sufficient educational and work experience in providing assistance to the poor. Mission and vision: The mission statement of New2U Thrift Shop is focused towards identifying people who requires immediate help to live their daily life. For that reason, volunteers will have to be extremely conscious in identifying people at the time of selling any products. Furthermore, the focus organization business objective was not to purchase any products for selling in the market. In fact, it focuses on the identification of the effective donors who are willing provide necessary elements to the organization. Therefore, the training facility of the organization also will have to focus towards the effective evaluation of number of families living below the poverty line. The vision of the focus organization also has included effective utilization of quality services so that people living below the poverty line does not have to face any type of ethical issues at the time of purchasing products. Thus, New2U Thrift Shop will also have to focus on providing training on the behavioural aspect so that i t does not have to face any ethical issues. Training is also necessary for the volunteers so that they do not diversify people on the basis of caste and region. In fact, effective training will have to be provided to the volunteers for the proper management of the indigenous people living below the poverty line. Influence of PESTEL factors in providing effective training opportunities to the volunteer staffs: As per the article by Dalhoeven, van Vianen and DePater (2016) proper evaluation of the PESTEL factors are key for effective utilization of training opportunities for the volunteer staffs. For instance, political factors will influence the way people below the poverty line will have to be managed by the focus organization. In fact, people below the poverty line are one of the major issues that political parties utilize in order to gain popularity in the community. Thus, effective utilization of training procedure is necessary so that volunteers can able to handle them in an appropriate manner. Now, people below the poverty line actually create adverse impact on the economical condition of the society (Gray et al. 2013). Therefore, government always tries to provide necessary support services so that they can able to lead their life in an appropriate way. On the other hand, the focus organization has started to utilize several types of innovative technologies in order to fulfil the or ganizational requirements in an appropriate way. Therefore, it has become essential for the organization to provide effective training facilities to the volunteers so that they do not have to face any types of challenges in using provided advance technology of the organization. In case of environmental factor, both internal and external environment of the focused organization will have to assessed in an effective manner so that training facilities can able to create maximum amount of impact. Now, the focused organization is an extension of Singapore Women council, which will allow the organization to maintain effective structure (Sung and Choi 2014). Thus, volunteered will have to trained so that they can able to understand the internal structure of the organization appropriately, which will create positive impact on the overall performance level. Singapore government has implemented different types of legislative rules and regulations so that charity organizations can able to provi de support to the concerned personnel in an effective manner (IBRAHIM 2016). Thus, training session will also have to include providing proper guidance to maintain all the legislative rules and regulations in an effective way. Cost associated with the effective training and development procedure: The above analysis has highlighted the fact that concerned trainer will have to sub-divided the entire training process in different sub-parts so that it can able to cover all possible aspects of the requirements in an effective manner (Moser 2012). For instance, at the initial step, training will have to provided on the way to introduce itself to the possible customers. This is extremely important, as effective introduction can influence the entire communication process. Furthermore, as the focus organization does not sells all the products collected from donation, volunteer training will have to developed in such a way so that volunteers can able to influence potential donors to donate more on helping people living below the poverty line. Furthermore, the focus organization often utilizes different types of events and promotional campaigns so that it can able to influence customers in an effective way. Therefore, training will also have to be provided on effective utilization of th e events and promotional campaigns so that the organization can able to fulfil all the requirements in an effective way (Ford 2014). Thus, the entire training process will require two weeks timeframe, which will cost around $5000 for the organization. Thus, initially the focus organization will have to focus on the gathering effective financial support from the women council so that the training program can be conducted in an effective way. However, effective utilization of training procedure will add value to the organization in fulfilling all the aims and objectives in an appropriate way. Analysis: As per the article by Noe et al. (2014), effective utilization of training procedures require proper support for each of the volunteers. Thus, New2U Thrift Shop will have to develop training procedure in such a way so that it can able to fulfil all the requirements of each individual. For instance, if a particular volunteer requires assistance in managing the customers effectively, training will have to focused more client management perspectives. On the other hand, Ji et al. (2012) have highlighted that it is necessary for any training process to include practical experiences, as it will help volunteers to understand the situation in a much more effective way. Therefore, trainer will have to influence volunteers to handle any particular situation, so that it can able to boost up their confidence level. Now, trainer will also have to evaluate present level of knowledge and skills of each employee, as it will help to develop an idea regarding the potential of the volunteers. Now, New2 U Thrift Shop will have to fulfil different types of requirement in order to fulfil all the objectives of the operational process. Therefore, effective evaluation of the knowledge and skill level of the employee will help the organization to divide the entire responsibilities in a much more effective way. Thus, trainer will have to develop each volunteer for specific responsibilities, which will fulfil the prime objective of the training procedure. Now, New2U Thrift Shop depends on donors for the collection of products that later has been sell to people living below the poverty line. Therefore, volunteers will have to implement specific techniques in order to convince people to donate for the betterment of the community (Jehanzeb and Bashir 2013). Thus, trainer will have to test convincing power of the volunteers for the role of convincing people to donate for the poor living below the poverty line. Thus, the entire training process will have to be divided under different sections as per the role of the volunteers (Sangvigit, Mungsing and Theeraroungchaisri 2012). For that reason, trainer will have to conduct different sessions for different volunteers in order to fulfil organizational objectives in an effective manner. In fact, trainer will have to provide continues focus on the perf ormance level of the volunteers after the completion of the training program. This continues evaluation process will help trainer to evaluate the kind impact that training program has able to create on the performance level of the employees (Abdullah et al. 2014). It will also help to evaluate the necessary areas that a particular volunteer needs to improve so that the efficiency level of the operational process can be fulfilled in an appropriate manner. Design: In order to design effective training program, the focus organization will try to utilize four distinctive learning styles provided by Honey and Mumford Learning Styles. As highlighted by Torraco (2016) Honey and Mumford Learning Styles is primarily developed on the basis Kolb theory, which focuses on the effective implementation of training procedure. Now, as the focus organization only trying to include only volunteers for the fulfilment of organizational responsibilities, Honey and Mumford Learning Styles will help to develop individual perspectives regarding the provided responsibilities. The theory has provided four systematic steps so that the prime objective of the training program can be fulfilled in an effective manner. Thus, trainer of New2U Thrift Shop will also have focus on these steps including planning, experiencing, reviewing and conducting so that all the volunteers can able to necessary support from the training program (Jha 2016). Planning process reflects pragmati st learning style where trainer need to evaluate the best possible way to conduct the entire training process so that it can able to fulfil requirements of the organization. Thus, in this step, trainer needs to conducts several types of experiment in order to identify the best possible method for providing effective training to the volunteers. The planning process will have to be evaluated based on the kind of difficulties or problems that volunteers will have to face in order to gain competitive advantage in the market. In the next step, trainer will have to focus on the implementation of the selected strategies from the previous steps. Thus, the step will utilize activist learning style where volunteers will be put into several situations so that they can able to gain practical knowledge (Elnaga and Imran 2013). For that reason, in this step, training procedure will include activities like problem solving, brain storming, puzzles, role-play so that volunteers can able to enhance their present level of skills. Thus, trainer will have to conduct interactive learning session and group work opportunities in order to identify present level of knowledge and skills of the volunteers. On the other hand, volunteers will have to be very open-minded to go through all the implemented tests and procedures with a positive mind set. The next step of the implemented planning process will have to focus on reviewing of the performance level of the volunteers. For that reason, trainer will have to focus on observing the performance level of each volunteer during the training process. As per the article by Khan et al. (2016), observing the performance level at the time of training process is crucial o enhance the quality of the provided training procedure. For that reason, trainer of New2U Thrift Shop will focus on the effective utilization of different strategies like self-analysis, paired discussion, feedback from others, coaching, observing activities, etc. that eventually will allow the trainer to identify the prime areas of improvement. Finally, the implemented training procedure will focus on concluding the implemented training program effectively. For that reason, trainer will focus on utilizing theorist learning style where trainer will implement several types of theories, models, quotes, statistics, and background information that will eventually add value to the implemented training procedure (Fletcher and Robinson 2015). The conclusion step will also focus on the identification of the areas where volunteers will have to focus for the future development. Delivery: As per the article by Tarique (2014), selection of the delivery method is crucial for the successful utilization of training. Different organizations utilize different delivery technique based on the requirements of the organization. The prime three training delivery methods are the lecture method, the discussion method and simulation method that most often utilize in several organizational platforms. The lecture method reflects the most basic way of implementing training procedure where trainer will provide lecture to the fellow audience. This particular strategy is very popular where trainer has to develop basic idea about several things of the organization. Generally, lecture method is utilized in formal venue where the entire training procedure is based on the effective utilization of one-way communication technique (Barrett et al. 2015). For that reason, proper utilization lecture method requires superior knowledge and skill level from the trainer. On the other hand, discussion method focuses on two-way communication strategies between trainers and trainees. Unlike lecture method that is primarily dependent on the quality of trainers, the discussion method allows trainees to involve in the training process actively. Therefore, it often helps organization to fulfil prime objective of implementing training and development session. It also allows everyone associated with the training program to provide inputs regarding a particular subject. Finally, stimulation method focuses on the minimum utilization of debates, discussions and interactions. In fact, it tries to provide each trainee a simulation where everyone has to perform expected responsibilities. As per the article by Ahmad, Johnson and Storer (2015) simulation can be of different forms like games, quiz, and real life activities. Therefore, it is up to the trainer regarding the selection of effective simulation process. However, the focus organization will try to utilize discussion method, as it will h elp to engage all the volunteers in an effective manner (Bolhuis, Schildkamp and Voogt 2016). Furthermore, discussion method will help trainer to evaluate the present level of knowledge and skills of the volunteers, which eventually will create positive impact on the effective fulfilment of the organizational responsibilities. Evaluation: For the effective utilization of the evaluation technique, the focus organization will consider Kirkpatrick's (1960) model that has been regarded as the most popular evaluation model of the implemented training program. As per the article by Senna et al. (2013) Kirkpatrick's model has the capability of adding value to the implemented formal or informal training procedure. It utilizes four levels of measures that allows trainer to cover all possible areas regarding the assessment of effectiveness of the implemented training procedure. The four principles of the model including reaction, learning, behaviour and results will also allow organization to identify the future scope for the effective implementation of the training program. The first principle, reaction focuses on the effective evaluation of the degree to which training program is favourable to the volunteers (Lee and Sidhu 2013). Furthermore, it will also allow trainer to identify regarding the degree to which the implemented training program has able to capture the attention and engagement level of the trainees. Thus, it will also provide an idea regarding the best possible way to utilize training program so that it can able to create desired amount of impact on the fulfilment of the organizational objectives. In the second level, the prime focus will be on the effective evaluation of the learning pattern of the volunteers at the time of training process. Thus, it reflects the degree to which volunteers has able to acquire the intended skills, knowledge, attitude, commitment and confidence from the training program. It also helped to evaluate the attitude level of volunteers in gathering new information or skills that is essential for fulfilling all the responsibilities effectively. In this level the focus will also be on the effective evaluation of the past and present level of knowledge of the volunteers, which will indicate the kind of impact training program has able to create on the mind of the vo lunteers. The third step will focus on the evaluation of the degree to which volunteers able to apply what they have learned in the training session. This is very important, as it will help to evaluate the actual outcome of the implemented training program (Adeoye 2012). Finally, Kirkpatrick's model has focuses on the evaluation of the results of the training program. In the result, the prime focus will be on the effective evaluation of the overall impact that training program has able to create for the successful completion of the organizational responsibilities. Thus, it can be mentioned that with the effective utilization of the Kirkpatrick's model, the focus organization will able to evaluate all possible aspect of the training program in an effective way. Conclusion: The above discussion highlights the fact that effective utilization of the training program is necessary for utilizing all the volunteers towards the fulfilment of the organizational responsibilities. Specifically, as volunteers do not have any financial benefits from the organization, it is essential that they can have effective amount of support for the development of effective career. Thus, the prime objective of the training program will have to focus on enhancing the present level of motivation of the volunteers, which will create major positive impact on the effective fulfilment of the organizational responsibilities. References: Abdullah, N.H., Ping, L.L., Wahab, E. and Shamsuddin, A., 2014, September. Perception on training and employee innovativeness: An evidence from small firms. InManagement of Innovation and Technology (ICMIT), 2014 IEEE International Conference on(pp. 76-80). IEEE. Adeoye, B.F., 2012. Culturally different learning styles in online learning environments: A case of Nigerian university students.Learning Tools and Teaching Approaches through ICT Advancements, p.226. Ahmad, A., Johnson, C. and Storer, T., 2015. A Cyber Exercise Post Assessment: Adoption of the Kirkpatrick Model.Advances in Information Sciences and Service Sciences,7(2), p.1. Barrett, A.D., Chamberlain, P., Galindo, A.L., Moore, J.R., Thomas, A. and Bacon, J., ALCHEMY SYSTEMS, LP, 2015.Integrated Employee Training and Performance Evaluation System. U.S. Patent 20,150,310,752. Bolhuis, E.D., Schildkamp, K. and Voogt, J.M., 2016. Improving teacher education in the Netherlands: data team as learning team?.European journal of teacher education, pp.1-20. Dalhoeven, B., van Vianen, A.E. and De Pater, I.E., 2016. Experienced learning and the training and development willingness of (older) employees after a job evaluation conversation and an organiztional change.GEDRAG ORGANISATIE,29(3), pp.211-231. Elnaga, A. and Imran, A., 2013. The effect of training on employee performance.European Journal of Business and Management,5(4), pp.137-147. Fletcher, L. and Robinson, D., 2015, January. The Relationship Between Perceived Training and Development and Employee Retention. InAcademy of Management Proceedings(Vol. 2015, No. 1, p. 11591). Academy of Management. Ford, J.K., 2014.Improving training effectiveness in work organizations. Psychology Press. Gray, C.M., Hunt, K., Mutrie, N., Anderson, A.S., Leishman, J., Dalgarno, L. and Wyke, S., 2013. Football Fans in Training: the development and optimization of an intervention delivered through professional sports clubs to help men lose weight, become more active and adopt healthier eating habits.BMC public health,13(1), p.1. IBRAHIM, M.S., 2016.Adaptive Learning Framework(Doctoral dissertation, African University of Science and Technology). Jehanzeb, K. and Bashir, N.A., 2013. Training and development program and its benefits to employee and organization: A conceptual study.European Journal of Business and Management,5(2). Jha, V., 2016. Training and Development Program and its Benefits to Employee and Organization: A Conceptual Study. Ji, L., Huang, J., Liu, Z., Zhu, H. and Cai, Z., 2012. The effects of employee training on the relationship between environmental attitude and firms' performance in sustainable development.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,23(14), pp.2995-3008. Khan, A.A., Abbasi, S.O.B.H., Waseem, R.M., Ayaz, M. and Ijaz, M., 2016. Impact of Training and Development of Employees on Employee Performance through Job Satisfaction: A Study of Telecom Sector of Pakistan.Business Management and Strategy,7(1), pp.29-46. Lee, C.K. and Manjit Sidhu, S., 2013. Engineering students learning styles preferences using Honey and Mumford learning styles questionnaire: A Case study in Malaysia.International Journal of Information Technology Computer Science,9(1), pp.107-114. Moser, C., 2012.Gender planning and development: Theory, practice and training. Routledge. Noe, R.A., Wilk, S.L., Mullen, E.J. and Wanek, J.E., 2014. Employee Development: Issues in Construct Definition and Investigation ofAntecedents.Improving Training Effectiveness in WorkOrganizations, ed. JK Ford, SWJ Kozlowski, K. Kraiger, E. Salas, and MS Teachout (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1997), pp.153-189. Salas, E., Tannenbaum, S.I., Kraiger, K. and Smith-Jentsch, K.A., 2012. The science of training and development in organizations: What matters in practice.Psychological science in the public interest,13(2), pp.74-101. Sangvigit, P., Mungsing, S. and Theeraroungchaisri, A., 2012. Correlation of Honey Mumford Learning Styles and Online Learning media preference.International Journal of Computer Technology and Applications,3(3). Senna, E.T.P., dos Santos Senna, L.A. and da Silva, R.M., 2013. The challenge of teaching business logistics to international students.IFAC Proceedings Volumes,46(24), pp.463-470. Sung, S.Y. and Choi, J.N., 2014. Do organizations spend wisely on employees? Effects of training and development investments on learning and innovation in organizations.Journal of organizational behavior,35(3), pp.393-412. Tarique, I., 2014.Seven Trends in Corporate Training and Development: Strategies to Align Goals with Employee Needs. Pearson Education. Torraco, R.J., 2016. Early history of the fields of practice of training and development and organization development.Advances in Developing Human Resources, p.1523422316659898.

Santas Reply - A Funny, Comedic Male Monologue

'Santa's Reply' - A Funny, Comedic Male Monologue This stand-alone comedic male monologue features Santa trying to win back Mrs. Claus. If you want to know how this happy couple fell apart, read Mrs. Clauses piece in our list of comedic female monologues. It may be used by students, actors, directors for educational or professional purposes. But remember, it is purely a work of fiction. In reality, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are happily married! Santas Reply SANTA: Dear Mrs. Claus... Ever since you left me for the Easter Bunny, my life has become utterly meaningless. Without you, the North Pole truly is the loneliest place in the world. Without you by my side, there has been no one to keep me on my diet. Ive gorged upon cookies and milk. I even stole Rudolphs carrots. I gobbled up the gingerbread house next door. The neighbors are furious. Ive gotten so big, the reindeer have developed back problems. Thanks to me, the sled now exceeds its maximum capacity. I dont think Ill be able to clear the Rockies this Christmas Eve. And I cant stop drinking. Ive been going to Eggnog Anonymous meetings, but they just arent helping. And I hesitate to mention how devastated the elves have been. They keep asking about you. So, as you can tell, without you, my life is ho-ho-horrible. Please come back to me. I dont care if youre naughty or nice. Theres no one else I want underneath my mistletoe. Please come home.

ATHENS Essays - Ancient Agora Of Athens, Athens, Free Essays

ATHENS Essays - Ancient Agora Of Athens, Athens, Free Essays ATHENS THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS is a photographic archive of the archaeological and architectural remains of ancient Athens (Greece). It is intended primarily as a resource for students of classical languages, civilization, art, archaeology, and history at Indiana University who may wish to take a "virtual tour" of the chief excavated regions and extant monuments. We also hope that this site will be useful to all who have an interest in archaeological exploration and the recovery, interpretation, and preservation of the past. ?Copyright All of the images presented here are from the personal slide collection of Kevin T. Glowacki and Nancy L. Klein. You are free to download and use unmodified copies of these images for non-commercial purposes providing that you include a reference to this site and copyright notice. If you use any of these images for presentations or papers, or have any comments or suggestions, we would appreciate hearing from you by email or post. (We especially enjoy email from students & teachers in grade school & high school!) Indiana University Bloomington Home Page. IU Classical Studies Home Page. Archaeological Institute of America, Central Indiana Society Home Page. The WWWorld of Archaeology. (From ARCHAEOLOGY Magazine). Exploring Ancient World Cultures. ("An exhibition of WWW sites pertaining to ancient world cultures," by Anthony F. Beavers of the University of Evansville and Bill Hemminger.) Topography & Monuments of Ancient Athens When archaeologists use the term "topography" in their work, they usually mean a combination of several different subjects, including 1) the geography & natural resources of a country, 2) the architectural form of a city as it develops over several centuries or even millenia, and 3) the study of different functional areas within a city or its countryside, such as sanctuaries, civic centers, marketplaces, workshops, private houses, & cemeteries. A student of "topography" must be prepared to dabble in subjects such as architecture, art, literature, history, epigraphy, numismatics, religion, politics, physical anthropology, and geology, as well as having an understanding of the methodologies of archaeological excavation and regional survey. Hence, "topography" can be a truly interdisplinary adventure, full of all the things that make classical archaeology such an exciting field to study. One of the most important sources for the topography of Athens (in particular) and Greek archaeology (in general) is an eye-witness account written by the traveler Pausanias in the 2nd century A.D. Pausanias spent several years traveling throughout Greece and he recorded many fascinating details about the famous cities, temples, and monuments which were already considered ancient even in his own day! Athens was one of the first places he visited on his journey and his description of the city provides us with some invaluable clues about the location, form, decoration, function, and historical significance of many prominent monuments. (It provides us with some problems too, since the evidence from modern archaeological excavation does not always readily agree with what Pausanias records. Is it a matter of physical preservation? Or a problem with our methods of archaeological interpretation? Or could it be that sometimes Pausanias and/or his tour guides got a few of the "facts" mixed up a phenomenon all too familiar to any modern traveler who has tried to absorb all of the sights & sounds & history of one of the great cities of the world!). Of the many possible ways in which THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS could have been organized, we have chosen to present the monuments in essentially the same order as they were visited by Pausanias. For each section, we have also provided a "link" to an English translation of Pausanias from the PERSEUS Project (a great website where you can learn much more about ancient Greek culture, literature, history, and art!). Although not everything mentioned by Pausanias has been preserved, and despite the fact that Pausanias tended to omit monuments of the Roman period (which were, after all, "modern" as far as he was concerned), we think that this is a natural and effective way to structure our "virtual tour" of the city. KALO TAXIDI! The Kerameikos: Kerameikos Cemetery, Public & Private Grave Monuments, "Themistoklean" Wall, Sacred Gate, Dipylon Gate, Pompeion. The Agora: Commercial & Civic Center of Ancient Athens: Royal Stoa, Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, Temple of Apollo Patroos, Metroon, Bouleuterion, Tholos, Monument of the Eponymous Heroes, Hephaisteion, Altar of the 12 Gods, Stoa of Attalos, Church of the Holy Apostles. The Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds, & the Library of Hadrian: Gate of Athena Archegetis, Colonnade, Fountain, Propylon,

Critically compare and contrast three theories of the multinational Essay

Critically compare and contrast three theories of the multinational firm. Which best explains firm behaviour and why - Essay Example The primary drive operating behind their decision to outspread are the cost benefits and profit potentials which lie in different locations (Maheshwari, 1997, p. 246). However, there are certain aspects which influence the profit and cost factors in a certain region. Those are the very elements which instigate the businessmen to spread out. In fact, theories have been framed by eminent observers in the past, to comprehend the factors which actually guide the production decisions of trans-national companies. Three fundamental factors are ownership, location and internalisation aspects which taken together form the essence of OLI Theory of International Production. This however, is part of the neo-classical school of thought (Taylor & Thrift, 1986, p. 9). Likewise there is the Marxist economic theory or the Neo-Imperialist views which support the decisions taken by trans-national companies to spread out their businesses to different nations around the world. Capitalist economies tend t o accumulate a large volume of resources at home which they are restricted from making use of at home due to restrictions imposed over their employment. Hence, they have little option but to generate profit out of their surpluses through deploying them across national borders. Thirdly, the Neo-Fundamentalist Marxist principles say that the primary enticement behind spreading out their businesses is that the industries which gradually acquire a monopolistic position, start enjoying the advantage of huge surpluses. Due to a limited scope for employing them in the nation where they belong, the industrialists deploy them in foreign lands where they have greater prospects of reaping profits (Jenkins, 1987, p. 447-451). The present paper discusses the similarities and differences between each of the three types of economic theories stated above to assess the factors which induce foreign investors towards expanding their businesses across nations. Finally, an evaluation about the theory mo st applicable in context of business houses today will be made as a concluding note. Chapter 2 – Theoretical Framework 2.1 Marxist or the Neo-Imperialist economic theory According to the views of Marxist economists, the developed and developing economies are complementary to one another and make up the entire global system. However, they also emphasise that the latter are usually the ones who are exploited by the former so that there is a continued outflow of surplus resources from the reserves of developing nations to the already burgeoning stock of the developed nations. The essence of the theory is the monopolisation of industrial houses which leads to an accumulation of huge sums of profits in the capitalist nations. On the other hand, the prevalence of anti-trust laws restricts an expansion of their businesses within the domestic frontier through forming cartels. Thus, the surpluses which are reaped stay idle and hence, attain a stagnant rate of growth which is not desir ed by the private producer (Jenkins,

Drug Epidemics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Drug Epidemics - Research Paper Example Although parenthood brings with it an overt phase of endless concern and wellbeing of children becomes the topmost priority, the main concern is regarding bad habits and addictions that their children may succumb to under peer pressure. Abuse of prescription drugs among college students has become an increasing trend in a lot of campuses. Students use these drugs in huge volumes not only to get feelings of intoxication, but also to help them to concentrate for tests or papers, to alleviate themselves from depression or anxiety as well as to help improve their stamina for sports and athletics. A lot of people have stereotypes about who an addict or alcoholic is and how he or she would behave, however, majority of people do not connect this image with young students. Drug education has been made compulsory in the United States all through grade schools and yet the use of drugs continues to increase in college students. Once the students graduate from their high schools, they leave the safe ambit provided by their schools and enter the negatively influential atmosphere of colleges. College life is considered as a period for experimentation, and for some students certain experimentation develops into a bad addiction. When it comes to addiction, age is not a factor that stands in way, moreover, youth proves to be a greater factor that forces students to surrender themselves to bad habits, as peer pressure is more dominant among youngsters. The issues regarding the use of drugs as well as consumption of alcohol among students are significantly growing more serious. The social environment of colleges increasingly encourages the use and abuse of drugs, among which binge-drinking is the most common. Drugs and alcohol pose various threats and problems for both male and female students alike, the effect showing significant decrease in their scores during examinations. This kind of substance abuse is primarily the reason for nearly a third of dropouts in colleges. In an atmosphere where binge drinking is widespread, the number of related legal complications and offences also increase. Illegal drugs, drunk driving and underage possession of alcohol and marijuana can cost fines and also entail imprisonment. Injuries, sexual assault as well as fights are more likely to occur when one has been inebriated by alcohol or intoxicated by drugs. Nearly half of campus injuries are caused due to alcohol consumption according to various studies. Parents and youth in particular need to be well educated with reference to the dangers of the abuse and misuse of presc ription drugs. However, there is a general misperception amongst a lot of youngsters as well as parents that prescription drugs do not have as much as negative impacts when compared to illegal drugs since they are FDA approved. A lot of parents do not understand the risks related with giving prescribed medicine to youngsters or other family members for whom the medicine was not approved. On the other hand, some parents who do provide their children with prescription drugs, do not necessarily pay attention to how their children use or misuse these drugs. Teenagers and youth alike, gain access to unused prescription drugs from the medication cabinets, which their parents often leave open, not considering a situation that their children might use those drugs. â€Å"

The Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Twain’s purpose in the story is to present that not all the bad boys in stories have a change of heart in its conclusion and have a happy ending because they changed from being bad to good but that in real life, bad characters also succeed. Twain’s mention of Sunday school books a number of times to compare their bad boy James to his bad boy Jim emphasizes the difference between the two characters although they have a similar name. Sunday school stories, known for the moral lessons derived from the stories indicate that the character of James is round, developing from being a nuisance to the charming boy everyone wants while Twain aims to present his Jim as a challenge to face realities that there indeed are flat characters like Jim who are static, bad from the beginning to the end of the story. The frequent contradictions of James and Jim in the story establish a strong foundation for this theory. For instance, when Jim sn eaked into the pantry for some jam, it was mentioned that he did not do as the other bad boys do in other stories, feeling sorry for their bad actions, kneeling and praying then telling their mothers what bad things they did and asking for forgiveness. Instead, it mentions that the opposite happened to Jim which now puts him in a different category, that instead of becoming better, he became worst, even feeling happy for what he did and prepared for what spanking and discipline that would come from his mother. The story also presents the fact that bad things do not happen to bad people only and likewise, good things do not happen to good people only but that good and bad happen to everyone, contrary to what is usually taught in Sunday schools. This is exemplified by the mention of the main character stealing apples from a farmer’s apple tree and yet did not fall and break his limb, nor fallen in bed for weeks, grieved for what he did but that he successfully came down from the tree with lots of stolen fruits, overpowering the dog and escaping whatever danger there might have been. Drowning on a Sunday did not also happen to Jim while he was out boating when he was supposed to be in church or at home doing what was expected of a good little boy. That he did not blow his fingers off when he run with his father’s gun to go hunting on the Sabbath nor was he caught when he stole the teacher’s pen-knife instead, he broke his moral classmate’s reputation when the pen- knife fell from his cap where Jim placed the stolen item. All throughout the story, Twain presented the argument that there is more to what is written in Sunday stories which should be taught to the children and that would be the realities of life. The author also presents sarcasm in the few times he mentioned amazement about the luck of the main chara

Illy Ground Coffee Marketing Analysis

Illy Ground Coffee Marketing Analysis Nowadays, Illy can be characterised as one of the leading producers of high quality ground coffee in the coffee manufacturing industry. Illy has entered the coffee sector in 1933 by Francesco Illy, and in 1990s had its most important innovation, which began to look for the best coffee in Brazil, Africa, Central America and Asia (italtrade.com, 2010). It is based in Italy with a workforce around 700 people and operates in a wide range of global network (Datamonitor, 2009). Illy ground coffee can be used in all methods of coffee preparation and especially for espresso machines. The product comes in various forms of medium roast, dark roast and decaffeinated. While medium roast is about a smooth flavour mixed with aromatic bits of caramel and chocolate, dark comes to enrich the flavour with notes of cocoa (illy, 2010a). Similarly to medium roast, decaffeinated contains aromatic flavour of caramel and chocolate with reduced caffeine (illy, 2010a). Within the industry, Illy is known as an innovation pioneer, as it focuses on coffee perfection rather than creating something trendy and seductive. Achieving â‚ ¬280 million with net profits of â‚ ¬8 million, Illy succeeded by attaining 54% of total sales through exportation (illy, 2010b) The country and coffee market attractiveness PEST Analysis Regarding Morisson (2006), PEST analysis can assist the business in building up the best possible knowledge of the external environment in which the company is planning to operate in, so as to avoid costly mistakes. Therefore, an analysis has been carried out and can be viewed in Appendix 1 below. Upon reflection, the most important key environmental influences of PEST analysis have been considered and highlighted below: Economic Events: The recent global recession had directly affected the industry where people buy only essentials products, as their incomes have been decreased (Euromonitor, 2010a). Regulations: Legislations that the law establishes can directly affect the industry. Taxes and business regulations are rather heavy, making it hard to conduct business (Euromonitor, 2010a). Globalisation: Globalisation can be characterised as one of the most powerful factors that have changed the conditions and situations of the world economies, and especially for businesses (BBC, 2010). The reduction of national boundaries and the freedom of companies to transport is also important factor of change. Grounds Coffee Market Analysis McLoughlin and Aaker (2010) suggest that an examination of the market can assist to determine its current and future attractiveness. Even in the negative impact of recession, the Turkish coffee industry has shown a positive growth. Statements show that during the last years, ground coffee had a 5% increase in volume sales with the total of 33.6 TL million which is expected for a further 4% increase until the end of 2014 (Euromonitor, 2010a). With Nestle controlling 61% of the markets share and coffee unit prices increasing in recent years, the market has as consequently shown a positive growth (Euromonitor, 2010b). Considering the distribution channels, the market includes various ways of supply such as restaurants, bars, cafes, stores and so on. Competitive Analysis In order to identify the attractiveness of an industry, Johnson et.al (2008) argues that the five forces framework is a helpful tool for such a process. Thus, a Porters five forces Analysis has been carried out in Appendix 2. From the analysis summary, we can see that even with its growing direction, the coffee industry can be defined as an industry where brand loyalty is of major importance to the existence of a business. A strong emphasis is required in order to achieve good customer relationships and market share over the current competitors. In addition, the threat of new entrance is still high even throughout strong competitive conditions that exist in the market. Finally, the threat of substitutes is high as new alternative products can satisfy the need of coffee. Tea and hot chocolate are the major players for substitutes. Buyer Analysis Nowadays, competition has become stronger than other decades. Therefore, creating a good understanding of the potential customers (Buyer Behaviour) can be a vital tool for the company to get one step ahead of the competition. According to Euromonitor (2010a), ground coffee has been punched by the instant coffee where its sales are increasingly becoming much more than ground coffee, with young people preferring the more convenient method of instant coffee. On the other hand, older people insist on the traditional ground coffee. In addition, people try to get a cup of coffee mostly from bars, restaurants and coffee shops rather than to drink at home during every season of the year, while during winter; the consumption of coffee usually has a higher demand. 3) Opportunity Statement Casson and Buckley (2010) defines opportunities as the advantageous position that products, services, raw materials and methods include in order to increase company profits in the new market. 4) Marketing Objectives Brassington and Pettit (2006) suggest that objectives are important drivers of what the companys marketing strategies must be able to achieve. Following SMART concept (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time able), Illys main business objective is to manufacture and market products in such a way as to create a value that can be continued over the long term from stakeholders (Hollensen, 2010). Another important aspect of marketing objectives is the brands reputation that the company must achieve in the new market. A smart and long-time promotion with the combination of customer satisfaction can lead to the brand awareness and to profitable sales. The company can understand the significance of loyalty where illy must build on that as without loyal customers the company would not exist. As a consequence of customer loyalty, customers are willing to buy more from the same brand/company. Therefore, the company must be prepared to establish a wide range of coffee ground selections (MindTools, 2009). In addition, illy must manage to maintain its promise to follow and respect all applicable local laws in each of its potential markets.

Deforestation: Its Devastating Effects on South American Rainforests Es

Introduction Tropical rainforests are the Earth?s oldest, richest, most productive, and most complex living ecosystems. They are located throughout many of the world?s continents including South America, Africa, and Asia and are defined by a few specific factors. Their location must be within the regions of the tropics and they must receive between 4-8 meters of rain per year (compared to about 1-2 meters in the United States). These forests also have no ?seasonality?, which means that they lack a definite dry or cold season of slowed growth. Rainforests are the most valuable environmental entity on this earth as they provide the world with the majority of its species of animals and plants, food resources, and medicines. Because of their extreme importance, rainforests are also being used for economic and social welfare. The rate of habitat destruction has increased to 2.47 acres per second, 214,000 acres each day, and about 78 million acres each year. Rainforests house more than half of the living organisms on Earth, but 50,000 of these species are becoming extinct in these unique regions per year. That translates into 6 species per hour and 137 species each day. These worldwide numerical rates show the urgency that is required to save these precious forests. Information involving the destruction occurring in South America currently and in the past will offer a more intimate view concerning the effects of rainforest deforestation. Characteristics of South American Rainforests Overview South America, with its rich and far reaching tropical forests, is a key example of the harsh realities of tropical rainforest depletion. Countries such as Brazil, Bolivi... ... shelter, materials, oxygen, medicine, and wealth. The economic profit and modernization available from these vast stretches of resource-filled land, entices both companies and consumers to take advantage of the environment. This ignorance and selfishness has led to the nearly complete devastation of these great resource treasures. Without these regions, much of the species on Earth would suffer to the point of extinction. It is obvious that unless consumption is slowed significantly and these areas of diversity are allowed to maintain and regain their dominance over the South American landscape, not much time will pass before their complete disappearance is a reality. With a combined effort from many developed countries around the world and the governments of the native rainforest nations, salvation can be achieved for these priceless South American rainforests.

Inventories Research Essay

1. SUMMARY In this research, group members are required to choose any company from bursa Malaysia and study about their inventories, during this coursework, we mainly focus on the general study about inventories and the inventories of the company- Ajinamotoâ„ ¢ 2. INTRODUCTION Inventories refer to a company’s merchandise, raw materials, and finished and unfinished products which have not yet been sold. These are considered liquid assets. There are various means of valuing these assets, but to be conservative the lowest value is usually used in financial statements. The LCM rule is applied. 3. CONTENT * Types of inventories There are mainly 5 types of inventories for Ajinomotoâ„ ¢ raw materials (eg. Raw husk monosodium glutamate etc.) amounting to RM34,445,868, consumables amounting to RM 4,536,693, work-in-progress amounting to RM2,374,316, and finished goods amounting RM21,445,751. These are the closing inventories for Ajinomotoâ„ ¢ * Manufacturing process. Ajinomotoâ„ ¢ uses green technology such as bio-cycle technology which improves amino acid, maximizing the usage of natural resources, such as water and energy, the above diagram show the manufacturing process. The main raw materials are raw husk. * Valuation methods Ajinomotoâ„ ¢ uses weighted average method. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition are accounted for as follows : * Raw materials : purchase costs on a weighted average method. * Finished goods and work-in-progess : costs of direct materials and labour and a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal operating capacity. These costs are assigned on a weighted average method. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. * Amount of Closing Inventories The amount of closing inventories is RM 62,802,628. This can be acquired from the financial statement of Ajinamotoâ„ ¢ of year 2011 4. ADDITIONAL CONTENT * FIFO(First In First Out) is an asset-management and valuation method in which the assets acquired first are sold, used or disposed of first. FIFO may be used by an individual or a corporation. For taxation purposes, FIFO assumes that the assets that are remaining in inventory are matched to the assets that are most recently purchased or produced. * Weighted Average Cost is a method of calculating Ending Inventory cost. Inventory valuation method used where different quantities of goods are purchased at different unit costs. Under this method, weights are assigned to the cost price on the basis of the quantity of each item at each price. It is also known as AVCO It takes Cost of Goods Available for Sale and divides it by the total amount of goods from Beginning Inventory and Purchases. * Taxation is a means by which governments finance their expenditure by imposing charges on citizens and corporate entities. Governments use taxation to encourage or discourage certain economic decisions. For example, reduction in taxable personal (or household) income by the amount paid as interest on home mortgage loans results in greater construction activity, and generates more jobs. 5. Conclusion After done this research, my group members and I increased our knowledge and comprehension about the company’s annual report. This can help us more understand about the accounting for inventories. This are useful for us as a future accountants. We get more extra information that can’t learn from the class. It also increase our leadership and communication skills with other group members. Besides that, before start our assignment we also learn how to build up a group successfully. We put a lots of efforts and times in order to make this assignment more wonderful. We sincerely hoped that our efforts is worthful. 6. Reference http://www.ajinomoto.com/about/history/index.html http://www.ajinomoto.com/about/ http://www.ajinomoto.com/ir/stock/info.html http://www.ajinomoto.com/ir/financial/financial_summary.html http://www.investorwords.com/2589/inventory.html http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/taxation.html http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/weighted-average-cost-of-inventory.html http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/inventory.asp#axzz1fSj9WniT http://www.ehow.com/ehow_radlinks_ads.html?term=Inventory+Example&channel=biz_business_management,text,suggested5&google_rt=ChBOiX2xAAdWbgriAMoOXR1TEhFJbnZlbnRvcnk http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/crd/localgov/Second%20Level%20pages/topic_inventory_tax.htm

Effectiveness of the Articles Of Confederation essays

Effectiveness of the Articles Of Confederation essays As a revolt against British and early constitutions, America's first national government reflected fears of centralized authority and a possibility of corruption. John Dickinson drafted a proposal for a national government in 1776 which he called the Articles of Confederation. Congress adopted a weaker version of the Articles and had it ratified after the original was finished. The Articles of Confederation provided a partially reasonable and workable transition from the unitary system of British rule to the federal system established under the constitution. The Articles of Confederation adopted a Republican form of government that was quite different from the previous Unitary system of government British had. The Republican government allowed people to vote for representatives to become part of Congress and write and make new laws for them. This brought about a major change in the way the nation was run, by letting the people choose their leaders. Under the Articles, each state received an equal amount of power. Each state retained sovereignty, freedom, and independence from each other and other nations. Every State entered into a friendship with each other to help and assist others against any attacks made on them. The friendships between the states made the states a Unified Nation. The Articles settled the dispute over the land in the North West. In Document E, the map shows the land that was used in the NW Ordinance of 1787. The Ordinance planned how the government in the newly settled areas would be run. If the land had a population of 5,000 males or more, the area was a territorial government with a Governor of Congress. If the area had 60,000 inhabitants, the area became a State with its constitution. In the new states, Slavery was illegal until it became a state in which at that time it could decide on the issue of slavery. In the five areas that became states, none decided to have slavery. ...

Leonardo Da Vinci1 essays

Leonardo Da Vinci1 essays Leonardo Da Vinci was born in 1452 on his fathers estate in Vinci, Italy. He received his education on the estate until the age of fifteen. Which is when his father had noticed Leonardos potential and had decided to send him to be an apprentice to the artist Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. There he studied sculpture and the mechanical arts. This was also when he first developed an interest in anatomy. In 1472 Leonardo was accepted into the painters' guild at Florence, where he remained for the next ten years. In 1482, Leonardo was hired by the duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, to be artist and engineer in residence. During his stay in Milan, he started to compose a unified theory of the world and to illustrate it in a series of voluminous notebooks. Unfortunately due to his pursuit of scientific knowledge he had to leave many of his artistic creations unfinished. He stayed in Milan for seventeen years. There he completed six paintings: two portraits of the 'Last Supper', two ver sions of 'The Virgin of the Rocks', and a decorative ceiling painting in the Castello Sforzesco. Other paintings were either unfinished or have disappeared. In the early 1500s, Leonardo returned to his home city. In Florence, he was commissioned to do a number of paintings, but other interests and tasks kept him from finishing them. The most well known piece to survive from this time period was the famous "Mona Lisa", which is now in the Louvre in Paris. For ten months during 1502, Leonardo served as military adviser and engineer. During the years 1513 to 1516, Leonardo was in Rome at the invitation of Cardinal Giuliano de' Medici, brother of Pope Leo X. Some of the greatest artists of the time were at work in Rome for the church. In May 1506 Charles d'Amboise, governor of Milan for the king of France, invited Leonardo to return to that city. His work in painting and sculpture over the next seven years remained mostly in the plan ...

Law --Problem solving Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Law --Problem solving - Assignment Example Hug’s daughters with the property. The case description suggests that Mr. Hug has actually cut down the trees situated near the so called central grand in order to generate funds for the education of his children besides case also discusses the overall nature of the relationship between the successors of Mr. Hug in terms of loss of Blackwood trees. The situation described in the case therefore asks for legally distinguishing the concept of fixtures and chattels while also requiring comments on the rights and obligations of the successors in terms of the loss of blackwood trees. It also need to be noted that both these concepts deal with the personal property therefore the overall rights and obligations of the individuals shall also be dealt according to the rights and obligations given under the Property laws. The distinction here therefore is between the real and personal property and how to make a differentiation between the fixtures and chattels besides discussing the rights and obligations of the successors. Under the property laws, a fixture is any property which is actually fixed or attached with the real property. Under the Common law, real property is therefore considered as an immovable property and is a subset of the land with a clear legal definition. The distinguishing characteristics therefore to identify the difference between the fixture as well as the chattel property therefore is as to whether the property is actually affixed or fixed with the real property or not and the basic difference between the two types of properties therefore is based upon this criteria. (Moore) It is also important to understand that the fixtures are often considered as the part of the property and when mortgages or any security interests are registered, they are often considered as the part of the real property. However, the case of Chattels is different and for the purpose of law they are often not considered as the part of the real property and as

Informatics of health care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Informatics of health care - Essay Example -Health initiatives such as WHO Global Observatory, which offered Member States with suitable strategic information and policy on the operational practices and standards pertaining eHealth. World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has asserted its assurance to offering entree to the world’s health awareness and corresponding telemedicine services. Telemedicine applies in locations of worldwide collaboration in emergency response access and networking among the existing health specialists in order to aid advance quality of life and environmental situations (Scott et al., 2005). Within Europe, e-Health forms a fundamental section of the European Commission e-Europe implementation plan. The plan mainly entails envisage the actual definition of the health data interoperability standards, execution of the prevailing health information networks, e-referral, tele monitoring and telecare. Clinical information system used in the modern healthcare setting has computer-based designs that enable the collection, storage, manipulation, and analysis of clinical information significant in the delivery process. The modern clinical information systems facilitate a coherent availability of clinical data in the repository that store patients record especially illness history and major interactions with the medical care practitioners (Stewart & Catanzaro, 2005). In the clinical information system, the repository are designed to encode information that assist physicians in deciding on how to go about patient’s conditions, wellness activities and treatment options as well as the overall actions undertaken. In addition, other healthcare related information that may assist in performing such activities can also be stored and processed in the system (House of Commons Health Select Committee 2005, p. 2). Clinical information systems have been beneficial in several roles in the healthcare setting such as managerial roles, performing general practitioner delegated tasks,

Stand-up comedy in the middle east via youtube Article

Stand-up comedy in the middle east via youtube - Article Example New comedy performers with a different approach overrun 1960s and 70s. The new comedy was subversive, with a strong message. Comedy in those years used political and topical content to raise social questions, opinions and change the publics thinking. A 27-year-old Saudi comedian and a YouTube personality Fahad Al-Butairi, who was the first Saudi stand-up comedian to appear on stage professionally, started a YouTube channel that got so famous with many Arabs describing him as Seinfeld of Saudi Arabia. Al-Butairi started his comedy career when he was in middle school and used to perform in theater plays and in summer camps and centers in Saudi Arabia and other areas. In 2006, while studying in the US, Fahad Al-Butairi decided to try out at an open mike nights at the local comedy club in Austin where he was living basing his jokes on his personal experience, this was a success. When Fahad Al-Butairi moved back to the Saudi Arabia and got busy with his job, he heard about a comedy event in Bahrain where he performed in front of 2,000 people, this was also an instant success. The YouTube show, which he started on 2010, became his main claim to fame. It is called it â€Å"La Ykthar,† which is Arabic for â€Å"Shut up and don’t overdo it.† The show discusses Saudi Arabia’s social and political topics. It has grown in popularity with each monthly episode. Statistics show that, Al-Butairi now has over 909,000 followers on Twitter, over 488,893 subscribers on YouTube and his videos have reached 62,293,268 views. Dignitary Obeidallah, a New Jersey-conceived, Palestinian-American humorist, studies the crowd before him at Al Hussein Cultural Center. For this opening night at the first-ever Amman Stand Up Comedy Festival, Obeidallah the ever busy standup comedian is scheduled to perform a set. The entertainment events will be no different from on any other night, but tonight’s show marks the first ever comedy

Monopoly essay Essay Example for Free

Monopoly essay Essay Monopoly is â€Å"a firm that can determine the market price of a good. In the extreme case, a monopoly is the only seller of a good or service. † (Miller 103) Characteristics of a Monopoly. Are that there is one single seller in the market with no competition and there are many buyers in the market. The seller controls the prices of the goods or services and is the price maker as well. The consumers do not have perfect information on the goods or services. Advantages of a Monopoly. The Monopolies avoids duplications and hence wastage of resources. Enjoys economics of scale, due to it being the only supplier of the product or service in the market, makes many profits and be used for research and development to maintain their status as a monopoly. They also use price discrimination to benefit the weaker economic section of society. To avoid competition, they can afford to invest in the latest technology and machinery. Disadvantages of a Monopoly. Monopolies have poor levels of service, there is no consumer sovereignty, the consumers are charged high prices for such low quality goods, and lack of competition could lead to low quality goods, as well as out dated goods. What is required for a monopoly to earn profits in the long run? First off, any market type can see super normal profits in the short-run. What is more important is what happens in the long-run. Pure monopolies are not the only monopoly that can make profits. Natural Monopoly or a price discriminating monopoly can make profits as well. The only difference between them is â€Å"why† they are monopolies to begin with. Oligopolies are not monopolies, although they do tend to make above normal profits. Monopolistic competition does not yield these types of profits in the long-run. Economic profit goes to zero here in the long-run because there is a lack of barriers here to prevent competition from entering (as there is with perfect competition). If a firm uses economies of scale then I would be talking about a natural monopoly (or a few firms in oligopoly depending on how large or small the minimum efficient scale is). If the MES were small, economies of scale would not be an entry barrier to competition in order to achieve positive economic profits. If the MES were large, large enough to support one firm only, that would be the definition of a natural monopoly. â€Å"In the long run, a monopolistically competitive firm adjusts plant size, or the quantity of capital, to maximize long-run profit. In addition, the entry and exit of firms into and out of a monopolistically competitive market eliminates economic profit and guarantees that each monopolistically competitive firm earns nothing more or less than a normal profit. † (http://www. amosweb. com/cgi-bin/awb_nav. pl? s=wpdc=dspk=monopolistic+competition, +long run+production+analysis). Works Cited Roger LeRoy Miller. Economics Today, Sixteenth Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Addison-Wesley, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006. http://www. amosweb. com/cgi-bin/awb_nav. pl? s=wpdc=dspk=monopolistic+competition,+long-run+production+analysis.

gideon Essay -- essays papers

gideon Gideon v. Wainwright What most people don't know is that in the past those arrested for a crime did not really have "the right to an attorney" unless they had money. This became a right because Clarence Gideon, a prison inmate who did not have the money for a lawyer, took a pencil in his hand and wrote his own petition to the United States Supreme Court. Clarence Gideon, without a lawyer, took his case to the highest court in the country and won important rights for all of us. In 1961, Clarence Gideon was arrested in Florida on a charge of breaking and entering into a pool hall. Gideon was a likely suspect for the police to arrest: he was a 51-year old drifter who had been in and out of jail many times since he ran away from home to be a â€Å"hobo† at age 16. Although he barely finished the eighth-grade, when Gideon was arrested he knew two things: one of which was that he had not committed this crime and the second is he would not have a chance to convince a jury that he was not guilty if he did not have a lawyer. Because Gideon could not afford a lawyer, he asked a judge to appoint a lawyer to represent him. The judge refused and Gideon was convicted. He was sentenced to five years in jail, which gave him a lot of time on his hands. He put that time to good use. First, he filed a petition before the Florida Supreme Court. The petition was denied. So then he decided to file a petition in the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that putting him on trial without a lawyer was...

Iron Crowned Chapter 7

I signed the tax return and left a check before heading out. It figured: I owed. Self-employed people always owe. It was a credit to Lara that she'd managed my books well enough that the amount was low, but after seeing her run off with my roommate, I decided it was a good thing our working relationship didn't include performance reviews. She'd also left me a jam-packed day, which turned out to be beneficial. A busy schedule kept my mind off Dorian (mostly) and what was transpiring in the Otherworld. I fought with ferocity, as though each ghost or monster I battled was Katrice herself. It was the drives in between that were the roughest on me. There was no action then. Just my own thoughts. My last job of the day was the most difficult, undoubtedly scheduled that way on purpose so that I didn't walk into the little ones tired and injured. True, I was feeling weary, but concern for Dorian kept a spike of adrenaline burning through me, one that I knew would get me through this last job. Yet, walking up to the client's house, I couldn't stop asking the same questions in my mind. Why hasn't Volusian reported to me yet? Isn't the fight over? A nervous-looking young woman answered the door, introducing herself as Jenna. She was the one who had made the call, though it wasn't exactly on her own behalf. â€Å"She's in the living room,† Jenna whispered to me, letting me inside the foyer. Her eyes were wide with fear. â€Å"Just sitting there. Staring.† â€Å"Does she speak?† I asked. â€Å"Does she answer your questions?† â€Å"Yes †¦ but †¦ it's not her. I know that doesn't make sense, but it's not. The people at work think she's just gone crazy. I'm pretty much the only one who still talks to her. She's about to lose her job, but †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jenna shook her head. â€Å"I swear, it's just not her.† â€Å"You're right.† I held my wand in my left hand and my silver athame in the right. â€Å"Is she †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jenna's voice dropped even lower. â€Å"Is she possessed?† â€Å"Not exactly.† Lara had warned me about this one. It had initially sounded like possession, but further data suggested otherwise, unfortunately. A possession would have been easier. â€Å"It's a fetch. It's like †¦ I don't know. Her double. Kind of.† â€Å"Then †¦ what happened to Regan?† I hesitated. â€Å"I don't know.† I didn't want to tell Jenna there was a strong possibility that Regan was dead. That was the usual fate for a fetch's victim. Of course, fetches usually left once they'd sucked all the energy and goodness from someone's life. If this one was still here, the odds of Regan still being alive were marginally higher. â€Å"If †¦ er, when we find her, she may be in bad shape.† I stared off down the hallway, where I could hear the sound of a TV in the living room. I shifted my grip on my weapons and prepared myself. â€Å"What should I do?† asked Jenna. â€Å"Wait outside. Don't come back inside until I tell you to – no matter what.† Once she was safely away, I set off down the hall. There, in the living room, I found a woman sitting perfectly straight on the couch, her hands folded neatly upon her lap as she stared at the TV. There was a blankness in her brown eyes that told me she wasn't really watching. She didn't even acknowledge my arrival. Glancing around the living room, I took in its space and features, assessing them for a fight. I also noticed a couple pictures on the wall, group shots with Jenna and a smiling brunette who looked exactly like the woman on the couch. Yet, glancing between them, I knew Jenna was right. This wasn't Regan. â€Å"Where's Regan?† I asked. The fetch didn't look at me. â€Å"I am Regan.† â€Å"Where's Regan?† I repeated harshly. â€Å"What have you done with her?† Please, please let her be alive. This time, the fetch turned her head, those cold eyes taking me and my weapons in. â€Å"I told you. I am Regan.† I had a moment's debate on what to do. Killing the fetch without learning Regan's location would make the next part of this job even more difficult. Yet, as the fetch continued staring at me, I knew she'd recognized what I was and what threat I represented. I had to take her out now, banking on the fact that fetches usually kept their victims close. I held out my wand and began chanting the words that would drive this creature back to the Otherworld. It was where fetches came from, and a forceful enough banishing was usually enough to deter them from returning. I'd only have to get the Underworld involved if she decided to – She attacked. The fetch didn't transform into her true shape as she sprang at me. Rather, she turned into something in the middle. She still wore Regan's face, but it had a sickly green hue. Her eyes were bigger and darker and looked like they'd been stretched out. Her hands and feet were bigger too – and clawed. She came at me with her full strength, knocking me into a wall mercifully free of furniture. I kneed her in the stomach, needing to get distance between me and the claws trying to rake my face and neck. She fell back a little, not much, but enough to give me more maneuvering room. I swung out with the silver blade, and she recoiled. Iron could inflict lethal blows on the gentry, but silver was the metal of choice for almost any other creature. â€Å"Tell me where Regan is,† I said, advancing forward. â€Å"Tell me, and I'll simply banish you back to the Otherworld. Make this difficult, and you die.† I was managing that balance I always did: weapon ready to attack while part of my mind focused on a connection to the Otherworld. Hecate's tattoo, a snake on my upper arm, began to tingle. The fetch decided I wasn't a full threat yet and rushed me again. I dodged this time, anticipating her movements based on the last attack. A fetch might be able to replicate someone, but their fighting style was mostly brute force. My athame caught her arm as I moved, and she snarled in pain, showing fangs that dripped with green saliva. It hurt her but didn't slow her down as she lunged back at me. I sidestepped her again but overlooked what was behind me, hitting painfully against a cabinet. I winced, and she pressed her advantage, swinging those claws at me. I barely escaped them, managing to squirm away and hurry to the other side of the room. A banishing, I decided. I'd just keep my distance and do a banishing. I just needed a couple minutes – and to stay alive. I began chanting words to send her from this world, words that didn't have to follow any ancient form so long as my power and intent were clear. She paused briefly, realizing what I was doing, and seemed to consider her options. A circle. I should have put a circle of protection around the house. There was a very real possibility she might try to flee. That and killing me were pretty much her only options. The former would probably be easier for her – and would release Regan. But I didn't want this fetch freely walking the world. I needed to send her on. Power surged in me and through me, out to the wand and toward her. This was her last chance to run – or, as it turned out, throw a coffee table at me. I admit, I didn't see that coming – literally or figuratively. I should have, though. Furniture, props, whatever †¦ they were all fair game in a fight. The fetch had no reason to rely simply on hand-to-hand combat, and my athame gave her good reason to attack from a distance. The coffee table was a simple one, a smooth circle of glass on iron legs. A wood-framed one would have been better. The frame would have slowed the spread of glass. This table had nothing to stop it, except me. I tried to jump out of its way, saving my head and face. I wasn't far enough away when it hit the wall and shattered, though. Stinging, burning pain went through my back and left arm as glass scraped and – no doubt – embedded itself in my flesh. My sense of self-preservation kept me moving through the pain, but my connection to the Otherworld had shattered with the glass. The fetch knew this and leaped forward, risking the athame in the hope I was too addled and injured from the glass to stop her. I wasn't. I had never let go of my weapons, and my athame was ready and waiting when she came. I plunged it into her heart and started the banishing again. Over the years, as I'd grown in power and spent so much time in the Otherworld myself, these banishings had become easier. Not easy, but easier. There was a time when I couldn't have held a fetch off with my athame while simultaneously attempting a quick banishing. But now, the power flowed through me as the fetch pulled herself off my blade. She had no time to react, attack, or flee. The magic seized her, and she disappeared before my eyes, fading into sparkles and then nothing. I didn't know the extent of the athame's damage. I might have just sent her back to die. Or, she might survive and come after me in the Otherworld as some creatures tried. I wasn't worried. My abilities stayed consistent in both worlds, but my magic was a bit stronger over there – especially in the Thorn Land. I took a deep breath of relief and stuck the weapons back in my belt as I hurried toward the front door. Jenna was sitting on the lawn, face pale with worry. She sprang up when she saw me. â€Å"What happened? Is she okay?† â€Å"I'm not sure,† I said, wiping sweat off my brow. My hand came away red with blood. â€Å"We have to find her. Does she have a basement?† â€Å"No.† Jenna followed me inside and then halted. â€Å"Oh my God †¦ your back †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It's nothing. I'll deal with it later.† â€Å"At least – † She reached toward a spot between my upper arm and shoulder blade, wincing as she did. I yelped in pain and watched as she pulled away a huge piece of jagged glass. â€Å"That's bleeding †¦ really bad †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'm in better shape than Regan,† I said brusquely, trying to ignore both pain and the sight of my blood all over the shard she'd taken. â€Å"No basement. Closets? Attic?† â€Å"Both.† We checked the closets with no luck, and Jenna stuck her head in the attic's tiny space. Still nothing. â€Å"Shit,† I said. I shouldn't have let the fetch go without getting Regan's location. What if Regan wasn't nearby? What if the fetch had broken habit and hidden her victim far from home? Jenna looked as defeated as I felt, then her head shot up. â€Å"The shed. There's a shed out back.† We were out the back door in a flash, jerking open the door to a little garden shed that was mercifully unlocked. There, curled up on the ground in a fetal position, was Regan. Jenna let out a strangled cry, and we both dropped to the ground. Jenna propped Regan up while I gently shook her. â€Å"Regan, Regan. Wake up. Please wake up.† For a few moments, I feared the worst. Then, Regan's eyes fluttered open, her expression frightened and confused. Her breathing came in short rasps, and she futilely tried to sit up on her own. Her failure didn't surprise me. When a fetch took over someone's life, it put its double into a sort of magic coma. It required no ropes or gags, simply leaving behind a silent and immobile victim. Regan's ability to wake up verified that the fetch was gone, but the woman had spent days without food, water, or using her muscles. â€Å"She's dehydrated,† I said. Studying Regan's state, I knew this was beyond a few glasses of water. â€Å"Let's get her to the hospital.† Jenna drove, with Regan laid out carefully across the backseat. She said little, only making the occasional moan. Meanwhile, in the passenger seat, I attempted to clean myself off with baby wipes and to pull glass bits out of my back. The blood on my face was cleaned off when we reached the ER, as was most from my body, but I didn't want to answer questions about what had happened to me. I borrowed Jenna's jean jacket, figuring the few scratches on my face weren't enough to attract attention. We told the staff that Regan had been depressed and starving herself. We went on about how we hadn't seen her for days and had only just found her tonight. Since there was no ostensible bruising or signs of binding, they took us at our word and hurried to hook her up to fluids. We'd also probably landed her in therapy, but that was of little concern now. I waited with Jenna just outside Regan's room as a nurse finished attaching the appropriate tubes and a doctor performed further examination. When they were done, they told us we could go in and that Regan would recover once her body had sustenance again. I had no intention of going with Jenna. Now that Regan was safe, my plan was to get a taxi back to my car and go home to clean up before an Otherworldly jump. Lara could bill these women later. â€Å"Wait,† said Jenna, as the doctor and nurse were about to leave. â€Å"My friend's hurt. She broke a window to get in Regan's house and got cut.† I shook my head. â€Å"No, really, I'm fine – â€Å" I shut my mouth when I followed everyone's gaze. Even I could see that the left sleeve of the jacket was soaked with blood. There was little argument to make after that. Jenna stayed with Regan, and I was ushered off to a cubicle in the ER. The nurse shut the curtain, and I took off my shirt. The doctor's eyebrows rose. â€Å"You broke a window? With what, your entire body?† He called for another nurse, who began assisting the other with glass removal and sanitizing. â€Å"I threw a rock,† I said. â€Å"It didn't make a very big hole, but I didn't have time to make it bigger. I just had to get to Regan.† â€Å"Noble,† said the doctor, whose attention was on the larger shoulder gash. â€Å"If stupid.† Someone with a better understanding of physics might have realized my injuries didn't quite line up with what I'd get crawling through a jagged hole in a window. Fortunately, this group's talents were elsewhere. The myriad scratches and cuts were dealt with by bandages and painful antiseptics. The big cut required a fair number of stitches. I was restless the whole time, wanting only to get back and see what had happened to Dorian. The medical staff was thorough in its work, however. I decided I should just be grateful that they were letting me go and not forcing a longer stay. I was the walking wounded, in bad shape but not in life-threatening danger. â€Å"Here,† said the doctor, just before letting me go. He scrawled out a prescription and handed it to me, along with reams of paper on wound care and cleaning. â€Å"Antibiotics. Get it filled tonight.† â€Å"I will,† I said glibly. He gave me a warning look. â€Å"I mean it. I know your type. You think you're invincible, but any of that could get infected. Get the prescription. Clean and change the bandages on the cuts.† He was right that I thought I was invincible. I'd had stitches and wounds before, my gentry blood usually expediting the healing. But I nodded meekly, promising I'd obey. â€Å"Good,† he said, following me out to the waiting room. â€Å"Follow up with your family doctor in a week. I think your ride's over there.† â€Å"My ride †¦?† I stared around the room, freezing when I saw a familiar face. â€Å"Mom?† She'd been leaning against a wall, eyes anxiously studying everyone in the room. Spotting me, she practically ran over, staring at my bandages in alarm. I had no coat, and the tank top showed my battle wounds. â€Å"Eugenie! Are you okay? What have you done now?† For some reason, that made the doctor snort a laugh before walking away. â€Å"I'm fine,† I told her automatically. â€Å"What are you doing here?† â€Å"I'm your emergency contact. And that is not fine.† I was still stunned to see her. It felt like it had been so long. Ages. â€Å"It is now,† I said dazedly. â€Å"All patched up. And I've got all this †¦ stuff.† I waved my stack of paper around. She brushed dark hair from her face, her expression both weary and distraught as we headed for her car. â€Å"It never gets easier. Not with you, not with him.† I gave her a sidelong look. â€Å"Does he know you're here?† â€Å"No,† she said, getting out her keys. â€Å"Not that it would matter if he did. Nothing could have stopped me from coming when they called me. I thought †¦ Well, I never know what to think†¦.† I couldn't look at her as I sat gingerly in the car. My eyes were filling with tears. I'd missed her so much. I'd missed her, well, momness. Lots of people cared about me, but it wasn't the same. Plus, I felt horrible, horrible that I made her worry. And because of me, Roland was out endangering himself again too. I hastily ran a hand over my eyes and turned to her as we pulled out of the parking lot. â€Å"When did you get glasses?† I asked in surprise. Delicate wire frames rested on a face very similar to mine. It was our coloring that was different. My red hair and violet eyes had come from Storm King. â€Å"A few weeks ago. They're just for night driving.† I looked away, fearing the tears would return. Glasses. Such a stupid thing. There was a time, though, when I would have known every little detail of her life. There was so much distance between us now. My churning, guilty thoughts only came to a standstill when she turned into a pharmacy a few blocks from the hospital. â€Å"Mom, no! I have to get back to my car and – â€Å" â€Å"You can go back to endangering your life again soon enough. Here, let me see those.† â€Å"It's not my usual pharmacy,† I said petulantly. She was skimming the wound care instructions. â€Å"Yes, well, I'm sure this one still has a couple bandages stashed away somewhere.† â€Å"You're such a mom.† She glanced up, a small twinkle in her eyes that reminded me of how things used to be between us. â€Å"I'm your mom.† I followed her sullenly as we waited for the prescription, and she forced me to get a basketful of gauze, bandages, and other first aid supplies. I already owned a lot of them, but she wouldn't rest easy until she actually saw them in my hands. â€Å"I really appreciate you coming,† I admitted as we waited. â€Å"It †¦ it's good to see you.† Her expression softened. â€Å"It's good to see you too, baby. I've missed you.† â€Å"I don't suppose Roland's forgiven me?† â€Å"It's more complicated than that,† she told me. â€Å"He still loves you. Really. But he's worried. And he doesn't like you being over †¦ there. Neither do I.† I averted my eyes again. I knew she didn't – and she had good reason. My conception was the result of her captivity and rape in the Otherworld. She'd spent years keeping that knowledge from me, hoping to protect me from both my heritage and the agony she believed that place caused. â€Å"Well, that's complicated too. I have to be there, Mom. I know you guys don't approve, but there are people counting on me. They're not all like you think. I can't let them down. They're †¦ they're dying because of me.† â€Å"Is there a man involved?† I considered a flippant remark, then chose honesty. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"The obvious problem aside †¦ would I like him?† I tried to picture my mom meeting Dorian and couldn't stop a small smile. â€Å"Probably not.† â€Å"Do you ever talk to Kiyo anymore?† I looked up sharply, my smile fading. â€Å"It's over with us. He let me down. You know that. This other guy †¦ he won't.† I was saved from further conversation when my name was finally called. I added the prescription to my portable hospital bag and felt grateful that my mom didn't pursue the topic of my love life anymore. I was equally grateful when she drove me back to Regan's house. It wouldn't have surprised me if she'd left me carless in Tim's care. Leaving my mom stirred conflicting feelings in me. After missing her so much, part of me just wanted to stay and gaze at her, to drink in those features I loved so much. I wanted her to hold me, to be my mom and take care of everything. And yet †¦ always, always, the Otherworld was pressing on me. I didn't have the luxury of being a little girl right now. I didn't have the luxury of being her daughter. â€Å"Thank you,† I said, giving her as careful a hug as we could manage. â€Å"Thank you for †¦ I don't know. Everything.† She held me for a few moments and then pressed a kiss to my forehead. â€Å"There's nothing to thank me for. Just be careful.† She broke from the embrace. â€Å"Do what the doctor says. And for God's sake, don't end up there again. I don't want another call.† â€Å"I'll try,† I said. This made us both smile, largely because we knew my trying to stay out of harm's way was pretty futile. â€Å"And tell Roland †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I couldn't finish, but she nodded. â€Å"I know.† I left her then, loading my loot into my own car and driving home. Regan didn't live too far from me, only about ten minutes. The time flew by. I had so many things to think about that when I arrived at my house, I hardly knew how I'd gotten there. Tim's car was parked out front – as was Lara's. I dragged myself out of my own self-pitying miasma, uneasily wondering what I'd find inside. Seeing the two of them naked on my kitchen table would not be cool. Instead, they were cuddled up on the living room couch, watching a movie. All seemed innocent, but some vibe made me suspect they hadn't been actually watching too much of it. I shook my head in exasperation. â€Å"How is this my life?† I muttered, setting my bag on the counter. â€Å"Did you say something?† called Tim. The living room and kitchen were mostly open to each other. He muted the film. â€Å"Nothing important.† â€Å"We figured you'd be out for the night,† he said. I was pretty sure there was an accusatory tone in his voice. I opened the cupboards, rummaging for food. I was suddenly starving. â€Å"Well, rest easy. I'll be gone soon enough, right after I get dinner.† Lara turned and peered over the couch's back. â€Å"Pop-Tarts aren't – oh my God! What happened to you?† Tim noticed my bandages now too. He didn't look as shocked as her – he saw me come home after fights a lot – but worry had replaced his snark. â€Å"What have you been doing?† â€Å"Earning the mortgage.† I put two blueberry Pop-Tarts in the toaster. â€Å"Isn't that what you told me to do?† â€Å"Jesus, Eug. I didn't – â€Å" â€Å"Forget it,† I told him. â€Å"Everything's fine. But you're going to have to send a bill to Jenna Benson, Lara. I wasn't able to collect.† Lara nodded without a word, still aghast at seeing what my real life looked like. I poured some water and choked down one of the antibiotics while waiting for the Pop-Tarts. As soon as they were done, I retreated to my room, eating quickly as I threw together an overnight bag. While I was packing, my eyes lingered on a half-finished puzzle on my desk. I sighed. How long ago had I started that one? A month ago? I loved jigsaw puzzles. I used to do one a night. I was almost finished packing – I even included the first aid supplies, thanks to some residual mom-guilt – when the temperature dropped. An unsettling yet familiar presence filled the room, and soon Volusian appeared before me. I nearly dropped the bag. â€Å"Mistress,† he said with a mock bow. â€Å"I've come to report on the battle.†