Experimental Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Experimental Research - Essay Example On the other hand, the prevailing data just prior to the initiation of price promotion will also be gathered. This is to ensure finding the potential impact of price promotion on the number or average number of tissues sold each week for the two-month-period experiment. In other words, there must be a comparison of data, because this is one of the ways in order to know if there is an existing relationship between the price promotion and the number of items sold for tissue. The 50 cents off-coupon should be denoted â€Å"1†. The buy-one-get-one-free promotion should be denoted â€Å"2†. And finally, the no promotion or regular price offering should be denoted as â€Å"3†. In this way, the actual data should look like what is presented in Table 1. The point of denoting the price promotion into numerical values is to be able to use a quantitative method of analysis that will determine the relationship or the cause and effect of price promotion and the number of items of tissue that will be sold. If there is an existing relationship this means that there should be either a higher positive or negative correlation between the chosen variables, the price promotion and the number of quantity sold for tissue product as shown in Figure 1. After conducting a correlation analysis, the regression analysis will also be conducted in order to determine the actual model showcasing the actual relationship between the chosen variables. In other words, the experiment will not only test the relationship of the variables, but their actual associations. This is one way of knowing or representing the cause and effect relationship of the dependent and independent variables of the

Medieval Philosophy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Medieval Philosophy - Assignment Example Hence, metaphysical forces, including heavenly bodies and evil spirits, constrain human desires and create hurdles on the way to getting involved in different activities out of their free will. Furthermore, since the blessings and bounties showered by God upon humans, bring joys in their life, so humans must seek His protection in order to escape misfortunes in life. However, God has also granted powers to the evil forces existing in the universe and has allowed them to hurt and harm the individuals through their trickery. These forces tempt humans to follow their desires without making the adequate judgment between right and wrong. Consequently, there seems to be a high probability of humans to become prey to the evil temptations by extending their wishes and desires to a great extent. As a result, natural forces inflict the humans with deprivations that constraint their free will and limit their actions and conducts for the future days to come on the basis of the foreknowledge the Providence maintains. Question 3 (Answer): Contemporary era theologian and philosopher, Nelson Pike, has critically examined the Boethius’ doctrine regarding omniscience and free will. Since Boethius has submitted his claim that it is omniscience that constrains human free will, no human action is free and independent one in its nature and scope. However, Pike refutes the very notion by declaring it false and against the very evidence altogether. Pike is of the view that since God is all-Knowing and all-Powerful, He has foreknowledge of each and every incident that would happen in the life of every human throughout his life. Pike supports his thesis with several illustrations and examples, in order to clarify his argument regarding the powers granted to humans by the Lord for performing their domestic and professional duties and obligations. If a person, Pike argues, is determined to do something either trivial or important, God certainly maintains foreknowledge of it. Howeve r, He has allowed humans to apply their free will, out of their personal choices, in order to perform their everyday activities without any hurdle or obstacle on the way. In other words, though every incident to be taken place in the world in the life of humans is in the knowledge of God, yet He does not restrict the humans from taking part in individual and collective activities of their choice by constraining each and every human action. On the contrary, He has gifted the humans with the powers to even negate His very existence, as atheist observe, though He has complete foreknowledge of it. If God starts imposing constraints on every human action, then there would neither be any space for the atheists and infidels nor could humans be able to make this world a region where crimes, offenses, sins, and law-breaking occur very frequently. Thus, Pike nullifies Boethius’s doctrine that God’s omniscience limits human actions in such a powerful manner that it destroys the c oncept of free will altogether. However, Boethius does not claim that every human action is barred by the natural regulatory authorities.

The Life Of Tupac Amaru Shakur

The Life Of Tupac Amaru Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, Makaveli, or Pac was an iconic American Rapper, Actor, and Social Activist. Shakurs image as a Thug, and his Thug-Life persona, appealed to fans across the nation and around the world. He is one of the best selling music artists worldwide, and considered as one of the best and the most influential Rap Artist ever. Tupacs life was unfortunately cut short, after he was shot to death in 1996, at the age of 25, but his legacy lives on to this day. 2Pac was born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem section of Manhattan, in New York City. His mother is Afeni Shakur, who was an active member of the Blank Panther Party in the late sixties and seventies, and his biological father is Billy Garland, who also was a Black Panther member. Tupac was born a month after his mom was acquitted on more than 150 charges, which were charges against the U.S. government by the Panthers. His mother put his birth name as Lesane Parish Crooks, to disguise his true identity, because she feared that her enemies would attack her son. However, in 1972 after Afeni had separated from Garland, and had married Mutulu Shakur (2Pacs Step-Father), she renamed 2Pac, Tupac Amaru Shakur, after an Incan ruler who was sentenced to death by the Spaniards, the name Tupac Amaru means, Shining Serpent, in the Inca language. Shakur had a half-sister, Sekyiwa, who was two years younger than him, and an older stepbrother, Mopreme Shakur, who appeared on many of his recordings. 2Pac was surrounded by struggle, incarceration, murder, and more illegal activities from an early age. His mother had ties to drugs, his stepfather was wanted by the FBI, his godfather was convicted of murder and more. When he was twelve years old his mother enrolled him in Harlems 127th Street Repertory Ensemble, where he started learning and practicing acting. In 1986, the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. At Baltimore he completed two years at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, and then transferred to the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he studied acting, jazz, poetry and ballet. Pac used to have rap competitions with school mates and friends, and would always win. And even though he did not have flashy, trendy clothes, he was very popular because of his personality, good sense of humor, rapping skills, and his ability to mix in with a variety of crowds. During those years, Pac also developed a close relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith, and there relationship lasted until his death. In June 1988, the Shakur family moved yet again, this time to Marin City, California. Here 2Pac attended Tamalpais High School. In 1989 Shakur started to take poetry classes of Leila Steinberg. Steinberg organized a concert for Tupac, and a former group of his called Strictly Dope. This concert led to Tupac being signed, and becoming set up with the rap group Digital Underground. In 1990 Pac was hired as the groups roadie, and back up dancer. From then on, Pacs rapping career began. His skills were first debuted in 1991, as Pac had vocal turns in popular songs by Digital Underground. He began to rap with the group, and he was in their music videos. Then Pac decided to go solo. Later in 1991, he released his first solo album, 2Pacalypse Now. His debut album did not sell too well at first, because of marketing troubles, until Interscope Records started to sell his record. In 1993, Pac released his second record, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. This record did better than the first, with hit songs like Keep Ya Head Up and I Get Around which featured members of Digital Underground. Later that year 2Pac formed the group Thug Life, with his friends, and he considered the concept of Thug Life as a philosophy of life. As his fame as a rapper started, Tupacs troubles with the authority also began and increased. In late 1991, Pac had tried to a file a ten million dollar civil suit against Oakland Police Department, claiming that he was brutally beaten for jaywalking. More problems followed. In 1992, a Texas trooper was killed by a teenager, who was listening to 2Pacalypse Now. This raised a lot of media controversy. The Vice President of the nation at the time, Dan Quayle, demanded that the album be withdrawn from music stores and the media across the nation, and denounced the album, saying it has no place in our society. However Interscope refused, and Shakur stated that his album aimed at the problems facing young black males, even though it was criticized for its images of violence towards law enforcement, and graphic language. In 1992, Tupac had an incident with people in Marin City, in which shooting was involved, this eventually led to a wrongful death suit against him in 1995, stating that hi s shooting killed a six year old in Marin City. Tests proved that neither Pac nor his entourage was the shooter. Criminal charges were not sought, and Tupac settled with the family of the boy with an amount between three hundred to five hundred thousand dollars. In late 1993, Pac and his friends had an altercation with two Atlanta off-duty police officers, again shooting was involved. One of the police was charged with firing at Shakurs car, and later lying to the police during investigation, but all charges were dropped against all parties. In 1994, he was convicted of attacking a former employer while on a music video set, and was sentenced to fifteen days in jail for that. A big case against Shakur was in November 1993, when Pac and a couple of his friends were charged with sexually abusing a woman in a hotel room. The woman accused many charges against Pac and his friends, but Pac denied the charges. He claimed that he had prior relations with the woman in his hotel room, and th at she revisited his hotel room, when the acts she claimed took place. He also claimed that he had fallen asleep shortly after she arrived, and he woke up to her accusations and threats. Most charges were dropped, but Pac was convicted of sexual abuse and was sentenced to one and a half years in a correctional facility. He later wrote in his songs, how he is not and can never be a rapist. As if the legal problems were not enough, 2Pac was robbed and shot on the night of November 30, 1994, the night before the verdict in his sexual abuse trial was to be announced. Tupac was shot five times and robbed after entering the lobby of Quad Recording Studios in Manhattan. He was shot by two armed men in army material. Doctors at the Bellevue Hospital, where he was taken immediately after the incident, stated that he had received five bullet wounds, two in the head, two in the groin and one through the arm and thigh. Tupac checked out of the hospital three hours after the surgery, against doctors orders. And he entered the courthouse in a wheelchair the day after, where he was found guilty for sexual abuse, and sentenced to a year and a half to four years in prison on February 6, 1995. Tupac would later accuse Sean Combs, Biggie Smalls, Andre Harrell for the shooting, he also suspected his close friend/associate, Randy Stretch Walker. This accusation heated the West-Coast East- Coast Rivalry. The Prison Sentence was a major experience in Pacs Life. He began serving his sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility on February 14, 1995. Shortly afterwards, Pac released his album, Me Against the World, which became multi-platinum. He is the only artist to have an album at number one on the Billboard 200, while serving a prison sentence. The album broke records, like the highest first week sales for a solo male rap artist at the time. Shakur married his long-time girlfriend while in prison, Keisha Morris, on April 4, 1995, but they later divorced in 1996. Also during his sentence, Pac wrote a screenplay, read many books by Niccolo Machiavelli, Sun Tzus The Art of War, and other political philosophy and strategy works. After serving eleven months of his sentence, in October 1995, Pac was released mainly due to the influence of Suge Knight, the CEO of Death Row Records. Suge Knight posted a 1.4 million dollar bail in exchange for 2Pac to release three albums under the Death Ro w Label. Being a member of Death Row Records was a major part of 2Pac Rapping Career. When Pac was released he formed the group called Outlaw Immortalz, with his close people. And he went to song recording immediately. He released the double album All Eyez on Me, which were the first two albums part of his three-album commitment. The album sold over nine million copies. Pac continued his recordings with Death Row, even with the increasing problems with the label, when Dr. Dre left as producer to start his own label, Aftermath. Pac produced hundreds of track, during his time with Death Row, and most of the songs were released after his death. 2Pac also released songs like Hit Em Up with the Outlawz, lyrically assaulting Biggie and others associated with him and Bad Boy Productions. This was during the East Coast West Coast Conflict. 2Pac was also close with Rapper Snoop Dogg. On July 4, 1996 Pac performed at the House of Blues with the Outlawz, Snoop Dogg, and Tha Dogg Pound, which was his las t live performance. 2Pac also released his fifth and final studio album under the name Makaveli (from his influence of Niccolo Machiavelli), the album was The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, the album was completed (the lyrics, production and more) within seven days, hence the name. Pac also had plans of starting Makaveli Records, which would have included Outlawz, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, Big Syke, and Gang Starr. The Great Rappers life was unfortunately limited. On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur attended the Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon boxing match at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas. At the time Pac was engaged to Kidada Jones. After the fight Pac and his entourage along with Suge and his assistants assaulted Orlando Baby Lane Anderson, a member of the Southside Crips, because earlier that year Anderson and fellow Crips had robbed a member of the Death Row entourage. After the brawl Shakur got in Suges black 1996 BMW and they were on their way to the Death Row owned Club 662, and on the way, while at a red light, a white, four-door Cadillac rolled to their right side, opened a window and fired gunshots. Shakur was fatally wounded, and Suge was injured. They were rushed to the University Medical Center. Shakur went through many surgeries, life-support and more, unfortunately on the afternoon of September 13, 1996, Shakur died of internal bleeding, and his mother made the decision to tell t he doctors to stop the attempts to revive him. He was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m. and the official cause was respiratory failure and cardiac arrest along with multiple gunshot wounds. Shakurs body was cremated and some of his ashes were later mixed with marijuana and smoked by members of the Outlawz. The murder case is a cold case. Due to lack of progress on the case by law enforcement, many independent investigations and theories have emerged about the murder. However, the main suspects are not found, and the case has not been solved. Tupac Shakur was not only a rapper. He was an actor; he played in several movies before his death, and was going to release more, if he had not died. And he also was a social activist. Through his music and image, he cried out to higher authorities to look out for the people in the slums and the ghettos. In his songs he explains the troubles of the people in the urban areas, he reflects on how they need help, and also gets mad at how the government does not care. He is a very big influence to people worldwide for who he represented, as in a young black male, who came out of the slums, became famous, and wanted to make a change. He was also a strong poet; his works are very inspirational and influential. In many interviews, 2Pac has claimed that he will soon try to start a political party, for the people who are not represented by the government, including African-Americans, Mexicans, Armenians and more. He was a very complex artist. He had the Thug-Life persona, of not a gangster, bu t a thug, a black male from the streets, who held his own, yet he had a soft side, and expressed it in his music. For example he addresses to Black women in the ghettos to be strong, he motivates them like in Keep Ya Head Up, and he also expresses his soft side through songs such as Dear Mama and more. He read works of Machiavelli, Maya Angelou and more. And he has said, Im not saying Im gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world. Pacs legacy lives on to this day, and he is known world-wide. Rappers today always make references to him. About.com named him the most influential rapper. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the highest selling rapper, he was inducted in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame in 2002, he has made it has Number 1 MC on MTV in 2003, fans have voted him as the greatest rapper of all time in the Vibe magazine poll in 2004. And he is also in the Definitive 200 list of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is known as the King of Rap by many. His mother has founded the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, and the foundation has opened the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts. Hes been in several movies, many documentaries and movies have been released about him after his death such as Tupac: Resurrection, many books have been written about his life, and five and counting albums have been made with his music, and recorded works, after his death. The Legacy of Tupac Amaru Shakur lives on today, through his fans worldwide.

The Importance of Childhood Vaccination Essays -- Medicine Vaccination

Since the introduction of vaccinations, medical science has managed to all but eliminate many formerly fatal and debilitating childhood illnesses in countries where the immunization of children is nearly universal. Diseases such as measles, mumps, diphtheria, rubella and polio have been relegated to a marginal status in developed countries with active immunization campaigns; smallpox is actually considered to have been completely eliminated from the earth, without a single case having been reported since roughly 1979 (â€Å"Childhood†). Largely centered around a study published in 1998 in the British medical journal â€Å"The Lancet†, there has been an upsurge in concerns of the safety of vaccinations and a resulting decrease in their usage. This has led to a somewhat anachronistic return of these diseases. In many developed countries, parents are relying on herd immunity to protect their children when they choose to forgo immunization over concerns about their safety. Herd immunity essentially means that when a small percentage of a social group â€Å"can't get certain vaccines for medical reasons, or some children are not able to respond to certain vaccines. For these children, the immunity of people around them is their only protection† (â€Å"Childhood†). While some parents' concerns over the safety of vaccinations are based upon the well-intentioned desire to keep children safe from autism, the act of choosing to not vaccinate their children actually causes far greater damage by exposing them to acquiring potentially life-threatening illnesses and removing a critical link in the chain of herd immunity. Over the last 12 years, a growing population of parents have chosen to avoid immunizing their children with the misguided belief that they are... ...s In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. Deer, Brian. "MMR doctor Andrew Wakefield fixed data on autism." The Sunday Times. Times Newspapers Ltd , 8 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. â€Å"Hazlehurst v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs.† 604 F.3d 1343 (2010). Leagle.com. Leagle, Inc. Web. 28 Oct. 2010 "Noncompliance with Mandatory Vaccinations Threatens Community Health." Should Vaccinations be Manditory? Ed. Noà «l Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. "Vaccine Risks Are Outweighed by the Risks of Not Vaccinating." Should Vaccinations be Manditory? Ed. Noà «l Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. "Vaccines." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.

Review of Psychology and Christianity 5 Views

Assessment 1 Assessment 1 What does psychology have to do with the Christian faith? In Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, by Myers, Jones, Roberts, Watson, Coe, Hall, and Powlison (2010) is an introductory textbook for Christian psychology that provides sound arguments for an array of positions on psychology and faith. Each author contributed an essay and in return the other essayist respond by either agreeing or disagreeing by pointing out faults and explaining why. The first position by David G.Myers titled, â€Å"A-Levels-of-Explanation View,† who is a psychological scientist who supports that Christian theology and psychology are two very distinct disciplines, but they do share similar goals. Myers defines psychology as, â€Å"the science of behavior and mental processes† (2010, pg. 49) and that over time different variations of this definition have agreed that psychology is a science. By having curiosity and humility we should seek out to test each other†™s ideas. He has high regards towards empirical psychological research that it can reveal about a person’s personality, behavior, attitudes, relationships and more.He also confirms that psychology can affirm aspects of Christian faith, for example psychological science supports family values, and that at time psychological science might cause us to change our view on Christian theology and interpretations of scripture. Myers admits that he has changed his stance on homosexuals, as there is more research on psychological findings and genetic research. He concludes that, â€Å"sexual orientation is a natural disposition, not a voluntary moral choice† (2010, pg. 72). Secondly, Stanton L.Jones writes about, â€Å"An Integration View,† where psychology and Christianity should be intertwined with each other. He believes that science is a tool that God uses as an instrument of revelation. Although Jones upholds that scripture determines the foundational beliefs and u nderstanding of Christians, it does not provide us with the full knowledge of understanding humans. Throughout Jones view, he emphasizes the importance of â€Å"a thoughtful Christian appreciation for science† (144) and as Christians we should be able to engage with secular psychology, but he also acknowledges this engagement has its limits.Furthermore, Jones uses homosexuality, like Myers, as a test case, but is very clear on what scripture says about this behavior and does not let data change his mind on this topic since the Authority of Scripture cannot be mistaken. The Christian Psychology view by Roberts and Watson, have a more historical and philosophical approach. They do not deny modern psychology, but argue that psychology has been around for the past 2500 years. For example, he brings up issues relevant today with the Sermon on the Mount instead of the science offered by todays establish psychologist.Roberts and Watson also claim that Christian psychologist should a pproach psychology with the bases of the Christian tradition. â€Å"Christians must approach the subject matter of humanity embracing what God has told us about what it mean to be fully human first; that then is our framework for engaging psychology as a social science† (p. 183). Roberts and Watson purpose a two-stage method: â€Å"to first appropriate the resources of the rich, Christian psychological tradition, and then to employ it in the advance of empirical science and applied science† (p. 184).This is how a Christian understanding of the person can come to hypotheses that can be tested, therefore advancing our comprehension on humans. Lastly, the Biblical Counseling Model, by Powlison opens up his view with, â€Å"Christian faith is a psychology† and that â€Å"Christian ministry is a psychotherapy† (p. 245). He uses these terms differently when compared to modern psychologist.. He further illustrates that psychology can be categorized into six line s (Psych-1 to Psych-6): the raw experiences of life, organized knowledge, interpretive and explanatory models, psychotherapy, institutional and professional arrangements and the ethos of culture.He goes on and uses these terms with numerous biblical themes by providing a test case. Powlison is more interested in assisting the individual using biblical insights to better understand. I found that Stanton L. Jones, An Integration View, was the most persuasive for me. He emphasizes that if we Christians believe that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord of all and that there is no life outside of the scope of his sovereignty. An integrationist view believes the Christian psychologist should draw on the resource of God’s answers to these ultimate questions as the foundation both for how we engage the science of psychology and how we structure our practice in the profession of psychology† (p. 101). I also strongly agree with him that our human experiences should be based on scriptu re, but he also acknowledges that Scripture alone could provide every aspect for understanding people as well as their problems and solutions. He also argues that the Christian faith â€Å"can and should relate to science in general and psychological science in particular† (p. 06). He emphasizes that if Christian psychologist focus more on the Bible and Christian theology, it will help shape their work because they will embrace biblical truth and theological principals. Jones also argues not just for the Christian faith in psychology, but for the science as well. â€Å"Because by his sovereign choice, God’s acting and speech are limited. Further, he has created humans as rational beings capable of knowing more and more about reality around them through the exercise of their reason and curiosity† (p. 10). Therefore we should integrate the discipline of psychology with one’s commitment to Scripture to shape their work. Although I agreed with most of what My ers argued for, I strongly disagreed with his view on sexual orientation. He professes that he is a Christian who reads the word, spends time with the Lord daily, but also confesses that over time data has swayed him to change his mind and now believes that â€Å"sexual orientation (most clearly for males) is a natural disposition, not a voluntary moral choice† (p. 73).I believe that Scripture has clearly stated what is right and wrong in our sexual lives. Myers also states that, â€Å"our assumptions and beliefs always shape our approaches to science† (p. 81). Since Myers is heavily influenced by science, this has led him to change his moral views on sexual orientation, therefore, ignoring the moral aspect that biblical teaching that the act of homosexuality is immoral and is a disorientation of what God meant for human life. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and reading the four out five views in this book.It has made me acknowledge that I need to spend more time in theo logy and in the word in order to better grasp the understanding of people. By doing so I hope to become not only more knowledgeable in the area of psychology, but a better servant for Christ. References Myers, D. G. , Jones, S. L. , Roberts, R. C. , Watson, P. J. , Coe, J. H. , Hall, T. W. , Powlison, D. (2010). Psychology and Christianity five views. E. L. Johnson (2nd ed. ). Downers, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Programming software can be good for children Essay

Programming software can be good for children with the correct guidance. Antonio Garcia Vicente at only six years old entered to the young programmers club of Valladolid University to learn how to create video games with the computer and mobile devices. He created his first video game at seven years old to help his classmate to improve their understanding of the classes. Maria Vicente, his mother, and software engineer explain that children, computers and mobile devices are meant to be misunderstood. †Children are capable of doing more things with computers and mobile devices but the elders believe that everything is very delicate, and it is, but children have more imagination and they are not afraid to try things.† (Tosas, 2016). Due to the fact, there is evidence showing that using computers and mobile devices could be harmful to children who are 4-6 years old, the parents and educational institutions can teach the children how to use properly it, can improve their grow th. Opponents said that children who are exposed more than ever to computers and mobile screens are more prone to addiction and depression. Even though specialists in psychology from the Childish Hospital Federico Gà ³mez at Mexico City explain that, these negative effects are avoidable by limiting the use of computers and mobile devices (Univision, 2015). It is necessary to balance the time spent with those devices with other activities important for their development such as physical exercise and social coexistence. Mark Baley, Director of the Pacific University Child Learning and Development Center describes how a 5-year-old child fascinated with the Titanic received an interactive CD-ROM with a large screen computer. As he piloted this virtual tour of the Titanic, friends who wanted to hear the story and see the pictures surrounded him. He had to use the mouse carefully and precisely to navigate this tour. His social skills and small motor skills began to show improvement over a cou ple of weeks (Naeyc, n.d). Opponents consider children between 4-6 years old who use computers and mobile devices at risk of potentially irreversible eye damage because of blue light emissions from those screens. Whereas these conditions can be treated and prevented with regular breaks and blinking, the hazards of accrued exposure to blue light are still relatively unknown. In 2014, a US study showed artificial retina cells grown in a laboratory were destroy when exposed to blue light (Ongaro, 2014). However, they were exposed directly to the blue light for many hours that is why they were destroy. This is because they don ´t have the natural blinking that children naturally have. The parents have to educate the children to make continuous blinking, take some breaks, do some exercises and look at distant objects for 10-30 seconds periodically, so that children can rest the muscles they use to see. In addition, the new technologies like the fast refresh rate, high resolution, automatic brightness and contrast are in favor of children ´s ocular health. Opponents argue that there is a struggle with obesity because sitting in a chair in front of a computer and mobile devices can trap children between 4-6 years old, without even thinking to go to the toilet. However, according to Health Awareness Community, the advancement of computers and mobile devices will make the next generation more active, not less (2016). With the advances in smart phone technologies and high accuracy GPS systems, there are entirely new fun physical activities for children. The Sworkit Kids mobile app virtual platform for free was born with the mission to turn physical exercise into a game by providing parents and kids with personalized activities focused on improving flexibility, strength, and agility. This app is to motivate children to play sports, is suitable for 4-6 years old, and encourages them to be entertained and motivated. It is evident that using computers and mobile devices on children between 4-6 years old could be unhealthy, but all those arguments are avoidable with the guidance of parents and educational institutions. Those technology devices will not disappear, the children have to be educated to optimize its use. The computers and mobile devices will not negatively affect the children ´s learning capacity if their parents limit the time spent on it and combine it with other activities. The computers and mobile devices now have better screens and children educated to blinking, take breaks and do some eye exercises after their use, so that they will not damage their eyes. With the mobile devices and its technology, children and their parents will be motivated to do some physical exercise to improve their flexibility, strength and agility.

To Determination the Partition Coefficient of Ethanoic Acid Between Water and Butan-2-Ol Essays

To Determination the Partition Coefficient of Ethanoic Acid Between Water and Butan-2-Ol Essays To Determination the Partition Coefficient of Ethanoic Acid Between Water and Butan-2-Ol Paper To Determination the Partition Coefficient of Ethanoic Acid Between Water and Butan-2-Ol Paper To determination the partition coefficient of ethanoic acid between water and butan-2-ol. Procedure 1. The room temperature was recorded. 2. 15cm3 of the given aqueous ethanoic acid and 15cm3 of butan-2-ol were poured into a 100cm3 separating funnel, using suitable apparatus. The funnel was stoppered and was shook vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes. (The pressure in the funnel was released by occasionally opening the tap. ) 3. 10cm3 of each layer was separated approximately. (The fraction near the junction of the two layers was discarded. ) 4. 10. cm3 of the aqueous layer was pipetted into a conical flask and was titrated with 0. 1 M sodium hydroxide solution using phenolphthalein. 5. Using another pipette, 10. 0 cm3 of the alcohol layer was delivered into a conical flask and was titrated with 0. 1 M sodium hydroxide solution. 6. Steps (2) to (5) was repeated with another separating funnel using the following volume: 25cm3 of aqueous ethanoic acid and 15cm3 of buta n-2-ol 7. For each experiment, the ratio of the concentration of ethanoic acid in the aqueous layer to that in the butan-2-ol layer was calculated. Result Room temperature: 29? Volume of butan-2-ol: 15 cm3 |Volume of 0. 2M ethanoic acid / |Volume of 0. 1M NaOH titre for |Volume of 0. 1M NaOH titre for|Partition coefficient | |cm3 |aqueous layer / cm3 |alcohol layer / cm3 |K= | |15 |10. 00 |12. 55 |0. 796 | |25 |12. 10 |15. 60 |0. 76 | Conclusion The partition coefficient of ethanoic acid between water and butan-2-ol is : = =0. 786 Discussion 1. Shaking is necessary in step (2) because it made it faster to attain equilibrium state. 2. When temperature increases, the solubility of the two solvents increase. But the rate of the increase in solubility are not the same, it is expected that the partition coefficient varies with temperature. 3. The aim of titration is to find the concentration of the solvent, but not the total number of mole in the solvent. Therefore, the volumes of the aqueous and alcohol solution used in the titration must be known as accurately as possible in order to find accurately concentration. The aim of adding aqueous ethanoic acid and 2-methypropan-1-ol is only to leave the mixture to equilibrium and provide enough solvent for the titration. Therefore the amounts of aqueous ethanoic acid and 2-methypropan-1-ol need not be measured out accurately. 4. The following assumptions are made: a) The temperature of the mixture remained constant throughout the experiment. This assumption was valid as it was felt (by hand) that the temperature of the separating funnel did not changed throughout the experiment. b) Ethanoic acid, water and butan-2-ol are non-volatile and do not evaporate slowly. This assumption is not valid because there is a smell of alcohol over the separating funnel. That means that there are particles coming out from the mixture in the separating funnel. 5. Solvent extraction is more efficient if the extraction solvent is added in small portions several times instead of all at once. Therefore it is more fficient to extract a solute with two 25cm3 portions of solvent rather than with a single 50cm3 extraction. 6. The applications of the partition law: a) By partition law, the KD can be found experimentally. The amount of the solute that can be extracted using solvent extraction can be predicted, instead of using other complex method. b) By partition law, we know that the amount of solute extracted is more when the extracting solvent is added in several small portions instead of all at once. 7. Butan-2-ol is much lighter than water. Therefore butan-2-ol is at the top of the mixture while water is at the bottom.

Napoleon Bonaparte essays

Napoleon Bonaparte essays On December 2, 1804 the sweet-talking, crowd-charming Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor of France. The Revolution just coming to a close, left mass chaos and disorder throughout the nation. The people no longer cared about the little freedom they had gained from the bloody revolution. They were willing to elect a monarch in order to calm the chaos-stricken country. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of Napoleon being crowned emperor 3,572, 329 to 2,569. It did not take long for the new ruler to begin acting the part of royalty. Soon after his election he even began signing documents with only his first initial as leaders of the past had. Napoleon began his rule in a way that shocked all who that attended the coronation. In order to show everyone that he was in no way under anothers authority, he took the crown and placed it on his own head. This fairly short, arrogant-looking man was said to have a kind of air about him that demanded obedience and respect. The men that served closest to him claimed he had a fire in his deep-set eyes. He was a child of luck, as some would say. He was always at the right spot in the right time. In ten years, he grew from a mere soldier to the emperor. Along the way his military genius was discovered. In 1796, Napoleon, as the commander of his army, took control of Italy for the French. The young commander marched into Italy saying People of Italy! The French Army comes to break your chains! (Carroll 49) They were not; however, totally free. They were forced to pay taxes and supply men for military duty. France had the great works of art and literature shipped off to Paris where they were stored in museums. Napoleon had begun to scale the wall of fame. In Paris; however, many believed the war was in incapable hands. For example, many French cities were experiencing food shortages, and like always, the man in charge was blamed. People also began longing for a strong leader t...

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Brilliant Minds Essay, Research Paper Runing caput: BRILLIANT MINDS Brilliant Minds of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Willie B. Hill, Jr. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale ________________________________________________________________ ELM-300 Introduction to Electronic Management Research Spring Semester 2000 Fort Gordon, Georgia Contentss Page ABSTRACT # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .3 INTRODUCTION # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; 4 MOTION STUDY # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .4 FATIGUE STUDY # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .6 CONCLUSION # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .. # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .7 REFERENCES # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .. # 8230 ; # 8230 ; .8 Abstraction Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were two of the great innovators of in the survey of Scientific Management. Two of there major Hagiographas were on Fatigue Study and Motion Study. Business bookmans use many of their Hagiographas, today. Many of their consequences affect the work conditions in many companies. Brilliant Minds of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Frank Gilbreth was born on July 7, 1868 in Fairfield, Maine. Lillian Gilbreth was born on June 24, 1924 in Montclair, New Jersey. The Gilbreths # 8217 ; are considered two of the greatest American bookmans in the field of scientific direction. Many professional concern directors use many of their Hagiographas. Many of their Hagiographas include The Psychology of Management, Fatigue Study, Motion Study for the Handicapped, Applied Motion Study, Motion Study, Primer of Scientific Management, Bricklaying System, and Concrete System. One of the great literary Hagiographas by the Gilbreths was the survey of gesture. Gesture survey is a agency to permanent and practical waste riddance ( Gilbreth, 1917 ) . This work is aim to depict the work countries that gesture survey can be or is being applied and different methods to use to the survey. Finally, the consequence of the survey. Gesture survey was chiefly used in American Industry. The end of this survey was to extinguish unneeded attempt used in the industry to every bit low as possible. The betterment of a occupation undertaking while increasing productiveness was the consequence. The American industrial sector was used because it was spread outing during this clip and America needed to better industrial techniques to stay competitory against other states. Gesture survey analyzed every detailed in the operation to execute a peculiar undertaking and determined the method which used the least sum of energy. An illustration of this research is the assembly of piece used in the production of the braider manufactured by the New England Butt Company ( Gilberth 1917 ) . After analysis utilizing gesture survey there was a three hundred and 50 per centum addition in production with no addition in worker weariness ( Gilbreth 1917 ) . The analysis consisted of what is the unit of step, the difference methods used, an d devices needed. All three are needed to be incorporated to obtain a consequence. The usage of chronocyclegraph gesture devices was another method used in gesture survey. Chronocyclegraph devices were used in the survey to explicate a precise scientific decision to an probe. Clocks, temperature, and location devices was used during the survey. This was necessary to acquire the accurate clip of twenty-four hours, temperature, and topographic point a survey was performed. The information can be mention in the hereafter or the present by scientist and bookmans to compare other scientific consequences from gesture survey. The 3rd type used to make a decision in gesture survey was a gesture theoretical account. Gesture theoretical accounts were used chiefly in educational sector ( Spriegel 1953 ) . It dealt with the different methods of instruction by an person. The outline of the survey was that different methods are used to execute the undertaking than what is taught by the instructor. In one illustration, the instructor taught a individual who was unfamiliar with a topic a really thorough account on how to carry through the undertaking, which was really clip consuming ( Gilbreth 1917 ) . On the other manus, when really executing the undertaking the teacher used cutoffs that reduced the sum of clip to execute the undertaking ( Gilbreth 1917 ) . Another of the Gilbreths # 8217 ; plants was a survey of weariness in the workplace Fatigue is the fatigue from labour or effort ( Webster 1994 ) . This was designed to foremost, to find what types of business causes different sorts of weariness. Second, to measure how unneeded weariness can be eliminated. Third, to cut down the sum of weariness in the workplace every bit low as possible. Fourth, to find different methods to battle weariness. Fifth, to set the information gathered by the survey in a signifier that the mean worker can understand. The two types of weariness are necessary and unneeded. Unnecessary weariness is caused by work that uses more energy to carry through a undertaking than is needed or executing a occupation that should non be performed to make a end ( Myers 1953 ) . A good illustration of otiose energy is the work of the bricklayer. The method for centuries was for the bricklayer to raise his organic structure, the howitzer, and the bricks from the land to the top of the edifice ( Gilbreth 1916 ) . This type of work used a big sum of unneeded energy. Necessary weariness is caused by the achievement of any undertaking. For illustration, there might be an betterment to a work method, which resulted in an addition of productiveness by 50 per centum. Even though more work was accomplished in the same sum of clip it did non or can be expected to extinguish all weariness. One of the most effectual ways to cut down weariness is to better the work environment of an employee. The employer needs to guarantee a worker has adequate clip to rest and pass clip with the household at the terminal of the twenty-four hours. One of the ways to guarantee an employee is non exhausted is to supply a lunch period and at least one twenty-four hours a hebdomad off from work. Another method is to guarantee the proper equipment is used to execute a undertaking. The Gilbreths # 8217 ; did a survey, in which, they provided a lean backing chair to all workers in a company. After one hebdomad of usage the company addition productiveness with less worker weariness ( Spriegel 1953 ) . Proper lighting in the workplace is another manner to cut down weariness. If a workplace has excessively much or non plenty illuming the workers will tire at a greater rate because it will do changeless accommodation and re-adjustment of the eyes. Decision Improvement of working conditions is indispensable to increasing worker productiveness. The Gilbreths # 8217 ; dedicated their lives to contrive methods to cut down worker weariness and waste of unneeded energy. Many of their thoughts are incorporated to many Torahs passed by the authorities during the 1930s # 8217 ; and 1940s # 8217 ; . Failure of concerns to follow the rules of the Gilbreths # 8217 ; could ensue in lower worker productiveness and morale. An of import ingredient in a company # 8217 ; s profitableness is a good relationship with direction and the employee. Bibliography Mentions Gilbreth, F. , A ; Gilbreth L. ( 1916 ) . Fatigue Study. New York: Sturgis A ; Walton Co. Gilbreth, F. , A ; Gilbreth L. ( 1911 ) . Gesture Study. New York: D. Van Nostrand Co. Merriam-Webster # 8217 ; s School Dictionary ( 1994 ) . Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster Inc. Meyers, C. E. , Spriegel W. R. ( Eds. ) . ( 1953 ) The Writings of the Gilbreths. Homewood, Illinois: Richard D. Irwin, Inc.

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Practical Guide to Effective Leadership for School Managers Essay

Practical Guide to Effective Leadership for School Managers - Essay Example One of the benefits that such a practical guide has is with relation to its ability to highlight key issues and problem areas that will likely remain for the duration of time in which the practical guide itself will be utilized. In such a way, a level of self analysis is needed to be performed that that once a task or approach has been completed, a level of inference can be drawn with regards to those areas that could be improved upon as well as noting and further improving those areas that proved to be key successes within the process (Avant, 2010). As a means of this, the following analysis will seek to provide a level of discussion onto the key areas in which the skills that will be noted developed as a function of individual growth as well as teamwork. Furthermore, the mistakes and difficulties that are doubtless to be experienced will also be discussed as a means of seeking to find ways in which personal and professional development can be promoted to a higher degree within the individual school of the current time as well as the future. Although an exhaustive study of these personal and professional factors would require a dissertation length response, this brief analysis will seek to hone in on three unique skills which can be developed through the course of everyday activities and seek to utilize these as a starting point for related difficulties and weaknesses that proved to be key roadblocks, although not insurmountable, in the process (Wilson, 1992). A primary skill that must be developed and leveraged at each and every stage is with regards to ensuring that lines of communication remain upon and healthy. Without this fundamental aspect, it is impossible for the flow of information to allow for a type of self-correcting entity to form that is capable of responding to threats and opportunities (Beccera & Gupta, 2003). Like any other institution/organization, it is the requirement of the educational organization to ensure that effective forms of commun ication be maintained and leveraged at each and every stage so that the entity can continue to express a degree of growth and development that is befitting of the times and demands upon which the environment consists (Elida-Tomita, 2010). Similarly, another key strength that must be sought to be engaged in order for effective communication to take place on any level is the ability of leadership to be able to interact with and gauge the needs that the organization puts forward; almost invariably accomplished via the process of self analysis and introspective means of measurement.

Fin 4100 Essay Example for Free

Fin 4100 Essay Financial Management 1. Happy Valley, Inc. stock is valued at $51. 40 a share. The company pays a constant dividend of $3. 80. What is the required return on this stock? Po = D/Rs $51. 40 = $3. 80/Rs Rs = 7. 39% 2. The Francis Company is expected to pay a dividend of D1 = $1. 25 per share at the end of the year, and that dividend is expected to grow at a constant rate of 6. 00% per year in the future. The companys beta is 1. 15, the market risk premium is 5. 50%, and the risk-free rate is 4. 00%. What is the companys current stock price? Po = D1/(Rs-g)Rs = 4% + (5. 5%)1. 15 = 10. 325% Po = 1. 25/(. 10325-. 06) Po = 28. 90 3. Nachman Industries just paid a dividend of $1. 32. Analysts expect the companys dividend to grow by 30% this year, by 10% in Year 2, and at a constant rate of 5% in Year 3 and thereafter. The required return on this low-risk stock is 9. 00%. What is the stock’s current market value? D1 = 1. 716 D2 = 1. 8876 D3 = 1. 98198 P2 = 1. 98198/(. 09-. 05) = 49. 5495 Po = 1. 716/(1. 09) + (1. 8876+49. 5495)/(1. 09)^2 Po = 44. 87 4. A firm has the following sales: 008200920102011 $1,248,311$1,542,661$1,821,962$2,048,725 Use the compound average growth rate to forecast 2012 sales. g = [(2048725/1248311)^ . 3333] -1 g = 17. 956069% 2012 sales = 2048725 (1+. 17956069) 2012 sales = 2416595. 469 5. A firm is considering two projects, and it requires a 12% return on its projects. Their minimum payback period is 2. 5 years. Assuming the projects are independent (not mutually exclusive), which would you choo se based on the payback method? The NPV? The IRR? Project AProject B Initial outlay $200,000Initial outlay $180,000 Cash flows Year 1$70,000Year 1$80,000 Year 2$80,000Year 2$90,000 Year 3$90,000Year 3$30,000 Year 4$90,000Year 4$40,000 Year 5$100,000Year 5$40,000 Payback for A: 2. 55 years (reject) NPV for A: $104,275. 05 (accept) IRR for A: 30. 15% (accept) Payback for B: 2. 33 years (accept) NPV for B: $32,647. 23 (accept) IRR for B: 20. 57% (accept) If the projects were mutually exclusive, then based off of Payback, only B is accepted; off of NPV, A is accepted; and off of IRR, A is accepted. 6. A firm has a capital structure containing 40% debt, 20% preferred tock, and 40% common stock equity. The firm’s debt has a yield to maturity of 8. 1%, its annual preferred stock dividend is $3. 10, and the preferred stock’s current market price is $50 per share. The firm’s common stock has a beta of 0. 9, and the risk free rate and the market return are currently 4% and 13. 5% respectively. The firm is subject to a 40% tax rate. What is the firm’s WACC? WACC = . 40 (8. 1%) (1- . 40) + . 20 (6. 2%) + . 40 (12. 55%) = 8. 204% 7. A firm has 1 million shares of outstanding common stock which currently trades at $50 per share. The firm’s stockholders require a 15% return on their investment. The firm also has $47. 1 million (par value) in 5 year, fixed rate notes with an after tax yield to maturity of 7% . The current market value of the five year notes is $49 million. The firm also has 200,000 outstanding shares of preferred stock which pay an annual dividend of $8 and currently trade at their $80 per share par value. What is the firm’s WACC? Market cap for common stock: $50M Market cap for debt: $49M Market cap for preferred stock: $16M WACC = . 15 (. 43478) + . 07 (. 42609) + . 10 (. 13913) = 10. 90%

Starbucks Strategic Management

Starbucks Strategic Management The Strategic Management provide an indepth knowledge of the process for developing and enacting business plans to reach a long-term goal that takes into account the internal variables and external factors in the business environment. It encompasses an integrated, future oriented managerial perspective that is outwardly focused, forward thinking and performance based. Strategic managers identify long-range targets, scan their operating environment, evaluate their organization structures and resources, match these to the challenges they face, identify stakeholders and build alliances, prioritize and plan actions and make adjustments to fulfill performance objectives over time. This module will provide detailed explanation on how the balancing of strategic managements outward, inward and forward looking functions would be used to develop a vision and strategies to move forward. The five key facets of strategic management namely, goal setting, strategy analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation, and strategy monitoring will be introduced in stages. These are the integral elements that, when applied together, would distinguish strategic management from less comprehensive approaches, such as operational management or long-term planning. In 1971 Starbucks opened operations in Seattles Pike Place Markets with the future aim of providing coffee to a number of restaurants and surrounding bars. With the recruitment of Howard Schultz who led the marketing and retail efforts of Starbucks. * In 1982, the company took a change in direction through the views of Schultz, who after visiting Italy tried to adapt the same principles in order to a strong bar culture. Schultz then utilized Starbucks ability to provide quality coffee beans and opened up a new store called Il Giornale, which brewed coffee from these particular beans. * In 1987, Giornale had decided to take over the assets of Starbucks and also, further changed its name to Starbucks Corporation. By the end of the year, Starbucks had increased the number of stores to 17 and furthered its location span by entering Chicago and Vancouver. * In 1990, the company took further steps forward with expansion of the Seattle headquarters and an increase in resources with the opening of a new roasting plant. Relationships and other ventures also took off during the early nineties as the company looked to development organizations to further its progress. *In 1995, the company really established its name with the opening of the 676th store as well as increasing the products in store with the addition of compact discs a result of a previously popular experiment with in-house music. * In 1996, the company kept on stretching its reach by entering into the market of Japan, Singapore and Hawaii. This was achieved through joint ventures including the one formed with Sazaby Inc., which pushed through the development of coffee houses in Japan. In 1971 Starbucks opened operations in Seattles Pike Place Markets with the future aim of providing coffee to a number of restaurants and surrounding bars. With the recruitment of Howard Schultz who led the marketing and retail efforts of Starbucks. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In 1982, the company took a change in direction through the views of Schultz, who after visiting Italy tried to adapt the same principles in order to a strong bar culture. Schultz then utilized Starbucks ability to provide quality coffee beans and opened up a new store called Il Giornale, which brewed coffee from these particular beans. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In 1987, Giornale had decided to take over the assets of Starbucks and also, further changed its name to Starbucks Corporation. By the end of the year, Starbucks had increased the number of stores to 17 and furthered its location span by entering Chicago and Vancouver. * In 1990, the company took further steps forward with expansion of the Seattle headquarters and an increase in resources with the opening of a new roasting plant. Relationships and other ventures also took off during the early nineties as the company looked to development organizations to further its progress. *In 1995, the company really established its name with the opening of the 676th store as well as increasing the products in store with the addition of compact discs a result of a previously popular experiment with in-house music. * In 1996, the company kept on stretching its reach by entering into the market of Japan, Singapore and Hawaii. This was achieved through joint ventures including the one formed with Sazaby Inc., which pushed through the development of coffee houses in Japan. Current situation The current international situation for Starbucks seems to be an emerging part of their business and the reorganization of this is proved by their aim to become a leading global company through making a difference in peoples lives all around the world. This goal is quite close to being achieved as proved the Starbucks current locations in international markets and the successfulness of these ventures. The current countries in which Starbucks are located in are: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Peoples Republic of China, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, United Kingdom, and the United States. Current performance Overall, the aim of becoming a worldwide global brand seems to be working in favor of the company and is helping it to attract the attention of many major companies who would like to share a partnership. This is all positive news for the company because it provides a strong basis for future development of international markets, which further strengthens the mission to become one of the leading specialty coffee retailers in the world.However, the net revenues increased 3 percent to $2.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the 13-week period ended September 28, 2008, Starbucks reported net income of $5.4 million, which included $105.1 million of restructuring charges and other transformation strategy costs. Net income was $158.5 million for the same period a year ago. The company actions announced in July of 2008 to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. and 61 company-operated stores in Australia, and reduce approximately 1,000 open and filled positions within its leadership structure and non-store organization. Strategic posture 1- mission To inspire and nurture the human spirit- one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time The mission of Starbucks is to establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. None of this success would have been possible without a set of goals that the company aimed to achieve and a set of principles, which governed the decision making process. The six principles of Starbucks are stated as: 1-Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity. 2-Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business. 3-Apply the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing. 4-Roasting and fresh delivery of our coffee. 5-Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time. 6-Contribute positively to our communities and our environment, and recognize that profitability is essential to our future success. Application of these principles can be used as a guideline for all employees from managers to workers to aim to achieve the companys goals, while maintaining a certain type of standard. However, the net revenues increased 3 percent to $2.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the 13-week period ended September 28, 2008, Starbucks reported net income of $5.4 million, which included $105.1 million of restructuring charges and other transformation strategy costs. Net income was $158.5 million for the same period a year ago. The company actions announced in July of 2008 to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. and 61 company-operated stores in Australia, and reduce approximately 1,000 open and filled positions within its leadership structure and non-store organization. This mission statement along with the set of guidelines provides a focus for employees as they make strategic decisions. It not only supports the employees, but supports the customers as well, making a note that they should be satisfied all of the time. The mission shows alignment with the vision by stating how the company plans to reach the broad goals set by the vision statement. Another supporting sentence in the mission statement is that the company applies the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of its coffee. This statement supports the idea thatStarbucks uses the best available resources to give it a recognized and respected name. Objectives Strategies: Here are the following objectives ofStarbucks: Our Coffee It has always been, and will always be, about quality. Were passionate about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great care, and improving the lives of people who grow them. We care deeply about all of this; our work is never done. Our Partners Were called partners, because its not just a job, its our passion. Together, we embrace diversity to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. We always treat each other with respect and dignity. And we hold each other to that standard. Our Customers When we are fully engaged, we connect with, laugh with, and uplift the lives of our customers even if just for a few moments. Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. Its really about human connection. Our Stores When our customers feel this sense of belonging, our stores become a haven, a break from the worries outside, a place where you can meet with friends. Its about enjoyment at the speed of life-sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity. Our Neighborhood Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action- bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day. Now we see that our responsibility-and our potential for good-is even larger. The world is looking to Starbucks to set the new standard, yet again. We will lead. Our Shareholders We know that as we deliver in each of these areas, we enjoy the kind of success that rewards our shareholders. We are fully accountable to get each of these elements right so that Starbucks -and everyone it touches-can endure and thrive. From all what mentioned above that Starbucks is aiming to success through quality of product, diversify in business and place, to satisfy customers and shareholders, through pleasant and nice existence nearly to everyone. Financial Analysis The general financial performance for Starbucks in 2008 was declining from the previous years dramatically. The following analysis will show this fact. Investment Returns % Company Industry Return On equity 12.6 25.8 Return On Assets 5.6 13.2 Both the ROE and ROA are lower than the industrys average, which means that the company is not using both the equity and their assets properly to increase their revenue. Profit margins % Company Industry Gross Margin 16 27 Pre-Tax Margin 4.4 13.2 Net Profit Margin 3.03 8.5 Starbucks margins are lower also that the industrys average, especially in 2008 where the net profit margin reduced to 3.03 from 6.3 in 2007. Financial Condition Company Industry Debt / Quity Ratio 0.4 0.46 Current Ratio 0.8 1 Quick Ratio 0.48 0.7 Starbucks generally manages their debs and liabilities wisely, and this considers a financial strength for the company. Year 2008 2007 2006 2005 sales 10383000 9411497 7786942 6369300 Net income 315500 672638 564259 494467 Corporate governance Board of directors As part of Starbucks mission they are committed to maintain their uncompromising principles while they grow. In this regard, their Board of Directors has adopted governance principles and committee charters to lead Starbucks governance practices. Currently, the board has 9 directors, a substantial majority of whom meet all of the independence requirements of NASDAQ ® and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Of the nine members of Starbucks board, one is Latino, two are African American (one of which is female), and one other female also serves on the board. Starbucks president and CEO Howard Schultz chair the board. In Starbucks there are well-defined criteria for the selection of new board members, foremost being a clear demonstration of their own personal integrity and ethics. Board diversity is sought in terms of members personal and professional backgrounds, gender, race, ethnicity or other differentiating characteristics, enabling a wider range of opinions and perspectives to be considered. This criterias of selection affected the company in a very good way that gave it the opportunity to succeed in the international market. That the diversified background, education, culture and gender in the board was one of the greatest Starbucks strong points. There are three committees of the board are comprised of independent directors and have specific charters: Audit and Compliance,Compensation and Management Development and Nominating and Corporate Governance. In November 2007, the board amended the companys bylaws to include majority voting to allow shareholders to play a more meaningful role in the election of directors. Director nominees must receive more for than against votes to be elected in an uncontested election. Additionally, the term of a nominee who does not receive a majority of the votes cast will end on the earliest of either: (1) 90 days after the date election results are certified; (2) the date the director resigns; or (3) the date the board of directors fills the position. This change demonstrates Starbucks ongoing commitment to strong corporate governance practices. Shareholders and partners (employees) can provide recommendations and feedback to the board through the Business Conduct Helpline and the Audit line. In addition, written correspondence can be sent to the board, an individual director or to any of Starbucks independent board committees. Committee charters, governance principles, director nominations policy (including criteria for board membership) and profiles on each board member are available in the corporate governance section of Starbucks.com. Starbucks formed a Policy Governance Council in fiscal 2006 to oversee and approve governance tools at the global enterprise level, and to ensure they are well-defined, consistent with each other, current, stored for easy retrieval, and effectively communicated to partners. The Council is comprised of company leaders who represent multiple business units and functions, and is supported by Starbucks Policy Office and staff.Starbucks stakeholders include partners (employees), customers, suppliers, farmers, shareholders, governments, community members, environmental groups, activists and many others. The company engaged them to be able to understand their concerns and gain their input on topics of mutual importance. External Environment: Opportunities and Threats Starbucks international operation was one of the major aspects of their success. , in the mid 1990s, with the market reaching saturation, Starbucks could no longer depend on the U.S. market for growth. To maintain its growth rates and to boost revenues, Starbucks had to venture abroad. Starbucks international presence is now in more than 25 countries and the United States of America. This presence is formed in three modes in entry that are Joint venture, licensing and wholly owned subsidiaries. This became a burden on the mother company in a later stage. That those types of entry moods need a lot of training, supervising, management assistance and technology transfer for the partner. This is along with inability to engage in global strategic coordination. However, the success of Starbucks is not only to its aggressive expansion but also to its product innovation. Starbucks came out with new products to attract customers on different periods. Also diversification was one of the factors that Starbucks started to apply even on a small initiated base. That along with serving coffee, Starbucks also sold merchandise. In 1995, it started selling CDs of its famous in-house music program. It also entered into alliances with various players such as Canadian Airlines, United Air Lines, Starwood Hotels, and Barnes Noble, Inc., to serve Starbucks coffee. Michael Porters five forces Michael Porter defines five forces impacting a firms competitiveness- threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants in the industry, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers, and the intensity of competition within the industry. A firms strategic decisions to respond to these five forces are a source of risk also. The company is facing a real threat of substitution from many other companies that producing the same product that is satisfying the same need. This is in its domestic market and even in the international market specially Europe and Middle East. Also Starbucks is facing a real problem of rival competition due to its uncompetitive price all over the world and even in its domestic market. Also the taste of Coffee had been judged by customers as an artificial taste especially in Japan. Suppliers bargaining power is really represent a threat for Starbucks. That they decided to deal with a 51% women or minority owned suppliers. Also they are not dealing with suppliers who dont follow the same environmental ethics that are for Starbucks. This may lead them to lose a good opportunity or deal with a supplier that they will not deal with him. Also dealing with small suppliers instead of dealing with limited number of big power full suppliers is not giving them real good deals for facilities and prices. Societal Environment Economics Economic factors are an important aspects that concern the nature and direction of the economy in which a firm operates Starbucks also faced criticism from Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that urged the company to acquire certified coffee beans,ensuring that those coffee beans were grown and marketed under certain economic and social conditions. Furthermore, Starbucks faced problems due to economic recession in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Japan in the early 2000s, where it experienced declining sales and revenues. Moreover, a real expectation of huge recession during the next year due to the worldwide financial crisis may affect the companys results badly. Technological Starbucks is continuously searching for ways to better a customersexperience. With the introduction of the Starbucks Card for example, the Company has created the opportunity to improve customer service, shorten lines and make a customers visit at Starbucks quicker and more convenient. Most if not all Starbucks location has WI-FI for consumer needs. Political/Legal Increasing tensions between the United States and the rest of the world, the business environment, especially in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, was becoming increasingly volatile. After U.S. declaration of war on Iraq in early 2003 matters became worse for the company. This created serious problems for Starbucks. In July 2002, Arab students called for a boycott of American goods and services, due to the alleged close relationship between the United States and Israel. The boycott targeted U.S. companies including Starbucks, Burger King, Coca-Cola and Estee Lauder 2-In addition to these incidents, Starbucks topped the list of companies to be boycotted due to Schultzs alleged closeness to the Jewish community. Till now in the Arab countries Middle East a lot of rumors that Starbucks is sponsoring the Jewish community against Palestinian crises. Due to increasing security threats, Starbucks closed down its six stores in Israel. Starbucks had two class action suits pending since 2001. The lawsuits entitled Carr vs. Starbucks and Sheilds vs. Starbucks are challenging the status of Starbucks California store managers and assistant managers as exempt employees under California wage and hour laws. Starbucks is denying all liabilities in these cases, however; the company has agreed to the settlement in order to take care of all of the plaintiffs claims without having to get involved in any protracted litigation. Starbucks only imports all their coffee beans, so possible threats could include a change in import laws. A change in the status quo as far as imports go could greatly affect numerous areas of production for the company. For example, if it costs more to import or the process is made more difficult the result could ultimately be a change in price, which would affect the level of consumption for Starbucks coffees. Social/Cultural Environmental Mission Statement (Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facets of our business) As a result of Starbucks closely following their objectives, the company has installed a list of principles that further outline the companys willingness to make sure that its affect on the environment is as positive as possible. These principles are stated as: 1-Understanding of environmental issues. 2-Sharing information with our partners. 3-Developing innovative and flexible solutions to bring about change. 4-Striving to buy, sell and use environmentally friendly products. 5-Recognizing that fiscal responsibility is essential to our environmental future. 6-Instilling environmental responsibility as a corporate value. 7-Measuring and monitoring our progress for each project, and encouraging all partners to share in our mission. Those can only be seen as a positive for the image of the company and shows that they are willing to utilize their resources in order to more than satisfy requirements. Task Environment Not only this but also, Starbucks organizing activities such as neighborhood clean-ups and walk-a-thons. Many examples are available on the web site of the company. Policies that also have been implemented are the buying policies, which only allow the company to purchase from those other businesses (suppliers) who follow the same environmental strategy as Starbucks. This may push the company to lose an opportunity of good deal, because the supplier doesnt follow the company environmental policiesFinally, to integrate these policies to new employees, Starbucks has employed the services of a few partners which congregate together to create a Green Team, which installs the environmental views into trainees as well as coming up with inventive ways of helping the environment. Summary of External factors TO However, it was found that the success of Starbucks was due to its profitable domestic operations. It was reported that most of Starbucks international operations were running into losses. In May 2003, Starbucks Japanese operations reported a loss of $3.9 million (Japan constituted the largest market for the company outside the United States), and the company also performed badly in Europe and the Middle East. Analysis pointed out that Starbucks international operations were not as well planned as its U.S. operations. It was also observed that the volatile international business environment made it difficult for the company to effectively manage its international operations. Internal Environment: Strengths and Weaknesses Corporate Structure Starbuck has no formal organization chart and does not work with hierarchy structure. It consists of to main departments, functional department consists of marketing, supply chain, operations, finance and human resources, and cross functional teams, consisting of local store marketing and marketing campaigns. The decision making process in Starbucks is bottom up process, where the employees are empowered even to take decisions without referring back to the management. There is a conflict in the corporate structure where some employees are reporting to two different divisions which in some cases causing confusion and over lapping. Corporate culture The Chairman of Starbucks, Schultz decided to treat employees as family, and called them partners. Both full time and part time employees could benefit from training and health insurance. Starbucks paid some more salaries than competitors to gain highly qualified employees. Starbucks relied on its baristas and other frontline staff to a great extent in creating the Starbucks Experience which differentiated it from competitors. Employees had option to stock chare according to their base salaries. Also Starbucks had shared values with their employees who made them proud to work in such successful company, and this created good culture. Schultz decided also to be open and honest with his employees, and let them share in the decision making process. He gave extensive training to employees especially barista employees to give careful attention to customers. Environment was important to Starbucks. Using this concept Starbucks gave good attention to their suppliers by helping them technically and financially as part of their corporate social responsibility. Also it encouraged all partners to share in the companys mission. Starbucks has deep tacit knowledge, which is difficult to be imitated by competition. Functional strategies Marketing The main marketing strategy and position for Starbucks is for customers to consider it as their place after home and work, this will guarantee customers visiting the shops several times. However it also customizes its positioning for each store individually according to the specific location it is in. Another important part of Starbucks positioning over competition is that they are environmentally friendly. Starbucks does not generally offer promotional prices on its products. It has a reputation for having pricey drinks; furthermore, Starbucks brand is too expensive. The company mainly depends on the brand for their high revenues, which could be risky from competition. However it seems to be the market leader when it comes to new products and ideas. Starbucks has found more success advertising on a local level rather than to the nation as a whole. The Company advertises a lot through print mediums, as Starbucks target market tends to be educated people who do more reading than the average person. In 2005, Starbucks spent $87.7 million on advertising, or 1.4% of revenues. Starbucks also market itself as environmentally friendly and focus on its corporate social responsibility, one example is buying Ethos-Water Company and they also plan to donate $ 10 million to help countries under developed lacking clean water. RD The RD role in Starbucks is to make a RD mix and mainly consists of the following activities: Ä ±Coffee Science Ä ±New Technology Ä ±Equipment Technology Ä ±Product Development Ä ±Menu Development Ä ±Coffee Quality Assurance Ä ±Sensory Science The introduction of the Starbucks Card for example, Starbucks has created the opportunity to improve customer service, shorten lines and make a customers visit at Starbucks quicker and more convenien. Starbucks is continuously searching for ways to better a customers experience. The company spent 7.2 Million in 2008 for new technologies related to food and equipment. Operations and logistics The main operation for Starbucks divided into local operation in USA and international operation. Starbucks depended mainly on their employees to manage operation, thats why they focused on training employees as they are the main asset in the company. They are managing all stores in USA, however, they are in the international operation sometimes manage their store, or give licenses, or get into joint ventures with existing companies. But they focus on their operation on the quality of their coffee Starbucks deals with international small suppliers. Starbucks made good deals with their suppliers to supply coffee with fixed prices rather than using the Fair Trade Coffee. They mainly use non-smoking restrictions in their stores, however in some countries because of culture conflicts they had to have either smoking rooms or smoke areas in the air. One of the main advantages Starbucks has is the accumulative experience of their employees in operation, this is due to the low turn over they have and their focus on employee satisfaction. Human Resources Starbucks paid considerable attention to the kind of people it recruited. So the company hired people for qualities like adaptability, dependability and the ability to work in a team. Starbucks was one of the few retail companies to