Thursday, October 31, 2019

Insurance claims Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Insurance claims - Essay Example Whenever there is an accident, the affected parties (car owner and passengers) have the right to seek for compensation from their insurance companies. This chapter looks at the legal responsibilities of certain people for injury or damage caused by accidents on private and public property. These include owners, occupiers, other people who control buildings and land. The Civil Liability Act 2002has modified the way in which liability for negligence is determined. Under the Act, even if you are injured, you may not have a claim if that injury was caused by something which could have been avoided (KRITZER, 1997, p261). The accident that involved Peter, a driver with Collins Coaches Ltd should first be reported to the relevant authorities so that the right course of action is taken. This will be procedural in establishing whether there are any fatalities, damage of property or animals and to what extent the damage has been done. The police should also be helpful in towing the vehicle awa y. Afterwards, there are legal obligations that will follow in case the vehicle has been damaged and someone has been injured. Other passengers are also obliged to provide useful information to the police concerning the accident as this would be beneficial to the authorities. Relevant information entails what other drivers might have been involved in the crash, whether there are any missing persons and maybe how many people were involved in the accident. In this case, Peter should provide his full identify; name and address, the vehicle’s owner (Collins Coaches Ltd), a valid vehicle registration license plate and any other details required in identifying the vehicle. After the accident, there is a legal process that should be adhered to in the event of significant personal injury or damage of property. Within 24 hours of the accident, Peter is expected to report the crash to the police station nearest to where the accident occurred. One may not be required to report the crash if injuries from the accident prevent you from doing so. If you wish to make a personal injury claim you must report the accident to police within 28 days of the accident. Peter should provide useful information concerning: The place and nature of the accident Registration numbers of his vehicle Extent of any injury or damage caused Names and addresses of all witnesses Peter is required to give all possible assistance to any injured person, including phoning 000 for an ambulance. If injured like Jemima and Sarah in this case, you may have a claim against the driver of the vehicle which caused you injury. Seeking medical help from a doctor after the accident is important as well as consulting a solicitor who practices in personal injury law and in particular, in motor vehicle accidents, as soon as possible. At the solicitor, one is required to fill in a personal injury claim form while the doctor fills in the medical certificate that accompanies the personal injury claim form. Your solicitor will then send your claim form and medical certificate to both the owner of the vehicle and the insurer of the vehicle. The solicitor is supposed to do this within 6 months from the material day of the accident in order to avoid giving a full and satisfactory reason as to why it was not sent in this time. Your solicitor will then proceed to pursue your interests according to the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999. At the scene of the accident, Peter is also expected to; Take necessary measures to avert further collisions Not confess fault as this may abrogate insurance claims Make notes of any talk with the other person that may have been involved in the event

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Emergency, Exception and New Technologies in International Relations Essay

Emergency, Exception and New Technologies in International Relations - Essay Example In it, malicious actions such as usurping, destroying, altering, disabling, or damaging them occur. These are collectively known as â€Å"cyber attacks.† Lin asserts that cyber conflict has attained a level where it is a humanitarian issue but it is still not fully addressed by existing interventions such as the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter. This is because these interventions (instruments) are outdated in that cyberspace is a new technology as compared to their establishment time. As such, cyber conflicts are bound to affect organizations, people, groups, and territories in the near future. Again, he asserts that the world is yet to experience a serious form of cyber conflict because no stringent countermeasures exist in preventing such (Lin, 2012). The increasing importance of IT, though very beneficial when applied, has dragged along a detrimental side to it. The fact that IT is universal (global) means that what is taught in one continent is the same thing that will be taught in another. As such, creating or attacking IT systems is possible from any point of the earth; adding up to cyber conflict. Cyber conflict can be caused by two levels of hostilities: technology-based and people-based approaches. Technology-based hostility refers to cyber attack conducted using purely technological tools such as software, programs, or computer hardware. This includes gaining access to restricted systems, interfering with them using a payload, and gaining in one way from doing so. People-based cyber hostility occurs when people are tricked (through scam), bribed, or blackmailed to conduct the attack from inside the target IT systems. Collectively, these forms of cyber attack/ hostility have led to the emergence of new countermeasures or frameworks. These are intended to protect IT systems from both vulnerabilities emerging from both offensive approaches. Lin presents two policies that can be implemented in preventing or minimizing vulnerability; defense

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Drug and Alcohol Use and Delinquency

Drug and Alcohol Use and Delinquency Engaging in alcohol and other drug use causes not only the juvenile to suffer but as well as their families and their communities causing an increased burden on the juvenile justice system. Due to the potential negative consequences that juvenile drug use poses, considerable effort has been made toward understanding the consequences, prevalence, and causes. Considerable life has been lost to drug abuse and dependence, particularly from the use of alcohol and tobacco. Not only are alcohol, tobacco and other drugs abused, more recently prescription drugs abuse has been on the rise. Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs. Drug Use and Delinquency Engaging in alcohol and other drug use causes not only the juvenile to suffer but as well as their families and their communities. An increased burden is also placed on the juvenile justice system because of their strong association between substance abuse and delinquency. Most adult drug users report adolescence as the time when drugs were introduced to them. Due to the potential negative consequences that juvenile drug use poses, considerable effort has been made toward understanding the consequences, prevalence, and causes. Considerable life has been lost to drug abuse and dependence, particularly from the use of alcohol and tobacco. Health-related consequences of teenage substance abuse include accidental injuries, physical disabilities and diseases, and the effects of possible overdoses. The danger of contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases increases for substance-abusing youth if they engage in high-risk behaviors. High-risk behaviors include the use of psychoactive substances, particularly those that are injected, or activities resulting from poor judgment and impulse control while experiencing the effects of mood-altering substances. Even death is possible through suicide, homicide, accidents, and illness for youth involved in al cohol and other drugs (Crowe Dickinson, 1997). Hard drug use is indicated in the deaths of 8,000 Americans each year, while alcohol and tobacco use is implicated in the deaths of 130,000 and 440,000 individuals, respectively (Boyd, 2009). Information drawn from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) indicates that drug-related hospital emergency episodes for youth ages 12-17 increased by 17% in 1994 over the rates for 1993. Data from 2005 found that out of the 50,000 12- to 17-year-olds who sought emergency department treatment for medical problems stemming from drug use, only 9,000 sought medical aid for cocaine use (Boyd, 2009). DAWN is a national survey conducted annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to estimate drug-related emergency department visits for various substances (Crowe Dickinson, 1997). According to Boyd (2009), adolescent drug use negatively impacts cognitive, emotional, and social development and has the potential to stunt memory and learning skills. Adolescent drug use poses a significant risk factor for psychiatric disorders, suicide, accidents, pregnancy, truancy, school dropout, delinquency, and drug abuse and dependence during both adolescence and adulthood. According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in 2005, less than 200,000 of the 2.1 million adolescents estimated to need drug treatment actually received it. The rate and popularity of drug use among juveniles are captured and monitored by two major surveys: the Monitoring the Future study, previously called the High School Senior Survey, which collects data of the Nationà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s youth from 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students since 1975, and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which collects data from juveniles ages 12 to 18. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use, which are referred to as soft drugs, are the three most commonly used drugs among youth. Says Boyd (2009) in 2004, almost 20% of youth were estimated to have used alcohol within the past month. Rates of drug use differ along demographic lines. Rates and popularity increase as youth steer through adolescence. Alcohol and tobacco are typically introduced before marijuana which usually leads to the introduction of hard drugs at older ages. Over 40 theories of adolescent drug use have been developed. Most theories are developed from risk factors ste mming from peer, family, school, and community fields of influence that may increase youthà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s risk for drug use. Poor school performance; drug norms and attitudes; delinquency; positive drug expectancies; poor relationships with parents; parental conflict; and association with peers, parents, and other adults who use drugs or espouse drug norms and attitudes have been consistently documented as risk factors for youth drug introduction and use. Racial disparity exists of juveniles in the arrest and formal case processing for drug law violations, with the largest disparity observed between Caucasian and African American youth. African American youth have historically been formally processed at significantly higher rates than Caucasian, even though the average juvenile arrested for violating alcohol or illegal drug laws is a Caucasian 16- to 17-year-old male. Data show that Caucasian youth are less likely to have their drug cases petitioned, be detained and incarcerated, and have their drug cases waived to adult court than youth of other races. For example, in 2002, FBI data indicated that 65% of African American juvenile drug cases were petitioned compared to that of 55% of Caucasian juvenile drug cases. During that year, the proportion of African American youth detained for drug offenses was more than twice that of Caucasian youth (33% vs. 16%), and nearly twice that of youth of other races (17%) (Boyd, 2009). Arthur (2007) has reported that children of neglectful parents are more likely to suffer impaired psychological development and are also at a higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse and delinquency. In the Office for National Statistics study in 2000, 47% of children evaluated as having a mental health disorder had a parent who was likely to have a mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. Many research studies have found evidence of a strong association between juvenile substance abuse and antisocial behavior in young people. The results of a Home Office research study on drug testing of arrestees found that 11% of 16- to 20-year-olds tested positive for opiates and 5% tested positive for cocaine. Approximately 65% of the sample of 103 young offenders on supervision orders had used cannabis, over 20% had used ecstasy, over 10% had used cocaine and approximately 6% had used heroin, according to the Audit Commission Study. A study of 50 young offenders for a range of offenses that were on probation found that almost all reported lifetime experiences of at least one illicit substance, with an extremely large percentage who had used crack cocaine (38%), heroin (24%), or methadone (14%) in the previous month. According to Arthur (2007), a study done by Collinson found that drug use figured centrally and excessively in the lives of 59% of a sample of 80 young male offenders in custody. Collinsonà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s sample reported figures of 54% for lifetime occurrence of LSD use, 43% for ecstasy and 20% for heroin and cocaine or crack. The Youth Lifestyles Survey supports the finding that juvenile drug use and juvenile offending are associated. Of the serious and persistent offenders aged 12-17, 38% of males and 20% of females admitted to using drugs in the past 12 months, compared to 7% of males and 4% of females for the rest of the cohort. The Youth Lifestyle Survey also found that 75% of persistent offenders reported lifetime use of drugs. In addition to these findings, the survey suggests that the rates of drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin are significantly higher among young serious and persistent offenders than they are to occasionally users. Drug use was highest among the most frequent offenders and lowest in the less frequent offenders according to the Youth Lifestyles Survey. Over half of the sample of the survey agreed that alcohol or drugs had been associated with their offending and 44% said that they sometimes committed crimes to get money for drugs or alcohol. Research indicated that the risk factors for substance abuse and delinquency overlap substantially. These risk factors include poor parental supervision, a disrupted family background, poor psychological well-being, difficulties in school, school exclusion, truancy, low educational achievement, having been abused, having been in care, parental divorce or separation, or having a family member with a criminal record. It has been suggested that substance abuse and delinquency develop together. Thus, links between juvenile offending and drug use may exist because of the shared background of drug abuse and delinquency, rather than because drug use causes offendin g (Arthur, 2007). According to Crowe and Dickinson (1997), a study conducted in 1998 in Washington, D.C., found that youth who sold and used drugs were more likely to commit crimes than those who only sold drugs or only used drugs. Heavy drug users were more likely to commit property crimes than nonusers, and youth who trafficked in drugs reported higher rates of crimes against others. Youth in this sample were most likely to commit burglary or sell drugs while using drugs or while seeking to obtain drugs (Crowe Dickinson, 1997). Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs (Office of Natural Drug Control Policy). Taking prescription drugs that have not been recommended by a doctor can be more dangerous than people think it is and is considered drug abuse. Prescription drugs can sometimes be easier to get than street drugs or are sold on the street along with. A 2009 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that prescription drug abuse is on the rise, with 20% of teens saying they have taken a prescription drug without a doctorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s prescription (KidsHealth 2010). Prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them. According to the ONDCP, teens are more likely to misuse prescription drugs, believing that these substances are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare profes sional. The most commonly used prescription drugs are opiods such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol; central nervous system depressants such as Nembutal, Valium, and Xanax; and stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall. During 2006, there were an estimated 741,425 emergency department visits that involved non-medical use of prescription or OTC pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, treatment for prescription painkillers increased more than 400% between 1997 and 2007. Some states have developed prescription monitoring programs, which can help prevent and detect the diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical controlled substances (ONDCP). Preventive factors that can decrease the risk for drug use include attachment to social others; commitment to goals and dreams; and a belief in and respect for laws and authority. The employment of youth drug prevention programs and the enforcement of drug laws are just two major lines of action that are taken to prevent juvenile drug use. Youth drug prevention programs are typically school-based and utilize primary prevention strategies designed to prevent juvenile drug initiation. Drug prevention programs that have been shown to have the most promise for preventing or delaying drug use include those founded on the social influence model (Boyd, 2009).

Friday, October 25, 2019

Letters from a Birmingham Jail Essays -- American Literature

Letters from a Birmingham Jail Aristotle is a very citable man when it comes to the way we think today. His rhetoric techniques are still being used in today's society. The Neo-Aristotelian Criticism is three different appeals of persuasion. This is ethos, pathos and logos, which makes one heck of a convincing argument. Ethos gives credibility, pathos shows emotion and logos uses words. In the text, Letter from Birmingham Jail, we find many examples of the criticism. Martin Luther King Jr. is writing a letter from inside the jail of Birmingham in April of 1963. This letter King wrote was in response to a letter he received from the religious leaders after King is making a stand against the racial issues in Alabama. These leaders stand firm in their letter when they say that when rights are being denied, they should be handled in the courts with negotiations and not in the streets. The authorities have placed Martin Luther King Jr. against his own will after his demonstration of desegregation. While incarcerated, King managed to find anything and everything to write this letter that is now famous for being a link to the end of public racism all over the nation. The content of the letter is filled with appeals of ethos, pathos and logos, which is necessary to make a strong argument. The first area of the Neo-Aristotelian criticism we are going to look at is the ethos. As defined earlier, ethos gives credibility. This deals with the ethics of right and wrong as society sees fit. A strong point of ethos appeals is its powerful effect on the reader. The down side to this is it's hard to get yet easy to lose. As we analysis this artifact, we find an example in the second paragraph. King gives a brief description of his backg... ...l for those who left their example and for those who are going to follow his example. In Conclusion, A Letter from a Birmingham Jail met its intended purpose to those of the audience being the clergymen and the reader today. Martin Luther King, Jr. has proven himself to the clergymen of Alabama, in regards to his reasoning for a more equal nation. The bottom line is that every man was created equally, so we should all have the same rights as the next person. In my own opinion, I think the letter was very necessary. These men of faith were more focused on what man thought rather than their creator's. This piece by King is very affective to the reader as well as the audience. It is evident that Martin Luther King, Jr. works went unnoticed, because we are living in a mixed racial society. The reader is very affected by the letter's history and how it came to be.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

How Managerial Accounting Can Help Managers

Assignment 2: Creating, Financing, and Marketing a Business Shamika Ward Professor Roderick D. Thomas Introduction to Business December 2, 2012 Identify the pros and cons of the partnership as a form of ownership. Partnership is one of most common forms of business. There are many advantages to business partnership as well as a few disadvantages. One advantage is that a partnership is easy to establish. This can be established through verbal agreement or through a contact. Another advantage is the ability to pool financial resources.The more capital a company has the faster they are able to grow their business. Partnerships lessen the burden on the individual running the business. Since more than one party is in charge responsibilities can be divided amongst each person. By dividing the task they can use their skills to the best advantage. The pass-through tax treatment is one of the most beneficial advantages of forming a partnership. With the pass-through there is no taxation to th e business itself; all income, deductions, and credits, â€Å"pass through† to the individual partners and are reported on their individual tax returns.While the advantages of a partnership seem like the perfect way to start a business there are disadvantages. In a partnership you are not only responsible for the errors and misjudgments that you make but also for your partner’s. Both parties are equally responsible for the debt and obligations of the business. Like any other relationships, partnerships also have disagreements. Disagreements amongst partners can create bad turmoil and prevent the cooperation needed to keep the business focus. Disagreements can also lead to one of the partners wishing to withdraw from the partnership.This can cause insecurity about how long a business will stay operational. Lastly, a partner that extracts from a partnership is still held accountable for any debts or obligations the company had at the time of withdrawal. Discuss funding o ptions for small businesses. The top task for any small business is trying to determine how to successfully fund their business. The most common used source is personal resources. This not only your own money but often is asking friends and family members, and credit cards.When borrowing from friends and family it is important that you disclose that it would be a financial risk they are taking by giving you the money and if your business doesn’t succeed they might not get the money back. While using credit cards might seem like a great option they are also a highly risky financing option. While credit cards provide fast and flexible money they can also cause a huge amount of debt. Interest rates and financing fees can add up fast if the money isn’t paid back quickly to credit card companies.While many people have an assumption that getting a loan from a bank is a fairly easy process they are often discover they were incorrect. Commercial loans are harder to come by due to banks and other lenders being tentative to fund a company that doesn’t have a reputation. Only 20% percent of small business owners launch with commercial loans due to a share of paper work required to fill out the loan and an extensive waiting period. If considering loans, a great source for small business would be the U. S.Small Business Administration also known as SBA. While the SBA doesn’t provide free money to start-up businesses they do somewhat guarantee loans from local commercial lenders. The SBA reduces the risk for the lender or bank, which makes the banks further willing to grant loans to small business owners. Angel investors are another source of funding. Angels are wealthy people that invest in promising start-up companies in order to make money for themselves. Angels are considered one of the oldest capitals for a start-up.Very few companies receive capital from angels but for the right small business the funds from an angel can seal the gap betwee n the money they have gotten from friends and family and the venture capital that a small business is trying to attract. When looking to expand on a larger scale some companies turn to venture capital firms. Venture capital firms fund companies in exchange for of ownership in the company. Only a small fraction of new business receives any venture capital money. Determine and discuss how managerial accounting can help managers with product costing, incremental analysis, and budgeting.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Uses of Genetic Recombination

Genetic Recombination Genetic recombination is the method in which a molecule of nucleic acid, usually a strand of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) but can possibly be RNA (ribonucleic acid) is broken and then combined with another different strand of nucleic acid. Overview Genetic recombination has occurred naturally since the very first bacteria and by our ancient ancestors although they didn’t know at the time. It’s only in the last few decades that we have begun to understand and develop our skill to use it to our advantages.Originally thousands of years ago our ancestors abandoned the hunter-gather lifestyle and started to pursue agriculture. By doing so they took the flora and fauna that showed the most desirable characteristics and cultivated them while at the same time killing those with less desirable characteristics. This method gave rise to various species such as the common dog. Such products like yogurt and wines were then produced although the reasons why they were produced remained unknown. This is a very basic example of Genetic Recombination/ Genetic Engineering.As our understanding of DNA and Genetics advanced especially in the 20th century this has led to advances into new fields of research and benefits. With better understanding it has allowed us to combat diverse and assorted problems that we face. Benefits Medical The benefits of genetic recombination are massive in relevance to medical Biotechnology and the Medical sector as a whole. It has allowed cures to be created for what was in previous centuries a death sentence. a) Genetic testing – Genetic testing allows doctor to determine if an unborn baby is at risk of a genetic abnormality or defect.This allows precautions to be taken to ensure the babies survival and possibly to form a treatment to minimise the impact of the defect. It can also be used to identify the causes of conditions in adults that are suffering from a genetic disorder. b) Gene Therapy – Gene The rapy has allowed physicians to treat several hereditary genetic and non-hereditary disorders such as HIV, Asthma, Neurodegenerative diseases, many forms of cancer, etc. Cancer: There has been much progress in combating cancer and oncogenes (tumour producing genes), several genetic therapies’ that have been discovered to actively combat cancerous cells. Replace mutated or missing genes with their normal healthy equivalents. * Improve immune system response to cancerous cells by inserting T-cell receptor (TCR) gene into white blood cells which attach to cancerous cells causing the immune system to target the cancer. HIV: Although there is no cure for HIV at the moment, research with genetically engineered viruses on knockout mice have prevented infection and the mice have shown to retain the protection after a full year, indicating that genetic manipulation could soon provide a vaccination to HIV. ) Prevention of Muller’s Ratchet – If genetic recombination did not occur it would lead to the build up of harmful genetic mutations which if allowed to go unchecked would eventually cause a species to go extinct. Genetic recombination allows the genetic material to be varied and diversified which prevents Muller’s ratchet from occurring in species who practise sexual reproduction and not asexual reproduction. (Kreuzer and Massey, 2008, 6, 19-24, 89-96) AgricultureGenetic manipulation of many sectors of agriculture has been the focus of attention from the public for some time over the production of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). However genetically modified organisms have many proven benefits which have been an advantage to the world. It has been used to increase yields, improve the nutritional value of the food, boost pest resistance and many others (Kreuzer and Massey, 2008, 6). * Certain GMO’s have been grown in areas previously hostile to certain species, increased cold/heat/water resistant have allowed these crops to be harvested instead of failing. Virus resistant GMO’s have prevented whole crops failing to common and lethal viruses in the countries they are grown. Soybeans which there is large demand for are easily susceptible to Pseudomonas amygdali pv Glycinea a common bacteria in United States which is the main producer of soybeans at 33% of the world production. However with the use of genetic recombined soybeans at 85% in the United States, the average loss has considerably dropped contributing to the prevention of starvation in certain countries. (GMO Compass, Soybeans, December 3rd 2008) In December of 2005 Zambia accepted GM maize to prevent a famine from occurring in the country, if the GM foodstuff had not been available at the time there would have been insufficient non-genetically modified food to prevent a famine. ( Industrial The industrial applications of Genetic recombination have been used for thousands of years but in recent years the applications have increased co untlessly. 1) Food – a. Genetically recombined bacteria have been used to produce cheese in vast quantities cheaply. b.Several different Vegetables and Fruits have been genetically altered to increase their size, shape and colour. Bananas have been changed so they stay green for longer until they reach their destination, while at the same time tobacco has been engineered so that it has little to no nicotine content. 2) Medical – Production of artificial insulin, vaccines and growth hormones have been used to treat some of the most common ailments in existence. Ethics of genetic Recombination The ethics of genetic recombination vary as there are many ethics viewed depending on a large number of factors all of which contradict each other.The potential of genetic recombination on humans has been debated and many arguments for and against have been formulated. They are based on somatic therapy and enhancement which only affects only one generation, the other is germ-line t herapy and enhancement which affect every generation after the one it is manipulated in. Manipulating human genetic make-up by somatic recombination allows repairs to be made to a human with damaged genes, a human with damaged genes could be theoretically cured, which has been achieved already in a limited scale.Manipulating human genetic make-up by germ-line recombination however will cause the modified genes to be passed on to any and all offspring which could have unpredictable critical or fatal consequences in the future. While therapy will only cure diseases, the possibilities of enhancement have many benefits but many more ethical issues. It would cause inequality as only the rich could afford it and religious persecution of it as â€Å"Playing God† and the changes could have unintended consequences later in life.These various effects have made it a hotly debated issue in which there is little middle ground for any party involved making the future of genetic recombinati on impossible to deduce. References Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Helen Kreuzer and Adrianne Massey, 3rd Edition, 2008, ASM Press, Washington DC GMO Compass, Soybeans, December 3rd 2008, Online, http://www. gmo-compass. org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/19. genetically_modified_soybean. html THE ETHICS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING, David Koepsell, August 2007, Centre of Inquiry, Washington DC, http://www. centerforinquiry. net/uploads/attachments/genetic-engineering-ethics_2. pdf

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Legalizing drugs essays

Legalizing drugs essays Unleashing a Weed of Mass Destruction on America While scanning through a newspaper, I came across a depressing article about a teenage girl who was found dead in her apartment because of a drug overdose. Also found in her dingy apartment was a baby girl. The article went on to say that she was a prostitute who sold herself to pay for her drug habit. The baby girl was given to child services, because nobody else wanted her, she was orphaned at 3 months and HIV positive. She had contracted it from her HIV positive-drug addicted-prostitute mother. The teenage girl had not only destroyed her own life, but the life of an innocent child. Incidents such as these show how drug abusers not only affect their own lives, but also the lives of relatives and complete strangers who may fall victim to their crimes. In light of this, the recent Controlled Drugs and Substances Act passed by the Canadian government to decriminalize the possession of 15 grams of marijuana or 1 gram of hash has incensed not only the White House, but numerous parents of teenagers across America who may cross the border to take advantage of the lax drug laws. The Canadian government made the decision because they felt it was futile to waste state resources unnecessarily arresting small time offenders that only ended up crowding prisons, instead, they will now invest that time and energy in pursuing bigger fish. This decision has revived the 1970s debate about whether or not to decriminalize legalize drugs in America. Currently, American drug laws are extremely stringent and for various reasons, the pro-drug legalization/ decimalization lobby want the use, sale, import, trafficking and production of drugs such as marijuana, weed, cannabis and more lethal drugs such as heroin and cocaine to be made legitimate and people found taking them to be able to do so without fear of getting a criminal record and prosecution. America spends over $60 billion a year on its ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Improving Service Quality

Improving Service Quality Introduction The quality of services that employees offer in a restaurant is as important as the meals served. According to Shaikh and Khan (2011, p. 343), the restaurant industry is continuously evolving and growing more complicated. They argued that a restaurant must include ‘service associated features to satisfy the complementary needs of its customers’ (343).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Improving Service Quality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They further noted that satisfaction of customers is taking a new trend of being associated with quality of service. Customers are increasingly becoming conscious of their surrounding when in restaurants. According to Markovic, Raspor and Segaric (2010, p. 181), restaurants have continuously been pushed to offer excellent dining experiences to their customers. These experiences constitute the tangibles as well as the intangibles. The intangibles are of a particular concern as their improvement requires considerable attention unlike the tangibles. It has been noted that the intangibles have a great effect on the financial viability of a restaurant on a long term basis. Due to the stiff competition in the restaurant industry, offering of quality services therefore is not an option but a way of being competitive. In regard to the above briefing, this report examines the tools that can be used in improving the level of service quality of a nation-wide restaurant chain. Two instruments are discussed and it is shown how they will be instrumental in improving the quality of service of the nation-wide restaurant chain. Improving Quality of Service In order to improve the quality of services given, it is prudent that the reference points of various stakeholders involved are known. In the context of this report, the main stakeholders in reference to quality of service offered are the staff and the customers. It will be mandatory to be aware o f what the customers expect and then make the correct adjustment to fulfil their expectations otherwise improvements cannot be effectively made if the deficit areas are not known. The instrument which best does this is the DINESERV instrument.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It has been noted that when customers are satisfied as per their expectations, they become frequent customers. Such satisfied customers also refer other customers, mostly friends and family members, to the business (Wu Liang 2009, p. 587). By using the DINESERV tool, it will be possible to know how huge the gap is and consequently remedial measures will be taken. DINESERV Instrument This instrument was developed specifically for restaurant industry by Stevens, Knutson and Patton in 1995. It is basically a SERVQUAL instrument but modified such that it specifically addresses the restaurant indus try (Kim, Nee Kim 2009, p. 10). DINESERVE is a tool that measures the quality of service from the perspective of a customer (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010 p. 183). Understanding how a customer defines quality service is very important because it is his/her perceptions that will make him/her come back to the restaurant again. By using this instrument, it will be possible to get the position of the customers in regard to the service quality offered by the restaurant. Taking into consideration that the restaurant in question is not an international business which might be servicing people of diverse cultures, a sample of the restaurants should, to a good degree, shed some green light on the nation-wide customer expectations. Why this instrument is chosen is because it helps to show where a restaurant is and where it should be in terms of quality of services offered, that is, ‘it measures consumers’ expectations and perceptions of services received† (Markovic, Raspo r Segaric 2010, p. 183). This instrument touches on five dimensions that consumers use when evaluating the quality of a service given. These five dimensions are ‘tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy’ (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 183). In the following sections, it will be shown how these dimensions can be used to improve the quality of service in the chain restaurant in question. Tangibles In a restaurant, the physical facilities which include the furniture and the appearance of personnel constitute the tangibles. It also encompasses the physical design and general cleanliness (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 184).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Improving Service Quality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A good physical design and a good internal arrangement enhance the dining experience that a customer experiences therefore helping greatly in the satisfaction of the customer. Things like lighting and music have also been associated with the internal structure and are said to greatly affect the satisfaction of consumers. The consumer factors have also been said to have an influence on the satisfaction of consumers. Consumer-consumer interaction may be viewed favourably when it facilitates social interaction. However, some consumer behaviours such as smoking or talking loudly may be viewed to be offensive (Wu Liang 2009, p. 587). Reliability Reliability in the context of service industry is defined as ‘the ability to perform the promised services independently and accurately’ (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 184) and, specifically, in the restaurant industry it is the ‘freshness and temperature of the food, accurate billing and receiving ordered food’ (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 184). The temperature of the food and how fresh it is have been found to influence customer satisfaction. According to Andaleeb and Conway (2006 p. 5), these two affect the quality and taste of food served and therefore greatly determines whether a customer enjoys the meal or not. Price also matters in this context, it has been observed that when the price is not reflective of the quality of food, customers feel they are being taken for granted. For instance, a very high price is an indicator of a high quality therefore if low quality is offered then customers will have the impression that they are being ripped off (Andaleeb Conway 2006). This is likely to annoy customers and might be viewed as one of the fastest way of sending away customers. Responsiveness Responsiveness is viewed as the willingness and readiness of the staff to help the customers promptly. In the context of the restaurant industry, it is associated with ‘staff assistance with the menu or wine list or appropriate and prompt response to customers’ needs and requests’ (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 184).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Indeed studies carried out have shown that more responsive services enhance the satisfaction of customers (Andaleeb Conway 2006). It has been shown that customers are happy with servers who understand their needs and address them accordingly. In the context of this report, responsiveness can be achieved by training the customer-contact employees particularly the servers and waiters on how to handle customers with courtesy. These employees are more in contact with the customers therefore they tend to be the image of the restaurant in the eyes of the customers. It would therefore be wise to invest in these front people such that they present a cutting edge image of the restaurant to the customers. Assurance This has to do with the knowledge and courtesy of the staff members. It also has to do with their ability to convey trust and confidence (Markovic, Raspor Segaric, 2010, p. 184). When applied in the context of restaurant industry, assurance implies that customers ‘trust the recommendations of staff, feel confident that food is free from contamination and be able to say any concern without fear’ (Markovic, Raspor Segaric 2010, p. 184). Empathy This is viewed as the ability to offer services which are customized and which make the customers feel cared for or special (Alroub, Alsaleem Daoud 2012). Action Plan Five dimensions of quality service have been discussed above. It is very important that these areas are well addressed in order to create and sustain a good restaurant image before the eyes of the customers. In regard to this report, the director should plan for the training of the restaurant staff in order to ensure they adequately meet the expectations of the customers in regard to the above five dimensions of customer services. According to Irfan, Mohsin and Yousaf (2009 p. 1222), training in service quality becomes successful when there is a commitment of all employees, senior and junior, to the objectives of the training exercise. In r egard to the nation-wide restaurant chain, which is the subject of this report, this commitment will be achieved by carrying out an internal marketing campaign which will address the grievances of the employees. It will also be ensured that the employees understand the need and significance of offering quality services to the customers. The training exercise will be carried out after the DINESERV instrument has been administered in order to get a picture of how the customers view the nation-wide restaurant chain. The action of training the employees will basically be viewed as a way of investing in the employees for the good of the restaurant. The following subsections give more details on how it will be carried out. Customer-contact Employees The customer contact employees are very important, as already noted above, in creating a good image of the restaurant in the eyes of the customers. Those involved in this category are the waiters, servers, and those who welcome the customer in to the restaurant. Depending on the findings of DINESERV, which would have been obtained by the time the training exercise will kick off, these employees will basically be trained on how to interact with the customers. Basically, the training will be customized to ensure that the deficits which would have been exposed by the DINESERV instrument are addressed. In addition to that it will be ensured that the employees are sharpened into becoming reliable. Andaleeb and Conway (2006) stated that ensuring that customers get the correct food they order is being reliable. Waiters and servers therefore will be reminded that they cannot make such mistakes as taking the wrong food, or serving food when it is of the wrong temperature or size. Customer-contact employees will also be reminded and trained to be responsive to the customers through such simple gestures as maintaining eye contact when a customer is talking. The waiters will be required to maintain a good knowledge of all the food th ey serve such that they readily offer extra information to the customers in case a customer asks for the same. In this manner, the customers will feel assured of the restaurant services when they readily get answered well by the waiters. The waiters will also be in charge of ensuring that customer-customer interaction is a positive one. Customers who behave in manners that may annoy other customers will have to be kindly requested to mind the welfare of others. There will be a need to ensure that when waiters request customers who might be behaving in rowdy manners to calm themselves, they will have to do that in very polite ways. Chefs Chefs play a very huge role in enhancing a dining experience for customers. It has already been pointed above that freshness and temperature of the food are big factors in satisfying customers’ expectations. The taste of the food and its quality also matters a lot especially when such food is highly priced. The training of the chefs will there fore go a long way in ensuring that the price and quality of food are reconciled such that the customers do not feel ripped off. The chefs are also significant in ensuring that what is promised on the menu is what gets served. In this manner, the nation-wide restaurant chain will earn itself a good image for delivering on its promises. Internal designer There is a need to introduce an internal designer in the human resource department. Physical outlook, both the external and internal, enhances the experience that a customer has in a restaurant. The internal designing forms part of the tangible dimension of service quality as per the DINESERV instrument. An internal designer will be in charge of redesigning the internal arrangement of the chain restaurant to make it more appealing. This internal physical restructuring may include changing the lighting systems and sitting arrangement including the type of furniture in use. Restaurant Managers The restaurant managers will be very cruci al in ensuring that quality is maintained. A restaurant manager will be allowed to make changes in the operations of a branch restaurant as long as such a move can be substantiated to increase the quality of service that is provided by the branch. The manager should also be charged with determining the priority of the quality dimensions as illustrated by DINESERV tool. According to Shaikh and Khan (2011 p. 354), different people may have different perception on which quality dimension is most important. The restaurant in question with regard to this report is a nation-wide chain therefore implying the possibility of different customers in different parts of the nation having different perceptions. Internal Marketing Apart from undertaking training based on the findings of DINESERV, another tool that may also be very fruitful in enhancing the quality of service offered by the chain restaurant is Internal Marketing. Internal marketing focuses on the internal customers with the aim of benefiting the external customers. It has been shown that internal marketing helps employees of an organization to be more committed (Esfahan, Taleghani Rajaee 2006). Internal marketing takes two aspects: customer-focused and employee-focused. Customer-focused aspect views ‘all employees of the organization as de facto marketers’ (Kale 2006, p. 3). In this regard, whenever there is an interaction between the service employees and customers, business is created, sustained or broken depending on how the customers perceive the interaction (Kale 2006, p. 3). On the other hand, the employee-focused aspect aims at promoting a company to the employees. In general, internal marketing aims at ensuring that employees are satisfied working in an organization. With satisfaction, employees are more likely to be market oriented in offering their services. The effect of this orientation is creation of a positive organizational image (Chen Hsieh 2009). Internal marketing also reduces the rate of turnover. High rates of turnover can be very costly to a restaurant as it implies that new employees have to undergo training to ensure that the quality of service provided is not compromised. By engaging in aggressive internal marketing, employee turnover can be greatly reduced (Chang Chang 2008). Conclusion The service industry is continuously growing competitive. This is especially true for the hotel industry. Customer tastes and preferences keep on changing everyday and this has made this industry quite complicated. Unlike in the past, customers in the present time are looking for comprehensive services of high quality. In the restaurant industry, it has been observed that customer satisfaction is obtained when a great dining experience is created. This experience takes more than just the taste of a great meal. It includes the physical surrounding and the nature of people around both the employees and fellow customers. This report suggested that DINESERV instrument should be used to find the position of the restaurant in question and then use the gap indentified to make some improvements on the dimensions of quality services. Internal marketing was also proposed as an ideal way of ensuring the employees are motivated and committed to the restaurant. This was shown to greatly reduce the costs of training and as well ensure that the quality of service offered is not comprised. References Alroub, AS, Alsaleem, AM Daoud, AA 2012, ‘Service Quality and its Impact on Customer Satisfaction Tourist Restaurants’, Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 364-379. Andaleeb, SS Conway, C 2006, ‘Customer Satisfaction in the restaurant industry: an examination of the transaction-specific model’, The Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 3-11. Chang, C Chang W ‘Internal Marketing Practices and Employees’ Turnover Intentions in Tourism and Leisure Hotels’, The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 161-172. Chen, Y Hsieh, T 2009, ‘Study on Relationship among International Customer Orientation, Market Orientation and Organization Performance of Theme Restaurant’, The Journal of International management Studies, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 165-175. Esfahan, MR, Taleghani, M Rajaee, MB 2013, ‘The Effect of Internal Marketing on Outcomes and Factors Organizational Commitment (Case Study: Hotels in Esfahan)’, Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 429-435. Irfan, SM, Mohsin, M Yousaf, I 2009, ‘Achieving Service through its Valuable Human Resources: An Empirical Study of Banking Sector of Pakistan’, World Applied Sciences Journal, vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 1222-1230. Kale, SH 2006, ‘Internal Marketing: An Antidote for Macau’s labor Shortage’, UNLV Gaming Research Review Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-12. Kim, WG, Nee, YC Kim, Y 2009, â⠂¬ËœInfluence of institutional DINESERV on customer satisfaction, return intention, and word-of mouth’, International Journal of Hospitality Management, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 10-17. Markovic, S, Raspor, S Segaric, K 2010, ‘Does Restaurant Performance meet Customers’ Expectations? AN Assessment of Restaurant Service Quality using a Modified DINESERV Approach’, Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 181-195. Shaikh, AA Khan, NR 2011, ‘Impact of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction: Evidence from the Restaurant Industry in Pakistan’, Management Marketing, vol. IX, no. 2, pp. 343-355. Wu, CH Liang, R 2009, ‘Effect of experiential value on customer satisfaction with service encounters in luxury-hotel restaurants’, International Journal of Hospitality management, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 586-593.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

An Analysis of the Blind Optimism in Something Wicked This Way Comes, a Novel by Ray Bradbury

An Analysis of the Blind Optimism in Something Wicked This Way Comes, a Novel by Ray Bradbury While reading this book, I first struggled with the question of how it pertained directly to the class material. It seems almost as if the book is written as one long poem. While I was typing my exam, I began to take notice of similarities between the characters in the book and the over arching theme of optimism that I stressed in my paper. The first fifteen, or so, chapters describes one single day where we get to know the characters. In this section of the book we meet Will and Jim, two 13 year old boys. Jim is the more adventurous of the two boys and will is more reserved. It seems like he always follows Jim at a distance, but either way Jim can persuade him to do almost anything. We also meet Charles Halloway in this first part of the novel. He is Will’s father and works in the town library. In this early part of the novel I can relate to the attitudes that were present in America after the first World War. Jim represents America’s blind optimism in regards to creat ing in a utopia. Jim is all of the wall street speculators who believed there was no end to the rising stock prices. Will can be related to America’s more reserved side, he is equally ambitious but. Like I said, follows Jim at a distance. He lets Jim make mistakes but is always there to help him. Will plays a similar role to the presidents during the early half of the 1920’s. He doesn’t over regulate Jim but is always there to support him. Will’s father Charles Halloway is the lessons that we don’t learn from history. His demeanor in the first part of the novel is that of sadness. There is a sense that he knows how the world really works and despite this he is still secretly intrigued by the arriving carnival. This is where Will gets his reserved side , similar to how presidents are always studiers of history. Will learns from the mistakes of his father. When the carnival finally arrives at town, members of the community such as the boys’ teacher Miss Foley, Mr. Cougar and the lightning rod salesman are all enticed and seduced by the carnival and the tattoo ed man that runs it. Mr. Dark has the ability to fulfill their desires but as a result these people will lose themselves to the carnival. This is similar to the theme of selling ones sole to the devil. The role Mr. Dark Plays is in our history textbooks is that of money. The members of the community are so blinded by the spectacle of the carnival(the stock market in 1921-1928) that all they see is an optimistic future ahead. Jim is one of these people enticed by the carnival. He also follows blindly. As the evil nature of the carnival is revealed, one can relate it to the stock market crash in 1929. As a result of people being over optimistic, they face negative consequences. Towards the end of the novel while Will and his father attempt to save Jim and end the carnival, they play a role similar to that of Presidents, Hoover and FDR, who attempt to restore America through their economic and social plans after the 1929 crash. At the end of the novel Jim(the optimism of the American people) has ended up confused and close to death. Will and Charles halloway save Jim by dancing and laughing. Jim’s revival symbolizes the countrys return to normalcy through the industry that happens during WWII. This brings us into the current day where the people of Green Town and people in modern day America still have the same opportunities to make mistakes or succeed through optimism. As far as a review go’s I did not enjoy the book that much. The writing was a little too poetic for my taste. I am more of a non fiction fan. I was reading it looking for it’s historical significance. The book serves the purpose of an allegorical reference to the optimist ic and foolish hopes of Americans.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The Making of Indonesia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Making of Indonesia - Research Paper Example The facts and myths about Indonesia, a Southeast Asian country, make it a highly complex subject matter with its incomprehensibly varied and dynamic history, politics and social structure. Its international image, however, to a certain extent has been defined by Oriental theories that partially represent its true political, social, historical, religious and national aspects. The President of the United States articulated his views, while addressing the students of the University of Indonesia: â€Å"The nations of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny, and the United States will strongly support that right. But the people of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny as well.† (Obama 2010) The concepts of ‘Orientalism’ and ‘othering’ could not have been explained in better words. The region of Southeast Asia is supposed to have common issues; and this kind of geographical cartography represents the mindset of the Western nations. The phrase, ‘the right to determine their own destiny’ has profound repercussions of centuries of colonialism and imperialism of Southeast Asian countries. This historical fact has so arendered the concept of Orientalism to a great extent. As the heritage of Indonesia is diverse and magnanimous; therefore, it was natural to ignore certain facts about Indonesia while studying and analyzing its existing political, religious and social structures. Islam, being the dominant religion in this country raises concerns in the West that desire it to become a secular country, in its own interest.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Mary Morrison's Ethical Issue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mary Morrison's Ethical Issue - Case Study Example This case study highlights the key issues concerning software piracy, the ethical dilemmas faced by the users, and the implications of indulging in software piracy. In the process, it also provides a comprehensive review of the rapidly deteriorating ethical beliefs and the negative impact of such acts on the society as a whole. Mary Morrison, a business student at Big State University was gifted a new PC by her parents. The computer had the basic Windows Operating system installed and no other software was provided with it. Mary being a student required Microsoft Office Suite software to assist her in her studies such as making spreadsheets and presentations. Since the computer had no such software installed, she was compelled to buy it instead. On inquiry it was found that the software she needed would cost her $199. Although Mary belonged to a financially well-off family, she faced financial difficulties due to the rising costs of education. She had a definite source of income from her job at a bookstore but she was saving money for her college trip and spending it on the software would hamper her plans to do so. Her friend Frank, offered to provide her with a pirated copy of the software she needed. Hence Mary was faced with a critical ethical dilemma - that of choosing to forego her moral values and us e the pirated software for free or use up her savings for the college trip and buy the legal copy of the software, and uphold her moral values instead. Software piracy is one of the most pressing issues in present times, and has of late become a global phenomenon costing the industry billions of dollars every year. Ever since the growth and expansion of the market for software there has been a simultaneous rise in the illegal sale and download of the same (Grabosky and Smith, 1998; Drahos and Braithwaite, 2002). The illegal sale and download of software tends to dissuade firms from

The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Research Paper

The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - Research Paper Example Perhaps due to this reason, â€Å"artistry of Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ has inspired †¦ sophisticated and impressive critical responses†¦.† (Budd and Messent, 543) In case of Mark Twain such observation is truer as in his novels we see he has included a great deal of his autobiographical elements. In this context we can cite for the observation of Shelley Fisher Fishkin, whose observation asserts that the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn includes a great deal of autobiographical elements, â€Å"A boy of Twain’s acquaintance, Benson Blankenship, †¦. (His behavior would become a model for aspects of Huck’s behavior.)† (Fishkin, 21) It is from his autobiographical references we come to know, â€Å"By the time of Twain’s youth, slavery had become institutionalized in the South†¦In southern Missouri, where Twain, and Huck, lived, slavery still existed.† (Jarnow, 21)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬ËœThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ shows that the protagonist Finn undergoes several adventures and finally he develops his approach towards life out of the experiences of such adventures. Apart from Finn’s adventure to observe life from a close angle, there is another element that plays a very important role in the novel that is the protagonist’s (the novelist’s) attitude towards slavery. Constitution if the United States of America came into power since 1864 and it immediately abolished the system of slavery from America officially. The Constitution clearly declared that all men are free and they are eligible to receive equal treatment from the State, despite their differences in race, religion, ethnicity and skin color. (Wilson, 5) However, looking at the practical situation it is evident that situation of the black people or people from Afro-American ethnic background has remained unchanged even in the modern society. L ike all the other great

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Analyzing Financial Statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analyzing Financial Statements - Essay Example The graph shows a stronger relationship between Lowe’s and the S&P 500 index; which is also supported by a positive beta equivalent to 1. This beta of the company suggests that the company swings almost equal with the market variations as is supported by the above graph. It implies a volatility and risk that is equivalent to the market, as clearly seen in the graph. The graph also shows the up market leads to similar increase in company price while a down market leads to similar decrease in price. The company provides almost an equivalent return to the market. Observing the five year trend of the two, I think the beta of the company has precisely estimated near to 1. The lines of two are almost on top of one another. The graph shows a very positive relationship between Joy and the S&P 500 index; which is also supported by a positive beta greater than 2. This beta of the company suggests that the company swings almost double to the market variations as is supported by the above graph. It implies a higher volatility and a higher risk, as clearly seen in the graph, as compared to the market. As seen in the trend graphs, the company returns are almost the double-be it an up market or a down market. Observing the five year trend of the two, I think the beta of the company has precisely estimated greater than 2. The lines of two companies show similar jumps seen by a higher beta companies. The report shows the returns of the returns of the three companies-Hershey, Lowe’s and Joy Global based on the beta represented on the money msn. The calculated company returns and the represented beta are then compared with the five year stock price trend graphs compared to S&P 500 Index. The trends effusively support the calculated returns and deviations. A company with beta less than 1 has less volatility and lesser returns as compared to market. A company with beta equivalent to 1 has volatility and returns equal to the market. A company with

Health care reform Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health care reform - Essay Example hon $350 billion per year, or 20-25 per cent of American citizens hard earned dollars away from its doctors, its hospitals as well as its patient care into the pockets of their executives, administrative employees, shareholders and politicians.1 U S medical reforms should allow all Americans (including Veterans) as well as the 40 million or so uninsured American citizens into the Medicare Health Insurance Corporation. Since almost all American physicians, Hospitals, and clinics in the Country already accept the current operations of the Medicare Insurance Company, hardly any infrastructure investments on the health care delivery end will be necessary. 2 A much required medical reform in the U S would be to allow Medicare, much like the current Veterans Administration System and every private health insurance company and government health care system around the world, to bid on medications from pharmaceutical corporations for its Medicare drug formulary. Every physician or doctor, not to mention pharmacists recognizes that the U S does not actually require a choice of a dozen needless medicines in each pharmaceutical category. For instance, American citizens require only 2-3 statins for countering the adverse affects of high cholesterol, a few types of antibiotics for common sorts of infections, two kinds of beta-blockers for hypertension / high blood pressure, and several generic types of painkillers.3 The present quality of contemporary medical records software lags at least two decades behind business software used for similar purposes. Thus, the U S government should attempt to fund as well as to challenge America’s best software corporations to finally develop standardized electronic medical records software. Up to date and fully functioning computer software for use in doctors’ offices and hospitals is required in order to increase the efficiency as well as the over all productivity levels of physician charting, billing and prescribing.4 In the

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Music and Mediation Therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Music and Mediation Therapy - Essay Example Therefore, it is much better than medication and needs to be practiced more often. Also, those who regularly meditate report hat they feel happy, fresh, at peace and free. Meditation Therapy for Anxiety and Pain Meditation is said to reduce blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm disturbances. This allows for adrenaline levels in blood to go down and this hormone is responsible for mediating emotional arousal in our body. There are two kinds of most basic and common meditation practices: transcendental meditation and mindfulness meditation. In the first process the meditator continuously repeats a single word which is called a mantra and he has to make his feelings and thinking to go away. The second process involves the person focusing all his attention on his thoughts and sensations and this process is normally for stress-reduction. Guided meditation is a kind of meditation using phrases of evocative spoken images which allow the person’s mind to become relaxed. Blue Shi eld insurance company conducted a research and their findings suggested that the surgery patients who listened to a guided meditation prior to surgery had a better recovery, was more cost efficient and they felt an improved sense of healing (Weiss, 2008). Another report, by the University of Massachusetts Stress Reduction Clinic showed a reduction in chronic pain by average 50%. In fact, the follow up studies reported that this pain reduction lasted for more than a year. Such effects result because meditation promotes the positive sites of the mind which include compassion, sympathy, big-heartedness, love, endurance and forbearance; therefore, allowing the... Based on this research it is recommended that non-pharmacological methods should be used for any purpose till they prove to be useful. Similar is the case with patents having to cope with surgical procedures. The pre-surgery anxiety and the post-operative pain that they have to experience may be overcome by music and meditation as it reduces stress anxiety and pain. Besides, such therapies are better for the patient since they have no side effects neither do they carry any risks of using them. Meditation is a state of awareness of the present without thinking. When we are normally thinking we usually replay or regret the past or worry about the future. However, during meditation such is not the case and during this process the person is only focusing on the present moment. Therefore, the person is just thinking about the wonders he has as of that very moment and thus there is no interference. When one is meditating he is not doing or thinking anything; he is just being. Pain therapy is not an alternative to the pain medications. Rather it is to be used as an adjuvant to the existing medications where either the efficiency of such medication is increased many fold by using music or the side effect profile is improved by lowering the dosages given. Although relaxation exercises are another means through which a patient can be relaxed music works better as it has more advantages. Music motivates a person and improves his mood and allows for the promotion of relaxing feelings.

Health care reform Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health care reform - Essay Example hon $350 billion per year, or 20-25 per cent of American citizens hard earned dollars away from its doctors, its hospitals as well as its patient care into the pockets of their executives, administrative employees, shareholders and politicians.1 U S medical reforms should allow all Americans (including Veterans) as well as the 40 million or so uninsured American citizens into the Medicare Health Insurance Corporation. Since almost all American physicians, Hospitals, and clinics in the Country already accept the current operations of the Medicare Insurance Company, hardly any infrastructure investments on the health care delivery end will be necessary. 2 A much required medical reform in the U S would be to allow Medicare, much like the current Veterans Administration System and every private health insurance company and government health care system around the world, to bid on medications from pharmaceutical corporations for its Medicare drug formulary. Every physician or doctor, not to mention pharmacists recognizes that the U S does not actually require a choice of a dozen needless medicines in each pharmaceutical category. For instance, American citizens require only 2-3 statins for countering the adverse affects of high cholesterol, a few types of antibiotics for common sorts of infections, two kinds of beta-blockers for hypertension / high blood pressure, and several generic types of painkillers.3 The present quality of contemporary medical records software lags at least two decades behind business software used for similar purposes. Thus, the U S government should attempt to fund as well as to challenge America’s best software corporations to finally develop standardized electronic medical records software. Up to date and fully functioning computer software for use in doctors’ offices and hospitals is required in order to increase the efficiency as well as the over all productivity levels of physician charting, billing and prescribing.4 In the

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Teaching and Learning Support Essay Example for Free

Teaching and Learning Support Essay Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education. 1.1 Summarise entitlement and provision for early years education. It is the entitlement of each child between 3 and 4 years to receive free part time early years education. The government (in this case Cheshire East) ensures that all children receive 2 free years of education before reaching school age. Early years provisions in schools is about making sure children learn through play rather than through formal education for example in a classroom. However it is to follow the EYFS curriculum until the end of their early years education. 1.2 Explain the characteristics of different types of schools in relation to educational stages and school governance. There are 4 types of school in the UK which all follow the national curriculum which are: Community schools which are run and owned by the local authority and as such will provide support through creating links with the community and providing support services as well as making use of school facilities for example adult learning. Voluntary schools which can either be voluntary aided or voluntary controlled. Voluntary aided schools and run by religious bodies and governed by them. Whereas voluntary controlled schools are funded by the local authority which employs staff but both are usually owned by a charitable organisation. Foundation and trust schools are run and owned by their own governing body but consult with the local education authority. Trust schools will often partner up with a local business which they buy into but gain continued support from said business. Specialist schools are secondary schools with specialist status and through successfully doing so will receive additional funding. Additionally there are now Academies which have usually been set up by sponsors but are now able to do so through community support. The have close links with the local education authority and have more freedom. 1.3 Explain the post-16 options for young people and adults. There are many Post-16 options for young people to undertake and the government guarantees that by the time they leave compulsory education they will have moved to one of these options. Either fulltime or part time education at a college or sixth form. An apprenticeship which includes a job or work placement. Entry to employment or employment with training such as an NVQ level 2.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Michael Kors vs Guccio Gucci

Michael Kors vs Guccio Gucci American vs. Foreign Designer Michael Korsvs. Guccio Gucci Showroom Headquarters: Showroom Headquarters: 11 W 42nd St. New York, NY 10018 Via Mecenate, 79, 20138 Milano, Italy Written by: Irene Vastardis Table of Contents: Their Importance 4 Michael Kors Importance . 4 Guccis Importance 4 Background of Designers .. 5 Michael Kors Early Life 5 Launching His Career 5 His Accomplishments .6 Guccio Guccis Early Life ..6 Launching His Career . 7 The Aftermath .. 8 Market Segments .8 Michael Kors Target Market .8 Guccis Target Market .8 Their Unique Designs. 10 Michael Kors Designs ..10 Guccis Designs .11 Promoting Their Products ..13 Michael Kors Licensing Products ..13 Michael Kors Advertising Methods 14 Guccis Advertising Methods ..14 Similarities and Differences 15 Michael Kors and Guccis Similarities .. 15 Michael Kors and Guccis Differences .. 16 Appendix 17 References .19 Their Importance: Michael Kors Importance: Michael Kors is one of the last American Designers that has not looked overseas for style inspiration. He often asks himself first, Where is she wearing that? before designing a garment (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). His main focus is on wearable pieces that is still considered luxury yet affordable. He maintains a huge public relation being on Project Runway for so many years and his ad campaigns are as slick as those of high-end brands such as Prada. I believe he is an important designer because of how unique he is. He makes women feel as though they can be beautiful, elegant, and sexy without spending thousands of dollars. He allows women to afford luxury items without the need of going all out. Most importantly, what he designs, can either be worn casually or professionally. I love that because it can be worn absolutely anywhere. A consumer who would buy Michael Kors products could never be too overdressed or underdressed going out somewhere, whether it be a date, a business meeting, or a night out with the girls. Michael Kors is also a huge philanthropist and truly cares about everyone. He believes in the right for every woman and man to feel high-class, important, beautiful, and sexy despite anyones personal income. Guccis Importance: Guccio Gucci is important because his brand lives on for almost a century and is more popular than ever. Gucci has always said the difference between style and fashion is quality (Global Branding Gucci, 2013). His compassion for the business allowed it to grow into a success. He started his company at the age of 40 after he was inspired with luggage bags working as an elevator attendant. He has created unique designs that have been featured in the New Yorks Museum of Modern Art. He is a legend in the eyes of so many amazing designers. His children were able to take over the business and keep it alive. His children had a huge responsibility to take over his fathers business they were able to make it grow into the empire it is today. I can understand how his children felt and how difficult it was because me and my siblings look after my fathers business. It could easily be destroyed in minutes if you dont have the proper guidance. Thats what makes Gucci so special. It was never lost, b ecause his children kept the business alive and more booming than ever. Guccis slogan is quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten (Global Branding Gucci, 2013). Guccio Guccis legacy will always be remembered and live on because he will never be forgotten as one of the greatest luxury Italian designers of all time. Background of Designers: Michael Kors Early life: Michael Kors started off early in the fashion world. Being only a toddler in Long Island, New York, he started to model appearing on Lucky Charms cereal and toilet paper ads. He was born August 9, 1959, being the same day as my grandmothers birthday, he was also a baby boomer (Michael Kors, 2016). He was lucky to be born in an era filled with more privileges after the end of World War II. He was in love with shopping and collected all of the monthly Vogue magazines to keep up with the latest trends. He went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, but dropped out after only two semesters. After he dropped out, he started designing clothes for small Manhattan boutiques at the age of 19 (Michael Kors, 2016). Something in which I can relate to because it is exactly what I am doing now as a job, only, Im still in school. Launching His Career: When his mother remarried businessman Bill Kors, she allowed Michael to design her wedding dress. In 1978, Kors worked for Lothars, a French boutique, where he discovered his first idea to design his own fashion collection (Studenetske, n.d.). Michael Kors Womans Collection was first launched in 1981 (Michael Kors, 2016). He convinced Anna Wintour, editor of New York magazine at the time, to take a look at his collection. He later picked up designers such as Barbara Walters and earned awards for his designs. Michael Kors business was not always successful though because his company ended up going bankrupt in 1990 (Know Your Fashion Designers: 10 Facts About Michael Kors, 2011). He then launched KORS Michael Kors for a lower price line for a younger audience. In 1997, he maintained a job as the creative director of Celine, a French fashion house, and remained in that position for six years (Know Your Fashion Designers: 10 Facts About Michael Kors, 2011). He continued being the creativ e director and expanding his brand, coming out with menswear, accessories and perfumes. His Accomplishments: He then became a judge on Project Runway in 2004 and retired from it in 2012. He won multiple awards including CFDA Womens Fashion Designer of the Year (1999), the CFDA Mens Fashion Designer of the Year (2003), the ACE Accessory Designer of the Year (2006), and the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award (2010) (Studenetske, n.d.). In August of 2011, after gay marriage became legal in New York, he married his partner, Lance LaPere, at 57 years old, who is now the vice president of Michael Kors Womens Design. Guccio Guccis Early Life: Guccio Gucci founded Gucci in 1921 in Florence, Italy, when he was 40 years old (Global Branding Gucci, 2013). He had four sons that had joined the firm. He was an Italian businessman and fashion designer as well as the founder of the fashion house of Gucci. His wifes name is Aida Calvelli and had six children. As a teenager, Guccio Gucci was a lift boy at the Savoy Hotel in London (Family Fued: The Guccis, 2015). He was inspired by the elegant upper class guests and inspires luggage companies such as HJ Cave Sons, he returned to Florence making travel bags and accessories. In the 1920s, he started out selling leather bags to horsemen. He progressed to making luxury luggage. In 1921, he founded the House of Gucci in Florence as a small family-owned leather saddlery shop (Family Fued: The Guccis, 2015). The business picked up because of the immense profit and new luxuries coming out in the roaring 20s. Launching His Career: In 1938, Gucci opened his first shop on the Via Condotti in Rome, specializing in leather goods (History and Background of Gucci, n.d.). He luckily built a reputation for quality, hireling skilled craftsmen to work in his shop. This was the basis and the foundation of how the house of Gucci was founded. In the 1930s, Gucci became inspired by horseracing. This was a favorite pastime during the 30s (History and Background of Gucci, n.d.). Therefore, he started designing the hardware for his leather goods to resemble horse bits and stirrups. In 1932, he created the GUCCI Loafer Shoe with a gilded horse bit. They are only footwear on display in the New Yorks museum of modern art. In 1947, Gucci introduced The Bamboo Bag, the first iconic bag. It was a saddle bag that featured bamboo handles and the ultimate classic. During the 1950s, the trademark red striped webbing was introduced (Gucci Guide Information, n.d.). It was taken from the original form place on a saddle girth. This became a n emblem much like the leather moccasin with the leather bit (Gucci Guide Information, n.d.). This is famously known worldwide. Its unique creation made it possible for everyone to fall in love, including myself, with his new collection. His creation included products such as luggage, ties, shoes, and the famous handbags sporting the bamboo handle. In 1951, Gucci opened his store in Milan and two years, the company expanded overseas with the Manhattan store. The Aftermath: After Guccis death in 1953, his son Aldo, along with his brothers, took over and helped promote the company internationally (Family Fued: The Guccis, 2015). They were opening open boutiques in the most favored fashion markets such as London, Paris, and New York. The 1960s brought increased fame to the Gucci empire and this was when Gucci was booming. Every Hollywood star was wardrobe in Gucci. Grace Kelly, Peter Sellers, and Audrey Hepburn made the name Gucci synonymous with chic (History and Background of Gucci, n.d.) Although there was success in the business, the family took some downfalls. Brother Maritssio Gucci, took the business over from his founding brother who in turn sold it to an Arab concern in the 1980s. In the early 90s, Guccis image was tarnished when knockoffs appeared everywhere. In order to restore the companys luxury image, the company appointed American Designer Tom Ford as the artistic director in 1994 and kept the position until 2005. As of 2016, Alessandro Mic hele took over the reigns as creative director from Frida Gianninis position. He incorporates a lot of Greek mythology in his designs. Since then, it has become a popular name we all know and love today. Market Segments: Michael Korss Target Market: Michael Kors target market is for womens leather goods and accessories while it showcases fewer items in clothing. They have obtained 521 stores globally (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). They first started off selling in high-end department stores such a as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. However, 82% of their demographic are females and 36% of the demographic are aged between 26-35 (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). Their social status is for the middle class and a lifestyle that is already established. Those who have an adequately paying job and money to spend. Because it is more attainable prices, the result of their audience is younger because it is affordable, although older women shop his collection as well. Personally, I love the fact that its affordable and own many different pieces from his bags, to wallets, shoes, and phone cases. The lifestyle is young, fashionable, and to be in-style. Guccis Target Market: Gucci focuses on middle and high class income. Their market is more of a higher social status, whether its a marries couple sharing joint income or a bachelor/bachelorette with a well-paying occupation. Their target age group is 26-40 years old although some do manage to purchase the Gucci brand in their early 20s (Gucci Guilty Advertising Marketing Campaign, 2015). Their lifestyle is most typically for the wealthy, independent New York business woman/man. Personally owning some of Guccis products such as their bags, shoes, belts, and even luggage, gives me a sense of importance. It gives me a sense of feeling like I am with those who are fashion forward and I have what they have in the introductory stages. Their target markets personality is for those who have a personality of excitement. Competence and sophistication and embrace it through this Italian brand. Those who want to reach the status quo, are fashion conscious, and are socialites (Gucci Guilty Advertising Marketing Camp aign, 2015). Their look goes for the woman to look bold, sexy, glamourous, trendy, classy and confident. Knowing I can afford and appreciate the brand as much as I do, gives me the feeling of being that so-called fashionista and having good taste for what I buy. Their Unique Designs: Michael Kors Designs: All of the Michael Kors handbags are made in China and manufactures by Sitoy Group Holdings LTD (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). Michael Kors has discovered his niche in the industry with creating a combination of casual, street wear, athletics wear, and evening wear. He has made it so that it can appeal to almost everyone. Instead of other designers who focus solely on evening and business wear, Michael Kors took his collection in a different direction. He mostly uses leather as his best fabric to create these wonderful handbags in his Michael Kors Studio and Michael Michael Kors collections. Michael Kors is best known for his repeated logo on all of his accessories. He designs his bags with honeycomb MK logo print (See Figure 1-1). The known leather handbag with the pebbled leather satchel has been a staple in his designs (See Figure 1-2). Even Michele Obama popularized Michael Kors even more wearing his black shift dress in his Spring 2009 collected as her first portrait as first lady (See Figure 1-3). Even his other collection, Michael Micha el Kors has a similar saffiano leather design as his original collection, Michael Kors (See Figure 1-4). Figure 1-1 Figure 1-2 Figure 1-3 Figure 1-4 Guccis Designs: All the merchandise for Gucci is made in Italy. Gucci is best known of course for their leather goods. Now however, they have a line of perfumes, cosmetics, shoes, and eyeglasses, belts, luggage, jewelry, watches, and bags. They now have over 380 directly operated stores worldwide (Global Branding Gucci, 2013). Ready to wear the flora was a scarf which was called a Flouard created for Grace Kelly in 1966, was created for the Monaco princess (See Figure 2-1). The pattern was completely made out of silk and is still being used today in a variety of colors. Jackie Kennedy helped by being photographed with the Gucci shoulder strap which became known as the Jackie O Bag (Global Branding Gucci, 2013). Audrey Hepburn was the woman who helped brand Gucci to become successful (See Figure 2-2). They crafted durable woven canvas and a leather trim to make the luxurious symbol of the original GG pattern. The horse bit/icon design, which is one of my favorites, was seen on handbags, leather goods , and clothing, but was first introduced in 1953 on a pair of loafers (See Figure 2-3). I love the loafer look because I believe it is a staple for every man. The sophistication and class that shoe brings as they walk into work speaks volumes. The fashion conscious man can see that it is simply a must have in their closet. The Bamboo top handle was released in 1947 (See Figure 2-4). It was re-released in 2000, making it more modern and refined. The bag is now composed of 140 separate pieces made in Gucci Florentine workshops. Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Figure 2-3 Figure 2-4 Promoting Their Products: Michael Kors Licensing Products: Michael Kors has a lot of licensed products that he advertises through different companies. He has licensed watches and jewelry that has been licensed exclusively to Fossil. His watches came out in 2004 and his jewelry came out in 2010 (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). They are both sold in Michael Kors retail stores, wholesale customers, and select watch retailers. The watches sell from anywhere to $150 to $500. The jewelry includes bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings and sells between $45 and $375 (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). I personally love his jewelry, especially the watches. His watches are timeless and gives a sense of pure luxury as you put it on. The encrusted crystals and gold face and band truly gives it its endless look. He also has licensed eye wear that is exclusive to Marchon ever since January in 2004. The collection is focused on status eye wear (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). He sells them in Michael Kors retail s tores, wholesale customers, select sunglass retailers, and prescription eye wear providers. The retail price is from anywhere in between $85 to $285. He works with Estee Lauder with his fragrance and beauty ever since May of 2003. In 2013, his tag line was Sporty Sexy Glam, which is still continuing to be their standard of set style (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). They are sold in retail stores, wholesale customers, and select fragrance retailers. The price range is typically around $20 to $115. His handbags and small leather goods range from $500 to $6,000, while his footwear is anywhere from $500 to $1,300. His womens apparel, which is his smallest category, ranges from $400 to $4,000 (Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). Michael Kors Advertising Methods: The way Kors advertises is through his ads always about boarding a private jet or hanging around on a yacht in the French Riviera. His ads are usually in magazines such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Vanity Fair(Michael Kors Strategic Marketing Plan, 2014). They promote in these magazines for the fashion-conscious women out there to create their own personal style. He advertises in these magazines because of the similar interest medium to attract the magazine and the customer target market. The luxury at an attainable price is the strength of the brand. He also sells his products at department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macys, Lord Taylors, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many others. North America is the largest Michael Kors geographical market but is also expanding in Europe and Asia (Segmenting and Targeting Market, 1970). For those who may not be able to reach the store, a consumer may always purchase them on his website. Guccis Advertising Methods: The attitude towards Guccis advertisements is the sense of defiance of a young and social demographic. Women see it as a sense of elegance and beauty and men see it as a cool brand. Gucci advertises in magazines such as GQ, Vogue, Mens Health, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Glamour, and many others (Gucci Guilty Advertising Marketing Campaign, 2015). They advertise big on Facebook and Twitter as well as other social media sites. They even have their own geo-filters on Snapchat that can be activated while stepping into any Gucci boutique. Their retailer engineers are Amazon, Selfridges, and Harrods. They have public transportation billboard advertisements and digital advertisements too. There is also TV commercial advertising for the brand. I typically always see commercials based around their perfumes, especially the most popular Gucci Guilty. They always having an aesthetically pleasing actor and actress using sensory marketing to attract their customers. Consumers can buy Gucci products a cross the globe including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Switzerland (Gucci Guilty Advertising Marketing Campaign, 2015). Gucci products are sold at any Gucci retail stores and other department stores such as Macys, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and many others. If consumers are unable to reach the store, they are always able to order off the Gucci website and get the merchandise delivered to their home with more convenience. Similarities and Differences: Michael Kors and Guccis Similarities: Some similarities these two designers have is their niche in luxury leather handbags. They both started off selling leather goods and expanded their realm into making apparel, cosmetics, eyewear, shows, and fragrances. Their logo is both the first and last initial of their names. They both create an elegant and chic look to their brand and are intended for the business working man/woman. Neither of them had a college degree but both started on their own because of their true love for luxury goods. Their way of marketing is through retail stores, department stores, and online. They advertise through social media and magazines as well. Michael Kors and Guccis Differences: One main difference about Gucci and Michael Kors is the price range of their products. Gucci sells handbags anywhere from $395 to $29,000, while Michael Kors sells them anywhere from $98 to $3,000. All of Guccis products are made in Italy while Michael Kors is typically made in China or Vietnam. Michael Kors gets his inspiration from American designs while Gucci was inspired through his daily pastime in Italy. Gucci then created more designs through watching the trends of fashion around the world. Guccio Gucci was inspired through fashion by being an elevator assistant. He started designing by the age of 40 with his niche being leather because he loved watching horseracing. Michael Kors knew he wanted to be a designer from a young age. He started modeling by the age of 9 and worked his way to design his own womens collection by the age of 21. Michael Kors is a younger demographic and aims more towards a comfortable lifestyle Guccis demographic is a little bit more sophisticated and h as more of a lavished lifestyle. Either way, I am in love with both of these brands. They are the majority of my wardrobe and my accessories that are very well known designers. I love how they can be so different and similar at the same time. Michael Kors is known for bringing in a younger demographic, while also bringing and older demographic as well, but for Gucci to also lure in those who are younger with his timeless designs shows just how brilliant they truly are. Appendix Alas, M. and Piggott, M. (1966). Flora Pattern [Picture]. 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Retrieved by https://www.gucci.com/us/en/pr/women/womens-shoes/womens-moccasins-loafers/leather-horsebit-loafers-p-460118C9D001000 Kors, M. (2017). Jet Set Travel Saffiano Leather Small Tote [Picture]. Retrieved by https://www.michaelkors.com/product/jet-set-travel-saffiano-leather-small-tote/_/R-US_30H1GTVT1L?ecid=MKC_Google_USgclid=Cj0KEQjwk-jGBRCbxoPLld_bp-IBEiQAgJaftSIh-BKxs9noCY5-55lUAxyheRXGOyvVi9Y1tiDVVCoaArHL8P8HAQ Kors, M. (2017). Mercer Large Leather Satchel [Picture]. Retrieved by https://www.michaelkors.com/product/mercer-large-leather-satchel/_/R-US_30H6GM9S3L?ecid=MKC_Google_USgclid=Cj0KEQjwk-jGBRCbxoPLld_bp-IBEiQAgJaftdtKvzSB8yl8y5KQRn60S96H_Qei7qhgtxy0fLik6mMaAuSU8P8HAQ Kors, M. (2009). Michele Obama in MK Dress [Picture]. Retrieved by https://www.emaze.com/@AIRRCOWW/MICHAEL-KORS N. A. (2015) Michael Kors [Picture]. Retrieved by http://icecreamconvos.com/rumor-control-michael-kors-doesnt-like-black-people/ N. A. (2015) Guccio Gucci [Picture]. 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