An In-Depth Look at the Lightning Thief

The first book in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief, was published in 2005. This book is an entertaining introduction to a world of half-bloods, heroes, and Greek mythology. From the hilarious chapter titles (â€Å"We Take a Zebra to Vegas†) to the action-packed and thrilling text, to the strong narrative voice and compelling characters, readers of all ages (especially those ages 10 to 13) will find themselves immersed in Percy’s world. Many readers are unable to put the book down. Story Synopsis The books protagonist is 12-year-old Percy Jackson, who has dyslexia. He cant seem to keep himself out of trouble. He has been kicked out of a lot of boarding schools, but the last thing he wants to do is get kicked out of Yancy Academy. Things go horribly wrong on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when he and his best friend Grover are attacked by their math teacher, who has turned into a monster. Percy narrowly escapes this monster, then learns the truth about why his teacher attacked him. It turns out that Percy is a half-blood, the son of a Greek god, and there are monsters trying to kill him. The safest place is at Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp on Long Island for the children of the gods. Here, Percy is introduced to a new world of gods, magic, quests, and heroes. After a series of page-turning events where Percys mother is kidnapped and Zeuss master lightning bolt is stolen, a crime for which Percy is being blamed,  he sets out on a quest with his friends Grover and Annabeth. They want to find the lightning bolt and return it to Mount Olympus on the 600th floor of the Empire State building. Percy and his friends mission takes them in all sorts of odd directions and on adventures around the country. By the end of the book, Percy and his pals have helped restore order among the gods, and his mom is set free. Why Its Worth Reading While the plot sounds needlessly complicated, it works as a whole to keep the reader engaged. There’s an overarching story that holds all the smaller pieces together. The smaller side plots introduce various Greek gods and myths that make the story so much fun to read. Riordan knows his Greek mythology and understands how to make these stories interesting for kids. The Lightning Thief is appealing to both boys and girls, as the book is peppered with strong male and female heroes and heroines. The Lightning Thief provides a fantastic start to a fun series. Its highly recommended reading for children aged 10 to 13. About Author Rick Riordan A former sixth grade English and social studies teacher, Rick Riordan is the author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the  Heroes of Olympus  series, and The Kane Chronicles  series. He has also been a part of The 39 Clues series. Riordan is an outspoken advocate of books that are accessible and interesting to read for kids with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. He is also the author of an award-winning mystery series for adults. Sources: Riordan, R. (2005).  The . New York: Hyperian Books.Lightening Thief Rick Riordan. (2005). Retrieved from http://rickriordan.com/

World War I Was A War - 1743 Words

World War I was a war fought between the Allies and the Central Powers in 1914 through 1918. This was the first international war in the twentieth century and possibly the most deadliest war since. Every country was bringing out their finest advanced weaponry and their most strategic methods to succeed. All of the new advanced weaponry and strategies had a huge impact on the way the war was fought. The soldiers entered the war with horses and simple rifles, but left the war with tanks, flamethrowers, machine guns, and even technology like poisonous gas. With all this new technology impacting World War I, the Allies and Central Powers had to create new strategies/technology to fight and defend with, the inhumane methods of killing people†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"The first, the front-line trench (or firing-and-attack trench), was located from 50 yards to 1 mile from the German s front trench. Several hundred yards behind the front-line trench was the support trench, with me n and supplies that could immediately assist those on the front line. The reserve trench was dug several hundred yards further back and contained men and supplies that were available in emergencies should the first trenches be overrun.† (Bagget and Jay) Germans also took advantage of trenches and created multiple types of trenches to help them win the war. They were ready for any attack/possibility of invasion and were trying to use trenches as strategically as they could. Trenches would cause damage to nature and the area around it. Imagine how after the war with trenches, there would be multiple tunnels just engraved in the ground and it would of destroyed all the life in that soil and around it. During the war, the sides would use artillery on each other s trenches so they had to keep on expanding their trenches and making new ones. The artillery would further destruction and cause many craters around the trenches. The way trenches would cause people to get sick was probably not a concern to the forces when creating them. Think about what would happen if soldiers had to sleep and stay in muddy, wet, and dirty trenches twenty-four-seven. When their clothes got wet they wouldn t have always have spare uniforms and they would have t o fight with

E-Marketing study notes Free Essays

Owned Media: carry communication megs from the org to net users on owned channels(our site) Paid media: properties owned by others who are paid to carry promotional megs (advertising) Earned media: when Individual’s conversations become the channel (WHOM) Media type Definition: Examples: The role Benefits Challenges Owned Channel a brand controls Web site, mobile site, blob twitter account Build for LET RSI with existing potential customers and earn media Control, cost efficiency, longevity, versatility, niche audiences, build B image No guarantees, company communication not trusted, takes time to scale Paid Brand pays to leverage channel Display ads, paid search, sponsorship Shift from foundation to a catalyst that feeds owned and creates earned media In demand, immediacy, scale, control Clutter, declining response rates, poor credibility limited control Earned When customers become the channel WHOM, Buzz, viral Listen respond – earned M Is result of well executed coordinated owned/pall media Most credible, key role in most sales, transparent and lives on No control, can be negative, scale, hard to measure Owned media: Content marketing: strategy involving creating publishing content on sites and in social media. Having content available to inform ,entertain and engage users when eek the company Companies organizing themselves as media publishers online All owned media is content Sell digital content on media (music software), accept Google Ad Sense and recover payments when click on ads. Websites: Marketing public relations (MR. We will write a custom essay sample on E-Marketing study notes or any similar topic only for you Order Now ) brand related actively non paid, 3rd party media coverage to positively Influence market. DVD for using W to publish plus Info: low cost alternative, Info updated, can reach new prospects. Entertain, build communities, communication channel, provide info and How to cite E-Marketing study notes, Essays

Conservatism and Earnings Management †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Conservatism and Earnings Management. Answer: Introduction: The accounting scandals and frauds over the past two decades have resulted in a debate associated with the financial reporting systems and their incapability in detecting fabrication of earnings. For instance, the accounting scandals of Enron, Xerox and WorldCom have exposed serious gap in the practices of financial reporting and audit system inadequacy (Kothari, Mizik and Roychowdhury 2015). The swindles occurred in the above-stated organisations have not been due to the accounting misstatements; instead, they occurred due to the prevalent earnings management practices of these organisations. As commented by Fang, Huang and Karpoff (2015), earnings management could be described as the deliberate manipulation of the financial information on the part of managers to reach a targeted level of profits. In addition, such manipulation is conducted through the pliability of various accounting standards in selecting the method of accounting, its application and event timings. In the current era, the financial managers have resorted to earnings management for meeting or beating the market projections and expectations of the analysts. The current research aims to provide a critical overview of the literature associated with earnings management. In addition, the research questions and hypotheses have been set along with the operational definitions and measurement. Finally, the research sheds light on discussing the research methodology with the expected outcomes of the research. Woolworths Bankstown is located in the heart of Bankstown serving the whole region with an array of groceries that include meat, vegetable, fruit and packaged food(Bankstowncentral, 2017). The company also sells other non-food items like magazines, stationery and DVDs. This makes it among the 1000 stores around Australia comprising of 968 supermarkets and 19 convenience stores with the same logo. Other supermarkets at Woolworths have been traded as Safeway stores in Victoria and three other stores that are located in the suburbs of Melbourne and other surrounding areas in Victoria and new south wales(Walsh, 2014). Background Literature review In Australia, the supermarket industry is one of the most fierce with high competition rising from the internal and external organisations. With the entry of Aldi in the past five years, the industry has significantly been altered for old timers like Woolworth. The popularity for Aldi has for example grown over the past years due to its discount on private-labeled products. Some of the giants affected by this trend include Woolworth, Coles and Foodworks who continue to struggle in the price-tense industry. the profit margins of most of these supermarkets are falling with time as indicated in the following graph: With the above trends of competition in the retailer industry, it calls for woolworths to set standards that they can apply to ensure services and quality for its customers. The supermarket industry in Australia is also faced with a lot of competition as new entrants try to replicate what the company is already doing in terms of expansion. For example, one of the few entrants in the supermarket business, Aldi which is German Based has expanded to Woolworth which continue to provide competition for the companys earnings. According to a report by Coch, (2017) the companys sales were up to a near AUD19 billion investment the food business, brought results of up to AUD500 million as earnings of the supermarkets declined to around AUD 130 million in the half year financial report in 2016. Other statistics regarding the woolworth industrial performance shows a decline in sales per square metre with regard to the countrys food division from AUD16,251 to AUD15,927 which is a decline of very 2%. In the same manner, when looking at higher real number with regard to sales, it shows that woolworth will grow in its retail price space in a much quicker manner(Fallon, 2005). A lot of evidence also show that this is influenced by the growing number of many smaller inner-city stores and other new stores including Bansktown. Economically, the retail sector in Australia is a subject of much debate among many analysts. There is a lot of attention that is centered on the Cole and Woolworths duopoly in the sector. The two supermarkets currently control the market share of 70-80% of the whole supermarket business in the country. In this regard, there are calls for competition reform laws that will call for prevention on misuse of market power. Currently, Coles and woolworths still control the supermarket economy in Australia than their competitors. They are dominant in more towns and demonstrate a much better availability of grocery products in the Australian supermarket industry. in economic terms thus, a perfect market is one that indicates many sellers and buyers, where all products that are sold by the supermarkets should be identical with no barrier to market entry. In this regard, the new competition for the two supermarket is Aldi which comes in with pricing competition. According to Fallon, (2005), a perfect competitive market is one that is able to establish a long relationship regarding demand and supply. However the current retailer market does not indicate this as Woolworth will not accept the market price which and they will work on competition by setting their own market price. This is a major contrast to other new entries like Aldi which operates smaller stores that are simple and more agile when it comes to logistics management. In this regard, it shows that the legacy woolworth has held for decades will continue to have a major turnaround with regard to profitability that some of its stores may have to close. Effective management of the company earnings is the only way to go. Other conundrums like Metcash and Coles have also been driven to lease new and smaller format stores that retain customer loyalty when maintaining their earnings margin. With this in mind it is important to find out the impact of earnings management practices at woolworth and how this will ensure the supermarket remains relevant to the australian markets(Anninos, 2014). Parent Literature Review When it comes to the supermarket business, different consumer will always have different interests in regard to products that are displayed on the shelves. This is due to different consumer behavior and variations on the needs of each customer and what they aim to benefit from the products they purchase. Satisfying all customers is almost impossible calling for supermarket chains to respond by offering various packages and brands. It has thus become important for Woolworth Bansktown branch to move from mass marketing and focus more on target marketing, which puts more energy on a particular group of customers(Armstrong Kotler, 2012). When an organisation is able to target a particular group of customers, this is referred to as customer segmentation. According to the Henry Ford Model T one can have any color as long as it is black, this means that market segmentation will always work to attract a considerable interest in the brand. companies such as Aldi , Burtons and British Shoe co rporation are evidence that market segmentation can eventually lead to the success of the business.(Blyth, 2006) This means that so long as companies are competing for the limited sales then markets need to be separated to smaller and homogenous markets. The market segmentation concept was discovered by Smith (Arnold, 2014) who was of the idea that segmentation was a temporary phenomenon for businesses to exhale. By effectively using the market segmentation, Woolworth Bansktown branch will be able to earn more recognition of the market segments as it sees groups of customer in the individual markets increase. Market segmentation thus becomes very important when looking at the smaller homogenous markets so as to change the preference of the company product to fit a significant market need. According to Beardwell Claydon (2010), such segments are usually subjected to the same market so as to create the much needed behavior. In this manner, the underlying principle on market segmentation is about the fragmentation of the market where a homogenous market will not exist. According to Arnold (2014), the further add that the idea of consumers being different from one another and the influence this has in demand will also be considered. For a Woolworth Bansktown branch to be able to serve all customers may not be easy since customers in the region will different preferences meaning they will have to be approached differently. For the retailer to be able to satisfy their consumers, it will have done the most important thing with regard to market segmentation. Arnold (2014), adds that market segmentation is usually the focal and prevailing concept that offers companies with directives on marketing strategies to be used. Segmentation has been adopted by various businesses in the event that the business is working towards differentiating itself with the rest in the industry. Arnold (2014), continues to argue that one of the most popular ideas in marketing will look at market segmentation. According to Arnold (2014), for example, business that adopt market segmentation will always realize a wide range of advantages. This is especially true when looking at information that is obtained by the companies. Armstrong Kotler ( 2012) also added that companies should be in a position to gain the trust of consumers in order to win them over and accomplish the marketing objectives. they should be able to understand the needs of each customer and fulfil them in any way. In addition, when companies use the information regarding segmentation, they are also able to understand the wants of consumers as well as their needs. Due to the fact that a person aims with promotion and advertising to inform market segments of the service or product on the existing market the information will have been applied to direct the marketing activities of the business. business will also be able to adjust the shifting market demands and come up with a good strategy to win back their customer even in an environment of new entries like the one Woolworth is facing with the entry of Aldi. Lastly, Arnold (2014) advises that for a company or business to gain the competitive advantage, it is important that they focus on a particular group of customers and come up with a marketing mix that will win them over. This shows that market segmentation will always assist businesses in achieving the required profitability that their current position. This shows that market segmentation is a good tool for Woolworth as it will contribute to the increase in earnings and enable it maintain a market position. One of ways that Woolworth Bankstown has been able to make shopping convenient to customer is through embracing technologies in most of their operations. firstly the company ensures that banking facilities are found in the store, this provide customers with convenience to make transactions after which they will be able to do their shopping. The company also makes alliances with banks to enable customers purchase goods with their bank credit card like the woolworths master card(Arnold, 2014). Which provides customers with added benefits like flier points. With time this increases the amount of purchase and consumers are influence in shop at the store with the aim of gaining points at any location. There is also a reward program where customers get discounts when shopping at their stores. According to a research by credit Suisse, food prices fell by 2 per cent in the September quarter after the deflation of 2.7 per cent at Woolworths in the first quarter and 2.4 per cent at Coles. The prices for the retailer, especially on private label product have also reportedly fell by 4.4 per cent in 2016, this exceeded deflation of 2.6 per cent for all branded items(Mitchel, 2016). With comparison to Coles, the privately labeled deflation was 3.3 per cent in the last three months towards September 2016 and 3.7 per cent for all the branded goods. This shows that unlike woolworths, Coles is investing more on heavily packaged goods, calling for woolworths to respond to industry feedback as the industry continues to be more and more difficult with new entries. They need to review their pricing strategy if they are to survive the industry. one of the ways that woolworths Bankstown can do this for example will be to offer half price specials for branded products, however, this should only be done among loyalty club members to encourage more customers to enter the loyalty program(Mitchel, 2016). Reports also indicate the in 2016 the company focused more on meat pricing as a key category as it is a driver of the retailers larger basket. However, a review on pricing is important as the industry continue becoming more and more competitive. Actually products will also look at good quality and after sales service in terms of customers. Continued training will also be vital for all its departments to ensure that only the most professional and customer oriented are working for the branch retailer(Boatright, 2015). If this is done well, the company will be on its way to regaining the markets and even increase in terms of market share. This will also ensure customer loyalty as service friendly supermarket that looks at the consumer needs not as a multinational but as a branch supermarket in the region. Market segmentation thus will go a long way to ensure earnings management due to efficiency and increased accountability and regulated operational budget. so far the company has not been doing so bad with regard to expansion, however this will also have to be stopped for a while and if possible other branches should close in order to maintain its financial position(Grimshaw, et al., 2008). Availability is only realized through localization of Woolworth Bansktown branch products . They can take advantage of the local people and local resources to grow and increase their earnings. For the company to transfer its core competency and specific culture at the local branch, the parent company will have to send technical people to the branch and teach the local employees on the improved technologies and other technical aspects of the business so as to learn from it(Arnold, 2014). In addition, Woolworth needs to respect the specific needs of the locals as this is one of the ways it can promote its operations and philosophy in management. They also need to make consistent change with regard to the every growing markets and competition in the retailer industry. its focus should always remain on the core products that include laundries, food, fruits and other goods for daily use. Arnold (2014), adds that this can be done by providing one of the best customer services so as to maintain and increase loyalty. This will also provide an addition source or revenue and increase its profit margin from where it currently stands. There also needs to be a strong dealership bridge that will enable an increase in the coverage of the companys products making it deliver better services to the people. the local branch needs to find ways of tapping in to the unexploited markets of the elderly people in the country. Statistics show that the number of elderly people is going to increase in the next five years, this provides a new market with very little competition(Li, 2013). In addition, the aged are cautious in spending making Woolworth products attractive in this market. Research questions and hypotheses: The following research questions have been set to fit the purpose of the research: What is the magnitude and presence of earnings management in Woolworths Group through the estimation of discretionary accruals What is the current practice of earnings management in Woolworths Group? What is the pattern of discretionary accruals of Woolworths Group for a three-year period? How could Woolworths Group improve its existing earnings management practices? The following research hypotheses have been framed based on the research topic: H0: The association between the compensation of plan executive and coefficient of earnings response is negative H1: The debt limit and coefficient of earnings response have negative relationship with each other H2: The minimisation of the financial performance of executives and coefficient of earnings response has negative association with each other Operational definitions and measurement: The background of the research is simplified in order to make it achievable. The earnings management practices of Woolworths Group could be gauged in terms of compensation of plan executive, debt limit and coefficient of earnings response. Therefore, the researcher will use these variables to arrive at the outcome of the research. The scope of the research is limited to the evaluation of these variables and the degree to which the earnings management practices are affected on the part of these variables. The research excluded the consideration of the other Australian retail companies, which might help in revealing the industry trend. Therefore, Woolworths Group will be considered along with the above variables to test the research hypotheses. Sampling serves as techniques in which targeted respondents are selected for research from a huge population. Probability sampling specifically simple random sampling will be employed in this research for carrying out survey with the financial managers of Woolworths Company as it offers equal chances to the respondents for being chosen within the survey. It has been gathered that quantitative evaluation requires larger sample size for gaining and evaluating responses gathered from survey participants. Simple random sampling will facilitate the research to select most important primary data source for blending relevant information that is aligned with research objectives (Flick 2015). Large sample size will be selected in this research for evaluating responses gathered from survey participants effectively. For this reason, 11 financial managers of Woolworths Company will be chosen to evaluate their responses. The data gathered from the research on Earnings Management Practices in Woolworths Group will be analysed by means of employing several analytical methods. Considering the same, efficient selection of analytical methods is important to attain appropriate and suitable research findings. In addition to that, it facilitates sustaining transparency along with evaluating composed data. Quantitative data those are gathered will be analysed and represented through graphs and tables for simplifying the process of analysis for the collected data (Mackey and Gass 2015). Additionally, MS excel tool will be employed for converting the consumers opinion into certain percentage for anticipating the respondents insights trends. Primary and secondary data will be gathered for evaluating the earnings management practices within Woolworths Company. Primary data for this research will be gathered from surveying 11 financial managers of Woolworth Company. Secondary data for this research will be gathered from relevant journals, previous research papers, books, articles and annual report of Woolworths Company. Quantitative data will be gathered for the recent research that will be analysed for gathering relevant information and research findings (Panneerselvam 2014). For collecting primary research, the researcher will develop a planned questionaries that encompass both close and open-ended questions. Survey will serve as the best option to collect relevant quantitative data as it facilitates collection of significant data from huge sample size. Expected outcomes: Analysis of the research results will reveal existence of increased earnings manipulation within consumer durables and energy industry. The research will reveal that earnings management level in the upcoming years can improve the governance measures, audit along with financial reporting of Woolworths Company. The findings will also reveal that such measures can facilitate the company to be successful in constraining earnings manipulation along with making sure of the reliability of the reported numbers (Tarone et al. 2013). The research results are intended to reveal increased correlation among effective audit associations and decreased levels of earnings management in the Woolworth Company. The research results is intended to offer effective insights for regulators and Woolworth Company boards that will analyse the efficiency of the companys boards along with enforcing effective governance measures. Research findings will reveal that such measures can retain earnings management that can after all safeguard investor interest. Conclusion: Probability sampling specifically simple random sampling will be employed in this research for carrying out survey with the financial managers of Woolworths Company. Simple random sampling will facilitate the research to select most important primary data source for blending relevant information that is aligned with research objectives. Quantitative data those are gathered will be analysed and represented through graphs and tables for simplifying the process of analysis for the collected data. Primary and secondary data will be gathered for evaluating the earnings management practices within Woolworths Company. The research will reveal that earnings management level in the upcoming years can improve the governance measures, audit along with financial reporting of Woolworths Company. References: Anninos, L., 2014. Research performance evaluation: some critical thoughts on standard bibliometric indicators. Studies in Higher Education, 39(9), pp. 1542-1561. Armstrong, G. Kotler, P., 2012. Marketing: An Introduction. In: 11, ed. NY: Prentice Hall, pp. 76-97. Arnold, C., 2014. Ethical Marketing and the New Consumer: Marketing in the New Ethical Economy.. 2 ed. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons. Badolato, P.G., Donelson, D.C. and Ege, M., 2014. Audit committee financial expertise and earnings management: The role of status.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), pp.208-230. Badolato, P.G., Donelson, D.C. and Ege, M., 2014. Audit committee financial expertise and earnings management: The role of status.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), pp.208-230. Ball, R., 2013. Accounting informs investors and earnings management is rife: Two questionable beliefs.Accounting Horizons,27(4), pp.847-853. Bankstowncentral, 2017. Overview. [Online] Available at: https://www.bankstowncentral.com.au/centre-info/overview/ [Accessed 28 April 2017]. Beardwell, J. Claydon, T., 2010. Human Resource Management: A contemporary approach. 6 ed. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Blyth, J., 2006. Principles and Practice of Marketing. London: Thomson Learning. Boatright, J., 2015. Ethics and the conduct of business. 7th ed. Chicago.: Loyola University. Butt, U.R., Chamberlain, T.W. and Sarkar, S., 2014. Accruals and Real Earnings Management: Testing the Debt Covenant Hypothesis. Chamberlain, T.W., Butt, U.R. and Sarkar, S., 2014. Accruals and real earnings management around debt covenant violations.International Advances in Economic Research,20(1), p.119. Chen, X., Cheng, Q. and Wang, X., 2015. Does increased board independence reduce earnings management? Evidence from recent regulatory reforms.Review of Accounting Studies,20(2), pp.899-933. Chen, X., Cheng, Q. and Wang, X., 2015. Does increased board independence reduce earnings management? Evidence from recent regulatory reforms.Review of Accounting Studies,20(2), pp.899-933. Cohen, L.J., Cornett, M.M., Marcus, A.J. and Tehranian, H., 2014. Bank earnings management and tail risk during the financial crisis.Journal of Money, Credit and Banking,46(1), pp.171-197. Degeorge, F., Ding, Y., Jeanjean, T. and Stolowy, H., 2013. Analyst coverage, earnings management and financial development: An international study.Journal of Accounting and Public Policy,32(1), pp.1-25. Dou, Y., Khan, M. and Zou, Y., 2016. Labor unemployment insurance and earnings management.Journal of Accounting and Economics,61(1), pp.166-184. Fang, V.W., Huang, A.H. and Karpoff, J.M., 2015. Short selling and earnings management: A controlled experiment.The Journal of Finance. Fang, V.W., Huang, A.H. and Karpoff, J.M., 2015. Short selling and earnings management: A controlled experiment.The Journal of Finance. Fallon, J., 2005. Woolworths Australia results rise. Supermarket News, 45(37), p. 16. Flick, U., 2015.Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Sage. Gao, P., 2013. A measurement approach to conservatism and earnings management.Journal of Accounting and Economics,55(2), pp.251-268. Grimshaw, T., Allen, C. Lilly, D., 2008. Mullumbimby Residents Reject Woolies Expansion: Australian towns continue to resist the expansion plans of supermarket giant Woolworths.. A current Affair. Kim, J.B. and Sohn, B.C., 2013. Real earnings management and cost of capital.Journal of Accounting and Public Policy,32(6), pp.518-543. Kothari, S.P., Mizik, N. and Roychowdhury, S., 2015. Managing for the moment: The role of earnings management via real activities versus accruals in SEO valuation.The Accounting Review,91(2), pp.559-586. Kothari, S.P., Mizik, N. and Roychowdhury, S., 2015. Managing for the moment: The role of earnings management via real activities versus accruals in SEO valuation.The Accounting Review,91(2), pp.559-586. Li, T., 2013. Who benefits from market expansion?. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences / Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l'Administration, 30(4), pp. 252-263. Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015.Second language research: Methodology and design. Routledge. Mitchel, S., 2016. Australian supermarket margins double those at Tesco. [Online] Available at: https://www.afr.com/business/retail/australian-supermarket-margins-double-those-at-tesco-20161012-gs0fxe [Accessed 28 April 2017]. Panneerselvam, R., 2014.Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. Spelitis, H., 2015. Big plans for supermarket: says Woolworths may be taking advantage of downturn to expand What do you think about the planned Woolworths' expansion?. APN Newspapers Pty Ltd, Gladstone, Qld.. Tarone, E.E., Gass, S.M. and Cohen, A.D., 2013.Research methodology in second-language acquisition. Routledge. Walsh, B., 2014. Chain store retailing in Ireland: a case study of F.W. Woolworth Co. Ltd, 1914-2008. Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, 6(1), pp. 98-115.

Vostok Ice core report free essay sample

Abstract: Global warming has been widely discussed all around the world as it is an issue that affects the living of all mankind in the world. It is argued that the ‘anthropogenic’ changes posse more influence on the climate change to the Earth, compared to the ‘naturally driven’ glacial and interglacial changes in temperature. This report is based on the Vostok Core by faculty at Columbia University as an example for us to investigate global climate change. Author of this report believes global warming is just part of the long term temperature fluctuation during the interglacial period as there is no convincing and valid evidence that shows human activities are the only reason of the raise of global mean temperature. Introduction: This report is written to summarize the findings of the Vostok Ice-core lab, based on the data obtained in the ice-core. It mainly addresses the relationship between the composition of ice core and temperature change. We will write a custom essay sample on Vostok Ice core report or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Moreover, the controversy of main reason of global warming will be discussed. Method: In this report, the data is obtained from the Vostok core drilled in East Antarctica, at an altitude of 3488m. The ice core has a total length of 2083m. In the sample, the temperature, composition of CO2, CH4, and dust in different each ice sheet layer is recorded. Through investigating the relationship between the composition of CO2, CH4, dust and the age of ice and gas, the paleoclimate including local temperature can be shown. It shows the fluctuation of climate in the past hundreds of thousands of years. Due to limited resources and technology in the past, it is difficult to measure and record the climate data hundreds of thousands years ago. Through investigating ice sheets that were trapped in the ancient snow, climate data hundreds of thousands of years ago can be estimated. The reason of using the  ice sheet drilled at the East Antarctic as sample as the location is less disturbed by anthropogenic activities. With that being the case, it can be a proxy that shows the temperature in the past. Ice layers are formed in different part of time. The oldest layer of ice is formed at the base of the ice core and the youngest ice layer is formed at the top of the core. By seeing the composition of different ice age and gas age, the climatic data in the past can be estimated. By generating plots and graph from the given data, we can see that the amount of CO2, dust and CH4 keeps fluctuating throughout different ice age. By comparing the three graphs, there are no similar patterns. It seems that the fluctuation is random. CO2, dust and CH4 are the main greenhouse gas and agent in the atmosphere that trap heat in the Earth. The global mean temperature is rising since the 18th century. Yet, there is no particular change of the composition of CO2, dust and CH4, which is mainly produced by human activities. To conclude, the amount of CO2, dust and CH4 cannot be an evidence to show that human activities are the main reason of the rising temperature in the Earth. The limitation of the data is that the ice core may not reflect the reality of the climate in that ice age. For example, for the data related to the gas age, it is assumed that the bubbles of gas are effectively trapped on the old layer of ice sheet. Discussion: To a small extent, the data in the Vostok Lab can show that human activities are the main cause of global warming. Firstly, the data obtained is only estimation from the ice core. It is not an exact data that is record in the past. There are other factors that may alter the composition of the ice core. Formation of the ice core could be affected by other factors, like the weather at that time, landscape, external process, etc. With that being the case, the ice core could not be a convincing data that show the climate change. Moreover, the fluctuating and irregular pattern cannot show the influence of the change of global temperature change, even when we consider the ice core as a valid evidence. CO2, dust and CH4 are the main source of greenhouses gases, which are produced mainly by human activities. If that is the case, the composition of CO2, dust and CH4 should be coherent to the change of temperature of the Earth. Yet, it is not shown from the data. Moreover, there are lots of different factors that keep affecting the temperature of the Earth. The energy of the sun, the albedo effect, Milakovitch Cycles, plate tectonics are the examples of the factors that affect the temperature. Conclusion To conclude, based the given data, it is difficult to prove that anthropogentic changes are stronger than the glacial and interglacial changes in temperature, as there are not enough valid evidence from the lab. Studying climate change is not a short term issue. However, due to the limited technology level and the knowledge of the Earth, we could not obtain concise data to investigate the climate change. The ice core could be one of the proxies that help us to understand the climatic condition in the past. It is suggested to compare more other proxies, in order to draw conclusion of the main reason and the trend of climate change.

Examining the Status of Women implied by a doll essays

Examining the Status of Women implied by a doll essays In todays society it is expected that one will come across female lawyers, doctors and even police officers. This has become common and expected, since women and men are equal and given the same chances for an education and receive the same job opportunities. However, many women had to fight long and hard to receive this state of equality; one must not forget that it was not too long ago when women were not even permitted to vote. The disparity of the sexes was far more wide spread in the 19th century and is ever apparent in Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. In the play women are portrayed to posses a state of dependence upon men. This is implied through their legal status where they require a mans signature on all legal documents. As well as in a professional and economic standpoint, women are required to depend on a man to provide for them. Finally, merely examining a woman in married life will clearly demonstrate her lesser role in the marriage. In the time of Ibsens play, women were not entitled to any legal power. Nora drastically needed money to pay for a trip to southern Italy for her husband, Torvald, to basically save his life. Unfortunately, she was not able to do this legally. Mrs. Linde states this to Nora, No, a wife cannot borrow without her husbands consent (Ibsen, 11). In the severity of the situation Nora was forced to forge her fathers signature to receive the loan. Today, minors require co-signatures and permission from adults for legal documents, but this only makes sense; minors do require their parents or guardians for guidance and do depend on them. An adult woman does not require a man to possess all her legal rights, as in the time of the play in the 1870s. For a look into the professional and economic situation of women it is best to examine the characters of Nora and Mrs. Linde. Women of that time were never expected to be in the role of provider,...

Compare and contrast about 2 different speakers Essay

Compare and contrast about 2 different speakers - Essay Example Oprah repeats some of her words to emphasize certain facts and to drive home vital facts. Oprah also takes time to summarize her speech in a simple yet captivating way ensuring that her main points sink in the minds of her audience. Sarah Palin shares quite a lot with Oprah. She is confident, not nervous, and maintains steady eye contact as she addresses her audience. Palin throws in a few jokes which keep her audience captivated. She is better at speaking when she refers to her notes, something Oprah never (or rarely) does. Palin, like Oprah acknowledges her audience and speaks passionately – she is generally emotionally centred. She uses body language, facial expressions and tonal variations. Even though she refers to her notes, Palin is dynamic in her presentation, her voice not as smooth as Oprah’s. Like Oprah, Sarah does not focus on herself but on others similarly giving examples that have a connection with her

Supply, Demand, & Equilibrium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply, Demand, & Equilibrium - Essay Example In the first case, it will look at farmers, factory workers, engineers, and teachers. It should be noted that these occupations have generally unlimited supply meaning a lot of people can be employed in these jobs. In the United States alone, factory workers and engineers abound looking for a job. Thus, we can see an upward sloping curve where more workers will be willing to work for a higher income. The demand on the other hand is more or less horizontal as the job market generally has limited slots for teachers, factory workers, engineers, and farmers. The, intersection of demand and supply determines the average wage. It should be noted that this is often fixed and is determined by the demand curve. The workers under consideration often accept what is offered by the companies which hire them. The market of professional sports players are also competitive yet faces a far different situation than what is discussed above. It should be noted that as opposed to the market of typical players, professional sports players supply is limited because their career is often determined by their skills and abilities together with the reception of audiences to them. The length and intensity of training required for a professional player is far from what is undergone by an ordinary farmer or factory worker. It should be noted that the supply curve of professional players is upward sloping yet more leftward than the case of farmer, teachers, engineers, and factory workers as these players require more compensation for their trainings and performance. In the market of professional players, some players are even paid higher than the others. Look at the case of Michael Jordan compared to other basketball players. It is irrefutable that he is paid more than four times what is being paid the a verage player in NBA. In his case, the supply curve is vertical because there is only one Michael Jordan. Because his reservation wage is

Answer 3 questions about Early World History Essay

Answer 3 questions about Early World History - Essay Example These two societies were relatively egalitarian and full of barbaric laws. In terms of geographical factors, they lacked natural borders, materials, and experienced irregular flooding. I believe that intermittent natural flooding would result in stagnation as well as retardation in the plant growth which would eventually lead small harvest from the agricultural farms. They highly depended on foreign natural resources, meaning that they could not support their leadership from within. I believe that this affected their political systems due to external shocks originating from those societies or nations they relied upon for foreign support. They had a lot of cultural variations leading to political instability, and this is because the change in culture meant that they ended up having different cultural views and opinions, hence minimal unity among the society members. In these companies, they have a life where an individual lived for the moment. In other words what I mean is that they had no hopes for the future, and for this reason they could consume as well as exhaust all that they had for the purpose of maximizing their satisfaction. There are other factors that also led to the weak political unity in the two societies and these included gender roles and religious ideas and functions. For the case of sex roles, these communities lacked gender roles that got defined and well structured for the purpose. I believed that well defined and structured gender roles play significant roles towards the political unity of any society. I mean that, when a society has well-defined gender roles, the two gender of the society plays their distinct role, which exhibit forms of specialization and division of labor, leading to an increase in the general production. By specializing in gender roles, be it in agriculture or other economic

Public Health Issue: Diabetes Mellitus

Public Health Issue: Diabetes Mellitus This assignment will address the public health issue of the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (diabetes) and explore links with health inequalities both nationally and locally. It will discuss the frameworks available which give guidance for standards of care for diabetes patients and their influence on diabetes care. It will then critically discuss the issue of diabetes management in relation to patient education and the ability of patients to self-manage their chronic long-term condition, evaluating both the role of both healthcare professionals and individuals in achieving the best possible healthy outcomes. It will then discuss whether all people get the same level of diabetes care, in particular focusing on people who are not able to attend GP surgeries. Public health is defined as The science and art of promoting and protecting health and wellbeing, preventing ill health and prolonging life through the organised efforts of society (Faculty of Public Health 2008). Health equality is a key element of social justice and as such justifies the government and other health agencies to work in collaboration to develop health policies which improve the publics health regardless of social class, income, gender or ethnicity through promoting healthier lifestyles and protecting them from infectious diseases and environmental hazards (Griffiths Hunter 2007). Yet many health inequalities still exist in the UK, some of which will be discussed in this paper. There are predominantly two types of diabetes mellitus (diabetes); type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce any insulin and type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to function properly or when the body cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common and accounts for around ninety five per cent of people with diabetes. If left untreated both types of diabetes can lead to further complications which include heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure (Who 2011). Life expectancy is reduced by up to 10 years in those with this type of disease (Whittaker, 2004). In the majority of cases, type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, weight loss, and increasing physical exercise (Diabetes UK, 2007b). There are currently 2.6 million people in the UK with diabetes, and it is thought up to a further 1.1 million are undiagnosed. (Diabetes UK, 2010). Other evidence suggests that approx 50% of people are not aware they have the condition, living a normal life with only mild symptoms (reference). Men are twice more likely to have undiagnosed diabetes, than women, possible because on average they tend to visit their GP less (Nursingtimes.net 2009). Diabetes is one of the most widespread chronic diseases, which is potentially life threatening. It is currently thought to be the leading 4th disease causing death in most developed countries worldwide with estimated prevalence of 285 million people. Most experts agree that more than 4 million people in the UK will have Type 2 diabetes by 2025 with potentially 5.5 million living with this chronic condition by 2030 (Diabetes UK 2010, and International Diabetes Federation (IDF)2010). These statistics are startling; type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK today with people often treated entirely by the National Health Service (NHS) who provide care for all levels of diabetes. Diabetes control is considered poor in Europe with the UK being identified as having the worst control. The reasons for this are not clearly identified. However what is clear is the potential impact on people in terms of complications and shorter lives (Liebl et al 2002). People with diabetes who have complications cost the NHS 3.5 times more than people who have no evidence of complications (IDF 2006). The NHS currently spends about 10% of its total resources on diabetes, which equates to  £286 per second. This places a significant drain on resources which will potentially rise in line with the growing prevalence of diabetes and associated complications unless alternative ways to reduce the burden of the disease can be found Diabetes.co.uk). There are many reasons for the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the UK, two of the main ones being the modernisation of industrialisation and urbanisation, which has changed peoples lifestyles and eating habits and caused and escalation in obesity (Helms et al 2003). Diabetes and obesity are closely linked; eighty percent of patients diagnosed with diabetes are obese at the time of diagnosis (Diabetes UK, 2006). Kazmi and Taylor (2009) agree and say type 2 diabetes can be linked to genetics, although increased levels are more likely to be attributable to obesity resulting from a decrease in physical exercise and westernised diets. A 2008 survey highlighted the UK as having the highest obesity levels in Europe, currently 24% of adults are considered obese which tends to increase with age. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2010). However this figure should be treated with caution as England is one of the few countries who uses actual measurements of weight and height, other countries preferring to use self reported measures. The UK has an increasing elderly population which combined with rising levels of obesity is likely to further increase type 2 diabetes prevalence(DH2010). The links between socioeconomic deprivation and ill health are well established (Yamey 1999, Acheson 1998, Chaturvedi 2004). This can be observed within the UK, as type 2 diabetes does not affect all social groups equally, it is more prevalent in people over 40, minority ethnic groups, and poor people (The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes). Several studies have established people with type 2 diabetes living in deprive areas suffer higher morbidity and mortality rates than those in more affluent areas. (Roper et al 2001, Wilde et al 2008, Bachhmann 2003). However globally the links between deprivation and type 2 diabetes are less clear as there is less information available on diabetes and deprivation related outcomes. In conflict with the UK, studies in Finland, Italy and Ireland found no significant variations in different socioeconomic groups (Gnavi et al 2004, OConner 2006). Reasons which may have negated the impact on socioeconomic deprivation may have been due to differences such in the population studied, health care delivery or available treatments. Links between deprivation and type 2 diabetes appear evident in the locality of Derbyshire. All but three local areas in Derbyshire have a diabetes and obesity levels which are significantly worse than the England average (Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) 2008). In Derbyshire there are clear significant variations in levels of deprivation, High Peak has very little deprivation, and yet Bolsover is in the 20 per cent most deprived areas in England, with thirty two per cent of people living in poverty and mortality and morbidity levels significantly worse than the England average (Bolsover District Financial Inclusion Strategy 2009). These worrying levels have triggered the Department of Health to declare Bolsover a Spearhead area for improvement (DH 2009, Derbyshire PCT 2008). Some steps have been taken in Bolsover to reduce morbidity and mortality rates by introducing healthy initiatives aimed at improving peoples life styles (Bolsover 2010). However, although morbidity and mortality rates have reduced over the last ten years they remain significantly higher than the England average (Bolsover District Financial Inclusion Strategy 2009). Derbyshire has a growing elderly population (Derbyshire PCT 2008). This together with proven links of levels of obesity rising with age would suggest a future increase in levels of diabetes. Diabetes is a national priority and Derbyshire has a higher than England average prevalence, but the local NHS strategy (2008) does not specify diabetes as a key priority. This may be a factor why Derbyshire is failing to meet its targets to reducing morbidity and mortality by ten per cent by 2010 in the poorest areas of Derbyshire (DH 2009). Frameworks and policies exist to give guidance on standards of care, improve the quality of life and life expectancy of people with diabetes and lessen the financial burden on health services. (Reference x2). In response to European influence the NHS plan (2000) set out guidance for modernising services, raising standards and moving towards patient centred care. Subsequently the NSF for Diabetes (2001) was published which outlines twelve standards of care aimed at delivering improved services and reducing inequalities over a ten year period with the ultimate vision of people suffering with diabetes receiving a world class service in the UK by 2013. This framework was followed by the NSF for Diabetes: Delivery Strategy (2003) which gives guidance on how the NSF for diabetes could be achieved. Frameworks are a useful outline for action and set out clear goals and targets, but do not address the social, economical and environmental causes of ill health or take account of available financial and staffing resources (Reference from book). The NSF for Diabetes (2001) appears to support this statement; other than retinal screening, no funding was initially made available to implement the twelve standards (Cavan 2005). The availability of this funding will have been significant in the achievement of one hundred per cent of people with diabetes now being offered this service (English National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy, 2009). It wasnt until 2004 the Quality Outcome Framework offered financial rewards to meet other targets within the NSF, for instance maintaining practiced based registers of people with diabetes, to enable primary care providers to provide proactive care (NHS 2004). Ten years on this framework is still credible and sets the gold standard of care for patients with diabetes in the UK (NICE 2000) which would seem to be an outstanding achievement. There have been significant improvements in caring for people with diabetes since it was published. However, it could be criticised that some standards are not enforceable until 2013 (NSF 2001). Numerous publications have followed the NSF for Diabetes (2001) in an attempt to give guidance for health professionals to follow (NICE 2004, NICE 2008, NICE 2009, RCN, NMC). These frameworks are not intended to work in isolation but collaborate with each other at different levels, whilst attempting to produce a quality health service (Reference). . The main reasons for the onset of diabetes and risk of further complications is due to suboptimal health relative behaviours which include little physical activity, high calorie intake and inadequacy to maintain good glucose control and it is said individuals with diabetes play a central role in determining their own health status (Clarke 2008 Reference 1). Whittaker (2004) concurs and says that much of the burden relating to care lies with individuals themselves. Patient education is seen as fundamental in the treatment of diabetes to ensure the best possible healthy outcomes for individuals (Alexander et al, 2006, Brooker Nicol 2003, Walsh, 2002). Standard 3 of the NSF for Diabetes (2001) clearly demonstrates a move away from medical care to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own health but also places the onus on health care professionals to educate, support and empower people to enable them to effectively care for themselves. The recent Public Health Whitepap er (2010) endorses future healthcare services should focus on wellness rather than treating disease and supports empowering people to put some effort into staying well. It acknowledges healthcare services only contribute to one third of improvement made to life expectancy stating that a change in lifestyle and removing health inequalities contribute to the remaining two thirds. Giving people the skills, knowledge and tools to take control of their own health logical as people with diabetes spend an average of 3 hours per year with their healthcare professional and around 8700 hours managing themselves (Ref N3. For example there is much evidence concluding that maintaining blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible slows down the progression of long term complications and if patients can be empowered to take control of their diabetes, not only will it increase the individuals quality of life but also reduce the financial burden on the NHS. (Whittaker, 2004). (Ref: 4.1, 4.2). The Diabetes Year of Care programme (2008) has been developed to help healthcare professionals move away from a paternal approach to care planning to a more personalised approach for people with chronic long term conditions. This approach involves both healthcare professionals and patients working together to prioritise individual needs. Helmore (2009) agrees that a personalised approach to care planning which should be holistic and include the persons social circumstances, will empower patients to take a central role in their own healthcare and suggests that nurses and patients should work together to set goals the patient can work towards which would include self care and the services they will use. For example a depressed patient will not want to venture outside to exercise and comfort eating may cause them to gain weight. The priority in this case would be to deal with the patients depression. The nurse could then liaise with other community services and social care to resolve no n medical issues which would enable the patient to manage their weight and increase activities (Helmore 2009). Rollings (2010) believes nurses should take a lead role on behalf of the GP consortia as they are the ones best placed to identify the care requirements of patients with diabetes, they have experience in patient pathways and are able to co-ordinate local and professional services. The Department of Health (2010) has highlighted care planning as an area for improvement to ensure one hundred per cent of diabetic patients have individual care plans (DH 2010). Currently it is thought only sixty per of people with long-term conditions in England have an individual care plan (www.gp-patient.co.uk). Diabetes self-management education programmes (DSME) have been developed to educate and empower patients to take control of their own conditions by improving their knowledge and skills to enable them to make informed choices, self-manage and reduce any risk of complications. DSME also aims to help people to cope with physical and mental of living with diabetes (Ref 21 p 114. These programmes which should be age appropriate can be delivered to individuals or groups. (6 and 40 p 119 and 120). . (reference 7 p119). Programmes available include the Expert Patent Programme (EPP), its derivative X-PERT and Diabetes Education and Self-Management for ongoing and newly diagnosed (DESMOND) which are available in all PCTs in the country. These programmes offer the necessary information and skills to people to enable them to manage their own diabetes care and they offer the opportunity for people with diabetes to share problems and solutions on concerns they may have with on everyday living (N9) . They encourage people to find their own solutions to issues such as diet, weight management and blood glucose control, enlisting the help of diabetes professionals if needed (N9). The literature suggests this will result in well educated, motivated and empowered patients and consistently supports patient education as crucial to effective diabetes care (use many refs). Much research has taken place on the effectiveness of DSME. Some of which suggests that patients who have not participated in DSME are four times more likely to encounter major diabetes complications compared to patients who have been involved in DSME (Reference).Other evidence suggests that it is not possible to establish whether patient education is effective at promoting self-management in the long term to reduce the effects of diabetes or the onset of complications and improve the patients quality of life (reference). From studies that have taken place, it is evident that although knowledge and skills are necessary they are not sufficient on their own to ensure good diabetes control. People require ongoing support to sustain the enable them to sustain self-management and therefore the longer period of time the course run the more likelihood people will remain empowered (Ref) The majority of people in the UK are offered some form diabetes education, the bulk of which is offered at the time of diagnosis. Also the style, length, content and structure of DSME vary. Very few education programmes have been evaluated; therefore it is not conclusive which intervention strategy is the most effective for improving the control of diabetes. The America Diabetes Association suggest that as people are individuals and different methods of education suit different people, there is no one best programme, but generally programmes which incorporate both psychosocial and behaviour strategies appear to have the best outcomes. However the Healthcare commission (2006) found people in England are not being offered adequate information about their condition to facilitate effective self-management. They reported just eleven per cent of respondents had attended an educational course on how to live with diabetes and disturbingly seventeen per cent of respondents did not even know whether they had type 1 or type 2 diabetes (Reference 2 p 119). The success of DSME is dependent many variants which include the patients individual characteristics, the context of their social environment, the extent of the disease, and the patients interface with the care and education provided. Overall there is a great deal of evidence to suggest DSME is the cornerstone in effective diabetes care (NSF 2001). It is recommended that DSME is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team together with a comprehensive care plan (reference 1). Experts agree that effective management of diabetes mellitus increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of complications (NICE Guidenance for the use of patient education models of diabetes Referece 1 p 119 Changing the health related behaviours of people with diabetes has been proved to be successful in reducing or even eradicating the risk of complications (reference). Many different health promotion models of exist which can help a patient to digest health promotion advise and want to change their health related behaviours (Kawachi 2002). Health promotion models are useful tools to assist with this process. The Stages of Change health promotion is a frequently used model for weight management as it identifies 6 stages of readiness to change which helps health professionals identify the intervention actions to recommend and support. Standard 3 has also ensured people with diabetes receive regular care (Hicks 2010), although Hillson (2009) would argue the quality of which is still open to debate. Every person with diabetes should receive the highest standards of individualised care, no matter who delivers it or where or when it is delivered. Access to specialist services should be available when required (Hillson 2009). Diabetes patients receive different standards of care depending on whether or not they can attend their doctors surgery (Knights and Platt 2005). Diabetes patients who are unable to attend the surgery are being overlooked and missed out on screening and reviews of their diabetes, consequently receiving a lower standard of care despite the NSF for Diabetes stating inequalities in provision of services should be addressed to ensure a high standard of care which meets individual patient needs.(Gadsky 1994 ,Hall 2005, Harris 2005,). Until recently the district nursing team were some of the few professionals who provided care in the home for diabetes patients and only usually had input with diabetes patients when treatment was required for a complication (Wrobel 2001). District nurses have historically been seen as generalists and able to provide care and treatment for patients with a wide range of conditions and therefore do not necessarily have specialist disease knowledge (Hale 2004). Sargant (2002) agree with this and suggests the quality and advise district nurses give to diabetic patients is questionable as they dont have the in-depth level of knowledge in relation to diabetes. In recognition of the inconsistency of care being provided to patients with chronic illnesses in their own homes, the role of Community Matron was introduced in 2004 to ensure patients with diabetes receive the first class service advocated by the Department of Health (1999) and the NHS PLAN (2000) by managing their all encompassing care requirements and help patients effectively manage their long term conditions which in theory should result in reduce hospital admissions. (NHS Improvement Plan 2004). However a study conducted by Gravelle et al (2006) would suggest the Community Matron role has not been effective in reducing hospital admissions. Forbes et al (2004) concurs that district nurses, given the time and with the right training could extend their roles and satisfactory undertake appropriate care for housebound people with diabetes. However Brookes (2002) suggests training and resources are big issues and Harris (2005) says that district nurses may not be fulfilling their Professional Code of Conduct by failing to care sufficiently for this group of patients (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2008). The growing prevalence of diabetes and the drain on NHS resources continues to be a concern for the UK, in terms of life quality and life expectancy of patients. Many health inequalities exist for people with diabetes; there are proven links with obesity and deprivation; and diabetes care provided is not equal for all patients. Patients who are able to attend their GP surgery receive better care than those who are housebound, although this inequality is being addressed and care is improving. The NSF for Diabetes is a useful framework for healthcare professionals to follow when providing care for people with diabetes. The quality of diabetes care has improved since this framework has been introduced. However, the implementation of some recommendations has been slow and will not be complete until 2013. Patient education is paramount to successful diabetes control and there appears no doubt that the key to successfully slowing the onset of diabetes and the recognised associated complica tions is to engage patients in DSME.

Reforma Tributaria y Modernización de la Administración Tributaria :: Politicas Fiscales

Reforma Tributaria y Modernizacià ³n de la Administracià ³n Tributaria En mayo de 1992 se promulgà ³ un nuevo cà ³digo tributario que modificà ³ sustancialmente el sistema tributario anterior. Entre los objetivos que se trazà ³ esa reforma tributaria estuvieron: 1) reducir distorsiones que generaban las elevadas tasas de impuestos sobre los ingresos; 2) disminuir el sesgo que generaba el anterior sistema contra el ahorro; 3) elevar el grado de elasticidad del sistema impositivo a los cambios en los precios; 4) aumentar el peso especà ­fico de impuestos de amplia base y baja tasa, a fin de reducir la distorsià ³n que generaban los impuestos en el sistema de asignacià ³n de recursos; 5) reducir la evasià ³n fiscal; y 6) aumentar las recaudaciones y la presià ³n tributaria. La reforma tributaria redujo las tasas marginales mà ¡ximas de impuesto sobre los ingresos de las personas de 70% a 30% inicialmente, para llegar en tres aà ±os a 25%. La tasa de impuesto sobre las utilidades de las empresas se redujo de 49% a 30% inicialmente, para llegar en tres aà ±os a 25%. Se elevà ³ el deducible a RD$60,000.00 anuales. Esto implicaba que mà ¡s del 90% de los asalariados quedarà ­a prà ¡cticamente exento del pago del impuesto sobre la renta. Esta exencià ³n elevà ³ el grado de progresividad del sistema impositivo. A nivel del impuesto selectivo al consumo, especà ­ficamente el que grava el consumo de cigarrillos y bebidas alcohà ³licas, se sustituyeron las tasas especà ­ficas por tasas ad-valorem. Las tasas establecidas, sin embargo, quedaron muy por debajo de las inicialmente propuestas. En 1995 estas tasas fueron elevadas a 20% y 25% , lo que todavà ­a las dejaba por debajo de la propuesta inicial de 30%. Finalmente, la base imponible del ITBIS f ue aumentada y la base elevada de 6% a 8%, por debajo del 10% que se habà ­a propuesto inicialmente. Los ingresos fiscales y la presià ³n tributaria aumentaron de manera apreciable, alcanzando esta à ºltima 14.4% en 1995. Sin embargo, el aumento de las recaudaciones no se ha debido a la puesta en marcha de un nuevo Cà ³digo Tributario, sino a las mayores recaudaciones de las aduanas, producto en gran parte, de la adopcià ³n de la tasa de cambio del mercado libre para liquidar los impuestos sobre las importaciones, y al establecimiento ad-hoc de un apreciable diferencial en el precio aplicado al consumo de los combustibles. El 42% de los ingresos tributarios en 1996 se debià ³ a los impuestos sobre las importaciones y al diferencial del petrà ³leo.

Limitations of cvp analysis Essay

In any business it is very obvious for questions like, what effect on profit can it expect if it produces more products? What quantity of products and services must a business sell in order to break even for the year? What happens to the breakeven point of the business if it decides to add or increase the quantity of a product or services they currently offer? to arise. The analytical technique that helps the managerial accountants to address these questions is called Cost Volume profit analysis. (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008 p.298). It provides with vital information about the effect of revenue raised and the cost incurred within a certain business. CVP analysis can also be used to analyse the effect on profit due to changes in prices, costs, tax, interests and the mix of product sold by the organisation. (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008 p.298). CVP analysis is used by the managers in day to day basis in order to run the business smoothly. Correct use of this can lead to a detailed understanding of what actions should and can be taken in order to save the business from facing any loss, and make profit or at least break even. CVP analysis is a helpful tool for the management but it also suffers with some limitations. It provides the management with the insight of the current position of the business and also reflects any potential problems the company could face in a short run. CVP graph directs management’s attention to this situation but is not able to provide a solution to any potential problem within the business. (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008 p.303). Many assumptions should be made in order to produce a CVP analysis such as, keeping the total revenue linear which means the price or product or service will not change as sales changes, keeping total expense linear which means the total fixed and the unit variable expense remains unchanged as activity varies, the efficiency and productivity remains constant and the sales mix in a multi products company remains constant. (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008 p.314). All these assumptions are very much necessary in order to produce a CVP analysis but they are not necessarily constants in a day to day business. If by any reasons the sales mix changes in the business than a new CVP analysis should be made for this  new sales mix. CVP analysis provides the management of any organisation with vital information that it requires for day to day operation but also has some limitations. Reference Tata McGraw-Hill (2008) Managerial Accounting: Creating Value in a Dynamic Business Environment. New Delhi, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited.

Biography of Prince Albert, Husband of Queen Victoria

Biography of Prince Albert, Husband of Queen Victoria Prince Albert (August 26, 1819- December 13, 1861) was a German prince who married Britains Queen Victoria and helped spark an era of technological innovation as well as personal style. Albert initially was seen by the British as an interloper in British society, but his intelligence, interest in inventions, and capability in diplomatic affairs made him a respected figure. Albert, who eventually held the title prince consort, died in 1861 at age 42, leaving Victoria a widow whose trademark attire became the black of mourning. Fast Facts: Prince Albert Known For: Husband of Queen Victoria, statesmanAlso Known As: Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Saxe-Coburg-GothaBorn: August 26, 1819 in Rosenau, GermanyParents: Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgDied: December 13, 1861 in Windsor,  Berkshire, EnglandEducation: University of BonnSpouse: Queen VictoriaChildren: Victoria Adelaide Mary, Albert Edward, Alice Maud Mary, Alfred Ernest Albert, Helena Augusta Victoria, Louise Caroline Alberta, Arthur William Patrick, Leopold George Duncan, Beatrice Mary VictoriaNotable Quote: I am only the husband, and not the master in the house. Early Life Albert was born on Aug. 26, 1819, in Rosenau, Germany. He was the second son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Luise Pauline Charlotte Friederike Auguste, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, and was greatly influenced by his uncle Leopold, who became king of Belgium in 1831. As a teenager, Albert traveled to Britain and met Princess Victoria, who was his first cousin and nearly his age. They were friendly but Victoria was not impressed with the young Albert, who was shy and awkward. He attended the University of Bonn in Germany. The British were interested in finding a suitable husband for the young princess who was to ascend to the throne. British political tradition decreed that a monarch could not marry a commoner, and the British pool of appropriate candidates was small, so Victorias future husband would have to come from European royalty. A flirtation with Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich, heir to the Russian throne, was heartfelt and mutual, but marriage was deemed strategically, politically, and geographically impossible, so matchmakers looked elsewhere. Alberts relatives on the continent, including King Leopold of Belgium, essentially steered the young man toward becoming Victorias husband. In 1839, two years after Victoria became queen, Albert returned to England. She proposed marriage and he accepted. Marriage Queen Victoria married Albert on February 10, 1840, at St. James Palace in London. At first, the British public and the aristocracy thought little of Albert. While he was born of European royalty, his family was not wealthy or powerful. He was often portrayed as someone marrying for prestige or money. Albert was quite intelligent, however, and was devoted to helping his wife serve as monarch. Over time he became an indispensable aide to the queen, advising her on political and diplomatic affairs. Victoria and Albert had nine children, and by all accounts, their marriage was very happy. They loved being together, sometimes sketching or listening to music. The royal family was portrayed as the ideal family, and setting an example for the British public was considered a major part of their role. Albert also contributed to a tradition familiar to Americans. His German family brought trees into the house at Christmas, and he introduced that tradition to Britain. The Christmas tree at Windsor Castle created a fashion in Britain that was carried across the ocean. Career In their early years of marriage, Albert was frustrated that Victoria didnt assign him tasks that he felt were up to his abilities. He wrote to a friend that he was only the husband, not the master in the house. Albert busied himself with his interests in music and hunting, but he eventually became involved in serious matters of statesmanship. In 1848, when much of Europe was shaken by the revolutionary movement, Albert cautioned that the rights of working people had to be seriously considered. He was a progressive voice at a crucial time. Thanks to Alberts interest in technology, he was the main force behind the Great Exhibition of 1851, a grand show of science and inventions held at a stunning new edifice in London, the Crystal Palace. The exhibition, intended to showcase how society was being changed for the better by science and technology, was a great success. Throughout the 1850s, Albert was often deeply involved in the affairs of state. He was known for clashing with Lord Palmerston, a highly influential British politician who served as foreign minister and also prime minister. In the mid-1850s, when Albert cautioned against the Crimean War against Russia, some in Britain accused him of being pro-Russian. While Albert was influential, for the first 15 years of his marriage he did not receive a royal title from Parliament. Victoria was disturbed that her husbands rank was not clearly defined. In 1857, the official title of prince consort was finally bestowed upon Albert by Queen Victoria. Death In late 1861, Albert was stricken with typhoid fever, a serious disease but not usually a fatal one. His habit of working long hours may have weakened him, and he suffered greatly from the disease. Hopes for his recovery dimmed, and he died on Dec. 13, 1861. His death came as a shock to the British public, especially as he was only 42 years old. On his deathbed, Albert was involved in helping to lower tensions with the United States over an incident at sea. An American naval vessel had stopped a British ship, the Trent, and seized two emissaries from the Confederate government during the early stages of the American Civil War. Some in Britain took the American naval action as a grave insult and wanted to go to war with the U.S. Albert viewed the United States as a nation friendly to Britain and helped steer the British government from what surely would have been a pointless war. The death of her husband devastated Queen Victoria. Her grief seemed excessive even to people of her own time. Victoria lived as a widow for 40 years  and was always seen wearing black, which helped create her image as a sullen, remote figure. Indeed, the term Victorian often implies a seriousness that is in part due to Victorias image as someone in deep grief. Legacy There is no question that Victoria deeply loved Albert. After his death, he was honored by being entombed in an elaborate mausoleum at Frogmore House, not far from Windsor Castle. After her death, Victoria was entombed beside him. After his death, he became better known for his statesmanship and his service to Queen Victoria. The Royal Albert Hall in London was named in honor of Prince Albert, and his name is also affixed to Londons Victoria and Albert Museum. A bridge crossing the Thames, which Albert suggested building in 1860, is also named in his honor. Sources Albert, Prince Consort: British Prince. Encyclopedia Brittanica.Prince Albert Biography. Biography.comLove Before Prince Albert: Queen Victorias Suitors. History Extra.

Role of Social Media in Impacting Consumer Behaviour in Particular Market Segment Essay Example

Role of Social Media in Impacting Consumer Behaviour in Particular Market Segment Essay Example Role of Social Media in Impacting Consumer Behaviour in Particular Market Segment Essay Role of Social Media in Impacting Consumer Behaviour in Particular Market Segment Essay myriad options of a specific product to choose from. This study by us, tries to identify the impact of social media on specific market segment and also the possible marketing strategies. INTRODUCTION Successful companies are adopting social media tools to meet an array of goals including communicating more effectively, monitoring their brands and researching perspective employees. More of them are blogging, tweeting and networking than ever before, and the trend looks like it will continue. Longitudinal data on the Inc. 500 and the Fortune 500 shows social media is fast becoming an integral part of a company’s marketing strategy and that the social media tools of choice are shifting. The internet has upended how consumers engage with brands. It is transforming the economics of marketing and making obsolete many of the functions traditional strategies and structures. For marketers, the old way of doing business is unsustainable. Consider this: Not long ago, a car buyer would methodically pare down the available choices until he arrived at the one that best met his criteria. A dealer would reel him in and make the sale. The buyers relationship with both the dealer and the manufacturer would typically dissipate after the purchase. But today, consumers are promiscuous in their brand relationships: They connect with myriad brandsthrough new media channels beyond the manufacturers and the retailers control or even knowledgeand evaluate a shifting array of them, often expanding the pool before narrowing it. After a purchase these consumers may remain aggressively engaged, publicly promoting or assailing the products theyve bought, collaborating in the brands development, and challenging and shaping their meaning. Consumers still want a clear brand promise and offerings they value. What has changed is whenat what touch pointsthey are most open to influence, and how you can interact with them at those points. In the past, marketing strategies that put the lions share of resources into building brand awareness and then opening wallets at the point of purchase worked pretty well. But touch points have changed in both number and nature, requiring a major adjustment to realign marketers strategy and budgets with where consumers are actually spending their time. The use of social media by consumer is increasing with 83% of the internet population using social media . Companies have followed suite, embracing social media as a way to market to their consumers. With more consumers and organizations using social media, the question that has yet to really be addressed is – are these companies receiving a return on their investment? With 81% of surveyed executives expecting to increase the money spent on social media projects and reduce traditional marketing, there is still little research on the effect of social media on purchasing decisions . Previous research is conflicting with some consumers leaning towards the idea that social media does influence a purchase decision and some lean away, saying that social media has little influence. Additionally, it’s important to understand if there is a difference between gender and different age groups and how social media influences these different groups when it comes to purchasing decisions. The results of this study will start addressing these questions and concerns surrounding the larger picture of social media and purchasing decisions. LITERATURE REVIEW THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ONLINE CONSUMER FLOCKING Wikipedia describes social media as the online technologies and practices that people use to share opinions, insights, experiences, and perspectives with each other. Social media began with personal email communications of the early 1990’s to the current social networking communications at Twitter. com, Facebook. com, MySpace. com and Ning. om. Media itself has evolved from broadcast where audiences are assumed to be passive recipients of information and interactive which is less passive and allows for some feedback from the recipients to social where audience involvement is active and are very often co-creators of content, context, and connections. Nedelka (2008) categorizes all social media into three groups: content syndication (blogs, podcasts, videocasts) , content sharing (user-generated content, wikis, widgets, reviews) and community building (social networks, online communities). However, the context of this paper is more specific: how are group buying communities formed and what are the characteristics of the participants? These group buying communities- here on called consumer flocks- are consumer-initiated, private, user-created sites set up specifically for aggregating buyers, users, and other influencers for an e-commerce exchange. These participants of the consumer flock derive greater economic value (lower prices) than purchasing as individuals. In the past, sites such as mercata. com, accompany. com, letsbuyit. om and mobshop. com have attempted to aggregate buyers though with a professional or business profit motive. A new site, eSwarm. com, intends to provide a similar platform but was not launched as of date. While all social media provide a channel for consumer flocking, social network sites provide a powerful vehicle for consumer aggregation on the internet. The purpose of many-to-many communications is succinctly described thus: a social trend i n which â€Å"†¦people using technologies to get the things they need from one another †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Social network sites are defined as â€Å"web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system (Boyd and Ellison, 2008). Charron et al. (2006) propose that social computing will lead to the new product innovation process to shift from top-down to bottom-up, the value to the consumer will shift from ownership to experience and power will shift from institutions to communities (consumers). Based on Li and Bernoff (2008), Forrester Research Inc. is recognizing the impact social technologies have on the performance of companies and satisfying their customer by instituting awards for best practices in these categories: listening, talking, energizing, supporting, embracing, managing, and social impact. As we can see, social media impacts all stages of the consumption process, from product innovation and creation to the consumption and use experience of the consumer. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PROPENSITY FOR CONSUMER FLOCKING There are several reasons which motivate an individual buyer to self-organize on the internet. Such factors as willingness to flock, the need for socialization, online trust and online commitment influence the individual’s propensity to flock. Further, social, structural and financial bonds drive the process of flock formation as does newly found consumer power. The higher the individually perceived economic, social or psychological value, the higher will be the consumer’s propensity for flocking on the internet. Willingness to flock is one of the most important factors that determine whether there will be a deal or not. This willingness to flock will depend on the specific product offered by the marketer to the flock and the accompanying price and may be limited to a particular size, color or technical configuration. There are several concepts from existing research streams that impact the propensity to flock. According to Klein, 2005 traditional group buying draws on the economic value created in the process for the buyer (and seller). This remains the key motivation for individual consumers to self-organize. Learning and conditioning theories (Bandura, 1977; Rescorla and Solomon, 1967) suggest that expectation of positive reinforcements and the resulting feelings of self-efficacy may induce consumers to group or flock. While the key value that individuals in an online community site derive would not be only economic in nature, the purpose of consumer flocking is to obtain enhanced economic value in the purchase transaction. Theories related to cognitive consistency (Festinger, 1957) posit that consumer flocking reduces psychological tension by providing consistency and continuity with the online group. Proposition 1: Higher level of the willingness to flock will lead to a greater propensity to flock. Literature in the areas of social groups, social exchange theory and group influence processes provide several factors influencing consumer flocking. Group socialization literature posits the need for socialization, assuming a presence of norms (Moreland and Levine, 1982), to be a driving force for an individual. Further, trust that develops between and within existing and new members in a consumer flock will encourage group socialization. Literature in the formation and continuation of reference groups address the concepts of group conformity, avoidance of conflict and affiliation through membership. The current members of a consumer flock may influence the new or potential members if these new members feel a degree of similarity with the group characteristics, values and beliefs (Merton, 1968), there is sustained interaction with others and they consider the flock’s leaders as â€Å"significant others† (Bock et al. , 1983). Network theory forwards the concepts of cohesion and homophily as drivers of network and dyad formation. Proposition 2: Higher level of group socialization will lead to a greater propensity to flock. One of the central concept in the relationship marketing literature that may be applied to the online context are online trust. In a large-scale empirical study of online trust, Bart et al. (2005) examine several types of websites and indicate the key drivers of online trust. The authors define online trust based on consumer perceptions against expectations, believability of the information and confidence in the site. For the â€Å"society and community† category- the category that comes close to our context of social media- the key drivers identified by the authors were â€Å"privacy, absence of errors and community features†. While they identify â€Å"information risk† to be a factor for such sites, we would expect social risk and psychological risk as relevant factors for social media and would impact the member’s online trust. Other research considers competence and dependability of site sponsor, security of site, and reliability as drivers of trust online. Proposition 3: Higher level of the perceived online trust will lead to a greater propensity to flock. Hsieh et al. (2005) studied the impact of social, structural and financial bonds on search, experience andcredence goods/services bought online. They found that for search goods- typically, most tangible products- financial bonds may have the greatest impact on online commitment. However, considering the context of the channel, it is expected that social bonds would play a role in the continued commitment of the participants. Literature in social psychology suggests that self-efficacy and (product) expertise would impact an individual’s motivation to join a consumer flock online. Proposition 4: Higher level of social bonds as perceived by the consumer will lead to a greater propensity to flock. The phenomenon of the shifting of consumer power on the internet has been of interest to scholars (Li and Bernoff, 2008; McConnell and Huba, 2007; Pitt et al. , 2002; Rezabakhsh et al. , 2006). Pitt et al. 2002) discuss the following trends that have increased consumer power in the internet domain: access to accurate, unbiased information; ability to talk to lots of other consumers; ability to band together with lots of other customers; heightening awareness of a firm’s shortcomings; quickly finding legal information; and talking to firms in the public domain. Rezabakhsh et al. (2006) have studied the well-accepted bases of power proposed by French and Raven (1959) to the internet context and conclude d that the expert,sanction and legitimate bases of power are the most relevant for study. When consumers perceive the organizer or lead initiator of the target website to have the qualities of expert, sanction and legitimate power they are more likely to be attracted to the site. Proposition 5: A greater perception of (i) expert, (ii) sanction and (iii) legitimate bases of power of the lead initiator of the website will lead to a greater propensity to flock. One important determinant of action by the consumer to flock is the perceived value of the transaction. Several benefits and costs that may be considered in determining the value to the consumer (and discussed earlier in the paper) include: potential for lower purchase price; price dynamics, aggregate bidding behavior and individual’s economic benefit (Kauffman and Wang, 2001); expectation of positive reinforcement (psychic benefit) or reduction of psychological tension due to cohesion and homophily (safety-in-numbers); need for socialization, group conformity and affiliation, and avoidance of conflict (social or group benefits); and search, information, communication, and coordination costs (Klein, 2005). Proposition 6: A higher perceived value of the transaction at the website will lead to a greater propensity to flock. Consumers and Social Media Social media has become a household name among organizations and society. Knowledge Networks reports that 83% of the internet population uses social media, with 47% of those using it on a weekly basis. According to the Nielsen Company, globally, consumers spent more than 5. 5 hours on social networking sites in December 2009 which is an 82% increase year-over-year, when users were spending three-plus hours on social networking sites. Facebook was the top social networking site in December, with 67% of global users visiting the site that month. In the U. S, people have continued to spend more time on social networking sites, with total minutes increasing 210% year-over-year in December 2009. Additionally, the time per person increased 143% year-over-year. Facebook and Twitter continue to lead the pack with year-over-year growth spent by U. S increasing 200% and 368%. According to a study by the Pew Research Center and contrary to how social media statistics appear, adults make up the bulk of these users on social networks in comparison to teens. Adults make up a larger portion of the population than teens, because the 35% of adults represents a higher number of users than 65% of teens. That said, younger adults in the 18-24 age group are much more likely to use social networks with 75% compared to 7% of adults 65-plus. Facebook, which recently surpassed yahoo as the second most visited website, saw its user base grow from 42 million to 103 million in 2009 which is a 144. 8% growth rate. The 35-plus age group represents more than 30% of the entire user base and the 55-plus age group grew 922. % in 2009. Social Media in Organizations Given these types of numbers, it’s no surprise that organizations have also begun to embrace social media for business. According to the 2010 Digital Marketing Outlook, 81% of executives surveyed are expecting an increase in social media projects and will be investing more money into digital projects and reducing the money spent on traditional marketing. The survey also showed that social n etworks were high on the to-do list with 45% reporting that they were a top priority in 2010. When looking at Fortune 100 companies, 54% are on Twitter, 32% have a blog and 29% have an active Facebook page. Only 17% of companies are using all three of the above social networks, with the average Fortune 100 Twitter account having 5,234 followers. The median is 674 followers. It’s not only large businesses increasing in social media use. According to a BIA/Kelsey Local Commerce Monitor study, there’s increasing interest from small and mid-size businesses putting social media to work for them. The report showed that 9% of mid-size companies use Twitter and 32% plan to use social media in the next 12 months. According to the study by Coleman-Parks Research of the importance of business social media marketing, 84% of North American companies feel they require new methods to interact with customers, including social media. The study states that companies who do not use social media do so â€Å"at their own peril,† meaning they are missing opportunities to grow and are likely to find themselves behind companies who embrace media tools. Companies who do use social media reported the following: Improved Feedback 78% Improved Customer Satisfaction 66% Improved Customer support 71% Increased Sales 40% Improved public perception of company 75% Engagement with Consumers On the other end of the spectrum, consumers are engaging with brands on social networks more. According to a 2008 Cone Business Social Media Study , 60 percent of Americans use social media and of those, 50 percent interact with companies on social media web sites. Additionally, 93 percent of social media users believe a company should have a presence in social media, and to top that off, 85 percent believe that a company should also interact with its consumers resulting in a stronger connection and being better served. A study of media use of college students confirmed that four out of every 10 college students have reported friending a brand on a social network, compare to 19 percent of adults A new study conducted by ForeSee Results of nearly 10,000 visitors to the 40 largest U. S. retail sites found that 56% of shoppers are friends, following or subscribing to a retailer on social networking sites, particularly Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. It also found that more than half of all online shoppers use Facebook, but only a quarter of the top 100 retailers by sales volume have their own presence on Facebook . Influence on Purchasing Decisions The question to be asked is- are users visiting social media sites to help make purchasing decisions? Even though 83% of the internet population participates in social media, one study reports that less than 5% of those users go to the social sites for guidance on purchasing decisions. Along with that, only 16% of the users say that they would be more likely to buy from companies that advertise on the sites. According to a Pew Internet study on adults and social network sites, social media sites are mostly used for personal networking with 89% using their online profiles to keep up with friends, 57% using their profile to make plans with friends and 49% using them to make new friends. Additionally, according to the eMarketer â€Å"Women’s Survey,† even though more than one-half of women are active in social media, 74. 8% reported not being influenced by it when it came to purchase decisions and just over one-fifth said they were somewhat influenced and only 3. 3% reported greater influence. Additionally, female internet users said they were much more likely to say online purchase decision were affected by coupons and discounts, product ratings, and online advertisements, than by online communities (Are Women Really Ignoring Social Networking, 2009). That said, an iProspect research study showed that social networking sites are influencing the purchasing decisions of a meaningful percentage of the internet users who visit them. For example, according to new data from comScore, nearly $16 billion was spent during the first 36 days of the 2009 holiday shopping season (Nov. ) which was a 3% increase versus 2008. What also was found was that 28% of shoppers said that social media influenced their purchases in 2009. A study by DEI and OTX on the impact of social media on purchasing decision showed that consumers rely on different social networking sites, as much as company websites for brand/product information. Companies that use social media in an engaging way with their cu stomers increase their likelihood of them making a purchase. Sixty percent of people reported that they pass along information they receive online in social media websites and two-thirds agreed that recommendations from other people could influence their purchase decisions. Additionally, talking with a brand representative online was shown to strong influence the purchasing decision . Companies using social media are reporting returns on investments (ROI) from using social media. Dell, who established their Twitter account over two years ago, claimed to have brought in more than $3 million from Twitter followers who clicked through their posts, to the web site, and followed through with a purchase. An Atlanta aquarium had their staff spend a minimal amount of time and resources to send out information through Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, with their efforts bringing in $42,000 – equating to 2,500 admission tickets. Yet, the aquarium admits that it’s hard to say how many people would have come without the promotion and how many came because they received a discount . Naked Pizza, an all-natural New Orleans pizza place has also generated a positive ROI due to their social media efforts. Co-founder Jeff Leach says he was able to drive 15% of his daily revenues with Twitter and of those, 90% were new customers . OBJECTIVES 1. To determine whether or not consumers are influenced to make a purchase by brands/organizations using social media 2. To determine whether gender is a factor 3. To determine whether age is a factor 4. To determine whether time spent on social networks is a factor 5. To understand the concept of â€Å"consumer flocking†. METHODOLOGY Social media use is increasing and it’s followed by a rise in the number of brands/organizations investing more time and money into marketing, advertising, and interacting with consumers via social networks. Little research has taken place on whether the time and money spent, contributes to a consumer’s decision to make a purchase. This study was undertaken to: 1. Address whether or not consumers are influenced to make a purchase by brands/organizations using social media 2. Determine whether gender is a factor 3. Determine whether age is a factor 4. Determine whether time spent on social networks is a factor Subject Selection and Description The subjects in this study were randomly asked via social networks if they would like to take an online, anonymous survey. There were no limitations as to who could take the survey. The survey addressed: - Whether the participants use social media. What social networks they use? -How much time they spend on social networks? -Whether they connect with brands on social networks? -Whether they make purchases online and how many. -Whether they interact with brands on social networks. -Whether they’ve made a purchase because of a brand on a social network. -Whether they think the brands on social networks influence purchasing decisions. -Their age group -Their gender Data Collection Procedures During the time period of 10TH OCTOBER TO 25TH OCTOBER 2011, an 11-question survey was sent electronically to 30 people via email, asking them to take the survey. Additionally, the survey was open to voluntary participants using Facebook and Twitter. The participants in the email were selected specifically target those people who may or may not use social media. The use of Facebook and Twitter was used to target those participants who do use social media. Data Analysis Data analysis included calculating percentages of responses for each question addressed. The percentages of the data will then be analyzed to determine if it’s probable that people make purchasing decision based on their interaction with a brand on social media and any significant correlations. Limitations Limitations of the study are that: 1. It was not determined whether or those answer yes to being influenced to make a purchase online because of a brand/organization being on a social network, wouldn’t have made the purchase otherwise. 2. The study does not address whether or not organizations report an increase in sales that come directly via social media. . This is partially a convenience sample and maybe not be representative of the population RESULTS During the time period of 10TH OCTOBER TO 25TH OCTOBER 2011, an 11-question survey was given to 30 participants to assess their social media usage and whether or not interacting with a brand on social media influenced a purchasing decision. The participants in the email were selected specifically target t hose people who may or may not use social media. The use of Facebook and Twitter was used to target those participants who do use social media. RESULTS USE The data showed that 28% of participants used social media for personal use only, 25% used social media for business use only and 22% used social media for personal and business use. TYPES Facebook was on top with 88% of participants, followed by 48% on You Tube, 37% on LinkedIn and Twitter and 28% on Flickr. TIME Most participants spend five hours or less using social media (51%), with 28% spending six to 10 hours, 8% spending 11-20 hours and 2% spending more than 25 hours a week. CONNECTIONS Fifty-four percent of participants are connected to brands via social media. Of those, 25% interact with brands on social media. Of those 25% that interact with brands, 20% have 14 purchased a product online or in store because of an interaction. Of that 20%, online coupons and reviews contributed to the purchases sometimes (8%), always (5%), rarely (2%), and never (8%). Also of that 20%, all of had made purchases online at least once to more than 30 purchases. Of those connected and not connected to brands, 20% of participants said that definitely yes, purchase decisions are influenced by brand interaction, 60% think probably yes, and 14% probably no. FINDINGS Given these statistics, we step back to answer some of the questions addressed in the literature review. Give the small sample size, we cannot consider these results to be representative of the population but they do lead to the following conclusions: We can consider it to be true that consumers’ purchasing decisions can be influenced by their interaction with brands via social media, given that 20% of the 54% of participants that interacted with brands have made a purchase because of that interaction. We can consider it to be true that purchasing decisions influenced by brands may or may not be also influenced by online coupons or reviews. When it came to think about whether others’ purchasing decision are influenced by brands, 60% said it’s probable, while 20% said it’s likely. There was no distinct correlation between those who said it was probable and those that actually made a purchase because of the interaction. Age and gender may or may not be a contributing factor. The correlations were not significant. It’s probable that the more time spent on social networks, the more likely a consumer is to be influenced by a purchasing decision given that of the 20% that made a purchase, 8% spent 6 to 10 hours and 8% spent 11 to 20 hours on social networks. Additionally, all of those that were influenced to make a purchasing decision used Facebook. Further research from a representative sample will need to be completed to more deeply understand what exactly in the interaction with the brand is affecting a consumer’s purchasing decision including the types of interactions, larger demographic samples, and focus groups to discuss the nature of purchasing decisions and whether these purchases would have taken place 16 regardless of the participation. Future research will also have to be done from the analytics side of a company, for example, how many people came in from a social media site and made a purchase. APPENDIX Social Media Survey 1. Do you currently use social media tools? Yes for personal use only Yes for business use only Yes for personal and business use No (skip to question 9) 2. If yes, which social media tools do you use? (check all that apply) Facebook Twitter MySpace Linkedin Flickr You Tube Technorati Digg Delicious Other, please specify 3. On average, how much time do you spend per week using social media tools? 0 5 hours 10 hours 11 20 hours 25+ hours 4. Are you connected to any brands/organizations on social networks? (e. g. Being a Facebook fan of Pepsi or following airlines on Twitter) Yes No (skip to question 6) 5. Do you interact with brands/organizations on social networks? Yes No 6. On average, how many online purchases do you make per year? I dont buy online 1 5 6 10 11 20 21 3025 31+ 7. Have yo u purchased a product online or in-store because of your interaction with a brand/organization on a social network? Yes No (skip to question 9) I dont interact with brands/organizations (skip to question 9) . As part of that interaction that led to a purchase, did coupons or online reviews from others contribute to your purchasing decision(s)? Yes, always Yes, sometimes Yes, rarely No, never 9. Do you think that a brand/organization being on a social network influences the purchasing decisions of others? Definitely Yes Probably Yes Definitely No Probably No 10. Gender Male Female 11. Age Under 18 18 25 26 31 32 40 41 50 51+ CONCLUSION In conclusion, from the research we can consider the following items to be true: From the research, we can consider that the following items might or might not be true: Although it’s possible that feedback, customer satisfaction, and public perception are results of social media use by organizations, does the fact that they are using it via social media translate to a sale that might have not happened otherwise. Are organizations clearly investigating their social media ROI versus traditional ROI? This research study seeks to answer some of the above questions including: Are consumers influenced by a purchase solely because the brand is using social media, not necessarily if they are engaging with the chosen tool? Is age or gender a factor in the influence of social media and purchase decisions? Are consumers more likely to buy if influenced with a coupon via a social site, in comparison to a coupon offered elsewhere (direct mail)? Are consumers more likely to purchase a product if a brand is providing product information via a social network? RECOMMENDATIONS For years, marketers assumed that consumers started with a large number of potential brands in mind and methodically winnowed their choices until theyd decided which one to buy. After purchase, their relationship with the brand typically focused on the use of the product or service itself. [pic]. NOW THE CONSUMER DECISION JOURNEY New research shows that rather than systematically narrowing their choices, consumers add and subtract brands from a group under consideration during an extended evaluation phase. After purchase, they often enter into an open-ended relationship with the brand, sharing their experience with it online. [pic]. Consider Buy Marketers often overemphasize the consider and buy stages of the journey, allocating more resources than they should to building awareness through advertising and encouraging purchase with retail promotions. Evaluate Advocate New media make the evaluate and advocate stages increasingly relevant. Marketing investments that help consumers navigate the evaluation process and then spread positive word of mouth about the brands they choose can be as important as building awareness and driving purchase. Bond If consumers bond with a brand is strong enough, they repurchase it without cycling through the earlier decision-journey stages. By David C. Edelman David C. Edelman ([emailprotected] com) is a coleader of McKinsey Companys Global Digital Marketing Strategy practice. Idea in Brief Consumers today connect with brands in fundamentally new ways, often through media channels that are beyond manufacturers and retailers control. That means traditional marketing strategies must be redesigned to accord with how brand relationships have changed. Once, a shopper would systematically winnow his brand choices to arrive at a final selection and complete his engagement by making a purchase. Now, relying heavily on digital interactions, he evaluates a shifting array of options and remains engaged with the brand through social media after a purchase. Smart marketers will study this consumer decision journey for their products and use the insights they gain to revise strategy, media spend, and organizational roles. Block That Metaphor Marketers have long used the famous funnel metaphor to think about touch points: Consumers would start at the wide end of the funnel with many brands in mind and narrow them down to a final choice. Companies have traditionally used paid-media push marketing at a few well-defined points along the funnel to build awareness, drive consideration, and ultimately inspire purchase. But the metaphor fails to capture the shifting nature of consumer engagement. In the June 2009 issue of McKinsey Quarterly, my colleague David Court and three coauthors introduced a more nuanced view of how consumers engage with brands: the consumer decision journey (CDJ). They developed their model from a study of the purchase decisions of nearly 20,000 consumers across five industriesautomobiles, skin care, insurance, consumer electronics, and mobile telecomand three continents. Their research revealed that far from systematically narrowing their choices, todays consumers take a much more iterative and less reductive journey of four stages: consider, evaluate, buy, and enjoy, advocate, bond. CONSIDER. The journey begins with the consumers top-of-mind consideration set: products or brands assembled from exposure to ads or store displays, an encounter at a friends house, or other stimuli. In the funnel model, the consider stage contains the largest number of brands; but todays consumers, assaulted by media and awash in choices, often reduce the number of products they consider at the outset. EVALUATE. The initial consideration set frequently expands as consumers seek input from peers, reviewers, retailers, and the brand and its competitors. Typically, theyll add new brands to the set and discard some of the originals as they learn more and their selection criteria shift. Their outreach to marketers and other sources of information is much more likely to shape their ensuing choices than marketers push to persuade them. BUY. Increasingly, consumers put off a purchase decision until theyre actually in a storeand, as well see, they may be easily dissuaded at that point. Thus point of purchasewhich exploits placement, packaging, availability, pricing, and sales interactionsis an ever more powerful touch point. ENJOY, ADVOCATE, BOND. After purchase, a deeper connection begins as the consumer interacts with the product and with new online touch points. More than 60% of consumers of facial skin care products, my McKinsey colleagues found, conduct online research about the products after purchasea touch point entirely missing from the funnel. When consumers are pleased with a purchase, theyll advocate for it by word of mouth, creating fodder for the evaluations of others and invigorating a brands potential. Of course, if a consumer is disappointed by the brand, she may sever ties with itor worse. But if the bond becomes strong enough, shell enter an enjoy-advocate-buy loop that skips the consider and evaluate stages entirely. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY The limitations of this study are: 1. There is a short time-frame allowing for only one survey, test period and a small number of those surveyed. 2. There is not enough long-term research on behalf of organizations to track the possible purchase influence. 3. This study will not track actual purchases. Results will be based upon survey results. 4. This study will not take into account how organizations are using social media, and if they are using it as effectively as possible. Methodology Data will be obtained through the use of an online survey. REFERENCES 1. JOURNAL OF ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, Volume 9, Number 3, 2009 2. September 2010 Journal OF Advertising Research. 3. May 2009 Harvard Business Review and Harvard Business Publishing Newsletter content on EBSCOhost 4. Wikipedia