buy custom My Consumption and Me essay

buy custom My Consumption and Me essay Introduction Every day we consume or us things that have impacts either to us or to the environment that we live in. All that we care about is the utility that we get from the things that we consume but there are no a single time that we have asked ourselves how the things we consume are processed? How they reach us? Whether they are sustainable or not? Do they have any economic, environmental and cultural effects to us and other people? These questions are based on our lifestyles and how it affects our surroundings and other people (Cororaton 46). Every person is supposed to conduct a research in his or her consumption in order to determine whether they lifestyles are sustainable and environmental friendly or not Research topic The research My consumption and me gives a clear indication that the study is about my own consumption and or my lifestyle in general. From the study it is clear that my lifestyle, just like some of you, is not sustainable and changes are necessary in order to promote ecological balance (Woolman, 280). As the topic states, my fact sheet is about my consumption and how it affect the environment. The research involves a factual study of my wardrobe and even clothes that I no longer wear. It involves the analysis of the type of the clothes that I wear, how they are manufactured, who manufacture them, how they are shipped to my destination and the availability of the resources that make them. On the other hand, clothes that I no longer wear are also evaluated in order to determine their impacts to the environment after disposal. The intention is to determine whether they decompose or remain for long time to the environment. What are their impacts to the environment? Are they friendly or not? The fact that I smoke cigarettes and take alcohol on weekends also has some impacts in my lifestyle that I cant ignore in my fact sheet. Generally, as the research topic states, the fact sheet is about my personal consumption with more attention given to the clothes that I wear and their impacts to ecological balance. Methodology The research involves qualitative research methods whereby I have to analyze all the clothes that I wear by through observation in order to determine my lifestyle. I have also included pictures of my clothes in order to make the fact sheet more illustrative and easy to understand. I have also conducted a literature review concerning the type of the clothes that I wear in order to determine their sustainability in terms of production, and disposal after use. This includes accessing the information available in the manufacturers website, fashion magazines and other articles and books about cloths, lifestyle and environment. After the study, there is a critical analysis on the findings in order to determine the impact of my lifestyle to myself and the environment in general (Woolman, 280). What I normally buy It should be noted that I am a 22 years old man and I normally work in an office during week days. Therefore most of my clothes are official ones which include suits, slacks, ties, and nice shirts. On the weekends I normally wear casual clothes especially when at parties or in the local bar taking some beer. These include fitting jeans, t-shirts and sweaters if the weather is chilly. Due to my lifestyle, especially my drinking and smoking habits, most of my clothes are not bright to avoid stains and dark spots in case a spark from the cigarette accidentally falls on my clothes. On the weekends, I normally drink little unless in times when there is an occasion with my friends. On the other hand smoking is like an addiction to me because on average I smoke a packet of 24 sticks every day. Generally most of my clothing is cotton and buy them from Bank clothiers and HM stores in New York US. This means that I have to drive to these stores any time I need to change my wardrobe. However I do not do shopping frequently and I replace my clothing once they are worn out. Since most of the stores that I go shopping are situated in New York and I do not live in town, I have to drive there which means that my lifestyle involves consumption of petroleum to run my cars engine too. Consequently, there is smoke, though little that is emitted which causes pollution to the environment and irritation to other people. However the impact is minimal since most of my clothes are long lasting and I am not a frequent shopper. However, I mus admit that the amount of clothes that I buy anytime visit the stores have increased tremendously due to changes in my lifestyle such going to work which has increased my need for more and pretty clothes. This has also shortened the duration that I take in order to replace my clothes. My shopping routine Generally my shopping routine revolves from smart official clothes to casual clothes that I wear on the weekends and other days that I am not at work. My shopping list includes fine material trousers and shirts that are mostly made cotton or a mixture of cotton and some polyester. I also buy plenty of fine long sleeved shirts together with their matching ties. I also have few suits that I wear on special occasions. I have buy jeans trousers and t- shirts to substitute my official clothing whenever I am not at work or during parties and weekends. When it comes to shopping, I normally buy what I necessarily require but, like any other young person, sometimes I find myself buying other things that are new in market as long as I they are pleasing to me and I have money. Generally I normally shop for new clothes twice in a year unless there are few replacements making it at most three times in a year. I normally shop for my official clothes from Bank clothiers stores since they are known for making excellent office attire for men (Jos A. Bank Company). When it comes to casual clothes, I prefer HM stores since their jeans and t-shirts are long lasting and affordable (HM clothes company). Most of my clothing last for one to two years since I wear them frequently and any time they are worn out I normally throw them away together with garbage or burn them. This is due to the fact that there are no places to donate or recycle clothes in the place where I live and keeping them is not only unnecessary but also makes my wardrobe to look congested and untidy. Fabrics that constitute my wardrobe Most of my clothes are cotton expect few nylon shirts, polyester shirts and woolen sweaters. For instance, almost all of my official shirts are cotton made or a mixture of cotton and polyester threads. All these clothes I normally buy then from the manufacturers outlets across the city which are Bank Clothiers and HM. These companies normally manufacture they clothes from the raw materials and then distribute the readymade clothes to their stores for sale. Manufacture and effects to the environment Generally, cotton clothes are made from cotton which is harvested from cotton plants that grown in many parts of the world where temperatures are moderately high. When cotton is harvested, it is normally taken to the ginneries where it is prepared into threads that are used to make fabrics that then are sewed together into various clothings. Most of the jeans that I wear are 100% cotton although there are few blends of polyester. The synthetic indigo dye is used in dyeing in order to achieve the favorite color. The belt loops, waistband, back panel, pockets, and leggings of a pair of blue jeans are all made of indigo-dyed denim. Other features include the zipper, buttons, rivets, and label. Rivets are made of copper, but the zippers, snaps and buttons are usually steel. Some have designers' labels that are made out of cloth, leather, or plastic, while others are embroidered on with cotton thread. On the other hand, most of my t- shirts, shirts and materials trousers are made of cotto n too unless few which are made of polyester and or the mixer. I also have jersey T-shirts which are made from knit fabrics. Woolen sweater are made from wool that come from animals such merino sheep and other hairy animals (Woolman, 280). During the manufacturing process, the fabric is normally treated with several chemicals in order to achieve the required color, durability and comfort. However, in every process of finishing cotton fabric, by products which are mostly biodegradable are released. For instance, by products of Denim manufacture includes pollutants such as starch and dye which are harmful to the environment. However, these by products are normally treated through biological methods other than dumping them into streams or lakes where they end up polluting the environment and taking life from these waters due to their high requirement of oxygen for decomposing. The manufactures use biological process to break these by products into compounds that are less or not harmful to the environment. Polyester comes from petroleum which is a non renewaable resource that mining and processing cause immense pollution to the environment. Countries of origin that show in my wardrobe Though most of the clothes that I wear are made here in the US, the raw materials come from different parts of the world. There is high probability that most of the cotton that is used in manufacturing most of my clothes comes from either US, Australia or Egypt. This is due to the fact that the amount of cotton produced in the US and Europe is not adequate to meet all the local requirements. Although Bank Clothier is situated in America, there is high likelihood that most of the cotton that it uses to manufacture cloths comes from other parts of the world thousands of kilometers away. On the other hand, HM Company is a Sweden based cloth making company that has several factories all over Europe and Asia. Since HM is not situated in America, a lot of cost is also incurred during importation of cotton for making clothes and in shipping of clothes to the companys stores in the US where I buy them. Petroleum that is used in the manufacturing of polyester comes from Asian countries whereb y it is shipped to the countries where clothes I wear are made or these companies import read made polyester fabrics for making clothes (Roberts, 65). Effects of shipping and manufacturing to human populations All these processes involved in making of clothes that I wear have both positive and negative impacts to the human population at large. First of all, manufacturing and shipping processes create income earning opportunities to many people resulting to economic growth. Manufacturers and ship owners get income out of their businesses while those who work in these industries are paid some money too. Local governments in the countries where these activities take place get revenue too in for of tax and other levies such a trading license fees. In other words, growth in transport systems and manufacturing industries result to growth in global markets which in term enable individual to access goods and services that are not produced or locally available in the countries (Roberts, 211- 212). Considering my personal scenario, shipping and manufacturing of cloths and clothing making raw materials have enabled me to have clothes that match with my taste any time I want them. However according to environmental theory, we only change one thing and then it leads to other things. Consequently, manufacturing and shipping activities involved have contributed to negative effects to human population too. The processes have resulted to pollution that arises from the byproducts of these industries and shipping trucks, trains and ships. Pollution on the other hand has ruined peoples healthy due to increase of diseases that are caused by exposure to contaminated environments. Alternatives and their differences Considering the effect that use of non biodegradable and other non sustainable raw materials have to the environment, it is the high time that companies involved in manufacturing of clothes should go green. This means that these companies should reduce use of raw materials or manufacturing processes that are harmful the environment. Manufacturing companies should consider making cotton and woolen cloths which are friendlier to the environment. Though cotton is not completely green, it is more environment friendly than other fabrics used to make clothes (Woolman, 280). Bearing in mind sustainable means not affect the ecological balance, it is evident that my clothing and lifestyle are not completely sustainable. For my clothing to be more sustainable, I need to completely change my wardrobe to cotton made clothes that are locally available. I also need to strictly buy clothes that I am in need and not because I have money or certain clothes are pleasing to my eyes. When it comes to disposing of my old clothes, I need to stop disposing them through burning since this is a loss because these clothes can be recycled or donated to those in need. On the other hand, smoke produced when burning these clothes is toxic to human beings and results to environmental pollution (Gow, 112). My life style too especially smoking and drinking of alcohol are no necessities and its the high time to d away with them since they are harmful to my health and expensive to maintain. Smoking causes irritation to other people and results to environment pollution too. By doing so, I will able to have a sustainable lifestyle. Buy custom My Consumption and Me essay

Concession and Refutation

Concession and Refutation Conceding and refuting are important language functions in English. Here are a few short definitions: Concede: Admit that another person is right about something. Refute: Prove that someone else is wrong about something. Often, speakers of English will concede a point, only to refute a larger issue:   Its true that working can be tedious. However, without a job, you wont be able to pay the bills.While you might say that the weather has been really bad this winter, its important to remember that we needed lots of snow in the mountains.I agree with you that we need to improve our sales figures. On the other hand, I dont feel we should change our overall strategy at this time.   Its common to concede and refute at work when discussing strategy or brainstorming. Conceding and refuting are also very common in all types of debates  including political and social issues. When trying to make your point, its a good idea to first frame the argument. Next, concede a point if applicable. Finally, refute a larger issue.   Framingthe Issue Begin by introducing a general belief that you would like to refute. You can use general statements, or speak about specific people that you would like to refute. Here are some formulas to help you frame the issue: Person or institution to be refuted   feel / think / believe / insist / that opinion to be refuted Some people feel that there is not enough charity in the world.Peter insists that we haven’t invested enough in research and development.ï » ¿The board of directors believes that students should take more standardized tests. Making the Concession: Use the concession to show that you have understood the gist of your opponent’s argument. Using this form, you will show that while a specific point is true, the overall understanding is incorrect. You can begin with an independent clause using subordinators that show opposition: While it’s true / sensible / evident / likely that specific benefit of argument, While it’s evident that our competition has outspent us on, ...While it’s sensible to measure students’ aptitudes, ... Although / Even though / Though  its true that opinion,   Although its true that our strategy hasnt worked to date, ...Even though it’s true that the country is currently struggling economically, ... An alternate form is to first concede by stating that you agree or can see the advantage of something in a single sentence. Use  concession verbs  such as: I concede that / I agree that / I admit that   Refuting the Point Now it’s time to make your point. If youve used a subordinator (while, although, etc.), use your best argument to finish the sentence: it’s also true / sensible / evident that refutationit’s more important / essential / vital that refutationthe bigger issue / point is that refutationwe must remember / take into consideration / conclude that refutation †¦ it’s also evident that financial resources will always be limited.†¦ the bigger point is that we do not have the resources to spend.†¦ we must remember that standardized testing such as the TOEFL leads to rote learning.   If youve made a concession in a single sentence, use a linking word or phrase  such as  however, nevertheless, on the contrary, or  above all  to state your refutation: However, we currently do not have that capability.Nevertheless, weve succeeded in attracting more customers to our stores.Above all, the peoples will needs to be respected. Making Your Point Once you’ve refuted a point, continue to provide evidence to  further back up your point of view.   It is clear / essential / of utmost importance that (opinion)I feel / believe / think that (opinion) I believe that charity can lead to dependence.I think that we need to focus more on our successful products rather than develop new, untested merchandise.It is clear that students are not expanding their minds through rote learning for tests.   Complete Refutations Let’s take a look a few concessions and refutations  in their completed form: Students feel that homework is an unnecessary strain on their  limited time. While its true that some teachers assign too much homework, we must remember the wisdom in the saying  practice makes perfect. It is essential that information we learn is repeated to fully become useful knowledge.   Some people insist that profit is the only viable motivation for a corporation. I concede that a  company must profit to stay in business. However, the larger issue is that employee satisfaction leads to improved interactions with clients. It is clear that employees who feel they are compensated fairly will consistently give their best.   More English Functions Conceding and refuting are known as language functions. In other words, language which is used to achieve a specific purpose. You can learn more about a wide variety of language functions and how to use them in everyday English.

Comparative Economic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparative Economic - Research Paper Example The impact of change in oil prices is directly linked to all countries in the world and since the selected countries are major players in the market, their economic conditions dictate oil prices in international markets, hence have an indirect impact on the entire world. The purpose of this research is to study the general economic and environmental conditions of various countries in a specific region having similar geographical boundaries, in order to identify and compare the effects of similar economic factors on these countries. 'The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is located between Latitudes 16 40' and 26 20' North and Longitudes 51 50' and 59 40' East' (Oman Ministry of Tourism, n.d.). Oman controls a small area on Musandam Peninsula which is linked to Strait of Hormuz. Due to its position at the mouth of Guld, the country has a significant strategic importance (ArabNet, n.d.). Oman's coastline is almost 1,300 miles long. Total area is 212,460 km2. The climate is hot and dry with average temperature from 64 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Increase in soil salinity and lack of fresh water are the worrying factors for government. Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula having borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Yemen. It has Persian Gulf to its northeast and Red Sea to its west. The total area of Saudi Arabia is 2,149,690 km2, which is almost 10 times greater than Oman. Most of the area is desert, hence extreme temperatures are observed. Desertification, depletion of water resources, and coastal pollution from oil spills are major concerns for the country. Desalination plants have been installed to take care of water shortage issue (CIA World Fact Book, 2007). UAE is situated in the southeast of Arabian Peninsula and has a total area of 83,600 km2, least of the three countries. Like Saudi Arabia, most part of the country is desert, hence extreme temperatures are witnessed. Lack of natural fresh water resources, desertification, and beach pollution from oil spills are some of the major issues that the country faces, similar to Saudi Arabia. 4. People As per July 2006 estimates, the total population of Oman is 3,102,229 with almost 577,000 expatriates working as non-nationals. In contrast to this, the combined population of the seven states of UAE is 2,602,713, as per 2006 estimates. This shows that UAE is more densely populated as compared to Oman, due to relatively higher population living in lesser total area. Saudi Arabia is the most heavily populated of the three with total population of 27,019,273 as per 2006 estimates (CIA Fact Book, 2007). The population growth rate is highest for Oman, and is 3.28%. UAE has the least growth rate of the group with only 1.52% increase in population per year. Population growth rate for Saudi Arabia is 2.18%. In Oman, 75% of the population in Ibadhi Muslims, and the rest of 25% include Sunni Muslims, Shi'a Muslims and Hindus. Similarly, UAE has 96% Muslim residents (including 16% Shi'a Muslims), others include Hindus and Christians. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that has 100% Muslim population. The official language of Oman is Arabic, but Eglish, Baluchi, Urdu and Hindi is also spoken. The national language of UAE is also Arabic but since a large portion of population is non-Arabic, hence English, Persian, Urdu and Hindi

Inter-annual Climatic Variability in Libya Essay

Inter-annual Climatic Variability in Libya - Essay Example Moreover, as suggested by Moron and Ward, the climate of the Mediterranean arena is exposed to the South Asian Monsoon, the Siberian High Pressure System along with the Southern Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation, which give rise to a recent confirmation about the tele-connection of ENSO to have extended its reach into segments of the Mediterranean in current times (Moron et al, 1998). The chief physical as well as physio-geographical constraints that regulate the spatial dissemination of the climatic conditions over the Mediterranean, especially, the North African countries are the atmospheric circulation, latitude, altitude and, most importantly, the orography. Moreover, the land-sea interactions and surface temperature distribution are other forces which control the spatial dissemination of the climatic variability (Luterbacher and Xoplaki, 2003). ... The North African area is quite a climate-sensitive region which is climatically emphasized by restrained water reserves and acme of heat attributes, which help in creating or giving rise to the existent socio-political strain. Chiefly, high-frequency as well as the low-frequency variability of precipitation plays a critical part in the management of the regional ecosystem and socio-economics. Previous analyses on African climatic variability have concluded that the African continent, chiefly, the northern segment, is meticulously susceptible to the influences of climatic variations for the reason that it has some factors such as extensive poverty, persistent droughts, unbalanced land dissemination, and overdependence on the rain-fed agriculture (Hulme, 1996). Occasional response activities have been believed to be transcending the economic source of many countries. Worsening in terms of trade, improper policies, high populace growth rates, as well as lack of noticeable investment, all encompassed with a highly variable climate have made it hard for various countries of Africa to develop frames of livelihood which would deter pressure on the natural reserve base. Various reports fell short of assigning pertinent significance to these so many constraints in Africa's capability to adjust with the climate variability, and it is still not possible as it gives rise to new chall enges for analyses hereafter. The Mediterranean region, chiefly, the northern African

Purpose Of The Academic Community Essay Example for Free

Purpose Of The Academic Community Essay The continuous and dynamic research in the academic community provides an avenue for development and growth not only for the institution but also for the students and instructors as well. Due to the rapid changes happening in the world and the increasing effects of globalization, the academic community must also make a firm stand in addressing these changes to create continuity and stability. The main importance of doing research in the academe is creating new literature that paves the way for new knowledge. Through the years, there are emerging new issues that need to be addressed. Doing research can be vital in contributing to the study or field. Research is vitally important especially in the academic community due to the fields overall tendencies to continually change and evolve. Having appropriate foundation in conducting research can help academic institutions cope with the standards of education that will foster a better modes and mechanisms for teaching students. A fully research equipped academic institution can have many benefits that can spill to (1) students, (2) instructors and (3) the community. With the evolution of research, it can foster an environment for better facilitators and instructors. â€Å"Increased ability to attract highly qualified and motivated members of staff (both nationally and internationally)† (Aceto, 2005, p.2) In addition, increased research can also create a positive domino effect first with the school/university, instructors, the students and the community. In the end, conducting research in the academic community produces positive effects with the actors involved. Thus, there is a need to â€Å"strengthen the commitment to research-based teaching and post graduate education.† (Aceto, 2005, p.7) The challenge for educators and the academic community is maintaining sustainable measures and funding that will ensure the continuous development of such endeavor. This is an important determinant for success. References Aceto, L. (2005) The Importance of Research for a Modern University. [on-line] Retrieved November 8, 2007 from http://www.cs.aau.dk/~luca/SLIDES/importance-of-research.pdf

The War on Drugs is Failing Essay -- George Bushs War on Drugs

The War on Drugs is Failing â€Å"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance†¦ for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation and make a crime out of things that are not a crime. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principle upon which our government was founded† Abraham Lincoln On January 16, 1920 the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified by thirty-six states and became part of the Constitution. The intention of this new amendment was to lower alcohol consumption by Americans. At the time each American consumed on average thirty gallons of alcohol a year.[1] This new amendment took away the license to do business from the brewers, distillers, and the wholesale and retail sellers of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol consumption did taper off somewhat at the beginning of prohibition only to slowly rise back to pre-prohibition levels shortly before the end of the movement which took place on December 5,1933. Not only was the goal of prohibition never achieved, but it raised organized crime to levels of power unimaginable before and seriously disrupted both the legitimacy and revenue of the government. Just as Prohibition incited many unsavory activities, so has the War on Drugs. The easiest way to show the connection between these to movements is an excerpt from an article pertaining to Prohibition in America during the 1920’s: Bootleggers ran wild. Professional robberies began as soon as Prohibition did. Territories were divided by groups of organized crime that became the scum known as the Mafia. The territories were decided by violence and death, both against each other, as well as those in the public who may/may not have been innoce... ...equipped with state of the art learning tools. Teachers will receive pay raises. Students will be in an environment conducive to learning. Not to mention violence in schools will diminish drastically. Public schools across America would phase out drug addicts by teaching drug awareness, tolerance and moderation. It is quite clear that the War on Drugs is failing. A drug free country would be ideal. So would an alcohol-free country, a pollution-free country, and most likely a fast food-free country. None of these things will happen, so we have to make the best out of the situation as it is presented. The only practical method of dealing with this problem is the legalization of drugs. The government should take advantage of the money drug revenues will generate to supply the youth of America with the knowledge to make the right choice.

Solution of Cross Cultural Project Management

Successful Strategies for Global Projects By Alicia Trelles-Duckett on August 23, 2012 7  2  0 No doubt installations in other geographies come with their own inherent set of challenges. Currency fluctuations; centralized versus local procurement; languages; time zones. And those are even before considering difficulties due to the particular technology being deployed, or the source of spare parts, or infrastructure in the country. This discussion aims to introduce a technique which can help you increase the acceptance of your initiative in other geographies, as well as resolve any disagreements quickly and with much improved team spirit.No, it is not the traditional Project Management methodology: I will not start extolling here the virtues of the â€Å"Project Charter†. The magic ingredient in international projects, as I have discovered throughout 18 years of successfully deploying such, is treating our colleagues from other countries in a manner which puts them at ease. Notice that this recommendation goes well past the tired old adage: â€Å"Treat those from other countries with sensitivity†. That much is obvious, and we would certainly try to conduct ourselves thus.The recommendation is to approach colleagues from another geography with a demeanor they would find in their own country. In other words, if you are dealing with Brazilians, try to ‘act Brazilian’ as you collaborate with them; if you are working with a Finn, try to ‘act Finnish’. So how do we develop a good picture of what ‘acting Australian’ or ‘acting Japanese’ might entail? Fortunately, there’s excellent research on intercultural cooperation we can consult. Fons Trompenaars’ Riding the Waves of Culture, or Nancy Adler’s International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior are some of the best books on the intercultural topic.My personal favourite in the â€Å"intercultural† arena, as relevant toda y as when its first edition was published in the UK in 1991, is Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind by Dr. Geert Hofstede. The ground-breaking contribution of Dr. Hofstede’s research is that, through thousands of surveys of IBM professionals in dozens of countries, he is able to arrive at a numerical value for certain elements or â€Å"dimensions† which make up Culture. So for example, we learn that Malaysia, on average, has the highest score (104) for â€Å"Power Distance†, meaning that as a group they are uite comfortable accepting power inequalities in society. At the other extreme, Great Britain and Canada have low scores (35 and 39 respectively), which translate into a â€Å"limited dependence of subordinates on their bosses†. In other words, British and Canadian employees (as a group) are not afraid to approach their bosses or disagree with them. Another useful discussion centers around the topic of â€Å"collectivistic† cultures (where the interest of the group prevails over the interest of the individual) compared to â€Å"individualistic† cultures (in which the interests of the individual prevail).It comes as no surprise that the country with the highest individualism score is the USA (91), closely followed by Australia (90). At the other extreme, the countries with the lowest individualism scores are Ecuador (8) and Guatemala (6). Personally, I have leveraged his findings to arrive at the following communication paradigms, in order to make my counterparts in other geographies more at ease as we negotiate and coordinate project milestones. It has proven a huge advantage, as the largest difficulties in technology projects are not about the technology. They are about people.With colleagues from Latin America (Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia) and certain Asian countries (Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia) with large acceptance of power, †¢ Stress clear definitions: what constit utes in-scope vs. out-of-scope †¢ Stress the benefit to the whole project/company †¢ Stress checkpoints for scope verification †¢ Lively exchange, having fun, yet sticking to the rules With collegaues from Northern/Western Europe/Australia/New Zealand, which exhibit large individualism, †¢ Have all the facts, be decisive †¢ Recognize the contribution of these colleagues †¢ Relaxed approach, not stressing hierarchy Sell/negotiate work deliverables †¢ Stress value of the project to their particular unit How would you know a country’s â€Å"Individualism (IDV)† or â€Å"Power Distance† (PDI) scores? The best source would be Dr. Hofstede’s book. Alternatively, ITIM International has kindly published the scores in the website http://www. geert-hofstede. com/ I hope you find these recommendations useful and that they make you successful in your next international project. —————— Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€ For more resources, see the Library topic Projec http://managementhelp. org/blogs/project-management/2012/08/23/successful-strategies-for-global-projects/

International Marketing Strategy Essay

For most manufacturers, success or failure is determined by how effectively and efficiently their products are sold through their marketing channel members (e. g. , agents, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers). Given this situation, considerable marketing channel research has focused on organizational responsibility for managing channel how interrelationships among a firm and its channel members can be managed better (Achrol and Stern 1988; Anderson et al 1997). Globalization of markets is a phenomenon that has received much attention and been extensively debated both at general societal/institutional/cultural levels and at market and business levels. In any globalization process, distribution of goods and services between and within local industrial and consumer markets is of great importance. A marketing channel is a set of interdependent organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for consumption. Globalization of markets and reorganization of distribution are mutually dependent processes that involve changes in market structures. Mattsson & Wallenberg, 2003) As national markets expand and as new opportunities arise for satisfying consumer demand, greater specialization in distribution is evident both in the level of distribution and in goods and services handled (Mallen, 1996). Moreover, as the global marketplace expands, many multinational firms have been influenced by mounting pressures to develop a worldwide communication, distribution and information network that facilitates the free flow of information and goods across national boundaries (Min & Eom, 1994). Distribution channels excellence has become a powerful source of competitive differentiation. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, companies began to view distribution channels as more than simply a source of cost savings and recognize it as a source of enhancing product or serve offerings as part of the broader supply chain process to create competitive advantage. (Mentzer et al, 2004). International distribution channels In international marketing the manufacturer doesn’t sell products directly, it goes through several parties-before reaching the consumer. It involves various channels and variety of intermediaries. In order to sustain the growth of the international marketplace and the integration of the world’s economic activities it is vital to conduct efficient and cost-effective distribution according to Ross (1996). The challenge to global distribution management is to structure a supply chain that is responsive and flexible enough to cope with differences in customers’ requirements and yet enable the benefits of focused manufacturing to be achieved. According to Black et al (2002) the past decade has seen some of the most rapid and substantive changes in channels of distribution for goods and services in developed economies. What companies must remember is that the choice of distribution channel is quite complicated in the home market of a company but even more complicated when going international and starting to export. It is vital for companies who are about to establish abroad that they realize that the choice of distribution channel is crucial for future success and growth. There are many alternative distribution channels to choose from and the conditions may vary from different companies and markets. Furthermore, the choice of distribution channel is often complex and expensive if changing it subsequently. Therefore, it is central that the decision is given the attention and acknowledgement, which is called for due to the fact that it has such a long-term outcome of the export investment’s success. (Anderson et al, 1997). Distribution builds stable competitive advantages, since marketing channels have a long-run character and to build them it is necessary to have a consistent structure; and due also to the fact that they are focused on people and relationships. With channels of distribution changing rapidly studies of consumers will need to focus not just on understanding product choice but also on understanding the reasons for channel choice. Distribution channel intensity Another channel strategy according to Jobber (2001) is the intensity of the distribution channel. According to Kotler (2000) and Fein and Anderson (1997) companies have to decide on the number of intermediaries to use at each channel level. Three approaches are available: intensive distribution, selective distribution and exclusive distribution. Mallen (1996) states that intensive distribution is at one end of the scale where the policy is to distribute to as many outlets as possible, and that exclusive distribution is at the other end of the scale, where the policy is to distribute only to one intermediary at a given level in a given geographic area. The broad middle ground is normally referred to as selective distribution. Intensive distribution consists of the manufacturer placing the goods or services in as many outlets as possible. This approach is generally used for everyday goods such as milk, bread, tobacco products and soap, products for which the consumer requires a great deal of location convenience. Manufacturers are constantly tempted to move from exclusive or selective distribution to more intensive distribution to increase coverage and sales. Intensive distribution may help in the short term but often hurts long-term performance. (Kotler, 2000) According to Mallen (1996) intensive distribution tends to maximize sales for the simple reason that more outlets increase the possibilities of consumer contact. Yet, this approach means a more elaborate marketing operation at the manufacturer level. Selective distribution involves the use of more than a few but less than all of the intermediaries who are willing to carry a particular product. It is used by established companies and by new companies seeking distributors. The company does not have to dissipate its efforts over too many outlets; it enables the producer to gain adequate market coverage with more control and less cost than intensive distribution. Kotler, 2000) Selective distribution is generally applied on rarely bought goods such as DVDs, computers and cameras according to Fein and Anderson (1997). Exclusive distribution means severely limiting the number of intermediaries. It is used when the producer wants to maintain control over the service level and service outputs offered by the resellers. (Kotler, 2000) While minimizing costs, exclusive distribution tends to maximize channel goodwill and channel control. It is easier for the manufacturer to have completely satisfactory relationships with a few intermediaries than with many in a given area according to Mallen (1996). Often it involves exclusive dealing arrangements, in which the resellers agree not to carry competing brands. By granting exclusive distribution, the producer hopes to obtain more dedicated and knowledgeable selling. (Kotler, 2000) Exclusive distribution is often used on capital goods such as cars according. Importance of distribution Distribution is a key component of any international marketing strategy. To successfully deliver products and services to customers spread across different geographies, you’ll have to develop an international marketing strategy with special emphasis on supply chain, which includes distribution. If your business has entered various markets, it may not be possible for you to single-handedly manage the overseas operations. You’ll have to develop an effective distribution channel. This channel will consist of channel intermediaries, who will make sure that the product reaches the end user. Distribution is critical to your overseas operations because: 1. It has a direct effect on sales. If you don’t have a good distribution network, your products may stack up in a warehouse and won’t reach your target customers. 2. It affects your profits as well. As distribution costs can make up to 50 percent of the final selling price of some products, an efficient distribution network can increase your profit margins. 3. It has an influence on customer satisfaction. As the long-term success of your overseas operations depends on satisfying your customers, choose your dealers and retailers carefully as they will be responsible, to a large extent, what your customers think about your product and if they will recommend your product to others. 1. 4 Types of distribution channels To gain competitive advantage in the market, you need to identify the right distribution channel that is familiar with your target consumer and segment. Also make sure that the distribution channel that you choose shares similar policies and strategies as your company and has a proven track record in the market. You can choose from among several channels of distribution. Your chosen distribution channel will directly affect all your other marketing decisions. Here are some options: Direct marketing: In this method, the company interacts with its customers directly without any intermediaries. Mail orders, the Internet and phone calls are some of the ways your potential customers can learn about your products and make purchases. Agents: Agents operate on a commission basis. You’ll have to pay these agents on the volume of sales they generate. Agents do not accept any legal ownership of the product. This kind of channel is usually expensive, as an agent is expensive to train and the physical distance makes his progress difficult to track. Distributors: Distributors buy the goods directly from you and will then sell it to retailers. Since they take title to the goods, they are free to determine the prices of the goods themselves and develop their own marketing strategies. They usually have storage facilities. Retailers: Retailers sell to the end customers and are, therefore, able to develop a better bond with them. The retailer takes on the responsibility of promoting the products and often decides the price of the product. Manufacturing-owned intermediaries: This is a capital-intensive option, as your business will directly set up sales and service units in the markets that it has a presence. 2. 0 Channel Management Strategies Channel Management is yet another sales and marketing phrase that is thrown around like everyone knows what it means. But so few companies really comprehend channel management in a way that really helps them. Sales channels being the conduits by which we distribute our products to the end-user come in many shapes from direct, to the web, to the traditional retail environment. Channel Management Strategies (CMS) provides the latest research, benchmarking data, analytic models, and thought leadership necessary to align and enhance your existing channel management initiatives. Channel Management Strategies delivers objective data and intelligence to compare and contrast your efforts with peer organizations, and provides thought-provoking research on industry trends, best-practice models and tactics, budget and resource allocation and measurement strategies. Channel management is a process by which a company creates formalized programs for selling and servicing customers within a specific channel. it can impact businesses in a positive way. First segment channels by like characteristics (their needs, buying patterns, success factors, etc. and then customize a channel management program that includes: 1. Goals: Define the specific goals you have for each channel segment. Consider your goals for the channel as a whole as well as individual account. And, remember to consider goals for both acquisition and retention. 2. Policies: Construct well defined polices for administering the accounts within this channel. Be sure to keep the unique characteristics of each segment in mind when defining policies for account set up, order management, product fulfillment, etc. 3.  Products: Identify which products in your offering are most suited for each segment and create appropriate messaging. Also, determine where to upsell opportunities lie. 4. Sales/Marketing Programs: Design support programs for your channel that meet their needs, not what your idea of their needs are. To do this, you should start by asking your customers within this segment, â€Å"how can we best support you in the selling and marketing of our products? † That being said, the standard considerations are product tra ining, co-op advertising, seasonal promotions, and merchandising. Again, this is not a one-size fit all, so be diligent about addressing this segment’s specific needs in these areas. Defining a channel management strategy for each segment allows the organization to be more effective within each segment, while gaining efficiency at the same time. Still, maintaining brand consistency across all channel segments is critical to your long-term success. So it has to find a good balance between customization and brand consistency for a successful channel management.

Substrate Definition in Chemistry and Other Sciences

Substrate Definition in Chemistry and Other Sciences The definition of substrate depends on the context in which the word is used, particularly in the sciences. Definitions of Substrate Substrate (chemistry): A substrate is the medium in which a chemical reaction takes place or the reagent in a reaction that provides a surface for absorption. For example, in the fermentation of yeast, the substrate the yeast acts upon is sugar to produce carbon dioxide. In biochemistry, an enzyme substrate is the substance the enzyme acts upon. Sometimes the word substrate is also used as a synonym for the reactant, which is the molecule consumed in a chemical reaction. Substrate (biology): In biology, the substrate may be the surface on which an organism grows or is attached. For example, a microbiological medium may be considered a substrate. The substrate may also be the material at the bottom of a habitat, such as gravel at the base of an aquarium. Substrate may also refer to the surface on which an organism moves. Substrate (materials science): In this context, a substrate is a base on which a process occurs. For example, if gold is electroplated over silver, the silver is the substrate. Substrate (geology): In geology, substrate is underlying stratum.

History and Background on the Yakuza in Japan

History and Background on the Yakuza in Japan They are famous figures in Japanese movies and comic books - the yakuza, sinister gangsters with elaborate tattoos and severed little fingers. What is the historical reality behind the manga icon, though? Early Roots The yakuza originated during the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603 - 1868) with two separate groups of outcasts. The first of those groups were the tekiya, wandering peddlers who traveled from village to village, selling low-quality goods at festivals and markets. Many tekiya belonged to the burakumin social class, a group of outcasts or non-humans, which was actually below the four-tiered Japanese feudal social structure.   In the early 1700s, the tekiya began to organize themselves into tight-knit groups under the leadership of bosses and underbosses. Reinforced by fugitives from the higher classes, the tekiya started to participate in typical organized crime activities such as turf wars and protection rackets. In a tradition that continues to this day, tekiya often served as security during Shinto festivals, and also allocated stalls in the associated fairs in return for protection money. Between 1735 and 1749, the shoguns government sought to calm gang wars between different groups of tekiya and reduce the amount of fraud they practiced by appointing oyabun, or officially sanctioned bosses. The oyabun was allowed to use a surname and to carry a sword, an honor previously allowed only to samurai. Oyabun literally means foster parent, signifying the bosses positions as the heads of their tekiya families. The second group that gave rise to the yakuza was the bakuto, or gamblers. Gambling was strictly forbidden during Tokugawa times and remains illegal in Japan to this day. The bakuto took to the highways, fleecing unsuspecting marks with dice games or with hanafuda card games. They often sported colorful tattoos all over their bodies, which led to the custom of full-body tattooing for modern-day yakuza. From their core business as gamblers, the bakuto branched out naturally into loan sharking and other illegal activities. Even today, specific yakuza gangs may identify themselves as tekiya or bakuto, depending on how they make the majority of their money. They also retain rituals used by the earlier groups as part of their initiation ceremonies. Modern Yakuza Since the end of World War II, yakuza gangs have rebounded in popularity after a lull during the war. The Japanese government estimated in 2007 that there were more than 102,000 yakuza members working in Japan and abroad, in 2,500 different families.  Despite the official end of discrimination against burakumin in 1861, more than 150 years later, many gang members are descendants of that outcast class. Others are ethnic Koreans, who also face considerable discrimination in Japanese society. Traces of the gangs origins can be seen in the signature aspects of yakuza culture today. For example, many yakuza sport full-body tattoos which are made with traditional bamboo or steel needles, rather than modern tattooing guns. The tattooed area may even include the genitals, an incredibly painful tradition. The yakuza members usually remove their shirts while playing cards with each other and display their body art, a nod to the bakuto traditions, although they generally cover up with long sleeves in public. Another feature of yakuza culture is the tradition of yubitsume or severing the joint of the little finger.  Yubitsume is performed as an apology when a yakuza member defies or otherwise displeases his boss.  The guilty party cuts off the top joint of his left pinkie finger and presents it to the boss; additional transgressions lead to the loss of additional finger joints.   This custom originated in Tokugawa times; the loss of finger joints makes the gangsters sword grip weaker, theoretically leading him to depend more on the rest of the group for protection. Today, many yakuza members wear prosthetic fingertips to avoid being conspicuous. The largest yakuza syndicates operating today are the Kobe-based Yamaguchi-gumi, which includes about half of all active yakuza in Japan; the Sumiyoshi-kai, which originated in Osaka and boasts about 20,000 members; and the Inagawa-kai, out of Tokyo and Yokohama, with 15,000 members. The gangs engage in criminal activities such as international drug-smuggling, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. However, they also hold significant amounts of stock in large, legitimate corporations, and some have close ties with the Japanese business world, the banking sector, and the real estate market. Yakuza and Society Interestingly, after the devastating Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995, it was the Yamaguchi-gumi who first came to the aid of victims in the gangs home city. Likewise, after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, different yakuza groups sent truck-loads of supplies to the affected area. Another counter-intuitive benefit from the yakuza is the suppression of petty criminals. Kobe and Osaka, with their powerful yakuza syndicates, are among the safest towns in a generally safe nation because small-fry crooks do not trespass on yakuza territory. Despite these surprising social benefits of the yakuza, the Japanese government has cracked down on the gangs in recent decades. In March of 1995, it passed tough new anti-racketeering legislation called the Act for Prevention of Unlawful Activities by Criminal Gang Members. In 2008, the Osaka Securities Exchange purged all of its listed companies that had ties to the yakuza. Since 2009, police across the country have been arresting yakuza bosses and shutting down businesses that cooperate with the gangs. Although the police are making serious efforts to suppress yakuza activity in Japan these days, it seems unlikely that the syndicates will disappear entirely. They have survived for more than 300 years, after all, and they are closely entwined with many aspects of Japanese society and culture.

Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Assignment - Coursework Example In this regards, some of the companies that form the above corporation are; Coca Cola company, Honda, Toshiba, Nike, BMW and Wal-Mart just to mention but a few. Notably, research made by Willy keen states that, this company’s allegations stand out that they improve on the economy of countries that are not well-off mainly the third world countries, with the reason of improving on their economy and marketing themselves (Organization, 2005). However, these companies are at big risk of translation exposures because of different political and economical challenges in different nations. Translation exposure is the difference between the exposed rates and liabilities; this may give the rise to currency or fall. Furthermore, this has in turn created a huge challenge in centralization management of the companies involved in this system. Nevertheless, economically these companies are at risk of losing some cash because of huge geographical area of management. Additionally, transaction from this companies experience delays in some areas because of centralized management, hence more risk of losing customers and other great deals. This companies have been rated to have borrowed different amount in the past five years to cater for the economical imbalances. Coca Cola Company $ 12 billion in the year 2003, Toshiba $ 22 million in the year2011 and BMW $ 17 billion in the year 2012. This has been a big challenge in determining and examining the growth of these companies because of the debts they incur yearly (Publishing,

Citrus industry in Florida Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Citrus industry in Florida - Research Paper Example In 1834, citrus groves were being cultivated by farmers, which were interrupted by the occurrence of a freeze in February of 1835 (Florida’s Citrus Production 2013). The freeze, which happened on February of 1835, killed all the fruit trees in St. Augustine as temperature dropped to seven degrees above zero, thus, robbing people of their income (Dobson 2009). The farmers’ recovered production for the succeeding fifty-one years as the state only experienced warm winters; during this time, northeast Florida, as well as St. John’s County, became the hub of citrus supply (Dobson 2009). In the 1890’s, citrus production increased to five million boxes per year due to the demand for the said fruit in the northeast and the existence of rail lines, which promoted long distance shipping of the citrus fruits (About Citrus 2012). In fact, in the year 1894, the shipment of crates of citrus to the north amounted up to 5,000,000 (Dobson 2009). On December of 1894, anothe r freeze happened, killing all of Florida’s orange crops in its wake. On the eighth of February the following year, another freeze came about, bringing about the same disastrous effects; such was its impact that on 1896, Florida was only able to ship a little above 100,000 crates of oranges (Dobson 2009). The freeze caused the abandonment of citrus groves in the North of Florida and the production of melons and potatoes in its place (Dobson 2009). This was the most severe in the history of freezes that Florida had undergone (Timeline of Major Florida Freezes 2013). In 1901, there were little above 1,000,000 crates produced (Dobson 2009). In 1917 and 1934, still the state was plagued with the same natural calamity; the freeze of 1934 resulted in the formation of the Federal Frost Warning Service -- a replacement of the train whistles, which warned people of imminent frosts in the previous years (Dobson 2009). The occurrence of continuous freezes in December of 1934, as well as on February of 1935, yielded a negative impact as it reduce production from a million boxes to just below 150,000 boxes of citrus (About Citrus 2013). Again, the farmers planted their citrus crops, yet another freeze took its toll in