The Concept of the American Dream - 1331 Words

The American Dream is a concept that in many ways defines the values of American society. There is no one specific version of the dream, but there are certain elements that are almost universally agreed-upon, most especially the link between hard work and success. That success is usually embodied in home ownership, a family and a comfortable retirement. For many Americans, however, the American dream has proven elusive. Large segments of American society face tremendous economic and social barriers to the American Dream. Worse, their failure to achieve their dreams is often not for lack of trying the barriers are simply insurmountable. Several authors have discussed the barriers that many people face to the American dream, and their arguments support the idea that the American Dream is little more than a myth. Barbara Ehrenreich discusses both social and economic barriers in Serving in Florida, where she recounts her experiences working as a waitress in the Keys for $2.15 per hour plus tips. This experience highlights one of the major economic barriers to the American Dream many jobs in America pay very little. People who for one reason or another can only find employment in the low wage sector face significant economic hardship. Most have little money saved, so any unforeseen expense is impossible. This clashes with the American Dream in both housing and health care. Most jobs in the low-wage sector do not offer health care plans, leaving workers in those jobs vulnerableShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream Is A Flawed Concept911 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream is a flawed concept, a deceptive motivator, which promotes fantasy and unrealistic capitalist goals (ideals) of success, while disregarding the immense costs. The American Dream, conceptualized among early American frontiersm en deeply impacted societal thinking and motivation. America meant â€Å"more†. More ideas, more possibilities, more space, more land, and finally, more success. This concept is timeless for Americans and aspiring American citizens. The American Dream can be brokenRead MoreThe American Dream : A Concept Known By All1465 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream The American Dream: a concept known by all, but deciphered distinctly throughout time. Coined by historian James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America, the term American Dream was explained as the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone . . . (214). People immigrated to America from all over the world in order to enhance their circumstances and eventually achieve this idealistic vision. However, realism has shatteredRead MoreThe Ways in Which Steinbeck Explores the Concept of the American Dream in Of Mice and Men1384 Words   |  6 PagesThe Ways in Which Steinbeck Explores the Concept of the American Dream in Of Mice and Men The American Dream was a dream that nearly everyone had throughout the twentieth century. It was hope for a better life and people believed strongly that it would come true. The main characters in Of Mice Men have a dream which was to get a plot of land and live on it and become self-sufficient. The American Dream was not an achievable goal for many people. Steinbeck shows thisRead MoreGatsby’s Unrealistic American Dream in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald960 Words   |  4 PagesThe term â€Å"American Dream† is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, â€Å"Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.† Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity. However, this idea began to lose its value when people startedRead MoreThemes Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby1308 Words   |  6 Pages The American Dream can exist through almost anything, including the disbandment of love. The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald displays the concept of the American Dream through modern Love. In the novel Fitzgerald creates a main portion of characters, Gatsby, Daisy, Nick, and Tom to act as the symbols of this American Dream. Throughout the story Fitzgerald gives his readers a taste of what the chase of an American Dream is mainly seen as, which in the end did not become successful. FitzgeraldRead MoreAmory Blaine : A True American Character1586 Words   |  7 Pages[Course Title] 25 October 2014 Amory Blaine: A True American Character One of the major characteristics of a great novel is its potential to depict characters that are representative of a specific society, its ideology, its conventions, and its worldview. Analyzing from the perspective of characterization, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel â€Å"This Side of Paradise† should be considered as one of the greatest novels ever written in the realm of American literature because emphasizing on the development ofRead MoreSister Carrie and the American Dream1618 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream is surely based on the concept of â€Å"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness† but it is above all, a matter of ambition. James Truslow Adams, an American writer and historian, in 1931 states: life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement†, which not only points towards a better standard of living for Americans but also denounces a degree of greed in the US societ y. Ambition not only â€Å"killed the cat† butRead MoreThe American Dream As Defined By F. Scott Fitzgerald960 Words   |  4 Pages Sweet Dreams (An Analysis of the American Dream as Defined by F. Scott Fitzgerald in Winter Dreams) In Winter Dreams by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author describes through a love story the idea of the American Dream. When young Dexter falls in love with Judy Jones, she quickly becomes his dream. However, it will become apparent that Dexter is not Judy’s dream. Although their dreams are very different, this somehow embodies the very idea of the American Dream as a concept that cannot be specificallyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby Passage Analysis1289 Words   |  6 Pagesreflecting on the story of Jay Gatsby following his sorrowful passing. He comments on the concept that in chasing a future dream, individuals are only to be mired back into the past. As the novel ends, Fitzgerald displays powerful utilization of eloquent diction and images of the past to highlight his most essential idea of hopes and dreams; ultimately, Fitzgerald delivers a critique of the classical ‘American dream,’ while also relating similar values to that of the element of money within the 1920 sRead MoreThe American Dream in The Death of a Saleman by Arthur Miller809 Words   |  3 PagesDeath of a Salesman† is the concept of the American Dream. After World War II, as the United States produced more consumer goods, numerous people interpreted the American Dream as the concepts of richness and popularity. Although Miller wrote â€Å"The Death of a Salesman† after World War II, he describes Willy Loman as a salesman, who illustrates that wealth and popularity are not the important concepts that the American Dream represents. The four concepts of the American Dream that Willy fails to point

The Laws Of The Bible - 1238 Words

Without the addition of emotion stories would become harder to enjoy, much like a school textbook. To combat this problem, authors create emotion by using certain words and phrases to engage the reader further into the story. These words and phrases can additionally be used to help readers better connect and understand characters within a story. Hester Gray is an elderly christian lady who values honesty over life. She is a sister to Margaret Lester and a twin of Hannah Gray. Hester lives her life according to the Christian Ten Commandments and believes the rules should not be broken under any circumstances; however, she later learns that her priority over saving her own soul over others is pure selfishness, which unknowingly contradicted†¦show more content†¦Margaret Lester, mother of Helen Lester and sister to Hester and Hannah Gray, is a loving parent who wishes this best for her family. She was diagnosed with a deadly disease called Typhoid leaving her bedridden and quar antined. Due to her quarantine, she is only allowed to see Hester, leaving Helen without a mother. As a result of the abandonment of her daughter she is trapped in a consistent feeling of grief and sorrow. To combat this feeling of loneliness, Margaret and Helen Send love notes to each other as a form of communication. â€Å"She wrote fond little love-notes to her mother, in which she concealed her illness; and these the mother read and reread through happy eyes wet with thankful tears, and kissed them over and over again, and treasured them as precious things under her pillow.† (Twain 13). The unconditional love between a mother and child is one of the strongest relationship bonds that exist. This love is challenged many times throughout the course of life, but can sometimes defeat its struggles which in turn solidify its strength. Sadly, situations, such as the separation or death, is a fear that is too real at times. As a result, it causes a continuous search to once strengthen that love once again from both parties. Every character has a specific set of traits and personalities. A setting can used to exemplify or highlight these traits much like a child s bedroom or a villain s lair. In combination, these two assist in making a character

Acs History Free Essays

Cancer is detrimental to people. It is not just a sip le disease but is also treated as a human killer. It is considered as one of the most serious health problem next to heart disease. We will write a custom essay sample on Acs History or any similar topic only for you Order Now Being defined, cancer is illness on which the cells grow and divide beyond the normal limit, destroy other cells, and even spread this into different part and location of the body. This disease chooses no limit; anyone can have these types of condition. Millions of people suffer from this fatal condition. It was estimated by experts, that after several years, cancer would claim for about 6. 2 million lives including men, women, and even children. Also, according to them, it is possible that there would be more victims affected by cancer globally for the coming years. However, given such fact, there are still many reported cases that successfully passed the tragic of having cancer. That’s why there have been different organizations who want to help the problem and minimize the number of victim of cancer. One of those organizations is the American Cancer Society, which has mire than 3,400 offices worldwide and is located at Atlanta Georgia. Former American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC), the American Cancer Society was established in 1913 joined by 15 physicians including business leaders in New York City. It was considered as one of the most unforgettable in the history of New York, for having such organization concern with public health. In the early 1913, cancer was not that known and not often reported to the public and society. Awareness of cancer was very low for that moment. Decease victimizes 75,000 people a year in the United States only cause by the decease itself. People involved in the society knew that they have to make public awareness through proper education and information dissemination about cancer if they want progress†¦ Doctors, nurses, and professionals had advertising campaigns containing articles that educate masses with regards to cancer. There has been a campaign that encourages doctors and physicians to be part of the society as well as the campaign. By 1936, Marjorie G. Illig came up with the idea of a new way to have that progress. The proposal was by creating an organization of new selected volunteers that will promote war against cancer. That was called the Women’s Field Army. First step done was to raise money by using different tactics. Through this, Clarence Little, who was the ASCC’s managing director reported that by 1935, 15,000 people who suffered cancer were in control. By 1938, number of victims of cancer reached up to ten times of the previous. After this, ASCC was renamed by American Cancer Society in the year 1945. 1946, they have risen for over $4 million reserved for the education program of the society. Year 1947, there has been public awareness through showing and releasing ads that indicates the signs of having cancer. This was called â€Å"Cancers Danger Signals†. These includes: there’s a wound that does not heal, thickening in other part of the body most especially in the breast, abnormal bleeding, change or difference on warts, continuous indigestion and cough, and difference in bowel habits. After 10 years, this was changed and was replaced by CAUTION. 1980, Dr Sidney Farber was the first receiver of the Society’s program. Aminopterin was first used for the cure of the disease, followed by the era chemotherapy as another way of treatment for cancer. Through the years, they discovered that smoking is closely associated with the cause of cancer and showed the relevance of cleaning or termed Pap smear, Interferon as fighting drug for cancer and many more. They funded researches for over $3 billion dollars as well for the Novel Prize winner. Middle point of the American Cancer Society was the creation of the logo of the ACS. The sword which symbolizes the continuous fight for cancer and twined serpents symbolizes the prevention of the disease. Now, the organization has established their name which helps and supports the cancers victims. What we discussed is the positive side, now let’s look more about ACS. It was reported that the American Cancer Society is really receiving wealth being â€Å"charity†. From James Bennett, a professor in the course economics at the University of George Mason, declared that in 1988, ACS had a total balance of $410 million and worth $69 million of lands, buildings and equipment and spent only $90 million or just 26 percent of its budget for researches and other medical programs. The balance of the money was used for operating charges which includes salaries for employees, pensions and many more. By 1989, the fund reached up to $700 million and in 1991, trough the beliefs of the Americans that they greatly help in fighting cancer; they shared $350 million which was 6 percent higher than the previous year. Fund of ACS mostly comes from the public, but with the following decades, corporations have also shared to support the program. Then, there exist the American Cancer Foundation mainly created so that ACS can now legally ask for fund in many ways like soliciting. The result of this effort was not wasted but instead a great success. There are millions of fund entered the organization. 1992, there is this certain article who said that ACS is not really for the sake of cancer victims, but instead, for money and wealth. ACS didn’t stop searching way to gather funds. There is continuous fund raising that was said to support the cancer programs and having money at hand for about $750 million and assets. Also at the same year, the Wall Street Journal, author Thomas DiLorenzo declared that ACS owned over $11 million worth of land and real estate and also 56 cars which was owned by the executives and other 45 for the staffs and employees. Having the budget, they only gave its 10 percent for public services. Needless to say, not all money was brought to the cancer victims. Moreover, only 16 percent of the derived fund goes for the direct service of ACS. Where the money goes? Large percent of the fund raised by ACS went to salaries, travel expenses of executives, and many more. The truth is that more than half of the budget goes to the expenditure of the executives and employees. To be exact, that is about 52 percent of the fund raised obviously bigger than where the money should be allotted. There have been appeals for fund raising due to the insufficient fund, but the question is, why there is so much expenditure by top management. Donors and contributors believes that their contributions goes with the treatment of patients suffering from cancer and not for own goods. To achieve progress, there must be proper allocation of budget the aims to protect and help cancer victims. It should be use for different cancer services and programs. Another one, there exists the fund, for researches, they do not focus on the ways on how to prevent the disease but instead promoting drugs that will cure cancer. Through this, people can conclude that they were not really aiming to fight cancer but instead to advertise products that will cure cancer. It seems that the fund supposedly for preventing cancer went to the research of drugs that will cure and later, will be sold to the people. In addition, the way used by ACS for fighting cancer is the â€Å"blame-the-victim† strategy. They continuously blame people rather than educating for a healthy environment unexposed to carcinogens. Their silence with the issue benefited corporations that are large contributors of pollution and carcinogens. Given their promises to wipe cancer 100 percent globally failed to the do so. They were not heard in the Congress even there are lots of opportunities to be heard. ACS continued to fail for responding with the Congress. These are the proofs: 1. 1971, ACS refused the invitation to have their testimony in FDA to ban the used of diethylstilbestrol (DES). 2. ACS disagreed that hair coloring products with dyes can also cause cancer. 3. ACS rejects the Congressional Moratorium which bans the use of saccharin. The continuous rejection of ACS tested their sincerity with the program and the organization for treating cancer. Because of this, there are scientist who declared that ACS was not performing well to prevent people from the elements in the environment that causes cancer. This report of criticism declared that the exposure of people in an environment rich in cancer causing elements resulted human suffered from the disease. What they want to imply is that, ACS should make ways to prevent cancer instead of researching things on how to cure it. Studies showed that exposure to different elements such carcinogens fasten the growth of cancer. What ACS should do is to respond with Congress, and make it as partner of imposing laws that will ban the used of different cancer causing elements. They should not neglect the opportunity to solve the worsening problem of cancer. If they really want to advocate and help people against cancer, they should set objectives that promotes the prevention rather than in the way of curing. In addition, funds gathered should goes on where it should be, because there are lot of people who really want to address this worsening problem. They should not waste the time that the public still trust their name as one of the most charitable organization the helps the public. They have established a good name globally, it should be used well, so that people suffering from the disease receives what they should receive. It’s the life that matters, and life is the issue. We should not sacrifice one for our own sake. Works Cited DiLorenzo, T. J. Uneconomic war on cancer. Journal of Wall Street, March 1992, p. A10. Hall, H. , and Williams, G. Professor vs. Cancer Society. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 1992, p. 26. Bennett, J. T. , and DiLorenzo, T. J. Unhealthy Charities and Wealth. Basic Books, New York, 1994. ACS Inc.. ACS History: http://www. cancer. org/docroot/AA/content/AA_1_4_ACS_History. asp. retrieved November 10,2007 Bennett, J. T. , and DiLorenzo, T. J. Unhealthy Charities: Hazardous to Your Health and Wealth. Basic Books, New York, 1994. How to cite Acs History, Papers

Consumer Behavior in Virgin Australia

Question: Discuss about the Consumer Behavior in Virgin Australia. Answer: Introduction The customers are the drivers to the organizations growth. They are the buyer of the services or the products offered by the organization; therefore, there satisfaction and brand loyalty is critical in assuring the profitability of the organization. The companies create different customer segments and then direct their marketing strategies towards different customer segments. Market segmentation is also essential in the product development and designing. The companies cannot create products which appeal to all thee customer segments; therefore, it is essential that the companies create different market segments and develop marketing strategies accordingly (Phillips Gully, 2013). In the present competitive market, the acquisition and the retention of the customers is essential as the competitors are implementing different strategies to increase their market share. The competitive companies try to snatch away the share of the other companies to create market dominance. It is necessary that the organization consistently focus on the satisfaction of their customers so that they remain loyal to the organization. The customer satisfaction is also necessary in increasing the brand image of the organization. At present, the companies are commonly using the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) to promote the goodwill of the company. The customers are attracted towards the organization which are socially responsible and work for the environment and society (Phillips Gully, 2013). Customer Behavior in Airline Industry The consumer behavior impacts on the purchase trends in the aviation industry. It could be examined that the consumers are concerned about the services provided and the cost of the travel in the airline industry. A large number of customers are concerned about the environmental impact of the travel (Nair, 2013). The services offered to the customers are critical in the selection of the airlines. The customers emphasizes on the boarding and the clearance time, online ticketing and the luggage capacity of the airplane in the selection of the airlines (Soomro, 2012). The service quality in the aviation industry is dependent upon booking, check-in, safety control, boarding and in-flight services to the company. The first step at which the services can be provided by the aviation industry is the booking of the tickets. It creates the impression for the later stages as well as for the organization. If the expectations of the customers are met during this stage, it creates a positive image of the organization. The airline companies can uplift the standard of the services by increasing the security, simplicity and availability of the services. The customers should be able to access the booking system through online mediums, easily book the tickets in a secured manner. The representatives of the organization should also remain available to provide services and solve the queries of the customers (Munroe, 2014). The companies have to take into consideration all the attributes and the preferences of customers to uplift the standard of service offered to the customers. Meeting the demands and the expectations of the customers can result in satisfied customers and increase the customer retention. In the check-ins of the customers, the efficiency and the helpfulness of the employees is considered as significant success factors. The ability to offer the services quickly and effectively results in efficiency of the organization. The helpfulness and efficiency of the frontline employees is important in increasing the overall satisfaction of the customers (Fojt, 2006). The safety control and the safety measure implemented by the organization are also critical in building the perception of high service quality. At this stage, the past experiences of the customers are also essential in developing the perception of customers related to the security. At the time of flight boarding, the average waiting time and the information available to the customers is essential in determining the service quality offered to the customers. In the overall service quality measurement, the services offered to the customers during the flight are the most crucial in determining the customer satisfaction with the overall services. During this time, the most significant factors in the determination of service quality are perceived knowledge, perceived trust induction, perceived helpfulness and perceived security by the customers. When a passenger boards a flight, he expects that the official personnel designated will be knowledgeable regarding the flight timings and route a nd thus inculcate a sense of security. These services are of utmost importance to the customers because if an aviation company will not provide these services, it will directly impact on the consumer perception regarding the quality and the competence of the services regarding the services. The knowledge and security is essential in delivering effective service quality to the customers in the aviation industry (Venkatesh, 2013). At present, there is intense competition among the airline companies to select the most acquire the maximum customers in the air travel. Accordingly, the airlines provide discounts, no frill offerings or excellent services to the customers. There is growing trend among the budget travellers and the business travellers to use the no frill services for short haul or domestic flights. As a result, various domestic flights have emerged which provide short haul services to the customers and offer frequent travel at cheaper costs. The services offered to the customers are also limited however; they do not create any discomfort to the people. The Virgin Group has also merged with the philosophy of offering excellent services to the customers at competitive prices. In Australia, there are a large number of domestic travelers who use no frill services to travel in major cities. These customers prefer to travel in the most cost-effective manner (Virgin Australia, 2017). Customer Segments in Airline Industry The companies in the airline industry adopt extensive strategies to segment their customers according to their willingness to pay. The primary division of the customers is according to their paying capacity. Most of the customers are given different class of seating such as economy class, business class and the first class. In the airlines industry, the customers can be segmented according to their need of travel and their purchasing power. On the basis if the customer intent, the airline travellers can be differentiated as the business travelers and the leisure travelers. The business travelers are the frequent travelers and travel six to twelve times in a year. Demographically, they can be categorized as males in the age group of 30-50. The median income of this group is higher than other travelers. These customers are connected with their families and friends with technology. They are tech-savvy people and commonly use laptops, smartphones and portable GPS. The time is of high imp ortance to business travelers and they can switch the airline due to the long waiting time. The business travelers are also highly sensitive about the services offered to them and peculiar about the facilities (Business Travel News, 2017). The leisure traveler can be characterized by their long duration of stay at foreign places. The demand of the leisure market segment has grown substantially with the increase in the purchasing power of the customers. The major different between the leisure segment and the business segment is the demographics of the leisure travels. Unlike the business travel which is dominated by men, the leisure travelers have appropriate balance between the male and female travelers. There is also difference in the age profile of these customer groups. While the business market segment is concentrated between the travelers in the age-group of 35-55, the leisure travelers comprises of travelers of all age groups. Children as well as young adults in high income group and increased propensity for travel and tourism are major customers in this segment (Papatheodorou, 2016). The Virgin Australia is the second biggest airline of Australia. The company has large customer base of the affluent business travelers. Recently, the company has become the most profitable aviation organization in Australia due to the low oil prices and high domestic airfares. The company provides high quality services to the business travelers to increase the customer retention. The satisfaction of the business travelers with Virgin Australia is 86% which is higher than other leading business organizations. The affluent business travelers are the primary target market for the organization and the company has implemented a number of strategies to exploit it. It has increased the number of domestic flights between different business destinations (Roy Morgan Research, 2013). An airline agency can distinguish itself by the product differentiation or cost leadership. In the aviation industry, the product differentiation can be achieved by providing effective services to the customers. The aviation companies can provide services at different situations to increase the customer satisfaction. The companies can also differentiate by offering low cost to the customers. At present, a large number of companies are using the cost leadership strategy to attain competitive advantage. The no frill flights are an extension of this strategy (Schermerhorn, 2010). Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty In the present competitive epoch, the companies are mostly competing upon the services offered to the customers. The focus of the companies is on providing excellent services to the customers to increase the customer loyalty. Virgin Airlines is the most common example of customer-centricity wherein the employees of the organization are focused on creating pleasant and fun experience for the customers. It uses the top-notch planes, competitive fares, excellent services and providing fun and innovative amenities to the customers. Due to the excellent services provided by the company, it is named Worlds Best Domestic Airline for the eighth year in a row. It aims to create a guest-centric travel experience in which the travel experience in every flight is enhanced through better design, technology and excellent services. The designing of the website is also conducted in such a manner so that it promotes the fun spirit and excellent services provided by the organization (Virgin Australia, 2017). The self-help section of the company is also extensive and the customers can find updates related to the bookings of hotels, vacation packages or the rental cars. The schedule of the fights and related information such as cabins, food selection is provided at the website of the organization. The website of the company is designed using the color themes of purples and reds which reflect the fun and cool image of the organization. Virgin Australia is a part of the Virgin Group headquartered in the UK. It is a small company with high presence in the UK and Australian market. Therefore, it is a limited digital marketing budget in comparison to other airlines. The company has to conduct its marketing in its limited budget. Moreover, it is a budget airline and the customers of the airlines travel only once or twice in a year. Therefore, it is important that the company implements effective marketing strategy to establish long-term relationships with the customers. The employees are also ef fective in creating social trends which attracts the customers towards the organization (Popick, 2017). Conclusion The customers are the buyers of the services or the product and play a vital role in the product development and the development of the marketing strategies. The market of the aviation industry can be differentiated in business travelers and the leisure travelers. The business travelers are in the age group 30-50 and comprises of mostly males. The travelers are concerned about their time and budget. They want excellent services at the cheapest prices. On the other hand, the leisure travelers are the people who travel less often by flights. This customer target group includes the people in different age and gender. The most lucrative customer segment of the company is the affluent business travelers who are willing to pay higher prices for excellent services. The company has implemented different strategies to address the needs of this customer segment. It includes providing excellent services at the time of boarding or in-flight. The company also promotes free and casual spirit. The website of the company is also flexible and user friendly which shows the commitment and the customer-centricity of the organization. References Busines Travel News. (2017). Understanding Your Travel Population. Retrieved from 5 April 2017 from https://www.businesstravelnews.com/uploadedFiles/White_Papers/BTN_Concur_0412_FINAL.pdf Fojt, M. (2006). The Airline Industry. Emerald Group Publishing. Munroe, C. (2014). Challenging in Delivering Quality Services: Balancing Customer Expectations and Perceptions in Airline Industry: Case Study: Norwegian Airline. GRIN Verlag. Nair, B. (2013). A Study On The Attitudes And Buying Behavior Of Air Travelers In Contributing To A Sustainable Environment. International Journal of Engineering and Management Studies 4(1), 11-15. Papatheodorou, A. (2016). Aviation and Tourism: Implications for Leisure Travel. Routledge. Phillips, J.M., Gully, S.M. (2013). Organizational Behavior: Tools for Success. Cengage Learning. Popick, J. (2017). How Virgin Atlantic's Marketing Nails It. Inc. Retrieved from 5 April 2017 from https://www.inc.com/janine-popick/how-virgin-atlantics-marketing-nails-it.html Roy Morgan Research. (2013). Domestic business travellers most satisfied with Virgin Australia. Roy Morgan Research. Retrieved from 5 April 2017 from https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/domestic-business-travellers-satisfied-with-virgin-201308280121 Schermerhorn, J.R. (2010). Management. John Wiley Sons. Soomro, Y.L. et al. (2012). Factors Effecting Consumer Preferences in Airline Industry. Far East Journal of Psychology and Business, 7(1), 63 79. Venkatesh, N. (2013). A study on changing consumer preference and satisfaction levels towards the Budget Airline, Tiger Airways and Air Asia; Competitive Prospective. International Journal of Management 1(6), 6-18. Virgin Australia. (2017). Home Page. Retrieved from 5 April 2017 from https://www.virginaustralia.com/uk/en/ Ward, C. (2015). In-flight insight: The key to customer experience at Virgin Atlantic. Retrieved from 5 April 2017 from https://www.mycustomer.com/service/channels/in-flight-insight-the-key-to-customer-experience-at-virgin-atlantic

Angel Investing

Table of Contents Introduction Discussion Angel investors Benefits of angel investors Disadvantages Conclusion References Introduction Entrepreneurship is all about setting up and successfully running a business venture for growth and prosperity. This noble undertaking involves a host of decisions that the entrepreneur has to make. After conceiving a business idea, necessary steps are taken to ensure that the business idea is fully implemented.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Angel Investing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Business planning plays a major role in developing the business. During business planning the entrepreneur will take a great deal of time to make projections about the financial needs of the business as well as the possible sources of finances to be pursued in realizing the business dreams. Angel investing is increasingly becoming one of the viable options for funding business ventures and as such many businesses have benefited from the huge amounts of venture capital those angel investors are able to contribute in running businesses. This paper will discuss the critical role that angel investors play in the establishment and development of business ventures. It will also analyze the pros and cons of using angel investments as an alternative source of business finance. Discussion Implementation of a viable business idea will normally require a great deal of capital and the ability of the entrepreneur to raise the necessary capital, the higher the chances of business success. Start ups are businesses at the initial stages and hence there are very limited sources of funds available to such businesses due to uncertainties surrounding their success. Start ups will therefore depend largely on the owner’s capital and contribution from friends. Credit facilities from financial institutions and other lenders will normally require collaterals and this limits the chance s of new business owners to secure such findings. In recent times however, the entrepreneurs across the world have been able to get a lot of reprieve from venture capitalist that are willing to support a business idea to its implementation stages. A venture capital is a specialized form of funding that targets high risk high return investments with potential growth in the future.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The capital is commonly provided to business start ups that cannot acquire funding from the conventional credit and capital markets. Venture capitalists are unique in the sense that they provide both financial and managerial expertise to the business that improves the chances of success. Venture capital comes from various sources that may include wealthy individuals with investment appetite in the targeted area of business and institutions such as investment banks and corporate orgaisations.The venture capitalist therefore assumes a significant level of control in the business through the share of capital and as well as decision making processes. Although venture capital assumes different forms as mentioned above, wealthy individuals have come handy in the recent past to support new businesses and has formed a greater part of angel investors. This form of investment has played a major role in the development of start ups as a larger percentage of venture capital has comprised of the angel investment options. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of angel investments as a source of venture capital. Angel investors Angel investments have become the new trend in the management of start ups and hence this form of venture capital has the potential of ensuring high levels of business developments and economic growth in any country. Angel investors allow small and medium scale entrepreneurs to acquire the necessary capital and hands on management e xpertise to run a successful business venture. Preston (2007) defines angel investments as a mutual partnership between entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals who seek to benefit from the early synergies created by a new business idea and make substantial amount of profit as they assist the entrepreneur achieve his r her dream in a specific business. The angel investors will benefit from the high levels of profit as well as capital appreciation while the entrepreneurs will be able to acquire cheap sources of capital and also get managerial expertise. This mutual relationship has led to high levels of success in start ups.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Angel Investing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Benefits of angel investors The question as to whether small and medium entrepreneurs should opt for angel investors or not comes from the key benefits one is able to get from these sources of venture capital. The i ncreased use of angel investments as an alternative source of funding is attributed to the following benefits that they provide to both the investor and the entrepreneur: Angel investments have been found to appropriately suit the entrepreneurs who intend to start up new business ventures and as such no other source of funding is convenient to businesses like the angel investments. During the initial stages of the business a lot of resources will be required. They range from financial, managerial expertise and technical skills. Angel investments are able to provide all these resources at a lower cost hence it has the best combination of resources that can allow a start up to grow. Angel investors are normally spread across a financial district of any country more so in areas that have adopted new technologies. This makes the source of finance to be the most available. Angel investors are normally driven by success in the business and hence they are keen to mobilize their resources t o ensure that the business idea succeeds. They are however flexible and allows for alternative plans. This is the best approach for any entrepreneur who starts a new business since success is not normally guaranteed. In this regards, the angel investors allows for flexible terms of engagement as opposed to the conventional lenders who demand for strict investment in the agreed type of business venture (Benjamin Margulis,2005). Unlike other lenders, the angel investors demand for direct engagement in the business management to minimize risks of losses. They can therefore provide valuable skills and experiences that allow the business to grow and achieve its goals and objectives.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The angel investors also concentrate on developing local businesses and hence they acts as agents of economic development at grassroots levels. This gesture allows entrepreneurs in this area to access capital and open up businesses in areas with minimal competition and hence the chances of success using angel investors are normally high. Disadvantages Although angel investors have positively impacted on the development of new businesses, they present certain challenges to both the investor and the entrepreneurs: Angel investors are success oriented and will strive to provide necessary capital for a successful start up. They will however pay little attention businesses experiencing difficulties since they are risk averse. Although angel investors are easily available, they can sometimes prove costly due to the high level of control they exhibit I business and the fees they demand from the entrepreneurs. The entry of angel investors can therefore erode the mission and vision of a star t up business (Shane, 2008). Angel investors are not as popular as other sources of finances; this has particularly made it difficult for them to penetrate certain areas of economy. Conclusion Despite the little set backs associated with angel investors, they still have a significant role to play in the development of new businesses and can be a great tool in providing entrepreneurial skills to the youth. They also provide opportunities for self employment hence the idea of angel investments needs to be popularized in all nations. References Benjamin, G. Margulis,J. (2005). Angel capital : How to raise early-stage private  equity financing. Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley. Preston,L.S.(2007). Angel financing forentrepreneurs: Early stage funding for long-term success. San Francisco, Calif. : Jossey-Bass. Shane,A.S. (2008). Fool’s gold?: The truth behind angel investing in America. Oxford:  Oxford University Press. This essay on Angel Investing was written and submitted by user Imani Mooney to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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the problem of violence in schools essays

the problem of violence in schools essays The problem of violence in schools today is a major concern. Crime in and around schools threatens the well being of students, as well as the school staff and the surrounding communities. It also holds back learning and student achievement. The problem is more defined in the public school system than in catholic schools. Catholic schools seem to express a better-rounded teaching environment. Most catholic schools have less tolerance than they do in public schools. It is said that the wearing of a uniform helps to keep more peace in the school. The students do not get made fun of for not wearing brand name clothing. The laughing and making fun of the other students is what contributes to low self-esteem, which one of the traits for a student who is likely to bring violence into school. More than half of U.S. public schools have reported at least one crime incident in 1997. Also one in ten schools reported at least one serious violent crime during this school year. Ten percent of all public schools had experienced one or more serious violent crimes (e.g. murder, rape, suicide, sexual battery, and physical attack of fighting with a weapon or robbery) reported to police or other law enforcement during 1997. Crime and violence seem to be more of a problem in middle and high schools than in elementary schools. In 1997 forty-five percent of elementary schools reported one or more acts of violence. Seventy-four percent of middle schools and seventy-five percent of high schools had reported incidents of violence. One of the goals of the National Education Goals states that by the year 2000, all schools in America will be free of drugs and violence and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol, and offer a disciplined environment that is conducive to learning. This goal has obviously not yet been reached, but there still is some time left for them to reach this goal. The crimes that are most frequentl...

Position essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Position - Essay Example after a high-profile spokesperson named Celerino Castillo, a former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Agency operative, testified and gave first-hand information about the substantial involvement of the CIA in the drug trade. The following discussions center on the issues regarding how the CIA gets involves in drug trades. The CIA was created by a Wall Street investor and lawyer named Clark Clifford through the National Security Act of 1947 (Corruption Enablers in Legal-Judicial Areas, 2009). Corruption was rooted with the CIA when it was created (Stitch, 2009). The leaders of this US government transformed section supported the illegal trade, including Clifford. The CIA got involved in this trade to finance their operations and later on became a money producing machine for some money-hungry operatives. This information was included in Celerino Castillo’s report. In the early 1950’s all the way up to the mid 1970’s the U.S. military participation in Laos, Indochina had a lot to do with illegal drugs. Research shows that heroin and opium were flown by â€Å"Air America† into a lot of different nations, as well as Vietnam (Stitch, 2007). Because of CIA’s drug trafficking, Southeast Asia became the major producer of heroin and opium. It is assumed that Southeast Asia produces 80% or the world’s heroin and opium (Stitch, 2007). The good image of South Vietnam was also tarnished by the drug trade brought in by the CIA from Laos. Cultures like that of the Hmong in Laos delivered 40,000 men for the CIAs underground Laotian military (Stitch, Rodney, 2007). Nevertheless in the development, opium production took over the Hmong people and many became addicted. To back the Hmong drug addiction, the CIAs â€Å"Air America† transferred rare opium beyond the Laotian mountains to the drug test centers. During the mi d-70s, Army health officers gave estimation that roughly twenty percent of American fighters had become addicted to the drugs because of the CIA (Stich

Literature review on a particular aspect of health psychology Essay

Literature review on a particular aspect of health psychology - Essay Example Another eating disorder emerged, however, towards the end of the 1970s, when there were reports of an increasing number of adolescents who indulged in overeating, followed immediately by induced vomiting. This disorder was first named ‘bulimarexia’ (Ibid), as it shared some similar features with those suffering from anorexia nervosa. It was in 1979 when the term ‘bulimia nervosa’ was introduced by a London psychiatrist, Professor Gerald Russell in a seminal paper which he published in the psychiatric journal Psychological Medicine (Abraham, 2008). Bulimia means ‘to eat like an ox† (Abraham, 2008). Professor Russell described 40% of his patients suffering from a clinical condition as that of ‘an ominous variant of anorexia nervosa†, a disorder he termed ‘bulimia nervosa’. He explained that these groups of people periodically went on eating binges, while at the same time adopted extreme measures like induced vomiting to prevent themselves from becoming fat (Abraham, 2008; Cooper, 2009). In his paper, he proposed three definitions for bulimia nervosa: 1) powerful and intractable urges to overeat; 2) attempts to avoid the ‘fattening’ effects of food by inducing vomiting, abusing purgatives, or both; and 3) a morbid fear of fatness (Cooper, 2009). His definitions set a trend over the next few years, as clinicians and researchers used them as guidelines in identifying people with bulimia nervosa. The criteria for recognizing the onset of the disorder, however, became the subject of much debate as to how widespread bulimia nervosa was. In 1994, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, provided some guidelines which has since then been widely accepted by mental health professionals (Schulherr, 2008). Some of these included episodes of binge-eating and purging, characterized by the person’s

Pollution in Lake Michigan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pollution in Lake Michigan - Research Paper Example The researcher states that Wetlands present one of the greatest opportunities for conservation exercises, in a modern world faced by myriad environmental scares. Inland lakes everywhere in the world are perhaps among the only environmental treasures that the world has to protect due to their diversity and environmental importance. In the United States, pollution continues to be the major threat to the integrity of such treasures, which have a chance to be protected with the right approaches. The importance of the Great lakes that hold about a fifth of the entire earth’s fresh water cannot be ignored. Pollution concerns of the Great Lakes have been raised by conservationists, inspiring conservation interventions to be designed and carried out. A highlight of the state of pollution, pollutants and conservation interventions at Lake Michigan is made in this discourse. Specific projects already on the ground by various interagency cooperation plans include the elimination of basic pollution regulations implementation plans around the Lake with follow-ups by state and federal authorities being placed under strict watch. Some of the individual conservation projects carried out by various agencies on the Lake include those by; Michigan Dune Alliance and Michigan Farmland Protection among others. It is then concluded that the Lake Michigan Shorelands Alliance is powerful agency that facilitates the conservation input at the Lake, alongside other government and non-governmental agencies at the site.

Teaching English To Children With Learning Disabilities Education Essay

Teaching English To Children With Learning Disabilities Education Essay Introduction The world we are living in is undergoing major changes in a stunningly short amount of time. Everything is moving, everything is changing, including all the central systems upon which all civilized societies of the world work. Education systems around the globe are also in a constant reformation, trying to keep up with the individual and collective needs of the people, with the emergence of new technologies and with the modernity in general. I have decided to approach the issue of the children with learning disabilities, teaching English to them, because although the science and the world have evolved rapidly in the last century, it seems that there are still aspects of the society that are left alone or who are not given sufficient credit, perhaps from ignorance, or perhaps from unknowing what to do. Why children with learning difficulties? Because they represent a special category, which unfortunately is frequently omitted, and children with this condition are often placed in schools where there is no qualified staff to help them grow personally and professionally as they should. For avoiding confusion over what really a learning disability means, in the first chapter of my paper I thought it will be necessary to clarify the concept, by offering the definitions of several specialists. In this same chapter I will try to develop some theoretical concepts, such as the detailed description of the term and of the behavior involved, all of which are essential for understanding a student with Learning Disabilities. In the second chapter I aim to describe the circumstances in which English has become in recent decades the international language, and the importance and necessity of learning a foreign language in the socio-politic and economic actual context, especially for an ex-communist country in developing such the case of Romania is for over twenty years. In the third and final chapter, I will present the various methods and techniques of teaching English as a foreign language available for the children with learning difficulties, offering examples of several worksheets collected with the support of several English teachers. A short inroad to learning disabilities In this first chapter of my paper I want to analyze the issue of learning disabilities based on specialized readings, to make a brief insight into the history of the field research and an analysis of the factors underlying these abnormalities, announcing the features of this problem and some of the ways by which a child with learning difficulties can be traced in time to be helped. Children across the world live their true life adventure once they begin school. For each and every one of them it is a long awaited moment and most are able to perfectly adapt the educational environment. Still, there are some children for whom school proves to be a chore: the children who are faced with learning disabilities (LD). They represent a special category which unfortunately is often overlooked. Historical overview The approach towards children with learning disabilities is not new at all. It exists even from the invention of school, but it was not until the 1960s that it was emphasized. The novelty in this area consists of the higher interest shown lately towards children with such a disability and finding ways throughout they can be helped to overcome the difficulties encountered while studying, or even through their whole lifetime. The man initiating the term was Samuel Kirk (director of the Federal Office of Educations Division of Handicapped Children between 1963 and 1964 and founding director of the Institute for research on Exceptional Children at the University of Illinois) , term which is considered to design a neurological disorder affecting children of normal intelligence, physical intactness, emotional health and average motivation, but who are facing troubles in using certain skills and achieving success at school and in everyday life. Defining the term proved to be a complex process and thus, over time many variants have been proposed by doctors, teachers and other specialists of the field. In the first edition of his research concerning the education of exceptional children in 1962, Kirk provided the following definition: A learning disability refers to a retardation disorder, or delayed development in one or more of the process of speech, language, reading, writing, arithmetic, or other school subject resulting from a psychological handicap caused by a possible cerebral dysfunction and/ or emotional or behavioral disturbances. It is not the result of mental retardation, sensory deprivation, or cultural and instructional factors. (Kirk 263) The definition and the term given by Kirk to design the disorder were immediately embraced by the parents in the first national conference on the subject, hold in the same year because it made it clear that there is a great difference between the mental issue and the learning one. The definition of Kirk also provided a solid foundation for further research and definitions in the field. According to Turkington and Harris most definitions suggest that learning disabilities are permanent, affect a range of language and mathematics functions, and are caused in part from problems within the central nervous system, as stipulated by the Interagency Committee on Learning Disabilities, an organization formed by 12 agencies within the federal gouvernment in USA in 1987: Learning disabilities is a generic term that refers to a heterogenous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening skills, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities, or of social skills. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and presumed to be due to the central nervous system dysfunction. Even though a learning disability may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions,[], a learning disability is not the direct result of those conditions or influences. (ICLD 222) Nowadays, it seems that the most widely used definition is the one included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act from 2004 (Flanagan, Alfonso), which unlike most definitions, it refers to a specific learning disability: The term specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological process involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, spell, or do mathematical calculations. Such a term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Such a term does not include a learning problem that is primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; of mental retardation; of emotional disturbance; or of an environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. (IDEA, 2004, 602.30, Definitions) The number of students who are in such a situation is much higher than one might think. In England for example 2% of the population has a learning disability according to the British Institute of Learning disabilities, which also mentions the fact that the term learning difficulty is preferred to learning disability, because the society we live in is harsh and often the issue of learning difficulties is misinterpreted and identified with mental problems. Although a learning disability can often accompany such a problem, it is not a rule as specified in the definitions given by Kirk or stated in the IDEA. The distinction between the two terms can be seen rather at a cultural level (Americans prefer using disability and Europeans difficulty) rather to the specificity of the problem: Learning disability- is a general term that refers to individuals who find it harder to learn, understand and communicate. Other terms that are used to describe an individuals situation include complex needs or high support needs. Learning difficulty -is often used in educational settings and refers to individuals who have specific problems. Children and young people requiring special education needs are often described as having a learning difficulty. Throughout the world, learning disabilities affect at least 1 in 10 children. But nowadays a learning disability isnt considered anymore a handicap. People have learned to accept those with such conditions, and the personas from the public life had a great contribution. Apart from the classic examples of Albert Einstein who was unable to speak to the age of three, or the great Demostene who was a powerful public speaker in the ancient times, but who in his youth faced serious problems of stammering, there are also modern public figures who acknowledge freely that at a certain moment in their lives have been confronted with such a malady, such as actor Tom Cruise, singer Cher or director Steven Spielberg. Causes of learning disabilities The exact causes leading to these types of disabilities have not been clearly stated by specialists in their research. However, some reference was established for both parents and for teachers I order to use them in diagnosing children with LD. There are several factors that could possibly be blamed for such a disorder. Among these, the most important to remember are: genetic factors, organic factors and environmental factors. Genetic factors Evidence has shown that learning problems run in families. The odds that a child is learning-disabled are much higher when the in the family was previously reported at least one such case. There are maternal factors such as the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy that have negative effects; it is well-known that mothers who smoke during pregnancy for example, are more likely to bear small babies, who are at a higher risk for learning disabilities; poor prenatal medical care and nutrition and prenatal injury or delivery complications can also be responsible. Organic factors Organic factors refer to dysfunctions that may appear in the central nervous system and damage the brain known as Minimal Brain Dysfunctions. Environmental factors There are several factors in the childs environment thought to affect his abilities of learning, such as nutritional deficiencies, inadequate learning experience or environmental toxins such as mercury or dioxins released into the childs body within his first year of life. For example, in economic deprived families there exist the possibility the child is never given the opportunity to go to school, and so he is a stranger to the domain of linguistic and cognitive activities. Unfortunately, such cases are becoming more and more common, especially in poor or developing countries. When it comes to the experience achieved in schools, researchers agree that poor quality teaching in schools may also cause a learning disability. There are cases when the use of inappropriate materials or a teaching style that does not allow the learner enough time to acquire basic skills, moving too fast can contribute to the unsuccessful activity of the student. There are many cases when students are labeled unconsciously by their teachers or peers as being lazy or stupid, but in fact their only problem is that their brains are designed to process information differently. Myrna Orenstein thinks these children are smart but stuck. So far there no treatment has been found to cure this condition, but children can be helped to learn successfully with the appropriate support from both parents but especially from teachers. However, it is necessary for a learning disabled child to be discovered in time. How do we recognize a learning disabled child? Because types of LD vary from child to child, so do the symptoms. Yet, there are some peculiarities in each case which can be very useful to the parents in the process of identifying this disorder, because after all they are usually the ones who first noticed abnormalities in their children. According to Siegel, there are some gestures and moves that a child should be able to do in the first years of life, upon which the pediatricians agree: A one-year-old should be able to reach for objects, roll over, stand with some support, follow objects, laugh, respond to no, and use a crayon. By the age of two, a child should respond to other children, walk, use some words, recognize familiar persons, point, and understand some simple shapes. A three-year-old should be able to move easily and go up stairs, be understood when speaking, use scissors, and draw pictures. By the age of four, a child should be able to catch a ball, copy shapes, count, identify some colors, dress without help, and play appropriate with peers. (Siegel,28) The first signs that parents and educators should be concerned of are: 1. Children often prefer to get isolated, they are shy, insecure, avoid playing with other children or sharing things. 2. The child has difficulties understanding and follows different instructions or memory issues, such as not remembering what he is saying. 3. He/She has difficulty distinguishing the left from the right, in identifying words or has an emphasized tendency to reverse letters, words, or numbers. 4. He/ She lack coordination while walking, in sports or much easier activities such as holding a pencil in the hand or tying his/her shoe lace. 5. Often, the child fails to understand the concept of time, is confused regarding yesterday, today and tomorrow. Obviously, the early the disorder is discovered, the better for the child, because we all know it is better preventing than remediating further effects. But if the child has already entered school without being diagnosed with a LD, then the signs should be more obvious for those surrounding him because he usually draw attention to himself: 1. He/she might get confused and wander homework, school books and other things. 2. The appearance of disruptiveness when in school- some LD children continuously bother, distract or in some way disrupt others-even the entire class. Their behaviour differ- some get engaged in some type of physical contact which disturbs classmates, while others make faces, talk or laugh at inappropriate times.(Blanton 29) 3. The child might have difficulties paying attention or staying focused, in processing, understanding, and expressing information through language.(Siegel 29) 4. He/ She might have trouble copying or getting ideas onto paper. 5. He/ she isnt very skilful, but it is usually creative in his/ her own way, and it is considered to be a constant source of amazement and delight by their teachers. Although at a first view it may seem a minor problem, the misdiagnosing of a LD child, or worse, ignoring his condition can lead to catastrophic effects later in his teenager or adult life. There are statistics which showed that juvenile delinquency can be easily associated with learning issues. Also, the child that is not being properly treated and helped and considered to be a laisser faire at school, may later abuse drugs or alcohol to pass more easily over the issue. When the world is as black as theirs is, anything that will allow a few hours of pleasure is welcomed. Suicide of course, is the ultimate out. But its rare. (Stevens 59) Testing for learning disabilities Many specialists refuse to test preschoolers for such condition, considering that they should first come into contact with the school environment and achieve some sort of results, and only after this basic steps they can further determine if a child needs therapy or not. Others, on the other hand, say otherwise, the statistics showing that a correct and careful testing may have an accuracy of 82% to 95% in determining whether a child aged five or fewer is dealing with LD. On the other hand, those who suffer from severe Attention Deficit Disorder, commonly associated with a specific learning disability can be more easily recognized even before starting kindergarten. Indeed, it is difficult to determine if a child under school age is learning-disabled. What is certainly though is the fact that no learning- disabled child should be ignored and that he should be given the necessary support beginning his early days of school. According to New and Cochran, another important factor standing in the way of the diagnosis of LD in children is the fact that learning problems or developmental delays can be precursors of other cognitive, behavioral, sensory, or developmental disorders, not just a learning disability.(New, Cochran,481) In order to diagnose children with LD there have been conceived a series of achievement tests meant to verify the intellectual and practical skills of the children. An achievement test represents a standardized measure of knowledge, information, or procedural learning which may asses general academic areas such as reading, writing, or mathematics, used by school systems to provide a standard measure of individual student performance, and to provide an aggregated measure of performance that enables school systems to evaluate their effectiveness. Achievement testes are also used as part of the diagnosis assessment of individuals to determine whether they have a learning disability and qualify for special education services. (Turkington and Harris 4) Types of specific learning disabilities There are several types of Learning Disabilities that prevent young students to lead a normal life both at school and outside, which may be related to the organization, storage and subsequent description of the information or knowledge gathered in the classroom. 1. Dyslexia is the first general term used to describe various learning problems. Eventually, these problems were subdivided and categorized to describe different learning disabilities. Because of this matter, Davis and Braun referred to dyslexia as the Mother of Learning Disabilities. Nowadays, the term designs only the disability related to reading. Characteristics of dyslexic students: The main problem of a dyslexic is that he is facing troubles reading words fluently; Dyslexics are more curious than average students; Students may find it easier to think mainly in pictures instead of words; Most dyslexics have a vivid imagination; Dyslexics are highly intuitive. Famous Dyslexics: Hans Christian Andersen, Winston Churchill, Leonardo da Vinci, Jay Leno. 2. Dyscalculia refers to problems of arithmetic and math nature, which are considered to be caused by a visual perceptual deficit. Characteristics of students with dyscalculia: At an early age they have problems organizing things logically, such as separating round objects from square ones; They have difficulties when learning to count or align numbers; They often have problems recognizing printed numbers; They have persistent issues in learning number facts such as multiplication tables or doing even the simplest numerical tasks; They have difficulties dealing with time and money notions. 3. Dysgraphia is the type of learning disability manifested through a writing disorder resulting in illegibility and of which cause is still unknown to this time. Acccording to Maria Chivers, there are two types of dysgraphia: a. Phonological dysgraphia- writing word as a pure sound spelling which is incorrect (especially seen on language learners). b. Visual dysgraphia- writing words, which are correctly spelt apart from some letters being reversed (ex: brink instead of drink). Characteristics of students who are facing dysgraphia: At an early age they avoid writing and drawing; They have trouble shaping the letters; It can be observed an inconsistent spacing between their letters or words; They often mixt cursive and print writing; They pronounce words out loud while writing. 4. Dyspraxia also known as the sensory integration disorder, is specific to students who have problems with motor coordination. Characteristics of students with dyspraxia: Young learners may have problems with picking up small items; during a sport class they may fall over for no apparent reason; They have problems following instructions, reading maps; They can change hand very often when writing because they are confused about whether to use their right or left; They have problems telling the time. 5. Central auditory processing disorder- consists of a difficulty processing and remembering language-related tasks. Characteristics of students: They are unable to take notes in class; They have difficulties in listening instructions and thus doing what they are being asked; They cant concentrate when someone is talking to follow the words in their correct order; They face great troubles when trying to learn a foreign language. 6. Non-verbal learning disorders The students who fall in this category are usually having troubles understanding nonverbal cues as body language or the association of pictures with words. They normally lack coordination, and thus, are being very clumsy. 7. Visual perceptual/ visual motor deficit- students have problems copying accurately, they complain about eye itching, they struggle with cutting things. 8. Language disorders, also referred to as aphasia or dysphasia are described as problems of students who are having troubles understanding and using spoken or written language. Language disorders represent the most common type of learning disabilities. Characteristics of students with a language-based disability: They have troubles expressing their ideas clearly; They may have problems learning the alphabet, new vocabulary and understanding questions; They have difficulties writing from dictation if the teachers lips cannot be seen. All of the above mentioned learning disabilities can be also included in the category of students dealing with memory disorders. Most of the characteristics of these students can be also found among the description of the others disabilities, such as: Inconsistency of the student when learning new information; The inability of them to follow instructions; The inability of delivering a correct message. The difficulty remembering what has been said or asked from them in class. Conclusions Throughout my whole paper I aimed to draw attention on students with learning difficulties, trying to point out the key elements of this condition and what should be considered when dealing with such children. I have tried to address myself especially to future teachers, the young generation, to whom is in their power to change the mentality and traditional methods so widely used in schools at the moment and which unfortunately fail to meet the students needs. To be able to cope with a student with Learning Disabilities, informing and training the parents and teachers is essential in order to provide solutions to specific issues related to the disability, targeting especially the teaching methods, behavior management strategies, as well as elements that can lead to the development of the collaboration between the school and the family, and, if required, the medical community. Along with behavioral intervention strategies, a coherent set of educational methods adapted to the condition are required. Also, it is recommended that this set of interventions and approaches to be backed up by individual and family counseling.   Ã‚   In terms of action principles and solutions for teachers, especially for the beginners, I tried to devote an entire chapter, the final one, because it was actually my goal from the very beginning to help to the development of new techniques , able to bear the special needs of a child with learning difficulties. Works cited Andrews, J. E., Carnine, D. W., Coutinho, M. J., Edgar, E. B., Forness, S. R., Fuchs, L. S., et al.(2000). Bridging the special education divide. Remedial and Special Education, 21, 258-260, 267. Anderson, P. L., Meier-Hedde, R. (2001). Early case reports of dyslexia in the United States and Europe. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34, 9-21. Anonymous. (1966). Minimal brain dysfunction in children:Terminology and identification.Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. (1986). ACLD definition: Specific learning disabilities. ACLD Newsbriefs, 15-16. Barsch, R. H. (1967). Achieving perceptual-motor efficiency: A space oriented approach to learning.Seattle, WA: Special Child Publications. Lyon, G. R. (1995a). Toward a definition of dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 45, 3-27.

Sanity and Insanity in Faulkners The Sound and the Fury :: Faulkner Sound and the Fury Essays

Sanity and Insanity in Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury Quentin Compson, the oldest son of the Compson family in William Faulkner's novel, The Sound and the Fury, personifies all the key elements of insanity. Taking place in the imaginary town of Jefferson, Mississippi, the once high class and wealthy Compson family is beginning their downfall. Employing a stream of consciousness technique narrated from four points of view, Benjy, the "idiot child," Jason the cruel liar, cheat, and misogynist, Quentin the introvert, and the author narrating as a detached observer, Faulkner creates the situation of a completely dysfunctional family. Faulkner shows that failure to cope with the natural changes in the passage of time will drive one out of his mind. Despite what many critics believe, Quentin is indeed insane, as well as every other member of the Compson family, with the exception of Benjy. Quentin is seriously mentally ill and does many stupid things to lead up to "serious harm," his suicide. His inability to live normally in society results in the drowning of himself. Quentin is an anachronism; he is out of his time and place. His passion in upholding the purity of womanhood is ironic in his questionable incest with his sister. Incest, notwithstanding, simply trying to make his father believe that such actions did occur is pure madness. Quentin is disgusted with life and feels that nothing can help anyone. He says, "It's not when you realise [sic] that nothing can help you- religion, pride, anything- It's when you realise [sic] that you don't need any aid" (80). When Quentin uses the word aid, he is referring to the daily things in life that help make life bearable. Things like: friends, family, compliments, and self-esteem. These are all types of aid. To think that no one needs any of these things to deal with the hardships in life is senseless. Certainly one must be lunatic to believe that nothing can help someone, that life is simply a free for all. As a Harvard student, Quentin should at least have some pride in his accomplishments. Certainly it was no accident for Faulkner to choose a suicidal man as the most psychopathic character for his novel.

Dealing with Fraud

Dealing with Fraud Health Care Policy, Law, and Ethics HSA 515 March 09, 2013 Dealing with Fraud Obstetric health care centers are a major source for providing care to millions of women around the country and a branch of medicine that involves pregnancy and childbirth. Studies of pathologic and physiologic functions of the female reproductive area are also a part of obstetric care. Physicians in this field commonly referred to as OB/GYNs and care for the mother and fetus during pregnancy. As Chief Nursing Officer of one of the state’s largest Obstetric Health Facilities countless women are treated at this center.The staff is fully aware of the mission, vision, policies, and procedures that make a huge impact in the community. Women rely on the care and attention received from the exceptional physicians on staff. Unfortunately, the type of care delivered and the service the hospital is responsible for providing, word of fraudulent behaviors have been reported and must be addres sed. As United States health care cost continues to rise, people depend upon privately funded health plans and millions are still uninsured due to funding by state and federal government.The major government sponsored health care plans are Medicare and Medicaid programs. Both programs make up a large portion of government spending. One key reason for rising costs has been the enormous degree of fraud committed against government health care programs. Although billions have been exposed due to informants of qui tam, additional monies remain undetected. Ultimately, health care fraud used as a deceptive means to profit from health care agreements through the federal government and the reason the United States Government Accounting Office has categorized Medicare and Medicaid as â€Å"high-risk programs. Various sources evaluate the effect of qui tam in health care organizations and refer to the 1986 False Claim Act the effectiveness. The term â€Å"whistleblowing† recognized by provisions in the False Claims Act and authorizes cases be brought to the government on behalf of the United States to share in the recovery efforts. The â€Å"Informer’s Act† or better known as â€Å"The Qui Tam Statue is from the Latin phrase â€Å"qui tam pro domino rege quam pro seipse,† meaning â€Å"he who as much for the king as for himself,† established during the civil war and focused on ending dishonest suppliers to the union military.Therefore, fraud investigation, and legal action became easier for the government. The history behind qui tam statue and today’s use provides an understanding to the term â€Å"whistleblower† and for an individual with past or present knowledge of fraud on the federal government to recover damages and impose penalties, (Cruise, â€Å"n. d. †). Fraudulent behavior or health care fraud affects health care organizations. Several ways businesses and individuals have defrauded, and continue to def raud, federal, and state government health care programs.Examples of fraudulent behavior include: †¢ No Services: Non-submission of claims for diagnostic tests, treatments, devices, or pharmaceuticals services that were never rendered. †¢ Non Existence: Involves submitting a claim for the services previously mentioned and provided to patients that do not exist or never received service. Also an item billed for in the claim. †¢ Anti-Kickback Statute: bans any offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of money, property or remuneration to persuade or reward patient referrals or health care services funded by a government health care program, including Medicare or Medicaid.These are improper payments and come in several different forms, includes but not limited to: referral fees, finder’s fees, productivity bonuses, research grants, excessive compensation, and free or discounted travel or entertainment. The offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any such monies or remuneration can be a violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback statute, 42 USC  §1328-7b(b), the Federal False Claims Act, various other federal, state laws, and regulations, (Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick, and Raspanti, LLC, 2013).These are just a small number of fraudulent activities currently affecting health care organizations. Qui tam has been an effective force in combating fraud. The Justice Department continues to recover record amount of judgments and settlements, however, qui tam cases exist in a variety of health care organizations. Processing and payment errors of Medicaid and Medicare patients may appear to be simple mistakes and not by medical professionals attempting to take advantage of the system, but individuals intent on abusing the system particularly, with working nowledge of how and when the government pays Medicare and Medicaid claims. Also in some cases fraud affects the people with these programs and liability occurs for co-payments and contributes to excessive government spending. Other examples of qui tam cases include; Defective pricing/false negotiation – reflects price adjustments by submitting false data and pricing to the government to receive an inflated amount according to the contract price. Mischarging – one of the more widespread frauds used to submit claims for products or services never provided or rendered.Product/service substitution – A product is certified that does not meet specifications or submitting a product for government approval then substituting the merchandise with another of poorer quality. False certification – benefit entitlement documents are falsely certified. Information submitted to the government has been adjusted for price supports or mortgage guarantees, according to the source more than half of qui tam recoveries have involved health care fraud, qui tam lawsuits filed have been successful against defense contractors and other companies, (â€Å"Einstein Law,â⠂¬  2008).Various federal and state requirements must be satisfied by the health facility prior to admission. For example, pre-admission evaluations for Medicaid patients require prior determination for eligibility. A full patient assessment will determine a plan of care. The prescribed care plan is prepared by the attending physician and registered nurse. Other hospital staff will get involved with the patient’s care if necessary. The care plan is updated on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if the patient’s condition changes.Other requirements for Medicare and Medicaid patients must be met before admission to determine suitable environment and to respect patient’s rights after admission while receiving medical care. Procedures for admission into a health facility for Medicare and Medicaid referrals must understand and comply with the laws that govern these procedures. The Anti-Kickback Statute (â€Å"AKS†) enacted by Congress delivers criminal pena lties for the payment of fees designed to persuade or reward medical referrals for treatment covered by Medicare and Medicaid.The AKS is extensive and includes discounts for physician referrals. Liability is a major concern under the Anti-Kickback Statue unless procedures fall within the law. Another regulation that limits physician self-referrals for Medicare and Medicaid patients is The Stark Law. Hospitals or health care providers are prohibited from receiving payments or kickbacks after improper billing Medicare for selected equipment or services. Ultimately, claims cannot be submitted by physicians for items or services because of their financial relationship with the health care providers.The Stark Law passed because of inappropriate financial relationships between doctors and health care providers and the professional judgment of doctors with regard to whether items or services are medically necessary, safe, or effective also reduce probable overpayments by Medicare for uncer tain services, (The Qui Tam Team, 2012). The next stage is for physicians and nurses review the following conditions for patient referrals. 1) Services must be personally referred by the attending physician. 2) Referrals are to a physician of the same group or practice. ) Any individual supervised by the referring physician in the hospital or physician that works part-time in the facility and is part of a group practice must comply with all coverage and payment rules regarding Medicare and Medicaid patients. 4) Patient billing is by the physician performing or supervising the care and treatment of the patient. 5) Regarding a group practice, attending physician under the group must be a member with an assigned billing number different from physicians employed with the health facility. ) Third party billing companies representing the physician(s) will also be assigned a billing number. These companies have to comply with Medicare requirements. The task of evaluating referral arrangeme nts by physicians will be challenging, however: financial provisions involving physicians can be analyzed using the conditions outlined. The Chief Nursing Officer will receive a monthly report of Medicare and Medicaid referrals. Non-compliance will result in immediate termination from the health facility. Discussing fraud and abuse the health industry continues to lose billions.Fraud can range from performing unnecessary medical procedures for insurance gains, to altering patient information and illegally billing for services not rendered. Also accepting kickbacks for patient referrals, and promoting drugs without authorization. These incidents affect the economy and are potential hazards to the health and safety of patients. An example is medical information illegally altered may receive incorrect treatment or realize existing health benefits are exhausted. Either way another alternative for compliance can address these issues.A method of enforcement created by the office of the In spector General (OIG) identified as a Corporate Integrity Agreement to improve health care quality and promote compliance to health care guidelines. The term â€Å"Integrity Agreement† focuses on physicians according to one source. Establishing OIG 1976 to imposed action against widespread fraud and abuse in Federal health care programs. These efforts developed a collaborative use of enforcement tools as monetary penalties and exclusions. Corporate Integrity Agreements implemented by the OIG to redeem health care providers under the program to avoid exclusions.Implementing a CIA will be challenging and somewhat complex, especially for birth and reproduction. The sterilization process, wrongful birth, and wrongful life are areas of interest, and the CIA will have major impact. Physicians play a major role due to misconception by prenatal testing, genetic testing, and laboratories that failed to provide these services. Sterilization falls under reproduction and birth is another area likely for fraudulent behavior from the side effects patients go through and were not informed by the attending physician.Nevertheless, to address current fraud behaviors and prevent future incidents among physicians, nurses, and medical staff it is necessary to develop strategies to ensure ethical and moral business practices through compliance of various laws that will reduce any risk of legal liability. Although the CIA program contains various features, after careful review and collaboration among executive staff the following requirements will accommodate the needs and requirements that will mitigate incidents of fraud by: Developing written policies and standards;Instituting a confidential disclosure program; Employing a compliance officer or a compliance committee; Implementing an employee training program; Restricting employment of ineligible persons; Report overpayments, fraudulent behaviors, and ongoing investigations/legal proceedings; Implementation reports are pro vided annually to the regulatory agency, (Sable, 2013). These requirements should prevent future fraud misconduct by ensuring internal actions and mitigating methods are in place. In conjunction with fraud and abuse is protecting patient information and omplying by all applicable laws. Accessing patient information considered a major subject for health organizations to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) laws. Patient medical records are vital for treatment and must remain confidential within the federal and state laws. Without authorization the patient Privacy Rules are in violation. The responsibility of Chief Nursing Officer ensures the medical staff training and knowledgeable of health center’s policies and procedures to remain in compliance with HIPPA.Often areas overlooked whether accidental or intentional and certain information is discussed or discarded documents. Routine conversation among staff would be limited to specific are as where patient information cannot be disclosed. Public areas such as elevators, hallways, or waiting areas are strictly off limits. Many times patients are in surgery or receiving treatment for an illness, family members are waiting for results and often physicians will meet with them in public areas to discuss sensitive information not realizing the conversation can be overheard by others. This is just one example of a disclosure violation.Also what may sound insignificant represents another action that can lead to breach of information by patient documents thrown in a trash can that must be shredded to avoid public view. The plan is simple; to comply with all necessary laws extensive training provided to the entire staff is the beginning. One-on-one and group meetings held on a quarterly basis as a tool to prevent abuse and fraudulent behavior. Patient sensitivity is essential in meeting the goals of health center. Laws provide direction for dealing with fraud cases or any uneth ical or moral decisions made.To eliminate fraud and abuse continued pressure on the government to establish tougher policies in the delivery of medical and health care services. Additional funding for government enforcement agencies will put more pressure on physicians to act responsibly. As physicians become more aware of this fact, he or she should continue to take steps, such as implementing a compliance plan, to ensure the services provided reflect effective documentation for claims of payment. Until doctors, nurses, and other medical staff demonstrate ethical and moral standards, fraud, and abuse will continue to a problem for health organizations. ReferencesFraud and Qui Tam Cases. (2008). Retrieved from http://www. lawyershop. com Healthcare Fraud and Qui Tam Suits. (2008). Retrieved from http://www. lawyershop. com Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick, and Raspanti, LLC. (2013). Health Care Fraud and False Claims. Retrieved from http://www. falseclaimsact. com Cruise, P. L. ( â€Å"n. d. †). Deregulating Health Care Ethics Education. Retrieved from http://www. spaef. com/article Sable, L. (2013). Negotiating Corporate Integrity Agreements. Retrieved from http://www. franchiselawsolutions. com The Qui Tam Team. (2012). Types of Qui Tam Cases. Retrieved from http://www. quitamteam. com

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A Trip With Great Friends †English Composition Informal Essay

A Trip With Great Friends – English Composition Informal Essay Free Online Research Papers A Trip With Great Friends English Composition Informal Essay Last December I went to Taichung with three of my friends, William, Joe, and Timothy. It was the first time I took a short, one-day trip only with my friends. When I was a child my family always took a trip on weekends. We went to almost every famous tourist attraction in Taiwan; therefore, I got annoyed and tired of such trips while other children always envied my travel experiences. But, if I went to those places with my friends, not my family, maybe it would be more interesting. So I decided that one day in the future I would went on a trip with my friends. And last December on a weekend I made it. My friends and I had been looking forward to the trip so we didn’t want to waste any time at all. On the day we departed we woke up as the first light could be seen so that we could get to our destination earlier. We fell asleep as soon as we got on the train, and we arrived at Taichung Train Station at about eight o’clock. We walked out of the station and stopped at a map of Taichung city hanged on a pillar to point out the spots we would go to on these two days. Later on, we decided to go to Tunghai University first. We took a bus and watched the morning view of a city. In the city were lots of high buildings, which windows reflected the white clouds and the blue sky. It was really a pretty view which a city could have. After half an hour we got to Tunghai University. It had a large campus and many plants on it. But what impressed me most were the buildings. All the buildings there such as post office, library, activity center, restaurants, etc, looked like the ones i n old days. Between these quaint buildings were many narrow paths; beside these paths lay green trees swaying in the breeze. I took a deep breath, relaxing myself, and enjoyed the serene, peaceful moment. After visiting Tunghai University, it was the time for lunch. We went to a famous street, Ching Ming 1st Street, where many young people in Taichung like to go windows shopping such as Si Men Ting in Taipei. But the tables and chairs beside the street made a difference from other streets. We chose a table, seating ourselves, and ordered for tea and cakes instead of our lunch. Sunlight shinning on us through leaves was not flashing but mild. We stayed there till the night darkened the sky. On the street was a dairy cake shop called a special name, â€Å"The Dairy Cake Of A Convent At Sunrise.† It was a weird shop which was decorated as if a convent. The clerks there also wore deliberately in black like nuns. They said they were the nuns who studied dairy cakes in a convent and they sold dairy cakes only. I bought a dairy cake and sent it to my parents as a Christmas gift, though the shop was really strange as well as the clerks there. After that we took a taxi to Train Station and went on our return journey. The trip is short but it is a very good one than any other trips I have ever took. Traveling with my friends, I have different feelings about everything, though I have experienced it before. But what’s different is that I can share these feelings with my friends, so do they. With different people, you have different feelings. And this is also why the trip with friends can be so interesting and fascinating to me. Research Papers on A Trip With Great Friends - English Composition Informal EssayThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsThe Spring and AutumnUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoMind TravelTwilight of the UAWLifes What IfsPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyTrailblazing by Eric Anderson