Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Commonly Confused Words Sensual and Sensuous

The adjectives sensual and sensuous are often used interchangeably, but their meanings arent quite the same. Definitions The word sensual means affecting or gratifying the physical senses, especially in a sexual way. Sensuous means pleasing to the senses, especially those involved in aesthetic pleasure, as of art or music. As explained in the usage notes below, this fine distinction is often overlooked. Examples Although salsa is marketed as a sexy,  sensual dance, dancers view and perform these elements differently.(Aleysia Whitmore, Bodies in Dialogue.  Women and Language, ed. by  M. Ames and S.H. Burcon. McFarland, 2009)Yoga is the most subversive pastime in Britain today. Sweaty, sensual, semi-naked and esoteric, its the closest thing we have to a genuine counter-culture.(Nirpal Dhaliwal, Vicars Are Right to Be Afraid of Sweaty and Sensual Yoga. The Guardian [UK],  September 5, 2007)Martis first book of poems included several sensuous descriptions of flowers.The rough-hewn sounds of clacking spoons, twanging banjos and humming fiddles might seem to be something of an anomaly in a city known more for Edith Piaf’s sensuous lullabies.(Matthew Stone, Appalachia on the Seine: Bluegrass Swings in Paris. The New York Times, August 3, 2016) Usage Notes Heres how you can keep the two words straight. If you mean lovely, pleasurable, or experienced through the senses, use sensuous; if you mean self-gratifying or pertaining to physical desires, use sensual. Sensuous thoughts have a pleasant effect on your senses as well as your mind. Sensual thoughts are erotic, sexually arousing, maybe even lewd.(Charles Harrington Elster, Verbal Advantage: Ten Easy Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary. Random House, 2009) The Origins of Sensuous Sensuous is an interesting word. The OED says it was apparently invented by [John] Milton, because he wanted to avoid the sexual connotations of the word sensual (1641).The OED cannot find any evidence of the use of the word by any other writer for 173 years, not until [Samuel Taylor] Coleridge: Thus, to express in one word what belongs to the senses, or the recipient and more passive faculty of the soul, I have reintroduced the word sensuous , used, among many others of our elder writers, by Milton. (Coleridge, Principles of General Criticism, in Farleys Bristol Journal , August 1814) Coleridge put the word into ordinary circulation—and almost immediately it began to pick up those old sexual connotations that Milton and Coleridge wanted to avoid.(Jim Quinn, American Tongue and Cheek, Pantheon Books, 1980) Overlapping Meanings The consensus of the commentators, from Vizetelly 1906 to the present, is that sensuous emphasizes aesthetic pleasure while sensual emphasizes gratification or indulgence of the physical appetites. The distinction is true enough within one range of meanings, and it is worth remembering. The difficulty is that both words have more than one sense, and they tend often to occur in contexts where the distinction between them is not as clear cut as the commentators would like it to be.(Merriam-Websters Dictionary of English Usage, 1994) Practice (a) The ad promised _____ excitement with the slogan, She wears nothing but a smile. (b) Classical dance is at once the most _____ and the most abstract of the theatrical arts. Answers to Practice Exercises:  Sensual and Sensuous (a) The ad promised  sensual  excitement with the slogan, She wears nothing but a smile. (b) Classical dance is at once the most  sensuous  and the most abstract of the theatrical arts.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Ethical Dilemma And Ethical Dilemmas Essay - 1593 Words

Dilemmas are something individuals deal with daily, in our society. What is the difference between an ethical dilemma, and an ethical issue? Essentially an ethical dilemma, is a situation individuals faces, where the course of action, or decision, which is to come, is challenging to make, due to the potential consequences involved with making that decision (Pollock, 2015). An ethical issue, revolves around difficult social questions, which regard what is the right or wrong thing to do (Pollock, 2015). This paper will outline an ethical dilemma I, personally have endured in my life. A discussion regarding a personal, ethical dilemma, requires a discussion on the situation, types of responses, actions, influential factors, and current response surrounding the ethical dilemma. Situation I was working for a construction supply delivery company. As the truck driver, I was responsible for the crew I had working with me at every job we attended. One of the individuals on my crew was a friend of mine. We were delivering material at the Calgary International Airport, and due to the nature of the delivery, the protocols were very strict. Duly in part to the fact, the site was a federal site, so the consequences to any action, which violated the policies and procedures was very impactful for the individual, and the company we represented. We were on an outrigger, or elevated platform, which was approximately 150 feet in the air. According to, safety regulation, any individualShow MoreRelatedEthical Dilemmas Of The Workplace1538 Words   |  7 Pages1. Discuss an ethical dilemma that you have had to face in the workplace. Ethical dilemmas often occur when a manager or an employee is faced with two or more conflicting choices. Give as many facts and details as possible in describing your dilemma. The most difficult ethical dilemma I have dealt with was a summer job I had this past summer, while I was working for a bakery in my hometown. This past particular summer really tested what I believe is right and wrong and how to speak up. One of myRead MoreEthical Dilemmas Of The Workplace1291 Words   |  6 PagesEthical Dilemmas in the Workplace As a manager, you are the role model for staff. You set the standards, adhere to guidelines, and exemplify what you expect staff to model. By doing so, you are establishing and sustaining an organizational culture of ethics and integrity, which is the backbone of all successful endeavors. However, even the best structured organizations face ethical dilemmas in the workplace. It is how management recognizes and addresses these occurrences that will either set themRead MoreEthical Dilemma Assignment1766 Words   |  8 PagesCONSENT FORM Thank you for being willing to take part in this interview exploring ethical conflict or turbulence. I would like to transcribe the content of this interview to form a written document to be submitted to Sheffield Hallam University as a piece of assessed piece of coursework. It is important that you only take part in this interview if you want to. As such I would be delighted if you would complete and sign this confidentiality questionnaire prior to the interview taking place. (i)Read MoreCase Analysis : Ethical Dilemma1318 Words   |  6 PagesTitle of Paper: Ethical Dilemma One INTRODUCTION Mrs. Smith, is an 81-year-old widow. She has been widowed for over twenty years. She has been very independent with some assistance from neighbors due to her son living out of the area and unable to assist. Recently, she has had issues with her independence. She has set two accidental fires that caused damages to her apartment, as well as had a recent fall in the bathtub. These issues have gained her son’s attention which has led him to requestRead MoreEthical Dilemma at Workplace Essay1192 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Introduction – What is an ethical dilemma? Ethics is the term we give to our concern for good behavior.   It is human nature to not only be concerned with our own personal well being, but also that of others and of human society as a whole.   The difference between moral dilemmas and ethical ones, philosophers say, is that in moral issues the choice is between right and wrong.   In ethical ones, the choice is between two rights. Everyday Im faced with decisions of right and wrong, most of whichRead Moret Types of ethical dilemmas Mastery67Questions123Materials Essay2477 Words   |  10 PagesTypes of ethical dilemmas Mastery 67% Questions 1 2 3 Materials on the concept: Typical Moral Dilemmas Confronting Business Communicators Ethics and Law for Management Communication Top of Form 1. As part of an effort to hire younger workers, a multinational organization assures applicants that they will get to visit its offices in other countries and work with the employees there. However, only two out of every nine workers actually get selected for such projects. What moral dilemma best fitsRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemmas of Collecting Data and the Consequential Revision of Commodities, Culture and the Politics of Representations Definitions 1751 Words   |  7 Pagesinformation or data has become assets to companies, being regarded as property to be bought and sold to between companies. However, this has put forward the following primary ethical dilemmas surrounding human rights: the right to informed consent and the right to personal data. In addition to the creation of ethical dilemmas, the collection of human data has brought about a need for a revision of definitions. Commodities are known as a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be boughtRead More Will the Real Lupe Garza Please Stand Up? Essay1216 Words   |  5 PagesAn ethical dilemma is defined as a moral issue, where a situation has two equivalent undesirable alternatives and neither choice will resolve the ethical predicament. Lupe Garza, mother of two children, is a temporary employee at a plant. Garza is an excellent and talented worker, and supervisors have taken notice in her skills. A human resource specialist named Sara Jones, mislead Garza in thinking she would unquestionably obtain a permanent job position at the plant, causing Garza to turn downRead MoreThe Ethical Principles Of Respect For Autonomy984 Words   |  4 Pagesthe nurse to administer blood despite Mark’s refusal. This situation presents an ethical dilemma to the health professionals involved in Mark’s care. The ethical dilemma is whether to uphold his decision not to receive the blood and therefore risk his life or give him the blood to save his life despite knowing his religious status and beliefs. There are several ethical principles involved in this scenario. The ethical principles of respect for Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Veracity and FidelityRead MoreDuty to Warn Essays1522 Words   |  7 PagesDuty t o Warn Jessica Hall PSYCH/545 09/4/2011 Dr. P. Duty to Warn The ethical dilemma I wish to explore is The Duty to Warn. This refers to the duty of a counselor, therapist to breach one of the most important bonds between a client and a therapist; the law of confidentiality. The therapist has the right to break confidentiality without the fear of being brought up for legal action. If the therapist believes that the client poses a danger, or is a threat to himself, someone else, or society

Monday, December 9, 2019

Motivation and Leadership

Question: Describe about the Motivation and Leadership. Answer: Introduction The term motivation is defined as the process that accounts for the individuals intensity, persistence and directions of efforts towards attaining a desired goal. It implies an inner sensation that drives an individual to preserve something and positively. When it articulates with the term leadership it creates a positive atmosphere among several employees in an organizational management. Leaders are used to channels motivation into practical use. In this assignment, the researcher has manipulated the concept of leadership development and change management based on the mentioned scenario. This assignment is totally based on critical thinking analytics with the core strategy concept of leadership and motivation development in an organizational management and in business enterprise. Overview of the Scenario and Concept In the provided scenario, it has been preferred the branch manager of PNC bank and the methods applies to motivate and inspire bankers in the sector of banking industry so that it become successful in its job role. The term Leadership and motivation plays a vital role in every common workplace environment (Draft, 2014). As a manager of the PNC bank there is need of emergence to increase the motivation rate and leadership enhancing qualities in a banking industry. Content/Critical Thinking Analysis Key concept A critical analysis is a subjective writing as it expresses the author evaluation and experience of a text. The term analysis implies breaking down and critically examines the parts (Spillane, 2012). The concept of critical analysis comprises of two general steps: identify the author purpose and thesis. In the context of above scenario, the manager want to motivate and satisfy the bankers and as well as the employees by availing the leadership qualities in an organizational management. Theories and Models The theories and models of leadership, motivation and development include varieties of concepts that must be present in a professional banking manager (Chemers, 2014). In the current scenario, the manager of PNC bank want to motivate and lead the bankers so that they success in their job role. Being a manager there are various ways to motivate the leaders which initially includes better complexion of communication, offerings of telecommunication option, offering of work bonus and etc. The manager must maintain a clean and efficient relationship; and fulfill all customer demands. Being a manager, the bank must improve the service of customers and provide all such necessary facilities to its employees; so that the employees feels good and tends to impoverish the customer services which is very important for a banking industry. The researcher has provided models of motivation which are illustrated below: Figure 1: Theory of Motivation (Source: Created by author) The above model is illustrated by the researcher itself to make a direct reflection in a banking industry. The highlighted factors of motivation reflected above help the manager of PNC bank to attract and motivate customers and its employees. The motivation theory of employees comprises of two segments which generally include common hygiene factor and motivating factor (Spillane, 2012). Hygiene factor are divided into four subparts which initially include salary and pay, social needs, companies policy and job securities; whereas general motivating factors comprises of recognition, responsibility, advancement of self esteem and maturity of work portfolio. The provided book of leadership, motivation and development is very helpful in case of manger to motivate the bankers and as well as the customer. Application of theory There are many theories of motivation and leadership. The professionals working in a positive environment requires certain consequences and assumptions regarding motivating and enhancing employees; so that they can provide efficient services to its ultimate customers at a glance. In an industry like banking, the satisfaction of customers and its services, leadership, motivation holds a very important aspect to make virtualization of business activities (Draft, 2014). Based on the above scenario, it is obvious that the concept of leadership plays a very eminent role in shaping the needs of every organizational management (Weiner, 2013). The theories that have been provided with this assignment are sorely related to the concept of leadership, motivation and development. In the provided book it have been mentioned that the personal qualities of a good leadership which includes responsibility, persistence, initiative and sociability must be present in a leader; which tends to motivate cu stomer and staff members to work efficiently and effectively (Peters, 2015). The outcomes of leadership have also been reflected by maintaining the trust and faith among various intellectual customers which is very important in a banking sector. Figure 2: Application Theory (Source: Li, Tan Teo, 2012, pp-260) The key points of leadership like fulfilling ambition, consumption of energy, tenacity and initiative helps the organizational management to make ensure and increases flexibility among employees and customers (Draft, 2014). The book focuses on varieties of leadership traits that must be present in a professional individual which generally includes drive, achievement, self confidence, ability of cognitive that motivate the customers and bankers to make clear complexion and attract towards bank portfolio work management (Schunk Zimmerman, 2012). Conclusion This assignment concludes with the broad concept of leadership development and motivation in a banking industry. As a manager it is very important to maintain and increase the efficiency of motivation in common workplace environment to satisfy customer and its employees. Throughout, this entire study the concept of leadership and motivation consideration has taken into account with some valuable points and strategy. The concept of leadership and development has become excessively important for all organizational management; as it sustains a behaviors and attributes of leader. As a manager, the tendency to satisfy bankers with banking core strategy services has resulted many customers to choose other banking services; so there is need of emergence to improve the consumer services by motivating and enhancing bankers and employees by attracting banking offers and services. References Chemers, M. (2014). An integrative theory of leadership. Psychology Press. Chhokar, J. S., Brodbeck, F. C., House, R. J. (Eds.). (2013). Culture and leadership across the world: The GLOBE book of in-depth studies of 25 societies. Routledge. Daft, R. (2014). The leadership experience. Cengage Learning. Golub, T. L., Ol ar, D., Rijavec, M. (2014, July). The role of motivation and academic social context in study-related flow and burn-out. In 7th European conference on positive psychology. Li, Y., Tan, C. H., Teo, H. H. (2012). Leadership characteristics and developers motivation in open source software development. Information Management, 49(5), 257-267. Peters, R. S. (2015). The concept of motivation. Routledge. Pinder, C. C. (2014). Work motivation in organizational behavior. Psychology Press. Schunk, D. H., Zimmerman, B. J. (Eds.). (2012). Motivation and self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and applications. Routledge. Spillane, J. P. (2012). Distributed leadership (Vol. 4). John Wiley Sons. Weiner, B. (2013). Human motivation. Psychology Press.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Summary Analysis of Ray Bradburys The Last Night of the World Essay Example

Summary Analysis of Ray Bradburys The Last Night of the World Paper Daniel S. Meltzer Professor Bridget Bell English 121 07 October 2013 The Unanswered Mysteries of the End of the World Throughout the book The Last Night of the World by Ray Bradbury, there are a lot of vague generalizations that are left unanswered. Ray Bradbury is known for his descriptive literature and vast amounts of emotion and mystery; most of which is never completely understood by the reader. Ray Bradbury is well known for his articulate literature as he often portrays thorough coherency throughout his stories. Modern day literature is straight to the point and easy to understand but Bradbury is ot only able to connect his stories to real world events but he also engages the reader by personally connecting his literature in a way the reader never would truly understand. I plan to summarize and analyze Ray Bradburys, The Last Night of the World to help readers better comprehend his style of literature; a style that directly relates to the real world and to his readers While reading The Last Night of the World by Ray Bradbury, there was an evident pattern throughout that tells the story of what it may be like during the end of the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary Analysis of Ray Bradburys The Last Night of the World specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Summary Analysis of Ray Bradburys The Last Night of the World specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Summary Analysis of Ray Bradburys The Last Night of the World specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer But, throughout the book, the story portrayed is a story completely different from what most readers would expect. In the beginning, Ray Bradbury starts the story off by asking two questions. The reader is then more engaged in the reading as asking a question allows the reader to think and helps boost the readers interest in the story; helps make the reader want to read on. Ray Bradbury then proceeds onward as if the main character was answering the question that was asked in the beginning. If an author asks a question, it is usually rhetorical and not meant to be nswered; this is interesting as most stories do not start off the way it has started off. Through the beginning of the story, The Last Night of the World, two characters whose names are never disclosed (which is another interesting part of the story) are talking about what they would do if it were the last night of the world. Well, in the story, it is the last night of the world and is an interesting topic to write about as the end of the world has always intrigued others and has always had people wondering, what would it be like if it were the end of the world? Ray Bradbury continues his riting by asking rhetorical questions such as: how would the world end or why the world would end but those questions are never actually answered. Rather than answering the questions, Bradbury expands on the thoughts and brings out details that most people would not bother thinking about. He also writes as if the story were an onion, peeling back the layers one by one and slowing getting to the middle rather than cutting right into the onion [story] and answering all of the questions at once. Towards the middle of the story, the characters sit down to have a cup of coffee to iscuss how the world would end and after they continue to live as if they normally couple) go about their evening cooking dinner, washing the dishes and then, at the end of the story, tucking themselves into bed and shutting the lights out as if they will wake up tomorrow and everything will be okay. But, Ray Bradbury never explains why he wrote the way he did or exactly why the characters went about their lives as if it was not the end of the world. Most skeptics would believe the end of the world would be hectic and crazy. Not only that but it would be emotional with everyone unning around like crazed people and doing things that some would never imagine themselves doing. So, the real question is why he wrote the way he did and the reasons behind his writing. The next paragraphs will analyze the reasons behind his writing. Ray Bradbury, growing up in the 1920s and 1930s, probably faced financial struggles through not only the great depression but as well as the three famous Wall Street stock market crashes and other worldwide financial market failures. Although finances doesnt directly correlate with the end of the world but it connects in a way ome may not understand. Losing money drives people crazy which are similar to the end of the world; whereas people would be going crazy to get things done and to do things they need to do before they pass. Not only this but most people will come to think about the end of the world and most people will Just believe the end of the world will be hectic and crazy; as is the story by Ray Bradbury. Now, why would Ray Bradbury write the way he did. Although Ray Bradbury had passed in mid-2012, he is no longer alive to tell the stories himself, leaving his legacy lose by him and pressuring those close to him to pass on the stories of his life. In todays world, most people are obsessed with perfection and most people get more bored than they did 50 years ago. But, Ray Bradbury still writes as you would find a book in the General Store, back in the 1940s. Most authors nowadays get straight to the point and if they dont, they often find a way to keep the reader entertained with adventurous or mysterious details. But, instead, Bradbury finds a way to engage the reader by asking questions, throwing interesting twists into his stories and telling tories most authors would never even think about writing. Literature is all about creativity as William Shakespeare never earned the worlds greatest writer ego by writing about a tomato and peach or about a farmer on a farm. In order to be successful, your writing has to be unique from all the rest and without the uniqueness; the reader would never be engaged. If a reader reads something they have read before, it would be more boring to them then it would if they were reading it for the first time. Originality is always what the reader is looking forward to and ometimes, an author has to put him or herself in the readers shoes (to think about what the reader truly wants to read and what they would not) and that is exactly what Bradbury did. That is what made Ray Bradbury such a legend, his uniqueness and relativity in his literature, not the originality and common practice. Creativity is what everyone looks for and what readers continue to look for, whether they are reading a book from 1920, 2013 or even 30 years from now; it is what will make a legend. As the great Babe Ruth would put it, theres Heroes and theres legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. As you can now tell, Ray Bradburys writing is legendary. Not only that but he writing with the real world through personal events and issues; through personal thoughts and imagination. Although Ray Bradbury was able to connect to the reader and to his or her mind, his writing is known to be the most creative and innovative than any other author. Ray Bradbury had passed on in 2012 but through his life, his stories and how he portrays his real life experiences, his literature and his soul will live on forever.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Psychology and serial killers essays

Psychology and serial killers essays Psychology deals with many aspects in the world that surrounds us. When discovering the core of Psychology you get to see inside of many things that are of interest to us such as the criminal mind. Even though its very vivid; the mind of a serial killer is very mysterious in the way that so many people would like to read their mind to know whats exactly going on. I find it interesting to find out what makes them tick and finally snap and act in the violent behavior they do. I feel as if scientist could study their brains it would help to see whats really going on in this persons head or if theres nothing wrong with them and its just something they find "exciting." The courts do not allow this though and until then I guess we will never find out. Some people say that you can pick out serial killers by some of their actions from when they were younger. A study(1) involving 36 incarcerated serial killers was tested and they collected a lot of data on childhood behavior traits among serial killers. Out of the 36 men, 28 said they daydreamed a lot, had compulsive masturbation, and were in constant isolation. These are the top three common behaviors. Some of their childhood characteristics are a history of sexual and physical abuse before childhood, in  ½ the serial killers families the biological father had left before the child was 12, as well as delinquent acts such as theft, cruelty to animals, and pyromania. There is also a common stereotype of a serial killer. They are said to be a white male between the age of 25-35 years old, of low or high income, average to high intelligence, and they are usually married with children and a career. Unlike mass murderers, serial killers select their victim. Serial killers enjoy their victims to suffer extensively. They will fantasize about the murder until them fantasying no longer brings pleasure and they carry out the act being...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The Top Careers for Women in 2017

The Top Careers for Women in 2017 New year, new you. Or, if you’re anything like me, it’s more like new year, slightly-different-ish you, despite the best intentions. Either way, you get props for aspiring to change this year. One of the best ways to effect personal change is to look at your career- where it is, what your current trajectory is, and where you want to be by this time next year. If you’re doing this self-audit, we’ve got your covered on your next steps! Check out all TheJobNetwork has to offer for you to either find a career path, or continue successfully along the one you’re currently traveling.Build Your RoadmapOnce you’ve decided that you need a new job (or an entirely different career path), it’s important to know where you’re going and how to get there. Otherwise, inertia and do-it-later-itis kick in, and your progress goals just don’t get met. If you’re at a loss on how and where to get started, check out the following links to help you find your way. You’ll need a plan- don’t get started without one.5 Steps to Create Your Own Career PathHow to Create a 2017 Jobs RoadmapHow Do I Find the Right Job for Me? (A Comprehensive Guide)Think Outside the BoxWe’ve made a lot of strides, career-wise, to the point where people are not as likely to classify work as â€Å"women’s jobs† or â€Å"men’s jobs.† Still, there are plenty of areas where women haven’t started working in big numbers, even when they have the skills and experience to do the job. Nontraditional jobs are a huge source of potential for women this year, if you just look for opportunities you might not have considered before. One major example of this: trucking. Commercial driver’s licenses have no gender, yet it’s still a male dominated field, rife with opportunities for women who want to take their driving and logistical skills to the open road.How Women in the Workplace are Finding Success in Nontraditional JobsAdvice for Women Who Want to Become TruckersWomen in Trucking: By Women, For WomenWomen Needed: Consider a Career in TruckingIn 2017, there’s less reason than ever to assume that you shouldn’t even be considering a job because it seems too much like a â€Å"man’s† job or a â€Å"women’s† job. Find a field that’s growing and hiring, and go for it!It’s a Digital World, We Just Live In ItRight now, tech is the hot spot when it comes to jobs, followed closely by data analysis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts huge growth for tech jobs over the next ten years, so it’s time to take those technical skills (or go out and learn how to code), and look to the tech sector for your next big opportunity.Top 5 Hottest Jobs with the Most Potential in 2017Top 7 Trends That Will Help You Find a Job Next YearIf your background isn’t in app development or IT, don’t worry- you can stil l get into hot tech companies through jobs like marketing management, social media management, or operations. Whatever your background and skill set, it’s time to see how you can take them and apply them to the digital-focused fields that are hiring this year.Expert Interview: How to Search for Jobs in Digital Marketing  Watch U.S. Job TrendsIt’s not just the career world that’s changing this year- there are big changes in the overall U.S. landscape as well this year. Two of the most prominent careers that will be changing this year are healthcare and manufacturing, so it’s important to stay on top of those trends.3 Hot Industries to Watch in Trump’s AmericaWhether you agree with the changes or not, you can focus how you can benefit from hiring booms and shifts in conventional wisdom. Always know what’s going on in either your industry, or an industry you’re looking to break into.  Find the Right Work-Life BalanceIf you want your career to balance better with other obligations this year, like family, think about looking for part-time or flexible work so that you can tailor your schedule to your own needs. More and more, flex work is finding a place in many people’s lives, and companies know they have to tinker their offerings to find and keep the top  people. Gone are the days where the best and brightest must put in 60-hour weeks to show their worth. You can find and build a career while maintaining a non-work life, as well.Top 4 Part-Time Jobs for Moms10 Jobs Where You Can Telecommute and Make a Great SalaryTop 12 High Paying Part-Time Jobs With Good Work-Life Balance10 Companies with Amazing Benefits for Part-Time EmployeesAs companies look for ways to save overhead costs, working remotely could be one of the prime areas of opportunity in 2017.  You Don’t Always Need a DegreeIf you don’t have a degree from a four-year college, you still have tons of jobs available to you. Never co unt yourself out- more an more, companies are valuing actual skills and work experience. The actual degree is not the first thing they look for anymore when making hiring decisions. If you present yourself as savvy, with great people skills and a willingness to learn (either on the job, or in continuing ed classes), you can absolutely be a competitive candidate for many jobs.Top 5 Jobs in 2017 That Don’t Require a College DegreeDo Good, Earn WellFinally, if you’re interested in a career where you can benefit others, there are growing opportunities to do that in the nonprofit sector.10 High-Paying Jobs Where You Can Help PeopleNo matter what you’re interested in doing, 2017 has amazing potential. If you keep your eyes open to opportunities around you, by this time next year, you could be reflecting on how much your professional landscape has changed in such a short time. Good luck!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Operation Management Degree Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Operation Management Degree - Case Study Example They are behind schedule with RA4. Susan has mentioned that they discuss the issue at the caf' when they meet. The caf' was very good in many respects, but problems were occurring since the new manager had taken over towards the end of the previous year. The caf' offered hot food for breakfast and lunch, snacks and sandwiches throughout the day and an out-of-hour's service area with tea and coffee and machine-supplied snacks. This had been a replacement for the 'hot food' service that had been available the previous year as part of cost saving measures that the new manager introduced. At that time, the software developers used to use the caf' in the evening, as they often worked late into the night but were rarely to be seen in the current times. Added to the above, the standard of the freshly prepared food varied enormously and stock outs were getting worse with more occasions when ingredients were missing or late and even some of the snacks supplies were becoming erratic. The canteen manager appeared to be having problems with a number of suppliers and this was having a big impact on the service offered. Obviously, there is a difference between the definition of quality for the caf' and the development team. The difference is limited to the kind of problems. However, conditions both at the caf' and the development team were worsening. Hassan needs to get to grips with the software development teams. ... The meals were expensive The queues in the caf' were ridiculous Added to the above, the standard of the freshly prepared food varied enormously and stock outs were getting worse with more occasions when ingredients were missing or late and even some of the snacks supplies were becoming erratic. The canteen manager appeared to be having problems with a number of suppliers and this was having a big impact on the service offered. Obviously, there is a difference between the definition of quality for the caf' and the development team. The difference is limited to the kind of problems. However, conditions both at the caf' and the development team were worsening. Hassan needs to get to grips with the software development teams. Quality is a big issue here; your task is to recommend ways in which they can assess and analyze the problems in more detail using suitable quality assessment. There is no doubt that the software development teams need a shot in the arm. It is pointless to blame anyone. The environment has deteriorated to an extent that nobody is able to produce quality work. Hassan has to make moves that will ensure proper working conditions to enable the software development teams perform to their maximum potential. In this situation, kaizen has the capability to bring about the necessary transformation. Actually, kaizen is the rallying point. Hassan must draw from the principles of kaizen and apply them to work for Wishton House. Basically, kaizen in Japanese means "to become good." In order to become good, there are some principles that must be followed. The foundational principles of kaizen are: teamwork, personal discipline, improved morale, quality circles, and suggestions for improvement. These are broad principles and Hassan must define them in the

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Stand up meeting in agile software development Dissertation

Stand up meeting in agile software development - Dissertation Example However, from the development of software methodologies, some classical or pioneering methods evolved. These are now known as the traditional approaches to the development of software. The traditional approach to software development involves the â€Å"definition of requirements which leads to the architecture or design of the development process and implementation† (Dean and Gravel, 2009 p12). This is a basic model that was steeped in convenience and the ability to complete things according to a standard pace. The Committee on Certifiable Dependable Software Systems criticized the traditional approaches to software development for lacking the basis for strong and rigorous analysis (2011). This is because these methods were very basic and depended on the software developer’s testing and validation without the inclusion of other external parties. Another criticism put forward against the traditional approach to software development is that it assumes that this approach i s based on a set of rigidly defined assumptions that will be used as the guideline throughout the process (Kathleen, 2007). This method usually lacks the flexibility that can help in the adjustment of the processes in the course of the software development (Kathleen, 2007). Thus, if the assumption of a given process is not appropriate, the project is prone to failures as it proceeds. A textbook example of the traditional software development approach is the waterfall model which contains rigid steps and levels that the software developer goes through in the completion of a software development process (Segal, 2010). The inherent issues in these systems have led to the creation of more dynamic and flexible approaches to software development like the Agile Software Development methodology. The literature review will critique these approaches and methods and evaluate them in relation to relevant issues and matters that are define each of them. This will set the parameters for the discu ssions on stand meetings and scrum meetings in dynamic approaches to software development. 2.1 Waterfall Approach The Waterfall Approach to the development of software follows a sequential process where activities follow each other downwards, like a waterfall; hence the name. The sequence applied in this methodology involves the analysis of requirements, design, coding, validation (testing), installation, and maintenance (Royce, 1970). Projects that follow the Waterfall Approach are normally segmented according to the different phases, although some of these phases might overlap during the process. The Waterfall Approach maintains tight resource control, and operations remain limited to the provisions as identified in the requirement analysis. The major setback to this method remains the assumption of having all essential problems and requirements identified at the beginning. This is a challenge because at the onset, there are many opportunities and threats that might not be clear t o the software developers. Unpredictable problems encountered during the project lifetime result in project failure. The method contains numerous activities which must be undertaken through a series of activities identified at the beginning of project. Figure 1: The Waterfall Approach (Source: Snyder, 2002) Figure 1 shows the fundamental stages and phases of the Waterfall Approach to software development. It depicts the sequential phases that a software develope

Sunday, November 17, 2019

International Markets Essay Example for Free

International Markets Essay Once SAB Miller has decided to establish itself in the global market, it becomes necessary for the marketing manager to study and analyze the various options available to enter the international markets and select the most suitable one. The selection of the entry mode is one of the most significant decisions.SAB Miller takes in the process of internationalization, as it involves commitment of resources with long-term financial and structural implications. Mode of entry may be defined as an institutional mechanism by which a firm makes its products or services available to consumer in international markets. Root (1994) defines the market entry for international markets as a comprehensive plan which sets forth the objectives,goals,resources,and policies that guide a company’s international business operations over a future period long enough to achieve sustainable growth in world markets. FACTORS AFFECTING THE SELECTION OF ENTRY MODE EXTERNAL MODES MARKET SIZE:Market size is one of the key factors an international marketer has to develop to keep in mind when selecting an entry strategy.Countries with a large market size justify the modes of entry with investment,such as wholly owned subsiaries or equity participation. MARKET GROWTH:Most of the large,established markets,such US,Europe and Japan,have more or less reached a point of saturation for consumer goods such as automobiles,consumer electronics.Therefore,the growth of markets in these countries is showing a declining trend.For instance,the overall growth in most of the US and European market is about 7% while emerging markets like India and China is over 30% which indicates tremendous market potential in time to come. Therefore,from the perspective of long-term growth potential such as China,India,Thailand,Indonesia etc.These markets are also termed emerging markets. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS:The selection of market entry modes to a great extent affected by the legislative framework of the overseas market,the government of most of the Gulf countries have made it mandatory for foreign firms to have local partner.For instance,the UAE is a lucrative market for Indian firms but most firms operate there with a local partner. Trade barriers such as ecological regulations and local content requirements also affect the mode of entry.It has been a major reason for  increased foreign investment in Mexico,which is a part of the North American Free Agreement(NAFTA),in order to cater to the US market. LEVEL OF COMPETITION:Presence of competitors and their level of involvement in an overseas market is another crucial factor in deciding on an entry mode so as to effectively respond to competitive market force.This is one of the major reasons behind auto companies setting up their operations in India and other emerging markets so as to effectively respond to global competition. INTERNAL MODES COMPANY OBJECTIVES:Companies operating in domestic markets with limited aspirations generally enter foreign markets as a result of a reactive approach to international marketing oppurtunities.In such cases,companies receive unsoliated orders from acquaintances,firms and relatives based abroad,and they attempt to fulfil these export orders.This casual approach to entering international markets by way of producing in the homemarket and exporting overseas translates into regular exporting if the firm has positive experience in its exports operation. AVAILABILTY OF COMPANY RESOURCES:Venturing into international markts needs substantial commitment of financial and human resources and therefore choice of an entry mode depends upon the financial strength of a firm.It may be observed that Indian firms with good financial strength have entered international markets by way of wholly owned subsidiaries or equity participation. LEVEL OF COMMITMENT:In view of the market potential,the willingness of the company to commit resources in a particular market also determines the entry mode choice.Companies need to evaluate various investment alternatives in a particular market also depends upon the way the company is willing to perceive and respond to competitive forces. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:A company well exposed to the dynamics of the international marketing environment would be at ease when making a decision regarding entering into international markets with a highly intensive mode of entry such as joint venture and wholly owned subsidiaries. Below are different modes of market entry and they include: EXPORTING Exporting is the simplest method of entering a foreign market.It is the  process of sending goods or services from country to other countries for use or sale there. By exporting to a foreign country,a company is able to enter this country without actually establishing itself in the country.The company must simply manufacture products that can be shipped to the foreign country.Export activities may take several forms,including indirect exporting,direct exporting,and intracorporate transfers. Direct exports represent the most basic mode of exporting, capitalizing on economies of scale in production concentrated in the home country and affording better control over distribution. Direct export works the best if the volumes are small. Types of direct exporting are: Sales representatives that represent foreign suppliers/manufacturers in their local markets for an established commission on sales. Provide support services to a manufacturer regarding local advertising, local sales presentations, customs clearance formalities, legal requirements. Importing distributors purchase product in their own right and resell it in their local markets to wholesalers, retailers, or both. Indirect Exporting Indirect export is the process of exporting through domestically based export intermediaries. Indirect methods of exporting requires less marketing investment, but, as the exporter has no control over its products in the foreign market, the company lose substantial control over the marketing process. Types or methods of indirect exporting are: Filling orders from domestic buyers who then export the product Seeking out domestic buyers who represent foreign customers Exporting through an Export Management Company (EMC) Exporting through an Export Trading Company (ETC) INTRACORPORATE TRANSFERS A third form of export activity is the intracorporate transfer,which has become more important as the sizes of MNCs have increased.An intracorporate transfer is the sale of goods by a firm in one country to an affiliated firm in another. LICENCING License is a contract to identify what is being licensed: trademarks, patents, designs, copyrights or software. Licensing allows rapidly entering into the chosen foreign market and reduces capital requirements to establish manufacturing facilities overseas. Your contract does not violation of the host countrys existing laws and regulations.a licensor in the home country makes limited rights or resources available to the licensee in the host country. The rights or resources may include patents, trademarks, managerial skills, technology, and others that can make it possible for the licensee to manufacture and sell in the host country a similar product to the one the licensor has already been producing and selling in the home country without requiring the licensor to open a new operation overseas. The licensor earnings usually take forms of one time payments, technical fees and royalty payments usually calculated as a percentage of sales. As in this mode of entry the transference of knowledge between the parental company and the licensee is strongly present, the decision of making an international license agreement depend on the respect the host government show for intellectual property and on the ability of the licensor to choose the right partners and avoid them to compete in each other market. Licensing is a relatively flexible work agreement that can be customized to fit the needs and interests of both, licensor and licensee. Franchising The franchising system can be defined as: â€Å"A system in which semi-independent business owners (franchisees) pay fees and royalties to a parent company (franchiser) in return for the right to become identified with its trademark, to sell its products or services, and often to use its business format and system. Compared to licensing, franchising agreements tends to be longer and the franchisor offers a broader package of rights and resources which usually includes: equipment, managerial systems, operation manual, initial trainings, site approval and all the support necessary for the franchisee to run its business in the same way it is done by the franchisor. In addition to that, while a licensing agreement involves things such as intellectual property, trade secrets and others while in franchising it is limited to trademarks and operating know-how of the business. TYPES OF FRANCHISES There are three available types of franchises.The first type is the dealership,a form commonly found in the automobile industry.Here,the manufacturers use franchises to distribute their product lines.These dealership act as the retail stores for the manufacturer.In some distance,they are required to meet quotas established by the manufacturers,but as is the case for any franchise,they benefit from advertising and management support provided by the franchisor.The most common type of franchise is the type that offers a name,image and method of doing business,such as McDonald’s,KFC,Holiday Inn. There are many of these types of franchises,and their listings,with pertinent information can be found in various sources. A third type of franchise offers services.These include personnel agencies,income tax preparation companies and real estate agencies.These franchises have established names and reputation and methods of doing business.In some distances,such as real estate,the franchisee has actually been operating a business and then applies to become a member of the franchise. CONTRACT MANUFACTURING Contract manufacturing refers to a situation where a business will engage the services of an independent party to perform a specified duty for the business. In terms of manufacturing, contract manufacturing refers to a situation where a manufacturer will engage the services of an independent party to perform a specified job. There are various reasons for this type of engagement by manufacturers, all of which involve the maximization of profit. The process of contract manufacturing also has some negative considerations that include the risk of uncertainty and lack of control over the process. WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIRIES Entering a foreign market with a wholly owned subsidiary involves creating a local firm without the aid of a local partner. There are two ways of doing this. The first is through what is called greenfield development. This involves creating a new organization in the foreign country from the ground up. The second method is what is referred to as brownfield development. This involves purchasing an existing company in a foreign country. Brownfield developments can be beneficial because they offer local expertise, but they can be difficult because there may be resistance from those in the company  to new ownership. JOINT VENTURE A market entry option which the exporter and a domestic company in the target country join together to form a new incorporated company. Both parties provide equity and resources to the JV and share in the management, profits and losses. The JV be limited to the life of a particular project. This option is popular in countries where there are restrictions on foreign ownership, eg. China and Vietnam PIGGYBACKING Piggyback marketing – low cost market entry strategy in which two or more firms represent one another’s complementary (but non-competing) products in their respective market. Or, in other words, it is an arrangement, where two or more companies help each other to market their products, where the products have to be complementary and not competing against each other. LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS No direct foreign marketing: A company in this stage does not actively cultivate customers outside national boundaries; however this company’s products may reach foreign markets. Sales may be made to trading companies as well as foreign customers who come directly to the firm. Or products may reach foreign markets via domestic wholesalers or distributors who sell abroad without explicit encouragement or even knowledge of the producer. As companies develop web sites on the internet, many receive orders from international Web surfers. Often an unsolicited order from a foreign is what piques the interest of a company to seek additional international sales. Infrequent Foreign marketing: Temporary surpluses caused by variations in production levels or demand may result in infrequent marketing overseas. The surpluses are characterized by their temporary nature; therefore sales to foreign markets are made as goods are available, with little or no intention of maintaining continuous market representation. As domestic demand increases and absorbs surpluses, foreign sales activity is withdrawn. In this stage, little or no change is seen in company organization or product lines. However, few companies today fit this  model because customers around the world increasingly seek long term commercial relationships. Further, evidence exists that financial returns from initial international expansions are limited. Regular Foreign marketing: At this level, the firm has permanent productive capacity devoted to the production of goods to be marketed in foreign markets. A firm may employ foreign or domestic overseas intermediaries or it may have its own sales force or sales subsidiaries in important markets. The primary focus of operations and production is to service domestic market needs. However, as overseas demand grows, production is allocated for foreign markets, and products may be adapted to meet the needs of individual foreign markets. Profit expectations from foreign markets move from being seen as a bonus to regular domestic profits to a position in which the company becomes dependent on foreign sales and profits to meet its goals. International marketing International marketing is the export, franchising, joint venture or full direct entry of a marketing organization into another country. This can be achieved by exporting a companys product into another location, entry through a joint venture with another firm in the target country, or foreign direct investment into the target country. The development of the marketing mix for that country is then required international marketing. It can be as straightforward as using existing marketing strategies, mix and tools for export on the one side, to a highly complex relationship strategy including localization, local product offerings, pricing, production and distribution with customized promotions, offers, website, social media and leadership. Internationalization and international marketing meets the needs of selected foreign countries where a companys value can be exported and there is inter-firm and firm learning, optimization and efficiency in economies of scale and scope. The firm doe s not need to export or enter all world markets to be considered an international marketer. Global Marketing Global marketing is a firms ability to market to almost all countries on the planet. With extensive reach, the need for a firms product or services is  established. The global firm retains the capability, reach, knowledge, staff, skills, insights, and expertise to deliver value to customers worldwide. The firm understands the requirement to service customers locally with global standard solutions or products, and localizes that product as required to maintain an optimal balance of cost, efficiency, customization and localization in a control-customization continuum to best meet local, national and global requirements to position itself against or with competitors, partners, alliances, substitutes and defend against new global and local market entrants per country, region or city. The firm will price its products appropriately worldwide, nationally and locally, and promote, deliver access and information to its customers in the most cost-effective way. The firm also needs to underst and, research, measure and develop loyalty for its brand and global brand equity (stay on brand) for the long term. b)OULINE ADVANTAGES AND DISAVANTAGES OF EACH STRATEGY. Advantages of direct exporting: -Control over selection of foreign markets and choice of foreign representative companies. -Good information feedback from target market. -Better protection of trademarks, patents, goodwill, and other intangible property. Potentially greater sales than with indirect exporting. Disadvantages of direct exporting: Higher start-up costs and higher risks as opposed to indirect exporting; Greater information requirements; Longer time-to-market as opposed to indirect exporting. Advantages of the international franchising mode: -Low political risk -Low cost -Allows simultaneous expansion into different regions of the world -Well selected partners bring financial investment as well as managerial capabilities to the operation. Advantages of indirect exporting -Its an almost risk-free way to begin. -It demands minimal involvement in the export process. -It allows you to continue to concentrate on your domestic business. -You  have limited liability for product marketing problems theres always someone else to point the finger at! -You learn as you go about international marketing. -Depending on the type of intermediary with which you are dealing, you dont have to concern yourself with shipment and other logistics. Disadvantages of indirect exporting: -Your profits are lower. -You lose control over your foreign sales. -You very rarely know who your customers are, and thus lose the opportunity to tailor your offerings to their evolving needs. -When you visit, you are a step removed from the actual transaction. You feel out of the loop. -The intermediary might also be offering products similar to yours, including directly competitive products, to the same customers instead of providing exclusive representation. -Your long-term outlook and goals for your export program can change rapidly, and if youve put your product in someone elses hands, its hard to redirect your efforts accordingly. Advantages of licensing -Obtain extra income for technical know-how and services -Reach new markets not accessible by export from existing facilities -Quickly expand without much risk and large capital investment -Pave the way for future investments in the market -Retain established markets closed by trade restrictions -Political risk is minimized as the licensee is usually 100% locally owned -Is highly attractive for companies that are new in international business. Disadvantages of licensing -Lower income than in other entry modes -Loss of control of the licensee manufacture and marketing operations and practices leading to loss of quality -Risk of having the trademark and reputation ruined by an incompetent partner -The foreign partner can also become a competitor by selling its production in places where the parental company is already in. -investment to attract prospects and support and manage franchisees. Advanatges of Frachising -Franchising provide knowledge of the local markets. A franchise provides franchisees with a certain level of independence where they can operate their business. A franchise provides an established product or service which may already enjoy widespread brand-name recognition. This gives the franchisee the benefits of a pre-sold customer base which would ordinarily takes years to establish. A franchise increases your chances of business success because you are associating with proven products and methods. Franchises may offer consumers the attraction of a certain level of quality and consistency because it is mandated by the franchise agreement. Disadvantages of franchising: -Franchisees may turn into future competitors. -Demand of franchisees may be scarce when starting to franchise a company, which can lead to making agreements with the wrong candidates -A wrong franchisee may ruin the company’s name and reputation in the market -Dependence on franchisee. -Potential conflicts with franchisee. Advantages of Joint Venture: -Accessing additional financial resources Asset sharing is one of the best advantages about joint venture. Since, you are able to use larger funds to facilitate the production and operation of projects and products, you facilitate growth. In other words, you increase profit margin and increase your revenue potential. -Sharing the economic risk with co-venturer It pays to have someone sharing the responsibility with you in case you end up in deep troubles. This is also true with joint venture. Since you are sharing assets, the risk of losing a great deal of money is divided to both parties. -Widening economic scope fast – Building reputation is often difficult, not to mention time consuming and expansive. At a joint venture, you are able to widen your economic scope without spending too much money and waiting for a long time. Tapping newer methods, technology, and approach you do not have – In order to grow and expand, you need resources in the forms of methods, technology, and approach. For that matter, it would help a lot if you will be able to partner with an entity that presently has the things you don’t and the things you need. Joint venture opens up the venue for such need. -Building relationship with vital contacts – Aside from economic territory, another advantage of joint venture is the ability to give you business relationships with vital contacts. This is just like automatically befriending your partners influential friend that can give you access to lots of things such as business opportunities and a pass to vital information. Disadvantages of Joint Venture: -Shared profit – Since you share assets, you also share the profit. The profit of both parties usually depends on the size of the share to the venture or may be defined on the agreement. -Diminished control over some important matters Operational control and decision making are sometimes compromised in joint ventures. Since there is an agreement that divides which one will take over a particular operation, the other may not be satisfied with how the things are worked out with another. This leads us to another disadvantage of a joint venture. -Undesired outcome of the quality of the product or project – Since one party may not have control on the supervision of the production or the execution of one part of the system, this can happen. This often leads to disputes and lawsuits. To avoid this, both parties agree on specific details about the whole operation process. -Uncontrolled or unmonitored increase in the operating cost – Again, defined control over the operation may lead to this disadvantage. It is important therefore to make sure that all things are clarified on the paper before singing in the joint venture agreement. Advantages of contract manufacturing -Low financial risks contract manufacturing allows companies to save costs by manufacturing a particular item at a cheaper rate than what it would cost them If they decided to undertake the manufacturing process themselves. it allows the company doing the outsourcing to shave some time off the whole process, giving them quicker returns and turnovers. Where a company is less effective than another in manufacturing an item, contract manufacturing will allow it to concentrate on that in which it is the most efficient. Disadvantages of contract manufacturing -Reduced learning potential -Potential public relations problems may need to monitor working conditions. -The company doing the outsourcing faces some degree of risk if it fails to do its research properly. This is because outsourcing the manufacturing to the wrong company could end up costing the company more, rather than less, if the outsourced company fails to deliver as expected. Advantages of wholly owned subsidiaries On the positive side, a wholly-owned subsidiary that does its business in a location different from the parent companys is able to remain in its locale. With the business world spanning so many countries, this can serve as a great advantage in international situations. Name recognition is another positive reason for maintaining a wholly-owned subsidiary. If a particular brand name is well known and popular, the parent company has no reason to absorb the subsidiary entirely. Wholly-owned status allows the subsidiary to retain its name brand, thus avoiding hindering its sales. Diversity for the parent company is another perk created by maintaining a wholly-owned subsidiary. This status allows the parent company to branch out into different products and markets, building strength in diversification. Disadvantages of wholly owned subsidiaries a wholly-owned subsidiary are more business oriented. The holding company runs a definite risk in assuming control of another company while allowing its management to continue to operate independently of the parent companys. The level of investment and allocation of funds and resources required is also very high. A parent company must spend a great deal of time and money to smoothly integrate the new subsidiary.All of these factors require commitment and dedication on the part of the holding company and willingness to form that partnership on the part of the subsidiary. Advantages of piggybacking reduced financial costs limited risk quick, easy access to the market. Generally, the supported company can make immediate profits on the new market. The SME can, thus save time (3-5 years), compared to the normal length of time necessary to establish itself ; reduced logistical and administrative operations ; benefit of the brand image that the supporting company brings to its products ; immediate availability of a sales force structure ; excellent market knowledge of the supporting company. Disadvantages of piggybacking weak motivation of large companies to become supporters ; difficulty in finding partners offering a compatible product and distribution network ; risk of market loss, which can be reduced due to the complementarity of the product, and commercial follow-up between the partners ; occasional difficult relations because of differences in size or culture ; risk of lack of mutual confidence and of lack of involvement ; risk of conflict of interest (e.g. local agents could systematically put the interests of the supporting company before those of the supported company) ; occasional very rigid requirements and conditions of access to the commercial networks of large companies. These conditions can be qualitative (e.g.: product quality) and quantitative (minimum level of annual turnover, high commissions, etc.). Macro Environmental Influences That Can Affect SAB Millers SABMillers origins date back to the foundation of Castle Breweries in 1895 as to serve a growing market of miners and prospectors in and around Johannesburg, South Africa. Two years later, it became the first industrial company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the year after (1898) it listed on the London Stock Exchange. From the early 1990s onwards, the company increasingly expanded internationally, making several acquisitions in both emerging and developed markets. In 1999, it formed a new UK-based holding company, SAB plc, and moved its primary listing to London. In May 2002, SAB plc acquired Miller Brewing, forming SABMiller plc. It is very important that SAB Miller considers its environment before going into international the market. In fact, environmental analysis should be continuous and feed all aspects of their planning to go international The macro-environment refers to the major external and uncontrollable factors that influence an organizations decision making, and affect its performance and strategies. These factors include the Political (and legal) forces, Economic forces, Sociocultural forces, and Technological forces. These are known as the PEST factors. PEST Analysis Political Factors: The political environment revolves around the current government in a particular country in which SAB Miller manufactures or trades, and also laws/legislation operate or within their home market as well as overseas. If their government is socialist then perhaps there is a policy to tax more and to invest in the public sector. On the other hand if SAB Millers have a more conservative or Republican government then the free-market is left to take control, taxation is less and there is often a smaller public sector. The political arena has a huge influence upon the regulation of the business, and the spending power of consumers and other businesses. SAB Miller must consider issues like: †¢How stable is the political environment in that country? †¢Will government policy of that country influence laws that regulate or tax SAB Miller? †¢What is the governments position on marketing ethics? †¢What is the governments policy on the economy? †¢Does the government have a view on culture and religion? †¢Is the government involved in trading agreements such as EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, or others? Economic Factors The economic environment is a direct influence on all businesses. Obviously if you are studying marketing there is a huge element of economics within the topic itself, and you should be no stranger to the principles of economics. As we saw from our lesson on the marketing environment there is a macro environment, and internal environment and the microenvironment. More specifically youll be at looking elements such as where a business is in terms of the current business cycle, and whether or not they are trading in a recession. SAB Millers marketers need to consider the state of a trading economy in the short and long-terms. This is especially true when planning for international marketing. You need to look at: 1. Interest rates. 2. The level of inflation Employment level per capita. 3. Long-term prospects for the economy Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, and so on. Sociocultural Factors The Sociocultural environment embodies everything which is social and cultural within a nation or society. There are plenty of examples of society and culture on the marketing teacher website, so we recommend that you go to our lesson store and look through some of the consumer behaviour pages. Some notable examples would include the influence of learning, memory, emotion and perception, motivation, lifestyle and attitude and consumer culture. Have a look at the six living generations in America, social environment and class, the impact of your birth order on how you behave as a consumer and take a look at the eight types of online shoppers. In a more general sense consider influences such as the increase in life expectation of Western consumers, and demographics which is the study of populations. The social and cultural influences on business vary from country to country. It is very important that such factors are considered. Factors include: 1. What is the dominant religion? 2. What are attitudes to foreign products and services? 3. Does language impact upon the diffusion of products onto markets? 4. How much time do consumers have for leisure? 5. What are the roles of men and women within society? 6. How long are the population living? Are the older generations wealthy? 7. Do the population have a strong/weak opinion on green issues? Technological Factors Technological factors are a multifaceted influencer. Lets just think about the sorts of technology that you come in touch with almost daily. Smart phones such as Android and iphone are now common – all – garden, and we are used to being able to access information and communication technology instantly no matter where we are. During studies or at work we have access to information on quick PCs and over the Internet, with faster broadband connections arriving in many parts of the world. Technology also surrounds business processes. As we saw from our lesson on the functions within an organisation all departments use information technology or technology in one form or another. Our manufacturing operations will use technology to produce goods and services. Our logistics and warehousing functions use forklifts and Lorries as well as order tracking technology and software. The customer service department will use communication technology to talk to customers but will also have access to internal systems, such as technology to simplify credit control and stock control for example. There are many, many more examples of technology. Technology is vital for competitive advantage, and is a major driver of globalization. Consider the following points: 1. Does technology allow for products and services to be made more cheaply and to a better standard of quality? 2. Do the technologies offer consumers and businesses more innovative products and services such as Internet banking, new generation mobile telephones, etc? 3. How is distribution changed by new technologies e.g. books via the Internet, flight tickets, auctions, etc? 4. Does technology offer companies a new way to communicate with consumers e.g. banners, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), etc?

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The effect of temperature on the reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Investigating the effect of temperature on the reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Planning and Prediction Apparatus List Conical Flask 3 measuring cylinders Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Thermometer Stop watch When sodium thiosulphate reacts with hydrochloric acid, the solution becomes opaque. I will investigate how the rate of this reaction is affected when the experiment is carried out at different temperatures. The reaction that occurs produces sulphur dioxide, water and sodium chloride. GRAPH The rate of chemical reactions can be affected by a number of things:  · changes in surface area  · changes in concentration of the reactants  · changes in temperature  · added substances called catalysts  · and changes in pressure if the reactants are gases. In most chemical reactions the rate changes with time, normally slowing down. Prediction I will be investigating the effect that temperature has on the reaction between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid. I predict that the higher the temperature, the faster the reaction will occur. This should happen because when heat is applied to a solution the particles in the compounds move faster and therefore come into contact with the other substance more rapidly. More importantly, the collisions are more energetic. An increase in collisions provides more energy than there is in the activation energy, so the reaction is faster. Preliminary Investigation In order to discover what ratio of HCl to Na2S2O3 I needed to conduct a preliminary experiment, changing the concentration of the various reactants. I will need a time of two or three minutes at 20 °C, my lowest temperature, because I predict that the reaction will speed up as the temperature is higher, and I do not want the reaction to happen in just three or four seconds once I get to 60 °C as it will be difficult to measure the time accurately. GRAPH It was discovered after the preliminary experiments that there had been some contamination so the results were inaccurate. With a larger amount of Na2S2O3 than HCl the experiment should have happened slower not faster. After further trials I discovered that: Water 40mls Na2S2O3 10mls HCl 5mls gave me an adequate starting time of approximately 3:00 - 3:30 minutes at 20 °C. As a result of my preliminary investigation I will add water to dilute the Na2S2O3, as otherwise it is too concentrated and the reaction

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Health prevention Essay

Health promotion according to World Health Organization, â€Å"Is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behavior towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.† In this assignment I have chosen three articles talking about the different health promotions. I will start with my article on teen suicide and primary prevention, then stroke article and secondary prevention and then depression and tertiary prevention. Primary Prevention My first article called, Preliminary Effectiveness of Surviving the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness state, â€Å"Currently, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15-24 years.† This article talks about schools, since children are in school most of the day, using this time to talk about preventive ways to stop suicide. For this article health care prevention is defined as a way to teach students about increasing awareness and knowledge of suicide intervention, risk factors and warning signs of depression and suicide but to also teach problem solving and coping skills to our teenagers. (King, Strunk & Sorter, 2011) If we put all these together, school nurses and teachers can increase adolescent students to have better self-esteem, self-efficiency, and can increase their coping/problem solving skills and also, communication skills. We can teach the students about dealing with stressors and what good health behaviors are. This program called, â€Å"The Surviving the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program,† is a school based program that helps with prevention of suicides and was developed by and registered nurse named Catherine Strunk. This school based program was offered by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Psychiatry Division. This program  is learned more towards kids in the high school setting. The classes are four days and 50 minutes per class. In this class a nurse can teach students and present them with factual information regarding depression, risk factors, suicide warning signs, suicide risk factors, and common myths associated with suicide. (King, Strunk & Sorter, 2011) The program covers so many areas and addresses different things. For instance, mental health, substance abuse, social and school stressors, trauma, grief and loss, just to mention a few. If states would adopt this program, I believe that students would benefit by implementing this program in high schools. It teaches children so many ways to cope in school and the outside world. This program teaches them the necessary skills to get through life and it helps them with self-esteem issues as well. School nurses and teaching staff can come together to help our children out so there will be less suicide attempts among children in this age group. To implement this once we got the program in our schools we would first have to get consent from the parents of our students. If we can teach our children about suicide and the risk factors along with reaching the skills and give them help with self-esteem we can prevent so many kids from attempting or succeeding at suicide. This program would be a major benefit in our school systems today. Secondary Prevention The second article chosen talks about secondary prevention in people who have already suffered one stroke. Emmie Malewezi, who wrote the article titles, Stroke policy and secondary prevention: how well are we adhering to these guidelines stated, â€Å"Recurrent stroke is more likely to be fatal than the first stroke and survivors are more likely to be left with major disability.† Strokes or Transient Ischemic Attracts or TIA for short, are very serious and after a patient has a TIA or major stroke is likely a recurrence of another one will happen within 90 days of the first stroke. (Malewezi, 2011) It is so important for a secondary prevention to start immediately and continue into their long term prevention. There are a few areas that are recommended for secondary prevention in stroke patients. First one is lifestyle modifications or changes. Patients who has had a stroke need to realize the importance of changing their lifestyle with exercise, diet, smoking if they were a smoker, weight, and alcohol  consumption. Nurses and family should be there to support the patient and nurses can help come up with a plan to help with modifying the patient’s lifestyle. â€Å" By increasing physical activity, losing weight, reducing sodium and alcohol intake, people have been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure and thus reducing their risk of stroke,† as stated by Emmie Malewezi. Another standard protocol for secondary prevention is an antiplatelet therapy. It has been shown research that if you use a combination of Aspirin with Dipyridamole will lower the risk of future vascular events then just taking Aspirin by itself. With patients who have Atrial Fibrillation, for example, should be on anticoagulant medication like Warfarin. The problem with Warfarin is the side effect of bleeding. This is why some physicians don’t necessarily want to prescribe it due to the risk of falling and then bleeding out. Lastly, a lipid medication is usually prescribed at discharge because high cholesterol or also called Hyperlipidemia can cause strokes as well. The nursing and Midwifery Council identifies health promotion as an important aspect of nursing practice. (Malewezi, 2011) Nurses are responsible for the role of secondary prevention by making sure they set aside time to sit with the patient and discuss and reinforce lifestyle modifications they are at such high risk for another stroke. In hospitals we now have stroke teams and patients are being seen quicker and discharged faster. This makes it impossible for the nurse to always go over all the secondary prevention needed for that patient. We need to get a plan established to make sure the patient can get all the information they need about their therapy and make sure the patient are aware of their medications, whether the medication is a new one or one they have already been on. Also, nurses need to make sure patients no how to take their medications. Sometimes problems like swallowing issues becomes a problem due to the stroke and we need to make sure the patient isn’t going to have a problems swallowing their medications. Secondary prevention is important for stroke patients and nurses need to understand their role they play so we can prevent another stroke in our patients. Tertiary Prevention Tertiary prevention in the third article talks about the promotion of  recovery and prevention of relapse for depression. This article is called Prevention and Management of Depression in Primary Care and it states, â€Å"Timey recognition of depression is essential to improve patient’s mental health in quality of life.† Depression can happen for so many reasons and some of those reasons are physical illness, financial issues, or even post-partum after child birth. The problem is suicide is a big risk when people become depressed if they are not given the help they need. For the patients who have developed depression and are being treated for it are now at the level of tertiary prevention. Tertiary prevention helps the patients by reducing the effects of the mental health condition on patients function and quality of life. Nurses can do this by giving support and encouragement. It is crucial for the nurses to teach their patients to take their antidepressants daily and to not stop them so relapse of depression doesn’t occur. The other role of the nurse that is vital in tertiary prevention is to make sure they ask their patients if they are becoming hopeless or wishing to hurt themselves by suicide. This is necessary because family history or past attempts of suicide is a big risk factor. If a patient tells a nurse that they have suicidal thoughts the nurse needs to be responsible to see if they have any support like family and friends so they can be taught about watching the patient’s mood, increased negativity, hopelessness or suicidal intent. If family or friends see any of these changes they need to call and get help for the patient. If the patient is at immediate risk the nurse needs to refer them to a mental health facility. Levels of Prevention In closing primary prevention helps healthy patients stay healthy and prevent or develop disease. Secondary prevention are for patients who have already been diagnosed and now needs to be taught how to slow down or stop the progression of a particular disease. While tertiary prevention is about management of a disease like diabetes, stroke, depression, heart disease or even cancer. Nurses play a vital role in each level of prevention to ensure good, quality health to our patients. References Hardy, S. (2013). Prevention and management of depression in primary care. Nursing Standard, 27(26), 51-56. King, K. A., Strunk, C. M., & Sorter, M. T. (2011). Preliminary Effectiveness of Surviving the Teens ® Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program on Adolescents’ Suicidality and Self-Efficacy in Performing Help-Seeking Behaviors. Journal Of School Health, 81(9), 581-590. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00630.x Malewezi, E. (2011). Stroke policy and secondary prevention: how well are we adhering to these guidelines?. British Journal Of Neuroscience Nursing, 7(6), 684-690. World health organization. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/health_promotion/en/

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Ethics in Research Essay

While conducting research or writing professional articles or papers, it is expected that one meets certain laid-down ethical guidelines. Ethics in research has become one of the most essential topics in academia, and areas of scientific dishonesty have been identified. In my opinion, the areas of scientific dishonesty should be ranked as follows, starting with the most serious to the least serious violation: 1. Fabrication and falsification 2. Plagiarism 3. Faulty data gathering procedures 4. Non-publication of data 5. Sneaky publication practices 6. Poor data storage and retention 7. Misleading authorship Fabrication and falsification of data is publishing information or basing research on events that did not occur at all (Reskin, 2010). Under falsification, overstated numbers, alteration of data, inclusion of personal biases and misinterpretation of literature are the forms of scientific dishonesty. When fabrication and falsification have been done, works produced do not have a basis or any truth in them; and therefore mislead the readers (Reskin, 2010). This could have very serious consequences; basing literature on lies therefore misinforming the public. It therefore comes first in the list. Plagiarism is the use of copyrighted materials or generally other people’s without acknowledging their contribution (Indiana University, 2004). It is very unethical not to give credit to people who struggled to produce work, and a researcher or a professional writer would be claiming to be the originator of the ideas if he or she does not acknowledge the actual producers of literature material. It comes second in my list of scientific dishonesties (Indiana University, 2004). Faulty data gathering is third, since if data collected is not precise or accurate, the conclusions are going to be force; and the effect is like that of falsification (Callahan, & Hobbs, 1998). At number four is non-publication of data, which occurs when data is suppressed. It is unethical to ignore exceptions even in cases where nothing conclusive has been established from research, since finding out nothing is just as important as finding out something. If the results are withheld, future researches may be conducted with the same mistakes (Callahan, & Hobbs, 1998). Sneaky publication practices come in at number five since it withdraws a large measure of integrity or authenticity of information (Gregory, 20003). At number six is poor data storage and retention practices since in this way, information, no matter how valuable, is easily lost, therefore undermining the impact of research and writing. I chose misleading authorship as the least serious area of scientific dishonesty through ethical violations knowing that since it gives people claim for projects they did not fully participate in; it does not have effect on the quality of information (Jefferies, 2004). Informed consent is a term used in the ethical or legal context to indicate that the consent a person gives regarding certain events or activities involving him or her meet certain minimum standards (Reskin, 2010). An informed consent is issued by a person to indicate that he or she is fully aware and that he or she clearly understands and appreciates the facts related to the event, its implications and finally, its long term impact. The purpose of informed consents is to make sure that people are not coerced or forcibly involved in activities against their wish. People must also be made fully aware of the procedures they are to be involved in; and the potential risks from such. People allowed to give informed consents must first be proved to possess properly functioning intuitive and mental faculties (Reskin, 2010). People who are impaired by factors and diseases such as mental retardation, potentially damaging mental illnesses, intoxication from substances like alcohol, acute sleep deprivation, Alzheimer’s disease or a being in a comma are not allowed to give informed consents. Without an informed consent, it would be ethically and legally wrong to perform some acts on an individual (Callahan, & Hobbs, 1998). People who are not in a position to give informed consents for either of the above mentioned reasons or by virtue of being too young generally have other people acting on their behalf give informed consents for them (Jefferies, 1999). For example, a parent or a guardian can give an informed consent relating to their children. The same applies for mentally incapacitated people or people in a comma; like a husband can give an informed consent on behalf of his wife when she is in a comma. Treatment of human subjects must be ethical and respectful at all times. The rights of human subjects are protected by the justice system; and there is a standing requirement that all research projects involving human subjects must first be approved by the Institutional Review Board (Gregory, 2003). Federal Law also has provisions to protect human subjects from abuse by researchers, and the American Psychological Association (APA) has well documented standards of ethics which researchers must abide by while handling human subjects (Gregory, 2003). The above guidelines are meant to ensure that human specimens are treated with the respect they deserve and are not exposed to risks without their consent. It is required that they be informed of all the details of research procedures, the risks that may arise and any potential long term effects of the research (Callahan, & Hobbs, 1998). The research must also be tailored in such a way that it benefits them in one way or another. Their justice should also be assured. Investigators or researchers first have the responsibility of making sure that they study the ethical acceptability of procedures they intent to apply on human subjects; and they must also respect a human subject’s wish to accept or decline involvement in a research, and their choice to withdraw if the need arises (Callahan, & Hobbs, 1998). If undesirable side effects result, it is the responsibility of the researcher to remedy the situation. Animal subjects, despite the fact that they cannot give informed consents, also have rights which are protected; and their use in research is also governed by some ethical standards. First of all, the use of animal subjects in research should be justified (Reskin, 2010). Animals should not be used in projects that are not going to yield anything useful to the human society. Secondly, animal subjects should be properly handled. Any studies conducted on them should not alter their natural functionality or harm them in irreversible ways. Proper living environments and sufficient food should be provided to animals under captivity, and animals should only be handled by sufficiently trained personnel (Reskin, 2010). Research should be optimized to reduce pain and harm on animal subjects, and it is important that the animals are legally acquired and the research given the go ahead by the authorities. It is also an ethical requirement that humane treatment of animals in research institutions is ensured at all times (Reskin, 2010). Animal rights activists have been on the forefront of campaigning for the abolition of vivisection, or at least humane treatment of animal subjects. References Callahan, T. , & Hobbs, R. (1998). Research Ethics. Retrieved May 8, 2010, from http://depts.washington. edu/bioethx/topics/resrch. html Gregory, I. (2003). Ethics in Research. New York: Continuum. Indiana University. (2004). Plagiarism: What it is and How to Recognize and Avoid it. Retrieved May 9, 2010, from http://www. indiana. edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism. shtml Jefferies, S. (1999). Ethical Issues in Research. Retrieved May 9, 2010, from http://www. cwu. edu/~jefferis/PEHL557/pehl557_ethics. html Resnik, D. (2010). What is Ethics in Research & Why is It Important? Retrieved May 8, 2010, from http://www. niehs. nih. gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis. cfm

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Gulf of Mexico Habitat and Marine Life

Gulf of Mexico Habitat and Marine Life Gulf of Mexico Facts The Gulf of Mexico covers about 600,000 square miles, making it the 9th largest body of water in the world. It is bordered by the U.S. states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, the Mexican coast to Cancun, and Cuba. Human Uses of the Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico is an important area for commercial and recreational fishing and wildlife watching. It is also the location of offshore drilling, supporting about 4,000 oil and natural gas platforms. The Gulf of Mexico has been in the news recently because of the explosion of the oil rig Deepwater Horizon. This has affected commercial fishing, recreation and the overall economy of the area, as well as threatening marine life. Types of Habitat The Gulf of Mexico is thought to have formed by subsidence, a slow sinking of the seafloor, about 300 million years ago. The Gulf has a variety of habitats, from shallow coastal areas and coral reefs to deep underwater areas. The Gulfs deepest area is Sigsbee Deep, which is estimated to be about 13,000 feet deep. According to the EPA, about 40% of the Gulf of Mexico are shallow intertidal areas. About 20% are areas over 9,000 feet deep, allowing the Gulf to support deep-diving animals such as sperm and beaked whales. Waters on the continental shelf and continental slope, between 600-9,000 feet deep, comprise about 60% of the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore Platforms as Habitat Although their presence is controversial, offshore oil and natural gas platforms provide habitats in themselves, attracting species as an artificial reef would. Fish, invertebrates and even sea turtles sometimes congregate on and around the platforms, and they provide a stopping point for birds (see this poster from the U.S. Minerals Management Service for more). Marine Life in the Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico supports a wide variety of marine life, including wide-ranging whales and dolphins, coastal-dwelling manatees, fish including tarpon and snapper, and invertebrates such as shellfish, corals, and worms. Reptiles such as sea turtles (Kemps ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill) and alligators also thrive here. The Gulf of Mexico also provides important habitat for both native and migrating birds. Threats to the Gulf of Mexico Although the number of large oil spills relative to the huge number of drilling rigs is small, spills can be disastrous when they occur, as evidenced by the impact of the BP/Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 on marine habitat, marine life, fishermen and the overall economy of the Gulf Coast states. Other threats include overfishing, coastal development, discharge of fertilizers and other chemicals into the Gulf (forming a Dead Zone, an area lacking oxygen). Sources: Gulf of Mexico Foundation. Gulf of Mexico: Facts and Threats (Online) Accessed May 21, 2010.Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. Hypoxia In the Gulf of Mexico (Online) Accessed May 21, 2010.Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico Region Environmental Information (Online) Accessed May 21, 2010.US EPA. General Facts About the Gulf of Mexico. (Online) Accessed May 21, 2010.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Do Insects Hibernate in the Winter

Do Insects Hibernate in the Winter An insect doesn’t have the benefit of body fat, like bears and groundhogs, to survive freezing temperatures and keep internal fluids from turning to ice. Like all ectotherms, insects need a way to cope with fluctuating temperatures in their environment. But do insects hibernate? In a very general sense, hibernation refers to the state in which animals pass the winter.1 Hibernation suggests the animal is in a dormant state, with its metabolism slowed and reproduction paused. Insects dont necessarily hibernate the way warm-blooded animals do. But because the availability of host plants and food sources are limited during the winter in cold regions, insects do suspend their usual activities and enter a dormant state. So how do insects survive the cold winter months? Different insects use different strategies to avoid freezing to death when the temperature falls. Some insects employ a combination of strategies to survive the winter. Migration When it gets cold, leave! Some insects head to warmer climes, or at least better conditions, when winter weather approaches. The most famous migrating insect is the monarch butterfly. Monarchs in the eastern U.S. and Canada fly up to 2,000 miles to spend their winter in Mexico. Many other butterflies and moths also migrate seasonally, including the gulf fritillary, the painted lady, the black cutworm, and fall armyworm. Common green darners, dragonflies that inhabit ponds and lakes as far north as Canada, migrate as well. Communal Living When it gets cold, huddle up! There’s warmth in numbers for some insects. Honey bees cluster together as the temperatures drop, and use their collective body heat to keep themselves and the brood warm. Ants and termites head below the frost line, where their large numbers and stored food keep them comfortable until spring arrives. Several insects are known for their cool weather aggregations. Convergent lady beetles, for example, gather en masse on rocks or branches during spells of cold weather. Indoor Living When it gets cold, move inside! Much to the displeasure of homeowners, some insects seek shelter in the warmth of human dwellings when winter approaches. Each fall, peoples houses are invaded by box elder bugs, Asian multicolored lady beetles, brown marmorated stink bugs, and others. While these insects rarely cause damage indoors – theyre just looking for a cozy place to wait out the winter – they may release foul-smelling substances when threatened by a homeowner trying to evict them. Torpor When it gets cold, stay still! Certain insects, particularly ones that live in higher altitudes or near the Earth’s poles, use a state of torpor to survive drops in temperature. Torpor is a temporary state of suspension or sleep, during which the insect is completely immobile. The New Zealand weta, for example, is a flightless cricket that lives in high altitudes. When temperatures drop in the evening, the cricket freezes solid. As daylight warms the weta, it comes out of the torpid state and resumes activity. Diapause When it gets cold, rest! Unlike torpor, diapause is a long-term state of suspension. Diapause synchronizes the insect’s life cycle with seasonal changes in its environment, including winter conditions. Put simply, if it’s too cold to fly and there’s nothing to eat, you might as well take a break (or pause). Insect diapause may occur in any stage of development: Eggs – Praying mantids survive the winter as eggs, which emerge in spring.Larvae – Woolly bear caterpillars curl up in thick layers of leaf litter for winter. In spring, they spin their cocoons.Pupa – Black swallowtails spend winter as chrysalids, emerging as butterflies when warm weather returns.Adults – Mourning cloak butterflies hibernate as adults for the winter, tucking themselves behind loose bark or in tree cavities. Antifreeze When it gets cold, lower your freezing point! Many insects prepare for the cold by making their own antifreeze. During the fall, insects produce glycerol, which increases in the hemolymph. Glycerol gives the insect body â€Å"supercooling† ability, allowing body fluids to drop below freezing points without causing ice damage. Glycerol also lowers the freezing point, making insects more cold-tolerant, and protects tissues and cells from damage during icy conditions in the environment. In spring, glycerol levels drop again. References 1 Definition from Hibernation, by Richard E. Lee, Jr., Miami University of Ohio. Encyclopedia of Insects, 2nd edition, edited by Vincent H. Resh and Ring T. Carde.