Oncidium Business Consulting Case Analysis

Oncidium Business Consulting is a company that traces its roots back in the 1970s. The Richard Ivey Business School at The University of Western Ontario was operating summer assistance programs for small and native businesses in Southwestern Ontario through the subsidies it was getting from the Federal government.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Oncidium Business Consulting Case Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The programs were soliciting the services of 15 students each summer since undergraduate and graduate students sought relevant work during their four-month break. At some point, the programs lost the federal support hence making it necessary to reduce the number of students who were initially participating in the program. Ivey continued with the program under the name Ivey Business Consulting Group. Some of the restrictions that characterized the program were eliminated but its startup was ne vertheless characterized by many problems. The program was run each summer by different groups of students. Jane Richards, the Founder of Oncidium Business Consulting joined the IBCG program in 2001 and was elected the practice’s manager. Richards graduated from the university in 2001, a period during which IBCG was experiencing many problems and the firm was unstable. As a result, she proposed that the program be converted into an arm of Ivey and be operated all year round. She argued that Ivey had enough resources and the Canadian market was in dire need of ideas on how to increase its growth. She was given an office in the school in order to anchor the idea firmly and in 2002; she transformed IBCG into a proprietorship.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Richards constituted an advisory board comprised of academicians and entrepreneurs to advise and mentor her. I BCG opened an office in Toronto in September 2003 and hired additional staff. It continued to grow exponentially year after year between 2003 and 2005. Ivey decided to withdraw from the firm in 2004 and that was when Oncidium Business Consulting was born. Its services included strategic plans, market assessment, and market research to clients of all natures. Oncidium continued to register remarkable growth in 2006 and 2007. However in 2006, Richards started feeling like a stranger in her own company. This was happening despite the fact that she had founded the company and worked hard to see it grow. She could see a promising financial future for the company but the present had turned into a disappointment and unhappy scenario for Richards who wondered what she was doing in the company. Richards revisited revenue generation which was the performance metric agreed upon during the formation of the company. This was an easily measurable and quantifiable metric but only Maria had achieve d it. However, she got the lowest equity while Simon and Stephen who had not hit the targets got the highest and even Richards doubled theirs. Richards struggled to make the decision on whether to give them the equity when they had not achieved the performance metric since her mentors had suggested that nobody was to deviate from the set performance metrics. However, she felt that failure to give them the equity was bound to cause them to leave and she was not ready to build new relationships. She also felt that they were not skilled in revenue generation but they compensated in execution and delivery.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Oncidium Business Consulting Case Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Currently, the ownership of the stakes is perceived as inequitable by the other partners in the company. Simon and Stephen deal with delivery which is scalable since they have the support of other emplo yees in the company. Richards on the other hand deals with revenue generation which is an individual effort and feels that she bears the brunt. Whenever she is in the office, she feels Simon and Stephen feel that she should be outside selling projects. As a result, Richards feels that what she has done for the company is not appreciated and Simon and Stephen feel that the internal management of the company they are concerned with has a greater value than what Richards does. Differences have been growing everyday between Richards and her three partners in the company. This has been heightened by the fact that the three partners have been conducting secret meetings to strategize on how to throw Richards out of the company. Simon and Stephen have constituted a projects delivery team that is comprised of young individuals in their early 20s while Richards is in her mid 30s. This group bonds very well and after office, they go clubbing while Richards does not. This makes her an outsider in her own company. As the firm continues to grow in the presence of younger staff, the skills-set has been broken down. Richard’s idea of focusing on strategy-based assignments which bring in more dollars per assignment has been highly contested by the other partners. Simon and Stephen feel that the strategy is too competitive and Oncidium lacks the resources and skills to measure up to the standards of well established and financially stable consultancies.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From the financial statements, it is evident that Oncidium Business Consulting has been registering remarkable growth since 2005. The firm therefore has potential for continued growth in the future if the current problems are comprehensively addressed. The firm has strong capital base as portrayed by the revenue collected in the financial statement. However, there is need to regulate the equities and liabilities since they seem to go up every subsequent year. This is not a good sign because it might destabilize the firm. Generally, the profits of the firm portray an impressive potential since there is increment in every subsequent year. It is important for Richards and her partners to work together for the sake of the success of the firm. The following are some of the recommendations that may be useful in a bid to resolve the current standoff in the firm. The first recommendation is that Richards should hold a meeting with the rest of the partners and discuss with them the concerns that make her feel no longer comfortable in the firm. The second recommendation is that Richards should contact her advisory team and inform it of the current situation in the firm for appropriate advice on how to approach the matter. The third recommendation is that a review of the nature of the roles of each one of them should be reviewed. The fourth recommendation is that a strict and open system should be put in place to determine who should join the firm. Richards should also be involved in selecting individuals who join the firm. The sixth recommendation is that she could consider the short gun clause in the partnership agreement and leave the firm. The best recommendation is to conduct a review of the roles and responsibilities of all the partners in the firm. This includes reviewing the practicality of the metrics set for each partner. The best way to do this is to conduct the advisors of the firm and hold a meeting with all the partners. Since the advisors are knowledgeable people in such matters they can advise on the most appropriate course of action in such situations. They would also reiterate on the importance of valuing the input of all the partners in the firm. This case study on Oncidium Business Consulting Case Analysis was written and submitted by user Jeram1ah to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Report On Service Quality Of Remington Hotel Essays

Report On Service Quality Of Remington Hotel Essays Report On Service Quality Of Remington Hotel Paper Report On Service Quality Of Remington Hotel Paper Expectancy-disinformation theory postulates that customer forms their satisfaction with a service as a result Of subjective comparison between their expectation and perceptions (Oh 1 999, up. 68-70). In this case study, the author will investigate the gaps in the service quality in Remington Hotel. The five main dimensions of the services will be measured on SERIAL scale to understand where gaps exist between expectation and perception of the customers. The author will also discuss reasons behind gaps and recommendations. Gaps in service quality as observed from Spenders complaint Knowledge AP (Gap 1) The non- availability of hotels airport facility in night hours was a simple expectation of Mr.. Spencer, which was not fulfilled. The gap visibly exists in knowledge of the Remington Hotel management who does not understand what service a customer expects from the hotels airport facility in night hours. A customer with delayed flight will expect airport facility to safely pick up the guests from airport to the hotel. Paranormal teal (1 985, up. 2-45) described this as Gap 1 -a gap between consumer expectation and management perception of those expectation. The absence of physical agility is a tangible evidence of incompetent service quality of the hotel. Knowledge gap can be due to incorrect market research, lack of feedback and too many organizational layers (Grazing 2007, up. 86-89). Standards gap (Gap 2) The example of gap of management perception and service quality specifications/standards was evid ent when there was only one desk left for registration at 11 PM while about 12 guests were waiting in queue. Management was not able to provide standard and prompt services to customers coming in night hours. Management understands expectations but as no system, which will deliver quality service as desired by the customers. Standards gap is due to faulty planning, bad management, lack of goals, and insufficient support and resources (Grazing 2007, up. 86-89). Delivery gap (Gap) is the difference between what managers have defined as standards of service quality and the way how a service was actually delivered (Belles 2011 , up. 42-43). There is a brazen example of gap in delivery of the service quality in Remington Hotel when Spencer with his wife and sleeping years old child, needed a luggage assistant to take his luggage to the room which is AR away in next building in night hours. Communication gap (Gap 4) represents variation between delivered service and what customer was actually told about the service itself. Mr.. Spencer was informed about the availability of airport facility in night hours but it was not clearly mentioned that the service is nit available in night hours. Communication gap occurs if communication is not integrated with services or if there is tendency to exaggerate the promises (Grazing 2007, up. 86-89). Gap in services (Gap 5) was evident when the desk clerk did many errors in providing the keys of rooms ND room allotment. Another desk clerk did not show courtesy to register the customers who approached just before her going off time. Gap 5 refers to difference between customers expectations regarding the service and their perception after the service (Belles 2011, up. 42-43). First priority dimension of service Madeline should certainly focus first on responsiveness dimension of service. Madeline witnessed on the very first day that there were heavy crowd of about 100 guests and guides in the lobby waiting for check in. To wait for 40 minutes in lobby for mere registration and check in was annoying for the customers. The maxim the first impression is the last impression -holds true. Responsiveness means the willingness and readiness of the employees to provide prompt service, which was not appreciable in the hotel. The other dimensions that need attentions are assurance and empathy, which are related with knowledge, positive attitudes and courtesy of the employees. Humanity is the dimension of service, which is provided to preserve dignity and self -respect of the client (Grazing 2007, up. 86-89). The customers trust and confidence in the service will be strengthened with polite and courteous attitudes of the employees. It was a very unwelcoming scene when a desk clerk was in hurry to leave the work without paying attention towards the guests waiting in a long queue. The lack of courtesy creates lack of trust in customers mind. Measuring gaps in customers expectations and perceptions After finding the expectation data, it was possible for Madeline to measure the existing gaps in expectation and the perception. The gaps were seen as higher in two dimensions: Reliability and Responsiveness. Madeline should deal with improvement is responsiveness first, as it affects the clients immediately and directly after their entrance into the hotel. It was important to avoid scene Of disorder, disappointment and tension in the lobby and hotel. The gap between perception and expectation in tangible dimension is -0. , in reliability ;0. 7, in responsiveness -0. 7, in empathy -0. 2 and in assurance O. Thus, dissatisfaction is observed in 4 out of 5 dimensions but it is highest in two dimensions (reliability and responsiveness). Madeline should investigate the reason for low expectations from hotel regarding assurance and empathy dimensions. Low expectation is not a healthy sign for a large size hotel. Important information to collect Madeline should also get information about employees satisfaction, recruitment procedures, retention, schedule, training and motivation in the Remington Hotel. Madeline should find out how efficient the internal and external communications are. The feedback from staff and clients, participation of the staff in planning are equally important. She should also examine what the lofty promises are made by the hotels that are not met. This will minimize the dissatisfaction due to the communication gap. For example, availability or non-availability of airport services in night hours should be visibly mentioned in the external communication. The gaps appear due to many constraints and fluctuations in demands (Paranormal et al 1 985, p. 45). There are other attributes such as imprecise standards, short distribution channel, face-to-face interaction, fluctuating demands and clustered peak periods posing hurdles in quality service care. Customer satisfaction also depends on additional elements like price, personal and situational factors that may occur during the service supply (Boon-ITT 2012, p. 52-53). Important points to ponder in improving the service quality Management should understand and fulfill the customers demands. Resolving the complaints make the customer more loyal to the hotel than those who never complained. Designing of services should be according to the identified customers demand, such as appointing luggage assistance in night hours and having more front desks to deal with crowd of customers. Suitable people and technology should be applied. Proper recruiting, training and motivation can improve the functional dimension of service quality. Awarding the employees should be introduced (Belles 2011). Only realistic promises through suitable channel should be communicated. Horizontal and vertical communication inside the organization should be established. All employees should participate in quality research. The attitude of guests and employees can be studied simultaneously (Belles 201 1 , p. 51). The positive attitudes of employees enhance customers loyalty therefore best employees should be employed. Employees behavior and attitude can influence customers perception of satisfaction (Briggs 2007, up. 006-1019; Moll and Josh 201 1, up. 19-24). The physical evidence (tangible) signifies the commitment of the management and improves the overall experience of the customers (Briggs 2007, up. 1006-1019).

Monte Alban - Capital City of the Zapotec Civilization

Monte Alban - Capital City of the Zapotec Civilization Monte Albn is the name of the ruins of an ancient capital city, located in a strange place: on the summit and shoulders of a very high, very steep hill in the middle of the semiarid valley of Oaxaca, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. One of the most well-studied archaeological sites in the Americas, Monte Alban was the capital of the Zapotec culture from 500 B.C.E. to 700 C.E., reaching a peak population of over 16,500 between 300–500 C.E. The Zapotecs were maize farmers, and made distinctive pottery vessels; they traded with other civilizations in Mesoamerica including Teotihuacan and the Mixtec culture, and perhaps the classic period Maya civilization. They had a market system, for the distribution of goods into the cities, and like many Mesoamerican civilizations, built ball courts for playing ritual games with rubber balls. Chronology 900–1300 C.E. (Epiclassic/Early Postclassic, Monte Albn IV), Monte Alban collapses about 900 C.E., Oaxaca Valley with a more dispersed settlement500–900 C.E. (Late Classic, Monte Albn IIIB), slow decline of Monte Alban, as it and other cities are established as independent city-states, influx of Mixtec groups into the valley250–500 C.E. (Early Classic period, Monte Albn IIIA), Golden Age of Monte Alban, architecture in the main plaza formalized; Oaxaca barrio established at Teotihuacan150 B.C.E.–250 C.E. (Terminal Formative, Monte Albn II), unrest in the valley, rise of the Zapotec state with the center at Monte Albn, city covered about 416 hectares (1,027 acres), with a population of 14,500500–150 B.C.E. (Late Formative, Monte Alban I), Oaxaca valley integrated as a single political entity, city increased to 442 ha (1,092 ac), and population of 17,000, well beyond its ability to feed itself500 B.C.E. (Middle Formative), Monte Alban founded by param ount rulers from San Jose Mogote and others in the Etla valley, site covers about 324 ha (800 ac), population of about 5,000 people The earliest city associated with the Zapotec culture was San Josà © Mogotà ©, in the Etla arm of the Oaxaca Valley and founded about 1600-1400 B.C.E. Archaeological evidence suggests that conflicts arose in San Josà © Mogotà © and other communities in the Etla valley, and that city was abandoned about 500 B.C.E., at the same time that Monte Albn was founded. Founding Monte Alban The Zapotecs built their new capital city in a strange place, probably partly as a defensive move resulting from unrest in the valley. The location in the valley of Oaxaca is on the top of a tall mountain far above and in the middle of three populous valley arms. Monte Alban was far from the nearest water, 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away and 400 meters (1,300 feet) above, as well as any agricultural fields that would have supported it. Chances are that Monte Albans residential population was not permanently located here.   A city located so far away from the major population it serves is called a disembedded capital, and Monte Albn is one of very few disembedded capitals known in the ancient world. The reason the founders of San Jose moved their city to the top of the hill may have included defense, but perhaps also a bit of public relations- its structures can be seen in many places from the valley arms. Rise and Fall Monte Albans golden age corresponds with the Maya Classic period, when the city grew,  and maintained trade and political relationships with many regional and coastal territories. Expansionist trade relationships included Teotihuacan, where people born in the Oaxaca valley took up residence in a neighborhood, one of several ethnic barrios in that city. Zapotec cultural influences have been noted in Early Classic Puebla sites east of modern-day Mexico City and as far as the gulf coast state of Veracruz, although direct evidence for Oaxacan people living in those locations has not as yet been identified. The power centralization at Monte Alban decreased during the Classic period when an influx of Mixtec populations arrived. Several regional centers such as Lambityeco, Jalieza, Mitla, and Dainzà º-Macuilxà ³chitl rose to become independent city-states by the Late Classic/Early Postclassic periods. None of these matched Monte Albans size at its height. Monumental Architecture at Monte Alban The site of Monte Albn has several memorable extant architectural features, including pyramids, thousands of agricultural terraces, and long deep stone staircases. Also still to be seen today are Los Danzantes, over 300 stone slabs carved between 350–200 B.C.E., featuring life-sized figures which appear to be portraits of slain war captives. Building J, interpreted by some scholars as an astronomical observatory, is a very odd structure indeed, with no right angles on the exterior building- its shape may have been intended to represent an arrowpoint- and a maze of narrow tunnels in the interior. Monte Albns Excavators and Visitors Excavations at Monte Albn have been conducted by Mexican archaeologists Jorge Acosta, Alfonso Caso, and Ignacio Bernal, supplemented by surveys of the Valley of Oaxaca by US archaeologists Kent Flannery, Richard Blanton, Stephen Kowalewski, Gary Feinman, Laura Finsten, and Linda Nicholas. Recent studies include bioarchaeological analysis of skeletal materials, as well as an emphasis on the collapse of Monte Alban and the Late Classic reorganization of the Oaxaca Valley into independent city-states. Today the site awes visitors, with its enormous rectangular plaza with pyramid platforms on the east and west sides. Massive pyramid structures mark the north and south sides of the plaza, and the mysterious Building J lies near its center. Monte Alban was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.   Sources: Cucina A, Edgar H, and Ragsdale C. 2017. Oaxaca and its neighbors in Prehispanic times: Population movements from the perspective of dental morphological traits. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 13:751-758. ï » ¿Faulseit RK. 2012. State collapse and household resilience in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico. Latin American Antiquity 23(4):401-425. Feinman G, and Nicholas LM. 2015. After Monte Alban in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca: A reassessment. In: Faulseit RK, editor. Beyond Collapse: Archaeological Perspectives on Resilience, Revitalization, and Transformation in Complex Societies. Carbondale: Southern Illinios University Press. p 43-69. Higelin Ponce de Leà ³n R, and Hepp GD. 2017. Talking with the dead from southern Mexico: Tracing bioarchaeological foundations and new perspectives in Oaxaca. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 13:697-702. Redmond EM, and Spencer CS. 2012. Chiefdoms at the threshold: The competitive origins of the primary state. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 31(1):22-37.

Strategic issues in banking and insurance Essay

Strategic issues in banking and insurance - Essay Example In developed world where most of the sector is de-regulated and enjoy substantial degree of freedom and autonomy, political influences may not be there however, in developing countries, this may not be the case. Developing countries do not have very well grown financial sector and most of the institutions are either directly owned or controlled by the government themselves or governments have the substantial share in them. This allows the government to largely influence the banks especially to engage into practices which may not be in direct interest of the deposit holders of those banks. The era after 9/11 have seen a new shift into the industry in terms of influence of political forces on it. The anti-money laundering rules, terrorist funding etc were some of the key strategic issues which put extra pressures on the banks and insurance companies to devise methods and strategies which can effectively help in tackling issues like illegal money laundering, channeling of funds through SWIFT etc to the supposedly terrorist organizations etc. The current economic trends especially the crisis emerged due to the subprime mortgages is considered now as one of the great strategic challenge faced by most of the players in the financial sector industry. Subprime mortgages are considered as the threat which has largely been created by the banks themselves as they tend to violate their own prudent lending policies in order to capture the market. This has therefore provided them an opportunity to earn at the cost of incurring high cost. â€Å"Sub-Prime lending typically has been characterized as lending at relatively costly interest rates and fees to credit impaired or otherwise high risk borrowers.† (Lax, Manti and Raca). Subprime loans are among the newly popular mortgage products, such as interest-only loans, for people with strained budgets, including first-time buyers. Homeowners increasingly use them to refinance and consolidate household debts

West Nile Virus Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

West Nile Virus - Research Paper Example Over the next few years, this virus had spread across the whole of North America and the Caribbean, increasing the risk of new infections. While this virus does not commonly affect human beings, cases of infections are on the increase as this virus spreads globally. The first step, in the contamination process, takes place when a female mosquito bites an infected bird. This mosquito obtains the virus while consuming the bird’s blood and in the process, the virus is passed on to it. The infected female mosquito then spreads the virus through their bites to humans and most of the infections occur among the elderly and people who have impaired immune systems. There is also a high possibility of this virus to be spread to those people who live in areas where there are mosquitoes. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, people who get the virus display mild symptoms as fever, headaches, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands, but in cases where the virus enters the brain however; it can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Most of the deaths caused by WNV have been among birds with few human cases, an example of which is in 2009, where there were 720 human cases of the disease in the United States amongst, which only thirty-two were fatal. There are currently no vaccines or treatments for the human WNV disease and now, scientists have accelerated the research on developing the tools necessary for its treatment and prevention. According to Margulies (47), the best way to prevent the virus is by continuously testing for it so that it can be detected early and steps taken to prevent its further spread. Furthermore, it is advisable to frequently used mosquito repellent on exposed skin so that the possibility of being bitten is reduced. Those living in areas where mosquitoes of any species

Tyler Mcallister Essay Example for Free

Tyler Mcallister Essay In the last few years he has been in and out of more allergy doctor offices than he can count. Not to mention the fact that he has nightmares ever since his father died. If that werent enough, his mother and brother are both successful movie stars who are often off on location for long periods of time. The last thing he wanted was to go to a forbidden quarry and find a dead body. But that is exactly what happens to him while there with his friend Lymie. This is just the beginning of bad luck for a boy named Tyler McAllister. Tyler McAllister is very skinny and weak. Mostly because he is a vegetarian. He has a very rebellious nature. This could possibly be caused by not having his mom and brother there as much as he wants. It’s very strange that he rebels because he dislikes trouble. But he does in fact like solving mysteries. Believing in justice is one reason that Tyler likes solving mysteries. If you try to go against the law you must be punished for it. Another reason is when he starts at something he must finish it. Through almost the entire story Tyler is solving little mysteries that lead up to solving the biggest mystery of all. Who killed the janitor Bobby? For a kid who doesn’t like trouble, lately he has been getting in it a lot. He’s discovered places that he probably should not have been in. Like the forbidden quarry where he found the janitor’s body. He even got sent to the principal’s office for talking back to the teacher after falling asleep in class. Tyler McAllister is a skinny, rebellious, mystery solving guy. Who doesn’t take no for an answer. His personality helps him solve the mystery of Bobby’s death. Then at the end of The Trouble with Lemons Tyler McAllister finally gets the birthday he wants. By: Tori Bakeman

Shipping and the Great Barrier Reef Essay -- Trade Nature Conservation

Shipping and the Great Barrier Reef Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is an unparalleled marine ecosystem that holds rank as one of the world’s most valuable natural wonders. The abundance of sea life offers both intrinsic and physical benefits, but unfortunately this extraordinary habitat is now threatened from several different angles. One of the greatest threats to the GBR is the presence of popular shipping routes which surround and penetrate the reef. These ships naturally pollute the GBR, but the severest danger lies in the possibility of wrecks spilling oil or other hazardous cargos. History offers many examples of shipwrecks with outcomes that could have been devastating although there has not yet been a major disaster. These events have helped to inspire various regulations aiming to curb the risk of any major incident. Nevertheless, there still remains more room for protective measures in order to insure the safety of such an irreplaceable treasure. The Great Barrier Reef The GBR formed about 9,000 years ago during the last interglacial period. As with other coral reefs, it is based upon the structure of billions of coral polyps, and the GBR is the longest coral reef system ever to exist. It is consequently the largest structure created by living creatures and so massive that it can be viewed from outer space (Guynup p.22). The GBR includes 2,900 separate reefs and hundreds various islands and cays. The GBR stretches over 2,000 kilometers up the coast of Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), established in 1975, includes nearly 350,000 square kilometers, which is over half the area covered by all of the protected areas in mainland Australia (Chadwick and Storrie p.1, CRC p.1).... ...w.gbrmpa.gov.au/ Guynup, Sharon. 2000. â€Å"Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.† Science World, 57(1): 22-23. Johns, Gary. 2002. â€Å"The Four Corners of the Reef: Investigative Journalism or Environmental Activism.† Institute of Public Affairs, 54(2): 10-11. Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Protection of the Great Barrier Reef: Report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation, November 1985. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra: 1985. Queensland Transport – News: â€Å"Maritime Safety Legislation Passed by Parliament,† 31 July 2002. Queensland Transport & the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, â€Å"Oil Spill Risk Assessment for the Coastal Waters of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park†: August 2000. Wright, Judith, The Coral Battleground. Thomas Nelson, Melbourne: 1977.

National Implications: Historical View of Black School

This study by Drs. James E. Ginn, J D Gregory Jr., Henry North, and Leola Robinson based partially on the studies done by Raymond J. Lockett and George M. Vincent in Louisiana and Mississippi respectively. As with Lockett’s and Vincent’s researches, the authors of the study in scrutiny wanted to outline the social, economic, and political profile of the Black school board members, this time in Texas. As the authors reiterate, they were not gearing for a full replication of the Lockett and Vincent articles. Instead, their main purpose is to map out any possible trends with regards to choosing Black school members. Using the same questionnaire devised by Lockett for his Louisiana Black school board member study, with just minor modifications to suit those in Texas, Ginn et. al were able to survey 79% of the Black school board members in Texas, as listed in the Black Elected Officials: A National Roster. Basically, the study resulted in an enumeration of the personal characteristics, motivational factors, and attitudes on social changes of those currently elected African-American school board members. Also in the conclusion was a revelation of which sectors provide the biggest financial and moral support for Black electorates plus the strategies of these Black members in implementing social change. True enough, Dr. Ginn et. al’s paper was successful in its aim to produce a profile but it failed to state any trends in relation to the conclusions made by Lockett and Vincent, except with the motivational factors in regarding candidacy. As Dr. Ginn et. al’s paper reveals, Texan Black school board members deem the improvement of the school system as the topmost reason for seeking office, unlike Louisianan Black school board members who listed that as only the second most important reason. For the Blacks in Louisiana, the prestige that comes with the office is the primary reason to be in the school board. Those in Mississippi, on the other hand, think that the improvement of the African-American race is what matters. With the other aspects uncovered by the research, though, this comparison and contrast with the results of the Louisiana and Mississippi results was missing. But aside from that obvious slight, there were other parts of the study that must be called to attention. The authors of â€Å"National Implications†¦Ã¢â‚¬  failed to present the tables of the survey result and provide a satisfactory description of the results. They loved using the word â€Å"likely†, which tends to weaken the foundation of their results. The first two paragraphs under the heading â€Å"Results of the Study- Personal Characteristics† mentioned the word â€Å"likely† seven times in fifteen sentences. Mentioning exact figures would have been better for it could have solidified the claims of the authors. Another thing that I can critique with the paper is the authors’ assumption that their readers are already well-aware of what is written in their sources’ works. They have failed to describe at least minimally what their sources are talking about. One glaring example is the part where they mention that â€Å"Tyres Hillway and Nunnery and Kimbrough listed several advantages of the mail questionnaire† yet failed to list what these advantages are. It would have been better if their endnotes at least contained a description of the findings of their references. Yet, despite these research results blunders, the article was able to provide some useful insights. In my opinion, the article had the potential of being relevant for those who wants to look into mapping out preferences in school board members – black or white. Dr. Ginn et. al’s research can be the starting point of laying down reasons as to why school board members are elected into their position. Perhaps the most important thing that can be picked up from the said research is the gems about the African-Americans. The research made use of sources and variables that were true in 1985 and before. At that time, the roles of Black Americans are still delineated and everyone was still pretty much adjusting to the integration of the races. But as true as the results may be in the time the study was conducted, I can say that times have changed immensely. The article by Dr. Ginn et. al made me appreciate just how progressive America has become. A lot of efforts have been done to ensure that the country provide equal opportunities to both African-Americans and Caucasians. Whereas before, Blacks are still being â€Å"pushed† to run for political power and promote the welfare of their race, today it is already to common to have the African-Americans represented in political office. There are still the occasional discriminatory remarks and acts, but these are no longer accepted and are now condemned. Also, almost everyone is now well-adjusted to the integration of blacks and whites. Yes, we have come to an era where discriminations is something we do not tolerate. The African-Americans’ are proving that they are viable leaders and are capable of holding an important position. And despite the limitations of â€Å"National Implications: Historical View of Black School Board Members of the State of Texas Until 1985†, it was important in making me realize that times have really changed†¦for good.

Legalizing weed

THESIS STATEMENT: Legalizing marijuana proves to have more beneficial effects or consequences on our society as a whole than banning it, as could be proved by other countries wherein purchase of marijuana is legalized.Legalizing marijuana had been one of the most controversial issues on many societies. Marijuana could be obtained from a plant named â€Å"cannabis sativa†. Marijuana’s most dynamic element is delta tetrahyddrocannibino or simply THC. THC is the one responsible for the way people gets high once they used marijuana. Marijuana is called in a number of ways such as grass, mary jane, smoke, pot, weed, etc.   Most people have certain connotation that marijuana is something which is bad and harmful. Most think of marijuana as nothing but illegal drugs. However, marijuana also has its medical uses which would be discussed later on this paper. There is also wide range belief that marijuana could either make or break a person. If marijuana is used on medicinal pu rposes only then the results are considered helpful but when used for other reasons then the result would be harmful. These claims would all be tested on this paper. The main question would be whether legalizing marijuana would cause more positive or negative effects on the individuals using it as well as on the society as a whole.ARGUMENT ON LIBERTYMany people condemn the use of marijuana because of its harmful effects on the society as well as on the individuals living in that particular society. It is basically because of the people’s fear of the harmful consequences of marijuana on which they argue that cannabis sativa be banned. The prohibition of using marijuana is often supported with claims like legalizing it would cause serious harm on our society especially on young adults. There are claims that most people under the age of 18 may have open access on marijuana. Another factor is some people beliefs that even people whose 18 years of age and above often do not know t he consequences of their actions and thus they could not decide for their own selves. There are claims that continuous use of marijuana would result to violence and in this regard marijuana really ought to be banned.First and foremost, an argument using John Stuart Mill as well as the liberals’ point of view regarding freedom is due on this paper. Mill strongly believes that the state as well as the other people does not have any right whatsoever to interfere with other people’s businesses unless the said people’s activities prove to be harmful on the society or on other individual. Not simply because other people find’s one action to be offensive or not to that person’s liking it already follow that that person has a right to limit or to prohibit other people from doing exactly what they please. For one, Person A may not find marijuana to his liking and thus vow to never use it, however, not simply because Person A does not like marijuana it alrea dy follows that he could prohibit Person B from using marijuana.The state could also not intrude on Person’s B’s freedom to smoke marijuana provided that Person B does not cause the state or the state’s individual any harm. There are arguments which state that most people who use marijuana gets violent and thus marijuana should be prohibited. In a way marijuana could be likened to alcoholic beverages. There are people who tend to get violent once they get drunk but most people often just go home after drinking and then they go to sleep. Thus, if alcohol could be legalized then why is it that marijuana ought to be banned? Violent person tends to get more violent once they get drunk, and such is also the case with marijuana. Marijuana makes a person feels high but it does not make a person violent as long as you are not inherently a violent person.ARGUMENT ON COST AND FAILUREOn terms of cost to the government there are people who believe that once marijuana is leg alized a lot of people would have open access to the drug thus heightening the likelihood that more people would have to go to rehabilitation centers in order to cure them of their addiction. These people argue that expenses used on rehabilitation centers are supported by people’s taxes thus legalizing marijuana would be an additional burden for the rest of the society. However, these arguments do not really prove to be valid, and often they are found to be unsupported or based on very shaky grounds of argumentation added to the fact that prohibition of the use of marijuana is not really effective.Most countries and individuals do not really support the legalization of marijuana especially since they consider marijuana as harmful. Marijuana may be harmful but so is cigarette and alcohol and yet cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are legal for use. With the endless efforts of the government to hunt or to track down people who uses and who traffic marijuana on the country peopl es taxes just go to waste. In contrast to the arguments of those who are not in favor of legalizing marijuana on the basis that rehabilitation centers costs a lot and is a burden to the society as a whole, pro legalization of marijuana would argue that the endless efforts of the government and of other individuals to prohibit the use of marijuana is what really costs a lot of money.The endless campaign against drugs, the imprisoning of good people who just happened to like using marijuana in spite of their being peaceful, these are all a waste of time and money. Compared to other drugs marijuana is not that harmful and marijuana is just as addicting as cigarettes and alcohol yet these two are not prohibited by the government (Weinstein, 1999). Besides, if we would look at it in a certain way we would see that everything around us is indeed harmful once taken in excess. For one, high caloric foods got harmful effects on our body yet they are not banned. In a way marijuana is just lik e those foods with high calorie, and excess use of it could have harmful effects on one’s body yet when it comes to eating the government does not really imprison people who eat in excess.Aside from that instead of wasting the government’s resources as well as the people’s taxes on chasing marijuana sellers and users, the government should instead legalize the use of marijuana and earn profit from it by putting taxes on the sells of it. Should truth be told the government is just making marijuana traffickers richer by illegalizing it in spite of the fact that they could not really stop the use of marijuana no matter what they do. People still use marijuana in spite of it being illegal and the government is spending money on the prohibition of it without earning anything in return, thus, they must reverse their strategy and earn profits from marijuana and spend most of their time and resources on chasing the real harmful criminals such as killers, robbers, etc.AR GUMENT ON ADDICTION AND IGNORANCEThere are people who fight the legalization of marijuana to the extent. In spite of the medicinal uses of marijuana these people still do not wish to legalize it due to certain arguments like patients would rely more on marijuana to alleviate their pain instead of on normal medical procedures. This particular belief was mostly caused by their belief that marijuana is addicting. Just like all drugs they believe that marijuana is addicting and thus it would be hard to quit once you started using it especially since it causes withdrawal syndromes. Additional factor is their belief that legalizing marijuana would heighten the numbers of people using it.The reason why many people turn against marijuana and why they dislike it so much is mainly due to their ignorance. Many people views marijuana as addictive and they believe that it causes harmful effects on individuals. During the late 1930s marijuana was assumed to be some kind of a narcotic mainly becau se they were mostly used by people who use narcotics such as opium and the like without making any effort at all to conduct a research on the real effects of marijuana. The government tried to fight marijuana by being silent and giving harsh penalties believing that by doing so they could protect their youths from being corrupted by marijuana. However, silence resulted to ignorance resulting people to believe the worse on marijuana.As mentioned earlier people believed that marijuana is addictive. Yet a research conducted by Dr. Jack Henningfield and Dr. Neal Benowits proved that marijuana is not really addictive. They proved that cigarettes and alcohols are in fact more addicting than marijuana. It was also proven that marijuana does not cause any withdrawal syndromes on those people who wish to quit from using it (Wikman, 2000). Also in regards to others belief that legalizing marijuana would increase the people using it, Holland would be the finest example to rebut that claim. Mar ijuana was already legalized in Holland since 1976 and since that time the number of people using marijuana decreased by 40%. Other states in America which also legalized the use of marijuana did not show any proof that legalizing marijuana would increase the number of people using it (Meiners, 2000).CONCLUSIONOverall this paper gave sufficient evidences that the legalization of marijuana would more likely cause positive effects on the society than negative ones. Study showed that marijuana is not really effective and that alcohol and nicotine is in fact more addictive and more harmful than marijuana. Also, anything in excess is bad and thus marijuana should be blamed for people’s misbehavior because even when someone does not smoke marijuana yet he drinks a lot then it would also surely cause harmful effects on that person’s body. Another point is that not since you views something as distasteful it would also necessitate that that person would abide by your rules and would quit doing what he wants to do especially if it does not cause any harm on the society and on the individual living on it. The government should also focus their attentions more on more serious crimes than the usage of marijuana. The government should also try to earn profit from the sells of marijuana to better help the nation. Marijuana is nothing really serious especially if not taken in excess thus, marijuana ought to be legalized.References:Wikman, Eric. â€Å"Legalization of Marijuana.† 2000.Meiners, Roger E. The Legal Environment of Business Cincinnati: Ohio South Western CollegePublishing, 2000.Weinstein, Sanford. The Educator’s Guide to Substance Abuse Prevention Mahwah, N.J.Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Incorporated, 1999.

The Birth of Johnson and Johnson Company Essays

The Birth of Johnson and Johnson Company Essays The Birth of Johnson and Johnson Company Paper The Birth of Johnson and Johnson Company Paper Essay Topic: The Birth Mark In the mid-1880’s the development of the first ready-made and ready to use surgical dressing marked the birth of a company, Johnson and Johnson. This new product was based on a surgical concept that led to the reduction of infection and disease to patients. It all started with Robert Wood Johnson who studied surgeon Sir Joseph Lister. Sir Joseph Lister had new idea about airborne germs that were the source of infections in operating rooms. After hearing Lister speak Robert Wood Johnson played with the idea and how to use Lister’s teaching. He had the idea of surgical dressings, ready made, sterile, wrapped, and sealed in individual packages. They would be perfect for instant use without the risk of infections. In 1885 Robert Wood Johnson joined with his two brothers James Wood and Edward Mead Johnson and created a partnership. By 1886 the three men started a small operation in New Brunswick, N.J. with fourteen employees. They were in the fourth floor of an old wallpaper factory. In 1887 the Company became incorporated and entered the surgical dressings industry. Johnson and Johnson’s first products were medicinal plasters with medical compounds mixed in adhesive. They worked at improving products and thinking of new ones. Then the company designed a soft absorbent cotton and gauze dressing that could be mass produced and shipped in great quantity to hospitals. 1897 was the year that the company found it’s slogan â€Å"The Most Trusted Name in Surgical Dressing.† This came from their new sterilization processes, which used steam and pressure. Over the years Johnson and Johnson has become to enjoy product diversification. In 1921 they came out with Band Aid Brand Adhesive Bandaged and Johnson’s Baby cream. As the Company grew in products and size they started organizing individual divisions. The manufacture of disposible surgical packs and gowns became Surgikos Inc., and now called Johnson Johnson Medical. In 1994 Johnson Johnson had the addition of the Neutrogena Corporation which dealt with skin and hair care products. From 1989-99 the company made 45 aquisitions of companies and product lines. Today Johnson Johnson has become worldwide with 190 companies and marketing health care products in more than 175 countries. Companies with more than 99,000 employees also produce products that serve a broad range of medical needs,which range from baby care products to pharmaceuticals. Johnson Johnson has become the world’s most broadly based maufacturer of health care products. Stock Analysis On September 25, 1944 Johnson Johnson went public. Their opening stock price was three cents a share with 1,106.8 net share outstanding. Over the years as Johnson Johnson has grown their stock has gone through many splits and has become more valuable. Since 1944 the value of the Johnson Johnson stock has gone from $.03 to $101.05. The yearly dividend in 1998 was $0.97 with 1,344.1 net shares outstanding. A stock split means that there are more shares created that are available to the public but have the same initial pay off. On May 21, 1996 Johnson Johnson had a 2 for 1 split . On April 17, 1970 they experienced a 3 for 1 split. This means that for every single share owned you now would own 3. Johnson Johnson has had some of the most money invested from 1994-1999 in their stock. Being compared to competitors such as S P diversified Health care. This graph shows the years from 1994-1999. Industry Analysis Johnson Johnson manufactures and sells a broad range of products in the health care field in many countries of the world. The worldwide business is divided into three segments: Consumer and Pharmaceutical. Johnson Johnson has so many subsidiaries and diversity in products that it is hard to have strong competition. Johnson Johnson can be found all over the healthcare industry. The Consumer segments principal products are personal care and hygienic products, including nonprescription drugs, adult skin and hair care products, baby care products, oral care products, first aid products and sanitary protection products. Major brands include Aveeno skin care products; Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages; Benecol food products; Carefree Panty Shields; Clean ; Clear teen skin care products; Imodium A-D, an antidiarrheal; Johnsons Baby line of products; Johnsons pH 5.5 skin and hair care products; Lactaid lactose-intolerance products; Monistat, a remedy for vaginal yeast infections; adult and childrens Motrin IB ibuprofen products; Mylanta gastrointestinal products and Pepcid AC Acid Controller from the Johnson Johnson Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co.; Neutrogena skin and hair care products; o.b. Tampons; Penaten and Natusan baby care products; Piz Buin and Sundown sun care products; Reach toothbrushes; RoC skin care products; Shower to Shower persona! l care products; Stayfree sanitary protection products; and the broad family of Tylenol acetaminophen products. Some main competitors of the personal hygiene sector are Colgate-Palmolive co., The Consumer Health Group Co., These products are marketed principally to the general public and distributed both to wholesalers and directly to independent and chain retail outlets. The Pharmaceutical segments principal worldwide franchises are in the antifungal, anti-infective, cardiovascular, contraceptive, dermatology, immunology, neurology, oncology, pain management and psychotropic fields. These products are distributed both directly and through wholesalers for use by health care professionals and the general public. Prescription drugs in the antifungal field include Nizoral, Sporanox, Terazol and Daktarin antifungal products. Prescription drugs in the cardiovascular field include Retavase, and Reopro for the treatment of heart disease. Prescription drugs in the contraceptive field include Ortho-Novum and Tricilest group of oral contraceptives. Prescriptions drugs in the dermatology field include Retin-A Micro, a dermatological cream for acne. Some main competitors of the pharmaceutical industry are Abbot Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Avertis, and Pharmacia Corp. Most of these companies deal in the specialization of just pharmaceuticals. Johnson ; J! ohnson is a powerful player in this market which is an accomplishment providing that they have various areas of industry. Distribution to these markets is done both directly and through surgical supply and other dealers. **Bibliography** www.jnj.com

Act of Kindness

Realistic is a story on an act of kindness I did for this girl I didnt know to well. One day as I was walking home from my old school I saw this girl, she looked like a complete nerd someone I wouldnt normally talk to. She was walking home looking really sad, kind of like she had no one to talk to. I walked over to her and introduced myself and she also told me who she was; she said her name is Baby. She was carrying books in her hands and It looked heavy I asked her If I could help. She nodded and told me I was more then welcome. I walked her home that day. I asked ere If she would like to hang out sometime to call me and gave her my number, a few weeks later we were best friends. Months down the road she found out she was pregnant, this took me by surprise since I didnt even know she was dating anyone. The guy who got her pregnant walked out and hardly never came around. I could tell by the look on Babys face that she was pretty scared. I told her no mater what Ill always be there for her If she ever needed anything.The hardest part for her was to tell her parents she was pregnant. Her parents are the strict ones, that go to church every Sunday and doesnt allow their aught to have a boyfriend or anything. So trying to explain to her parents that she had got a boyfriend and had sexual intercourse with him behind there backs was going to be a tough situation. She didnt tell anyone for three months that she was pregnant,but it got down to where she had to say something since she was starting to show.Baby asked me if I could be there with her when she teller her parents on Thursday; I told her I could and that id be there Thursday at four oclock. Thursday came and I went to her house and as soon as she answered the door she started freaking out with panic. I told her to calm down everything will be fine and that if she wants me to tell her parents I would. She appreciated it and told me to tell her parents for her. As we started walking closer to her parents I told them that Baby had something she wanted to tell them.Her parents started getting worried and asked what this was about. I then told her parents that she was scared to tell them about hows she pregnant. Eve never seen anyones face look so furious in my entire life, They asked me to leave so they could talk as a family. Later that next week Babys parents called me and asked me to come over for dinner and talk with them about mouthing. I agreed and told them old be there shortly. As I rushed to get dressed all I could think about was what they wanted to talk to me about, I began to get nervous. As I arrived and walked to the door my stomach dropped and then I knocked on the door. Babys parents answered the door and we sat down to eat. After we got done eating Abyss mom started to tell me how when I met Baby, baby wasnt In the best state of mind. I told them how already knew and how I talked her out of a bunch of things before and they thanked me. They both thanked me for being such a great friend to Baby, and to this day I help take care of Babys daughter. Act of Kindness By austerities carrying books in her hands and it looked heavy I asked her if I could help.She her if she would like to hang out sometime to call me and gave her my number, a few face that she was pretty scared. I told her no mater what ill always be there for her if something. I agreed and told them id be there shortly. As I rushed to get dressed all I As I arrived and walked to the door my stomach dropped and then I knocked on the eating Babys mom started to tell me how when I met Baby, baby wasnt in the best state of mind.

Accord to the requirement Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accord to the requirement - Assignment Example These are like, â€Å"How many kids do you have?† and â€Å"Are you married’ A person silence in a business meeting discussion is acceptable in Japanese. This is a way of accepting the business deal. It means there is more troubling on my part as yet, though you need to take it. This way in the video the client failure to utter a word in five minutes during the business discussion meeting, implies its fine. Being silent in a conversation is not an issue in Japanese conversations. Then in the business meeting in Japanese context, one is not supposed ask personal questions like ‘Do you have kid or kids† or â€Å"Are you married†. This is only allowable in case you are acquainted to your business partner. From the previous discussion answers, it is clear that the difference between the Japanese behavioral communication and Japanese is where silence in business meeting in America means that the person is inadequate with the discussion with the counterpart. Additionally, asking private questions in America is normal part of any business conversation. On the other hand, the Japanese don’t entertain this in a business conversation. This is given that the business partners are not yet familiar with each other. The composition of Japanese teams as portrayed on the video is purely of Japan origin and most are female. On the contrary, the American team is composed or I presume from watching the video, people of different cultures and so of different origin. For the Japanese team, their reflection on the culture of organization is one. On the other hand, the American team got different reflections on their culture organization of the business they are representing. The use, of the first name in America is acceptable as a way of introducing oneself in a business meeting. On the other hand, this is not the case in the Japan where one is