Ebola A Harbinger Of The End Of The World Essays -

Ebola: A Harbinger Of The End Of The World English Honors Rewrite #2 Ebola: A Harbinger of the End of the World? Several years ago, a virus which originated in Africa swept the entire world killing millions. This virus is the commonly known HIV virus, the virus which causes the fatal AIDS disease. In the 1950's after virologists began the classification of viruses, isolated cases of what are called hot viruses began springing up around the world. Most of the deadly viruses were hemorrhagic fever viruses. Some different forms of hemorrhagic viruses are Hantaviruses, Arenaviruses, Flaviviruses, Bunyaviruses, and one of the most dangerous types of viruses, the filovirus. If one of these viruses, especially a filovirus such as Ebola, were to mutate it could concievalby be the end human existance on the planet. The first of the filoviruses was seen around 1967, identified as Marburg. It killed seven laboratory workers in Germany who were handling monkey blood. The next major filovirus emersion was in 1976. This virus was a more severe virus, Ebola Sudan. It swept across N'zara and Maridi in Sudan. That same year, a strand of Ebola called Ebola Zaire, killed nearly three-hundred people in Yambuku, Zaire. In 1976 Sudan was again hit by Ebola Sudan. More recently, in 1995 Ebola killed more than 200 people in Zaire. Surprisingly, Ebola has reached the United States before. In 1989, Ebola surfaced in a monkey house in Reston, Virginia. The strand of Ebola was called Ebola Reston. It seemed to be airborne, yet harmless to humans. This strain of Ebola was brought to the United States through the trading of monkeys for scientific purposes. (Johnson, as cited in Le Guenno,1995) Although it may not look like Ebola has done a lot of damage to the human race, take into consideration all of the viruses which are slightly less deadly than Ebola. Arenaviruses alone have killed more than one-hundred fifty people throughout the world in the last forty years. In two outbreaks, Rift Valley Fever, a Bunyavirus, infected nearly a quarter of a million people and 1000 of those infected died. Flaviruses and Hantaviruses have swept across most of Asia infecting millions of people for the last one-thousand years. It should be apparent that these viruses spread easier than Ebola but are not as deadly. Therefore, if one of these viruses was to mutate into a virus with a mortality rate similar to Ebola, it could put a dent in society. (Johnson, 1995) Currently Ebola is transmitted by contact with bodily fluids from an infected victim. For example, a doctor by the name of Sheth Musoke who worked in a Nairobi hospital in 1980, contracted Marburg when he was splashed with blood and vomit from a dying victim of Marburg. He was lucky enough to survive his ordeal with Marburg, for Marburg only has a twenty-five percent mortality rate. Most outbreaks of hemmorahagic fever viruses are triggered by the disruption of nature. For instance, in 1989, in a small Venezualian community cleared a forest to make way for more housing and commercial space. Within weeks Guarnarito, a Arenavirus, infected nearly one-hundred people in the town due to a fine dust of contaminated wood which settled over the town. Although most damage to the environment is brought on by humans, in 1993, after heavy snowfall and torrential rains Sin Nombre, a Hantavirus, broke out in New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada. With the extra rain and snow, grain crops flourished, but along with the grain came the deer mouse, a natural host of Sin Nombre. Sin Nombre infected one-hundred forteen people and killed fifty-eight. Some Hemorrhagic Fever viruses, mainly Bunyaviruses, are carried by mosquitoes. If a dam is built and the water level rises mosquito populations flourish. The action of damming a river caused an outbreak of Rift Valley fever, in 1970. Nearly 600 people died in that outbreak, and almost all of them were bitten by mosquitoes. It is not likely for Ebola to become transmitted by mosquitoes for they do not contain the appropriate proteins for Ebola to flourish. Also, if a mosquito was infected with Ebola it would die within hours due to its small size. So far Ebola has mutated into many different strains. Originally Ebola mutated from Marburg,

Criticism Of Anne Tyler Essays - Emotions, Positive Mental Attitude

Criticism Of Anne Tyler Essays - Emotions, Positive Mental Attitude Criticism Of Anne Tyler The Pursuit of True Happiness Anne Tyler has said that she uses the family unit to show how people manage to endure togetherhow they grate against each other, adjust, intrude, and protect themselves from intrusions, give up, and start all over again in the morning, (Applebee et al. 1007). From this quote, a reader can assume that Tyler encourages perseverance and courage. Life all too often presents challenges, but it is how you handle those challenges that matters. Throughout many of her fictional works, characters are placed in unsettling conditions that take a toll on their lives as a whole, usually in a negative way. These unhappy characters seek escape from familial relationships, marriages, and friendships in order to pursue a fantasy, leading to a better personal life. Quite often while reading Anne Tylers fiction, the reader is introduced to characters involved in tremulous relationships within the home. Many of the domestic interactions appear to be ridden with tumultuous and agitated feelings that fall along the brink of disaster. Once this occurs, the characters find escape from their situations in pursuit of a better personal life. One such character is Samuel Grinstead who appears in Ladder of Years. Sam comes from a very tightly reigned family where the decisions even those concerning his future, are primarily made by the parents. It is not as if they do not have good intentions, but they feel that the goals they have set for him should be the only ones he pursues. Sams parents feel that if he attends law school, he will attain the ideal life that they have planned for him. Sam has no such intentions; instead, he goes against his parents original intent and applies to medical school. He thus leaves home, and upon finishing school moves to Ro land Park where he joins a family practice. It is there that he meets his wife, Delia, and raises his family. Sam finds contentment in his decisions and does fulfill his dreams of success, but he does so on his own. He rebelled against his controlling parents because he had aspirations of his own; he had dreams that did not coincide with his parents, yet he did not let that hold him back. The end result is a life with no regrets and full of much happiness. Another character that feels restrained by his parents is Donny, who appears in the short story Teenage Wasteland. Donny feels restricted by his parents when it comes to his scholastic work. He often feels that they come down on him too hard and expect too much from him. When he is referred to a tutor due to poor grades he receives in school, the response seems to be a positive one. The tutor, Cal, provides a relatively restriction-free environment that appears to be like a club, but in due course does not benefit Donny in the least (Wasteland 1003). Even while with Cal, Donny struggles with school until ultimately he is expelled. A confrontation occurs with his parents, which results in his departure from home. Donny is never heard from again, and it can be presumed that he attains the life of freedom that he longed for. While running away from ones problems is not ever the best thing to do, for Donny it was his only option. Since he found no happiness from within his family nor fro m anything else in his town, he sought escape in order to attain a better life on his own. Yet another instance of a characters escape from a family situation is seen within Your Place Is Empty. Hassan Ardaui finds that living with his family in his native country of Iran is too consistent as well as conventional. He abandons his family along with his traditional Islamic beliefs that entail his remaining at home and raising his family alongside his mother and father, just as they had done before him. Hassan chooses instead to follow his own aspirations. He immigrates to America where he pursues a career as a doctor in a very prestigious hospital. Hassan, upon arriving in America, meets and falls in love with Elizabeth. They marry and move into the suburbs where they begin raising

Travel, Transport and Sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Travel, Transport and Sustainability - Essay Example One can ensure that they keep their vehicles properly maintained. It is a common scenario to see heavy soot coming out of exhaust pipes of some vehicles while others do not have such emissions. The reason for the formerly mentioned observation is because such cars have been improperly maintained and their car filters are at fault. If simple adjustments like that can be made, then fewer carbon imprints will be left and transportation can be considered sustainable. Individuals should also purchase and use vehicles that require less fuel. There are car models that take up too much fuel despite a number of distances traveled. In line with this, there are also other models that require a high minimum amount of fuel for them to start moving. Such cars should be avoided in the bid to make transport sustainable. Most four wheel drives and large vehicles fall under this category. Consumers should try to purchase vehicles that are electric hybrids. These types of vehicles have been known to reduce fuel use by about half the amount used by other types of vehicles. Drivers should also adjust the kind of routes used in their daily travels. This means that people should master all the routes leading to a certain destination and choose the most cost effective or the shortest one. This adjustment can be made by careful planning on the drivers’ part. Drivers should also avoid routes that are characterized by heavy traffic jams. If these are the only routes available, then users can try passing through the place earlier or later than usual to minimize on fuel wastage. se on fuel wastage. Air conditioning in vehicles is another heavy fuel user. Zero Waste New Zealand Trust (2006) establishes that one can be economise about ten percent of fuel usage if they do not use air conditioning. A simple but cleaner way of achieving the same result would be pulling down the windows on one's automobile. Another economical way of travelling is by avoiding personal cars. If almost every individual in the country uses a personal car, then more fuel is consumed and the country will have a large output of carbon emissions. Alternatives to the use of personal cars include: Use of public transport Walking Biking Using school buses rather than personally driving the children to school. Walking is one of the most efficient means of saving fuel because studies have shown that all other modes of transport aren't. Taking the example of a vehicle that uses petrol or diesel. Three quarters of the fuel is lost as heat, about nineteen percent is used to rise above inertia of the car material used and only one percent is used to

Approaches to the 'city' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Approaches to the 'city' - Essay Example In one of the poems, cities are described as man’s tight hold on nature. The attitude of the poets reveals that in the eyes of architectural philosophers such as Constant Nieuwenhuys and Le Corbusier cities are a nuisance. To the above men, architecture has lost its way due to the confusion and the lack of uniformity, which has become the hallmark of modern cities. In Constant Nieuwenhuys and Le Corbusier’s theories, there is a relentless quest for cities to regain their lost glory, which to them can only be achieved by enhancing uniformity. The modern day cities are problematic which may be attributable to the state or architecture. Looking back, architecture has given us beautiful buildings such the Westminster Abbey and the tower of Piazza. In addition, architecture has also created beautiful cities such as Venice, Nancy and old Paris. However, it is vital to consider the contextual challenges that architecture is encountering if at all solutions will be coined for the appalling conditions of the modern cities. To begin with, it is vital to pose certain critical queries, which should provide guidance going forwards. Is it practical or realistic for modern architecture to hold on to the ideals that have guided architects in the past? Are the ideals of past architecture relevant in the present day? And if so, which ideals should we embrace? In the past, the most dominant values were simplicity and uniformity (Le Corbusier 1976, 32). One of the dominant characters of cities is the disparity in the individual cells or ho use units, which form the city. Individualism should take an equal share of the blame for the present state of the cities. According to Le Corbusier, there is need to establish certain standards which will guide construction. The emergence of discipline, astuteness and concord are the only factors, which can help the modern city rediscover uniformity, which exemplified past

English Language - Business Writing ( memmo and informal reports ) Essay

English Language - Business Writing ( memmo and informal reports ) - Essay Example ch allow readers to validate where the information stems from as well as to provide readers with the ability to personally investigate information† (Bolt, 2007). In the workplace, weblogs can allow the company to gain a deeper understanding of what â€Å"clients actually want, need and will pay money for† (Innovation Creators, 2007). This article on ‘How to use Blogs in the Workplace’ states the opportunity for personal motivation and focused business communication amongst the uses for weblogs besides public relations and marketing. When used to facilitate focused business communication, weblogs can be effectively used â€Å"as a platform to help people withing your company communicate about what they are doing for work† (ibid). Not many CEO’s use blogging mainly for reasons of time and the fact that it is more likely to be under scrutiny by employees (Jeremiah, 2007). However, if used carefully, it is quite simply an easy and powerful means of communicating. In fact, weblogs are a mass communications channel for company information, public relations as well as internal communications. And, the medium of technology makes the whole process of blogging easier. Through the Internet it is easy to reach a huge global audience not limited to the company or immediate market. Debbie Weil author of The Corporate Blogging Book says that, â€Å"an effective blog enables you to have a two-way conversation with customers and employees†. Also, weblogs can make effective use of a combination of images, audio and video content too besides text. The sheer quantity of webblogs is very large but Internet search tools are powerful in finding the precise information required. Weblogs also help to build connected businesses. Hyperlinks make it possible to link with related information from other writers. I strongly urge to consider the option of blogging to supplement your existing communication methods to reach out to your audience more effectively. It is a popular trend and

What Makes Como Hotels And Resort Different Tourism Essay

What Makes Como Hotels And Resort Different Tourism Essay An Asian lady-Mrs Ong, the owner of the COMO group, dedicated and curious business woman who traveled a lot around the world was not really satisfied with the Londons most popular hotels. By 1991 Mrs Ong had already had well established fashion business because of which she traveled quite often to London. In 1991, in one of her visits to London she discovers that a building in Central London with perfect location is on sale. Immediately she decides to buy this building and turns into fantastic hotel and this Halkin Hotel consequently becomes an access for the COMO hotels and Resorts (Group Handbook, 2009). Thus starting her business to satisfy her expectations on her visits to London she builds a new business which fulfils the needs of higher expectations. According to COMO statistics of 2010 COMO hotels and resorts consists of three hotels (and 18 aprtments in Metropolitan Hotel), two resorts, two umas and one shambala estate. Two of the hotels are located in London and one in Bangkok. Parrot Cay (TurksCaicos) and Coco Irelands (The Maldives) are very unique resorts of COMO. But the main differentiator of COMO from any other hotels and resorts is its Umas(Uma Ubud(Bali) and Uma Paro(Bhutan)) and COMO Shambala Estate at Bagawan Giri(Bali) (Market share statistics 2010). With its distinguishing business approach COMO hotel resorts has been able to achieve uniqueness among its competitors over the past few years. Three hotels which are located in busy cities are developed to attract guest who travel to big cities for businesses. Because of this Sales and Marketing department of COMO hotels and resorts is located in London and correspondent office in Bangkok. These three five star hotels which are located in hart of the busy cities is the way how COMO attracts its customers. The main strategy of COMO is to build Resorts in the most rural, wild and unusual places of the world (COMO hotels and resorts, 2010). Focused differentiation strategies in Hotel industry seeks to provide high perceived service benefits justifying a substantial price premium product and are usually heavily branded and offer benefits different from those of its competitors and that are widely valued by buyers (Gerry et al, 2006). Implying this fact, because of its unique strategy and approach to its customers COMO can be named as a differentiator in Hotel and resort industry. Each COMO hotel and resort is very different, but it is not difficult to identify the most common aspect. As an owner of the group Mrs Ong pays a huge attention to the well being and health, as well as style. For instance in Vital statistics of COMO hotels and resorts (2010), Shambhala described as a health concept that has been built as centers of wellbeing at all estates. These include COMOs city hotel spas, known as COMO Shambhala Urban Escapes, as well as COMO Shambhala Retreats at the companys private islands and Uma resorts. Shambhala Yoga Centre in Singapore trains yoga teachers and therapists in order to create personalized, holistic solutions for the specific needs of different guests. It is a consultative rather than prescriptive approach, allowing consultants to respond to clients on a one-by-one, day-by-day basis. They demonstrate the best of ancient Asian traditions and, where it is appropriate, older techniques are combined with Western enhancements. Bodywork is also an other essential element of the COMO Shambhala experience. At all properties, yoga facilities are available. In addition, COMO Shambhala maintains on-going relationships with key health professionals, including nutritionists. COMO Shambhala cuisine, available at nearly all properties, focuses on energizing and organic products. The difference of these products is the emphasis paid on raw ingredients (more easily digested as well as richer in vitamins and sea minerals) is combined with old Asian influences. COMO Shambhala also generates a range of skin and body care products, which is made from all-natural ingredients (available in-room at every property), together with an Active Living clothing collection (COMO hotels and resorts Vital statistics, 2010). COMO Hotels and Resorts is developed by a unique Asian spirit: a peaceful commitment to servicing customers in order to ensure their break with pleasure. In contrary to many hotels COMO tries not to make a hotel like their home, instead it strives to bring the culture, along with all the aspects of the country to make sure that guests will remember the lodge as unforgettable. This aspect, passion and reliability makes each stay exclusive by defining not just the service norms but the hart of each property. All of this described by the essence of the destination which can be found in food, architecture, and the way COMO helps guests to explore and experience the sightseeings of the place. Because of these facts whether its a private island in the ocean or a hotel at the heart of UK, COMO Hotels and Resorts    an award winning, a private company    knows how to make memories of the guests last forever (COMO hotels and resorts, 2010). Internal and External analysis Chart 1: Source: Gerry J, Kevan S, Richard W, Exploring Corporate Strategy, texts and cases, (2006), pp. 64. The Chart 1 gives a clear view of frameworks for understanding the environment of COMO hotels and resorts with the aim of assisting to identify the key issues and ways of overcoming the challengers and complications. There are a lot of factors which influence COMO hotels and resorts, but mainly for the right assumptions and good analysis it is necessary to analyze those aspects by dividing them into internal and external factors. External- in other words environmental and competitive analysis-aim to identify opportunities and threats which affects the company. On the other hand internal analyses seek to identify strengths and weaknesses a COMO is facing in current competitive and challenging business environment. Environmental (PESTEL) Analysis. COMO Hotels and Resorts is competing in the hospitality industry, which has been effected enormously by the impact of war, terrorism attacks, political instability and visa regulations as well as economic crisis like 2009th credit crunch. It is also affected by technological innovations and globalization as well as environment. By using PESTEL framework COMO Hotels and Resorts can categorize environmental influences into six main forms: political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal. PESTEL provides a comprehensive list of influences on the possible success or failure of the strategy of COMO Hotels and resorts. Many of these factors are linked together which is why it is crucial to identify the key drivers for change. And these key drivers for change are the high-impact factors likely to affect significantly the success or failure of strategy(Gerry et al, 2006). COMO Hotels and Resorts approach considers the impact on the economies, cultures, environment and communities of each destination in which it operates. Promise to sustainability is embedded in the fundamental COMO commitment to passion, creativity and style. Creating unforgettable journey experiences for guests go together with rewarding employees to maximize their prospective, targeted stewardship and contributing to the local economy (COMO hotels and resorts, 2010). Political/Legal Factors As a Global Industry COMO is hugely affected by political factors of the country where it operates. It is comprehensible that visa regulations effect dramatically on COMOs sales. For example it is more difficult to obtain visa to Bali which makes Uma less attractive for its guests. Nowadays people do not really want to fill extra paperwork and wait for results. All the Resorts and Umas as well as estate is located either in higher mountains or in islands which narrows its customer segmentation to a luxury holiday and leisure seeking guests. For example to travel Coco Irelands where one of the famous resorts is located a guest will need to feel extra paperwork proposed by the governments which affects the guest decision to visit the resort. As COMO operates in different countries it is very important to invest into the governmentally stable country. Another reason for that is the cost of closure of the business; this is due to costly assets. Taxation is another aspect of consideration for any global company. According to the experiences of some guests, some complaint that they were charged higher tax on their third visit to Uma Ubud, but this is due to the governmental taxation policies which does not necessarily affect COMO but discourages the trust of the customers (Trip Advisor, 2009). Economical Last year has been especially difficult for the tourism, hospitality and travel industry. War in Iraq, the rise of oil prices, the outbreak of different flu viruses because of which traveling was limited or dangerous to some destinations has had a devastating effect on the global hospitality industry. Those factors combined with the domestic situation in the UK, such as credit crunch, a declination in consumer spending, the weak job and closure of many businesses made the last year very challenging for businesses. As the economic downturn is slightly picking up, the hospitality and travel industry gains from increased business travels. And expectations for a more favorable hospitality and travel industries are in sight and are proclaimed by various sources for the 2010. According to the Profit and Loss statement of COMO Hotels and Resorts for 2009 RevPAR has generally declined for 2.3% but predicted Profit and Loss statement for 2010 looks much healthier than last year with 1,2% increase in RevPAR. Merrill Lynch analysts (10/30/2009) believe that the hotel industry has hit the lowest figures of present lodging cycle and is disillusioned for a huge rebound due to increasing demand, as a result of a strengthen economy, together with very low supply growth over the next a few years. These results consequently should translate into strong RevPAR. And followed by the improvement of RevPAR, RC(return on capital), ROCE and overall hotel evaluation is often followed. According to the Ghassan Aidi, President of International Hotels Restaurant Association, notes on U.N. World Tourism Organization Resilience Committee meeting in Berlin on September 2008, nearly in parallel with stock market turmoil, occupancy at luxury hotels start to go down 6% then 14% in October. Furthermore he mentioned RevPAR in 2009 fell by 17% for luxury market while as it was mentioned above COMO Hotels and Resorts was able to keep its business in -2.3%. Moreover Mr Ghassan Aidi (2009) concludes his speech mentioning that in general 2009 and early part of 2010 will be challenging for hotel industry, but he also believes that hospitality industry as a whole needs to become positive and explore unlimited opportunities. Please remember that our industry is the largest employer in the history and employ more than 950 million of workers and we are the last barrier and the major fighter against global poverty says Mr Ghassan Aidi on his report. Social and Environmental COMO has been investing and paying huge attention to the environmental factors such as global warming, poverty and discrimination. For example COMO foundation is specially designed program to support nonprofit organizations that tries to improve lives of women and girls. Without any geographical limitations to the foundation portfolio COMO was able to grant projects such as healthcare, skill development and education (COMO hotels and resorts, 2010). COMO has implemented different recycling projects in its hotels and resorts. Metropolitan Hotel in London was awarded as the best environmental caring hotel of 2009 (Employee handbook, 2010). Technological Factors To obtain bigger market share and to increase customer satisfaction, hotels and resorts are continuously trying to offer high-tech technology. In the past few years have shown huge effects on telephone revenues and an increased demand for high speed Internet access throughout hotels and resorts (Phillip et.al, 20/11/2003). The overall change in customer booking patterns was affected by the way customers are searching, reviewing and choosing hotels and resorts. Travel agents such as Travelodge have increased their large market share and are continuing to change the current status of the market. It is not difficult to observe how travel agents who offer vocational packages which include accommodation, airfare and transportation are growing over the past few years, but at the same time this affected negatively on revenues in the hospitality. Moreover Internet review web-sites such as interdependent hotel review web pages like www.cntraveller.com has impacted on customers choice and decisions. Online booking is rapidly increasing because of the customers behavioral changes. Moreover economical changes persuaded Hotels and Resorts to implement cost cutting techniques. On the second part of this report technological changes which are effecting COMO hotels and resorts will be discussed more briefly. SWOT analysis The key strategic messages from business environment and strategic capability can be summarized in the form of SWOT analysis. According to Mintzberg (1998, p.406) SWOT analysis summarizes the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability of an organization that are most likely to impact on strategy development. The aim of these analyses is to identify the extent to which the current strengths and weaknesses are applicable to, and capable of, simultaneously dealing with the threats and capitalizing on the opportunities in the hospitality industry. COMO business structure and development as SWOT analysis important strengths and weaknesses within the industry and illustrates valuable opportunities and threats the hotel is facing currently: Strengths   COMO has gain a good reputation from its existing customers There is constant upgrading of COMO management Perfect and unique hotel locations Differentiating facilities Great hotel service and high customer value Cultural staff/personnel relations with guests Very popular restaurants located in each hotels and resorts COMO shambala health treatments Small chain which means better and easier management COMO Foundation Weaknesses Lack of profit maximization from other sources like for example, conferences and wedding venues revenues Low employment overhead revenue Lack of differentiation of reception from other hotels Difficulties to reach target customers Tough visa regulations in some locations of the resorts Lack of self owned online sales channels   Opportunities   The presence of enough basic facilities to improve quality Technological innovation   Refresh of hotel operators   The increase in sales due to customer loyalty   The ability to be efficient as knowledge curve is changing   Customer Growth Enhancement of Brand Name Threats Presence of better market positioning by hotel rivals Constantly raising and tough competition because all the Hotels are located in big cities Economic slowdown that may obstruct hotel development Implementation of newer technology tools by other hotels Unsuitable environment for keeping loyal customers Change in Technology Changes happen all over the world, every single minute there is something invented or improved and this lead to the fact that nowadays life cannot be imagined without technology. Some companies use technology in some part of the production procedure, while others consist whole from technology and hugely depend on it. One of the hugely dependant on technology and changes within technological industry is hospitality industry. Starting from reaching and making reservations for guests, all the way till making the customers loyal requires technology. The following paragraphs of this report highlight most important innovations and installations of technology in the COMO hotels and resorts. Technological influences on policies and decision making Starting from 1980s, strategy management scholars began to recognize technology as an important element of business definition and competitive strategy. (Robert Burgelman, 2004). For example Porter observes that technology is among the most prominent factors that determine the rules of competition. But according to one prescriptive school of strategy is that general managers need not have backgrounds in science or IT, but they do need to invest significant effort in learning to understand the technologies important to their business. But the most important fact for CEOs in todays constantly changing technological world is their ability to frame the key strategic questions in relation to technology (Robert Burgelman, 2004). The link between generic competitive strategies and technological strategies is described in details below in Chart 1. Chart 1 Technological Policies and Generic Competitive Strategy Generic Strategy Product technological change Overall cost leadership Overall differentiation Focus segment Cost leadership Focus segment differentiation Technological Policies COMOs new product offer to reduce product/service cost by lowering materials content. COMOs product development to enhance product quality COMOs product development to design enough performance for the segments needs COMOs new product offer to meet exactly the needs of the particular business segment application. Process technological change COMOs process development to enhance economies of scale COMOs process development to support greater quality control, faster response COMOs process development to tune production to segment needs in order to lower cost COMOs process development to tune the production to segment needs in order to improve performance. Source: Burgelman R., Christensen C., Wheelwright S., 2004, Strategic management of technology and innovation Being global means a lot of communication and quick respond to the changes. Having properties in different parts of the world is very difficult to manage without standardized property operating systems. The finance department in all of the properties of COMO uses the same system which in its turn enables head office to better control the finance of the company. All COMO hotels and resorts bank transactions exceeding 10.000 pounds are being processed by head office in UK. Due to technology this procedure is reached high outcomes, as a result of the availability of the internet any resorts or Umas at any time can scan the copy of the invoice and send to the head office. After this head office analyses the invoice and processes payment to the beneficiary on behalf of the resort or hotel. Effectiveness of COMOs response to change in technology COMO is constantly striving to be the first of new technological advances in the industry. According to Mr Orchard-regional general manager-a companys strength and competitive advantage is its ability to constantly update and keep up with technology. Mr orchared says: We were able to differentiate ourselves because of our passion, creativity and style. But the key behind this theory is our ability to be first in introducing new technological changes to our guests. COMO hotels and resorts have implemented different technological advances and those are being explored to increase its facilities within the lodge. For example, Metropolitan was the first hotel in London who offered free wireless internet within the hotel. Moreover it is the first hotel in London who installed 42 and 32 flat screen TV in all its bedrooms. Also it offers vary products such as iPod docking station, electronic do not disturb button in all its bedrooms. Due to change in technology COMO is able to offers more services to its customers than ever before, for example: IT Butler Limousines Foreign exchange Business Centre with high speed broadband internet service Secretarial service Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services Express check-out Mobile phone rental Flat screen TV with 67 channels Extensive on demand music jukebox and movie selection WiFi and high speed internet access iPod docking station (in Studios and Suites) CD and DVD player Dual line, direct dial telephone with voice mail Air conditioning Electronic do not disturb sign Private fax machine with designated number UK and US modem points Video recorders, mobile phones and printers (on request) Sony widescreen TV Wall mounted plasma screen DVD player Hairdryer Iron and ironing board Mini bar In recent years the emerging of the internet as a new channel of distribution has presented some challenges to the lodging industry. In respond to this COMO partnered with e-commerce company which enabled better online reservation systems. With the installation of these new systems COMO was able to offer international customers use the local language to make a reservation. Of course internet is a great tool to reach customers globally but aim of the COMO is to tailor that distribution method to suit to each guest. And this recently developed e-commerce has and will further enable COMO to reduce the distribution costs, while promoting the brand name around the world. The main objective behind this is to make COMOs web site and online sales channels to reach more customers and to promote the brand name (Employee handbook, 2009). Areas for improvement as a response to the change in technology COMO is constantly looking and investigating for new technological improvements and advancements to satisfy the needs of its guests. But as it can be seen in any business because of the rapid change in technology it is too difficult to keep up with changes in technology all the time. There is always a gap or neglected part of the business which can be improved to turn weaknesses and threats in opportunities and strengths. For example to improve the distribution and increase customer loyalty COMO uses online sales channels. But in order to better compete, to have a better and stronger brand COMO needs to have its own online sales channels. COMO Hotels and Resorts needs to insure all its customers to get the best value by accessing the different distribution channels available. As an advertiser of COMO hotels and resorts it co-operates with Design Hotels Inc, this kind of companies advertise hundreds hotels and resorts. As some of its competitors are already aware and became ahead COMO by designing their own advertising web browser, COMO needs to keep up with this as well. Biometric clock in and clock out system allowed organizations to automate payroll processing, eliminate unauthorized overtime and accurately reports employee time/ attendance to HR. Right now COMO is implementing a time card which needs to be swiped to record the attendance. But biometric attendance recorder can help to eliminate early punch ins and hours of payroll calculation. It helps and eliminates the effort and time required by the HR to monitor the time-clock activity and reduces the manual involvement of payroll consequently leading to a cost savings and improved productivity. COMO hotels and resorts is very narrowly targeted to a very rich guests, but is not COMO distancing itself from other guest demographics? The effort to keep up with changing technology is working, but can COMO stay in line with further changes of technology and competition? Conclusion COMO hotels and resorts seems to be very well positioned and has made significant achievements and was able to expend very quickly by integrating of its brand name by accomplishing its strategic trend in such turbulent economic situation. Its culture, brand and global strategy are the key part of their success. While there are still huge opportunities, such as technological innovation, reinvigoration of hotel operators, the increase in sales due to customer loyalty, customer growth and enhancement of brand name these opportunities are also accessible over the period of time. Nevertheless, COMO has been able to accomplish huge success in less than 20 years by nurturing a culture and reputation based on style, creativity and passion to navigate though challenging markets and prosperous times. Thus the strength of COMO became a synonym of luxury.

The Breakfast Club :: essays research papers

The Breakfast Club Five teenagers who don't' know each other spend a Saturday in detention at the suburban school library. At first they squirm, fret and pick on each other. Then after sampling some marijuana, a real encounter session gets underway. The stresses and strains of adolescence have turned their inner lives into a minefield of disappointment, anger and despair. The catalyst of the group is Bender (Judd Nelson), a rebellious working-class punk who seethes with rage and attacks his peers with sarcasm. A cigar burn on his arm is a sign of the abuse he receives at home. Andrew (Emilio Estevez) is a Varsity letterman in wrestling. He's spent most of his youth trying to measure up to his father's machismo image of him. This entails winning in athletic competition and preying upon weaker peers. He and Bender clash. Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) is an unhappy honors student who wishes he could be accepted as a person and not valued just as a brain. Upset over a poor grade in shop, Brian has contemplated suicide rather than live with the ire of his disappointed parents. Allison (Ally Sheedy) is the eccentric of the group. "My home life is unsatisfactory," she confides. Living in her own fantasy world, Allison can't really tell the difference between the truth and the lies she fabricates. These teenagers don't like or respect their parents very much. One asks: "My God, are we gonna be like our parents?" Another in the group replies: "When you grow up, your heart dies." But the storm clouds over their lives are really the result of rigid high school caste systems. Despite an inappropriate music-video sequence and a phony up-tempo finale, The Breakfast Club offers a breakthrough portrait of the pain and misunderstanding which result from the social hierarchy created by youth themselves. The lookers and the jocks are popular and can do whatever they want — except relate to those outside their social circle of winners.

Digital Bangladesh

The golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh would be observed in 2021. The country has already fixed its target of achieving ‘Digital Bangladesh' by that time. It is a timely expectation for proper positioning the country among other hi-tech countries globally. A country goes digital means it will be an e-state means all its activities of governance, commerce, education, agriculture etc. , will be powered by computer and internet. Today information communication technology (ICT) drives the technological and economic advancement of the developed as well as emerging economies.The goal of establishing such digital country would bring success in the ICT sector, which cannot be ignored in this 21st century. Heading towards that target will link every device such as cell phone, internet, computer, e-learning, e-governance etc. Today the entire world is gradually becoming a Digital Planet. Almost every state is heading towards a knowledge-based society and Bangladesh cannot s tay away from the advantages out of it. Though it is very easy to speak about such a dream, i. e. making a country digital, but at the same time it is very difficult to implement it.For implementation, it is basically the government who will take initiatives while the other political parties also need to play important role. For more than decades we are in the user level of computer, but we failed to develop better ICT infrastructure and not able to provide digital devices to the common people. A very first step for ‘Digital Bangladesh' would be to spread the ICT education throughout the country. Internet facilities should be made available to the remotest corner of the country at a cheaper rate. The speed of the internet must be made maximum to get the benefit of the time.Boosting up the ICT industry deserves huge investment as well as care by right ICT policy. A comprehensive plan and effort through a holistic approach needs to be made. Market needs to be broadened both in a nd outside the country for software, outsourcing and programming. Hardware plant needs to be established in the country. Bangladesh as a country with 150 million population has huge potential, despite having many problems. It is very important to create skilled manpower educated in science and technology. Currently, the people of Bangladesh remain far away from using ICT, when the whole world is getting developed with the blessings of ICT.Though late, but Bangladesh is already connected with SEA-ME-WE4 submarine fiber-optic cable connection. The government needs to adopt a viable ICT policy and set up a state of the art Hi-Tech Park with a view to flourishing the ICT sector. At present, the ICT sector falls under three separate ministries, namely post and telecommunication, science and technology and information. For obvious reasons, there is a need for bringing the ICT sector under a single umbrella to ease policy formulation and realize the potential.A holistic approach needs to b e taken by all the stakeholders to reach the ICT facilities to the doorstep of the common people. It is the time to take initiative to hand over a computer to every child of the country. The broadband internet charge needs to be reduced at minimum level. Therefore, it is the expectation of the mass people that the government will take all possible steps to create a SMART (simple, measurable, accountable, responsive and transparent) ‘Digital Bangladesh' and establish a knowledge-based society within 50 years of her independence in 2021.

Coursework Stories

Coursework Stories Coursework Stories Coursework Stories: Prepare Yourself Sooner or later, you will obviously be assigned with the task of coursework stories writing. This is an inseparable part of any studying process and diploma receiving. That is why in order not to be taken aback by coursework stories writing it is recommended to prepare yourself before it. Thus, coursework stories are those to be similar with simple essays writing, however, at this point, it should be stressed that the research is made much more thoroughly for coursework stories writing than for essay writing. The length of the work is much longer than that one of essay; that is why you have to present more information in it. The deepness of examining the subject of coursework stories also differs from that one of essay. The topic should be examined inside out and be fully disclosed in coursework stories writing: Assess Information In Your Coursework Stories However, you do not only have to present the information, which you have gathered with the help of conducting the research. Your own assessment of the topic is what your professor will look for in your coursework stories writing. Hypothesis, findings, conclusions, which you have made on your own are those to be included into your work. Without them, your coursework stories loose scientific value and become a simple rephrase of the information, which you have plagiarized from other authors. Coursework Structure and Story Writing Formatting The structure of your coursework is similar to the structure of essay: an introduction, a discussion, a conclusion. However, each of the sections has to be extended with more data as the length of coursework stories differs a lot from the length of essays. There is one more thing, which helps you to prepare yourself to coursework stories writing. This thing is called custom writing service. Within any custom writing you can find a lot of useful information devoted to the subject of coursework stories writing. Useful articles, which are full of tips and pieces of advice, are waiting for you within the measures of our custom writing site as well. Custom Coursework Writing Services Apart from presenting our customers with information, we are also ready to support our customers at any stage of their coursework stories writing. If you are going to have some difficulties with either introduction or conclusion, we are ready to assist you. Contact our custom writing representative and ask any question, which disturbs you concerning your coursework stories writing, and you are going to get professional help you are in need of immediately. Read also: Dissertation Paper Dissertation Expert APA Thesis Term Schools Papers about Gospel Music Term Papers Medieval Knights

Writing Tips Shortening Sentences - Proofread My Papers Blog

Writing Tips Shortening Sentences - Proofread My Papers Blog Writing Tips: Shortening Sentences Brevity is famously the soul of wit, but it’s also highly valued in academia and the business world. Why? Because writing succinctly will help you get your point across clearly, making your work more impactful. Perhaps the simplest way to make your writing more succinct is to shorten your sentences. Handily, we have a few top tips for doing exactly that! 1. Avoid Redundancy â€Å"Redundancy† means using additional words that don’t add anything meaningful to a sentence. The phrase â€Å"twelve midnight,† for instance, means exactly the same thing as â€Å"midnight,† so the â€Å"twelve† is redundant. It’s therefore a good idea to check your sentences for unnecessary words, as cutting these out will make a long sentences shorter. For example: In actual fact, every single nurse worked from 3 am in the morning to twelve midnight. Could be easily rewritten to say the same thing with fewer words: In fact, every nurse worked from 3 am to midnight. Must be why Florence Nightingale always looked so tired. 2. Break Up Long Sentences Sometimes, long sentences are easier to follow if broken down into two or more statements. The following, for instance: Making a sentence too long can be confusing because it is easy to lose track of what was said at the beginning, since they do not give the reader enough time to process what they are reading and by the end of the sentence you might have forgotten where it started! That’s 51 words with barely a pause for breath. It would make sense to break it down into three shorter sentences: Making a sentence too long can be confusing. It is easy to lose track of what was said at the beginning, since they do not give the reader enough time to process what they are reading. By the end of the sentence you might have forgotten where it started! 3. Beware Padding Words Padding words and phrases are things like â€Å"in my opinion† or â€Å"as a matter of fact,† which make a sentence longer but don’t usually add much meaning. Saying â€Å"In my opinion, the political atmosphere is toxic,† for instance, means exactly the same as â€Å"The political atmosphere is toxic.† If you need to shorten a sentence, try looking for padding phrases you could remove. 4. Use the Active Voice We’re often taught to avoid the active voice in academic writing, but sometimes using the passive voice makes sentences unwieldy. For example, the passive sentence: The hypothesis was supported by the results. Could be made a little simpler by using the active voice: The results support the hypothesis. 5. A Final Thought†¦ Using only short sentences can make your writing lack fluency. To make your work engaging, the best thing to do is vary sentence length. You can then save shorter, punchier sentences for when you need to make a forceful point or ensure clarity.

PESTLE analysis for John Lewis and Marks and Spencer Essay

PESTLE analysis for John Lewis and Marks and Spencer - Essay Example higher level of political scrutiny over food retail outlets because it is the second largest employer in the UK; with public health assuming a more important focus, there has been a tighter regulation of food stores for this Company. Transition from the traditional supply chain management system to a system of vendor managed inventory, which in conjunction with a tailor made forecasting package, has produced gains for Marks and Spencer and made it one of the most profitable and efficient retailers. (Storey et al, 2003). The Company rarely needs to sell its products at discounts because the supply side is well managed. The percentage of revenues accruing from international sales has increased to 7.1% of group turnover.(2007 Annual report), however maintaining this is a challenge in the face of increased competition in the European Common Market, the development of the common currency – the Euro and changes in VAT Marks and Spencer started off primarily as a clothes retailer; however it has now expanded into food and home products to compete effectively in the global market. British retail competitors of Marks and Spencer are also large corporate chains, which may have their headquarters outside the country, hence outsourcing activities and knowledge management becomes a key element affecting operating as well as long term profitability. Marks and Spencer staff have mostly been recruited young and continued within the organization for many years; as a result, there are some set procedures and routines in operating which have become integral to the staff and has produced resistance among employees to changes within the organization.(Mellahi et al, 2002) Existing markets for Marks and Spencer have expanded beyond UK and has produced a change from the traditional focus of London as the major retail center to a more diffused network of customers and stores across the globe. Companies are required to improve corporate governance in accordance with the Turnbull

Friendship and Aristotle Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Friendship and Aristotle - Term Paper Example He identifies three types of friendships: utility, pleasure and virtue. True friendship is the disposition, between two or more individuals without any motivated desires. Like true love, friendship is unconditional. The model of the best friendship that Aristotle outlines in the Nichomachean Ethics is based upon virtue. Aristotle writes, â€Å"when everyone strains to achieve what is fine and concentrates on the finest actions, everything that is right will be done for the common good, and each person individually will receive the greatest of good, since that is the character of virtue† (147). From the lowest step of the ladder that is the individual friendship, Aristotle takes friendship to great heights of the levels of country and state and asserts that friendship is the finest and significant virtue an individual can own and at the highest and the perfect level it has the aura of spirituality which is the ultimate goal of humankind. Friendship is like the colors of the rai nbow. Just like white is the base of the seven colors of rainbow, there are different types of friends as per the demand of the situation and places like school, work, church, home and other secular activities. Aristotle’s basic formula of friendship is ingrained in sincerity. He paints friendship with the broadest connotation possible to highlight its importance. Friendship with motivated desires, related to utility and pleasure will not last long because secular desires have an element of perishability. Friendship co-exists with virtue. If not, it will lead to conflicts and end soon. In the broad sense, friendship motivates government officials to work in a congenial atmosphere for the greater good of the nation. Aristotle’s inspiration to describe in depth the virtues of friendship is derived from the Greek word philia which has a bigger connotation than friendship in its limited sense. Philia embraces within its ambit every kind of friendship like