Effective School Leadership

The elements of effective school leadership combines a variety of attributes. Although all these attributes are important, four are critical and essential in the success of a school leader. The first essential attribute is that a leader must model character by being principle-centered. The second essential attribute is that the main role of the school leader is to be an instructional leader. The third essential attribute is to align people. Finally, the fourth essential attribute is to establish direction for the school.These four attributes work in conjunction to promote the goal of the effective school deader: student achievement. Principle-centered An effective school leader models character by being principle-centered. Principles are guidelines for conduct that have demonstrated lasting value (Covey, 2004). Specifically, an effective leader exhibits integrity, fairness, and acts in an ethical manner. Knuth and Banks (2006) assert in their Essential Leadership Model that first and foremost, effective leadership is character dependent.They go on to explain that to be able to effectively lead schools, authentic leaders with strong character display fairness, integrity, and ethical behavior. A highly effective leader builds the character of their staff by being a role model (Mclean, 2003). A leader must develop their own voice and then be clear about their own guiding principles to effectively model the behavior they expect of others (Souses and Poster, 2008). Covey (2004) describes integrity as an interdependent reality, that each individual is treated by the same set of principles.A leaders fulfills expectations and creates a foundation of trust. Integrity encompasses fairness and ethics. Effective leaders who have integrity function fairly and in an ethical manner. Leaders committing to these virtuous principles maintain n enduring responsibility to student success, teacher growth, and quality school environments. Ethical behavior by effective leaders includ es a commitment to all students regardless of which race, gender, religious, or socioeconomic category they fall in.Leaders value ethnic diversity by taking action to ensure a quality education for every child. This commitment represents an uncompromising pursuit to do what is fair (Robbins and Alva, 2004). Instructional Leader Effective school leaders are instructional leaders. Highly effective principals have a passion for learning (Mclean, 2003). According to Chairman (2013), the educational leader is the overall leader of instruction. Administrators must be actively engaged in the professional growth and learning of the school staff.Effective leaders understand that they are directly responsible for learning and influence student achievement outcomes by their actions (Robbins and Alva, 2004). Fallen (2014) conveyed that the role of an effective principal is to lead teachers in learning to improve their instruction, while working alongside them understanding what works and what d oes not. Learning leaders model the pursuit of knowledge regarding effective reactive, inspiring staff members to create an environment where risk taking and experimentation are valued and mistakes are the prelude to new knowledge and understanding (Robbins and Alva, 2004).Instructional leaders recognize that trying and failing is more beneficial than never trying at all. An effective instructional leader ensures that every student has the opportunity to learn. Proclaiming the statement â€Å"all can learn† is too easy. Effective leaders develop programs differentiated to meet the needs of small groups of students in their schools because they know that one size rarely fits all. This rage to step out of the box and broaden their knowledge base is a characteristic of highly effective administrators.Instructional leaders are continually thinking, planning, and developing ways to improve instruction and engage more students (Mclean, 2003). Effective school leaders are frequently presenting research-based strategies to increase their staffs' capacity to instruct with the goal of student achievement. Aligning People An effective school leader aligns people by creating a culture of communication and collaboration, and by developing relationships among staff, students, families and communities. The actions off single person are unlikely to produce impacting changes; instead a team effort is required.Solid trust, strong relationships, deep competence, core confidence, group collaboration, and individual accountability are required to effect change; to get exceptional things done, effective school leaders have to enable others to act (Souses and Poster, 2008). Effective school leaders demonstrate the skills and temperaments to foster a sense of belonging throughout the staff; they address the needs of others, share their time and knowledge, communicate clearly and concisely, and develop supportive relationships characterized by rust and respect (Knuth and Banks, 2006). A highly effective leader is a communicator.Whether it be listening, writing, speaking, or reading, successful principals are communicating nearly 100% of the time. Shaping organizational behavior and practice relies on the fundamental leadership skill of communicating with clarity and precision (Robbins and Alva, 2004). Fostering a culture of professional collaboration is a trait of effective principals (Knuth and Banks, 2006). Effective school leaders make it possible for others to do quality work (Souses and Poster, 2008). Student learning is examined when principals directly influence how teachers learn together (Fallen, 2014).Leaders, working collaboratively as professionals who believe in continuous growth, produce teachers that will succeed. Collaboration emerges as relationships shift between staff members, progressing from congeniality to cooperation to collegiality. Professional Learning Communities are a result of this shift, culminating with a focus of helping al l students achieve and learn (Robbins and Alva, 2004). Human relations are the base of leadership. Effective school leaders actively engage staff, families, ND community to share the responsibility of student achievement. Forging these relationships creates tremendous power (Robbins and Alva, 2004).The success of a leader is dependent on the ability to build and sustain human relationships. The quality of these relationships matters most when completion off goal is the objective. A relationship characterized by mutual respect and confidence will overcome the greatest challenges (Souses and Poster, 2008). Highly effective principals will bring out the best in their staff members (Mclean, 2003). Establishing Direction Effective school leaders establish direction for their staff and school. Leaders are expected to have a sense of direction and a concern for the future of their school; this ability is vision (Souses and Poster, 2008).Leaders develop a vision of the future, while impleme nting strategies for the changes needed to accomplish that vision. Effective school leaders keep people moving in the right direction by motivating and inspiring each step of the process (Cotter, 1990). Clarity of vision, compared to other leadership qualities, is what separates leaders from other credible people (Souses and Poster, 2008). Leaders inspire and enlist others in a shared vision. Effective school leaders eave a desire to never settle for status quo; they push change, even when it is uncomfortable for others.Highly effective leaders are change masters. They are flexible, futuristic, and realistic leaders who motivate and manage change that endures. These leaders are able to envision what low-performing or even failing schools will look like after their mission has been achieved (Mclean, 2003). They then create and implement a plan to increase student achievement. By establishing the direction of their school, effective leaders are able to challenge the process and ventur e out in search of opportunities o innovate, grow, and improve (Souses and Poster, 2008).Conclusion Souses and Poster (2008) stated that leadership is an identifiable set of skills and abilities that are available to us all. A school leader must be effective to gain student achievement as its primary outcome. There are four attributes that are critical and essential in the success of an effective school leader. First, a school leader must model character by being principle-centered. Second, a school leader is to be an instructional leader. Next, the school leader must have the capacity to align people through communication, collaboration, and developing relationships. Effective School Leadership Effective School leadership today must combine the traditional school leadership duties such as teacher evaluation, budgeting, scheduling, and facilities maintenance with a deep involvement with specific aspects of teaching and learning.Some key elements of Instructional leadership and what I believe to be most important and effective elements in the leadership role include the following:Prioritization: Instructional Leaders make adult learning a priority and set high expectations for performance (NAESP, 2001). While leaders cannot neglect other duties, teaching and learning is where the majority of a leader’s scheduled time needs to be allocated.Visible Presence: Placing the focus on learning objectives, modeling behaviors of learning, and designing programs and activities on instruction are essential for instructional leadership (Whitaker, 1997). Having leaders as teachers of instruction serves as a model for many teachers who may struggle with certain concepts and can help build trust and relationships.Curriculum: Principals need to know about the changing concepts of curriculum (Approaches to Leadership). The goal of any leader should be to increase student achievement; therefore, the curriculum, instruction, and assessments must all be aligned with the standards. Leaders need to be knowledgeable with curriculum and state standards and provide professional development and continuous learning for adults.Data: In their focus on improving achievement, effective leaders use multiple sources of information to assess performance (NAESP, 2001). Many leaders use data to help guide the instructional focus and professional development for teachers. Effective leaders skillfully gather information that determines how well a school organization is meeting goals and use that information to refine strategies designed to meet or extend the goals.Effective leaders make student success pivotal to their work and,  accordingly, pay attention to and communicate about i nstruction, curriculum, and student mastery of learning objectives, and are visible in the school. Learning needs to occur throughout an organization, and instructional leaders need to become participants in the learning process in order to shape and encourage the implementation of effective learning models in their schools. To illustrate, effective leaders don't just arrange for professional development; rather, they participate in staff training provided to their staffs.Additionally, good leaders foster the idea of working together as a valuable enterprise because they understand that this kind of collaborative learning community ultimately will build trust, collective responsibility, and a school wide focus on improved student learning (Mendez-Morse, 1991).

Church and Dwight Essay

A. Executive Summary 1. Summary statement of the problem: Church & Dwight, more commonly known by its brand name â€Å"Arm & Hammer,† has held a commanding lead in the sodium bicarbonate product market for over 160 years with virtually 99 percent of all consumer products in households within the United States. However, in order to promote growth and diversity while maintaining a steady profitability rate of three – five percent per year, the company has expanded uses of sodium bicarbonate products so that it is no longer the only focus. The acquisition of a diverse group of consumer products in international markets has been viewed as a viable option to sustain the profitability margins well into the 21st century (Wheelen & Hunger). 2. Summary statement of the recommended solution: Since Church and Dwight is a relatively small company, when compared to competitors in household and personal care product markets they must recognize the challenges of growing sales through acquisitions to promote growth and competitiveness within those markets. Church & Dwight must incorporate additional acquisitions of solid brands and products in order to grow market share through an expansion of product lines into a variety of â€Å"personal care, deodorizing and cleaning, and laundry products† as well as â€Å"specialty chemicals, animal nutrition, and specialty cleaners† (Wheelen & Hunger). In addition, to maintain its position in the world market place, Church & Dwight must expand into international markets and gain footholds in product markets through acquisition of manufacturing assets. Simply shipping domestic product lines overseas is cost prohibitive. Foreign manufacturing assets will allow product recogniti on by local consumers in foreign countries and markets. B. The Situation After 160 years, Church & Dwight is a giant in the household domestic product market with brand name recognition more commonly associated with â€Å"Arm & Hammer† products. However, this achievement in the market only nets $2.5 billion in annual sales worldwide. The company’s brand portfolio includes over 80 popular brands and competes for market share with other giants including Colgate-Palmolive, Clorox, and Proctor & Gamble, which have combined sales of over $100 billion. The company has also expanded over the past decade into other household product lines through acquisitions of consumer brands including Mentadent, Pepsodent, Aim, and Close-up, as well as Trojan. Church & Dwight has a core of specialty products primarily based on its successful sodium bicarbonate line of products. It currently holds 75% of the sodium bicarbonate market share. Expansion in the domestic markets has proven successful because of the â€Å"company’s pristine balance sheet†. Growth into the foreign markets has proven more challenging than domestic markets. Foreign market net sales in 2009 were only $393 million compared to domestic net sales of $1.8 billion (Cook). II. ANALYSIS A. Analysis of the Situation 1.Management – The Church & Dwight Company has continued a tradition of slow and steady leadership with a solid focus on long-term goals. The steadiness of the company’s leadership can be primarily attributed to the fact that 25 percent of outstanding common stock is owned by descendants of the company’s original cofounders, a tradition that continues today. In addition, the management of the company over the past 160 years has been handed down from generation-to-generation until recently when Dwight C. Minton passed on the position of Chief Executive Officer in 1995 to an outsider, Mr. Robert A. Davies, III (Wheelen & Hunger). This focused leadership style has enabled Church & Dwight to overcome potential leveraged buy-outs and hostile takeovers with a series of calculated actions and savvy business decisions. These actions allowed the board of directors and management to amend the company’s charter and allowed shareholders four votes per share. The board of directors was also re-structured into classes, in which each class serves staggered three-year terms (Wheelen & Hunger). In addition to staggering the tenure of the directors, the company initiated employee severance agreements with key officials, providing a severance package agreement to provide a â€Å"safety net† should any of the board member positions be terminated by a hostile takeover or leveraged buy-out by an unwanted suitor. By providing these lucrative packages for senior management, many were able to stay with Church & Dwight. This allowed for continuity of leadership styles, vision and mission focus. Because of this steadfast devotion to principles, steady growth over the years has occurred, identifying Church & Dwight as a Cash Cow, using the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Growth-Share Matrix. However, as the company focuses more on international markets and enters other potential avenues of growing product lines, it will surely find itself labeled a s a Star. 2.Operations – Church & Dwight have peacefully existed over the past 60 years with sustained growth and profitability because it virtually held the market in the palm of its hands as other companies searched for ways to enter the household and personal care product lines. As a result of the constant forces in emerging markets, Church & Dwight has come to the realization that they have major challenges to overcome if they are to compete with other giants in the industry and continue to thrive. As the company gains a stronger market share in the international consumer products, the growth and profitability standard will continue well into the future. However, Church & Dwight also recognize they must remain vigilant to quickly and adequately deal with Porter’s Five Forces: Bargaining power of suppliers; Threat of new entrants; Threat of substitute products or services; Bargaining power of buyers (customers); and Rivalry among existing firms (competitors) (Wheelen & Hunger). When considering Bargaining Power of Suppliers, the force rating could be considered Medium as management must be constantly aware of any potential market shocks or trends. If an affiliate retailer is affected by unforeseen supply chain issues, like increased fuel prices, then those costs throughout the company may be affected to remain competitive. In addition, Church & Dwight are well aware of the economic situations that may affect their trade customers who may reduce distribution of products in which sales may decline, or adversely affect the financial performance of the company (Craigie). There was never historically a threat of new entrants into the sodium bicarbonate market prior to 1970. However, since the company has developed new product offerings and other established consumer brands, they now face the same competition threats of mature and domestic and international markets for consumer products. This threat of new entrants has emerged over the past decades and may now be rated high. The threat of substitute products or services is always considered high, as well, because consumers might choose a substitute item, if it is cheaper. This is a problem for any company. Bargaining power of buyers (customers) is generally a medium concern as consumer satisfaction is evaluated in a variety of ways. Otherwise, dissatisfactio n can drive prices up or down based on demand, or the lack of. Quality is a hallmark of Church & Dwight and the perception by consumers of any potential lowering of standards to decrease prices will typically drive loyal customers away. Finally, rivalry among existing firms (competitors) is high as competitors try to achieve greater market shares to grow potential profit shares. â€Å"Church & Dwight has in an enviable position to profit from its dominant niche in the sodium bicarbonate products market since it controlled the primary raw material used in its production† (Wheelen & Hunger). 3.Marketing – The Church & Dwight marketing strategy has been fairly simplistic since its focus has been on the sodium bicarbonate product lines for over a century. However, with additional acquisitions over the past 20 years, and the expansion into other household products, the brand recognition has become even more important. As a result, â€Å"marketing expenses for 2009 were $353.6 million, an increase of $59.5 million or 20% as compared to 2008† (Craigie). In addition, Church & Dwight caters to people of all ages and backgrounds. This wide range of customers allows them to develop more and more organic products and services with large scale agreements to satisfy those demographics. As the company expands globally, markets for one region could also be satisfied by other regions as production opportunities allowed greater cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, â€Å"attempts to enter international markets have met with limited success, probably for two reasons: (1) lack of name recognition and (2) transportation costs† (Wheelen & Hunger). Finally, the company began a ground-breaking marketing campaign by airing commercials for condoms on prime-time television. This â€Å"shock† strategy increased its marketing strength and enabled the partnership with Quidel Corporation, â€Å"a provider of point-of-care diagnostic test, to meet women’s health and wellness needs† (Wheelen & Hunger). There are potential problems if various brand names fall into â€Å"the precarious line-extension snare† (Wheelen & Hunger). As the company expands and acquires more product lines bearing the â€Å"Arm & Hammer† trademark, the potential for substandard quality or customer satisfaction could cause a back-lash resulting in reduced sales around the world. Therefore, product marketing is essential to reinforce brand name recognition so consumers never forget the value and quality of a company’s name and its product lines. 4.Finance – Initially, the company’s domestic markets have proven successful. However, in keeping pace with competition in expanding product line markets, acquisition of assets has taken place, which could negatively impact the overall financial picture if profitability is not maintained. In 2009, Church & Dwight’s performance worldwide achieved an increase in sales of 4 percent; organic sales increased 5 percent, gross profit margin increased 44 percent while global marketing expenses only increased 20 percent; and the Net Cash Flow grew to a record level of $401 million (Craigie). Perhaps even more significant to investors is the report that earnings per share grew 23% and dividends on investments increased by 35 percent (Craigie). In contrast to the growing profits and expenses, the comp any also jettisoned noncore assets for the first time, including â€Å"five domestic and international consumer product brands acquired during the 2008 Del Laboratories transaction† (Wheelen & Hunger). This posturing of assets will enable a financially sound balance sheet in the future. Therefore, the financial status of Church & Dwight continues to grow as it has achieved modest gains from year to year, with hopes of even greater revenue and sales. Finally, the CEO remains focused on â€Å"building a portfolio of strong brands with sustainable competitive advantages† and the â€Å"long-term objective is to maintain the company’s track record of delivering outstanding TSR (Total Shareholder Return) relative to that of the S&P 500† (Wheelen & Hunger). 5.Administration – Church & Dwight enjoys a sound management strategy. It incorporates affiliates through agreements to sell its products. In addition, the former CEO, Mr. James R. Cragie, stated â€Å"†¦We have added $1 billion in sales in the past five years, a 72% increase, while reducing our total headcount by 5%, resulting in higher revenue per employee than all of our major competitors† (Wheelen & Hunger). While it may appear unsympathetic to the employee perspective, techno logical advancements allow for increased productivity in various aspects of manufacturing and labor allowing for greater productivity without the added expense of additional manpower. Church & Dwight also continue to operate with an ethical employment code in keeping with today’s expectations of utmost respect for both consumer and employee. The following is the company’s published Ethical Standards: â€Å"The reputation and integrity of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. are valuable corporate assets, vital to the Company’s success. Each Company employee, including each of the Company’s officers and general managers and each Company director, is responsible for conducting the Company’s business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. Specifically, we encourage among Company personnel a culture of honesty, accountability and mutual respect. Additionally, we provide guidance to help Company personnel recognize and deal with ethical issues. Finally, we have provided mechanisms for Company personnel to report unethical conduct. Dishonest or unethical conduct or conduct that is illegal will constitut e a violation of these Standards and are grounds for disciplinary action† (Church & Dwight). 6.SWOT a.Strengths – The Church & Dwight Company has many strengths, with brand recognition being their greatest. In fact, Arm & Hammer continues to be their greatest asset and strongest product on the market today; the little yellow box is in over 95 percent of all households across the country. The sodium bicarbonate product line has proven itself for over 160 years with uses in baking, cleaning, and deodorizing, and as an added ingredient for things like drain openers and neutralizing agents. While there may be other similar products, Church & Dwight have virtually cornered the market by holding 85 percent of it. b.Weaknesses – A potential weakness within the company is the overextension of branding into many other product lines. â€Å"Until 1970, it produced and sold only two consumer products: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and a laundry product marketed under the name Super Washing Soda† (Wheelen & Hunger). The company enjoyed success domestically, but â€Å"in the int ernational arena where growth was more product-driven and less marking sensitive, the company was less experienced† (Wheelen & Hunger). Therefore, they relied on acquisitions and management changes to improve its international footprint and reach. With ever-expanding product lines, suppliers, and retailers, the potential for an inferior product or service can cause a negative reputation, impacting the overall brand. Therefore, brand recognition should continue to be the focus when researching future products or investment avenues to ensure the quality of the product/service in the name of the company. Entire corporations have gone away because of a negative connotation to its brand name in the eyes of consumers. c.Opportunities – The possibilities are endless as Church & Dwight continue to pursue additional product lines in household, personal care, specialty, and international products. Future expansion in acquisitions and assets may prove more advantageous as potential consumer products become even more attractive to increase the profitability as the manufacturing base is expanded around the globe. Perhaps i n 20 years, we may have cars manufactured by Church & Dwight, as well. d.Threats – The primary threat to Church & Dwight is competition. Competitors have an even greater market share and larger marketing campaigns to remain leaders in their respective niche. There are always going to be threats to its business operations, products, services, and reputation. Therefore, ongoing evaluation of partnerships, agreements, consumer satisfaction, quality of production, quality of service, etc. is always continuing. Without a continuous evaluation process, companies may find themselves outsmarted, out-marketed, out-produced, and out of a job. Church & Dwight have done a great deal in maintaining a very loyal customer base through evaluations of consumer trends and ensuring affiliates maintain the highest standards to retain the reputation as the leading household product manufacturer 7.Products or Services – Church & Dwight continue to produce some of the most widely known household care products. These products are based on differences in the nature of their uses and organized into three reportable segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and Specialty Products (SPD) (Craigie). The company currently produces 80 different product lines, in which eight major brands make up a total of 80 percent of its business (Craigie). The most famous of the company’s products is Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. As a company focused on quality and innovation, Church & Dwight has â€Å"a discreet marketing team focused solely on new product development† (Church & Dwight). In addition, the company is focused on goals to develop differentiated products with new and distinctive features, increased convenience and value, and engaging outside contractors for research and development activities (Church & Dwight). B. Problem Definition 1.The Church & Dwight case study identified a corporate problem needing to continue expansion in products and services, while presenting a consistent operating profit and increasing market shares of the household product industry. Expenses were continually evaluated and streamlined to reduce inefficiencies; including product research and development to identify â€Å"new uses/markets for an existing product† (Wheelen & Hunger). Unfortunately, constant pressure from global competitors seeking to enter domestic and international markets, as well as an overall poor economy, is creating an atmosphere where continued growth must be developed through new opportunities for expansion into new geographical markets, new products/uses, all while striving to control increasing transportation costs. 2.In order for Church & Dwight to retain its position as the leading household product manufacturer, it must continue to provide outstanding customer service, excellence in product quality, invest in cutting edge technology to remain a viable resource for consumers, as well as developing new uses for its primary product line to ensure customers remain satisfied with the product, as promised. In addition, expanding its share of other household product opportunities and innovations will be key to any future growth. Yet another opportunity for Church & Dwight to grow is in the business-to-business exchange market for suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to use. By providing this service to its affiliates and partners, they would be able to achieve greater operational efficiencies in their supply chains. 3.As Church & Dwight enjoy a considerably large loyal customer base, competing with Proctor & Gamble and other industry giants to get customers to switch competitors is no easy task. However, with any challenge comes greater innovation and new ideas. Relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and other retailers allow for greater efficiencies in costs by consolidating orders, developing greater discounts on shipping costs, or even creating greater financial incentives for affiliates to increase sales and customer satisfaction rates by increasing consumer awareness of the quality and reliability of services and products available to them. III. SYNTHESIS A. Alternative Solutions Brand recognition for ARM & HAMMER brand products has already been established within the domestic markets of the United States. International markets continue to challenge emerging companies due to cultural differences in market populations, cultural differences in marketing strategies, and language barriers requiring new brand names more suitable for local languages/cultures. With low population growth rates and households in international markets, increasing transportation costs, and intense competition and higher commodities costs, manufacturers are turning to new and innovative processes to increase their share of the household product markets. For example, rising gas prices are a concern since it directly contributes to increased production costs. In response, household and personal care product companies are making efforts to stimulate sales in varying ways, such as entering new markets, creating new product segments, strengthening strong brand image, acquiring businesses, targeting market audiences, and increasing advertising budgets. Another alternative could be to develop joint-business ventures with suppliers, manufacturers, distributers, and retailers. The benefit to this option would be to streamline production and sales and allow the ease of marketing products and services to its affiliates and partners. This option would also allow greater operational efficiencies and translate into lower costs for Church & Dwight and lower prices for consumers. B. Recommendations and Conclusions As Church & Dwight look to satisfy competitive pressures while still reeling from the recent economic crisis, the following recommendation and solution is presented in hopes of reducing expenditures and continuing company growth through new product development and market expansion. Expanding into new markets with â€Å"major competitors jockeying for shelf space and retailers seeking to rationalize their breadth of product offerings, more changes may be considered† (Wheelen & Hunger). Therefore, the best recommendation for Church & Dwight at this point in time would be to implement the first alternative, delving into new product lines both in domestic markets and even greater exploration of international markets. This option would be advantageous because of the limited financial investment required to grow already established footholds in foreign countries to manufacture and transport new product lines. In addition, by improving upon past successes and avoiding past mistakes, a sound marketing campaign could attract additional consumer traffic to its existing retailers and product outlets. Arm & Hammer also has premier brand recognition within the United States, which would look to use its large customer base to compete against Proctor & Gamble or Colgate-Palmolive, and Clorox. Finally, to satisfy any shortcomings in this solution, it is further recommended that Church & Dwight initiate an aggressive marketing strategy incorporating foreign experts in business and marketing development to identify focus groups to better understand cultural differences and expectations in product innovations. Understanding why a specific culture or race chooses one brand over another is key to identifying potential aspects of a new product line that would be warmly received in another country rather than simply pushing an American-made product brand on a culture that has no experience with the product or whose name may have a derogatory meaning in their language. This option could also allow Church & Dwight to market potentially less expensive alternatives to Proctor & Gamble or other foreign corporations specializing in household products in another country or region. This recommendation provides a potential solution to increase sales while growing market share and staying ahead of the competition. References Church & Dwight, Co. Inc. (web). Churchdwight.com. Retrieved on April 8, 2012 from http://www.churchdwight.com/index.aspx Craigie, J. R. (February 24, 2010). Church & Dwight co., inc. 2009 annual report: Churchdwight.com. Retrieved on April 8, 2012 from http://www.churchdwight.com/PDF/AnnualReports/2009-CDH-Annual-Report.pdf Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2012). Strategic management and business policy toward global sustainability. (13th ed., pp. 19-20). New York, NY: Pearson Hall.

MGMT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

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Diversity Quotient ; Personality Insights Assignment

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The Hunger Games (Book and Film) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Hunger Games (Book and Film) - Essay Example Hopefully, they are capable of helping us in being prudent, as well as careful when it comes to making decisions in that these utopian dreams do not end up being policy-state nightmares (Collins 12). The word dystopia comes from the Greek sources dys-, signifying obscene or difficult, while topos, stands for place; therefore dystopia means a dreadful place, characterized by the dejection of the human spirit, extensive misery, malaise, as well as hopelessness. This is a place whereby people tend to endure what seems like superficial or unsatisfying lives deprived of meaning. Life has turned out to be full of possibilities that are unlocking at a speed that is unpredictable between thrilling and terrifying. Though there is some familiarity, this situation seems to be familiar and safe, while at the same time continuing to tug people; however, in spite of their desire to get away from it, it is impossible considering that, their old life constricts as much as it comforts. As a result, t hey get their drive from both their inner need, as well as their outside pressures in making choices. Meanwhile, the authorities that people look up to tend to be not only to be manipulative, but also harsh; while they are the ones creating the larger world, whereby they are extremely busy shoving the people into. These people in the high authorities have failed in correcting this mess, both in their personal lives and society. In covering up their mess, they want people to get out there and mend their mistakes especially at a moment when worry over the looming collapse of their entire socio-economic structure is about to be uncovered. This makes the world not only cruel, but also scary, even dystopian (George, Nicolas & William 15). This is the life that the modern world revolves around; the only people who are incapable imagining how terrible this situation, despite the fact that they are living this life are the teenagers. This is an era consumed with economic uncertainty, conspi racy theories, not forgetting the fear of environmental collapse. Although the Western civilization was accredited for producing literary utopias, in the past century of world wars, murderous, totalitarian regimes, nuclear threat, as well as ?nancial panics, dystopias have by far outnumbered sunny projections due to a number of orders of magnitude. This has led to pessimistic depictions concerning the future everywhere in the popular culture; unfortunately, teens and teen books are incapable of escaping these larger trends in society. This is a clear indication of the origins of dystopia (Karen, Craig & Patrick 27). Recently, dystopian literature ha been compared to utopian, which has particularly been inspired by the trends of industrialization, class conflict, rationalization, together with the increasing pace of change. Apparently, these things have only turned out to be more pronounced as time passes by, together with the addition issues such as environmental destruction, gender equality, as well as racial bigotry (Pepper 36). Similarly to being the case with The Hunger Games, there are issues such as the age that have also played a key role in this matter.

Reflective report on business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reflective report on business law - Essay Example I was tasked with researching and preparing a presentation on the advantages and disadvantaged of Limited Liability Partnerships. Despite the initial hiccup, we were able to complete the assignment by week 3 and as such we had ample time to compile everything, rehearse, make corrections and managed to make a confident presentation in week 4. This reflective report briefly outlines the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000, and the Partnership Act 1890, that we discussed in our presentation and reflects on our experience with regards to the preparation of the assignment in a group. It looks at the challenges we encountered in the group, the strengths we had as a group and our experience during the oral presentation. Finally, it outlines the lessons learned from both working in a group/team and carrying out oral presentation. A brief outline of the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000 The Limited Liability Partnership Act, also known as the LLPA, is an act that provides for a framew ork under which limited liability partnerships are created. This act was developed in the United Kingdom as a result of corporate accounting firms’ pressure with regards to the need for the creation of a framework that combines both the benefits of limited liability and the flexibility of partnerships (Legislation.gov.uk n.d.). According to the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000, Limited Liability Partnerships are characterized by certain features including limited liability for partners/members; LLP’s are taxed as partnerships; they are separate legal entities; have organizational flexibility such as that enjoyed by partnerships; the filing and accounting requirements of LLP’s are similar to those of limited liability companies; any agreements between members are deemed as private and confidential, and LLP’s have the ability to develop floating charges. A limited Liability Partnership is not a partnership, and as such, the laws, rules and regulations that apply to partnerships do not apply to it, except in situations or circumstances provided for in the LLPA (Statham 2002). As such, it is right to define an LLP as an alternative business framework that combines the benefits enjoyed of limited liability and the flexibility of partnerships. According to LLPA 2000, limited liability is possible in LLP’s because an LLP is a legal entity entirely separate from its members and as a result, is liable for its own debts and owns the business assets. Partners or members act as the LLP’s agents, thus, have limited liability, at least up to their contribution-monetary-to the LLP. The Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000 provides for mechanisms in which the provisions of insolvency law and company law can be applied to LLP’s, at least with appropriate modifications. These mechanisms are used to put in place important safeguards for those willing to deal, or dealing with Limited Liability Partnerships. Such safeguards are expected to include provisions for public disclosure of LLPs information such as finance; and provisions with regards to what happens in the event that an LLP becomes insolvent (Legislation.gov.uk n.d.). A brief outline of the Partnership Act 1890 The Partnership Act 1890 defines a partnership as relation that exists between persons that are in a business to make profits. According to this act, the relationship between members of any association or

How Has Being a Christian Affected the Life Essay

How Has Being a Christian Affected the Life - Essay Example The researcher states that until he was about 12 years-old that he began to understand why the pilgrimage to church each week was important to his parents and soon after, what had been a mindless and somewhat boring routine became important to him.   Maybe it was because the author was a little bored in church and the Bible was the only reading material available but regardless of the motivations, he started his own routine of reading the red-letter parts of the New Testament each Sunday. Entranced by the words of Jesus, this habit progressed to late evenings at home and even on the bus to school. The researcher found the words of Christ simple, to the point and ultimately a path to inner contentment and happiness. His words are, essentially, a guidebook for life. It was during this period in the author’s life, early teenage years, that the spirit of God entered his life through the words of His Son and this connection has grown stronger by the year. The researcher made the transition from attending church as a matter of custom to being a devoted Christian gradually throughout the middle-school years; a time when having faith is certainly a benefit. Though the author knew it wasn’t uncommon for everyone to have feelings of awkwardness at this age, this knowledge did not help soothe his own feelings of inadequacy. The researcher wasn’t considered one of the cool, popular kids and neither were 99 percent of the students but again, this mathematical fact did not help either. Most of the author’s friends from church attended other schools and the couple of people he associated with in elementary school had different class schedules. The researcher felt very alone, vulnerable and intimidated. The ‘other’ students seemed more mature and sure of themselves which was more a result of his distorted self-perception than a reality nevertheless this feeling was very real at that time. The researcher did not feel comfortable tellin g anyone close to him such as his parents or his once-a-week friends from church so the author took solace in prayer. It gave him inner-strength in a time of self-doubt and confusion. Reading the Bible also helped considerably. Besides the lessons and wisdom gained from its pages, the realization that Jesus was not a popular figure either and had also a small circle of friends was of some comfort. Being a Christian at this time of great uncertainty was very beneficial.   It gave the author something solid in his life to hold on to at a time when he needed it the most.  

Short term crisis - long term problem economic for HR Essay

Short term crisis - long term problem economic for HR - Essay Example According to the most recent statistics, approximately 264,000 youth in the country has been unemployed for a period not less than 12 months. Some of the proposed recommendations are that the government and all the involved stakeholders within the UK economy should develop long-term measures to address the problem. If the same situation is maintained, there is the likelihood that the unemployed youth will become men while at the same time being poorly qualified and unproductive. Such a situation would work against the economic growth of the nation that sometimes faces competence challenges in the workforce. One of the greatest challenge that the UK government faces in trying to address the problem is that almost a third of the unemployed youth in the country do not claim unemployment benefits. In such cases, the government is incapable of reaching out to such youth in order to help them secure employment. To further complicate the matter is that some of the youths in the country often find it hard to take the initial steps towards employment. In some cases, unemployment challenges among the youth are often attributed to the youth having unrealistic demands within the job market. While a similar situation may be replicated it the U.K, the challenge of job expectations is less significant considering the various factors that come into play when it comes to m unemployment among the youth in the UK. Some of the best ways of addressing the problem include; improving both local and national coordination to address the employment issue and increasing the part times jobs in the

How individual and team activities contribute to meeting organisation Essay

How individual and team activities contribute to meeting organisation objectives and customers needs - Essay Example How individual and team activities contribute to meeting organisation objectives and customers’ needs? Objectives are mainly the achievements or goals that are targeted by an organisation. An organisation lay out objectives that looks at the interest of various stakeholders such as the customer, shareholders etc. The objectives can be either primary/strategic or secondary/tactical. Primary objectives are target put in place in the long term while secondary objectives are mainly short term. Long-term objectives only work well when an organisation is in a stable financial performance. The objectives should be specific, quantifiable, challenging, attainable, realistic, time-bound and understandable. The Morrison supermarket enjoys various benefits that come along with economies of scale. Due to its large size, the company manages to attract the best managers available in the job market. This is due to their ability to offer good salaries and work related allowances. This translates to their exponential growth due to the injection of top quality managerial skills. Secondly, the companies have a large capital base. This makes it easy for them to establish new retail outlets to bolster their rate of stock turn over. In turn this translates to increase in revenue base which ensures that they remain big and competitive. Thirdly, the big companies have well established market networks. This provides a ready market for their products and consequently generating high revenues. The high revenue realized plays a major role in the maintenance of their size and further growth. Lastly, they are able to initiate vertical integration through the process of take over. This is due to the fact being big companies; it becomes easier for the negotiations since each company has a large bargaining power. This helps to create a competitive advantage over other big players in the market (Carter, Kornberger & Schweizer 2011). A good example is the take over of Safeway back in the year 2004 a move that ensured it moved to other regions away from its traditional location (North of England). Thus for Wm Morison chain of supermarkets to achieve organisational objectives as well as satisfy the needs of customers, strategic planning is essential since it will prepare the organisation for unexpected changes commonly referred to as crisis management. Strategic planning usually covers a period of three to five years while laying emphasis on the market dynamics. The organisational benefits that can be derived from strategic planning are; Preparation for future opportunities Better business environment awareness Definition of organisation mission Imparts a sense of continuity and direction Facilitate employee accountability Background information According to Morrisons-corporate.com, Wm Morrison Supermarkets is the fourth largest among the chains of

Music In My Life Presenation Essay Example for Free

Music In My Life Presenation Essay MUSIC Music is an influence in everyone’s life. The type of music you listen to can shape the person you become and how you act in different situations. The first instrument I learned how to play was the piano. I only played for about a year or so, then I moved on to the violin. I was a big fan of the violin and recall playing in several recitals with my instructor. I found the recitals to be both exciting and nerve racking at the same time, but in the end it was an unforgettable experience I could not live without. During my high school years I became a fan of the guitar. I started playing the acoustic guitar and I enjoyed it more than every other instrument I ever played growing up. Upon my high school graduation, I purchased my own electric guitar. From that day on I tried to play it as often as I could, but now I do not have the time for it like I used to which is a shame and depressing. MY DREAMS One of my fears in life is not having enough time to achieve all of my dreams. I would love to go on a cruise to the Caribbean. While growing up, vacations with my family were a big part of my life and continuing that lifestyle is of utmost importance to me. I am an adventurous type of person and would enjoy doing a few â€Å"extreme† activities in my life. These activities would consist of skydiving and bungee jumping. Another dream of mine is to visit every state in the United States, as well as travel around the world. Later on in life, I would like to complete my career goals by obtaining my PhD to further my career. One of my biggest dreams I hope to achieve someday would be to go to Germany and visit the town named after my family. In Germany, my family was considered Dukes and we eventually had a town named after us. This would be an ideal vacation and it is one the most amazing things I hope to do at some point in my life.

Lutzs Cognitive Learning Process

Lutzs Cognitive Learning Process The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Care and Nutrition leads the research pack. They are proud to say that name after the Leicestershire town where Pedigree UK has its headquarters. It is the worlds leading authority on pet care and nutrition. Those of the researches into dogs nutritional requirements are sponsored by WALTHAM . This could lead to academics and pet experts. The experts in Pedigree product development and nutrition work closely with the scientists and researchers at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. Pedigree food for dogs is works with WALTHAM to develop and produce recipes with exceptional nutritional value. Pedigree is a nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to helping dogs find loving homes. Pedigree brand believes that every dog deserves a loving home. They also believe that every dog deserves leading nutrition. It is identified through the review on research studies on the requirements of dogs of different breeds, size and life stages. Based on the researches from WALTHAM Centre for Pet Centre for Pet Nutrition, it identified the four universal needs for dogs which are skin and coat, oral care, digestion and immunity. Besides that, there are many types of products are included in the dry product line which includes eight different product options. The products are PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition, PEDIGREE PUPPY Complete Nutrition, PEDIGREE SMALL BREED Nutrition, PEDIGREE LARGE BREED Nutrition, PEDIGREE Health Longevity, PEDIGREE Healthy Weight, PEDIGREE Healthy Joints and PEDIGREE Wholesome Nutrition with Chicken, Rice Vegetables. Objective The effective communication between producers and consumers is one of the real main objectives of advertising. First of all, creation of demand is one of the objectives for Pedigree advertisement. In order to induce new customers and maintain their old customers to purchase Pedigree product, advertisement of Pedigree inform them its qualities and create a favorable climate for maintaining of improving sales. This will also increases the market receptiveness of the Pedigrees products. Furthermore, Pedigree advertisement that played in the television such as 8TV, ASTRO and etc channels is to remind the public. This is a continuous process of persuading the perspective customers with results in purchase of good. It is also can reminds the public about the existence of the Pedigree products in the market. The Pedigree advertisement shown the advantages for consumer purchase Pedigree products for their dogs. Besides that, short and simple information about Pedigree products is shown in the advertisement. This information is given to prospective buyers in respect of particular product or service through the advertisement. In this competitive market, Pedigree advertisements can help to build up Pedigree brand image and brand loyalty. This is where they can differentiate with the competitors. Pedigree aired this advertisement on television is to deliver the five signs of good health of Pedigree products to the audience of television. Each of every signs of good health is being point out in the advertisement. Product Features Pedigree product features are well explained in the advertisement. The name of the advertisement is called Pedigree 5 signs of good health TVC. The dog that Pedigree used to advertise in the commercial is called olive. It is look like a healthy dog breed. From the Pedigree advertisement can see that Olive become a healthy dog after six weeks of consumed Pedigree products. This Pedigree advertisement shown that dog deserves a healthy change like Olive. There are four universal needs of dogs which are skin and coat, oral care, digestion and immunity. This is one of the Pedigree product features is to let people know and attract dog owner to purchase Pedigree products that can change their dogs health. The Pedigree first sign of good health is stronger teeth. Olive has a clean gums and teeth after consuming Pedigree for six weeks. The number one health issue for pet dogs today is gum disease. Stronger muscle is the second sign of good health. In the advertisement, this can see that Olive run better with the protein provided in the Pedigree product. Furthermore, after feeding Olive with Pedigree products for six weeks, it produces quality of firm stool which can be seen in the advertisement. This is known that Olive has a good dietary system which contains of fiber. Olive has a healthy skin and smooth coat after consuming Pedigree. It is shown in the advertisement where the little girl can lay on Olive as her pillow. The fifth sign of Pedigree good health is cheerful and active. From the advertisement can see that Olive enjoys and have a great time playing with the little girl. The scene is at the playground with little girl holding a ball in her hand. Besides from the Pedigree five signs of good health, it also encourage people participate the campaign with shown register from 1 May 15 July 2012 and sign up on the Pedigree Malaysia Facebook in the advertisement. Appeal and Proposition The advertising appeals that used by Pedigree for their advertisement is feature appeal. This appeal is categorized as one of the information or rational appeals. Pedigree advertisement mainly showed the benefits of feeding dogs with Pedigree products and how good the product is. This advertisement tends to show the five most basic advantages for dogs after consuming Pedigree for 6 weeks. Pedigree can gained more customers confident by releasing this advertisement on television. It is quite an informative advertisement after viewing it compare to others. Pedigree advertisement also might persuade a dog owner to change his or her brands of food for their dog. Unique The unique of Pedigree advertisement is make a change for dogs health life. Dog owner always need to find a right food for their dogs in term of type, life stage, size and specific need. There are also sub category that under all this terms. Pedigree brand dry dog food has been improved based on the four most basic and important needs for dogs such as digestibility, skin and coat, oral care and immunity. Pedigree develops recipes with exceptional nutritional value based on the WALTHAM research as the basis for its recent dog food reformulation. Besides that, with the leading nutrition in the Pedigree products help dogs have a healthy digestion. This is shown in the advertisement that Olive has a firm stools after feeding with Pedigree Products for six weeks later. In the overall health and well-being of the dog, diet digestibility plays a large role in it. Dog need a proper digestion of the diet to live a healthy and enriched its life. This also impacts the quality and amount of stool that is produced by the dog. Dogs most metabolically active organ is their skin and coat. It is because it serves as an outward sign of the overall health status of the dog. In the advertisement, we can see that Olive skin change to a very smooth fur after six weeks later. The skin and coat play a much larger role in canine health. This is because it requires many nutrients and heavily participates in the dogs metabolism. Pedigree products that shown in the advertisement make the dog owner feel like switching their dogs food to pedigree brand. This can be proved in the advertisement that Olive becomes active dog after feeding with Pedigree products. There are interactive guides for the process or changing by just following the simple steps. Dog owner cannot change a dogs diet too quickly because this could make the dogs tummy unhappy and can cause the dog suffer from stomachache and diarrhea. This is also a reason why it might take a week for the transition period. Furthermore, Pedigree advertisement is different from competitors. It is because seldom can see food for dog advertisement in television except Pedigree. Pedigree advertisement showed in ASTRO channels for two different language versions based on the channels itself which are Chinese and English. In this Pedigree advertisement showed all the special of the brand and how the dog change after six weeks if it consume Pedigree products. Pedigree advertisement seems to be unique in a way that seldom television audiences get to watch Pedigree competitors commercial in any of the channels. This brings a great advantage to Pedigree after they showed their advertisement in television. Pedigree have a great product image of food for dog in the audience mindset because the frequent brand they heard and watched before, the more likely they will purchase for their dog as well. Benefits One of the benefits of Pedigree advertisement is that dogs become healthier and stronger after feeding with Pedigree products. In the Pedigree advertisement, we can see that Olive turn to have a stronger muscle and bigger in size after six weeks. This can convince the dog owner to purchase Pedigree after they watched the advertisement. In addition, with the 5 changes on Olive that we can see from the Pedigree advertisement can conclude that it is a good transform on dog after six weeks of feeding. In this transformation period and at the end can provide dog owner better lifestyle on their dog. Dog owner no need to have extra take care of their dog after the six weeks. From the Pedigree advertisement, we can see that Pedigree product can help the dog owner save cost. This is because they just need to purchase specialized Pedigree product for their dogs based on their dogs need rather than few products combining. There is a disadvantage of mixing the food for dogs can cause their dietary problem and at the time Pedigree can help the dog owner save money for sending the dogs to vet. Moreover, in the end of the advertisement shown sign up now on the Pedigree Malaysia Facebook, this is because Pedigree is giving 100 deserving dogs six weeks worth of Pedigree products for them to attain the Pedigree 5 signs of good health. There is time limitation for this contest which is in between 1 May to 15 July 2012. In a shorter time of six weeks, a dog can transform itself to a healthy body and lifestyle. This is one of the benefits of Pedigree products that shown in the advertisement. The shorter time it took can be an advantage of winning from the competitors. Potency The potency for Pedigree Advertisement is that it is a product that every dog owner need for their dogs. It is effective enough of this advertisement where it can influence the dog owner switch their food for dog brands after watching it. This also can remind the dog owner that they can change their dog health care after six weeks consuming Pedigree products. With the 5 signs of good health shown in the advertisement, it is attractive to describe how good the product is. By watching the Pedigree advertisement, it might attract the audience to change the brands of food for dog to Pedigree. Lutzs Cognitive Learning Process There are four steps in the Lutzs cognitive leaning process. The first phase of the process is ad exposure. The Pedigree advertisement is being exposed through the television channels such as 8TV, ASTRO and etc channels. This advertisement usually played on the peak hour time. It is means that during night time around 8pm to 11pm this hours in between. This is also the time most audience is on for their television time. In the cognitive responses phase, Pedigree advertisement is based on the product or message thoughts. It is because from the advertisement we can see that Pedigree trying to deliver informative message to the audience about the five signs of good health after feeding dogs with Pedigree products. The message is been deliver in a success way which include of a sample success dog called olive and a little girl. Next, it is the attitudes phase. This is mean what kind of attitudes that dog owner who watched the Pedigree advertisement going to possess. It is either they continue with the brand they feeding their dog now or change to Pedigree by purchasing it. Pedigree also can influence the new dog owner to try on their products with the advertisement. Lastly, the purchase intent phase is that dog owner will purchase the product if they think that Pedigree might suitable for their dog after watching the advertisement shown in the television and some information research done in internet. They will walk into any outlets of selling Pedigree products for product checking that suitable for their dog and make a purchase on it. Target Audience / Segmentation There are two different language version of Pedigree advertisement which is English and Chinese. The English version of Pedigree advertisement is being aired on television in 8TV channel. It is showed around 8pm to 11pm from April 2012. This Pedigree advertisement is being played on this time is because most of audience will on their television watching news and drama at this hour after their dinner. Pedigree decided to advertise in 8TV channel is because most of the 8TV audience is Chinese and Pedigree is a food for dog where only Chinese and Indian who will adopt a dog in their house or garden. The target audience of this Pedigree advertisement is primarily focus on those Chinese dog owner or dog lover. It is because most of the dog owner is Chinese or Indian. Malay is not allowed to adopt dog as their pet and they hate dog as well. At this hour advertisement played on the television channel, most of the dog owner or audiences will have their relaxing time after a busy day. The secondary target audience of Pedigree advertisement is that audience who wish to have a dog. By watching this advertisement, they will know which brand of food going to buy for their dog in future. This can build a good brand image of Pedigree in the future customer mindset. Pedigree advertisement targeted on this two group of audiences, it is because they are more likely to have interest on Pedigree advertisement and probably will have a deeper research on the information and decide to purchase Pedigree brands of product or other. Pedigree can segment their market based on demographic segmentation. It can be segment based on the race. There are three races in our country which are Chinese, Malay and Indian. From the Pedigree advertisement, we can see that the Chinese little girl does not afraid of the dog Olive and playing around with it. This is because Pedigree brands is selling food for dog and most of Chinese like to adopt dog as their pet in the house. Some of Chinese even treat dog like their children. This is the segment that Pedigree is targeted. Besides that, Pedigree also can segment based on the group of age. There are few categories group of age such as young kids and teens, adults and senior citizen. In the advertisement, Pedigree used a little girl in it maybe because they want deliver that even a little girl is not afraid of dogs. Pedigree can target on the adults because in the busy city life, most of dog owner like to adopt a dog as their partner in the house. Moreover, Pedigree can segment based on psychographic segmentation that focus on the lifestyle. From the advertisement, we can see that the little girl playing around with Olive in a big garden where Olive chasing the little girl with a ball on her ball. This can showed that at some stage lifestyle of people who can afford to adopt a medium size dog like Olive. Those dog owners mostly are stay at land house where there have place for their dog in the garden or car park area. Behavioral segmentation can be segment for this Pedigree advertisement. Dog owner who want a change on their dogs health will put more attention on Pedigree products. From the Pedigree advertisement, it can see that the heath changes on Olive after six weeks of feeding it with Pedigree products. Audience also can participate with the contest on Pedigree five signs of good health for their dogs. This can help them discover the benefits and advantages of having Pedigree products for their dog. Inferences Pedigree is really a good food for dog with the leading nutrition and recipes that based on the research from The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. From the advertisement, we can see that Pedigree use a little girl as the ambassador in the commercial. Olive is the dog that Pedigree used it as the main role in the advertisement. This Pedigree advertisement is a twenty second commercial that aired on television. Pedigree product is being showed together with Olive consuming the dry food in the pots at the first second of the television commercial. At the first scene of this advertisement, little girl said thanks to Pedigree because it change Olives health. The Pedigree five signs of good health had change Olive in six week. From the Pedigree advertisement, found that the little girl is happy for the Olive changes by hugging it. There are five main inferences that get from this Pedigree advertisement. First of all, it is the stronger teeth of Olive. In the advertisement, we can see that the little girl pull up Olives mouth to show its teeth and tongue for the title of it. This can be proved that Pedigree can change dogs teeth after consuming its product after six weeks. Oral care for a dog is very important because they have different needs on the tooth development. Dog need to have a good oral hygiene program to maintain their good oral health with few components which include daily tooth brushing, routine dental exams and cleanings, as well as specially designed foods and chews. Olive have this oral health concern from the owner makes it healthier teeth after six weeks. The second inference that gets from Pedigree advertisement is that stronger muscle. In the advertisement, we can see that Olive can run very fast in the garden. The immune system of Olive is very important for dogs help to keep it healthy. Although it is an incredibly complex system with the comprised of several types of cells that works together to fight off. Dogs must supplement their diet with appropriate of antioxidant levels that is include in the Pedigree products to strengthened the dogs natural defenses. With the television commercial of Pedigree, it delivered that dogs can have a better immune system like Olive with the nutrition that provided in the packets of Pedigree products after feeding the dogs with that. Furthermore, the firm stools of a dog are very important. From the advertisement, we can see that the little girl is look surprised on the stools that process out by Olive. It is because Pedigree has changes Olive health after six weeks of consuming. The stools that shown in the advertisement are being censored replace by animation for the good sake of the audiences. The proper digestion system of a dog only can process out a firm stools. Pedigree products with the four most basic and important needs in it can help the changes in every dogs. The improved nutrient digestibility leads to an increase in the amount of nutrients available for use by the dog. The firm stools of Olive that shown in the advertisement is a sign that the dog is properly digesting and absorbing nutrients that including water from the gastrointestinal tract. Next, it is the healthy skin and coat. In the Pedigree advertisement, we can see that little girl is lying on Olives body and showing the skin and coat of it. Little girl touch Olives skin by delivering the message of dogs skin and coat will become very smooth like Olive after feeding them with Pedigree products. The change of health status of every dog can be observed first in the skin and coat. Skin and coat of the dogs provide some of function such as protection, immunity, thermoregulation, hydration and nutrient storage. The nutrients in the Pedigree products can increase the skin and coat health of dogs and at the mean time maintaining barrier function, participating in healthy cell turnover and producing a shinier coat. This can be observed through the Pedigree advertisement of the Olives skin and coat. It is shiny and warm of coat. The fifth sign of good health of dog is become cheerful and active after feeding with Pedigree products. From the advertisement, we can see Olive is happy and healthy now. The changes make on Olive also happen at the same time to the dog owner. Little girl can enjoy playing with active Olive where she has a partner to play with when she is bored. The four important basic needs in the Pedigree products have make dogs big difference in their lifestyle. Other than that, Pedigree advertisement also gives inference to audience that there is contest running by Pedigree. Pedigree released few examples of successful transform after six weeks to healthy dog pictures with their name on the bottom of the picture. The date of the registration for the contest named 5 signs of good health is shown in the advertisement to remind the audience when it is start and end. Pedigree Malaysia Facebook is where the audience supposed to register for their dogs. This also encourage audience to purchase Pedigree products for their dog for as an experience of changes. The music background that played in the whole twenty second of the advertisement is the theme song of Pedigree. Lastly, Pedigree brand logo is shown throughout the whole 20 second of advertisement.

Libertarianism Essays -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Successful Love   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  How can couples have successful love? Very seldom do couple start a loving relationship, and keep loving each other. Most relationships go down the drain usually between six months to two years. In the beginning, relationships are new, exciting, and passionate. After some time passes, things change and everything becomes predictable. When this happens, partners get sick of each other and start to fight and argue with each other. Basically, you just get on each others’ nerves. Authors Deborah Tannen, John Gray, Susan Page, and John Gottman explain certain solutions to have successful love. These authors have experience in analyzing relationships. Tannen is a linguistics professor at Georgetown University, specializing in language and communications. Gray is an inspirational writer on relationships. Page has done much work in workshops specializing in relationships and communications. Finally, Gottman is a psychology professor, who has done research on relati onships between two thousand married couples. They all mention that in order to keep a strong relationship, there are particular skills that you need to know. For men and women to successfully communicate, they must be able to listen to each other, understand each other, and not criticize one another. You must have these components to make a relationship successful.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Listening is one of the most important aspects of successful communication between men and women. Listening is the act of paying attention in order to hear one another. When couples communicate, they usually think about talking instead of listening, even though â€Å"98% of good communication is listening.† (Page,28)Page states, â€Å"Listening means putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. It means trying to understand a different point of view before you try to make yourself understand. (Page,28) This explains the fact that what you are saying to someone may mean something totally different than what you wanted to say. To stay away from this problem you must speak as if you were listening. In other words, you have to hear the words that you are saying before they come out of your mouth. â€Å"To some people listening is a highly refined skill that is reserved for deep, intimate conversations or delicate negotiations.† (Page,28) To othe r pe... ...e him for who he is and the things he does for you.† (42) On the other hand, Tannen and Gray agree that you must be positive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As you can tell, there are many tips to have a great relationship. After reading the authors’ essays, I have learned what to do and what not to do in a relationship. So next time my boyfriend starts to drift away, I will handle it differently. Instead of getting upset and crying because he doesn’t want to be with me; I will just let him be. I can understand that â€Å"he is going into his cave† and wants to be left alone. I will realize that it isn’t my fault. (Gray, 21) As author Deborah Tannen discusses the differences between men and women, she says â€Å"different perspectives on expressing or concealing dissatisfactions and doubts may reflect a difference in men’s and women’s awareness of the power of their words to affect others.† (15) If you are in a relationship and you want it to be successful, make sure that you listen to your partner, you understand men and women’s communication differences, and ne ver criticize-just compliment. If you work on these elements, you will achieve â€Å"Successful Love.†

Nuclear Disarmament Essay -- Essays Papers

Nuclear Disarmament Since the early 1940’s, two world powers, the U.S. and USSR (currently Russia), have been increasing their nuclear weapons arsenal. In recent years, many other countries, such as: India, Great Britain, France, China, Pakistan, and Israel have begun nuclear stockpiles. Since the Cold War has ended and the USSR collapsed, nuclear weapons have been left unguarded or missing. The effect of this lack of security has raised the world’s awareness on attempting to control nuclear stockpiles. Also, there are concerns of nuclear power plants producing uranium and plutonium as a by-product; the two fuels are used in producing nuclear devices. Although these nuclear power plants were never meant to produce uranium and plutonium, countries have left it available to civilians for research and testing.1 Nuclear bombs can be a result of this experimenting, which is why some form of disarmament and a system of verification on nuclear control needs to be implemented by government officia ls. Nuclear weapons are explosive devices designed to release nuclear energy on a large scale and are used primarily in military applications. The first atomic bomb, which was tested on July 16, 1945 at Alamogordo, New Mexico, represented a completely new type of artificial explosives. Nuclear explosions involve energy sources within the core or nucleus, of the atom. The atomic bomb gains its power from the splitting, or fission, of all the atomic nuclei in several kilograms of plutonium. A sphere about the size of a baseball produces an explosion equal to 20,000 tons of TNT. This is a large amount of power for a nuclear weapon. The atomic bomb was developed, constructed, and tested during the Manhattan Project. This massive United States... ...be implemented in order to control the use of nuclear weapons within today’s society because the current systems have not been successful in securing nuclear devices. Until more successful regulations have been made, the problem of controlling nuclear power will not be solved. ENDNOTES 1 â€Å" The Problem.† NCI. http://www.nci.org/nci-pro.htm (1 July 1996). 2 Handbook of Nuclear Technology (New York: Nucleonics, 1980) pg. 115. 3 Handbook of Nuclear Technology, pg. 110 4 Handbook of Nuclear Technology, pg. 112-114. 5 NCI 6 NCI 7 NCI 8 â€Å"Verification.† The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. http://www.dfat.gov.au/cc/cc_report_annexa.html (Jan. 1994). 9 The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 10 NCI 11 The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

The Medieval Crusades Essay -- essays research papers

Through out time, history has had a tendency to repeat it self. It has done so in good means as well as bad. People learn from the past and apply it to their every day lives. Although people try to do the right thing and not follow mistakes that have been already made, they just seem to come about. This day in age, out country is experiencing a situation that is extremely similar to that that occurred in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, that which is the crusades. Crusades now can be defined as all wars undertaken in pursuance of a vow, and directed against infidels. But back in the middle ages it was known as any military expedition under taken by the Christians of Europe (Random House Webster’s 318). On September 11,2001 the people of America as well as all other free countries in our nation experience a new feeling that we have not know of. We were being attacked for our beliefs, for the way we live our lives. This what we were feeling, was being fought for during the time of the Crusades. The Christians and the Muslims were fighting against one another in order to spread their religion, or end the other. The people who were the leaders of the attack were Muslims. Muslims are people who follow the religion of Islam. Islam is a religion that was founded by a man named Muhammad. The followers of Muhammad believe that he received messages from God. Those messages all established into the rules that the Muslims live by, and they are all recorded in the Koran. Some of the laws forbade Muslims to eat pork, drink alcohol, gamble or lend money for interests. But the main beliefs of the Muslims are â€Å"The Five Pillars†. Which are to have faith in God (Allah). To pray five times a day facing in the direction of Mecca. For a person to ... ...Although they had realized that it was not the end of the crusades. Other types continued. There were five crusades against the Hussites. Also there were crusades that weren’t aimed at capturing Jerusalem but trying to stop the Turks from getting more powerful.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion we have seen how the crusades took place and what affects they left on world history. In this present day we can still see some of the same ideas that lay behind the crusades. The horrific tragedy of September 11th is justified by some Muslim groups as a strong statement on behalf of the one and only god- Allah (or so they think). It is scary to consider that The Holy War of the 11th-13th century has a chance of reawakening in the 21st century. That is why we must know the facts and their consequences about world history, to prevent its occurrence in the present day.

Learning Team A Week One Reflection Essay

The object of the reflection for this week is to discuss the objectives for Week One and their relation to the importance of the balance sheet to internal and external users. The objectives discussed by Learning Team A are the components of cash and cash equivalents, and the comparison and contrast of different inventory cost flow assumptions and how they are valued. The internal users are indentified as management and the external users are investors and creditors. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash is defined in the text as the â€Å"most liquid of assets† and is identified by companies as a current asset. (Weygandt, Kimmel, & Kieso, 2010) What has become very popular is the classification called cash and cash equivalents. FASB has determined that classification to be misleading and it will probably be eliminated from financial statements. Cash will be cash and what used to be short term cash equivalents will now be reported as temporary investments. One of the situations leading to this decision is some companies having to take large losses on auction-rated notes. These notes are liquid because they can be traded daily, but they are not short term because the terms of the notes can be lengthy, in some cases 30 years. When the economy went bad, the auctions stopped, the value went away and the companies participating had to take sizeable losses. Why inventory is important on the Balance Sheet Inventory is an important aspect on the balance sheet. When an outsider studies the balance sheet, they have to look at the assets that the company currently has to make the inventory portion of the balance sheet make sense. The reason that the inventory shows on the balance sheet as a current asset is so outsider investors assume the inventory sells in the future when the product is complete. When investors review the balance sheet, they also like to see that the company does not have too much inventory in case they are cannot sell it, or get rid of the inventory in the future. If companies do not have an accurate amount of inventory they have to estimate it to reflect the information on the balance sheet. Calculating inventory value using Gross Profit and Retail Inventory methods The gross profit inventory valuation method is pretty simple. Beginning inventory plus purchases minus sales at selling price less gross profit percentage equals ending inventory. The major disadvantage of this method is that it is an estimate and not actual which is why it is not a GAAP approved method unless physical inventory is done to back up the valuation (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2010). The retail inventory method, on the other hand, is an acceptable way to valuate inventory. Many retail stores have so many items it is really impractical to do regular inventory counts. To calculate inventory valuation this way, the store takes the beginning inventory plus purchases less sales to determine ending inventory at the retail price. Then the goods available for sale at cost amount is divided by the goods available for sale at retail amount to determine the cost-to-retail ratio; that figure is multiplied by the retail ending inventory to come up with the cost. Internal users of accounting can include management, employees, and owners. Managers use this accounting information to view the company’s performance. Employees view accounting information for job security. Owners view accounting information to view profits from their investments. External users can insist of creditors, investors, and customers. Creditors use this information to check the company’s credit worthiness. Investors would like to earn money from their investments. Customers would like to maintain a long term company customer relationship. The balance sheet allows internal and external users to view what the business has and what the business owes. Knowing a company’s net worth is very important. Using different methods to calculate inventory for companies can be very critical.

Philosophy Epistemology Essay

Epistemology is one of the very important branches of philosophy. It is also known as the knowledge theory. The knowledge theory consists of three questions; â€Å"What is the origin of knowledge? What is the reliability of knowledge? & What is the criteria of knowledge? † Rene Descartes and John Locke really looked into epistemology and both had different theories to approach it. John Locke looked at empiricism and Rene Descartes looked at rationalism. John Locke was an English philosopher and formed his opinion around empiricism. Empiricism is an approach to doing philosophy stressing experience as the in road to all knowledge. The human being is a blank slate to him. Locke was a moderate skeptic, who doubted until valid proof was given to substantiate truth claims of a demonstrative and sensitive nature. The foundations of knowledge functioned in the following manner according to Locke. The human being takes in the external world through sensation (the five senses) and gives form to the experiential data through the processes of reflection. To Locke, intuitive knowledge is the most trustworthy because we automatically recognize the agreement or disagreement of ideas without the intervention of a â€Å"proof†. His criterion of knowledge depended on the force and intensity with which someone perceives either agreement or disagreement between ideas. So for example, we know that 2+3=5. We also know that 2+3 does not equal 7. Locke, unlike Descartes, argues against innate ideas. However, Locke believes that we are all born with the ability to acquire knowledge through the organization of sensate data by the cognitive capacities and capabilities we possess at birth, which are innate to the human. Descartes had a different view of epistemology. He argued for rationalism. Rationalism is an approach to philosophy that employs â€Å"pure reason† to acquire instances of fundamental truth. In Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes comes up with three fundamental truths by way of pure reason. The first fundamental truth is â€Å"I think, therefore I exist. † This fundamental truth establishes for Descartes the â€Å"essence† of the human being in his philosophy, as the â€Å"thing that thinks. † He is reflecting on himself as the â€Å"object of deception† and reasons that despite being deceived, as long as he can think about it, he exists. Having a clear perception of the fundamental truths can guarantee they can be trusted with absolute certainty and cannot ever be false. The three fundamental truths (self, god, & mathematics) are examples of innate knowledge, or truths that all humans are born with given to by God. Descartes says we can discover these truths through the Meditations, by way of doing philosophy, but we do not pursue these in the same manner we pursue other forms of knowledge such as science. The dream argument is aimed at the external world. It says that â€Å"I often have perceptions very much like the ones I have while I’m dreaming. There are no definite signs to distinguish dream experience from wake experience, so it is possible that I am dreaming right now and all my perceptions are false. † In my opinion, I think that John Locke’s position on empiricism is more philosophically sound to me. Just to re-cap, empiricism is an approach to doing philosophy stressing experience as the in road to all knowledge. The human being as a blank slate really makes sense to me. We automatically know that we can agree or disagree without having to have proof to go along with it. I think that sense experience is always the starting point to knowledge. I think in order to learn something in life you have to experience it first. You can’t just go out and expect the knowledge to be in your brain for no reason. For example, how would you know what the color blue looks like if you were born blind? You would need to use your senses to try and understand what the color is. God couldn’t just put it in your mind because it’s something that you just need to see. Also, you can learn from the experiences you go through. If you do something and it ends up being wrong, then you learn from that experience and how you can go about it differently next time. In my opinion, rationalism has some defects that would make it harder to understand philosophically. A rationalist comes to believe that knowledge is a lot like math. So pretty much, it is knowledge that comes before experience. Something that you already know, but have never experienced before. I think that is a bit problematic because how can you know something that you never experienced? Epistemology plays a big role in philosophy as does John Locke and Rene Descartes. They both have great views on epistemology looking at rationalism and empiricism. When thinking about rationalism, we know that knowledge can be acquired through reason alone and that we don’t need experience. But when thinking about empiricism, we know that we learn through our experiences as a person. Justifying truth as a philosopher, I would agree more with Locke’s view on empiricism. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that you need experience to learn, and to grow as a person.

A Molecular Caliper Mechanism for Determining

The article is about the discovery of a molecular â€Å"caliper† that can be used to measure the length of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA). It was written by Vladimir Denic and Dr. Jonathan Weissman. Here, I will analyze the important elements in this scientific paper by answering the key questions below.1. What important previously observed facts stimulated the new work? (Background)It has been observed that very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are responsible for the cellular growth and alterations in the length of these fatty acids will result to abnormalities. In humans, Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (LCAD) and adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) are two of the metabolic diseases that can be fatal to the individual (â€Å"Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase†; Kemp and Watkins â€Å"Very Long Chain Fatty Acids and Adrenoleukodystrophy†).One possible way to solve this problem is by determining the lengths of VLCFAs. It is also important to not e that VLCFAs are results of catalytic processes. Thus, the different components of VLCFAs as well as the proteins responsible for this must be determined.In the article, previous studies conducted on the process of converting short fatty acids were included. The four steps in the metabolic process were listed (Denic and Weissman 663). After it, the researchers investigated on the missing links of the process: the novel dehydratase and the elongase protein (Elop) which acts as â€Å"scissors† in the elongation cycle. Using complicated steps derived from previous experiments, they were able to identify the Elop known as Phs1p.Unknown to the researchers are the Elop responsible for determining the length of the resultant VLCFAs by stopping Phs1p from elongating the fatty acid. Another unknown is the method which the researchers can determine the length of the VLCFA.2. What is the hypothesis of the new work?The hypothesis of this work can be found in the abstract but it is a sho rter version and probably needs elaboration. By analyzing the existing data on VLCFA, the researchers have come up with the hypothesis that FAs are elongated to VLCFAs by three membrane components (Denic and Weissman 663). Also, they were able to hypothesize that the length of the VLCFA can be measured by determining the distance from the lysine residue and the Elop active sites (Denic and Weissman 663).3. What are the major findings reported in the manuscript? (New data)The major findings in the article include the discovery of the missing component—novel dehydratase–Phs1p. This is the component responsible for the elongation of the FAs (Denic and Weissman 664). Now, the researchers still looked for the Elop responsible for the length determination of the VLCFAs and found two examples of this component, namely Fen1p and Sur4p (Denic and Weissman 674). By undergoing in vivo tests, they were able to isolate the Elops and found out that Fen1p and Sur4p is responsible for the elongation of C18 fatty acids into C22 and C26 respectively (Denic and Weissman 674).

American dream in The Great Gatsby Essay

In todayÊ ¼s society, it seems that everyone strives to be at the top, and for many people, the top means the most success, and success means money. The American dream- to go from nothing to the pinnacle of success- is apparent both in the novel The Great Gatsby and in the modern world. Another apparent aspect of the American Dream is second chances, Gatsby, along with many other Americans today strives for second chances, Jay Gatsby seems to be the epitome of a man trying to find the American dream. Gatsby was not always the rich extravagant man who throws luxurious parties that we meet in the beginning of the novel. His motives for rising to the top of the social ladder and acquiring wealth may be different than most peoples motives for achieving the American dream. GatsbyÊ ¼s lust for the American dream came out of his quest to one day finally be with the love of his life, Daisy. This bring up another aspect of the American dream: second chances. More than anything, Jay wants a second chance with Daisy. He â€Å"had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again† and that he could get Daisy back. He does everything in his power to try to achieve this. ! Much of the American dream seems to be materialistic, and Gatsby definitely represents these materialistic parts of the American dream. He has the big house, the nice car, and throws his money around on his extravagant parties. Ultimately though, Gatsby does not achieve the second part of the American dream; second chances. Gatsby is murdered and never gets to spend his life with Daisy which is all he ever really wanted after he got out of the war. GatsbyÊ ¼s â€Å"dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him.† Katerina Bessey Monday, December 10, 2012 12:23:31 PM ET Material wealth definitely still exists in todays society. Many peopleÊ ¼s motives for achieving this material wealth is to be accepted by society. This relates to the way that Gatsby wants to achieve material wealth so that Daisy will fall back in love with him. Daisy encompassed everything about wealth even â€Å"Her voice is full of money,† which is why Gatsby thought wealth was the only way to her heart. People often think that material wealth means success which is why it is  associated with the American dream. I do not necessarily agree with this, but it is definitely how society perceives it. I think this is especially the way todayÊ ¼s youth perceives success they think the material things like nice clothes, cars and houses show how successful a person is. In the setting of The Great Gatsby, the people who have the nice cars and homes are the ones who are perceived as successful. These people may not be the happiest, or have the most morals, but in terms of materialistic things, they are the most successful. ! Second chances always have been, and I believe always will be associated with the American dream. Gatsby and many of the other characters in the book and looking for second chances in life. People have always associated America with opportunity and second chances at things. Everybody wants to be able to have a second chance at something they fail, or something that doesnÊ ¼t go quite as planned. Today, people almost expect to get second chances at things. This seems to be largely due the precedent that was set by the American dream. American itself has been seen as the land of second chances since colonial times. People came here for new opportunities and a second chance at life. People still come to America today for that very same reason. Christianity today is another example of second chances. It allows people to Katerina Bessey Monday, December 10, 2012 12:23:31 PM ET  repent and be fully redeemed and â€Å"reborn† allowing people to achieve a new start, or a second chance.  Though the American dream has changed slightly since the 1920Ê ¼s, Jay Gatsby portrays many of the aspects of it that are still present today. Mr. GatsbyÊ ¼s lust for material wealth to gain a second chance with the love of his life and journey from â€Å"rags to riches† are still part of the American dream for many people in our modern world.