J G Garden Center Lawn Care Services Division free essay sample

This combination of land acquisition and building construction resulted in very low overhead for the business, which contributed to their start-up success. An addition to the building completed in 1991 included several new and related product lines such as garden tools, soils and mulch products, gifts, seeds, and related accessories. Gloria had earned a horticulture degree at the local community college prior to the establishment of the business. In 1997 she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of starting a landscape design and installation service that became the company’s next and newest product line. Gloria set up a small studio and office in the couple’s nearby home and was able to acquire some new clients. Her timing was good, as the Columbus area experienced a housing boom during that period. New houses and new developments sprang up in every direction from the city. Their garden center was able to supply the plant materials that each new job required. We will write a custom essay sample on J G Garden Center: Lawn Care Services Division or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Soon after, the Weeds expanded their product lines to include a new and wider variety of trees, shrubs, landscape terraces, patios, and walkways as a means to generate new sales and to complement Gloria’s new service line. The original start-up business and each expansion project (building addition, new products, design and installation service) have more than covered their costs, but they have generated only fair to moderate profit margins. The Weeds attribute this mostly to the presence of their competition, which always seems to be growing. As a result, they have been reluctant to raise prices even though some product costs have risen. One year later, the Weeds completed the final phase of their original long-range business plan with the addition of another new service—Big John, The Lawn Garden Doctor. This new product line was added because of its very high profit projections. This new division specializes in the treatment and eradication of lawn and garden pests. Many insects and diseases affect plant life, some of which are fatal. In spite of the fact that the Weeds and other local garden centers offer high-quality plants to consumers, nature has a way of wreaking havoc on lawns, gardens, shrubs, and trees over time. The start-up of this division required a tremendous amount of time, effort, and expense as a result of the environmental and safety-related hazards of some of the products such as insecticides and fungicides. The Weeds were required to train and license two of their employees as certified applications technicians. A custom-built, high-security storage facility was required and built to house all hazardous materials. The building was secured with a locked, barbed-wire fence, an alarm system, and a hazardous material runoff-proof partition. A special liability insurance policy was purchased as well. As expected, the new division turned out to be very profitable. Demand was strong and the technician’s work was professional and effective. In fact, at the end of its first full year of existence, Big John, The Lawn Garden Doctor turned a profit that almost matched that of all other divisions combined. At the company’s monthly staff meeting, it therefore came as quite a surprise to everyone when John announced that he was seriously considering dropping the division entirely. John Weed is a local native of the area. He was very strong family and community values and has always felt responsible for the welfare and happiness of his friends, neighbors, and especially his customers. From the start, he was nervous and apprehensive that something bad would happen as a result of the pesticide or fungicide applications. And then it happened. A customer’s dog became ill, possibly as a result of eating some grass from a recently treated lawn. Big John’s technician had taken every precaution. The area was properly treated, marked, and roped off, and the customer was instructed as to the after-care safety precautions, which included a well-written handout and a signed liability waiver form. Although the company was clearly not negligent. John was upset. Two months later, a lawsuit was filed against the company, claiming that the water runoff from the property of one of their customers had tainted a neighbor’s well. The Weeds were forced to hire an attorney. Following a full and costly investigation, they were found not guilty of the charge. Gloria feels that John is overreacting. She points out that the company is in full compliance with every regulation and that John has gone out of his way to ensure the safety of all. Gloria also noted that no business can control the behavior or be responsible for its customers or the population in general; incidents beyond their control will naturally and always occur. In addition, the high profitability of the division will allow the Weed’s to embark on an aggressive advertising campaign aimed at improving the sales and profits of their other divisions. John is losing sleep over all of this and is not sure what to do. He is worried about the image and reputation of his family and their business. He feels that the lawn and garden doctor business provides a useful service, but his conscience is bothering him. QUESTIONS 1. Present an argument in favor of retaining the new division that considers and incorporates the ethical conflicts that Mr. Weed is experiencing. 2. Present an argument in favor of eliminating or changing the new division, and make recommendations to improve overall company profits through means that will be acceptable to Mr. Weed. 3. Aside from compliance with the law, how much additional responsibility does a business owner have to his or her customer base, employees, suppliers, and the community at large? How do you feel about the old saying â€Å"buyer beware†?

Tristan- chivalric hero essays

Tristan- chivalric hero essays A true chivalric knight and a hero-in-the-making Tristan is a medieval tragic hero. Even his name attests to this. In Celtic, it means sorrow, tumult, outcry. It was given to him because of the loss of his mother at birth. From the time of his tragic birth, his life is full of challenges. In his youth, he is hidden from Duke Morgans wrath, raised by a loyal guardian Rivalen. From the age of seven, Tristan is put under rigorous training in the arts of barony, and grows into a young knight, full of strength, valor, and devotedness. He first shows his valor by embracing his filial duty by killing Duke Morgan, regaining his fathers lands, and placing them in the hands of his guardian, Rivalen. Upon his return to Cornwall he faces Morholt in combat, illustrating his compassion to weakness, his fearlessness of death in the name of honor, and his full loyalty to his Lord, King Mark. He further displays his loyalty when he embarks on the quest into enemy territory to find the lady with the golden hair. He engages a dragon in battle, kills him with heroic strength, and brings Iseult the Fair, all throughout serving his Lord faithfully at the cost of his own life. Tristan is a chivalric knight, and his loyalty lies not only with his Lord but also with his Lady. And it is from this point that the temptations and failings of the hero-in-the-making come to light. The moment he drinks the love potion with Iseult the Fair, his loyalty to his lord and to his lady are in conflict. His lady is his lords wife, and serving both equally and honorably is impossible. In the end, his ultimate loyalty is to his lady, and with respect to courtly love, he shows all the heroic characteristics of a chivalric knight. He serves her with respect and dedication. He undertakes various valorous deeds for her, and saves her from dangers, always placing her welfare above his own. In the end, he keeps him ...

Brand Identity Development and the Role of Social Media Essay

Brand Identity Development and the Role of Social Media - Essay Example The study "Brand Identity Development and the Role of Social Media" can be suitably used for understanding the contribution of social media platform for enhancing a brands image, in the UK fashion industry. The findings of the study can be suitably be used by a number of firms to enhance the efficiency with which they develop brand identity development strategies. Management students can also make use of the present study so that they can utilize the knowledge gained for better impacting consumer purchasing intentions. The current study aims to understand how consumers of the UK fashion industry are impacted by the social media to form perceptions regarding various brands. The study also suitably lays light upon how firms operating in the fashion industry utilizes the social media platform to create a positive brand image so as to increase purchasing intentions amongst consumers. Kim and Ko, (2012) described social media as websites that facilitates its users to share media, content and so on. Some common examples of social media website are renowned social networking websites such as facebook, twitter, you tube and to name a few. As indicated by Hines and Bruce, (2007), social media plays a great role in marketing. Social media marketing is the technique of gaining consumer traffic or attention by social media sites. Kim and Ko, (2012) discussed that social media marketing initiatives generally focuses on efforts to generate content that gains attention of the online communities.

History of Pharmacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of Pharmacy - Essay Example We now have vaccines to prevent our children from contracting fatal diseases that use to plague us in the earlier times. Had the break though of science been far fetched an idea, then population would not be a problem now and perhaps we would not live up to the days where we see our off-springs bear their own. We would not be able to see the world become highly technical through the science of major discoveries. Such, to me is the importance of learning the history of pharmacy, thus making me marvel at its relevance and importance. Without this branch of medicine, doctors would not have access to measure and solutions and therefore there would be no medication available to sick people. The study of what and how pharmacy evolved enlightens me into a realization that pharmacist play an imperative aspect making the world a better place to live in. When the world searched for drugs to cure illness, we became the answer to it. Along with the advancement of science, people learned to embrace the importance of the discovery of drugs. Those who made this possible were the people who painstakingly studied the pharmacologic aspect of the drug are the heroes of the modern world, with out them there would not be pain relievers or antacids and management of these medications wouldn't be known and practice had there been not enough knowledge imparted to significant people assisting sick individuals become well. If there were no pharmacies around, where would we get our medicines prescribed by our physician Without pharmacist, who would do cross check of the prescriptions issued by doctors Pharmacy is made available because there is a need for drugs to become available to ordinary individual, to assist them with their queries relative to the drug's potency, dosage and uses. Questions which they perhaps failed to ask their general physicians, or possible instructions that were not clearly discussed to them due to ti me constraints. Through out the years, the practice of pharmacy and its management has been clearly affected by cultural diversity, this is because culture plays a significant role in the way interactions happen. Culture dictates the manner with which we relate to one another even when the most obvious need arise. The obvious need I am referring to may reflect in our hesitation to ask or make clarification, or this can be due to language barrier. Most often, the practice of pharmacy management is highly similar to establishing relationships with others; highly critical and full of emotion, simple put, characterized with to human nature. Certain beliefs are thus answered through the science of pharmacology, just like in the manner with which ordinary fever used to be perceived as punishment of the gods in the olden times but in the present, fever is a significant indicator that there is an infection which your own body is fighting against through the efforts and mechanism of your own white blood cell s. Doctors may not have time to explain this to

Community Board Meeting Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Community Board Meeting - Research Proposal Example No one knows everything about all aspects of school operations. The best school corporations show, teamwork in decision-making, which also is sensitive to many elements-the community, the professional staff and various branches of government-which share responsibility for public education. The school board discussed growing worries about the economy and its effect on the public schools 2009-2010 budget. The board discussed the reality of potential budget reduction and the possibility that many teachers and school staffs could be laid off during the next academic year. Teachers and staffers are definitely affected in this board meeting. They feared safety and quality would be compromised if the district proceeds with preliminary plans to lay off dozens of employees, including special programs and campus monitors. Frustration among attendees was present in a large proportion through the possibility of job losses and the impact of staff reduction on the quality of study and other programs for students. The budget cuts would force reduction or termination of important students programs, like the discontinuation of college prep courses. Teacher layoffs would increase classroom size, increasing the average class size to the high 30's and low 40's, which would have a negative impact on the students. 3. How would the decisions taken impact health on population/aggregate from the overall broad perspective of health' What level of prevention was involved in the decision (if appropriate)' (8) The school budget cuts will affect the most vulnerable students, including immigrants and children needing mental health services. Reducing school staffs also mean cutting back on social workers, counselors, special education teachers, and nurses. These professionals will have less time in each school, meaning fewer opportunities for intervention and increased caseloads. This definitely will affect primary prevention, which means cutting back on health education programs, such as drug prevention program to teach children about the influence and effects of drugs and alcohol, and personal coping, and resisting skills. Also affecting secondary and tertiary prevention, which means fewer nurses, counselors, and social workers will be doing health and mental screenings and not be able to provide the best care to the vulnerable population. 4. Was the meeting productive' Consider the following

Measurement Software in Construction

Measurement Software in Construction 3.1 Introduction The use of measurement software in construction industry has focused on measurement and BQ since these two have been the predominant core activities of work. However, as we are aware today, the use of computers can be applied to many different situations. This chapter will review the application and features of measurement software in local construction companies. The common application functions of measurement software such as measurement, cost estimation, tender document preparation, BQ preparation and the like will briefly described in the first sub-chapter. In addition, case studies of measurement software currently available in market whether local or foreign will be conducted in this chapter. This chapter will also provide the key features or modules of the Microsoft Office Excel 2007, CATO Suite, BinaLink, Buildsoft, WinQS, PriMus-DCF and PriMus REVOLUTION in more details. The positive or negative impacts of measurement software on local construction industry will be explained and carried out by few survey analyses additionally. A summary of this chapter will be presented in the last section. Questionnaire will be drafted based on this chapter to meet the last two objectives of the research which are the extent of measurement software application and the resulted impacts from it in local construction companies. 3.2 Application and Features of Measurement Software in Local Construction Companies Measurement software were created and developed to serves the roles and responsibilities of QS profession in a construction companies with lesser time and higher accuracy. Application functions of measurement software enable to perform the following: Measurement Measurement is the main activity that any quantity surveyor engages in during the stage of tender preparation. Curren (1987) advocates that computer can measure quantities automatically and is more accurate compared to measurement done manually (cited by Lim and Ong, 2008). This goes to show the use of computers is vital to the quantity surveyor as it helps in reducing the time needed for taking-off quantities. Cost Estimation Ahuja and Campbell (1988) defined that cost estimation is prediction of probable cost incurred for a proposed construction project. It is a technical process and has been described as both an art and also science. Estimating is usually carried out by quantity surveyor or estimator on behalf of contractor with the attempt to forecast the tender sum to be included in the BQ before submitting the tender. The purpose of the cost estimation is to obtain the expected cost of a project in varying degrees of accuracy at different phases of project. Cost estimating software will enhance the accuracy while estimating the building cost and examine the implication of initial cost design. BQ Preparation Computer systems are used to facilitate this process by automatically reducing double keying work and thus saving a huge amount of time. In term of BQ production, Microsoft Excel is widely used for doing taking off and preparation of BQ. Traditional spreadsheet measurement sheet have the ability to reduce the burden of timesing and squaring as well as checking of this two steps (Hamid and Chong, n.d.). BQ production involves a long and tedious process. Nigel (1978) has listed out eight major steps in producing a BQ as below: Measurement of Quantities Timesing and Squaring Checking of Timesing and Squaring Abstracting Checking of Abstracting Preparation and Checking of Draft BQ Preparation of BQ and Checking Final BQ Tender Documents Preparation The phase of preparation of the tender documents is extremely important, as it determines the terms of the tender procedure as well as the terms for execution of the contract. Kovari (n.d.) noted that seven documents will be provided in tender documents preparation and the format of it can be saved into the memory of the computers as shown below: Advertisement for Bids (Notice to Contractors or Invitation to Bid) Draft Contract which included type of contract, general provisions or general conditions and special provisions or special provisions. Statements of Work, Services and Technical Specifications BQ Schedule of Execution Bidding Schedule Approved Drawings Project Cost Control Cost control starts at inception, when guide prices or indicative costs will be required through the stage when an early price estimate is prepared and the tender process undertaken by the contractors through the final completion and agreements of the final account for the project. The architect or engineer will want to consider alternative solutions that meet the clients overall aims and objectives during the various stages of design. The quantity surveyor will offer cost advice for the comparative design solutions of the alternative materials to be used and also advice on the cost implications of the design morphology and procurement. Cost control does not stop at tender stage but continues up to the agreement of the final account and the issue of the final certificate for the works. Hence, cash flow estimating software enables quantity surveyor record and calculates the date driven accurately and faster. It is also providing a better monitoring on the building process (Ashworth an d Hogg, eds, 2007). Valuation In practice, the contract normally is to be paid by employed a sum on account as the construction work proceeds. Before the Architect issuing a certificate, quantity surveyor has to prepare an interim valuation (Lian, 2009). Interim valuation can be carried out by using the BQ programme as database usually. The main items to be considered when valuing the words area as following: Preliminaries Main Contractors Works Variation Unfixed Materials and Goods Statutory Fees and Charges Nominated Sub-Contractors Works Nominated Suppliers Goods Fluctuation in Costs of Labour, Materials Retention Final Account Preparation According to Ashworth and Hogg (eds, 2007), the majority of construction projects result in a final cost that is different to that agreed by the client and contractor at commencement of the construction works. The calculation and agreement of this final construction cost, the final account is usually of the utmost importance to both the employer and contractor. Therefore, parties to the contract need to ensure that the final account incorporates a fair valuation of the works carried out. Within lump sum contract arrangements the price agreed by the client at commencement will normally require adjustment for several matters including variations, provisional measurements, provisional sums, fluctuations, and claims. Thus, quantity application software will sort, store and analyse the capability and score the goal of time saving. 3.3 Case Studies of Measurement Software Available in Market Anything and everything can be computerised nowadays. It is inevitable that the complex task of measuring quantities off drawings or taking-off has now progressed into the digital realm. ICT is becoming a strategic asset for any organisation to deliver business improvement in the AEC industry. Hence, QS firms are encouraged to use the computer to perform traditional tasks. The following are some measurement software currently used in the market. 3.3.1 Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Microsoft Corporation is a software company based in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is ranked 15th in the worlds top 500 companies and its operating software has driven 93% of the worlds desktop computers since 1991. Microsoft Office software encompassing a suite of e-mail, word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation tools dominates 90% of the market and brings in $9 billion annually as a third of the companys revenue (Corporate Watch UK, 2004). Graduate School (2010) stated that Microsoft Office Excel is a software application that offers three distinct processes for managing data such as spreadsheet, database or graphing. The primary feature, spreadsheet is a number crunching tool allowing for sophisticated calculations such as budgets, finances, inventories or any task that is numerically oriented. The database and graphing functions allow for selecting, retrieving, viewing and charting data that is contained within the spreadsheet mode. According Microsoft Corporation (2010), Microsoft Office Excel 2007 is a powerful and widely used tool that helps people analyses information to make more informed decisions. There are the top 10 ways in which Office Excel 2007 can help users create spreadsheets and analyse, share and manage information more effectively as shown below: Office Excel 2007 features the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface to help users find powerful tools when users need them. Import, organise and explore massive data sets within significantly expanded spreadsheets. Use the completely redesigned charting engine in Office Excel 2007 to communicate users analysis in professional-looking charts. Enjoy improve and powerful support for working with tables. Create and work with interactive PivotTable views with ease. See important trends and find exceptions in users data. Use office Excel 2007 and Excel Services to help share spreadsheets more securely with others. Help ensure users or users organisation work with the most current business information. Reduce the size of spreadsheets and improve damaged file recovery at the same time. Extend users business intelligence investments because Office Excel 2007 provides full support for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services. 3.3.2 CATO Suite Causeway Technologies was established in 1998 to provide its customers throughout the United Kingdom with a range of competitive software products and services. It is a fast growing organisation currently employing in the region of 200 people and is the leading software developer for the construction industry. From feasibility through to final account, cost management professionals are faced with ever tighter deadlines in which to deliver accurate cost information (Causeway Technologies Ltd., 2008). The CATO Suite has been developed with the close participation of the profession and provides powerful support to the QS professional. The introduction of CATO Enterprise is an opportunity to implement a step change in their business processes effectively to provide their staff with a QS desktop. The creation of BQ and cost plans in a controlled environment providing information can be relied upon and used to build a database for future projects and importantly reports produced in a consistent manor for clients (Causeway Technologies Ltd., 2008). 14 types of modules of the CATO Suite provide an affordable solution that can be managed and adapted to company requirements are (Brochure of CATO Suite): CATO Full Contract CATO Management Contracts CATO Quickest CATO CADMeasure CATO Earthworks CATO Cost Planning CATO Cashflow CATO Document Register CATO Procurement CATO E-Tendering CATP Project Controls CATO Cost Management CATO Whole Life Costing CATO Rates CADMeasure is a multi-purpose measurement tool that enables users to measure from electronic drawings with unprecedented accuracy. It provides an easy to use CAD based on-screen professional measurement facility, ideal for all types of measurement from the most sophisticated 3-dimensional building object model to the simplest sketch (Brochure of CADMeasure). The features of CADMeasure are: Easy to use through familiar pull down menus, toolbars and dialogues. Local or network versions available with concurrent licensing. Access to all non-editing AutoCAD commands during measurement session. Comprehensive on-line help system. Full Audit trail with automatically annotated drawing record. Suitable for a range of different users including those involved with property, construction, manufacturing, medical and retail sectors. Ability to store and record complete measurement history in line with design changes. Dynamic link between measurement and drawing content. Available both as a standalone solution and for use with existing installations of AutoDesk products including AutoCAD, MAP 3D and Architectural Desktop. Drawing integrity retained. Improved measurement integrity via new XML file format. Supports remote software development for effective multi-user implementation and updates. 3.3.3 BinaLink Bina Link Solutions Sdn. Bhd. is a company formed by Malaysians who are familiar with local standards and procedures with the objective of providing IT solutions to the construction industry. The company founded by experienced personnel of the construction of the construction and IT industry. The company staffs have vast experience working in consultants and contractors environments. They involved themselves in the rapid advancement of computer development and usage in the construction industry in the last two decades. The development of the companys programme is carried out by dynamic and knowledgeable staffs that are conversant with the latest in IT (Bina Link Solutions Sdn. Bhd., 2006). According to brochure of BinaLink, there are 9 types of modules are: BinaLink BQ Module Binalink Tender Module Binalink CAD Measure Binalink Tender Comparison Module Binalink E-Tender Binalink Preliminaries Binalink Worksheets Binalink Progress Payment Module Binalink Final Account Module The BinaLink BQ Module is an exciting innovative system especially developed for use as a superior tool for the preparation of BQ and construction costing. It is developed by Malaysian experts on a familiar Microsoft Windows platform to suit a standalone or networking environment. In addition, it will be unique local working methods and cost effective system (Brochure of BinaLink). The key features of BinaLink BQ Module are: Standard BQ Libraries Mutiple Column BQ up to 3 columns Lump Sum Bills Project Summary Reports Direct Measurement Method 2 Dimensional Worksheet Measurement Formula Worksheet Measurement Rebar Worksheet Measurement Flagging Reports for Sub-total Quantities Resource Reports Built-up Rates with resources, price and resource databases Mark-up Reports Gross Floor Area Measurement for Elemental Cost Analysis CAD Measurement Facilities with Direct Linking to Worksheet (Optional) 3.3.4 Buildsoft Buildsoft is an Australian company with its head office in Sydney. Buildsoft was established in 1985 to develop and market computer software for the building and construction industry. The company staffed by an enthusiastic team with many years of practical experience in the building industry. In Australia, its products became the industry standard and now exported to 20 countries. The company have a select network of accredited overseas distributors and over 5000 worldwide users. Because of this, Universities and TAFE colleges in Australia as well as selected Universities throughout Asia and the United Kingdom are teaching its products as the accepted standard (Builsoft, 2009). Products available are: Offsider Estimating Global Estimating Subbies Comparison On-Screen/Digitizer Take-off Digitizer Board Scale-Link USB Maths Mate Buildsoft Global Estimating is an estimating programme that has been tailored for commercial use in the building and construction industry. BQ or detailed Estimates and Cost Plans will be produced. It designed primarily for use by commercial building contractors and professional quantity surveyors. It is also including features which allow it to be used in other industries where estimating is required. The main features of Buildsoft Global Estimating System are: BQ Composite Rates Libraries for Description Rates Tendering Function Multi-level Mark-up Function Estimating Functions Job Analysis Cost Analysis Quality Analysis Measurement Calculation Sheet Interim Valuation/Progress Claim Tender Comparison System SCP Module Buildsoft Take Off System (BTOS) CAD Measurement Module Buildsoft Online Tendering System (BOLTS) 3.3.5 WinQS Advanced Cost Engineering (AEC) Solutions cc was formed in June 1996. It is involved in the system design, the marketing and the support of the WinQS system which, over ten years has grown to be the most widely used QS system and had more than 3000 licensed systems installed in Southern Africa as well as internationally nowadays. The WinQS software is constantly being upgraded and new modules written to provide solutions for quantity surveyors and contractors. WinQS provides a complete QS system with on-screen take-off dimension, It provides an ease on pricing due to multiple sets of price may be stored for each project and be copied, multiplied and select for use in Bills production, estimating, valuation and others. The system features of WinQS will be shown in Table 3 (WinQS, n.d.). WinQS is a complete QS system for: The Production of BQ Documents The Production of Estimates Documents The Calculation of Monthly Valuations The Cost Analysis of a Project Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) 2000 Certificate Module Contract Price Adjustment Calculations Tender Analysis Financial Review Costs Reports Table 3: The system features of WinQS (WinQS, n.d.) 3.3.6 PriMus-DCF and PriMus REVOLUTION ACCA is the Italian leader in the Building Industry Software. ACCA is a reference point in the field now to covering an unparalleled range of solutions and distributing the programs which are the standard for the industry. Founded in 1989, ACCA grew rapidly thanks to its products, well-known for their usability and their strongly innovative inspiration. This company is ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certified. Therefore, the company structure will ensure to improve constantly the processes and activities meeting customers needs and satisfaction (ACCA software, n.d.). PriMus-DCF is the BQ software for working directly with Internet Explorer. It is more transparent, closer to your natural and ordinary way of working and thinking, and therefore easy to manage with the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) philosophy. The Document Computation Format (DCF) standard introduces a revolution in the building software world undertaking the basic data sharing concept. Users can easily transmit BQ and estimates documents and everything in users document will be contained in one unique file, no heavier database structures but just a small size compressed file. With PriMus-DCF, everybody can open a DCF document and work on it freely (ACCA software, n.d.). According to ACCA software (n.d.), PriMus REVOLUTION allows integrated development and processing of all estimating or project management documents, updated with the latest regulatory guidelines with the automatic generation of: BQ (forecasts, resulting costs, work variation surveys, final accounting, quantity estimates, requests for proposal, labour incidence estimate, etc.) Measurement Book Accounting Register Cost Summary Work Progress Statement Payment Certificate Steel Reinforcement Bars Requirements Book Price Lists Comparison Table (for work variation surveys, comparison of work progress statements, comparison of multiple design assumptions or proposals, etc.) Weekly Lists of Workers, Equipment and Costs Forms (completion of works, beginning of works, suspensions, resumptions, execution, etc.) History Management 3.4 Impacts of Measurement Software on Local Construction Industry According to the conducted survey of Lim and Ong (2008), the measurement software is still not widely use or fully utilised in measuring quantities for preparation of BQ or other extent usages in local construction industry although most of the companies have it. Based on the feedback from the survey, the common problems associated with measurement software are: The use of such software requires learning and remembering many procedures Lack of flexibility Need to train new staff to use the software Using measurement software to take-off quantity requires the taker-off to perform transferring of raw quantities from one software into another either digitally or manually to produce the quantities in the BQ format as compared to the manual method. Newer technology is being developed that allows seamless transfer of quantities from measurement software to the customised software for the preparation of BQ. However, not all measurement software has the complete package of measuring and BQ production software. Most of the companies which using the measurement software would need to spend money and time to train existing and new staff to use the software before it can be utilised efficiently. The need of training also indicates that the education of quantity surveyors has not focus on this skill, as it has never been required. Nevertheless, a change to the education curriculum is necessary to produce QS graduates that are skilled in using measurement software now. The survey also noted that it is difficult to check the measured quantities if the measurement is done by using measurement software if compared with the manual method. In fact, only staffs that are skilled in using it would be able to check the quantities easily. Besides, the survey also attempted to find out the advantages of measurement software as the following: Higher accuracy Ease in editing the measurement Increase speed of measurement Easy to measure Reduction of Workforce Most of the companies agreed that utilising measurement software in measurement of quantities produces high accuracy. Measurement of quantities directly from digital format drawings removes the need to reproduce drawings on paper. Wheeler (1992) stated that reproduction of drawing on paper will reduce the accuracy of the drawings and measurement scaled from paper will further erode the accuracy (cited by Lim and Ong, 2008). There is also eliminated to mistakes due to human error in reading the dimension off scale rule and recording the dimension on paper or spreadsheet file. Measurement software allows for easy digital editing of quantities measured. This is because it contained function such as block, entity area, copy, paste, delete and undo as any other software that facilitate the editing process. In addition, application of measurement software will increases the speed in measuring quantities as compared to manual method. This is due to the ability of the software to generate quantities. Memory of computer also enables a program of instruction saved and turns it into fully automatic, it then simplifying the works. Finally, workforce required to measure quantities could be reduced with the use of measurement software. Most QS firms have reduced the number of technical assistants specialising only in measurement of quantities in common practice. With the use of technology, the measurement work is now easier and faster but the skill needed has also evolved to a higher level consequently. 3.5 Summary This chapter is about the current application and features of measurement software and its impact on the construction industry. Due to many business processes are now almost completely computerised and the tendency is toward a greater computerisation of the remaining processes, there might be a market in the use of measurement software for QS to carry out the works such as measurement, taking-off, BQ production, etc. more efficiently and speedily. This research also found that Microsoft Office Excel 2007, CATO Suite, BinaLink, and Buildsoft are the common and popular measurement software have been used in local market. Although there are vary measurement software provided in the market and adopted in construction companies, this research found that QS appears to be one of the few professions that have not been profoundly transformed by the application of the technological advancement offered by digital revolution especially in a developing economy like Malaysia. The biggest impact of measuring software on QS practice had been on improving the speed and efficiency of professional services. Information flows in construction would increasingly be made electronically and a wide range of measurement, estimating and costing procedures also would be done through the use of software packages.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Essay -- Race Ethnicity Health

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Large disparities exist between minorities and the rest of Americans in major areas of health. Even though the overall health of the nation is improving, minorities suffer from certain diseases up to five times more than the rest of the nation. President Clinton has committed the nation to eliminating the disparities in six areas of health by the Year 2010, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be jumping in on this huge battle. The six areas are: Infant Mortality, Cancer Screening and Management, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, HIV Infection and AIDS, and Child and Adult Immunizations. Infant mortality is considered a worldwide indicator of a nation’s health status. The United States still ranks 24th in infant mortality compared with other industrialized nations, even though infant mortality has declined steadily over the past several decades. Compared with the national average in 1996 of 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, the largest disparity is among blacks with a death rate of 14.2 per 1,000 in 1996 which is almost 2Â ½ times that of white infants (6 deaths per 1,000 in 1996). American Indians as a whole have an infant death rate of 9 deaths per 1,000 in 1995, but some Indian communities have an infant mortality rate almost twice that of the national rate. The same applies to the Hispanic community, whose rate of 7.6 deaths per 1,000 births in 1995 doesn’t reflect the Puerto Rican community, whose rate was 8.9 deaths per 1,000 births in 1995. The disparities may be attributed to the amount of prenatal care that pregnant women of different ethnicities receive. In 1996, 81.8% of all women in the nation received prenatal care in the first trimester--the m... ...east 90% coverage for all childhood vaccines in all populations. Increase pneumococcal and flu immunizations among adults 65 and older by 60%. Let’s all hope it can be done because in order for our nation to thrive, our nation needs to be healthy and there is no excuse for the disparities minorities face when it comes to their health. Works Cited United States. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparitites in Health. 26 May 1998. Online. Internet. 21 February 1999. Available <http://raceandhealth.hhs.gov/home.htm>. "Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health." Public Health Reports. July/August 1998: 372 EBSCOhost. Available <http://www.epnet.com/ehost/login.html>. (11 February 1999) Unknown Authors. "Health and Medicine." Encyclopedia of Multiculturalism. Volume 3. p 821

Partisan election Essay

The research of Lawrence Baum deals with the relationship between the quantity of information that voters possess and their party voting behavior in partisan election. The paper aims to discern whether there is either a strong or a weak relationship between voters and the knowledge on the candidates of parties involve in the election. The paper explored the relationship in non-partisan elections contested by candidates from opposing parties. Past studies regarding this relationship has produced mixed and confusing empirical results that motivated the author to conduct his own study to further explore and analyze the topic. (Baum, 1987) In political science, the structure and functions of politics in a society are greatly scrutinized and evaluated. This is not meant just to enrich knowledge, but rather to provide society with enough critical evaluations on how they should treat and consider politics in their life. The issue is crucial as it involves the practice of voting which is considered as one of the freedom people living in a democratic is entitled to. Thus, the study is relevant in cultivating the understanding in political science which concerns the nature of politics in society and society itself. Through the effort of the author to bring light into the topic, he analyzed a survey done on two contestants in the 1984 election for Ohio Supreme Court and compared it with the presidential election also during that year. The findings of the study show that despite the highly partisan campaign, part defections by voters were far more common in Supreme Court races than in the presidential race. (Baum, 1987) This reflects the importance of party affiliations of the candidates as the voter’s source of information about the candidates, which will definitely determine their choice during the elections. Another notable finding of the paper is that different levels of voters information, at the individual level, has differing effects in two supreme court races for the Democratic and Republican voters. Through this finding, the author suggests that the impact of the information levels on the voters’ choice is a reflection by the information contained in the candidates’ campaigns. (Baum, 1987) But the author failed to mention the correlation between voter’s information about the parties involved in the elections and the result of the elections. What I noticed in the researched was that it also failed to show the true relationship that undermines the effect of information on the voter’s choice, and whether the popularity of a particular party makes the difference in casting an individual vote. The author notes that the research findings should be critically evaluated and interpreted based on two respects: first is that the individual level findings was based to what is believed to be only moderate good surrogates of voter’s information thus not implying a concrete viable measure of the information itself, and the second being that the Ohio Supreme Court race is far different from the typical nonpartisan races in the country. (Baum, 1987) The analysis of the research had only contributed by attesting to the logic made by previous research, agreeing or disagreeing to some of the conclusions past research had made and was not able to discern the concrete findings to which we can understand better what the relationship of information on the parties to the candidates, and also in the outcome of the elections. The author admits that the study was not able to settle the issue, rather have suggested only the relationship that is based on a complex and highly conditional situation. With that, the research has contributed only a partial explanation and findings that what was expected from it. Although the study answered the research question directly, it failed to deliver the aspects which concerns to the findings. The paper evaluated the problem by analyzing the issues that surrounds the partisan election during the 1984 Ohio Supreme Court elections. The author analyzed the individual level survey done by Ohio State University Department of Political Science. The telephone interviews of 500 adults in Ohio were done through questions that relate voter’s information of the parties and their choices of the candidates. The research method through the survey was not able to reach the individual level of perspective of the interviewees, but as the author states, provided logical background on the perception of the voters. This in turn was proven by the author as a means that moderately touched the individual perspective and does not reflect the core of the relationship between information of the party and voter’s choice. The research only relied on second hand information provided by only one notable institution. Given the exploration of the research aspect in political science, I deem that this method used by Baum was not enough and sufficient to analyze the said complexities of the relationship between party information and voter’s choice. But the author should be credited for his thorough discussion of the issues surrounding his research method. In this way, he was able to prove that the complexity of the subject must be dealt with an on-going process of research and analysis rather than claiming that he has the answer. As mentioned earlier, political science is a pursuit to understand the complexities of politics and its function in the society. It is an undergoing process to accumulate much and further enrichment of knowledge based on the realm of politics and our everyday living. It is substantial; after all, the author had concluded significantly that the relationship is there, although the complexities and challenges in resolving the issues are evident. The research was intended to explore the issue, not just give the answer to the problem right away. The research was able to do this effectively and the author is humble and honest enough to relate all the things that should be rethought, re-evaluated and analyzed by the reader. One of the roles political science has is to inform and educate society of the complexities of politics, and how the function of politics in society will affect the way they live, think and behave. The research accomplished the goal of educating and exploring further the realm of politics which is known in the society. But further challenging the generation of political scientist, observant, and the society in general to further study the matter and contribute to the increasing knowledge in the area of political science. To this, people are learned, cultured, and are equipped with the knowledge on how to view politics in society so they can make informed and wise choices. Reference: Baum, L. (1987). Information and Party Voting in â€Å"Semipartisan† Judicial Elections. Poltical Behavior, 9(1), 62-74.

Learn How to Design the Perfect Poster

Learn How to Design the Perfect Poster Posters are one of the most basic and versatile forms of advertising, and they remain one of my favorite things to design. They are commonly used to advertise an upcoming event, but their simplicity allows them to communicate a wide array of messages and campaigns, from the local, community level to the national platform. Because they employ the most basic design principles and are generally simple to produce, designing posters can be an ideal way to practice and hone your design skills.Here are a few important tips that will help to make your poster design successful and effective. Along every step of the process, keep your audience in mind, and think about what other kinds of posters and ads will be vying for their attention.Develop a concept with impactCreating a concept for your poster design is the key first step to ensure your message comes across in a compelling, impactful way. Think conceptually about how you can represent your main message as engaging imagery- whether that b e through illustrations, photography, or type treatments. For example, if youre designing a poster for a 5k race, you could select or create imagery that has a sense of movement. Start with a few concepts in mind, sketch them out, and then narrow down your favorites and start to flesh them out. Consider the context your poster will be placed in as you develop your concepts.Making your visuals high-contrast will make your poster both eye-catching and easy to distinguish, regardless of the visual approach you decide to take. Try using a large, dominant image on a simple background, or try the opposite–make a pattern of many interesting shapes or lines. Use a big photo or create a unique illustration. In some cases, using typography alone can be the most effective solution and provides you with some freedom to play with the way the headline looks as a dominant visual element. Consider using color to help elements stand out, and play with the scale of elements. Remember, the desi gn choices you make should refer back to and support your concept.When developing your poster concept, dont be afraid to try something new, unorthodox, or unusual. Poster design is a terrific opportunity to learn new skills and to try something novel, and its also a chance to step away from your screen and put some ideas down on paper first.Think outside the rectangleAs you start concepting and designing your poster, its important to consider the scale and format that your final printed poster will be. Picking a standard size has its advantages- you may be able to print cheaper if you dont choose a custom size. If youre working with a client, the size and specifications may already be predetermined, so make sure youre familiar with the specs of your project.A few specific poster sizes have become standard in the industry over time- a standard large poster size is 24x36, a medium poster is 18x24, and a small poster is 11x17.However, depending on how you plan to have your poster print ed and your production budget, you may have more flexibility with the size of your poster and the ability to choose a custom size. In this case, dont be afraid to try a unique proportion or orientation to help your poster stand out. Vertical rectangular posters are generally considered the norm, but rotating the poster to landscape format or trying a square or die-cut poster could earn your piece a second glance from a viewer. Size is also important- again, think about the context of your poster and how it will be viewed. A very large poster may be more eye-catching, but using the same budget to print several smaller posters might reach a broader audience. The general distance your audience will be from your posters should also determine the size and amount of information you present.Visibility is keyPosters will generally be viewed from a distance in a visually noisy environment, and other advertisers will be competing with you for viewers attention. Regardless of whether your post er will be on a community bulletin board or in front of a concert hall, all essential elements of your layout should be clear and easy-to-read, even from far away. A viewer should be able to quickly process and comprehend the message youre communicating, both through copy and visuals that support the message. Be sure to test this yourself by printing quick proofs to look at the sizing of text off-screen. Along with a large headline, big or brightly colored imagery can also help grab the attention of a viewer.Create a clear visual hierarchyOne of the most important aspects of a poster is its visual hierarchy or how the layout is organized. The layout should have a clear flow of information so that a viewers eye is directed from a focal point to the details of the message and the call to action. Choose a main headline that is short and to the point, and make it the largest typographic element on the page. As a general rule, the supporting details should be significantly smaller than t he headline, but not too small that they cant be read from a few feet away. These details should also be as concise as possible, and a viewer should easily be able to locate essential details about the event or campaign, like dates, times, contact info, and location within a few seconds of viewing the poster.Creating a decisive and clear call-to-action allows viewers the opportunity to interact with the message if theyre interested, and it can be as simple as visiting a website for more information. The effectiveness of QR codes has been debated, but designers and marketers still frequently use them as a relatively simple way for viewers to interact with a poster. Company or sponsor logos, if included, need to be sized and placed in a way that doesnt distract from the main message. An easy way to do this is to have logos placed at the bottom of the poster, anchored in a corner.Make sure that there is an appropriate amount of space between elements and that none of the text is too cr owded or tightly kerned- this can inhibit readability from a distance. Also, choose fonts that are clean and appropriate for your concept, and limit yourself to two or three fonts at most. Keep enough space around the outer margins so that no element sits too close to the edge of the poster, and consider using a grid to add structure and intentionality to your design.Keep it simpleThis tip is essential to creating effective posters- try to keep your poster as simple as possible. Weve all had that one client who wants to cram too much information onto an ad, but like I mentioned before, the more concise your message, the more likely it is to be effective and memorable to the viewer. Keep copy minimal and direct, and remove any visual element that doesnt support your concept. Dont feel like you have to use every inch of the page- a healthy amount of negative space can add contrast to your composition and help your concept stand out from the noise.Create a campaignDepending on your cli ent or situation, creating a poster might seem like a one-off project for a one-time event or show. However, even on a tight budget a simple poster design can be fleshed out into other avenues that can help your event or message gain more visibility. Convert your poster into a square format and youve got a graphic to share on social media for free. Consider sending a digital poster via email or creating a flyer or direct mail piece out of your design. Creating this kind of repeated branding for your message will help viewers to remember it and to spread the word around, giving your message more attention and visibility, and your client will appreciate the extra exposure.Break the rulesThe final tip is to forget all the previous tips! (Well, maybe not all of them.) Keeping general rules in mind will help you to create a professional-looking, considered piece, but dont get too hung up on the rules that they inhibit your creativity. In our ever-changing digital world, posters are a gre at print exercise to stretch your creative muscles. In my experience, Ive met many designers who use posters as their medium of choice for personal projects because theyre a quick and easy way to express an idea with lots of artistic freedom. Because of their accessibility and versatile nature, there are a million different possibilities for a design, and posters remain a relatively inexpensive way to get an idea into the world.In short, building your poster design on a solid concept and keeping details to a minimum will help you to create better posters that communicate more effectively to viewers. Use the flexibility of posters to your advantage to try something new and unique, and dont forget to have fun in the design process.

Free Essays on Jesus

––– –––Jesus Essay––– ––– God had promised a messiah to the oppressed Jews. This messiah would be the savior of the world and bring prestige back to the Jews by conquering their enemies, and letting them reclaim their land, the land that God gave them. There were two ideas of what this messiah would be, a â€Å"suffering servant† or a strong military leader who would rule the Jews. The Jews favored the latter because they wanted to conquer their enemies and gain their land back, proving their dominance over other nations. Well, it didn’t quite work out as they hoped. The prophesy of the messiah was true, but instead of a strong military leader, they received the suffering servant as their savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was a peaceful man. He avoided confrontations and physical altercations-the exact opposite of what the Jews were hoping for. Jesus was very fond of children. He believed that they were the key to the kingdom of God. Often, he would speak to groups of children, and tell them stories while at the same time preaching to them. In one instance, Jesus’ apostles were holding back a group of children who wanted to see Jesus, but they sent them away. Jesus scorned the apostles, and told them to let the children come through. This shows a loving, caring Jesus. While he was loving and caring, He was also forgiving. The apostles, who many times were short- sighted in what Jesus was preaching, tested his forgiving spirit. Often when Jesus told a parable, or talked about prayer, the apostles were quick to question Him on the meaning of his parables, which told His stories. They could not comprehend the message that Jesus was conveying to them and to the crowds, and often did not follow Jesus’ examples. However, Jesus forgave them. Jesus was also forgiving to sinners as well. One such example is his recruiting of Levi, later known as ... Free Essays on Jesus' Free Essays on Jesus' ––– –––Jesus Essay––– ––– God had promised a messiah to the oppressed Jews. This messiah would be the savior of the world and bring prestige back to the Jews by conquering their enemies, and letting them reclaim their land, the land that God gave them. There were two ideas of what this messiah would be, a â€Å"suffering servant† or a strong military leader who would rule the Jews. The Jews favored the latter because they wanted to conquer their enemies and gain their land back, proving their dominance over other nations. Well, it didn’t quite work out as they hoped. The prophesy of the messiah was true, but instead of a strong military leader, they received the suffering servant as their savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was a peaceful man. He avoided confrontations and physical altercations-the exact opposite of what the Jews were hoping for. Jesus was very fond of children. He believed that they were the key to the kingdom of God. Often, he would speak to groups of children, and tell them stories while at the same time preaching to them. In one instance, Jesus’ apostles were holding back a group of children who wanted to see Jesus, but they sent them away. Jesus scorned the apostles, and told them to let the children come through. This shows a loving, caring Jesus. While he was loving and caring, He was also forgiving. The apostles, who many times were short- sighted in what Jesus was preaching, tested his forgiving spirit. Often when Jesus told a parable, or talked about prayer, the apostles were quick to question Him on the meaning of his parables, which told His stories. They could not comprehend the message that Jesus was conveying to them and to the crowds, and often did not follow Jesus’ examples. However, Jesus forgave them. Jesus was also forgiving to sinners as well. One such example is his recruiting of Levi, later known as ...

Evaluation of Conflict Management Styles Research Paper

Evaluation of Conflict Management Styles - Research Paper Example Conflicts may take place at any point in time and at any place. The common cause of conflict involves a difference in ideas, attitudes, standards, requirements, and expectations. These disagreements cause each party to ascertain some actions, indecisions, and reactions. When communication has unforeseen or undesirable fallouts, it is general to fuss about what might be mistaken or complaint about what is off beam with the other person. It is much more prolific, however, to an emphasis on what occurred (Marion, 22; Rahim, 583; Romero, 2983). Instead of disturbing or making conventions about other parties in the conflict, it is more fruitful to an emphasis on reckoning out variances and disagreements to gain common perspectives and create collective resolutions. Conflict Styles Assessment and Interpretation On the basis of the importance of goals and relationships are to the contradictory parties, there are five conflict management styles that displays different levels of the two major factors that are assertiveness and cooperation. . Each of the conflict management styles bears different strengths and weaknesses. For the conflict management, all of the styles are being used by individual and organizations to some degree. The five ways through which conflicts can be managed include: compromising, forcing and competing, avoiding and withdrawing, accommodating and smoothing and confronting and collaborating. No single style is suitable in all situations. Indeed, organizations teamed up with individuals that bear members with all five conflict management styles can be very effectual and efficient if those individuals keep asserting those strengths and powers associated with each style. Withdrawing and Avoiding This style requires low assertiveness and low cooperation. People who are agreeable to give up both individual goals and relations withdraw and avoid conflict. They are neither self-confident nor helpful. They normally try to avoid the real conflict and become external observers. By heeding their advice and inputs, organization and other team members advance valuable feedback on evolving issues and concerns, as well as other conflict party members’ behavior that are adopting or obstructing resolution (Schmidt, 4057; Thompson, 26). The key characteristics that these types of conflict management style adapters possess include low level of assertive and cooperative. They generally keep themselves away from issues and matters that may raise a conflict. Their common belief is that conflict resolution is very much difficult and it is easier to avoid a conflict or withdraw physically and psychologically from it than to face it. Forcing and Competing People who trail objectives at the overhead of relationships and dealings are competitive and forceful. They are found to be extremely assertive but not predominantly cooperative.  

Memory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Memory - Essay Example This is stored with the usage of three ways. First of all, the human mind changes matter into storage forms. This is done by integrating memory with known events which can be things are seen, heard or experienced. This method is referred to as encoding. The second step is storage whereby the human mind places information in the memory for storage. The final part is the ability of a human being to recall and recover the stored information in times of need that is when a person needs to utilize the memory. An interesting aspect of human memory which is unique to the human memory is that their memory functions as a multi unit. The three basic divisions include the sensory memory, the short term memory and the long term memory. The sensory memory is one which comes directly from the persons five senses. This memory is not very long lasting and stays for around 350 milliseconds. This memory does not possess ways for improvement. In 1960 an experiment was conducted by George Sperling to test this memory. According to the procedure a group of people was shown twelve letters arranged in three different rows. Different subjects were asked to repeat the different letters present in different rows. The subjects recalled what they saw but they could not remember it for a long time. The experiment suggested that the sensory memory got erased after some time and the maximum capacity of the sensory memory that a person could retain was around twelve letters. The short term memory is the next step which is reached when the events are moved from the sensory part to the area of realization and perception. This information is also short lived but the time duration of this memory is greater than that of the sensory memory. This time is around 30 seconds and this memory is used basically in short tasks. But this memory does have space for improvement by a method which is known as chunking. Chunking as the name implies means to break in to pieces. An