Living with in-laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Living with in-laws - Essay Example Land is very reasonable right now and we had found several potential locations from looking online in the county where my mother lives. It’s a peaceful place where simple people can get away from the pressure of living in the fast paced, automated work world. There were plenty of places nearby that weren’t polluted; we could still go fishing, camping, and enjoy nature. What a sweet deal! There was no reason to stay in North Carolina as being near my wife’s family had always proved to be more of a stressor than helpful. Her family has some serious issues with backwoods ignorance and just plain meanness that made wanting to leave look like the next best thing to oxygen. They argue and bicker continuously; that is when they are still speaking to each other. Besides, we had never lived near my mother; I missed the closeness we had shared in my youth. She has always been a good mom to me; supporting every effort I made to grow and develop myself along the journey. Now that she’s facing her senior years, and is alone, I felt it would be wonderful to be close by in case she needs some support. About two months after I left for Missouri, my wife called one day, crying, and told me that her mother was ill. Apparently she had developed heart problems; I’m sure it had nothing to do with all the pork and lard biscuits she eats, and cigarettes she smokes. Make no mistake about it, mountain women are just plain work. I missed my wife; there was no way I wanted to stay in Missouri and let her stay in North Carolina for any extended length of time by herself, especially not at the mercy of her family. This was our dream and I just couldn’t get excited about it with her missing from the picture. As much as it killed me, I stopped everything and came back to North Carolina to support my wife in dealing with her family. My wife took her mother to the

Lean Manufacturing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Lean Manufacturing - Research Paper Example Generally, Lean helps in preserving values with a reduced amount of work. The Lean manufacturing company was firstly derived from Toyota Production Company (TPC), and in 1990s, it was then identified as Lean Manufacturing Company. In general, this paper will therefore analyze or explain how lean Manufacturing Company has improved the efficacy in its area of allocation. The TPS for several years have been known for its focus regarding the reduction of the original Toyota wastes so as to improve the overall values for the customers. However, the perspective on this can be achieved has become the biggest questions to think about. Toyota started as a small company but today it has steadily grown and serves more than one million people across the world as well as focusing its attention on achieving on their set goals and objectives. The Lean manufacturing variations on efficiency, opportunity cost, along with the logic of the lean production at Boeing is majorly based on the optimization flow. This has become a day-to-day activity where most people are focusing on how to increase on the efficiency while decreasing the waste, as well as using different empirical methods when deciding on the matters, instead of uncritically accepting the ideas that pre-existed many years ago. The research done recently showed that, the Lean manufacturing company is a version of the earlier efficacy efforts dealing with issues such as building and learning from their own mistakes. Literature Review There are two major models that the Lean manufacturing Company uses to achieve its competitive analysis from other companies. One of the models is by the use of Just In Time (JIT) as well as the Lean Manufacturing models. These two models have been used for several years in manufacturing companies and have been recognized as being the best models that most companies should acquire. Today in the global economy, there are various manufacturing companies for the global economy that occur in Wes tern Europe as well as North America. And in all cases, their basic concept of involving in manufacturing is mainly to improve the production efficacy by improving the production output while decreasing the required workforce. Conversely, in the service sector, their concept basic is to make sure that the efficacy and efficiency of services are improved by recruiting new workers who will be reliable in improving the value of company services. Presently, most companies are using the JIT manufacturing model to achieve their competitive advantage from other competitors. For instance, In Japan, has used the model for several years and this has made them to achieve a massive success for several decades of years. In JIT approach model, managers should commit themselves continuously to allow them pursuit an excellence in all phases such as manufacturing design as well as operation. Using JIT in manufacturing is significant in that, the companies are able to produce a certain products that have a high quality as well as quantity at an exact time when they are mostly required by the customers. JIT helps in emphasizing the processes while not at end of the products. It is evident that lean manufacturing is useful to managers when it comes to the success on service sectors. There are various transformations made by the principles of Lean manufacturing in terms of the different environments and one such environment is the public sector as well as the service industry. There are a number of organizations which have taken in the lean model such as higher education, call centers, healthcare as well as professional services. When it comes to lean’

Pythagoras Theorem and Financial polynomials Essay Example for Free

Pythagoras Theorem and Financial polynomials Essay Ahmed and Vanessa have interest in locating a treasure, which is buried. It is my responsibility to help the two locate it. First, I will help them locate it by the use of Pythagorean quadratic. As per Ahmed’s half, the treasure is buried in the desert (2x + 6) paces form the Castle Rock while as per Vanessa’s half she has to walk (x) paces to the north then walk (2x + 4) paces to the east. According to the Pythagorean theorem, every right angled triangle with length (a) and (b) as well as a hypotenuse (c), has a relationship of (a2 + b2 = c2) (Larson Hostetler, 2009).                  In Ahmed and Vanessa’s case, I will let a=x, b =2x+4 and then c=2x+6. To follow, will be my efforts to put the measurements above into the real Pythagoras theorem equation as follows: X2+ (2x+4)2=(2x+6)2 this is the equation formed out of the Pythagoras Theorem X2+42+16x+16 = 42+ 24x+36 are the binomials squared x2 42 on both sides can be subtracted out. X2+16x+16 = 24x +36 subtract 16x from both sides X2+16 = 8x+36 now subtract 36 from both sides X2-20 = 8x X2-8x-20=0 I will use to solve the function by factoring using the zero factor. (x-) (x+) the coefficient of x2 Application and selection from the following (-2, 10: -10,2: -5,4; -4, -5) In this case, it seems that I am going to use -10 and 2 is as per how the expression looks like this (x-10)(x+2)=0 X-10=0 or x+2=0 creation of a complex equation x=10 or x=-2 these are the two probable resolutions to this equation.                     One of the two calculated solutions is an extraneous solutions, as it do not work with such sceneries. The remaining solution I only have is (X=10) as the number of paces Ahmed and Vanessa have to accomplish to find the lost treasure. As a result the treasure is 10 paces to the north 2x+4 connect the 10, now its 2(10)+4=24 paces to the east of Castle Rock, or 2x+6= 2(10)+6=26 paces from Castle Rock. Financial polynomial                   For the case of financial polynomials, I have first to write the polynomial without the parenthesis. Following the above, I have to solve for p= 2000 + r = 10% for part A and then solve for p= $5670 + r = 3.5% for part B, without the parenthesis as follows: P + P r + P r2/4 (the original polynomial) to reach this I followed the following steps: (1 + r/2)2 This is because it looks as if it is foil P(1 + r/2) P (1+r/2)(1+r/2) After the two equations I combine like terms. Because I am multiplying by 2 on r/2, it cancels out both 2’s and I then get left with is r as follows; P(1+ r/2 + r/2 + r2/4) P(1 + 2(r/2) + r2/4) I then write in descending order (P + Pr + Pr2) To solve for P=2000 and r=10% the following follows; P + Pr + Pr2/4 2000 + 2000 Ãâ€"(0.10) +2000Ãâ€" 0.1024 2000 + 200 + 5 = $2205 P(1+ r/2)2 2000Ãâ€"( 1 + .10)2 2000Ãâ€"(1.05)2 2000Ãâ€"( 1.1025) = $2205 For part B I will solve for P=5670 and r= 3.5% P + Pr + P Ãâ€"(r2/4) 5670 + 5670Ãâ€" (0.035) + 5670 Ãâ€" 0.0352 5670 + 198.45 + 1.7364375 = 5870.1864375 This is approximately ($5870.19) The problem 70 on page 311 has the following steps; (-93 + 32 – 15x) à · (-3x) The Dividend is (-93 + 32 – 15x), and the Divisor is (-3x). The Dividend is (-93 + 32 – 15x), and the Divisor is (-3x). -93 + 32 15x -3xAfter I divide -9 by -3 which equals +3. The x on the bottom cancels the x from the top. -93 + 32 – 15x -3x -3x -3x -9* x*x* x I am now left with 32 for the first part of the polynomial. -3 * x -9*x *x * x -3 * x I first divide 3 by -3, which equals -1 and the x from the bottom cancels out one of the x’s from the top. -93 + 32 – 15x -3x -3x -3x 3 *x *x At this point I am left with -1x, which simplifies to just –x, as the second part of the polynomial. Then -3 *x 3 *x * x -3 * x Then I divide -15 by -3, which equals positive 5, and the x on the bottom cancels out the x on the top, so you do not have any x’s to carry onto the answer of the equation. -93 + 32 – 15x -3x -3x -3x -15 *x At this point I am left with only 5 for the last part of the polynomial, and the answer is 32 – x + 5. -3 * x -15 * x -3 * x                   The negative sign from the -3 x changes the plus sign in the equation to a minus sign, it changes the minus sign to a plus sign in the final answer, and the equation is in Descending order. Reference Larson, R., Hostetler, R. P. (2009). Elementary and intermediate algebra. Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin Source document

Porters Five Forces Analysis Marketing Essay

Porters Five Forces Analysis Marketing Essay Introduction The main purpose of applying the five forces analysis is to identify the key factors in the industrial environment that influence the organizations capabilities to position itself in order to merit competitive advantage. It is a framework for industry analysis and business strategy development formed by Michael Porter. An industry is a group of firms that market products which are close substitutes for each other (e.g. the car industry, the hotel industry).Some industries are more profitable than others, the answer lies in understanding the dynamics of competitive structure in an industry. Porters Five Forces Model is one of the most influential analytical models for assessing the nature of competition in an industry. Porter explains that there are five forces that determine industry attractiveness and long-run industry profitability. These five competitive forces are the threat of new competitors entry, the threat of substitutes, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, and the degree of rivalry between existing competitors. Porters five forces diagram. http://www.b2binternational.com/china/images/stories/sections/porters_five_forces.gif Source: www.valuebasedmanagement.net Introduction to hotel industry A hotel is an institution that provides a short-term paid residence. In the past, hotels were just a small room with a bed, cupboard, and a table, but now it has totally changed to something else. Nowadays hotels are luxurious residences that include different types of facilities. Most of the hotels now include spas, swimming pools, fitness centers, conferences rooms and international restaurants. Even the rooms are now bigger and include many comfort facilities. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH)  was established in 1974. It is now being officially recognized as a National Hotel Association. Now it sets the regulations and minimum acceptable levels for being a legal verified hotel in Malaysia. It has 2,184 registered members and 17 more hotels in the next 3 years. Table: Hotels and rooms supply 2010/2011 Bargaining power of suppliers The term suppliers comprises all sources for inputs that are needed in order to provide goods or services. The two key suppliers to the Hotel industry are labors and real estate Over all the suppliers in this market are defined as property owners, developers and real estate companies, interior design and furnishings companies, architects, management and training service providers, marketing companies, industry consultants and ICT manufacturers. Category Rating 1-10 Remarks Number of suppliers 6 (medium) Considerable no. of local and Chinese contractors Small number of quality training providers and skilled employees. Availability of substitute 6(medium) Substitutes for property (real estate agents), designers, and employees are available. Switching cost category 2 (low) -substitute for hotel are few.. Suppliers threat of forward integration 2 (low) Suppliers are highly unlikely to forward integrate into the hotel business Industrys treat backward integration 5 (high) -hotels could backward integrate to own real estate company. They could have their own training wing. Contribution to quality 5 (high) -Property development and real estate companies add to the quality so does skilled labor and quality training Contribution to cost 2 (low) -Most suppliers are much smaller companies compared to hotel companies. -Hence hotel companies have a much higher bargaining power. suppliers contribution to cost is low Overall, the number of suppliers for the Hotel industry is quite large and each supplier is very small in size compared to the leading players in the industry. These few powerful players are indispensable to the suppliers. Substitutability of the suppliers is also quite feasible and inexpensive. Switching between real estate agents is not goingto affect a particular Hotel company significantly. However in terms of quality, training centers for employees and ICT manufacturers who provide IT systems thatfor property management are relatively more difficult to replace. Therefore in terms of substitute suppliers industry attractiveness is moderately high. Unlike the supplier is threat of  forward integration, Industry is threat of backwardintegration is pretty high since large hotel chains like ITC or IHCL  would have no qualms expanding into the real estate  business or developing employee training facilities in-house. Similarlythe industry is contribution to both cost and quality isrelatively high. Overall bargaining power of suppliers is low and industry is attractiveness in terms of supplier bargaining power is high (4). BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS The bargaining power of buyers determines how much customers can impose pressure on margins and volumes. The end-users of the high-end hotel industry are:- Leisure traveler Business traveler Customers who require space for conferences or other events Category Rating 1-10 Remarks -Number of Buyers 7(high) -Buyers are numerous and small in size.- Losing one customer cannot going to make a difference. Their bargaining power is low -Availability of substitutes: (medium) -Multiple substitutes for a given hotel or brand is available -Informal accommodation for friends and family is available alternative -Corporate guest houses for the business traveler -Switching cost: 2(low) -Switching costs arenegligible Buyers are price sensitiveexcept in the -Buyers threat of backward integration: 5(high) Customers are will notconstruct a hotel or buy a place of residence for each place they visit. -Contribution to quality 2(low) Additional facilities suchas spas, gyms etc. are usedmy hotels to improve thequality of customers stay -contribution to cost 5(high) Brand image is veryimportant in this industry and leads to extra cost, Additional amenities,training of staff, locationrent (like close to airport)etc. -Buyers profitability 2(low) Low buyers profitability- In the mid -segment, there are numerous buyers, of very small profitability In the premium segment, buyers are very affluent, and they have greater bargaining power comparedto the mid-segment Industrys threat of forward integration. 4(medium) -low chances or forward integration This industry has many customers who are relatively very small in size. Loss of a single customer has little impact on a hotel company and this drives down the buyers bargaining power. Similarly buyers threat of backward integration is almost impossible and so the industry is under threat of forward integration. However the industry does have several substitutes such as camping and recreational vehicles for tourists, corporate guesthouses for business travelers and other informal means of accommodation with friends and family. Switching cost for all these options is very low, except for the RV. Apart from the provision of accommodation, hotels also provide additional facilities and services such as restaurants, gyms, spas, conference halls, ball rooms, lounges etc. Therefore their contribution to quality as well as cost for the buyer is very high. Barriers of entry Category Rating 1-10 Remarks Economies of scale 5(high) High economies of scale- Very important to operatea chain of hotels in multiplelocations, especially for the premium segment. This reduces thedependence on tourismtrends at any given location Product differentiation 4(medium) Highly differentiated- Brand names and valuesare very important in attracting and retaining customers -brand identity 4(medium) Brand is very important. -switching cost 2(low) -low switching cost -capital requirement 4(medium) -capital intensive. -staff, dà ©cor, infrastructure e.t.c is very expensive. -Access to technology 3(moderate) -ICT is very important for property management. -Access to raw material 4(medium) -Labor, land and other essentials are easy to obtain. -government protection 3(moderate) -The tourism industry receives government. -exit barriers 2(low) -High exit barriers. Specialized assets for the industry. Brand names are very important in the hotel industry. Companies use their strong brand names to attract new customers and retain old ones. Besides, economies of scale are also a huge factor in this industry. Profitability of hotel chains is drastically higher than individual operations. A new entrant cannot compete with established players in terms of quality, price and even services. If they cannot establish significant economies of scale.Being a capital intensive industry with a large amount of it tied down in fixed costs, makes entry more difficult. Similarly high exit barriers due to specializedassets make the industry less attractive.The hospitality industry is strongly influenced by travel and tourism trends. Government protection for the tourism industry is very high and this in turn rubs off on the hotel industry making it thereby making the industry attractive in general. Competitive power of rivalry players This aspect describes the intensity of competition between existing players (companies) in an industry. High competitive pressure results or leads to pressure on price margins and on profitability for every single company in the industry. The following table shows the analysis of the rivalry between hotels. factors Ratings (5) Remarks. No. of competitions 4 (high) Small number of large operators Industry growth 3 (medium) Annual growth rate of 15% Fixed cost 1 (low) Highly capital intensive differentiations 4 (high) Strong brand name commands a very high price premium. Switching cost 2 (moderate) Low cost switching to similar brands Openness to terms of sale 4 (high) Price, taxes etc. are known Excess capacity 2 (moderate) Only 70% rooms occupied Strategic stakes 2 (moderate) Although large hotel companies have diversified they still have a majority stake in the hotel industry. Summary Porter Five Forces Factor Current Future Rating(5) Key Rationale Rating Key Rationale Threat of New Entrants 4   reasonable     5 sensible   Competitive Rivalry 4   reasonable   5 sensible   Threat of Substitute Products 3 average   4 reasonable   Supplier Relative Buying Power 5   sensible   4 reasonable   Buyer Relative Buying Power 4        reasonable 4   reasonable Conclusion Porter five forces analysis was used effectively to determine the hotel industries in Malaysia based on treat of new entrants, competitive rivalry, and treat of substitute products, suppliers-relative buying power, and buyer-relative buying power. Hotel is a very flourishing industry in Malaysia with not so many substitutes so the treat of substitute products is very low. Rivalry between hotels is not very high because rivalry is based on classification (5-star hotels compete against other 5-star hotels). Finally in the future relative buying powers will decrease because there will be many new entrants.

Dropout Intervention Essay -- Education, Dropout Prevention Programmin

Outcomes In Relation to EBD The literature indicates that outcomes for students with EBD were, by and large, positive and indicated that dropout interventions geared toward students with behavioral issues show some potential success for students. Sinclair, Christenson, & Thurlow (2005) found 44% of students within the treatment group with EBD as the primary special education qualifier were more likely to persist in school, whereas only 33% of students with EBD in the control group had the same likelihood. Researcher Remorse Hindsight and seeming regret in regard to measurement and study design weren’t uncommon across the literature. A pervasive â€Å"should have, would have, could have† existed among certain of the studies. The Vannest et al. (2009) study concluded with researchers lamenting the lack of a â€Å"quality measurement† in regard to the mentor-mentee interactions. The writers also bemoaned the study’s reliance on time units (that were not described), components of mentor-mentee interactions at school and via email, and, puzzlingly, a reliance on â€Å"measurable and observable data†. Both Munoz (2002) and Franklin et al. (2007) determined that without a control or comparison group, validity is shaky. However, none of the examined dropout prevention researchers were remorseful that the current span of literature didn’t consider race or gender in program design or measurement (including research projects explicitly aimed at students upon the basis of t heir race and/or gender). Mobility and Attrition Throughout the literature, mobility and it’s effect on student success rates in dropout prevention programming is noted but not consistently considered in the intervention findings, which is curious considering the possible dynamics... ...about the students we are supposed to provide with individualized, differentiated programming. Ninth, program interventions should consider implementing student involvement with planning, intervention, progress review, and goal discussion. Students who are in control of their own educational process foster ownership and responsibility for their future. Measuring the efficacy of such an approach for our target population could prove extremely beneficial, definitely informative. Tenth, making the realistic consequences of dropping out of school versus staying in school and graduating a more tangible concept for our target population appears to be a worthwhile undertaking. Vocational training programs and career mentoring could prove valuable for increasing graduation for our target population, and should definitely be examined.

Free Great Gatsby Essays: A Very Insecure Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Very Insecure Great Gatsby  Ã‚   In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby many characters are not as they seem.   The one character that intrigues me the most is James Gatsby.   In the story Gatsby is always thought of as rich, confident, and very popular.   However, when I paint a picture of him in my mind I see someone very different.   In fact, I see the opposite of what everyone portrays him to be.   I see someone who has very little confidence and who tries to fit in the best he can.   There are several scenes in which this observation is very obvious to me.   It is clear that Gatsby is not the man that everyone claims he is.    One scene that clearly shows the true Gatsby is when he meets Daisy at Nicks house.   He is very nervous and wants everything to be perfect for Daisy.   To me that shows he is really hung up on what other people think.   He wants to impress them the best he can.   Obviously Gatsby has little confidence and feels he needs to overwhelm people with appearance opposed to his personality. When Gatsby and Nick go out on the town Gatsby took his yellow Rolls Royce, which is a magnificent car.   Gatsby wanted to impress Nick and everyone else in town with his awesome car.   Once again this shows how Gatsby uses objects to get attention and not his personality. The scene that displays Gatsby’s  low confidence the most is when he has his elaborate parties with all of the fancy decorations and incredible food.   So many people come to his parties and the whole time he is never present.   He never comes down to greet anyone or welcome them.   He never comes down to check on his guests to see how things are going and if they are having a good time.   Gatsby always spends time in a room by himself watching everyone.   He waits, hoping Daisy will appear. Gatsby is built up to be a big man.   He is thought of as extremely wealthy and good looking with lots of confidence.

How does Alfieri justify his ‘love’ for Eddie Essay

Alfieri is a middle-aged lawyer who has seen his share of clients and listened to their problems as they sought his advice, a Italian-American who understands and has witnessed both countries’ interpretations of law. Having been brought up in the Sicilian way where pride and honour predominate, and being an exponent of American law he also respects how civilised American law is. Alfieri acts as the narrator of ‘A View From The Bridge’, similar in many ways to the choruses found in ancient Greek tragedies, who used to comment on the plays at regular intervals. Alfieri likewise recounts this story to us (in which he plays a part) and reflects on the actions of the characters and the obviousness of the outcome. Eddie had always lived by the Italian law but saw its helplessness when dealing with Rudolpho. Hoping that he could use American law to stop Rudolpho marrying Catherine, Eddie visits Alfieri to ask his advice and to see what could be done about Rudolpho. After meeting with Eddie, Alfieri knew what Eddie would do but ‘was so powerless to stop it. ‘ Alfieri also realizes Eddie’s shameful agenda that he tries to disguise by protesting that he is looking out for Catherine. Alfieri is aware of his limitations as a lawyer, recognizing the fact that no legal system delivers absolute justice for only God can give that. Neither is he deluded into thinking that the American legal system solves all of peoples’ personal problems. However he knows that Eddie will stop at nothing to make sure that Rudolpho does not have Catherine, and indeed that no one else has her. By being himself and disregarding what other people thought of him to get what he wanted, Alfieri grows to respect Eddie. By the end of the play Alfieri reflects on how easily Eddie could have avoided his fate. He realises that Eddie pursued his fate because although he knew that he would have to pay the price to get Catherine, he wanted her so badly he charged on, accepting what came. Alfieri says that it is better to compromise between getting what you want and what you can have. As a Sicilian-American he has ‘settled for half’ and accepted American justice as a way of life because it is safer for him to do so. Yet Eddie will not ‘settle for half’ letting himself to be known as he truly was. So what we are left with is an honourable, concerned, intelligent man sympathising with a man who turned his back on everything he knew – his wife, his way of life, his honour and his life-in the vain hope that he could keep his niece for himself. Like a hero in a modern tragedy, Eddie is a strong character who is destroyed by his weakness-Catherine. As the only character who can reflect on the play’s events objectively, Alfieri realizes that Eddie’s death must seve as a reminder to others to ‘settle for half. ‘ However his alarm stems from the fact that while this will keep you safer if you follow this code, ultimately it means compromising peoples’ hopes, desires and sense of justice.