Facebook Does NOT Make Us Lonely - 1331 Words

At first, I agreed with Stephen Marche, author of â€Å"Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?†, but after doing some of my own research I would like to retract my original position. We cannot blame technology for our own human condition. However Stephen Marche begs to differ. â€Å"At the forefront of all this unexpectedly lonely interactivity is Facebook, with 845 million users and $3.7 billion in revenue last year† (Marche). Stephen Marche believes Facebook is making us lonely because it is changing the dynamics of traditional friendships (Marche). He also blames Facebook for the rise in human isolation. From 1950 to 2010 a 17 percent increase in households of one were reported (Marche). Does Marche not realize that many happy Americans†¦show more content†¦I cannot emphasize enough, that this is a choice people make. You are the company you keep and if surrounding oneself with shallow, empty people is more desirable than that of the solid friendships one has nurtu red for years, loneliness is one’s own fault. If Stephen is looking for something to blame, he should try the egotistical nature of ourselves rather than a social media platform. Facebook encourages a form of digital communication that plays nicely with people’s desire for instant gratification while satisfying human curiosity with constant news feed and status updates. Be warned, Facebook does not come with a user guide. Marche cautions us that improper use will result in loneliness and compromised health (Marche). Unfortunately, resisting this sultry temptress will not protect you from her. The worldwide Facebook obsession makes anyone without an account feel left out and alone. However, when used properly The New Yorker reports a new study that proves â€Å"active users get positive brain stimuli when engaging with the Facebook platform, while lurkers tend to feel increases in loneliness and dissatisfaction† (Hu). So yes, it appears Facebook may play a sma ll role in loneliness, however, the author does not explicitly state that Facebook is the only culprit. He is eager to recite numerous facts about loneliness and its negative effects but, it is hard for me to agree that Facebook is the sole contributor, ifShow MoreRelatedUses and Gratification Research6727 Words   |  27 Pageswhich people put media and the gratifications they seek from that use. (Baran, S.J., Daris, D.K., 2006) It emphasizes the audiences rather than the actual message because it more focuses on what audiences will do with the media instead of what media does to the people. Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratification Theory recommend media users should take a dynamic role in interpreting and integrating media into their lives because they have alternate choices to gratify their own need. (Uses and gratificationsRead MoreSocial Networking Industry Analysis7337 Words   |  30 Pagescyber. The social networking sites, as a new online practice since late 1990s , has gained noticeable popularity among Netizens. The social networking sites have been penetrating into people‟s daily life. Create a profile on a social networking site, make friends, and tell the others what you are doing at the moment, all these have become a new lifestyle of people today, especially young people. Moreover, it has become a new multimedia platform for users sharing their own lives with other people. ToRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesfor Managers 30 S A L Self-Assessment Library How Much Do I Know About Organizational Behavior? 4 Myth or Science? â€Å"Most Acts of Workplace Bullying Are Men Attacking Women† 12 An Ethical Choice Can You Learn from Failure? 24 glOBalization! Does National Culture Affect Organizational Practices? 30 Point/Counterpoint Lost in Translation? 31 Questions for Review 32 Experiential Exercise Workforce Diversity 32 Ethical Dilemma Jekyll and Hyde 33 Case Incident 1 â€Å"Lessons for ‘Undercover’ Bosses†Read MoreIntercultural Communication21031 Words   |  85 PagesFRAMEWORK ...the single greatest barrier to business success is the one erected by culture. Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall Why study Intercultural Communication? Cultural diversity and multiculturalism are the realities of everyday life for almost everyone. The growth of interdependence of people and cultures in the global society of the twenty-first century has forced us to pay more attention to intercultural issues. In order to live and function in this multicultural environment

My Quinceanera Essay Sample free essay sample

Observing a quinceanera was non merely about holding a large party but besides a tradition that helped determine me into the individual I am today. To about all adolescent misss what comes to mind when they think or hear about a quinceanera is the party. They imagine the frock. the limousine. the tremendous response hall and the dance. Problem is ; that most eager birthday misss including myself. it takes the whole experience to truly understand how symbolic and meaningful the jubilation truly is. Although it may merely be a large fifteenth birthday party to some misss but. for me it was an oculus opening learning experience. A quinceanera is the jubilation of a immature woman’s coming of age. In the Spanish linguistic communication â€Å"quince† means 15. the age that a Hispanic miss becomes a adult female. The term quinceanera refers to both the immature adult female and the name of the jubilation. We will write a custom essay sample on My Quinceanera Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This jubilation is composed of two every bit of import events. One event is a mass that is specially organized and decorated for the quinceanera. The 2nd event is a party that is made possible by the parents of the birthday miss and sometimes patrons. Patrons are normally household members and friends who financially help the parents make the party a success. The quinceanera is usually spoiled with an amazing frock and tiara because it their twenty-four hours to reflect and be the centre of attending. I can clearly retrieve go toing many quinceaneras when I was younger. The birthday misss ever looked so beautiful. happy and grown up. Their response halls overruning with alone and astonishing ornaments. I remember that everything looked and felt surreal. It was so fairytale like and they were the princesses. and at that age what girl didn’t want to experience or look like one. It is rather memorable to me that I would continuously supplicate my parents to let me to hold my ain. yet I was merely eight at the clip and still had some clip to travel. There was a pink notebook with violet butterflies that I would compose out precisely how I wanted my party to be. Every item was included. whether it was the nutrient that was traveling to be served to the people that I wanted to be my patrons because I knew my household could neer afford a party of that size. Then. when I eventually turned 14 the planning started. Since my household couldn’t afford everything on their ain. I remember sing friends and household to inquire them if they were able to patronize my quinceanera. Most people merrily agreed while others offered their aid on their ain. I focused on everything to be so perfect. non that I think of it. everything seems more mercenary than anything. My tiara had to be large and glistening. the places ; silky and dazzling and the frock ; sparkly and elegant. My make-up had to be unflawed and my hair perfect. the bar and response hall had to be attractively decorated. To sum it up. everything had to be amazing. shiny and unmarred. However. when the twenty-four hours eventually came it did non experience as fairy tale like and I had expected. That twenty-four hours I awoke early for brand make-up and hair to be done. so rapidly sit off in my limo for the twenty-four hours to church. The mass went good but one time it was over my tribunal and I headed to the response hall. Once at that place. I noticed about five 100 people. friends and household from all over California and the U. S. Then once it was clip for the male parent girl dance. alternatively of care foring that minute we talked about minor party inside informations. By 12am one time the party was over and everything was acquiring cleaned up I felt relieved that the twenty-four hours had eventually concluded. However. merely like I explained how my quinceaneras unfolded was how it really was. event after even and I neer felt the flicker I had imagined as a kid. For a little minute I felt like a princess but non like I believed it would wholly experience . Then that dark. as I thought about my quinceanera. I realized all the small inside informations that composed my jubilation. My parents had to take out loans and spent a great trade of clip planning and doing certain everything turned out how I wanted it to be. The patrons that helped me merely did it because they knew how much I wanted my quinceanera and they wanted to see me happy on my twenty-four hours. All my household that had traveled a long distance had done it for me and to be able to observe my birthday with me. While I put off my frock and tiara I realized that it was clip to appreciate the fantastic household and community that surrounded me. Besides. that I will ever hold my parents love and back up in the determinations I make. Last. that it was clip to turn up. I was no longer a princess. I was a adult female and I had to move like one. Having my quinceanera was non merely about the party I had but the lessons and disclosures that came with it. I learned that I have a strong community and household environing me. who will ever be available in times of demand. Besides. being mercenary will merely do you happy for a period of clip but in order to be content one must be low and appreciate the small things in life.

Marketing and Virtual Value Chain free essay sample

It considers how the different recourses and capabilities of a firm are used in conjunction with one another. Rather than looking at the individual activities of a firm, this approach evaluates the processes of a firm and how they can be used to create strategies that provide superior value to customers. The activity-based approach, on the other hand, measures the value and competitive advantage of a firm by analyzing individual activities in the firm’s value chain. Activities identified in the firm’s value chain include those activities that can provide a competitive advantage for a firm; such activities should have economics of scale or scope Competency-based thinking allows companies to align its strengths with the business opportunities and eliminate weaknesses in order to avoid threats creates a ‘strategic fit’ between its internal competencies and the external environment. The competence-based thinking allows businesses to investigate and understand the entire picture of the organizational structures and actual practices in order to understand the current situation. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing and Virtual Value Chain or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It can improve and enhance the current practice and further plan for the future. Competency development can take place over a period of time if the company has measures in place to ensure that employees learn and develop the competencies as their careers progress. Competency-based thinking in e-business strategy can be an effective model for businesses to use also. Small business owners must be able to develop technical competencies to thrive in the field of e-business. One of the primary barriers that many small business owners face in e-business is the lack of know-how in the development of effective websites and marketing strategies used to develop a web presence. Managers and business owners need to constantly update their knowledge of the Internet and the effective measures used by other companies to develop their business. The competence-based approach looks at how the resources and capabilities of a firm interact across different functions and activities. The core competencies of a firm are comprised of individual activities; therefore, the activities of a firm are also addressed in this approach. The activities-based approach, on the other hand, considers only the individual activities of a firm. It neglects to fully consider the processes and resources of a firm (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 86). 2) Think critically of possible applications of the virtual value chain concept within specific industries and business sectors. Are there some specify business sectors where this concept fits better than in other sectors? The virtual value chain is useful in many different industries and business sectors. For instance, e-businesses operating in the online retail industry can benefit immensely by developing a virtual value chain. Customer information can be used to help make a more personalized experience for the customer. An e-business retailer could provide product recommendations based on previously purchased or view items; enable the customer to view order status and order history; and develop personalized sales based on spending habits. For example, Old Navy emails advertisements and sale information to customers based on past purchases. Also, if a customer has an Old Navy credit card, they can view history of items they purchased in the store through Old Navy’s website. Another industry in which the virtual value chain is applicable is the credit card industry. Credit card companies allow customers to view transaction history and statements through secure websites. They also allow customers to make payments and update their personal information all in one place. Customers can monitor their spending limits intermittently before they receive their statement through the mail. Transaction information is available through a credit card’s website as soon as a sale is made. Both customers and the credit card companies, themselves, have benefit greatly by utilizing such information. Customers can now access information via the Internet, rather than call a customer service representative on the phone. The medical industry is another field in which the virtual value chain can enhance a customer’s experience. Healthcare providers are now creating personalized records for their customers online. Information gathered via claims sent to the insurance company is being used to update an individual’s personal health record on the Internet. This enables the customer to easily maintain medical records, receive updates when they are due for routine visits and tests, and keep track of prescription refills. The virtual value change is particularly useful for the sales and marketing business sector. Sales and marketing activities can go a long way by utilizing the virtual value chain. Customer information gathered in a number of industries can be used for virtual marketing efforts. Advertising can be accomplished on the web and through email. Companies can filter through customer databases to segregate their customers into different groups, such as existing customers, prospect customers, or inactive customers. Such information can be utilized to tailor specialized marketing efforts based on a customer’s status, preferences, etc. Although the virtual value chain provides a vast amount of benefits to most industries, it fits better in some business sectors than others. For example, the sales and marketing sector can better utilize the virtual value chain than the construction and engineering sectors. While information gather about customers in the construction and engineering sectors are valuable; there are not many applications to provide benefits to individual customers via the virtual marketspace. As well, the virtual value chain is more appropriate for industries and business sectors with repeat customers. Business sectors that tend to have one-time customers, based on the nature of the business, cannot receive much benefit from the virtual value chain. The virtual value chain is a powerful tool; however, it can be put to greater use in some industries over others. 3) Explain critically assess the ICDT framework and pinpoint its shortcomings. The ICDT framework was conceptualized by Albert Angehm. This model provides companies with a tool to assess the virtual market space and the range of activities they can utilize to interact with their customers (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 7). Such interactions help an e-business to enhance their customers’ overall experience, which in turn, can increase their market share. A breakdown of the ICDT framework follows. The ICDT framework provides companies with a systematic approach to developing effective e-business strategies. The model was developed for traditional bricks-and-mortar companies looking to expand into the virtual market space. T he model enables a company to evaluate the opportunities within the virtual market space and develop ways in which they can benefit from such opportunities. According to the ICDT framework, there are four dimensions and types of activities which an e-business can offer to its customers, as follows: Information activities: Information activities lay within the virtual information space. Information activities consist of marketing and knowledge sharing via the Internet. Companies can use the virtual information space to implement marketing and advertising campaigns, post information about their products and services, and enable customers to view the availability of products (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 87). Many companies now integrate their online information activities with their offline activities. For example, when on Target’s website, a customer can find out if a certain product is in stock at their local Target store. Communication activities: Communications activities take place in the virtual communication space. Communication activities consist of two-way communication between customers and businesses, businesses and businesses, and customers and customers. Such activities include email communication, message boards, and live chats (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 9). For example, when a customer has been on Sandal’s website, a vacation provider, for a couple of minutes, an instant message will appear on the screen asking if the customer has any questions or needs assistance. Transaction activities: Transaction activities occur in the virtual transaction space via e-commerce. Transaction activities involve the online placement of orders and online payment processing (Je lassi Enders, 2008, p. 89). Examples of transaction activities include the purchase and payment of cable television services on Comcast’s website. As well, most utility bills can be paid via the provider’s website. Distribution activities: Distribution activities take place in the virtual distribution space. They include the electronic distribution of digital goods, such as music, television shows, movies, e-books, and software (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 90). An example would be the online streaming of movies through Netflix’s website and television shows via Hulu. com. The virtual market spaces, as presented by the ICDT framework, provide a vast amount of opportunities for businesses to expand their opportunities to the Internet. Despite the apparent advantage of these virtual market spaces, each virtual market space also has its shortcoming. Information activities are most valuable to customers when they provide real-time, up-to-date information. When e-business first became popular, most e-businesses only provided static information. In order to successfully interact with customers via the virtual information space, companies must fully integrate and link their information activities to warehouse, production, and offline activities (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 87). Communication activities are fairly straightforward; however, the drawback of communication activities is that companies must provide timely responses to their customers. Online communication activities can quickly escalate; therefore, many e-businesses have developed automatic response systems to answer routine questions. Transaction activities, on the other hand, can be difficult to carry out. Customers tend to be leery about the websites they perform transactions over. The e-business must have a secure website and also be a reputable company. As e-commerce continues to progress, customers are getting more comfortable with online transactions (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 90). For instance, many e-commerce allow customers to perform payment transactions via PayPal, a trusted online payment facilitator. Additionally, most transactions have typically been limited to credit transactions. The shortcoming to credit transactions is that it is not economically feasible to accept credit transactions for low-priced goods. To overcome this pitfall, online micro-payment systems have been developed to facilitate the transaction of low-priced goods (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 0). Distribution activities are limited to the online capacity and capabilities of both providers and customers. It is not feasible to distribute goods to a customer with a 56-k modem. DSL and cable internet technologies have presented a mechanism to distribute digital goods online (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 90). As more customers and businesses become equip with broa dband technology, more goods will be offered in digital form. 3) Explain how an Internet can help a company to achieve a competitive advantage in the marketplace through (a) cost leadership and (b) differentiation. Illustrate each case through an actual example, other than those mentioned in this module. A cost leadership strategy is one in which a company attempts to lower their operating costs in order to provide their products and services at low prices to customers. In order to effectively gain a competitive advantage through a low cost strategy, the company must provide the minimum required benefits to customers, which are known as threshold features. Such features are required for a customer to consider a product (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 98). There are several ways in which an e-business can utilize the Internet to achieve a cost leadership strategy, as follows: Economics of scale: By increasing their level of production, a firm will decrease their unit production cost. The Internet enables an e-business to reach a large market of customers, typically larger than they could reach as a traditional bricks-and-mortar company. Therefore, the company can increase their output and lower their costs. Economics of scope: Economics of scope are achieved by expanding the variety of products and services offered by a firm, while utilizing the same assets for each offering. In other words, the company leverages their assets to spread their fixed cost over a wider range of goods and services (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 102). An e-business can achieve economics of scope by extending into new markets and reaching out to new customer groups via the Internet. Factor costs: Factor costs are the sum of all costs incurred when producing a product or service. In order to achieve a cost leadership position, an e-business can use the Internet to lower their factor costs. By reaching a larger group of customers over the Internet, an e-business can purchase raw materials or other inputs in bulk (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 02). Learning effects: After a company has been established for some time, they can lower their costs by improving their efficiency. They can use accumulated knowledge to increase productivity. The Internet can be used as an effective tool to achieve a cost leadership position. An example of an e-commerce company that has proved to be a successful co st leader is Overstock. com. Overstock. com is an online retailer which offers a wide range of products. The company’s low cost strategy includes economics of scope and a reduction in factor costs. Economics of scope are recognized by the variety of products offered by the company. Overstock. com can reach a large number of customers by offering a diverse range of products. All of the products offered on the site utilize the same assets. As well, the company purchases their products in bulk from their suppliers, which also significantly decreases their costs. Overstock. com sells their products well below the suggested retail price, which entices customers to buy from their site. A differentiation strategy, on the other hand, is one in which a company attempts to differentiate itself from competitors by offering unique and/or higher quality products. Unlike the low cost strategy, the differentiation strategy requires a company to incur higher costs and charge a higher than average price to customers. Customers are willing to pay a higher price due to the superior quality of the offering. When using a differentiation approach, it is important that the company clearly defines its market segment in order to recognize the elements which are of true value to their target audience (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 103). The Internet can also be used to achieve a differentiation strategy. To do so, an e-business must provide tangible sources of benefits which include: high product/service quality, product or service customization, convenience, fast speed of delivery, and a wide product range (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 104). Because e-business firms exist in the virtual world, each of these tangible sources of benefit can be recognized. Products can be built to order, as they do not need to be stock in a physical stock; the customer can go on one site to accomplish a variety of tasks or purchase a range of products; and orders can be quickly turned around and delivered to the customer. In addition to tangible sources of benefit, a differentiation strategy must also offer intangible benefits to the customer. These include brand and reputation. The Internet can be used to effectively leverage the brand name of an existing bricks-and-mortar company. Internet start-ups, on the other hand, must build through brand from the ground, which they can accomplish by marketing via the Internet. Reputation is also plays a major role in a differentiation strategy because customers incur less risk when purchasing from a trustworthy company (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 105). The Internet has been used to provide an effective differentiation strategy for Zappos, an online shoe retailer. The e-commerce site is known for its reputation, high level of customer service, convenience, speed of delivery, and product selection. Zappos has a wide product selection. They have vast amount of shoes available in all different fashions. They provide quick order processing and typically upgrade customers to overnight shipping for free. When returning or exchanging a product, they provide the shipping label and pick up the costs. Zappos has continued to differentiate itself from competitors by branching ut into television advertising. In 2010, they released a series of quirky, eye catching television commercials which have generated a lot of attention on the Internet. Their ads can be found on YouTube, as well as spoofs of their ads. This has drawn attention to Zappos, increased awareness of their site, and heightened their reputation. The Internet is a powerful tool whi ch can be used to build effective cost leadership and differentiation strategies. Many e-business companies have achieved competitive advantages by exploiting the capabilities of the Internet. As technology and the Internet continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how e-businesses will use the Internet in the future. 5) Describe how a company can look for new market spaces outside its own industry. Numerous e-business firms have successfully implemented competitive advantage strategies via the Internet. Such strategies typically include a cost leadership and/or differentiation strategy. Many e-business firms have attempted to exploit the capabilities of the Internet to achieve both types of advantages. In other words, they achieve neither a cost leadership or differentiation position and project a confusing image to their customers. Many companies fall victim to the challenges of implementing both a low-cost and differentiation strategy. A low-cost strategy typically requires a company to forgo superior quality and enhanced features in order to provide a lower cost than competitors; whereas, a differentiation strategy requires a company to charge higher costs due to the increased costs of producing high quality goods or services. The low-cost and differentiation strategies have a tendency to conflict with one another; therefore, when many companies try to achieve a competitive advantage by implementing both strategies, they can easily get stuck somewhere in the middle (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 105). Such companies end up being perceived as average, run-of-the-mill companies that do not provide any increased benefits to their customer. When developing a strategy, a company is required to make tradeoffs. They may have to trade high quality for a low cost, or vice versa. However, current research has shown that when a company has the right factors in place, they can effectively accomplish both a low-cost and differentiation strategy simultaneously. This is known as an outpacing strategy. An outpacing strategy can be accomplished by developing new technologies, reducing wastefulness and increasing efficiencies, achieving economies of scale, and exploiting learning effects (Jelassi Enders, 2008, p. 108). Over the past decade, many e-business firms have utilized the Internet to achieve effect outpacing strategies and decreased their risk of getting stuck in the middle. The Internet provides ways for companies to increase their production levels by streamlining many of their processes. They can utilize new technologies which allow them to provide higher quality goods at low costs. Dell Computers is a great example of a company that has utilized both a cost leadership and differentiation strategy. Dell links their supply directly to demand. They build computers after the customer has placed their order. Their order process and logistics have been streamlined due to information technologies. Dell has a strong brand, a solid reputation, superior customer service, and offers innovative products all at a low cost to customers. Both differentiation and cost leadership have been the focus of Dell’s strategy. They have proven that a company can successfully implement an outpacing strategy without getting stuck in the middle, as long as the right technology and factors are in place. References Jelassi, T. , Enders, A. (2008). Strategies for e-business: Creating value through electronic and mobile commerce. (2nd ed. ). London, UK: Prentice Hall.

Definition and Examples of Apologia in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Apologia in Rhetoric Definition: In classical rhetoric, communication studies, and public relations, an apologia is a  speech that defends, justifies, and/or apologizes for an action or statement. Plural: apologia. Adjective: apologetic. Also known as a  speech of self-defense. In an article* in the Quarterly Journal of Speech (1973), B.L. Ware and W.A. Linkugel identified four common strategies in apologetic discourse: denial (directly or indirectly rejecting the substance, intent, or consequence of the questionable act) bolstering (attempting to enhance the image of the individual under attack) differentiation (distinguishing the questionable act from more serious or harmful actions) transcendence (placing the act in a different context) *They Spoke in Defense of Themselves: On the Generic Criticism of Apologia See Examples and Observations below. Also see: OratoryPersuasionRhetoric What Are the Three Branches of Rhetoric? EtymologyFrom the Greek, away from speech Examples and Observations There may be several purposes for apologia rhetoric, including to explain the behavior or statement in a positive light, justify the behavior to minimize damage to image and character, or remove the topic from public discussion so that other issues may be discussed.(Colleen E. Kelley, The Rhetoric of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton: Crisis Management Discourse. Praeger, 2001) The Rhetoric of Damage ControlSome genres are so complex and high stakes that they require a special kind of rhetorical maneuvering and critical assessment. One such animal is what Aristotle called an apologiaor what we label today as the rhetoric of self-defense, damage-control, image-repair, or crisis management. . . .Its indebtedness to all three genres [deliberative, judicial, and epideictic], but its allegiance to none, makes the apologia a challenging rhetorical hybrid to create and critique (Campbell Huxman, 2003, pp. 293-294). . . . .The genre [of apologia] is a public purging of sins and a reaffirmat ion of the ethical norms of society dressed up in theatrical proportions to bring pleasure to spectators; it is the most intimate form of secular discourse. Success in this arena requires a let it all hang out (remorse, pride, outrage) approach. The visual media are especially equipped to provide the excess and exaggeration that this type of theater demands.(Susan Schultz Huxman, Exigencies, Explanations, and Executions: Toward a Dynamic Theory of the Crisis Communications Genre. Responding to Crisis: A Rhetorical Approach to Crisis Communication, ed. by Dan P. Millar and Robert L. Heath. Lawrence Erlbaum, 2004) BP CEOs Apologia for the Gulf Oil Spill (May 31, 2010)The first thing to say is Im sorry. . . . We’re sorry for the massive disruption it’s caused their lives. There’s no one who wants this over more than I do. I would like my life back.†(Tony Hayward, televised speech in Venice, Louisiana, May 31, 2010) Bill Clintons Apologia: The Monica Lewinsky Affair (Aug. 17, 1998)Good evening.This afternoon in this room, from this chair, I testified before the Office of Independent Counsel and the grand jury.I answered their questions truthfully, including questions about my private life, questions no American citizen would ever want to answer.Still, I must take complete responsibility for all my actions, both public and private. And that is why I am speaking to you tonight.As you know, in a deposition in January, I was asked questions about my relationship with Monica Lewinsky. While my answers were legally accurate, I did not volunteer information.Indeed, I did hav e a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible.But I told the grand jury today and I say to you now that at no time did I ask anyone to lie, to hide or destroy evidence or to take any other unlawful action.I know that my public comments and my silence about this matter gave a false impression. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that.I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors. First, by a desire to protect myself from the embarrassment of my own conduct.I was also very concerned about protecting my family. The fact that these questions were being asked in a politically inspired lawsuit, which has since been dismissed, was a consideration, too.In addition, I had real and serious concerns about an independent counsel investigation that began with private business dealings 20 years ago, dealing s I might add about which an independent federal agency found no evidence of any wrongdoing by me or my wife over two years ago.The independent counsel investigation moved on to my staff and friends, then into my private life. And now the investigation itself is under investigation.This has gone on too long, cost too much and hurt too many innocent people.Now, this matter is between me, the two people I love mostmy wife and our daughterand our God. I must put it right, and I am prepared to do whatever it takes to do so.Nothing is more important to me personally. But it is private, and I intend to reclaim my family life for my family. Its nobodys business but ours.Even presidents have private lives. It is time to stop the pursuit of personal destruction and the prying into private lives and get on with our national life.Our country has been distracted by this matter for too long, and I take my responsibility for my part in all of this. That is all I can do.Now it is timein fact, it i s past time to move on.We have important work to doreal opportunities to seize, real problems to solve, real security matters to face.And so tonight, I ask you to turn away from the spectacle of the past seven months, to repair the fabric of our national discourse, and to return our attention to all the challenges and all the promise of the next American century.Thank you for watching. And good night.(President Bill Clinton, televised speech to the American public, August 17, 1998) Pronunciation: AP-eh-LOW-je-eh

Strategic Channel Plan for Startech company Essay

Strategic Channel Plan for Startech company - Essay Example With increased uptake of technology in the 21st century, many businesses are beginning to redefine their business channels with the previously existing channels being done away with and a surge in consumer to business channels. This has not only seen a change in business, marketing strategies but has also seen a growth in new businesses and also a formation of relationships that tend to lean on consumer satisfaction by most business. For a business like Startech the internet is of huge rewards to them as they can expand their business to reach clients from all over the world, in addition clients can easily access their services via the web and they clients can have ease of access to the Startech customer support who would help them with products and services and most important consumers can now access quality goods and services as well as Startech can maintain contact with the customers. For any company that is operating in a dynamic environment such as that Startech is operating in the channels of business need careful consideration and several factors need to be put into careful consideration. The most important factor in this is the clientele. What does the clientele mostly need and does the business have it? Such careful consideration will help the organisation set mechanisms and frameworks that will help the clients access the goods and services. It also helps the firm come up with considerations on what channels they will set up. To begin with we shall study the marketing channels by looking at the strategy, framework and the functions. A marketing channel is the link that a business has built to see te transfer of goods from the point of manufacturer to the point of consumption. Marketing channels are generally involved in the transfer of ownership and are important to any business organisation as they facilitate the linking of the producer and the consumer of the goods. Through the various marketing channels and through the transfer of ownership of the goods the producer is able to understand and note the needs of the consumers and work towards meeting them. It is also important in that it helps n organisation come up with a pricing mechanism by factoring in all the costs involved in the transfer of the goods from the producer to the consumer, a firm is able to come up with prices that will enable them maintain their margins as well as ensure the goods and services are competitive in the market. A marketing channel also incorporates several factors into it by being involved in the promotion and advertising of the particular goods that is up for sale. Through marketing channels, firms are able to boost and increase their sales in the business which subsequently leads to better revenues and profits. The marketing channels are normally conducted by a department in an organisation or by an independent company tasked with the mandate of ensuring that the company’s goods and services are fast moving in the market. The marketing channel is also known as the distribution channel and is overall involved in activities that promote brand loyalty and brand visibility. The marketing channel of a business also institutes policies and frameworks that are geared at helping the business achieve its short term and long term goals as far as sales are concerned through setting targets and acting in line with company goals and objectives. There are normally three types of communication channels. Th e communication channel which is involved in the exchange of information between the producers and

Counseling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Counseling - Essay Example The main types are ‘anorexia nervosa and binge-eating and usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood’ (Natl. Inst. Of Mental Health). This disorder usually ‘co-occurs with psychiatric disorders like substance abuse, anxiety disorder and depression’ (American Psychiatric Association 2000). People with anorexia consider themselves as overweight although they are already the opposite. They tend to avoid food and meals, become picky and eat only in small quantities. They constantly check their body weight and engage in weight control techniques like too much exercise or ‘purging by means of vomiting and abuse of laxatives, enemas, and diuretics’ (American Psychiatric Association 2000). On the other hand, binge-eaters eat until over full, eat large amounts even though not hungry and don’t practice purging so they become overweight for their age and height. Some of the physiological myths about hunger and satiety include a common bel ief that our blood glucose levels affect our hunger and satiety. But research shows that this is untrue because ‘glucose levels remain fairly stable and do not fluctuate often’ (Stier 2009). Also, they say that our energy levels drop along with our blood glucose and this trigger hunger so we should eat again to restore our levels back to the standard energy level.

Autism and Mental Retardation Essay Example for Free

Autism and Mental Retardation Essay Respond to the following: 1. List the primary features of autism. Children with autism are unresponsive to others, uncommunicative, repetitive, and rigid their symptoms usually appear before the age of three. An autistic individual will have difficulty sustaining employment, accomplishing household responsibilities, and leading independent lives. Furthermore, they express having problems displaying closeness and empathy and have limited interests and activities. The characteristics seem to be pronounced as indifferent in physical care and affectionate expressive interest in those who are taking care of them. Verbal communication and language impairments and inability to use speech are often primary features of autism. Some autistic individuals may exhibit Echolalia a echoing of phrases used without apparent understanding. Some may even repeat sentences a week later, this is called delayed echolalia. Their variation of speech difficulties include; paranormal reversal, difficulty in naming objects, lack of verbal understanding and use of suitable tone in their voice while talking. Some noticeable characteristics that often expose autism are their lack of imagination while playing, rigid, abnormal and repetitive behaviors, failure to accept environmental change and obsession with animate things and inanimate things. They express repetitive and unusual motor movements like flapping their hands, and odd facial expressions. Below is a checklist the DSM has provided for a guideline to diagnosis of autism. 1. A total of at least six items from the following groups of symptoms: A. Impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: (a) Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction. (b) Failure to develop peer relationships appropriately. (c) Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people. (d) Lack of social or emotional reciprocity. B. Impairment in communication, as manifested by at least one of the  following: (a) Delay in or total lack of, the development of spoken language. (b) In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to start or sustain a conversation with others. (c) Stereotyped and repetitive use of language, or idiosyncratic language. (d) Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play. C. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following: (a) Abnormal preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest. (b) Inflexible adherence to specific nonfunctional routines or rituals. (c) Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting). (d) Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. 2. Prior to 3 years of age, delay or abnormal functioning in either social interaction, language, or symbolic or imaginative play. 2. Which explanation for autism is no longer considered valid and lacks research support? The sociocultural model lacks support and the theory suggests that autism could progress through particular personality characteristics of the parents. These characteristics generated unfavorable development and contributed to the development of the disorder. This theory is no longer considered. 3. What forms of treatment are helpful for a person with autism? The treatment that is helpful for a person with autism is behavioral therapy, communication training, parent training, and community integration. Psychotropic drugs and certain vitamins have at times aided when joined with other approaches. Behavioral therapies consist of therapist using modeling and operant conditioning. In modeling they exhibit a chosen behavior and direct the individual to reproduce it. In operant conditioning, they reinforce such behaviors, first by shaping them, breaking them down so they can be learned step by step and then rewarding each step visibly and consistently. These measures often create more purposeful behaviors and long term achievements. Communication Training is a therapy that is often taught to those individuals who remain speechless. They are taught other forms of communication, including sign language and simultaneous communication, a method combining sign language and speech. They also learn  to use augmentative communication systems, such as communication boards or computers that use pictures, symbols, or written words to represent objects or needs. In some programs teachers try to recognize essential underlined forcers rather than insignificant ones like food or candy. They encourage participation in choosing an item they want and then encouraging them to ask for it with questions like; what’s that? Where is it? And whose is it? The studies have found that child- directed interventions increase self-initiated communications, language development, and social participation. Parenting training programs train parents so they can apply behavioral techniques at home. They are provided with instruction manuals, and teachers do home visits. Individual therapy and support groups help parents of autistic children deal with their own emotions and needs. Community integration is a great tool for autistic individuals, In today’s school and home based programs there are programs for autism children to teach self-help, self-management, and living, social, and work skills as early as possible to help children function better in their communities. There have been many workshops and group homes available now for teenagers and young adults with autism to help them become a part of their communities. These types of programs give parents a since of relief as their child will always need supervision. 4. List the criteria for a diagnosis of mental retardation: The DSM-IV-TR gives guidelines to the diagnosis of mental retardation. Individuals need to display general intellectual functioning that is well below average, in combination with poor adaptive behavior. As well as having a low IQ score of 70 or below. There should be notable difficulty in communication, home living, self-direction, work or safety. These symptoms should appear before the age of 18. 5. Explain one way in which sociocultural biases in testing might pose problems for assessing mental retardation. Sociocultural biased in testing that might pose a problem for assessing mental retardation is IQ testing. IQ testing in some children has caused them to be labeled retarded when they had trouble speaking the language at a level that would establish their IQ. 6. Of the four levels of mental retardation, into which category do most  people with mental retardation fall? Mild level – IQ ranges from 50 – 70. â€Å"They are sometimes called â€Å"educably retarded† because they can benefit from schooling and can support themselves as adults† (Cromer, 2011). 7. What are the main types of biological causes of mental retardation? The main types of biological causes of mental retardation are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. 8. What is the only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome? The only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome is to not drink during pregnancy. 9. What are normalization and mainstreaming? Normalization and mainstreaming are educational terms; they reference the settlement of mentally retarded individuals within ordered classrooms. This is to make sure these individuals can intermingle and learn along with typical fellow students. The school systems have made adjustments and adaptations to their core curriculum and the teaching given to the mentally retarded child. 10. What is your opinion about mainstreaming and normalization for children and adults with autism or mental retardation? I agree with mainstreaming for a person who is suffering from autism or mental retardation. Autism runs in my family, and I have a cousin who is the same as age as I am and she did not receive mainstreaming when she was younger and she is severely handicapped I believe because of this. On the other hand, our classrooms are overcrowded and teachers are experiencing challenges within the so called â€Å"normal† population. Labeling these individuals at such an early age incorporates stereotyping within the classroom and can cause even more hardship for those individuals. My ex-husband’s brother had an autistic child who is thriving and even attending college classes at a University. He did have special schooling and went to private therapies. His success was through behavioral therapy and parenting training. I would say mainstreaming should be considered on the level of the disorder. If the disorder is extreme, then consideration should be given to the teacher and her other thirty something students. It is a hard question when in fact someone could be mildly retarded or highly retarded and the school system really needs to know just where the individual stands with their language ability and social ability. Resource: Comer, R. J. (2011). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY.