NCAA Tournament Essays - , Term Papers, Research Papers

NCAA Tournament Do you know what time it is? It's March Madness, the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament. The time of the year when you see commercials on CBS announcing the Road to the Final Four, the pinnacle of the college basketball year. Each year 64 teams vie for a spot in the Final Four. Teams from the East, Midwest, Southwest, and West all compete for one spot from each division. The teams that play for one of these spots can be classified into four different groups. The Number 1 through 4 seeds, the Cinderella teams, the Bubble teams and the One Hit Wonders. The Number 1 through 4 seeds make up 1/4 of the tournament. These teams are the strongest teams in the nation and are usually figured to go to the Final Four. The teams ranked Number 1 in their bracket have the best chance of going to the Final Four. Since 1980 at least one Number 1seed has gone to the Final Four. The number one seeded team has also never been beaten in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The teams that are 1 through 4 this year, and figure to be playing for the National Championship, are Kentucky, UMass, Purdue, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Utah, Villanova, and Arizona. All of these teams had to have had tremendous regular seasons and conference tournaments to be seeded so high. On the other hand a "Cinderella" team is a team that had a so-so regular season and upset a higher ranked team in their conference tournament. They ride that wave of momentum into the Field of 64 and hope to upset another higher ranked team in the first and second rounds. These teams usually don't last farther than the Sweet Sixteen where their season usually comes to an end. Teams that can be classified into this group are the 10 through 14 seeds. Teams that fall into this category are Clemson, Virginia Commonwealth, Austin Peay, Cansius, and Santa Clara. Out of these "Cinderella" teams, many of them were teams "on the Bubble." These teams finished with a so-so regular season also but also had a so-so conference tournament. They had to sweat it out and hope for other teams to falter and the selection committee to be generous for these teams to make it. Once in the tournament these teams can be transformed into a Cinderella team by beating two higher seeded teams. Teams "on the Bubble" are ranked 7 through 9. The teams that can be classified into this category or groupings are Michigan, Stanford, Bradley, Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Eastern Michigan. That leaves the last grouping of teams. The One Hit Wonders. Their describes them perfectly. They usually upset one team then bow out of the tourney in the second round. The teams in this category might prematurely be labeled a "Cinderella" team, but after exiting the tournament in the second round they cannot be given this title. These teams can be ranked anywhere from 6 through 15. Teams from this group are Mississippi Valley, Louisville, Iowa, Indiana, Princeton, and Monmouth. So as one can see there are many different ways to view the teams from the Field of 64. From the Number 1's through Number 4's to the One-Hit Wonders there are many teams with a shot at winning the NCAA National Championship. You might ask, "Which team do you feel will win the National Championship?" I feel the National Championship will go to the Georgetown Hoyas ( a Number 2 seed ) out of the East.

Why School Culture Matters and Strategies to Improve It

Why School Culture Matters and Strategies to Improve It Why School Culture Matters I recently read a quote by Dr. Joseph Murphy, Associate Dean at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education, which really spoke to me. He said, â€Å"Seeds of change will never grow in toxic soil. School culture matters.† This message has stuck with me for the past several weeks as I have reflected on the past school year and look to move forward towards the next.   As I examined the issue of school culture, I wondered how one would define it. Over the past few weeks, I have formulated my own definition. School culture includes an atmosphere of mutual respect amongst all stakeholders where teaching and learning are valued; achievements and successes are celebrated, and where ongoing collaboration is the norm.      Dr. Murphy is 100% correct in both of his assertions. First, school culture does matter.   When all stakeholders have the same goals and are on the same page, a school will flourish.   Unfortunately, toxic soil can keep those seeds from growing and in some cases create virtually irreparable damage.   Because of this school leaders must ensure that creating a healthy school culture is a priority.   Building a positive school culture starts with leadership. Leaders must be hands-on, willing to make personal sacrifices, and should work with people rather than working against them if they want to improve school culture.   School culture is a mindset that can either be positive or negative. No one flourishes in constant negativity.   When negativity persists in a school culture, no one wants to come to school. This includes the administrators, teachers, and students. This type of environment is set up to fail. Individuals are just going through the motions trying to get through another week and eventually another year. No one prospers in this type of environment. It is not healthy, and educators should do everything they can to ensure that they never allow this mindset to creep in. When positivity persists in a school culture, everyone thrives. Administrators, teachers, and students are generally happy to be there. Amazing things happen in a positive environment.   Student learning is enhanced. Teachers grow and improve. Administrators are more relaxed.   Everyone benefits from this type of environment. School culture does matter. It should not be discounted. Over the past few weeks as I have reflected on this, I have come to believe that it may be the single most important factor for school success. If no one wants to be there, then ultimately a school will not be successful. However, if a positive, supporting school culture exists then the sky is the limit for how successful a school can be. Now that we understand the importance of school culture, we must ask how to improve it. Fostering a positive school culture takes a lot of time and hard work.   It will not happen overnight. It is a difficult process that will likely come with immense growing pains.   Tough decisions will have to be made. This includes personnel decisions with those unwilling to buy into a change in school culture. Those who resist these changes are the â€Å"toxic soil† and until they are gone, the â€Å"seeds of change† will never firmly take hold. Strategies to Improve School Culture The following seven broad strategies can help guide the process of improving school culture. These strategies are written under the assumption that a leader is in place which seeks to change the culture of a school and is willing to work hard. It is important to note that many of these strategies will require modifications along the way. Every school has its own unique challenges and as such there is no perfect blueprint for refining school culture.   These general strategies are not the end all be all solution, but they can aid in the development of a positive school culture. Create a team consisting of administrators, teachers, parents, and students to help shape changes to school culture. This team should develop a prioritized list of issues they believe harm to the overall school culture. In addition, they should brainstorm possible solutions for fixing those issues. Eventually, they should create a plan as well as a timeline for implementing the plan for turning around the school culture.Administrators must surround themselves with like-minded teachers who fit the mission and vision the team has in place for establishing an effective school culture.   These teachers must be trustworthy professionals who will do their job and make positive contributions to the school environment.It is important for teachers feel supported. Teachers who feel like their administrators have their backs are generally happy teachers, and they are more likely to operate a productive classroom.   Teachers should never question whether or not they are appreciated.   Buil ding and maintaining teacher morale is one of the most important duties a school principal plays in fostering a positive school culture.   Teaching is a very difficult job, but it becomes easier when you work with a supportive administrator. Students spend the largest amount of their time at school in the classroom. This makes teachers the most responsible for creating a positive school culture.   Teachers help this process through a variety of ways. First, they build trusting relationships with students. Next, they ensure that every student has an opportunity to learn the required material. Additionally, they figure out a way to make learning fun so that students keep wanting to come back to their class. Finally, they show a vested interest in each student in a variety of ways including attending extracurricular activities, engaging in conversations about interests/hobbies, and being there for a student when they are having a hard time.Collaboration is critical to developing a positive school culture.   Collaboration enriches the overall teaching and learning experience. Collaboration builds lasting relationships. Collaboration can challenge us and make us better. Collaboration is essential in helping a school truly become a community of learners. Collaboration must be ongoing between every stakeholder within the school. Everyone should have a voice. To establish an effective school culture, you must consider every little nuance in a school. Ultimately, everything contributes to the overall culture of a school. This includes school security, the quality of the food in the cafeteria, the friendliness of the main office staff when there are visitors or when answering the phones, the cleanliness of the school, the maintenance of the grounds, etc.   Everything should be evaluated and changed as necessary.Extra-curricular programs can foster an immense amount of school pride.   Schools must offer a well-balanced assortment of programs to give every student an opportunity to be involved.   This includes a mixture of both athletic and non-athletic programs.   Coaches and sponsors responsible for these programs must provide the participants with everyone opportunity to be successful Programs and individuals within these programs should be recognized for their accomplishments.   Ultimately, if you have a positive school culture, every stakeholder feels a sense of pride when one of these programs or individuals is successful.

Geode of Blue Copper Sulfate Crystals Tutorial

Geode of Blue Copper Sulfate Crystals Tutorial Geodes are a type of rock containing crystals. Normally, millions of years are required for flowing water and minerals to deposit crystals. You can make your own geode in only a few days. Grow beautiful translucent blue crystals of copper sulfate pentahydrate inside an egg shell to make your own geode. This project is of average difficulty and will take 2 to 3 days to finish. What You Need An eggHot waterCopper sulfate Here's How to Do It First, you need to prepare the eggshell. A natural geode forms inside a mineral. For this project, the mineral is the calcium carbonate of an eggshell. Carefully crack open an egg, discard the egg, and keep the shell. Clean the egg from the shell. Try for a clean break, to create two halves of the shell, or you may wish to just remove the top of the shell, for a more ball-shaped geode.In a separate container, add copper sulfate to 1/4 cup of hot water. The amount of copper sulfate isnt exact. You want to stir copper sulfate into the water until no more will dissolve. More is not better! It should take a few pinches of solid material to make a saturated solution.Pour the copper sulfate solution into the eggshell.Place the eggshell in a location where it can remain undisturbed for 2 to 3 days. You may want to place the eggshell in another container to keep it from falling over.Observe your geode each day. Crystals should appear by the end of the first day and will be at their best afte r the second or third day. You can pour out the solution and allow your geode to dry after a couple of days or you can let the solution fully evaporate (a  week or two). Tips for Making a Geode of Copper Sulfate Crystals Even a small increase in the temperature of the water will greatly affect the amount of copper sulfate (CuS04 . 5H20) that will dissolve.Copper sulfate is harmful if swallowed and can irritate skin and mucous membranes. In case of contact, rinse skin with water. If swallowed, give water and call a physician.Copper sulfate pentahydrate crystals contain water, so if you want to store your finished geode, keep it in a sealed container. Otherwise, water will evaporate from the crystals, leaving them dull and powdery. The gray or greenish powder is the anhydrous form of copper sulfate.The archaic name for copper (II) sulfate is blue vitriol.Copper sulfate is used in copper plating, blood tests for anemia, in algicides and fungicides, in textile manufacturing, and as a desiccant.

Macroeconomics of Argentina Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Macroeconomics of Argentina - Research Paper Example This research paper is one of the best examples of analysis of the macroeconomics of Argentina, which involves review of the monetary and fiscal policy, growth rates, unemployment rates, inflation, and currency exchanges in the country. Traditionally, Argentina was one of the countries in Latin America that had better social indicators. Compared to the other nations in this region, Argentina’s inequality and poverty levels were very low. The country had widespread labor protection policies and the unemployment rate was low . Academic studies show that the socioeconomic status of Argentina has been deteriorating since 1970s with the sharp increase in poverty levels. When the crisis of 2001/02 ended, the economy started showing signs of recovery as the major social indicators continued improving significantly. The economic context described by many financial analysts depicts the inflation rate of Argentina as being unsustainable. Years before 2002 portray inflation in Argentina as fluctuating and high. However, the rate of inflation in this nation recorded at its lowest before the Tequila effect at 4 percent a year and almost at zero a year after this effect. The government applied generally an ambitious strategy. Sometimes ad-hoc and vague, it encourages growth, manages it with reference to the macroeconomic prudence, re-industrialization, and moderate state intervention . To some extent, this strategy represents a new approach of social inclusion that bases economically on the revival of domestic markets led by the state.

How Good People Make Tough Choices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

How Good People Make Tough Choices - Essay Example Good people and tough choices are two central themes within this book. The author tries to identify good people by quoting their several daily life examples and their personal and social experiences and their traits as well. At the same time, the author endeavors to explain tough choices. In this regard, it is important to highlight that the author has separately explained â€Å"choices† and â€Å"tough choices† from the prism of ethics. For example, in defining the personality traits of good people, the author has identified them as visionary, having ethical values, courageous enough to face the repercussions of their choices (Kidder 1). Similarly, the author has particularly emphasized on â€Å"choices† as they have broad common sense and they are commonly made by common people. By defining these choices, the author is trying to relate them with the ethical values and leadership qualities as well. Through this association, the author has been successful in maki ng and establishing relationship between ethical choices within the context of ethical values. Here, it is pertinent to highlight that the author has used several daily life examples for supporting the assertions mentioned in the book.   For example, in the first chapter, the author has compared the interplay between the ethics of right versus right in which he has highlighted that two ethically correct positions collide and the related individuals have to make one choice and one compromise; this is a common daily routine situation normally faced by all us.

History of forensic medicine Essay Example for Free

History of forensic medicine Essay The necessity of understanding the reasons why a loved one suddenly becomes missing, his/her whereabouts difficult to trace and the difficulty of establishing the probability of that person’s survival is one of the many realities of families today. Should threats actually pose on a person’s life or the missing member left traces of his/her whereabouts are stuffs that not only fill the minds of those who are after detective stories; these are matters that provide meaning and hope for those families and individuals with real, missing loved ones. The popularity of shows on television such as CSI and police crime stories in a weekly slot has virtually lined almost all of networks around the globe. Films and theaters make sure they profit and usually they do whenever they strike the old formula of suspense and crime. Embedded in these formats is the dependable work of forensic medicine and the people behind it. It is no wonder that many children and adolescents today list the job of a forensic specialist as one of their ambitions. Purpose of the Paper Forensic medicine is a distinct discipline dedicated to accomplish the ultimate which is to solve crimes and prevent, limit or reduce its occurrence with the application of a wide-ranging field of sciences in response to inquiries in relation to the legal set-up. It utilizes scientific methods and the application of pharmacology and other related schemes in the pursuit of justice. Basically derived from the time of the Romans when both the accused and the accuser are given their day in â€Å"court† to present their speeches to persuade the court of the issues of their cases; today, an intricate system of a combination of knowledge from different sectors is used to achieve the purposes of the legal system. It uses modern technology and the expertise of behavioral sciences in law enforcement. Myths have been built around notorious serial killers and rightly so, because many of those who perpetrate such heinous activities manage to cause people to tremble just by hearing stories about their â€Å"exploits. Many were astounded by such names or tags as â€Å"BTK† and others like him who tried to carve their names in history though rather infamously. More modern types in the likes of Ted Bundy for instance and the â€Å"happy face† killer still evoke fear as well amazement that such people do exist. What was more amazing though is that they had been caught and that the breakthrough of forensic medicine in the early years to its modern developments had made the capture more successful and a credit to the science. In the case of jack the Ripper, he was popularized in London many years ago, around 1880, when this man started to murder prostitutes in the East End portion of this metropolis. He was never caught and his identity remained clouded in mystery. But the details as to the methods of his killing (or ripping) and whether he reaped them or not (his victims) became known only when the developments that had brought forensic medicine to the forefront started to become available (Barbee, 2006). The paper is written to explain, enlighten where forensic medicine is today and where it started. With the view that many of high profiled cases were solved due to the advances in the field which includes computer and digital forensics, use of forensic analysis tools of all kinds i. e. , sampling techniques, and a host of other manners of gathering evidence, the author seeks to establish the history of forensic medicine in precis. Problem Statement The literature today is rich to provide an enthusiast and serious student of the field with sufficient information concerning the issue on how this particular discipline emerged. It therefore seeks to answer the following question: What is forensic medicine and what are the major developments that helped established its place in the legal system? Basing on that primary inquiry, the following are the paper’s sub-problem statements: o How is forensic medicine defined? o What are the developmental milestones significant in the understanding of the discipline? o What are the current medical and scientific breakthroughs that are being employed in the application of forensic medicine? o What are its successes in terms of accomplishments as solving such high profiled crimes as BTK and insights into the legendary Jack the Ripper? What are its failures and the deficiencies in the system that needs to be improved and addressed? Definition of Terms Forensic medicine is a distinct science that â€Å"involves the principles and techniques that identify evidence at a crime scene† (UKTV people, 2007). Crime scene investigation refers to the protocol that peopl e in the uniform employs whenever a crime occurs such as the incidence of murder that brings the trained to examine the scene of the crime. The intention is to find traces or clues that might lead to the solution of the crime (UKTV people, 2007). DNA which represents the chemical Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the â€Å"chemical found in virtually every cell in the body and which carries genetic information from one generation to the next. When translated, this information determines our physical characteristics and directs all the chemical processes in the body† (UKTV people, 2007). Fingerprint evidence. â€Å"Fingerprint evidence rests on two basic principles: A persons friction ridge patterns the swirled skin on their fingertips never change and no two people have the same pattern of friction ridges. † (UKTV people, 2007). Ballistics.  The science of ballistics is often a highly important element in finding out who did the â€Å"killing. † It deals with the motion, behavior and effects of bullets. Theoretical Framework ~On criminality: Factors contributing to the incidence This refers to the body of knowledge that provides a basis to the current understanding of the different facets of the field. There are various scientific viewpoints where criminality is concerned and its reduction and prevention as goals. The author attempts to discuss various theoretical perspectives as knowledge base for the strength of its proposition. Sociologists, in an attempt to explain and point out the reasons behind delinquency, have concluded that there are connections between specific youth behaviors with the home environment, family background, the neighborhood, associations, and many other aspects that together, or separately affect the formative years of young people’s social environment. Delinquent children usually come from a background of difficult circumstances. Parental alcoholism, poverty, breakdown of family, abusive conditions in the home, death of parents during armed conflicts or drug overdose, and the HIV/AIDS scourge, and etc. re some of the various reasons that can leave children virtually orphaned. One or both parents may be physically present, but because of irresponsibility on their part (if even one of them is addicted to drugs or alcoholic), a child may grow developing certain ways and attitudes that are directly/indirectly caused by the parent/s addiction or drug-related behavior. In this case, true delinquency lies on the parents; and the children are, in a way, orphaned or unaccompanied, and without any means of subsistence which, in the first place, the parents’ fundamental responsibility to provide. Generally, and increasingly, these children are born and/or raised without a father. They are first in the line of those who are at greatest risk of falling into juvenile delinquency. Without noticing it as it is typical of any youth to be lacking in prudence, with newly embraced group, the gang, a corresponding subculture starts to assimilate them, and before long, they start to engage in activities of adult criminal groups. It is usually after being engaged in criminal activities for an extended period of time with its accompanying consequences (such as ending up in prison or rehabilitation institutions for drug addicts) that delinquents realize they are into a very dangerous zone. A large portion of all juvenile violations (between two-thirds and three-quarters) are perpetrated by youths who are members of certain gangs (Venkatesh, 1997). Unlike in school and their family, these have no strict rules to be followed except loyalty to the group. It gives young people esteem when they somehow feel they are the â€Å"rule† in themselves. This is the lure of gangs. It gives the promise of fulfillment to would be delinquents. Popularity, access to the powerful figures on the streets, freedom to express one’s self, as well as easy flow of money (if the gang is also involved in some illegal activities such as drug dealings, which is common in most gangs) are seemingly within grasp of anybody who just have the guts to dare (OJJDP, Mar. 2003).

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment :: Health, Parkinson’s Disease

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) is primary utilized as a voice treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and attempts to increase vocal loudness and improve vocal function (Ramig L, Sapir S, Fox C, and Countryman S, 2001) (Countryman S, Hoehn M, O’Brien C, Pawlas A, Ramig L, and Sapir S, 2001). There has also been success in utilizing this treatment protocol for patients with dysarthria associated with stroke, and traumatic brain injury as well as children who have cerebral palsy and Down syndrome (Spielman, J Ramig L Mahler L Halpern A Gavin W 2007, )R., Theodoros, D., & Cornwell, P. (January 01, 2008), Marchant, J., McAuliffe, M., & Huckabee, M.-L. (January 01, 2008. LSVT was conceived in 1987 and has been extensively studied around the world since then (Countryman et. Al). LSVT is a very unique form of voice therapy in that it focuses on several very simple tasks that are designed to maximize the client’s phonation and respiratory functions. (Countrymen et al.) Spielman et all2007 indicated that the standard course of treatment was an extensive treatment schedule of one hour a day, four days a week, for four consecutive weeks. The basis of the treatment regime boils down to overcoming the perception among clients with PD that there is nothing wrong with their speech, and than utilizing intensive sensorimotor training to help them to recognize and use increased effort and louder speech in their day-to-day communication. (Ramig, L. O., Fox, C., & Sapir, S. (January 01, 2004)) Most research studies to test the application and success of LSVT seem to follow the same basic research methodology. Clients with PD are recruited from local support groups, through newspaper advertisements or contact with specialists in other related medical fields. (Countryman et al 2001) (Ramig et al 2001). The normal testing method appears to be randomized control group studies with clients being separated into groups that either receive LSVT or do not receive any voice related therapy, or groups that receive more traditional and less intense forms of vocal or respiration therapy (Ramig et al 2004)(Ramig et al 2001) (Countrymen S. 2001) (Constantinescu, G., Theodoros, D., Russell, T., Ward, E., Wilson, S., & Wootton, R. (January 01, 2011). Control groups can further be broken down into age and gender categories. Initially the clients all have their sound pressure levels are measured to establish a baseline reference point.

My Decision to Pursue an MBA Degree

The decision to pursue a master’s degree these days is highly important due to the professionally competitive environment that we live in. Everyone has a bachelor’s degree but an MBA is a way to stay ahead from the rest, it sets you on a higher level. I chose to purse my MBA in order to further my career and have better opportunities. According to the â€Å"What’s my Jungian 16-type Personality? † assessment I have a possible career future as a manager, management trainer, stockbroker, lawyer, chemical engineer, police officer. I currently have a manager’s position inside a family owned company where there aren’t any more professional growth opportunities. In order for me to remain competitive in a very competitive job market I decide to pursue an MBA in Business Management without discarding the option of also including and MBA in Project Management as well. While searching for new jobs I have discovered that there are many positions for project managers. Some of the qualities mentioned in these job postings are that the person has to be visionary, responsible, have leadership qualities, organized, and so on. According to the results of the â€Å"What’s my Jungian 16-type Personality? † assessment I am outgoing, visionary, argumentative, have a low intolerance for incompetence, and often seen as a natural leader; so I believe I have what it takes to be a great project manager. Professional growth and/or advancement opportunities are a very important part of my decision to pursue an MBA. I was feeling stuck and unable to move forward with my career goals, but I believe that with a higher level of education I can achieve those goals. Fresh out of college I thought I had my life planned out but it was all based on me having an awesome job in a place I liked and doing what I like and what I know I’m good at. But that didn’t work out so well. So I found myself stuck at my part time job which was supposed to be only a temporary thing while I was in college. I don’t want to be one of those people who look back on their life and wonder where the time went and why didn’t they do something to change it. Although sometimes I feel frustrated and that I’m getting nowhere, I know I’m doing the right thing and I just need to hang in there. While it took me some time to actually get up and do something about it, here I am, ready to take on this MBA and land that job I am looking for.

Caribbean Economy and Haitian revolution Essay

The Revolution wrecked Haiti’s economy because it challenged the world as it was then. Slavery was the heart of a thriving system of merchant capitalism that profited Europe, devastated Africa, and propelled the expansion of the Americas. Independent Haiti had few friends. All the world’s powers sided with France against the self-proclaimed Black Republic which declared it a haven for runaway slaves. Hemmed in by slave colonies, Haiti had only one non-colonized neighbor, the slaveholding United States; which refused to recognize Haiti’s independence for decades. The Haitian Revolution of 1789-1803 transformed French Saint Domingue, one of the most productive European colonies of its day, into an independent state run by former slaves and the descendants of slaves It produced the world’s first examples of wholesale emancipation in a major slaveowning society, of colonial representation in a metropolitan assembly, and of full racial equality in a European colony. It occurred when the Atlantic slave trade was at its peak, and when slavery was an accepted institution from Canada to Chile. The slave revolt that between 1791 and 1793 laid waste the immensely wealthy colony was probably the largest and sole fully successful one there has ever been. Of all American struggles for colonial independence, the Haitian Revolution involved the greatest degree of mass mobilization, and brought the greatest degree of social and economic change. In an age of tumultuous events and world war, it seized international attention with images of apocalyptic destruction and of a new world in the making. The Black Jacobins by Trinidadian intellectual C.L.R. James remains, although written in the 1930s, the best introduction to the subject.

Cross cultural management

Cross cultural management IntroductionCommunication is the process which people can share their meaning or transmitting message to each other through several media such as words, behavior, or material artifacts. In the case given to us, there are a few examples to describe kinds of communication across cultures and some negotiation blunders. Different countries have their own kinds of culture and it behooves those people doing the business in a country that is foreign to them to do some cultural homework. In cross-cultural communication, the spoken language is not the only thing that can affect the whole negotiation process but also the body language.1. What were some of the cross-cultural communication and negotiation blunders and experiences of a business abroad?There are many different forms of cross-cultural communication, and all these cultural variables can influence a person's perceptions. These communication variables includeattitudes, thought patterns, roles and language either spoken or written. Eac h variable may cause negotiation blunders if the people had not practice on it or understand it before having a business deal.English: A woman and a man performing a high five.From the book of international management, attitudes refer to the way in which individuals behave and interpret communications. There are some of the problems that people may assume that every people in the society or subcultures has the same characteristics or traits. This problem called stereotyping. It is the common cause of misunderstanding in intercultural communication. It can also lead people to disinterest and even contempt for the culture of other groups. For example, Chinese. Some people may think that all the Indian eat curry, but not.A thought pattern is the other variable of cross-cultural communication. The thinking methods of people in the world or society are very different because of cultural and non- verbal communication. For example, a Canadian expatriate's car was hit by a Thai motorist in Thailand...

An Evaluation of Money with No Intrinsic Value in Naked Economics

An Evaluation of Money with No Intrinsic Value in Naked Economics Money, at least in the modern sense, has no intrinsic value. Because it does not need to. It is for people to have an ease in transaction. Money needs to be easily stored, commonly accepted, and store some value dictated by its users. This seems perfect—the dollar can be stored in your wallet, or online, and everyone in the United States has to accept it. However, fiat money can be manipulated by governments both for malevolent—in the case of North Korea cutting the money supply to control black market businesses, all while making North Koreans poorer—and for benevolent purposes—the United States Federal Reserve creating more money out of scratch to help with the economic recovery following the 2008 Great Recession. Because the money is not backed by materials with intrinsic value, the government can manipulate the value of money. However, fiat money is worse than money with intrinsic value—the mackerel pouches in prisons, money backed by gold, or g old itself—because it can increase in supply as the economy grows. If money were limited to materials with intrinsic values, the economy would not be able to grow easily—it is a lot harder to find five percent more gold in the world than it is to create five percent more fiat money when the economy grows by five percent. Money without intrinsic value also only has to be commonly accepted, as in the case of the Somalian shilling, in order to function as money. People need money because people need a way to keep track of their wealth, easily store their wealth for future purposes, and to exchange their wealth easily for other goods and services. Fiat money fulfills those requirements—it is easy to assign a value to, it is easily stored in paper, bank accounts, or even bits and bytes among other methods, and can be exchanged as easily as a click of a button. And its supply can always be increased when the economy grows.

Marketing Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing Communications - Essay Example Marketing communication can be described as a tool which is utilised for the promotion and branding of a firm as well as its offerings (Govoni, 2004). The impact of organisation on the overall marketing process and marketing communication identifies the factors affecting those processes. Marketing communication can also be described as an assimilation of various ideas, designs, and campaigns in order to percolate a particular message to the target audiences. According to the traditional marketing communication, there are five major tools used in communication (Kotler, 2004). These are advertising, personal selling, sales promotions, direct marketing and public relations. Media can be described as the medium through which these communication tools reach the target audience. For a long time, a predictable and formulated mix has been used, for example, different communication and media mix is used for business-to-consumers and business-to-business audience (Williams and Cutis 2012). Tec hnology and social media have complicated the traditional marketing mix and organisations have now started to explore. Recent slowdown in the economy has increased the pressure on the already overloaded marketing department. Managers are now required to create innovative strategies with even lower budget. Every department is now accountable for the budget they get. This has also led to internal competition. Apart from that, organisations are increasingly realising the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics. Businesses have started incorporating these activities in most of their marketing and communications plans. The accountability and authenticity of these programs and campaigns are still questionable, it is clear that the marketing communication is rising from its traditional form to a more innovative, creative and comprehensive approach (Mangold and Faulds, 2009). In the current essay, a review will be done on the marketing communication tools and theories . The current disadvantages of these tools and future strategies will be discussed, with the help of relevant corporate cases. Theory and principles Based on numerous studies and research work, marketing communication theories are established. They are the result of years of consumer surveys, and analyses of the perception, changing preferences etc. The importance of these theories lies in the fact that, understanding of these theories is of immense help in formulating a strong communication strategy. Below are few of the established and widely used theories of marketing communication; AIDA Model This is one of the first models of communication strategy. AIDA stands for attention, interest, desire and action. Though in the year 1911, another factor, satisfaction was also added, the model is better known by its four factors; Attention- this is the first step of a communication process. Here the strategy is to get the attention of the customers. Presentations of revealing facts and fi gures or identification of a preliminary problem are few of the strategies which can be used in this step. Interest- once the marketer has gained attention, the next step is to generate interest and maintain it. The objective is to keep the interest of the consumer