The Effectiveness Of Supermax Prisons And Extreme Solitary...

The Effectiveness of Supermax Prisons and Extreme Solitary Confinement Kelsey R. Eborall Boise State University Abstract This paper discusses what supermax prisons are and the philosophy behind them. There are minimum, medium, and maximum-security prisons, so what was the reasoning behind forming a supermax security level? Supermax prisons are an extreme form of solitary confinement used to keep away the worst inmates. Many questions are raised on whether this is a humane form or incapacitation or not. Does this form of extreme solitary confinement work or is it too extreme? Mental heath, costs, and lack of programs make this a form of isolation that wouldn t be found anywhere else. This paper is designed for the reader to gain a perspective on the arguments for and against supermax prisons, as well as layout how supermaxes were formed and the underlying goals behind them. The Effectiveness of Supermax Prisons and Extreme Solitary Confinement Various studies have been conducted testing the effectiveness of supermax prisons. Is the level of confinement too extreme, does it act as a deterrent; is it a successful form of incarceration, and who gets sent to supermaxes? All of these questions are relevant in beginning to understand the philosophy behind this form of incarceration. However, there is no empirical research regarding the need of supermax prisons, past or present (Mear 2013). Little research has actually been conducted on the basis inShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Prison Segregation1490 Words   |  6 PagesWhen it comes to segregation in prisons, there is a great deal of controversy. There are people who argue that this type of segregation (also referred to as solitary confinement) is necessary in certain situations, while others find that it is absolutely unnecessary and should be abolished. Ashley Smith was one such individual that spent most of her sentence in segregation unti l she took her own life. In the case of Smith, there was a lot more that should have been done to prevent her tragic demiseRead MorePrison Overcrowding Essay3058 Words   |  13 PagesPrison Overcrowding In America’s tough economic society, over population has become an exceedingly hot topic issue. However, overcrowding in America’s prison system has been a severe problem since the 1970s. The majority of the changes have come from different policies on what demographic to imprison and for what reason. The perspective of locking up criminals because they are evil is what spawned this (Allen, 2008). Because of this perspective the prison system in America is in need of serious

A Discussion Of Class, Gender, And Feminism Essay

A Discussion of Class, Gender, and Feminism In this paper I will be discussing class, race, gender, sex, and how they relate to feminism. The first theme that I will be looking into is the role that social class and gender play in how others view us. The second theme that I will be delving into is the role that social class and gender play in how we view ourselves, and how this affects our role in society. Finally, the third theme that I will be looking at is the harmful nature of letting our differences divide us. I will use A Question of Class by Dorothy Allison to discuss the effects that class can have on how people view you, and on how you view yourself. I will use the reading Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference by Audre Lorde to show how we let our difference divide us and how we can work to change that. Both of these readings will be used to show the damaging effects that letting our difference come between us can have. This paper will show that our class, o ur gender, and other defining factors of who we are play a large role in how society views us and how we view ourselves. To start with I will be looking into the role that social class and gender play in how others view you. In A Question of Class, author Dorothy Allison talks about her experience growing up in a lower class family in South Carolina. Allison explains how she found great shame in being from a white â€Å"trash† family, mostly due to the way that others spoke and thought of her family.Show MoreRelatedA Discussion Of Class, Gender, And Feminism Essay1357 Words   |  6 Pages A Discussion of Class, Gender, and Feminism For this paper I will be discussing class, race, gender, sex, and how they relate to feminism. The first theme that I will be looking into is the role that social class and gender play in how others view us. The second theme that I will be delving into is the role that social class and gender play in how we view ourselves, and how this effects our role in society. Finally, the third theme that I will be looking at is the harmful nature of letting ourRead MoreFeminism And Its Effects On Women924 Words   |  4 PagesThe authors’ positions in feminism also changes how they suggest a man can and should use his male privilege, which affects the conversations and how feminism moves forward. As alluded to earlier, profeminist men understand and sympathize with women’s movements and agree with their vision. Because they support feminism, Kimmel and Buchbinder educate and mobilize men to support feminism. They do this by addressing men and men’s movements while simulta neously pointing out the flaws and issues withinRead MoreFeminism And Its Impact On Women s Rights Movement Essay1586 Words   |  7 Pages Growing up, misconceptions of feminism lead me to reject the idea quickly. Identifying myself as a feminist made me uncomfortable since it evoked the image of a troop of an angry man-hating, unattractive women. When signing up for classes for senior year, I wanted to pick classes of interest to me, but sadly those classes were filled up, leaving me with no choice to enroll in a Gender Studies class. Unexpectedly, I never met with a mass of enraged women spewing hate towards males; rather it wasRead MoreThe s Theory Of Moral Development897 Words   |  4 Pagesobjective facts with one’s subjective reality. In her 2013 TED talk describing gender expectations in Nigeria, published author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stated, â€Å"I often make the mistake of thinking that something that is obvious to me is just as obvious to everyone else† (5:24). Throughout the text, Andersen (2015) reflects the Women’s Studies idea of making oppression a common experience. For example , she discussed how gender socialization negatively affects both the attitudes and roles of men and womenRead MoreFeminism : Waves Of Debates Within Feminism Essay1658 Words   |  7 PagesGender 208 Assignment 1: Waves of Debates within Feminism Feminism, in simple terms, refers to a collective desire to end the oppression of women. Because oppression takes various forms and affects those who are victim to it in a number of different, yet often connected ways; feminism should accordingly be regarded as a multifaceted set of movements working towards multiple aims and ends. Which is to say that feminism is less a single movement concerned with the oppression of women, and more aRead MoreGender Equality And The Movement For Women s Rights On A Global Scale1174 Words   |  5 Pagesawareness about gender equality and the movement for women’s rights on a global scale. In fact, there are two controversial perceptions of the meaning of feminism and what feminists stand for. For many years, feminism is considered a series of mere actions exhorting for only women, which is anti-men and overaggressive. Recently, there is a gradual change in the understanding of what feminism is. It is all about the equality that every living human should be treated regardless of gender, race, religionRead MoreEvaluation Questions826 Words   |  4 PagesSociology of Gender: Theoretical Perspectives and Feminist Frameworks 1. I found and have learned †¦ That all social interaction is gendered and guided by status, positions, and roles. I have also learned that when the status and role of male and female become stereotyped it could result in sexism or discrimination. In order to prevent such, feminism is a worldwide movement to end sexism by empowering women. They include: liberal feminism, cultural feminism, socialist feminism, radical feminism, etcRead MoreThe History of Feminism Essay750 Words   |  3 PagesThe History of Feminism The definition of feminism is very elusive. Maybe because of its ever-changing historical meaning, it’s not for certain whether there is any coherence to the term feminism or if there is a definition that will live up to the movement’s variety of adherents and ideas. In the book â€Å"No Turning Back,† author Estelle Freedman gives an accurate four-part definition of the very active movement: â€Å"Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently part of equal worth. Because mostRead MoreFeminist Geography1667 Words   |  7 PagesFeminist Geography Since its conception, geography has been involved in the development of races and genders, mapping the boundaries that separate and exclude the world of privilege from the other. The imposing eyes that facilitated this domination have recently been challenged to quash their perpetuation of racial difference, and although existing more obscurely, to challenge the sexist legacy remaining in geography. â€Å"As part of geography, feminist approaches within ourRead MoreChurchill : A Single Issue Struggle Essay1649 Words   |  7 Pagestouches on Brecht’s influence upon Churchill, many other publications focus explicitly on this detail, including â€Å"Caryl Churchill: The Gestus of Invisibility,† a section of Elin Diamond’s book 1997 Unmaking Mimesis: Essays on Feminism and Theatre and â€Å"Caryl Churchill: Socialist Feminism and Brechtian Dramaturgy,† the third chapter of Janelle Reinelt’s After Brecht: British Epic Theatre (1994). Elaine Aston’s chapter â€Å"Caryl Churchill: Telling Feminist Tales† in her 2003 book Feminist Views of the English

Basic Robotics Essay Research Paper What makes free essay sample

Basic Robotics Essay, Research Paper What makes a automaton? What is a automaton? Well the term automaton originally comes from Russia. A Czeck dramatist, Karek Capek wrote a drama in 1921 ( translated in 1923 ) called # 8220 ; R.U.R. : Rossum # 8217 ; s Universal Robots. # 8221 ; . The word he adapted is the Czech word # 8220 ; robota # 8221 ; intending # 8220 ; servitude # 8221 ; or # 8220 ; statute labour # 8221 ; . Although the drama, which was merely tally of the factory Science Fiction, faded into history, the word he used remain and now standard in most linguistic communications, and means by and large the same everyplace. The word # 8220 ; Robot # 8221 ; can besides be translated as mechanical slave. This same word has had many other words either linked or created because of it. Some illustrations are: # 8220 ; Android # 8221 ; , # 8220 ; Droid # 8221 ; , # 8220 ; # 8216 ; Bot # 8221 ; , and # 8220 ; Robotics # 8221 ; Issac Asimov is credited with `coining # 8217 ; the word robotics, which means the survey of automatons. He so formulated the celebrated # 8220 ; Three Laws of Robotics # 8221 ; which are: 1. A Robot may non harm a human or though inactivity allow a human to come to harm 2. A Robot must obey bids given to it, except where they conflict with the First Law. 3. A Robot must keep it # 8217 ; s ain being, except where it conflicts with the First or Second Law However subsequently, after experiencing these to be insufficent he added a # 8220 ; Zeroth Law # 8221 ; which is: # 8220 ; A Robot may non harm humanity or through inactivity allow humanity to come to harm # 8221 ; . The revised Torahs of robotics is: 1. A Robot may non harm humanity or though inactivity allow a humanity to come to harm 2. A Robot may non harm a human or though inactivity allow a human to come to harm, except where it conflicts with the Zeroth Law 3. A Robot must obey bids given to it, except where they conflict with the Zeroth or First Law 4. A Robot must persist it # 8217 ; s ain being, except where it conflicts with the Zeroth, First or Second Law These Torahs are non in topographic point today as no automaton has yet been built intelligent plenty to understand these Torahs. In fact he created them in a response to the perceived # 8220 ; Frankenstein syndrome # 8221 ; ( The belief that automatons, peculiarly automatons with human qualities, are endangering ) . His Torahs have filtered through much of the scientific discipline fiction narratives about automatons since their innovation. Partss of a automaton A automaton is fundamentally made up of a base, encephalon, detectors and actuators. The base of the automaton can be stationary, ( fixed ) or nomadic. Automatons used in industry are illustrations of fixed automatons. They can non travel their base off from where they are working. Mobile bases are typically platforms with wheels or paths attached. Alternatively of wheels or paths, some automatons employ legs in order to travel approximately. The automatons encephalon is a computing machine. However, computing machines are by design really sensitive to motion, quiver and dust. Besides computing machines have a have to be a certain size which limits the robots utilizations. Fixed automatons are non by and large limited in this regard, as the # 8220 ; encephalon # 8221 ; can be placed in an fresh corner and so linked to the automaton by long overseas telegrams. On the other manus, nomadic automatons are limited in the size of the computing machine they can utilize, as the # 8220 ; brains # 8221 ; are transported on the platform ( there are a few exclusions ) . The restraints placed on nomadic computing machine are size and weight, the larger in size, the larger in weight. However little sized computing machines besides by and large average small treating power, and big computing machines are non powerful plenty so the treating power of most nomadic automatons is badly limited. Detectors used by automatons vary between automatons depending on their demands and utilizations. Each automaton needs certain information in order to work decently. The existent detectors take many forms and signifiers. By and large the detectors used by automatons are: ? Ocular detectors ? Inertial, Acceleration and Heading detectors ? Range happening devices ? Force/torque, accelerometers, haptic detectors ? Sonar detectors ? Pan/tilt mechanisms ? Measuring additive gesture ? Interfacing detectors Actuators used in robotics is about ever a combination of different electro-mechanical devices. Sometimes robots usage fluid mechanicss, peculiarly in the auto edifice industry. The electro-mechanical devices range from `muscle-wires # 8217 ; to inexpensive RC-servo and motors. There are several types of motors available including: ? Synchronous ? Hoofer ? AC servo ? Brush less DC servo ? Brushed DC servo These are so connected to overseas telegram, cogwheels, axles, blocks and alike to give the automaton motion, and the ability to interact with it # 8217 ; s environment.

Valentine by carol ann duffy free essay sample

Carol Ann Duffy uses an extended metaphor effectively throughout the poem. She uses an onion as a symbol of love. Right from the beginning Duffy rejects the traditional presents given for Valentine’s Day straight away to show she does not approve of the usual gifts and believes love means more than the superficial presents normally given. â€Å"Not a red rose or a satin heart. † This quotation begins the poem allowing the reader to understand the poem not to be about the usual aspects of love. It gives her honest opinion about the good and the bad. In addition, it begins with a negative word, ‘not’ showing her strength of feeling. The onion is the main subject throughout the poem. Duffy describes it as â€Å"a moon wrapped in brown paper. † This metaphor is symbolic of love. The onion skin is like the wrapping paper of a present and the moon is symbolic as it gives off light, like love. We will write a custom essay sample on Valentine by carol ann duffy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The white represents good things and has annotations of light, hope and happiness. The quotation â€Å"It will blind you with tears† connects the way onions make you cry with the negative aspects of love. She knows love has its bad points, in a relationship lovers can hurt one another and things can go wrong. Furthermore, during the quotation â€Å"It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief†, Duffy uses a transferred epithet here to create the effect of the feeling being in the photo rather than the person. The word ‘wobbling’ represents the action made by tears caused by unstable relationships that may collapse because of negative aspects, this relates back to her thoughts that being in love has it’s down side too. Honesty from the poet is a theme throughout the poem. She uses lines which let the reader know her feelings about love and the way she wants to tell the truth about it. â€Å"I am trying to be truthful† shows she is being honest about how things can go. â€Å"Not a cute card or kissogram†, again Duffy rejects the traditional ideas of love letting the reader know they are not appropriate for what she is trying to say. â€Å"For as long as we are† gives a realistic view that love may not be forever. â€Å"Take it†, Duffy uses a direct statement here, as if she will not take no for an answer. It is almost as though she is forcing her lover to take the onion which she believes represents true love. â€Å"Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring,† in this quotation Duffy connects the shape of the rings in an onion to the shape of wedding rings. She tells the reader effectively here that love can last forever if you are committed and faithful. However, she follows with â€Å"if you like† allowing us to realise love can go that far if you want it to, showing there is no pressure there, it is up to you if you try. â€Å"Lethal† is a single word used in the next line. The word lethal can be connected with poison and things that are deadly, also it can connect with the words fatal and death which could connect to the fact love can last until you die. The idea of ‘lethal’ is carried on through to the next line connecting to the scent of an onion. â€Å"Its scent will cling to your fingers† is the use of personification, describing how the strong smell of an onion stays around like the poet hopes love or a partner will. The final line uses repetition of the word â€Å"cling†. â€Å"Cling to your knife†, this quotation is like a desperate hope that if you hold onto love it will never leave you. The use of the word â€Å"knife† in the final line is like the poet telling you that you can get hurt like someone stabbing you in the back, or also that you can even hurt someone in love, you have the power. In conclusion, the use of direct statements and an extended metaphor convey the way Carol Ann Duffy feels about love in â€Å"Valentine†. Throughout the poem she rejects the traditional aspects of love with strong feelings of how she perceives it. Successfully throughout, the reader gets to understand her ideas of the true meanings of love and was memorable for me because of this.

Battle of Chantilly - Civil War Battle of Chantilly

Battle of Chantilly - Civil War Battle of Chantilly Battle of Chantilly - Conflict Date: The Battle of Chantilly was fought September 1, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Major General Philip KearnyMajor General Isaac Stevensapprox. 6,000 Confederate Major General Thomas Stonewall JacksonMajor General J.E.B. Stuartapprox. 15,000 Battle of Chantilly - Background: Defeated at the Second Battle of Manassas, Major General John Popes Army of Virginia retreated east and re-concentrated around Centreville, VA. Weary from the fighting, General Robert E. Lee did not immediately pursue the retreating Federals. This pause allowed Pope to be reinforced by troops arriving from Major General George B. McClellans failed Peninsula Campaign. Despite possessing fresh troops, Popes nerve was failing and he decided to continue falling back towards the Washington defenses. This movement was soon checked by Union General-in-Chief Henry Halleck who ordered him to attack Lee. As a result of pressure from Halleck, Pope issued orders for an advance against Lees position at Manassas on August 31. That same day, Lee directed Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson to take his Left Wing, Army of Northern Virginia in a flanking march to the northeast with the goal of circling Popes army and cutting off its line of retreat by capturing the vital crossroads of Jermantown, VA. Moving out, Jacksons men marched up Gum Springs Road before turning east on Little River Turnpike and camping for the night at Pleasant Valley. For much of the night, Pope was unaware that his flank was in peril (Map). Battle of Chantilly - The Union Response: During the night, Pope learned that Major General J.E.B. Stuarts Confederate cavalry had shelled the Jermantown crossroads. While this report was initially dismissed a subsequent one detailing a large mass of infantry on the turnpike elicited a response. Realizing the danger, Pope cancelled the attack on Lee and began shifting men to ensure that his line of retreat to Washington was protected. Among these moves was ordering Major General Joseph Hooker to reinforce Jermantown. On the road since 7:00 AM, Jackson halted at Ox Hill, near Chantilly, upon learning of Hookers presence. Still unsure of Jacksons intentions, Pope dispatched Brigadier General Isaac Stevens division (IX Corps) north to establish a defensive line across Little River Turnpike, approximately two miles west of Jermantown. On the road by 1:00 PM, it was soon followed by Major General Jesse Renos division (IX Corps). Around 4:00 PM, Jackson was alerted to the approach of Union forces from the south. To counter this, he ordered Major General A.P. Hill to take two brigades to investigate. Holding his men in trees along the northern edge of the Reid Farm, he pushed skirmishers across the field to the south. Battle of Chantilly - Battle is Joined: Arriving south of the farm, Stevens also sent skirmishers forward driving back the Confederates. As Stevens division arrived on the scene, Jackson began deploying additional troops to the east. Forming his division to attack, Stevens was soon joined by Reno who brought up Colonel Edward Ferreros brigade. Ill, Reno assigned Ferreros men to cover the Union right but left tactical control of the fighting to Stevens, who sent an aide to seek additional men. As Stevens prepared to advance, what had been a steady rain increased to a heavy downpour damaging cartridges on both sides. Pushing across open terrain and a cornfield, the Union troops found the going hard as the rain turned the ground into mud. Engaging Confederate forces, Stevens sought to press his attack. Taking the colors of the 79th New York State Infantry, he led his men forward into the woods. Mounting a fence, he was struck in the head and killed. Surging into the woods, the Union troops began a furious fight with the enemy. With Stevens death, command devolved to Colonel Benjamin Christ. After nearly an hour of fighting, the Union forces began to run low on ammunition. With two regiments shattered, Christ ordered his men to fall back across the fields. As they did so, Union reinforcements began to reach the field. Stevens aide had encountered Major General Philip Kearny who began rushing his division to the scene. Arriving around 5:15 PM with Brigadier General David Birneys brigade, Kearny began preparing for an assault on the Confederate position. Consulting with Reno, he received assurances that the remnants of Stevens division would support the attack. Taking advantage of the lull in the fighting, Jackson adjusted his lines to meet the threat and moved fresh troops forward. Advancing, Birney quickly realized that his right was not being supported. While he requested Colonel Orlando Poes brigade to come up to support him, Kearny began seeking immediate aid. Racing across the field, he ordered the 21st Massachusetts from Ferreros brigade to Birneys right. Annoyed by the regiments slow advance, Kearny rode forward to scout the cornfield himself. In doing so, he ventured too close to the enemy lines and was killed. After Kearnys death, the fighting continued until 6:30 PM with little result. With darkness setting in and little usable ammunition, both sides broke off the action. Aftermath of the Battle of Chantilly: Having failed in his goal to cut off Popes army, Jackson began falling back from Ox Hill around 11:00 that night leaving the Union forces in control of the field. Union troops departed around 2:30 AM on September 2 with orders to rejoin the retreat towards Washington. In the fighting at Chantilly, Union forces suffered around 1,300 casualties, including both Stevens and Kearny, while Confederate losses numbered around 800. The Battle of Chantilly effectively concluded the Northern Virginia Campaign. With Pope no longer a threat, Lee turned west to begin his invasion of Maryland which would culminate over two weeks later at the Battle of Antietam. Selected Sources CWPT: Battle of ChantillyHistory of War: Battle of Chantilly CWSAC: Battle of Chantilly

Cosmos Episode 6 Viewing Worksheet - Teacher Resources

Cosmos Episode 6 Viewing Worksheet - Teacher Resources   The most effective educators know they must vary their teaching style in order to accommodate all types of learners. One fun way to do this that students always seem to like is to show videos or have a movie day. A great science based Fox television series, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, will keep the students not only entertained but also learning as they follow along on the adventures of affable host Neil deGrasse Tyson. He makes the complicated science topics accessible for all learners. Below are questions that can be copy and pasted into a worksheet for use during or after the showing  of episode 6 of Cosmos, entitled Deeper Deeper Deeper Still,  to assess students learning. It can also be used by the students as a sort of guided note taking worksheet during the video to jot down the main ideas. You are free to copy and use this worksheet as you feel necessary to best fit your class. Cosmos Episode 6 Worksheet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Name:___________________    Directions: Answer the questions as you watch episode 6 of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey    1.   About how many atoms does Neil deGrasse Tyson say that he’s made up of?    2. How many hydrogen and oxygen atoms are in one molecule of water?    3.   Why do the water molecules move faster when the sun hit them?    4.   What has to happen to the water molecules before they can evaporate?    5. How long have tardigrades been living on Earth?    6. What are the â€Å"holes† in the moss called that take in carbon dioxide and â€Å"exhale† oxygen?    7. What does a plant need in order to break water into hydrogen and oxygen?    8. Why is photosynthesis the â€Å"ultimate green energy†?    9. How long can a tardigrade go without water?    10. When did the first flowering plants evolve?    11. What did Charles Darwin conclude about the orchid based on his idea of Natural Selection?    12. How much of Madagascar’s rain forests have been destroyed?    13. What is the name of the nerve that is stimulated when we smell something?    14. Why do certain scents trigger memories?    15. How does the number of atoms in every breath we take compare to all the stars in all the known galaxies?    16. What idea about nature was first expressed by Thales?    17.   What was the name of the ancient Greek philosopher who came up with the idea of atoms?    18. What is the only element that is flexible enough to create different structures necessary to sustain life?    19. How did Neil deGrasse Tyson explain that the boy did not really touch the girl?    20. How many protons and electrons does an atom of gold have?    21.   Why is the Sun so hot?    22. What is the â€Å"ash† in the Sun’s nuclear furnace?    23. How are heavier elements, like iron, made?    24. How much distilled water is in the neutrino trap?    25. Why did neutrinos reach the Earth 3 hours before anyone knew of the Supernova 1987A?    26. What law of Physics made it possible for Neil deGrasse Tyson not to flinch when the red ball came swinging back at his face?    27. How did Wolfgang Pauli explain the â€Å"breaking† of the law of conservation of energy in radioactive isotopes?    28.   Why can we not go further back than 15 minutes into January 1 on the â€Å"cosmic calendar†?    29. About what size was the universe when it was a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second old?

Essay3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Essay3 - Essay Example In the LEGO: a love story by Jonathan Bender, Bender himself has reconciled his image as an AFOL himself. This, he does as he forges a strong relationship with his wife. He does this as he builds the sets of LEGO, the period during which he also tries to conceive a child and begin a family with the wife. Bender, as an AFOL, hence uses the love for the subculture which he had earnestly studied and experienced, however for a short duration, to register his love for the wife and then proceed to begin the family. The need for the family hence drives Bender, an AFOL, to be interested and even become obsessed with the hobby and the subculture. Also, on his 30th birthday, Bender comes out and begins his interest and the love for the LEGO subculture. This was occasioned by the love for the Lego present that he received on the birth day. So, because of this aroused interest. Bender travelled far and wide many conventions. In these conventions, he gets to several collections of sets of LEGO gathered by other Adult Fans of LEGO and the sellers of Brick link. This, by far inspired the LEGO fan and within two years of experience with the culture in the LEGO community, he was able to write a comprehensive book about the culture. This shows the level of research and experience he had gained within the short period of two years. â€Å"The background of an individual would also have a bearing on the interest and obsession with a hobby†. (Bender, p.56). Those who are not well grounded and experienced with the hobby beyond the childhood games of playing with toys can only be baffled by the diversity o the hobby for the adults. This has the effect of stimulating the need by the AFOLs to obtain a set or two of the LEGO. Just like in the case of Bender, enthusiasm play important part in creation of interest and at times obsession. Because of being enthusiastic about the bronies, majority of these AFOLs find themselves crowding the websites

Writing Styles Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Writing Styles Issues - Essay Example Knowledge of the subject helps me bring out my points clearly, and I can state my facts well. The knowledge also helps me know whether my opinion relates to the topic or whether it is off topic. I have also learned that I can know more about the theme of discussion by reading on it prior to writing and taking notes. If I had read and understood well what Weiner discusses in his book, I would have chosen a more suitable topic. When writing my argumentative essay, I need to be more persuasive. My instructor noted in my E1FD essay that a few paragraphs needed to be clearer and more convincing. I learned that to be more persuasive, I must ensure my thesis has two sides to make it debatable. I will then go ahead to convince my readers why my stand is a better pick by disapproving the opposing argument. I can do this by finding the mistakes in logic in the opposite argument or by giving evidence to oppose. In writing a proper essay, I must ensure that my work has no plagiarism. In my E1FD essay, my instructor says I should introduce all quotations correctly and to quote correctly to avoid plagiarism. Quoting what Weiner says in his book without acknowledging it as his words makes my work plagiarized. I have learned that I can ensure there is no plagiarism of my work by having in-text citations. I also have to have a works-cited page with the correct format at the end of my work to help the reader understand where my in-text citations originate. I need to use a hanging indent on my works-cited.

Good Marriage Essay Example for Free

Good Marriage Essay Jim went down to the kitchen where the smell of good food beckons him. He smiled to himself, pleased to note that his wife is cooking his favorite food. Theyve been together for twenty-five years, their kids are all grown up. Yet Ana hasnt forgotten that he likes Thai cooking, slightly spicy and rich with seasoning. He saw his wife adding cut green pepper on the diced meat that is frying on the stove. Ana turned around and saw him standing in the doorway. She bade him sit down while she finishes her cooking. Instead of sitting down, Jim went to the cupboard to get plates and utensils for their meal. The couple has always find ways to please and help each other, a practice they have kept over the years. 2. A good marriage is characterized by husband and wifes delight in a give and take relationship. There is mutual respect for each other. Husband and wife helps each other in decision-makings, the raising of children, and doing tasks. They both take care of each other and notes what are the likes and dislikes of each party. In a good marriage, the man and wife are both happy in their decision to be with each other for the rest of their lives. That commitment is reaffirmed time and again despite difficulties and trials. In a good marriage, there is laughter and conversation. Both husband and wife will always find things to talk about, and have the time to listen to each other. 3. Looking at Jim and Anas lives, their twenty-five years of marriage has not always been a bed of roses. Ana is scrupulously neat, while Jim is a little scatter-brained. Ana keeps a list of things that needs to be done and does them in an organized and timely manner. She likes getting an early start, eating breakfast and finishing work ahead of time. Jim has a tendency to oversleep in the morning, getting up really late on weekends, and spending half of the day sleeping during 2 vacations. He hates putting anything on his stomach before eleven in the morning and likes to work late at night. Ana would sometimes find Jim deeply asleep after she had her bath and breakfast on a day when theyre supposed to go to the dentist. At a time when Ana likes to get an early start, while Jim wasnt complying, shed often get bad-tempered and a little quarrel would ensue. These little quarrels didnt get out of hand because both of them are capable of stepping back and releasing anger. More importantly, Jim and Ana avoid bringing up past issues during arguments. They stick to whats at hand and settle them without resorting to foul language and by properly expressing their sentiments and criticisms in a constructive manner. 4. A good marriage is not just about seeing the good side of a person. Its about knowing his or her little habits that may or may not turn out to be annoying. Each party has to accept the totality of the other person and learn to adjust and adapt. In a good marriage, the couple must not try to change each other. Instead, they must try to meet in the middle and compromise. In a good marriage, the couple dont start running away when things become a little complicated and difficult. 5. A good marriage, simply defined, is comprised of the good and bad things. There are times to laugh, to talk, to argue, and to make up. It is characterized by a lasting friendship where trust and responsibility go hand and hand. Meeting halfway and speaking up are necessary elements to make the relationship endure. Both parties must work hard and stick it out with one another through thick and thin. Husband and wife must selflessly think of each others welfare particularly when there are major issues to face and settle. Its very important to do things together and to go away on vacations to recapture the moments when you both fall in love with each other.

Free Essays - Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Orange :: Clockwork Orange Essays

"A Clockwork Orange" is a very different movie. It has everything a movie should have, but the plot is quite disturbing, especially for the time it came out. I have personally watched this film several times to find the meaning, and every time I watch it I come up with a different one. I am going to try to explain what this film contains as well as try to explain the plot. "A Clockwork Orange" is a story of a young man whose principle interests are rape, ultra-violence, and Beethoven. It's about a teen named Alex (Malcolm McDowell) who torments people in Britain in the near future. He is then betrayed by his friends and caught by the police, after he had murdered somebody. He was sent to live in a Juvenile Facility where he had to endure a strange torture of being forced to watch horrific movies. When Alex gets home, all the people that had done him wrong had their revenge on a weak, recuperating Alex. I'll let you find out what happened at the end =). "A Clockwork Orange" is a cult classic. It was Stanley Kubrick's 2nd Critically acclaimed film (the first being "Spartacus"). I was first interested in the book by Anthony Burgess (which in my opinion, is equally as good as the movie). "A Clockwork Orange" contains only a few of the element that can make a good film. One of them is the makeup. Alex and his gang (droogs) all where a makeup when they go out and do there thing. It gives them all a look of insanity and makes them look disturbed. I think that this was well done because it gives you a feeling of fear. Being afraid of a character in a movie is an excellent way to get to know them. Another element used is the script. Stanley Kubrick used the same special language used in the book. A lot of the words have no real meaning and you still know what they mean. The context the words are used in is very much like the book. Doing this, the book comes to life on the screen. I always enjoy watching a movie the follows the book so close because it doesn't change the story. Another is the theme. The theme of "A Clockwork Orange" is very hard to explain. However, it still has one if not many. As I stated before, every time I watch it I get something else out of it.

Project on McDonald’s Corporation Essay

Introduction and Background In 1940 two brothers Dick and Mack Macdonald opened their own restaurant. Eight years ago the first concepts and rules of fast food production and sales were formulated by them. Initially the business was created in a such way that everything should be very fast and effective. Brothers spent much time elaborating the layout of the kitchen in their first restaurant, so  they achieved the goal. Inspire of the fact that later they sold their business and their family no longer the owners of it, nowadays mcdonalds have the same efficient system of production and sales that it is able to introduce and maintain all over the world using different strategies and methods. External Environment External environment is a bunch of various outward forces that may have a great impact on the company’s performance. The external environment of every company comprises of three levels: the general, industry and competitor environments. The integration of information received from these environments helps to identify and shape the company’s strategies. Thereby, in order to understand what hindrances company faces or may encounter in the future, it is essential to analyze all the levels of its external environment. It was mentioned earlier that the headquarters of McDonald’s locates in the U.S. so we will analyze general and industry environments in this region. General Environment The general environment is usually examined by the analysis of 7 segments: demographic, economic, political/legal, sociocultural, technological, global and physical environment segments. First of all, the demographic segment is concerned with the population structure and Ã' omposition. The USA’s population is estimated at 313 286 000 people in 2012. By analyzing population composition, it can be said that there is very high level of immigration. Moreover, it can be said that the birth rate is sufficient: 13.68 births/1,000 population in 2012, according to CIA World Factbook. Thereby, these statistics help to understand that the region is quite profitable and comfortable to operate in due to the large population size and excessive number of potential employees. Last but no least, according to U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income during period of 2006 to 2010 is $51914 which is quite high. Secondly, the political/legal segment is quite important for the analysis because the industry is highly contingent on the different kind of taxes imposed by the governments. McDonald’s  Corporation is obliges to pay business taxes, payroll taxes, Food Product Association taxes (19% of the total profit and 19% in the price of each product) and health and social insurance for the employees. The changes in government’s tax policy may utterly affect the company’s revenue. As regards the economic segment, one of the major challenge for fast food industry is that to keep the price is low for the customer. However, it is quite hard because nowadays the USA is still suffering from the financial crisis which can be a possible reason to decrease in outside food consumption in a whole. The dimension influencing the fast food industry the most is the sociocultural. The reason is that the industry is dependent on people’s preferences and opinions that’s why even tiny changes are crucial. From 2000 to 2002 McDonald’s profits dropped from $1.977 million to $893 million. It was caused by the increase of customer’s health-consciousness and fears of obesity, as a consequence, some customers prefer more healthier options which offer a greater variety of food for health conscious customers. Furthermore, it is quite important to devote attention to technological segment because the technologies always mean faster operation and cost minimization. McDonald’s uses different modern appliances to prepare its food without many dangers and in a quick way. Moreover, the majority of McDonald’s restaurants provides free Wi-Fi. In addition, McDonald’s improved the technology of its supply chain management. Regarding the global segment, it should be highlighted that most U.S. companies are focused globally which means that they operate in many different countries. McDonald’s is not an exception. It is located in 119 countries and is known as one of the most spread fast food restaurants’ chain. Last but not least, nowadays more and more companies are concerned with social responsibility and environmentally friendly policies. Industry Environment The industry environment is usually analyzed by Porter’s five forces model. Firstly, it is the Threat of New Entrants. The threat of new entrants in the fast food industry is high because there are no legal barriers which would keep them from entering the industry. The major barriers in which a firm faces in the industry are the economies of scale and the access of the distribution. In order for a firm to enjoy success in the industry, they must spend a large amount of capital on advertising and marketing. The industry is very competitive because firms are always attempting to steal customers from each other. Access for distribution is crucial in the restaurant industry because if the customer can’t see you or access you easily it’s possible that they won’t go out of there way to eat there. Franchise options also make is easier to enter the market, for example Subway has built their strategic plan around franchise options. Therefore, initially the only cost to enter the market is the starting capital required to open a restaurant. However, it can cost upwards of millions of dollars for all the equipment, licensing, and the property. This costly barrier is the most probable reason that people do not enter this business. The food-service industry doesn’t have any exit barriers, which allow firms to easily leave the industry if they’re not successful, at virtually only the cost incurred. The second force is Bargaining Power of Buyers. McDonald’s, and the industry, has attempted to gain market capitalization, by keeping the customer satisfied, due to the fact there are relatively no switching costs. For this reason, they have adopted the slogan, â€Å"the customer is always right.† The industry must try to maintain a hold on the market by conforming to a changing society as well as maintaining high quality. One of the industry’s most recent concerns is that of creating a healthier society and prevention of obesity. McDonald’s corporation has faced previous law suits on being held accountable for obesity, similarly following the litigation process of cigarettes and tobacco companies. The courts ruled against this issue in McDonald’s favor, making this a remote future risk factor. McDonald’s has had to paid legal fees in order to defend itself in this type of litigation;  however, even with this incremental cost they are still achieving a significant rate of earnings growth. In addition, McDonald’s, in it’s effort to be a more socially responsible corporate citizen by supporting a healthier society, has developed â€Å"light† and healthy menu items in order to give customers additional eating options and in doing so, broadening the array of its customer base while offering it’s existing customer base with healthier menu options. Thirdly, it is Bargaining Power of Suppliers. It can be said that McDonald’s has a large bargaining power because of the fact that they spend 4.852 billion dollars in food and paper in 2004. This can be argued that the companies that McDonald’s buys from could be largely dependent on McDonald’s business. Although in recent years the industry has had a small problem with beef, because of the outbreak of the mad cow disease. This problem raised the cost of beef in Europe tremendously but the cost actually went up around the world because of the beef shortage in Europe. In this case it can be argued that the suppliers of beef have a strong voice as well. The suppliers that sell to McDonald’s have a strong voice also because of the fact that the switching cost for McDonald’s as a whole would be so tremendous that they would not want to make that change, so any problems or disputes would be worked out with there suppliers. Also, with the competition and the number of buyers in the market place, losing a large company like McDonald’s could destroy any supplier but there are other prospects out there to buy that product like Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, Burger King and a few others that they may be able to salvage there losses. As for the paper goods that McDonald’s buy from the manufacturers, if McDonald’s were to change manufacturers the supplier could easily change there manufacturing to note book paper by just readjusting the machines but it would come at a great cost. The fourth force is Threat of Substitute Products. McDonald’s is known for their famous French Fries, Big Macs, and Happy Meals. Competitors of the industry also try to compete with similar products; therefore, leading to price wars. McDonald’s created a Dollar Value Menu, in response to competitors such as Wendy’s 99 cent menu. Overall, the industry has tried various product differentiations in order to accumulate greater market share, but most consumers are drawn to the classics for which the establishment is known for. However, growing concern  to achieve a healthier society has led McDonald’s, as well as other competitors, to make extensive menu changes, in order to conform to a more concerned society. McDonald’s is doing more and more to compete with health focused restaurants like Subway. Nutritionist and other leading experts have been hired to join the McDonald’s team in order to ensure that the correct items are added to the menu, while still keeping and improving the classics that they are famous for. For example, the chicken nuggets that we all grew up on are now 100% white meat. McDonald’s is flexible in their menu to conform to the changing tastes of society, but they always serve with a smile! The fifth and final force is Competitive Rivalry within an Industry. Currently in the fast food industry, there is intense competition for growth in the market. The market growth is rising because of the convenience factor and busy consumers not having enough time to cook a meal. The restaurant industry is also growing rapidly due to opportunities in other global markets. In McDonald’s case, they actually have a competitive advantage because they have already entered many different countries and are succeeding in these countries. Each firm within the food-service industry is susceptible to losing customers because there are relatively no switching costs for consumers, therefore the industry has to rely heavily on their brand image and quality of products. McDonald’s has a number of competitors; however they are currently the leader of the industry in market capitalization with a cap of $39.31 billion. Competitor Analysis It is almost vital to know the competitors in your industry in order to be able to overtake and surpass them. The top competitors of McDonald’s are Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC and Subway. Burger King Burger King is the second largest hamburger fast-food chain in the world and is the number one competitor for McDonald’s. Burger King has 11,400 locations in 58 countries and derives 55 percent of its revenue from the drive-through window. Burger King reported 1.72 billion in 2002 in revenue which is a 17 percent increase compared to a 4 percent increase reported by  McDonald’s over the same period. Burger King’s distinct assets include the unique Whopper with its one of kind charbroiled taste and the company policy of preparing the hamburger any way that the customer wants it. Burger King has distinguished itself over the years in many ways including being the first in the fast-food industry to enclose its patio seating in 1957 thereby offering customer indoor dining experience. Burger King also differentiated itself when it installed the drive-through window in its restaurants in 1975. In addition to the Whopper Burger King also offers a few set items on its breakfast menu that differs it from it competitors including the Croissan’wiches and french toast sticks. The rest of the menu also offered the unique veggie burger and chicken Caesar salad. Wendy’s Wendy’s is the third largest fast-food chain with 9,000 stores in 33 countries world wide. In 2002 they reported 2.73 billion in revenue which is up 14.2 percent from the previous year. Wendy’s offers several unique items including the Frostys and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches as well as healthier items such as salads, baked potatoes and chili. Wendy’s has also distinguished itself through the creation of the special value menu with all items on it under a one dollar. Wendy’s also owns several small companies including Tim Horton’s and Baja Fresh Mexican Grill. It plans on increasingly using acquisitions of smaller brands to further growth. In next decade Wendy’s plans to add between 2 and 4 thousand new stores worldwide. One important weakness of Wendy’s is the lack of easily recognizable product compared to McDonald’s Big Mac of the Burger King Whopper. KFC Strategic Objectives: KFC has the strategic objectives of expansion along with profits and sales growth. KFC has also been applying its strategies at improving services and making them more and more customer friendly. It has not only been customizing its menu according to the countries that it has been operating in, it has also been trying to cater to different ethnic groups like African Americans and Hispanics. Such types of strategies are focused on increasing the customer base by better customization of products. Other than the  traditional eat-in restaurants, KFC has also been expanding into non-traditional facilities like shopping malls, hospitals, universities, stadiums; office buildings etc and a number of strategies have been formulated to aid this kind of expansion. Competitive Advantage: A very strong financial background is one of KFC’s competitive advantages. KFC has been functioning as a multinational corporation for several decades. As a result, the company is familiar with the logistical and quality problems which accompany operating an international food operation, and has demonstrated that it can work with host countries and businesses within the host country to develop a strategy which works in the most cost effective way. With the passage of time, KFC has developed another very important competitive advantage for itself — Environmental Friendliness. In March 2009, the first eco-friendly green KFC was opened in Northampton USA. The restaurant is designed according to environmental goals that include cutting energy and water consumption by 30 percent and reducing CO2 emissions. Operations at the new site are also expected to reduce waste and the amount of rubbish sent to landfills; the restaurant composts and recycles other waste, grease and used cooking oil. Other than this, in an effort to reduce its packaging by 1,400 tons, KFC is now switching from cardboard to recyclable and biodegradable paper wrapping for some of its products. Subway Strategic Objectives: The strategic objectives of Subway focus on creating a global strategic plan to enable Subway restaurants to succeed internationally. Other than this subway is intent upon introducing the concept of ‘healthy fast food’. Sandwiches of Subway have been included in diet plans by experts. Subway’s stand regarding obesity in children is not new to its customers. Strategies at Subway are not only about a really ambitious increase in franchises all over the world but they are also about making the food more and more appealing to the health conscious customers because health conscious attitudes, according to the experts, are here to stay now. Competitive Advantage: One of the greatest competitive advantages that Subway was born with is its healthy menu. The salads and sandwiches appeal much more to the people as compared to fried chicken, burgers, fries and pizzas. With its advertising and promotion, Subway has long been highlighting its healthy food in advertising and promotions and with the passage of time, it has established itself as a healthy brand. Another competitive advantage that subway enjoys is the fact that along with traditional locations, Subway restaurants can be found in more than 4,000 non traditional locations such as food courts, health clubs, hospitals, universities, amusement parks or just about anywhere. In fact, Subway restaurants can even be found in automobile showrooms and Laundromats! This global presence is indeed a sustainable advantage for Subway and needs to be managed properly. Subway’s fresh food is also a competitive advantage because unlike its competitors like McDonald’s it allows its franchisees to choose their own food suppliers, to ensure they can access the freshest ingredients. Resources, Capabilities and Core Competences Resources †¢ Human resources McDonald’s is does its best to reward outstanding employees for exception work. It is also putting more emphasis on its hospitality training to ensure a friendlier and customer focused support staff. †¢ Brand loyalty The long queues to McDonald’s in food courts is the best illustration of high level of brand loyalty, that company continues to develop. In advertising campaigns McDonald’s uses the slogan â€Å"I’m lovin’ it† which it there attempt to make McDonald’s an easy choice for families. They have also started using popular music to appeal to youth population. †¢ Real estate It may be surprising, but real estate ownership is one of the significant Mcdonalds resources. It is estimated that McDonald’s generates more money from its rent than from its franchise fees. One of the ways in which  McDonald’s receives funds from its franchises is in rent money. McDonald’s owns all property in which a McDonald’s outlet was built regardless if the location is a franchise or company owned. Capabilities McDonalds used to have several capabilities, among them hiring process and employees training and product innovation.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Hiring process  It is complicated and systematic. It comprises of 3 main stages. 1. Initial interview and psychometric evaluation. On this step the candidates undergoing simple interview and tests evaluating their verbal and critical reasoning 2. Job evaluation. On this step candidates have 2 days practice in a restaurant that allows them to look at McDonalds as a future employees and HR team to assess candidates performance 3. Final interview. The last stage of hiring process includes overall interview and decision about the candidates is made. Taking into consideration staff training, McDonalds has many training programs on every level of restaurant. Training forums are made for basic workers and they start from the very beginning of working in the restaurant. They are designed to help employees with their communicational skills and encourage growth in the company. Other programs are created for managers of the restaurants, such as Basic Shift Management, Advanced Shift Management, and Systems Management Course . Their main objectives are: providing information about internal standards and procedures, teaching data analyses and strategies of identifying and solving different problems. For higher levels employees McDonalds has internship programs for students and recent graduates. Programs let them practice in different spheres of companies performance such as Information technologies, Marketing, Finance and others. Other McDonald’s project – Leadership Development program is based career planning, Individual Development plans, career maps, succession planning, learning activities and others. †¢ Product innovation The main resource developing product innovation strategy are full-time chief working in studios in Munich, Hong-Kong and Chicago. Moreover, localization of products also plays important role in development of innovative products. For example, in India Beef and pork products are not offered due to Indian religious beliefs. What is more, meat and vegetarian meals are prepared in separate areas of the restaurant again as a result of religious laws about preparation of food for vegetarians and meat-eaters. There is an Indian version of the Big Mac in India is called the Maharaja Mac and made with two grilled chicken slices, onions, tomatoes, cheese and a spicy mayonnaise. In Taiwan company introduced kao fan (literally â€Å"baked rice†), that resembles a burger with rice patties in place of buns. Finally, in Philippines McDonalds serves even spaghetti with in sweet tomato sauce, topped with cheese. Core Competences †¢ Produce quick cheap food to large number of customers With this concept, they are able to expand into many countries be the largest fast-food chain in the world. The process of production is the company core competence. Initially it was designed in such way as to be fast and very effective. There is precise guidance of how to do every activity. Mcdonalds pioneered in the systematization of its processes. Efficiency of operations and synchronization is the basis for success of the company. Also, it may be said, that burgers and fries are themselves McDonalds core competences. McDonald’s classic burgers has always taste the same in any outlet in the world. This consistent quality assures customer’s trust and loyalty to the product. It also provides an assuring brand experience. †¢ Structure Some specialists consider the unique organizational structure of McDonalds as its core competence. McDonalds never used rigid hierarchical organizational structure, that company managed to sustain over the years. It uses â€Å"freedom with framework† mantra, keeping structure decentralized. It allows local managers to make decisions by themselves. It also plays significant role in localization of menu due to local needs. Business-Level Strategy The business level strategy McDonald’s uses integrated cost leadership and differentiation. It means the products of mcdonalds is the cheapest on the market and more over McDonalds does its best to make them absolutely different from what others produce, using localization and launching new products almost every year. So the target of its strategy is to meet the needs of buyers whose preferences are distinctively different from others. So MD deals with the costumers who want very fast service with good quality. And it is different from the visitors of not fast food restaurants. The product line is customized to meet their needs. The marketing emphasis is put on communication and market analysis again to satisfy their needs. Finally the way to sustain strategy is remaining dedicated to serving one niche and be better than competitors in everything and do not dilute the brand image entering other niches. Corporate-Level Strategy Corporate-level strategy is a strategy which is aimed at the long term position of a business. A corporation or business can use plenty of methods to develop a corporate level strategy, however, basically, there are four main strategies that almost all businesses use which are: †¢ Concentrate on a single business, other words, business stays on the same industry on purpose to create a strong competitive position within the industry. †¢ Diversification; which is to move to a new business to provide a new good or service. There are two kinds of diversification, related diversification which is to compete in similar area/industry of activities to build a  synergy and unrelated diversification which is to enter a new industry to compete and build a portfolio strategy. †¢ International Expansion. This means some competition in more than one market to serve the needs of the other markets/countries.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Vertical Integration. This is a way to cut costs by providing your own ways of inputs, backward vertical integration and your own channels of distribution and selling outputs by forward integration. Therefore, now let’s move directly to McDonald’s corporate-level strategy. Nevertheless, before we start to consider all the main points of this particular type of strategy, some overview details will be given. Mc Donald’s is a fast food restaurant operating on a global basis. It is operating on 119countries world wide. Mc Donald’s was opened for the first time in Cyprus in June 1997 and by now there are 16 Mc Donald’s restaurants in Cyprus. So, Mc Donald’s uses corporate level strategies like all other global basis corporations in order to reach corporate goals to be cost effective. MC Donald’s is a business which only concentrates on a single task which is the fast food business industry as stated by Dr. Weber, (2000). This special issue someday will help a lot the business to concentrate directly on one single task and get not only more power and market share, but consumer loyalty also in result. This happens because of the fact that they will run many strategies to find the best solutions of the consumer needs and preferences. However this can be very risky if the business fails to meet the right needs of consumers and therefore will not be profitable and as a result will close down due to the possible bankruptcy. Firstly, as it was stated in Washington post (2005) MC Donald’s diversifies its operations in many ways. Thus, the company uses related diversification in order to produce the same products which are burgers and salads basically, but they provide just an enormous number of choices, such as: Big Mac or Mac chicken, different kinds of salads. Moreover, McDonald’s operates in more than one geographical area but still performing the same task. Also it has opened MC cafes all around the world. McDonald’s gets many advantages by doing related diversification, firstly, if there are two Mc Donald’s restaurants in a city, then the two firms can build a synergy by co-operating with the right to use some special facilities such as the advertisements, suppliers and sometimes events, for instance, charity events. Secondly, as stated by Ricky, W (2003), the firm depends less on a single product, so it’s less vulnerable to competitive or economic threats. Other words, Mc Donald’s having variety of products like burgers, salads, ice creams and drinks is not being threaten of competition because this particular company has diversity in its products, for instance, Mc Donald’s Greek Mac makes it more stable and steady than such rivals as Burger King because the rivals do not have such product. Thirdly, it allows the firm to use technology or expertise developed in one market, for example, fast food to enter a second market more cheaply and easily e.g. MC Cafà ©. However, the only disadvantage that Mc Donald’s faces, is the cost of coordinating the operations of the related divisions. In 2001, McDonald’s launched a new venture by opening two hotels in Switzerland (Zurich and Lully) under the name â€Å"Golden Arch Hotel† Stefan, M (2005). This is a good example of an unrelated diversification because of the fact that Mc Donald’s is taking risks of its business from a single activity to many others like taking part in the Hotel industry. Unrelated diversification provides a portfolio for Mc Donald’s because it is operating on two absolutely different industries and the risk is reduced because if one of the two markets that the business has activity in fails to grow successfully, then the growth of the other market will cover the costs of it. Secondly, such strategy is less vulnerable to competitive threats because any given threat from a competitor is likely to affect only a portion of its total operations. However, unrelated diversification is very difficult to manage since the company has to deal with two markets and their strategies, plans and organization and coordination of each specific market which it is  dealing with. McDonald’s has introduced the American concept of fast food to many foreign Markets as stated by, Francine L, (2005). Moreover, the firm has by now, expanded throughout most of the world by operating on 119 countries. †¢ Thus, Mc Donald’s is known globally today because it is expanded internationally. †¢ Mc Donald’s is using multi-domestic strategy to serve each nations needs. It is customizing the fast food menus for each specific country/nation to suit the people’s wants. For instance there is Greek Mac in Cyprus and Greece. †¢ The advantage of this strategy is that the company is targeting a nation very effectively and gains market share by attracting the customers whereas, the cost of production will increase in order to add a new feature to the firm and the prices will rise to cover the costs. As stated in â€Å"Getting the Facts Straight† leaflet of Mc Donald’s, the firm is working with top suppliers and independent experts on health and safety. The Cyprus Mc Donald’s restaurants’ inputs such as meat, is ordered regularly from Italy with the highest quality and when they enter the island,  it is supplied to all the franchise branches on the island by Mc Donald’s vans and trucks. This shows that Mc Donald’s owns its inputs and has its farms to breed cattle and grow vegetable and potatoes. Therefore, this allows the company to diminish costs by doing vertical backward integration. Moreover, it maintains a guaranteed time, quality and amount of supply to the restaurants when required. The drawback of vertical integration is that, at the beginning of the integration huge amounts of capital should be invested in to the backward integration. Mc Donald’s business has been working since 1956 till now successfully and still operates under these corporate level strategies. Cooperative Strategy A cooperative strategy means interaction between two or group of companies which work together to achieve a shared objective. By measures which are  included in cooperation, companies can create value for the customer at a lower cost or with more benefits than it is able to do by itself. The primary type of cooperative strategy used is strategic alliances. Such kind of cooperations means that companies partly share their resources and capabilities between each others to produce new resources and capabilities, e.g. gain shared objectives. Such corporations as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Disney are the biggest multinational corporation with outstanding profits.But how can they enlarge their profits with the same amount of resources? The answer to this question is cooperation. Let’s look through some strategic alliances formed by McDonald’s. Alliance with Coca-Cola McDonald’s alliance with Coca-Cola has  «no piece of paper to fall back on—just  «a common vision and a lot of trust », according to Mr Ivester (Coke’s chairman) ». On setting up in the burger business in the 1950s, one of Ray Kroc’s first successes was persuading a Coke executive Waddy Pratt to provide him with their drink. Coke’s relationship with McDonald’s goes far beyond than just a supplier – It has helped McDonald’s to go to the new markets all over the world, because Coke is sold in almost twice as many countries as McDonald’s. Michael Quinlan, McDonald’s chairman,  «runs off a long list of areas of cooperation, from banking relationships to equipment design ». There is also very close relations between the members of this alliance at board level. When Coke’s chairman Robert Goizueta died, flags flew at half-mast at McDonald’s around the world. Alliance with Disney The alliance between McDonald’s and Disney has moved â€Å"way beyond doing only movie promotions with Happy Meal toys.† Nowadays this alliance has made enormous amounts of progress, for example McDonald’s being a sponsor of Dinoland, one of Disney’s attraction in Animal Kingdom, has built its restaurant outside this attractions park. This new â€Å"smart McDonald’s† is decorated in DisneyWorld style. The staff wear uniforms which is approved by  Disney, which demonstrates McDonald’s characters. Alliance with Master Card and Visa McDonald’s has announced an alliance with MasterCard and another alliance with Visa USA to bring cashless payment options to McDonald’s restaurants in the US. By this cooperation with MC and Visa, a company has provided more comfortable system of payment in McDonald’s which attracts customers. Alliance with Malls and Gas Stations McDonald’s latest expansion targets call for approximately 3,000 new restaurants world-wide both 2008 and 2009. Two-thirds of new restaurants will be built outside the USA. On the other hand, in the US approximately 600 new restaurants will be so-called satellite units mini-McDonald’s found in malls and especially in nationwide retailer. McDonald’s has formed alliances with Amoco Oil Co. and Chevron Corp. in the US to built restaurants in tandem with gas stations to cover more and more destinations all over the country. Global Strategy McDonalds has initially expanded to international markets in the conditions of strong regulations and overcrowded market in the USA. In the very beginning they offered a standardized products and attracted new clients with clean environment policy and brand equity. Recently the company adapt to new conditions by providing new product line and redesigning retail space in order to meet local needs and tastes. This strategy has allowed McDonalds to adapt quickly to new countries, but at the same time it created a long-term threat of diluting the brand and loosing its association with American culture. For instance, in Europe McDonalds becomes going beyond fast-food conception. In order to compete with coffee shops, McDonalds started offering more comfortable conditions, such as WI-FI and iPods for rent. Moreover, they created new healthier and locally adopted foods. Some specialists suggest, that if the company continue to expand with this strategy, it will be quite difficult to remain recognizable and meaningful brand.  Now it is time to consider McDonalds global strategy in more detail, taking China, South Africa, Brazil and Saudi Arabia as examples of strategy realization. But firstly, it is worth mentioning a few background facts. There is an incredible opportunity to expand in the world. McDonalds annual growth rate is about 1000-1500 restaurants and by 5-10 countries. According to the statistics, the company employed about 2 million people worldwide in 2000. The company adapts easily to new customers preferences by incorporating in the menu pommefrite sauce in Belgium and Holland and special mayonnaise based sauce in Iceland. China The McDonalds strategy in China is vary specific and it is aimed for adaptation to local culture. In comparison with the US, it was important for Chinese clients to focus not only on the food, but also on the restaurants’ atmosphere. That is why in China McDonalds restaurants are very similar to the American coffee houses with comfortable conditions for conversation and meetings. An other part of McDonalds strategy is introducing national tastes in its menu, such as the teriyaki burger. South Africa In South Africa McDonalds decided to focus on high populated cites. The point is to serve people where they eat, shop or play. The companies survey figured out that drive thru facilities are much effective then restaurants themselves, that is why there was made a decision on improving retail spaces. Moreover, McDonalds marketing strategy was concentrated on potential customers with different income level. In South Africa McDonalds has 90 branches spanning all nine provinces. It has 3 000 staff in just 39 restaurants, most working for franchisees. Each new restaurant opening creates as many as 80 new jobs, which is really important in current conditions. Brazil The eighth largest McDonalds market is concentrated in Brazil. Management team here is mostly focused on quality improvement and customer satisfaction and it was awarded for these efforts with Franchising Hallmark of Quality. Furthermore, McDonalds Brazil is one of the best employers and fifth among most admired companies in the country. Saudi Arabia and India The most characteristic feature of McDonalds in Saudi Arabia is that it closes five times a day for muslim prayers. McDonald’s India offers aloo tikki and paneer. And it doesn’t serve beef or pork at all. The Big Mac becomes Maharaja Mac in India. The company created special conditions for vegetarians with separate kitchen, cook and utensils. Moreover, in Ahmedabad the company decided to open an all-vegetarian outlet. Holding in respect Muslim tenets of belief, the company does not serve pork in all Islamic countries. There are two absolutely unique restaurants in the Holy City of Makkah, where Moslem customers are exclusively served by the staff, fully consists of Moslem employees, from the Service Crew to the Restaurant Manager level . And finally, McDonalds efforts have improved the local industries and national economy due to the fact that more than 50% of the products used are manufactured locally and in the gulf regions. Recommendations For Business-Level Strategy The main recommendation in terms of business-level strategy is to remain in the same niche. McDonald’s pioneered the whole concept of the fast food restaurant, that is why it should go to some other businesses, such as higher-level restaurant, because it can dilute their image of best fast food restaurant. For Corporate-Level Strategy Due to the fact that not every family has a direct access to McDonald’s cafes or just their place is too far from the restaurants, the idea to provide fast food to supermarkets. The products will be sold in the special vacuum package, so that it would have their original taste. This way the restaurant will loose nothing because there are only advantages which consist of making extra profit and gaining customer loyalty through spreading their production into the farplaced (far located) regions. For Cooperative Strategy As we have seen in the examples of McDonald’s alliances – cooperation is very efficient way of development. In my opinion, McDonald’s can cooperate with greater amount of companies. However, it should be very selective in choosing partner not to dilute its image. For example McDonald’s can cooperate with Apple: McD’s can provide free rechargers to Apple gadgets in its restaurants, while apple spread some apps by the AppStore. I think that McDonald’s also should create alliance with some attraction park companies, as they’ve made with Disney. Of course it would be more profitable for McDonald’s because of the amount of clients concentrated in one place. On the other hand, ones park logo and symbolic in MacDonald’s is worth it. For Global Strategy In spite of the fact, that McDonalds has great expansion opportunities, it is essential for the company to remember about its strength and to prevent brand dilution by means of concentrating on traditional American fast-food menu and including no more then 30% of specific dishes. Talking about the company’s pros, it is essential to continue developing and improving marketing campaign towards children and adults in foreign countries. In addition, such fresh ideas as creating vegetarian restaurants should be adopted in more countries in order to give customers alternative choice. Moreover. It would be a great idea to install Internet access terminals in each restaurants in order to reduce the amount of lag time between a customer’s orders and pick up of the order. This will show the innovative company level and improve its brand image for customers. Conclusion In the conclusion it is worth mentioning that the best prove of fantastic effectiveness of McDonald’s strategy is the fact that it’s competitors trying to copy its standards and processes to become more competitive at the market where McDonald’s still remains the leader. View as multi-pages

Self Directed

Summary on Self-directed Learning and Culture: a study on Malay adult learners. This journal talks about the relationship between SDL and the learning culture focusing on the Malay adult learners. The element of culture plays an important role in adult learning and it has been noted that self-directed learning is the central concept in the study and practice of adult education.Self-directed learning is related to the learners’ culture, learning style personality traits motivation and readiness to accept responsibility and these characteristics emphasis on the individuality of the learners in any learning environment will come to consideration. The present study intends to investigate the influence of the Malay culture on self-directed learning among Malay adult learners which could bridge the gap between the Malay culture and self-directed learning by providing breakthrough into Malay adult learners.Thus add to the knowledge regarding adult learners, and also help to generate better understanding of the Malay adult learners and the influence culture has in their learning process. Developing self-directed learning readiness will help to escalate the process of becoming life-long learners among adult learners. Cultural influences on the different levels of self-directed learning readiness on Malay adult learners were discussed. Does culture have any influence on self-directed learning of the Malay adult learners? Does culture have any impact on the self-directed learning of the Malay adult learners?Self-directed learning is part and parcel of the psychological and social development of adulthood. Self-directed learners are said to demonstrate greater awareness of their responsibility in making learning meaningful and monitoring them, thus making them more effective learners and social beings. Self-directed learning is an approach where learners are motivated to assume personal responsibility and collaborative control of the cognitive and contextual process in constructing meaningful and worthwhile learning outcomes.One of the findings indicated that self directed learning readiness appears to be positively associated with work experience and postulated that this could be due to the fact that respondents have learned to become more self-directed as they accumulate work experience. A study on the relationship between personality traits and self directed learning of undergraduates indicated that there is a positive and strong correlation between personality traits and self-directed learning. Finally, the findings from the study have indicated that culture has a role in the self-directed learning readiness of adult learners.

Yuchengco Researchpaper Essays

Yuchengco Researchpaper Essays Yuchengco Researchpaper Essay Yuchengco Researchpaper Essay AY Foundation The Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation, Inc (AY Foundation) serves as the heart of YGC. It manifests the Groups conviction that social responsibility is a corporations lifeblood, essential to its survival and success. Established in 1970, this non-profit, service-oriented organization has dedicated itself to the uplift of the Filipino spirit. Using contributions from YGCs member companies, the AY Foundation has various social development programs focusing particularly in the education, health and nutrition sector. Now entering its fifth decade of service, the Foundation continues its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino –especially the poor and disadvantaged. Yuchengco Museum The Yuchengco Museum, located at RCBC Plaza in Makati City, is one of Manilas newest art museums and cultural assets. The museum opened its doors to the public in September 2005, and was created especially by Alfonso Yuchengco to house his art collection and be a venue for artistic and cultural exhibitions. The establishment of the museum was a natural extension of Yuchengcos distinguished career as an influential Filipino-Chinese businessman, diplomat, collector, philanthropist, art patron, and education advocate. With its range of original exhibitions and engaging programs, the museum fosters a great public appreciation of the finest in Filipino and Filipino-Chinese creativity. The museums offerings focus on three different themes: Sino-Filipino Expressions that highlight the visual arts ; Bridging Cultures, which showcases the rich and diverse cultural expressions from the Philippines, the region, and the world; and Design as Art Art as Design showing contemporary design excellence. As a member of Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), the Yuchengco Museum is also a platform for the museums corporate social responsibility. The museum also highlights the Yuchengco family and the YGC as patrons of arts and culture, positioning them not just as business leaders, but as vanguards of cultural heritage. RCBC YGCs flagship company for the banking industry is the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). It is ranked as among the top 5 private domestic commercial banks. Incorporated in 1960, RCBC- then known as Rizal Development Bank- was the first development bank to be established in the province of Rizal. Two years later, it received the approval of the Central Bank to operate as a commercial bank. Since then, RCBC has become a leading name in the banking industry. RCBCs claim to excellence rests on the manner that it redefined Philippine banking services. The first to adopt the concept of integrated banking, RCBC went beyond traditional banking by offering clients investment and insurance services. Being at the forefront of industry innovations, RCBC continues to serve its clients with the highest standards of professionalism. House of Investments House of Investments, Inc. (HI) is a unique component of YGC. Servings as its investment arm, HI is the first enterprise of its kind in the Philippines. Ever since its first operations in the early 60s, HI has continuously sought new areas and diverse opportunities for investment and deployment of resources. House of Investments, or HI, a respected leader in project development activities and joint ventures with internationally established companies, ontrols and manages a major list of companies in education and information technology, construction and infrastructure, consumer finance, and other services such as memorial parks, strategic sourcing and trading. Through HI, YGC branches out, entering new industries, interacting with a wide range of players and absorbing fresh ideas. No wonder HI has the reputation of being the leader in project development as well as an active Philippine partner of some of the worlds most respected companies. RCBC Capital Corp. RCBC Capital Corporation is a subsidiary of RCBC. It offers a complete range of investment banking and financial consultancy services. It specializes in the underwriting of equity, quasi-equity and debt securities, loan syndication, and financial advisory services. RCBC Capital has successfully acted as Issue Manager, Lead Manager or Co-Lead Manager for numerous fund raising activities of both Government and privately-owned companies in the Philippines. In the local government bond market, RCBC Capital is the most active player from the private sector having underwritten majority of the local government bonds issued in the country. To assist clients in raising funds either through debt, quasi-equity or equity issuance, RCBC Capital acts as an intermediary in the sale and distribution of new securities to the public and via private placement or arranges a syndicate of banks willing to fund the client. In the process, RCBC Capital advises companies on the appropriate security to issue, timing, pricing and other terms, as well as assists in preparing the required documentation. RCBC Capital also provides financial advisory services with regard to the overall financial condition and strategy of a company. RCBC Capital also engages in the trading of stocks through its wholly-owned subsidiary, RCBC Securities, Inc. , a stock brokerage and a trading participant in the Philippine Stock Exchange. With an established network of equity investors, it can sell shares on a primary or secondary basis. RCBC Forex Brokers Corp. RCBC Forex Brokers Corporation was established as a subsidiary of RCBC in August 1998. It is engaged in dealing and brokering major world currencies in various foreign exchange contracts with local and international clients. As a broker, it also brings together sellers and buyers of foreign exchange, offering them very competitive rates through its offices in RCBC and RCBC Savings Bank Business Centers nationwide. RCBC Forex Brokers Corp. is part of RCBC Financial Markets Group. RCBC Savings Bank RCBC Savings Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the countrys top universal banks, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). RCBC Savings Bank was incorporated in January 1996 to serve as the consumer and retail banking arm of RCBC. RCBC Securities, Inc. RCBC Telemoney Europe Bankard Bankard, Inc. is a pioneer in the credit card industry with 25 years of experience in card issuing and acquiring tucked under its belt. Celebrating its silver anniversary in the year 2007, the company entered another milestone in its existence on the same year with the re-branding of its cards from Bankard to RCBC Bankard the culmination of Bankards coming together with banking industry stalwart Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) that began in the year 2000 and concluded last December 2006 with the sale of the entire Bankard business and all of its assets to RCBC. YGC Corporate Services Inc. First Malayan Leasing and Finance Corp. First Malayan Leasing and Finance Corporation (Malayan Leasing) is a pioneer in the leasing and financing industry in the Philippines as the company started its operations in 1957. Malayan Leasing is a non-bank financial institution with a quasi-banking license granted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It serves the requirements of corporate, c ommercial and consumer markets through its innovative loans, leases and investment products. Grepalife Asset Management Corp. Grepalife Established in 1954, GREPALIFE Financial, Inc. (formerly The Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation or simply Grepalife) is the first life insurance company to be put up after the Second World War and the 12th insurance firm to do business in the Philippines. Since then it would develop a corporate life of its own and would evolve into a solid pillar of the Yuchengco Group of Companies. It is one of the 10 largest life insurance companies in the Philippines today. With a growing number of policyholders, GREPALIFE Financial has become a life partner of many Filipinos. With over 200,000 policies in force, the company remains committed to its mission of promoting the great life among Filipino individuals and families. It is recognized as a leader in group insurance, protecting more than 4,000 groups and organizations. Through its competitive salary savings program, GREPALIFE Financial takes pride in holding significant niches among the countrys public school teachers and military personnel. Through creativity, innovation and wise leadership, GREPALIFE Financial has grown to be a trusted name among the countrys life insurers. Grepalife Asset Management Corporation is established primarily to manage, promote, provide and render management and technical advice and services to mutual fund companies. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of (shouldnt this be GREPALIFE Financial, Inc. ) Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation, the life insurance arm of the YGC Malayan Insurance The Malayan Group of Insurance Companies has dominated the non-life insurance industry for over 30 years now. As the forerunner of the flagship institutions of the Yuchengco Group, it is the oldest of all the YGC members, and currently ranks as the biggest non-life insurance group in the Philippines. The Malayan Group places a premium on serving the interest of its clients. It continuously improves and innovates in order to provide a more efficient and better service. It is known for its wide coverage range of insurance risks including fire, marine and cargo, motorcar, miscellaneous casualty, personal accident and surety. As the Malayan Group enters its ninth decade of service, it will continue to exhibit the same brand of leadership and excellence respected by its policymakers and colleagues in the industry. Mapua Institute of Technology The Mapua Information Technology Center (MITc), a spin-off of MapuaTechs School of IT is envisioned to become the leader in non-university type education, offering two-year Diploma Programs to eventually an Associate Degree ladderized to the Bachelors Degree (4-year) I. T. courses of MIT. MITc invests on its students IT education to equip them with unparalleled skills and experience that will enable them to win in the global IT marketplace. With its academic reputation and the vast network of the YGC Group of Companies, MITc aims to provide top quality education to supply top corporations with skilled, high value IT professionals. Executive and Developer Programs are also available for professionals and corporations for their continuing education program (short courses). Different entity yet one aim – to give the best Education there is, stamped with Mapua excellence. OUR MISSION MITc produces highly-competitive and well-rounded individuals equipped with relevant, up-to-date, research-based technical and communication proficiencies in the fields of Information Technology, Management and Network technology in response to the demands of business and society globally. OUR VISION MITc will be the pioneer center that offers the best quality 2-year education that nurtures students to become ready for employment. MITc will be known not only in diploma courses recognized globally but also in other related technologies. Mapua Information Technology Center The Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), is an 80-year old technology-focused school located in Intramuros, the heart of Manila. With 15,000 students in college level, it is the biggest engineering school in the Philippines, accounting for about 8% of engineering graduates every year. The Institute also runs a pre-engineering high school with about 1,800 students. The Institutes name derives from its foun der, Don Tomas Mapua, an architecture graduate of Cornell University. The Institute was fully owned by the Mapua family until 1999 when it was acquired 100% by the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) through a company now known as iPeople, Inc. Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco chairs the Mapua Board of Trustees, while Alfonso S. Yuchengco, III is the Vice-Chairman. The Institute prides itself with the quality of its architecture and engineering programs, which has been demonstrated time and again in the long history of topnotch performance of its graduates in the government-administered professional licensure examinations. Under the new YGC management, the quality of instruction is being enhanced and new dimensions are being added to the Institutes mission. Aside from excellence in teaching, the Institute now aims to develop its research, as well as its consultancy and community extension capabilities. The Institute will be at the front-lines of problem solving for the benefit of the Filipinos and humankind, while keeping in mind that the core of its strength lies and shall continue to lie in its engineering nd architecture educational programs, programs that are well-balanced by the 2-year general education curriculum in the arts, humanities and social sciences. In recognition of the growing need for IT professionals locally and worldwide, the Institute is establishing more IT programs through regular degree programs and 2-year associate degree programs as well as short-term programs for specific and special competencies. The School of IT and the Center for Continuing Education and Special Competencie s handle these programs. To put its consultancy services on a solid organizational footing, the Institute established a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Mapua TechServ, Inc. To handle research it shall similarly organize the Mapua TechSearch, Inc. Malayan Colleges Laguna Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mapua Institute of Technology. Driven by passion for knowledge, it is established to extend the quality of education Mapua has been known for. Along with the other subsidiaries like the Mapua I. T. Center and the Malayan High School of Science, MCL shall respond to the challenges of globalization in order to produce graduates who shall be at par with their foreign counterparts. The campus is located in Cabuyao, Laguna, where several science and industrial parks are situated. With this excellent location, students are prepared in the actual, technology-driven industries through on-the-job trainings and apprenticeships even during their mid-academic years. With its excellent facilities, technologically advanced and IT integrated curricula, MCL is envisioned to be a center of excellence for science and technology education in Southern Luzon. Malayan High School of Science Landev RCBC Realty Corp. iPeople Inc. iPeople Inc is a subsidiary of the House of Invesments, Inc. It aims to explore new strategic business areas in education and information technology. iPeople provides information retrieval. Using its sister company the Mapua Institute of Technology, as a base and starting point for building other IT businesses, iPeople is assured of high quality IT and engineering background needed to succeed. Pan Pacific Computer Center, Inc. Pan Pacific Computer Center, Inc. is an Information Technology (IT) solutions and services provider for more than 41 years now. PPCC has technical expertise in Helpdesk Support Services, Technical Support Services, Network Management, Security Services, Systems Administration, Business Process Documentation Services, Project Management and Document Management Solutions and Services. PPCC also offers network storage solutions in partnership with EMC Philippines. Currently, PPCC provides consolidated IT services to the entire Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) as well as to other reputable accounts from various industries. Pan Pacific Computer Center, Inc. (PPCC) is an ISO 9001:2008 certified information technology company. People eServe Corp. People eServe Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of iPeople, Inc. and a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC). Incorporated last July 17, 2001 as an IT company under iPeople, Inc. it ventured into reselling and hardware maintenance on July 1, 2002. Philippine Integrated Advertising Agency, Inc. Hi-Eisai Pharmaceutical, Inc. Grepalife Medical and Diagnostic Center Grepalife Medical and Diagnostic Center provides quality health care services. It features the latest medical, dental, optical, and laboratory facilities including treadmill, ultrasound, and other modern diagnostic equipment. With qualified multi -specialists and pro-active clinic personnel, clients are assured to have quick and quality medical attention immediately. The center offers pre-employment and annual physical examinations accepted by numerous embassies and multi-national companies. It also has a pharmacy where common and prescribed medicines are readily available. EEI Corporation EEI Corporation takes pride in being one of the largest construction companies in the country, primarily engaged in construction, trading and in providing allied products and services in the Philippines and selected overseas markets. We are committed to: providing quality and cost-effective products and services to our customers; extending meaningful employment and a better quality of life to our employees; delivering reasonable returns to our shareholders; and serving the welfare of the community at large. Honda Cars Kalookan Honda Cars Quezon City Isuzu Manila Honda Cars Manila Honda Cars Marikina Pan Malayan Express Inc. Manila Memorial Park Cemetery, Inc. La Funeraria Paz Sucat, Inc. Malayan Plaza Mission and Vision the YGC Vision We are a customer–focused group of companies. We provide integrated, world-class products and services, delivering superior value through out the lives of our customers. We are a dynamic and professional organization, continuously improving our competitive capabilities and fully responsive to the national interest and the needs of our stakeholders. We work as a synergistic team and build mutually rewarding partnerships to sustain our growth. We stand behind our commitment: Integrity and Service Excellence, aimed at enhancing the quality of life of our people. The Blue Hexagon Service Quality Code We believe that customers are our reason for being. We listen to them and understand them. We offer them the best products and services. We believe that to achieve this, we need to continuously improve ourselves. We have to be more sensitive to their needs and wants. We believe that teamwork will deliver this commitment. We value and help each other and the communities we serve. We are YGC. This is our future. This is our battlecry: YGC=Excellence. Corporate values The Yuchengco Group of Companies adheres to a set of values which inspire all the member companies in their aim to be leaders in their respective fields. Service Excellence Everyone in the YGC companies know that their business is all about service excellence. Service excellence translates into acting with client’s needs in mind. Through the different service provided by the various companies of YGC, the high standard performance is demonstrated and maintained for the past 70 years. Professionalism Discipline coupled with dedication to one’s work results in the highest levels of professionalism which puts a premium on a job well done. YGC makes no compromises in its quest to discover new innovations to improve the lives of their clients. They are models of professional commitment, transparency, and openness to improvement demanded by the values of YGC. Forward Thinking It is important to look ahead into the future, preparing for whatever lies ahead. YGC believes that businesses must be forward thinking, decisive, creating strategies to meet tomorrow’s challenges. For many years now, YGC has pioneered in integral financial services – meeting client’s needs from cradle to tomb. Through the advance thinking of the YGC, loyal customers enjoy and avail the full range of the Group’s variety of services at their convenience. Accountability YGC believes that people working together instead of against each other makes everyone a winner. Everyone, including large conglomerates, must be accountable for the welfare of their neighbors. YGC recognizes people who made social accountability a way of life, not only among their ranks but also in the general populace. Sense of Urgency YGC knows that clients want their needs to be given full attention and top priority. All its companies believe in the timely accomplishment of tasks and treats every customer’s case with a sense of urgency. Teamwork It takes teamwork to make things work at YGC. Teambuilding is taken very seriously. Officers and staff are expertly-trained so that all efforts are harmonious and unified. For teamwork is truly the strength of synergy. Synergy is the strength of YGC. All the group’s personnel are dedicated to working for the advancement of YGC, customer welfare and the common good. Leadership The success of YGC is mainly attributed to its leader, Don Alfonso Yuchengco. When Don Enrique Yuchengco died in 1953, he left Don Alfonso all the businesses and its management. Using what he learned from his father, he is able to make the companies flourish even during difficult times. One of the keys to Don Alfonso’s early success in business is his ability to make friends and interact productively with business colleagues. The valuable contacts and opportunities he developed through his social network helped his companies expand rapidly. Associates like to point out that his openness to setting up joint ventures, especially with foreign partners, has been one of his most important assets. Don Alfonso’s career has spanned many eras starting from the Philippine Commonwealth, through the Second World War, the years of economic expansion in the 1950s and 1960s as well as the difficult years of martial law in the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout his career as a businessman and a diplomat, he consistenly espoused social discipline and national pride. His belief that both are necessary ingredients for progress and development has served his companies and the nation well. Corporate Social Responsibility Given the YGC’s character and civic-mindedness, Don Alfonso Yuchengco felt the need to turn over some of the profits from the many thriving companies to a well-planned system of philanthropy. In 1970, the YGC established the AY Foundation, Inc. to handle most of his charitable donations and to monitor long-term civic projects. The chosen beneficiaries represent a broad range of activities but they are all related to issues that hold personal significance for Alfonso Yuchengco. Their generous donations have directed largely toward helping the disadvantaged children enjoy the vital necessities of life, enhancing educational opportunities, supporting the arts and protecting the environment. Latest CSR news 31-May-2011 Yuchengco Group awards winners of environment project competition The various Human Resources and Marketing heads of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) recently awarded the nine finalists of its YGC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-Environment Ideation Contest. The competition encouraged all employees from more than 60 member companies of the conglomerate to submit proposals for environmental care and sustainability, to be adopted as a component activity of its YGC Earth Care Program. The nine finalists – six (6) third place entries, two (2) second placers, and one (1) overall winner – bested over 700 ideas submitted by individual employees and team members. The winning proposal, from the Management Services Group of Malayan Insurance, is entitled â€Å"Sandaang Puno sa Sandaang Bayan Para sa Sandaang Taon ng YGC† to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the conglomerate. It is set to be implemented by the YGC Councils as its main Green Marketing Initiative under the title of YGC Product for A Tree. 31-May-2011 Environmental sustainability tackled in YGC Earth Care seminar Following through on its environmental pledges made during the the commemoration of Earth Hour last March 2011, the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) recently gathered the Human Resources and General Services Department heads of its various member companies to a two-day environment seminar held at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Dubbed as the YGC Earth Care seminar, the activity is part of the umbrella campaign called the YGC Earth Care Program, which is envisioned to enable the conglomerate to create an Earth-friendly sustainable business environment. Presiding over the seminar was the WWF-Philippines Vice Chairman and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo â€Å"Lory† Tan, whose presentation revealed the complex issues and implications surrounding global warming and climate change. He stressed the need for more decision makers to start implementing appropriate responses to help address these cataclysmic changes affecting the environment. As it commemorates its centennial anniversary this year, the YGC is focusing its business sustainability strategies toward caring for nature, conserving resources, and utilizing alternative sources of energy. The YGCs commitment made during Earth Hour calls on all the heads of its various companies to target a 10-percent reduction in emissions by 2012 through simple measures now made mandatory for all its employees, like switching off unnecessary lights and other appliances, conserving water and paper products, and many other acts. The YGC estimates that a full-year commitment to this 10-percent carbon footprint reduction means savings of up to P50 million for the entire conglomerate – demonstrating how simple forms of savings will go a long way to make a hugely positive difference. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY In 1970, Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco established the AY Foundation, Inc. as the social development arm of the Yuchengco Group of Companies. Its main thrusts are in education, national discipline and community service, as well as public health and welfare. PROGRAMS: Scholarship Programs Since 1970, more than 7,200 educational grants have been awarded by AYF to street children, indigent students belonging to cultural minority groups as well as deserving but financially needy dependents of YGC employees. National Discipline The National Discipline Awards aim to give recognition to graduating high school students who consistently exemplify the virtue of discipline in school and in the community. Medical and Surgical Mission The AYF provides poor Filipinos in far-flung communities with access to quality medical services. More than 6,000 major and minor surgical procedures benefiting indigent patients in remote communities have been performed for free. In addition, 55,000 poor Filipinos were provided with free medical and dental consultations and medicines. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards Inspired by 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the AYF in partnership with the Manila Jaycees established the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award in 1983. The award is given to outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives in the service of the poorest of the poor. CYCLE (Championing the Youth for Community LEadership) Program A leadership training and values formation program that instills a keen sense of social responsibility among the National Discipline Awardees through volunteer work in depressed communities. Since 2001, over 200 students were given a chance to go through this three-level leadership program.