Historical or Contemporary Leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Historical or Contemporary Leader - Essay Example From the discussion it is clear that Gandhi should be regarded as a pioneer of using non violent method is the primary method in gaining independence as the majority of the leaders before him relied on violence. The possibility of improvement is assessed in the next paragraph. The vulnerabilities of Gandhi are also explored together with the manner in which he tried to overcome them. The paper also provides insight into what the author learned why studying the legacy of this prominent leader. The rest of the paper features application of Kouzes and Posner view of leadership to Gandhi’s experience. It is argued that he employed all exemplary methods of leadership. It is also argued that the best theory that can describe his leadership is transformational leadership theory and the relevant evidence is provided.This paper stresses that  if one examines the life of Mahatma Gandhi, one will be able to see that he did not pay much attention to theoretical aspects of leadership. Th at is why he did not produce any comprehensive definition of it in writing. However, the way he interacted with his followers might be regarded as suitable way to explore what leadership meant to him. Thus, based on this observation, it is obvious that for Gandhi leadership was a unique relationship between people when one of them was directing the common efforts to achieve a particular goal. One should also keep in mind that leadership philosophy of this prominent individual consists of the following elements.

Journal Analysis Essay Example for Free

Journal Analysis Essay Current views of the world, desires, dreams, goals, and the demands placed upon society are constantly transformed by present epistemological beliefs. Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2002) investigated the relationship between an individuals’ belief about knowledge, learning or epistemological beliefs and how this relates to average conversational issues (Schommer-Aikens , Hutter, 2002). Using a study group of 174 adults ranging in age from 17 to 71, Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2002) posed questions assessing beliefs of knowledge and the speed control of learning. Feldman addressed how assumptions become scientific knowledge by stating â€Å"Sometimes we know things by reasoning or inference. When we know some facts and see that those facts support some further fact, we can come to know that further fact. Scientific knowledge, for example, seems to arise from inferences from observational data† (Feldman, 2003, p. 3). Understanding how assumptions move into scientific knowledge it becomes apparent how these assumptions are qualified in research. The authors used regression analysis to quantify the assumptions of the participants as they relate to knowledge, learning, multiple perspectives, and ultimately the development of epistemological beliefs. This analysis will further identify philosophical assumptions underlying the research; explain the practical significance of these assumptions and their effect on its applicability to other authors and post-positive thinkers. Philosophical Assumptions Underlying the Research. Feldman (2003) stated that epistemology, the theory of knowledge is a philosophy that looks into the questions about knowledge and rational. Epistemologist`s tend to focus or concentrate on questions of principal aspects involving knowledge and how those beliefs regulate coherent belief. Those within the field are less concerned about the validity of knowledge or coherent belief, be it correct or incorrect but focus more on causes (Feldman, 2003, p. 1). To that extent Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2002) conducted a survey of 174 participants, including 120 women and 54 men. The ages of the participants ranged from 17 to 71 years of age and included various personal and educational backgrounds. Through the Schommer epistemological questioner participants, including chemical engineers, clerks, homemakers, factory workers, pharmacists, and teachers of both genders. These participants were asked a number of questions that incorporated religious, educational, societal and personal beliefs. Questions were ranked in a likert- type scale ranging from strongly disagrees to strongly agree (Schommer-Aiker, Hutter, 2002). Philosophical Assumptions. Schommer-Aikens and Hutter state â€Å"The results coming from epistemological research suggest that individual`s beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning are linked to their comprehension, metacomprehension, interpretation of information and persistence in working on difficult academic tasks† (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2002, p. 6). The authors contend that individuals who believe knowledge is isolated into segmented bits and not taken as a sum total perform more poorly in the compression of mathematical, physiological, and medical textbooks (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2002). This statement confirms that knowledge or epistemological commitments are a collection of data and understanding and not segmented or isolated bits of information. The assumption is those who tend to segregate knowledge and who do not attain a higher degree of education have difficulty in their own epistemological commitments. This is further evident in the writings of Quine and Kuhn as these authors beleive science is a continuation of common-sense (Delanty Strydom, 2003, p. 22). According to these authors common, everyday decisions made by the common man and woman play a significant role in the creation of science. Whereas the purpose of the epistemological study was to extend epistemological beliefs to an individual’s everyday life, it was also designed to reflect on academic studies. This particular article using the Schommer epistemological belief survey makes several assumptions. Those assumptions state those with a higher level of education are more likely to take on multiple perspectives, withhold decisions until information was available, acknowledge the complexity of everyday issues and were willing to modify thought processes or thinking (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2002). The inference is those who take knowledge as a collection of data, not as segmented bits along with the attaining of a higher level of education were equipped for complex or critical thinking. This enabled each to understand the complexity of life, make crucial decisions, understand varying viewpoints and able to adapt as understanding grew. These assumptions have a practical significance and affect research. The Practical Significance of Assumptions and Their Effect on Research Inferences and practical assumptions are drawn during the research of this article, and one could argue some of the assumptions made were drawn before the research study ever began. Through personal epistemological beliefs society has long held the conviction those who attain a higher level of education are able to deal with the complexities of life. The practical significance of assumptions and their effect on the research conducted are visible in the work of Johnson and Duberley as they state â€Å"both within and outside of our organizations our behavior is internally motivated, and internally justified, by what we believe about â€Å"the World† (Johnson Duberley, 2000, p. 2). Often in preparing for such a survey the focus group of participants used along with the questions themselves distort the data and thus the results to achieve a desired result. While in this case the participants have diverse backgrounds and have achieved differing degrees of education, making such assertions could distort data. Assumptions and Research Methodology Kuhn preferred historical science and by building upon prior knowledge Kuhn (2012) believes this research and evidence was already available enabling that data to be tested using deferring mechanisms to either prove or disprove a current or prior theory. While not opposed to the empirical testing, it was his belief that details must be obtained for research. It is through this historical science and data that assumptions within society and within science about our understanding of epistemological belief have come into existence. Popper states the empirical method makes good use of a criticized approach to the method (Delanty Strydom, 2003). The empirical method tests each system ensuring the best system moves forward after all methods have been tried, tested, and proved. Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2000) used questions, including â€Å"You never know what a book means unless you know the intent of the author† and â€Å"Its a waste of time to work on problems which have no possibility of coming out with clear-cut and unambiguous answers† (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2000). These answers along with others were used as a measurement in epistemological belief comparing their answers and their level of education to gauge how those answers compared with historical norms (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2000). This data was then taken and a regression model developed to extract the stated research and ultimately assumptions made. Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2000) in turn came to the same assumptions and epistemological commitments already held within social and physical science to date. The research quantified and validated the assumptions held by historical science that one’s epistemological beliefs are shaped and re-shaped by the ability to link through learning, multiple perspectives, and ultimately the development of epistemological beliefs. The ability for humans to use successfully address complex issues, attain paradigm shifts in their understanding of the world and develop are inevitably linked with thought processes and knowledge gained through higher education. Conclusion A person’s thoughts, feelings, emotion, and beliefs often shape ones decision-making process. Other components, including perception, memory, introspection, and reasoning also assist in the formation of opinions, shape our knowledge, and transform an individual’s viewpoint (Feldman, 2003, p.3). Perception is how one sees the world around them, the sights, sounds, smells, and other senses creates an understanding of the external environment creating a mental image and often places an attachment to it. Through their research Schommer-Aikens and Hutter (2002) investigated the relationship between and individuals’ belief about knowledge, learning or epistemological beliefs and how this relates to average conversational issues (Schommer-Aikens , Hutter,2002). Using the regression model the authors quantified the beliefs and assumptions the conclusion of which is a culmination of historical science supported by this recent research. While post-positive thinking like Kuhn, Quine, and Popper may differ in view about the empirical method, testing, and paradigm shifts as theories change over time the core belief of epistemological commitment remain comparable. A sentence sums up this article and the accompanying research as it pertains to epistemological belief. Those with a higher level of education are more likely to take on multiple perspectives, withhold decisions until information was available, acknowledge the complexity of everyday issues and were willing to modify thought processes or thinking (Schommer-Aikens, Hutter, 2002). References Delanty, G. Strydom, P. (Eds). (2003). Philosophies of Social Science: The Classic and Contemporary readings. Philadelphia, Pa: Mcgraw-Hill. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content Feldman, R. (2003). Epistemology. Prentice Hall. The University of Phoenix. https://ecampus. phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content. Kuhn, T. (2012). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago, Il. University of Chicago Press . https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content. Schommer-Aikins, M. , Hutter, R. (2002). Epistemological Beliefs and Thinking About Everyday Controversial Issues. Journal Of Psychology, 136(1), 5. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content. Johnson, P. Duberley, J. (2000). Understanding Management Research: An Introduction to Epistemology. Thousand Oaks CA. Sage Publishing. Prentice Hall. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content.

Ancient Surgery :: World History

Ancient Surgery The most important and influential discovery was the practice of surgery. With this invention, human life became more sophisticated, humans lived longer, and we obtained a knowledge of ourselves sufficient enough to break the boundaries built by ignorance. Lacking prescription drugs, accurate tools, computer technology, and any background experience to build from, our ancestors struggled to learn how to repair the human body. They did an suprisingly competent job of treating the sick and injured. Some of the medical technology developed in ancient times surpassed anything available in the modern world until the 18th century or 19th century. In eras wherein religious views took precedence over medicine and logic, surgical advancement was difficult. The knowledge we have now was obtained from these people's exploits. The first known medical procedure is called trephination. Trephination is the cutting of a hole through one's skull to relive excess pressure. This dates back to as early as the Stone Age, around 3,000 BC. Unearthed remains of successful brain operations, as well as surgical instruments, were found in France at one of Europe's noted archeological digs. The success rate was remarkable, even around 7,000 BC. Skulls have been found from about 8,000 BC with these telltale holes, most of which are exact and show growth, meaning that patients often lived for weeks, even months, afterwards . Pre-historic evidence of brain surgery was not limited to Europe. Early Incan civilization used brain surgery as an extensive practice as early as 2,000 BC. In Paracas, Peru, archeological evidence indicates that brain surgery was used frequently. Here, too, an inordinate success rate was noted as patients were restored to health. The treatment was used to treat mental illnesses they blamed on evil spir its, epilepsy, headaches, and osteomylitis, as well as head injuries. Brain surgery was also used for both spiritual and magical reasons; often, the practice was limited to kings, priests and the nobility. Surgical tools in South America were made of both bronze and carved obsidian. The Akkadians used trephination thousands of years later for the same purposes, and the practice was improved until it reached the state of today. The Akkadians learned from experience with surgery. There were no books or documentations of previous procedures, so the trade was passed down through hands on, personal training. The Code of Hamurabi states that surgeons of the Akkadian era were well paid, but a failure was expensive.

Similarities Between Northern and Southern American Colonies

The Northern and Southern colonies had many similarities between the years of 1607 to 1763, but the idea that they were more similar than different is vastly incorrect. The economy in the Southern colonies was based off of planting and slave labor, which was very common, while land in the Northern colonies, for the most part, was not fertile enough to support planting. Another difference between the North and South was that government and the church had very close ties in the North, compared to a representative self-government in the South, separate from any church. People and towns were too far apart for churches to flourish in the South, whereas in the North, religion was very important and often taken to extremes. In the Southern colonies, tobacco was a huge crop, and the economy of several colonies was based almost entirely off of it. The history of tobacco is relatively short—by 1612, John Rolfe had perfected methods of growing tobacco that eliminated most of the bitterness of the leaf. After the first boatload of tobacco was sent to Europe, the European people quickly developed a high demand for it, one which American colonists were more than happy to fulfill. Because of the sudden incredibly high demand for tobacco, colonists were overwhelmed, and planted tobacco anywhere they could, including the ground next to the street and between graves. The tobacco-growing frenzy was so huge that colonists in the South had to import some of their foodstuffs at first, for they were not able to grow it themselves with all their land being used for tobacco. Because the crop of tobacco robs the soil of its nutrients so quickly, the demand for land exponentially increased, which led to an increased need for workers, preferably cheap, which is when wealthy planters turned to slavery. In comparison, the land in the Northern colonies was mostly glaciated soil, with stones in the dirt forced to the surface after every winter. Because of the rocky soil, staple crops did not grow well and so black slavery was not profitable in the North. Colonists who realized they would not be able to make much of a living off of the land became good at other things. Shipbuilding, fishing, and commerce were among the main professions in Northern colonies, due to the excessive fishing opportunities. Governing styles is another major difference between the Northern and Southern colonies. The first self-controlled government was established in Virginia, one of the Southern colonies, in 1619, the House of Burgesses. This was somewhat similar to the British parliament, met once a year in Jamestown, and was made up of twenty-two people. These twenty-two people were the governor of the colony, six prominent citizens hand-selected by the governor, and fifteen burgesses, or representatives, from varied locales, usually the larger plantations in the area. Overall, the people controlled the government in the South. This fact could be disputed about Northern government. In the Northern colonies, the government was more inclusive than it had been in the past in that all freemen could vote. Freemen were adult male landowners who belonged to the Puritan congregation. All male property owners could be involved in town government, regardless of whether or not they were Puritan. They would participate in town meetings, where matters large and small were discussed, debated, and solved by the people of the town themselves. According to the doctrine of the covenant followed by Northern colonists, the role of government was to enforce God’s laws, which applied to both believers and non-believers. Even with the government being so religious, clergymen were not allowed to hold an official political office, which led to the idea of the separation of church and state. The separation of towns was more of an issue in the South than the separation of church and state, in terms of religion. Because of the vast amounts of land needed by plantation owners to grow tobacco and other staple crops, towns and people were spread out, which slowed urban development significantly and also made the establishment of churches and schools difficult and expensive. Nevertheless, there was still religion in the Southern colonies—the vast majority of colonists were Anglican. In the Northern colonies, there were many churches, of several religious groups. Puritans and Quakers were the dominant religious groups in the North, though Quakers would not abide by laws set by the Puritans, so they were fined, flogged, and banished. In one extreme case, four Quakers, one a woman, who defied expulsion from their colony, were hanged. An extremist Puritan by the name of Anne Hutchinson claimed that a holy life was no true sign of salvation, and that the truly saved were going to heaven no matter what they did in their life, so they would not need to obey neither God’s nor man’s law. At the time, this was considered antinomianism and extreme heresy, so Anne was banished from her colony and forced to move. In conclusion, the Northern and Southern colonies did have many things in common, but the thought that they were more similar than different from the year 1607 to 1763 is an immense misconception. In the Northern colonies, it was not possible to grow staple crops because of the rocky soil, so settlers turned to other ways to make a profit than agriculture and slavery, while in the South, slavery and tobacco farming were the sole source of income for several colonies. The government in Northern colonies had close ties to the Puritan church, while in Southern colonies the style of government leaned towards self-representative. Churches were not common in Southern colonies, while they were of utmost importance, and often taken to extremes in Northern colonies.

Alliances in World War I

Wars are large and complicated affairs. The First World War was the product of many things. Although the war officially began on July 28th, 1914, it had been building up for a while. The beginning of the war was a lot like a domino effect. It started when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On July 29, Russia ordered a mobilization only against Austria-Hungary in support of Serbia. The Germans threatened war on July 31 if the Russians did not demobilize. France then mobilized. On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia, and two days later, on France.The German invasion of Belgium to attack France, which violated Belgium's official neutrality, prompted Britain to declare war on Germany. World War I had begun. Nationalism, militarism, and imperialism all prompted the rivalry between nations which led to WWI. Nationalism, the love and support of one's country, has always existed. At this time, however, it was so prominent, it helped cause the First World War. Since so much pride wa s devoted to countries, it made the possibilities of peace between past rivals less probable.People felt great loyalty and were willing to do anything for their country. In history, many wars have been over territorial disputes. A country feels nationalistic, and people's pride leads to people wanting to expand with more land. A country can feel so strongly about this that they will fight for it. The spark of the world was the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife. They were shot by a Serbian nationalist because of the crisis in the Balkans. The Balkan Peninsula was a mountainous area below Austria-Hungary and consisted of many different ethnic groups.Each group was very nationalistic and wanted to extend its borders, especially Serbia. Austria-Hungary took over two Balkan Slavic areas. Document 6 describes the tension in this region at the time. Serbia did not want Austria-Hungary to have Bosnia and Herzegovina. The archduke was shot because the Serbians fear ed that when he came into power he would continue to persecute the Serbs who lived in the Austro-Hungarian borders. The assassination, however, only created more problems. A harsh ultimatum was given to Serbia and when Serbia tried to negotiate the harsh terms, war was declared upon them.Serbia's ally, Russia joined right in the war, and soon after many other European countries. Nationalism was also a contributing factor to the alliance system. A country having more people on its side meant they felt more powerful, and more nationalistic. During World War I there were two alliance systems; the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. The Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente included Great, Britain, France, and Russia. Later on in the war, the United States entered the war on the Triple Entente side, and Russia left.Members of the Triple Alliance were also known as the Central Powers. This is because the three countries were grouped together in the center of Europe. On each side of them, they had enemies, which is not a good spot to be in if you want to have a war. The Triple Entente became known as the Allies. By the end of the war the Allies had won. The war was officially ended on November 11, 1918 by The Treaty of Versailles. This was supposed to be the treaty to end all wars, but it ultimately just fueled future conflict.

Alternative Investment Fund for Senior Life Insurance Settlements †Business (600 Level Course)

Alternative Investment Fund for Senior Life Insurance Settlements – Business (600 Level Course) Free Online Research Papers Alternative Investment Fund for Senior Life Insurance Settlements Business (600 Level Course) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Alternative Investments Fund, LLC (â€Å"The Company†) is seeking to secure funding for the purpose of purchasing life insurance policies. The purpose of this document is to provide potentially interested parties with sufficient information to submit non-binding indications of interest to provide such funding commitments, but does not purport to be all-inclusive or contain all of the information that an interested party may require. Interested parties should conduct their own independent analysis. The information contained herein has been provided by the Company, their respective officers, employees, agents or representatives, or derived from publicly available sources. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of this document or the information contained herein – and no legal liability is assumed or implied. Any estimates and opinions have been prepared by the Company’s management and involve subjective judgment and analysis. This document shall not constitute or be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company. The Business The Company was founded to originate and finance the purchase of life insurance settlements in the secondary market. A life insurance settlement involves the transfer of ownership and the change of beneficiary of a life insurance policy in exchange for a lump sum cash payment from the purchaser. Life insurance settlements provide individuals who no longer want or need an existing life insurance policy with the opportunity to sell the policy and receive a cash settlement greater than the policy’s cash surrender value (amount insurance company will pay to cash out the policy). In the case of settlements involving term insurance policies, policy owners receive funds that they never expected to receive during their lifetimes. The policy owner may be planning to surrender the policy for any number of reasons including (i) corporate-owned key-man policies may no longer be needed due to the key-man leaving the business or the business being sold, (ii) insurance policies purchased for estate planning objectives are no longer relevant, (iii) the need for life insurance protection no longer exists du e to beneficiaries being taken care of by other investments or are financially independent or simply that there are no living heirs, (iv) continuing premium payments is no longer desirable, (v) cash from the settlement can be used to purchase new, more appropriate coverage (i.e., Second to Die or Long Term Care), and (vi) personal financial reasons. Senior Life Insurance Settlements are distinguishable from Viatical Settlements that were primarily focused on AIDS victims. Many viewed the viatical business negatively because of the perception that unscrupulous parties were preying on very vulnerable individuals. On the other hand, the Senior Life Insurance Settlement market has been viewed very positively. Typically, the policy size with a Senior Settlement is large and the seller of the policy is affluent and represented by a professional financial advisor. For these reasons, it is generally viewed as business that provides a valuable service – the opportunity to access values previously believed to be inaccessible. For the investor, the value proposition is driven by a few factors. First, the seller of the policy wants liquidity from the policy during his or her lifetime. Another motivation to sell is to eliminate the premiums that must be paid to keep the policy in force. In the process of evaluating the purchase of a life insurance policy, the life expectancy of the seller is a key determinant of the return to the investor. For this reason, every seller must have an evaluation of his or her health. Based on the evaluation (medical underwriting), a life expectancy (ex) is established, which determines the price at which the policy is purchased. In cases where the insured survives longer than the projected life span, the rate of return to an investor decreases. On average, these Senior Settlements are priced to produce a yield in excess of 15% per annum. The quality of the medical underwriting is the critical factor in developing appropriate pricing. Even with perfect underwriting, it is critical for an investor to have a sufficient distribution of lives in the investment pool. The pool should also possess a distribution of medical issues, in order to avoid concentration risk. For investors, life insurance settlements are unique. The returns have no correlation to the stock market or interest rates. Returns are purely a function of the factors discussed above. The Market Life insurance settlements began in the United States only in the last decade. They are now emerging as an asset class based on shear volume potential. The total potential size of the life insurance settlement market is estimated to include approximately $108 billion1 of life insurance in force. Most life insurance settlements have life expectancies ranging from 5 to 13 years, although some may be as short as one year. Demand for the Life Insurance Senior Settlements is already strong and can only grow as knowledge of this financial alternative becomes more mainstream. Currently, there are 23 million1 people in the United States age 65 or older who have life insurance policies in force. Nearly 8% of these policies lapse or are surrendered each year. LIMRA estimates that 97% of all term life insurance products sold in the United States will be lapsed before any death benefits are realized. As more individuals begin to learn that their policies have a value in the secondary marketplace that exceeds the cash surrender value (essentially that there is a better alternative to lapsing or surrendering the policy) – demand is certain to grow. Because the Life Insurance Senior Settlements are still relatively new and unknown (industry estimates suggest approximately 90% of financial planners and an even larger percentage of consumers are not yet aware of the availability of life insurance settlements), it is fair to assume that this market is poised to experience phenomenal growth over the next several years. Recently, the option to sell an unwanted life insurance policy, for a broad variety of financial planning reasons in addition to financial need, has dramatically increased the number of people considering this option. As a result, capital resources available to acquire those policies have been overwhelmed, creating a large backlog of policies in the market. Marketing The potential for a Senior Settlement occurs when the health of an insured has deteriorated to the point that the expected value of the future death benefit, which can be realized under a life insurance policy, significantly exceeds the expected value of the future anticipated premium payments. Historically, most policyholders did not realize that their life insurance policies represented â€Å"hidden assets† which could be used to better achieve their living goals. Transactions generally occur, when the life insurance policy owner works with an insurance agent, financial planner, or other financial advisor (â€Å"settlement broker†) who makes the owner aware that there are options available other than lapsing or surrendering an unneeded life insurance policy. These settlement brokers find the buyers for the life insurance policy and secure the settlement. It is estimated that of the 192,000 life insurance agents and approximately 34,000 certified financial planners in the United States today, only ten percent have working knowledge of Senior Settlements. Therefore, as the population ages and knowledge of Senior Settlements spreads, the potential exists for substantial future growth. Senior Settlements are a new and rapidly growing asset class. While Investment Bankers have viewed Senior Settlements as ideal for candidates for securitizations, the recent genesis of this asset class, taken together with the esoteric nature of the risks associated with projected cash flows and the inherit complexities of any securitization, have made the securitization of Senior Settlements mostly a theoretical exercise. As a result, capital allocations to this market have tended to be lumpy at best. The Company intends to source Senior Life Insurance Settlements in the secondary market from Life Insurance Settlements Companies, which have existing relationships with managing general agents and life insurance agents/brokers active in this market. Management Although the Company will use third parties to perform many functions associated with the evaluation and purchase of the life insurance policies, it will provide oversight of many functions including the following: Insurance Policy Underwriting Medical Underwriting Purchasing Policies Tracking/Servicing Purchased Policies The management team of the Company has substantial expertise in life insurance, actuarial pricing, accounting, taxation, capital markets, and life insurance settlements. Investment Returns A sample of 500 Insured lives was used to determine the expected rates of return for investors, and the volatility of the returns. The Insured lives modeled ranged in ages from 65 to 89, with an average age of 75. The net face amount of policies to be purchased was $453.1 million, and the assumed purchase price was $115.9 million. Under the â€Å"base case† or â€Å"assumed case†, the return to investors was determined to be 19.0%. This anticipated rate of return is consistent with current pricing in the Senior Settlement market. In the assumed case scenario, an investor would recover 100% of the amount invested in 7.46 years. The average ex for the group of Insureds, at the time of the assumed purchase, was 8.428 years. The most significant issue with Senior Settlements is not the return of principal, but instead the duration over which returns will be earned. Therefore, the expected rates of return were calculated using variations in the assumed mortality of the pool of insured lives. Projected cash flows were calculated assuming future premium payments, death benefits and expenses, using mortality rates that vary from the assumed case. Assuming that the actual mortality in all years is 10% less than the expected, the rate of return would decrease to 17.66%, compared to 19.0% in the assumed case. Conversely, if mortality is 10% higher than the assumed case, the rate of return will increase to 20.28%. Extreme cases were also tested. Assuming actual mortality is 33% lower than pricing results in the rate of return decreasing to 14.37%, while the break point is 21.01 years. Assuming mortality is 33% higher than anticipated results in a return of 23.11% and a breakeven period of 5.72 years. The rates of return under these assumptions are reflected in the table below: The extreme mortality variation used a 33% lower mortality rate than assumed and represents two standard deviations in a sample comprised of 500 lives. The probability of the actual mortality rate being less than 33% is therefore approximately 2.5%. Conversely, the probability that mortality would ever exceed 33% above the expected would also equal 2.5%. Industry Regulation As with any insurance transaction, some state Departments of Insurance regulate life insurance settlements. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted model regulation in 1993 when the industry focus was limited to individuals with catastrophic or life threatening illnesses. The Model developed contract, license requirements, and other consumer protections to protect these specific policy sellers. This Model was adopted by only about half the states. As the business has evolved and expanded well beyond the scope of the early regulations, the NAIC and the individual states have modified and expanded statutes and regulations to include a broader definition of the policy seller provide protections to investors in the transactions and formalize the regulatory filing and reporting requirements. Regulatory activity by the NAIC and the states, especially those states that took no action on the original Model, is expected to accelerate as the industry grows. Principals Steven W. Fickes, F.S.A., M.A.A.A Steven is an actuary and has been involved in the insurance industry his entire career. Early in his career, he joined Tillinghast, the largest actuarial consulting firm, where he focused on reinsurance, mergers and acquisitions and taxation. He ultimately was made a Principal and headed the firm’s International Reinsurance and Life and Health Insurance Practices. He later formed his own actuarial practice specializing in innovative, highly structured reinsurance transactions and mergers and acquisitions. His involvement as a consultant on mergers and acquisitions led him to become a partner in a leveraged buyout firm that was involved in the acquisition of 15 insurance companies, with an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion. Steve has also been involved in several successful start-ups including the formation of a life insurance settlements firm. During 1995, he formed a $100 million private equity fund, which ultimately completed two major acquisitions. Prior to starting his own firm, Raedel in 2001, Steve was a partner at Deloitte Touche, where he led the firm’s international actuarial practice. During his tenure at Deloitte he worked with the American Cancer Society in developing a lending program for terminally ill cancer patients collateralized by their life insurance policies. Since resigning from Deloitte Touche, Steve has developed an extremely sophisticated insurance information database that has as its subscribers some the largest insurance companies in the US, major investment banks and mutual funds. At the same time, he has pursued various other entrepreneurial opportunities in the insurance sector. Ransom Jones, C.P.A. Ransom has over 30 years of experience working in the insurance industry with major multi-national companies in various areas including accounting and income tax consulting, asset/liability management, product development, asset securitization, mergers and acquisitions, financing, general management, consulting for troubled insurance companies and developing strategic direction. He has worked at American International Group, Citicorp, Goldman, Sachs Co., and was a partner at KPMG Peat Marwick. He has served as chief financial officer at two publicly traded companies and was president of a group of property and casualty insurance companies. For two years, Ransom worked with a start-up senior settlements company in developing its business plan and identifying financing opportunities. During his career, Mr. Jones has been very active in insurance industry affairs. For three years, he served on the NAIC’s Working Group on Emerging Issues which promulgates insurance regulatory accounting standards. He has served on various other NAIC committees. For three years, he was on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Life Companies Over many years, he has been a frequent speaker and author of articles related to the insurance industry. Research Papers on Alternative Investment Fund for Senior Life Insurance Settlements - Business (600 Level Course)Lifes What IfsMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesTwilight of the UAWAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Incorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalOpen Architechture a white paperAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XRiordan Manufacturing Production Plan

Free Essays on Tylenol Scare

In the fall on 1982, seven people died mysteriously around Chicago’s West Side. Officials determined that each person who died had ingested an Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule, a product of the Johnson & Johnson Company, laced with cyanide. The news of the Chicago deaths spread quickly and caused a nationwide panic with the public. These poisonings made it necessary for the Johnson & Johnson Company to launch a public relations program to restore a good image in both their product and their corporation as a whole. Public Relations is defined as â€Å"the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the public on whom its success or failure depends† (Broom, Center, Cutlip, 1). Keeping a good relationship with the public was exactly what the Johnson & Johnson Company tried to do. Officials of the company made it clear that the tampering of the Tylenol capsules had not taken place at its plants. A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson told the media of the company’s strict quality control and said that the poisonings could not have been performed in the plants. Because the cyanide laced Tylenol had been discovered in shipments from both of the company’s plants and had only been found in the Chicago area, authorities concluded that any tampering must have occurred once the Tylenol had reached Illinois. After the crisis, Johnson & Johnson faced a dilemma. They needed to find the bet way to deal with the tampering incident without destroying the reputation of their company and their most profitable product, Tylenol. The company immediately alerted consumers across the nation, via the media, not to buy or ingest any type of Tylenol product. They told consumers not to resume using the product until the extent of the tampering could be determined. Johnson & Johnson, along with stopping the production and advertising of Tylenol, recalled all Tylenol capsules from the ... Free Essays on Tylenol Scare Free Essays on Tylenol Scare In the fall on 1982, seven people died mysteriously around Chicago’s West Side. Officials determined that each person who died had ingested an Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule, a product of the Johnson & Johnson Company, laced with cyanide. The news of the Chicago deaths spread quickly and caused a nationwide panic with the public. These poisonings made it necessary for the Johnson & Johnson Company to launch a public relations program to restore a good image in both their product and their corporation as a whole. Public Relations is defined as â€Å"the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the public on whom its success or failure depends† (Broom, Center, Cutlip, 1). Keeping a good relationship with the public was exactly what the Johnson & Johnson Company tried to do. Officials of the company made it clear that the tampering of the Tylenol capsules had not taken place at its plants. A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson told the media of the company’s strict quality control and said that the poisonings could not have been performed in the plants. Because the cyanide laced Tylenol had been discovered in shipments from both of the company’s plants and had only been found in the Chicago area, authorities concluded that any tampering must have occurred once the Tylenol had reached Illinois. After the crisis, Johnson & Johnson faced a dilemma. They needed to find the bet way to deal with the tampering incident without destroying the reputation of their company and their most profitable product, Tylenol. The company immediately alerted consumers across the nation, via the media, not to buy or ingest any type of Tylenol product. They told consumers not to resume using the product until the extent of the tampering could be determined. Johnson & Johnson, along with stopping the production and advertising of Tylenol, recalled all Tylenol capsules from the ...

Biography of Charles Darwin

Biography of Charles Darwin Charles Darwin  (Feb. 12, 1809 to April 19, 1882) holds a unique place in history as the foremost proponent of the theory of evolution. Indeed, to this day, Darwin is the most famous evolution scientist and is credited with developing the theory of evolution through natural selection. While he lived a relatively quiet and studious life, his writings were controversial in their day and still routinely spark controversy. As an educated young man, he embarked on an astounding voyage of discovery aboard a Royal Navy ship. The strange animals and plants he saw in remote places inspired his deep thinking about how life might have developed. When he published his masterpiece, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, he profoundly shook the scientific world. Darwins influence on modern science is impossible to overstate. Fast Facts: Charles Darwin Occupation: Naturalist and BiologistKnown For: Creating the Theory of Evolution, also known as DarwinismBorn: Feb. 12, 1809  in Shrewsbury, United KingdomDied: April 19, 1882 in Downe, United KingdomEducation: Christs College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Bachelor of Arts, 1831; Master of Arts,1836Published Works: On the Origin of the Species, The Descent of Man, The Voyage of the BeagleSpouse: Emma WedgwoodChildren: William Erasmus, Anne Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor, Henrietta Emma (Etty), George Howard, Elizabeth, Francis, Leonard, Horace, Charles Waring   Early Life Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. His father was a medical doctor, and his mother was the daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Darwin’s mother died when he was 8, and he was essentially raised by older sisters. He was not a brilliant student as a child but went on to study at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, intending to become a doctor. Darwin took a strong dislike to medical education and eventually studied at Cambridge. He planned to become an Anglican minister before becoming intensely interested in botany. He received a degree in 1831. Voyage of the Beagle On the recommendation of a college professor, Darwin was accepted to travel on the second voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. The ship was embarking on a scientific expedition to South America and islands of the South Pacific, leaving in late December 1831. The Beagle returned to England nearly five years later, in October 1836. Darwins position on the ship was peculiar. A former captain of the vessel had become despondent during a long scientific voyage because, it was assumed, he had no intelligent person to converse with while at sea. The British Admiralty thought that sending an intelligent young gentleman along on a voyage would serve a combined purpose: He could study and make records of discoveries while also providing intelligent companionship for the captain. Darwins famous journey allowed him time to study natural specimens from across the globe and collect some to study back in England. He also read books by Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus, which influenced his early thoughts on evolution. In all, Darwin spent more than 500 days at sea and about 1,200 days on land during the trip. He studied plants, animals, fossils, and geological formations and wrote his observations in a series of notebooks. During long periods at sea, he organized his notes. Upon returning to England, Darwin married his first cousin Emma Wedgwood and began years of researching and cataloging his specimens. At first, Darwin was reluctant to share his findings and ideas about evolution. It wasnt until 1854 that he collaborated with Alfred Russel Wallace to jointly present the idea of evolution and natural selection. The two men were scheduled to present jointly to the Linnaean Society meeting in 1858. However, Darwin decided to not attend as one of his children was gravely ill. (The child died shortly thereafter.) Wallace also did not attend the meeting due to other conflicts. Their research was nevertheless presented by others at the conference, and the scientific world was intrigued by their findings. Early Writings and Influences Three years after returning to England, Darwin published Journal of Researches, an account of his observations during the expedition aboard the Beagle. The book was an entertaining account of Darwins scientific travels and was popular enough to be published in successive editions. Darwin also edited five volumes titled Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle, which contained contributions by other scientists. Darwin himself wrote sections dealing with the distribution of animal species and geological notes on fossils he had seen. The voyage on the Beagle was, of course, a highly significant event in Darwin’s life, but his observations on the expedition were hardly the only influence on the development of his theory of natural selection. He was also greatly influenced by what he was reading. In 1838 Darwin read an Essay on the Principle of Population, which the British philosopher Thomas Malthus had written 40 years earlier. The ideas of Malthus helped Darwin refine his own notion of survival of the fittest. Malthus had been writing about overpopulation and discussed how some members of society were able to survive difficult living conditions. After reading Malthus, Darwin continued collecting scientific samples and data, eventually spending 20 years refining his own thoughts on natural selection. Publication of His Masterpiece Darwin’s reputation as a naturalist and geologist had grown throughout the 1840s and 1850s, yet he had not revealed his ideas about natural selection widely. Friends urged him to publish them in the late 1850s. And it was the publication of an essay by Wallace expressing similar thoughts that encouraged Darwin to write a book setting out his own ideas. In November 1859, Darwin published the book that secured his place in history, On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection. Darwin knew his views would be controversial, especially with those who believed heavily in religion, as he was somewhat of a spiritual man himself. His first edition of the book did not talk extensively about human evolution but did hypothesize that there was a common ancestor for all life. It wasnt until much later when he published The Descent of Man that Darwin really delved into how humans had evolved. This book was probably the most controversial of all his works. Darwins work instantly became famous and revered by scientists across the globe and his theories had an almost immediate impact upon religion, science, and society at large. Darwin was not the first person to propose that plants and animals adapt to circumstances and evolve over eons of time. But his book put forth his hypothesis in an accessible format and led to controversy. Later Life and Death On the Origin of Species was published in several editions, with Darwin periodically editing and updating material in the book. He also wrote a few more books on the topic in the remaining years of his life. While the scientific and religious communities debated his works, Darwin lived a quiet life in the English countryside, content to conduct botanical experiments. He came to be highly respected, regarded as a grand old man of science. Darwin died on April 19, 1882, and was honored by being buried in Westminster Abbey in London. At the time of his death, Darwin was hailed as a national hero.

Industrial Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Industrial - Research Paper Example This would be a very secure measure if in fact the key was not simply placed inside the top drawer of the desk. The key is not labeled, but anyone who found it could easily deduce that it would be to unlock the file cabinet. This is a breakdown of the original control measure for this workstation. The workstation also has displays of important phone numbers and contact information for staff members within our department. These are posted on the walls of the cubicle within the workstation and are easily used to reference who to contact and what phone numbers and email addresses to contact them at. The company logo is also placed on the monitor and CPU of the computer in the workstation to show ownership as well as institute a sense of pride for the company. Therefore, the logo in this circumstance is also considered to be a symbol for the company and the workstation. This logo is always made available on all documents and equipment; hence, the logo is also printed on a sticker which i s found on the top of the printer in the workstation. Overall, the workstation is equipped to perform the functions that are desired by the company and its supervisors. References Understanding internal controls. (2009). Retrieved from http:// www.ucop.edu/ctlacct/under-ic.pdf

Determination of conductance of various solutions Assignment

Determination of conductance of various solutions - Assignment Example 4. From the data collected in the experiment, the following have been classified as either strong acid, weak acid, strong base or weak base. HCL- strong acid HNO3- strong acid KOH- strong base CH3CO2H- weak acid NH3- weak base 5. KNO3, Ca (NO3)2, Al (NO3)2, HNO3. All these compounds have the same anion i.e. NO3- but differ only in the cation present. This difference brings about the difference in their conductance. The differences arise due to the difference in mobility of the various cations. All those metals plus hydrogen have different mobility in aqueous form, therefore, will conduct electric current differently. 6. The conductance of KCl is 660Â µS while that of KNO3 is 2.9mS. These two values differ due to the conductance contributed by nitrate and chloride ions to the total conductance of the solution. Therefore based on the same principle NaNO3 is expected to have a higher conductance than NaCl. 7. From the conductance of KCl, HCl, and HNO3 the conductance of KNO3 can be calculated as: LKNO3 = LKCl+ LHNO3 - LHCl LKNO3 = 0.66mS+8.6mS-8.1mS LKNO3 = 1.16mS. 8. a) The conductance value for tap water was 0.2mS signifying that it was a weak electrolyte. Therefore it did not contain any ionic impurities since they would have given a higher conductance value. b) The tap water could have contained molecular impurities which were responsible for the small conductance recorded. These impurities partially dissolved in the aqueous solution and hence recorded the small conductance value observed.

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

Asssignment - Essay Example While the archaeologist focuses on the study of material objects to learn about human behavior, the ethnologist concentrates on the study of human behavior as it can be see, experienced and discussed with those whose culture is to be understood. Fundamental to Cintron’s approach is descriptive ethnography. Ethnography is the systematic description of culture based on firsthand observation. Whenever possible, the ethnologist becomes ethnographer by going to live among the people under study. He started the book by sharing a story regarding the collection baskets inside the church. (Page 1). A drunken man entered the house of God and made his way towards halfway to the altar while kneeling and uttering his prayers due to his remorseful state. The churchgoers were surprised with the scenario including the author himself. The commotion and somewhat disturbance of the ongoing religious gathering, the men who wielded the baskets picked up the drunken man and led him outside the church away from the churchgoers who politely and dutifully give donations thru the collection baskets. Aware of his experiences and knowledge, Cintron considers his book as the emptying of the basket (page 3). He stated that he had done his part of wielding the collection basket to people for him to gain insights and thoughts regarding their lives as well as the culture that they dwell in. This collection of reality was organized and documented by Cintron to be able to come up with a well-thought of book that will share the experiences of the people that he interacted with during the wielding of the basket. Cintron wanted to emphasize how ethos is bound up with logos. In other words, the rational argument does not necessarily persuade when reason is made pure. The pure kind of rationality does not exist outside the soup of human affairs. The author stated his Puerto Rican heritage. He was raised in Texas and his parents are both Puerto Ricans. His father was a

Opinion Editorial Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Opinion Editorial Paper - Essay Example Whereas college education is also needed in the work industry, the same faces danger of extinction with the increasing number of university graduates who become potential candidates for college based professions. Therefore, this paper seeks to discuss the claim that college education has been sidelined in the work industry Whereas a sizeable part of the population has already obtained at least a degree academic level, jobs available for graduates are becoming rare and more competitive. One of the viable alternatives is to empower academically and technically, lower academic persons to equip them with profound skills necessary to handle job opportunities in this category. Our broad economy needs to have a diverse system of incorporating all sorts of skills in the market since not all professionals need a college education. This can be done by increasing the salaries involved of the workers in this category. Mostly, these jobs needs people with less educational skills but have an abili ty to perform in the labor market. It is upon the government to evaluate and come up with a better education schemes and policy that will incorporate this system of education (Mishel, 2012). The question whether college education is for everyone has remained as a controversial question in most societies. Arguments constructed from intellectual point of view are biased towards acquisition of college education. People working in real working environment will argue that their college education has little or no significance to the work they do in their workplace. In such cases, people argue that they had to learn new skills in order to fit into their current work environment despite having gone through relevant education. Although college education is important in the work place, it is not sufficient. This is because the success of college graduate is measured by their success in the job market. In most cases, the relevance of a course will be measured with reference to the number of em ployed graduate and the amount of their earnings. Various measurements also include the duration within which college graduate stays without acquiring employment. According to most of such measurements, college education plays a less significant role in determining the success of a college graduate in the job market. It is important to appreciate that college students represent an important part of the society. Indeed, their role in the work industry cannot be underestimated. there are many jobs particularly demanding college level qualifications. However, employers are certainly tempted to employ highly qualified university students for the same jobs because of the competition. This implies that college education may become useless with time. A time will come when college education will just be a formality and not a lifetime investment. Ideally, college education focuses on how things ought to be with little or no emphasis on how thing work out in the real job environment. The emph asis on the theoretical aspect of college education is the sources of disconnection between college education and the real work environment. The disconnection can however, be minimized by creating a more practical-based education than a theoretical based education. In such case, colleges will train their students on how to apply knowledge acquired through their studies more than how to acquire the knowledge (Juhl 3). Due to the

There is no set topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

There is no set topic - Essay Example Goodman Brown’s decision to come to the forest and meet with the devil is, on the one hand, mystical and, on the other hand, courageous. The major concern of the man is not the fact of meeting itself, but the thought of how others would think of him after that. Religious beliefs of Goodman Brown are interesting from psychological perspective, because this faith is based on his conviction that people around him are also religious. Unfortunately, protagonist’s faith is too weak and can be easily influenced by other people. Therefore, when a man gets to know that his close people like father, wife, grandfather, Goody Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, the minister are in friendship with devil, he makes up his mind to join the majority as well. People who joined devil used to be pious and respected in their village. Thus, Goodman Brown does not even question rightfulness of his decision concerning religious and faith matters. The protagonist simply does the same as everyone he knows we ll. Being inherently corrupted Goodman Brown is destined to lose his innocence, which is a symbol of transgression from the God’s world into the world of devil. From the very beginning it was Goodman Brown’s choice to go to the forest and meet with the devil. No one tells him to do so. Such an order of events is very convenient to the devil and he even facilitates Goodman Brown in his decision.

The Last Temptation of Christ Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Last Temptation of Christ - Essay Example The plot of the movie revolves around the life of Jesus Christ, who moves through his life, fearful of the cross that he is destined to bear. He is given solace and encouragement by his friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot who finally betrays him at his own request. Jesus is constantly fearful and at one point in the movie, he terms fear to be the driving force of the actions that he performs or refuses to perform. Jesus’s social role is talked of in the movie, but as pointed out by the film critic Roger Ebert, the movie is more about the â€Å"inner struggle† that Christ goes through rather than his position as an individual in the society (Ebert). While on the cross, Jesus is tempted to accept the offer of the devil in the guise of a guardian angel. He relents, but the viewer later gets to know that the entire passage was a hallucination, a temptation that Christ is able to overcome as he dies on the cross for the sake of mankind. The social mores of this age are portr ayed accurately in the film. However, the director, Martin Scorsese deviates from the historical accuracies where it suits his artistic purpose. The Jesus that we see in the movie is in keeping with the tradition of the Anglo-Saxon Jesus. This can be seen as an attempt on the part of the director to cast Christ in the mould of a modernist hero who grapples with his own subjectivity. On a close analysis of the movie influences of characters from modernist fiction can be found. Even though one may be able to believe that the other characters are of Israeli origin, it is difficult to believe that of Willem Dafoe. The racial belonging of the other characters too is historically accurate and they infuse a sense of authenticity to the proceedings of the movie. The practice of stoning prostitutes that is depicted in the movie too is an accurate depiction of history. This practiced was consistent with the manner in which gender operated in ancient Rome (the Roman Empire). In these societies , there existed the hypocrisy of the practice of visiting prostitutes who were at the same time, vilified and cast in a bad light. Their occupation was frowned upon; however, as is seen from the number of clients that Mary Magdalene has in the scene where Jesus goes to visit her, their existence was known to everybody. Codes of sexuality in the movie are also accurately shown and Mary Magdalene is able to lead a normal family life only after she is married in a traditional manner to Jesus. One of the most controversial scenes of the movie is the one where Jesus and Mary Magdalene are making love. This, according to the social mores of the period in which this movie is set in, would be completely acceptable, since it is post-marital. This only heightens the level of the hypocrisy that is indulged in by the people of this society when they visit a prostitute. The social position of inferiority that was assigned to women is also obvious from such a depiction. This is again, a historica lly accurate description. The position of women in ancient Rome was not a very high or respectable one. This was especially true in the case of the classes of people who did not belong to the ruling classes. This is the class that Jesus belonged to and this is again obvious from the social customs that he believes in and practices throughout the movie. The historical accuracy that is maintained in these situations enables the viewer of this movie to identify with Christ as a human and not

There is no set topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

There is no set topic - Essay Example Goodman Brown’s decision to come to the forest and meet with the devil is, on the one hand, mystical and, on the other hand, courageous. The major concern of the man is not the fact of meeting itself, but the thought of how others would think of him after that. Religious beliefs of Goodman Brown are interesting from psychological perspective, because this faith is based on his conviction that people around him are also religious. Unfortunately, protagonist’s faith is too weak and can be easily influenced by other people. Therefore, when a man gets to know that his close people like father, wife, grandfather, Goody Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, the minister are in friendship with devil, he makes up his mind to join the majority as well. People who joined devil used to be pious and respected in their village. Thus, Goodman Brown does not even question rightfulness of his decision concerning religious and faith matters. The protagonist simply does the same as everyone he knows we ll. Being inherently corrupted Goodman Brown is destined to lose his innocence, which is a symbol of transgression from the God’s world into the world of devil. From the very beginning it was Goodman Brown’s choice to go to the forest and meet with the devil. No one tells him to do so. Such an order of events is very convenient to the devil and he even facilitates Goodman Brown in his decision.

Gentrification and how it is affected by Racism Essay

Gentrification and how it is affected by Racism - Essay Example The scenario now known as gentrification is a growing trend today and a headache for the policymakers. This entry of the rich into the urban centers is even changing the culture of these centers. Gentrification is bringing a lot of pain and even fuelling conflicts in many cities. Dimensions in which gentrification takes place are into demographics characterized by increased income and even differentiation along racial lines (Grant). A racism class cannot be complete without learning about gentrification. For years, this has been a very sensitive issue. For years, racism against the blacks and the Asian immigrants has been taking place. According to Jones (p3) gentrification is a class welfare with an aspect of racism in it. Therefore, in learning racism, there is need to learn about gentrification. This topic helps me as an art student understand what racism is all about and what forms racism takes in the society. San Francisco has long struggled to meet housing needs. Policies in San Francisco in the past have always limited the owners of the rental units from raising rents. The result in San Francisco was a low to high fault evictions. These evictions were mostly due to legitimate reason such as improving safety of the old buildings built in the World War I. In the wake of gentrification over the year, property owners are now abusing policies in order to undermine these rent control laws in order to convert the rental properties into higher valued properties. As a result, the low-income and middle-income citizens are being pushed out of the areas they have grown in and moving to other neighbour hoods in the city. (Stover, p5) Another form of gentrification has been in the form of technology. Luxury buses provided for the technology professionals of Valley companies such as Google and Apple are blocking regular buses, and this does not sit well with the locals. (Stover, p8) Another form of gentrification brought about by

John Stuart Mill Essay Example for Free

John Stuart Mill Essay â€Å"Actions are right in the proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.† John Stuart Mill utilitarianism, 1863 Utilitarians founder Jeremy Bentham has a famous formulation that is know as the â€Å"greatest-happiness principle†. The definition of this is â€Å"the ethical principle that an action is right in so far as it promotes the greatest happiness of the greatest number of those affected†. Central Beliefs: There are seven thoughts guiding them. These are 1.They want to think about the future 2.They want to leave the part of land they live on the same or even better than before 3. They want a better world where everyone is happy and think if themselves on how to make themselves happy and also how to make other people happy 4.They want right and wrong to be a bit easier. They do not want list to rule their lives. They say that if the Ten Commandments should only be obeyed if it increases their happiness and if they don’t they will not obey them 5.They do not want to talk to much about whether certain prefences are better than others eg. Opera vs. mud wrestling, or homosexuality vs. heterosexuality. 6.They will think of their own happiness, but other people’s happiness counts greatly. They would sacrifice their own happiness if they have to make someone else happy. 7.Do not limit their thinking to human ‘people’. Seek for a happier world where the satisfied preferences of humans and animals are maximised. â€Å"Utilitarianism is a way of facing moral issues without God† Gene Edward Veith, JNR. â€Å"Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning; truth and beauty can’t† Aldous Huxley Objections that has being raised. Which have Christian roots 1.Utilitarianism can be unjust 2.Can be irresponsible 3.Can miscalculate 4.Can become shortsighted 5.Can lose their ‘integrity’ 6.Can be self-deceiving 7.Consequentialism destroys trust 8.Can be cruel and empty Consequentialism is rejected outright. These limits include such things as: 1.Christian Fellowships must not be damage (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) 2. Certain lifestyles are always wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9-10,18) 3.Sneaky methods of evangelism are unacceptable (2 Corinthians 4:2,6:3) 4.Worship of false gods is never an option (1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 6:16) 5.Truth must never be violated (2 Corinthians 13:8) ‘Utilitarianism is a teleological or consequentialist moral theory, holding that rightness of actions is a function of the consequences, â€Å" the greatest good for the greatest number.†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ There are many types of utilitarianism here are some 1.Hedonistic- â€Å"advocating the maximization of pleasure and avoidance of pain.† 2.G.E Moore’s agathistic utilitarianism, ‘promoting but refusing to anyalyze â€Å"the good† 3.Eudaimonistic utilitarianism, â€Å"maximizing happiness.† 4.Rule utilitarianism â€Å"concerns itself with general moral rules that you should follow when making decisions.† 5.Act utilitarianism or Case utilitarianism, â€Å"requires each case to be taken individually and appropriate calculations made for each one of them.† 6.Two-level utilitarianism, â€Å"Level one is using Rule Utilitarianism (based on our intuitions) because it is efficient (in both time and effect). Level two however is using Act Utilitarianism when a situation requires more thought and more critical reflection.† Their have a calculus in order to objectively calculate the more moral action in a given situation. The calculus requires you to calculate and rank the following 7 criteria out of a maximum value 1.Intensity – â€Å"how much happiness will result out of the action.† 2.Certainty – â€Å"what is the likelihood that the pleasure will actually arise.† 3.Duration – â€Å"how long will the pleasure last for.† 4.Purity – â€Å"what is the probability that any resulting pain will lead to more pain?† 5. Extent – â€Å"how many people will the pleasure affect?† 6. Fecundity – â€Å"what is the probability that any resulting pleasure will lead to even more pleasure?† 7.Propinquity – â€Å"how far off is the pleasure?† [6. and 7. were added by later philosophers]

Levels Of Pollution In The Brisbane River Environmental Sciences Essay

Levels Of Pollution In The Brisbane River Environmental Sciences Essay River Brisbane is the longest river in the southeast Queensland of Australia. It originated from the foothills of the great dividing and flows through Brisbane city before releasing its water into Moreton bay. The river was named after Thomas Brisbane, New South Wales Governor, by John Oxley in 1823. The river provided and still provides a main form of transport between the city of Brisbane and Sydney. Before the European settlement Brisbane River was very clean and unpolluted. It was then used as a source of food and also for recreational purposes. For quite a long time the growth and settlement of people around river Brisbane has adversely affected the quality of its water as well as the life that it supports (Straughan 1972 p.93). As the town of Brisbane grew the river became very unclear and polluted and by 1928 the water quality had deteriorated to the extent that it was not safe even for bath. However the government of Australia decided to protect the river from pollution and by adopting antipollution acts as well as educating the public on the importance of protecting the environment. The river was used the source for agricultural water and also provided sand used in the construction around the growing city. The river faced so many risks of pollution from the growing industries and from the waster vessels that transported petroleum products and other substances. Nitrogen from sewage treatment and phosphorous from industrial discharge as well as other metals, were and still are among the main pollutants (MacKey, Hodgkinson Nardella 1992). However the data taken on the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the river shows that the efforts of protecting the river have bared some fruits. In 2000 the average nitrogen levels were about 2.2mg/l while in 2009 the average level had dropped to 0.5mg/l. A graph plotted for both nitrogen and phosphorous show a decrease in their concentr ation in the river. Introduction For more than 400 million years now, the Brisbane River has been flowing. Its catchments have endured a number of floods and droughts seasons while its origins have continuously shifted as the surrounding land kept changing from time to time. In 1823 when John Oxley entered River Brisbane for the first time, the river was very clean and unpolluted. After a while Oxley realized that the river could be used as a new site for new settlement and through his suggestion, the city of Brisbane was developed alongside the River in 1825. The Brisbane River, whose origin is at the base of Great Dividing Range, has a catchment area of about 30,000km square and it releases its water into the bay of Moreton (National Library of Australia 1988). The once pure water of Brisbane was mostly used for drinking and for recreational purposes like swimming and the like. However as the city of Brisbane developed, industries started growing in it. At that time industries took the river as an efficient and cheap point for waste disposal. The Brisbane River was the only means of transport between Brisbane town and Sydney until when the road links were established. This river has for long been the most important asset for of Brisbane city as its still used for transportation, recreational and relaxation purposes. For the better part of the twentieth century, this river has been polluted and overused as its basin provided grazing grounds as well as fertile lands for agriculture (Institution of Engineers, Australia, 1986). According to AsiaRooms.com, the river basin also provided suitable catchment areas which could be used for damming purposes. The river presented several advantages which for the town and its people but the people exploited these advantages so carelessly such that self reparation appeared unfeasible. Today the Brisbane River has undergone considerable modifications to meet the requirements of the citys population which is increasing. Through diverse public awareness on the need to protect the environment, the river has gained significant political support in form of anti-pollution acts and policies that were adopted by the government (Doyle Kellow 1995 p.180). Currently the duty of checking pollution levels and water quality of river Brisbane is currently on the Queensland parliament. The parliament has so far made a lot of progress in its efforts of maintaining the quality of the river by establishing two anti-pollution acts. These acts comprise the 1971; Clean Waters Act and the Pollution of Waters by Oil of 1973. Due to the current public awareness on environmental protection and by the help of these acts, the quality of River Brisbane has significantly improved although its not yet at the safe levels. According to Doyle Kellow (1995), the River is currently supporting a population of 2 million people while transport and industries and still dependent on the river, which then helps to understand why its pollution level is still above the safe levels (p.180). The aim of this essay is to give a report on the levels of pollution of Brisbane River from the year 2001 to 2010. For the 150 years that the Europeans have occupation the region, River Brisbane has seen a number of modifications. The river has survived waves of exploration including agriculture, grazing, urbanization and settlement, etc. the urbanization and settlement required flood mitigation strategies and water storage for drinking purposes (Straughan 1972 p.94). Shipping channels and flood prevention measures also needed to be taken as the river was the main means of transport between the city and Sydney. Sand dredging along the river has been the main activity as sand was highly needed for construction in the city. Between the year 1900 and 1970 approximately 12 million cubic meters of sand were extracted from the banks of River Brisbane. Extraction reached its peak latter in mid 70s when about 1.45 million cubic meters of sand were being extracted annually. The extraction later dropped to 1 million per year and eventually ceased in 1996/7. The riches of the river between mt Crosby and Wivehoe are most pleasing aesthetically because of their cool atmosphere. Between Jindalee and mt. Crosby the river widens and then flows through rural and residential areas. In this area pollution by human beings is very evident and likely. Currently the Brisbane port is accountable for extraction of sand in the lower reaches of the river so as to maintain deep channels for water vessels. This long time dredging has considerably deepened the river hence making its banks quite unstable (Olafson 1978). Strong urban development has been evident throughout the city and on the south bank reach. As this river proceeds towards the Pinkenba, commercial and industrial areas dominate while further down from Murarie to the mouth, the river passes through mangrove lined region which is dominated by commercial shipping activity (MacKey, Hodgkinson Nardella 1992 p 418-420). The speed of water in this region is often determined by season. In this region the river reaches its highest flow speed during summer when there is high rainfall while the minimum flow is in winter when rainfall is minimal. Due to the slow flow of water in this region, there is likelihood of pollutants accumulation and overall deterioration of water quality. However this accumulation of pollutants can be cleaned by the release of water from storage dams situated in the river upstream. Wivenhoe and Somerset dams release certain amounts of water that are satisfactory to the water needs of the people of Brisbane. These two dams enable a more even water flow throughout the year thus maintaining and improving the qu ality of water in the river. The dams are also used as a means for flood prevention by reducing water flow from the range. Analysis of the past and current pollutants of river Brisbane According to Connell Shaw (1980), the major sources of pollutants of the river comprise the many large scale discharge points where wastes from industries and treatment plants discharge into the river (p.356-358). Currently the discharge from sewage is treated to a safer secondary standard with only a small portion of it being left in the primary standard. The small portion of primary standard sewage discharged into river Brisbane does not only contribute considerably to the toxicant load in the river but also to the nutrient load and increased demand for oxygen. This pollution leads to the contamination of fish and other aquatic life by such substances. Sewage discharge around the city of Brisbane is usually chlorinated hence causing a negative impact to the river. The most common discharges to river Brisbane resulted from the highly industrialized section of the river. The city of Brisbane has two main treatment plants for waste water as well as Gibson Island on the Southside and a luggage point on the North side both of which are found at the industrialized section of the river. Moreover River Brisbane faces other risks of pollution from the BP and Caltex oil refineries which discharge into the river discharge streams from potentially contaminated areas. Other discharges into the river such as runoff from the urban and industrial parts, and from upstream parts of the catchment, discharge substantial toxic pollutants into the river (Wong Tam 2005). Sometimes accidents occur resulting to spills of petroleum and insecticides among other substances. This often results to contamination of the river leading to fish death and other water lives. For instance in April 1998, a tanker known as Barrington was docked at White Island in Brisbane collided with a local boat named Austral Salvor. This accident resulted to a spill of 8 tonnes of heavy fuel into the river. Conclusion In order to recommend any possible measures that can help improve the quality of River Brisbane one must understand the past and the current pollutions characteristics of the river. In this paper, the pollution analysis of river Brisbane is based on the data provided by Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management. Nitrogen and phosphorous which are the main pollutants of the river have been measured and their levels in the river minimized. Nitrogen is found in fertilizers and it usually reaches the river when rain water passes through agricultural fields where fertilizer has been applied. Its also produced during sewage treatment processes. Phosphorous is produced in the waste treatment plants in Brisbane and from confined livestock operations. According to Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (1997), both nitrogen and phosphorous are can be harmful and toxic to aquatic life since their enhance growth of aquatic plants which then depletes the water of oxygen hence posing d anger to fish and other organisms (p.35). The graph below shows the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in River Brisbane from the year 2000 to 2009. The concentration of these pollutants was measured in milligrams per litre of water. Fig.1 graph of nitrogen and phosphorous concentration against years From the graph we see that in 2000 the level of nitrogen in river Brisbane was quite high with more than 2mg of nitrogen in every litre of water. However due to the extensive public awareness and the anti-pollution measures taken by the government these levels reduced drastically between 2000/1 to below 1.5 mg/l. the downward trend in decrease of nitrogen continued until 2008 when the average level was about 0.5 mg/l. in 2009 the levels appeared to be rising again which shows that the government as well as the general public of Brisbane may have relaxed in its efforts to maintaining the quality of the river. On the other hand phosphorous levels have been low all through with level of below 0.4mg/l in 2000. The phosphorous levels have also shown a general downward trend and show a likely hood of reaching zero levels within the next few years if the same trend is maintained. The analysis of the past and the present pollution situations of river Brisbane indicate the government as well as the local authorities have done tremendous work in controlling the water quality of the river. If the efforts are maintained, the river will reach its old clean levels within a few years.

Essay --

The story of â€Å"Unwind† revolves around three main characters that are all scheduled to be sent to a harvest camp and unwound. Connor is a sixteen year whose family believes that he has caused too much trouble in society. Risa is a ward of the state, and due to budget cuts, is too expensive to be kept in the program. Lev is tithe, and individual that has been born with the purpose of being unwound. Connor one day discovers an unwind order in the house and decides to run away. With the help of an honest truck driver, Connor manages to slip away. However, Connor keeps his cell phone and the tracker inside gets him caught. The police attempt to arrest Connor but he resists arrest, runs through the traffic on the road, and grabs a tithed to use as a human shield. This event in turn causes a bus full of state home wards to spin out of control and overturn. Risa is one of the individual on that buss. Risa, Connor, and Lev all run into the woods. The next morning, while the thre e are gathering supplies such as food and clothes, they come across a storked baby on the door step. Due to past experiences, Connor decides to put all three of them in risk and decides to pick up the baby while a police car slowly passes nearby. Risa, Connor, Lev and the baby all get onto the school bus in hopes of not being suspected by the police car. Once they arrive at the school, they find the nearest bathroom and hide in it with the baby. Lev sees this as an opportunity to escape. As a tithe, he believes that it is an honor to live with the purpose of being unwound, so he finds his way to the school office and turns himself and Connor and Risa in. He then asks for a call, and calls his pastor, who to Lev’s surprise informs him that his face was purposely k... ... who explode inside of the unwinding facility. Lev wants to do the same, but changes his mind, saves Connor, and confesses to the police. Connor wakes up in a hospital and is informed that he was the unwilling recipient new eye and a hand that evidently belonged to Roland. The nurse also gives Connor a fake ID to save him from being unwound. Risa is left paralyzed from the waist down because her band was playing when the clappers exploded, but she refuses treatment because cripples cannot be unwound. Lev is also saved. The explosive liquid is being taken out from his blood stream and his uncle is applying for guardianship. Risa and Connor take over the admiral’s job because the admiral is too weak after his heart attack. Because the admiral did not want a heart of an unwound, his heart only function 25% of its full potential. However, he is still alive and well.

Cell Phones & Classrooms Essay

Cell phones are a relatively recent invention, but they have greatly improved our way of life. School-age children are now starting to get their own phones at earlier times, and with them obtaining their phones, they start to carry their phones everywhere; so therefore, there is a risk of the children using their phones during school. Now, one would think that this is something that should be punished, but in reality, it opens many doors for education and educators. Cell Phones should be allowed in class because of how much of an effect they would have on students, teachers, and school systems. Computers are very costly, and with the introduction of cell phones in the classroom, schools would not have to pay money for new computers. Spotsylvania County Schools are in somewhat of an economic downturn, and if no computers were bought, and students were allowed to use cell phones, then the County’s technology expenses would decrease. Cell phones cost less than computers, and no keyboards or mice need to be bought, saving even more money. Students and parents would pay for their own phones, lifting the burden off of the schools. Money is hard for most people and schools to come by in this day and age, and letting the students have their cell phones in class would allow the school system to spend more money on and fund more useful things, such as teachers and sports teams. Phones are more reasonable to have than large, bulky desktop computers. Desktops are becoming outdated and unnecessary because of how many pieces are necessary to be brought for the whole computer. Phones are just one piece small and light, making them extremely portable, unlike the colossal computers that the schools have. As a cause of this, it would make it easier for students to take their work home and do research, just because of how conveyable and convenient the phones are. With the implementation of phones in the classroom, it would render the desktop useless, saving the schools a large amount of money. Many people think that schools should ban cell phones completely, but that is just not true. What the people don’t understand is that the students can and will use their phones for educational purposes. There are now apps, such as Dropbox, that allow students to sync folders containing documents on their computers to their phones, which is an ultimately successful way to use the phone. People who oppose this also think that the phones wouldn’t be cost effective. If one compares the average price for a computer, around or above $700, and the average price for a smart phone, around $200, they can see that it is actually much more cost effective. No peripherals for the phones need to be purchased either, unlike for the computers. Some people think that cell phones are a bad thing, but when one looks at the effects it has on things, such as saving money and useful resources. Cell phones, at this time, are a very controversial topic, whether being used while driving or in the classroom. Cell phones are much more cost effective than computers. Cell phones are also infinitely more portable than desktop computers. The ability of students being able to have phones would allow them to see new things that change the way they think about life. Cell phones should be allowed in the schools because of the ultimate positive effect that they would have on the educators, students, and the overall school system.

Living Life to It’s Fullest

â€Å"Begin at once to live and count each separate day as a separate life. † At times, it’s seemed as though life contains an endless supply of days. When I was younger, I thought this for sure. It didn’t matter how long I held a grudge, or how long I waited to do something I wanted—there would be an unlimited pool of other opportunities. At least that’s what I thought back then. Maybe it’s a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood: the moment when you realize life happens now, and that’s all you’re guaranteed. It doesn’t really hit you when you merely know it intellectually, like you know your ABCs, state capitals, and other concrete facts.It hits you when somehow you feel it. Your health declines. You lose someone you love. A tragedy rocks your world. It isn’t until you realize that all life fades that you consider now a commodity and a scarce one at that. But maybe that’s irrelevant. Maybe living a m eaningful, passionate life has nothing to do with its length and everything to do with its width. So, i have created this list with a few tips to live life to it's fullest!!! 1. Live in the moment. Forget the past and don’t concern yourself with the future. 2. Fully embrace the now, no matter what the situation. 3. Do the things you love. 4.Learn to forgive and embrace unconditional love. 5. Live every day as if it’s your last, embracing each experience as if it’s your first. 6. Believe in â€Å"live and let live. † 7. Use quiet reflection, honesty, and laughter. 8. Be other-centered. 9. Find calm in making art. 10. Focus on today and how you can do your best to live it to the fullest. 11. Participate in life instead of just watching it pass you by. 12. Stay healthy, eat right and most importantly, be kind to all. 13. Pray, forgive yourself, appreciate others, listen to your gut, do things you enjoy, and remind yourself that we are all loved and connected . Sandra Lumb) 14. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 15. Question everything, keep it simple, and help whenever and however you can. 16. Try to enjoy every minute of every day. 17. Appreciate life’s every second. 18. Step through new doors. The majority of the time there’s something fantastic on the other side. 19. Remember that all is a gift, but the most precious of all gifts is life and love. 20. Keep your spirit free, be flexible, let go. 21. â€Å"Do one thing every day that scares you. † 22. Don’t attach to outcomes. 23. Spend as much time with a two year old as possible. 4. Enjoy each and every moment of life. Every day is a new challenge and opportunity to discover something new. 25. Budget travel. It is always an adventure! You get to enjoy what fate has to offer with limited means. 26. Be honestly thankful for every breath you take. 27. Just be. 28. â€Å"Trust yourself. Trust your own strengths. † 29. Pause momentarily before everythin g you do so that you notice everything you should or could notice. (Scott Hutchinson) 30. Follow your hopes and not your fears. What have you done today to live life to the fullest?

Port Aventura

————————————————- CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM To:| Fernando Aldecoa| From:| | Date:| | Re:| Port aventura| ————————————————- ————————————————- Executive Summary Port Aventura was launched in 1995 and since that time has transformed from a theme park to an all-encompassing resort. Due to this change, management now requires the ability to identify and target individual customers, as opposed to statistical averages of broad groups. One-to-one communication will allow for customized marketing packages and the ability to maximize revenues.However, information management systems currently in place are not capable of tracking customers to the degree needed to supp ort a one-to-one marketing approach. Therefore, it is the recommendation of Nielsen consulting that Port Aventura implements a data warehouse to facilitate the required analytics to determine who their customer is. ————————————————- Problem Identification Port Aventura is poised with the problem of having insufficient information and data on their individual customers.Seeing as the customer base is comprised of vastly different groups, it is imperative that Port Aventura take the time to identify who their customers are and what their individual profiles look like in an attempt to not only better serve customer requests, but also maximize park profits. Accurate and detailed information such as favorite restaurants, spending patterns, hotel stays and park activity preferences will allow Port Aventura to market to individual customers wants and needs on a one-to-one basis. T he lack of customer information is due to inadequate information management processes and systems.Port Aventura does not currently have the infrastructure needed to properly collect and manage large amounts of customer data or the ability to strategically analyze that information. Multiple small information systems are collecting high level data, but these systems are not integrated nor do they provide the level of detail required for successful one-to-one customer marketing. ————————————————- Evaluative Criteria Collect Individual Customer Preferences The desired solution must be able to present a concise snapshot of individual customers preferences based on past behaviours.Examples of required information include: * Frequency, seasonality, and duration of a customer’s visit * Did the customer stay in one of the hotels, and if so which one and what type of room * I s the customer visiting for business or pleasure or a combination of the two * Which park activities did the customer partake in; golf, amusement rides, beach club, shows, water park, corporate events * How much does the customer spend and what are the funds being spent on * What is the social-economic attributes of the customer: age, gender, family members, annual income, geographical location This type of detailed information will allow Port Aventura to intimately know each of its customers and provide the opportunity to understand consumer value preferences. Searchable and Scalable for Data Mining The solution must be conducive to analytical queries and provide the ability to turn raw data not only into customer information, but customer knowledge. This knowledge will then translate into business intelligence which will provide the basis for data mining.Port Aventura needs the ability to extract the relevant information to identify opportunities, strategies, and predictive behavi ours on its customers. Additionally, historical data must be stored and easily accessible while maintaining data integrity. Ease of Implementation and Ease of Use The optimal solution must be one that can be implemented quickly and without considerable disruption to the work flow within Port Aventura. Employees must be educated on the data collection processes to ensure the information management system is usable and accurate. Therefore, training must be thorough, concise, and cost effective. System maintenance and sustainability must also be possible through the use of the Information Systems Department employees. CostTotal cost to implement, train employees, and maintain the infrastructure needs to be kept in mind when determining the optimal solution. ————————————————- Alternatives Data Warehouse A date warehouse would allow Port Aventura to leverage the information man agement processes currently in place and provide a precise means of tracking individual customers. * Collect Individual Customer Preferences – The implementation of a loyalty rewards program and unique customer ID will allow the existing management systems to feed the required information into the data warehouse. * Searchable and Scalable for Data Mining – A data warehouse will provide a central storage from which customizable reporting tools can be made. Ease of Implementation and Ease of Use – A data warehouse will require the hiring of a project manager and take approximately 3 months to implement. Training for end user staff in both data entry and reporting will be minimal as there is already familiarity with the existing systems. IT staff will be trained on the data warehouse in order to ensure ongoing support and maintenance. * Cost – Cost for the implementation of a data warehouse is estimated at $250,000. New Integrated Information System Port Ave ntura could retire all of the existing information management processes and implement a new fully integrated information system to tie all aspects of the business together and track individual customer behaviour. Collect Individual Customer Preferences – A new integrated system will be designed for optimal information gathering and tracking. * Searchable and Scalable for Data Mining – Custom reporting will enable identification and tracking of all individual customer behaviours. * Ease of Implementation and Ease of Use – A new integrated system will require the hiring of a project team to scope, tender, and organize the undertaking. Implementation will take approximately 1 year. Systems will be required to run in parallel for some time to ensure functionality of the new system. End user and IT staff will be required to undergo extensive training to familiarize themselves with the new system. Cost – Cost for a new integrated information system is estimated at $1,000,000. See Exhibit 1 for the Decision Matrix for the above two alternatives. ————————————————- Implementation The optimal solution for Port Aventura is the implementation and integration of a data warehouse. Seeing as the existing infrastructure can be modified to provide the required data tracking elements, a data warehouse will be the timeliest, most cost effective, and efficient means of implementing one-to-one marketing to customers. Action Plan In securing the data warehouse for Port Aventura the following action items are recommended: * Hire an independent project manager.The total duration of the project is mapped to last 3 months; therefore the total cost of the project manager will be approximately $25,000. Start date for the project manager is June 15, 2009. * The project manager will meet with the principal owners of the data warehouse project to gather requirements. * Fernando Aldecoa – Director of Finance * Robert Magi – Director of IS * Mercedes de Pablo – Managing Director of Port Aventura Additionally, the project manager will meet with end users of the existing management systems to understand processes and procedures as well as current functionality. * Users of the Prestige Hospitality Management Tool Users of the Presence system – contact center operators * Users of Store Flow system * Users of the Concept Golf System Interviews and requirements gathering is mapped to last 2 weeks. * Issue a RFP for a data warehouse vendor. The duration of the tender is mapped to require 1 month. Selection of the data warehouse vendor will be based on the above pre-determined criteria. Cost for the data warehouse is estimated at $250,000. * The Marketing Department will design a loyalty rewards program whereby unique customer ID’s will be created as a means of tracking individual customers behaviour. The project manager will be responsible for implementing the unique customer ID entity into the existing information management systems.The marketing department will be responsible for rolling out the loyalty rewards program in conjunction with the implementation of the data warehouse. Total cost for implementation and marketing of the loyalty rewards program is estimated at $100,000. * Implementation of the data warehouse is mapped to require 1. 5 months. During this time, IT staff will be trained on the functionality of the data warehouse and end users will be trained on the new data inputs as well as the data mining capabilities of the data warehouse. * The go-live date is mapped to be September 15, 2009. Ongoing support and maintenance will be provided by Port Aventura IT staff. Reporting functionalities are then to be used by the marketing department to implement one-to-one communication with customers. Summary The implementation of the data warehouse is expected to last 3 months a nd requires $375,000 in capital (including the implementation of the loyalty rewards program). Ongoing support and maintenance of the data warehouse is estimated at $25,000 per year. This cost is minimal compared to the expected revenue from one-to-one marketing to consumers. ————————————————- Exhibit 1: Decision Matrix | Weight| Data Warehouse| New Integrated System| | | Raw| Weighted| Raw| Weighted| Individual Customer Preference| 30%| 8| 2. 4| 9| 2. 7|Data Mining| 20%| 8| 1. 6| 8| 1. 6| Implementation and Use| 20%| 7| 1. 4| 1| 0. 2| Cost| 30%| 8| 2. 4| 2| 0. 6| Score| | | 7. 8| | 5. 1| Raw Data is out of 10 with a score of 10 being the best option ————————————————- Exhibit 2: Data Warehouse Data Warehouse Data Warehouse Extract Transform Load Extract Transform Load Extract Transform Load Extract Transform Load Sales Sales HR HR SAP R3 SAP R3 Purchasing Purchasing Finance Finance Fix Assets Fix Assets Presence Presence Website Fans Website Fans Survey Results Survey Results Storeflow Storeflow Clients Club Clients Club Concept Golf Concept Golf Galaxy Galaxy Prestige Prestige