Imaginary friend

Imaginary friend Dear Imaginary friend I hope this letter could make up for the past years, because ever since you've came back to my life I feel completed , because you have been the only one that I could tell my little dirty secret and not feel the urge to feel ashamed because you would never In a million years Judge me , you were my only true friend that knew who I truly was, and have never ratted me out that why I have love you more than anything In this oral for this long.Nevertheless, this past few days It feels Like part of you haven't forgiving me yet for the ways I treated you back then when I was still a little boy.I neglected you like you were nothing compared to something, the distress and shame I caused you, and also putting everyone else needs before yours especially my selfish self centered girlfriend who want it all , but don't blame her blame me because I was the stupid one who never knew wrong from right like I said I was still a little kid, but owe that I am all gr own up I realize my mistake for letting you go I should have fight for you, for us because back then I never realize how much you meant to me until you left, because each day that you were gone and not by my side I felt really lonely even my girlfriend and family could bring back the Joy and happiness that we had, but I never meant to hurt you I Just thought because no one could see you I could treat you any how I want, and since you were on my head I never thought you could leave me, and am really sorry for that. I know having an imaginary friend at the age of 35 might seem crazy to other people who don't understand but I don't care because with you I feel comfortable an safe, and all I have ever wished for is that one day you would come back.In conclusion, now that you are back I want to make up for the past 23 years ,and even it mean by leaving my girlfriend am ready to make the sacrifice I Just want everything to go back to the way they were except for the neglecting part, and I promise you would always come first no matter the circumstances I am In. His has being really tough for me, but I Just want to ask why did you ever left me was It the stuff I did to you, because If It Is I take full responsibly for my action, or If It something else let me know so I don't go through life feeling guilty for something I never did. Tell me what can I do to make the pain go away, or at least could you tell me how feel towards me because am done being kept In the dark. Please Just forgive me because I really missed you so much, and now that you are back I just want to everything Sincerely,

Haier: What is technological change? Essay

Technological change (TC) is a term that is used to describe the overall process of invention, innovation and diffusion of technology or processes.[1][2] The term is synonymous with technological development, technological achievement, and technological progress. In essence TC is the invention of a technology (or a process), the continuous process of improving a technology (in which it often becomes cheaper) and its diffusion throughout industry or society. In short, technological change is based on both better and more technology. Haier as a manufactural group and technologic change also impact them deeply. For example after Haier established they faces on fridge and air condition unit 1997 its entering color TV industry as the initiative, and it went into the industries of black household appliances and information household appliances. In 21st centry with the development of technologic Haier also expand their product range. For instance Haier Digital and Personal Product Group is a good example. They are engaged in multiple fields such as home appliances, computers and mobile phones. It is the only manufacturer in China that is able to produce big screens of TV, mid-sized screens of computer as well as small mobile screens. Haier takes personalized entertainment to another level by offering a brand new and unique smart home life solution through â€Å"cloud family† plan. Centered by Cloud Smart TV, cloud family integrates computers, mobile phones and home appliances to comprehensive interconnection and interaction. In recent month Haier digital developed DV- WF10 intelligent cloud camera. It can connect with terminal equipment (intelligent mobile phone, computer, PAD, etc.) in the wireless network. So customers can use wireless uploading the pictures or videos to phones or computer directly. With the development of biology mapped the entire sequence of human genes which improves our ability to treat a wide range of diseases and illnesses that are linked to the genes.

Educational Aspiration: High School Education vs College Education

In our current economy, the need for a college education becomes increasingly valuable despite the high cost of tuition and loans. The demand for skilled, college-educated laborers is high. A college education can also determine your future income potential and in many cases, it is the only way a person can climb up the socioeconomic ladder. There are two theories that suggests why the need for a college education has been growing — increased international competition and skill-biased technology. The first theory focuses on the globalization of the U. S. economy. The argument is that increased competition from low skilled labor abroad has decreased the wages of low-skilled workers at home. At first, this theory seems to make sense but the statistics do not make sense. The reason is that only a small portion of the US economy is actually subject to competition from abroad. Also, job competition is growing in both the most and the least trade-affected industries at about the same rate. (Irons, 1998) The second theory for the increase in need for a college education has been called â€Å"skill-biased technological change†. The idea is current technology favors the higher skilled, higher educated workers over lower skilled workers. An example would be the increase use of computer technology has helped in the productivity and wages of the computer users and programmers. But, this increase does not help increase stagnated wages of the â€Å"lesser† educated worker who does not know this new technology. The only problem with this theory is that technological growth is a difficult to measure. There are two many hard to define variables to statistically measure this kind of change. (Irons, 1998) Even if these theories were to be debunked, the idea that a college education is more valuable that a high school education is correct. Statistically, a person with a college education generates a great deal more income in a lifetime than a high school graduate. Likewise, a high school graduate definitely has a higher income than a high-school dropout. The following chart shows a huge numeric difference in economic outcomes as a result of the educational status of the worker. The increase in income between the groups is a direct result of the educational degree attained. No High School 10,236 20,146 68,275 (Diaz-Geminiz, Quadrini, and Rios-Rull (1997) In Dimensions of Inequality, Diaz-Geminiz, Quadrini, and Rios-Rull theorizes the financial inequality in the U. S. according to the labor earnings, income, and wealth among U. S. households. Labor earnings are the amount of salary taken home as a result from working. Total income includes labor earning plus any additional income, such as stocks or savings accounts, and even income from government transfers, like Social Security and Welfare. And lastly, wealth represents the total stock of past savings. According to this theory of financial inequality, the top end of the distribution has seen a growth in their income while those at the lower end have seen their income stagnate. The financial distribution is highly skewed in the U. S. with the top 1% of households owning 30% of the American pie. This is 875 times more wealth that the bottom 40% of the distribution. Increasingly, the only way to obtain a decent piece of the economic pie is by earning a college degree. The higher your college degree, i. e. masters or Ph. D. , the higher your potential income earnings. Rather, education is the most important way in which people can make it into the upper end of the income distribution. Besides the differences in incomes among the college educated and non-college educated, there are also differences in employment opportunities among college educated, high school educated, and high school dropouts. The answer is yes. Your education also holds the key to what kinds of jobs or career you can or cannot obtain. According to the National Center For Education Statistics, â€Å"post-secondary degree attainment is associated with better access to employment and higher earnings. In 1995, on average, male bachelor†s degree recipients aged 25-34 earned 52 percent more, and female bachelor†s degree recipients 91 percent more, than their counterparts with a high school diploma. † On average, a limited education impedes a person†s employment opportunities. Rather, how much education one can obtain will affect how broad their job opportunity outlook will be. According to Youth Indicators, â€Å"Between 1965 and 1992, the percentage of non-college bound high school graduates entering the labor force changed little. The apparent dip in 1970 was caused by the entry of young men into the military rather than the civilian labor force. In contrast, the proportion of college students who were also in the labor force rose from 28% in 1965 to 49% in 1992. † Therefore, there are more job opportunities among the college educated than high school educated. Statistically, the value of a college education can be invaluable for one†s economic future. With this realization, post-secondary enrollments have increased continuously over the years. â€Å"The percentage of high school graduates who enrolled in 2- or 4- year colleges and universities in the October following graduation increased from 49% to 62% between 1972 and 1995. During this same period, the percentage of 25- to 29- year old high school graduates who had completed 4 or more years of college rose from 24% to 28%. † (National Center for Education Statistics) A college education also has a value beyond monetary terms. A college education can open the doors of opportunities for anyone willing to take advantage of that opportunity. High school cannot offer the same opportunity. A university has far superior resources for its students than high school. A person can learn a lot about life by simply being a college student. Most importantly, beyond attaining a degree, is the knowledge one can earn through attending college. The process of learning is a priceless tool that can only be enhanced by the college experience.

Group and team dynamics personal experience Essay

Group and team dynamics personal experience - Essay Example It came to my attention that for the teams within the organization to perform effectively, it was imperative that the organization had to comprehend the concept of teams, their working, the advantages and disadvantages of employees working in teams. My responsibility as a corpsman required that at times I had to work and coordinate my services by networking with various battalions. The duties and responsibilities I was tasked with required cross battalion coordination to ensure that the goals were attained. Working with various teams required appropriate leadership and team management skills for the organizational resources to be exploited adequately. As a leader of a team, I was increasingly dependent on the cross battalion teams for knowledge, expertise and skills to ensure that the goals of the organization were achieved. The teams I worked with from various battalions were differentiated through geographic boundaries and the diverse cultural backgrounds of the employees. Nonethel ess, the organization managers within the battalions necessitated integration mechanisms, which ensured that the differences among the employees were understood and coordinated well. As a result, the teams we worked with were well-structured to realize long-term goals and objectives of the Marine and Naval operations. My personal experience in group and team dynamics during my career experience is discussed and evaluated critically with an emphasis on my current employment position. Section I: Workplace Experience In my career path, I have had an exemplary experience working with and leading approximately 1300 Marines in delivering medical care and services. My responsibilities and duties were inclined towards leading a team of five junior Corpsmen and Medics to ensure that medical care was delivered to the employees within the camps as scheduled and required by the organization. The team was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all immunizations within the camp were up t o date. This was important as it was a prerequisite for the Marines to be deployed or combat ready. Failure to update all immunizations would hamper the activities of the camp severely because Marines would not be combat ready. Personally I was tasked with the responsibility of writing annual and biannual evaluation reports for the team I was in charge of, which consisted of five junior Corpsmen. As a leader, I had an obligation to lead and motivate my team members and other employees within the camps. In addition, my responsibilities called for collective coordination and exchange of ideas through which I had to keep in touch with the senior Marines, the platoon Sergeants. It was essential to work with the senior Marines during the coordination of all junior Marines into the Battalion aid station to update their immunization. Accomplishing such responsibilities effectively demanded for elements of leadership in me because at times the schedules of various Marines did not coincide, and this implied that the Battalion would be out of immunization. As a leader, I had the responsibility of visiting other employees in different battalion aid stations to plan and harmonize the schedules for immunization. I worked in the Navy for eight years of which I had the opportunity to lead

Envy at Work - Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Envy at Work - Summary - Essay Example People naturally yearn to be greater than their peers or other people around them. Therefore, such people will tend to develop feelings of envy because they feel inferior to the ones who manifest slightly higher levels of advantage those others. The article captures the differences in the acknowledgment of various issues that occur when individuals attempt gain power and importance over others. The article shows that feelings of envy thrive when people use others as the measure of their success. According to the author, the aspect of success is relative and requires the determination of the differences between a person and the one to whom the comparison is made. The comparison between Marty and Scott illustrates the manner in which fortunes change for people in accordance with the situations, opportunities, and environmental dynamics that affect the process. A more skilled person may miss matters of promotion and personal advancement because of lack of certain qualities that are necessary to connect the people towards certain objectives and opportunities as determined within the range of issues that relate to the subject of envy. The article engages into some of the negative outcomes of envy, which includes lack of concentration of professional motivation. Envy, according to the article and saps the energy and talents of an individual in ways that make it difficult for the persons involves to connect effectively with the processes. In this regard, some of the issues that attend to the determination of the risks and progress at the work place relate to the differences in perceptions between individuals. A person who demonstrates some element of envy will often tend to develop certain attitudes that recognize the difference in achievements and the variations that may occur in the fortunes of individuals. The article illustrates the fact that different people may lack the opportunities and adopt

Cars corrosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cars corrosion - Essay Example ( Shaw Barbara and Kelly Robert, 2006) Even though corrosion was still prevalent in the 1950’s the main criteria for a car manufacturer was the strength and durability of the body. Cold rolling of low carbon sheets was the accepted practice during those times. Later on, when the shape and features of the automobile underwent changes steels that were more ductile and could be drawn easily was incorporated into the design. Currently various advanced methods of steel fabrication with the use of alternative materials are being followed which are both cheaper and also have a lower weight to volume ratio. ( Hamilton Bruce and Macauley, 1998) This method of using salt to melt the ice on roads was introduced following World War II which led to an increase of corrosion, affecting the functional and structural integrity of the vehicle. The general appearance of the vehicle was also affected. Some of the common pitfalls of corrosion due the presence of salts were formation of holes on body panels, corrosion of brake linings, wear and tear of the frame and bumper supports, discoloration and pitting effects on surfaces of vehicles. Alternate materials were designed to take care of this type of corrosion; however this led to another form of corrosion called galvanic corrosion which occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact. In the late 1970’s it was noticed that corrosion was taking place to a large extent on the floor panels, exhaust systems, fuel and brake systems which were less visible from outside. Dust control chemicals like calcium chloride and pollutants like nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide combined with rain to form acid rains. This prevented the formation of the natural protective layer formation on vehicle surfaces. (Effects of road salt on Motor Vehicles and infrastructure, n.d) The corrosion due to these severe environmental effects was noticed to be maximum during the mid-1970. Customer dissatisfaction forced leading auto manufacturers to

Critique assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critique assignment - Essay Example It was good that the working title of their report was itself the primary aim indicated in the abstract. The authors were apparently determined to be consistent throughout. However, they failed to narrow down the research title, which was too general. The abstract specifically said that the patients were 42 men but the title overlooked this. Also, though the title may be understandable to readers of varying backgrounds, the abstract looked informal and deviated from the usual academic tone. It had sub-headings, some of which were composed of phrases instead of recognized sentences. The abstract’s opening line â€Å"Aim: To assess changes in quality of life (QoL) and oxygen consumption produced by two different patterns of physical training in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF)† was certainly a phrase. Though the abstract gave an accurate synopsis of the report, it was just puzzling why such informality was allowed to be published by professors and by an intern ational journal. The report did mention how participants were allocated into three groups as part of the intervention process, but failed to specify the randomization technique used. The introduction part was not very direct in conveying its message to readers, whoever they may be. There was never any mention for whom the report was intended – whether it was for aspiring cardiologists, for physical therapists, for patients with CHF beyond the study’s jurisdiction, or for nearly anyone interested in the research. Moreover, the scientific explanations provided in the introduction lacked statistical backing, which would have strengthened the need or the rationale for conducting the research (University of Guelph, n.d.). For instance, the authors merely explained the meaning of congestive heart failure and its association with high mortality the way a medical dictionary would. The meaning did not prove the necessity for employing physical exercises to improve the QoL and oxygen

Historical Portrayal of Genghis Khan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Historical Portrayal of Genghis Khan - Essay Example The rivalry of Mongol tribes propelled him to conquer other tribes and dynasties. His thirsty for power was evident at a younger age as he claimed to be installed as the chief of his clan at the age of 9. However, he was less more different from other rulers of early and modern civilizations where accumulation of scarce resources is the main motivating factor that drives conflicts and wars (Ratchnevsky, 1993). Genghis Khan was a good planner; likewise he adopted policies and laws that later shaped the strategies of most ancient civilizations. Religion was the unifying factor in the Mongol Empire, and he referred himself as the religious leader of the people which become the motivating factor for his military. In addition, some of the Genghis ideas were great beyond those of revolution era of 1900s. For example; he allowed religious tolerance in his empire where people practiced different religions without interruptions. Religious intolerance was common in early civilizations like the Roman Empire and Soviet. Furthermore, the conquest of the Chinese Empire opened the east to the west, making him a historical icon. The administrative system of Mongol ruler is clearly modern especially because of recognizing merit in promoting his staff just like a typical bureaucracy (Ratchnevsky, 1993). In short, Genghis mastered the policy of strengthening the tools of domination that enables an individual or a group of people to conquer and subdue others. He mainly used the military and accumulated land territory thus making powerful.

Final assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Final - Assignment Example Project management is a crucial part of organizational management that ensures the accomplishment of a series of organizational objectives within stipulated timeframes and budgets. Project management enables organizations to successfully pursue competitive strategies in their bid to achieve the desired organizational performance. Unlike conventional approaches, current literature acknowledges project management as a vital business process (Jamieson & Morris, 2004). This paper explores the significant principles of project management and how to use project management as a discipline to successfully achieve organizational objectives. Project Life-Cycle Management and the Benefits of Project Management to an Organization Project Life-Cycle Management Successful projects and campaigns usually rely on quality research, proper and careful planning, insights and regular adjustments on the basis of feedback. Project management life cycle basically has four interrelated phases (Gido & Clement s, 2012). For instance, in a packaged water project that I was involved in some time back, the project was divided into four phases: initiation, planning, execution and conclusion or closure. The figure below represents phases of project management life-cycle. ... It is essential top conduct a review in order to establish the viability of the project during the initiation phase. This will help in determining the likelihood of achieving the desired deliverables of the project. Also, a proper project team must be created that will ensure the accomplishment of every project task within the right timeframe. The creation of project office will set clear all the tasks that are supposed to be executed for successful completion of the project. The project charter is crucial for identification of the vision and objectives of the project, scope, project deliverables and overall implementation strategy among others. Finally, there is need to review the overall performance of the initiation phase so that any deviation can be rectified before it is late (Gido & Clements, 2012). Planning Phase This entails the development of schedules, strategies and necessary tools for implementation. This is where project plan is created. The organization develops plans f or resource acquisition and use, financial, risk, quality, acceptance and communication. The organization uses project team to accomplish the tasks involved in this project management phase. Execution Phase This phase focuses on building project deliverables. It entails transforming organizational needs into actionable objects. The project team designs and develops the planned solution and authenticates the solution in accordance with organizational requirements. This phase also involves monitoring and control, which entails time management, cost management, quality control, risk management and procurement among others. Closure Phase This is the final phase of project life-cycle. It

Corporate Cultures and Their Impact on Recruitment and Retention Essay

Corporate Cultures and Their Impact on Recruitment and Retention - Essay Example The study suggests that global companies are realizing the importance and need to invest in the human ‘capital’. They can no longer take people for granted and sit back. Global economy is expanding, business opportunities growing but the available workforce steadily reducing. A culturally strong organization succeeds in attracting and retaining the top talent and can expect to climb the ladder of success. By the close of the twentieth century, business houses came to accept that people, not cash, buildings, or equipments differentiate one company from another. Corporate culture is moving into the limelight and proving to be an untapped asset for employees and businesses alike. Researches have shown that at the time of economic turndown the companies having strong and adaptive cultures are better able to handle the financial crisis than those with weak and poorly defined cultures. The right combination of people and culture can mean the difference between the financial su ccess and failure. As technology advances corporate culture will assume an even bigger role especially in the IT sector as competition increases. Organizations today recognize the need to attract the right brains to thrive in the competitive market and retain the employees. The norms of an organization are transmitted from generation to generation and are responsible for its financial success, which is the ultimate goal of any business organization. Understanding and assessing the company culture at every stage is vital.

Internet Marketing †Acquisition and Retention Essay Example for Free

Internet Marketing – Acquisition and Retention Essay The methods of conducting business have really changed as the impact of globalization has causes several flexibilities and easiness in our lifestyles and daily life. Many businesses find it costly to open it in a physical location and expanding through outlets, which often does not target large audience. Therefore, many businesses are starting through internet where they can target customers from all over the world, market their products or services easily and economically, and get payments right away. Not only this, those businesses that do not operate virtually and have physical locations are finding it more effective and financially beneficial to market their products through internet, and that what is called Internet Marketing. Internet marketing also contains the elements of Direct Marketing, where the promotion of products is done online such as, websites (ResearchStarters, 2008). It does not mean that when businesses are started online they would always save costs and be successful; in fact, many businesses fail due to several factors and one significant of them is poor marketing strategies. Of course, the consumers would not have any idea that a new business has started that for instance, sells soccer jerseys, through its website. The target market should have to be made aware of that business, the products, new offers/deals, customer value, feedback, etc. Therefore, all this requires the business to use effective marketing tools and strategies where it can convey the message to the audience, impress them, convince them to purchase, and provide feedback. Businesses can use online marketing strategies such as, designing websites that grab the attention of the customers at first sight, force them to explore, make them realize that they are everything for the company, provide them with ease in shopping online, and let them give a chance to give a feedback. Moreover, businesses can also use the strategy of mass-emailing to the customers or potential customers whether they are individuals or other entities. Placing ads on popular and most-visited websites is another strategy but is quite expensive. And finally, the use of social networking websites such as, Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, is lucrative since it is inexpensive and targets wide range of audience. Customer Acquisition and Retention There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that it takes a business much more to spend in acquiring new customers than to retain the old or present customers. The reason being that the acquisition of new customers require the business to conduct market research, target them in a new way, shape the products or services according to their needs, reposition the brand that might damage it, and shape the marketing strategies accordingly. These all result in occurring more and more costs for the company; whereas, retaining old or present customers is quite prolific since they have already tried the products, have an image for it, know the company and its reputation, and most importantly can result in promoting them through word-of-mouth. Other marketing strategies for retaining such customers include offering them membership programs, building good relationships with them, increasing the contact with them, asking them for feedback about whether they are satisfied or not, enhancing support for them, and making them realize that they are part of the database and are given importance (Hughes, 2010). Moreover, retention of customers require the company to reshape and bring innovative features and qualities in their products to make those dormant customers restart buying the products if they have stopped to. There is a rule called 80/20 rule, which means that 80% of the revenue comes from 20% of the loyal customers. Therefore, businesses should not feel bothered if they have to invest more on those customers because they are providing them with more sales. So, companies can conduct sales promotion activities or other marketing campaigns for rejuvenating them and milking them. Also, when businesses get to know that their certain customers have stopped buying the products, they should conduct surveys where they should ask the customers what were the reason due to which they stopped buying, what flaw they saw in it, what improvements they want, etc (Businessfast4ward, 2010).

The Impact of Child Abuse(Neglect) on a Child Essay Example for Free

The Impact of Child Abuse(Neglect) on a Child Essay Background of the issue Many of you might wonder why many children attend school and do not say a word in your class. Today I am here to talk to you about the reasons why this may occur because many teachers are not aware of these problems that are affecting many of our children today. One of the social issues that I have chosen is Child abuse-neglected children. I chose child abuse because it is a silent killer that tends to have a major effect on our children at the primary and secondary school level. Many of us might not know the problems that our children are faced with at home with parents, step parents or guardians. They might appear really calm or they might just be the one child in our class that is always on a bad behavior level. We are the only ones that can help these children but first we need to know how to recognized and point out if these children are in the category of child abuse or neglect. I will first begin by informing what child abuse is and then I will continue by explaining other things that will help teachers to assist these type of children in the classroom. Child abuse in Belize continues to be a serious and ever-increasing problem. Although the media report extreme and tragic examples of abuse, many children are living in less newsworthy, but alarming circumstances. The statistics are shocking. An incident of child abuse is reported—on average—every 10 seconds. The most recent government national study reported that more than 2.9 million reports of possible maltreatment involving children were made to child protective services in 2003. The actual incidence of abuse and neglect, however, is estimated to be three times greater than the number reported to authorities. Every day more than 4 children die as a result of child abuse in the home. Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. There are several types of child abuse that is happening to our children either at home or school, but the core element that ties them together is the emotional effect on the child and the deep, long lasting scars that they leave on a child. Some children might be so detrimental that they seem to block out their peers and other social groups. Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents are looking out for their safety. They need to be love so that they can succeed in the outside world. Problems identified There are many problems that children can face inside and outside of the classroom when they are being abuse or neglected. One of the most heart breaking things in life is when a child is hurt, whether by accident or by abuse. A lot of the time, there are visible signs of abuse such as bruises, cuts, and broken bones, but sometimes it isnt easy to see signs. Some of the invisible signs can seem to be withdrawn, angry, quiet, and/or violent are just a few. These are warning signs for parents, teachers, and caregivers that something is wrong. If abuse is suspected then it should be reported to the proper authorities. But not all children that seem to be withdrawn and shy are abused; they could simply lack the social cognition to interact in society. When this is the case working with the child can help them to feel more comfortable in society. Children that need help with social cognition will be the ones that are so quiet that you forget they are there. They are the ones that do not seem to participate in activities in and out of school, and do not seem to have any friends. There are surveys to determine if a child fits in this description, but it could damage the child even further if he feels that he is singled out. That is the problem in the first place; he does not feel like he fits in. Simple observation can determine whether the child is feeling neglected. Neglected children are very passive and unable to be spontaneous, have feeding problems and grow slowly, find it hard to develop close relationships, be over-friendly with strangers, get on badly with other children of the same age, be unable to play imaginatively, think badly of themselves, and be easily distracted and do badly at school. It can be hard to detect long-standing abuse by an adult the child is close to. It is often very difficult for the child to tell anyone about it, as the abuser may have threatened to hurt them if they tell anybody. A child may not say anything because they think it is their fault that no one will believe them or that they will be teased or punished. The child may even love the abusing adult, they want the abuse to stop, but they dont want the adult to go to prison or for the family to break up. Neglect can have a strong impact on, and lead to problems in, a childs emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral development. As with other effects already mentioned, these may be evident immediately after the maltreatment or not manifest themselves until many months or years later. All types of neglect and emotional neglect in particular, can have serious psychosocial and emotional consequences for children. Some of the short-term emotional impacts of neglect, such as fear, isolation, and an inability to trust, can lead to lifelong emotional and psychological problems, such as low self-esteem. A major component of emotional and psychosocial development is attachment. This behavior may in turn cause teachers or peers not to offer help or support, thus reinforcing the negative expectations of the neglected child. One mitigating factor, however, may be having an emotionally supportive adult, either within or outside of the family, such as a grandparent or a teacher, available during childhood. Another mitigating factor may be having a loving, accepting spouse or close friend later in life. Neglected children who are unable to form secure attachments with their primary caregivers may: Become more mistrustful of others and may be less willing to learn from adults, have difficulty understanding the emotions of others, regulating their own emotions, or forming and maintaining relationships with others, Have a limited ability to feel remorse or empathy, which may mean that they could hurt others without feeling their actions were wrong, Demonstrate a lack of confidence or social skills that could hinder them from being successful in school, work, and rel ationships, demonstrate impaired social cognition, which is ones awareness of oneself in relation to others and an awareness of others emotions. Impaired social cognition can lead a person to view many social interactions as stressful. Different other problems that teachers can encounter in the classroom that may be a sign of neglected abuse are difficulty paying attention, not listening when spoken to, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, being easily distracted, being forgetful, excessive talking, difficulty awaiting their turn, bullying or threatening others, being physically cruel to people or animals, stealing and destroying others property. Review of the issue Child neglect is the most common type of child maltreatment. Unfortunately, neglect frequently goes unreported and, historically, has not been acknowledged or publicized as greatly as child abuse. Even professionals often have given less attention to child neglect than to abuse. In some respects, it is understandable why violence against children has commanded more attention than neglect. Abuse often leaves visible bruises and scars, whereas the signs of neglect tend to be less visible. However, the effects of neglect can be just as detrimental. In fact, some studies have shown that neglect may be more detrimental to childrens early brain development than physical or sexual abuse. How neglect is defined shapes the response to it. Since the goal of defining neglect is to protect children and to improve their well-being not to blame the parents or caregivers—definitions help determine if an incident or a pattern of behavior qualifies as neglect, its seriousness or duration, and, most importantly, whether or not the child is safe. Although specific causes are not known, a significant body of research has identified several risk and protective factors. Multiple risk factors are more likely to increase the probability of abuse. For example, lack of preparation or knowledge of the demands of parenting can lead to abusive or neglectful parenting. Parents may lack understanding of their childrens developmental stages and hold unreasonable expectations for their abilities and behavior; they may be unaware of effective discipline or alternatives to corporal punishment and may also lack knowledge of the health, hygiene and nutritional needs of their children. Individuals who have difficulty in single parenting, in controlling anger in relationships, who have mental health or substance abuse problems, financial stress or housing problems can appear uninterested in the care of their children and are also at risk for abusive behavior. Child abuse and neglect represent a problem of alarming proportions, with tremendous psychological and economic costs to both the individuals involved and to society. Early identification and treatment is important to avoid or minimize the long term consequences of abuse. Through treatment the abused child is helped to regain a sense of self-esteem and trust, and the family learns new ways of support and communication. It is critical to support ongoing and new research to point the way to effective strategies of prevention and intervention to change the course of the lives of victimized children. Abused children cannot predict how their parents will act. Their world is an unpredictable, frightening place with no rules. Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, stony silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table tonight, the end result is a child that feel unsafe, uncared for, and alone. However, by learning common types of abuse and what you can do, you can make a huge difference in a child’s life. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate the cycle. One of the main types of abuse that see happening in our schools today is child neglect. Child neglect is a very common type of child abuse, it is a pattern of failing to provide for a childs basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Child neglect is not always easy to spot. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe. Older children might not show outward signs of neglect, becoming used to presenting a competent face to the outside world, and even taking on the role of the parent. But at the end of the day, neglected children are not getting their physical and emotional needs met. While child abuse and neglect occurs in all types of families—even in those that look happy from the outside—children are at a much greater risk in certain situations. All parents upset their children sometimes. Saying `no and managing difficult behavior is an essential part of parenting. Tired or stressed parents can lose control and can do or say something they regret, and may even hurt the child. If this happens often enough, it can seriously harm the child. Children are usually abused by someone in their immediate family circle. This can include parents, brothers or sisters, babysitters or other familiar adults. It is quite unusual for strangers to be involved. Analysis of the issue Child abuse and neglect is a problem that has existed for many years. Laws make it necessary for the teachers and other adults to be aware of the definitions that describe abuse and neglect. In addition, it is necessary to review the characteristics of the child and caregiver to ascertain who may be at risk. Physical signs, such as specific types of fractures, burns, scalds, and bruises, should act as a key to suspected abuse. In 2005, the National Organization for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NOPCAN) in Belize carried out a study which was aimed at raising awareness among the general public about the use of corporal punishment in schools and the home and the damage this does to children and to generate interest in the use of alternative measures. Information on the views and experiences of children aged 7-15 years was gathered through focus groups (87 children) and questionnaires (292 children). In focus groups, 45% of children aged 7-10 years felt that adults should immediately address wrong behavior, and 45% of all involved felt that it was wrong and ineffective for adults to use corporal punishment as a means of controlling children. Responses to the questionnaires revealed that 91% 7-10 year olds had been lashed at home/school, and 87.7% were still being punished in this way. The most commonly used implement for beating was a belt (59.9%), followed by a slipper (42.2%), a rope (16.4%), a ruler (11.9%) and a stick (11.3%). Some of the children were scarred from the beatings. Of children aged 11-15 years, 97% said that corporal punishment had been or was still being inflicted at home and school, with punishments including having to kneel on bottle stoppers and being hit on the head. More than two thirds (69%) considered corporal punishment to be cruel and inhumane, and a similar number said that when the punishment was administered they felt hurt, shameful, fearful, upset, vexed, bad, angry and resentful. Students explained that they were told by their parents and teachers that they were being punished out of love and this led many to believe that it was right to administer corporal punishment to them. However, they stated that they cannot learn when there is the threat of the whip, and that they need to feel loved not threatened with violence. Children who have experienced neglect have been found to demonstrate higher frequencies of insecure, anxious, and avoidant attachments with their primary caregivers than non-maltreated children. In fact, studies have demonstrated that 70 to 100 percent of maltreated infants form insecure attachments with their caregivers. Often, emotionally neglected children have learned from their relationships with their primary caregivers that they will not be able to have their needs met by others. This may cause a child not to try to solicit warmth or help from others. I believe that child abuse and neglect damages and break apart a child’s life. It is our role as teachers to help these children overcome these dying situations. We must realize that when a child appears to be, not of a normal child and acts in a rather calm or aggressive mode than he or she usually appears, that something might be wrong. There are many children each year in our classroom that seems to have some kind of problems in their household. Statistics have shown that 4 out of every 10 children in a class have some kind of abusive relationship especially neglect. The maltreatment of children does not occur within a vacuum. In nearly every case, it is important to assess the functioning, strengths, and needs of a child within several contexts. Usually the dominant context of the abused child is the childs immediate family. However, there are also many other contexts or cultures that may have a greater or lesser influence on the abused child depending on the childs age (social networks, extended family, etc.). In many cases of child maltreatment, therapists have a negative perception of the family (i.e., parents) because of the harm they have caused the child. The therapist may be angry or think less of the childs parents if they are the source of the childs maltreatment. However, the therapist should negate neither the importance of the family (from the perspective of the child) nor each family members ability to contribute important information concerning the childs level of functioning. Whether or not they are involved in the abuse, parents are usually one of the most informed sources of information about the childs daily functioning and presenting problems. Similarly, an assessment of the childs functioning within settings such as school, social gatherings, daily after school activities and day care provide information about the maltreated child from several sources and in several environments. One benefit of developing a multi environment, multisource assessment of the child is that patterns of behavior, identified across contexts, increase the validity of the presence of a particular behavior or characteristic. For example, reports from a parent that a child is frequently belligerent and noncompliant might be supported by reports from his/her teacher that indicate that the child is frequently involved in physical fights with peers, has temper outbursts, and refuses to complete schoolwork. A valid conclusion that could be drawn from these reports is that this child possesses a relatively stable pattern of oppositional or defiant behavior. Conclusion Although child neglect is the most common type of maltreatment, its causes, effects, prevention, and treatment often are not as prominently discussed and explored as are those for physical or sexual abuse. Neglect, like other types of maltreatment, has many contributing factors at the individual, familial, and community levels. The complexities of neglect present difficulties not only for an overburdened child welfare system, but also for community- and faith-based programs, researchers, legislators, and other service providers. It is key, therefore, that these groups work collaboratively to develop promising and effective practices for preventing neglect and for mitigating its effects on children and society. Part of this process is providing individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge, resources, and services to deal with the challenges associated with neglect. Neglect must be viewed not only as an individual or a family problem, but also as a community issue requirin g a community response. Teachers that observe signs of neglect in the classroom must inform the childs parent of what is going with their child. Parents will have valuable information that will help the child. A child may feel uncomfortable in a social situation, but be a completely different child at home. This would indicate that the problem is at school. Information gathered by the parents and teachers will assist in forming a plan to help the child. This should be done in collaboration between parent and teacher. If a child does not get the necessary help that need in order to be successful in life and education they will suffer the many years that they have to pass through this burden. Recommendations A child that feels neglected needs to feel that they are important. Allowing them to read to a younger group of children may help them to feel that they are needed. Putting them in charge of a group project can help them to build confidence. Pairing them up with a more socially comfortable child can help to learn about proper social behavior. Many children will learn more effectively from their peers. After working with the child using the plan agreed by the parents and teacher, a follow up meeting should be scheduled. If what is being used to help the child is not working, then something else should be agreed upon. The important thing to remember is parents and teachers should work together. As a teacher, it can be overwhelming and difficult to adapt your classroom for abused and neglected children. It is possible to create a positive environment for all students. It is important to know how to appropriately interact with abused and neglected children in order to make your classroom a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. In order to help a neglected student, teachers need to gather as much information on the student as possible however is careful not to define the student by their past history and behaviors because it is easy to treat abused and neglected children differently. We often pay them more attention, feeling sorry for them and minimizing their behaviors due the abuse and neglect. Although it is good to be sensitive to their individual needs, it is important to treat them like any other student in your class. Responsive adults, such as parents, teachers, and other caregivers make all the difference in the lives of maltreated children. They need to be held, rocked, and cuddled. Be physical, caring, and loving to children with attachment problems. Be aware that for many of these children, touch in the past has been associated with pain and torture. In these cases, make sure you carefully monitor how they respond — be attuned to their responses to your nurturing and act accordingly. In many ways, you are providing replacement experiences that should have taken place during their infancy — but you are doing this when their brains are harder to modify and change. Therefore, they will need even more bonding experiences to help them to develop attachments. . Abused and neglected children will often be emotionally and socially delayed. And whenever they are frustrated or fearful, they will regress. This means that, at any given moment, a ten-year old child may emotionally be a two-year old. Despite our wishes that they would act their age and our insistence to do so, they are not capable of that. These are the times that we must interact with them at their emotional level. If they are tearful, frustrated, or overwhelmed (emotionally age two), treat them as if they were that age. Use soothing non-verbal interactions. Hold them. Rock them. Sing quietly. This is not the time to use complex verbal arguments about the consequences of inappropriate behavior. Many abused and neglected children do not know how to interact with other people. One of the best ways to teach them is to model this in your own behaviors, and then narrate for the child what you are doing and why. Become a play-by-play announcer: I am going to the sink to wash my hands before dinner because†¦ or I take the soap and put it on my hands like this†¦. Children see, hear, and imitate. . One of the most helpful things to do is just stop, sit, listen, and play with these children. When you are quiet and interactive with them, you will often find that they will begin to show you and tell you about what is really inside them. Yet as simple as this sound, one of the most difficult things for adults to do is to stop, quit worrying about the time or your next task, and really relax into the moment with a child. Practice this. You will be amazed at the results. These children will sense that you are there just for them, and they will feel how you care for them. It is during these moments that you can best reach and teach these children. This is a great time to begin teaching children about their different feelings. Regardless of the activity, the following principles are important to include: (1) All feelings are okay to feel — sad, glad, or mad (more emotions for older children); (2) Teach the child healthy ways to act when sad, glad, or mad; (3) Begin to explore how other people may feel and how they show their feelings — How do you think Bobby feels when you push him? (4) When you sense that the child is clearly happy, sad, or mad, ask them how they are feeling. Help them begin to put words and labels to these feelings. References †¢ Carr, A. (ed) (2000) What Works with Children and Adolescents? A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions with Children, Adolescents and their Families. London: Brunner-Routledge. †¢ Jones, D. Ramchandani, P. (1999) Child Sexual Abuse Informing Practice from Research. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press. †¢ Monck, E. New, M. (1996) Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents who are Treated in Voluntary Community Services. London: HMSO. Out of print. †¢ NOPCAN-BELIZE CITY BRANCH

Causes of PSE and DFD Meats and Treatments

Causes of PSE and DFD Meats and Treatments What is PSE DFD meat? The terms pale, soft and exudative PSE and dark, firm and dry DFD describe two undesired quality characteristics that can be exhibited in the meat from most species of meat producing animals. However the PSE condition is predominantly found in pigs whilst the DFD condition occurs across all species. Within this essay the incidence rates of both PSE /DFD, the causative factors, consequences and commercial factors as well as prevention shall be considered. Pictures of the two conditions can be seen in fig 1. These undesirable conditions are very important when considering both functional and specified meat quality. They are significant factors that contribute to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the entire sector and encompass wide ranging issues affecting meat production, profits, yields, animal welfare considerations, processing, customer perception, consumption, food safety, spoilage, waste and levels of carbon dioxide production. Both conditions affect the colour of meat, as it can be considered abnormally pale or dark relative to what is considered normal. Colour is one of the major discriminatory factors in a buyers selection, excessively pale or dark meat is unlikely to be purchased. The texture of the meat with PSE and DFD is also affected detrimentally leading to unacceptable levels of softness or firmness. Undesired changes in water holding capacity of the meat occur, leading to problems in processing and the commercial yields of products, as well as detrimental effects on the sensory attributes of meat such as juiciness or succulence. There is thought to be a link between DFD and a lack of flavour in a cooked product. The development of both PSE and DFD meat can be associated with earlier development of rigormortis  [1]  . Products may subjectively exhibit one or more of the descriptive characteristics e.g. too pale or too dark, too soft or too firm, too exudative or too dry relative to the characteristics of normal meat. Normal acidification of muscles after an animal is slaughtered occurs through glycolysis. Glycogen and creatine phosphate are depleted. Glycogen conversion to lactic acid is described here. C6H10O5 +H2Oà ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚  2C3H6O3 There is no oxygen for aerobic metabolic processes to occur. The circulatory system can no longer remove lactic acid and it accumulates within the muscle. The abnormal conditions of PSE and DFD are linked to abnormally high or low acidity, thus the pH value of the meat can be used to more objectively describe the conditions at different times after slaughter (table 1). However these values can be different in different muscles within a carcass and different packaging methods may affect pH values. Accurate pH recordings are also particularly difficult with various methods having various problems such as lack of homogeneity of sample, fat smearing, dilution of sample etc. Using objective indices of PSE and DFD tends to produce higher estimates of the prevalence of the conditions in a population than using subjective assessment.  [2]  Subjective methods of gauging DFD / PSE using people may be less sensitive. People may only be able to judge the extremes of the conditions. There appears to be an increase in the levels of incidence of PSE and DFD. Within the United Kingdom one quarter of pigs may show evidence of PSE and one tenth DFD. The cost of PSE to the American pork industry was estimated at 30 million dollars in 1992, that of DFD pork 0.2 million dollars  [3]  estimated at 16% and 10% of total United States production respectively. This gives an indication of the economic significance of the problems. The levels of glycogen available in the muscle prior to slaughter will determine the ultimate pH. These levels can be changed through stress, theses stresses prior to slaughter are the main factors involved in causing the PSE and DFD conditions. Although there are genetic, muscle composition and processing factors that can be instrumental, these shall be discussed later and these ultimately link to abnormalities in post mortem acidification of the muscles anyway, the effects of long term and short term stress shall be considered now. It is well known that the handling of meat animals prior to slaughter is not only important from a welfare point of view but also affects the quality of the resulting meat  [4]  . It has also been known for many years that hunted animals keep less well than those kept in relative calm conditions. With PSE the cause appears to be acute (or short term) stress to the animal prior to slaughter. This acute stress leads to rapid acidification as glycogen breaks down quickly after slaughter to give lactic acid, resulting in a low ultimate pH. If carcass temperatures are high e.g. within deep muscle regions of the carcass, or rates of cooling are not rapid enough, conditions can develop that allow denaturing of the proteins within these muscles. The muscles are characterised by having lower water holding capacity due to the myofibrillar components of the muscles shrinking. This expels fluids into the space between the muscle fibres. When cut the meat will exude or lose this fluid, this is called drip. Excessive drip represents a loss in total yield but is also unsightly in shelf ready packaging and less likely to be purchased by a potential consumer. The paler appearance of PSE meat is likely due to the different refractive index of the myofibrils and the sarcoplasm. The reduction in the size of the myofilament lattice increases the light reflected from the meat, less light is absorbed by the meat, more is reflected and crucially blood pigments like myoglobin absorb less green light making the meat look more yellow as opposed to red. Also the low ultimate pH promotes oxidation of myoglobin and oxyglobin to metmyoglobin which makes the meat appear browner rather than red or purple. Again this discoloration makes the product less likely to be purchased at point of sale DFD is caused by chronic (or long term) stress to the animal. Glycogen levels are depleted prior to death, meaning that less glycogen is converted to lactic acid after slaughter and the ultimate pH of the meat remains high. Being closer to pH neutral there are significant issues with potential spoilage organisms and food borne pathogens as well as the quality issues discussed here. With a high ultimate pH there is less denaturing of the proteins leading to increased binding of the fluids and less exudates or drip giving a firm dry appearance. The lattice of myofilaments which shrank in the case of PSE does not in the case of DFD. This means that the affects of the refractive index differences of the myofibrils and sarcoplasm are reduced. More light is absorbed with less reflected leading to a darker colour. The tightly packed structure with less extracellular space between the fibres means that less oxidation of the myoglobin can occur, surface oxidation only may occur as oxygen cannot permeate the structure, this leads to a thin translucent / red outside layer with the reduced purple myoglobin pigment predominantly showing through from underneath this thin layer. The stress factors to consider are many fold but are worth at this stage categorising as acute and chronic in terms fear, pain and physical stress and their potential affect on the PSE DFD conditions. These might include noise, temperature variations, fasting or starvation, overcrowding or being put with animals of different social groups. Practical causes of short term stress might include reaction to goading, striking, restraining systems or conveyors, long term stressors associated with DFD might include long transport journeys and being exposed to other social groups of animals for periods of time. Young Bulls and veal calves have been linked to higher incident rates of DFD perhaps due to storage conditions and their fractious nature when exposed to other social groups, respectively. Different species are known to show different sensitivities to different stress factors, for example sheep are known to be less sensitive to noise than pigs. With pigs in particular there appears to be a genetic link to them being susceptible to stress, this is sometimes known as porcine stress syndrome. It exists as a double recessive gene that when apparent as an abnormal homozygote can be exposed and witnessed as a reaction to Halothane. Typically pigs with this double recessive gene react by becoming rigid and tense as opposed to the usual symptoms of anaesthesia through halothane In pigs with this mutation, Ca2+ is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum at a rate that is equivalent to twice that of normal  [5]  Glycogen conversion to lactic acid happens much more readily and there are higher incidence of PSE amongst this genetic grouping. Measures to breed this characteristic out of pigs have been tried, it is thought that selective breeding for confirmation and fat level may have brought about this genetic mutation. The Halothane test does not work on the heterozygote parent and DNA tests are required to identify parents with the mutation to try and breed this sensitivity out. Another gene has been identified in certain strains of the Hampshire breed of pigs, known as the RN- gene. It is thought that this mutation increases the glycogen content of the white muscles that contain a higher number of glycolytic fibres, again resulting in post mortem rapid acidification leading to a lower pHu upon death leading to the PSE condition. There are other breed effects which can be demonstrated by a comparative study undertaken (Table 2) where traditional breeds were compared against modern commercially important breeds and an extreme of muscularity, this also seems to demonstrate a correlation between lighter more exudative muscles in those bred for confirmation or muscularity. In the search for modern breeds of the desired confirmation, stress susceptibility may have also been bred in. Even within the defined subjective and objective norms there are variations of colour, texture, pH and water holding capacity within different muscles of the carcasses of all species. The muscles affected by a particular stressor may be specific to a region of the anatomy rather than throughout the entire carcass. A particularly undesirable effect can be seen in the two tone appearance of meat, where the PSE, DFD and normal conditions can be exhibited in the extreme within a single carcass. An animal that is susceptible to PSE may exhibit DFD characteristics in those muscles that have been subject to long term stressors and thus have glycogen depletion prior to death. However some of the other muscles e.g. m. longissimus dorsi, within the same pig that are less likely to have glycogen depletion may exhibit the PSE condition. Processing methods can also have an effect, carcass cooling regimes that dont achieve deep muscle temperatures that are cold enough or at the wrong cooling rates can contribute to the conditions required to denature the proteins and exhibit the PSE condition. Howard and Lawrie (1956) found that the rate of pH fall post mortem was inversely proportional to the tenderness of the meat on subsequent cooking  [6]  Animal handling systems, shearing washing, crushing etc will have a direct effect on the levels of glycogen within the muscle systems and so ultimately the levels of PSE DFD occurring. Being able to measure stress indicators and indices of PSE DFD is critical if there is to be an understanding of the prevention of stress and therefore a reduction in the incidence of PSE and DFD in meat. Measurements of the level blood lactic acid, levels of creatine kinase and the electrical characteristics of pork through electrical impedance can give good objective indicators. Levels of cortisol, creatine kinase, pH and colour characteristics measured through online light reflectance spectrophotometrey can give objective PSE DFD measurements. Signs of stress in the animals can give ante mortem indications. These might be obvious in the case of fallen or injured stock but may also include levels of vocalisation, mounting, biting etc as less obvious indicators. Identifying an reducing these conditions is the key in improving functional and specified meat quality, most of the work undertaken to reduce the levels of PSE and DFD is involved in improving welfare conditions of animals in the short and longer term leading up to slaughter. It is a difficult process to reduce stressors, even with very careful handling the animals are subject to a degree of stress. Keeping handling to a minimum is the ideal situation, carefully controlling transport, design of transport to prevent loading and unloading stress, training and certification schemes to improve the skills and knowledge of animal handlers. With pigs it would be better to avoid breeding the susceptible genotypes although as seen there appears to be a direct correlation between improved confirmation and musculature and the stress susceptibility mutation. Keeping animals, especially young bulls in their own social groups would seem to be a logical preventative measure but can be very difficul t to achieve. Physical measures like cooling pigs with water sprays and covering the pens of young bulls may help stop such stress behaviour as fighting and mounting, adding supplements to feed and watering systems prior to slaughter in order to try and replenish glycogen levels may be one way in order to reduce the number of incidence of PSE , DFD as may using tranquilisers and muscle relaxants, however there are issues of potential residues in meat as well as negatively effecting the quality expectations of the consumer by treating an animal in this way. In conclusion to reduce the levels of PSE DFD in meat of all species a combined approach of improving welfare conditions, reducing fear, physical stress and pain, training and education staff, as well as online monitoring and feedback to key stakeholders is required. Carcass cooling rates should be closely controlled. There is a need to develop new methods of objective measurement, both as soon as possible after slaughter and at point of sale, emerging technologies such as near infra red spectrophotometrey, nuclear magnetic resonance, developments in immunoassay techniques and genetic markers may help us identify and prevent the causes of PSE and DFD. Linking the relationship of animal welfare and profit is very important, Traditionally it has been thought that increasing welfare means increasing costs, for example in stocking densities of transport. In seeing that increasing welfare conditions could actually be a profitable activity, aiding reduced quality complaints, increased yiel ds, better sales and less waste there is an opportunity to have large positive impact on the well being of the whole meat sector. there are few, if any, figures comparing the overall economics of these alternatives. However it seems the net effect of greater care could often be greater profitability  [7]  .

Twentieth Century History of South Africa Essay -- African History

The twentieth century history of South Africa contains many struggles and obstacles as its people worked towards creating a more unified country. Modern human beings have inhabited South Africa for more than 100,000 years and a great deal of colonization has occurred within the last 300 years. During the late 18th century, 90 Dutchmen landed on the Cape of Good Hope as part of the Dutch East India Company, representing the first permanent settlers of South Africa. In 1652, they were instructed to build a fort and to start growing crops to aid the ships travelling along the Eastern trade route. Five short years later, approximately 250 white men occupied the area, bringing with them slaves to aid in growing more crops. Their farmland began to expand, and the native South Africans concern of expanding Dutch colonization was becoming a reality. Immigration was encouraged in the 19th century, and the independent farmers called â€Å"trekboers† started to expand their farmlan d to the north and east. Slaves brought into South Africa by the white colonists created a mixed race group known as â€Å"colored†, creating a mixture of race and culture seen today in South Africa. Native South Africans were losing ground to this expanding Dutch colony and their slaves (Southafrica.info, 2012, pg. 1). According to the U.S. State Department (2012), African farmers known as the Boers began to migrate into South Africa in 1836. These colonists fled to Africa partly to escape British rule and due to the recent abolition of slavery in Britain. This created strife and conflict with the native South Africans, the most formidable being the Zulus. The leader of the Zulus, Shaka, reigned over the area from 1787 to 1828. Under him, the Zulus were able... ...racial election. The citizens of Africa are counting on South Africa's post-apartheid governments to continue the trend of reformation and reconciliation. References A Short History of South Africa - SouthAfrica.info. (n.d.). South Africa's official gateway - investment, travel, country information - SouthAfrica.info. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/history.htm History of South Africa. (n.d.). HistoryWorld - History and Timelines. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=588&HistoryID=aa62>rack=pthc Jost, K. (1994). Can South Africa make the transition to a non-racial democracy?. South Africa's future (pp. 1-25). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. South Africa. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm#political

Web 2.0 versus Pedagogy :: Technology, Voice Thread

Web 2.0 is an advance technology which many people used for communication such as blogs, social networking, entertainment and gaining of information about specific issue, events and people. It facilitates an interactive and collaborative application, user centered design and developing World Wide Web (Rad, 2007). This system is not originally intended for teaching a learning purpose but previously some educators was attracted to use this as an educational tool. (Peltier, 2009) Voice thread Integration of literacy and technology is very helpful for learners to fully understand the specific information and as well as in the side of educators that will improve their teaching strategy through adaptability of voice thread. Considering the advancement of the technologies and the knowledge of each educator and the willingness of the learners this progress will not be impossible to achieve as desired. Contributories in making the voice thread effective to the users depending on their capabilities to adapt the process of spreading information and interaction towards feedback mechanism will surely be manageable to which all queries are given that of enough attention. Voice Thread is an online tool which is not originally intended as a classroom tool but in 2008, Burden made a study in which Voice Thread can be used as an educational tool for enhancement of teaching and student learning. This kind of online application showcases a new designed learning tool that engages students to be motivated in exploring and gaining knowledge through video collaborative conversation, images, power point, and audio files. Voice Thread has the ability to securely accommodate learners not only to become readers but to become participants also. (Freyer, 2008) Voice Thread allows interaction within the user and the participants thru exchanging of comments by oral or textual. This application also allows privacy of documents being posted for which you can choose only the audiences or participants which can view your post. To attract learners to be more interested, Voice Thread also allows images or videos to be posted for a better presentation (Anderson, 2010). For better audio comments, Lofton (2008) suggested the usage of Audacity which is a free downloadable application that allows editing and volume adjustments. Another suggestion is to use a better quality microphone (Lofton, 2008). Voice Thread might pose an accessibility problem for those students with low bandwidth. In addition, viewing the application on a mobile phone can be difficult because it employs Flash to deliver content. Web 2.0 versus Pedagogy :: Technology, Voice Thread Web 2.0 is an advance technology which many people used for communication such as blogs, social networking, entertainment and gaining of information about specific issue, events and people. It facilitates an interactive and collaborative application, user centered design and developing World Wide Web (Rad, 2007). This system is not originally intended for teaching a learning purpose but previously some educators was attracted to use this as an educational tool. (Peltier, 2009) Voice thread Integration of literacy and technology is very helpful for learners to fully understand the specific information and as well as in the side of educators that will improve their teaching strategy through adaptability of voice thread. Considering the advancement of the technologies and the knowledge of each educator and the willingness of the learners this progress will not be impossible to achieve as desired. Contributories in making the voice thread effective to the users depending on their capabilities to adapt the process of spreading information and interaction towards feedback mechanism will surely be manageable to which all queries are given that of enough attention. Voice Thread is an online tool which is not originally intended as a classroom tool but in 2008, Burden made a study in which Voice Thread can be used as an educational tool for enhancement of teaching and student learning. This kind of online application showcases a new designed learning tool that engages students to be motivated in exploring and gaining knowledge through video collaborative conversation, images, power point, and audio files. Voice Thread has the ability to securely accommodate learners not only to become readers but to become participants also. (Freyer, 2008) Voice Thread allows interaction within the user and the participants thru exchanging of comments by oral or textual. This application also allows privacy of documents being posted for which you can choose only the audiences or participants which can view your post. To attract learners to be more interested, Voice Thread also allows images or videos to be posted for a better presentation (Anderson, 2010). For better audio comments, Lofton (2008) suggested the usage of Audacity which is a free downloadable application that allows editing and volume adjustments. Another suggestion is to use a better quality microphone (Lofton, 2008). Voice Thread might pose an accessibility problem for those students with low bandwidth. In addition, viewing the application on a mobile phone can be difficult because it employs Flash to deliver content.

El Nino and its Impact on Coral Reefs :: Geology

El Nino and its Impact on Coral Reefs Introduction When individuals think of El Nino, they think of heavy wind, heavy rain, and the hot and cold temperatures in the wrong seasons. However, El Nino impacts are more than on humans and their surroundings. El Nino impacts the sea as well. The changes El Nino brings to our weather brings changes to ocean temperature. Changes in the ocean impact all forms of life in the ocean. It brings changes to fishes (affecting migration patterns), changes to aquatic vegetation growth, changes in the rest of the food chain , and most importantly changes (even death) to coral reefs. Coral reefs are more than collectable items, but they are a source of food, shelter and protection for most fishes and other forms of life in the ocean. During El Nino, coral reefs are damaged by the change of temperature. This leaves fishes homeless and in danger. What is El Nino El Nino is a disruption of the ocean off the coast of South America. El Nino starts when all the cold water on the bottom of the ocean does not come up to the surface because the trade winds blow differently during El Nino years. Instead, the warm water stays on top and becomes overheated. Then the water warms the jet streams, as well as sending more moisture into the air. El Nino has many important consequences for all the weather around the globe. For example, Illinois might be warm during its winter, and Brazil might be cold during its summer. Rainfall follows the warm water eastward. This is associated with flooding in Peru and droughts occurring in Australia. This kind of weather change is caused by El Nino. An El Nino may occur every three to seven years . It begins with a change in the trade winds. El Nino can last from a few months up to two years . It can be predicted a year before it happens. The warming of the ocean water begins in the Pacific and moves towards the coas t of South America. During a period of time that may last a year. A full blown El Nino starts in early December. El Nino effects continue for many months. (El Nino Theme Page, 1996). History No one knows exactly when the El Nino occurred, but ice core records from the Andes in Peru suggest these climate fluctuations have been part of Earth's weather cycle for El Nino and its Impact on Coral Reefs :: Geology El Nino and its Impact on Coral Reefs Introduction When individuals think of El Nino, they think of heavy wind, heavy rain, and the hot and cold temperatures in the wrong seasons. However, El Nino impacts are more than on humans and their surroundings. El Nino impacts the sea as well. The changes El Nino brings to our weather brings changes to ocean temperature. Changes in the ocean impact all forms of life in the ocean. It brings changes to fishes (affecting migration patterns), changes to aquatic vegetation growth, changes in the rest of the food chain , and most importantly changes (even death) to coral reefs. Coral reefs are more than collectable items, but they are a source of food, shelter and protection for most fishes and other forms of life in the ocean. During El Nino, coral reefs are damaged by the change of temperature. This leaves fishes homeless and in danger. What is El Nino El Nino is a disruption of the ocean off the coast of South America. El Nino starts when all the cold water on the bottom of the ocean does not come up to the surface because the trade winds blow differently during El Nino years. Instead, the warm water stays on top and becomes overheated. Then the water warms the jet streams, as well as sending more moisture into the air. El Nino has many important consequences for all the weather around the globe. For example, Illinois might be warm during its winter, and Brazil might be cold during its summer. Rainfall follows the warm water eastward. This is associated with flooding in Peru and droughts occurring in Australia. This kind of weather change is caused by El Nino. An El Nino may occur every three to seven years . It begins with a change in the trade winds. El Nino can last from a few months up to two years . It can be predicted a year before it happens. The warming of the ocean water begins in the Pacific and moves towards the coas t of South America. During a period of time that may last a year. A full blown El Nino starts in early December. El Nino effects continue for many months. (El Nino Theme Page, 1996). History No one knows exactly when the El Nino occurred, but ice core records from the Andes in Peru suggest these climate fluctuations have been part of Earth's weather cycle for

Positive Influence on Kids

Rhetorical Analysis Being a high school and college athlete, I have gained a lot of skills both physically and mentally. I have learned how to work with different personalities and learned how to adapt to them. Also, I have learned how to cope with winning and losing. I honestly believe that playing sports shaped me into the person I am today. I have great leadership skills, I interact well with others, I adapt well with new people and I do not give up on anything that I do.In his New York times editorial † Sports Teaches Kids Valuable Lessons,† Keener notes that while striving to win (on an organized ports team), children learn about teamwork and sportsmanship, two keys that can contribute to developing into a solid citizen. In sports, there is a bigger picture than just merely winning and losing. Once you have learned how to stay grounded and humble when you win, or even learning from a terrible loss, I believe you have overall gained a lifetime skill. Some play sports Just for the fun, while other play for the competitiveness of the game.Personally, I play for both reasons. Keener's argument is stating that these skills of teamwork, and sportsmanship may be acquired though ifferent realms other than sports, but they are enhanced through sports. He feels that they help children learn when the right time is to express those characteristics. Playing sports is a learning experience, you learn how to interact with different people, learn how to cope with losing, and learn how to persevere. In the editorial, Keener expresses that athletics build character and discipline, as well as teamwork and hard work.An organized sports team with members cooperating with one another to achieve a common goal, sport participation is a good way of further instilling the important principles of teamwork in a group. If one person does not do their part the whole team can and will suffer. If one individual dominates then the performance of others will be adversely affect ed in both areas the only way to achieve a victory is with a team working in harmony and on equal terms with one another. As with sport, a team may comprise multiple talents but if they don't work well together then the team will quickly fall apart.You win as a team and lose as a team. So with that, you have to learn, with your team, how fix the problem and be able to come together and win. Realistically, it is not guaranteed that you will win. Some teams go on with the worst records of not winning one game in a season. Keener explains, you learn how to get back up every time you get knocked down. With that, you will learn to thrive and compete through any recurring disappointments or setbacks. In the text, he illustrates how taking on a sport may take sacrifice.It can be transformation of your body from to fit the sport; there is a wide range of injuries, or even time away from daily activities. Sports should serve the purpose of general development, keeping the body strong and mai ntaining healthy life style. Keener noted that sports help the child keep up a healthy lifestyle. He notes that with athletes competing at a competitive level can lead to positive psychosocial, developmental and health benefits for girls. Research shows that sport participation and positive self-perceptions and also better success rates in the classrooms.Lastly, Keener takes a different approach by explaining how participating in sports gives athletes the ability to develop tight and lasting friendships. This is an experience that usually leaves them with lasting life long memories. There are some positive social benefits to sports participation that are easily overlooked by many. Keener tried to connect on a very person and emotional level. In high school, everyone wants a friend. Everyone wants to feel accepted or have that sense of belonging to something.Some kids may not have that sense of family at home, so they may Join a sport to fill in where their home life is lacking. Afte r reading the editorial, I still have the same feelings toward the topic. I absolutely agree with everything Keener had to say. Although some may say that there are some character traits that only parents can instill in their children. But there is something special to a child about having howing those skills off through some type of medium. Overall, Keener was very successful in his editorial. He clearly stated his argument and his claim.He factually and emotionally connected to different types of audiences, mostly athletes, future athletes and parents of athletes. What made it so successful was how he proved his claim through facts and thoughts, and also connecting with the right audience. It all made sense. He was able to connect with actual athletes and parents of athletes. He challenges the child to strive to be a better athlete by adhering to the life lessons learned. He also challenges the parents to challenge their child by encouraging them to get involved with a team.Keener touched upon different aspects ofa child's life that later on down the road requires usage of those skills they learned. Kids may never use their physical talents or skills again after high school or college, but one thing they will use is their leadership skills, teamwork and perseverance. Those are fundamental keys to being successful in the real world and work force.

Benefits of Trees

Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxideTrees are necessary for our survival. Through photosynthesis trees produce the gas that we cannot live without: oxygen (O2). As we breathe in, our bodies take in oxygen and when we breathe out, we release carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees do the opposite. They take in CO2 and release O2. This cleans the air by removing harmful CO2 so that people and animals can breathe.Moderate temperature and rainfallTrees help cool the earth’s tempearature.Trees are like natural air conditioners and water pumps. They cool the earth by giving shade and recycling water. By cooling the air and ground around them, the shade from trees helps cool the earth’s temperature overall. Trees also help moderate the earth’s rainfall, which also helps keep the temperature cooler. If you are at the beach and you come out of the water in a wet bathing suit and lay in the sun, the sun’s heat removes the water from your bathing suit and soon you are dry. T his is called evaporation: when water is removed by heat. Forests help to make sure we get rain. Trees absorb a lot of water from the soil for nourishment. Later, when the sun shines on the trees, water is released from the leaves and absorbed back into the atmosphere – just like the water is absorbed from our bathing suits. When the sun’s energy removes water from the earth’s surface, the water collects into clouds, and when the clouds are heavy with water they release rain back to the earth. Provide food, medicine, shelter and warmthCork used in a cork-board.Every day we use or eat something that has come from a tree. Think about the paper we write on, the pencils we use and the furniture we sit on – they all came from trees. The uses of wood are virtually endless. In addition to being processed into products, trees are also cut down so their wood can be used as fuel to cook food and heat homes. But we don’t always have to cut down a tree to be a ble to make something from it. The rubber that you find on soles of your shoes is made from sap that comes from a type of tree found in Brazil, India, China and Southeast Asia. Cork is the bark of the evergreen cork oak found in the Mediterranean region. Cork has the ability to contract when squeezed and then expand back out again. The evergreen cork  oak is one of the few trees that does not die when its bark is removed.Coconuts on a palm tree.What about the things we eat? How many different fruits or nuts can you think of that come from trees? What about the maple syrup we like to eat on our pancakes? Sap is tapped from the sugar maple to make maple syrup. And did you know that cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree that grows in India?Willow away the pain! The active ingredient in acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) originally came from the bark of a willow tree. There are also many plants that have life-saving properties. About $30 billion is spent every year in Canada on prescript ion and non-prescription drugs that contain active ingredients that come from forests. Illnesses such as malaria, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are all treated with medicines made in part from plants. Support biodiversityForests are communities full of organisms that depend on each other for survival. We call these communities ecosystems. All parts of a forest ecosystem and the interactions between them are needed for the health and well-being of all. Forests offer food, water, shelter and protection for an incredible array of wildlife. The term â€Å"biodiversity† is used to describe the variety of life. This variety is what an ecosystem depends on. It is helpful to think of an ecosystem as a woven carpet; if you pull on a loose thread, it might only affect the thread and those closest to it or it might unravel the whole carpet. Benefits of Trees Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxideTrees are necessary for our survival. Through photosynthesis trees produce the gas that we cannot live without: oxygen (O2). As we breathe in, our bodies take in oxygen and when we breathe out, we release carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees do the opposite. They take in CO2 and release O2. This cleans the air by removing harmful CO2 so that people and animals can breathe.Moderate temperature and rainfall Trees help cool the earth’s tempearature.Trees are like natural air conditioners and water pumps. They cool the earth by giving shade and recycling water. By cooling the air and ground around them, the shade from trees helps cool the earth’s temperature overall. Trees also help moderate the earth’s rainfall, which also helps keep the temperature cooler. If you are at the beach and you come out of the water in a wet bathing suit and lay in the sun, the sun’s heat removes the water from your bathing suit and soon you are dry.T his is called evaporation: when water is removed by heat. Forests help to make sure we get rain. Trees absorb a lot of water from the soil for nourishment. Later, when the sun shines on the trees, water is released from the leaves and absorbed back into the atmosphere – just like the water is absorbed from our bathing suits. When the sun’s energy removes water from the earth’s surface, the water collects into clouds, and when the clouds are heavy with water they release rain back to the earth. Provide food, medicine, shelter and warmthCork used in a cork-board.Every day we use or eat something that has come from a tree. Think about the paper we write on, the pencils we use and the furniture we sit on – they all came from trees. The uses of wood are virtually endless. In addition to being processed into products, trees are also cut down so their wood can be used as fuel to cook food and heat homes. But we don’t always have to cut down a tree to be a ble to make something from it.The rubber that you find on soles of your shoes is made from sap that comes from a type of tree found in Brazil, India, China and Southeast Asia. Cork is the bark of the evergreen cork oak found in the Mediterranean region. Cork has the ability to contract when squeezed and then expand back out again. The evergreen cork  oak is one of the few trees that does not die when its bark is removed.Coconuts on a palm tree.What about the things we eat? How many different fruits or nuts can you think of that come from trees? What about the maple syrup we like to eat on our pancakes? Sap is tapped from the sugar maple to make maple syrup. And did you know that cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree that grows in India?Willow away the pain! The active ingredient in acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) originally came from the bark of a willow tree. There are also many plants that have life-saving properties. About $30 billion is spent every year in Canada on prescripti on and non-prescription drugs that contain active ingredients that come from forests. Illnesses such as malaria, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are all treated with medicines made in part from plants.Support biodiversityForests are communities full of organisms that depend on each other for survival. We call these communities ecosystems. All parts of a forest ecosystem and the interactions between them are needed for the health and well-being of all. Forests offer food, water, shelter and protection for an incredible array of wildlife. The term â€Å"biodiversity† is used to describe the variety of life. This variety is what an ecosystem depends on. It is helpful to think of an ecosystem as a woven carpet; if you pull on a loose thread, it might only affect the thread and those closest to it or it might unravel the whole carpet.

Nandos

Nandos ________________________________________________________ Nando’s, is a well-known fast food restaurant which was found in 1987 in South Africa. Nando’s is specializing in chicken, especially its unique Mozambican-Portuguese style of Peri-Peri Flamed Grilled Chicken. Nando’s opened its first international strore 12 years ago and the Nando’s Peri-Peri trail has blazed from South Africa across the seas to other 22 countries, comprising 400 stores worldwide. The signature menu item at Nando’s is a Portuguese specialty, Peri-Peri chicken which has a truly unique taste. Delicious alternatives and additions to Peri-Peri chicken include chicken breast burgers and pitas, prego steak rolls, vegetarian and bean burgers, chicken livers etc. Businesses today face three major challenges and opportunities which of course, as an international company, Nando’s is also facing the same challenges which bring opportunity to the business: Globalization, Technological Advancement and Outsourcing. Further details will be discussed in the following. Globalization, Technological Advancement and Outsoucing _______________________________________________________ Globalization is the growing integration of economies and societies around the world and legal system. That make people around the globe are more connected to each other than ever before. At a business level, we talk globalization when companies decide to take part in the emerging global economy and establish themselves in foreign market. Globalization means a company will adapt their products or services to the final user’s linguistic and cultural requirement. Then, take the advantage of the internet revolution and establish a virtual presence on the international marketplace with a multilingual corporate website or even as an e-business. Nando’s first created in South Africa and had a fast development overseas. Nando’s has decided to go to an international market. Different stages in term of globalization are possible. Nando’s has acquired overseas outlets and branches. Nando comprises 400 stores worldwide with 176 stores in South Africa and the rest in international markets. It plan to have rolled out excess of 600 quick service restaurants to world wide within 3 years serving peri-peri marinated, flame grill chicken and associated food items under the Nando’s brand name. In our opinion, globalization of Nando’s brings the greatest opportunities for higher economic growth and better living standards that more openness bring, policymakers to international, national and local. Chief executive Robbie Brozin had anticipated the fast food chain to introduce Nando’s unique flamed-grilled chicken to world wide. Nowadays, Nando’s already establish many restaurants in Asian like Singapore and`Malaysia. To define the models of strategy used, the four P components of the Marketing Mix will help us understand nando’s view. Nando’s needs have a big promotion for their products to create a successful global brand. The first promotion of their product is advertised their grill-chicken by using the poster method. They provide four-different color chicken and create a slogan for their brand â€Å"We’re all the same on the inside, Pauline†. Then it used a radio advertisement featuring a soon-to-be-grilled chicken parodying a recording made by Hanson. A vital part of low cost marketing strategy is to be flexible and topical and grab channel as soon as they arise to influence out of the publicity. Nowadays, Nando’s also create a website to introduce their tradition proteges food to world wide. Consumers can also download Nando’s peri-peri chicken recipes if they are interest to it. In Malaysia, the most attractive promotion is the Nando’s have classified their peri-peri chicken to four flavors, that is lemon-herb, mild peri-peri, hot peri-peri, extra hot peri-peri. These promotion is aim to attract the people who interest to challenge for the level of spicy of Nando’s peri-peri chicken with their spicy chilly sauce. Beside the well-known of the brand, its products are well-positioned for international growth because of the healthier image of grill chicken. The famous food of the Nando’s is their peri-peri chicken. The chicken are butterfly-cut and marinated for 24 hours before they are flame-grilled to succulent perfection and are basted with your choice of peri-peri flavour when order are taken. Nando’s are not change the recipe to prepare the peri-peri chiken while the peri-peri chicken is introduce to different countries because they want the consumer to enjoy a traditional Afro-Portugnese styled eating experi-perience and knowing the culture of their food at Nando’s. They are also ensuring that the ingredients to prepare the chicken are positive effect on life. For an example, the well known Nando’s peri-peri chicken has a high content of vitamin C and their peri-peri chicken release endorphins. By the way, they are only using A-grade chickens, which are trimmed of any excess fat before cooking. Thereafter, the chicken is flame-grilled on custom designed grills, which burn away most of the remaining fat. This means that Nando’s chickens are low in fat and cholesterol. The results of recent nutritional research have confirmed that Nando’s has a lot to crow about when it comes to health. However, comparing to its competitors, Nando’s has the advantages to provide a better quality and speed. As explained by Hume, they want to be the best, not the biggest. They found a niche market where they can develop their product. Nando’s not only recognize their food to the global, they are also promise that the Nando’s experience is universal. They ensure that consumers will find the same warm friendly service delicious chicken and a relaxed informal atmosphere when they walk in anyone of Nando’s restaurant. Beside that, Nando’s also want kids to share in the Nando’s experience, so they have special non-spicy flavour especially for children. They are intended that everyone can enjoy wonderful food and service in the restaurant In order to achieve globalization and challenge with the international competitors, Nando’s have to set their own price for each product. So, Nando’s have five options to review pricing strategy. First, adopt a ‘bugger them’ attitude and keep your prices as they are. Second, slash your prices to undercut the undercutters. This two option could find yourself in the bankruptcy court. Third, adjust your prices downward to meet those of the competition. Forth, increase your prices and target a niche market. Select options three and four and need the financial clout to outlast the competition. The best bet is option five that is cut costs to lower your prices and add value to customer service. It involves using resources (human and material) more efficiently. It may involve restructuring organization from top to bottom. It will certainly involve developing a customer service culture. Nando’s will choose their restaurants located in the high population location. This restaurant is under franchise whereby, this restaurant can find it in certain place. Normally, we can easily find it in Midvalley, KLCC, 1-Utama. As a consumer, the cheap and better food is a first choice to them. It can not be denied that this restaurant is very convenient to consumer because after shopping, and then can enjoy this famous restaurant. The alternatively is this restaurant is very suitable for those people who are run out this means for the working people, this kind of people only 1 hour to enjoy their lunch, therefore, this restaurant is the better choice for them, because, the restaurant has this concept ‘ fast, cheap, near, convenient, best services, fair’. This concept really attack attention for this kind of people. If we discuss the convenient place which the restaurant is located? The question wants to ask that, what the ordinary people are regards as the convenient place. It can not be denied that everyone can but car, bus, taxi, LRT, to the nearest shop which the restaurant. The especially go through by LRT it is most convenient for people whatever go to certain destination. Therefore, due to this convenient of the traffic, the indirectly can promote he restaurant to people about the special food, special services and so on. The indirectly the special rest6aurant will also one of the food in this restaurant because of the convenient which to improve the business of the restaurant. Therefore, the convenient place is very important point. As we know that the changes foreseen over the next decade or two will be more comprehensive and have a higher degree of impart on every aspect of our lives than has ever been witnessed. Technology is advancing exponentially and the rate of advancement is accelerating; it is impossible to throttle back innovation and technological advancement. We need to approach policy decisions with a new predictive model that is built upon fact-based assessments. However, technology also provides the capabilities for countries to defend themselves- thus creating some degree of security. When we look at the rate of technological advancement or progress, we can see as time passes the technologically advanced and technologically disadvantaged to increase. Thus, a very good example is Nando’s UK. Nando’s UK is different to the other Nando’s chains world-wide in that its 70 odd stores are not franchises but directly owned and managed. Nando’s UK started with a range of line-of-business applications and separate Web-enabled solutions, all requiring professional developers to update. Basic changes required HTML and other development skills. This process made timely posting of content more difficult than it should have been, and the Intranet was not being used as effectively as it should have been as an internal marketing, communication and management platform. The solution had to have a single point of call, be easy to update, expandable, secure, utilizing the current structure with the ability to evolve, and be scalable. Nando’s IT department had built an earlier Intranet solution in-house. This experience had taught them the importance of security and authentication of users together with flexible user management within an expandable navigational structure. They also thoroughly understood all of the technical issues and problems and realized that the solution to these issues had to be esigned into the system at a fundamental level. When they went to market for a solution they knew how difficult and expensive it would be to develop an in-house solution and that there was no point in reinventing the wheel if there was a flexible system already in existence that could meet their requirements or could easily be adapted. High on their priority list was a solution that had already solved the problems of security, authentication, and int erfacing with third party applications allowing consistent branding. In addition they wanted a system that did away with the need for HTML staff to update content and allowed them to target these skills on enhancements. Non-technical users needed an easy-to-use application that would allow them to create and publish, directly to the site in a matter of minutes. In addition, the solution needed to be flexible and extendible so it could dynamically evolve to reflect changes within the company. Nando’s UK identified other requirements as the project evolved which ActiveWeb was flexible enough to address to produce a value for money solution to meet their needs. Furthermore, ActiveWeb responded to this brief enthusiastically and with a commitment which impressed Nando’s staff. For example, the project management had the technology expertise to instinctively understand what Nando’s wanted to achieve and how it could be achieved using ActiveWeb CMS. They had already solved the problem of ease of use security branding and expandability. Besides that, the ActiveWeb CMS solution empowered Nando’s content contributors to take control of their own content and take a far more proactive role in terms of prompting their individual areas. Moreover, the ActiveWeb cms is a NET development which ensures Nando’s has invested in a future [proof technology solution which can be integrated with back office systems, when required, with the Intranet and Extranet. Outsourcing is purchasing a significant percentage of intermediate components from outside suppliers. Furthermore, this also refers to a company buying services from another firm. For example, if company X is outsourcing its e-commerce services, it means that it is relying on another company to do this job rather than doing it internally with its own employees and resources. Many companies, like IBM, outsource much of their production to Taiwanese firms. In addition, outsourcing is the transference to third-parties, the performance of functions once administered in-house. Outsourcing is really two types of service: ITO – IT Outsourcing, involves a third party who is contracted to manage a particular application, including all related servers, networks, and software upgrades. BPO – Business Process Outsourcing features a third party who manages the entire business process, such as accounting, procurement, or human resources. In this case, Nando’s has taken Portuguese food to the world. For decades during the twentieth century, tens of thousands of people emigrated from Portugal, some to search for better lives, others to escape desperate poverty. And with them went much of Portugal’s entrepreneurial spirit. Initially, the migrants were fleeing a military dictatorship which governed the country for almost half the century: Under the rule of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, wealth was greatly concentrated in the hands of a small upper class, leaving the rest of the population without the spare cash or opportunity to ever consider large scale business propositions. After the military leaders were toppled in 1974, ending 48 years of dictatorship-ideas about profits and free enterprise were further curbed for years by the country’s left-wing rules. But now the entrepreneurs are back, as symbolized by the rapid rise of the popular Nando’s chain of spicy chicken restaurants-â€Å"official taste of Portugal 2004†. ________________________________________________________ From the opportunities offer, Nando’s has now operated in the fiercely competitive international markets for years. It has stood the test of time and today it is an international high-street brand trading successfully in many different international countries with equally diverse cultures and customer needs. The Nando’s culture and chosen empowerment style has proven to be particularly suitable in adapting to this global expansion path.