How ICT has helped people with special needs Essay Example for Free

How ICT has helped people with special needs Essay Introduction In this essay I will be analysing how the usage of ICT helps people with special needs. There are 3 types of special needs. What is a physical disability? The term disability, as it is applied to humans, refers to any condition that impedes the completion of daily tasks using traditional methods. National governments and global humanitarian agencies have narrowed this definition for their own purposes, only pledging aid to those with specific disabilities of a certain severity What is a sensory disability? Is when someone is you are Deaf, visually impaired, hearing impaired or have a significant combination of hearing and sight loss. What is a learning difficulty? A disorder in basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or use mathematical calculations. The term includes conditions such as perceptual disability, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. How ICT is used to help those with Learning Difficulties Multimedia software Helps people who find it hard to concentrate. It uses different forms of media, pictures, sound clips and video to keep the user interested. Specialised educational software Theres a huge range of software available to help people struggling with different subjects and useful tips e. g. help with reading and basic maths. Touch screens These are useful for people who finding using a mouse or any other sort of input device difficult. Spell checkers Can help people with dyslexia who finds it difficult to spell; you can set it up so check your words as you type. How ICT is used to help those with visual difficulties. People with hearing difficulties can still use most computer functions normally. One thing you can do though is set up the computer to display visual icons rather than using sound. DVDs are much better than videotapes as you can use the subtitle facilities. Many recent communication technologies like e-mail and texting work really well for people with hearing. Being able to set mobile phones to vibrate or flash is also very useful. Text phones are an older system that replaces a standard telephone with a keyboard and a screen. What you type on both screens- a bit like a chat-room. Both sender and receiver need a text phone machine. If a person has problem seeing or is completely blind they would be categorized as having a Visual disabilities. If a person cannot read small type then there are a lot of magnification devices out on the market, which fit almost anything from phones to monitors. For example a person with low vision would use a keyboard with extra large print. If a person is completely blind then they would use a speech recognition device. Changing the screen settings can help. You can also change the colour scheme, screen resolution and fonts to make it clearer. For the blind, special hardware is available- Braille keyboards make it easy to type, and describe whats on the screen. Screen readers are pieces of software that use speech synthesis technology to read out and describe whats on the screen. Text-To-Speech. A text-to-speech is designed for individuals with reading difficulties. It works by simultaneously highlights and reading aloud of text. There are other devices for people with reading disabilities such as spellcheckers How ICT is used to help those with hearing difficulties. Speech Recognition There are two uses for speech recognition these are Dictation and Computer control. Speech recognition is one of the desired assistive technology systems. People believe speech recognition is a natural and easy method of accessing the computer A dyslexic person who has problems with writing English would use the speech recognition to make sure their English is correct. A person planning to use speech recognition must be aware he is required to go through a training session. This is a one-time reading when the user must read aloud an excerpt of text that is displayed during the training feature of the speech recognition application. Depending upon the speech recognition software, there is several enrolment training excerpts to select from. A person planning to use speech recognition must be aware he is required to go through an enrolment (training) session. This is a one-time reading when the user must read aloud an excerpt of text that is displayed during the training feature of the speech recognition application. (For an example of enrolment text, please see What Is Speech Recognition) Depending upon the speech recognition software, there is several enrolment training excerpts to select from. Personal Communicator tool for Learning and Communicating Sign Language. The Personal Communicator creates a common ground for communicating in Sign Language. Using hypermedia technology, the Personal Communicator is a user-friendly program that brings sign language communication capabilities to the desktop and notebook computer. With more than 2500 digital video signs and 4500 English words. The Personal Communicator can be a useful tool in communication, education, and other environments. If someone is not able to use a mouse because they havent got full control in there hands then there are mouse alternatives to help people with the disabilities. How ICT can help those with Physical Difficulties Many people find mice difficult to use- there are many alternatives such as tracker balls, Joy Sticks and tough pads. People with limited hand movement can get specially designed keyboards to suit there needs. Voice Recognition software can be used by people with little or no hand movement. It lets you speak to the computer to navigate menus and do what you want it to do. If you are severely limited, you can use a computer with switches carefully arranged- Stephen Hawking is a famous example of someone who uses ICT in this way. For people with limited mobility, environmental control systems can be set up to atomically open, close curtains, turn lights on and off, operate heaters and so on. How ICT can help those with Language difficulties Dictionary software can help you to quickly translate individual words. Learning software can help you practise an unfamiliar language with exercises where you can hear phrases spoken. It can also record your voice and play it back to see how well you have done. Most word processing packages can check your spelling in different languages and check that your sentences make sense. In conclusion it is fair to say that people with disabilities might need variations on the standard equipment to use computers, but once they have these mentioned above I am sure it can change the way they live.

Heavenly Resort Business Plan

Heavenly Resort Business Plan The Heavenly Resort, Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines is a boutique hotel within Palawan Island. Heavenly Resort is boutique hotel offering  32 exclusive rooms. The Heavenly Resort  property is convenient and strategic location within the city. Also with the high level of personal service guests receive, create a memorable experience and the extensive range of comprehensive business facilities  available in  unique settings. The Heavenly Resort has 32 exclusive rooms with a pool on the roof top and is targeting corporate guests with a two to three night stay requirement.Foreign retiree guest with a three to six months stay, foreign and local tourist with a one to two weeks stay requirement and family, scuba divers, backpackers, trekkers, bird watchers, spelunkers, explorers and even honeymooners. Differentiating the type of business service offered, and sustainable green innovation from that of the competition, will assist not only in building the Heavenly Resort brand as a whole, but will attract frequent touristtravellers, who require a higher level  of personal service and recognition than they can receive at competitive boutique hotel in Palawan. This will provide the Heavenly Resort with an opportunity to leverage its core competencies as regards servicing the tourist traveller in a unique and innovative environment. Description of the business concept The first Exclusive Business Boutique Hotel/Resort with restaurant is wholly managed with five teams. The team  specializes in occupying strategic, inner city locations and serving primarily corporate clients, foreign and local tourist. Market Needs Palawan Island is one of biggest city in Philippines and the famous holiday destinations for foreign and local. Due to the influx of tourist in the area, there is lack of accommodation with little competition for a boutique hotel. The Heavenly Resort offers value and benefits to our clients, over and above the standard of our facilities and affordable rates. We seek to provide our guests with an exemplary  personal service, and level of recognition that they have come to rely upon. We provide our guest with a relaxed environment which they cannot find at larger, more impersonal competitors. Our guests need to know that they can develop a relationship with the hotel that will ensure efficiency, value for their  money and reliability in supplying them with the support they need, when they needed it. The Heavenly Resort operates in a city with a very strong sense of community, and we want to stay an integral part of that community. The Target Market The Heavenly Resort is a boutique hotel comprising 32 guest rooms, a pool,and restaurantand specializing in servicing corporate guest, foreign and local with the family. Our key clients are originating from both international and domestic  markets from Scuba divers, backpackers, trekkers, bird watchers, spelunkers, explorersand yes, even honeymooners. The strategic location of the property is the key to its success in these areas due to the proximity of the nearby white sand beaches and resorts where guests can take a plunge or bathe in the sun and beautiful scenery. Key to our business success is the level of customer loyalty and repeat  business. We offer our guests unique ambience amenities,when styled in a boutique manner both inside the rooms and within the hotels conference facilities. Our guests feel that they can conduct their business from within a less austere atmosphere than can be experienced in our competitive properties, where there is less personal recognition. They appreciate being called by name when they arrive, and having staff remember their specific requirements, time and again. This is the key in developing the relationship beyond an initial stay and evidences our added value in relation to competitive properties in the vicinity. The Competitive Advantages (Innovativeness)(Arvind) The Team (April Chris) Market Research and Analysis Market Analysis Table 1:   Tourist Volume in Major Destinations, January-May 2010/2009   Destinations 2010 2009 Growth Rate Metro Manila 848,518 724,572 17.11% Cebu 734,531 703,965 4.34% Boracay Island 378,694 337,664 12.15% Camarines Sur* 348,139 344,459 1.07% Baguio City 318,677 373,820 -14.75% Davao City 275,658 273,492 0.79% Zambales 159,025 157,591 0.91% Bohol 143,276 139,162 2.96% Camiguin Island 105,262 90,269 16.61% Negros Oriental 102,394 98,738 3.70% Cagayan 83,822 80,739 3.82% IlocosNorte 81,724 88,366 -7.52% Puerto Princesa City* 73,986 54,754 35.12% Total 3,653,706 3,467,591 5.37% * January-March data only.   No data provided for April and May Source of Data:   DOT Regional Offices/Local Tourism Offices/Accommodation Establishment. Market Demographics Market Geographics: Puerto Princesa, Philippines is a city centre in Palawan Island, with a population of 157,144. Overall Island population is 640,486. Market Demographics: The community in Palawan are migrants from other regions in the Philippines and Foreigners who create business activities. Market Psychographics: There is a strong small business ethic in the community, and many family-run enterprises have been prospering for generations.   There is also a strong sense of community and a high level of awareness as regards to caring for the environment. Market Behaviours: Businesses in the area choose to support one another wherever possible, be remaining loyal to long standing relationships with customers and suppliers. This acts as a means of investing in, and supporting the community structure. Market Trends Market trends can be categorized as follows: Foreign and Domestic tourist. Puerto Princesa City tourist traffic grew by 21% with foreign and domestic visitors increasing at double digit level of 23% and 21%, respectively.   The upgrading of Puerto Princesa Airport paved the way to increase flight frequencies from Manila and other island destinations in Central Philippines.   Likewise, the efforts of the City Government of Puerto Princesa to develop new tourist products attracted more visitors and enabled prolonged stays.   By year 2010, total tourist traffic in the top destinations is forecast to grow by 15% as domestic travel movement continues to increase and international tourist markets recover from economic slack. Market Growth The growth rate of the target markets has been increasing over the past five years. The foreign tourist has grown at an average of 12.81%, and the domestic tourist has grown at an average of 2.12%. Puerto Princesa City has 117,000 visitors annually. 41.78% are foreign and 35.4% are domestic. The tourist volume in 2009 is 54,754 and in 2010 are 73,986. The overall growth rate is 35.12% which is the highest among other tourist destination in Philippines. The Company The Heavenly Resort, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines, is a Boutique Hotel and Restaurant. Offering 32 exclusive rooms with complementary breakfast,and offer an affordable signature cuisine local and continental. Mission The Heavenly Resort is dedicated to providing its guests with the highest quality of service and creates a memorable experience. We seek to deliver on our promise of value and quality above all else. We value our place in the community and will work to develop those relationships and to respect and protect our environment. We will continue to strive to create value for both owners and shareholders whilst honouring our brand values and encouraging our personnel to develop themselves in an environment of trust, loyalty and encouragement. Service Offering Service: high-quality facilities accompanied by exemplary personalised service, differentiated from competition in line with the overall brand strategy has proven to be a successful approach generating high levels of repeat business. Positioning The Heavenly Resort is positioned as a unique boutique hotel, foreign and localtravellers strategically located and offering a high level of personalised service. Ourfocus is on offering our guests value added  and differentiating ourselves in our levels of personalised service. We provide a  quality hotel memorable experience where guests are valued, respected, delighted and their business is truly appreciated. SWOT Summary The following analysis highlights the internal strengths and weaknesses of our organization and the opportunities and threats facing the company in our external environment. We must work to improve our areas of weakness. Organizational strengths must be leveraged in order to capitalize on external opportunities as they arise, and contingency plans formulated in order to deal with threats presented by the environment. Strengths Strategy: strong differentiation strategy. Skills: diverse range of service skills within management and staff. Style: strong, participative culture. Staff: specialized and experienced staff that is motivated and highly skilled. A well trained team who are proud of their hotel and  respect and promote the brand values. Shared Values: clear and well communicated. Brand Strength: brand values well represented engendering brand loyalty amongst existing and new guests. Reputation: a strong reputation within the local market and corporate and travel trade markets for reliability, exemplary service and quality. Weaknesses Strategy: differentiation strategy needs to be more clearly communicated externally, within local and national markets. Systems: formal systems result from the detail oriented work and environment. Interdepartmental communications could be improved. Staff: seasonal turnover requires ongoing training and orientation of new staff. Facilities: certain rooms require renovation and upgrade as regards technical equipment, such as high speed Internet access and laptop links. Opportunities Market: high growth since a huge influx of tourist. Competitors: no direct competition exists at present, in terms of the boutique business property niche. Suppliers: strong, long-term relationships  established with suppliers. Guest Dependency: repeat corporate clients based on personalised service and quality, in a small but unique and innovative environment. Threats Market Entry: potential for a competitive, global brand to enter the market with a similar product. Substitutes: fully furnished and serviced business apartments offering lower daily rates. Economy: recovery from slight recession may take time. Competition Although no direct competition exists, in terms of the boutique-style property, other five star hotels and serviced apartments, chalets do compete for the same business sector. Growth and Share (Adam please produce a graph for this) Competitor Price Growth Rate Market Share Casa Puerte (BB) $60 Legend Hotel (3star) $150 Asturias Hotel (4star) $200 Heavenly Resort $75 Average Total Competitive Analysis #1 #2 #3 #4 Competitor Legend Asturias Casa Puerte Heavenly Product and/or Service Legend Asturias Casa Puerte Heavenly Quality 6 7 4 8 Selection 5 7 5 6 Price 6 6 6 6 Other 0 0 0 0 Location and Physical Appearance Legend Asturias Casa Puerte Heavenly Traffic 4 5 7 7 Appearance 4 7 6 8 Visibility 7 6 7 9 Convenience Factors 7 6 6 8 Other 0 0 0 0 Added Value Factors Legend Asturias Casa Puerte Heavenly Pre and Post Sales Service 3 5 4 7 Experience 7 8 6 9 Expertise 6 7 5 8 Reputation 5 9 6 8 Image 6 9 4 8 Stability 6 8 4 9 Strategic Alliances 0 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 Other Marketing Activities Legend Asturias Casa Puerte Heavenly Established Sales Channels 0 0 0 0 Advertising 0 0 0 0 Post-purchase Support 0 0 0 0 Incentives 0 0 0 0 Loyalty Components 0 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 Total 72 90 70 101 Marketing Plan Marketing Strategy Our marketing strategys objective is to communicate the unique set of services that we offer to discern hotel guests. We attempt to direct the focus of our guests to the issues of quality and value for the  money as opposed to simply the bottom line costs associated with their stay. Our marketing strategy will allow us to communicate our brand values, develop close working relationships with our customers and suppliers and to identify the needs of our guests in an effective manner. Continued differentiation and growth are two goals we have set for ourselves. Growth will take place by targeting Foreign and local tourist. Value Proposition Heavenly Resort offers the best, most personalized service for the corporate traveller, foreign and local. We provide good ambience facilities in very room. We include creative design in every room, such as a unique amenity according their culture and nationalities. Critical Issues We have much strength including our differentiation strategy, and highly skilled and well trained staff. Our weaknesses involve the need to communicate our strategy more clearly in the external environment, our high staff turnover and training requirements due to seasonal fluctuations. Although there is a low to medium threat of a competitive brand entering the market, there are also opportunities as regards the high level of dependency of our guests for our particular service and our strong position within the community with both customers and suppliers. Critical issues for the Heavenly Resort include: Continuing to differentiate from our competition and offering added value to our guests. Retaining our current levels of repeat business and developing further customer loyalty in a competitive market. Nevertheless, smart boutique hotels must continue to adapt to the incessantly changing needs, tastes, preferences, and fashions in order to remain competitive in the flourishing boutique hotel market. Financial Objectives Increase overall room revenue. Accomplish growth within the given budget. Increase corporate contracted rates to reflect the return of confidence in the tourist travel market. Keep payroll expenses  down  and reduce the level of overtime within the workforce. Marketing Objectives To continue to communicate our strategic objectives to our target markets effectively. To provide a positive hotel memorable experience to all our guests. To accomplish our growth targets within the given time and budget. Expand our markets and identify new markets for our product and services. Messaging It is critical to the success of the Heavenly Resort to make sure that the hotel is kept up to the highest level in order to keep the high quality service that Heavenly Resort properties are known for. Our messaging will reflect this high standard that we want to be associated with. We need to print brochures from the recycled material to retain our green environment in front of our customers Branding The Heavenly Resort, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines, is first boutique hotel in Palawan.Heavenly Resort is boutique properties, offering 32 exclusive rooms. The Heavenly Resort  property is convenient and easy access locations within the city. Also synonymous with the brand are the high level of personalised service guests receive, with its unique architecture and design of every rooms.   Strategy Pyramids Our marketing strategy is to focus customers attention on the high quality of the services we offer. Within this strategy are three main points aimed at different market segments. We will provide: The Best and affordable facilities Personalized Services Unique and innovative Amenities Marketing Mix Place: product and service information  are sold to the guest via personal selling, direct marketing, advertising  and the Internet. Delivery channels include travel agents and international  reservations systems. Product Marketing Product: green innovation with high quality ambience facilities accompanied by exemplary personalised service, differentiated from competition quality with the overall brand strategy to be a successful approach generating high levels of repeat business. Pricing Pricing strategy has been consistent with the differentiation objective, to provide added value for a reasonable rate as opposed to discounting and de valuing our products and services. Room rates quoted are net of tax and service, are per night, per room with local and continental breakfast included: Single $65.00; Double $75.00; Family $75++; Deluxe $ 95.00; Suite $125 (maximum occupancy 2 persons). Promotion Promotion: primary focus will remain on mass communication via print ads in trade publications and on the Internet. Direct mail campaigns to existing and prospective clients will increase as a cost effective means of targeted campaigning. Personal selling in the local market will remain an important element of the mix in order to continue to build long-term relationships within the local region and generate  high levels of corporate activity. Public relations activities will continue to play an important role in the marketing mix, presenting the hotel as a supportive member of the community and  participating in significant local events. Advertising Direct Marketing Our direct marketing will be handled by our PR agency. We will buy select targeted list of corporate companies and send them information about Heavenly Resort. We know that we are no experts in direct marketing so it will be important that our PR agency handles every aspect of direct marketing for us. Web Plan Needed: New home page design and navigation Online reservations  capability Printable brochure Website Goals Our website needs to be able to do the following: Convey our messaging of high quality, unique and innovative accommodations Be indexed on major travel websites so that people find us Be able to take reservations online and make changes to reservations online Website Marketing Strategy Our main website marketing strategy hinges upon making sure all major travel sites such as Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, and Hotels.com list our hotel when customers search for hotels in our area. Development Requirements To attain the level of interactivity we want in our design, we need to increase the features allowed (security for  reservations and credit-card processing, daily back-ups, and real-time database linking) and service-level of our hosting service. This will slightly increase our monthly hosting fee. Service Our hotel provides guests with an alternative to the impersonal, boutique hotel properties in the city. Strategically located, our property enables our guests to be at the heart of the city and yet in an environment of calm, serene and professionalism. We seek to differentiate our product and services in the following areas: Personal recognition of our frequent travellers who return time and again. Unique rooms that offer a sense of relaxing and memorable experience. Staff that have a strong customer-service ethic. Green Innovation amenities second to none in town. Sales Plan Our sales plan hinges upon our sales strategy, sales process and, prospecting plan. As long as we follow the plans laid below we should be in good shape. Sales Strategy Riverview Hotels sales strategy hinges upon repeat visits by key corporate accounts. We need to develop a relationship with the companies listed in our Sales Account Plan, as well as actively generate new accounts by soliciting first time corporate, foreign and local visitors. It will be important to remain competitive on price, as well as amenities. The corporate accounting department wants to make sure they limit the amount of money spent per night per employee on a business trip, but the foreign/local traveller will be able to express preference. If the price is right, and the foreign/local traveller knows that they will have all amenities they need while at the Heavenly Resort, we will be assured of keeping and attracting key accounts. Sales Process We will be sure to mail out corporate packets every 6 months to our key accounts, as well as any new accounts we acquire. The packets will have information about corporate pricing and discounts, as well as information about rooms and amenities for the companies to share with business travellers. The biggest piece of our sales process will depend on personal relationships. We will need to make every foreign/local traveller feel like we remember them and we know their likes and dislikes. We also need to cultivate good relationships with the person at the company who makes travel arrangements. Prospecting Plan Whenever a new customer stays at our boutique hotel we need to be able to determine whether it is for leisure or business. If it is for business we need to make sure to get the customers business name and address so that we can send a corporate packet to the company letting them know about corporate pricing and special business amenities. Management Team Controls Our marketing plan is structured to enable us to achieve the strategic goals we have set for  ourselves, in terms of increasing overall revenue as a result of differentiating our products and services from the competition. Our marketing team will ensure that the plan is implemented to the best of their ability and with the highest levels of efficiency and accuracy. Implementation All figures will be monitored on an ongoing basis in relation to projections versus actuals, and the ongoing plan will be altered or manipulated as necessary in order to react to and, wherever possible, anticipate external changes to the environment. Annual results will be evaluated at the Region General Managers meeting where the structure of the plan for the approaching year will also be established. Keys to Success Continue to develop ongoing relationships with frequent and new guests. Continue to develop and implement a strong communications plan in both national and international markets. Leverage our strength in the local market as a member of the community by supporting local events. Identify new markets for our services such as University-based target groups. Continue ongoing staff training and skill development to ensure the highest standards of service. Contingency Planning Contingency plans have been made for the following unexpected developments: A slower recovery from the recession than public opinion: this has been  reflected in the  moderate increase in  levels of corporate business expected. The entry into the market of a competitively aligned hotel: differentiation would continue to be the strategic approach with the development of added value and benefits to leverage long standing relationships and repeat business based on familiarity and personal attention to detail. Marketing Organization Our marketing director, April Huang, leads our PR and marketing team of  four in all advertising, promotional and public relations related activities. April works closely with the members of the team, to implement and monitor the effectiveness of the marketing plan and evaluate results. Design and Development Plans (Grace) Risks Management(Grace) Risk reduction(grace) Exit strategy(Grace) Financials (Sample Only for Adam) Our annual marketing budget is $100,000. Sales are anticipated to achieve revenue of $1,172,925. Our marketing expenses will equate to approximately 8.5% of the overall revenue. Break-even Analysis Fixed Costs Cost Rent or Lease $0 Professional Services $1,000 Payroll $10,000 Interest Payments $2,000 Utilities Telephone $5,000 Non-discretionary marketing expenses $0 Other $0 Total Fixed Costs $18,000 Break-even Analysis Monthly Units Break-even 145 Monthly Revenue Break-even $19,929 Assumptions: Average Per-Unit Revenue $137.14 Average Per-Unit Variable Cost $13.28 Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $18,000 Sales Forecast Room revenue for this year is based on an average growth rate of 10%. This is based on the number of pre-contracted corporate rooms, and an anticipated return to business levels projected. Sales Forecast FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 Unit Sales Corporate Single 1,925 2,118 2,118 Corporate Double 3,665 4,032 4,032 Corporate Deluxe 2,695 2,965 2,965 Corporate Suite 268 294 294 Total Unit Sales 8,553 9,409 9,408 Unit Prices FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 Corporate Single $95.00 $95.00 $99.00 Corporate Double $125.00 $125.00 $135.00 Corporate Deluxe $175.00 $175.00 $195.00 Corporate Suite $225.00 $225.00 $240.00 Sales Corporate Single $182,875 $201,210 $209,633 Corporate Double $458,125 $504,000 $544,253 Corporate Deluxe $471,625 $518,875 $578,175 Corporate Suite $60,300 $66,150 $70,560 Total Sales $1,172,925 $1,290,235 $1,402,620 Direct Unit Costs FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 Corporate Single $7.86 $11.00 $11.00 Corporate Double $13.92 $13.50 $13.50 Corporate Deluxe $17.50 $18.50 $18.50 Corporate Suite $0.84 $0.00 $0.00 Direct Cost of Sales Corporate Single $15,138 $23,298 $23,293 Corporate Double $51,033 $54,432 $54,425 Corporate Deluxe $47,163 $54,853 $54,853 Corporate Suite $225 $0 $0 Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $113,558 $132,583 $132,570 Expense Forecast Marketing expenses are projected to be approximately 8.5% of overall annual revenue. The breakdown of  expenditures is as follows: Marketing Expense Budget FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 Print Advertising $10,600 $11,600 $12,826 Internet Advertising $21,000 $23,100 $25,410 Public Relations $6,000 $6,600 $7,260 Other $21,000 $23,100 $25,410 Total Sales and Marketing Expenses $58,600 $64,400 $70,906 Percent of Sales 5.00%

Future of the U.S. Essay example -- Essays Papers

Future of the U.S. America has always been viewed as the richest and freest nation in the world. America has grown from thirteen self-governed states, to a nation with a strong central government of power and wealth. The change in society has allowed the U.S. to grow into what it is today. Without the change in views and the responsibility of the citizens the economy would have never grown to be strong and wealth. The nation is effected by many different variables. One variable effects the other. The nation was started and has progressed to where it is today, but with rises and downfalls in all areas of life from education and small families to economics and large businesses. America’s economy is the most successful economy the world has ever known. "So strong was the U.S. economy in the post-war period that we were able to muster our resources to embark upon the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and also to design a peacetime economy in Japan"(1). By the end of the nineteenth century the US had passed all other countries in both agriculture and industrial output (history channel). America today is one of the leading markets for the entire world in agriculture and industry. America is mainly a free enterprise, therefore citizens are able to start their own businesses and have more job freedom than anywhere else in the world. It is for this one main reason that the economy has done so well in the US. For the Nation, employment in all industries is projected to increase by 27.2 million jobs, or 1.5 percent at an annual rate, in 1993-2005; it had increased at an annual rate of 2.0 percent in 1983-93(2). With a free enterprise private owners establish mo re wealth, sending the money back into the economy by spending money. Every c... ...ruary 1999, 3. Works Cited - Brown, Sherrrod. "America and the global economy: International trade and investment." Vital Speeches of the Day, 1 March 1998, 293-96. - Hill, Patrice. "Good times could roll to a halt in ’99." Insight on the News, 1 February 1999, 39. - "More homeless, more hungry," America, 30 January-6 February 1999, 3. - NCES, "NCES Fast Facts," National Center for Education Statistics NCES Fast Fact, 25 February 1999, http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/478.asp?type=4 (10 March 1999). - REIS, "Regional and State Projection of Economic Activity and Population to the year 2005," REIS Regional and State Projections of Economic Activity and Population to the year 2005, Originally published in the July, 1995 Survey of Current Business, http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/document/reis/stssurvy.html (10 March 1999).

Impact of the Film, Dr. Strangelove, on American Attitudes Towards the

Impact of the Film, Dr. Strangelove, on American Attitudes Towards the Atomic Bomb and Cold War "The truth is bad enough--but nowhere near as bad as you probably think. The truth will do away with a lot of silly ideas, a lot of completely wrong notions, which millions of people now believe about the atomic bomb. These ideas could easily cause great panic. And right now the possibility of panic is one of the best weapons any enemy could use against us." (Gerstell, How to Survive an Atomic Bomb 1) "Why should the bomb be approached with reverence? Reverence can be a paralyzing state of mind. For me the comic sense is the most eminently human reaction to the mysteries and the paradoxes of life. I just hope some of them are illuminated by the exaggerations and the style of the film. And I don't see why an artist has to do any more than produce an artistic experience that reflects his thinking." (Stanley Kubrick qtd in Wainright 15) In the third decade of the Cold War, less than two years after the United States population had been scared half-way to death by the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dr. Strangelove invaded the nation's movie theatres and showed the country the end of the world. Touted by critics then and now as the film of the decade, Dr. Strangelove savagely mocked the President, the entire military defense establishment, and the rhetoric of the Cold War. To a nation that was living through the stress of the nuclear arms race and had faced the real prospect of nuclear war, the satiric treatment of the nation's leaders was an orgasmic release from deep fears and tensions. Its detractors argued that the film was juvenile, offensive, and inaccurate. Viewed, however, in its context of the Cold War and nuclear proliferation, Dr.... ...7-38. Mordden, Ethan. Medium Cool. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. Mumford, Lewis. "Letter." New York Times 1 March 1964: 25. Prideaux, T. "Take Aim, Fire at the Agonies of War." Life 20 Dec. 1963: 115-118. Rabe, David. "Admiring the Unpredictable Mr. Kubrick." New York Times 21 June 1987: H34+ Starr, Michael. Peter Sellers: A Film History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, 1991. Suid, Lawrence. "The Pentagon and Hollywood: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)." American History/ American Film: Interpreting the Hollywood Image. Eds. John E. O'Connor and Martin A. Jackson. Boston: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1979. Taylor, Stephen . Review of Dr. Strangelove. Film Comment, 2. 1 (1964): 40-43. Wainright, Loudon. "The Strange Case of Strangelove." Life 13 March 1964: 15. Impact of the Film, Dr. Strangelove, on American Attitudes Towards the Impact of the Film, Dr. Strangelove, on American Attitudes Towards the Atomic Bomb and Cold War "The truth is bad enough--but nowhere near as bad as you probably think. The truth will do away with a lot of silly ideas, a lot of completely wrong notions, which millions of people now believe about the atomic bomb. These ideas could easily cause great panic. And right now the possibility of panic is one of the best weapons any enemy could use against us." (Gerstell, How to Survive an Atomic Bomb 1) "Why should the bomb be approached with reverence? Reverence can be a paralyzing state of mind. For me the comic sense is the most eminently human reaction to the mysteries and the paradoxes of life. I just hope some of them are illuminated by the exaggerations and the style of the film. And I don't see why an artist has to do any more than produce an artistic experience that reflects his thinking." (Stanley Kubrick qtd in Wainright 15) In the third decade of the Cold War, less than two years after the United States population had been scared half-way to death by the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dr. Strangelove invaded the nation's movie theatres and showed the country the end of the world. Touted by critics then and now as the film of the decade, Dr. Strangelove savagely mocked the President, the entire military defense establishment, and the rhetoric of the Cold War. To a nation that was living through the stress of the nuclear arms race and had faced the real prospect of nuclear war, the satiric treatment of the nation's leaders was an orgasmic release from deep fears and tensions. Its detractors argued that the film was juvenile, offensive, and inaccurate. Viewed, however, in its context of the Cold War and nuclear proliferation, Dr.... ...7-38. Mordden, Ethan. Medium Cool. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. Mumford, Lewis. "Letter." New York Times 1 March 1964: 25. Prideaux, T. "Take Aim, Fire at the Agonies of War." Life 20 Dec. 1963: 115-118. Rabe, David. "Admiring the Unpredictable Mr. Kubrick." New York Times 21 June 1987: H34+ Starr, Michael. Peter Sellers: A Film History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, 1991. Suid, Lawrence. "The Pentagon and Hollywood: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)." American History/ American Film: Interpreting the Hollywood Image. Eds. John E. O'Connor and Martin A. Jackson. Boston: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1979. Taylor, Stephen . Review of Dr. Strangelove. Film Comment, 2. 1 (1964): 40-43. Wainright, Loudon. "The Strange Case of Strangelove." Life 13 March 1964: 15.

Marijuana: Friend to the Dying :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Marijuana: Friend to the Dying Peter is an AIDS patient. The violent nausea caused by the handfuls of pills he must take every day prevents anything he eats from staying down. Even the pill to calm the vomiting won't stay in his stomach long enough to take effect. He has lost nearly forty pounds and is unrecognizable, even to himself. He has given up on life, and he dreads each day because of the pain and the sorrow it brings. Now imagine there's a drug that may help Peter, a drug that helps him keep food down or even makes him hungry, a drug that helps him gain weight, a drug that gives him the hope that he will live long enough to see a cure, a drug that helps him accept what's happening to his body. For Peter and many other patients, this drug is marijuana. Marijuana was first outlawed in the 1920's and 30's when tabloid magazines printed distorted reports of violent crimes committed by immigrants using marijuana which led to the "Marihuana Tax Act"("The Facts"). The two hearings held by Congress to debate the dangers of marijuana totaled no more than one hour with the American Medical Association (AMA) acting as the sole opponent to the bill. Arguments by the AMA were ignored, and misinformation and ignorance guided the House of Representatives as they approved the bill that remains today prohibiting the use of marijuana for any reason. Yet smoking marijuana has proved itself again and again through anecdotal evidence to be an effective treatment of extreme nausea in AIDS patients as well as in cancer patients (Conant 150). It also relieves some symptoms associated with glaucoma and multiple sclerosis ("The Facts"). The People of California and Arizona knew this when they voted for Proposition 215, which passed 55 to 45 percent, and Proposition 200, which passed 64 to 36 percent, respectively (Quayle pg 154). These propositions legalized marijuana for medical use in each of the two states. Also, between the years 1978 and 1996, thirty-four states passed laws acknowledging marijuana's medicinal capabilities ("The Facts"). It would seem that many Americans are seeing marijuana as a valuable tool in the medical field and that further research into the medical benefits of marijuana could only be an asset in the fight to ease the pain of the dying. Marijuana: Friend to the Dying :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics Marijuana: Friend to the Dying Peter is an AIDS patient. The violent nausea caused by the handfuls of pills he must take every day prevents anything he eats from staying down. Even the pill to calm the vomiting won't stay in his stomach long enough to take effect. He has lost nearly forty pounds and is unrecognizable, even to himself. He has given up on life, and he dreads each day because of the pain and the sorrow it brings. Now imagine there's a drug that may help Peter, a drug that helps him keep food down or even makes him hungry, a drug that helps him gain weight, a drug that gives him the hope that he will live long enough to see a cure, a drug that helps him accept what's happening to his body. For Peter and many other patients, this drug is marijuana. Marijuana was first outlawed in the 1920's and 30's when tabloid magazines printed distorted reports of violent crimes committed by immigrants using marijuana which led to the "Marihuana Tax Act"("The Facts"). The two hearings held by Congress to debate the dangers of marijuana totaled no more than one hour with the American Medical Association (AMA) acting as the sole opponent to the bill. Arguments by the AMA were ignored, and misinformation and ignorance guided the House of Representatives as they approved the bill that remains today prohibiting the use of marijuana for any reason. Yet smoking marijuana has proved itself again and again through anecdotal evidence to be an effective treatment of extreme nausea in AIDS patients as well as in cancer patients (Conant 150). It also relieves some symptoms associated with glaucoma and multiple sclerosis ("The Facts"). The People of California and Arizona knew this when they voted for Proposition 215, which passed 55 to 45 percent, and Proposition 200, which passed 64 to 36 percent, respectively (Quayle pg 154). These propositions legalized marijuana for medical use in each of the two states. Also, between the years 1978 and 1996, thirty-four states passed laws acknowledging marijuana's medicinal capabilities ("The Facts"). It would seem that many Americans are seeing marijuana as a valuable tool in the medical field and that further research into the medical benefits of marijuana could only be an asset in the fight to ease the pain of the dying.

Which impacts are the more serious effects arising from volcanic eruptions

Assess the extent to which primary rather than secondary impacts are the more serious effects arising from volcanic eruptions. (30 marks) A volcano is an earth hazard that occurs on faults between tectonic plates on a destructive boundary and an eruption is a natural disaster. A primary impact happens immediately after the disaster and before any response like death or collapsing or destruction of buildings. A secondary impact occurs later after the disaster, such less farm produce or a reduction in tourism.The severity of these impacts will differ considerably in a MEDC and LEDC where volcanic eruptions have taken place. These may be seen in the Mount St. Helen volcano eruption as well as in the Iceland volcanic eruption. They may also show that the impacts vary from volcano to volcano, place to place. Primary impacts are just as serious in LEDCs as in MEDCs. In the volcanic eruption of Mount St Helens there was little they could do to reduce the primary impacts of this disaster in an MEDC. Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 and killed 57 people even though an evacuation was set up and carried out.Even with money put aside to be put into a preparedness scheme they could not foresee that the volcano would erupt sideways causing the devastation to be more widespread. The evacuation beforehand had helped reduce the number of casualties which probably would have been more difficult in an LEDC environment. Research is looking into long period events such as volcanic eruptions however it is only at the stage where the only means is to monitor the volcano to see if it is about to erupt and try to reduce the primary impacts.However they can’t be predicted or how violent they will be so in cases such as Mount St Helens there is little to reduce the primary impacts. This shows how the primary impacts of some volcanic eruptions can be reduced by monitoring, however in the case of more severe eruptions there is little that can be done to reduce the primary impacts ari sing from a volcanic eruption, the only option being evacuation. The severity of secondary impacts will mostly depend on the response seen after the disaster.Due to its level of development an MEDC will most likely have money or back up to carry out a proper response scheme which is why secondary impacts in MEDCs are less serious. Another reason for there being much less secondary impacts in MEDCs is that due to the country’s higher GDP per capita, less people will live near to a volcano as they have enough money to be able to live in a place where they are less vulnerable to an earth hazard, as the area next to the volcano is less valuable in an MEDC.People in MEDCs do have a choice of where to live but in countries like Japan many people live within reach of volcanic eruptions in a dangerous area and these numbers are likely to increase as world population continues to grow. In LEDCs people often have no choice and are less aware of the risks. Therefore the primary impacts are more likely to be serious as more people in potential danger compared to an MEDC where there is less likely to be many people around in the area.However some volcanic eruptions can cause secondary impacts despite all this, the eruption of the Icelandic volcano in 2010 caused huge secondary economic impacts all over Europe due to an ash cloud. It was the largest disruption of air travel since World War Two, caused the BMW plant in Germany to close down for a month due to lack of parts and cost the European airline industry  £130 million a day. This shows how in MEDCs secondary impacts can be reduced with effective response, however in severe cases there can be no way to prevent secondary impacts arising from volcanic eruptions.In LEDCs more people live in the shadow of volcanoes due to poverty, shanty towns tend to arise in places where other development won’t happen due to the dangers such as on steep hills, on unstable ground or next to volcanoes; this causes the peopl e living there to be extremely vulnerable. This was seen in the Philippines in 1991 when Mount Pinatubo erupted killing 800 people, most of who died due to ash causing buildings to collapse which is a primary impact. This shows that in LEDCs, just as in MEDCs, there is little that can be done to reduce the primary impacts arising from a volcanic eruption.Secondary impacts in LEDCs tend to be severe as most don’t have a suitable response plan due to an ineffective government and may rely on aid to reduce secondary impacts. Secondary impacts can still occur even if primary impacts have been reduced; this was seen in the eruption of Montserrat in 1995. It’s most recent eruptions being very violent and has followed growth and collapse of lava domes inside the crater. It caused ash and lava flows affecting the population severely, however the secondary impacts where much worse.Mudflows such as lahars occurred due to a combination of water and volcanic ash and dust. There we re fires, landslides, a tsunami, crop failure and famine. All of these occurred due to and after the volcanic eruption. These had greater impacts on the population as the population of Montserrat fell from 10,728 (1990) to 6,409 (2000). Mainly due to the secondary impacts of the eruptions showing how, in LEDCs, secondary impacts can be very severe. Primary impacts are the more serious effects arising from volcanic eruptions rather than secondary impacts.This is because no matter whether you are in an MEDC or an LEDC the primary impacts from most eruptions are severe as you can’t build ‘volcano proof structures’ to protect buildings or land. Primary impacts are also where the most fatal incidents occur, like many deaths due to the eruption its self or collapsing of buildings. Although secondary impacts are also severe in LEDCs they can be reduced and over time more countries will develop to the stage where secondary impacts are able to be decreased in number.

Oscar Hammerstein II †Lyricist, Writer, Producer, Director Essay

Oscar Hammerstein II was born July 12, 1895 in New York, New York. He died August 23, 1960 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania of stomach cancer. His given name was Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein. When he entered the theatre profession, he dropped his middle names and adopted the â€Å"II† from the grandfather for which he was named. His grandfather was a theatre builder and opera company producer. By titling himself â€Å"II† he capitalized on his grandfather’s success; the name recognition alone was a career builder. Hammerstein was always interested in the theatre. His father, although a theatrical producer himself, did not want his son to go into the â€Å"family business†. He made him promise â€Å"never to do anything as foolish as to consider making the theatre your livelihood. Become a lawyer. You’d be great at it and it’s also one of the more secure professions I know of.† â€Å"Getting to Know Him – Biography of Oscar Hammerstein II† Hugh Fordin As per his father’s wish, Hammerstein entered Columbia University as an English major. He was an honor student and was involved in many extra-curricular activities; one of which was the Varsity Show. This was where Hammerstein met Larry Hart and the man with whom he would later collaborate, Richard Rodgers. At the time of the initial meeting, Rodgers was only a fourteen year old boy whose older brother Morty was a member of Hammerstein’s fraternity. Although his father had passed away, Hammerstein felt compelled to honor his father’s wishes and entered Columbia law school. He finished his Bachelor’s degree during his first year of law school. During his second year of law school, Hammerstein was so disenchanted with the law he asked his uncle Arthur, a successful producer of musical comedies, for a job. He was hired as an assistant stage manager. After witnessing his nephew’s theatrical ability, Uncle Arthur hired him as a permanent member of the staff. Soon after having been hired by his uncle, he began an apprenticeship with Otto Harbach. What began as an apprenticeship turned into a twenty year collaboration and produced Hammerstein’s first Broadway success Always You. Over the course of his career Hammerstein would collaborate with many different composers notably, Jerome Kern, Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Friml and Sigmund Romberg. Hammerstein’s most successful collaboration would be with the man he had met during his varsity show days at Columbia University, Richard Rodgers. The collaboration with Richard Rodgers began in the early 1940’s with their adaptation of the play Green Grow the Lilacs. This became Oklahoma! and changed Broadway forever. Oklahoma! revolutionized the Broadway theater by integrating the music and book. Previously only Show Boat and Pal Joey, respectively a Hammerstein and a Rodgers production, had used songs to further the story along. Oklahoma! not only used the songs as an integral part of the story but it also incorporated American ballet. The opening was different – only one person on stage with an offstage voice singing as the curtain opened. The female chorus didn’t appear until 45 minutes into the play. The â€Å"chorus† girls where covered in period dress. There were no â€Å"star vehicle† numbers. No song in this musical play was written to become a popular hit. Oklahoma! changed the American musical theatre and gave Hammerstein, who had been battling a career slump, a new burst of energy for the most successful period of his career.