MTV Networks - the Arabian Challenge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MTV Networks - the Arabian Challenge - Case Study Example In addition, the Middle East is exposed to diverse political forms of government, most of which excessively use religion as a basis of their governance (Frost, 2008, p. 218). Furthermore, unlike the western nations, the Arabic countries conserve cultural beliefs such as honour, shame, trust, family and socialization among others. It is therefore beyond doubt that the Arabic culture is relatively dominated with the Islamic practices, and thus any new product that aims at penetrating the Arabic nations should be in alignment with these cultural beliefs and practices. Essentially, there are various matters of concern for MTV’s special determination of entering and penetrating the Arabic television market. Even though this company has an outstanding worldwide image, it is entering a market that has individuals possessing strong cultural and conventional ties (Beyer & Beaman, 2007, p. 163). In fact, Baltaji stated that is was quite ironical for MTV, a broadcasting corporation well-known for annoying â€Å"religious, political, and conservative† societies, is operating in a region known for negatively reacting to provocative content (qt. in Centre for Management Research [CMR], 2009, p. 179). This was, therefore, a major concern for the management of MTVN since the company was bound to face excessive religious and political opposition. Besides, MTV being an American brand, thus excessively possessing America’s liberal traditional values makes it more challenging to enter a market that hold essential religious beliefs and is opposed to the airing of controversial material. Moreover, the resilient anti-American attitudes that are dominant among many Arabs, arising mostly from factors such as America’s support to its arch-enemy Israel, and its Iraq invasion, made several Arabs angry and thus this would act as a huge challenge for MTV, an American brand (Cogan & Kelso, 2009, p. 33). However, this problem was overcome by MTV through entering into a partnership with the local based Arabian Television Network (ATN).  Ã‚  

Upgrading server 2003 to server 2008 Research Paper

Upgrading server 2003 to server 2008 - Research Paper Example However, to adopt real world scenarios, detailed inputs were required. For instance, weather forecast information, travelling of someone from somewhere etc. As people were usually late to reach to destination for many different reasons, a data check box in the system indicating reasons to select will facilitate the management to analyze reasons of late comers and absentees. Even though, travel notes can still allow selecting a reason that may be incomplete or incoherent. One more phase that affected the authenticity of data capturing techniques was the size of the sample. The information system is limited to number of people who are participating in Friday classes. The constrained is 18 students in the space of five weeks and the sample will only able to examine sample quantity of 18 students. However, it is a fact that increase sample size will result in better results. As results in figure 4, illustrated in appendices, displays that most of the people utilized tube indicating the m ost popular transport method with a large sample size. In this case, data can be examined thoroughly. However, if the sample size is large along with maximum time, the sample may include many students as well as the one who live nearby. This will facilitate a comprehensive creation and thought on results, making them a balanced collection of data. 2 Why Manage Information? Today’s organisations are constantly striving to achieve integration of their systems to allow information to flow freely through support strategies, decision making and processes and operations, adding greater flexibility and business support than any individual roles (O'Brien,2009). Reduced information management may lead to a creation of misinformation samples that may facilitate managers to make bad decisions along with portraying negative outcomes. The current system does not reflect extra data inputs for example attendance along with arrival time and weather forecast etc. Somehow, if a student comes l ate due to a bad weather, the system will not support this real world factor separately from the section named as ‘travel comments’. This is a classic example of recording unrealistic information in an information system that is not authentic. The most relevant information is constructed on weather versus travel mode. Moreover, the figure is also demonstrating the popularity of the travel method ‘tube’ that is safe in poor weather conditions. An addition to the system that similar to the tube is train. Group of people, who travelled on tubes, also travelled on trains. This is a conflict of the travel method ‘train’, as the train and tube shares different characteristics, resulting in providing inappropriate information. 2.1 Analysis As figure four, in appendix, displays the travel mode that is utilized in the majority by the consumers. The first option was the tube, next option is bus followed by a walk. This logical representation of knowledge concludes the most popular method amongst consumers. Moreover, research can be conducted in the same logical pattern to examine and discover appropriate information related to the transport mode popularity in different age groups. Data input method can be constructed in order to find out the reason of not using certain transport modes. In order to provide information that may facilitate decisions, Decision support Systems are the best choice, as they can provide informati

The benefits of the Gulf Stream

The benefits of the Gulf Stream Introduction The Gulf Stream is considered as a warm, powerful, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida. It follows the eastern coastlines of the Newfoundland and the United States before crossing the Atlantic Ocean The western intensification makes the Gulf Stream tend to northward, the matter resulting in accelerating current off the east coast of North America. At nearly 40 °0†²N 30 °0†²Wï » ¿ / ï » ¿40 °N 30 °Wï » ¿ / 40; -30, the gulf stream splits into two , namely the northern stream crosses to northern Europe and the southern stream which circulates off West Africa. The west coast of Europe and the east coast of North America from Florida to Newfoundland is influenced by the Gulf Stream. In spite of the recent debate arose on the part of many experts , there is consensus that the climate of Western Europe and Northern Europe is consider as warmer than it would be as a result of the North Atlantic drift which is considered as a branch from the tail of the Gulf Stream. It is considered as a part of the North Atlantic Gyre. Its presence resulted in the development of various strong cyclones, both within the ocean and within the atmosphere. The Gulf Stream is also known as a significant potential source of renewable power generation. History Europeans discovered the Gulf Stream in 1513 due to the expedition of Juan Ponce de Leà ³n. After that time, it became widely used by Spanish ships that sail from the Caribbean to Spain. Conducted in April 22nd 1513, the summary of Ponce de Leà ³ns voyage log, noted, A current such that, although they had great wind, they could not proceed forward, but backward and it seems that they were proceeding well; at the end it was known that the current was more powerful than the wind. Peter Martyr dAnghiera and Sir Humphrey Gilbert also became known of its existence at that time. Benjamin Franklin, deputy postmaster of the British American colonies, interested in the North Atlantic Ocean circulation patterns. While in England in 1768, , Franklin has come to know curious complaint filed by the Colonial Board of Customs in a form of a question : why did it take British packets many weeks longer to reach New York from England than it took an average American merchant ship to reach Newport, Rhode Island, in spite of the merchant ships leaving from London and having to sail down the River Thames and then the length of the English Channel before they sailed across the Atlantic, while the packets left from Falmouth in Cornwall? Having heard this question, Franklin asked his cousin Timothy Folger, a Nantucket whaling captain to answer this question. Folger pointed out that the merchant ships crossed routinely the then-unnamed Gulf Streamwhich can identified by measurement of the waters temperature, whale behavior , changes in the waters color and the speed of bubbles on its surface while the mail packet captains ran against it. Franklin started to work hard with Folger as well as other experienced ship captains. He learned enough from the Gulf Stream chart and gave it the name for which it is still known up to date. He provided this information to the secretary of the British Post Office, Anthony Todd. However this information was ignored by British sea captains. In 1770, Franklins Gulf Stream chart was published in England, where it was mostly ignored. In 1778, Subsequent versions were printed in France. in 1786, versions were printed and published in U.S. the British remained many years ignoring following the advice given by Franklin on navigating the current but when they followed it , they managed to gain two weeks in sailing time. Properties The Gulf Stream proper is defined as a western-intensified current which is driven by the wind stress. On the contrary, The North Atlantic Drift is largely thermohaline circulation driven. The Gulf Stream makes Western Europe (especially Northern Europe) warmer than it otherwise would be through carrying warm water northeast across the Atlantic. However, there is a dispute around the extent of its contribution to the actual temperature difference between Europe and North America. Few scientists are in the opinion that this temperature difference resulted from the Atlantic Ocean being upwind of Western Europe (producing an oceanic climate) and a landmass being upwind of the east coast of North America. (Seager, Richard (July-August, 2006). The Source of Europes Mild Climate. American Scientist Online. http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/feature/2006/4/the-source-of-europes-mild-climate. Retrieved 2008-09-23.) Formation and behavior In the matter of fact Evolution of the Gulf Stream toward the west of the British Isles continues as the North Atlantic Current. The Atlantic North Equatorial Current, which is considered as a river of sea water, flows westward the coast of northern Africa. The current goes into two branches especially when the current interacts with the northeastern coast of South America. One of these two branches passes into the Caribbean Sea, while the second branch passes into the Antilles Current, flows north and east of the West Indies Once again, these two branches rejoin north of the Straits of Florida, as it is shown on the accompanying map. In the tropics, the trade winds blow westward. The pattern of this wind this has a stress on the subtropical ocean surface in addition to a negative curl across the north Atlantic ocean.[13] .The resulting Sverdrup transport is considered as equator ward. This transport is balanced by a narrow as a result of conservation of potential vorticity that is caused by the northward-moving winds on the subtropical ridges western periphery as well as the increased relative vorticity of northward moving water. This, in its turn, resulted in accelerating poleward current, which flows along the western border of the ocean basin. This outweighs the effects the friction has on the western border current which is known as the Labrador Current. The bends along the Gulf Stream are also caused by conservation of potential vorticity . These bends occasionally break off as a result of a shift in the Gulf Streams position that form separate warm and cold eddies. This process which is known as western int ensification makes the currents on the western border of an ocean basin, like the Gulf Stream, stronger than those on the eastern border. (Maurice L. Schwartz (2005). Encyclopedia of coastal science. Springer, pp. 1037. ISBN 978-1-4020-1903-6. Retrieved on 2009-05-07.) The Gulf Stream is consequently considered as a strong ocean current. The gulf stream lead to transporting water at a rate of 30 million cubic meters per second (30 sverdrups) through the Florida Straits .This rate rises to reach 150 million(on fifty million) cubic meters per second specially when the Gulf Stream passes south of Newfoundland. The volume of the Gulf Stream affects all the rivers which empty into the Atlantic combined, with nearly total 0.6 million cubic meters per second. However, this is weaker than the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The width of the Gulf Stream is 100kilometers (62mi) and the depth of the Gulf Stream is ranged from 800meters (2,600ft) to 1,200meters (3,900ft). It is known that the current velocity is fastest near the surface, since maximum speed reaches nearly 2.5meters per second (5.6mph). When the Gulf Stream travels north, the warm water transported by it undergoes evaporative cooling. The cooling is wind moving over the water cools it and causes evaporation, the matter leaving saltier brine. In this process, the salinity and density of water increases while the water temperature decreases. When sea ice is formed, salts are left out of the ice. This process is known as brine exclusion. These two processes result in producing water which is colder and denser . The water becomes so dense in the North Atlantic Ocean, so that it starts to sink down through less dense and less salty water. (The convective action is not unlike that of a lava lamp.) This downdraft of cold ,dense and heavy water beco mes a part of the North Atlantic Deep Water, a south going stream. Localized effects The Gulf Stream has effects on the climate of the Florida peninsula. Florida coast, which is referred to as the Florida current, keeps an average water temperature estimated at 25 °C (77 °F) especially during the winter. The east winds passing this warm water result in moving warm air from over the Gulf Stream inland, keeping temperatures milder across the state than elsewhere across the Southeast during the winter. The proximity of Gulf Stream to Nantucket adds to its biodiversity as it is the southern limit for northern plant species and the northern limit for southern varieties of plant life. (Dr. Sarah Oktay. Description of Nantucket Island. University of Massachusetts. http://www.umb.edu/nantucket/nantucket/. Retrieved 2009-01-06.) In addition to the warm air currents, the North Atlantic Current of the Gulf Stream keeps the western coast of Great Britain and Ireland a couple of degrees warmer than the east. On the contrary, the difference is dramatic in the western coastal islands of Scotland. The Gulf Stream and the strong westerly winds (which are driven by the warm water of the Gulf Stream) have noticeable effects on Europe and the Norwegian coast. Next to the Arctic zone, lie the Northern parts of Norway. Most parts of this zone are covered with snow and in winter. However, Norways coast remains without snow or ice throughout the year. The Gulf Stream warms the weather systems which drift into Northern Europe. These weather systems results in warming the climate behind the Scandinavian mountains. Effect on cyclone formation The contrast of warm water and temperature, along the Gulf Streams edge, often results in increasing the intensity of cyclones or tropical. To generate tropical cyclone normally, water temperatures in excess of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) is required. Thus, the formation of tropical cyclone is common over the Gulf Stream, particularly in the month of July. Through the Caribbean, the storms travel westward and then move in a northward direction. After that, the storms curve towards the United States eastern coast or stay on a north-westward track and enter the Gulf of Mexico. These storms have the capability to create strong winds. These winds cause extensive damage to the Southeast Coastal Areas in United States. The Strong extra tropical cyclones were shown to deepen the frontal zone. These tropical cyclones have been forced by the Gulf Stream itself especially during the cold season. The Subtropical cyclones are also being generated near the Gulf Stream. Near the warm water current, near ly 75percent of the systems documented in between 1951 and 2000 are formed with two annual peaks of activity happening during the months of May and October. Possible renewable power source In the matter of fact, The Gulf Stream makes on transporting nearly 1.4 pet watts of heat that is equivalent to 100 times the world energy demand. Many researches have been conducted into different ways to tap this power. There is an idea to supply the equivalent power of several nuclear power plants. This idea is represented in deploying a field of underwater turbines placed 300meters (980ft) under the center of the core of the Gulf Stream, such as being developed by Aquantis, LLC. the thermal energy generated by the ocean can also be harnessed to produce electricity through using the difference of temperature between cold deep water and warm surface water. Conclusion The Gulf Stream, which begins in the Caribbean and ends in the northern North Atlantic, is one of the worlds current systems which have been studied and searched intensively. The extensive western border current plays very important role in transferring heat and salt as well as in causing warm to the European subcontinent. There are many traditional hydrographic studies conducted in this region. These studies include Gulf Stream 60 (Fuglister 1963) and Iselin (1936). The high degree of mesoscale activity relating to this system has attracted oceanographers. The studies conducted on these phenomena have focused on the snapshot representation of the region. In the matter of fact, The Gulf Stream transport varies not only in space, but also in time. Kelly and Gille 1990; Zlotnicki 1991; Kelly 1991; Hogg and Johns 1995 assured that the current transports a maximum amount of water in the fall and a minimum in the spring. Rossby and Rago (1985) and Fu et al. (1987) discovered similar results especially when they looked at the differences of sea level across the Stream. These studies also discovered that the Gulf Stream includes marked seasonal variability.

Human Beings and Nature: The Scientific Revolution Essay -- Essays Pa

Human Beings and Nature: The Scientific Revolution The Scientific Revolution, perhaps one of the most significant examples of human beingsà ­ relationship with the natural world, changed the way seventeenth and eighteenth century society operated. The power of human knowledge has enabled intellectual, economical, and social advances seen in the modern world. The Scientific Revolution which included the development of scientific attitudes and skepticism of old views on nature and humanity was a slow process that spanned over a two century period. During the Scientific Revolution, scientific knowledge enabled humans to control nature in order to improve society. With leaders such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, and Rene Descartes, the Scientific Revolution proves to be a crucial piece to the puzzle of understanding the effects of humansà ­ interactions with the natural world. The changes produced during the Scientific Revolution were not rapid but developed slowly and in an experimental way. Although its effects were highly influential, the forerunners Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, and Rene Descartes only had a few hundred followers. Each pioneered unique ideas that challenged the current views of human beingsà ­ relationship with nature. With the backing of empirical observation and mathematical proof, these ideas slowly gained acceptance. As a result, the operation of society, along with prior grounds for faith were reconsidered. Their ideas promoted change and reform for humansà ­ well-being on earth. The Scientific Revolution was sparked through Nicolaus Copernicusà ­ unique use of mathematics. His methods developed from Greek astr... ...rn Heritage Brief Edition Volume II: Since 1648 (Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall 1996), 342. 4. Rogers, 7. 5. Rogers, 18. 6. Rogers, 16. 7. Rogers, 11. ADDITIONAL SOURCE: - Steven Shapin, "The Scientific Revolution," Library Journal, Aug. 1996, 63-67. This article offers a different approach to analyzing the impact of the Scientific Revolution. He discusses the "birth" of modern science which occurred between Copernicus and Newton's time. However, he also gives equal credit to Bacon, Descartes, Galileo for the development of the naturalistic philosophy we still use today. This article is an excellent source of furthering one's knowledge on the topic of human beings interactions with the natural world and how the efforts made during the scientific revolution still impact us today.

Health Insurance

Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company, which is the direct descendant of Aetna (Fire) Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut. In 1850 Aetna began operation of an Annuity Fund and the company would soon to be known as Aetna Life Insurance Company. In 1899 Aetna became one of the first publicly held insurance companies to enter the health insurance field. Since then Aetna has become committed to providing access to cost-effective health care of the highest possible standard, to protect people against health-related risks and enable them to achieve both good health and financial security.Aetna has provided such products and services for 150 years, and has the ability to be a leader in building a strong and effective system of health care by cooperating with health care professionals and public officials Aetna, Inc. provides a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behav ioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Aetna is a member of the Fortune 100 Aetna Mission & ValuesOur company’s mission, values and goals are expressed through The Aetna Way. The Aetna Way, comprising the elements below, encompasses our shared sense of purpose and provides clarity as we pursue our operational and strategic goals: †¢ Why We Exist: The Aetna Mission †¢ What We Believe In: Our Values †¢ What We’re Trying to Achieve †¢ How We Run Our Business Why We Exist: The Aetna Mission Aetna is dedicated to helping people achieve health and financial security by providing easy access to safe, cost-effective, high-quality health care and protecting their finances against health-related risks.Building on our 150-year heritage, Aetna will be a leader cooperating with doctors and hospitals, employers, patients, public officials and others to build a stronger, more effective health care syste m. What We Believe In: Our Values At Aetna, we put the people who use our services at the center of everything we do and live by a core set of values: †¢ Integrity †¢ Quality Service and Value †¢ Excellence and Accountability †¢ Employee Engagement What We’re Trying to AchieveWe seek to achieve superior customer satisfaction through innovative products, comprehensive health and related benefits choices, effective service and easy-to-understand information. Our goals are: †¢ To give individuals and families affordable coverage choices, helpful service and information so they get the financial protection and health care they need – from prevention through chronic and critical care. †¢ To respect and work effectively with doctors and hospitals by establishing efficient processes and providing prompt claims payments and useful information that helps them provide safe, cost-effective, high-quality health care. To provide employers advice, cost- effective benefits choices and programs that improve the health status and productivity of their work forces. †¢ To partner with brokers and consultants through responsive service, timely information and attractive commissions so they may effectively advise employers on their benefits choices. †¢ To offer employees an engaging and diverse work environment that permits them to satisfy their professional ambitions, take pride in their contributions and share in Aetna's success. †¢ To be a leading corporate citizen, improving the quality of life in communities where we live and work. To award shareholders a superior return on their investment in our company. How We Run Our Business Based on our values, which guide our day-to-day activities, we adhere to specific business practices that help us fulfill our mission, reach our goals, and achieve profitable growth. †¢ Plans: We build and monitor business plans, taking corrective actions on negative variances. †¢ Pr oducts: We develop and accurately price innovative products. †¢ Networks: We develop and manage networks of doctors and hospitals to support multiple product and funding choices. Access to Care: We provide our members access to cost-effective high-quality health care while accurately predicating and managing medical costs. †¢ Claims and Billing: We achieve timely and accurate claims payments and premium billing and collection. †¢ Productivity: We pursue continuous productive and process improvement. †¢ Service: We work together effectively cross the organization to give our customers quality service. †¢ Information: We provide objective information to help our members make informed decisions about heir financial and health care needs. Integrity: Achieve financial and operational integrity through clear, prompt and reliable information that accurately reflects our financial and operational performance. †¢ Rewards: We appreciate effort but we recognize an d reward employees for achieving business results. †¢ Satisfaction: We deliver superior customer satisfaction. Porters Five Forces of Competition framework views the profitability of an industry as determined by the five forces of competitive pressure. As described below, only high competitive rivalry detracts from the attractiveness of the health insurance industry for firms currently in the business. Threat of Entry (Low)Entry into the health insurance industry is blocked by high economies of scale, high capital requirements, and high government and legal barriers. Economies of scale are needed to establish a collection and claims payment network large enough to provide a reasonable selection of providers for patients and also allow the insurance company to have a wide geographic coverage. Moreover, a large client base is needed to facilitate risk management. Health insurance companies need to have enough patients covered so that they have large enough proportion premiums fro m healthy patients to cover the costs of taking care of sick patients.There are also large capital requirement because health insurance companies are required by law to have a certain amount of reserves available to pay claims at all times. Health insurance companies are also required by law to pay out 50-65% of their premiums in medical cost coverage. These government and legal barriers not only determine a large portion of the financing the health insurance companies, they also determine who can operate a health insurance company through licensing. Supplier Power (Low)Suppliers to the health insurance industry include providers, hospitals, and medical device/pharmaceutical companies. Most suppliers have low price sensitivity due to intense competition to get on a health insurance companies provider list or formulary. Since most people cannot afford medical care without health insurance, health insurance companies provide a product that is critical for a patient to be able to acces s a supplier's service or product. Additionally, the size of the health insurance company relative to their suppliers tends to be large.Because of their size, health insurance companies purchase health care from hospitals and doctors at a much lower cost than individual patients. Health insurance companies also have bargaining power because suppliers are unlikely to have the capital or skills required to integrate vertically. Hospitals and providers operate in a low margin business that is always strapped for capital, and pharmaceutical companies don't have the claims processing networks needed in order to provide health insurance. Buyer Power (Low) Buyers of health insurance include individuals, employers, and linked groups of people like AARP.Buyers tend to have high price sensitivity because health care is a large portion of a buyers total cost, especially employers. Additionally, products from health insurance companies are not well differentiated. However, buyers have extremely low bargaining power due to their lack of size relative to health insurance companies, information asymmetry, and inability to vertically integrate. Not only can health insurance companies better negotiate with providers/hospitals for discounted health care rates, but health insurance companies also have far superior knowledge of costs.Doctors and hospitals don't routinely display the prices they charge to patients, but health insurance companies have this information through their contractual relationships with providers. Threat of Substitutes (Low) There are few substitutes for health insurance. Currently, the main choices buyers have are to have health insurance to cover their medical expenses or pay for health care costs themselves. The high price of medical care, especially for chronic medical conditions and emergency services, makes being a self-pay patient an unattractive option.Therefore, currently 84% of the US population has either private or government health insurance. However, new substitutes to health insurance are being developed. Cerner, a healthcare IT company, has started to offer claims processing services to customers of its IT products. Competitive Rivalry (High) Industry competition is high for several reasons. The industry has a low concentration with the four largest companies in the health insurance business (Wellpoint, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, and Health Care Service Corp. accounting for only 25% of the group health insurance premiums written. Additionally, diversity among competitors is low because health insurance companies are heavily regulated. There are strict regulations on how health insurance companies can structure themselves and what type of products they can or are required to offer. About Aetna Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36. 1 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care.Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www. etna. com and Aetna's Annual Report at www. aetna. com/2009annualreport. Aetna Aetna (NYSE: AET) has long been a leading health care-oriented insurance company, dedicated to providing people with the means to achieve financial security and peace of mind. By offering employee benefits and long-term care insurance as well as health care, disability, group life, dental, and pharmacy insurance, Aetna uses information and resources to help their members make informed decisions about the types of health care they need.The Aetna insurance company serves both employer and individual markets. Aetna provides benefits to employers in all states, with products and services tailored to employers of sizes, from smaller companies to large national employers. In some markets Aetna also provides products and services to individuals and Medicare beneficiaries. Aetna is committed to providing access to cost-effective health care of the highest possible standard, to protect people against health-related risks and enable them to achieve both good health and financial security.Aetna has provided such products and services for 150 years, and has the ability to be a leader in building a strong and effective system of health care by cooperating with health care professionals and public officials. The primary goal of Aetna is to provide innovative products and uncomplicated information that gives its customers the tools they need to make the best possible insurance choices to safeguard their health and financial security.Two types of health care and dental plans are offered: a risk basis plan where the company assumes most or all of the risk of costs, and an employer-funded basis plan, where the plan is sponsored via an administrative services contract. In the latter situation, it is the plan sponsor rather than the company that assumes the risk. By having a variety of choices, Aetna ensures its clients can find an insurance product to match their needs. Another option that Aetna offers its clients is group insurance.Most Group Life products provide renewable term coverage in fixed amounts, or amounts which are related to individual wage levels. Group Disability Insurance consists of income-replacement benefits for both short and long-term disability. Long Term Care Insurance provides for long-term custodial care expenses in a nursing home, adult day-care facility or at home. Aetna also offers Large Case Pensions, which include several retirement products, includ ing annuities and pensions, for defined benefit and contribution plans.These provide a variety of options, including experience-rated and both guaranteed and non-guaranteed products. Currently, however, new business is not sought. Aetna provides fully-insured, self-funded (ASO) health care products, including Aetna Global Benefits, Medicare+Choice, Pharmacy, Vision, POS, PPO and HMO. Aetna was the first national health insurance company to offer consumer-directed health plans, and continues to be an industry pioneer with products in the Aetna HealthFundA ® range.This collection of consumer-directed plans includes Aetna PharmacyFundA ®, Aetna DentalFundA ®, and a program for the reimbursement of long-term care premiums. Additionally, Aetna is able to offer integrated HealthFund products. As of March 31, 2006, Aetna provided medical coverage for more than 15 million members. Aetna also provides dental coverage for more than 13 million members. Aetnaaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Group Insuran ce business provides a competitive range of asset protection and income-replacement products, including Short Term and Long Term Disability, Managed Disability, Long Term Care, Group Life, and Accidental Death & Personal Loss.As a leader in this field, Aetna provides these services for more than 13 million members. Aetna also offers a wide range of employee benefit plans, despite the rising cost of these plans. Aetna offers employee benefit and insurance products and services that help keep costs low while maintaining a consistently high standard of health care. Services include disease management and patient safety programs, case management plans, and integrated medical, pharmaceutical, dental, disability, and behavioral health information. Aetna, Inc. s a diversified health-care benefits and insurance company that provides a wide range of both traditional and consumer-directed health-related products and services. Aetna, Inc. is a direct descendent of the Aetna Insurance Company o f Hartford, Connecticut. As such, Aetna has been in the insurance business for more than 150 years. In 1996, Aetna merged with U. S. Healthcare. In the twenty-first century, Aetna has earned a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index three years running, and remains committed to providing excellent health care and insurance benefits in America.

The Boxer Rebellion

Write a powerful and memorable topic sentence for each side Of the Teacart en for why American involvement was necessary and one for why intervention was deter mental. Topic sentence about why U. S. Involvement was needed in the Boxer Rebellion: Rebellion was a problem: Help on gain their independence. The boxer rebellion was a problem because a war and the U. S did not what to into another war 3. For each topic sentence, write (in complete sentences) three supporting detail s from your chart. Three supporting details about why U. S. Involvement was necessary in the Boxer Rebellion: why U. S. Derivation in the Boxer Rebellion was a problem: Supporting detail #1: Supporting detail #1 : Hetman Movement was an it was a civil war and the U. S did not materialistic uprising which took have to be there place in China Towards the end of the King dynasty between 1898 and 1900. Supporting detail #2: the U. S send 3,125 army troops. 2,500 foreign soldiers die Supporting detail #3: The Boxer Re bellion weakened At first, the Boxers wanted to the Chining dynasty's power and destroy the Chining dynasty and hastened the Republican anted to rid China of all foreign Revolution of 191 1 that overthrew influence. ND the U. S did not got the boy emperor and made China out of the rebellion and got more a republic. That help U. S get more involved into china political power in china business influence. 4. Write a few sentences about whatnot think should have been done about the e Boxer Rebellion had the decision been yours. With which side do you agree, and why? This states .NET could BEA compromise, using elements of both sides, now thou have evaluated bothConclusion the Boxer Rebellion was a Chinese civil war and there have not be other count tries should not have to be involved in this civil war. The Boxer what to destroy the Chining dynasty that was run more than 250 years. It all beginning in 1898, grog ups of peasants in northern China began to band together into a secret soci ety ink as lo chuan Righteous and Harmonious Fists called the boxers by Western press. Write Your Paragraph Now that you've prepared, write a complete paragraph for your journal entry.

Help for Humanities, Liberal Arts Students Custom MLA Format Example

Help for Humanities, Liberal Arts Students Custom MLA Format Example MLA refers to a set of rules and formatting guidelines that are used by researchers within the humanities and liberal arts. These standards are described in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (8th edition), which is a 300-page manual, detailing every aspect of MLA paper writing. MLA ESSAY EXAMPLE Update: There was a recent update to the MLA handbook, issued in spring 2016. While basic requirements remain the same, there are numerous minor updates to the essay writing process. Take a look at the list of recent updates. You can also download an MLA format template. It allows you to skip the formatting part and insert your information to a pre-formatted file. MLA Format: Paper Use standard white 8.5Ãâ€"11 inches paper. MLA Format: Title Page Unless this is a specific requirement set by your instructor, a title page is not needed. An example of MLA essay cover page is below: MLA Format: Font Use legible 12 pt. font. While MLA has no specific requirements regarding fonts, we recommend using Times New Roman if unsure. Georgia, Courier New Arial are good alternatives as well. MLA Format: Formatting Use 1†³ margins on all sides Use 1/2†³ margins from top to your name Put your title in the center, do not italicize it If your quotation is longer than four lines, indent that paragraph 1†³. Do not use quotation marks! MLA Format: Numbering Use Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.) and number your pages consecutively. Re-check whether your instructor wants to see the number on the first page. Page numbers are placed in the upper right-hand corner of your paper. MLA Format: Spacing Use double-spacing throughout your paper Put one space after punctuation marks (commas, full stops, etc.). MLA Format: Indentation Indent all paragraphs 1/2†³. MLA recommends that you hit TAB once, as opposed to pressing the spacebar five times. MLA Format: Heading Headers should be capitalized – the same way as you would capitalize words in titles. Center your headings and do not italicize, bold or underline them. MLA Format: Citation MLA is known as the â€Å"author page† style. It means that whenever making an MLA style reference, always indicate the author’s last name and a page you took the quote from. In-text citation in its most basic form defaults to this: (Name, 1). MLA Format: Citation examples The values are a representation of maximum loads, which can be exerted on the material without causing deformation (Ashby 23). The climate is changing, but the biologists do not agree that it will threaten animals and plants with extinction (Stampf Traufetter 132). MLA Format: References The references page should be at the end of your paper It should start with a new page, have a centered â€Å"† title Double-space all citations Create a hanging indent, to do so, indent second and subsequent lines of quotations by 0.5 inches. Proofreading referencing is a time-consuming assignment that can be outsourced to a professional writing service, like . We have completed hundreds of academic papers and know what it takes to write an excellent project. If you need assistance with your academic writing, feel free to contact our friendly support team. We will gladly answer all your questions in a matter of minutes. Or place an order on the website directly, and our professionals will start writing an excellent paper for you right away.

Essay on Introduction to Business Ethics

Essay on Introduction to Business Ethics Essay on Introduction to Business Ethics Essay on Introduction to Business EthicsQ1. Responsibilities depend on the role of one person in relation to another person; for example, the responsibilities of a parent are different from the responsibilities of an employee. Therefore, responsibilities of person A to person or entity B can be viewed as a function of the relationship between person A and person B.Q2. The relationship between a person and his/her lawyer or real estate agent is similar to the relationship between an employer and employee in the sense that both employer and the person can be viewed as principals in this relationship while the lawyer/real estate agent and employee act as agents. However, there are notable differences in the level of control of the principal over the terms of employment and nature, in the regime of working, in the level of responsibility and discretion.Q3. The narrow view of employee responsibilities can be defended from the perspective of the roles that employees play in the whole eco nomic system (that override other ethical considerations) and from the perspective of property rights of employers that should be protected. However, such ethical considerations have notable shortcomings as they disregard other responsibilities of employees and might even suppress their rights.Q4. Conflicts of interests emerge when ethical responsibilities emerging from different relationships come into conflict. If the interests and ethical duties fall within the scope of one set of responsibilities, there is no ethical conflict. However, when personal interests influence professional actions, it is a sign of the conflict of interest. Dual roles also represent a conflict of interests since the responsibilities in these roles most often are conflicting.Q5. Trust to someone means that there is confidence with regard to the judgments of this person and it is possible to rely on this person in important decisions. Loyalty can be defined as the willingness to make personal sacrifices in the interest of the firm (DesJardins, 2013). Employees do have a responsibility to be trustworthy, but it is questionable whether they are ethically obliged to be loyal. According to Duska, loyalty in the workplace is not appropriate because loyalty applies to the projects with mutual benefit of parties while employer-employee relationship is a contractual agreement in which the employee receives a compensation for time sold to the employer.Q6. Business is like poker in the sense that both business and poker have particular rules and the participants have to follow these rules. However, business is not like poker in ethical sense since bluffing, lying and deception are acceptable in poker but are unacceptable in business as such actions undermine decision-making and business reputation in the long-term perspective.Q7. According to DeGeorge, whistle-blowing is ethically permissible only when a) there is a significant threat of harm (that can be addressed by whistle-blowing), b) the whistle-blower should first of all use internal channels for reporting the issue, and c) the whistle-blower should exhaust all internal options for preventing the harm before turning to external options (DesJardins, 2013). Furthermore, whistle-blowing is ethically required when a) there is documental evidence of the harm or probability of causing the harm and b) whistle-blower should be confident that whistle-blowing will prevent the harm (DesJardins, 2013).Q8. First of all, insider trading leads to injustice regarding external participants of trade since the information is distributed in an unfair way. Secondly, managers who practice insider trading violate their ethical professional responsibilities related to representing the interests of their clients (investors). In the case of Enrons stock, insiders defrauded investors and shareholders in order to increase own profits and did that at the expense of people whose interests they were representing.

Yoohoo! A Theatre Warm-up

Yoohoo! A Theatre Warm-up This theatre game is an energizing warm-up for use in Theatre Class or with any group that could use a shift in energy! Theatre Skills Taking Cues, Cooperation, Cooperative Movement, Ensemble Playing, Remaining Frozen and Silent Materials Reproduce a copy of the list of cues provided below. Directions/Modeling the Process Ask all participants to stand in an open area and then teach them the following lines: Leader: Yoo-hoo! Group: Yoo-hoo who? Leader: You who†¦ Explain that you as the leader will cue them with words that suggest movements or characters and movements, like this: Leader: You who sneak like thieves. Then the whole group rhythmically repeats the last word in a whisper six times as they move as indicated and then say â€Å"Freeze† and freeze in place: Group: â€Å"Thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, freeze!† The leader then cues the next movement: Leader: Yoo-hoo! Group: Yoo-hoo who? Leader: You who jump with ropes. Group: Ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, freeze! Practice Do a few practice rounds until the participants get the call-and-response lines down and move in rhythm, freezing at the appropriate place: Leader: Yoo-hoo!Group: Yoo-hoo who?Leader: You who move like robots.Group: Robots, robots, robots, robots, robots, robots, freeze!Leader: Yoo-hoo!Group: Yoo-hoo who?Leader: You who style hair.Group: Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, freeze! Teaching Tips It is best if this warm-up can maintain a rhythm in both speech and movements so that it moves quickly. This is why the â€Å"whisper† and â€Å"freeze† aspects of the activity are important. The whispering of the final word in the cue will help to control the noise level. The â€Å"freeze† at the end of each movement section will stop the previous action and prepare participants to listen for a new cue. Having a copy of the list of cues is important so that the leader does not have to think up movement ideas on the spot. Of course, this list can be increased with new ideas, but here is a set of cues to start with: List of Cues You who†¦ †¦bloom like flowers. †¦crawl like babies. †¦sway like palm trees. †¦splash like waves. †¦soar like birds. †¦move like boxers. †¦dance ballet. †¦swirl like tornadoes. †¦walk on tightropes. †¦move like toddlers. †¦swim through water. †¦move like a sharks. †¦play basketball. †¦float like clouds. †¦practice yoga. †¦move like monkeys. †¦dance the hula. †¦figure skate. †¦perform surgery. †¦ski down mountains. †¦run in races. †¦bake a cake. †¦conduct an orchestra. †¦walk like brides. †¦sing in operas. †¦move like royalty. †¦wait on tables. †¦do gymnastics. †¦lift weights. †¦clean houses. †¦row boats. †¦ride horses. †¦paint nails. †¦ride skateboards. †¦wear high heels. †¦drive race cars. †¦ride a bike. †¦play hop scotch. †¦paint a house. †¦walk in mud. †¦reach and stretch. †¦rush to class. †¦taste new food. †¦water ski. †¦take selfies. †¦dance at parties. †¦lead the cheers. †¦throw the ball. †¦sing too loud. †¦take big steps. †¦gaze at stars. Using the Warm-Up in Connection with Curriculum Once the participants understand the format of this theatre game, you can adjust it to apply to an area of study. For example, if you are reading Macbeth, your cues could be: You who†¦ †¦prophesize. †¦long for power. †¦plan and plot. †¦murder kings. †¦see a ghost. †¦rub out spots. Add new cues and save them for future uses of this warm-up. And if you like Yoohoo, you might also like Circle Tableau Game.

Compensation Plan Outline Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Compensation Plan Outline - Assignment Example Equity awards are more preferred in the bank and are given after several years of deferring compensation. In determining appropriate levels of compensation, the bank management considers several factors including the performance of an individual, the business unit in which they work, and the bank as a whole in a given period; and short term and long term financial and non financial related factors. Before any compensation can be given, the company contracts evaluators who present reports to the management. These evaluation report â€Å"Compensation Plan Outline† helps the company to assess the performance at individual levels especially on issues of compliance to banking standards and in making decisions which do not put the company into avoidable risks. Those employees and shareholder who make critical decisions that save the company from taking unnecessary risks and ensure that the bank does not face penalties due to non compliance to laws, are highly compensated. This there fore encourages bank associates and shareholders to be well informed on appropriate legal banking procedures at bank level and nationally. The bank has put in place various measures to ensure that all compensation is fair and just based on its banking principles. The bank’s management has a separate unit of compensation and benefits committee, and there are also various control points at business level like risk, audit, and compliance checks to ensure any decision made on behalf of the bank is well noted and reported in the context of its compliance. to risk and performance standards accepted nationally and locally at the bank. The presence of these various units in the bank management ensures that there is independence in the functions of each section or committee. This is especially important in determining which compensation consultant is engaged to carry out auditing and evaluation exercises on bank functions and performance. The corporate nature of the bank as it is in major corporations nationally and globally makes evaluation of compensation more diverse in order to incorporate interests of all stakeholders including legislators. In as much as compensation in the bank of America should be in line with what the financial industry has agreed upon, the bank has its own internal measures with which any compensation amount must be adjusted in order to reflect the value the company attaches to performance standards. The bank conducts audit and evaluations at most yearly so as to give stakeholders an opportunity to give ideas on how they expect the bank to compensate its associates, workers and shareholders. These audit and evaluations are based on general set standards at national level by authorities who regulate the financial industry. The bank’s pay for performance philosophy is indeed appropriate and it is in good spirit so that workers who deserve compensation are motivated as their efforts are r ecognized. This makes the bank employees to be disciplined and work under their own supervision taking measures which are appropriate and can earn rewards for themselves and profits for

Separation and anxieties Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Separation and anxieties - Essay Example Approximately four to five percent of the children in US suffer from this disorder. The disorder is not sex-specific meaning that it affects both males and females equally. The disorder usually wears off during the teens or puberty however a small percentage of people still retain it. Separation anxiety is a natural phenomenon in babies that are of the age group two to four since that is the time when they need their parents’ constant attention. However as the children grow up and start to become a little independent, this feeling dies off. In some cases, the anxiety persists and hence results in this so called separation anxiety disorder. There are many symptoms which may point towards the presence of this order. Some of the most common ones include not going to school or bed without the parents or a caretaker. Also there is a persistent fear in the minds of these children that something bad will happen to the guardian if they are separated from them which causes them to cry or act in a very hyper manner. Separation anxiety disorder has multiple origins. The most obvious being some mental distress or trauma that a child has gone through like an accident or a death in the family. However many a times the parents themselves are responsible for this condition. Sometimes the anxiety is mutual and a greater contribution comes from the side of the parents who refuse to let go of their children alone. Children whose parents are over protective have a greater likelihood of suffering from the separation anxiety disorder. The disorder is also thought to have genetic origins and it is said that parents who suffer or suffered from separation anxiety have a greater probability of having children who have to go through the same thing. During normal conditions the separation anxiety symptoms usually subside when the child gets assured that the parents

Legal Implications of False Memories in Children Essay

Legal Implications of False Memories in Children - Essay Example 's account matches the other children's testimony Might there be some truth in these testimonies that he judges and lawyers are overlooking Organizations such as the the False Memory Syndrome Foundation have continually stuck to the premise that any memory generated as a result of therapy is based on a lie and should be classified as unintentional lying because the therapist induced it suggested it or guided it. They further state that as part of their training psychiatrists are taught mind control techniques therefore they can implant a memory that was not there and the judges or lawyers would not be able to know the truth when the patient testifies. (Murphy 1997) For most advocates the best defense strategy against these cases is usually to claim the memories of trauma are all in the victims head. With the revelation of this research, defense lawyers can now cite the study. They can then move to file pre-trial motions challenging the reliability of the testimony based on recovered memories hence dismiss its admissibility in court. These motions should be filed early enough so as to dismiss and call for summary judgment. The defense can also seek to offer its own "expert "opinion based on this scientific study to the plaintiff's scientific theories that the brain can avoid or repress traumatic information and remember it later. The defense will further seek to bring forth evidence from published and unpublished studies purporting to demonstrate the existence of "false memory syndrome." And try to justify its existence in that particular child. The defense will also seek to introduce research allegedly showing that the mind can be "implanted" with false memories. Defendants may also try to offer evidence that traumatic events are highly memorable and cannot be repressed. The plaintiff or the Childs legal representative would first seek to crash any motion flied that seeks to scientifically explain the child's state of mind and use it as evidence. Since none of the theories can evaluates and prove a child is capable of repressing memories. Accordingly, the evidence should not be used regardless of scientific reliability because it is irrelevant and cannot assist the jury in coming up with a concrete decision (Bauer 2002). The plaintiff's best approach is to expect this defense strategy and take the first action by filing a motion to exclude the

Cash flow, gearing and working capital & liquididty ratio analysis Essay

Cash flow, gearing and working capital & liquididty ratio analysis - Essay Example In the year, 2011 the company net cash flows from operating activities was  £3658000 compared in to  £3147000 in 2010. This is 16.42% increase in the cash inflows meaning that the company realized improved cash from its day-to-day operations. From the cash flow statement, the positive improvement can be attributed to the increase in profits from continuing operations from  £2924000 in 2010 to  £3557000 in 2011 (Zytronic, 2011). The increase in depreciation cost on property, plant, and equipment increased the not cash inflows because in determining the net cash inflows the values are added back since the does not account for any actual cash flows. In 2011 for instance, the depreciation value was  £802000 meaning that the company incurred more depreciation cost because of the increase in the assets. The improvement in the cash inflows could be much more if the company could have reduced the values of inventory and receivables in 2011. The increase in inventory from 85 in 2010 to 166 in 2011 and of receivables from  £356000 in 2010 to  £647000 in 2011 is significant and adversely reduced the cash inflow figures in 2011 (Zytronic, 2011). At the same time, the increase in trade and other payables made the net cash flow from operating activities to improve. Finally, tax paid is also a component of the operating cash flows. In 2010, Zytronic paid a tax of  £65000 compared to  £821000 in 2011. The increase in the tax obligation between the two years is attributed to the increase in the profit recorded by the company. Tax is charged as a percentage of profits and therefore an increase in the profits would automatically translate in increased tax expense which as an outflow. The second component of the cash flow statement is the cash flows from the investing activities. Investing activities are those activities that a company puts its resources in order to earn profits, increase its capital assets in

HR 499 Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR 499 - Article Example 1. What is beriberi? (Hint: see paragraph above and your notes from the PowerPoint slides). Beri-beri is a disease caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, fatigue, muscle pain, nervous disorders, diarrhea, and irregular heart rate. 2. What was the health problem and when and where did it occur? During the year 1905 in the lunatic asylum of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a beri-beri epidemic broke out. 3. Describe the experiment in your own words. What year did the experiment start, how long did it last, who were the study subjects, what steps were taken during the experiment (methodology)? The experiment began on Dec. 5, 1905, and ended a little over a year later—Dec. 31, 1906. Patients at the lunatic asylum in Kuala Lumpur were randomly divided into two groups. After counting off, the odd numbered patients became the control group, and the even numbered patients became the experimental group. Both groups had identical housing, but they w ere separated from one another. Both groups also were given the same diets except for the type of rice. The control group continued to receive white (uncured) rice as the entire population of the asylum had been given in the past. The experimental group, however, received brown (cured rice). Both groups were tested for edema and their knee-jerk response at the outset of the experiment. 4.

Economic and Political Situation in a Developing Country (India) Essay

Economic and Political Situation in a Developing Country (India) - Essay Example The research paper Economic and Political Situation in India discusses the Foreign Trade Policy of the country and Indian economy’s resiliency. India's economic growth and foreign trade has taken new dimensions in recent years and it has expanded considerably. Looking at the huge population base of India, this is indeed a good sign for the country and the world economy. For last several years, India’s GDP is growing at the average rate of more than 7 percent; however in order to maintain high economic growth rate and a recognition in the International arena, India needs to continue with high-powered performance in foreign trade. India's major policy initiatives began in July 1991, which catapulted the country in the high growth rate trajectory. The reforms undertaken were responsible for high export growth rates in the last few years. International trade is likely to become a major stronghold of the Indian economy if the country continues with more reforms in years to c ome. An independent monetary system is essential for a country to manage macroeconomic factors and for the smooth economic growth of the country. In this perspective, it is pertinent to study the monetary system of India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the central bank, has money management policy in the form of regulating base interest rates and making changes in Cash Reserve Ratio. Objective is to contain inflation rate and liquidity in the market to stabilize macro economy of the country. Besides, RBI also announces a credit policy every quarter.

HR 499 Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR 499 - Article Example 1. What is beriberi? (Hint: see paragraph above and your notes from the PowerPoint slides). Beri-beri is a disease caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, fatigue, muscle pain, nervous disorders, diarrhea, and irregular heart rate. 2. What was the health problem and when and where did it occur? During the year 1905 in the lunatic asylum of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a beri-beri epidemic broke out. 3. Describe the experiment in your own words. What year did the experiment start, how long did it last, who were the study subjects, what steps were taken during the experiment (methodology)? The experiment began on Dec. 5, 1905, and ended a little over a year later—Dec. 31, 1906. Patients at the lunatic asylum in Kuala Lumpur were randomly divided into two groups. After counting off, the odd numbered patients became the control group, and the even numbered patients became the experimental group. Both groups had identical housing, but they w ere separated from one another. Both groups also were given the same diets except for the type of rice. The control group continued to receive white (uncured) rice as the entire population of the asylum had been given in the past. The experimental group, however, received brown (cured rice). Both groups were tested for edema and their knee-jerk response at the outset of the experiment. 4.

Lego Case Study Essay Example for Free

Lego Case Study Essay In this case , LEGO needs a flexible and robust IT infrastructure with business intelligence capabilities that could help management perform better forecasting and planning. So they chose to implement SAPs Supply Chain Management (SCM) , Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Enterprise Resoures Planning (ERP) modules. In the ERP module includes the Human Capital Management (HCM) application for personnel administration and development. These features such as â€Å"Talent Manager† as well those for handling employee administration, reporting, and travel and time management. These advanced features allow LEGO’s HR personnel to select the best candidates, schedule their training, and create a stimulus plan to retain them. b. Discussion of why the issue/problem is important for Information Systems discipline? IT infrastructure combine with business intelligence capabilities that could help management perform better forecasting and planning. Depth integration of data mining and information systems, able to establish a new business intelligence system to increase profits and reduce costs. In this case , SAPs ERP-HCM module effectively help LEGO’s manager to select the best candidates. It is also possible to include performance measurements and get a real-time insight into HR trends. So LEGO’s manager able to track employee’s leadership potential, develop their careers, and forecast the recruiting of new employees with certain skills. In life, the data is ubiquitous, and how do we treat and use of data? Data analysis must incorporate with information, less of data analysis, probability of failure for decision-making will climbing. Data analysis is the basis of the Decision Sciences, data analysis tells just a trend, predict a phenomenon. These trends and phenomena will change over time, no one can grasp the long-lasting. Data analysis to grasp the trend, can tell you at different times with different variables can produce different views, and the mode how will correct. This reminds me of a movie, â€Å"Moneyball†, the film based on Michael Lewis’s excellent book about the business of baseball, the basic idea is: Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane turned the baseball industry on its head by using objectivity nd data to help pick a baseball team, instead of subjectivity and gut. It was controversial and not perfect, but he did a pretty good job at it. He broke the conventional method, using historical data and data mining method to build the evaluation model, using low cost to purchase those underrated players. Creating a team has the ability to against the famous New York Yankees. Rely on intuition to make decisions has passed, Now the most important thing is effectively to use data analysis, combining with other disciplines, especially with the combination of information systems. . Identification of who are the key stakeholders and how they are impacted by the issue/problem. LEGO’s CEO and head of HR personnel, they can do this by ERP-HCM to predict and pick the talent they need, and handling employee administration, reporting, and travel and time management. SAP’s business suite supports databases from different vendors, so that abroad managers enable to have direct access to the database system from the company’s various locations. d. What is required for the successful continuation of the new method? SAPsbusiness suite is based on a flexible three-tier client-server architecture. In the first tier, a client interface submits user’s requests. The application servers receive and process clients‘ requests. In turn, these application servers send the processed requests to the database system. Therefore, the link between each layer is necessary. Compatibility between the different databases is also an indispensable factor. Most importantly, data analysis must incorporate with information system. e. Can you think of any other alternatives? SAS Business Intelligence also offers an integrated, robust and flexible presentation layer for the full breadth of SAS Analytics capabilities, including statistics, predictive analytics, data and text mining, forecasting, and optimization – all integrated within the business context for better, faster decision making. OSI Consulting also provide infrastructure strategy and planning services evaluate and prioritize IT optimization options and define a road map of activities that can reduce costs and improve utilization using time-tested methods and best-practice analysis. 2. Answer all the Questions at the end of the case correctly (50) f. Explain the role of the database in SAPsthree-tier system. The third tier database system, This tier keeps data neutral and independent from application servers or business logic. Giving data its own tier also improves scalability and performance. Database plays the role of the terminal server, can be used to store or access data. g. Explain why distributed architectures are flexible. The distributed architectures enables authorized personnel to have direct access to the database system from the company’s various locations. A distributed database is a database that is under the control of a central database management system in which storage devices are not all attached to a common CPU. It may be stored in multiple computers located in the same physical location, or may be dispersed over a network of interconnected computers. Collections of data can be distributed across multiple physical locations. A distributed database can reside on network servers on the Internet, on corporate intranets or extranets, or on other company networks. Replication and distribution of databases improve database performance at end-user worksites. . Identify some of the business intelligence features included in SAPsbusiness software suite. The SCM module includes essential features such as supply chain monitoring and analysis as well as forecasting, planning, and inventory optimization. The PLM module enables managers to optimize development processes and systems. The ERP module includes, among other applications, the Human Capital Management (HCM) application for personnel administration and development. These features such as â€Å"Talent Manager† as well those for handling employee administration, reporting, and travel and time management. These advanced features allow LEGO’s HR personnel to select the best candidates, schedule their training, and create a stimulus plan to retain them. It is also possible to include performance measurements and get a real-time insight into HR trends. LEGO’s manager able to track employee’s leadership potential, develop their careers, and forecast the recruiting of new employees with certain skills. i. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of having multiple databases in a distributed architecture? Explain. The primary advantage of distributed database systems is the ability to share and access data in a reliable and efficient manner. Advantages: Improved scalability Unlike a single-database system, in which the amount of data that can be stored depends on the limitations of one database, a distributed-database system is easily scalable and, therefore, set up for growth. As more sites or regions become part of the Teamcenter Enterprise network, you can expand the database topology to include new databases. With multiple databases, Teamcenter Enterprise data is divided into logical pieces, so that users usually work only with the data that is most applicable to them. Improved performance The majority of database inserts, queries, updates, and deletions are on user data; therefore, a distributed-database environment separates user data from centralized or shared data and stores it locally. Local user databases reduce network traffic and eliminate network bottlenecks on most transactions. Local user databases also distribute the user load in terms of system resources, such as memory. In addition, a distributed-database environment separates the user data from the data related to operational or background processing, which also reduces the amount of local system resources used. Increased availability Because user databases are independent, if one database is unavailable, other databases can continue to work. In a distributed-database environment, selected classes are replicated in other databases when they are created, deleted, or updated. This replication increases availability. By separating data, administrators have more flexibility in determining the frequency and types of backups needed for different types of data. This also increases availability. Disadvantages: Degradation of performance on a small network One user action can cause activity in several databases, some of which may be remote. The additional overhead of these transactions can be a performance penalty when the total amount of data in the network is small. Users also see slower performance when accessing user data that is not local. Increased use of database space The schema of all databases must be the same, that is, every table must exist in every database. Therefore, database space is used for tables that may never be accessed. When the number of tables is very large, the amount of space used this way can be significant. Administrators must use database storage parameters to size tables and reduce database space consumption.

Role of a Manager in an Organization

Role of a Manager in an Organization Introduction Describing the role of a manager in a typical organization. The ethical role for a manager has benefits and consequences of requiring that employees use proper time management performing long hours and adding extensive travel time to their careers is essential to the tasks of a productive manager. When an employee enters into an agreement or contract at the time of employment in which the requirements for employment are stated clear and concise then the employment contract is mutually agree to. As long as the tasks or duties of both parties that are involved to maintain this gainful position are upfront, then the terms of the contract are valid on the actual starting hire date which is the beginning of a managers duties with the prospected employee. Today most job agreements that are considered to be mutually agreed upon are by the employer and employee in having the rights to end the employment agreement when they wish. Because of this type of employment, both parties can choose mor e suitable agreeable arrangements or terminate employment if disagreements arise without conflicts. (Jones, G. R. George, J. M. 2011) The Role of a Manager in a Typical Organization He/She should be good at organizing, staffing, directing, in communication and control. First and foremost the logic of group formation. Second, be informative, monitoring, being a non-discriminator not afraid to be a spokesperson. This person could perform the different activities, without limitations. This manager should be a great figurehead, leader, liaison, and would be physically able to do everyones position under them with intellect and skill. Third reason is efficiency and conservativeness being an Entrepreneur, Disturbance handler, Resource allocator, and Negotiator. Managers control short term goals and the day to day tasks of an organization, as opposed to the long term strategy. He/She should fully protect his team mates. If anything goes wrong he should shoulder the responsibility. (Pieters R.G.M., Van Raaij W.F. 1988) To explain the role of organizational learning and creativity and how it plays in helping managers to improve their decisions is essential to every business. I was Team leader which was a lower management position under the several managers at Sony. When I worked as a customer service representative for Sony as an Informational Consultant to the consumer in answering the phones about trouble shooting issues with Sonys electronic products I assigned to every employee under me a journal packet (my idea). This packet was to assist the employee in noting all issues they have encountered that were or are difficult to solve over the phones. Every Friday at the end of the day for one hour the employees assigned to me, as team leader, had a meeting of the minds. We went over all notes for the past week. Some of the meetings only lasted 20 to 30 minutes because we stayed on top of needed misinformed regulations in operating the companies sold electronics. Every month the team leaders had thei r meeting of the minds with our managers. We did the same things as we the team leaders did with our assigned employees. This process allowed the much needed information to reach the top players in Sony that developed new technology. Additionally this type of company communication was the back bone to new implemented policies that allowed employees to perform their respected positions efficiently. I could go on and tell you the aspects of how Sony operates internally but all employees sign an agreement to prevent vital company information that could be used by the competition. Customer Service was Sonys best defense against the dog eat dog world in business. Much of all of Sonys ideas are from the employee and their creativeness. All of the employees are encouraged to pay close attention to every complaint that they encounter from the consumer. It is the consumers complaints that help Sony stay competitive with better technology and customer service. It is the same for managers when hiring employees looking for gainful employment which is similar to buying a used car. When a perspective employee applies for the job which they are seeking they must take the good with the bad in order to be hired. All business owners lay out the job duties for the manager prior to the initial hire date that is agreed upon. Additionally the employer also gives a brief summery of what the training entails giving the manager and the employee an example of what they are in for while they work for the corporation, like that first test drive prior to buying that use car à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"as isà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ . Of course there are unseen variables that we all encounter in any thing we do and this is where the employer tests the employee to see if they are mentally capable in performing their perspective position that they will be hired for. This is the financing side of the purchase from the used car dealer to make sure you wont j ust drive off with their vehicle and not pay for it. This is also considered as the background check and the credit check verifying the new employees dependability or reliability ethics which are the tasks of the manager. This is where the obligations of a manager or employer come into play enabling employees to create a balanced professional and private lifestyle while working for their corporation. Fitting the Four Functions of Management in a Good Manager Planning: Identifying and selecting suitable goals; which is a principal task of management. (pg.8) This is when a organized outline of ideas and ideals that are appropriate and ethical are decided on that will have a successful result in the work place bringing productivity and profit. Organizing: Structuring working relationships so members of an organization can work together to reach or attain organizational goals; this is another principal task of management. (pg. 9) This is when policy is put into action using that planned outline of ideas and ideals that are appropriate and ethical that are decided on that will have a successful result in the work place assigning the tasks to those that will bringing productivity and profit. Leading: Expressing an idea or feeling fluently and coherently in a clear vision, energizing and enabling organizational members so that they dont misrepresent the part they play in attaining organizational goals; another principal task of management. (pg.10) This is when all that planning and organization that was put into action is being filtered down to those with leadership qualities to train those that will implement a successful result in the work place bringing productivity and profit with professional ethical customer service. Controlling: Forming an idea of the amount, number, or value of how well an organization is reaching its goals and taking appropriate action to maintain or improve performance; another principal tasks of management. (pg.10) This is where all the recorded successful results that were performed in the work place are brought to, to evaluate the productivity and profit with professional ethical customer service to improve the areas that need attention bringing future policies that will positively foster the growth of the business for many more years of professional service. The reliability of the manager is to perform promised services showing dependably and accurately proving responsiveness with the willingness and readiness to provide prompt service to the company and the employee. Competence is a trait for a manager in business that is to possess up-to-date knowledge and skills performing the services with access giving that approachability and ease of contact of service to personnel. A manager must have great customer service that comes with Courtesy in politeness, consideration, and friendliness of service personnel. Business Communication is in keeping employees and customers informed; listening to everyone checking out their Credibility and trustworthiness of their complaints knowing if they are believable and being honest about the issues of the product or situation in question. The manager should foresee the security and freedoms of the company keeping them from danger, risk, or doubt which is essential in understanding and knowing the employee s and customers needs. Which in conclusion the physical evidence of service of a manager towards the company and the consumer only become tangible when the results show profitable value. When Efficiency, Quality, Essential character, Innovation, and Customer responsiveness is positive then do you see the Competitive advantage of a great manager. A manager should also have a concept of diversity which is imperative in the workplace because a diverse staff that has different backgrounds, experiences, knowledge and understanding could have different perspectives on the services provided. Flexible managers in a diverse workplace are should be better at solving the companies troubling issues and implementing new ideas and policies because there are diversified cultures that are able to come up with the needed solutions and ideas internally in the company. (Jones George, 2011, p. 98). The definition of diversity is: people of different age, sex, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, also those backgrounds concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors, and capabilities/disabilities; the state of being diverse; variety. (Oxford Dictionary 2010) A Diverse work place keeps life interesting. If our friends are like us, We have a better chance at knowing what we and our friends think, especially when they work un der us. If we mix it up a little, we might come to different conclusions. The world is full of different cultures especially America, all of whom have various needs, desires, wants, and demands. The legal environment must politically correct to respond to these, functionally and orderly in society. Beyond that, this country has all sorts of economic issues, all of which, sooner or later become the concern of the employer and the law. This is why managers must be aware of issues like globalization which is necessary for businesses to be competitive to ensure stable revenues and profits. History tells the story of why we as a people reached out to other countries in the first place. America became great because other countries needed our resources like steel, wheat, rice and electronics. Japan had nothing until WE gave it to them. This goes for the rest of the world too. The English and Americans have always dominated the free market in business because of the superior Ideals of Ameri cas forefathers that fought for, what we call today, FREEDOM. This is why America has the reputation of being the melting pot of the world.

Selective Hearing :: essays research papers

Music is a creative outlet for emotions, expressions and personal issues. It is also a place to force ideas and opinions on a mass of thousands. People can relate to it on many levels. But the problem of who should be responsible or regulate it exists. Who should decide what is played or sold?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Music has had both a negative and positive reactions, especially with the young. Should the parents be responsible or should the artists themselves? Should the Studios (Labels) take the heat or should the government get involved?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the past couple of decades, music has been in trouble. It has been said to be the cause of deaths, suicides, unwanted sexual behavior, and other forms of indecency. It has taken blame for everything no one wants to be responsible for.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1985, Prince had a hit record with â€Å"Purple Rain†. On the album contained the song â€Å"Darling Nikki† about a sexual woman who was â€Å"masturbating with a magazine†. The song went on about with a sexual tone. Tipper Gore, felt that this was not proper for her daughter to have. She felt that the music needed to have ratings. She founded the PMRC – Parent Music Resource Center. They wanted a standard rating system to alert parents to the types of music that kids were listening to such ratings as â€Å"X† for sex related and â€Å"V† for violence. This was shot down. Instead, a â€Å"parental advisory explicit content† sticker was chosen. The PMRC is now made up of 19 women. Tipper Gore has since left the group now that her husband is vice president. They still are an active voice in the fight for free speech. The question raised is shouldn’t parent be monitoring children’s music anyhow? Has th e family unit become that dysfunctional? What exactly can parents do? For one, parents should have some understanding of their kids and realize that times are changing and so are the kids. But in many cases the parents do not. Things are different than when most parents were kids. Relate to children on that level of â€Å"now†. Talk openly about hard subjects such as drugs, violence, and sex. As for music, parents should be with the child in the store. Sales people should not be babysitters for kids. Parents should inquire about store policies and ask why something has the advisory. Most stores will tell parents the reasons.

Marketing Strategy and ECommerce :: GCSE Business Marketing BTEC Coursework

Marketing Strategy and ECommerce Introduction With the rapidly advancing technologies that are occurring in modern business, organisations are required to be ready, and able to adapt within their ever-changing environment. It is true across all diverse industries that in order to stay competitive, organisations must be able to utilise the various tools that technology has to offer. Technological factors have been of growing importance, particularly in recent years. A major factor involved in these technology issues is the use of the Internet as a major issue to modern organisations. The Internet has been rapidly growing since it's inception and is now commonly used in all sectors of societies, in all corners of the globe. The Internet has quickly become one of the most valuable assets in modern technology, and as such, is developing as an integral part of modern commerce. As with past technologies, the Internet will have future technological advances develop from its own growth. The task the organisations of in the new century? Realise future opportunities and threats, and base a strategy accordingly. "Is it clichà © to say that 'the Internet changes everything': the challenge now is to say what, how and how quickly". (When Companies Connect, 1999, p.19) The Internet has lead to the birth and evolution of electronic commerce or E-commerce. E-commerce has now become a key component of many organisations in the daily running of their business. Simply defined, "electronic commerce is a system of online shopping and information retrieval accessed through networks of personal computers". (Reedy, J. Schullo, S. Zimmerman, K. 2000, pg. 29) E-commerce challenges traditional organisational practices, and opens ups a vast array of issues that the organisations must address. By focusing on the varying levels of an organisation, it soon become apparent the effects that E-commerce can have. An understanding of the implication E-commerce has on such organisational divisions can help businesses gain understanding hence plan for it's inevitable continuing evolution. In terms of marketing, the modern organisation must be critically aware of the development of E-commerce, and the implications that it entails. "Marketers develop their own recipe of promotional tactics to fit the product lines or industries in which they compete. Now electronic communications tools are and will continue to be an important ingredient in the promotional mix" (Reedy, J. Schullo, S. Zimmerman, K. 2000, pg. 29) In assessing the implications of E-commerce in terms of marketing, it is important to understand its impact in respect to

Khazars and Judaism

In his essay entitled â€Å"O dvoystvennosti verkhovnoy vlasti u khazarov†, Vasili V. Grigoriev described the Khazar as follows: â€Å"The Khazar people were an unusual phenomenon for Medieval times. Surrounded by savage and nomadic tribes, they had all the advantages of the developed countries: structured government, vast and prosperous trading, and a permanent army.At the time, when great fanatism and deep ignorance contested their dominion over Western Europe, the Khazar state was famous for its justice and tolerance. People persecuted for their faiths flocked into Khazaria from everywhere. As a glistening star it shone brightly on the gloomy horizon of Europe, and faded away without leaving any traces of existence.†This paper introduces to a reader who the Khazar people are and their role in Jewish history.Khazars and JudaismOriginally, the Khazars practiced Shamanism and phallic worship with the sky god Tengri as the focus. Subordinate Gods whom the Khazars worship ped include fertility  goddess  Umay,  Kuara, a thunder god, and  Erlik, the god of deathDue the persecution of Jews under Heraclius, Leo III, Justinian II and Romanos I, Jews fled to Khazaria. The Mazdak revolts also caused Jews from Persia to flee to Khazaria. It was said that Jewish merchants from this age regularly traded in Khazaria. They may have wielded strong econimic relations in Khazaria.Sometime in the 8th century or 9th, the Khazar royalty converted to Judaism and the most of the population followed. The reason for the conversion, as some historians say is that the King cannot anymore endure the nasty forms of sexual excesses of his people. King Bulan abolished shamanism and the worship of phallic objects. He decided against Christianity and Islam and selected Judaism.The King and his nobles were converted immediately by the rabbis from Babylonia. Phallic worship was then forbidden. Kings requested for rabbis to open schools and synagogues in the nation. Judaism has become the religion of Khazaria.The conversion of King Bulan started the new policy that only a Jew can occupy the Khazar throne. The kingdom became a theocracy where the leaders imposed religion as the guide to everyday life. Judaism provided not only religious but also civil laws.   

Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 2

You see, we're both lonely guys,† Todd said from the back. â€Å"†There aren't any girls our age aroundhere, so we're lonely. And then when we comeacross three nice girls like you-well, we just natu rally want to get to know you better. Understand?† â€Å"So if you girls play along, we can all have fun,† Vic put in. â€Å"Fun-oh, no,† Rowan said, dismayed. Jade knew she had caught part of Vic's thought and was tryingvery hard not to pry further. â€Å"Kestrel and Jade are much too young for anything like that. I'm sorry, butwe have to say no.† â€Å"I won't do it even whenI amold enough,† Jade said. â€Å"But that isn't what these guys mean anyway they mean this.† She projected some of the images she was getting from Vic into Rowan's mind. â€Å"Oh, dear,† Rowan said flatly. â€Å"Jade, you know we agreed not to spy on people like that.† Yeah, but look what they're thinking, Jade said soundlessly, figuring that if she had broken one rule, she might as well break them all. â€Å"Now, look,† Vic said in a tone that showed he knew he was losing control of the situation. He reached out and grabbed Jade's other arm, forcingher to face him. â€Å"We're not here to talk. See?† He gave her a little shake. Jade studied his features a moment, then turned her head to look inquiringly into the backseat. Rowan's face was creamy-pale against her brownhair. Jade could feel that she was sad and disap pointed. Kestrel's hair was dim gold and she was frowning. Well?Kestrel said silently to Rowan. Well?Jade said the same way. She wriggled as Victried to pull her loser. Come on, Rowan, he's pinching me. I guess we don't have any choice,Rowan said. Immediately Jade turned back to Vic. He was still trying to pull her, looking surprised that she didn't seem to be coming. Jade stopped resisting and lethim drag her in close-and then smoothly detached one arm from his grip and slammed her hand upward. The heel of her hand made contact just under his chin. His teeth clicked and his head was knocked backward, exposing his throat. Jade darted in and bit. She was feeling guilty and excited. She wasn't used to doing it like this, to taking down prey that was awake and struggling instead of hypnotized and docile. But she knew her instincts were as good as any hunter who'd grown up stalking humans in alleys. It was part of her genetic programming to evaluate anything she saw in terms of â€Å"Is it food? Can I get it? What are its weaknesses?† The only problem was that she shouldn't been joying this feeding, because it was exactly the opposite of what she and Rowan and Kestrel had come to Briar Creek to do. She was tangentially aware of activity in the backseat. Rowan had lifted the arm Todd had been using to restrain her. On the other side Kestrel had done the same. Todd was fighting, his voice thunderstruck. â€Å"Heyhey what are you-â€Å" Rowan bit. â€Å"What are you doing?† Kestrel bit. â€Å"What the freak are you doing? Who are you? What the freak are you?† He thrashed wildly for a minute or so, and then subsided as Rowan and Kestrel mentally urged him into a trance. It was only another minute or so before Rowan said, â€Å"That's enough.† Jade said, Aw, Rowan †¦ â€Å"That'senough.Tell him not to remember anything about this-and find out if he knows where Burdock Farm is.† Still feeding, Jade reached out with her mind,touching lightly with a tentacle of thought. Then she pulled back, her mouth closing as if in a kiss as it leftVic's skin. Vic was just a big rag doll at this point, and he flopped bonelessly against the steering wheeland the car door when she let him go. â€Å"The farm's back that way-we have to go back tothe fork in the road,† she said. â€Å"It's weird,† she added, puzzled. â€Å"He was thinking that he wouldn't get in trouble for attacking us because-because of something about Aunt Opal. I couldn't get what.† â€Å"Probably that she was crazy,† Kestrel said unemotionally. â€Å"Todd was thinking that he wouldn't get in trouble because his dad's an Elder.† â€Å"They don't have Elders,† Jade said, vaguely smug.†You mean a governor or a police officer or something ? Rowan was frowning, not looking at them. â€Å"All right,† she said. â€Å"This was an emergency; we had to do it. But now we're going back to what we agreed.† â€Å"Until the next emergency,† Kestrel said, smiling out the car window into the night. To forestall Rowan, Jade said, â€Å"You think we should just leave them here?† â€Å"Why not?† Kestrel said carelessly. â€Å"They'll wake up in a few hours.† Jade looked at Vic's neck. The two little wounds where her teeth had pierced him were already almost closed. By tomorrow they would be faint red marks like old bee stings. Five minutes later they were on the road againwith their suitcases. This time, though, Jade was cheerful. The difference was food-she felt as full of blood as a tick, charged with energy and ready to skip up mountains. She swung the cat carrier and her suitcase alternately, and Tiggy growled. It was wonderful being out like this, walking alonein the warm night air, with nobody to frown in disapproval. Wonderful to listen to the deer and rabbits and rats feeding in the meadows around her. Happiness bubbled up inside Jade. She'd never felt so free. â€Å"It is nice, isn't it?† Rowan said softly, lookingaround as they reached the fork in the road. â€Å"It's the real world. And we have as much right to it as anybody else.† â€Å"I think it's the blood,† Kestrel said. â€Å"Free-range humans are so much better than the kept ones. Whydidn't our dear brother ever mention that?† Ash, Jade thought, and felt a cold wind. She glanced behind her, not looking for a car but forsomething much more silent and deadly. She realized suddenly how fragile her bubble of happiness was. â€Å"Are we going to get caught?† she asked Rowan. Reverting, in the space of one second, to a six-yearold turning to her big sister for help. And Rowan, the best big sister in the world, said immediately and positively,†No. â€Å" â€Å"But if Ash figures it out-he's the only one whomight realize-â€Å" â€Å"We are not going to get caught,† Rowan said. â€Å"Nobody will figure out that we're here.† Jade felt better. She put down her suitcase and held out a hand to Rowan, who took it. â€Å"Together forever,† she said. Kestrel, who'd been a few steps ahead, glanced over her shoulder. Then she came back and put her hand on theirs. â€Å"Together forever.† Rowan said it solemnly; Kestrel said it with a quicknarrowing of her yellow eyes. Jade said it with utter determination. As they walked on, Jade felt buoyant and cheerfulagain, enjoying the velvet-dark night. The road was just dirt here, not paved. They passed meadows and stands of Douglas fir. A farmhouse on the left, set back on a long driveway. And finally, dead ahead at the end of the road, another house. â€Å"That's it,† Rowan said. Jade recognized it, too, from the pictures Aunt opal had sent them. It had two stories, a wraparound porch, and a steeplypitched roof with lots of gables. A cupola sprouted out of the rooftop, and there was a weather vane on the barn. A real weather vane, Jade thought, stopping to stare. Her happiness flooded _back full force. â€Å"I love it, she said solemnly. Rowan and Kestrel had stopped, too, but their expressions were far from awed. Rowan looked a hairs breadth away from horrified. â€Å"It's a wreck,† she gasped. â€Å"Look at that barnthe paint's completely gone. The pictures didn't show that.† â€Å"And the porch,† Kestrel said helpfully. â€Å"It's fallingto pieces. Might go any minute.† â€Å"The work,† Rowan whispered. â€Å"The work it would take to fix this place up †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"And the money,† Kestrel said. Jade gave them a cold look. â€Å"Why fix it? I like it. It's different.† Rigid with superiority, she picked up her luggage and walked to the end of the roadThere was a ramshackle, mostly fallen-down fence around the property, and a dangerous-looking gate. Beyond,on a weed-covered path, was a pile of white pickets as if somebody had been planning to fix the fencebut had never got around to it. Jade put down the suitcase and cat carrier and pulled at the gate. To her surprise, it moved easily. â€Å"See, it may not look good, but it still works-â€Å"She didn't get to finish the sentence properly. The gate fell on her. â€Å"Well, it may not work, but it's still ours,† she said as Rowan and Kestrel pulled it off her. â€Å"No, it's Aunt Opal's,† Kestrel said. Rowan just smoothed her hair back and said, â€Å"Come on.† There was a board missing from the porch steps, and several boards gone from the porch itself. Jade limped around them with dignity. The gate had given her a good whack in the shin, and since it was wood,it still .hurt. In fact, everything seemed to be made of wood here, which gave Jade a pleasantly alarmed feeling. Back home, wood was revered-,and kept outof the way. You have to be awfully careful to live in this kindof world, Jade thought. Or you're going to get hurt. Rowan and Kestrel were knocking on the door,Rowan politely, with her knuckles, Kestrel loudly, with the side of her hand. There wasn't any answer. â€Å"She doesn't seem to be here,† Rowan said. â€Å"She's decided she doesn't want us,† Kestrel said, golden eyes gleaming. â€Å"Maybe she went to the wrong bus station,†Jade said. â€Å"Oh-that's it. I bet that's it,† Rowan said. â€Å"Poorold thing, she's waiting for us somewhere, and she's going to be thinking that we didn't show up.† â€Å"†Sometimes you're not completely stupid,† Kestrel informed Jade. High praise from Kestrel. â€Å"Well, let's go in,† Jade said,to conceal howpleased she was. â€Å"She'll come back here sometime.† â€Å"Human houses have locks,† Rowan began, but this house wasn't locked. The doorknob turned in Jade's hand. The three of them stepped inside. It was dark, even darker than the moonless nightoutside, but Jade's eyes adjusted in a few seconds. â€Å"Hey, it's not bad,† she said. They were in ashabby but handsome living room filled with huge, ponderous furniture. Wood furniture, of course dark and highly polished. The tables were topped with marble. Rowan found a lightswitch, and suddenly the roomwas too bright. Blinking, Jade saw that the walls were pale apple green, with fancy woodwork andmoldings in a darker shade of the same green. It made Jade feel oddly peaceful. And anchored, somehow, as if she belonged here. Maybe it was all the heavy furniture. She looked at Rowan, who was looking around tall graceful body slowly relaxing. Rowan smiled and met her eyes. She noddedonce. â€Å"Yes.† Jade basked for a moment in the glory of having been right twice in five minutes–and then she remembered her suitcase. â€Å"Let's see what the rest of the place is like,† she said hastily. â€Å"I'll take the upstairs; you guys look around here.† â€Å"You just want the best bedroom,† Kestrel said. Jade ignored her, hurrying up a wide, carpeted flight of stairs. There were lots of bedrooms, and each one had lots of room. She didn't want the best, though, just the farthest away. At the very end of the hall was a room painted sea-blue. Jade slammed the door behind her and puther suitcase on the bed. Holding her breath, she opened the suitcase. Oh. Oh, no.Oh, no †¦ Three minutes later she heard the click of the doorbehind her, but didn't care enough to turn. â€Å"What are you doing?†Kestrel's voice said. Jade looked up from her frantic efforts to resuscitate the two kittens she held. â€Å"They'redead!† she wailed. â€Å"Well, what did you expect? They need to breathe, idiot. How did you expect them to make it through two days of traveling?† Jade sniffled. â€Å"Rowan told you that you could take only one.† Jade sniffled harder and glared. â€Å"I know.That's why I put these two in the suitcase.† She hiccuped. â€Å"At least Tiggy's all right.† She dropped to her knees and peered in the cat carrier to make sure he was all right. His ears were laid back, his golden eyes gleaming out of a mass of black fur. He hissed, and Jade sat up. He was fine. â€Å"For five dollars I'll take care of the dead ones,† Kestrel said. â€Å"No!† Jade jumped up and moved protectively in front of them, fingers clawed. â€Å"Not likethat,† Kestrel said, offended. â€Å"I don't eat carrion. Look, if you don't get rid of them somehow,Rowan's going to find out. For God's sake,girl, you're a vampire,† she added as Jade cradled the limp bodies to her chest. â€Å"Act like one.† â€Å"I want to bury them,† Jade said. â€Å"They shouldhave a funeral.† Kestrel rolled her eyes and left. Jade wrapped the small corpses in her jacket and tiptoed out after her. A shovel, she thought. Now, where would that be? Keeping her ears open for Rowan, shesidledaround the first floor. All the rooms looked like the living room: imposing and in a state of genteel decay. The kitchen was huge. It had an open fireplace and a shed off the back door for washing laundry. It also had a door to the cellar. Jade made her way down the steps cautiously. Shecouldn't turn on a light because she needed both hands for the kittens. And, because of the kittens, she couldn't see her feet. She had to feel with her toe for the next step. At the bottom of the stairs her toe found something yielding, slightly resilient. It was blocking herpath. Slowly Jade craned her neck over the bundle of jacket and looked down. It was dim here. She herself was blocking the light that filtered down from the kitchen. But she could make out what looked like a pile of old clothes. A lumpy pile. Jade was getting a very, very bad feeling. She nudged the pile of clothes with one toe. It moved slightly. Jade took a deep breath and nudged it hard. It was all one piece. It rolled over. Jade looked down, breathed quickly for a moment, and screamed. A good, shrill, attention-getting scream. She addeda nonverbal thought, the telepathic equivalent of a siren. Rowan! Kestrel! You guys get down here! Twenty seconds later the cellar light went on andRowan and Kestrel came clattering down the stairs. â€Å"I have told you and toldyou,† Rowan was sayingthrough her teeth. â€Å"We don'tuse our-† She stopped, staring. â€Å"I think it's Aunt Opal,† Jade said.