Strategy Palnning for a farming company LTK

LTK1 was incorporated on 16th October 1986. It is situated at Durian Tunggal District, Malacca. The principal activities of LTK are production of chicken eggs and manufacturing organic fertilizer. LTK is one of the leading eggs producers in Malaysia. The production capacity of LTK is 1 Million eggs per day. Part of the production is for local consumption while the rest of the production is mended for export. Presently, LTK is exporting to Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia. With the collaboration between LTK and MARDI2, LTK become the sole producer and distributor of Omega 3 eggs in Malaysia. The LTK Omega 3 eggs provide up to 5 times more Omega 3 and 4 times more of Vitamin E compare with ordinary eggs. The consumption of Omega 3 will reduce heart disease, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, breast cancer, colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. In additional, Omega 3 is vital for the development of brain and retina tissues3. The daily production capacity of LTK is 1,500,000. In order to maintain the quality of eggs, LTK applies TQM throughout the whole production processes. Figure 1.0 Production Flow in LTK Chapter 2.0 An analysis of the market, customers and macro conditions of LTK Chapter 2.1 Market Analysis LTK is one of the leading eggs producers in Malaysia since 16th October 1986. But, Omega eggs are still new in the market. Therefore, in the short term the demand will still be low in the market. Nevertheless if the demand of the omega eggs continues to increase, it will benefit LTK in the future. This can be seen as product development strategy. The market where LTK operates in is some sort between perfect competition and monopolistic market. This is because the market is full of egg producers who hold commodity rather than product. On the other hand, this market is full of buyers who purchase eggs for different purposes. However in term of Omega eggs, LTK has made a right move to shift egg as commodity towards branded product. Thus I assume LTK Omega egg is operating in a monopolistic market. Thus, it is the time LTK have the thorough planning and strategic marketing to satisfy customer requirements profitably and sustain competitive edge in a long run Chapter 2.2: Customer Analysis Omega eggs actually are the simple product that the consumers can consume everyday. The marketing strategist should keep track of the customers' behaviour. It is because the switching cost to buy the eggs is very low. Thus, LTK should conduct research from time to time in order to answer the following research questions and hypothesis. > Research Question: Why do consumers buy omega eggs? Hypothesis: Consumers manage to understand the explanations make by LTK through TV, newspaper, magazine and salesperson in the distribution outlets, so they buy Omega egg. > Research Question: Who participates in the buying process? Hypothesis: Most of the time, housewife, mother-in-law or husband participate in the buying process. > Research Question: Where consumers buy omega eggs? Hypothesis: Consumers buy Omega eggs based on convenient or not. Through years of experience and fieldwork research, LTK understand the consumers' behaviour very well. LTK buyers can be divided into 4 categories: the retail market, the business market, the government and non-profit organisation. The retail market refers to the normal consumers while the business market refers to confectionaries and bakery in the southern part of peninsula Malaysia. On top of that, the government market refers to the barracks or army camps in Johor and Pahang. Lastly the non-profit organisations are like school canteens, old-folk home and orphanages. Above and beyond, LTK also concluded that consumers' decision would be influenced by some external stimuli. Therefore, LTK not only provide quality eggs, but convenient pack size, reasonable price (RM0.399), ordinary eggs same size price (RM0.299) and convenient outlets. Chapter 2.3 PEST Analysis Malaysia is a potential market for international marketing because the political and legal environment is mature and stable. Furthermore, the AFTA agreement enable LTK product to flow freely throughout the whole South East Asia region without political barrier. Thus LTK involve very low or no political risk continuing the operation in Malaysia. Although the overall economic performance in the Malaysia had declined, a thorough study will explain that the decline is mainly due to the poor performance in the global economy. No matter what is said and done, LTK performance will not be badly influenced by the economy because eggs are fast moving household product. From the social perspective, LTK goods should be acceptable because the Malaysian should be aware that their current main source of protein is badly affected by the JE Disease and polluted environment. Thus the society has phobia towards consumption of pork and poultry, thus egg is the alternative source of protein and it is a very health source of protein too. Besides, the aging population is also very much concerned about their daily eating habit, so LTK product should be acceptable. Besides, I feel that the rate of product diffusion for LTK enriched egg should be faster because the literacy rate for the target market is higher. Figure2.0 Diffusion Process of LTK goods In term of technology, there isn't any disadvantage for LTK since the product doesn't require any other technological support. However, biological engineering or medical science might assist LTK to increase its production or reduce the rate of defect. Chapter 2.4 Microenvironment Analysis As mentioned above, the enriched egg is new in the Malaysia market; hence the level of intense competition is relatively low. Based on Michael Porter 5 forces analysis, there is no bargaining power for supplier because LTK is the supplier. On the other hand, the bargaining power of buyer is very strong because the retailers in Malaysia are corporate giant like Parkson, Jusco, Top, Makro, Carrefour and Fajar. The threat from substitute is small because the society is suffering beef and pork phobia. Besides, a lot of doctors advise the public to reduce the consumption of red meat and go for the white meat. The entry barrier is the solely most worrying factor for LTK as the entry barrier for such industry is very low. Therefore, it is crucial for LTK to establish strong brand equity before the competitors creep into the market. Figure 2.1 Michael Porter 5 forces Chapter 3.0 Internal Corporate and Marketing Conditions (SWOT) The SWOT analysis is one of the most useful marketing planning outfit that aids the analysis of the firm's overall situation because it provides a clear picture from complex data. LTK incorporated since 1986, one of the strengths of the company is the organization structure is very lean. Therefore, breakdown in communication rarely happened in LTK. Furthermore, the organisation is able to response effectively because the organisation is flexible. In the company, the CEO practices the product category management. Therefore, each department are doing their task efficiently. The second strength LTK possesses is the government support. LTK is the only private organisation in Malaysia that is linked with Mardi. Thus there is a lot of technological transfer and LTK manage to save lots of R&D expenditure. The third strength of LTK is that the organisation has a strong goodwill in the market and a lot of chick food suppliers support the company. On top of that, the distribution network of LTK is relatively widespread throughout Peninsula Malaysia. The fourth strength of LTK is the quality standard has been maintained very well throughout these years. The defective and crack rate is lesser that 7.94% for every period of six months. The weakness for LTK is lack of fund in conducting research and development. As we known that if the products do not get improvement sooner or later the competitor will become the leader in the market. The second weakness for LTK is that the production is inelastic within a short period of time. Even when there is a strong demand for the product, LTK is unable to double or triple the production. The opportunities in this market is nowadays consumers are more concern about their health. Omega plus can improve the brain functions; can reduce heart disease, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, breast cancer, colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the demand will accelerate due to positive word of mouth and publicity over the press. Besides, the annual population growth in Malaysia is still rising, thus the demand will definitely rise because more mouths to be fed. There is also an opportunity when the AFTA come into the picture. The Omega egg can flow freely to neighbouring countries and increase sale for the company. The threat to LTK is the competitors enter into the same market. When most of the consumers accept the product, it is also the time more and more players come into this market. Thus, LTK must do more R&D to enhance the quality of the products. Chapter 4.0: A Portfolio Analysis of the Competitive Conditions (BCG) Relative market share Figure 4.0: BCG Matrix The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix is a well-known approach to conduct portfolio analysis that provides corporate strategists with an insight of important strategic relationships between internal cash flows, market share, competitive position and growth trajectories. The characteristic of LTK omega plus eggs in BCG matrix is under STAR. First, it is because LTK is the initial player in the market of omega eggs. Thus LTK haven't tapped the total market and the percentage of share is very low. Second, omega eggs are now in a fast growing period and haven't reached the maturity stage yet. A lot of people are curios about these eggs and some people still do not believe whether the egg is so miracle and healthy as they claimed. On the other hand, the traditional egg produced by LTK is in the Cash Cow stage. This is because the market growth rate has been stagnant for very long time and the PLC is in the maturity stage. Moreover, the relative market share for LTK is very large if weight against the total market in Malaysia. The profit earned from the traditional eggs can be transferred to develop the star. Although the Omega eggs do not generate substantial profits compare to the ordinary eggs, but LTK believe that the trend is moving towards consumption of such eggs. Strategic planner must follow the trend in order to develop sound long term strategic plan. Chapter 5.0: Segmentation Strategy Segmentation is a process of subdividing broad markets into varied and differing smaller groups of buyers. They are consisting exclusive of characteristics. The benefits of segmentation are strategist able to accumulate sufficient market sector knowledge as well as sustain customer loyalty. LTK also segmented the customers into several clusters. The objective is to avoid confusion and provide strategies with the opportunity to approach available segment with the right marketing strategies. LTK should segment its market based on income level, attitudes towards health, education level and psychographics. It is because the price of omega egg is slightly higher than ordinary eggs. Thus, only certain segments of the consumers are willing to pay for it. For instances, the business market of LTK will not be interested with this new product but to prefer conventional egg to keep the production cost as low as possible. Therefore, LTK market segment should be those in the middle class and it is practical since Malaysia has a relatively big middle class society. The consumers' decision whether or not to choose Omega egg also determined by the health awareness among consumers. It is because in the market there are too many health foods. Therefore, most of the consumers will think that omega egg is just another propaganda made by the producer. Education level is also the main reason LTK should consider since it can influence consumers DMU. It is because the higher education group of consumers only understand the meaning of Omega 3 and how the eggs can provide up to 5 times more Omega 3 and 4 times more of Vitamin E compare with ordinary eggs. The consumption of Omega 3 will reduce heart disease, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, breast cancer, colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. In additional, Omega 3 is vital for the development of brain and retina tissues4. Psychographics also will be the factors that can influence the customers whether to buy or do not buy omega egg. As we know that nowadays majority of the customers prefer to buy the products that have a brand. Previously it is no way that consumers can accept that even egg should have a brand identity. Those days, branded goods were toys of the rich and famous. However, today people perceive branded goods as quality assurance. Thus LTK should portrait a healthy lifestyle image in the overall promotion campaign. LTK should aim those who cherish healthy lifestyle and always engage in exercise or outdoor activities. In such a way, the company not only able to enhance market share but also building up a strong brand equity. Chapter 6.0: Positioning Strategy For all these years, consumers treat all the eggs are the same. The only noticeable different is the size and the hardness of the shell. However, LTK successfully draw the differentiation line between Omega eggs and the ordinary eggs. Therefore, LTK should position omega substances as the distinctive and important element for the growing years. In such a way, general public as well as target market will draw attention on consuming more omega substances and association such need with buying LTK Omega egg. This is known as classical learning in consumer behaviour study. Chapter 7.0: Marketing Objectives Marketing objectives may divide into quantitative and qualitative. In LTK case, the quantitative objective is to enlarge the market. The CEO of LTK plans to exploit the South East Asia countries as well as western countries. LTK also wishes to increase the market share by 35% within the next 5 years. It is because LTK plans to spend 20% of the revenue in advertisement to promote the new product and healthy lifestyle. LTK also wishes to increase profitability by 7.6% in the coming year. In order to improve profitability LTK will empower and delegate more authority for the marketing department and sales force to carry out necessary tasks. The qualitative objectives set by LTK are to build up the company image and product's brand equity. Besides, the company also wishes to train more middle managers in line with the strategic expansion. In conjunction with the expansion, LTK also wish to increase the marketing department employee welfare to boost up organisation spirits and morale. Besides, LTK wishes to have stronger affiliation with large-scale retail chains. Chapter 8.0: Marketing Strategy (Strategic Direction) LTK is the market leader; a leader must be at a state of constant alertness and maintain watchfulness because other firms will attacks its weaknesses and try to offset LTK strength. The competitors also can do R&D and become more innovate than LTK. Thus, if LTK wish to sustain their positions as a leader, LTK should be more proactive. First, LTK must pursuit the strategy of expanding the total market. LTK should â€Å"welcome† new users including the low-income earner. LTK can categorise the size of the eggs. It is because now omega egg only has one size. If LTK sells the smaller size egg cheaper than the other, lower income consumers will try to buy it. Besides, LTK could develop new market such as South East Asia and EU continent. Thus, LTK not only concentrate the Malaysia market but the overseas market too. As the market leader, LTK not only must expand the market, but to protect its current market share. Pre-emptive defence is crucial to undermine the competitors before they do. Furthermore, counter-offensive defence is also necessary to cut off the challenger's operational base. Chapter 9.0 Developing the Marketing Programs for LTK In order to achieve the preset objective, LTK must balance off the attention for domestic and foreign market. Until now, the main focus for LTK should be domestic thus LTK should establish an overseas subsidiary in Asia and other state in Malaysia. However, LTK must always conduct research pertaining the consumer behaviour to segment the market. LTK must bear in mind that consumer insight will differ base on geographical differences. In addition to segmentation, LTK should aim for the most profitable target market. In my humble point of view, I will consider the segment which earning per year is above 30,000 with a family size of 2-5 members. This segment will be the single largest segment in Malaysia and Asia countries. Thus the segment is sustainable, measurable, profitable as well as accessible. This subsidiary is also responsible to gather market information in Malaysia market and distribute the company product to neighbouring countries such as Thai, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. The subsidiary is responsible to keep close contact with the retailers in these countries. After establishing the distribution network, it is more important to ensure the product is acceptable by the consumers. The marketing department must understand that the company long-term objective is to move from core value to augmented value. Therefore, the media department must develop the advertising message that suits the taste of the target audience as well as meeting the company long-term objective. Furthermore, the message must be informative, educate and entertain. In this point of time, I think the advertising theme must focus on introducing the public to the benefit of LTK Omega 3 enriched egg. The choice of media is also important when developing brand equity. It is a prudent move to place some advertisements in the health magazine in these countries. Besides, the company can place some advertisements in selected local newspapers and radios stations. If the budget allocation allows, the company can consider placing advertisement on television. Whatever said and done, I think it is more appropriate to employ local agencies to handle the advertising activities since they are more familiar as well as more efficient. Below is sample of advertisements that LTK has applied in the local context. The marketing department must monitor the performance of the advertising agencies from time to time or apply the payment based on performance scheme to motivate the agencies to put in more effort or pull up their socks. Promotion campaign is equally important to stimulate trial for this product. The trial is very important because it will enable the company to portrait the superior quality of the egg and relate it to the brand name. The planned promotion campaign that I intend to carry out is the demo session in major supermarket and hypermarket. In this demo, I will show the audience how different is the LTK Omega egg from ordinary eggs. It is totally different in term of colour and elasticity of the yolk5. You can pick up the yolk of LTK Omega egg from the albumen and the yolk will not break or burst. This demo can be recorded and broadcast in the TV as part of the advertising campaign too. On the other hand, the company can also visit school and give away free bookmark and sample to the students when they are having cooking classes. In the supermarket, the company can employ sandwich man dress up like Humpty -Dumpy. Besides during Easter day, LTK can do promotion like buy 12 eggs and get an Easter egg for free. Publicity is the most convincing tool for LTK Omega egg to persuade the consumers to purchase the product. The company should invite nutritionist to do scientific research and tell the public that whether LTK Omega eggs is really as good as the company claim. The consumer movement groups and the public watchdogs are also invited to examine the quality of the product. If their comments are positive, then LTK Omega egg will easily penetrate into the Asia market. Packaging serve two purposes for LTK Omega egg. First of all, it will protect the egg and maintain its freshness. Secondly, the packaging can reflect the augmented feeling if it is nice decorated. However the company must bear in mind that the packaging must be environmental friendly and recyclable too. The target consumers in these countries are very much concerned with environmental issues like plastic container and too much paper wrappers. On top of that, the company should establish global web site, regional web site as well as country web site to provide health concern consumers about health facts pertaining to LTK Omega eggs. Suggestion box must be prepared to keep in touch with consumers. Furthermore, the company can do on-line delivery to enlarge the distribution coverage. Lastly, LTK should enlarge the distribution channel to make this product easily available to the target market. There should be more state division wholesalers to support the distribution effort of LTK. Chapter 10 Implementation, Evaluation and Control Although all the strategic plan has been laid down in detail, the implementation is equally important to enable the plan to be carried out smoothly. All the tasks must be delegated accordingly. On top of that, there must be coordinating mechanism to facilitate decision-making process. Above and beyond, there must not be any breakdown in communication within each level and within departments as well. There should be weekly report and meeting to exchange ideas on improving the organisation activities. The Kaizen Methodology is very good in turning LTK into a learning organisation. Since there is a preset quantitative objective, it is possible to evaluate the actual performance against the preset standard. If the difference is too wide, corrective measurement must be taken. Other than comparing the actual result with the preset standard, LTK can measure the performance based on other sources such as customers' feedback, retail audit, distributors' feedback, survey and toll free calls. In conclusion, the strategic plan must be review from time to time because the business environment is always dynamic and volatile in nature. The holistic audit of various aspects will definitely benefit the company with coming out a more complete strategic plan.

International Trade Paper

Introduction to Management BU106 The Role of International Trade Harriette Sane-aka Herzing University The United States has been constant in keeping an open market for quite a while and that has helped the production of goods extraordinarily. The Open market was not always the norm, and for most of American history, the United States imposed sanctions on outside imports in an effort to protect those individuals that aim to produce their goods within the shores of the United States from foreign competition.International trade has a rich history starting with barter system being replaced by Mercantilism in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The 18th Century saw the shift towards liberalism. It was in this period that Adam Smith, the father of Economics wrote the famous book ‘The Wealth of Nations’ in 1776 where in he defined the importance of specialization in production and brought International trade under the said scope. David Ricardo developed the Comparative advantage prin ciple, which stands true even today. (Management study guide, 2008) International trade or world trade affects the entire American economy.The early industrial years of American the economy was based entirely on the exporting goods to other countries, and these exports created the revenue need to sustain the country. America would export more products than it needed this created a surplus in the GDP. This began to change in the 1930's when the trade began to change and the country began to import more products. This downward trend led the GDP its lowest point in history. In today's world trade market America's import percentage is somewhere in the mid-60%. The balance of trade in America today is running in a deficit.The U. S. government has created trade agreements the various countries that allow free trade between these countries. This means there are no tariffs, fees or taxes applied toward the good being imported or exported between the countries in the agreement. These countri es include Mexico and Canada that create the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and Israel. These agreements are not limited to free trade, but other countries such as Jamaica, that need assistance in order to grow economically America has lessened the amount of tariffs need to import good into America. Egmmons, 2005) Ever walked into a supermarket and been able to buy South American bananas, Columbian coffee, different spices from India, and a bottle of South African wine; well that is the role international trade plays in the American society. International trade is also the reason why when shopping for a new car, you can pick between a Japanese, German or American car. International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries and the trades between different countries and continents have existed for decades.International trade lets us increase the market for foreign products, and bridges the gap between both the importer, and the exporter. As a result of international trade, the market is saturated with products, and merchants in turn have to lower prices of their goods which then allow the consumer to get things for a lesser price because of the availability. We have come a long way since the earlier times and International trade today has taken on new dimension. Today with the advancement of technology and impact of globalization has made it easy for all countries to engage in international trade for their survival.There are many factors of international trade but the most significant parts of international trade, in my opinion; are the history, and the advantages and disadvantages of international trade. According to Patel, they are various advantages are named for the countries entering into trade relations on an international scale such as: International trade enables a country to consume things which either cannot be produced within its borders or production may cost very high. Therefore it becomes cost cheaper to import fr om other countries through foreign trade.International trade helps a country to utilize its resources to the maximum limit. If a country does not takes up imports and exports then its resources remain unexplorted. Thus it helps to eliminate the wastage of resources. Imports and exports of different countries provide opportunities to the consumer to buy and consume those goods which cannot be produced in their own country. They therefore get diversity in choices. By making the size of the market large with large supplies and extensive demand international trade reduces trade fluctuations. The prices of goods tend to remain more stable.International trade enables different countries to sell their surplus products to other countries and earn foreign exchange. International trade fosters peace, goodwill and mutual understanding among nations. Economic interdependence of countries often leads to close cultural relationship and thus avoid war between them. [ (Patel, 2010) ] International trade does not always amount to blessings. It has certain drawbacks also such as the import of foreign goods foreign trade may lead to import of harmful goods like cigarettes, drugs etc. Which may run the health of the residents of the country?E. g. the people of China suffered greatly through opium imports. (Patel, 2010) International trade leads to intensive cultivation of land. Thus it has the operations of law of diminishing returns in agricultural countries. It also makes a nation poor by giving too much burden over the resources. Over Specialization may be disastrous for a country. A substitute may appear and ruin the economic lives of millions. (Patel, 2010). One of the serious drawbacks of foreign trade is that one country may gain at the expense of other due to certain accidental advantages.The Industrial revolution is great Britain ruined Indian handicrafts during the nineteenth century. Foreign trade may lead to war different countries compete with each other in finding o ut new markets and sources of raw material for their industries and frequently come into clash. This was one of the causes of first and Second World War. (Patel, 2010) International trade has a vast effect on trade as a whole because it brings nations together in such a way that had never been done before and it changed the complexity of the way homes and society was run.In Northern America for example, trade brought women out of the traditional roles, and into the workforce which for generations was a male only domain. This is evident even today as women in the workforce now carry roles that at a time were sinful to even think about. International trade is effective in situations like globalization where a country has a need and the other has the ability to negate that need with products that may be necessary to elevate the need or essentially draw the two countries closer.And although the trade agreement has been in place for centuries, they are still a lot of glitches that are st ill being fixed. In October 2011 Congress passed three long-awaited free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, ending a political standoff that had stretched across two presidencies. The move offered a rare moment of bipartisan accord at a time when Republicans and Democrats were bitterly divided over the role that government ought to play in reviving the sputtering economy.The approval of the deals was a victory for President Obama and proponents of the view that foreign trade can drive America’s economic growth in the face of rising protectionist sentiment in both political parties. They were the first trade agreements to pass Congress since Democrats broke a decade of Republican control in 2007. [ (New York Times, 2012) ] International Trade plays a major role in this picture because a country in need would most likely bend easier when situations get extreme or dire. This paves a way for countries that may have one time be neglected to now harness momenta ry bargaining prowess.Even things like Culture has also been affected by International trade because a country that was once self sufficient and as a result would likely never reach out for help now bargains with others that they once despised because the ability to do so is much easier after trade was open. International trade is essential for most countries to operate, or even progress. Most people in the United States wear clothes that were not manufactured here within the boundaries. This situation conveniently makes for a need from a country that was once looked down upon to have a chip to play with.The desire of the consumer usually makes the value of the provider to increase. Egmmons. (2005, May). Studymode. Retrieved January 24, 2013, from Studymode website: http://www. studymode. com Management study guide. (2008). Management study guide. Retrieved january 29, 2013, from Management study guide web site: http://www. managementstudyguide. com New York Times. (2012, September 17). New york Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from New York Times Website: http://topics. nytimes. com Patel, F. (2010, july 7). gess papers. Retrieved february 2, 2013, from guess papers web site: http://www. guesspapers. net

The Need for Academic Integrated Conflict Resolution in Education

The conflict between individuals aged 13 to 19 is so high that the need for academically integrated conflict resolution programs is quickly becoming a focal point of those involved in the educational world. Parents, teachers, and psychologists alike have all expressed horror that the rising number of youth offenders, violence in the schools, racial intolerance and the like has rapidly risen among their teenaged children, students, and clients. It has become second nature for students to solve their conflict with verbal confrontations and physical altercations. Tragically, the use of guns either aimed at the person that they believe to be the cause of their angst or at themselves in suicidal attempts is sometimes the heartbreaking epilogue of an inability to properly deal with conflict. It seems as though students don't know how to peacefully resolve the conflicts that they find themselves in on a day-to-day basis. A conflict resolution-training program that is integrated into a student's academic program will encourage students to learn the methods of peaceful mediation. It will induce students to apply the methods of conflict resolution into their day-to-day disputes not to mention the positive impact that it will have on their academic achievement. â€Å"A conflict exists when actions come into opposition. Conflict can occur within an individual, group, organization, institution, or nation. Conflicts can cross boundaries. They can occur between individuals and institutions, and across cultures. How we manage or resolve conflicts is the central issue. Today, underlying the violence that surrounds our schools, neighborhoods, and communities are conflicts which have never been addressed or have been improperly resolved. Indeed in a diverse and complex society, Conflict Resolution Programs are much needed and an important component of all schools. In the 60's and 70's this need was understood by the Quakers and peace activists. In the early 1980's, Educators for Social Responsibility examined alternative strategies of dealing with violence. The Children's Creative Response to Conflict, the Community Board's Program, and the Peace Education Foundation were in the forefront of the movement. In 1984 the National Association of Mediation (NAME) was formed which served as a clearinghouse for information and training for school- based conflict resolution programs. In 1983 the National Institute of Dispute Resolution (NIDR) was formed to promote the development of conflict resolution tools and processes. Several types of programs have now emerged in schools of a collaborative and cooperative problem-solving approach involving processes such as negotiation, conciliation, mediation, fact finding, and arbitration. The Gandhian method of conflict resolution, called â€Å"satyagraha†, or truth force, is concerned with human needs and recognizes the importance of resolving the â€Å"conflict triangle†: the attitude, the behavior, and the goal incompatibility itself. For Gandhi the desired outcome of a conflict is in the creation of a better social structure, and a greater degree of human unity. † (C. W. Post Library on Nonviolence). Conflict resolution in the inner city schools is quickly becoming an epidemic. Many schools have implemented preventative programs which include both uniformed and undercover armed guards to metal detectors to metal detectors in the school hallways. â€Å"†¦ Though one New York City study suggests the effectiveness of metal detectors, many experts fear that detectors do little more than create a false sense of security in schools† (Witkin, 1998). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects that a conflict resolution program that is integrated into an English literature class has on students in an urban high school in New York. According to Johnson and Johnson (1996), conflict resolution programs can be divided into three ways. There is the cadre or total student body approach, which trains certain students to become peer mediators or training every student in the school in constructive conflict management, respectively. Levy (1989) and Maxwell (1989) divide conflict resolution programs into two categories: curriculum-based programs and peer mediation programs. Curriculum based programs are preventative in nature and focus on teaching students to about conflicts and the alternatives to violence as a method of resolution. They emphasize social skills, empathy training, stress and anger management, attitudes about conflicts, and bias awareness. The third division is a division of skills-oriented approaches and academically oriented approaches. Opotow (1991) has found skills-oriented approaches to be those in which students are taught the interpersonal and small-group skills which are needed to resolve conflicts constructively (D. W. Johnson, 1997; D. W. Johnson & F. Johnson, 1997); in the academic approach students are taught the intellectual procedures and cognitive skills for managing conflicts such as academic controversy (D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1979, 1995a), violence prevention (Prothrow-Stith, Spivak, & Hausman, 1987), and critical thinking (Paul, 1984; Seigel, 1988); and the last approach is the structural-change approach which emphasize changing the school structure from a mass-manufacturing approach to a team based, high-performance organizational structure (D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 199 4) and providing a cooperative context for a management of conflict (Deutsch, 1973; D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1994). The Need for Academic Integrated Conflict Resolution in Education The conflict between individuals aged 13 to 19 is so high that the need for academically integrated conflict resolution programs is quickly becoming a focal point of those involved in the educational world. Parents, teachers, and psychologists alike have all expressed horror that the rising number of youth offenders, violence in the schools, racial intolerance and the like has rapidly risen among their teenaged children, students, and clients. It has become second nature for students to solve their conflict with verbal confrontations and physical altercations. Tragically, the use of guns either aimed at the person that they believe to be the cause of their angst or at themselves in suicidal attempts is sometimes the heartbreaking epilogue of an inability to properly deal with conflict. It seems as though students don't know how to peacefully resolve the conflicts that they find themselves in on a day-to-day basis. A conflict resolution-training program that is integrated into a student's academic program will encourage students to learn the methods of peaceful mediation. It will induce students to apply the methods of conflict resolution into their day-to-day disputes not to mention the positive impact that it will have on their academic achievement. â€Å"A conflict exists when actions come into opposition. Conflict can occur within an individual, group, organization, institution, or nation. Conflicts can cross boundaries. They can occur between individuals and institutions, and across cultures. How we manage or resolve conflicts is the central issue. Today, underlying the violence that surrounds our schools, neighborhoods, and communities are conflicts which have never been addressed or have been improperly resolved. Indeed in a diverse and complex society, Conflict Resolution Programs are much needed and an important component of all schools. In the 60's and 70's this need was understood by the Quakers and peace activists. In the early 1980's, Educators for Social Responsibility examined alternative strategies of dealing with violence. The Children's Creative Response to Conflict, the Community Board's Program, and the Peace Education Foundation were in the forefront of the movement. In 1984 the National Association of Mediation (NAME) was formed which served as a clearinghouse for information and training for school- based conflict resolution programs. In 1983 the National Institute of Dispute Resolution (NIDR) was formed to promote the development of conflict resolution tools and processes. Several types of programs have now emerged in schools of a collaborative and cooperative problem-solving approach involving processes such as negotiation, conciliation, mediation, fact finding, and arbitration. The Gandhian method of conflict resolution, called â€Å"satyagraha†, or truth force, is concerned with human needs and recognizes the importance of resolving the â€Å"conflict triangle†: the attitude, the behavior, and the goal incompatibility itself. For Gandhi the desired outcome of a conflict is in the creation of a better social structure, and a greater degree of human unity. † (C. W. Post Library on Nonviolence). Conflict resolution in the inner city schools is quickly becoming an epidemic. Many schools have implemented preventative programs which include both uniformed and undercover armed guards to metal detectors to metal detectors in the school hallways. â€Å"†¦ Though one New York City study suggests the effectiveness of metal detectors, many experts fear that detectors do little more than create a false sense of security in schools† (Witkin, 1998). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects that a conflict resolution program that is integrated into an English literature class has on students in an urban high school in New York. According to Johnson and Johnson (1996), conflict resolution programs can be divided into three ways. There is the cadre or total student body approach, which trains certain students to become peer mediators or training every student in the school in constructive conflict management, respectively. Levy (1989) and Maxwell (1989) divide conflict resolution programs into two categories: curriculum-based programs and peer mediation programs. Curriculum based programs are preventative in nature and focus on teaching students to about conflicts and the alternatives to violence as a method of resolution. They emphasize social skills, empathy training, stress and anger management, attitudes about conflicts, and bias awareness. The third division is a division of skills-oriented approaches and academically oriented approaches. Opotow (1991) has found skills-oriented approaches to be those in which students are taught the interpersonal and small-group skills which are needed to resolve conflicts constructively (D. W. Johnson, 1997; D. W. Johnson & F. Johnson, 1997); in the academic approach students are taught the intellectual procedures and cognitive skills for managing conflicts such as academic controversy (D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1979, 1995a), violence prevention (Prothrow-Stith, Spivak, & Hausman, 1987), and critical thinking (Paul, 1984; Seigel, 1988); and the last approach is the structural-change approach which emphasize changing the school structure from a mass-manufacturing approach to a team based, high-performance organizational structure (D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 199 4) and providing a cooperative context for a management of conflict (Deutsch, 1973; D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1994).

Website exploration assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Website exploration - Assignment Example First of all it gives direct option to ‘Explore Canada’ which includes trip ideas, places to go and things to do. Then there is an option to give complete information on ‘travelling Canada’ starting from arrival up to departure from the State. ‘Share your Canada’ is a unique option for visitors to upload their photos and share their distinctive experiences. Thereafter the website gives a central option to search places with the help of topics, for instance, if someone is interested in exploring arts and culture then the search will directly lead to the most suitable places. Different locations for tourists’ attraction are available with the brief description, for example, there is ice land, journey behind the falls etc. Additionally there is a list of 50 Canadian destinations along with different videos and contact link of a trip advisor. The site is creatively designed as it shows everything a tourist might be looking for. Although the pictures and information is set in order to demonstrate â€Å"more† but the black background color is not giving a comforting feel. Diversity seems to be the central part to picture Canada. This can be substantiated on the basis of locations categorization, for instance, tourists planning their visit to a lake, ice land or even waterfalls can actually select Canada as it has all of them. In addition to this the website sends a message of adventure and fun to the visitor. 3. Scan the categories in the tab Explore Canada at the top of the Home page. Name/identify four or five that you know (by experience) or that you had heard about? Among those that you have identified, what are those that you find MOST characteristic of tourism in Canada? Places to go: I have read about these places in different publications and stories Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Toronto. All of these places reflect most characteristics of tourism in Canada because they are

Case Assignment (Business Ethics) Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment (Business Ethics) - Case Study Example However in that process, they engaged themselves into practices which may not be termed as ethical in nature. The various issues which have been discussed in the article points towards various ethical lapses in the organization on systematic, organization and individual level. From the information provided in the Case study, there are various ethical issues involved in this case. A closer look at the facts would suggest that the company has a good past record where the employee relationship, cleanliness, good work practices were dominating forces within the organization however, the consolidation in the industry coupled with recession saw the tide turning as most of the meat processors in the country focused on improving their profitability which eventually resulted into cost cutting and a compromises on the quality of the meat produced as well as the internal work practices within those organizations. Further the whole situation with specific regard to the company changed when the ownership of the company changed forcing it to go through a change which was really painful not for the employees only but for the overall health of the organization also. The systems and procedures put in place within the organization suggest that there is a more stress on ensuring that the meat processing plants meet the targets of processing meat every day. In order to achieve the same, the systems and procedures within the organization was horrible as the processing of meat was done according to the standards. The health standards were not meet. This violation has further deteriorated the systems and procedures within the organization to a point where no proper standard operating procedures were put in place in terms of better work procedures. Blood usually were not been washed away every day. The assembly line was stuffed with lot of work to process i.e. approximately 400 cows per hour which greatly hampered the quality as more toxin materials were used to be split over the meat or piercing of other toxic organs of the cows resulting into their splitting over the meat seriously points towards the fact that on systematic level, there were lot of et hical issues which needed to be addressed. In order to correct the issues related with the systematic ethics, organization need to revamp its procedures. The assembly lines should be widened in order to lessen the work load on the existing employees so that the procedures can be performed efficiently, effectively by taking into account all the health related measures. One of the biggest disadvantages with the company is the fact its procedures do not allow the element of health of the consumers of its products to take precedence in deciding how the meat should be processed. Rather the focus is on generating volumes at the cost of health of the consumers. The operating procedures therefore need to revise in order to make them more ethical. Apart from that the overall hiring standards, employee relationships , the attitude of the line managers suggest that too much stress is being laid on unethical procedures where most of the time, migrants are

Discussion - Pathology of the Cardiovascular System Essay

Discussion - Pathology of the Cardiovascular System - Essay Example Common symptoms include discomfort, aching, burning, pain, and fatigue in the lower muscles of the feet, thighs or calves. The symptoms at first may appear only during long walking distances, walking uphill or when walking faster. They then become persistent even with little or no exercise involving the legs. The legs become numb when the individual rests and the skin appearance turns pale. The touch of the legs is usually cold. Severe cases of PAD may lead to ulcers that do not heal, impotence, extreme pain when the legs are elevated and improvement when they are dangled, pain in the toes or feet even at the weight of bed sheets. The signs include loss of hair in the affected leg or feet, weak or no pulse in the limbs and a whooshing sound when a stethoscope examines the artery. In extreme cases, the signs are thick toenails, cyanosis, and shrinking of the calf muscles. Individuals’ self-care like balancing exercises and rest, reducing weight, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and monitoring blood sugar levels helps treat PAD. Medications like Aspirin or Clopidogrel, Cilostazol and pain relievers are used. In extremes, surgery may be performed with the options of peripheral artery bypass of the leg or angioplasty and stent placement of the

Personal Experience Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Experience - Assignment Example During the winter holidays, I had to seek assistance from friend doctor. Luckily enough, addiction to it had not taken deep root enough. The doctor proposed one month intensive medication care and with regular visiting. Change of lifestyle was also important when one is in the process of quitting. I had to avoid places where people smoked a lot until the day the doctor confirmed to me that I was strong enough to go to such places. Back at home, it was not easy. Parents had to put me under curfew. I was expected to stay at home the extent to which I used to interact with friends reduced. Having no place to go, I spent a lot of time home just watching movies and series. Smoking eats on one’s health, as a result, I was put under heavy diet so as to regain weight. Personally, I embarked on activities like washing dishes and update my blog on the consequences of smoking. The point is I had to do everything to change. Daily activities, like running up and down the stairs really help ed in the process of quitting. I am now back to school and doing well in class. It took me two weeks of intensive medication and daily exercise to stop smoking and three week for the side effects to subdue. Teacher and parents became concerned about the performance and questioned me. However, being cleaver, I would hide everything from them. This didn’t last for long; I had to look for a permanent solution that would enable me quickly stops smoking. A friend advised me to buy Bupropion, a drug believed to help smokers quit smoking.