Social Entreprenurism Case Study 2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Entreprenurism Case Study 2 - Coursework Example For example, laws are passed to deter cases of unfair treatment to employees while numerous organizations examine the business operations of a company in relation to environmental preservation, use of non-hazardous raw materials, and what not. It is through the marriage of these two ‘formerly contradictory’ concepts that social entrepreneurship came to existence. As such, some of the key issues that social entrepreneurship confronts are as follows: (1) how important are social values in the formation of a company’s business strategy? and (2) how do these values guide the overall operations of a company—specifically, in the way it manages its external publics? These questions will be answered through a critical examination of the case assigned—Ibrahim Abouleish’s Sekem. In the end, this paper aims to reinforce its thesis that the proper integration of social values into the business operations of a social enterprise lies in the adoption of an ‘innovation strategy’. According to Leadbeater (2007),â€Å"a social enterprise offers a new way to do business that is animated by a social purpose† (p. 2). Unlike a normal business enterprise that measures its success through the attainment of its set objectives (whether sales growth, market expansion, operational efficiency, or brand building), a social enterprise assesses its success by the positive social impacts it has contributed to the society. As further commented by Leadbeater (2007), â€Å"many social enterprises, however, internalise their social mission as they make it central to the way they operate† (p. 3). In this regard, profit-maximization is regarded as a tool to further the enterprise’s social goals. Going back to the case study, it could be claimed that Sekem’s foundation was built around the goal of sustainable human development. Its values, therefore, are rooted on the goal of being able to contribute to the comprehensive development of the

The behaviour of firms in spectator sports Essay Example for Free

The behaviour of firms in spectator sports Essay Spectator sports are a very complex type of market structure, with 2 main features of profit maximisation and club success, an issue for clubs is that weather they put sporting success ahead of profit, supporters surely want supporting success, rather than profit maximisation. The premier league has seen great diversity between super elite clubs, whilst others are facing falling revenue, endangering the competition of the league. The market structure is heavily segmented, with a larger number of spectator’s sports in any one sport, with different sports being a Weak substitute this is due to brand loyalty, as viewers will often mainly watch team For instance both Chelsea and Manchester city have spent vast amount of money in the transfer market to improve their strength of their team, by purchasing talented player and other staff. These clubs are backed by wealthy owners. Profit maximisation of player sales is not required; owners are more willing to peruse to improve the success of the club, this includes beating rivals, winning cups and leagues in the future. Number of owners of UK sports clubs especially within football, which don’t see their club as a business, owner of football club may see that success on the pitch may be in turn paying for more talented players and increasing their wage, making the connection of the mangers role of the club down to performance rather than profits earn. Over the recent years there are more ways that firms within the spectator sports industry are able to gain more revenue and profits, such some clubs are listed and public limited companies. This is heavily linked with the objective of profit maximisation as they want a higher share price, done by improving stance of supernormal profit. With demand quite inelastic price discrimination will be used to turn consumer surplus into additional revenue for the firm, supply of firms is relatively fixed for home firms and dependent on the nature of the opposition the away fans supply may change, such as rival’s will bring higher demand. Selling seats empty seats should be done that marginal revenue is greater than marginal cost. Clubs charge different prices according to age, stadium seat, and degree of competition on the game. Profit maximisation may be required for these teams which have the lack of backing of wealthy owners; clubs such as Everton and Blackburn lack wealthy owners, profit maximisation is needed for them to financially survive. Cost are very substantiation in this market and continuously rising from players wages and transfer fees, if profit maximisation is not regarded, and success of the club in the longer term they will see a negative flows There is often dispute between the stakeholders within the firms, such as shareholders would want profit maximisation as the main objective, rather than the manager’s success, subjected to a minimum profit constraint, Profit satisfying, may be a better approach to clubs allowing more objectives of the firms to be met rather than having maximum profit, this provides the foundation of other objectives in the long term, like growth and survival. Growth maximisation is another objective for firms within the spectator sports, growing such football teams is different from profit maximisation, is such that extra profit is reinvested into the football team and improving and strengthening team. Such have been seen in Arsenal of the last years with a huge improvement in their infrastructure. With this increase in the size of the firm will bring many additional funding such from advertisements and sponsors, making ti difficulty to take over the club, resulting into economies of scale and letting AR not increasing as much or even falling, producing where MR=0, but subjected to a minimum profit constraint. Other firms objectives may be survival financially and able to maintain league status (not being regulated to lower league), with such objectives is important for sporting clubs like wolves and Bolton, with the absent of wealthy owners who want to overspend on teams, they will have a reduce financial flow from lower advertising sponsors, and general demand of the clubs will fall. Affecting the level of quality of the pitch with the team unable to pay talented players wages. Social Objective some clubs offer positive externalities such as health and improve quality of lives in deprived areas, government funding is vital in smaller clubs allows more resources to be used e.g. labour and better maintenance of pitch. Government subsidy may be required to keep the club for survival. There are conflicts between the polices the sporting club adopts, also the view between different stakeholders of the firm is not homogenous The distinction must be made between the short term and long term of behaviour of the firms, such objectives will conflict with profit maximisation. Such during the short term sales maximisation is required but this is linked with growth of the team, Regulation has greatly changed in spectator sports and currently on the verge to change to improve the level of contestability and engage healthy competition between teams which is fairer. Overtime also the contestability of the league (market) will likely to change; this is positively determined by the strength of the extent of barriers to entry and exist. With changes especially within the football industry have seen a higher concentration ration of clubs of gaining major trophy, they have the available amount of capital used to improve clubs performance. This is decreasing the contestability of the market; smaller teams are unable to compete with elite clubs. Manchester united was owned by BskyB, but the deal blocked by the competition commission, this will increase the substantial monopoly Man Utd already has, and damaging the competition of the premier league and other cups, such a merger will increase television rights, acting a barrier to entry for other teams. Regulation in the future and present will affect the market, and hopefully making it more competitive. Such introducing more home-grown players and transfer market limits. From here the market is greatly segmented, with a large number of sub markets (different leagues), spectators sports clubs are not a group which can be viewed as homogenous, there is vast differences between objectives of firms within the whole spectator sport industry, and the different stakeholders of a firm

Traditional Chinese Wedding Customs

Traditional Chinese Wedding Customs This is the elaborate process on the grooms parents part to look for the right kind of bride for their family. Rich families will look for a bride who can take care of household finances and most importantly, give birth to sons to inherit the wealth of the family. Poor families will look for a bride who can work hard in the fields and give birth to sons to help out on the farm. In the old days, marriages are arranged so its quite normal for the parents to dominate the bride-seeking process. Girls from rich family will be sought out by other rich families and poor girls will probably marry into poor families. Hence the Chinese saying: bamboo door is to bamboo door as wooden door is to wooden door. There are some circumstances where the marriage has been arranged when both the bride and the groom were very young or not even born. In the former case, a young girl may be bought by the rich family as a servant girl to serve the rich boy. When the boy grew up, she may become either his wife or one of his concubines. In the latter case, two pregnant mothers will make the promise that when the babies are born, if they were both boys or both girls, they would become brothers or sisters and if one baby was a boy and the other a girl, they would get married. Hence the saying: pointing to the bosom as a marriage promise. However, a lot of times when the boy grew up, his family may have fallen from prestige and sometimes the girls family may refuse to let them get married. There are numerous folktales about tragedies that stem from arranged marriage. However, there are also many happy endings to arranged marriage. All we can say is that it was the fact of life at that time. Ia. Three Letters In the old days, all communication was through formal letters. Therefore, the letters play an important role in the events. Request Letter This letter confirms the formal arrangement of a marriage. It is sent by the grooms family to the brides family. This letter is normally presented with the initial gifts for the brides family. Gift Letter This letter accompanies the formal gifts for the Brides family. It is actually a gift list that records the description and quantity of the gifts. Wedding Letter This letter is presented to the brides family on th day of the wedding. It confirms the act of bringing the bride into the grooms family. Ib. Six Etiquette The Chinese word for etiquette can mean both customs and gifts. The following customs are known as the Six Etiquette Request for Marrying the Bride After the grooms family has spotted a young girl whom the groom wants to marry, the family will hire a spokeswoman who will communicate their wish to the potential brides family. (In the old days, it is popular to hire elderly ladies as midwives or spokeswoman for the groom.) This lady will persuade the potential brides family to accept the offer from the grooms family. Both sides will negotiate certain terms. If successful, both families will proceed to the next step. Request for Bride and Grooms Birth Dates This is the second step in arranging a marriage. Upon successfuly completion of the previous step, the grooms family will request for the brides Eight Letters through the spokeswoman. In Chinese calendar, there are 22 letters that we use to represent date. Ten are known as Tian Gan and twelve are Di Zhi. Two letters are used to represent each of teh following: year, month, day and time. Altogether, eight letters will accurately represent the brides birthdate. After obtaining the Eight Letters of the groom and potential bride, a fortune telling master will be hired to determine whether the two match each other. If there is nothing wrong with the brides birthdate, the grooms family will proceed to the next step. Otherwise, there will be no further contact between the families and the grooms family may look for another suitable bride. Initial Gifts for the Brides Family If the potential brides birthdate is acceptable, the grooms family will request the spokeswoman to send some initial gifts accompanied by the gift letter. Formal Gifts for the Brides Family The grooms family will pick a good day and send the brides family the following bridal gifts: gifts, cash, cakes and food and sacrifices for worshiping the ancestors. This act confirms the marriage agreement between the two families. Select the Wedding Date The fortune telling master will select a good day according the the bride and grooms and their familys birthdates. Wedding Day On the big day, both the bride and the grooms house will be decorated in red. The grooms family will send out a procession of servants, musicians and a carriage which is carried by four servants to the brides family to bring the bride back. The bride will then be brought back to the grooms house and the two will perform the marriage cermony witnessed by all the relatives and friends. The bride and groom will worship the heavens and the earth, the grooms ancestors and they will also serve tea to all of their superiors in the family. After that, the superiors will give them red packages (lai see) with monetary gifts and wish them well. The grooms family will then throw a huge feast (if they can afford it) for the friends and relatives to celebrate the wedding. All along, the spokeswoman will oversee the whole process and keep toasting the couple. After the meal, the newly wed couple will return to the bridal room and some naughty friends may tag-along and play tricks on the groom. When all is done, the couple will drink and toast and the spokeswoman will offer sweets and fruits to the couple to wish them long life and lots of kids (!). Then, the couple will finaly be left with themselves and the groom can take off the red cloth that covers the brides face. II. Preparation for the wedding IIa. Setting up the Bridal Bed After the grooms family has selected a good day as the wedding day, a man whos considered to have had good fortune all through his life will be hired to move the bridal bed to the right place. Then a lady whos considered to have had good fortune [with healthy and living husband and sons] will make the bed and place certain good fortune food and fruits on the bed. Then the bed will be left untouched until the day of the wedding. IIb. The Brides Gifts for the Groom The brides gifts for the groom will either arrive a couple of days before the wedding day or if shes a relatively long-distance bride, shell bring along the gifts with her maids as she arrive at the grooms home on wedding day. The brides gifts usually consists of valuable jewelry and precious stones, kitchen utensils, proper bridal linen such as sheets, pillow covers and clothes. In some area, the brides family is expected to furnish the bridal except for the bridal bed. Theres a saying that if the bride supplies the bridal bed, then the family is practically giving the bride away for free. IIc. Combing Hair The night before the wedding, both the bride and the groom needs to find a good fortune woman and man to comb their hair in his/her home respectively. Both the bride and the groom needs to take shower before the event, change to some fresh new underwear and incense needs to be burnt. The bride also needs to sit next to a window where the moon can be seen. Their hair needs to be combed four times and each has a special meaning: The first combing symbolizes: from beginning till the end The second combing symbolizes: harmony from now till old age The third combing symbolizes: sons and grandsons all over the place The fourth combing summaries good wealth and a long-lasting marriage. The whole action also symbolizes the adulthood of the couple. If either has been married before, then the combing event can be skipped for that person. |  Top of Page  |  Traditional Customs  |  Modern Customs  | III. Wedding Day Activities IIIa. Wedding Day: picking up the Bride On the day of the wedding, the groom will send a carriage over to the brides family to bring the bride home. The carriage is decorated in red and is carried by four servants. Musicians will accompany the procession and they will play wedding music all the way. A lot of gifts are also brought to the brides family at the same time. At the brides home, the bride will put on her bright red wedding gown and the brides parents will give her jewelry to wear. IIIb. Bride Leaving Home As the grooms procession arrives, the grooms spokeswoman will enter the brides house and will carry the bride on her back. The bride cannot touch the ground with her feet until she arrives at the grooms house. In some regions, the brides relatives will throw rice into the air, hoping that the chickens around will eat the rice instead of pecking at the bride. Sometimes, a red umbrella is used to shield the bride as the opening of the umbrella will symbolize her bringing many descendants to the grooms family. As the bride leaves the house, her parents and her relatives will bid her farewell as she rides the carriage and leaves home. Wealthy brides often have servant girls who will follow her to the grooms family and continue to serve her. These maids are known as ones who accompany the marriage. IIIc. Bride Arriving at the Grooms Home After the bride arrive at the grooms house, the couple will again worship the ancestors and worship the heavens and earth. Then they will serve tea to the grooms family according the their seniority and the relatives will give them red packets or bridal jewelry in return. IIId. The Wedding Banquet To celebrate the marriage, the grooms family will throw a wedding feast as large as they can afford. In the old days, some villagers may use up to seven continuous days to entertain the relatives during a wedding. Every night, delicious food is being served to all the guests. IV. Post Wedding Activities IVa. The Bride Returning Home after 3 Days Three days after the wedding, the bride is expected to return to her family. The bride will bring along roasted pig and gifts for the family. Some regions require that the groom accompany her while some didnt. Nonetheless, this is probably the last chance the bride gets to see her parents. Therefore, she will bring along a lot of gifts for the family and she may even stay for a couple of days or even more. As a tradition, the brides family will also return part of the gifts to the grooms family as a courtesy. Some regional custom requires that the family should return the head and tail of the roasted pig to the grooms family symbolizing the good beginning and end of the wedding. Modern Chinese Wedding Customs The above practices contributed to the festive atmosphere of a wedding, however, most of the customs are not performed to its fullest extent in the modern world. Instead of performing all these ancient practices, even most elders would prefer the following simplified customs nowadays. For the modernized customs (or the even more simplified customs) , please see this section on Modern Customs. When to get married? Hong Kong is a funny place where wedding plans are not driven by the couples relationship. It is often restrained by financial situations. Given Hong Kongs US$500-US$1000-per square-foot real estate price and 9% interest rate on mortgage plan plus the cost of an elaborate Chinese wedding banquet that most parents require, most couples struggle for years in order to save money for the wedding. As crazy as it seems, I know a couple who applied for public housing for 8 years and failed every single time and finally got married because they had to before they can apply for a different government housing scheme and still failed and finally ended up living with their parents. They love each other but they had to wait all these years because of the lack of a living quarter. Another couple planned to get married in 92 but their parents fail to compromise on the number of guests they can invite to the wedding banquet and it finally took the young couple 4 more years to save enough in order to satisfy the needs of the parents. Therefore, the financial restraint has torn up many couples. For those fortunate enough, they will then go through the following procedures.. Preparation for the Wedding Ia. Exchange Birth Dates and Family Tree If the groom and the brides birthdates are OK (meaning that no disaster is predicted by the fortune teller if the two get married), the two families will exchange their family records/family tree. However, this custom is not always being followed depending how superstitious the families are. Ib. Send Gifts to Brides Family The modern families usually send both the intial gifts and the formal gifts to the brides home on one day instead of separating the two events. Most families still need to consult the Chinese calendar to pick a good day which is normally about one month before the wedding. Instead of sending the whole list of gifts such as livestock, certain good-luck food or material, some couples simplify the gifts and the groom will only send some nice gifts such as dried seafood and fruit basket to the brides family. (Nowadays, most parents dont know what to do with some lively chicken flying around the fifteen-storey high apartment. Plus, theres a great chance that theyll suffocate before arriving at the brides home, given Hong Kongs infamous traffic jams) As for the monetary gift, the groom will either pay a certain agreed amount to the brides family or will offer to pay for all of the wedding cost. The negotiation will then focus on how many tables the groom is able to offer to the brides family during the wedding banquet. Sometimes, the brides family will insist on having a certain number of guests but if the groom cannot afford it, they will try to compromise. At other times, the grooms family may have a certain reason to limit the brides number of guests, such as if the grooms family is not too large, some relatives may feel uneasy if the brides family invite more guest than the grooms family. Even nowadays, this is a potential area for conflict between the two families. IIa. Setting up the Bridal Bed Not every couple can afford to buy a new bed as the bridal bed nowadays. Especially with the outrageous real estate prices in Hong Kong, not every couple has their own place and a new bed, so its now quite customary to simply change the linen to the traditional red linen as a symbolic act for setting up the bridal bed. Some couples dont even bother with that. They may simply buy some nice Esprit or Ikea linen and use those as the bridal linens. IIb. The Brides Gifts for the Groom Not many people will follow this rule still. The only jewelry the bride brings over to the grooms family is probably the ones that her relatives give her on wedding day as a wedding gift. Some brides contribute some of the gifts from relatives to pay for the banquet as well and some say that is considered as part of the brides gifts as well. IIc. Combing Hair Some couples choose to skip this event altogether, although it is a relatively simple act compared to the others. IIIa. Wedding Day: picking up the Bride Nowadays, the bridesmaid will have most fun during the picking up of the bride. Early in the morning, the groom and the groomsmen will decorate the cars and drive them over to the brides home. At the door, the bridesmaids will prepare a lot of tricky questions for the groom to answer. The groom not only has to answer all the questions, he also has perform certain acts such as doing push-ups to show that hes strong enough to take care of the bride,or sing out his love for the bride in front of many people. The groomsmen will help the groom to pass all these tests. The last test is a financial test. The groom has to pay the bridesmaids some red packets [good fortune] as gifts, then the groom and his groomsmen can enter the house and greet the bride. The couple will then serve tea to the superior in the brides family. The brides parents will be the first to be served, followed by other relatives. Each one will give the couple some present in return, often red packets and jewelry for the bride [gold is often preferred in the Southern region]. IIIb. Bride Leaving Home Nowadays, only very traditional families may use the red umbrella or throw rice as the bride leaves the house. Most people do not perform any special activities and the brides parents and relatives will either go to the Marriage Registrar or the church to attend the wedding ceremony. IIIc. Bride Arriving at the Grooms Home Again, the couple will then serve tea to the superior in the grooms family. The grooms parents will be the first to be served, followed by other relatives. Each one will give the couple some present in return, often red packets and jewelry for the bride. After that, the whole family will leave for the Marriage Registrar or the church to attend the wedding ceremony. IIId. The Wedding Banquet This is probably the part of the tradition that has been very well kept. In the modern Chinese society, the wedding feast is considered to be very important as supposed to the church ceremony or even the signing of the marriage license at the Governments Marriage Registrar. Most parents do not mind the rest of the tradition except for this part. To the parents, the wedding feast is a chance for them to return their relatives kindness and to announce the marriage of their kids. If the wedding feast turns out to be good, then its a great thing because they will have face. In the Chinese culture, its most important to have face [respected by others]. Traditionally, the groom will pay for everything but nowadays, some young couples will offer to pay for themselves. As mentioned before, this is the area with the highest likelihood for conflicts between families of the bride and the groom. The brides family will want to invite as many friends and families as possible while the grooms family may either have a budget concern or they do not want the brides family to invite more friends than they do in fear of losing face. Note that the bride and the grooms own friends are often being neglected. The wedding banquet is truly more of a parental event than that of the young couples. There are many jokes about some people slipping into wedding banquets and nobody even noticed until the young couple exchange notes afterwards and realize the guests are neither the bride nor the grooms relatives. Or that the guest went to the wrong banquet in the same restaurant [there may be 3 or 4 banquets going on at the same time in the restaurant, separat ed by partitions or rooms] without knowing it. Once the guest list is drafted, the parents will then decide on the menu. A traditional Chinese banquet will include somewhere around 12 courses including an appetizer [lobster salad], roast pig, abalone, shark fin soup and end with fried rice/noodles, dessert and fresh fruit. The food is of utmost importance to Chinese and in most cases only delicacies are served. Besides,really nice cognac such as VSOP is often being served. As a side note, most restaurant finds the beverage to be a great way to rip off the family as you can never keep track of how many Cokes each guest has consumed. During the feast, the guests are seated in round tables and sometimes seating plans are being made in order to avoid guests not knowing each other being seated at the same table. Each guest will normally bring along monetary gift that runs around US$50-US$100 in Hong Kong [the price varies in different regions]. Normally the gifts can barely cover the cost of the banquet, therefore, the banquet is a great financial constraint in the couples planning. [that is, on top of the US$500-US$1000-per square-foot real estate price and 9% interest rate on mortgage plan in Hong Kong]. As for the wedding colour, it is quite standard:  red. The events in a Chinese wedding banquet have been modified a bit nowadays. Before the banquet starts, most of the guests will participate in one of the Chinese national games, mahjong [a Chinese tile game]. Others will take photos with the bride and the groom. When the food is ready, the waiters will play a modified xylophone and wedding music will start to play in the background. Some couples will hire an MC to conduct the ceremony. Due to Western influence, the best man and maid of honour often gets to toast the bride and the groom before food is being served. During the serving of shark fin soup, the couple will go from table to table, toasting the guests and thanking them. In return, the guests will also toast the bride and the groom. After that, the groomsmen, bridesmaids and friends of the young couple will often play certain tricks on them. This is similar to the clinking of glasses in the Western culture. The goal is to make the groom show his love in public. Some of the game s are X-rated, depending what kind of friends the couple has. Some games are similar to the ones played in during bridal shower or a bachelars party. Others may be a bit more outrageous. After that, the bride will change into a different gown [For some peculiar reason, brides have to change into 4 or 5 different dresses on the wedding day]. As the time draws near for the guests to leave, the parents, the couple and the relatives will stand in line at the door to thank the guests and wish them well as they leave. This is contrary to the receiving line in Western culture. Chinese has retreating line instead. When all the guests have left, the bridal party will go home. That is, if the couple is not holding the banquet in a hotel where a guest room is provided for the newly wed to stay. If so, the persistent friends will break into the room and play more games on the newly wed. For details, please refer to directory Lee Ans movie  Wedding Banquet  which has a great description on wedding banquets. IV. Post Wedding Activities IVa. The Bride Returning Home after 3 Days Nowadays in certain regions, this rule is still being followed where the bride will return to the family with gifts. However, in some regions, this custom is being simplified so the bride will return home on the same day if distance allows. Otherwise, some brides will leave the door, and then return to the house again and count that as returning home.

Meditation: The Balance of Life Essay -- Religion, Buddhism, Hinduism,

All throughout history Buddhist monks and the eastern religion have been performing meditation, but recently anyone has been trying it. Meditation is a practice that someone may train their mind to be in a state of consciousness that benefits their mind and body. Meditation is about paying attention, focusing and being very calm. It sharpens creativity and performance while enhancing relationships. Meditators find when they stop taking things in life so seriously, the self drops away. They are more direct and absorb life easier. (Ellison 3) Meditation has been around for thousands of years. In every religion, the instructions for meditating are the same, only the words differ. There are two major types of meditation that may benefit the user. By meditating the human mind may find peace and enhancement of mental activity and awareness. It's very simple to do, and only takes a small amount of your time a day. (Roach 3) Meditation originated in the eastern religion with Buddhism and Hinduism. Monks have meditated their whole life, through time, helping them become better people. Tibetans and the Dalai Lama have been performing meditation intensely for centuries. These Buddhist followers train using the Tibetan Nyingmapa and Kagyupa traditions for about 10,000 to 50,000 hours over 15-40 years. At one time meditation was part of the basic training for the entire Mozambique military. (Kaufman 2)(Roach 2) Thinking and other mental activity produce short bursts of electrical activity in the brain called gamma waves. In studies monks, who have been training the longest, have higher levels of gamma waves. Gamma waves are some of the highest-frequency brain impulses; they are also the most important electrical brain impulses. G... ... and let your mind be vigilant. If you hear distractions or have thoughts, let them go. Be happy you noticed them; don't feel as if they interrupted your meditation. Continue doing this daily for 10-20 minutes and notice the effects it may have on you. Continue this practice until it gets easier and use whenever needed. Scientific data shows it has its benefits, as I listed most. Most doctor visits are from stress, so by meditating once or twice daily the visits to the doctor will be less. I actually am thinking about trying it out myself. If the benefits sounded as great to you, as they did to me, I hope you'll try it yourself. Meditation can help balance out your life, why not try it? It's fairly simple and fast. In the future, I predict meditation will be a major part of any person’s life to help deal with everyday frustrations a little easier. (Roach 3)

Leigh Ann Walker, Staff Accountant Essay

Leigh Ann Walker was an exceptional student in college. Her 3.9 grade point average and her involvement in numerous business organizations set her apart from most other students. As a result of her hard work and dedication on campus, Leigh Ann received a total of six job offers. Upon graduation, Leigh Ann accepted an offer from a Big Six accounting firm to be an entry-level auditor. Despite such accomplishments, we believe that Leigh Ann made a significant mistake by lying to her supervisor about her CPA examination, and that she was rightly punished for her actions. We feel as if Leigh Ann’s supervisor, Jackie Vaughn, did not overreact in this situation, but rather she handled the situation like a professional should. The public accounting industry is one that has substantially high standards for integrity and honesty, and in order to maintain that reputation, the individuals that frame the industry must not compromise their standards in any way. Further, the public accounting industry is in an even larger spotlight today as a result of high-profile accounting scandals that have taken place in recent years. The process of regaining trust from the public can take many years after significant fraud schemes such as those that occurred about a decade ago. Due to such a high importance of integrity in the public accounting industry, we would have dealt with this situation in a similar manner that both Jackie Vaughn and Don Roberts did. Although the actions of Leigh Ann are not to the scale of dishonesty that large fraud schemes are, we believe that if someone is faithful in little things, he/she will be faithful in larger ones, and in the same way, if someone is dishonest in little things, he/she will not be honest with greater responsibilities. So even though Leigh Ann’s lying about her CPA exam dates had nothing to do with a large financial fraud scheme, she still lied about a small situation, which could easily lead to larger dishonest acts in her future career. In Roberts’ point of view, he likely views each of the staff members in his firm as potential partners and future decision makers for his firm. Leigh Ann’s way of hiding her embarrassment by lying about when she planned to take the CPA examination demonstrates that she lacks personal integrity. If Roberts were to allow such an individual to progress in his firm to a position of significant decision making, he could be jeopardizing the reputation, and even more important, the future existence of his firm. Roberts’ decision to let Leigh Ann go was not solely based on his own reasoning, either, as he consulted with three other partners in the firm as to how he should go about handling the situation. However, this does not go without saying that Roberts has personal integrity, either. At the end of the case, Roberts clearly demonstrates his lack of honesty by telling Leigh Ann that he, and the other partners, would not reveal the reason why she was dismissed if they were contacted by her potential employers in the future. This case is a demonstration that personal integrity is difficult to find just about anywhere. The importance of teaching honesty and integrity to the future leaders of this country is of utmost importance.

World View and Symbolism of native Americans essays

World View and Symbolism of native Americans essays The San Juan Pueblo Indians have an extremely unique and authentic culture and world view. They incorporate symbolism into their dances, songs, and their basic way of life. The San Juan Pueblo Indians have a dance called the Pogonshare. Pogon, in the San Juan Pueblo language, means cloud. Share means dance, in their language. So the Pogonshare is the Cloud Dance of the San Juan Pueblo people. This cloud dance is developed by a group of elders, not by a single person. Every year the San Juan Pueblo people develop a new Pogonshare to keep the gods pleased with them. The Pogonshare is a dance which is intended to worship the Earth. The process of the Pogonshare is not simply that of music and dancing, but there are many other aspects involved. The people would drink certain herbs to give themselves an energy boost, or other powers. During the dance, the dancers would wear feathers which represented Ritualistic Power, and would make them stronger. The women would play on turtle shells, and it was believed that the turtle shells represented fertility and would in turn make the women more fertile. The Pogonshare was written by the elderly males, and also sung mostly by the elderly males. Since it was sung by the males, it had a very low pitch. It was also characteristic of very long phrases, sung in an undulating pattern. The males also played on drums, bells, rattles, and sticks while singing. Through the performance, there was believed to be a transformation, and that those involved would be taken into a state of ecstasy. This belief of a transformation is evident in many cultures all across the world, and we can find them in other Native American Indian cultures, African cultures, and even Asian cultures. The people did not believe so much in a transforming into ecstasy, but that their spirits were lifted from the Earth, and in the heavens they found e...

Free Essays on Rehabilitation

Thesis Statement and Outline Thesis: I have decided that â€Å"rehabilitation† will be my area of concentration for exploring my career options after I retire from the Navy. I. The Areas of Rehabilitation that interest me. A. Juvenile boot camps 1. Why I would like to work in a juvenile boot camp. a. I enjoy working with and helping youth. 2. Why juvenile boot camps were opened. a. Increase in juvenile crime b. Growing cost of youth detention facilities 3. Juvenile boot camp programs a. boot camp structure b. boot camp programs B. Therapeutic Communities 1. Complete treatment Environment 2. Treatment outlook 3. Primary goal 4. Effectiveness 5. Financial feasibility C. Conclusion 1. How both areas could influence my career choice. a. Military background b. Personal experience Rehabilitation When I started pursuing my college degree, I knew I wanted to work in the Criminal Justice field. I was just not sure what area I wanted to make a career after retiring from the Navy. I did know that I wanted to help people and have a positive impact on them. As I have continued towards completing my degree, I have decided that â€Å"rehabilitation† would be my area of concentration for exploring my career options. This way I will be using my military experience and college education to help people. There are two areas of rehabilitation that interest me. First is juvenile rehabilitation. I am very interested in working at a juvenile boot camp. I enjoy working with the youth and I will be able to help them when they need it most. The other area of rehabilitation that interests me is the therapeutic communities. Here I would work with adult offenders at the end of their incarceration period, and assist them with returning to the community. I will discuss these two areas and explain how they will influence my career options. Juvenile boot camps were opene... Free Essays on Rehabilitation Free Essays on Rehabilitation Thesis Statement and Outline Thesis: I have decided that â€Å"rehabilitation† will be my area of concentration for exploring my career options after I retire from the Navy. I. The Areas of Rehabilitation that interest me. A. Juvenile boot camps 1. Why I would like to work in a juvenile boot camp. a. I enjoy working with and helping youth. 2. Why juvenile boot camps were opened. a. Increase in juvenile crime b. Growing cost of youth detention facilities 3. Juvenile boot camp programs a. boot camp structure b. boot camp programs B. Therapeutic Communities 1. Complete treatment Environment 2. Treatment outlook 3. Primary goal 4. Effectiveness 5. Financial feasibility C. Conclusion 1. How both areas could influence my career choice. a. Military background b. Personal experience Rehabilitation When I started pursuing my college degree, I knew I wanted to work in the Criminal Justice field. I was just not sure what area I wanted to make a career after retiring from the Navy. I did know that I wanted to help people and have a positive impact on them. As I have continued towards completing my degree, I have decided that â€Å"rehabilitation† would be my area of concentration for exploring my career options. This way I will be using my military experience and college education to help people. There are two areas of rehabilitation that interest me. First is juvenile rehabilitation. I am very interested in working at a juvenile boot camp. I enjoy working with the youth and I will be able to help them when they need it most. The other area of rehabilitation that interests me is the therapeutic communities. Here I would work with adult offenders at the end of their incarceration period, and assist them with returning to the community. I will discuss these two areas and explain how they will influence my career options. Juvenile boot camps were opene...

The Puritan Story Essays

The Puritan Story Essays The Puritan Story Paper The Puritan Story Paper The puritan story was a story of many things; from the landing of the first group of puritans in New England, to the formation and trouble of the bay colony bible commonwealth, to the puritans versus Indians, ending with the New England family. This story wouldn’t be anything without the help of the one and only King Henry VIII. It was King’s, tie breaking with the Roman Catholic Church in the 1530’s that launch the reformation of the protestant church. The reformation of the church led to a group people to seek the purification of the English church, theses people were known as the â€Å"puritans†. The puritans later broke down into two groups when the reformation of the church wasn’t making any progress. One of these groups was the separatist also known as pilgrims; a tiny group of puritan who vowed to break entirely away from the England church. Losing their English identity, these separatist departed for Holland in 1608 to flee royal wrath back in England. While in Holland, the separatist endured hard work and poverty for 12 years but it was the â€Å"dutchification† of their children that made them leave Holland and sail to New England to live and die as English men and women and as purified protestant. Securing rights with the Virginia Company to settle under its jurisdiction, the pilgrims sailed to America but missed their destination and finally chose to land at Plymouth bay in 1620 without the legal permission of the Virginia Company to land or establish government. Before disembarking the pilgrims leaders created and signed the brief mayflower compact; a simple agreement to form a crude government and to submit to the will of the majority under the regulations agreed upon. This pact was a promising step towards genuine self-government. The start of life in Plymouth rock wasn’t a bed rose for the pilgrims, especially during their first winter at the rock were they had it hard and only 44 out of 102 survived. Even though the winter was harsh not a single one of the pilgrims left when the mayflower was heading back to England in the spring. The pilgrims stayed around longer and being fortune with having men like William Bradford to help lead, the pilgrims saw a bountiful harvest by time the next autumn hit in 1621 creating the first thanksgiving in New England. This small settlement of pilgrims were still charter less and even though they were big morally and spiritually they did not succeed to become big economically and numerically until it merged with its neighbor; The Massachusetts Colony. This colony was home to the second group of puritans who came to America; the â€Å"non-separatist†. The non-separatist, were the puritans who didn’t leave England but stayed to try and purify the protestant church. The purification of the church still made no progress and in 1629 the non-separatist left England fearing for their faith and England’s future. The separatist secured a royal charter to form the Massachusetts Bay colony; they used the charter for many years as a constitution until they decided one day that they wanted to separate themselves from the England church only from its impurities. The non-separatist established a sizable settlement in the infertile Massachusetts area and was bless with a well-equipped expedition of 1630. It was also during the 1630’s when about 70,000 refugees left England for America creating what’s known today as â€Å"the great migration†, only a few of theses refugees made it to the bay colony while the rest settled in the West Indies especially in the Barbados. Many fairly well-to-do educated immigrates immigrated to the bay colony, including john Winthrop the bays first governor who served 19 years. The bay colony prospered as fur trading, fishing and shipbuilding industries with the resources and skills of talented people like Winthrop, he also help the colonist build a holy society that would be model for humankind. The bay franchise was extended to all freeman; adult males who belonged to the puritan congregation which in time came to be called the congregational church. Although the government was liberal by the standards of the time it was not a democracy, Governor Winthrop feared and distrusted the â€Å"commons† and thought that democracy was the meanest and worst of all forms of government. Winthrop felt that if the people were governors then who shall be governed he thought that only puritans, the visible saints who alone were eligible for church membership could be freemen. As time went on the bay colony continued to grow and enjoyed a high a degree of social harmony stemming from common beliefs but running into dissension. It was few a people that did not agreed with the bay’s â€Å"bible commonwealth†, people such as Anne Hutchinson; a woman who was banish from the puritan church when she claimed that a holy life was no sure sign of salvation and that the truly saved need not bother to obey the law of either god or man. Along with Hutchison was a young man name roger Williams who also challenged the English church. Williams was condemned for expropriating the land from the Indians without fair compensation he also went on to deny the authority of civil government to regulate religious behavior. This was seditious blow at the puritan’s idea of government’s very purpose. With the few troubles they had with those who disagreed with the idea of government the puritans faced another problem; they face troubles with Indians. Back when the first set of pilgrim settlers arrived, local Wampanoag Indians at first befriended the settlers. The Wampanoag chieftains massasoit signed a treaty with the Plymouth pilgrims in 1621 and helped them celebrate the first thanksgiving after the autumn harvest that year but things changed after that. In 1637, hostilities exploded between the English settlers and a powerful Indian tribe known as the Pequot tribe. The English militiamen and their Narragansett Indian allies annihilated the Pequot tribe and in 1675 massoits son, metacom (nicknamed king Phillip by the English) launched a series of attacks and raids against the colonist towns. The war ended in 1676. In 1643 four colonies banded together to form the New England confederation. The primary purpose of the confederation was defense against foes or potential foes like the Indians, the French and the Dutch. The confederation was essentially an exclusive puritan club, and although it was weak the confederation was the first notable milestone on the long and rocky road toward colonial unity. As New England grew over the period of time they social scale were great planters, small planters, landless whites and black slaves. New Englanders tended to migrate in families as opposed to single individuals and family always came first to the new Englanders. Along with families in southern colonies because men died frequently the widows were allowed to inherit the property and married women were allowed to retain separate title to their property but because the puritan worried that recognizing women’s separate property rights would undercut the unity of married persons they decided that the when a man died the church inherit the property not the wife. New England towns were legally chartered by the colonial authorities and the distribution of land was entrusted to proprietors every family received several parcels of land. Towns of more than 50 families had to have an elementary school and just after 8 years of the formation of the bay colony in 1636, the Harvard College was established. The puritans ran their own churches and democracy in congregational church government led logically to democracy in political overnment. As life in the new England towns continued to prosper the church started to decline losing many of its members because of its strict policies. In 1662 troubled ministers announced a new formula for church memberships known as the â€Å"half-way covenant†. The new arrangement modified the covenant between the church and its adherents, to admit to baptism but not â€Å"full communion†. This new formula helped boost the churches membership and help the church gain money. In 1692 a group girls in Salem, Massachusetts were claimed to bewitched and put on trialed, by 1693 the governor of Massachusetts ended the witchcraft hysteria and prohibited any further trials and pardoned those already convicted. As the years continued on the New England way of life steadily grew making New England a place for energy, purposefulness, sternness, stubbornness, self-reliance and resourcefulness ending â€Å"the puritan story† and starting the America we know today as home. .

Gender Portrayal and Prime Time Comedy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gender Portrayal and Prime Time Comedy - Essay Example The proposed portrayal, therefore, was intended to be a young, highly educated attorney whom happened to be female. The cast, however, was broad in terms of characterization and included a number of clearly developed male and female characters. The majority of these characters were attorneys at Ally's law firm. Superficially, at least, the stage appears set for a comedy devoid of gender stereotypes. Ally is a successful attorney and her best friend is a man. She wears pants and is financially independent. A careful examination of the scripts, however, reveals that gender stereotypes remain pervasive even in a prime time television program purporting to be offering a stereotype-free program. I don't believe in equal parenting, and if we have kids I expect you to quit work and while I certainly don't think of you only as a sexual object, I do think of you as someone who should fulfill my sexual needs, and if you put on a hundred pounds, I'd have a big problem there too." (quoted in Lemaster: 2) The gender portrayal is hardly subtle; to be sure, it is a direct statement by a main character to the effect that men should work and women should take care of the home after having children. Billy doesn't believe in equality, he characterizes his girlfriend's duties as including the satisfaction of his sexual needs, and he warns her against gaining weight. So many stereotypes are packed into this simple portion of the television script. The woman must take care of the home, she must be available to satisfy the male's sexual needs, and she must place her appearance at a high level or she will risk losing the man. One can hardly conceive of dialogue which so directly contradicts the aforementioned goal of presenting a modern comedy devoid of stereotypes. The women seem to indulge the men rather than becoming offended or angry; to be sure, when confronted with actions and comments that would most certainly trigger sexual harassment lawsuits in the real world, these female characters instead merely play along. This playing along with the male characters seems to reinforce the stereotypes rather than challenging them or breaking them down. An illustrative portion of dialogue, from Episode 3, involves two of Ally's female colleagues interviewing a male applicant for an entry-level position: Renee: "Would you mind removing you shirt" Male interviewee: "I beg your pardon" Renee: "I just want to see your chest, and your stomach." Male interviewee: "Is that legal" Whipper: "It's illegal to require it, and of course we couldn't do that. Now, basically, the business of law is all about getting clients, now we plan to use our sensuality to do that. Renee and I will provide a little eye candy for the men." Renne: "It would be rude not to have something for the women." Whipper: "Absolutely." (quoted in Lemaster: 4). This dialogue is ironic; it is ironic because the women are at the same time mocking the behavior of their male colleagues and them justifying the use of their sexuality to gain clients. There is no anger or resentment. They may express their views more subtly than did Billy previously, but they see

Managing Projects Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managing Projects - Assignment Example Short of arrangement on the project’s triumph criteria, it will not be conceivable to measure its eventual success. The Tetrad principle is an addition of both the Obligation Opinion and the Achievement Principle. If the variables demonstrate not to be mutually reliable and attainable, the guarantee is neither impartial nor are essential success principles likely to be achievable (Roberts, 2011). The Management Principle institutes how it should be done and by whom. The characteristics of this management control incorporate the project’s expectations, its validation, and an orientation baseline in each of the fundamental variables as a foundation for progress quantity, comparison, and a sequencing adjustment. The above feature is an extension of the administration principle and is essential for efficient and resourceful management of the project obligation. The policy need not in any way impede the proper alteration of the information through the system of project communication stations that is requisite to incorporate all characteristics of the project. The capacity of the project supply team to produce effects both successfully and resourcefully is highly reliant on the cultural atmosphere. The cultural environment incorporates both internal and exterior project associations and standards. Project Scope contains the processes requisite to ensure that the project consists of necessary the labour essentials and only the work required, to complete the project efficiently. Project scope primarily refers to the work that should be done  to provide a product with the definite structures and functions. Q (3)-Upon institution of an entirely new project by Penny Black, it would mean a whole new transformation as well as the organization from an administrative perspective. Therefore, that would translate to a flawless coordination amid the manager and the entire workforce. The consequences would clearly be positive. In regards to risk management,

Hauffman Trucking Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hauffman Trucking Company - Essay Example he choice of the location is important since, a prime location enables the company reap benefits that would have essentially cost the company lots of money to acquire. For example, access to new and efficient technological innovations (Caprio, 2013). Globalization encourages mergers between organizations thus creating bigger companies. This increases the revenue and the value of the organization. The organization gains a larger market share, a decrease in expenses and experiences a decrease in expenses. The prime negative effect of globalization is outsourcing. This is the hiring of new staff from outside the organization to the subsidiary companies set up in different countries. This increases the organization`s expenditure in catering for the increased number of employees. There are five main factors contributing to exchange rate risks. They include the expectations of the economic growth. An economy responds to a growing population in different ways. If the growth occurs too rapidly, the cost of living will increase due to the unnecessary wages paid. With higher growth comes higher inflation and this increases the exchange rates. On the other hand, deflation, which normally occurs during recession, is a sign of economic stagnation. This lowers the exchange rates. Other factors include, trade balance, central bank actions, employment outlooks and interest rates (Wagner,

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 29

Case Study - Essay Example This is also vital in increasing the customer numbers of the business which has increased the profitability. (Anonymous, 2010) Andy Garafallos success in the restaurant business does not come in solidarity but with the help of her three managers; Kelly, Daniella and Patrick. The manager’s attributes have been instrumental in the growth of the business. Kelly who is the kitchen manager exhibits good leadership skills. This can be observed in her ordering ability. This implies that she has taken control in the kitchen for work to flow effectively. She is also efficient in her work. This is important for a manager for it avoids wastes during the production process and this ensures that the profits are maximized. Kelly also is honest which a key characteristic of a good manager is. This enables that finances are held accountable without embezzlement and that she remains loyal to the job. Kelly has such difficulty getting along with the salespeople, delivery people, and wait staff. She need to improve her collaboration skills to enable her go along well with the salespeople. Danniella has strong communication skills. This ability enables him to convince and also understand the customers’ needs. This is vital for the growth and sustainability of the business. This consideration of putting the customers first is key to make them loyal to the business. She is also collaborative and this enable her to be very hospitable and welcoming to the customers which ensures that the customers comes again.However,Danniella needs to improve in her critical thinking and not become lousy in numbers. Her relationship with customers should go a long way to increase them. Patrick is ethical and has communication skills to make the customers to come. This is important in the business since customers tend to understand the products that are offered by the business.

Islam in New York City Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Islam in New York City - Essay Example Knowing these objectives in advance, I recognized the willingness of the Center to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience for the pursuit of truth for its own sake. Since the Center is devoted to enlightening the public, I knew they would be open to providing instruction and first-hand experience. In addition, I gained much from not only visiting the mosque itself, but also touring the other parts of the Center, which are an asset to Muslims living in Manhattan. These experiences represented an opportunity to apply what I have learned about the history, doctrine, and practices of Islam in the classroom. Before visiting the Center, I phoned the front desk to inform them that I would like to visit the Center, its mosque and other parts. They quickly agreed after realizing that my visit was for the purpose of education. I came on a Sunday, which is a day that the Center offers classes for children and adults. I did not know that these classes are open to non-Muslims as well. I was impressed by the inclusiveness of the mosque, especially in the fact that every student (regardless of their religious affiliation) learned Qur’anic Arabic, prayers, and general Islamic teachings touching upon different aspects of life. If I had more time and had planned to take one of these courses ahead of time, I would have. I learned that the Center is in the final stages of building a full-time Islamic school by seeing the final touch-up work on the building. Before coming to the mosque, I knew to respect the thought that a Muslim should wear clean, loose-fitting clothes that cover ankles and wrists. Respectful of this tradition, I approached the mosque in the morning. The doors leading up to the mosque were very large and constructed from a hard material. I noticed immediately that the mosque itself was very large and stood apart from the rest of the building. I understood why this might be because, throughout history and still today, mosques serve as both social a nd political centers for Muslims. The integration of religious and political life means that the same building serves two very essential functions, which was even more reason to be respectful when visiting the site. When I entered the mosque portion of the Center, I immediately noticed the shoe racks against the wall to my left and my right. I thought this was logical, given the need for worshippers to put away their shoes or slippers to pray. I am still unsure why specifically Muslims remove their shoes when they enter a mosque: whether it is because of hygienic reasons to protect the rugs in the prayer chamber or because it is holy ground and a sign of admiration for the surroundings Regardless, I removed my shoes and continued into the reception area of the mosque. I noticed also very classical vases and pottery that was symbolic of Islamic history. In some of these pots and vases were plants that seem to have come straight from the Middle East. I saw this as an acknowledgement o f Islam’s long and storied history in the arts, which I recognized as overall very important the Center as far as it is concerned with promoting knowledge and awareness of Islamic history. Also in the reception area was the Lillah box, which collects charity given voluntarily. The Lillah represents more giving than the Zakah, which is obligatory giving. The proceeds from the Lillah

What are the advantages and disadvantages of independence in Education Essay

What are the advantages and disadvantages of independence in Education - Essay Example On the other hand, the study of Raban (2001, 34) showed that â€Å"along with the cognitive growth, social opportunities influence learning; indeed, learners of all ages are more motivated when they can see the usefulness of what they are learning and when they can use that information to do something that has an impact on others†. It should be noticed however that the personal development of children (or adults) participating in a specific educational site is not an easy task. In fact there are many issues that need to be considered both by the legislators and the schools’ administrators regarding the presentation of appropriate patterns to children and adults that participate in specific educational programs. An issue that usually arises in this context is the role of ‘independence’ in education and its possible influence in the cognitive development of children and adults. Current paper examines the issue of ‘independence’ (especially its ad vantages and disadvantages) as it can be observed in educational sites around the world referring indicatively in certain forms or types of ‘independence’ as they have been identified and evaluated by academic researchers in the particular sector. Relevant results of empirical researches made in this area – whenever their retrieval was possible – are also going to be presented in order to support the credibility of the assumptions made on the particular issue. In order to examine the issue of independence in education we should primarily refer to the role of participants in educational sites regarding the delivery of the curriculum and the cognitive approaches developed in these sites in general. The involvement of personal attitudes and of the human factor has been found to be crucial for the formulation of an appropriate strategy by the school administrators when communicating with learners. Regarding this issue, it is noticed by Skrtic et al. (1991)

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 29

Case Study - Essay Example This is also vital in increasing the customer numbers of the business which has increased the profitability. (Anonymous, 2010) Andy Garafallos success in the restaurant business does not come in solidarity but with the help of her three managers; Kelly, Daniella and Patrick. The manager’s attributes have been instrumental in the growth of the business. Kelly who is the kitchen manager exhibits good leadership skills. This can be observed in her ordering ability. This implies that she has taken control in the kitchen for work to flow effectively. She is also efficient in her work. This is important for a manager for it avoids wastes during the production process and this ensures that the profits are maximized. Kelly also is honest which a key characteristic of a good manager is. This enables that finances are held accountable without embezzlement and that she remains loyal to the job. Kelly has such difficulty getting along with the salespeople, delivery people, and wait staff. She need to improve her collaboration skills to enable her go along well with the salespeople. Danniella has strong communication skills. This ability enables him to convince and also understand the customers’ needs. This is vital for the growth and sustainability of the business. This consideration of putting the customers first is key to make them loyal to the business. She is also collaborative and this enable her to be very hospitable and welcoming to the customers which ensures that the customers comes again.However,Danniella needs to improve in her critical thinking and not become lousy in numbers. Her relationship with customers should go a long way to increase them. Patrick is ethical and has communication skills to make the customers to come. This is important in the business since customers tend to understand the products that are offered by the business.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of independence in Education Essay

What are the advantages and disadvantages of independence in Education - Essay Example On the other hand, the study of Raban (2001, 34) showed that â€Å"along with the cognitive growth, social opportunities influence learning; indeed, learners of all ages are more motivated when they can see the usefulness of what they are learning and when they can use that information to do something that has an impact on others†. It should be noticed however that the personal development of children (or adults) participating in a specific educational site is not an easy task. In fact there are many issues that need to be considered both by the legislators and the schools’ administrators regarding the presentation of appropriate patterns to children and adults that participate in specific educational programs. An issue that usually arises in this context is the role of ‘independence’ in education and its possible influence in the cognitive development of children and adults. Current paper examines the issue of ‘independence’ (especially its ad vantages and disadvantages) as it can be observed in educational sites around the world referring indicatively in certain forms or types of ‘independence’ as they have been identified and evaluated by academic researchers in the particular sector. Relevant results of empirical researches made in this area – whenever their retrieval was possible – are also going to be presented in order to support the credibility of the assumptions made on the particular issue. In order to examine the issue of independence in education we should primarily refer to the role of participants in educational sites regarding the delivery of the curriculum and the cognitive approaches developed in these sites in general. The involvement of personal attitudes and of the human factor has been found to be crucial for the formulation of an appropriate strategy by the school administrators when communicating with learners. Regarding this issue, it is noticed by Skrtic et al. (1991)

Coffee and Mission Essay Example for Free

Coffee and Mission Essay Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement Of Nokia Essays and Term Papers Search Results for analysis of mission and vision statement of nokia Displaying 1 30 of 1,500 * Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement Toyota Indus Motor Company Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement TOYOTA INDUS MOTOR COMPANY LTD. VISION STATEMENT: To be the most respected and successful enterprise, delighting * Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement Toyota and working toward creating a prosperous society and clean world. ANALYSIS: The vision statement of Toyota Indus Motors Company Ltd is clear and powerfully * Starbucks Coffee Mission And Vision Statement: concise, and direct for the target audience. Starbucks combine Mission and Vision statement can be broken down into six key elements which are the followings: Coffee * Mission And Vision Statement seems a bit unnecessary. KHULNA SHIPYARD LIMITED (KSY) Mission and vision statement of this organization have been written tactfully and they are praise worthy * Mission And Vision Statement exact, measurable, and time-sensitive goals to guide my development; however, the mission and the vision statement offer a solid foundation for building these goals * Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement Of Nokia. complex and challenging environment. Nokias mission/vision statement analysis In analysing Nokias mission/vision statement Ill be using the 9 essential * * published this * no reads * no comments * Saved * Mission And Vision Analysis Of Pso And Coca Cola order to meet the needs and satisfy the customers. Vision Analysis Conclusion: Overall, Coca-Colas mission and vision statement defines its goals, policies * Analysis Of Mission And Vision Statement Of Nokia. B: SAMPLE RESUME PERSONAL DETAILS * * published this * no reads * no comments * Add to your reading list * Tcs Mission And Vision Analysis Leading change, Learning and Sharing etc are getting reflected in its mission and vision statement. The core value excellence is getting clearly reflected in the * * published this * no reads * no comments * Add to your reading list * Mission Vision Statements theyve got their mission and vision confused. One is definitely not the other and both are mixed up in this statement. Today, our mission is to connect people * * published this * no reads * no comments * Add to your reading list * Starbucks Vision And Mission Statement obtain the organizations desired end state. Within the organizations mission and vision statements Starbucks Corporation states that listening to its customer needs.

Symptoms causes and possible solutions of Dementia

Symptoms causes and possible solutions of Dementia Introduction (source, NHS) Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) that is associated with an ongoing decline  of the brain and its  abilities. These include: thinking, language, memory,  Ã‚   understanding, and judgement. People with dementia may also have problems controlling their emotions or  behaving appropriately in social situations. Aspects of their personality may change. Most cases of dementia are caused by damage to the structure of the brain. How common is dementia? Dementia is a common condition. In  England alone, there are currently 570,000 people living with dementia. That number is expected to double over the next 30 years. Usually dementia occurs in people who are 65  or over. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop it. It is estimated that dementia occurs in: 1.4% of men and 1.5% of women aged between 65 and 69, 3.1% of men and 2.2% of women aged between 70 and 74, 5.6% of men and 7.1% of women aged between 75 and 79, 10.2 % of men and 14.1% of women aged between 80 and 84, and 19.6% of men and 27.5% of women aged 85 or over. Types of dementia Listed below are the different types of dementia. Alzheimers disease, where small clumps of protein, known as plaques, begin to develop around brain cells. This disrupts the normal workings of the brain. Vascular dementia, where problems with blood circulation result in parts of the brain not receiving enough blood and oxygen. Dementia with Lewy bodies, where abnormal structures, known as Lewy bodies, develop inside the brain. Frontotemporal dementia, where the frontal and temporal lobes (two parts of the brain) begin to shrink. Unlike other types of dementia, frontotemporal dementia usually develops in people who are under 65. It is much rarer than other types of dementia. This  section focuses on vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. See Useful links for more information about Alzheimers disease. Outlook In clinical terms, the outlook for dementia is not good. In most cases, there is no cure  and symptoms will get worse over time. However, even if a persons dementia cannot be cured, there are a number of effective treatments that can help them to cope better with their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Symtoms Vascular dementia The symptoms of vascular dementia can develop suddenly and quickly  worsen.  Or they can develop gradually over  many months. Symptoms  include: increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning, memory loss, depression, changes in personality and mood, periods of mental confusion, low attention span, urinary incontinence, stroke-like symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, wandering during the night, and slow and unsteady gait (the way that you walk). Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies The symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies usually develop gradually  but get  more severe over the course of many years. The symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies include: memory loss, low attention span, periods of mental confusion, delusions (believing in things that are not true), difficulty planning ahead, muscle stiffness, slower movement, shaking and trembling of arms and legs, shuffling while walking, problems sleeping,   loss of facial expression, and visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not  there). Usually people will see other people or animals that are not real. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that help control emotional responses and behaviour. Therefore, many of the initial symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve changes in emotion, personality and behaviour. Someone with frontotemporal dementia may  become less sensitive to other peoples emotions. This can make them  seem cold and unfeeling. They may also lose some of their inhibitions. This could lead to strange behaviour, such as  making sexually suggestive gestures in a public place, being rude to others or making tactless comments. Other symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include: aggression, compulsive behaviour, being easily distracted, an increasing lack of interest in washing themselves, and personality changes. A  person who was previously withdrawn may become very outgoing, or vice versa. Some people with frontotemporal dementia also  have problems with language. Symptoms affecting language include: speaking far less than usual, or not speaking at all, having problems finding the right words to express themselves, and using many words to describe something simple. For example, saying a metal and wooden tool used for digging instead of a spade Causes of dementia   Vascular dementia Vascular dementia is caused when there is an interruption to the blood supply to the brain. Like all organs, in order to  work properly the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients that is provided by the blood. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die, resulting in brain damage. The blood supply to the brain can become blocked during a stroke where either: a blood clot blocks the supply of blood to the brain, known as an ischaemic stroke, or a blood vessel becomes weakened and then splits. This is known as a haemorrhagic stroke. Sometimes, less severe blockages to the brain do not result in a stroke, but they can damage the brain to a lesser extent. This is known as a silent brain infarction. Not everyone who has had a stroke or a silent brain infarction will go on to  get vascular dementia. But  it always remains a possibility, particularly in people who have multiple strokes or silent brain infarctions. Vascular dementia can also develop if the vessels inside the brain narrow and harden. Narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels is known as arteriosclerosis. Know risk factors for arteriosclerosis include: diabetes, obesity, smoking, drinking  too much  alcohol, lack of exercise, and eating a high-fat diet Dementia with Lewy bodies Lewy bodies are small, circular  lumps of protein that develop inside the brain. It is not known what causes  them. It is also unclear how  they damage the brain and cause dementia. One theory is that they block the effects of two neurotransmitters called dopamine and acetylcholine. Neurotransmitters are messenger chemicals that send information from one brain cell to another. Both dopamine and acetylcholine are thought to play an important role in helping to regulate many important mental functions, such as memory, learning, mood and attention. Therefore, by blocking their effects, Lewy bodies may trigger dementia. Frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia is caused by two parts of the brain (the temporal lobe and the frontal lobe) becoming increasingly damaged and then shrinking. In an estimated 40 to 50% of cases, people who develop frontotemporal dementia have inherited a genetic mutation (an altered gene) from their parents. These genetic mutations are thought to  have a negative effect on a protein known as the tau protein. All brain cells contain tau proteins. They help to keep the brain cells stable. However, if tau proteins stop working properly, they can damage brain cells. If  no genetic mutation  is found, the causes of frontotemporal dementia  remain unknown. Less common causes of dementia Dementia or dementia-like symptoms can have a number of less common causes, some of which are treatable. These include: repeated  injury to the head, infections of the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis, Huntingtons disease, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive brain damage, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal condition that causes damage to the brain and nervous system, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, dehydration, lack of  vitamin B in the diet, poisoning,  for example from lead or pesticides,   having a brain tumour, and certain lung and heart conditions that interrupt the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. Diagnosing dementia   Confirming a diagnosis of dementia can be difficult, particularly when the condition is in its early stages. This is because many of the symptoms of dementia can be caused by other  conditions. In order  for dementia to be  diagnosed correctly, you should  have a number of different tests and assessments including: A  review of your medical history. A  full assessment of your mental abilities.   A range of  tests,  including blood tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a vitamin B deficiency. Imaging scans, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which can provide information about the physical state and structure of your brain. A  review of any medication you may be taking, in case these are contributing to your symptoms. Some of these tests can be carried out by your GP. Others will be carried out by other specialists, such as a neurologist (an expert in treating conditions that affect the brain and nervous system) or a psychiatrist with experience in treating dementia. Assessing your mental abilities There are some questionnaires that can be used to help  test your mental abilities and how severe your symptoms are. One widely used questionnaire is the  Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The MMSE can be used to assess a number of different mental abilities including: short- and long-term memory, attention span, concentration, language and communication skills, ability to plan, and ability to understand instructions. The MMSE is a series of questions, each carrying a score that can give a maximum result of 30 points. Example questions include: memorising a short list of objects and then repeat the list back, writing a short sentence that is grammatically correct, such as the dog sat on the floor, and correctly indentifying the current day of the week, followed by the date, the month, the season and the year. While the MMSE cannot diagnosis dementia by itself, it is  useful for assessing the level of mental impairment that a person with dementia may have. A  score of 25 or above is considered normal. A  score of 18 to 24 indicates mild to moderate impairment. A  score of 17 or below indicates serious impairment. Ruling out other conditions There are  further tests that can be used to rule out other conditions that may be responsible for the patients symptoms. These tests are outlined below. A full blood count A full blood count can be used to assess your general health and check for a range of disorders, including anaemia and infection. A blood sample will usually be taken from a vein in your arm using a needle and syringe. The test will also check for other illnesses. Blood glucose test A blood glucose test can be used to determine whether your blood glucose level is normal, and can also determine whether you have diabetes. A blood sample is taken to rule out whether your symptoms might be caused by undiagnosed diabetes. Urine analysis Urine analysis is used to diagnose diabetes or problems with your kidneys. During the test, you will be asked to pass a small sample of urine into a sterile container. Measurement of thyroid hormones A measurement of your thyroid hormones may be taken in order to screen for thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).   Measurement of vitamin B12 levels You may also have a test to check  whether your symptoms are caused by a lack of vitamin B12. However, if  you do  have a B12 deficiency, it is still possible that you may also have dementia. Imaging scans Imaging scans can check if there are any underlying problems with your brain, such as a brain tumour, that could  help explain  your symptoms. Imaging scans can also identify changes in the appearance of the brain that may indicate dementia. Several types of imaging scans can be used in the diagnosis of dementia. These are described below. Magnetic resonance imaging A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the best way to rule out other brain problems, and to help diagnose the type of dementia. MRI scans help doctors determine whether: there is any shrinkage to the outer layer of the brain, there is any evidence of changes to the blood vessels, or there are any blood clots that might have resulted in vascular dementia. The test will also show whether other conditions, such as a brain tumour, are causing your symptoms. Computerised topography A computerised topography (CT) scan can be used as an alternative to a MRI scan. A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images of your brain. The images are fed into a computer to build up a detailed  3D image of the inside of your brain. Single photon-emission computed tomography A single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan may be recommended if doctors are unsure whether you have Alzheimers disease, frontotemporal dementia or vascular dementia. A SPECT scan is similar to a CT scan, but the scanner used for a SPECT scan is able to take moving pictures of the blood flow in your brain. The results show if the blood flow in your brain is abnormal, which can often be used to help diagnose the type of dementia. Treating dementia   Your care plan If you are diagnosed with dementia, your future health and social care needs will be assessed and a care plan will be drawn up. A care plan is a way of ensuring that you receive the right treatment for your needs. Examples of questions that could  come up  while drawing up your care plan are listed below. Do  you have a family member or friend willing to act as a carer? What support do you or your carer need for you  to remain as independent as possible? Are there  any changes that need to be made to your  home to make it easier to live in? Would you benefit from physical and occupational therapy? Do  you need additional treatment and advice to help you cope with symptoms of incontinence? Might you require residential care at some point in the future? It is important to remember that this is your care plan. You should ask as many questions as you want and make sure that your wishes are known. Patient consent and advanced directive Patient consent means that you have to give express permission before any medical treatment can be carried out on you. Consent is needed for all  treatments, whether its a simple blood test or an organ donation. The only  time when treatment can go ahead without your  permission is if you  are unable to  make a decision on your own, and the  doctors responsible for your care believe that treatment is in your best interests. There may be a time in the future when your symptoms mean that you  are no longer able  to give consent. Therefore, you may wish to draw up an advanced directive after first receiving a diagnosis of dementia.   An advanced directive  makes your treatment preferences known now, in case you are not able to do this later. Subjects  covered by  an advanced directive can include: what treatment you would consider having and in what circumstances, what types of treatment you would never wish to have, no matter what the circumstances, what type of end-of-life care you would wish to have, for example, whether you would want to be resuscitated by artificial means, such as having a breathing tube inserted into your neck if you  have lung failure, and whether you would be willing to donate organs after your death. You cannot request anything illegal in your advanced directive, such as assisted suicide. Your care team will be able to provide you with more information and advice about advanced directives. You may wish to appoint a friend or family member to take care of your financial and legal affairs. This is known as granting power of attorney. See  Useful links  for information and advice about granting power of attorney. Psychological treatments There are a number of different psychological treatments that can be used to help you cope  with the symptoms of dementia and slow down the  symptoms. These  are described  below. Cognitive stimulation Cognitive stimulation involves taking part in activities and exercises that are designed to improve your memory, problem-solving skills and language ability. It  is provided by a trained carer, and usually consists of two 45-minute sessions a week. During these, you will be involved in discussions about a variety of topics, as well as taking part in word and memory games, and other activities, such as trying to identify pictures of famous people. Behavioural therapy Behavioural therapy is used to help treat many of the behavioural problems that are associated with dementia, such as depression, aggression and delusional thinking. Behavioural therapy is usually provided by a carer, who can be a trained friend, relative or an employed carer. It is  supervised by  a health professional. Behavioural therapy uses a problem-solving approach where possible motivations and reasons for troublesome behaviour are identified. Different strategies are adopted to try to change that behaviour. For example, a person with dementia may have a history of wandering out of their home or care centre because they feel restless. Therefore, a strategy that involves encouraging them to take part in regular physical exercise may  lessen their restlessness.   Reality orientation therapy Reality orientation therapy is a type of therapy  that reduces  feelings of mental disorientation, memory loss and confusion, while improving feelings of self-esteem. Reality orientation therapy may involve group work in a classroom, in which a board prominently displays information such as: the current day and date, the location of the classroom, and the names of the people in the group. The group members repeat  a series of tasks that are designed to  give mental stimulation. These tasks also  reinforce information regarding the time, the place  and the people involved in the group. Multisensory stimulation Multisensory stimulation is a way of stimulating the brain  using different elements. These include  lighting, relaxing music and sounds, massage cushions, aromatherapy (scents) and different touch sensations. By stimulating different areas of the brain, multisensory stimulation aims to lessen feelings of confusion and restlessness, and  improve mood and language skills. However,  this treatment is not suitable  for everyone with dementia, as some people find the effects of stimulation upsetting and unpleasant. Exercise therapy Exercise therapy consists of either general fitness training or a structured fitness programme. It is designed to improve a persons physical mobility, as well as benefiting mental function and mood. Medicines Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AIs) are widely used to treat Alzheimers disease. They are not usually recommended for other forms of dementia because the evidence for their effectiveness is limited and, in some cases, may make symptoms worse. One exception is for people living with dementia with Lewy bodies that have behavioural problems, such as delusions or hallucinations,  which are causing them significant distress or leading to challenging behaviour. AIs  work by preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as low levels of acetylcholine have been linked to behavioural problems. Side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, agitation, aggressive behaviour, dizziness and fainting, insomnia, and urinary incontinence. Antipsychotics Antipsychotics are medicines that can be used to treat challenging and disruptive behaviour, such as aggression or agitation. However, antipsychotics are not usually recommended for the treatment of dementia because: they can increase the risk of a person experiencing cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes, and they can make the symptoms of dementia worse. Also, in people who have dementia with Lewy bodies there is evidence that antipsychotics can cause a range of serious side effects, such as: rigidity, immobility, being unable  to perform tasks, being unable  to communicate and,  possibly, sudden death. Antipsychotics are usually only used in cases where there are severe symptoms of challenging and disruptive behaviour that is judged to place you and/or others at risk of harm. They are only used if there is a full discussion between yourself and/or your carer and your care team about the benefits and risks of treatment. Antipsychotics will be prescribed at the lowest dose  possible, and for as short a time as possible. Your health will also need to be carefully monitored  if you are taking antipsychotics. Side effects of antipsychotics can include: drowsiness, shaking, trembling, muscle twitches, spasms, weight gain, blurred vision, constipation, lack of sex drive, and a dry mouth. Preventing Dementia Preventing vascular dementia While it is not possible to prevent all cases of dementia, there are some measures that  can help  prevent vascular dementia, as well as cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks.  As experts in treating dementia often say, What is good for your heart is also good for your head. The best ways to prevent vascular dementia are: Eat a healthy diet. Maintain a healthy weight. Get sufficient and regular exercise.   Drink alcohol in moderation. Dont smoke. Diet To help prevent dementia, a low-fat and  high-fibre diet is recommended. This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and wholegrains. Limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than  six grams  a day. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure, which puts you at risk of vascular dementia. One teaspoonful of salt is about six grams. Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat because this will increase your cholesterol level, which also puts you at risk of vascular dementia. Foods high in saturated fat include: meat pies, sausages and fatty cuts of meat, butter, ghee (clarified butter, often used in Indian cooking), lard, cream, hard cheese, cakes and biscuits, and foods that contain coconut or palm oil. Eating some foods that are high in unsaturated fat can decrease your cholesterol level. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, and sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils. Weight Being overweight can increase your blood pressure, which increases the risk of vascular dementia. This  risk is higher if you are obese. The most scientific way to measure your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared. In the UK, people with a BMI of between 25 and 30 are overweight, and those with an index above 30 are  obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are morbidly obese. The best way of tackling obesity is to reduce the amount of calories that you eat, and ensure that you take regular and sufficient exercise. Your GP  can  give you further information and advice about how you can do this. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/bmi_tease.gif Exercise Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient. It will also  lower your cholesterol level and  keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, all of which will lower your risk of developing vascular dementia. For most people, 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, at least five times a week, is recommended. The exercise should be strenuous enough to  make your heart beat faster, and you should feel slightly out of breath afterwards. Examples of vigorous exercise include going for a brisk walk or walking up a hill. Alcohol Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause a rise in your blood pressure, and raise the cholesterol level in your blood. Sticking to the recommended limits for alcohol consumption is the best way to ensure that you reduce the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and vascular dementia. The recommended daily levels of alcohol consumption are  three to four  units of alcohol for men, and  two to three  units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/do_you_drink_tease.gif Smoking Smoking can cause your arteries to narrow, which can lead to a rise in your blood pressure. It is also a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and vascular dementia. The NHS Smoking Helpline offers advice and encouragement to help  you stop smoking. You can call on 0800 022 4332 or visit the NHS Go Smokefree website (see Useful links). Your GP or pharmacist will also be able to give you help and advice about giving up smoking. Preventing other types of dementia There is some evidence that rates of dementia are lower in people who remain as mentally and physically active as possible throughout their lives, and have a wide range of different activities and hobbies. Some activities that may reduce the risk of developing dementia include: reading, writing for pleasure, learning foreign languages, playing musical instruments, taking part in adult education courses, playing tennis, playing golf, swimming, group sports, such as bowling, and walking. There is no evidence that playing brain training computer games reduces the risk of dementia. Dementia (souce,Bupa) reventing vascular dementia While it is not possible to prevent all cases of dementia, there are some measures that  can help  prevent vascular dementia, as well as cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks.  As experts in treating dementia often say, What is good for your heart is also good for your head. The best ways to prevent vascular dementia are: Eat a healthy diet. Maintain a healthy weight. Get sufficient and regular exercise.   Drink alcohol in moderation. Dont smoke. Diet To help prevent dementia, a low-fat and  high-fibre diet is recommended. This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and wholegrains. Limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than  six grams  a day. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure, which puts you at risk of vascular dementia. One teaspoonful of salt is about six grams. Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat because this will increase your cholesterol level, which also puts you at risk of vascular dementia. Foods high in saturated fat include: meat pies, sausages and fatty cuts of meat, butter, ghee (clarified butter, often used in Indian cooking), lard, cream, hard cheese, cakes and biscuits, and foods that contain coconut or palm oil. Eating some foods that are high in unsaturated fat can decrease your cholesterol level. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, and sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils. Weight Being overweight can increase your blood pressure, which increases the risk of vascular dementia. This  risk is higher if you are obese. The most scientific way to measure your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared. In the UK, people with a BMI of between 25 and 30 are overweight, and those with an index above 30 are  obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are morbidly obese. The best way of tackling obesity is to reduce the amount of calories that you eat, and ensure that you take regular and sufficient exercise. Your GP  can  give you further information and advice about how you can do this. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/bmi_tease.gif Exercise Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient. It will also  lower your cholesterol level and  keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, all of which will lower your risk of developing vascular dementia. For most people, 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, at least five times a week, is recommended. The exercise should be strenuous enough to  make your heart beat faster, and you should feel slightly out of breath afterwards. Examples of vigorous exercise include going for a brisk walk or walking up a hill. Alcohol Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause a rise in your blood pressure, and raise the cholesterol level in your blood. Sticking to the recommended limits for alcohol consumption is the best way to ensure that you reduce the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and vascular dementia. The recommended daily levels of alcohol consumption are  three to four  units of alcohol for men, and  two to three  units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/do_you_drink_tease.gif