Discuss Hurricane Katrina Impact on Bermuda and International Essay

Discuss Hurricane Katrina Impact on Bermuda and International Insurance Markets, and Explain How Storm Affected Our Attitudes Towards Insurance - Essay Example Though mired in legal tangles, insurers have paid up a large section of the affected thus mitigating their hardships to some extent. Some of the arguments looks very brazen such as damages caused by breaching of the levees does not come under the category of tornadoes though it is a well known fact that breaching happened due to water surges caused by hurricane Katrina. Under the circumstances the state has to interfere to ameliorate the sufferers of levees breach since they cannot wash their hands off for the breaching. Insurance is described as a precautionary hedging instrument against likely future losses. It is used for managing the possible risks of the future, which may or may not take place. Thus, through insurance, a person buys future happiness and smooth living. According to Oxford Dictionary Insurance is a contract undertaking to provide financial compensation for loss or damage or injury etc., in return for a payment made in advance once or regularly. Though loss of life or injuries cannot be measured in financial terms, still, in this materialistic world it is quantifiable and tries to compensate the potential future loss financially. Today insurance industry is one of the largest industry sectors in the world and is three times the size of the oil industry in terms of revenue generated. The roots of insurance might be traced to Babylonia, where traders were encouraged to assume the risks of the caravan trade through loans that were repaid only after the goods had arrived safely (Hammarabi, 1795 – 50 BC) 1, a practice resembling bottomry, the ancient maritime law where money is lent to a trader at lenders risk. The concept of insurance evolved through the centuries in Europe and later in the United States. Insurance developed rapidly with the growth of British imperialism in the 17th and 18th century 2. The New York fire of 1835 highlighted the need for adequate reserves to meet unexpected large

A Separate Peace Essay Example for Free

A Separate Peace Essay It is important to confront reality, no matter how harsh it is. People will always face difficult situations, but avoiding them is often more dangerous than the situation itself. In his novel, A Separate Peace, Knowles explores what can happen when a person or even an institution tries to avoid painful circumstances. In the story, Gene, the protagonist, and his friends are students at the Devon boarding school; and the troubling issues they face are wars, the external, World War II, and the intimate conflicts that often arise between close friends. Knowles uses the motif of the transformation of Devon, Finny, and Gene to show the importance of confronting head-on the wars within and around them. Devon boarding school shields Gene and his classmates from the hardships of World War II. Gene’s class, the â€Å"Upper Middlers,† are too young for the draft. This causes the teachers at Devon to see them as the last evidence of â€Å"the life the war was being fought to preserve† (29). The teachers are afraid to expose the boys to the terror of war and so they hide it from them. While throughout the country, others participate in the war effort, Gene and his classmates remain apart and spend their time â€Å"calmly reading Virgil† (24). Because of this separation, the war becomes â€Å"completely unreal† (24) to the Upper Middlers. The entire world appears to be churning in the upheaval of the war, but Devon tries to remain the same, shielding the boys from its hardships. Unfortunately, when the effects of the war inevitably come to Devon, its attempts at avoidance result in a negative transformation with bitter and unintended consequences. In its efforts to deny the war’s existence, Devon changes from idyllic and relaxed in the Summer Session to rigid and uncompromising in the Winter Session. In the summer at Devon, the boys play games on the â€Å"healthy green turf brushed with dew† to the calming sounds of â€Å"cricket noises and the bird cries of dusk† (24). Such imagery makes Devon seem like a peaceful oasis for the Upper Middlers. However, this relaxed atmosphere of the Summer Session ends with Finny’s fall from the tree at Devon River. Jumping from the tree was an activity originally designed to prepare soldiers for war and Finny’s injury from it represents the boys’ first experience with the pain that war brings. To Devon, Finny’s fall proves that the relaxed atmosphere of the Summer Session could not protect the boys from the reality of war. As a result, Devon rejects the carefree environment of the Summer Session and changes into a strict school where â€Å"continuity is stressed† (73) in the Winter Session. This transformation proves negative as evidenced by Knowles stark change in his description of the Winter Session. For example, while in the Summer Session the boys freely roamed the â€Å"healthy green turf† of Devon’s fields, they crowd into the dark â€Å"Butt Room† a smoking room that Gene compares to a â€Å"dirty dungeon in the bowels of the dormitory† (88). Where once the boys played in beautiful fields, they are now confined in close, dark rooms. Gene further classifies the transformation as negative by immediately remarking that â€Å"peace [has] deserted Devon† (72) when he returns for the Winter Session. In attempting to avoid the effects of the war, Devon sacrifices its status as a haven for the boys. When the reality that the world is at war inevitably strikes Devon, its transformation makes it less able to deal with the effects of the war. Gene compares the inexorable arrival of the war to the snow that blankets the school grounds. He calls the snowflakes â€Å"invaders† that cover the â€Å"carefully pruned shrubbery bordering the crosswalks† and likens them to the â€Å"invasion of the war on the school† (93). In making this comparison, Gene seems to show that just as Devon’s â€Å"carefully pruned shrubbery† cannot escape the snowfall, its structured atmosphere cannot escape the war. In fact, it is that structured atmosphere that makes the war seem all the more attractive to the very boys Devon tried so desperately to protect. Representing this is the Upper Middlers’ decision to clear snow from train tracks designed to transport troops. This is their first serious contribution to the war effort and requires that they travel away from Devon, symbolizing their desire to leave their school and participate in the war effort. As they work, the boys see a train car of soldiers whom they view as â€Å"elite† in comparison to their â€Å"drab ranks† (101). Directly after seeing the troops, all they boys can discuss is the â€Å"futility of Devon and how [they] would never have war stories to tell [their] grandchildren† (102). The boys see Devon’s strict unchanging atmosphere as inadequate amidst the upheaval of the war. As a result, the Upper Middlers slowly reject Devon, resigning from clubs, leaving the school to enlist in the war, and losing their academic vigor. They resent Devon for keeping them from the war and remain forever distant from it. Gene exhibits this distance when he describes Devon after graduating. Gene calls Devon a â€Å"hard and shiny† (11) museum; he feels no connection to it. He finally concludes that â€Å"The more things stay the same, the more they change after all† (14). In trying to remain untouched by the war, Devon changed to a school that pushed its students to the very war it tried to avoid. Like Devon, Finny does not accept the hardships or existence of war in his life. Throughout the story, Finny embraces the glorified aspects of war, but refuses to accept its atrocities. For example, Finny wears his pink shirt to celebrate the Americans bombing of Central Europe. However, when he realizes that the bombing killed women and children, he tells Gene that he doesn’t think the bombing took place. He does not want to believe that innocent people are often casualties of war. Eventually, Finny decides that the war cannot exist because it causes too much suffering. Similarly, Finny calls Gene his â€Å"best pal† (48) and openly displays his affection for him. However, when Gene confesses to deliberately jouncing him from the limb out of jealousy, Finny refuses to listen. He cannot accept that a friend could become an enemy. Eventually, Finny’s denial of the conflicts in his life lead to a negative transformation. In trying to retain his rejection of the war, Finny changes from a confident, athletic leader into an embittered invalid. In the summer, Finny excels, becoming a natural leader of the boys and easily winning over teachers. Finny is also physically impressive as evidenced by Gene’s description of him playing in the Devon River. Gene says that Finny is in â€Å"exaltation,† with glowing skin and muscles â€Å"aligned in perfection† (34). In this description, Finny seems like an ideal, almost God like figure, completely in control and confident. Finny’s injury at the end of Summer Session, however, signals a dark transformation. Gene shakes the limb Finny is standing on while about to jump off the tree at Devon River and Finny falls and breaks his leg. Because Gene deliberately jounced Finny out of a tree used to prepare the seniors for war, Finny’s fall and subsequent injury symbolizes a forced confrontation with the potential pain of World War II and the war between Gene and himself. Rather than working through the hardship and pain, Finny rejects his former status as an athlete and leader and lets his injury define him as an isolated invalid. Instead of using his athletic abilities to overcome his injury, Finny seems to remain permanently maimed. Although his leg heals and his cast becomes so small that an â€Å"ordinary person could have managed it with hardly a limp noticeable† (157), Finny’s gait is permanantely changed. His inability to heal completely from his injury symbolizes his inability to confront and move on from the conflicts that caused it. Similarly, Finny loses his place as a leader among the Upper Middlers. When Finny returns to Devon for the Winter Session, he finds that the war dominates the Upper Middlers’ conversations. Finny does not believe the war exists and so he isolates himself and stops spending as much time with his peers. Where once he was a natural leader, he becomes an outcast to preserve his disbelief in the war. Finny’s negative transformation makes him more vulnerable to the wars in his life. At the end of the Winter Session, Brinker conducts a mock trial and convicts Gene of his role in Finny’s injury. Finny is again forced to face the reality of Gene’s jealousy. Furthermore, during the trial, Finny speaks to Leper for the first time after his return from the army. Leper’s insanity, induced by the war, forces Finny to confront its painful implications. Because of Finny’s transformation, he is even more susceptible to these implications. Symbolizing this are the events following the mock trial. After Brinker convicts Gene, Finny falls while trying to run away. He re-breaks his leg, reopening the wound of the summer and revisiting the pain of the wars in his life. Where before the injury only crippled Finny, this time, Finny eventually dies from it. Just as his invalid state made him more vulnerable to re-injuring his leg, Finny’s transformation in response to the war made him more vulnerable to it. Unlike Devon and Finny, Gene faces the reality of the war around him and his inner struggle with Finny. While Gene enjoys the peaceful atmosphere of Devon in the Summer Session, he recognizes its inadequacies. Gene explains, â€Å"Perhaps I alone knew Devon had slipped through their [the professors’] fingers during the warm over looked months† (73). Gene realizes that the Summer Session, and the realities it avoided, would be the undoing of Devon. Furthermore, while the other Upper Middlers deny the existence of the war, Gene understands it at a deep level. Gene explicitly says, â€Å"The war was and is reality for me† (32). He embraces the war instead of masking it. Similarly, Gene recognizes the inner war with Finny. Gene knows that he deliberately jounced the limb of the tree so that Finny would fall. He repeatedly tries to confess this to Finny, openly and inwardly confronting his jealousy. Finally, when Leper goes to war and is discharged for mental instability, Gene is the only student who visits him in his home and sees him in his worst state. Gene is able to witness the shock and horror of the war. Because of his ability to face the wars around and within him, Gene undergoes a positive transformation. Gene confronts the conflicts in his life and uses them to mature from a fearful, insecure boy to a balanced and strong man. Initially, Gene identifies the presence of fear in his life. As an adult reflecting on his childhood, Gene can see â€Å"with great clarity the fear [he] had lived in† (10). Gene is also initially in-athletic. While Finny garners many athletic awards, Gene does not often participate in sports and focuses on his studies. This makes Gene feel inferior to Finny and so he often succumbs to Finny’s desires, often at the expense of his own academic success. Gene feels inadequate and insecure in the Summer Session, but the Winter Session signals a change within him. Before returning to Devon for the Winter Session, Gene visits Finny and confesses his guilt. After confronting his jealousy and confessing to Finny, Gene returns to Devon and becomes increasingly independent and secure. Symbolizing this is Gene’s experience in the Naguamsett River. On his first day back to Devon, Gene falls into the â€Å"ugly, saline,† (79) waters of the Nagaumasett. Incidentally, Gene calls this encounter with the filthy waters a â€Å"baptism.. on the first day of this winter session† (79). This use of the word baptism, a term associated with initiation or rebirth, seems to convey that Gene is beginning a new life. Just as he emerges renewed from the gritty disgusting waters of the Nagaumasett, he emerges renewed from his painful, uncomfortable confrontation of his inner war with Finny. Directly following Gene’s â€Å"baptism,† Finny returns to Devon as an invalid and he and Gene’s roles reverse. Now, It is Finny who needs Gene, both physically and emotionally, to help him deal with his injury and his functioning at Devon. Gene’s sudden athletic prowess represents this role reversal. Since Finny cannot participate in sports, he trains Gene. As he excels in his training, Gene notices that Finny seems â€Å"older. nd smaller too† (121). He then realizes that he is actually bigger and Finny is only smaller by comparison. Gene has used the conflict in his life to leave behind his insecurities and become a strong, independent man. Gene’s transformation proves positive as it enables him to grow from the conflicts in his life. The results of the mock trial do no break Gene like the do Finny. He has already confronted his jealousy and guilt, and is secure enough to withstand the pain. Likewise, when Gene finally graduates from Devon and enlists in the army, he endures the war without losing his sanity like Leper. Gene is able to do this because he â€Å"already fought [his] war† (204) at Devon. He learned to confront harsh realities, and therefore can overcome them. As an adult, Gene is able to return to Devon content and secure, having made his â€Å"escape from† (10) the fear that plagued his childhood. His ability to confront his wars enable him to mature through them. Devon, Finny, and Gene all transform throughout the story. However, Devon and Finny changed to avoid the war, but Gene changed to grow from it. These transformations and stark difference in their outcomes powerfully convey the importance of unflinchingly confronting wars without and within.

An Overview of Tourettes Syndrome

An Overview of Tourettes Syndrome Tourettes syndrome When you think of Tourettes what comes to mind?   Tourettes is a common disorder which may start in early childhood. This condition is characterized by physical and verbal tics (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Tourettes syndrome, also known as TS, first presented itself when a man named Georges Gilles De La Tourette wrote a paper on nine people who exhibited in voluntary motor and vocal tics (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). Tourettes association in the study of this disorder led to it being named after him. Georges Giles was born in the small town of Saint Gervals Les Trois Clochers, he was a French neuropsychiatrist and an expert on epilepsy. Georges was known for crazy media coverage where there was an attempt on his life (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). He was shot in 1893 by Rose Kamper, a former patient of his who had made acquisitions of him of hypnotizing her against her will. He recovered from the gun shot, and his attacker was diagnosed with what is now called paranoid schi zophrenia. He is more famously known for publishing the first writings of people who had Tourettes, simply stating that these tics were random and uncontrollable (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). Many speculate but cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown but there is current research that points to abnormalities in the brain (Tourettes Syndrome). Evidence from twin and family studies proposes that TS is an inherited disorder (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Symptoms are typically noticed in early childhood between the ages of seven and ten. Genetically TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups and age groups, but males have a higher chance of being affected then females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have a severe form of TS, and one in 100 display milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Although the DSM-5 does not directly talk about TS, it does mention disorders that are linked to it. Various people can experience additional problems such as obsessive compulsive behavior, characterized by repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing or checking things repetitively and mental acts like praying, and counting (A merican Psychiatric Association ). Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, described by difficulty concentrating and staying on task; learning disabilities, which include reading, writing and arithmetic difficulties; and even sleeping disorders (Tourettes Syndrome). TS is not a psychological disorder but more of a neuropsychiatric disorder; although they are linked together these disorders can come with Tourettes. But on the other hand not everyone with TS will have disorders other than their tics. What is TS you may ask? TS can be divided into two groups, motor tics, and vocal tics; and in those two groups you can have simple and complex motor or vocal tics. Simple motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Some of the more common simple motor tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocal tics might include repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups (Tourettes Syndrome). Complex motor tics might include facial grimacing combined with a head twist and a shoulder shrug, sniffing or touching objects, hopping, jumping, bending, or twisting. Simple vocal tics may include throat-clearing, sniffing/snorting, grunting, or even barking. The most intense  Ã‚   tics includes motor movements that cause   self-harm such as punching themselves in the face or vocal tics including coprolalia and echolalia which are uttering swear words and repeating the words or phrases of others (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Some tics are led by an urge or sensation in the affected muscle group, or a need to complete a tic in a certain way or a certain number of times in order to relieve the urge (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). People with TS can sometimes suppress their tics for a short time, but the effort is similar to that of holding back a sneeze. Eventually tension mounts to the point where the tic escapes. Tics worsen in stressful situations; however, they improve when the person is relaxed or absorbed in an activity. In most cases, tics decrease markedly during sleep (Tourettes Syndrome). How can TS be counteracted? Currently, there is no brain test or laboratory test to convincingly prove someone has TS and when it comes to TS there is no cut in stone medication that will cure this disorder completely. Generally, TS is diagnosed by obtaining a description of the tics and evaluating family history and after verifying, the patient has to have had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year. Patients, families and physicians need to determine which set of symptoms is most disabling so that appropriate medications and therapies can be used (Tourettes Syndrome). If symptoms do not impair most patients and development proceeds normally then the majority of people with TS will require no medication. On the other hand, medications are available to help when symptoms interfere with functioning but unfortunately, there is no one medication that helps the same person with TS. Some patients who need medication to reduce the symptoms of their tics may be treated with neurolepti c drugs such as haloperidol and pimozide. These medications are usually given in very small doses that are increased slowly until the best possible balance between symptoms and side effects is achieved (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). The most common side effects of neuroleptics include sedation, weight gain, and cognitive dulling, tremors, dystonic reactions (twisting movements or postures), and parkinsonian-like symptoms. People with TS often live healthy, active lives however; Tourette syndrome frequently involves behavioral and social challenges that can harm your self-image. The biological perspective focuses on genetics and your biological processes influencing your behavior (Rathus ). As stated before TS can come with other disorders such as ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorder, and even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). These disorders can make a person with TS behave differently such as; losing ones temper a lot, anger, difficulty paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Traditional behaviorist believed that the environment and also personal experiences influences a persons behavior (Rathus ). Stress can often make TS worse in the fact that it makes the tic more rapid (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet).   This can also be due to the persons environment.   This is how TS is related to psychology because it can explain the beh avior of someone with TS and how these disorders are linked together. References   American Psychiatric Association . Diagostic And Statastical Manual of Mental Disorders fith edition. DSM-5. Vol. 5. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013. 5 vols. 237. 1 december 2016. Georges Gilles de la Tourette. 2014. Soylent Communications. 18 October 2016. . Rathus , Spencer A. Psychology principles in practice . Austin, 2003. 4. Textbook. Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. Ed. Office of Communications and Public Liaison. 5 October 2005. 18 November 2016. . Tourettes Syndrome. Ed. Sussex Publishers. 1 july 2016. Sussex Publishers. 1 december 2016. . (Tourettes Syndrome) Georges Gilles de la Tourette. 2014. Soylent Communications. 18 October 2016. . Rathus , Spencer A. Psychology principles in practice . Austin, 2003. 4. Textbook. Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. Ed. Office of Communications and Public Liaison. 5 October 2005. 18 November 2016. . Tourettes Syndrome. Ed. Sussex Publishers. 1 july 2016. Sussex Publishers. 1 december 2016. . s/tourette-syndrome-fact-sheet/>. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20163624 tourettes and the biological theory

Women and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Essay -- Pride

Women and Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice And they lived happily ever after... Or did they? Pride and Prejudice, a captivating novel written by Jane Austen, is the story of Elizabeth and her adventure challenging society and ending up deep in true love. Pride and Prejudice takes place in a town outside of London called Hertfordshire, where the reader follows Elizabeth, her friends, and her family as they search for love in the nineteenth century. The author writes of Elizabeth's journey of not only finding herself, but finding true love with Mr. Darcy in the end. Austen herself never married, something that was very untraditional for her time. She went against normalcy and knew that marriage was for love, not money as many people often recognized it as. This viewpoint from the author is drawn out for us through a major idea in the novel. The theme of women and marriage traditions in the nineteenth century is clearly demonstrated through many of the characters in Austen's novel. The opening sentence reveals the theme to the reader quite straightforwardly. Auste...

Teachers Day

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, OM, FBA (Telugu: ; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975) was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice-President of India (1952–1962) and subsequently the second President of India (1962–1967). One of India's most influential scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Radhakrishnan is considered through his efforts to have built a bridge between the East and the West by showing that the philosophical systems of each tradition are comprehensible within the terms of the other.He wrote authoritative exegeses of India's religious and philosophical literature for the English speaking world. His academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921-? ) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–1952). Among the many honours he received were a knighthood (1931) and the Bharat Ratna (1954). His birthday is celeb rated in India as Teacher's Day on 5 September.Since times immemorial, Indians have respected and idolized their teachers. Earlier, we used to call our teachers ‘Guru' and now it's the contemporary ‘Sir' or ‘Madam'. Nevertheless, the role of teachers has remained the same. They were, are and will continue to be our guiding light, creating conditions conducive to our overall development. We will always be thankful to them for their constructive support. It is as an expression of this gratitude only that we celebrate Teacher's Day in India.Teacher's Day is a tribute to the hard work and devotion of the teachers all year long, to educate a child. In India, teacher’s day is celebrated on 5th of September every year. Indian Teacher’s Day is dedicated to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a zealous advocate of education and one of the greatest scholars and teachers of all times, apart from being the first Vice President and the second President of India. As a mark of respect to this phenomenal teacher, his birthday came to be observed as Teacher’s Day in the country.On Teacher's day, students across India dress up as their teachers and take lectures in classes that are assigned to the teachers they represent. Sometimes, teachers sit in their classes as students, trying to relive the time when they, themselves, were students. Also, functions are organized in schools on the special day, where students present dance performances, dramas, and various other programs to entertain their teachers. This day provides for a healthy interaction between teachers and students as well. Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was one of the most distinguished diplomats, scholars and teachers of India, apart from being the first Vice President and the second President of the country. As a tribute to this great teacher, his birthday is observed as Teacher's Day across India. As a matter of fact, when his students and friends asked him for the permission to celebrate his birthday, it was he who asked them to celebrate the day as Teacher's Day, honoring the efforts of teachers across the country.Indian Teacher's Day History India has been celebrating Teacher's Day on 5th September, since 1962. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence, and his contribution towards Indian education system. Dr Radhakhrishnan believed that â€Å"teachers should be the best minds in the country†. On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist, apart from honoring all the teachers that have made our life much more knowledgeable and fulfilled, as serving as our beacons of light.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Course Essay

Company Information Company Name – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Website – http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com Founded in- 1981 Background/History/Company Timeline 1981- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters was established with a small coffee shop. 1993- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, started publicly traded on NASDAQ national stock market. 2006- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., Acquire KEURIG Coffee Company and started manufacturing single cup coffee. 2010- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Acquired Diedrich coffee and also bought Van Houtte coffee services company. 2011- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. sold Fresh Filter US coffee services potion of Van Houtte business to Aramark. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. manages its operations through SCBU (Specialty coffee business), KBU (KEURIG business unit), CBU (Canadian business unit) operation units. SCBU makes and sell coffee, hot coco, tea and several other beverages. KBU focus on single cup brewing system which includes coffee, tea hot chocolates. CBU take cares of Canadian market. They sell coffee and tea with other beverages. Mission and Values of GMCR. â€Å"PURPOSE: We create the ultimate beverage experience in every life we touch from source to cup – transforming the way the world understands business. Our MISSION: A Keurig ® brewer on every counter and a beverage for every occasion. Our VALUES: We partner for mutual success. Our boundary  less approach to collaboration creates benefits for all.† (www.keuriggreenmountain.com) SWOT ANALYSIS Strength 1 Strong product portfolio and leader in the market. 2 Loyal customers. 3 All products contribute strong revenue growth. Gives a strong competitive advantage. 4 Corporate image built on strong sustainability initiatives. 5 Good financial strength. Weakness 1 Dependency on china for single cup brewer is a big draw back. 2 Dependency on some retailers companies which are the big potion of revenue. 3 Cost of the products is very high reference to single use at home. 4 Patents of all the sub companies are not so easy to maintain. Opportunities 1 Have several opportunities in the field of different drinks. 2 Have further opportunities to expand to different part of world. 3. Strategic agreements to bolster revenues. Threats 1 Completion in the segments of Coffee is very high. 2 More acquisition there is more challenges to maintain brand value. 3 Demand of high quality coffee is very high. Shortage of coffee beans will be a task. Analysis VIA Porter’s Five Forces Model Porter’s five force model is a good analysis tool for examine the competitive environment. Competitive environment is describes in terms of 5 forces. The threat of new entrants- Customers has new choices day to day. To fulfill the requirement Green Mountain Coffee Roasters needs to be very competitive. They need to find out new products. There are several low cost products in the market which is attracting local public. This can be a threat and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters needs to find out a way to reduce the cost and maintain the quality. Single-cup brewing will have more competition. Some of the companies have good financial resources and good marketing than Keurig. Some of the competitors are Flavia Beverage Systems they are the manufacturer of Mars, Senso brewing system etc. The bargaining power of buyers- Loyal customer is very important for a successful business. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters provides the customers the best they want and the way they want. So buyers are ready to pay the cost. There is less bargaining because of loyal customers. O customers. They may look at some alternate products. But still number of choices is fewer Buyers find very difficult to switch the company as they will not find what they need. So they try to stick with one. This is a competitive advantage to them. Competitors cannot provide what fresh direct can provide. Low dependency on distributors is an added advantage with Fresh Direct. This will reduce the bargaining power of buyers. Due to variety of range products buyers has less choice and this is good and positive for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters The bargaining power of suppliers- The biggest problem is with Keurig, supplies are fully depended on outside supplier. They have only one supplier from China. They can rule GMCR and can affect deliveries and quality. This can over all affect the company performance and business. The threat of substitute product and services- Company has an advantage in their field. There is very less strong competition. They are the leader in the coffee segments. There are several companies who have lowered process cost and cost of the product. They may give strong competition to them. The intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry- Other manufacturer started giving good offers with comparison to Keurig was offering. Market started to become overpower. This created confusion between customers. They don’t know what product is best.  They were victim of competition. Strategy Used GMCR has strategically taken a good move to expand its business in broader way. The first strategy they used was acquisition of other coffee brand. They acquired Tully’s coffee brand and later they also acquired Timothy’s Coffee. GMCR focused on individual customer in home and offices. They have launched different products which can be used in offices and home. By doing this they have expanded there market share very broadly. â€Å"There were approximately 2.6 million coffee brewers in offices nationwide serviced by a network of approximately 1,700 distributors. Of those offices, GMCR estimated that 12 percent had single-cup brewers, and about half of those were Keurig brewers.8 While Keurig brewers were estimated to be in 30 percent of offices in New England, national penetration in the office channel was only about 6 percent.† (Dess C301) GMCR has covered hotel industry in broader way. They have several hotels in North America which use GMCR products. This was one of the best strategies which worked for expansion of their product range. Issues and Challenges Facing this Company Following issues and Challenges are being faced by GMCR. a) Manufacturer and trade risk- GMCR products are manufacturer in China. They are under risk of delivery and cost. Fully depended on those companies. Any production delay will direct affect the profitability of GMCR. b) Foreign exchange rates may affect the end product cost. c) Government policies and relationship with both country may affect the business. d) Product recall and product liability is a potential danger. Any quality compromise by manufacturer will directly impact GMCR. e) Loosing competitive advantage of GMCR because the products are manufactured in China and possibility of losing technology secrets. f) Risk of Integrated Acquisitions- Lot of risk is there to manage acquisitions, because of company culture and business. g) Risk of fluctuating commodity cost- Fluctuation in commodity will affect the price of Coffee. This can impact  the price of products. h) Risk of coffee availability- there are some very high quality coffee beans (Arabica coffee beans), unavailability of this beans may affect the business of GMCR. Course of action recommended a) Should be very careful while doing acquisitions. Need to look the country culture, company culture and past background. b) Need to develop an alternative of China for manufacturing the products. It can be India. Dependency with china should not be there. c) Need to add different products and expand their list of product based on customers’ requirements. d) Keep closer look on competitors and there technology. e) Keep on improving the products by doing research and development. f) Cover every segment of people with something new for them. Opinion â€Å"As a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages, Keurig Green Mountain (Keurig) is recognized for its award-winning beverages, innovative Keurig ® brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. The Company has inspired consumer passion for its products by revolutionizing beverage preparation at home and in the workplace.† My opinion GMCR is one of the strongest companies. They have strong financial and strong management. They have a strong strategy which can kill all there competitors. They know how to manage Acquisitions. They have very strong backup with strong companies. They have very loyal customers and keep on adding day by day. They are in offices, house, hotels, restaurants and everybody’s heart. They need to work on their strengths and work in new products to surprise there loyal customers. (March 2014) References 1) Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Launches 2013 Sustainability Report with New 2020 Targets. March 2014. http://investor.keuriggreenmountain.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=832189 2) Dess. Strategic Management text and cases, 6th Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2012. VitalBook file. 3) http://www.keuriggreenmountain.com/en/OurCompany/OurValues.aspx

Karl Marxs Biography

Karl Marxs Biography Introduction Karl Marx was a great German philosopher who lived between 1818 and 1883. Philosophical ideas of Karl Marx revolve around economics, political, and social perspectives of the society. This analytical treatise attempts to explicitly review the philosophical ideas of Karl Marx.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Karl Marx’s Biography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Karl Marx’s biography Karl Marx was born in 1818 in the town of Prussian Rhineland. During his college education, Marx became an ardent follower of the thought of Young Hegelians which influenced most his works. His philosophy revolved around human society in the elements of class struggle and socialism. As a journalist, he worked for renowned papers such as the Cologne and the New York Tribune, where his columns attracted both criticism and praise in equal measure. Marx died in 1881. Philosophical ideas of Karl Mark Karl Ma rx expressed his sentiments on alienation and pain in the lower class workers imprisonment by the private individuals who have the resources to manipulate and twist social, development, and welfare aspects of the masses in the society. Specifically, the views of Karl Marx on the nature of class struggle, causes and responses to these struggles by the masses were drawn from France during the period of 1848 and 1850. In fact, Marx argued that these private individuals are drawn from the bourgeoisies and the ruling elites in the society. The bourgeoisies are thriving in discrimination and exploitation of labor supply to satisfy their selfishness. Since the bourgeoisies are the masters of labor production tools such as wages, this group, comprising of just a small percent of the society, comfortably sits at the apex of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid and cannot share the huge profits with the actual laborers who are subjected to harsh working conditions to create a surplus fo r their exploitative bosses (Shimp 17). As observed by Marx, the powerful private individuals influence labor laws processes in any country to suit their private needs which he termed as selfish.Advertising Looking for research paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Marx described these laws as ‘only good’ when the same meet their opinionated threshold characterized by mere confirmation of their will; which may not necessarily be in line with the will of the underage employees subjected to inhuman work condition with very little and unreasonable pay. Karl Marx further pointed out that the agents of these masses such as labor unions are sometimes compromised to support the selfish course at the expense of the ordinary employees. Marx noted that the exploiters have formalized their definition partial policies in employee welfare and social interaction. The passionate appeals by the exploited proletariats who give ‘free labor’ are ignored by the bias labor policies and internalized corruption among the agents who should regulate these private individuals (Marx 21). Marx’s labor theory of value adopts a very simple approach to describe the type and source of profits in a production activity. Marx suggested that market equilibrium will be reached when market prices and production prices are equal as market competition will conspire to redistribute the excess value. This interaction will ensure that profit would be equalized by the competition. Marx acknowledged the dynamics of the labor market. In the ideal, the segmentation degree is controlled by union and government regulations that are designed to encourage rigidities and drive the costs of labor above the market clearing level. Therefore, the informal sector remains non proportional to reflect on the magnitude of the reforms required. When there is an assigned probability of selection within a spec ific period of time, then the probability of an ingression into formal employment should be a rising experience function in the labor ratios (Marx 11).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Karl Marx’s Biography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marx was of the opinion that market equilibrium will be reached when market prices and production prices are equal as market competition will conspire to redistribute the excess value. Thus, increasing the function of production would eventually stabilize the profit rates in any long run production function. Though the approach adopted by Marx was very abstract, he succeeded in extrapolating the factors of product to different labor determinant ratios such as socially standard compulsory labor and the abstract labor to a homogeneous labor called the â€Å"multiple of unskilled labor† (Shimp 22). Karl Mark had bitter sentiments of alienation and pain in lower class imprisonment by the ruling class who have the resources to manipulate and twist social, religious, development, and political aspects of the society. Marx (1859) reflected in the actions of the political class in relation to the ordinary citizens. Marx identified selfishness, definition partial policies, and class systems as propagated by the political classes in capitalist societies (Marx 19). Marx concluded that political revolution is possible if the masses change their perception on labor provision and the laws that imprison them. As a result, he proposed a socialist approach through passionate appeal to the proletariats to rise above the normal way of life and start to question these bias policies and governance of labor which they provide for peanuts (Shimp 18). In a perfectly skewed labor market, Mark argued that wages are supposed to be determined by the cost of production and total output. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The masses are merely spectators of exploi tation as though our hands and minds are imprisoned in the dungeon of social classes. Noting that these bourgeoisies cannot operate and meet their selfish goals minus the labor from the masses, Mark proposed that these ordinary workers could unite and move from mere spectators into agents of quantifiable and desirable change they long to witness (Shimp 19).Advertising Looking for research paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion Marx noted that the class struggles were influenced by the economic, social and political disparities between the bourgeoisies and the proletariats in the society. Marx concludes that the only solution to the class struggle is revolution to restore the socialism in the society. This is achievable when the ordinary workers unite and move from mere spectators into agents of quantifiable and desirable change they long to witness. Marx’s theoretical review of historical materialism is applicable in the modern society. The philosopher relates the political, social and religious systems of the past as a result of capitalism. The Marx notes that the building blocks of these systems are inequality, selfishness and vested interest. Apparently, these disparities have continued to promote class struggle in the modern society. The above views are applicable in the modern society because of the fact that development and perception of an individual are greatly influenced by even ts in his or her external environment such as the type of education received, religious doctrines, and the social media of interaction (Shimp 17). At present, these are skewed towards fulfilling selfish ambitions of the minority who are the ruling class in any society. Marx, Karl 1850, The class struggles in France, 1848-1850. PDF file. Web. Marx, Karl 1859, A contribution to the critique of political economy. PDF file. Web. Shimp, Kaleb 2009, The validity of Karl Marx’s theory of historical materialism. Web.

Warm Feelings For Cold Blood Essays - Cinema Of The United States

Warm Feelings For Cold Blood Essays - Cinema Of The United States Warm Feelings For Cold Blood In Cold Blood is a novel written by Truman Capote in 1966. In Cold Blood is a true account of a multiple murder case that took place in Kansas in the 1950s. The book outlines a brutal murder case, but it shows the story from many perspectives, not just that of the law. Capote introduces you to the Clutter family, a well known, very hard working and loyal family to the community. The town of Holcomb is a small farming town. There is not much excitement in the town, and that is the way the people liked it. Everyone went to church and the community trusted each other, until the unthinkable happened. The towns most prominent family was killed. It is even worse when the only clues are two sets of boot tracks. Everyone in and around the town become scared because if such evil could be brought upon the best family known, what will happen to them? When Truman Capote wrote In Cold Blood, he wrote a masterpiece. When he wrote the book he developed the character Perry so that even after you wat ched him kill you feel sympathetic for him. He proves that you can even see some good in the worst of people. He does this by slowly developing Perrys character. He gave an in-depth view of Perrys world. He showed that Perry, although he had troubles in his life and sometimes had a total disregard for peoples life he also respected the people. Perry felt bad for some of the people he met. He also was willing to forgive people. Truman Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons, in New Orleans September 30th 1924. His parents got a divorce when he was four and his mother later remarried and took on the last name of his stepfather. Capotes childhood was extremely insecure. He was handed back and forth between relatives. When Capote was a child he started to write to deal with the loneliness. At age ten, Capote made up his mind to become a professional writer. Because he knew what he wanted to do with his life, Capote shied away from formal schooling. (Breit) By his mid teenage years he w as technically accomplished writer. He stopped going to formal school when he was seventeen. He received a job at the New Yorker magazine. There he was just an errand boy but was noticed because of his mannerisms. During the early stages of World War II, Capotes interests still focused on his writing. (Norden p162) In June 1945, his short story Miraim brought him a lot of attention. It led to his first novel contract. Most of his early works were considered gothic but he also had many qualities that made people think that his work in the future had a lot of potential and those people were not wrong. (Breit) Capotes work did develop past gothicism although some of the old traits lingered in his later works. He had a wide range of attitude in his stories, from horror stories and psychological collapse to stories of magical children. Capote never married but became friends with some of Americas most glamorous women. Capote had been declared professionally dead several times but after e ach time he came back and proved that he was still alive and well. In 1959 Capote officially decided to start work on a nonfiction novel. In November of the same year he read about a multiple murder case in Kansas. He decided to use this crime as the bases for his novel. He devoted all his time and energy for the next six years on the development of this novel. He started his research before the murders were caught. He was in the town when they were put in Jail. Capote lived in the town of Holcomb for a while to gain the trust of the townspeople and of the murderers. In 1965 when Capote finally finished he published the finished product in four articles in the New Yorker and in 1966 and it published in book form. In Cold Blood earned Capote more money then all of his previous works put together. This book created a big controversy because Capote

Terrorism Preparedness & Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Terrorism Preparedness & Response - Essay Example Cargo departments will To disrupt organisations further, suspects will be put under surveillance and an intelligence force, whose focus is on detection of terrorist crime and law enforcement will infiltrate all areas of US society- from the workplace to community organizations- to seek information and reveal terrorist activities. As stated in The White House Paper, 'Prevent and Disrupt Terrorist Attacks' ,"Law enforcement officials, therefore, must continue to identify and address sources of violent extremism in the Homeland" (1) The authorities will also gain control over terrorist funding and financing- freezing accounts and retrieving terrorist-linked funds. 2) Deny WMD to Rogue States and Terrorist Allies Who Seek to Use Them. States, and terrorist allies, that are viewed as a threat to global peace will be denied WMD with the implementation of the 'Proliferation Security Initiative'. As terrorism is a worldwide problem, nations must act in unity. Under the initiative, over seventy nations are joining forces to prevent the cargo of any shipments which may be connected with weapons of mass destruction. This covers all means of transporting weapon related goods. Again, screening and detection of dangerous cargo is paramount. This international unified network will disrupt transportation of WMD. Key areas to be vigilant over importation and exportation of goods are Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, amongst others. 3) Deny Terrorists the S... As stated in The White House Paper, 'Prevent and Disrupt Terrorist Attacks' ,"Law enforcement officials, therefore, must continue to identify and address sources of violent extremism in the Homeland" (1) The authorities will also gain control over terrorist funding and financing- freezing accounts and retrieving terrorist-linked funds. 2) Deny WMD to Rogue States and Terrorist Allies Who Seek to Use Them. States, and terrorist allies, that are viewed as a threat to global peace will be denied WMD with the implementation of the 'Proliferation Security Initiative'. As terrorism is a worldwide problem, nations must act in unity. Under the initiative, over seventy nations are joining forces to prevent the cargo of any shipments which may be connected with weapons of mass destruction. This covers all means of transporting weapon related goods. Again, screening and detection of dangerous cargo is paramount. This international unified network will disrupt transportation of WMD. Key areas to be vigilant over importation and exportation of goods are Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, amongst others. 3) Deny Terrorists the Support and Sanctuary of Rogue States. Firstly, we must communicate with each state. Some will be reluctant to comply yet may be persuaded to renounce the sponsorship of terrorism. Others states will be willing to work with the US. 3. Fragile states may be strengthened and enabled by an agreement with the US to stop their support of terrorists. The aim will also be to change terrorist states into allies. Where terrorists may seek sanctuary, we will also seek and destroy. Our intelligence forces will be searching and eliminating any terrorist sanctuary. These same forces will infiltrate terrorist groups and destroy the

Challenges Faced By Media in Africa Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Challenges Faced By Media in Africa - Assignment Example All these are responsible for collecting and relaying it to the people. According to (Louw, 2009) advancement in technology has led to development of new forms of mass media. The internet is an example of the advancement in technology. For a mass media to optimally perform its duties there should be managers who check that there is a smooth running of activities on a daily basis. In the media industry there exists different sectors that’s make up the media industry as a whole. These include the print, television, social, radio media and many others. Managers have a big role to play in all the sectors. Taking the case of the print media, (Hadland, 2007) states that managers are responsible with ensuring that there is at least information that is relayed to the magazine readers in a daily basis. Streamlining of activities is performed by the managers and the management at large. The managers are responsible for ensuring that he information that the readers get is authentic and t hat it also does not infringe on the right of any person in any way. They also have to ensure that the participating people in the sector do perform their duties as delegated to them, without the managers the running of these sectors would have been very difficult. With the changing technological inventions managers have to ensure that their sector get to move with the present forms of technology that affects their sectors. Managers should have strong creativity and thinking to ensure that their strategies and objectives are attained. They should also be able to troubleshoot problems and offer solutions to them in a timely manner. Furthermore, they should be able to ensure that their sectors do run in their expenditure limits, to optimize outcome. Managers in a media industry are usually problem solvers (Begoyan, 2012). This is because for any publication to get through in the printing media, approvals are mainly made by the managers. They help solve the problems that could arise fr om their work. They have to first analyze the contents of their work and ensure that it does not break any laws stipulated. Managers are also responsible for assigning work to employees in the media sector, with any conflict in work arising they are the ones to check and ensure that normality is brought back. Also when a problem arises because of any publication managers are the ones to air out the issues concerning the problems and not the other employees. Similarities and differences do exist between the problems that exist between the media industries in Africa and other parts of the world such as the U.S. Taking an example of In Africa and other parts of the world; the print media face a lot of challenges on their day to day activities. Problems that mainly exist in Africa are mainly communication, economical, political and social. These are discussed hereunder: Communication According to (Watkins, 2005) Communication Media mainly used by the print media sector are roads. They u se this to deliver their work to the readers in the different parts of the countries. Poor delivery of magazines books and news papers are categorized by poor roads. Some countries in Africa especially the sub-Saharan regions, have very poor terrain, this renders the places impassable and therefore delivering some of the print media materials like newspapers become a very hard task to accomplish because of poor infrastructure in many parts of Africa.

Drunk Drivers Should Be Imprisoned on their first offense Essay

Drunk Drivers Should Be Imprisoned on their first offense - Essay Example Because of this drastically increased risk of death, it is the assertion of this particular author that the penalties for drunk driving must be increased significantly. One such effective mechanism through which drunk driving can be ameliorated is to change the dynamics of the criminal justice system so that the penalty for doing it becomes so severe that individuals will reconsider whether it is ultimately worth it risk driving themselves or whether they should opt instead for the inconvenience and potentially more expensive alternative of arranging alternate means of transportation. Within such an understanding, it is the belief of this particular analyst that if the penalty for first offense drunk driving was mandatory prison time, the dynamic that is exhibited throughout the United States would significantly shift; promoting safer roads and protecting the lives of thousands that might otherwise be victim to the loss of life, paralysis, and injury that tens of thousands of drunk d rivers cause each and every year. The most important rationale behind seeking to increase the penalties for drunk driving has to do with the impulse and nature of the crime itself. As with many crimes, narcissism and the desire to promote one’s own needs and goals above that of society is the root cause of drunk driving. Within such an understanding, the reader can appropriately note that mandatory prison sentences for first time offenders may very well promote two approaches to the dynamic that has been described. Firstly, it will engage the potential drunk driver with an understanding that their own narcissistic goals are not maximized by taking the profound risk of facing a mandatory prison sentence if they are caught (Friel, 2005). Secondly, it provides those individuals that are caught, prosecuted and imprisoned with valuable time to consider the misdeeds that they have done and rehabilitate themselves via an enforced and

Fire Safety Legislations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fire Safety Legislations - Essay Example Many fire safety legislations have come into practice in recent decades and have reduced injury, death and calamity. Fire Precautions Act 1971 was the first exclusively fire devoted act and this was the result of the Report of the Holroyd Committee in 1970 which recommended that the law pertaining to fire safety should come under two branches: one that would apply to new and altered premises and other, to apply exclusively to premises that were already occupied. Committee found it so important that fire safety regulations should branch out to become more effective and understood by people, and this was necessary looking at the risk involved. In july 2002, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a Consolidation paper for further reforms on fire fighting legislation and amending wherever necessary, with a view to make it more understandable and less intimidating. New legislations are proposed to be introduced, dropping the certification which was made compulsory under the Fire P recautions Act 1971. Next major piece of regulation was The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 to be followed by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and this Report tries to map the differences and similarities between them. "Houses occupied as single private dwellings are exempt, but the fire authority has powers to make it compulsory for some dwellings to be covered by a fire certificate" http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/firep.htm Premises that require a fire certificate were many and for those premises, obtaining a certificate became mandatory. "The use of certain types of premises has been designated by the Secretary of State as requiring a fire certificate under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 (in Northern Ireland under the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 as amended). There are two designating orders in force in Great Britain - one relates to larger hotels and boarding houses; the other to those factories, offices, shops and railway premises in which people are employed to work" http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.aspid=1124874 Mainly these applied to non-domestic premises and the intention was reducing death and injury and damage. Provisions for reasonable means of escape, inspection were made and officers are entitled to take action to enforce the act. This was further fortified by Building Regulation Act of 1991 that limited internal fire spread including furniture and fittings by more regulations while considerable facilities for fire service was given including rules on fire warning and emergency lighting. Offices, shops, factories were covered according to number of workers. Guidance about storage of flammable materials, means for fighting fire, warning, training of employees, licensed premises, standards of fire precautions, inspection procedures, methods and types of inspection, escape related precautions, notifications of proposed changes were meticulously guided with extensive provisions. Some premises were exempted from fire certificate requirement and standards of exempted premises like factorie s and offices with only ground floor/basement/first floor power, not using explosive materials etc. had to be

Obesity in UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Obesity in UK - Essay Example (Obesity Focused (2001) According to the obesity society, an estimated 200 million adults and 18 million under the age of five were obese in 1995. It also estimates that over 300 million individuals are currently obese in the world (WHO, 2004). In the United Kingdom, about 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight (with a BMI of 25-30) while an amazing 17% of men and 21% of women are obese. It also reports that, in the developing world alone, currently more than 115 million individuals are obese. Obesity is majorly attributed to poor eating habits, unchecked lifestyles, insufficient sleep, smoking, use of medication, pregnancy, family history, among other factors. Its health risks cannot be undermined as it causes a wide range of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancers. Other risks include mechanical disabilities like varicose veins, metabolic disorders like Gall stones, and even decreased life expectancy. It is also likely to cause a number of psychological and social problems within an individual. For example, an obese person may suffer from low self esteem since people normally perceive obesity as unattractiveness. The hospitality industry is a diverse global industry with a wide range of service industries. These include the hotel industry, the food service industry, and tourism. Obesity is mainly blamed on the overall lifestyle of an individual. The hospitality industry mainly is concerned with the improving the living standard of individuals. Therefore, it is prudent to claim that the hospitality industry, through mainly the food, hotel and the beverages industry, may be a contributing factor to obesity in an individual. According to Marlene B. of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, obesity is majorly associated with unhealthy eating and low levels of physical activity. "She claims that the increase in obesity in the United Kingdom can be blamed to the numbers of "quick service restaurants" which have sprung up in the urban centers and which cook foods which have high saturated fat and high sugar content. She also notes that the youth are the ones who are majorly affected by this trend as the restaurants mostly carter for the youth. (Obesity focus, 2004) Research by Yale University professor Kelly Brownell showed that fast food did contribute significantly to the amount of calorie taken in a day thereby increasing the risk for obesity. The food industry's major shift to provision of high energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins and minerals can also be blamed for the increased cases of obesity. This has led to energy imbalance as the calories consumed are not used hence they accumulate as fat. The industry is also blamed for not providing sufficient information about the contents of foods they provide to the public. A group of obesity activists in the United Kingdom is claiming that the menu should be labeled with information that would help individuals control their choices of food, thereby enabling them to limit or avoid those foods that would increase the chances of them being obese. This they propose, is to be done by making it mandatory for restaurants to include in their menus a data showing the ca lorie count of respective foods. They claim that this would enlighten consumers as they order meals. Most people in the society do not understand effects of the foods

Starbucks Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Starbucks Case Analysis - Essay Example The object of analysis for the purpose of this assignment is Starbucks, a vibrant international organization that offers a variety of products in the market, with its core business being the production and sale of coffee-based products. The company’s products are quite varied and include Frappuccino, double shot products, chilled cup coffees, canned and bottled coffees, coffee ice creams, fresh brewed coffee, customer CDs, and books. The company has an international market and features in countries including China, USA, UK, Europe and Canada. The company’s initial mission was to be the World’s premier purveyor of finest coffee without compromising its core principles. Currently, the company’s mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. The company’s vision is to open 300 net new stores locally and internationally. The company strategically intends to position itself as the undisputed coff ee authority with a global presence. Like every other organization, Starbucks has its strengths and weaknesses. The strengths of any organization propel it toward greater success while its weaknesses pose a challenge to its continued success and existence. Yet again, every business organization exists in an environment what impacts its activities either positively or negatively. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis will be applied in analyzing the position of Starbucks relative to its competitors and success. Strengths Starbucks as a company has a long history having been founded in 1971(Shah and Thompson, nd). The company has undergone significant growth over the years establishing itself as a preferred band across geographical and territorial borders. Having been in operation with a history of success and a good reputation, the company is bound to achieve more success as it can easily capture a greater market share. The company’s success histor y has been overseen by a dedicated management team. Under the leadership of Howard Schultz, the management team has seen the company achieve significant growth in various lines of business. Orin Smith, Jim Donald and other directors of the company had a wealth of experience in their various specialties their weaknesses not withstanding. Currently, Howard Schultz remains the CEO of the company, his dedication and brilliant management and leadership skills bound to make the company retain its success path. Starbucks endevours to be a great place to work(Shah and Thompson, nd). In this respect, it has taken several measures to ensure employee motivation, satisfaction, and dedication. The company’s employees are knowledgeable about the company’s products and services and are free to communicate their ideas and feelings to management without the fear of facing reprisals. Some of the benefits that the company’s employees enjoy include healthcare coverage, opportunity to own stock, and good work environments. Furthermore, the employees are trained on various aspects in respect of the company’s products and services. Their contributions to the company are well recognized as the company has a recognition program. The situation that the company is in as a result of these measures is healthy considering that motivated and satisfied employees are never easy to lose. The company’s turnover rate is significantly low which means that it benefits a lot in terms of high reputation as a good employer, provides high quality service due to its highly experienced workforce and suffers low hiring and training costs. The company has a strong and loyal customer base across different countries. The company is bound to glide in success with such a level of trust from its huge customer base. The company has instituted a number of measures to ensure that its customers are served wherever they are by opening several stores in various locations and throug h its franchises. Starbucks has a strong mission and is guided by principles that are

Fire Safety Legislations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fire Safety Legislations - Essay Example Many fire safety legislations have come into practice in recent decades and have reduced injury, death and calamity. Fire Precautions Act 1971 was the first exclusively fire devoted act and this was the result of the Report of the Holroyd Committee in 1970 which recommended that the law pertaining to fire safety should come under two branches: one that would apply to new and altered premises and other, to apply exclusively to premises that were already occupied. Committee found it so important that fire safety regulations should branch out to become more effective and understood by people, and this was necessary looking at the risk involved. In july 2002, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a Consolidation paper for further reforms on fire fighting legislation and amending wherever necessary, with a view to make it more understandable and less intimidating. New legislations are proposed to be introduced, dropping the certification which was made compulsory under the Fire P recautions Act 1971. Next major piece of regulation was The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 to be followed by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and this Report tries to map the differences and similarities between them. "Houses occupied as single private dwellings are exempt, but the fire authority has powers to make it compulsory for some dwellings to be covered by a fire certificate" http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/firep.htm Premises that require a fire certificate were many and for those premises, obtaining a certificate became mandatory. "The use of certain types of premises has been designated by the Secretary of State as requiring a fire certificate under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 (in Northern Ireland under the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 as amended). There are two designating orders in force in Great Britain - one relates to larger hotels and boarding houses; the other to those factories, offices, shops and railway premises in which people are employed to work" http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.aspid=1124874 Mainly these applied to non-domestic premises and the intention was reducing death and injury and damage. Provisions for reasonable means of escape, inspection were made and officers are entitled to take action to enforce the act. This was further fortified by Building Regulation Act of 1991 that limited internal fire spread including furniture and fittings by more regulations while considerable facilities for fire service was given including rules on fire warning and emergency lighting. Offices, shops, factories were covered according to number of workers. Guidance about storage of flammable materials, means for fighting fire, warning, training of employees, licensed premises, standards of fire precautions, inspection procedures, methods and types of inspection, escape related precautions, notifications of proposed changes were meticulously guided with extensive provisions. Some premises were exempted from fire certificate requirement and standards of exempted premises like factorie s and offices with only ground floor/basement/first floor power, not using explosive materials etc. had to be

Starbucks Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Starbucks Case Analysis - Essay Example The object of analysis for the purpose of this assignment is Starbucks, a vibrant international organization that offers a variety of products in the market, with its core business being the production and sale of coffee-based products. The company’s products are quite varied and include Frappuccino, double shot products, chilled cup coffees, canned and bottled coffees, coffee ice creams, fresh brewed coffee, customer CDs, and books. The company has an international market and features in countries including China, USA, UK, Europe and Canada. The company’s initial mission was to be the World’s premier purveyor of finest coffee without compromising its core principles. Currently, the company’s mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. The company’s vision is to open 300 net new stores locally and internationally. The company strategically intends to position itself as the undisputed coff ee authority with a global presence. Like every other organization, Starbucks has its strengths and weaknesses. The strengths of any organization propel it toward greater success while its weaknesses pose a challenge to its continued success and existence. Yet again, every business organization exists in an environment what impacts its activities either positively or negatively. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis will be applied in analyzing the position of Starbucks relative to its competitors and success. Strengths Starbucks as a company has a long history having been founded in 1971(Shah and Thompson, nd). The company has undergone significant growth over the years establishing itself as a preferred band across geographical and territorial borders. Having been in operation with a history of success and a good reputation, the company is bound to achieve more success as it can easily capture a greater market share. The company’s success histor y has been overseen by a dedicated management team. Under the leadership of Howard Schultz, the management team has seen the company achieve significant growth in various lines of business. Orin Smith, Jim Donald and other directors of the company had a wealth of experience in their various specialties their weaknesses not withstanding. Currently, Howard Schultz remains the CEO of the company, his dedication and brilliant management and leadership skills bound to make the company retain its success path. Starbucks endevours to be a great place to work(Shah and Thompson, nd). In this respect, it has taken several measures to ensure employee motivation, satisfaction, and dedication. The company’s employees are knowledgeable about the company’s products and services and are free to communicate their ideas and feelings to management without the fear of facing reprisals. Some of the benefits that the company’s employees enjoy include healthcare coverage, opportunity to own stock, and good work environments. Furthermore, the employees are trained on various aspects in respect of the company’s products and services. Their contributions to the company are well recognized as the company has a recognition program. The situation that the company is in as a result of these measures is healthy considering that motivated and satisfied employees are never easy to lose. The company’s turnover rate is significantly low which means that it benefits a lot in terms of high reputation as a good employer, provides high quality service due to its highly experienced workforce and suffers low hiring and training costs. The company has a strong and loyal customer base across different countries. The company is bound to glide in success with such a level of trust from its huge customer base. The company has instituted a number of measures to ensure that its customers are served wherever they are by opening several stores in various locations and throug h its franchises. Starbucks has a strong mission and is guided by principles that are

Exercise vs. Diet in Weight Loss Essay Example for Free

Exercise vs. Diet in Weight Loss Essay INTRODUCTION It is estimated that 55% of the adult population in the United States are either obese or overweight (National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute, 1998). Obesity substantially increases an individual’s risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. Those with excess fat in the abdominal area are at increased health risk (National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute). In an attempt to define the role of exercise in the treatment and prevention of obesity, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) held a scientific roundtable to address this subject. Following the meeting, several consensus statements regarding physical activity and public health were released. Two statements are of particular interest to the applied exercise professional. The first statement declares that the addition of exercise to a diet with restricted caloric intake promotes fat loss, while maintaining fat free mass. The second statement claims that physical activity, without caloric restriction, minimally if at all affects fat loss. The statements suggest that to optimize weight loss, a combination of diet and exercise is best, and that exercise alone will not suffice. Although it is well established that a regimen of diet and exercise is the best way to control body weight, a recent review by Ross, Freeman, and Janssen (2000) challenges ACSM’s statement that exercise alone is not an effective method of weight loss. This review suggests that the studies this statement was based upon do not effectively compare caloric restricting programs to increased energy expenditure programs. They conclude that if these factors were equal, exercise alone can be as effective as caloric restriction for weight loss. The purpose of this article is to present Ross et al.’s argument contrasting the ACSM consensus statement. EXERCISE VS. CALORIC RESTRICTION In their review, Ross et al. (2000) report that few randomized control trials equally compare diet only to exercise only weight loss programs. For example, in a twelve-week study, Hagan, Wong, and Whittam (1986) compared the amount of weight lost through diet only to the amount of weight lost through an exercise program. The obese women and men in the diet only group (n=24) that reduced their caloric intake lost 5.5 kg and 8.4 kg, respectively. To achieve this degree of weight loss, women decreased their average caloric intake by 945 kilocalories a day while the men decreased their average intake by 1705 kilocalories a day. The exercise only group (n = 24 obese men and women), performed a 30-minute walk/jog program 5 days/week. On average, the women expended 190 kilocalories per session while the men expended an average of 255 kilocalories per session, which resulted in a total weight loss of .6 kg and .3 kg for women and men, respectively. The women in the diet only program decreased their body fat from 35% to 29%, where as the women doing exercise only went from 35% to 33% body fat. Additionally, the men in the diet only group decreased body fat from 26% to 21% where as the exercise only group experienced no change in their body fat. This study clearly illustrates that weight loss through diet only was not equated to energy expenditure through exercise only. Therefore, equal amounts of weight loss should not be expected. In contrast, Sopko et al. (1985) in a twelve-week study, with obese men, reported that when the negative energy balance created by diet only and exercise only are equal, the two treatments produce similar results. The participants in the diet only group (n=10) experienced a weight loss of 6.1kg by restricting their caloric intake 500 kcal/day. The exercise only group (n=6) lost 6.2 kg by performing a treadmill walking program in which they expended 500 kcal/day. The men in the diet only group went from a body fat of 31.4% to 25%, where as the exercise only group went from 26.7% to 19%. These results show that equivalent amounts of weight loss can be obtained when the energy expenditure from exercise is similar to the amount of calories restricted through diet. This is contrary to the results of Hagan et. al., as well as the ACSM consensus statement that exercise without caloric restriction minimally affects weight loss. Table 1 summarizes some diet versus exercise weight management studies, further validating when energy expenditure is matched, weight loss is similar. EXERCISE WITHOUT WEIGHT LOSS: THE HEALTH CONNECTION Excess fat in the abdominal area independently increases an individual’s risk of insulin resistance and high blood lipids. This distribution of body fat is also a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (Grundy et al., 1999, National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute, 1998). It has been shown that weight management programs resulting in a loss of total body fat also reduce a person’s amount of abdominal fat. This loss of abdominal fat is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it has been shown that exercising individuals, who do not experience any overall weight loss still decrease their risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease (Ross Janssen, 1999). The current research suggests that exercise without weight loss is actually linked to reductions in visceral fat (Ross Janssen 1999). In two similar studies, Ross et al. (2000) and Sopko et al. (1985) showed that exercisers who did not lose weight experienced improved insulin sensitivity and an increase in their ‘helpful’ HDL cholesterol. These findings are important because in the event that weight loss is not achieved, a person who is at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), or its comorbid conditions (i.e., high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance), still benefits from regular aerobic exercise participation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The applications from this review article are consequential to the personal trainer and fitness professional for two important reasons. It is well established that exercise and diet modification is the best method for weight loss. However, Ross and colleagues and Sopko and associates also show the efficacy and worth of exercise only programs for promoting weight loss (in overweight and obese populations). Also, from a health perspective it is quite meaningful to emphasize that aerobic exercise independently decreases the risk of CAD and related comobidites. For health benefits, Ross et al. (2000) confirm established recommendations of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, for 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. The also suggest that â€Å"substantial reductions in obesity and related comorbid conditions will result when daily exercise is performed at a moderate intensity for 45 to 60 minutes a day without deceasing caloric intake.† However, since most of this health benefits research has been done in predominantly male populations, more research is needed with overweight and obese female populations to validate these benefits in women. References: Grundy, S.M., G. Blackburn, M. Higgins, R. Lauer, M. Perri, D. Ryan. Roundtable Consensus Statement: Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 31: S502-S508, 1999. Hagan, R.D., S.J. Upton, L. Wong, and J. Whittam. The effects of aerobic conditioning and/or caloric restriction in overweight men and women. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 18:87-94, 1986. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report. Obes. Res. 6(Suppl 2), 1998. Pate, R.R., M. Pratt, S.N. Blair, W.L. Haskell, C.A. Macera, C. Bouchard, D. Buchner, W. Ettinger, G.W. Heath, A.C. King, et al. Physical activity and public health. A recommendation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA. 273:402-407, 1995. Ross, R., D. Dagnone, P.J.H. Jones, H. Smith, A. Paddags, R. Hudson and I. Janssen. Reduction in obesity and related comorbid conditions after diet-induced weight loss or exercise-induced weight loss in men: A randomized controlled trial. Ann. Intern. Med. 133:92-103, 2000 Ross, R., and I. Janssen. Is abdominal fat preferentially reduced in response to exercise-induced weight loss? Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 31: S568-S572, 1999. Ross, R., J.A. Freeman, and I. Janssen. Exercise alone is an effective strategy for reducing obesity and related comorbidities. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev. 28: 165-170, 2000. Sopko, G., A. Leon, D. Jacobs, N. Foster, J. Moy, K. Kuba, J. Anderson, D. Casal, C. McNally, and I. Frantz. The effects of exercise and weight loss and plasma lipids in young obese men. Metabolism. 34:227-236, 1985.

Self Efficacy Among Academically Low And High Achievers

Self Efficacy Among Academically Low And High Achievers The present study aims to assess the relationship of mindfulness with self-efficacy among academically low and high achievers as Confidence and belief in achieving goals is a good predictor of success. Mindfulness is an inherent state of consciousness that differs among individuals for a variety of reasons and that can be changed by individual. The definition of mindfulness points out that it is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment (Kabat-zinn, 2003). It is considered a capacity available to everyone, although individuals differ in their tendency to be mindful (Brown Ryan, 2003) When students can learn to be fully present they can increase the quality of their learning performance by being more focused and become better able to deal with stressful situations and through their increased learning they can achieve considerably high grades (Langer, 1993). When a student is mindful he/she becomes able to approach learning situations from a novel perspective while drawing upon previously learned material. They can learn the material and are better able to relate it with their previous knowledge (Langer, Hatem, Joss, Howell, 1989) Mindfulness is an element of consciousness that is characterized by a heightened state of awareness in which an individual is attentive to being in the present moment. This enhanced attention to and awareness of current experience or present reality has been shown to be associated with enhanced self-awareness, self-regulated behaviors, and positive emotional states. (Brown, Kirk Richard, 2003) Attention plays a role in a students life to achieve high grades if they pay proper attention at the appropriate time. To be in a state of mindfulness in reference to academics we mean conscious awareness in which the individual is aware of the context and content of information. Increasing mindful awareness can deepen and broaden the understanding of the context and content of the subjects. Attention is a complex construct and is related to a variety of cognitive processes (e.g., perception, memory, planning, and speech) (Mirsky, Fantie, Tatman, 1995; Zimmerman Leclercq, 2002). Because of its centrality in the education it is of significant importance. The individual have tendency and opportunity to continually process information from various perspectives and it helps in increasing levels of creativity and knowledge. When students use mindfulness in their learning processes they utilize creativity, experience cognitive flexibility and are thus able to better use information and retain that information for a longer period of time (Langer, Hatem, Joss, Howell, 1989; Thornton McEntee, 1995). More recent studies in education have revealed a sharp increase in memory and creativity for mindful treatment groups (Langer, 1997). It has been observed that mindful learners are more mentally present and active (Langer, 1993). They plan what they will learn and the strategies they will use and they control and self-regulate their learning. As readers, they use strategies to organize, elaborate on, and evaluate text (Paris, Wasik, Turner, 1996). They integrate what they learn in school texts with their personal experiences to actively construct their own meanings and ideas and to use them in flexible ways. For the reasons that they are more constructive and give meanings to world according to their understandings thats why they are considered to be more real and are original thinkers. More mindful individuals are generally perceived as being more genuine than less mindful individuals and this has been shown to increase positive effect (Langer Moldoveneu 2000). Attention is the foundation of better retention of information and better cognitive functions in our life style (Cooley Morris, 1990), where multitasking has become the norm. Children also are multitasking as they face information overload due to watching hours of television, playing video games, surfing on internet, doing their home works and preparing for their exams etc. Developmental research indicates that childrens attention to specific information depends upon the importance they place on the information and that children in later stages of development are better able to logically control their selective attention (Wright Vliestra, 1975). In a study of mindfulness practice by Richart and Perkins (2000) in the classroom and took an example of a math lesson from a traditional didactic instructional classroom and a mindful constructivist classroom where students had more freedom to explore answers on their own. Second grade students were given the following problem: There are 26 sheep and 10 goats on a ship. How old is the captain? 88% of the students from the traditional classroom setting answered 36. Not one student commented that the question did not make any sense although they averaged in the 85th percentile on the tests. In contrast nearly a third of the students in the more mindful constructivist classroom questioned the sense of problem. (p29) In order for children to learn in the classroom they must be able to focus their attention. Mindfulness affects the grades in such a way that if the student present in the class is not paying attention to the lecture being delivered, then the understanding of the syllabus will not be as easy as it wouldve been had he/she been paying attention hence clearing concepts and asking questions to understand the confusions hence mindfulness is necessary for achieving academic achievements. The more mindful the student in the class, the better is his achievement. In one of the studies by Langer, Hefferman, Keiester, (1988) mindfulness in the workplace showed increase in creativity, decreased burnout and greater enjoyment of tasks Researchers in social psychology have also found benefits of mindfulness in a range of areas including increased creativity, increased productivity in the workplace (Park, 1990), increased attention (Langer Bodner, 1995), greater liking of a task (Langer et al., in press), and use a lot of effective learning methods (Langer Piper, 1987; Langer, Hatem, Joss, Howell, 1989; Langer, 1997). Education is an area that often seems to prosper in mindlessness. Traditionally, children have been taught to memorize course content and view what is being offered in the classroom from the teachers perspective. Children need to make sense of what they learn instead of solely memorizing facts. In the educational context other mindful manipulations have involved asking students to make material more meaningful for themselves, compared to groups asked to memorize it (Lieberman Langer, 1997). As students memorize most of the things that they do not understand. They do not pay attention to clear their concepts and just learn it by rote. As we know that material learned by rote memory has no personal meaning. Many problems are not solved because many students think in automatic and habitual ways. This automatic mode of thought is called mindlessness. The cost of mindless thinking is significant because it limits our ability to make good decisions (Langer, 1997) As discussed earlier that the mindful students retained the information better, for a longer period of time and was able to utilize it in more creative ways. Perspective should be taken into consideration because it brings out better performance (Lieberman Langer, 1997). Almost all of the facts most of people learned in school were taught to us in a perspective-free way that encourages mindless use of the information because it does not occur to us to question it again. In contrast, information presented in the mindful, perspective-taking condition was learned better by high school students, even though they had to deal with more information. In this way mindful teaching practices can have a mark effect on student learning and it also shows that students who learn mindfully can retain the information better. Individuals develop patterns of stress response from birth through continued interaction with the environment. Young (1995) acknowledges that educators today recognize that students are suffering from stress in very different ways than a decade ago. The literature indicates that children are under a great deal of external pressure both at home and in school, resulting in many of the same physiological symptoms of distress as adults (Miller McCormick, 1991). While much of the research on children and stress was conducted two decades ago, available research indicates that environmental stress negatively affects children. In a study seven and eight year olds were studied for two to four years, researchers found that increase in stressful life events were related to decrease in ratings of academic performance, though unrelated to ratings of social behaviors (Kiselica, Baker, Thomas Reedy 1994). Mindful teachings and mindful learning by the students can decrease this stress. Academic achievement Academic achievement is defined as excellence in academic disciplines, in class. Loe Fieldman, (2007) define academic performance as ones ability to complete class work and homework and they define academic underachievement as problem in learning and applying knowledge including earning poor grades. As this study is in Pakistani perspective so we first need to know the Pakistani educational system. There are two main types of schools in Pakistan government and private. In both school types, almost always, the formal education system comprises of 5 years of primary, 3 years of middle, 2 years high (Metric/GCSE) and 2 years of higher secondary schooling (FA/FSc. O level/A level). While similar in their educational structures, the two school-types differ in terms of financing and regulation. Public schools are schools that are provided by state and federal funding. Schools are heavily dependent on the state, although in recent years the system has become considerably decentralized and responsibility for the delivery and management of education has shifted to the districts. The government provides free education till primary although government primary schooling is mandated to be tuition-free and there are nominal fees in middle and high school. Most of the Government schools are single-sex schools (exceptions occur when schools are coeducational up till primary after which they be come single-sex). (Monazza, 2009) Some of the major problems faced by public schools include limited financial resources, poor quality of content and a greater demand for education amongst parents of school-aged children. Pakistans public schools are overcrowded and underfunded. In Public schools classes are often overcrowded. As Class size is a factor that can cause various difficulties in understanding the lecture. The smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive. In a smaller class, child will get personal attention (Grace, 2007). Class size effect the attention student seeks from the teacher as well as he pays in understanding the concepts. Sometimes due to larger class size, students cannot see the blackboard. They then lose their interest in the lecture being delivered, get engaged in gossips with their friends and other activities. And so by wasting their precious time their grades in class gradually decrease. Another reason is that in our schools generally is no concept of s eats rotation due to which the pupils who are less competent always try to sit at the back rows of the class. They become habitual back benchers and the ones who are more competent and capable always try to grab seats in the front rows. As a result teachers pay more attention to them, consequently making them able to remain attentive and engaged in class lessons and activities resulting in higher grades. Since learning is more personal and responsibility is more on the shoulders of the students, education requires students to monitor and regulate their own learning. In order to achieve goals students should have mindfulness i.e. paying attention to the studies and self-efficacy beliefs that will lead to achievement of goals. Students can help themselves by focusing more on what they are studying and it would lead enhance their learning performance/meaningful learning and hence they can better deal with stressful situations. Self-efficacy on the other hand involves confidence in achieving goals and it also in return helps decrease academic stress. Students perceptions of their abilities contribute to their self-esteem, confidence and ultimately to the level of motivation towards their studies are related to educational achievement. Attention is related to motivational processes (Parasurman, 1998; Zimmerman Leclercq, 2002). When student is motivated they will form beliefs about what they can do and set goals for themselves and hence pay more attention to their studies and will eventually lead to academic achievement. Self-efficacy suggests to peoples beliefs about their abilities to perform a task successfully at selected levels (Bandura, 1986, 1997). It influence the choices one makes and the courses of action one performs and so Self efficacy can also be explained as a belief in ones capabilities to organize and perform the tasks required to deal with the future situations (Bandura, in press, p. 2). These beliefs of personal proficiency effect behavior in several ways. Individuals typically select tasks and activities in which they feel capable and avoid those in which they do not. Students who are confident in their ability to manage, perform, and regulate their task performance at a designated level of competence are representing high self- efficacy. The construct of self-efficacy helps in explaining the findings that the behavior of individuals is not always perfectly predicted from their capability to complete a specific task but how a person believes they will perform is often more importa nt. According to Bandura academic self-efficacy is grounded in self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977). According to this theory, it is an individuals self-confidence in his/her ability to manage and carry out a given course of action to resolve a problem or achieve a task (Eccles Wigfield, 2002, p. 110). Academic self-efficacy refers to ones belief that one can successfully achieve at a designated level on an educational task or get a specific academic goal and it is positively related to academic achievement (Bandura, 1997; Eccles Wigfield, 2002; Elias Loomis, 2002; Gresham, 1988; Linnenbrink Pintrich, 2002; Schunk Pajares, 2002). Self-efficacy theory suggests that academic self-efficacy may differ in strength as a function of problem solving. Some individuals may believe they are most efficient on difficult tasks, while others only on easier tasks. Ones self-efficacy has a great influence over ones choice of action, the kind of effort one spends, and how much one is able to keep that effort in the face of difficulty (Bandura, 1986, 1997; Schunk, 1995). Thus, self-efficacy beliefs have been found to influence students approach, their academic grades, their engagement in an activity, and how planned they may be while doing a task (Pajares Johnson, 1996; Pajares Miller, 1994, 1995). Therefore, Self-efficacy is supposed to effect performance via the influence on task perception. Each task achievement is assessed as a threat or a challenge, and persons with high self-efficacy beliefs are more likely to evaluate the tasks as a challenge (Chemers, Hu, and Garcia, 2001; Lazarus and Folkman, 1984; Pintrich and De Groot, 1990). That is, the degree to which a person feels confident about his or her capability to handle a given situation affects whether a certain task is supposed as stressful or threatening, rather than as a challenge. When a task is assessed as a challenge, one is more likely to select an effective coping strategy and to carry on the task. Self-efficacy also influences performance, confidence and self belief. Individuals with high self-efficacy practice challenging targets (Locke Latham, 1990), do their best, search for new solutions, and carry on in difficult task; this behavior leads to the improvement of actual ability and to goal achievement (Tuckman Sexton,1992). On the other hand, individuals with low self-efficacy practice lower levels of performance. Doubt and uncertainty during task performance weaken their concentration, and they give up easily when faced with difficult tasks. This process adversely affects the development of actual ability, which is reflected in lower achievement (Tuckman Sexton, 1992). A research suggests that high self-efficacy produces a feeling of calmness when approaching difficult tasks while low self-efficacy may result in an individual perceiving a task as more difficult than reality, which, in turn, may create anxiety, stress and a narrower idea on how best to approach the resolving of a problem or activity (Eccles, 2005). Students self-efficacy beliefs also seem to be considerably associated to the stress and their academic performance (Lane Lane, 2001). Therefore, lesser the stress better will be the performance and more a student will be motivated and more the stress the poor will be the performance and student will be less motivated. Moreover researches show that self-efficacy beliefs have positive effects on student motivation and achievement (Pintrich De Groot, 1990; Zimmerman, Bandura Martinez-Pons, 1992; Pajares Miller, 1994). Self-efficacy beliefs can determine how people feel, think, motivate themselves, and behave. Consequently motivation is improved when students recognize that they are making improvement in learning or feel they are competent enough of handling the task. In turn, as students make effort to do the tasks and become more  skillful they develop a sense of self-efficacy for performing well (Schunk, 1991). Self-efficacy beliefs play a key role in the self-regulation of mot ivation (Bandura 1994). According to Bandura, people motivate themselves and they form beliefs about what they can do, they set goals for themselves and plan courses of action designed to understand valued futures. Individuals who have a high sense of self-efficacy for accomplishing a task work harder and persist longer when they come across difficulties, whereas those who do not feel efficacious may give up or avoid a task (Schunk 1991). . Those who are more competent seem to set higher performance goals, get rid of faulty strategies more quickly, find out solutions in the face of difficulties and work more accurately than those with lower efficacy. Students who are confident in their capability to organize and achieve task performance are showing high self- efficacy. Whereas, students who are uncertain about their ability to successfully complete a task often participate less readily, do not work as hard, and give up quickly when faced with difficulty. Due to repeated failures in the classroom, it was hypothesized that students may feel that they cannot adequately perform certain behaviors and tasks to achieve a desired outcome. The resultant negative outcome may be lower academic self-efficacy. (Bong Skaalvick, 2003; Eccles Wigfield, 2002; Elias Loomis, 2002; Gresham, 1988; Schunk Pajares, 2002; Wentzel, 1999). However, negative self-efficacy could also disappoint a student and cause a student to fail in their personal or professional activities. Thus, students may face stress which may negatively impact academic achievement. Self-efficacy and stress are closely related concepts. According to a research by Zajacova, Lynch Espenshade investigates the joint effects of academic self-efficacy and stress on the academic performance. The survey was used as an instrument to measure the level of academic self-efficacy. The results suggest that academic self-efficacy is a more healthy and consistent predictor than stress of academic success. Self-efficacy is a better predictor of academic success than stress. Studies suggest that both academic stress and self-efficacy have some effect on academic outcomes, and there is some evidence that self-efficacy may be a better predictor (Pintrich and De Groot, 1990). Self efficacy and stress joint influence as determinants of academic success in schools/college. In a study by Hackett, Betz, Casas, and Rocha-Singh, (1992) identified both stress and academic self-efficacy as predictors of good grades. Good grades were associated with low perceived stress and high self-efficacy. In case of education, self-efficacy is seen to be related with effort, persistence and achievement. In one of the research by Chemers, Hu Garcia (2001), shown that children with higher self-efficacy strived for longer periods and used more useful problem solving strategies than students with lower self-efficacy. Therefore, self-efficacy changes the way a student works in order to get good grades and becomes more experienced and accurate about getting good grades in class and they keep on comparing themselves with their peers. Furthermore, classrooms that allow for extensive social comparisons (with the performance of other students) tend to lower self-efficacy of students whose performances are viewed as deficient when compared to others. People with low self-efficacy may believe that things are tougher than they really are, a belief that promote stress, narrow vision of how best to solve a problem. High self-efficacy, on the other hand, helps to create feelings of calmness in approaching difficult tasks and activities. As a result, self-efficacy beliefs are strong determinants and predictors of the level of achievement that individuals finally attain. The relationship between gender and self efficacy has also been a focus of the previous researches. It is assumed that Girls often outperform than boys. However, it is reported that males are tend to be more confident than females in academic areas related to mathematics, science and technology despite the fact that achievement differences in these areas are diminishing (Fuller, Hua Snyder, 1994). While in areas related to language, arts both male and female students exhibits similar confidence and this is also a truth that girls typically are high achievers (Pajares, in press) Keeping the above literature in view the rationale behind this research is to find the relationship between mindfulness and self efficacy among academically low and high achievers. There are a number of factors that may affect students achievement. These may include personal characteristics such as confidence in their abilities and attention they pay while studying. Confidence and belief in achieving goals is a good predictor of success. An increased academic self-efficacy may encourage the students confidence in utilizing his/her abilities to understand the course content, and achieve high grades. Simultaneously being mindful in the classroom can increase students ability to keep their attention which increases learning and academic performance. Moreover study will also allow the readers to understand that high achieving students might have different motivation to study than low achievers and that they are able to organize their study materials and study habits more efficiently. Act ive and independent engagement in the learning process might be more favorable to achievement than a passive and instructor dependent one. Although a lot of work is done on self efficacy and mindfulness in the education field but the lack of research in reference to Pakistan provided a rationale for examining the relationship between mindfulness and self efficacy. The research also investigates that which of these factors are characteristics of high-achieving and low-achieving students in the hope that the outcomes can be utilized to enhance student performance in the future. HYPOTHESES On the basis of the literature review the hypotheses formulated are: There exists a positive/significant correlation between mindfulness and self-efficacy among students. Students who are academically high achievers will perform high on mindfulness and self efficacy as compared to academically low achievers. Method The present study was conducted to find out the Relationship between mindfulness and self-efficacy among academically low and high achievers Participants In the present study convenient sampling technique was used. The sample consisted of 70 students out of which 35 were girls and 35 were boys within the age range of 13 -16 studying in 9th and 10th grades at government schools. Co relational research design was used. Inclusion criteria The participants selected for the research were low and high achievers. Above 70% were considered as high graders and below 50% were considered as low graders. Girls who were above 70% were taken as high achievers and boys who were below 50% were taken as low achievers. The students of age ranging from 13-16 years were included in the study. The sample was collected from government schools to maintain the consistency. Exclusion criteria Students who were average i.e. between 50% 70% were excluded from the study. Also girls below 70% and boys above 50% were excluded from the study. Students suffering from any physical and mental disability to answer were also not part of the study. Instruments The data was gathered by the use of the mindfulness based self efficacy scale and Toronto mindfulness scale. Demographic data sheet Demographic questionnaire (see appendix C) was designed by the researcher for this study to provide descriptive information about the participants name(optional), age, gender, grade, school, hobbies, their grades in last class, their personal evaluation of grades and their participation in co curricular activities and in sports. Academic achievement The academic achievements of the child were screened through his/her examination record in the previous class. Academic achievement was accessed in form of grades that student got. The divisions of grades according to the percentages are given below: Grade A Above 70% Grade B 60-70% Grade C 50-60% Grade D 40-50% Mindfulness Based Self Efficacy Scale (Cayoun Freestun 2004) Self efficacy was measured by mindfulness based self efficacy scale (See Appendix D) The MSES is a 35-item scale and consists of 7 subscales of self efficacy, each containing 5 items. Behavior (items 1, 8, 15, 22, 29), Cognition (items 2, 9, 16, 23, 30), Interoception (items 3, 10, 17, 24, 31), Affect (items 4, 11, 18, 25, 32), Interpersonal (items 5, 12, 19, 26, 33), Avoidance (items 6, 13, 20, 27, 34), Mindfulness (items 7, 14, 21, 28, 35). To calculate self-efficacy, 18 items must be scored in reverse. These are: 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35. High scores indicate high self efficacy and low scores indicate the low levels of self efficacy. The cronbachs alpha reliability of the scale was 0.71. There was no cultural bias item in the questionnaire. This scale is valid and reliable. Participants were asked to evaluate their perception of self-efficacy on a 5-point Likert-type scale (0= not at all, 4=completely). The estimated time to complete the instrument was 10-15 minutes approximately. Scale was administered in English. No special permission was taken from the researcher as questionnaire was easily available on internet. Toronto mindfulness scale (Lau, Bishop, Segal, Buis, Anderson, Carlson, Shapiro, Carmody, Abbey, Devins, 2006) Toronto mindfulness scale (TMS) (See Appendix D) consists of 13-items. This instrument has two-factors Curiosity and Decentering. For the curiosity score following items are summed 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13. For the Decentering score following items are summed 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11. All items were written in positively keyed direction. The cronbachs alpha reliability of the scale was 0.72. The items of Factor 1 (Curiosity) reflect an attitude of wanting to learn more about ones experiences e.g. I was curious to see what my mind was up to from moment to moment .The items of Factor 2 (Decentering) reflect a shift from identify personally with thoughts and feelings to relating to ones experience in a wider field of awareness e.g. I was aware of my thoughts and feelings without over identifying with them. Each item was rated on 5 point likert scale (0=not at all, 4=very much). The estimated time to complete the instrument was 8-10 minutes. Questionnaire was easily available on internet. There was no cultural bias item in the questionnaire. Scale was administered in English and is a reliable and valid scale. Procedures Before starting the data collection, a pilot study was conducted on a sample of 7 students. It was done to check the reliability and validity of the instruments and to determine the time needed to complete the instruments to assess the self efficacy and mindfulness in students by the researcher. The results of the present study indicated that the reliability of MSES was .71 (See Appendix E) and the reliability of the TMS was .72 (See Appendix E). This indicated that the scales are reliable. After doing the pilot study the data was collected from 35 girls and 35 boys. The research was conducted in F.G Girls Public High School Lalazar, F.G Girls High School No 2 Iqbal Road and F.G Technical School for Boys. All the schools were taken from Rawalpindi. Participation was voluntarily and data was collected in the classrooms. After the approval of the principal students were contacted. Participants were then provided with a consent form (see appendix A). In order to participate in the study it was required that they confirm consent by signing it. After participants agreed to the consent form, instructions were provided followed by an administration of both the MSES and TMS scales. Data collection was completed in about six or seven days. Average time taken by an individual was 20-25 minutes. It took about 30-35 minutes in each class due to instructions given to children, in distribution and collection of questionnaires. A little difficulty was faced by the students to comprehend the questions like I was more invested in just watching my experiences as they arose. Than in figuring out what they could mean. But later on it was resolved by the researcher. The data was analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS Version 13.0). For the purpose of analyzing Pearson correlation was used. And to see the difference of low and high achievers regarding variables of self efficacy and mindfulness in data independent sample t-test was applied. Results The study was conducted to find out the relationship between self efficacy and mindfulness among low and high achievers. A sample of 70 students (both girls and boys=35) within age range of (13-16). The sample was collected from 3 government schools of Rawalpindi and questionnaires were administered. Then the data collected was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS Version 13.0). Descriptive statistics were computed for demographic characteristics of the participants. For this purpose Pearson correlation was used. And also to see the difference of low and high achievers regarding variables of self efficacy and mindfulness in data independent sample t-test was applied. Cross tabulation was also applied on the academic achievement of the students according to the ranges of self-efficacy. Table 1 Frequency and Percentage of participants according to demographic variables of gender, age, grade and academic achievement (N=70) Variable Label Frequency(f) Percentage (%) Gender Girl