Fascist Government Essay

Fascist government is better compared to a communism government in that it seeks the reality of the society on strength and weaknesses of nations.   Historically, fascist governments opposed the class conflicts and emphasized that they would forever exist. Though fascists have been used pejoratively in the present setting, it is clear that communism was worse in history as it advocated for classless and stateless society that declared allegiance to the Marxism-Leninism a notion that was impossible to apply.   It is no doubt that communism orientation of social organization where totalitarians dominated and above all, the self perpetuating political party system was the major cause for excessive anarchy like that experienced under the soviet rule. Overview This paper explores fascist government as the better option to communism with greater focus on the historical events.   Through use of questions and answers, the paper explores the principles and theoretical considerations of the two systems of government.   It compares the major occurrences under the two systems of the government to support the thesis statements.   With reference to the period of application, the paper gives a clear analysis of the logistics behind the fascists’ governments as opposed to the communist administration. Questions and answers What are the principles of communism and how effectively did communism governments apply them? Communism government is guided by the main principle of a society that is egalitarian and classless mainly based on common ownership and control of the production means. The principles call for a stateless society with a form of government that declares allegiance to Marxism-Leninism.   Application of communism has and is always controversial in that the well outlined principles form a reciprocating platform for abuse by the same governments. Remarkably, it is communism that has made USSR to be remembered for its ruthlessness when dealing with the community.   In 1928, Joseph Stalin application of communism which he claimed to be directly under his predecessor Lenin innovation, were borne of mayhem and anarchy.   It was marred with extra judicial killings, spying and elimination of the political opponents (Lauren, 173-177). As indicated by fascism, it was important to acknowledge the need for the classes in the society as they were the ones that bore them.   Fascist governments therefore applied the correct principles of the time that were bound on the desire to grow and expand beyond their boundaries.   Though application of the survival for the fittest in the human realms was a major shenanigan, fascism has been credited for creating nationalism and enhancing identity.   Sir Osward Mosley, the leader of British Union of Fascists emphasized that communism was a major cause of suppression for democracy it claimed to advocate (Daniels, 38-45). What were the consequences of communism and abolishing private property ownership to ensure equality? Communism was mainly directed at seeking communal ownership of the production systems in the society.   Under this system however, the government was given a better operating platform to practice massive corruption to the people.   Though the concept was initially well thought of, its application mostly presented the reciprocal a notion that made the whole system to become a failure.   The death of Karl Marx at end of the 19th century has been cited to be the possible end of real communism. Historians indicate that fascist governments rose as a response to the events of World War I, a notion that cited the possible fallouts in democracy and liberalism for their favor of individualism or internationalism.   Historically, this concept was faulty and saw the establishments of the fascist governments like in Italy (Furet and Furet, 178-188). How effective was the system and what were the repercussions? Application of communism was a bloody notion that had far much reaching implication even to the current society.   During the World War II, the communists consolidated power through massive blood shed in most of the Eastern Europe.   In Russia, the struggle by many countries to get independence never bore fruits until the international community intervened later in the 20th century.   Though communist governments claimed to be borne by the people themselves, it is however ironical that most of the third world colonies that adopted the communist ideals like Cambodia, Lao, and Angola are still among the poorest in the world. Though fascist government promoted the growth of their empire beyond their own territories, they supported the nationalism and were mainly driven by charismatic leaders.   This gave the notion of the great capacity of the fascism governments to rationally reason out their application policies.   Nakano Seigo of Japan noted that fascist governments had the capacity to practice democracy than did communist governments (Furet &Furet Deborah, 186-190).

Outsourcing and Negotiation in Project Management

The prevailing tendency of organizations is to concentrate on core activities and opt to outsource those activities which are considered to be noncore. 1) Discuss the concept of outsourcing, reason behind outsourcing and its challenges. Outsourcing is the act of one company contracting with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in house employees. Often, the tasks that are outsourced could be performed by the company itself, but in many cases there are financial advantages that come from outsourcing.Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call centre services, email services and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service. Outsourcing is therefore, the process of contracting an existing business function or process of an organization to another independent organization and ceasing to perform that function or process internally, instead, purchasing it as a service. Reasons for Outsourcing i. Cost redu ction/Cost Savings- outsourcing cuts costs such as labour costs, regulatory costs and training costs.Most companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about. ii. Focus on Core Business- companies are able to focus their money and resources more towards improving the core aspects of their business when outsourced. this allows the outsourcing company to build onto its core functions that keep the business running smoothly. iii. Access to more Knowledge, Talent and Experience- outsourcing means contracting to an organization that is more specialized in a particular area, e. . , payroll services. this means that the process that is outsourced will be performed in a more efficient and effective manner hence improved services. iv. Increased profits- due to the fact that some services or processes are outsourced at a cheaper cost, it means tha t the services/products a company offers will also be provided at an affordable price hence higher revenues. Cost savings and reduction also increases the profits. Challenges of Outsourcing i. Eliminates direct communication between a company and its clients especially in instances where customer service has been outsourced.This may prevent a company from building solid relationships with their customers which can lead to dissatisfaction. ii. The danger of not being able to control some aspects of a company which have been outsourced which can lead to delayed communication and project implementation. In turn, this can cause a company to become highly dependent on its outsource providers which can cause problems or complications should the outsource provider back out on the contract for one reason or another. iii. Any sensitive information is more vulnerable as there is reduced confidentiality and also the risk of leakage.Outsourcing means that some information needs to be shared wit h the outsource provider hence confidentiality is compromised. 2) Discuss the significance of negotiation and its approaches to achieve procurement objectives, factors influencing buyer negotiations, strengths and weaknesses of negotiation styles. Negotiation is dialogue between 2 or more people or parties intended to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference or gain advantage in outcome so as to satisfy various interests of the negotiating parties. It is therefore mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of a transaction or agreement.It is a process where each party involved in negotiating tries to gain an advantage for themselves by the end of the process. Negotiation is intended to aim at compromise. Approaches to Negotiation i. Structural Approach Structural approaches consider negotiated outcomes to be a function of the characteristics or structural features that define each particular negotiation. These characteristics may include features such as the number of parties and issues involved and the composition or relative power of the competing parties.In this approach, there's an emphasis on the means parties bring to a negotiation. Power is thus the central determining factor in negotiation. In this view, the relative power of each negotiating party affects his/her ability to secure their individual goals. However, other factors such as negotiating skills can play a key role in shaping negotiated outcomes. Therefore, victory in negotiations does not always go to the party that is more powerful. Another limitation of structural approaches is their emphasis on taking positions.Negotiators should be aware that a blind attachment to winning from a negotiation regardless of the resulting satisfaction of other parties, can be a poor long term strategy if it means that the other side will lose its will or ability to maintain its side of the negotiated agreement. ii. Strategic Approach Here, the emphasis is on the role of ends (goals) in determin ing outcomes. Negotiators are viewed as rational decision makers with known alternatives who make choices guided by their calculation of which option will maximize their ends or gains.Actors choose from a choice set of possible actions in order to try and achieve desired outcomes. It's grounded in the belief that there is one best solution to every negotiation problem hence look for best solutions from all perspectives of a negotiation. iii. Behavioural Approach Behavioural approaches emphasize the role that negotiators' personalities or individual characteristics play in determining the course and outcome of negotiated agreements. It explains negotiations as interactions between personality types. It therefore, highlights human tendencies, emotions and skills.It may emphasize the role played by arts of persuasion, attitudes, trust, perception or misperception, individual motivation and personality in negotiated outcomes. iv. Integrative Approach Negotiations are viewed as interacti ons with win-win potential. It looks for ways of creating value so that there is more to share between parties as a result of negotiation. Uses objective criteria, looks to create conditions of mutual gain and emphasizes the importance of exchanging information between parties and group problem solving. It thus calls for participants to work jointly to create win-win solutions.It involves uncovering interests, generating options and searching for commonalities between parties. Objectives of Negotiation for Procurement 1. Obtain the quality specified- through negotiation, buyers and suppliers are able to reach a consensus on quality required for the products/services. 2. Obtain a fair and reasonable price. 3. Create a long term partnership with a highly qualified supplier- through negotiation, an organization is able to identify which supplier it best relates with hence creating a long term relationship. 4.To get the supplier to perform the contract on time- delivery date schedule fo r quantity and quality specified should be realistic. It's important that buyers negotiate delivery schedules which suppliers can realistically meet without endangering other requirements of the purchase. 5. To exert control over the manner in which the contract is performed- buyers need to negotiate for controls which will assure compliance with the quality, quantity, delivery and service terms of the contract. Factors Influencing Buyer Negotiations 1. Type of Buyer All buyers are not equal.Buyers have different acquisition objectives, growth and competitive pressures, availability of capital and the attendant costs, risk tolerance and adeptness at negotiating deals that will impact the amount they are willing to spend on procurement. 2. General Attractiveness of the Company Naturally, an asking price that is below market valuation will make a supplier more attractive. Also, an asking price that is in close proximity to a company's fair market valuation is also attractive. Therefor e, factors that make a supplier attractive include: †¢ Strong management A strong balance sheet †¢ High growth rate †¢ Leadership or dominance in the market Such factors will attract buyers since the supplier will be viewed as dependable or reliable. 3. Financial Parameters A buyer's financial parameters that determine what to be paid include: internal cash available for procurement and the amount they are willing to invest in a single procurement deal. 4. Relative Negotiation Skill and Bargaining Leverage of the Parties As a buyer, the amount of money you will pay will be influenced by your negotiation skills, bargaining leverage and time constraints.For example, if the products/services are required urgently, then you might not have enough time to bargain for a good deal. Ultimately, the greatest power possessed by both the buyer and seller is to walk away or end the negotiation process. 5. Buyer's Experience with Prior Suppliers The amount of money that a buyer is willing to pay is influenced by prior experience. If the buyer paid a high price in the past and the supplier failed to deliver, they will think long and hard before offering an overly generous price and vice versa. 6. Inherent Risk Factors and the Buyer's ToleranceRisk can be defined as the possibility of a bad outcome or the uncertainty of a desired outcome. Tolerance of risk is a buyer's willingness to accept and manage risks that can come about say due to a delayed or even failed delivery. When it comes to negotiation, the biggest risk is overpayment then the product/service procured does not meet the specifications or is not even delivered. 7. General Market and Economic Conditions Economic and market conditions strongly influence buyers. Favourable economic conditions means that buyers are willing to spend more; unfavourable economic conditions means that buyers will reduce on their spending.

Derivatives Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Derivatives - Assignment Example With the help of forward contracts two parties can fix the exchange rate between them for the future transactions (Federal Reserve Bank, 2010). This simple kind of agreement can eliminate exchange rate risks significantly. As the exchange rate is already decided between the two parties, transaction will take place in that rate only. With the help of future contracts also foreign exchange risks can be hedged. This derivative is also somewhat similar with forward contract. But liquidity of this contract is high as it is generally being traded on organized markets (Federal Reserve Bank, 2013). With the help of this contract parties are to buy or to sell a specific currency at a future date, at a particular rate of exchange which is fixed and agreed upon by the two parties in present. Option is also a derivative through which foreign exchange risk can be hedged. With the help of this contract interests of the buyers and sellers are taken care of significantly (Kotze, 2011). According to this contract, buyers have the right but do not have any obligation to buy or sell a particular currency at a particular exchange rate. But sellers have obligations if the buyers exercise their rights. In this way with the help of options foreign currency risks can be hedged. Derivatives are generally used for hedging against foreign exchange currency risks. There are several examples where derivatives have caused significant losses for the company. MG was significantly impacted by the usage of the derivatives. Using derivatives were integral parts of the company’s marketing and hedging programs. In 1993 the organization incurred huge losses related with the derivatives (Nihalani, 2011). The losses were over US $ 1 billion. At that point of time it was the largest derivative loss by any company. The organization was on the verge of bankruptcy. The bank was forced to seek for a rescue package of $1.9 billion from a

In Mexico, Wal-mart is defying its critics Article

In Mexico, Wal-mart is defying its critics - Article Example However, when everything had been considered, it became clear that microeconomics and macroeconomics had made people (especially those in small towns) poorer. The solution was to improve their purchasing power by offering them commodities at the lowest possible prices, lower than what local retailers were offering. In retrospect, it is safe to say that macroeconomics and microeconomics had a huge impact on Wal-Mart’s strategy in Mexico. The biggest retailer in the world had to develop a pricing strategy that would enable it to enter and remain in the Mexican retail segment. It is not often that a scenario like this is witnessed, especially when a large company like Wal-Mart is involved, but the economic conditions in Mexico meant that the company had to conform or go and try its luck elsewhere. Its pricing strategy is particularly damning evidence that the target market always dictates company approach and business strategy. Poor Mexican people were not going to work harder in order to afford Wal-Mart’s products; the company had to conform to their needs by formulating its pricing and accessibility around them and their purchasing power. That is the influence of macroeconomics and

Write a complex essay comparing the strategies used by the author Sam

Write a complex comparing the strategies used by the author Sam Ruddick's story Leak, to the the strategies used by the filmmaker Mark poirier Smart people - Essay Example Likewise, the characters in the film too are caught up in a tricky quandary. That is there is nothing there can for themselves to improve their personalities and behaviors. The problem being, of course, that a film and story in which people just do things, wild things, like snapping up on in your ex in the middle of the night, disrupting another person’s house uninvited, and fixing yourself pasta, does not really hold up. Stacy and Chuck have similar characters in both Smart People and the story Leak. Just as Wetherhold wonders whether his adopted brother is crazy, so does Oscar marvel whether his nonprofit friend is mad, shifting emotions from his father’s sickness into his professional life. Further so do we too wonder if these people are mad: how else to explain their behaviors? Successful Hollywood productions are not the only ones to depend upon formula. For this features debut, director Naom Murro has taken his safe course of joining the salvation of the misanthrope narrative. Everything on anticipates from such a legend is found here; the dislikable protagonist who is increasingly cultivated over the course of the tale, the love interest who displays to him the route to redemption, and idiosyncratic supporting characters who offer color and flavor what is lacking, nevertheless, is a rationale for a viewer to become invested in anyone living inside Smart People’s world. To avoid sloppiness, Murro uses a technique that keeps the viewers at arm’s length, but there’s not anything adequately remarkable about his characters to facilitate them to leap off the screen. Smart People is a piece of film apparently crafted by dull-witted persons. The character’s in the play are just drifting along, heads in their heads and hands up their posterior whilst griping and moping their way into another uncertain tomorrow, during which they will awake and start bitching and grousing how crappy yesterday was. Lawrence Wetherhold is played by Dennis Quiad

Critique of an article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critique of an - Article Example In connection to this, the author clearly expounded on the two points in the text of his article as outlined in the introduction. The study was carried out to further expound on types of leadership styles that crop within self-managed teams. In achieving this, the author used individuals of almost the same age in the study in order to minimize errors as much as possible. The experimental method used in carrying out the study included 80 randomly selected students in 20 experimental groups (Solansky, 2008). Control variables were also used to represent possible variations. In addition, the information about the samples and what each sample was supposed to have was also provided in order to enhance the success of the experiment. The data collected was based on the observations the instructor made on each group as well as the surveys that were filled by team members. Additionally, analysis of variance was employed in testing leadership processes between teams practicing shared leadership and teams that depend on one leader (Solansky, 2008). All these methods provided detailed information that justified the hypotheses of the research. This was evidenced by the tables that were provided to show mean differences. The findings showed that teamwork enhances competence as well as transaction of ideas when leadership is shared. This was also evidenced in the text of the article as well as on the tables provided. The limitations of the research that was carried were also discussed because of the possible challenges associated with the laboratory environment on the samples. Among the challenges included the possibility of teams facing management problems as a result of controlling individuals with different perspectives. In addition to this, the use of a small sample was also a limitation to the study; it increased the likelihood of occurrence of many errors (Solansky, 2008). Apart from the conclusion of the article matching

Samsung Electronics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Samsung Electronics - Case Study Example The memory industry is characterized by having few powerful suppliers. The consumers are extremely price conscious thus profit margins are low. In order to be able to get lower prices from suppliers companies have to buy in bulk. Suppliers give high volume buyers a 5% purchase discount. Memory represents about 4-12% of the cost of an OEM computer. The OEM computer industry is the primary buyers of DRAM. The OEM computer industry is fragmented and no single OEM manufacturer holds more than a 20% market share. Quality is a critical success factor for companies in the memory industry. Product quality allows companies to achieve customer retention (Kotler, 2002). Defective memory is high risk for a computer manufacturer because it could destroy product value. OEM companies are willing to pay an extra 1% price premium for reliable suppliers. Samsung which is a successful player in the memory industry developed new types of cutting edge memory chips that enable them to differentiate themselves from the competition. The use of innovation enabled the company to have a great product variety and penetrate niche markets within the industry were they could charge higher prices. In 2003 Samsung offered 1200 types of DRAM products. This gave the company an advantage because by 2005 the prices of the older memory technology started to depreciate in price. When this occur the best approach for companies that did not have the new innovative products like Samsung was to utilize a strategy to gain market share. Chinese manufacturers utilized the strategic approach of increasing market share. Another critical success factor in the industry is having organizational experience and tacit knowledge to master the design and production process. Testing chips for reliability during the production process was imperative. Successful companies designed process improvements to allow more

Business Concept Description Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Concept Description - Essay Example Small-scale producers gain through Rare Tea’s buying harvests up-front by saving associated costs for their distribution. What is unique about the product of Rare Tea is the presence of trust it places with its small-scale producers that could generate high-standard quality of best-tasting tea in the world. Adhering to this leads to buyer-producers relationship, which the bottom line is to hold fast to product quality and sustainability, while Rare Tea continues to take charge of the entire distribution through buying harvests up-front. Ensuring the best quality and sustainable supplies of best-tasting tea leaves is a remarkable way of giving high value for customers’ needs. This is to make sure that the customers will always have the quality product the moment they need it. In addition, the existence of fair trade from farm to customers would guarantee generating the right price for the product. The Rare Tea, as a small-scale company is trying to beat highly established vast private tea farms. Its long-standing relationship with producers under small-range farming allows it to explore vast opportunity across the world as there are independent tea farmers waiting for their break. Aggregating all their productions could help Rare Tea Company address the prevailing market demand for quality tea products. As a small company, Rare Tea needs to expand, which would require funding coming from highly established financial institutions. Potential investors seeing Rare Tea’s business sustainability may express possibility to start their investment with the

Meaning of life essay Essay Example for Free

Meaning of life essay Essay ?â€Å"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life† (Camus). If you spend your whole life searching for one thing you will waste your life and it will only take a few moments for time to pass you by. The meaning of life is nonexistent and imponderable. ?â€Å"The meaning of life is contained in every single expression of life. It is present in the infinity of forms and phenomena that exist in all of creation† (Jackson). The meaning of life is simply the way you view it. Like religion everyone has different philosophies and opinions and only those who give life a meaning have the true understanding of the meaning of life. My Opinion on the Meaning of Life I believe the meaning of life is to give life a meaning, because there truly is no meaning otherwise. I believe everyone adds their own meaning to life. The meaning of life is never universal, never complex. I believe the meaning of life should be simple and potentially whatever we want it to be. I do what I do because I want to. It’s that simple for me; I do it because it means something to me. â€Å"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can† (Kaye). I believe this quote is saying that you should give life your all and do whatever it takes to make your life the way you want it. This is saying someone should do what you believe the philosophy of your life is. Many people go about their lives searching for the meaning of life and how it applies to them but in reality they will waste their lives away looking for something that does not exist. â€Å"There is not one big cosmic meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person† (Nin). â€Å"Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer† (Campbell). This is saying how we bring the meaning to life and our thoughts and ideas on what we believe life is and should be. I do not believe in the idea of there being one specific meaning but millions for each and every soul around the earth. Various populations will all agree to disagree about their views but in retrospect you realize that everyone is right. Everyone gives their own meaning to the idea. Purposes and meanings will change, but the overall meaning to life, that there is no true meaning, will always stay the same. I believe the meaning of life is to give life a meaning. Works Cited ?Albert Camus Quote. BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu105605. html? src=t_meaning_of_life. ?Anais Nin Quote. BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/a/anaisnin133215. html ?Danny Kaye Quote. BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/d/dannykaye125475. html. ?Michael Jackson Quote. BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/m/michaeljac399788. html? src=t_meaning_of_life.

Energy for Performance in Touch Football Essay Example for Free

Energy for Performance in Touch Football Essay This term in year 11 senior physical education we have been learning the use of the three energy systems and how they are used in the game of touch football and how they function together. To understand the energy systems, our class went through a number of fitness tests. The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) stores in the muscle and lasts for approximately 2 seconds and the resynthesis of ATP from Creatine Phosphate (CP) will continue until CP stores are used up, which is approximately 4-6 seconds. This gives us around 5-10 seconds of ATP. The use of ATP in touch football is high intensity, it would be used in a 50m sprint or a pass in touch. Once the Creatine Phosphate stores have worn out, the body resorts to stored glucose for ATP. The breakdown of glucose or glycogen in anaerobic conditions results in the production of lactic acid. The build up of ions is the restrictive issue causing fatigue in runs of 300m – 800m. The lactic acid system is most affective around 30seconds to 2-3 mins. In touch football the use of the lactic acid system may be used when wrucking the ball, as it is a constant sprint with little or no rest. The aerobic energy system utilizes protein, fats and carbohydrates (glycogen) for resynthesising ATP. The aerobic system is most effective at 5 mins onward. This energy system can be developed with various intensity runs. The types of runs are, Continuous runs – long slow runs at 50-70% of highest heart rate. This places demands on muscular and liver glycogen. The normal response by the system is to enhance muscle and liver glycogen storage capacities. This run would be the warm up run that we take of the oval before getting into the game. Extensive runs – continuous runs at 60-80% of maximum heart rate. This places demands on the system to cope with lactic acid production. Running at this level helps the removal and turnover of lactic acid and the body’s ability to tolerate the larger levels of lactic acid. The example for this run would be wrucking the ball at a high intensity work rate. Intensive runs – continuous runs at 80-90% of maximum heart rate. Lactic levels become high as these runs boarder on speed endurance. Intensive training is good for the development of anaerobic energy systems. The example of this run would be defending at a high intensity. The interrelationship between the energy systems are that they are all used in a game of touch football. The use of ATP when sprinting a short distance, the use of lactic acid when wrucking the ball, and the use of the different types of intensity runs. ! In touch football I either play in the middle because I have good ball and communication skills and ready to take responsibility for wrucking the ball down the field in attack. As a centre player I have ability to go forward with good acceleration, be aerobically fit, have knowledge of wrucking patterns, leadership qualities, quick reaction skills, a high work rate and the ability to maintain pressure. I also have a good strength and average muscular endurance. I also play in the wing and I’m generally the main scorer with sustained speed, good anticipation, good support skills, good finisher, good defender, good evasive skills, involvement, good hands and knowledge of the wing defence policy I believe that my level of proficiency in touch football is above average. I have superior hand eye coordination because of all the sports I have played over a number of years which is an advantage for me touch football skills. My fitness level is average, touch football is a continuous sport where you just keep going whereas I’m use to short explosive breaks. I believe my energy systems have coped a lot better than I thought they would. I feel as if my cardio could improve because after a full game of touch football I feel slightly tired, as fatigue sets in after 10+ minutes of play.

Civil Marriage In Lebanon Politics Essay

Civil Marriage In Lebanon Politics Essay Civil marriage has lately become a controversial issue in Lebanon. The media has been publicizing it quite intensively. It has even become a political issue debatable by most parties on both side of the political divide. The concept of civil marriage has gained much territory in this country and has already reached a point of no return. As such it can no longer be neglected or forgotten. Nowadays, civil marriage is legalised in most countries. It should, in fact, be encouraged here in Lebanon for several reasons. First, civil marriage is a right for believers and non-believers alike who wish not to marry in any or under the auspices of the religious institutions. In the absence of civil marriage, both believers and non-believers have only one choice: getting married in religious institutions. Civil marriage does not exclude religious ceremonies; it complements them, if so desired. The crux of the matter here is the right of choice. Lebanon does not offer that choice yet. MP Ghassan Mokheiber is one of the few politicians who support civil marriage in Lebanon, it should be one of the basic rights for the Lebanese people (Mahdawi, March 19, 2010). There is, nevertheless, a bright side to this issue. Despite the fact that the Lebanese people are deprived of this right on their own territory, they are, however, not deprived from their countrys recognition of their right to have their civil marriages carried out abroad. So, a couple who engaged in a civil marriage abroad is entitled to have their marriage fully recognized in Lebanon. Upon its return to Lebanon, the couples marriage is both legitimate and legal. Civil Marriage 3 Second, civil marriage is a blessing for men and women from different religious backgrounds who wish to enter into mixed marriage. In fact, it is the best refuge for secular arrangements. The progress of the secular culture has forced a regression of the religious option. This transfer of authority away from religious onto civil jurisdiction means that the power of regulating peoples live now lie in the hands of elected appointed civil officials. The clergy, stripped of its formal authority to regulate peoples civil lives, can no longer influence peoples choices in a secular state. In a country where civil marriage is practiced, the presence of a civil official simply validates the marital bonds of a bride and a groom away from religious conventional practices and authority. It is then a strictly civil affair. A clear illustration is when Rafik, a Druze, and Jeanette, a Catholic, decide to get married in Cyprus. Irrespective of their faiths, they can be joined in matrimony in a country where civil marriage is common practice. Rafik and Jeanette would have encountered several obstacles if they were got married in Lebanon. The first obstacle is that when one member of the couple is obliged to change to the religion of the other member; it seems as a conflict between religions. Given the society in Lebanon, most likely Jeanette will be the one to change. Furthermore, Druzes are not allowed to marry from another faith. Normally, people are born Druze. So, from a Lebanese religious stance, a Druze marrying a Christian would not be possible. Besides, Jeanettes family cannot allow for her to marry into a community other than Christian. Things can become even more complicated knowing that both Jeanette and Rafik are irreligious. Hence, the only solution for Jeanette and Rafik is to get married in Cyprus Civil Marriage 4 before a civil official leaving all their religious troubles as well as their religion-driven social taboos and customs behind them. Upon their return to Lebanon, the Lebanese authorities will legalize their civil marriage. Their married civilian status will then be clearly indicated on all their civilian extracts (No Civil Marriages in Lebanon). Third, civil marriage in Lebanon is a major step toward reinforcing interreligious dialogue. It helps build one Lebanese identity, which, in turn, will lead to a successful and healthy melting pot. One very important political decision consistent with this objective was taken as late as the mid 1990s. It was decreed that the religious denominations on identity cards be banned. This was the only successful of several failed attempts since the 1950s to legalize civil marriage in Lebanon (CopperWiki). Opponents, however, have always had the upper hand probably they were more vocal and more powerful. Their source of power could be either due to their formal position or to their leadership capabilities. One such attempt took place in 1998 when President Elias Hrawi was very close from introducing civil marriage into the Lebanese system. At that time, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and some other ministers objected (Mahdawi, March 19, 2010). The reason why Hariri didnt accept to sign the bill was that Lebanon is not ready yet. Same as Hariri, and on the other end of the religious panorama, Lebanons Maronite Christian Patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, declared that civil marriage is not in the line with the teachings of the Church. He also added that Solidarity with Lebanons Muslim community is a need (Yeranian, May 6, 1998, p.7). These negative voices have appropriately sparked many bitter criticisms. How does he want to establish this solidarity if hes an opponent of civil marriage, in the time that civil marriage Civil Marriage 5 is almost the only solution to live that solidarity? In another trial in 2002, human rights activists re-shed the lights on civil marriage, but unfortunately, without any success (Ajami, August 3, 2007). Finally, the simplicity and the expediency of civil marriage are far more convenient than the traditional ones. One blessing is not to worry about any delays or religious constraints. The presence of a civil official or a judge to join the couple is the only requirement. It is a practical arrangement for couples-to-be. A civil wedding ceremony may be arranged much faster than that of a traditional wedding. Moreover, civil ceremonies tend to be a favorite option given  the budget-conscious couples.  In fact, thousands of singles go through the civil marriage never to regret it. For the Lebanese, Cyprus is Las Vegas. Not for gambling, but à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ for marriage. While Las Vegas is the destination of choice for Americans looking to get married quickly, for the 400 Lebanese couples who travel to Cyprus every years seeking civil marriages, the decision is more calculated, (Luca, August 26, 2009). Besides, it is a most convenient half-an hour away refuge from Lebanon. In Cyprus, an average wedding costs less than $1,000; this sum represents 1% compared to the cost of a marriage that often reached thousands and thousands of dollars in Lebanon (Ajami, August 27, 2007). Civil marriage turns to be some kind of business where there are big financial profits. The famous slogan of Cyprus civil marriage is Just say I doà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ well do the rest.   The rest costs between $1,200 and $1,900. (Luca, August 26, 2009). Civil Marriage 6 Civil Marriage is just one chapter under the much bigger umbrella of civil society reforms that Lebanon needs to undergo badly. Other related problems that need to be addressed with equal urgency and importance include gender equality, child custody and divorce, which are all very closely related. Together with civil marriage, as and when updated, they compose the base for civil society. The current society relies on a complicated mix of religion. The first step towards modernization of our society should be its deconfessionalization. Religious leaders should be told to restrict their role to spiritual business specifically. Once our society turns secular, then other social issues, including civil marriage, would be addressed much more effectively. It is clear now that all the good and valid causes and benefits are there for as an immediate implementation of civil marriage regulations as possible. There is quite a dichotomy in the present situation: Civil marriage isnt allow in Leban on; while it is recognized if perform elsewhere. To many Lebanese the solution is very simple and could satisfy both sides: make of civil marriage a choice for interested couple (Mattar Law). The key to this solution is politicians, taking a courageous decision to launch the appropriate and serious workshop toward the implementation of civil marriages in Lebanon. The quicker such a decision, the quicker the solution. But, will it ever occur? And if so, how soon? Civil Marriage 7

Sylvia Plaths Poetry Essay -- Sylvia Plath Poem Essays

Sylvia Plath's Poetry Wrapped in gaseous mystique, Sylvia Plath’s poetry has haunted enthusiastic readers since immediately after her death in February, 1963. Like her eyes, her words are sharp, apt tools which brand her message on the brains and hearts of her readers. With each reading, she initiates them forever into the shrouded, vestal clan of her own mind. How is the reader to interpret those singeing, singing words? Her work may be read as a lone monument, with no ties to the world she left behind. But in doing so, the reader merely grazes the surface of her rich poetics. Her poetry is largely autobiographical, particularly Ariel and The Bell Jar, and it is from this frame of mind that the reader interprets the work as a complex, crushing, confessional web that most truly describes the mythic Sylvia Plath. Her two most significant volumes of poetry, The Colossus and Ariel, flesh out her poetic lexicon: wading through the deep, patterned labyrinth of her poetry with her life as a guide. Title piece to her first collection of poems, â€Å"The Colossus† is a daughter’s attempt to reconstruct her dead father in the fallen statue at Rhodes: â€Å"†¦his death nine days after her eighth birthday left an imprint upon her imagination that time did not erase or soften† (Butscher 3). Because Plath never really knew her father as a healthy man (Stevenson 12), she likens him to this decrepit stone which, as an archaeologist, she must piece together â€Å"with gluepots and pails / of lysol† (Plath C. 20). In reality, she must function as an emotional archaeologist in order to reconcile her loss, to revenge herself on her father for leaving her. She attempts, continually, to prove herself to him; as a child she continually showcased her artis... ...Colossus. 1998. New York: Vintage International; New York: Alfred Knopf, Inc., 1962. Rosenblatt, Jon. Sylvia Plath: The Poetry of Initiation. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1979. Stevenson, Anne. Bitter Fame. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1989. Van Dyne, Susan R. Revising Life: Sylvia Plath’s Ariel Poems. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1993. â€Å"Fueling the Phoenix Fire: The Manuscripts of Sylvia Plath’s ‘Lady Lazarus’† . Sylvia Plath. Ed. Harold Bloom. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 1989. 133-147. Works Consulted Broe, Mary Lynn. Protean Poetic: The Poetry of Sylvia Plath. Colombia: University of Missouri Press, 1980. Plath, Sylvia. The Journals of Sylvia Plath. New York: Anchor Books, 1998. Strangeways, Al. Sylvia Plath: The Shaping of Shadows. Cranbury: Associated University Presses, 1998.

Ethical Considerations when implementing OSS :: Open Source Software Technology Essays

Ethical Considerations when implementing OSS I. Background Starting from 1998, some of the people in the free software community began using the term "Open Source Software" instead of "Free Software". At that time, I was working for Sun Microsystem for one of the "Open Source Software" project -- localization of Mozilla. Sun Microsystem is one of the biggest system company in the "Open Source Software" community. a) Difference between "free software" and "open source" Comparing to "Free Software", the term ``open source software'' is associated with a different engineering approach, different values, and even a different criterion for which licenses are acceptable. We differentiate the Free Software movement and the Open Source movement with different views and goals, although engineers can and do work together on some practical projects. The fundamental difference between the two movements is in their values. For the Open Source movement, the issue of whether software should be open source is a practical question, not an ethical one. Open source is a development methodology, whereas free software is a social movement. In other words, Open Source Software is not absolutely free, non-free software is optional. For the Free Software approach, software should be free. However, the official definition of "Open Source Software,'' as published by the Open Source Initiative, is very close to our definition of free software. The obvious meaning for the expression ``open source software'' is ``You can look at the source code.'' What does that mean? Actually, by this definition, free software, semi-free programs such as Xv, and even some proprietary programs, are all "Open Source Software" since we can look at the source code as long as we have the licence. Linux is "open source'' software meaning, simply, that anyone can get copies of its source code files. I think the defintion of "Open Source Software" from the state of Kansas is better: "Make use of open-source software (OSS). OSS is software for which the source code is freely and publicly available, though the specific licensing agreements vary as to what one is allowed to do with that code." The explanation for ``free software'' is simple -- a person who has the right to use the software for zero price. The main argument for the term "open source software'' is that "free software'' makes some people uneasy. We can easily find this kind of argument in any "open source software" community.

Case Study Analysis: Erp Implementation for Nibco

Unit 6 – Case Study NIBCO’s â€Å"Big Bang†: An SAP Implementation Professor: Richard Yellen Student: Vo Ngo Lan Phuong Course: Ham 23 ID: 217496 Professor: Richard Yellen Student: Vo Ngo Lan Phuong Course: Ham 23 ID: 217496 Hanoi, 11/2012 CASE STUDY Table of Contents I. Overview3 II. NIBCO’s implementation of ERP solution3 III. Pros and Cons of â€Å"BIG-BANG† approach for ERP4 IV. ERP project implementation: lessons and recommendations6 List of Reference9 Case Study – NIBCO’s SAP Application Implementation I. OverviewThe case shows the implementation of SAP ERP solution in NIBCO, a manufacturer of pipe and fittings, a mid-size manufacturer with about 3,000 employees and revenue over 460 million USD. The company has implemented successfully the full package of ERP solution, provided by SAP, the leading solution provider under the consultancy of Boston Consulting Group. NIBCO has gained the success by good management and project team u nderstanding, determination and experiences. The method of implementation of NIBCO for this ERP solution is running all in one day, this brings the company to a quite risky situation if something wrong happens.But the company has run the system successfully, with positive results. The implementation succeeds because of all the planning, personnel, management and the cooperation with application providers and consultants. NIBCO has over 3,000 employees and operates 10 plants, and 17 centers for distribution over US. The databases and information systems are not integrated therefore cannot communicate and collaborate effectively, which causes time and efforts wasting. Also, over the years of development, the business processes change, the information data increase, the old system cannot meet the demands of cross functional operations.With the consultants from BCG, NIBCO has developed a plan for implementation of new ERP system, using professional solution from a leading provider, SAP. The aim of NIBCO is to set up a new, large, integrated information system to replace the old system, connecting and integrating all the IS from factories, plants and distribution centers all over the country. With the initial project duration estimated as over 3-5 years, the management and project team has implemented the whole system in only 18 months, and successfully. II. NIBCO’s implementation of ERP solutionUsing the consultancy services from BCG, the information system of NIBCO was very weak and poor. The system do not support the provision of information for manager timely, did not support process of decision making, especially for functional departments as accounting, purchasing, selling, marketing and customer supports. Due to the lack of real time data sharing the management and manufacturing meets difficulties to improve quality and efficiencies. Over the years of operation, factories and departments have implemented their own modules or application such as order entry, manufacturing, distribution and accounting.Because of the non-systematic application and implementation, in separate factory and department, each user may have their own software, different version, and separate database. Therefore it is difficult to integrate and cooperate among factories and distribution centers. To implement the new system, NIBCO has used professional consultancy services, purchase leading software application from top vendor, and assigned top managers to manage project team, system development, and IS staff for planning, and integrating, designing, installing the new system.Although the BCG determined that there is a need for a change in information system of NIBCO, the current system is â€Å"poor† and needed â€Å"cut loose† to grow the company and become more global. The BCG’s suggestion for three to five years implementation should be too long, somehow, this can cause more cost and efforts for NIBCO than actual need (Brown, 2012, p. 491). III. Pros and Cons of â€Å"BIG-BANG† approach for ERP NIBCO used the approach called â€Å"BIG-BANG† for ERP implementation, or cutover aiming to put the whole information system to run in the same day, at all the factories and distribution centers, especially for common and key modules.All the business units, most of employees will be affected by the new systems at the same time. In fact, the other approach can be doing a pilot implementation at a factory or distribution centers, or only implement for only a few popular units. But this way can cost more time, efforts and cannot test the capability of the whole system. Also, with the investment in consultancy and purchasing the leading solutions from top ERP vendors, the NIBCO aim to get the new system run for all the business unit, and the real time running can also test the performance of the new system, also save cost and time for implementation.Running all at the same time can also help the testing of int egration and cooperation among factories and distribution centers. The big-bang or cut over approach requires the good skilled personnel, and also training for the new systems, working processes and running, maintenance the new system. The productivity was reported a reduction in the first month after the new system running, but improves gradually in the later months. The accounting reports can be done in two or three day, rather than two to three weeks when using the old systems.Also, with the new system, sharing and collaboration helps reduce inventory, as much as 25%, and also increase the fulfillment ratio from 80% to 95%, service quality has improved to 98%. Source: http://www. nibco. com/ The BCG consultants noticed that the legacy environment and databases are out of control, which cause IS and IT staff too busy with fixing the issues more than focusing on developing supporting system for functional activities.The company used professional consultancy services from BCG but do es not follow the suggestion from BGC, the cutover or big-bang approach was implemented because the management leaders do not support multi years plan; also the fund for the project was 17 million USD, and will take one fourth of the company’s members to involve in implementation for the project. The shorter time the project takes, the better and more effective it will be. IV. ERP project implementation: lessons and recommendations 4. 1. Human resource for ERP projectProject was leaded by the CEO, as the project Champion, Rex Martin, who acted as the project leader and project champion. The top manager plays the key role to the ERP project, because this type of project will involve and affect all people and departments and units of company. With CEO in charge, the project will be supported by all the Vice Presidents in decision making and raising the resources for the project. The CEO set up the Executive Leadership Team to act as the screening and monitoring committee, this team plays a key role in managing the project because it help to make sure that all decisions are made at the highest level.The CIO, and also the Vice President, Scott Beutler was responsible for the ERP package, it means that the VP of IT and IS will be responsible for the functionalities of the software application, during process of project. The Information system managers, Gary Wilson, together with all the IS staff (about 30 people), will be involved in project, support the operations and implementation, development, maintenance. The CIO, IS leaders and IT staff will the support of top leaders will play key roles in assessment of ERP packages, testing, demonstration and operating the systems.The key modules of ERP package for NIBCO, SAP R/3, includes: finance, supply chain, material, warehouse management, production planning and management, sales and distribution. Also, the HR module was purchased but will be implemented later. The leaders have played key roles in running the p roject, for example, Beutler manage the business process; Wilson for technology and software packages, and Davis for managing project activities. Because of the scale of project, and it potential effects, one fourth of the company directors have been appointed to the project management board.This shows the commitment of the managers and also provide enough human resource for project to make sure that it can cut time from 3-5 years to 18 months. The participant of leaders and managers will make the project decisions faster and it may be the key reason for shortening the duration of project. 4. 2. Working with solution vendor ERP project requires both software, hardware, networking partners to involve in implementation. NIBCO has selected IBM as third party provider for the system’s infrastructure, SAP as the software solution provider.For the experts and engineer support, NIBCO and partners appoint six consultants for functional and business processes, who work regularly with the project team. Also, the maximum personnel can be raised to as many as 50 consultants at high time. The other personnel are also provided for training, reporting, programming, technical assistance, knowledge management †¦ All the supports are officially stated in the contract with solution providers and partners. In fact, Wilson has an IS department and personnel number up to 30, also he had mainframe application, HP and IBM platforms.The NIBCO has four legacy systems for order entry, manufacturing, distribution and accounting, but the problem is they are bought separately, with separate databases, which make integration difficult or very hard to implement. NIBCO has considered and evaluated seven ERP packages in depth and in details. With the experts and business from functional departments involving in assessment process by testing the modules, from several vendors. They are also sent to visit the previous or typical customers to get the feedbacks from real users.The key c oncern was the finance and supply chain management modules, using the shared database, and should be able to connecting and integrating all the modules together. 4. 3. Project management team The scope of the project is decided for all the factories and distribution centers, the operation was stared on the same day for ten plants and all distribution center. This decision for scope was quite risky but saving time and cost for NIBCO. The project team was released sooner than planned, the productivity was down a little bit but improve gradually, the project cost was a little under budget.All these factors are because of good experience and collaboration in project management. The key to success may be the Tiger triad, which was led by Wilson and Beutler, who was working full time with ERP project. The Martin was added by CEO appointment to joint Beutler and Wilson as a third co-lead project. David with experience in total quality management could help project focus on change managemen t and maintaining quality. 4. 4. Training inside specialist For ERP project, training and technology transfer is key to success.Core knowledge and skills need to be transferred to IS department and all the functional departments for operation and maintenance. Source: http://www. sap. com/solutions/bp/enterprise-resource-planning/solutions-overview. epx Four director leaders and two business system analysis were selected for review roles, working with other leaders from sales and distributions. One fourth or seven out of twenty eight directors of NIBCO have been selected for project as full time. These people must have good business knowledge to see the potential issues and settle conflicts. 4. 5. Project team assignmentThe project managers are assigned for specialized teams, including: sales and distribution, financial, material management, and production management. Each team work together with experts from solution vendor. Business member will consider process, business functions, power users, business process analysis. IS and IT engineers will be responsible for technical sides, including infrastructure, programming, testing, installation and running. Each team has their supporting IBM consultants, with their technical knowledge to that they could make joint decisions, and also transfer the knowledge to NIBCO core team at the same time.Consultants from solution vendor, SAP, also work together with the team. The final project cost was 17 million USD, and one third for infrastructure cost, including the solution software. One anther third for education, team work and the last one third for consulting (Brown, 2012, p. 501). 4. 6. Experience in change management The cutover approach or big-bang implementation of ERP package as NIBCO used requires a good change management in all business functions and department. Because business processes are changed, much or little depends on the nature of business, therefore all the related staff will be affected.Also, the ap plication in wide range, all ten first factories and distribution centers will be affected same day, same time. The key to success of NIBCO implementation can be the careful planning and actions. The analysis and design, communication and management effectively, as well as the good coordination with consultants and vendors’ experts. The support and direction from top management to departments’ heads involving the implementation of ERP can also contribute to the success. Big bang implementation requires change management that was not key strength of IBM.Training was used widely to increase skills and knowledge of users, with 450 different business activities in 15 locations. Open communication by provision of information to project teams, over 1,200 hours of training, over four months before going online or Go Live. The grace period was used for more scenario training, with more focus on business processes. After intensive, effective and serious training, the company co uld be ready to operate R/3 on its own without solution or partners expert working on site. List of Reference 1. Brown, 2012, Information Technology Management – 7th Edition, Prentice Hall

British Parliamentary

British parliamentary The British Parliamentary Debate Format Robert Trapp, Willamette University Yang Ge, Dalian Nationalities University A debate format consists of a description of the teams in the debate and the order and times for the speeches that make up that debate. The British Parliamentary debate format[1] differs from many other formats because it involves four teams rather than two.Two teams, called the â€Å"First Proposition† and the â€Å"Second Proposition† teams, are charged with the responsibility of supporting the proposition while two other teams, â€Å"First Opposition† and â€Å"Second Opposition,† are charged with opposing it. Two speakers represent each of the four teams and each speaker gives a speech of seven minutes. The following chart describes the basic format and time limits. As you will see from the chart, each speaker is given a unique title. British Parliamentary Debate Format Speaker |Time | |Prime Minister |7 minutes | | 1st speaker for 1st proposition: | | |Leader of Opposition |7 minutes | |1st speaker for 1st opposition: | | |Deputy Prime Minister |7 minutes | |2nd speaker for 1st proposition: | | |Deputy Leader of Opposition |7 minutes | |2nd speaker for 1st opposition: | | |Member of Government |7 minutes | |1st speaker for 2nd proposition: | | |Member of Opposition |7 minutes | |1st speaker for 2nd opposition: | | |Government Whip |7 inutes | |2nd speaker for 2nd proposition: | | |Opposition Whip |7 minutes | |2nd speaker for 2nd opposition: | | As can be seen from the table above, the first four speeches are delivered by the First Proposition and the First Opposition teams then the last four speeches are delivered by the Second Proposition and Second Opposition teams. Therefore, the First Proposition and First Opposition teams generally are responsible for the first half of the debate and the Second Proposition and Second Opposition teams have the responsibility for the second half.The table above describes all of the formal speeches but it does not describe one of the most important and dynamic parts of the debate: points of information. Points of information provide opportunities for members of each team to interact with members of the teams defending the opposite side of the motion[2]. Points of information can be requested after the first minute of a speech and prior to the last minute of the speech. The first and last minute of each speech is â€Å"protected† against interruption. The point of information can last no more than fifteen seconds and may take the form of a question, a statement, or an argument. Only a debater defending the opposite side of the proposition as the speaker can request a point of information.In other words, the debaters for the proposition can request points of information of members of the opposition teams and vice versa. To request a point of information, a debater rises and politely says something like â€Å"point of information please,† or â€Å"on that point. † The debater giving the speech has the authority to accept or to refuse the request for a point of information. In general, debaters should accept a minimum of two points during their speech so that the judges and the audience will know they are able to answer points quickly and directly. Accepting more than one or two points is not advisable because to do so may have the effect of disrupting the speech.To refuse a point of information, the debater may say something like â€Å"No thank you† or â€Å"not at this time,† or may simply use a hand gesture to indicate the person should take return to their seat. If the request for a point of information is accepted, the person who has requested the point has a maximum of fifteen seconds to make the point. As stated earlier, the point can be a question, a statement, or an argument. Sometimes points of information are made to force an opponent to clarify a position but more commo nly, they are made to attempt to undermine an argument being made by the speaker. After accepting a point of information, the speaker should answer the question directly.The person offering the point of information is not allowed to follow-up with additional questions. Points of information are among the most important and most interesting parts of British Parliamentary debate because they introduce an element of spontaneity to the debate and give each debater the chance to demonstrate critical thinking skills. Although points of information are a common occurrence in every speech in the debate, each speech contains elements that are unique to that speech. The following table explains the basic responsibilities of each speaker in British Parliamentary debate. Following the table is a fuller explanation of the responsibilities of each speech. Speaker Responsibilities for British Parliamentary Debate Speaker |Speaker Responsibilities | |Prime Minister |Defines and interprets the moti on | |1st speaker for 1st proposition: |Develops the case for the proposition | |Leader of Opposition |Accepts the definition of the motion | |1st speaker for 1st opposition: |Refutes the case of the 1st proposition | | |Constructs one or more arguments against the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the | | |motion. |Deputy Prime Minister |Refutes the case of the 1st opposition | |2nd speaker for 1st proposition: |Rebuilds the case of the 1st proposition | | |May add new arguments to the case of the 1st proposition | |Deputy Leader of Opposition 2nd speaker for 1st |Continues refutation of case of 1st proposition | |opposition: |Rebuilds arguments of the 1st opposition | | |May add new arguments to the case of the 1st opposition | |Member of Government |Defends the general direction and case of the 1st proposition | |1st speaker for 2nd proposition: |Continues refutation of 1st opposition team | | |Develops a new argument that is different from but consistent with the case o f the | | |1st proposition (sometimes called an extension). | |Member of Opposition |Defends the general direction taken by the 1st opposition. |1st speaker for 2nd opposition: |Continues general refutation of 1st proposition case | | |Provides more specific refutation of 2nd opposition | | |Provides new opposition arguments | |Government Whip |Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the proposition, defending the| |2nd speaker for 2nd proposition: |general view point of both proposition teams with a special eye toward the case of | | |the 2nd proposition | | |Does not provide new arguments. |Opposition Whip |Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the opposition, defending the | |2nd speaker for 2nd opposition: |general view point of both opposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the| | |2nd opposition | | |Does not provide new arguments. | The following sections briefly describe the speeches given by each of the eight speakers listed in the previous table. These are very brief descriptions that will be expanded in later chapters. Prime Minister The debate begins with a seven-minute speech by the Prime Minister.The Prime Minister has two basic responsibilities: to define and interpret the motion and to develop the case for the proposition. The first of these responsibilities is to define and interpret the motion for debate. The definition and interpretation is particularly important because it sets the stage for the entire debate. Remember, the Prime Minster has the right to define the motion and the responsibility to do so in a reasonable fashion. Therefore, if the Prime Minister’s interpretation is a poor one, the likely result will be a poor debate. In order to properly define and interpret the proposition, the Prime Minster should do the following: 1)Define any ambiguous terms in the proposition. )Show how these definitions are reasonable ones. 3)Outline a model that will be used by all teams in advancing the debate. More will be said about these three points in Chapter 5 on constructing a case for the proposition. The second responsibility of the Prime Minister is to construct a case for the proposition. Simply stated, a â€Å"case† consists of one or more arguments supporting the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the motion. Therefore, the Prime Minister will outline the arguments supporting the interpretation and begin to develop each of those arguments. The Prime Minister need not present all of the arguments for the First Proposition team.In many cases, the Prime Minister will state that the First Proposition team will have a certain number of arguments and that some will be presented in this speech and the Deputy Prime Minister will present the rest. Leader of the Opposition The Leader of the Opposition has three primary responsibilities: to accept the definition and interpretation of the proposition, to refute part or all of the Prime Minister’s case, an d to present one or more arguments in opposition to the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the motion. First, in most ordinary situations, the Leader of the Opposition should explicitly accept the definition and interpretation of the motion as presented by the Prime Minister.In extraordinary cases, when the definition is completely unreasonable as to preclude meaningful debate, the Leader of the Opposition has the right to reject the definition. The problem with rejecting the definition is that such an action will ultimately lead to a very bad debate and the First Opposition team likely will get the blame. Therefore, even in the event of an unreasonable definition, the Leader of the Opposition should point out to the judge and the audience that the definition and interpretation presented by the Prime Minister is unreasonable and then should go ahead and accept the definition for the purposes of the current debate.Second, the Leader of the Opposition should refute part or all of the Prime Minister’s arguments for the motion. Because of the limits of time, the Leader of Opposition cannot reasonably expect to refute all of the Prime Minister’s arguments. The proper goal is to select and refute the most important arguments presented by the Prime Minister. Finally, the Leader of the Opposition should present one, two, or three arguments directed against the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the motion. These arguments are different from those arguments offered in refutation. They should consist of the most persuasive reasons that the Leader of the Opposition can present to convince the audience to reject the proposition. Deputy Prime MinisterThe Deputy Prime Minister has three primary obligations: to defend the case presented by the Prime Minister, to refute any independent arguments presented by the Leader of the Opposition, and to add one or more arguments to the case presented by the Prime Minister. First, the Deputy Prime Minister d efends the case presented by the Prime Minister by engaging any refutation presented against the case by the Leader of the Opposition. This task needs to be accomplished in a very systematic fashion. The Deputy should take up the Prime Minister’s argument one by one and defend each argument against any refutation by the Leader of the Opposition. Thus, at the end of this section of the Deputy’s speech, the audience should see that the case originally presented by the Prime Minister still stands as strongly as it did when initially presented.Second, the Deputy Prime Minister should refute any of the independent argument presented by the Leader of the Opposition. Like the Leader of Opposition, the Deputy should not try to refute all arguments, just the most important ones. Finally, the Deputy Prime Minster should add one or two arguments to the case presented by the Prime Minister. The reasons for adding new arguments in this speech are two-fold: First, the Prime Minister may not have had adequate time to develop all of the arguments that the First Proposition team wishes to present and second, presenting these additional arguments gives the judges and audience a way to judge the ability of the Deputy Prime Minister with respect to the ability to construct arguments. Deputy Leader of the OppositionThe duties of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are similar to those of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Deputy Leader should 1) defend the refutation offered by the Leader of Opposition, 2) defend the arguments offered by the Leader of the Opposition, and 3) add one or more new arguments to those being offered by the First Proposition team. First, the Deputy Leader should defend the refutation offered by the Leader of the Opposition. The Deputy Prime Minister will have engaged the refutation presented by the Leader of Opposition. At this time, the Deputy Leader needs to show that the original refutation is still sound. Second, the Deputy Leader should def end the arguments presented by the Leader of the Opposition.The task of the Deputy Leader is to make sure that these arguments still stand firm in the mind of the judges and audience. To do so, the Deputy leader needs to consider each argument one by one, engage any refutation offered by the Deputy Prime Minister, and therefore rebuild each argument. Third, the Deputy Leader should present one or more arguments against the proposition. These arguments can be similar to those arguments raised by the Leader of the Opposition, yet they should be new ones to give the judges and audience the ability to judge the Deputy Leader’s argument construction skills. Member of Government The Member of Government initiates the second half of the debate.The Member of Government needs to defend the general direction taken by the First Proposition team but needs to offer a new perspective from the Second Proposition team. In other words, the Member of Government needs to defend the thesis of th e First Proposition team while doing so for different reasons. The obligations of the Member of Government can be summarized as follows: 1) Defend the general perspective of the First Proposition team, 2) Continue refuting arguments made by the First Opposition team, 3) Develop one or more new arguments that are different from but consistent with the case offered by the First Proposition team. The first responsibility of the Member of the Government is to defend the general direction of the debate as started by the First Proposition team.In so doing, the Member of Government demonstrates a sense of loyalty to the other debaters defending the proposition. This part of the Member’s speech is important but need not be time consuming. One or two minutes devoted to this aspect of the speech will probably be sufficient. Second, the Member of Government should continue refuting arguments made by the First Opposition team. The Member of Government should not use the same refutation a s provided by debaters of the First Proposition team, but should introduce new points of refutation unique to the Second Government team. To the extent possible, the refutation should focus on the arguments presented by the Deputy Leader of the Proposition.Finally, the Member of Government should develop one or more arguments that are different from but consistent with the arguments offered by the Prime Minister. These new arguments sometimes are referred to as an â€Å"extension. † This extension is one of the most important elements of the Member of Government’s case as it provides an opportunity to distinguish the Second Proposition team from the First Proposition while simultaneously remaining consistent with their overall approach. Member of Opposition The Member of Opposition begins the second half of the debate for the Opposition side. Like the Second Proposition team, the goal of the Second Opposition team is to remain consistent with the First Opposition team while presenting a unique perspective of their own. To accomplish this goal, theMember of Opposition needs to fulfill three obligations: 1) Defend the general direction taken by the First Opposition team, 2) Continue the refutation of the case as presented by the First Proposition, 3) Provide more specific refutation of the arguments introduced by the Member of Government, and 4) Present one or more new arguments that are consistent with, yet different from, those presented by the First Opposition team. First, the Member of Opposition should defend the general perspective taken by the First Opposition team. This need not be a time-consuming enterprise, but the Member of Opposition should make clear that the Second Opposition team is being loyal to the arguments of the First Opposition team.Second, the Member of Opposition should briefly continue the refutation of the case presented by the First Proposition team. Again, this continued refutation should be brief and should involve new points of refutation not yet considered by members of the First Opposition team. Third, the Member of Opposition should present more specific refutation of the arguments introduced by the Member of Government. Refutation of the Member of Government’s arguments is an important task because these are completely new arguments supporting the proposition side and have not yet been joined by the opposition side. Finally, the Member of Opposition should present an extension—an argument consistent with, yet different from that presented by the First Opposition team.Like the Government’s extension, this is an important responsibility of the Member of Opposition because it allows the Second Opposition team to show its loyalty to the First Opposition team while clearly differentiating themselves form the First Opposition. Government Whip The whip speakers for both teams have the responsibility to close the debate for their respective sides. The Government Whip should acco mplish three goals: 1) Refute the extension offered by the Member of Opposition, 2) Defend the extension offered by the Member of Government, and 3) Summarize the debate from the perspective of the Proposition side. The first responsibility of the Government Whip is to refute the extension offered by the Member of Opposition. This extension has yet to be discussed by the Proposition team and doing so is an important responsibility of the Government Whip.Second, the Government Whip should defend the extension offered by the Member of Government. The Member of Government’s extension is a very important party of the Second Government’s case and in all likelihood has been refuted by the Member of Opposition. Therefore, defending this extension is an important responsibility of the Government Whip. The final, and perhaps most important responsibility of the Government Whip is to summarize the debate from the perspective of the Proposition side. The summary may be accomplish ed in a number of ways. One of the most effective ways is to identify the most crucial issues in the debate and discuss how each side has dealt with each.The summary should, of course, be made from their side’s perspective while being and appearing to be fair-minded. Similarly, the summary should be fair to the First Proposition team but should focus on the arguments pursued by the Second Proposition team. Opposition Whip The responsibilities of the Opposition Whip are almost identical to those of the Government Whip except they are accomplished from the perspective of the Opposition side rather than from the Proposition side. Again, the Opposition Whip should 1) Refute the extension offered by the Member of Government, 2) Defend the extension offered by the Member of Opposition, and 3) Summarize the debate from the perspective of the Opposition side.The details of this speech are exactly like those of the previous speech except that they focus on the Opposition side of the d ebate rather than the Proposition side. Once again, the primary goal of this speech is to summarize the debate from the perspective of the Opposition side, particularly from the point of view of the Second Opposition team. This summary should fairly support the Opposition side of the debate while focusing on the accomplishments of the Second Opposition team. Summary This then is the basic format of British Parliamentary debating: four teams of two persons each engage one another through a series of seven-minute speeches interspersed by points of information.The teams from each side attempt to maintain loyalty with one another while simultaneously demonstrating the unique qualities of their own arguments. Much has been introduced here that was not fully developed. Later chapters will further explore issues only mentioned here, issues such as case construction, opposition arguments, points of information, refutation and many others. ——————â₠¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ [1] British Parliamentary debate sometimes is referred to as Worlds-style debate or simply four-team debate. [2] The topic for the debate is called the motion, proposition, resolution, or sometimes just the debate topic. All of these words are used interchangeably.

Assignment 1: Preliminary Product Screening Report

PRELIMINARY PRODUCT SCREENING REPORT: OPAL JEWELRY 16/08/2012 Assignment one. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gems and jewelry play a significant role in Australian customs and traditions, making this sector integral to the economy and one of the fastest growing industries in the country. Precious opal ranks with diamond, as one of the most valuable of gemstones. Opal jewelry can have a big variation on their values, opals materials to make those jewelries can start at AUD$1. 00 per carat and go to AUD$20,000. 00 per carat. Apart from Australia and Slovakia the only other countries with a significant production of opal jewelry have been Mexico and Brazil.Australian opal jewelry can be a sound long-term investment, with value appreciation climbing yearly. Weakness: Australia does not invest in overseas marketing for jewelry, if the country started investing on that, opportunities would came, building up the opal market overseas Australians have the opals as old-fashioned jewelry; they should be re -educated about that. Compliance: Intellectual property (IP) is an essential tool to protect your ideas and the work you generate as a designer in the fashion industry.It’s also one of the essential building blocks of Australia’s economy, because it helps foster creativity and reward innovation. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Executive summary: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Page: 2 Introduction: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Page: 4 Research Findings: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Page: 5 Analysis and Conclusions: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Page: 12 Opal types: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Page: 13 INTRODUCTION: Since the l ast century, Australia has been the prime producer of gem opal in the world. Now a day, Australia exports over 90 per cent of natural opal, making a significant contribution to Australia's economy.The infinite variety of color and pattern makes opal a very special stone. Opal is unique in that the stone changes color when it is rocked back and forth or when it moves on the neck so mounting it in Australian opal jewelry displays the rock in the very best setting. The task for this assignment 1 in certificate IV international trade was to undertake preliminary screening of an Australian product. The task was to choose and research an Australian product made in Australia from mostly Australian resources that we wish to market internationally.Once the product was selected we were then asked to perform a research using primary and secondary resources for our research. To be Included in this research are vital pieces of information such as price, product, promotion and place, consumers of the product, competitors in the industry and the product cycle of our product. Through this preliminary research we will be able to gain an idea of whether or not exporting our chosen product will be a successful venture or whether there will be risks involved. The Australian product I have chosen is Opal Jewelry. RESEARCH FINDINGS:PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: There are more then 19 mines situated all over Australia. New south Wales, for example, is famous for your black opals. This state has the largest proportion of Australian Opals in term of value. There we can find two mines: Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs. Queensland produces Boulder Opal, which is a unique type of opal and is found attached to a host rock, ironstone. Only Queensland have the Boulder opal, and is found in deposits in weathered  sedimentary Cretaceous rocks in the west of the state. This state have four mines, which are: Quilpe, Winton, Opalton and Yoah.South Australia has four active opal mining fields, Andamooka , Coober Pedy, Lambina and Mintabie. South Australia is largest producer of opal in terms of volume, and produces the white opal, crystal opal or ‘milky' type of opal. Source: http://www. costellos. com. au/opals/types. html This research is based in a business operated in Queensland, having as a main product Boulder opal. Although, the company also sells all types of opals jewelry, rings, pendants, earrings, beads, and watches. (BUSINESS LOGO. ) Source: http://www. opalsdownunder. com. au/Images source: http://www. opalsdownunder. com. au/opal-pendants/ COSTUMERS DETAILS: The opal jewelry Is displayed in the full gamut of jewelry settings: rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, bracelets, studs, cufflinks and other type of jewelry to suit every occasion and budget. You can even have custom-made opal jewelry for your engagement ring or for any other appropriate gift-giving occasion. Or maybe you just want to spoil yourself. As the price of the jewelry made with opals varies grea tly, consumers may also vary according to the price of the product.There are jewelries made of opal, which are for tourists, with a lower cost. Others, such as black opal, which has great value, are for higher-class consumers, who admire and do not save money to buy a good jewelry. Source: â€Å"Laszlo’s opal and jewelry†, 2001-2010, viewed 10 august 2012, http://www. opal-jewelry. com/about. htm RETAIL INFORMATION: Opals are very common Jewelry in Australia. The ones made for tourists are usually sold in local markets, with a lower cost. But, we also find Opals in famous jewelry stores with a higher value.Web sites such as e-bay, or even jewelry websites made just to sell them. There are a huge variety of them, offering all forms of payment. On this company, for example the website shows some of the most important currencies that may be interested to buy their products. All the prices are showed in Australian dollars, with their currency conversion below the pictures to make it easier for the costumers to think how much does the jewelry costs in their own country. At the moment the product is only sold domestically within Australia in their store, Situated on the Bruce Highway on sunshine coast.Also, this product it is predominantly sold online at its website http://www. opalsdownunder. com. au, here the customers can browse through the available products on offer and place an online order. Once they have chosen, they can then add the product to their online cart and proceed to pay. The payment method is Credit Card or Debit MasterCard/ Visas, there is also the option to pay by PayPal. On this company, for example, the website shows some of the most important currencies that may be interested to buy their products.All the prices are showed in Australian dollars, with their currency conversion below the pictures to make it easier for the costumers to think how much does the jewelry costs in their own country, followed by the payment methods. Sou rce: https://www. opalsdownunder. com. au/cart PRICE DETAILS: The color, size and type of precious opal are factors that determine the price paid for the gemstone. Usually the price is based on the quality of the opal and expressed per carat. Furthermore, there is a marked difference between the value of uncut opal compared with the value of cut and polished opal.Like anything, marketing has a great impact on determining the value of a product. Opals are as unique and individual as the people who buy them. And a personal taste and preference can also affect the price this product. Another issue is that the different colors and patterns can appeal to different markets. Although, you can have material that can start at AUD$1. 00 per carat and go to AUD$20, 000. 00 per carat. One big influence when we talk about Opal values is the Opal tone: it refers to the background or the ‘underlying color' of the opal, which ranges from black through dark to light.Generally opals with a blac k or dark body tone are more valuable than those with a white, light, or crystal body tone, because a stone with a darker body tone tends to display colors more vibrantly. Black opals are the most prized opal and may realize prices over AUD $15,000 a carat. Opal Jewelry can also vary between the products, one simple opal pendent for example, starts with AUD 136, 00, but an opal ring costs around AUD 230. 00. As was mentioned before, we can also find in the market more affordable opal jewelry, but usually, they are not made with gold, or silver or valuable materials.SOURCE: http://www. opalsdownunder. com. au COMPETITORS: Apart from Australia and Slovakia the only other countries with a significant production of opal jewelry have been Mexico and Brazil. There are a few other countries, which have small occurrences of precious opal, usually from volcanic rocks, but these have met with little commercial success. Another very valuable stone and well regarded by consumers, the diamond, i s also seen as a competitor. Although, diamonds do not have the range of prices and types of productions that have opals.A top quality black opal can influence in the price, giving a higher price per carat than a good, clear one-carat diamond. Very different to to the diamond industry, there is no monopoly in the world marketing of opal and true market forces of supply and demand determine price. Another difference is that, opals have a wide range of values, which can satisfy a greater number of consumers, becoming a popular stone. And that do not happen with Diamonds. Apart of those countries, and the diamond, other mines in Australia are the biggest competitor that Opals Down Under have.With the websites facilities, the mines also sells the product for another countries, or domestically, for Australians. SOURCE: â€Å"Mining and Gems Global Industry†, 2008, viewed 10 august 2012, ;http://web. ebscohost. com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=c49106d4-941d-433b-9f22-8f7280b7d19b %40sessionmgr104;vid=14;hid=125; PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE: Australian opal can be a sound long-term investment, with value appreciation climbing yearly. Australian fields are slowly running down, so the values on quality gems will regularly increase year by year.For the overseas investor, it is easier to buy at the source of supply and save money. â€Å"COOBER Pedy's colourful opal mining industry is falling victim to the state's mining boom†. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER], viewed in 10 august 2012, ;http://web. ebscohost. com/ehost/detail? vid=3;hid=125;sid=bd0f4262-c765-4e52-b405-3b86c70d60ac%40sessionmgr112;bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWNvb2tpZSxpcCx1cmwsY3BpZCZjdXN0aWQ9czEyNDE5NzEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=anh;AN=201206091017391615; PROMOTION: Nationally, this company uses newspaper, magazines and sales to promote their sales.But also, a way that they use to promote is from Internet. Their website is a good way to promote their products and their store, but to promote their websites, coupons a re also showed in on-line magazines, giving the costumers discounts of this product, and giving the costumers an opportunity to have a look on their websites: source: http://saltmagazine. com. au/articles/web-exclusives/pepper-march-spa-restaurants-events. aspx WEAKNESS OF THE PRODUCT: Even with so many good things to talk about the market for jewelry opals, we also have to look at his weak side.One way Australian opal could further its reach would be through aggressive strategies of marketing. Australia spends almost to nothing with the promotion of opal overseas or even with in his own country. For example, last year, a South African diamond mining company called De Beers, spent around AUS$150million in Japan marketing diamond engagement rings, as opposed to Australia which, in the same year, spent AUD$100,000. 00 in all the promotion of opal overseas. Australia could make more marketing campaigns about opals, and that would increase the demand.Another weaknesses of the market is that, according to opal retailer Con Retsas, if we educate Australians about opal that could be the first step towards telling the world about the gem and build up its global reach. He said that â€Å"Many Australians perceive opal jewelry as old fashioned, something that Grandma wore. † But if you compare an opal to a diamond, even a lower grade opal can be really interesting and beautiful to look at as opposed to a poor diamond, which is nothing flash or colorful as the opals. Source: â€Å"The Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA)†, C 2012, viewed 10 August 2012, ;www. gem. rg. au ;. COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW: About IP Australia: IP Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for administering patent, design, trademark and plant breeder’s rights. By granting these rights, and contributing to the improvement of Australian and international IP systems, IP Australia is supporting Australia’s economic development. Intellectual property (I P) is an essential tool to protect your ideas and the work you generate as a designer in the fashion industry. It’s also one of the essential building blocks of Australia’s economy, because it helps foster creativity and reward innovation.Australia’s IP laws provide a legal framework to protect your innovative and creative ideas and designs. Legally enforceable IP rights encourage technological innovation and artistic expression in industries, such as fashion and design, and help to build and expand businesses, create new jobs and stimulate the sector both in Australia and overseas. Source: http://www. ipfashionrules. gov. au/ Conclusion: Today, the Australian opal jewelry industry is made up of a large number of individual companies generally working their own claims.A single opal field is explored and developed by several hundred individual miners, making the jewelry market develop, and have a huge quantity of competitors. Historically, the continued developme nt of the industry has relied upon chance discovery. Other than putting more funds into marketing Australian opal jewelry, I believe that display stores around the world, representing Australian opal jewelry as a product rather than individual jewelry businesses would be a start in the global promotion of Australian opal jewelry.With this promotion nice quality of jewelry as artistic designed pieces, could make the market reach the status it deserves. This industry is young, and Australia has much to do in order to promote the jewelry industry to its biggest potential. Yet, with industry perseverance, opal jewelry will be soon recognized by the world, for the art it is. Opal jewelry is a great gift, or souvenir that represents Australia, making this industry have a large number of types of consumers.To conclude, In my opinion, Australia has reached his national target with the opal jewelry market, and now is ready to export this amazing art and show the world not just the beauty of the rings, watches, pendants, but a little bit of his culture as well. Australian opals jewelry has the best quality, design and also the biggest resources making opals jewelry an easier market to export. Type of opals: Boulder opal is also classified as solid opal.It is a variety of precious opal that has the host rock forming naturally as part of the gem. This type of opal is often cut with the ironstone left on the back, as the opal often just a thin vein of precious opal is present. The opal forms within the cavities of the boulders in both vertical and horizontal cracks. Boulder opal can be found in many different shapes and sizes, from as small as a pea, to as big as a family car which can also be black or light depending on the appearance of the stone when viewed from the surface.Black/Dark Opal Black Opal is easily distinguished by the blackness of the background â€Å"body tone† or body color, which shows a play of color within or on a black/dark body tone, when view ed from the face up. The term ‘black opal' does not mean that the stone is completely black, some of them have a light crystal color bar, giving the otherwise light opal a dark appearance. Even expensive black/dark opals may have only a very thin color bar. Light/Crystal OpalCrystal Opal has a transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent body, which is also referred to as the â€Å"diaphaneity† of a stone. Crystal opals can display any color of the spectrum in a beautiful play of color because they are cut with a high cabochon. The translucence of a crystal opal often gives it clarity and vibrancy of color and may be transparent through to nearly opaque, although it usually has a light body tone or white body color. Source: â€Å"King opal†, 2009, viewed 10 august 2012, ;http://www. kingopal. com. au/types-of-opal. php;

Interoperability Paper Essay

Health information systems having the power to work together within and across organizational boundaries in order to advance the effective delivery of health care of individuals and communities is called Interoperability. Interoperability enhances the significance for information technology to make the networks and integrations work. It also affects care delivery, continuity of care, and the ability to share information with patients for patient engagement. The term is most widely used in product enhancement and marketing. In human services different providers employ interoperability to communicate with other systems and services for better results. (Margaret Rouse, 2006) ACF Interoperability Initiative The Administration for Children & Families or the ACF is known as an important Department of Health & Human Services America. ACF supports the economic and social well-being of children, families, communities, and individuals through offering many state of the art programs. ACF’s human services provide a vast range of groups consisting of individuals and families earning low income, Native Americans, refugees, and many others. (ACF, 2013) ACF has a mission to fulfill, and is also struggling to do so. They want to be able to provide grants to non-profit groups, state and local governments, faith and community-based organizations, Native American communities, and American Indian tribes. ACF also provides technical assistance, supervision, and administration to fund beneficiaries that, in turn, are responsible for direct delivery of services. (ACF, 2013) There are many barriers and issues in providing the grants to the end recipients for which the initiative is taken to implement the interoperability. â€Å"Interoperability† is acknowledged as a national effort of technological and programmatic coordination to mitigate and even diminish those barriers. Today, the emergence of â€Å"interoperable technology† provides the opportunity  to unite systems cross wide traditional boundaries in exciting and rewarding ways. This integration through interoperability corresponds to the need for expansion of new service models and techniques to make best use of constructive outcomes for children, families and communities (ACF, 2013). Models of Interoperability There are different ways and methods to implement interoperability. Almost every organization creates its own interoperability models and methods. The three models of interoperability are information interoperability, business interoperability, and technical interoperability. Information interoperability allows the separate systems to understand the format, meaning and also the quality of the information being exchange, and it includes knowledge management, business intelligence, information management, and trusted identity. Business interoperability is an interface that enables business interoperability between organizational systems. It includes delivery network, e-Democracy, e-Business, enterprise resource management, and relationship and case management. Lastly technical interoperability means the ability of two or more information and communication technology applications, to accept data from each other and perform a given task in an appropriate and satisfactory manner without the need for extra operator intervention and this includes IT infrastructure ( Togaf, 2013) Advantages and Disadvantages There are many benefits of interoperability. Interoperability is significant in linking health and human services. It improves the client’s experience by caring for the whole person with enhanced and advanced care coordination, enhanced timely contact to getting critical information for decision making, prevent illness, reduce exacerbating conditions, decrease hospital reentries and help build individuals self-sufficiency. Interoperability helps in providing the ACF timely and accurate information to provide a more compatible enrollment process. The system will also enhance the access of information. The system helps access a wide range of data from every human service organization to link the clients to. The transparency through interoperability across programs will also enhance the ability of systems to reduce fraud, waste and abuse. I don’t think there are any disadvantages. Back-up It is very important for you to protect the data because it is the heart of the organization. And to protect your organization’s data, you need to implement a data backup and recovery plan. Backing up files can protect against accidental loss of user data, database corruption, hardware failures, and even natural disasters (Microsoft, 2013).The way the files are backed up vary according to the data that is required to be back up and also the convenience regarding the recovery process. Normal/full backups: In this method every file that is selected is backed up, apart from the setting of the attributes of archive. If there is modification required in a file, this attribute is set, which shows the requirement for file back up. Listed below is the backup plan concerning the interoperability. * Copy backups: Every file selected for back up is backed up fully, without the consideration of the setting of the archive attribute. Contrasting a normal backup, the modification does not occur to the archive attribute on files. It gives rise to opportunity to create other backups in future. * Differential backups: Invented in order save the changes to files since the last backup of the system. Only files with the archive attribute are backed up. The files with the archive attribute aren’t modified. This lets you perform other kinds of backups on the files at a later date. * Incremental backups: This is designed to generate backups of files that have changed since the most recent normal or incremental backup. The existence of the archive attribute indicates that the file has been modified. Only files with this attribute are backed up. The archive attribute is cleared when a file is backed up. If the file is modified later this attribute is set. When the attribute is set it indicates that the file needs to be backed up. * Daily backups: Designed to create backup files on the date the file was created. The file will also be backed up if the file has been changed on the same day as the backup. Daily backups do not change the archive attributes of files (Microsoft, 2013). The ACF is hoping to accomplish full backups on a weekly basis and complement this with daily, differential, or incremental backups. The organization also wants to generate an extended backup set for quarterly and monthly backups. This can include files that aren’t being backed up on a regular basis. References ACF, (2013), â€Å"ACF Interoperability Initiative†. Retrieved from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/initiatives-priorities/interoperability Margaret Rouse, (2006), â€Å"Interoperability†. Retrieved from: http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/interoperability Microsoft, (2013), â€Å"Data Back Up and Recovery†. Retrieved from: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727010.aspx Togaf, (2013), â€Å"Interoperability Requirements†. Retrieved from: http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/chap29.html