The Importance of Counseling Essay example - 1582 Words

A successful leaders use praise effectively. Identifying shortcomings and then telling soldiers what must be improved are a leader’s responsibility. Praising soldiers for their improvement and proper performance is even more important. To have a soldier to continue on the right step you need and will have to give them a positive counsel more often than what you probably want to. A sincere and honest praise lets soldiers know that their leader appreciates their efforts. Praising subordinates is a simple act that takes little time but will provide many benefits. With a few positive, encouraging words and a pat on the back, the leader can recognize and reinforce desired behavior and performance. A soldier who feels that their best efforts are†¦show more content†¦Leaders owe their soldiers the best possible road map to success. Leaders help their soldiers solve complex problems by guiding them to workable solutions through effective counseling. Developmental counselin g is subordinate-centered communication that outlines actions necessary for soldiers to achieve individual and organizational goals and objectives. It is vital to the Armys future that all leaders conduct professional growth counseling with their soldiers to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Leaders counsel their subordinate NCOs and junior enlisted soldiers. There may be situations where officers counsel junior enlisted soldiers. The point is this: every leader has an obligation to develop their subordinates through developmental counseling. The Army values play a very important role. Simply put the values of loyalty, duty and selfless service require leaders to counsel their soldiers. The values of honor, integrity and personal courage require both leaders and soldiers to give straightforward feedback and, if possible, goal-oriented tasks or solutions. The Army value of respect requires us all to find the best way to communicate that feedback and goals. Some soldiers may perceive c ounseling as an adverse action, perhaps because that is their experience. Developmental counseling most definitely is not supposed to be an adverse action. Regular developmental counseling is the Armys most important tool for developing futureShow MoreRelatedThe Importance And Cons Of Counseling1020 Words   |  5 PagesFor a moment there was a sense of success that lingered at the hopeful look that gazed upon carefully held pastries, yet when the expression he carefully monitored morphed into outright sadness the sensation quickly faltered. Feeling his natural smile waning due to his failure to understand, Malik attempted to remain optimistic about the outcome for both of their sakes. Before he could begin to speak tiny fingers gestured towards the cherry filled treat with enthusiasm, and a few hand signals wereRead MoreThe Importance And Cons Of Counseling1075 Words   |  5 PagesHis imposing figure towered above us, the weight of his shadow almost felt like it could crush me. Honestly, I’m not surprised considering he took power over the country 20-30 years ago and morphed it into his little sandbox. Life wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great either though. I can’t imagine it would be hundreds of times better if we werent’ in this situation. I wouldn’t mind a little peace and quiet though, the piercing sounds of police weaponry clashing with the older snapping noises of makeshiftRead MoreThe Importance Of The School Counseling Profession1537 Words   |  7 PagesThe purpose of the School Counseling profession has evolved over time in order to promote student success, at all grade levels, depending on current trends. Presently, the American School Counselor Association, also referred to as the ASCA, describes the role of a School Counselor as a certified/licensed educator who: â€Å"Serves a vital role in maximizing student success. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiencesRead MoreThe Importance of Understanding Individual Personality in Counseling897 Words   |  4 PagesPersonality as Important to Counseling Each one of us has a vastly different personality that has been morphed from a combination of our experiences and our cognitive processes. In turn, this personality helps define not only who we are, but how we behave. From a counseling perspective, understanding an individuals personality is crucial because it helps guide the therapeutic process into a more definitive and effective manner, correlating the sessions in tune with the mind of the individualRead More The Importance of Counseling Theories Essay590 Words   |  3 Pages It is imperative to study counseling theories when beginning field based work. Counseling theories provide a foundation to be able to learn and develop my own techniques. Some ideas that exemplify the significance of counseling theories are; research, application of theories, and case studies. Research To understand or create a theory, one must first have scientific support. The best way to comprise such support is research. Counseling theories give an extensive basis of data from researchRead MoreThe Importance Of Competency Skills For Counseling1480 Words   |  6 PagesWhen I first stated I was interested in counseling, I thought all I had to do was sit in a chair and listen. I have learned there is a lot more to counseling than just sitting there and listening, you must learn to use competency skills as well. Looking over the 14 personal competencies which includes: 1) Be nonjudgmental; 2) be flexible; 3) be resourceful; 4) personal observations; 5) pay attention to thoughts and feelings; 6) listen carefully; 7) observe attentively; 8) assume complexity; 9) tolerateRead MoreThe Importance Of Marriage Preparation And Premarital Counseling Essay734 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"The importance of marriage preparation and premarital counseling has increased in the United States as the divorce rate continues to remain high.† (Larson et. al., 2002 p.233) Marital dysfunction and dissatisfaction are among the top reasons couples have sought out divorce. With the rate of divorce rising, it poses a question what marriage and family therapists can do to help lower the divorce rates and help couples develop healthier relationships. †¨ Premarital prevention programs were implementedRead MoreThe Importance of the Therapy Leader in Group Counseling1584 Words   |  6 Pagesyet strong enough to at times withstand highly charged emotions, challenges, and interactions between members. In addition to personal characteristics, group leaders need to acquire a body of knowledge and a set of skills specific to group work. Counseling skills can be taught, but there is also an element of art involved in using these skills. The objective of this paper is to compile a list of the important factors and traits that allow therapists to be successful group therapy leaders . Active ListeningRead MoreThe Importance Of A Counseling Session For The Clinician And The Client1181 Words   |  5 PagesGenograms can be a very important to a counseling session for the clinician and the client. Genograms is a used by many health care disciplines to help understand the family dynamics and certain health care information of the client or patient. According Butler (2008) genograms were first developed by a man named Murray Bowen and his students. Butler (2008) suggest that genograms where first acknowledged as â€Å"Bowen theory† (pg.169). However, it would soon be a normal practice for family counselorsRead MoreThe Importance Of A Counseling Student Studying Chemical Dependency957 Words   |  4 PagesAs a counseling student studying chemical dependency, I was assigned to attend two 12-step meetings to better understand the 12-step process. I attended two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings at the Episcopal Church in Starkville; MS. AA is a worldwide fell owship of alcoholic men and women who are banded together to solve their common problems and to help fellow sufferers in recovery from alcoholism. These particular Alcoholics Anonymous meeting opened with a serenity prayer, a reading of the AA

Impact of Industrial Pollution on Human Health in I-9 and...

IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH IN I-9 AND I-10 SECTORS OF ISLAMABAD ABSTRACT The research aims to study the impact of industrial pollution on the health of people in I-9 and I-10 Islamabad. The study shows that majority of the people are suffering from asthma, disruption in sleep, hypertension, tuberculosis and a lot of diseases related to skin. There is no check and balance on the industrial wastage and harmful gases. Measure should be taken for the industrial wastage and also the industries should be far from the residential areas. Moreover high quality machinery should be used and should be properly installed. The awareness campaign should also be arranged to aware the industrialist about the harmfulness†¦show more content†¦The furnaces produces metal dusts, slag and gaseous emissions. Smoke is produced during charging of the furnace. Air emission from the industry includes nitrogen dioxide, sulphar dioxide and carbon monoxide and thick black smoke. Particularly pollution is generated due to poor quality of scrap bundled Scrap which is being used by melters consists mainly of spent containers of edible oil, paints lubricants and even rubber. There are 11 re-rolling mills and using locally manufactures billets, which are reheated in gas or oil fired open gas furnace. The environment related issue is the occasional discharge of black smoke. Large quantities of steam are used as a main heating medium in ghee manufacturing processes. Steam is also used for creating the vacuum required in ghee manufacturing. During this time major air emissions are nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The extremely high level of consumption of fresh water by these industries has resulted in generation of large volume of waste water. Major waste water pollutants from this industry include oil and grease, soaps and suspended solids. There are 31 marble cutting and polishing units in the industrial area of Islamabad The excess water displaced by the gathering sludge overflows withoutShow MoreRelatedArchitecture and Industrial Age: The Role of Media Violence in Violent Behavior by L. Rowell Huesmann and Laramie D. Taylor 3013 Words   |  13 PagesSCHOOL AT SECTOR G13/2 ISLAMABAD INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND: We are in an industrial age where everything is mechanical and we see everything in terms of money .We ignored the natural environment and build a mechanical world for humans ignoring the fact that human being breathe also. Human are not machines that don’t have any culture, society or any sensitivity toward the environment. Human in every era do respond to every single change that’s taking place. With the passage of time fear of human has alsoRead MoreDisaster Management Policies and Systems in Pakistan13687 Words   |  55 PagesA Review of Disaster Management Policies and Systems in Pakistan for WCDR 2005 January, 2005 Islamabad Abbreviations 1 ADB Asian Development Bank AJK Azad Jammu Kashmir DCO District Coordination Officer DERA Drought Emergency Relief Assistance DANIDA Danish International Development Assistance ECF Energy Conservation Fund EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ERC Emergency Relief Cell FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas FFC Federal Flood Commission GDO Goods Dispatch OrganizationRead More Pakistans Relationship with IMF and World Bank Essay6151 Words   |  25 PagesPakistans Relationship with IMF and World Bank My topic deals with Pakistan, its relationship with the IMF and World Bank, and its internal problems that are causing unemployment, poverty, economic crisis and hunger. I shall be analyzing the situation using the neo-classical theory, as it is what the economists of the Pakistan government and the IMF are using to alleviate the economic instability of the country. Situated in the sub-continent, Pakistan is a low-income country, withRead MoreCuases Impact of Rural - Urban Migration from District Swabi to Peshawar14595 Words   |  59 Pagesabstract MIGRATION IS THE MOVEMENT OF HUMAN FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF MIGRATION. ONE IS EXTERNAL MIGRATION AND OTHER IS INTERNAL MIGRATION. MIGRATION OF PEOPLE FROM RURAL AREA TO URBAN AREA IS INTERNAL MIGRATION. AS A RESEARCHER WE HAVE TRIED TO EVALUATE CAUSES AND IMPACT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION FROM SWABI TO PESHAWAR. THE RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (I) TO KNOW ABOUT VARIOUS SOCIO-ECONOMIC CAUSES OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION. (II) TO HIGHLIGHT POLITICALRead MoreShaheen Air International14539 Words   |  59 PagesANALYSIS 75 TOWS MATRIX ANALYSIS 77 STRATEGY TABLE: 84 ACTION PLAN 86 NEW VISION STATEMENT 87 NEW MISSION STATEMENT 87 THREE ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES 87 FINAL STRATEGY 87 Executive Summary Shaheen Air was founded in December 1993 and in just 10 months on account of its professional service, exceptional performance, customer support, and expertise in aviation, on October 25, 1994, it was accorded the status of Second National Carrier of Pakistan. Shaheen Air has re-emerged with a new visionRead MoreArticle: Performance Appraisal and Performance Management35812 Words   |  144 Pagesmanagement field and growing complexity in corporate sectors demand more capable HR, so mare appraisal of employee’s performance is not sufficient. Employee’s contribution should be aligned with organizational objectives and strategy. Performance management eliminates the shortcomings of performance appraisal system to the some extent. Keywords: Human resource (HR), HR development, performance appraisal, performance management, performance evaluation. I. INTRODUCTION Organizations are run and steeredRead MoreReport on Oil and Gas Industry in Pakistan81517 Words   |  327 PagesReport No. 26072-PK Pakistan: Oil and Gas Sector Review July 10, 2003 Oil and Gas Policy Division Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department Private Sector Development and Infrastructure Document of the World Bank Currency Equivalents Currency Unit = Rupees (Rs) Rs. 1.00 = Paisa 100 US$1.00 = Rs. 58.35 * Rs. 1.0 = US$0.017138 Rs. 1,000,000 = US$17,138 *As of December 31, 2002 Measures And Equivalents 1 Kilometer (km) 1 Cubic Meter (m3) 1 Cubic Meter (m3) 1 Thousand Cubic FeetRead MoreUK - Analysis Report31935 Words   |  128 Pages($198 billion). Such fiscal health problems will pose serious hurdles to economic revival. The country has high standards of living, but income inequality is still apparent A recent report released by the UN declared that, for the first time in more than 100 years, the standard of living in the UK had surpassed that of the US. According to the Human Development Index 2008–09 published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the UK ranks 21st in terms of human development. However, the governmentRead MoreThesis on Infant Mortality15647 Words   |  63 Pagestheir potential. Yet communities vary considerably in their commitment to the collective health of children and in the resources that they make available to meet children’s needs. This is reflected in the ways in which communities address their collective commitment to child ren, specifically to their health. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on issues that affect children and on improving their health. Children are generally viewed as healthy when they are assessed by adult standardsRead MoreImpact of Branding on Consumer Perception and Buying Behavior13385 Words   |  54 Pagesdanger at worst, of price wars, and at best competition where consumers are making decisions based on price. Branding is by far one of the most important factors influencing an items success or failure in the marketplace, and can have a dramatic impact on how the company behind the brand is perceived by the buying public. In other words, the brand is not just a representation of a companys product; it is a symbol of the company itself, and that is where the core of brand loyalty lies. The

Green Houseeffect and Global Warming Free Essays

Brian John ENG 102 Vicki Besaw 15 April 2013 The green house effect is happening right now at this very moment! According to our text book in physical geography; human induced burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the green house effect and global warming. (McKnight’s, Physical Geography, P. 75, 2011)What will happen to the Earth and its people, animals, plants, lands and oceans if we fail to successfully address the environmental issues we face today? Our global population, air quality, human health, our food supply drinking water, wild life and habitats will all be effected with global warming. We will write a custom essay sample on Green Houseeffect and Global Warming or any similar topic only for you Order Now What can you do to preserve and protect the environment? There are many things we can do to help our mother earth. Opposition may be the large oil, auto, and coal companies and any explanation they may give from their studies will be bias. WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? Global Warming is defined as the increase of the average temperature on Earth. As the Earth is getting hotter, disasters like hurricanes, droughts and floods are getting more frequent. â€Å"Global Warming and Green House Effect† StudyMode. com. 09 2010. 09 2010 http://www. studymode. com/essays/Global-Warming-And-Green-House-Effect-416843. html. What causes the greenhouse effect one might ask? According to the movie â€Å"An Inconvenient Truth†, Life on earth depends on energy from the sun. About 30 percent of the sunlight that beams toward Earth is deflected by the outer atmosphere and scattered back into space. The rest reaches the planet’s surface and is reflected upward again as a type of slow-moving energy called infrared radiation. (movie; An Inconvenient Truth,2006) The heat caused by infrared radiation is absorbed by â€Å"greenhouse gases† such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane, which slows its escape from the atmosphere. Although greenhouse gases make up only about 1 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere, they regulate our climate by trapping heat and holding it in a kind of warm-air blanket that surrounds the planet. This phenomenon is what scientists call the â€Å"greenhouse effect. Without it, scientists estimate that the average temperature on Earth would be colder by approximately 30 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit), far too cold to sustain our current ecosystem. How do humans contribute to the greenhouse effect? In our textbook â€Å"While the greenhouse effect is an essential environmental prerequisite for life on Earth, there really can be too much of a good thing. The problems begin when human activities distort and accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than are necessary to warm the planet to an ideal temperature. Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for automobile engines-raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. * Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide. * Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and â€Å"global warming† that is currently under way. * Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function. * Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere. American Geophysical Union, Human Impacts on Climate, adopted by AGU Council, December 2003. ) Ultimately, more greenhouse gases means more infrared radiation trapped and held which gradually increases the temperature of the Earth’s surface and the air in the lower atmosphere. According to the movie â€Å"The Eleventh Hour†, the average global temperature is increasing quickly. Today, the increase in the Earth’s temperature is increasing with unprecedented speed. To understand just how quickly global arming is accelerating, consider this: During the entire 20th century, the average global temperature increased by about 0. 6 degrees Celsius (slightly more than 1 degree Fahrenheit). Using computer climate models, scientists estimate that by the year 2100 the average global temperature will increase by 1. 4 degrees to 5. 8 degrees Celsius (approximately 2. 5 degrees to 10. 5 degrees Fahrenheit). Not all scientists agree. While the majority of mainstream scientists agree that global warming is a serious problem that is growing steadily worse, there are some who disagree. John Christy, a professor and director of the Earth System Science Center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is a respected climatologist who argues that global warming isn’t worth worrying about. Christy reached that opinion after analyzing millions of measurements from weather satellites in an effort to find a global temperature trend. He found no sign of global warming in the satellite data, and now believes that predictions of global warming by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the 21st century are incorrect. In the course stainable development I took here at the College Of Menominee Nation we watched a short 20 minute called â€Å"The Story of Stuff†. Some ways to help the environment; Live green, reduce global warming, conserve energy. (short movie â€Å"The Story Of Stuff†) Want to put more â€Å"green† in your life by saving money and reducing waste? Here is practical information about environmentally friendly food, drink, fashions, cars and cleaning products, to name a few. Make eco-friendly lifestyle choices and buying decisions that will help sustain the environment rather than deplete it. Reducing global warming may seem like a daunting task, but if each of us makes a commitment to taking steps now, we can make a difference. For example, if every family in the United States replaced one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent, 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases would be eliminated. Look here for more steps, big and small, that will help to reduce global warming One way to do your part to protect the environment is to make choices every day that enable you to use less energy. Here are some of the things I learned in the sustainable development class at the College of Menominee Nation. Reduce, reuse, recycle, do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn’t a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Use less heat and air conditioning. Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home. Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. Change a light bulb. Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat. If every U. S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7. 5 million cars off the road. Drive less and drive smart. Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school. When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget; it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Buy energy-efficient products. When it’s time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs. Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can’t be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Use less hot water. Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry. Use the off switch. Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you’re not using them. It’s also a good idea to turn off the water when you’re not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. You’ll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource. Plant a tree. If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. Get a report card from your utility company. Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades. Encourage others to conserve. Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment. ( Reducing Carbon-Based Energy Consumption through Changes in Household Behavior Thomas Dietz, Paul C. Stern, and Elke U. Weber Daedalus, Winter 2013, Vol. 142, No. 1 , Pages 78-89) These steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming. Works Cited (McKnight’s, Physical Geography, P. 75, 2011) â€Å"Global Warming and Green House Effect† StudyMode. com. 09 2010. 09 2010 ;http://www. studymode. com/essays/Global-Warming-And-Green-House-Effect-416843. html;. (American Geophysical Union, Human Impacts on Climate, adopted by AGU Council, December 2003. ) (short movie â€Å"The Story Of Stuff†) .( Reducing Carbon-Based Energy Consumption through Changes in Household Behavior Thomas Dietz, Paul C. Stern, and Elke U. Weber Daedalus, Winter 2013, Vol. 142, No. 1 , Pages 78-89) How to cite Green Houseeffect and Global Warming, Papers

Hospitality for Micro Environmental Analysis - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theHospitalityfor Micro Environmental Analysis. Answer: Introduction: Founded in the year of 1976, in Western Australia, Chicken Treat has gradually established itself as one of the most recognized barbecue chicken fast food restaurants of Australia (Chickentreat.com.au 2017). The freshly cooked chicken, traditional stuffing along with an innovative approach to product development has helped the management authority of Chicken Treat successfully handle its third decade of operation. With new products, like Royal Burgers and Fresh Wraps, which are as dainty as healthy, have helped the company achieve huge brand recognition and expand in other parts of the country as well. Although the market insights claim that the company has been witnessing unprecedented growth in its sales, it is important to evaluate the business environment in which the company is operating as well as the marketing strategies adopted by the company in order to achieve competitive edge as well. Hence, the present business report intends to critically analyze the business environment of the company, examine the effectiveness of its marketing strategies as well as sustainability initiatives undertaken by the company. Discussion: Micro Environmental Analysis of Chicken Treat: The micro environmental analysis of an organization helps in analyzing the forces within the organization that directly or indirectly affects its ability to serve the consumers. While trying to analyze the micro environment of Chicken Treat, the strength and weakness of the organization should be analyzed. As far as the strength of the restaurant chain is concerned, its strong brand recognition in Australia as well as its expanded network of restaurant chains across the country (60 in Western Australia itself) is worth mentioning (Lang et al. 2015). Another important strength of the company is its innovative approach in business that allows it offer a rich variety of food items to the consumers. On the other hand, as far as the weakness is concerned, the company has not yet expanded outside Australia, and as such its market as well as brand value is confined within the Australian market only. Further, the company encounters fierce competition from other restaurant chains like Red Roo ster and Pizza Hut. Besides, there are other core micro-economic factors as well that do affect the company as well and are discussed in detail as follows: Consumers: The consumers of Chicken Treat primarily consist of the people belonging to the age group of 18 to 40, taking interest in spicy fast food Chicken products at affordable prices (Thorntn et al. 2016). Besides, the company also offers catering services to families and business organizations, and hence its large customer base helps the company enjoy huge amount of annual revenue every year. Employees: A huge number of employees work under the company, and their salaries are being continually revised and each employee enjoys flexible working schedule that helps to keep them motivated to work more productively in the long run. Competitors: KFC, Henny Penny, Oport, Pizza Hut and Red Rooster are some of the popular restaurant chains operating in Australia that offer fierce competition to the company. Media: The very reason as to why the company has managed to grab the attention of a huge number of consumers over the years is that it has been able to engage the media actively in each of its promotional strategies. The company has not only hired celebrities like Ricky Grace that has helped to boost its sales, but has also introduced the CGI rooster named Chicken Nick, as its official mascot. The public appearance of the mascot over digital and social media channels has largely helped the company gain immense recognition over the last years (Brindal et al. 2015). Macro Environmental Analysis of Chicken Treat: The general environment within an economy in which a company is operating is referred to as its macro environment, and in order to analyze the macro environment of Chicken Treat, the PESTEL Analysis is being conducted as follows: Political Factors A variety of important food safety standards have been outlined by Food Standard Australia New Zealand on fast food restaurants and hence Chicken treat has to abide by these rules in order to ensure the production of fresh, healthy products. Among the public health policies of Australia, such as the OECD policy intends to safeguard the Australian children from getting exposed to too many fast food adverts. This affects the marketing strategy of Chicken Treat. The political environment of Australia is relatively stable. Economic Factors The economic condition of the country is strong with a high rate of GDP that is at par with four dominant West European nations. However, in the recent period of economic recession, the consumers are considering the fast food restaurants like Chicken Treat to be the cheaper alternatives to the traditional restaurants. Social Factors The Australian people have become more health conscious with the rise in health problems like Diabetes and Obesity in Australia, and people are less interested in fast food products. A large part of the population consists of elderly people, who usually stay away from junk food (Shahnahan et al. 2014). Australia is very famous as a tourist destination, and the Chicken Treat being located in places like Perth, Sydney and Adelaide make its products popular among the tourists. Technological Factors The technological infrastructure as well as the road and rail infrastructure of the country is very well-developed, that helps Chicken Treat in its easy distribution and marketing process. Technological improvement in inventory management, vendor management and supply chain management has proved to be highly beneficial for the company. There is moderate scope of research in product development in Australia. Environmental Factors The Australian government does not have any strong legal framework for minimizing the impact of the industry on the environment. However, basic policies protecting the environment require the company to minimize its wastes, and maximize recycling of products. Legal Factors The company operates in Australia and hence it is required to continually assess workplace safety in compliance with OHS Acts (Miller et al. 2015). The Australian Institute of Employment Rights mandates that the companies ensure the employees minimum wages, and flexible work schedules at least once a month. Description of One Operational Area: Since Chicken treat is a fast food selling organization, the main area of its operation is its kitchen. Although as per the layout of the restaurant chains, there is no distinct area allocated for the kitchen, it is almost merged with the dining space itself. The outlets are not as spacious as Pizza Hut and hence the kitchen area is kept small. The cooks working inside the kitchen space act as a waiter as well. As a result, the consumers coming in, ordering the food would require to go to the kitchen area and ask the cooks cum receptionists for the food they are willing to order. It is important to mention here that during the peak hours, such as during the evening or the noon, the cooks take the orders, while only one of them is entrusted with the duty of welcoming the consumers and receiving the money (Zhang et al. 2015). On the other hand, at other times, when the workload is not very huge, three staffs are entrusted with the duty of preparing the food as per the orders, while one of them welcomes the guest, one sits at the billing desk and the other one follows up with the requirements of the consumers. Current Promotional Marketing Strategies: Since the time, Chicken Nick has been declared as the official mascot of Chicken Treat, the mascot has been shown surfing as well as Hula dancing on the television channels as well as the social media sites, making the company and its brand largely popular maong the young consumers. Although the celebrity marketing strategy of the company is not incredibly impressive unlike its competitors like Eagle Boys, the company has nevertheless roped in celebrities like Perth Wildcats star Ricky Grace and Australian Idol contestant Chris Murphy (Smith 2017). It is equally important to note here that the recent marketing strategy of the company is highly aggressive, as different adverts are doing the rounds on internet websites and Facebook, where Chicken Treat claims that it does not ask its consumers eat out of a bucket. In this way, the restaurant chain is mocking at its rival giant, KFC, and the tongue-in-cheek humor is not only making the brand popular among the masses but is also letting its consumers laugh at the most trusted brands of the world. Further, the company has recently introduced Betty the Chicken as the face of the company. Although the company might have lagged behind due to its inability to hire a renowned celebrity endorsing its brand, it has selected the animated character Betty, as its brand ambassador that is winning hearts over social media sites. The Facebook page of the company not only has Betty as its profile picture, but it also shares interesting, funny and humorous posts with hash tag Chicken Tweet. The Twitter account of the company is also apparently used by Betty the Chicken, with each of its tweets being shared and re-tweeted over thousand times. Customer Experience Approach: Since Chicken Treat operates its business in a service based industry, it becomes highly important for the company to ensure that it is able to successfully reinvent its consumer experience. In order to improve the experience of the consumers, the organization has already introduced various staff skill developing training programs for its working staffs, helping them improve their soft skills and the communication skills. Besides, the company also offers the opportunity to its consumers to order customized meals, meant for personalizing the customer experience of the consumer. The online presence of the company has also helped the customer support team work actively 24*7 for solving the doubts and queries of the consumers via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter (Ravichandran et al. 2015). Sustainability Initiatives Promoted by Chicken Treat: The company continually updates information about the nutritional content of each of its food products on the social sites, so as to help the consumers and the entire society make the informed decisions on their own. The company has recently also created a recycling program for aluminum, glass and papers in Australia (Chickentreat.com.au 2017). This move meant to safeguard the country from environmental degradation. Besides, as part of its environmental sustainability mission, the company has also recently engaged itself in tracking its environmental performance on a regular basis. Each of the restaurant chains measure its water consumption, energy consumption and water diversion to ensure a more sustainable world. Conclusion: To conclude, it should be noted that Chicken Treat is on its way to attain much recognition in future. The active engagement of te company I different humble yet powerful sustainability initiatives, as well as its aggressive marketing strategy is sure to boost the sales of the company in future. However, it is advised that if the company wishes to sustain itself in future, it must expand outside Australia very soon. Reference List: Brindal, E., Wilson, C., Mohr, P. and Wittert, G., 2015. Eating in groups: Do multiple social influences affect intake in a fast-food restaurant?.Journal of health psychology,20(5), pp.483-489. Chickentreat.com.au. 2017.Chicken Treat. [online] Available at: https://www.chickentreat.com.au/ [Accessed 10 May 2017]. Lang, T. and Heasman, M., 2015.Food wars: The global battle for mouths, minds and markets. Routledge. Miller, P., 2015, August. Is the risk management model and hierarchy of control relevant for psychosocial risks?. InProceedings 19th Triennial Congress of the IEA(Vol. 9, p. 14). Ravichandran, S., Cichy, K.E., Powers, M. and Kirby, K., 2015. Exploring the training needs of older workers in the foodservice industry.International Journal of Hospitality Management,44, pp.157-164. Shanahan, D.F., Lin, B.B., Gaston, K.J., Bush, R. and Fuller, R.A., 2014. Socio-economic inequalities in access to nature on public and private lands: a case study from Brisbane, Australia.Landscape and Urban Planning,130, pp.14-23. Smith, S. 2017.Float on the cards for Red Rooster, Chicken Treat. [online] The West Australian. Available at: https://thewest.com.au/business/retail/float-on-the-cards-for-red-rooster-chicken-treat-ng-b88326126z [Accessed 10 May 2017]. Thornton, L.E., Lamb, K.E. and Ball, K., 2016. Fast food restaurant locations according to socioeconomic disadvantage, urbanregional locality, and schools within Victoria, Australia.SSM-Population Health,2, pp.1-9. Zhang, J.J., Lawrence, B. and Anderson, C.K., 2015. An agency perspective on service triads: Linking operational and financial performance.Journal of Operations Management,35, pp.56-66.

Arctic Power Essays - Hygiene, Home, Cleaning, British Brands, Tide

Arctic Power The Canadian laundry detergent market is mature, very competitive and dominated by three major consumer packaged goods companies, one of which is Colgate-Palmolive Canada (CPC). Arctic Power is CPC's top-of-the-line offering in its laundry detergent line. Arctic Power is specially formulated for washing in cold water. The detergent has risen in market share from 4% in 1981 to 6.5% in 1986, and the Senior Product Manager has established a goal of reaching 12% market share by 1996. Problem Definition Linda Barton and Gary Parsons face two problems. First, they must determine whether to continue developing the brand in their already strong regional markets of Quebec, the Maritimes and British Colombia, or go national with marketing efforts. Second, they must decide whether to use a single positioning strategy (as was successfully implemented in Quebec) or continue to use a dual positioning strategy. The dual strategy consisted of highlighting Arctic Power as a superior detergent in areas with strong sales, and focusing on encouraging Canadians to use cold water washing in areas with relatively weak sales. Analysis When it comes to laundry detergents, Canadians primarily think of one name, Tide. Procter and Gamble's Tide detergent has captured over one-third of the market and is twenty percentage points ahead of its closest competitor in market share. While Tide and Arctic Power are equivalent brands in terms of cleaning power, Tide outsold Arctic Power by a 5 to 1 ratio in 1986. The market share for Tide has remained level (at approximately 34%) during the same time that Arctic Power has enjoyed a market share increase from 4% to 6.5%. Due to Tide's dominance in the detergent market, it will play an important role in any major change in Arctic Power's strategy. Costs and profit structures for leading detergent brands were similar. A break-even analysis for the market (see Appendix A) indicates that a detergent must capture approximately 8% - 8.5% of the market in order to break even nationally. Detergents with small portions of market share have experienced diminishing sales (see Appendix B). Of the twelve offerings (or group of offerings) that held 10% or less of the market share, only two experienced sales growth from 1983 to 1986 - Wisk and Arctic Power. To keep its market share, Wisk spent disproportionately high amounts of money on advertising (see Appendix B). In such a competitive market with a high break-even threshold and increasing prices for materials, it is reasonable to believe that the offerings with lower market shares will continue to decline. This decline will provide opportunity for Arctic Power (although CPC's economy detergent offering, called ABC, has consumed much of the market share that was lost by the smaller competitors). Arctic Power holds a strong share of the market in three regions: Quebec (17.5%), Maritimes (6.3%) and British Columbia (5.5%). These three regions comprise 44% of the total volume of detergent sales for the country. Other regional market sizes are displayed in Appendix C. For Arctic Power to capture 12% of market share, it must look beyond these three regions (see Appendix C). Thirty-nine percent of the Canadian market is held in Ontario. Arctic Power's penetration into this large region is a meager 0.8%. For Arctic Power to reach its goal of 12% market share, Ontario must be considered a major part of the strategy. Ontario has the highest return on media expenditure of any region (see Appendix D). Ontario is also changing the way that it washes clothes. The proportion of households in Ontario that use cold water washing has increased from 14% in 1981 to 17% in 1986. Hence, a marketing strategy that will provide further penetration into Ontario is quite desirable. Arctic Power's positioning strategy has been twofold. First, Arctic Power has been positioned in eastern Canada as a superior laundry detergent, especially formulated for cold water washing. In the western market, Arctic Power has attempted to develop the cold water market. In either case, Arctic Power's position is connected to cold water. The good news is that regular cold water washing has increased nationally from 20% in 1981 to 29% in 1986. Another 25% of consumers could be described as occasional users of cold water for washing. Hence, 54% of Canadians wash in cold water. When people were asked about the benefits of washing in cold water, the results were astounding. The eight most common answers could be easily divided into two categories - those that were money saving in nature (saves energy, cheaper, saves hot water, saves electricity) and those that related to the quality of

Sharon Pollocks Walsh Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

Sharon Pollock's Walsh Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers Sharon Pollock's Walsh Progress is the elimination of the savage. These words of General Terry, a character in Sharon Pollock's Walsh, demonstrates how he and his fellow white men feel towards Native Indians. The indians see Canada as their homeland, but the Canadian government will not let them stay and will do anything in their power to make them leave to the United States. They are cheated against, lied to, and betrayed by their government, because of their ethnic background. Especially Sitting Bull, the head of the Sioux nation, who is being accused for the death of General Custer. Walsh, Sitting Bull, and General Terry contribute to this theme of prejudice towards the Sioux by the government and Walsh's struggle to keep his responsibility as an individual and his high principles. Major Walsh of the North West Mounted Police who attempts to prevent Sitting Bull and the Sioux from being sent back from Canada to the United States, apparently to stand trial for the death of General Custer and his men at the battle of Little Big Horn. Walsh has sympathy for Sitting Bull and the Sioux. He feels, as a member of the force he should do everything in his power to help them: An able and brilliant people have been crushed, held down, moved from place to place, cheated and lied to.....and now , they hold here in Canada, the remnants of a proud race, and they ask for some sort of justice....which is what I thought I swore on oath to serve! Walsh has a responsibility for Sitting Bull and the Sioux as a friend to help them in their struggle for justice and respect but Walsh was forced against his better judgment, to sacrifice his own high principles by his fellow police men and friends. The government, which Walsh represents lies and makes excuses to the Sioux of why the should be going to the United States. Walsh is a man who knows that there is a nobility to his struggle, but he surrenders responsibility as an individual. Walsh is a well-meaning but ultimately ineffectual white man whose potentially tragic status is undermined by his decision to go back on his promise of his responsibility to Sitting Bull and the Sioux. His moral dilemma is at a disaster when he agrees to his governments demands and sends Sitting Bull and the Sioux to his certain death in the United States. His mentality has totally been altered and he almost feels no sympathy for them anymore: And I can give you nothing! God knows, I've done my damnedest and nothing's changed. Do you hear that? Nothing's changed! Cross the line if you're so hungry, but don't, for Christ's sake, come begging food from me! Now Walsh is just like the rest of the men, careless and heartless. He has hardly no feelings towards Sitting Bull and the Sioux and he is trying to send Sitting Bull and the Sioux to the United States, thinking that they're going to get food and shelter. Sitting Bull, the head of the Sioux nation, and the Sioux are not blind to see what's really going on. They know the Canadian government is prejudice against them and that they don't want them on their land or in their country. They know the government is lying to them so they can go to the United States to be in an even worse situation then they are in, in Canada. Sitting Bull and the Sioux are being betrayed by their own government. Sitting Bull says that to Walsh: When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on our land. We sent 10,000 men to battle. Where are those warriors now? Who seen them? Where are our lands? Who owns them? Tell me...what law have I broken? Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked of me because my skin is red? Because I am a Sioux, because I was born where my fathers lived, because I would die for my people and my country? ....This white man would forgive me....and while he speaks to me of forgiveness, what do his people say in secret? 'Seize their guns and horses! Drive them

Japanese and centralization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Japanese and centralization - Essay Example However, in tandem with an understanding that centralization establishes and upholds a natural order, the piece also indicates that the â€Å"unsettled† minds of the people and the doubt that they have for the future is likely to create a significant hardship for any that would attempt to establish a further level of centralization or control over the territories. Likewise, the second document, entitled â€Å"The Capital, Taxes, and the Army†, written in 646 AD also compounds the importance and need for centralization. In such a way, the author focuses on the need to maintain a national army and the importance of subservience and loyalty that this army will have to the emperor. Yet, rather than focusing on how this could be established, the article returns to the competing interests of tribal warlords and those that might wish to have a disproportionately large say in the affairs of the newly created state. The undertone of the entire article is one that leaves the reader with little question that these types of individuals cannot be won over to the cause and must ultimately be coerced by force to engage in the process of centralization. Similarly, the third document, entitled â€Å"The Corruption of Local Officials†, focuses, not surprisingly, on the high levels of corruption being a stumbling block to further levels of centralization. With these local officials withholding money and tribute for themselves, the degree and extent to which a central emperor can raise taxes and have sway over a given region was obviously

HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACION - Essay Example The variety of guests, with respect to their level of experience with technology, provided exposure to multiple genres of viewpoints and angles with which human computer interaction can be analyzed. The low tech guests provided the information regarding the expectations of users with technology and the common issues that are faced due to overestimation of the skills of the end users. The high tech guests provided valuable feedback regarding the technological methods with which human computer interaction can be enhanced and how user interaction with machines is influenced by different factors and circumstances. The liberty to inquire questions proved to be an effective method of letting the students clear out their confusions and concerns about the topic. The interactive session with the guests gave the students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and set a broader perspective in their minds regarding the relation of human computer interaction with the environment of the users. Another mode of teaching that proved to help me understand the concepts were the presentation sessions of the students. I believe that an individual can understand any concept from his fellow students as effectively as any of his teacher since the young mind explains the content in the easiest manner. All students have more or less the same level of knowledge for a topic; therefore, they highlight the factors that prove to be easier for the other students to comprehend. It was a pleasure to attend the presentation sessions of my fellow students and learn about the different methods with which they approached the topic. My ‘Aha moment’ in this course was the freedom to choose any topic (within the context of technology) to write the responses and develop presentations. Research and exploration are the most effective modes to make the students understand the content and to enable them to think in a broader perspective. The

A study of traffic noise affecting residential building along Essay

A study of traffic noise affecting residential building along expressways - Essay Example (Wiberg, Mardh, 2008). Hong Kong can be considered as one of the densest cities in the world facing traffic noises issues especially with the growth in the economy leading to the demand for housing and transportation. Different people react differently to the level of noise. However, at certain level, noise starts affecting everyone in the form of irritating and frustrating people (Environmental Protection Department (2006). Noises can also affect the daily activities of life like watching television, talking over the telephone and doing household chores. Just like any other metropolitan city; Hong Kong also faces noise issues and more than 1 million people have been affected by it in last few years. (Amundsen, Klaeboe, 2005) Excess traffic noises can be considered as the major reason behind the noise pollution that is mainly because of the poor planning leading to cramped development of residential properties alongside the highways (Crawshaw, 2008) Moreover, the growth and developme nt in 80s and 90s marked serious noise pollutions along with a rise in residential properties and constructions. ... With land paucity, constructors are forced to look for lands that are outside the city and next to expressways. However, living alongside the expressways has its own disadvantages in the form of being exposed to high level of traffic sounds at wee hours along with getting affected by heavy vehicles sounds. The government cannot stop the movement of vehicles on expressways and therefore is bound to look for other options that can help residents to bear with the increasing traffic sound on expressways (Wiberg, Mardh, 2008) The government can improve the quality of roads along but the numbers of cars, lorries and trucks increase during nights that affect the sleep pattern of people considering the sound created by moving vehicles. The concept of low noise road surfacing can be considered as an option to mitigate the level of noise pollution but the concept requires time and research to be implemented and more importantly it requires huge investment considering the number of highways in Hong Kong. As per the information collected from the website of HKSAR Government, it was found that a number of flyovers and expressways cut though the main district of the city and people living beside such flyovers and expressways have been greatly affected by the traffic noise in last few years. The government stated that because of the previously built flyovers and expressways and currently developed urban areas, there have been some serious concerns over the quality of life among residents. Despite the introduction of planning standards and the Environmental Impact Assessment, there cannot be done anything that will reduce the level of traffic noises instantly (HKSAR Government (2012) 2.0 BACKGROUND TO THE

Main Concerns In Internet Banking Information Technology Essay

Main Concerns In Internet Banking Information Technology Essay The Internet banking is changing the banking industry and is having the major effects on banking relationships. Even the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Internet research emphasised that Web is more important for retail financial services than for many other industries. Internet banking involves use of Internet for delivery of banking products services. It falls into four main categories, from Level 1 minimum functionality sites that offer only access to deposit account data to Level 4 sites highly sophisticated offerings enabling integrated sales of additional products and access to other financial services- such as investment and insurance. In other words a successful Internet banking solution offers  · Exceptional rates on Savings, CDs, and IRAs  · Checking with no monthly fee, free bill payment and rebates on ATM surcharges  · Credit cards with low rates  · Easy online applications for all accounts, including personal loans and mortgages  · 24 hour account access  · Quality customer service with personal attention DRIVERS OF CHANGE Advantages previously held by large financial institutions have shrunk considerably. The Internet has leveled the playing field and afforded open access to customers in the global marketplace. Internet banking is a cost-effective delivery channel for financial institutions. Consumers are embracing the many benefits of Internet banking. Access to ones accounts at anytime and from any location via the World Wide Web is a convenience unknown a short time ago. Thus, a banks Internet presence transforms from brouchreware status to Internet banking status once the bank goes through a technology integration effort to enable the customer to access information about his or her specific account relationship. The six primary drivers of Internet banking includes, in order of primacy are:  · Improve customer access  · Facilitate the offering of more services  · Increase customer loyalty  · Attract new customers  · Provide services offered by competitors  · Reduce customer attrition INDIAN BANKS ON WEB The banking industry in India is facing unprecedented competition from non-traditional banking institutions, which now offer banking and financial services over the Internet. The deregulation of the banking industry coupled with the emergence of new technologies, are enabling new competitors to enter the financial services market quickly and efficiently. Indian banks are going for the retail banking in a big way. However, much is still to be achieved. This study which was conducted by students of IIML shows some interesting facts:  · Throughout the country, the Internet Banking is in the nascent stage of development (only 50 banks are offering varied kind of Internet banking services).  · In general, these Internet sites offer only the most basic services. 55% are so called entry level sites, offering little more than company information and basic marketing materials. Only 8% offer advanced transactions such as online funds transfer, transactions cash management services.  · Foreign Private banks are much advanced in terms of the number of sites their level of development. EMERGING CHALLENGES Information technology analyst firm, the Meta Group, recently reported that financial institutions who dont offer home banking by the year 2000 will become marginalized. By the year of 2002, a large sophisticated and highly competitive Internet Banking Market will develop which will be driven by  · Demand side pressure due to increasing access to low cost electronic services.  · Emergence of open standards for banking functionality.  · Growing customer awareness and need of transparency.  · Global players in the fray  · Close integration of bank services with web based E-commerce or even disintermediation of services through direct electronic payments (E- Cash).  · More convenient international transactions due to the fact that the Internet along with general deregulation trends, eliminate geographic boundaries.  · Move from one stop shopping to Banking Portfolio i.e. unbundled product purchases. Certainly some existing brick and mortar banks will go out of business. But thats because they fail to respond to the challenge of the Internet. The Internet and its underlying technologies will change and transform not just banking, but all aspects of finance and commerce. It represents much more than a new distribution opportunity. It will enable nimble players to leverage their brick and mortar presence to improve customer satisfaction and gain share. It will force lethargic players who are struck with legacy cost basis, out of business-since they are unable to bring to play in the new context. MAIN CONCERNS IN INTERNET BANKING In a survey conducted by the Online Banking Association, member institutions rated security as the most important issue of online banking. There is a dual requirement to protect customers privacy and protect against fraud. Banking Securely: Online Banking via the World Wide Web provides an overview of Internet commerce and how one company handles secure banking for its financial institution clients and their customers. Some basic information on the transmission of confidential data is presented in Security and Encryption on the Web. PC Magazine Online also offers a primer: How Encryption Works. A multi-layered security architecture comprising firewalls, filtering routers, encryption and digital certification ensures that your account information is protected from unauthorised access:  · Firewalls and filtering routers ensure that only the legitimate Internet users are allowed to access the system.  · Encryption techniques used by the bank (including the sophisticated public key encryption) would ensure that privacy of data flowing between the browser and the Infinity system is protected.  · Digital certification procedures provide the assurance that the data you receive is from the Infinity system. Concluding Part Claus Nehmzow, a Principal in the Information Technology Group in London at Booz Allen Hamilton, writes of some compelling research findings and offers his projections for European banks in The Internet Will Shake Backings Medieval Foundations. He believes the low transaction cost will make banking on the Net irresistible, but also that this will require institutions to carefully consider and plan customer relations programs.  · It is believed that everything will be determined by content and context, and where execution will be key. From a customer and service provider perspective, this is where the world is moving-it is going to be real-time, on-line, personalisation for both marketing and the service experience. If existing banks dont want to disappear, it is this challenge of Integration that they need to embrace in order to win and survive. The more things change, the less they change. In the months and years-ahead are going to be how Service Providers integrate and market their offerings across different channels. The strategic and executional battles of the future are going to be fought for Channel Integration. What does Channel Integration means? It means that an institution presents an identical face to the customer-be it in the branch, on the web, at an ATM or for that matter, through a sales representative or a broker. An identical face, an identical message. Or better still, messages that re inforce each other. If a sales representative tries to sell you a housing loan, you get e-mail a day later reminding you about the loan. Thats called Integrated Sales, which results in incremental economic activity and improved efficiencies of communications. Channel Integration across the phone web can clearly lead to a gain of several percentage points of GDP. The beauty of this approach is that one channel does not displace another. They feed on each other to create incremental value for the customer, as well as the institution. The incremental value comes from two distinct sources. Firstly, you reduce inefficiencies. You dont send people junk mail because you know that they are not likely to buy a particular product or service today. That results in net saving for the economy. Secondly, you persuade people at the right time (the right time from the customers perspective, not from the service providers perspective) to opt for a tailor made offering. This too increases value. Actu ally, this has to do with the Internet itself, and more to with the underlying technologies of the Internet which allow incremental efficiency, and empowers the customer to make more enlightened and timely choices.  · Lastly the product range is another issue which becomes important. It will take a technological revolution to make available advanced banking products on the net and given the rate at which the technology is developing we can expect this to happen in near future. STRATEGIES TO BE ADOPTED BY INDIAN BANKS Internet banking would drive us into an age of creative destruction due to non-physical exchange, complete transparency giving rise to perfectly electronic market place and customer supremacy. The question to be asked right now is What the Indian Banks should do Whatever is the strategy chosen and options adopted, certain key parameters would determine the banks success on web: 1. For long term success, a bank may follow:  · Adopting a webs mindset  · Catching on the first movers advantage  · Recognising the core competencies  · Ability to deal multiplicity with simplicity  · Senior Management initiative to transform the organisation from inward to outward looking  · Aligning roles and value propositions with the customer segments  · Redesigning optimal channel portfolio  · Acquiring new capabilities through strategic alliances. 2. The above can be implemented in four steps:  · Familiarising the customer to new environment by demo version of software on banks web site. This should contain tour through the features which are to be included. It will enable users to give suggestions for improvements, which can be incorporated in later versions wherever feasible.  · Second phase provides services such as account information and balances, statement of account, transaction tracking, mail box, check book issue, stop payment, financial and customised information.  · The third phase may include additional services such as fund transfers, DD issue, standing instructions, opening fixed deposits, intimation of loss of ATM cards.  · The last step should include advanced corporate banking services like third party payments, utility bill payments, establishment of L/Cs, Cash Management Services etc. Enhanced plan for the customers in future can include requests for demand drafts and pay orders and many more to bring in the ultimate in banking convenience. All the above strategies will help banks in translating their traditional business model into an Internet one, falling into three main categories  · One stop shop  · Virtual one-stop-shop  · Best of breed supplier.

Operations Of Congress :: essays research papers

The operations of congress have been influenced by a number of factors. These including a committee system, political parties, public opinion and the media, and interest groups and lobbying. Each section takes a part in congress. By getting them in involved with each part or even running them. A committee is one or more people appointed or elected to consider or, report on, or take action on a particular matter. Because of the advantages of a division of labor, legislative committees of various kinds have assumed much of the work of legislatures in many nations. Standing committees are appointed in both houses of the U.S. Congress at the beginning of every session to deal with bills in the different specific classes. Important congressional committees include those on ways and means; appropriations; interstate commerce; and military, naval, and foreign affairs. As in the U.S. government, these committees are quite powerful because of their ability to delay legislation. A party political is an organization which aim is to gain control of the government usually through the election of its candidates to public office. Political parties take many forms, but their main functions are similar: to supply personnel for government positions; to organize these personnel around the formation; and to serve in a mediating role between individuals and their government. Political parties are as old as organized political systems. Political parties have been organized for various reasons: to support a particular political figure, to advance a particular policy or a general ideological stand, to aid politically certain groups or sections of society, or merely to combine for short-term political advantage. The public opinion and the media have activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations, is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most favorable light. Thus, the goal of the public relations consultant is to create, through the organization of news and advertising. An advantageous image for his/her client, be it a business corporation, cultural institution, or private or public individual; towards this end the making of favorable public opinion many researchers show techniques and communications media are used. Although many of the same methods are employed, public relations differs from propaganda, which is generally government supported, international in scope, and political in nature. The earliest form of public relations and still the most widely practiced is publicity. Lobbying is the practice and profession of influencing governmental decisions, carried out by agents who present the concerns of special interests to legislators and administrators. Operations Of Congress :: essays research papers The operations of congress have been influenced by a number of factors. These including a committee system, political parties, public opinion and the media, and interest groups and lobbying. Each section takes a part in congress. By getting them in involved with each part or even running them. A committee is one or more people appointed or elected to consider or, report on, or take action on a particular matter. Because of the advantages of a division of labor, legislative committees of various kinds have assumed much of the work of legislatures in many nations. Standing committees are appointed in both houses of the U.S. Congress at the beginning of every session to deal with bills in the different specific classes. Important congressional committees include those on ways and means; appropriations; interstate commerce; and military, naval, and foreign affairs. As in the U.S. government, these committees are quite powerful because of their ability to delay legislation. A party political is an organization which aim is to gain control of the government usually through the election of its candidates to public office. Political parties take many forms, but their main functions are similar: to supply personnel for government positions; to organize these personnel around the formation; and to serve in a mediating role between individuals and their government. Political parties are as old as organized political systems. Political parties have been organized for various reasons: to support a particular political figure, to advance a particular policy or a general ideological stand, to aid politically certain groups or sections of society, or merely to combine for short-term political advantage. The public opinion and the media have activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations, is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most favorable light. Thus, the goal of the public relations consultant is to create, through the organization of news and advertising. An advantageous image for his/her client, be it a business corporation, cultural institution, or private or public individual; towards this end the making of favorable public opinion many researchers show techniques and communications media are used. Although many of the same methods are employed, public relations differs from propaganda, which is generally government supported, international in scope, and political in nature. The earliest form of public relations and still the most widely practiced is publicity. Lobbying is the practice and profession of influencing governmental decisions, carried out by agents who present the concerns of special interests to legislators and administrators.

Technology in Education

Software Support Tools According to Rogers (2008), â€Å"the landscape of the classroom is being transformed, with technology becoming a driving force† (p. 92). In today’s classroom there are numerous software support tools available to enhance learning and cater to the needs of all learners. Roblyer and Doering (2010) presented six categories of software support tools. They listed these as: material generators, data collection and analysis, graphics, planning and organizing, research and reference, and tools for the content areas. Material generators are software tools that are used for making instructional materials such as posters, brochures, quizzes, tests, rubrics, puzzles, worksheets, games, awards, and IEPs for special education students. Many teachers regard these tools as essential to the day-to-day operation of the classroom. Wellert (2008) stated that the use of games allow teachers to directly cater to the learning style needs of the visual and tactile learners, and that games can expedite the learning process when constructed with the different learning styles in mind. Data collection and analysis software tools allow teachers to collect information about their students and closely monitor their performance and progress throughout the year. According to Roblyer and Doering (2010), the electronic grade book is preferred by many teachers because of its special feature to analyse data from tests and print reports based on the information given. Student information systems (SIS) help teachers keep account of students’ data such as attendance and test scores. Roblyer and Doering also referred to computerized testing systems which offer benefits such as immediate feedback of results. Additionally, it allows students to take tests on screens or scanned sheets. According to the authors, these simplify test scheduling because everyone does not take the test at the same time. Graphic tools consist of draw/paint programs, image editing tools, charting/graphing tools, and clip art animation, sound, video, and font collections (Roblyer & Doering, 2010). These allow teachers and students to create, illustrate, modify, and combine drawings, illustrations, clip art, pictures, charts and graphs. They also give students the opportunity to create their own designs and show them on paper or screen. Additionally, teachers and students can insert these into documents and reports to give a more professional look. Catchings and MacGregor (as cited in Roblyer & Doering, 2010) believed that these programs aid in the development of students’ visual-verbal literacy and creativity. Planning and organizing software tools entails outlining and concept mapping, software, lesson planners, and scheduling and time management tools. Outlining tools assist students in outlining their story ideas and help them to get their stories started, while the other tools help teachers organize their time and prepare for instruction. Research and reference tools such as electronic encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries help facilitate research. Electronic atlases and maps are useful in the classroom because students get to see and learn information being taught, and are especially helpful because they are interactive. Wellert (2008) stated that students need to have active participation and involvement in lessons that include technology. Furthermore, student engagement is vital to ensure motivation during the learning process. Finally, the last category of software support tools put forward by Roblyer and Doering (2010) is content area tools. These support teaching and learning in the different content areas. Multimedia Multimedia refers to multiple media or a combination of media. Media can be still graphics, and photographs, sound, motion video, animation, and or text items along with products used to communicate information in multiple ways. Multimedia impacts the classroom in various ways. For example it increases motivation as it offers a variety of options for the user and encourages the learner to be proactive. For students who might not be strong in written expression but have visual aptitude, multimedia offers flexible learning modes. It also fosters the development of creative and critical thinking skills as it opens up creative avenues for students to apply higher thinking skills.. For those who struggle with organizing and presenting information, multimedia offers improved writing process as students are equipped to create characters and linking dialogue to it rather than simply creating a lengthy story. Creativity is encouraged by this process. The use of multimedia also decreases the time it takes to present lengthy presentations as information is presented in chunks as oppose to monotonous reports. According to Mayer and Moreno, 1998; Moreno and Mayer, 2002 (as sited in Roblyer and Doering, 2010) learners exhibited greater comprehension and retention of learned materials when pictures were accompanied by spoken words rather than by written words. They observed that the â€Å"split attention† effect was consistent with a model of working memory that had separate visual and auditory channels. As oppose to chalk and talk which rarely engage students, the use of multimedia encourages interaction and positive immediate feedback. Students are prompted when answers are incorrect giving them the option to correct their answers. Multimedia also provides easy navigation with clearly defined procedures. It is learner controlled for those who are less experienced as well as those who are advanced in technology. Color is also used to bring certain elements to the learner’s attention. Utility provides assortment of functionalities and features necessary to accomplish their instructional tasks, while usability deals with the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of the user. Aesthetics on the other hand, represents elements of design which enhance or heightens the learner’s experience as oppose to just satisfying the pedagogical or instructional objectives. In addition (Lavie & Tractinsky, 2004; Wilson, 2005), research on emotion suggests that aesthetically pleasing objects positively influence our emotions which in turn help students to actively process material. Commercial multimedia products include instructional software such as tutorials, drills, simulations, instruction and problem solving tools. It also includes interactive storybooks and eBooks for toddler’s right up to adults. There are digital libraries, Google books, listening to books online, Grimm Fairy Tales as well as Clifford Interactive Storybooks. In addition to these, these products include reference materials such as Encarta (Encyclopedia), Almanacs, Atlases, newspapers and newsletters, collection of development resources like Clip art, Audio clips, Video clips and Animations, all of which can be used for learning. When producing power points and graphics, fancy fonts and animation can all be incorporated. Multimedia tools also provide editing systems which allows the polishing of the end product. The question about how to effectively integrate support tools, multimedia, and hypermedia into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, this question can be answered by simply choosing the right tools to meet specific needs of the audience being taught. It is no longer debatable whether or not these tools are relevant, but which tools are relevant for what and who is being taught. Hypermedia According to (Roblyer and Doering, 2010), Hypermedia is also known as â€Å"linked media†. It is a system in which information stored in various media is connected, often through the internet. Most multimedia products are also hypermedia products. There exist a synonymous connection of their uses and alternative purpose. The ability to get information using multimedia tools, from one media element to another, makes them hypermedia. There are six kinds of hypermedia formats, such as: commercial hypermedia software, presentation software, video production and editing systems, hypermedia design and development software, virtual reality environments and Web 2. 0. Hypermedia has been impacting the educational system in many ways. Students are able to attend classes in the comfort of their home. Teachers are able to peruse through a wide variety of activities to effectively and efficiently deliver lessons. Hypermedia is geared at providing multiple channels by which students are able to learn and process information. It has been stated by researchers that students who learn through verbal and visual means are better able to solve problems in comparison to those who learn only through verbal means. In using hypermedia in the classroom, it saves time. Students and teachers are able to search through multiple types of information in a short length of time, with little or no cost. It can be stressful and frustrating for those who are not fully equipped with the skills of navigating. Users can also use hypermedia to add, modify or share information. The software is designed to be easy to use and understand. The programs available can incorporate video and audio of CD’s and DVD’s on the web. This creates a merger of both concepts which can realize learning at its maximum relative advantage. In considering Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, we can integrate support tools multimedia and hypermedia into teaching and learning. This can be done in various ways. Software programs that supports tutorials, drill and practice, simulation, instructional games and problem solving can all be incorporated using an interactive approach. Students as well as teachers are motivated to learn and present information. According to Edyburn (as cited in Roblyer & Doering, 2010), the accessibility capabilities of special needs students are often challenging. Special programs are provided along with software for these students, but in order to use the programs, one must be especially skilled. Roblyer and Doering (2010), further stated that in order for hypermedia to be used effectively, some hardware are needed in order for the software to function, such as: computer with keyboard, mouse and monitor, digital cameras, scanners, video digitizers, camcorders and other video output, microphones and audio speakers. Financial resources are necessary for this system to take place. Adobe Flash Reader has become the standard for creating interactive web based animation and other software tools. Flexible learning modes exist but teachers must carefully select programs that promote higher order thinking, which are few in the case of reading and language. The response based methods are critical and students are able to use their creativity to access information. Students can also make the distinction between various texts and think critically about which is appropriate and applicable. Teachers are able to assess students based on the outcome of assigned projects while challenging them to learn independently at times. Students use the Web 2. 0, and presentation software such as Microsoft Power point Presentation to deliver work the way they understand. Hypermedia helps students to generate new ideas, raise the bar for creativity and independence and thus provide a, variety of sources which students can use to understand and interpret information, thus reaching their highest potential relative advantage. Factors Influencing the Effective Integration of Technology Gorder (2008) stated that integrating technology is not about having technology available in the classroom, but more about how teachers use technology as a tool for learning. To effectively and successfully integrate support tools, multimedia and hypermedia into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, certain factors need to be considered. Franklin (2008) outlined four factors that influence the integration of technology: availability and access to technology, teacher preparation and training, good leadership, and time. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (as cited in Franklin, 2008), the availability of classroom technology correlates to teacher use of computers. This means that when more computers are available in the classroom, teachers tend to incorporate more activities involving technology. While the average elementary classroom in the United States has two computers (NCES, as cited in Franklin, 2008), classrooms in Belize are yet to experience that luxury. Access to computers in Belizean elementary schools is very limited, often through a computer lab. Oftentimes many of these computers are outdated, or not working. The lack of hardware and software tools do very little to promote the use and integration of technology in education. Teacher preparation and training is also an important factor in the effective integration of technology. Franklin (2008) indicated that teachers who feel better prepared to use technology are more likely to have their students use technology than teachers who feel unprepared. With the advent of numerous new technological advances, more experienced teachers are feeling unprepared to face the technological world. The NCES (as cited in Franklin, 2008) reported that only one third of elementary teachers in the United States felt they were well prepared to use technology in the classroom. Gorder (2008) referred to this as a change from educating students for the industrial age, to one of educating students for the technological age. This change will require teachers to become students again, seeking assistance from fellow teachers as well as from their own students. In light of this change, Ash (2007) felt that for teachers to implement technology effectively in the classroom there needs to be some form of professional development. Ash reported that in order to meet the professional development needs of teachers, some school districts have encouraged teachers to form on-line learning communities with their colleagues where they can seek technology advice, share resources and tips. Additionally, Ash suggested having a technology specialist on staff to assist teachers with new technology as well as to provide training for teachers in the form of after school training and workshops. Pitler (2006) said that most importantly teachers need to be provided with ongoing technology professional development. Ash (2007) believed strong leadership is required to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning and considered the principal as the key factor to ensuring the successful integration of technology into the school curriculum. Hope and Stakenas (as cited by Gosmire & Grady, 2007) suggested three primary roles for the principal as technology leader: role model, instructional leader, and visionary. They stated that principals themselves need to have a good working knowledge of technology tools and be able to use these for their own administrative and managerial duties. When principals have a good working knowledge of technology they are more committed to its importance in teaching and learning and tend to impart this to their teachers (Franklin, 2008). Furthermore, principals are the instructional leaders of the school and are primarily responsible for overseeing technology integration. As a result, principals need to have a good knowledge of technology hardware and software to be able to acquire those that best fit the needs of their school. Hope and Stakenas emphasized that the most important thing is for principals to have a vision for technology in their school. They need to have a clear understanding of how technology will be used by teachers and students to better facilitate teaching and learning. Franklin concluded that principals who provide strong leadership â€Å"help create a climate in which experimentation with technology is looked on with favour and given encouragement† (p. 55). Finally, the fourth factor that influences the integration of technology is time. Franklin (2008) believed that for technology integration to be effective it is necessary to provide the time for teachers to learn, practice, and plan how they will integrate technology into the curriculum. She stated that this might, at times, require teachers to be released from their regular classroom duties in order to facilitate this experience. Apart from the time teachers need to learn and plan for technology, students also need time to use technology. Franklin indicated that time needs to be placed in the daily schedule when students will be using technology. Schacter and Fagnano (1999) also suggested several practices to aid in the successful implementation of technology in the classroom. These include: (a) getting students involved in discussions and debates where they will be required to work with a team to evaluate their work, as well as the work of others, (b) allowing students to analyse situations and think independently through self reflection and thought, (c) getting students to design programs that encourage critical thinking, judgement, and personal involvement, (d) using project-based learning activities, (e) engaging students in contextualized and meaningful projects, and (f) teaching students how to use computers to design projects. The authors emphasized that the effective use of technology increases students’ learning, understanding, achievement and motivation as well as develops their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Conclusion Hence, it is clear that in order to integrate technology into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, it is not just about having the technology and being knowledgeable about its use and benefits, but also about having a vision and plan of how technology will be integrated into the school curriculum and providing the necessary training for teachers. Pitler (2006) stated that all the new technologies in the world will not impact student achievement if the school does not have a clear vision of how and why they will use the technology. It is important to understand that the acquisition of technology alone will not improve the quality of instruction. Day (2010) emphasizes that â€Å"the fundamental determinants of instructional quality have always been the course content, the teachers, the learning activities in which the students are engaged and the students themselves† (p. 49). Technology in Education Software Support Tools According to Rogers (2008), â€Å"the landscape of the classroom is being transformed, with technology becoming a driving force† (p. 92). In today’s classroom there are numerous software support tools available to enhance learning and cater to the needs of all learners. Roblyer and Doering (2010) presented six categories of software support tools. They listed these as: material generators, data collection and analysis, graphics, planning and organizing, research and reference, and tools for the content areas. Material generators are software tools that are used for making instructional materials such as posters, brochures, quizzes, tests, rubrics, puzzles, worksheets, games, awards, and IEPs for special education students. Many teachers regard these tools as essential to the day-to-day operation of the classroom. Wellert (2008) stated that the use of games allow teachers to directly cater to the learning style needs of the visual and tactile learners, and that games can expedite the learning process when constructed with the different learning styles in mind. Data collection and analysis software tools allow teachers to collect information about their students and closely monitor their performance and progress throughout the year. According to Roblyer and Doering (2010), the electronic grade book is preferred by many teachers because of its special feature to analyse data from tests and print reports based on the information given. Student information systems (SIS) help teachers keep account of students’ data such as attendance and test scores. Roblyer and Doering also referred to computerized testing systems which offer benefits such as immediate feedback of results. Additionally, it allows students to take tests on screens or scanned sheets. According to the authors, these simplify test scheduling because everyone does not take the test at the same time. Graphic tools consist of draw/paint programs, image editing tools, charting/graphing tools, and clip art animation, sound, video, and font collections (Roblyer & Doering, 2010). These allow teachers and students to create, illustrate, modify, and combine drawings, illustrations, clip art, pictures, charts and graphs. They also give students the opportunity to create their own designs and show them on paper or screen. Additionally, teachers and students can insert these into documents and reports to give a more professional look. Catchings and MacGregor (as cited in Roblyer & Doering, 2010) believed that these programs aid in the development of students’ visual-verbal literacy and creativity. Planning and organizing software tools entails outlining and concept mapping, software, lesson planners, and scheduling and time management tools. Outlining tools assist students in outlining their story ideas and help them to get their stories started, while the other tools help teachers organize their time and prepare for instruction. Research and reference tools such as electronic encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries help facilitate research. Electronic atlases and maps are useful in the classroom because students get to see and learn information being taught, and are especially helpful because they are interactive. Wellert (2008) stated that students need to have active participation and involvement in lessons that include technology. Furthermore, student engagement is vital to ensure motivation during the learning process. Finally, the last category of software support tools put forward by Roblyer and Doering (2010) is content area tools. These support teaching and learning in the different content areas. Multimedia Multimedia refers to multiple media or a combination of media. Media can be still graphics, and photographs, sound, motion video, animation, and or text items along with products used to communicate information in multiple ways. Multimedia impacts the classroom in various ways. For example it increases motivation as it offers a variety of options for the user and encourages the learner to be proactive. For students who might not be strong in written expression but have visual aptitude, multimedia offers flexible learning modes. It also fosters the development of creative and critical thinking skills as it opens up creative avenues for students to apply higher thinking skills.. For those who struggle with organizing and presenting information, multimedia offers improved writing process as students are equipped to create characters and linking dialogue to it rather than simply creating a lengthy story. Creativity is encouraged by this process. The use of multimedia also decreases the time it takes to present lengthy presentations as information is presented in chunks as oppose to monotonous reports. According to Mayer and Moreno, 1998; Moreno and Mayer, 2002 (as sited in Roblyer and Doering, 2010) learners exhibited greater comprehension and retention of learned materials when pictures were accompanied by spoken words rather than by written words. They observed that the â€Å"split attention† effect was consistent with a model of working memory that had separate visual and auditory channels. As oppose to chalk and talk which rarely engage students, the use of multimedia encourages interaction and positive immediate feedback. Students are prompted when answers are incorrect giving them the option to correct their answers. Multimedia also provides easy navigation with clearly defined procedures. It is learner controlled for those who are less experienced as well as those who are advanced in technology. Color is also used to bring certain elements to the learner’s attention. Utility provides assortment of functionalities and features necessary to accomplish their instructional tasks, while usability deals with the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of the user. Aesthetics on the other hand, represents elements of design which enhance or heightens the learner’s experience as oppose to just satisfying the pedagogical or instructional objectives. In addition (Lavie & Tractinsky, 2004; Wilson, 2005), research on emotion suggests that aesthetically pleasing objects positively influence our emotions which in turn help students to actively process material. Commercial multimedia products include instructional software such as tutorials, drills, simulations, instruction and problem solving tools. It also includes interactive storybooks and eBooks for toddler’s right up to adults. There are digital libraries, Google books, listening to books online, Grimm Fairy Tales as well as Clifford Interactive Storybooks. In addition to these, these products include reference materials such as Encarta (Encyclopedia), Almanacs, Atlases, newspapers and newsletters, collection of development resources like Clip art, Audio clips, Video clips and Animations, all of which can be used for learning. When producing power points and graphics, fancy fonts and animation can all be incorporated. Multimedia tools also provide editing systems which allows the polishing of the end product. The question about how to effectively integrate support tools, multimedia, and hypermedia into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, this question can be answered by simply choosing the right tools to meet specific needs of the audience being taught. It is no longer debatable whether or not these tools are relevant, but which tools are relevant for what and who is being taught. Hypermedia According to (Roblyer and Doering, 2010), Hypermedia is also known as â€Å"linked media†. It is a system in which information stored in various media is connected, often through the internet. Most multimedia products are also hypermedia products. There exist a synonymous connection of their uses and alternative purpose. The ability to get information using multimedia tools, from one media element to another, makes them hypermedia. There are six kinds of hypermedia formats, such as: commercial hypermedia software, presentation software, video production and editing systems, hypermedia design and development software, virtual reality environments and Web 2. 0. Hypermedia has been impacting the educational system in many ways. Students are able to attend classes in the comfort of their home. Teachers are able to peruse through a wide variety of activities to effectively and efficiently deliver lessons. Hypermedia is geared at providing multiple channels by which students are able to learn and process information. It has been stated by researchers that students who learn through verbal and visual means are better able to solve problems in comparison to those who learn only through verbal means. In using hypermedia in the classroom, it saves time. Students and teachers are able to search through multiple types of information in a short length of time, with little or no cost. It can be stressful and frustrating for those who are not fully equipped with the skills of navigating. Users can also use hypermedia to add, modify or share information. The software is designed to be easy to use and understand. The programs available can incorporate video and audio of CD’s and DVD’s on the web. This creates a merger of both concepts which can realize learning at its maximum relative advantage. In considering Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, we can integrate support tools multimedia and hypermedia into teaching and learning. This can be done in various ways. Software programs that supports tutorials, drill and practice, simulation, instructional games and problem solving can all be incorporated using an interactive approach. Students as well as teachers are motivated to learn and present information. According to Edyburn (as cited in Roblyer & Doering, 2010), the accessibility capabilities of special needs students are often challenging. Special programs are provided along with software for these students, but in order to use the programs, one must be especially skilled. Roblyer and Doering (2010), further stated that in order for hypermedia to be used effectively, some hardware are needed in order for the software to function, such as: computer with keyboard, mouse and monitor, digital cameras, scanners, video digitizers, camcorders and other video output, microphones and audio speakers. Financial resources are necessary for this system to take place. Adobe Flash Reader has become the standard for creating interactive web based animation and other software tools. Flexible learning modes exist but teachers must carefully select programs that promote higher order thinking, which are few in the case of reading and language. The response based methods are critical and students are able to use their creativity to access information. Students can also make the distinction between various texts and think critically about which is appropriate and applicable. Teachers are able to assess students based on the outcome of assigned projects while challenging them to learn independently at times. Students use the Web 2. 0, and presentation software such as Microsoft Power point Presentation to deliver work the way they understand. Hypermedia helps students to generate new ideas, raise the bar for creativity and independence and thus provide a, variety of sources which students can use to understand and interpret information, thus reaching their highest potential relative advantage. Factors Influencing the Effective Integration of Technology Gorder (2008) stated that integrating technology is not about having technology available in the classroom, but more about how teachers use technology as a tool for learning. To effectively and successfully integrate support tools, multimedia and hypermedia into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, certain factors need to be considered. Franklin (2008) outlined four factors that influence the integration of technology: availability and access to technology, teacher preparation and training, good leadership, and time. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (as cited in Franklin, 2008), the availability of classroom technology correlates to teacher use of computers. This means that when more computers are available in the classroom, teachers tend to incorporate more activities involving technology. While the average elementary classroom in the United States has two computers (NCES, as cited in Franklin, 2008), classrooms in Belize are yet to experience that luxury. Access to computers in Belizean elementary schools is very limited, often through a computer lab. Oftentimes many of these computers are outdated, or not working. The lack of hardware and software tools do very little to promote the use and integration of technology in education. Teacher preparation and training is also an important factor in the effective integration of technology. Franklin (2008) indicated that teachers who feel better prepared to use technology are more likely to have their students use technology than teachers who feel unprepared. With the advent of numerous new technological advances, more experienced teachers are feeling unprepared to face the technological world. The NCES (as cited in Franklin, 2008) reported that only one third of elementary teachers in the United States felt they were well prepared to use technology in the classroom. Gorder (2008) referred to this as a change from educating students for the industrial age, to one of educating students for the technological age. This change will require teachers to become students again, seeking assistance from fellow teachers as well as from their own students. In light of this change, Ash (2007) felt that for teachers to implement technology effectively in the classroom there needs to be some form of professional development. Ash reported that in order to meet the professional development needs of teachers, some school districts have encouraged teachers to form on-line learning communities with their colleagues where they can seek technology advice, share resources and tips. Additionally, Ash suggested having a technology specialist on staff to assist teachers with new technology as well as to provide training for teachers in the form of after school training and workshops. Pitler (2006) said that most importantly teachers need to be provided with ongoing technology professional development. Ash (2007) believed strong leadership is required to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning and considered the principal as the key factor to ensuring the successful integration of technology into the school curriculum. Hope and Stakenas (as cited by Gosmire & Grady, 2007) suggested three primary roles for the principal as technology leader: role model, instructional leader, and visionary. They stated that principals themselves need to have a good working knowledge of technology tools and be able to use these for their own administrative and managerial duties. When principals have a good working knowledge of technology they are more committed to its importance in teaching and learning and tend to impart this to their teachers (Franklin, 2008). Furthermore, principals are the instructional leaders of the school and are primarily responsible for overseeing technology integration. As a result, principals need to have a good knowledge of technology hardware and software to be able to acquire those that best fit the needs of their school. Hope and Stakenas emphasized that the most important thing is for principals to have a vision for technology in their school. They need to have a clear understanding of how technology will be used by teachers and students to better facilitate teaching and learning. Franklin concluded that principals who provide strong leadership â€Å"help create a climate in which experimentation with technology is looked on with favour and given encouragement† (p. 55). Finally, the fourth factor that influences the integration of technology is time. Franklin (2008) believed that for technology integration to be effective it is necessary to provide the time for teachers to learn, practice, and plan how they will integrate technology into the curriculum. She stated that this might, at times, require teachers to be released from their regular classroom duties in order to facilitate this experience. Apart from the time teachers need to learn and plan for technology, students also need time to use technology. Franklin indicated that time needs to be placed in the daily schedule when students will be using technology. Schacter and Fagnano (1999) also suggested several practices to aid in the successful implementation of technology in the classroom. These include: (a) getting students involved in discussions and debates where they will be required to work with a team to evaluate their work, as well as the work of others, (b) allowing students to analyse situations and think independently through self reflection and thought, (c) getting students to design programs that encourage critical thinking, judgement, and personal involvement, (d) using project-based learning activities, (e) engaging students in contextualized and meaningful projects, and (f) teaching students how to use computers to design projects. The authors emphasized that the effective use of technology increases students’ learning, understanding, achievement and motivation as well as develops their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Conclusion Hence, it is clear that in order to integrate technology into teaching and learning for the highest potential relative advantage, it is not just about having the technology and being knowledgeable about its use and benefits, but also about having a vision and plan of how technology will be integrated into the school curriculum and providing the necessary training for teachers. Pitler (2006) stated that all the new technologies in the world will not impact student achievement if the school does not have a clear vision of how and why they will use the technology. It is important to understand that the acquisition of technology alone will not improve the quality of instruction. Day (2010) emphasizes that â€Å"the fundamental determinants of instructional quality have always been the course content, the teachers, the learning activities in which the students are engaged and the students themselves† (p. 49).