Imformative Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Imformative Speech - Essay Example It is not recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club. Since APBTs are popular for their agility, people make them competitors for dog fighting games. These prove to be very stubborn and persistent players, and show strict obedience to their masters. However, APBTs need training for play and socialization; otherwise, they can prove to be a little tricky to handle due to their strength, stubbornness, and agility. APBTs prove to be very playful with children. That is why people also allow them in their homes. Appropriate training makes them very polite with the children. They waggle their tails to show joy when guests arrive. They are also very loyal to their masters. They can give their lives to save their masters’. To conclude, APBTs are very obedient, playful, gentle, and persistent in nature. Their agility makes people make them participate in games. Their gentleness is a reason why people allow them with their children. Thus, they are a very popular breed among American

Corporate Strategies in Small and Medium Enterprises Essay Example for Free

Corporate Strategies in Small and Medium Enterprises Essay The article picked is â€Å"Information technology and corporate strategies in Small and Medium Enterprises† by Poolad Daneshvar, Research Scholar, Department of Business Administration, University of Mysore, India and Dr.H.N.Ramesh, Director Kuvempu University, PG Center, Kadur, Karnataka, India. It is, to be more precise, a synthesis of different researches about the subject: â€Å"How does Information Systems create competitive advantages for the enterprise?† The article, however, focuses on the competitive advantages for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The difference between Information Systems (IS) and the Information Technology (IT), from the authors’ point of view is the orientation. If IT is most likely technical and supply oriented, IS is the way business makes use of IT depend on the enterprise’s needs. So IS is more demand oriented and business grounded. In the article, the authors rarely separate these two notions, considering that IS is based on IT and the authors’ point is to present how the application and utilization of information can be used to create competitive advantage. The authors also discussed about why SMEs should seize the opportunities to create competitive advantages brought by the IT/IS development. In fact, the main reason for the creation of many large companies that regroup vertical value chain (from raw material, production to sales and customers services) is the transaction costs between the steps in a value chain, due to information asymmetric and assumption of opportunistic behaviors. When big companies are able to set up a whole value chain, they will gain considerable advantages from cost decrease and from the fact that they avoided, at some stages, the pressure from the suppliers and customers. In order to maximize efficiency, the SMEs can only concentrate in certain activities and thus can only be part of a value chain. These companies were struggling in this competition. However, IT/IS gives SMEs chance to increase their ability to compete by three possible ways (Rockart and Scott Morton): Increase efficiency in operations, creat e links with customers and suppliers to increase their switching cost, create new products or new services. The authors explain how IT/IS has influence on competitive advantages of the SMEs in three categories: Internal Strategy, Competitive Strategy and Creation of the Competitive Advantages. The authors precise two applications possible of IT/IS on internal strategy. Firstly, applications on the existing activities to increase efficiency and customers’ satisfaction reduce cost, but the authors stated this application is just basic and cannot be considered strategic. From the authors’ point of view, IT/IS should be applied in Management processes. Some model has been set up throughout the last three decades: Business Systems Planning (BSP, Hammer, M.M et al, 1980), Office automation methodology (OAM, Sirbu, M et al, 1984) or also Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) †¦ These models can demonstrate to the managers how their business is working and what kind of result can be expected, BPR can even shows the options. The decision making can be much easier and quick with helps from IT/IS. The most two most usual competition strategy are Cost reducing and Differentiation. However, Porter and Al. have concluded others ways to turn the competition around in the IT/IS era: Use the IT/IS to change the rules of the competition in the industry, create competitive advantages by finding the company’s ability to outperform its rivals, create new business. The authors analyze the competition strategy in two aspects, according to Porter’s study: Value Chain Analysis and Competitive Forces. Value chain is a framework for identify all the activities and analyze how they affect the company’s cost and its value delivered to the customers. Value in this notion can be divided into 2 types: Value explicit and direct from Primary activities and Value implicit, indirect from support activities. The authors’ idea is to use IT/IS to move some physical activities in the value chain on line (cu stomers’ orders gathering, information collecting†¦) or make some physical activities less costly (communication†¦). This way, the SMEs can resolve one of their biggest problems is the high transaction costs. They also have the chance to alter the services provided to make their operations more appealing to the customers, compared to part of other large groups’ value chain. According to Porter, there are five competitive forces: Intra-industry rivalry, new entrance, customers’ bargaining power, suppliers’ bargaining power and substitute products/ services. IT/IS can change the relationship between an industry and its suppliers, decrease the suppliers’ bargaining power. Furthermore, by accelerating the innovation, SMEs can create a technology barrier for new entrances while developing new competitive weapon for intra-industry competitors. Concerning the creation of competitive advantages, the authors stated five different strategies for SMEs in the new IT/IS era: Differentiation in price and product innovation: using IT/IS to gather more customers’ preference on ex isting products/ services and change the enterprise’s products/ services accordingly or to have more promotion channels at low cost and establish the brand’s image; Existing cost reduction: like in promotion and distribution cost or Provide new inexpensive services; Innovation: increase the business’s efficiency, reduce product’s cycle life; Growth: extend the enterprise’s scope and its score business based on the reach of the new telecommunication and transportation technology; and finally, Alliance: by using IT/IS in communication and information sharing. In the end of the article, the authors conclude that an alignment between IS strategy and Organizational strategy is necessary for the competitiveness development of SMEs; that include the alignment between four elements: Business Strategy, Organizational Infrastructure processes, IT strategy and IT infrastructure and processes. Basically, the authors insist on the managerial role in this application: the strategies and decision making concerning the enterprise’s IS should be considered as part of the organizational strategies depend on the enterprise’s goal s. II. Why it is important to the management of the IT systems? The article insisted on the important role of the IT systems in the management of SMEs, in order to create competitive advantages in the economy dominated by large groups. IS can now be considered as a weapon, a way that turns the â€Å"powerless† SMEs from before to dangerous competitors. Aside from companies in the Information field that developed strongly just in the last decade like Facebook or Google, a lot of others companies in others industries are making use of IT to find a â€Å"blue ocean† and grow. IS can change a company’s value change by reducing cost and making it different from others companies, creating the competitive advantage. IS also can change the competition rules, limit the domination of large groups, create chances for SMEs to find its own way to develop and stand its ground. However, the development of the Information can also create entrance barriers for these companies. In my opinion, the development of the IT/IS in the past decades has made the global economy much more animated and â€Å"thrilling†. Considering these points, all managers should value the position of IT/IS strategy in their overall strategies, especially managers of SMEs, who will have to think of IT/IS as their surviving paths. The managers should consider the enterprises’ goals and objectives invest in RD to find an IT/IS tools/ facilities that can respond to the enterprises’ demands, build a strategy of IT/IS development in short term and in long term and invest in IT/IS infrastructure and processes. Since the innovation speed of the IT/IS world is very fast, every IT/IS strategy have to consider and leave room for regular update and development. In conclusion, Information systems have an indispensable role in the creation of competitive advantages nowadays. Company that can make good use of IT will be receiving limitless opportunities. III. Personal thoughts and opinions I worked as a sales assistant and later manager’s assistant in an international company, also I studied in the international economy for about five years now. From my experience, the globalization that was only for transnational and multinational companies before is now also opening its doors to SMEs, and that was the result of the Information Technology development. The world is now â€Å"flat† (Thomas Friedman, 2005) and It create opportunities for SMEs in even developing countries to find their ground in the global value chain, just take for example the information, financial services outsourcing in India. My ex-employer worked in the high fashion field so the only application of the IT/IS in its activities is in promotion: Aside from specialized magazines, Facebook, website and newletter emails were all important channels that help the company to establish Its brand worldwide, since It only have one siege in Hanoi. When I worked as Manager’s assistant, I also participated in the establishment of the KPI systems of the company, a systems that allow employees’ performances to be digitized and evaluated by the computer, it was a system applicable in the Human Resources Management. Unfortunately, I did not get to see its result.

Internal Auditing Information Technology Case Study

Internal Auditing Information Technology Case Study Yue Sun (Leah) Activity 1. Key entity-level controls COSO Component Entity-level Controls Control Environment Organization wide integrity code of conduct Raising awareness and application of the code Granting restricted accesses to managers based on their department and responsibility scope Risk Assessment Organization wide risk assessment Risk appetites designed by department managers Having senior managements or control groups review and approve risk appetite Control Activities Organization wide policy protocol Independent internal audit committee oversight Information technology general control Information Communication Utilizing secured and monitored communication system for employees Monitoring Activities Performance management system Regularly perform internal auditing processes Activity 2. Audit procedure for information technology general control Determining whether the managements hold a positive attitude and approach toward integrity and ethics. Determining whether policies exists to define acceptable IT practices, conflict of interest, and or other expected standards of ethical behavior within the organization. Determining whether management take proper precaution and disciplinary action in circumstances where dishonor the policies. Determining whether practitioners and management receive complete necessary training to efficiently perform their duties. Determining whether the integrity code of conduct is being applied throughout daily operations. Determining whether the role of each employee is well defined, documented, and understood by all parties in the organization. Determining whether all procedures are properly documented by designated employee and the documentation is securely managed with restricted access. Determining whether there are processes in place to monitor the integrity and the ethical value within the department. Audit procedures and evidence that indicate operating effectiveness Audit procedures to determine operational efficiency Determining whether the tasks and goals are performed and achieved. It implies that the controls are operating efficiently when management and employees meet the expectations associated with their responsibilities. Evaluating the commitment of the management and employees when executing the internal controls set as higher level commitments from management and employees lead to higher level operating efficiency. Determining whether management is promoting and trying to enforce the internal controls in the organization. Observing the efficiency and effectiveness of communication between management and employees. It indicates that the controls are operating efficiently when management and employees keep an open and transparent communication channel. Observing the attitude of both management and employees towards integrity and ethics in the internal controls. Evidence that indicate operating effectiveness The operation should be considered effective when management holds a positive tone throughout the organization and the communication between management and employees is effective and transparent. Having an ethics and integrity program that is honored by both management and employees is another indicator for effective operation. Activity 4. SHR Corporations entity-level controls are mostly soft in nature and therefore, can impact the corporations employees in terms of how they approach issues. Such entity-level controls do operate across the organization to mitigate risks that threaten the company while provide assurance that the objectives of the organization would be achieved. In addition, the entity-level controls have both internal and external effect. For instance, such control would impact on the effectiveness at transaction and processing level which could minimize the risks that would prevent the company from achieving its objectives. Weakness in SHR Corporations entity-level controls include incidents where management is not dedicated to train and mentor employees. Lacking communication between management and employees could impact the operating effectiveness greatly. Another weakness would be when less reliance is placed on control activities that are performed by employees who require highly judgmental or complex tasks. In order to amend the listed weaknesses, management should be assessing the quality of the internal control performance across the organization. Monitoring activities are necessary and SHR should also acquire independent evaluation by internal auditors to minimize risks. Management and employees behavior could be affected by the entity-level controls that are carried out across the entire organization. Based on the risks that the organization is currently facing, the entity-level controls would require managements to assess and report on the effectiveness of the internal control of the organization. The independent internal auditors should confirm and evaluate such reports concerning the effectiveness of the corporations internal control. Management and employees behavior at business processing level could be positively impacted since entity-level controls could improve their accountability. Having an effective entity-level controls would help both management and employees comply with organizations policies and code of conducts. Because entity-level controls provide assurance to the board and management that the established procedures and policies are performed throughout the organizations operation. When auditing controls over the companys purchases and accounts payable, SHRs entity-level controls could affect professional skepticism since effective controls could minimize potential risks and misappropriation. Meanwhile, the entity-level controls would facilitate the assessment of process-level risks that could affect the operation of the organization. In addition, process-level controls could assist when conducting direct testes of transactions in order to ensure the financial statements are accurately presented.

The Roles of Negotiation in Construction Essay -- Construction Industr

The Roles of Negotiation in Construction Negotiation is a form of the decision-making process where two or more parties jointly search a space of possible solutions with the goal of reaching a consensus. In the construction industry, collaboration is an essential key for the success of projects. Since different participants from different organizations try to work together in projects, competitive stresses exist in their relationships and as a result, disputes or conflicts may inevitably occur; negotiation is preferred by project participants for the settlement of claims. Negotiation plays an important role in resolving claims, preventing disputes, and keeping a harmonious relationship between project participants. However, claims negotiations are commonly inefficient due to the diversity of intellectual background, many variables involved, complex interactions, and inadequate negotiation knowledge of project participants. Most project managers consider negotiation as the most time- and energy-consuming activity in claims management. Negotiation theories and principles To address the complex technical and human issues in negotiation, several important negotiation theories and principles have been developed, which mainly include game theory, economic theory, behavior theory, and negotiation theory. Game theory seeks to get at the essentials of decision making and the associated strategies in situations where two or more parties are interdependent, and where, therefore, the outcome of their conflict and competition must be the product of their joint requirements and the interaction of their separate choices (Bacharach ... ...on Collaborative Negotiatons for Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects- (J. of Management in Engineering/ April 2001/ 121) Pe -Mora, F., and Wang, C-Y. (1998)-Computer-supported collaborative negotiation methodology ( J. Comp. in Civ. Engrg., ASCE,12(2)) Gulliver, P. H. (1979)- Disputes and negotiation: A cross-culture perspective, (Academic, San Diego) Bacharach, S. B., and Lawler, E. J. (1981). Bargaining: Power, tactics and outcomes (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco) Young, O. R., (1975) Bargaining: Formal theories of negotiation (University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Ill) Zartman, I. W., (1977) The negotiation process: Theories and applications (Sage,London) Z. Ren, C. J. Anumba, and O. O. Ugwu. (2003)-Multiagent System for Construction Claims Negotiation ( J. Comp. in Civ. Engrg., ASCE,7(2003))

Blood pressure Essay

Question One: Hypertension (in addition to a number of medical conditions) may be considered as primary or secondary. Explain these concepts giving three examples of secondary hypertension and their pathophysiology. Most of the conditions that cause secondary hypertension involve the overproduction of one of the body’s hormones. Some of the medical problems that can cause secondary hypertension include: Kidney disease. Secondary hypertension is related to damaged kidneys or to an abnormal narrowing of one or both renal arteries. The renal arteries are the major blood vessels that bring blood to each kidney. When the kidney’s blood supply is reduced by a narrowing (called renal artery stenosis), the kidney produces high levels of a hormone called renin. High levels of renin trigger the production of other substances in the body that raise blood pressure, particularly a molecule called angiotensin II. Adrenal disease. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce several hormones that help regulate blood pressure. Sometimes, one or both adrenal glands make and secrete an excess of one of these hormones. Three different types of adrenal gland conditions cause high blood pressure: Pheochromocytoma. A tumour of the adrenal gland that overproduces the hormones epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin). Hyperaldosteronism (also called Conn’s syndrome). Both adrenal glands can overproduce the salt-retaining hormone aldosterone or it can arise in a benign adrenal tumour. Hypercortisolism (also called Cushing’s syndrome). Both adrenal glands can overproduce the hormone cortisol or it can arise in a benign or malignant tumour. Hyperparathyroidism. A hormone called parathormone is made by four tiny glands in the neck called parathyroid glands. If the glands produce too much hormone, calcium levels in the blood increase. People with hyperparathyroidism are more likely to have high blood pressure. The exact reason for this association is not known. Question Two: Roger was a symptomatic and only came in for a check up. Why is it important for this ‘silent disease’ to be detected and appropriately treated? As blood flows through arteries it pushes against the inside of the artery walls. The more pressure the blood exerts on the artery walls, the higher the blood pressure will be. The size of small arteries also affects the blood pressure. When the muscular walls of arteries are relaxed, or dilated, the pressure of the blood flowing through them is lower than when the artery walls narrow, or constrict. Blood pressure is highest when the heart beats to push blood out into the arteries. When the heart relaxes to fill with blood again, the pressure is at its lowest point. Blood pressure when the heart beats is called systolic pressure. Blood pressure when the heart is at rest is called diastolic pressure. When blood pressure is measured, the systolic pressure is stated first and the diastolic pressure second. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For example, if a person’s systolic pressure is 120 and diastolic pressure is 80, it is written as 120/80 mm Hg. T he American Heart Association has long considred blood pressure less than 140 over 90 normal for adults. However, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland released new clinical guidelines for blood pressure in 2003, lowering the standard normal readings. A normal reading was lowered to less than 120 over less than 80. Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no symptoms. Many people have hypertension without knowing it. In the United States, about 50 million people age six and older have high blood pressure. Hypertension is more common in men than women and in people over the age of 65 than in younger persons. More than half of all Americans over the age of 65 have hypertension. It also is more common in African-Americans than in white Americans. Hypertension is serious because people with the condition have a higher risk for heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal blood pressure. Serious complications can be avoided by getting regular blood pressure checks and treating hypertension as soon as it is diagnosed. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to the following medical conditions: arteriosclerosis, also called atherosclerosis heart attack stroke enlarged heart kidney damage. Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries. The walls of arteries have a layer of muscle and elastic tissue that makes them flexible and able to dilate and constrict as blood flows through them. High blood pressure can make the artery walls thicken and harden. When artery walls thicken, the inside of the blood vessel narrows. Cholesterol and fats are more likely to build up on the walls of damaged arteries, making them even narrower. Blood clots also can get trapped in narrowed arteries, blocking the flow of blood. Arteries narrowed by arteriosclerosis may not deliver enough blood to organs and other tissues. Reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack. If an artery to the brain is blocked, a stroke can result. Hypertension makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the body. The extra workload can make the heart muscle thicken and stretch. When the heart becomes too enlarged it cannot pump enough blood. If the hypertension is not treated, the heart may fail. The kidneys remove the body’s wastes from the blood. If hypertension thickens the arteries to the kidneys, less waste can be filtered from the blood. As the condition worsens, the kidneys fail and wastes build up in the blood. Dialysis or a kidney transplant are needed when the kidneys fail. About 25% of people who receive kidney dialysis have kidney failure caused by hypertension. Question Three: The renin-angiotensin system plays a central role in blood pressure regulation. Explain the renin-angiotensin system with reference to Conn’s syndrome. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System is a hormone system that regulates BP and fluid balance. When blood volume is low, the juxtaglomerular cells in the kidneys secrete Renin directly into circulation. Plasma Renin converts a polypeptide called Angiotensinogen, which is secreted from Liver into Angiotensin I, which in turn is converted to Angiotensin II (or ATII) by the enzyme called ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) found in the lungs. It so happens that Angiotensin II is a potent vaso-active peptide that causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in increased blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the secretion of the hormone Aldosterone from Adrenal cortex. Aldosterone causes the tubules of the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of sodium and water into the blood. This increases the volume of fluid in the body, which also increases blood pressure. If the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is too active, blood pressure will be too high. There are many drugs that interrupt different steps in this system to lower blood pressure. These drugs are one of the main ways to control HBP, heart failure, renal failure and the harmful effects of Diabetes. Angiotensin II is degraded to angiotensin III by angiotensinases located in red blood cells and the vascular beds of most tissues. Angiotensin III has 40% of the pressor action of ATII, but 100% of the aldosterone-producing activity of ATII. Angiotensin II has autocrine, paracrine and endocrine actions on different systems: Cardiovascular effects: AT II is the most powerful vasopressor known, constricting both arteries and veins. Myocyte growth is stimulated through a local tissue RAAS. The same system can be activated in the smooth muscle cells in conditions of HTN or endothelial damage thus contributing to and accelerating the process of Atherosclerosis. Neurological effects: ATII increases the thirst sensation by directly stimulating the Subfornical organ of the brain (Dipsogenic action). AT II also decreases the response of Baroreceptor reflex. ATII increases secretions of both ADH and ACTH besides stimulating postganglionic sympathetic fibers to secrete Noradrenaline. Adrenal effects: Angiotensin II acts on the Adrenal cortex causing it to release Aldosterone, a hormone that causes the kidneys to retain sodium and lose potassium.

Li & Fung Introduction

Introduction: â€Å"Globalization†, the word everybody has heard of and which Is literally spread everywhere. Either In school, university or In the news. People are constantly discussing about this term and its consequences. But what does globalization actually mean? There are thousands of deflations and It Is hard to find one which covers all areas of globalization. In short words Globalization considers the process of the world becoming more and more interdependent and linked concerning politics, economy, environment and technology. It is not possible anymore to see our economy as a single unit.Instead the whole world is connected and linked through cash or trading flows or commodities that are being shipped for instance from Hong Kong to the US. This process has significantly influenced multinational companies and their strategic development in order to gain more wealth and growth from an international point of view. In the following assignment I am going to analyses the i nternationalization strategy of Lie & Fun, a Hong Kong based multinational company which targets on a unique supply- chain management system and also covers logistics.We span a range of such as toys, home furnishings, sporting goods, footwear, and health and beauty products. Our services cover all aspects of the supply chain from product design, raw material sourcing and production management to quality control, logistics, and shipping. We operate one of the world's most extensive global networks across our trading and logistics businesses. More than 28,000 colleagues work across some 300 offices and distribution centers in more than 40 different markets. We have access to a sourcing network encompassing over 1 5,000 suppliers around the world.The Trading business provides sourcing services to retailers, brand owners and wholesalers to support their brands on both an agency (commission margin) and a principal (product margin) basis. It also offers design and products to retailers on a wholesale basis. The Logistics business is a leading player for logistics in distinct verticals across Greater China and Southeast Asia, and interacts with our trading business to provide comprehensive in-country logistics solutions and international freight forwarding services. )