The 1989 World Tour by Taylor Swift free essay sample

I didn’t think that it was possible for me to love Taylor Swift anymore, but I was proven wrong after I experienced my 1989 concert. Taylor has a beautiful way of captivating her crowd through her awe striking show. Shawn Mendes and Vance Joy opened for Swift, and I enjoyed singing along with both of them as I anticipated Taylor’s performance. When Taylor did come out, I was blown away as she began to sing the lyrics to â€Å"Welcome to New York,† with a Broadway scenery behind her to match the vibe of the song. Each person who attended the concert was given a battery powered bracelet that was programmed to flash different colors in synchronization with the all of the songs, which made her performances even more magical. As the night went on, I was completely mesmerized by Taylor’s vocals, choreography, and, of course, costume changes. She sang fifteen songs from the 1989 deluxe album, and even surprised the crowd by singing a few older songs paired with different genres of music, such as a rock version of â€Å"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together† (yes, you read that correctly, a rock version). We will write a custom essay sample on The 1989 World Tour by Taylor Swift or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Taylor ended the night with an energetic performance of â€Å"Shake it Off,† complete with fireworks, confetti, and a lot of dancing. I think that the thing I loved the most about the concert was its atmosphere. Taylor referred to us, a crowd of 55,000 people, as her â€Å"friends,† and she thanked us multiple times for spending our Saturday night with her. Whether I was screaming out Taylor’s catchy advise that â€Å"boys only want love if it’s torture,† or contemplating my existence after a mashup of her two songs â€Å"Enchanted† and â€Å"Wildest Dreams,† I felt like I was having a dance party with my best friend Taylor and 55,000 of my closest friends, rather than attending a concert to see a female celebrity with a net worth of 200 million dollars. Taylor managed to stun the world once again with an impeccable tour that perfectly corresponded with the sound and theme of her album. I can honestly say that the 1989 concert was a legendary concert that will go down in history. I just hope that one day I’ll be able to meet Taylor so I can thank her for one of the best nights of my life.

Week 4 Discussion Example

Week 4 Discussion Example Week 4 Discussion – Coursework Example Rewarding Ethical Behaviors in a CPA Firm al Affiliation: Rewarding Ethical Behaviors in a CPA Firm Rewarding and ethical behaviors work hand in hand and it is, therefore, necessary for every firm to reward its ethical employees (Johnson, 2007). The  first step in coming up with a reward program is letting the employees understand all the rules of the CPA firm. The communication policy should be effective so that all the employees understand the rules. The following crucial ethical behaviors should be prioritized -: Maintenance of confidentiality Truthfulness Avoidance of conflicts (Johnson, 2007)These key ethical behaviors should be summed up with the company’s ethical requirements so that employees can know precisely  what is expected of them. Most ethical behaviors are observable and can be tracked. The firm should select a team that will be in charge of monitoring ethical behaviors among the employees. The team should not be known by the employees. The employees shoul d be aware of the reward program, and its standards should be high. The ethics reward program should be linked up with other company values such as teamwork and communication. This will ensure that the ethical reward program does not distract the normal operations of the CPA firm. The reward program should not be necessarily monetary. Linking it with aspects such as promotions is highly recommendable and can yield good results. For the reward program to be effective, non-ethical behaviors should be punishable (Johnson, 2007). Punishing the unethical employees will help reduce cases of unethical behavior and will in turn promote ethical behaviors. The reward program should be continuous so that a culture of good ethical behaviors is eventually developed (Johnson, 2007).In conclusion, a reward program should begin with making the rules and ethical expectations of the firm known to the employees. High ethical standards and good rewards should be set and communicated to the employees. A monitoring team should be developed. Unethical behaviors should be punished. The reward program should appreciate other aspects of the organization. It should be continuous so that a culture of ethical behaviors is eventually developed.ReferencesJohnson, C. E. (2007).  Ethics in the workplace: Tools and tactics for organizational transformation. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications.

Roles of the Medieval Queen Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Roles of the Medieval Queen - Assignment Example Roles of the Medieval Queen Her success depended on the relationship with the king and the fact that the kingdom’s advisers chose her to take charge of the throne. As a regnant, the queen ruled by her rights. She exercised power over the kingdom by inheriting it from the parents, usually, as an heiress with no brothers. As a daughter of the king, she qualified to inherit and rule by her birthright. Regnant queens participated in the feudal assemblies of the kings together with some of the vassals (Shahar 146). In addition, they also made judgments in their area of governance and discussed both economic and political issues. There were conditions that determined the success or failure of a queen. The queen was success due to support from followers and church, sharing the king’s social status and rank, and support from parents in the royal family, while her failure was due to limits set by the king, growing political life, being weak, and failure to provide an heir. A queen or empress consort was a wife to a reigning emperor or king. A queen consort shared the king’s social status and rank, which allowed her to exercise feminine powers over servants in the palace. She supervised the servants to ensure that they performed their chores (Shahar 151). The consort queen also had a role in a dowry to the king and acting as his helpmate. A consort queen would also play a role in church by raising money to build them. A consort queen also motivated church reforms and also gave moral support to people in the kingdom.

The four people who influenced malcolm x life Research Paper

The four people who influenced malcolm x life - Research Paper Example ?s family background, the biographic report projects about his mother ‘Louise Norton Little’ as a homemaker as well as the mother of eight children. Malcolm’s father, ‘Earl Little’ was a minister and a supporter of Marcus Garvey who during that time was the leader of the Black Nationalist Party (Colorado State University, â€Å"Malcolm X - An Islamic Perspective.†). Adding to these, during the childhood days of Malcolm, his family was often threatened by the ‘Black Legion’ which was a ‘white supremacist organization’ and which even got its hands in the murder of ‘Earl Little’. The entire life of Malcolm took the form of struggle after this incident. These factors highlight the historical background of this ‘African-American Muslim’ minister along with ‘Human Rights Activist’ (The Estate of Malcolm X, â€Å"Biography†). Thesis. The four individuals who had a lasting impact on Malcolm X’s life were ‘his father Earl Little’, ‘his brother Reginald’, ‘Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI) organization’ and ‘his wife Betty Shabazz’. In the life of Malcolm X, the influence of the mentioned four individuals had been profound and compelling to direct him towards attaining greater recognition as a forthright leader of the masses. The first person who can be considered to have influenced Malcolm’s life is his father ‘Earl Little’. Malcolm’s father had been into the political scenario since long and had played a significant role in terms of influencing Malcolm to enter the world of politics after the death of his father and a long phase of struggling childhood. As stated in his biography, ever since the death of his father, all the eight children got split up either with foster parents or ended up in orphanages (The Estate of Malcolm X, â€Å"Biography†). Malcolm during his teenage period got arrested in a case of burglary and was sentenced to suffice 10 years of imprisonment. It was during that time

The History of Real Estate in Dubai Research Paper

The History of Real Estate in Dubai - Research Paper Example There are close to 2, 50,000 employees who are mostly south Asian working in real estate projects across Dubai. (Dubai History. n.d) In 1990, under Sheikh Mohammed governance, some very interesting real estate projects were designed and executed like the seven star Burj Al Arab Hotel which became the tallest free standing building in the world. The emirates towers became the tallest commercial building in Asia, Europe and Middle East. During the same time, other notable buildings, world class ideas, mega projects were designed and executed to make a mark in the international arena. Sheikh Mohammed wanted Dubai to be the hub and the location for international investment. The rentals and the return on investment far exceeded the expectation with greater benefits. Sheikh Mohammed also helped in promoting the development of real estate through Emaar properties which is the largest real estate company in Dubai. (Cooper, 2004) One of the turning points in the history of Dubai real estate w as on May 2002 when the government had declared freehold property on land. It was also during this period that the government had also familiarized foreigners to buy freehold property. Prior to this, only UAE nationals were allowed to buy and own property in Dubai which was only on a 99 year lease and this was not very popular with the public. It was only after the adoption of the freehold property and foreign investment that the real estate in Dubai had a boom in the residential property. Dubai then became a city which was built on good ethical practice, foreign investment and good projects. (Cooper, 2004) Foreign Investment in Dubai Real Estate Sector Until 2002, the UAE law had strict rules and policies and did not allow expatriates from owning any property. They were allowed only to rent property or own the property on a lease period approved by the federal law. It was only during this year that the Dubai government had permitted the expats to buy and sell property and this revo lutionized the real estate sector. This decision was taken after understanding that the petrol and the oil reserves which form the main economy booster might perish in 10 years. One of the main strategies of the government was to improve the service sector and the local real estate market in Dubai. (Foreign Investment in Dubai, n.d) The demand for both commercial and residential property market increased rapidly because of the change in government policy. The expatriates from non GCC countries were also allowed to hold properties in the country and this was regarded as a great leap in Dubai as this was not imposed in any other emirate country. There was a sudden increase in foreign investment especially from UK and Europe in the Dubai real estate market. (9) In the recent years the city has been a constant attraction for expat investors. The real estate market in Dubai is largely driven by foreign investment especially the non- Arab companies and individuals, their freehold investme nts total around 60-70% of the entire real estate market. Statistics state that every 3rd property is held by expatiates or foreign companies who live outside Dubai. The portfolios of the investors range from Pakistan, India and other emerging markets such as S. Korea and Brazil. (Foreign Investments Spurs Dubai Real Estate Growth, n.d) Iran is one of the leading and the major partners for Dubai and forms at least 30% of the total business done in Dubai. The

Market Analysis for Male Condom Product

Market Analysis for Male Condom Product Introduction This report aims to explore the possible business opportunity of condom manufacturing of a Novelty Condom (Lolly), with particular emphasis on the public and private sector markets for the male condom. In considering the market for male condoms in South Africa, it is prudent to separate the discussion into public sector and private sector markets, and within these markets to consider procurement, distribution and sale of the products. Executive Summary Market / Industry/ Description (Makro) South African condom manufacturers are not competitive in the global market. This has led to their reliance on the governments condom procurement contract, which they are awarded on a preferential basis. It is as yet unclear whether government will continue to show preference to local manufacturers. If it does, this may further negatively impact the manufacturers competitiveness, and limit their market to the local public sector. If government decides to award future contracts to the most competitive bidders, some local manufacturers may go out of business. Socio Cultural There is no other product on the market apart from condoms that gives dual protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, as well as protection against unplanned pregnancy. In South Africa, the burden of STIs and HIV is enormous. The Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), (source: www.actuarialsociety.org.za) has developed a demographic and AIDS model (latest ASSA 2003) that makes use of data from several sources to project the potential course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the demographic impact that it is having. According to the latest version of the model, some 5.4 million South Africans were infected with HIV in mid-2006. The has escalated to 5, 934, 183 in 2007 (source: Quantec Database and ECSSEC Analysis, 2009). The model further indicates that prevalence is higher for women in the 15-34 age groups, while it is higher for men in the older ages. Furthermore, the ASSA model predicts that the number of people infected will continue to rise, to exceed 6 million by 2015. Accumulated AIDS deaths will be close to 5.4 million by the same year. In terms of incidence, i.e. the number of new infections occurring, the 15-24 year age group, and particularly women, contributes the highest numbers of new infections. Biology, gender roles, sexual norms and inequalities in access to resources and decision-making power put women and girls at greater risk of infection. Many women have insufficient information about sexual and reproductive health and do not understand the risks associated with their own or their partners sexual behaviour. Many of those who do recognise their vulnerability are powerless to protect themselves. Other STIs also take their toll. In South Africa, the prevalence of STIs is estimated to range from 5% to over 30% in various population sub-groups and localities depending on the type of STI (source: ASSA and Quantec Database). It is important to note that, in addition to the disease and disability STIs themselves cause, they also increase the risk of acquiring HIV during intercourse as a result of inflammation and ulceration. Male condoms are widely available in South Africa, both through public sector condom distribution programmes as well as for sale through retail outlets. The range of products available in the private sector is broad, catering for various user sizes, as well as other novel user preferences such as taste, colour and texture (Our target market: Novel Condom User). The availability of female condoms is much more limited. And finally, although this is a practice and not a product, male circumcision has recently received a lot of attention as research has shown that the practice can reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Although this method cannot be used on its own to prevent HIV transmission, there are concerns in some quarters that miscommunication about the link between male circumcision and HIV transmission could potentially result in the practice being used as a substitute for condom use. Adapted from: Outlook, May 2006 Economic Employment potential Condom manufacturing is both capital and labour intensive. In particular, the sampling and testing of batches of condoms, which is a critical component of the manufacturing process, is facilitated by hand. In Thailand, which is one of the worlds leading exporters of condoms, it has been found that young women are best suited to this work as it is repetitive, precise and requires a high degree of speed and dexterity. The incumbent local manufacturers employ an average of 100 people. A new condom manufacturing facility could thus potentially provide employment for up to 100 semi-skilled young women.The following inputs are required to set up a male condom manufacturing facility. Legal In South Africa there are no compulsory regulations governing the manufacturing and testing of condoms. The Department of Health, as the primary purchaser of locally manufactured condoms, acts as an indirect regulator of the industry by requiring that all public sector male condoms be designed and manufactured according to technical specifications set by the World Health Organisation. These specifications include design, performance and packaging requirements, as well as general requirements that specify the safety of constituent materials and other characteristics, such as shelf life. In addition public sector condoms, irrespective of whether they are made locally or imported from overseas, need to be tested to the same quality standards and approved by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Outside of the public sector, manufacturers may apply to the SABS for a â€Å"standardization mark† to illustrate that their product complies with the SABS requirements. Compliance with the standard is however voluntary and not compulsory. Technological Political Competitor Review The South African condom manufacturing industry is an oligopoly made up of four companies, whose main customer is the Department of Health. The manufacturing facilities operate at or below their total production capacity, and further capacity will be created by the end of 2007. This points to a saturated industry that would not welcome a new entrant. Table 5 below is a summary of the operations of the four manufacturers. Table 3: Local manufacturers of male condoms Company Rrt Medcon Zalatex Karex Wupro Date established 2001 1990 2001 1999 Location Kwazulu-Natal Gauteng Mpumalanga Kwazulu-Natal Products manufactured Male condom Male condom Examination gloves Surgical gloves Male condom Male condom Linen savers Diapers Choice condom (pieces per year) 63,750 000 38,250 000 72,250 000 38,250 000 Own brand condom (pieces per year) Viva (â€Å"small Positions African Skin (â€Å"very small quantities†) Carex (1,200 000) Socially marketed condoms (pieces per year) Lovers Plus Trust (10,000 000) Export (pieces per year) Carex (1,000 000) Ad hoc Total manufacturing capacity (pieces per year) 180,000 000 72,000 000 150,000 000 40,000 000 Employees 106 110 160 60 Competing products: There are currently no other products that have been developed for men to protect against STIs, HIV and pregnancy. The male condom remains the primary prevention tool for men. Newer forms of male condoms include synthetic non-latex condoms made from materials such as polyurethane and styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), which have a longer shelf life, can be used with oil-based lubricants, and can be used by men who have latex sensitivity/allergy. These products are however not readily available in South Africa. Foreign manufacturers In addition to competition from other local manufacturers, foreign manufacturers of male condoms are also important role-players in the South African market. A review of data from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) of all the foreign manufactured condoms available in South Africa shows that India, China and Malaysia are the key competing countries. Table 7 below illustrates the share of the total Rand value of imported condoms for the key competing countries. Table 5: Percentage share of imports by country 2006 Country Rand value of imports % of total imports China 21,045 189 35.94 Malaysia 13,948 863 23.82 India 5,192 677 8.87 Source: SA Customs Excise The key competitive advantages of the foreign manufacturers include: * Proximity to raw material (natural rubber latex) * Competitive labour costs * Output typically greater that 450 million pieces per year, so can benefit from economies of scale. Product Price Expected margins: A manufacturer in the industry can expect to realise profit margins between 5% and 20% (General Manager, Karex). Below is an illustration of the estimated revenues for Karex. Table 4: Case study Karex Condom type Number of pieces sold Selling price (R/piece) Revenue Choice 72,250 000 R0.20 R14,659 525 Lovers Plus + Trust 10,000 000 R0.50 R5,000 000 Carex (export) 1,000 000 R0.90 R900 000 Carex (retail) 1,200 000 R1,00 R1,200 000 Total revenue R21,759 525 Given that all male latex condoms are essentially similar in terms of their manufacturing process, it stands to reason that volumes are a major determinant of the margins that a manufacturer can realise. Therefore in the current market, a manufacturer would need to have Government as a client in order for their operation to be viable. Table 2: Average price charged per 3-pack of condoms Condom Brand Average price per 3-pack Lovers Plus R7.20 Trust R5.33 Durex R24.99 Lifestyle R9.95 Distribution Promotion Company Image /Brand Suppliers Management Skills and Resources Larry Davin CEO – PHD in Nothing Khuthele Bovu Director – PHD in business science marketing and Finance ECT ECT Core Competencies SWOT Analysis The above analysis should enable us to determine what variables will have an effect on the success or failure of the business. Potential Internal strengths and weaknesses have been looked at as well as external opportunities and threats. Ansoff Market Matrix Key Issues and New Opportunities. 5 Points to be determined from the Ansoff Matrix MARKETING OBJECTIVES (Must be SMART) PMS objectives Marketing objectives Objectives from new opportunities and key issues. 3.3.1 Male condom manufacturing A new entrant into the male condom manufacturing industry in South Africa would face a saturated industry in which a handful of companies operate. Furthermore a new entrant would need to compete with foreign manufacturers who are able to achieve cost-competitiveness through scale, cheaper labour and ready access to raw material. As government is the most significant customer in the market, failure to secure a contract with the DoH would jeopardise the viability of any operation. In addition, the requirement for a manufacturer to demonstrate existing capacity would mean setting up a facility at risk, with no certainty of securing the major customer. In the retail environment, the manufacturer would need to compete with well established brands such as Durex and Lifestyle. South Africa is a net importer of male and female condoms. Import s from the three primary source countries of latex condoms are shown in the table below. South Africa also imports from other countries such as the UK, Thailand, Germany and Korea. Table 9: Imports to South Africa of rubber sheath contraceptives (Rand value) Import source 2004 2005 2006 Total imports 79,023,113 59,044,723 58,556,392 China 43,002,818 29,602,084 21,045,189 Malaysia 16,101,512 12,468,383 13,948,863 India 2,606,106 6,604,586 5,192,677 Source: SA Customs Excise The Rand value of exports of condoms from South Africa is very small in comparison. Local manufacturers export primarily to other African countries. Table 10: South African exports of rubber sheath contraceptives (Rand value) Export market 2004 2005 2006 Total exports 1,826,715 2,789,604 3,111,135 Mozambique 1,456,616 1,379,926 1,646,028 Malawi 0 666 940,000 Angola 12,085 995,291 360,514 Congo 0 104,244 145,826 Source: SA Customs Excise It is important to note that these s do not only reflect the value of South African manufactured condom exports, but also those foreign manufactured condoms that are packaged in South Africa and then exported. Possible reasons for the poor export performance of South African manufacturers are discussed earlier in this report. It remains to be seen whether local manufacturers will become more competitive in the future, or whether the proposed preferential procurement of local condoms by the DoH and the degree of protection that provides to local manufacturers will further jeopardise the success of local condom products in the global market. Table 9: Inputs required – male condom factory Input required Components Infrastructure Land Construction and civil works Machinery Automatic dipping line High voltage dry electronic testing machine Condom foil sealing machine Automatic burst tester Electrolyte water test machine Tensile tester Length measuring gauge Miscellaneous condom testing laboratory equipment Other equipment and accessories Motor vehicles Generator Office equipment and accessories Materials Rubber latex Lubricant Packaging material Human resources Factory labour Management team: must have financial, production and marketing know-how. Target Market Identification Segmentation South African Market for Condoms In South Africa public sector condoms constitute the bulk of the condoms available. In 2006 approximately 428 million male condoms were distributed through public sector channels, against 36 million units sold in retail outlets. Source: Society for Family Health, 2007 With a crippled economy forcing millions of cash-strapped Americans to entertain themselves at home, its not surprising that one particular product is seeing a sales increase — condoms. (Source: www.usatoday.com). While car purchases plummeted and designer clothes mostly stayed on the racks, sales of condoms in the U.S. rose 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and 6% in January vs. the same time periods the previous year. (Source: The Nielsen Co). South Africans could not be outdone by their American counterparts. According to the research conducted by the IOL (www.iol.co.za), it has also been a boom time for South Africas leading condom manufacturers, with sales up 55 percent on last year. â€Å"There has been a 50-percent increase in sales, which is probably a combination of marketing activities together with the Aids message finally filtering through to consumers, said Dave Glass, general manager of Adcock, which distributes the Lifestyles and up-market Contempo brand condoms. Competitor Durex SA reported a 35-percent growth in its condom sales in the same period, according to its spokesperson J Giles. While a three-pack of Contempo condoms will cost anywhere from about R20 to R27, Glass said increased sales in the lower-priced Lifestyles brand (about R10 for 3) may have been a sign that people were willing to pay for protection in the wake of last years recall of government condoms. Government, through the Department of Health, is the key role-player in the public sector. Private sector condoms are those that are available at commercial prices from retail outlets as well as those sold at subsidized prices through social marketing programmes. The dominance of the public sector market is likely to continue into the future, given the priority and resources that government has made available towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, and also considering that the targeted end-user (mainly Black youth) generally cannot afford to pay retail prices for condoms. If a new manufacturer is to enter the South African condom market, five segments of the market will need to be assessed to determine which hold the greatest potential for future sales. Positioning and strategy Key ingredients for success The most critical ingredient for the success of a new condom manufacturer is securing the Department of Health contract. Without this, none of the other potential market segments would be sufficient to render the operation viable. innovation is important (novelty), so that a good quality product is developed which can be sold at a reasonable price. In addition, generating demand for the product is important, so substantial effort will need to be devoted to creating and promoting the appropriate marketing message for the product. Other factors that will contribute to a successful operation are: A project management team to ensure sound operations, marketing and financial control. Close co-operation with national and international organisations working in the area of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. Furthermore, a manufacturer who is bidding for a portion of the government contract needs to show existing production capacity. This will require considerable set-up costs to be incurred, without the certainty of securing the major client. POSITIONING STRATEGY Government HIV prevention is the backbone of governments National HIV AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007-2011. The primary aims of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) are to: Reduce the rate of new infections by 50% by 2011. Reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS by expanding treatment, care and support to 80% of all HIV positive people and their families by 2011. An important intervention to reduce the rate of new infections is the distribution of male and female condoms. The Department of Health (DoH) is responsible for the management of quality control and related logistics for public sector condoms. Male and female condoms are distributed free of charge to various sites. The distribution of male condoms includes hospitals and clinics as primary distribution sites, with secondary distribution extending to non-governmental organisations, workplaces, and other locations. Female condoms are distributed to selected sites and require one-on-one counselling on their use. Governments male condom distribution pattern and the projected future distribution are illustrated in the table below. The DoH procures condoms through a tender process. The current two year contract, which started in October 2005, has been extended and will expire in February 2008. The Department currently procures male condoms from all four of the local manufacturers as well as from foreign manufacturers. Table 1: Government male condom suppliers Contractor % allocated Type Unit price per 200 pieces (R) Maximum contract quantities ( ‘000 p/a) Karex 17% Local 40.58 72 250 Wupro 9% Local 43.03 38 250 rrtMedcon 15% Local 47.31 63 750 Zalatex 9% Local 41.01 38 250 Equity Distributor 17% Imported (China) 39.58 72 250 Khusela 17% Imported (Malaysia) 39.58 72 250 Supex International 16% Imported (China) 40.00 68 000 Source: Department of Health, July 2007 In the current contract, all four local manufacturers were allocated a portion of the contract, despite a wide variation between the lowest and highest prices, and despite the fact that all the locally manufactured condoms were more expensive than the imported product. Discussions with National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) give conflicting views of how future tenders will be adjudicated. In Treasurys view, future tenders should be more stringently governed by cost-competitiveness, where the price per unit is limited to a specified range which is benchmarked against international prices. The DTI however believes that preference should be given to local manufacturers, in particular small and medium sized companies (value of assets less than R200 million). Discussions are on-going between the DoH, Treasury and the DTI. It is unlikely, though, that an agreement will be finalised before the awarding of the government condom tender in the first quarter of 2008, a nd the current preferential treatment of South African manufacturers will remain. A new manufacturer will need to show existing manufacturing capability, although there will be no minimum level of capacity that be required. The South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector is not a significant segment in the condom market, as many of the organisations active in the HIV/AIDS and reproductive health space form part of governments condom distribution channel and do not themselves procure condoms directly from suppliers. An important exception to this rule is the Society for Family Health (SFH), the South African affiliate of the international NGO network, Population Services International (PSI). PSI was founded in 1970 in Washington DC, with the intention to improve reproductive health using commercial marketing strategies. With programs in malaria, reproductive health, child survival and HIV, PSI promotes products, services and healthy behaviour that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier lives. PSI has a presence in over 60 countries around the world. In South Africa, PSI concentrates on issues related to HIV/AIDS. The organisation, through SFH, uses social marketing to motivate behaviour change with respect to consistent condom use, HIV testing, and other safer behaviours. SFH promotes consistent condom use through its own two male condom brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. The organisation procures 24 million male condoms per year from local and foreign suppliers. In addition, SFH obtains free female condoms from the DoH, which are then marketed under the Care brand and sold at retail outlets. SFH sells approximately 6000 female condoms per month. SFH also assists the DoH with the distribution of its free condoms. The organisation distributes approximately 8 million public sector male condoms per month in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Retail The retail sector accounts for 7.8% of the male condom market in South Africa. Male condoms are widely available for sale in retail outlets. The most widely available condoms are the socially marketed brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. A study carried out by PSI in November 2006 looking at coverage of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg found that most areas of the three cities met the minimum standards for coverage, where coverage was defined as the number of geographically defined areas where at least 30% of outlets stock Lovers Plus and Trust. These outlets included traditional outlets such as pharmacies, top-end retailers and general dealers, as well as non-traditional outlets such as garage forecourts, hair salons and shebeens. Approximately 36 million male condoms are sold in South Africa per year, with approximately 70% of those sales being of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms. (Senior Marketing Manager, SFH). The balance of the sales is made up by Durex, Lifestyle, Contempo, and various other locally manufactured and imported condoms. Corporate The corporate sector in South Africa has woken up to the reality of the HIV epidemic. Many companies have HIV awareness and management programmes for their employees. However, although corporate HIV programmes include condom distribution as a key element, the majority of companies distribute free government condoms to their employees. A snap survey of 10 corporate members of the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) found that all but one company, Chevron South Africa, distribute free Government male condoms to their employees. The companies indicated that they saw no need to buy condoms directly from suppliers when free public sector condoms were easily available. The companies do not normally distribute female condoms. Some have bought female condoms in the past for training purposes. Export South Africas export of male condoms to date has been erratic, and local manufacturers have found it difficult to find a market for their products. The global condom market is dominated by low-cost manufacturers from Thailand, Malaysia, India and China, who are located in close proximity to natural rubber latex plantations. Local manufacturers have not been able to compete. Although all four of the local manufacturers have at some point exported their product, particularly to Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and Congo Brazzaville, at present only Karex exports condoms, about 1 million pieces per year, to Congo Brazzaville. Market Mix Strategy Target Market Strategies Global market for condoms The global condom market is estimated to be worth $3 billion, (source: www.marketresearch.com). The public sector is an important market segment globally, with between 6 and 9 billion male condom units consumed by that segment annually Though the prevention of pregnancy is still an important function of condoms, the driving force for growth is the prevention of STIs, in particular HIV/AIDS. Given the rapid spread of HIV in China, India and recently South Africa (in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa), and the large sizes of their respective populations, it is expected that annual public sector demand for condoms, both male and female, will reach 19 billion units by 2015. (Source: Female Health Company, 2007).

Let There Be Light Essay examples -- Energy Transportation Papers

Let There Be Light The sun shines brightly over the rolling green hillsides on a beautiful summer day. Green leaf-covered trees wave gently in the breeze next to the road, soaking up the light. However, if you look closely, off in the distance, you might catch a glimpse of some odd-looking vehicles approaching at a steady pace. As the pack zooms by, you cannot help but notice the black panels covering each car. You curiously wonder what purpose they serve, and why these automobiles left no smell of exhaust behind. Suddenly, you realize the connection: It was right under your nose the whole time! Just as the trees use sunlight to grow and reproduce, these solar powered cars convert the sun’s rays into energy that propels them onward. History In 1839, a French scientist named Edmond Becquerel experimented with electronics and found that he could create a weak electric current using selenium, a light-sensitive metal that responded to the sun’s rays. Becquerel had discovered â€Å"photovoltaics† (â€Å"photo† meaning â€Å"light,† â€Å"voltaic† meaning â€Å"power†), or the PV effect, which turned out to be the key to harnessing solar energy and converting it into useful forms (Bellis 1). Although he had little explanation for this phenomenon, his successors picked up the investigative process where he left off. In 1870, Heinrich Hertz researched and experimented with selenium, and produced a primitive light-to-electricity machine (1). As time progressed, scientists developed newer and better solar energy converters using silicon, which had a much higher efficiency than selenium. Solar cells were first officially invented by Charles Fritts in 1883 (1). Fritts used the selenium metal, which ... ... Cars – Solar Energy and Photovoltaics.† New York: About, Inc., 2002. 23 Aug. 2002. â€Å"History of the World Solar Challenge.† World Solar Challenge. 23 Aug. 2002. Shnayerson, Michael. â€Å"The Car That Could - The Inside Story of GM's Revolutionary Electric Vehicle.† Businessweek Online. 23 Aug. 2002. â€Å"Solar Powered Vehicles.† Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC). 23 Aug. 2002. â€Å"Sunrayce.† University of Michigan. 23 Aug. 2002. â€Å"Tour a Solar Car.† American Solar Challenge. 23 Aug. 2002

If I Won a Million Dollars and Could’nt Speend It on Myself

I would help my family members. Some of the money I would donate to charity. The rest of the money would go to helping children. First I would give to my mom she raised me as a single mother and had a hard time. I would then get banking accounts for my children so they would have money when they became adults. And hopefully they would make good decisions in life, that would give my kids a better opportunity than I had I would just hope they use it well and that’s the first thing I would do. Next I would donate to charity give money to the Ronald McDonald house. I would give money to the battered women’s shelter to help then get back there life because as a kid I lived with my mom as she was being battered. It would be nice to help someone in need and there’s a lot of women in need of help to escape from being battered and abused . Finally I would build an after school facilities for children so they are not on the streets after school it would have sport’s activities, meals, transportation, and support services. It would help to get more kids off the streets , And that’s what I would do, I would help my family, donate money to charity, battered women’s shelter, and build a after school facilities for children. I may not never win a million dollars but that’s what I would do if I ever won but I’m going to keep playing maybe one day I might win.

Narrative poems Essays

Narrative poems Essays Narrative poems Paper Narrative poems Paper Essay Topic: Poetry A narrative poem always has a. characters, plot, setting b. humor c. strong images d. personification Its a. If there was a warning message set to Jimmy Jet and his TV what would it be. Not to watch or youll turn into a TV. What are the geese seen doing in the poem, the Geese The Geese are seen flying south for the winter. why does the speakers father in The Geese want to be like the Geese? A) because they are so pretty B)because they lay eggs C)because they taste good when they are cooked D)because they represent freedom and escape answer=D We know that the Geese is a lyric poem because it a)is about geese b)tells a story c)because it expresses feelings and emotions d)contains characters and dialogue answer=c In the walrus and the carpenter what does beseech mean O oysters, come walk with us! The walrus did beseech. a)command c)beg for b)scream d)question Answer=C when Jimmy jet grew pale and lean what did the author mean? A)Jimmy got thin B)Jimmy got fat c-Jimmy got tired and needed to lean against his sister d- Jimmy got sick ans. A what is a narrative poetry and what devices does it use? It uses poetic devices such as rhythm,compact language,rhyme and attention of sound. Its a form of poetry that tells a story making uses of the voices of a narrator and characters. who is the speaker in the walrus and the carpenter? the narrator what is the tone of this poem the walrus and the carpenter silly and ridiculous what are two main characters in the walrus and the carpenter doing when they are first seen? walking close at hand and both cried because there was so much sand according to the walrus and the carpenter why must the oysters end their walk? because the carpenter and the walrus are going to talk about many things what trick does the walrus and the carpenter play on the oysters they are going to give the oysters a loaf of bread, a pleasant walk, and talk along the beach. To get them away so they could eat the oysters What are the features of a lyric poem? short rhyming verses with focus on experiments or image or object while telling a story in a poetic form. In the lyric poem February Twilight What is the poet expressing feelings about? aloneness, and the person in the poem watching a star as it watched them. where is the speaker in Febr. Twilight beside a hill with new snow upon it. What does Jimmy turn into he turns into a complete tv in Jimmy jet and his tv set what is the speakers attitude towards Jimmy surprise because he watches so much tv. who is the speaker in the Geese the son of the father that watched the geese who is the author of the Walrus and the carpenter Lewis Carroll who is the author of the February Twilight Sara Teasdale Who is author of Jimmy jet and his tv set Shel silverstein Author of the geese is Richard Peck what is rhyme scheme of walrus ABCBDB rhyme scheme of February ABCB What is rhyme sheme of Jimmy Jet ABAB What is the rhyme scheme of the Geese ABAB how many stanzas in the geese 3 how many stanzas in walrus and the carpenter 18 how many stanzas are in February twilight 2 how many stazas are in jimmy jet and his tv set 5

10 Worst Reasons to Quit Your Job

10 Worst Reasons to Quit Your Job We’ve all been there: so fed up it seems the only option is to quit and start afresh. But situations like that call for very careful consideration. If your reasons for the grand gesture happen to include any of the following, it might be best to reconsider. Here are the 10 worst reasons to quit your job:1. You’re boredYour job involves a lot of repetition. You feel like Sisyphus rolling his boulder up and down his little hill. But any job- no matter how glamorous- involves doing something over and over again until you get better and better at it. Remember every job will involve some level of repetition. Ask yourself whether your work is challenging or ultimately satisfying, rather than whether it’s repetitive.2. You feel under-appreciatedYou know you’re awesome. So why is no one tooting your horn? Where are your accolades? Recognition isn’t something that happens overnight- and it certainly can’t accompany every little good thing that you do. Get over yourself; keep working until you have something really worth celebrating.3. You’re still not rich and famousMost people will never reach that level. It’s not a great reason to quit your job. Perhaps you could do a bit of financial stock-taking and strategizing instead to see how you can maximize your time and talents? But quitting because you’re not raking in the dough? Bad call. You have to work to earn that money, you know.4. You’re dauntedYou can see success. But it’s an uphill slog and about 5  to 10  years in the future. Just thinking about it makes you tired. But remember: if you quit, you’ll be that many years and that much hard work behind plus the time and work it takes to get a new job. Better to put your head down and get started.5. You’re not sure it’s worth itYou’re weighing all the compromises and hard work against the possible eventual reward. That’s actually smart. Just make sure you run this by an objective third party whom you trust enough to tell you the hard truth and help set you (or keep you) on the proper path.6. It’s not about youA little soul searching is in order here. Make sure you’re not quitting for your partner or a parent- or worse, because you want to rebel against someone. Listen to the voice in your head about whether this job is on the right track to who and where you want to be in five years. If it is, stay put and do the work.7. Your inner jerk tells you what to doThat meanie  in your head is whispering to you that it isn’t worth it- that you aren’t good enough. That you might as well not try. Your job sucks and you suck, right? Wrong. Tell that voice to shut up.8. You don’t feel importantThis is like a little kid deciding to run away because he doesn’t think anybody would miss him if he left. It’s emotionally immature and unprofessional. Instead: start distinguishing yourself in such a way that you never feel this kind of self-pity. Make yourself indispensable to your company and your coworkers.9. You covet your neighbor’s careerYou’re not as successful as the billionaires you read about in Forbes. Or your next door neighbor. Or your high school boyfriend. Stop spending so much time comparing yourself to the next guy and do your work instead. You’ll stand a better chance of actually succeeding if you devote yourself to what you’re doing.10. You don’t know enoughMissing a crucial certification or skill that you think your field requires? That’s not a reason to quit! It’s a reason to go out and earn that last scout badge. Go out and finish whatever education you need in your free time- you might even be able to get your company to pay for your training process. If you don’t know something, learn!There are lots of great reasons to quit. But these 10  are actually warning flags that the problem is with you, not wit h your job. Don’t stress. Just get back to work.

Social Work Agency Policy Change Research Paper

Social Work Agency Policy Change - Research Paper Example has 21 other branches of campuses which enable the community around to benefit from about $257 million emanating from the improvements aimed at the Anaheim High School District. In spite of the institution being the government property, it is really profiting and benefiting the community and government as a whole since it provides employment to the people and the pay is also good among other lucrative benefits and advantages the employees enjoy. The school has got several awards for academic excellence. Some campuses have been recognized by the department of education in California among the best performing campuses. Others earned gold and silver medals in the awards during the World Reports for top performing high schools in the world. The mission of the institution is that the institution is a partnership with the staff, students, parents and the whole community who corporate to provide the high quality and well-rounded educational program in an environment that is safe and that nurtures learning in order to promote high expectations among all the students and employers. In addition, learning the most current skills which would help them in the critical thinking and solving problems in a more rational manner also adds up as a key objective. Anaheim High School District started in 1898 in the city of Anaheim situated in California in the United States. It is a public school and thus owned by the government. It is rated as the third oldest high school in the orange county and it is also the oldest among the most comprehensive schools. The institution begun with James Guinn as the head of the school who only offered diploma subjects and the first student graduated in 1880 with a diploma from a high school. The final examination was administered orally since it was the requirement as all the members of the public were invited for entertainment. It was in 1878 when the central school was constructed following the winning of government bond of construction of a

Critical evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Critical evaluation - Essay Example These two research methodologies, quantitative and qualitative, generally polarize along the objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) continuum, yet Park and Ernst's study has aspects of both. They summarize their study as "a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicine for RA." Thus, it is qualitative in nature. However, their research design and meticulous literature search are consistent with quantitative studies - structured, repeatable, well documented and theory based. The integrity of a literature study depends on the integrity of trial selection. Biased trial selection can bias the study. The authors took noteworthy precautions to ensure the study's integrity. They found only seven RCTs meeting their inclusion criteria: After their comprehensive search, the authors indicate they identified 33 trials. This is a satisfactory sample size, but their review revealed trials with methodological concerns, particularly non-randomization, observational structures, or lacking controls. Once these trials were excluded, they had a sample size of seven. The seven selected, meeting the strict inclusion criteria, were methodologically sound. They incorporated important tenets of scientific research, being systematic, controlled, and empirical. The authors detailed their team's search strategy including: Electronically searching major databases (Medline, Embase, AMED, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, and the abstract service of Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha [CCRAS]) Hand searching 4 relevant Sri Lankan and Indian journals not in the electronic databases Electronically and hand searching the authors' personal files Further, they detailed their keyword selection for the searches and indicated imposing no language restrictions. Documenting that trial selection was predicated upon documented keywords reduced the potential for both overt and covert bias, enhancing objectivity while minimizing subjectivity. Documenting that trial selection was performed scientifically and not according to the authors' personal choices allows the reader to better interpret the information as they see fit, rather than reading a study that reflects the authors' opinions. To further educate readers, Park and Ernst provide a comprehensive paragraph on how they scored and reviewed the articles. In addition to ensuring that each article was reviewed by a person speaking the language of the trial article, they noted that they followed the QUOROM guideline for systematic reviews and used a standardized score (Jadad) for assessing methodological quality. The authors document scientifically why they believed the study of value