What to Expect on College Graduation Day

What to Expect on College Graduation Day Graduation day is everything youve worked so hard for, all rolled up into one super-charged day. So how can you make sure youre able to relax and enjoy your celebration instead of just running from one chaotic situation to another? Knowing what to expect on graduation day can make sure that the memory of you have of this important milestone is one of great joy and calm instead of chaos and frustration. Expect to be challenged as you try to balance everything All of a sudden, all of your worlds are going to collide. Youll have friends you want to see and say goodbye to, youll have family in town, and youll have all kinds of logistics to work out. You will likely feel pulled in a bunch of different directions, all at once, by the people who mean the most to you. Realize that this will likely feel a little overwhelming at times and that youll just have to roll with it. Expect the administration to be busy If you think you can take care of some last-minute to-dos like talking with the financial aid office, you might be surprised to learn that graduation day is one of the worst days to try to get things done. Many offices are super busy with student and family requests at a time when theyre also expected to be involved with graduation itself. If you have things you need to get done before you graduate, plan to do so before graduation day arrives. Expect to serve as a guide for your family You may have no problem knowing where to park, where to get food, where the bathrooms are, and where all the buildings are located on campus...but your family doesnt. Expect to serve as their guide and plan accordingly, either by being available physically to show them around or by being available via cell phone. Expect not to have much time with your friends You and your friends might plan on all seeing each other, eating together, and overall hanging out, but- just like you- everyone will be pulled in a million different directions. Do your best to cram in as much time with your friends as possible before graduation day arrives. Expect a challenge when youre trying to find people Even with cell phones, campus maps, and text messages, it can be a serious challenge to find your family, especially in a large crowd. Plan in advance to meet at certain places (e.g., next to the large tree by the church) instead of out front after the graduation ceremony is over. Expect large crowds around town Even if youre graduation in a major city, the restaurants and hotels nearby will likely be crowded before, during, and after graduation. If youre hoping to go out to eat afterward, make sure you have reservations in advance. Expect to see people for only a short amount of time Aha! You finally found your sorority sister after graduation. You say hello, introduce her to your family, and then...shes disappeared among the crowd. With so much activity and so many people on campus, its likely that youll only have a few moments to cherish with those who mean the most to you. Consequently, keep your camera handy (and fully charged) so that you can capture some amazing graduation pictures before they fade away. Expect to be on your cell phone- a lot The night before graduation is not the time to forget to charge your cell phone. Your friends will be calling and texting you; youll be calling and texting your friends; your parents and/or family will also be in touch; and even your grandmother, whos 1,000 miles away, will want to call and congratulate you. Consequently, make sure your cell phone is charged and ready. Expect a lot of conflicting emotions After all youve worked for and as ready as you thought you were to graduate, graduation day can be an emotional experience. You might very well find yourself not wanting to leave while also excited, and nervous, about what the future holds. Instead of trying to ignore your emotions, just let yourself feel and process whatever the day brings. It is, after all, one of the biggest days of your life, so why shouldnt it be an emotional one, too? Expect things to run late No matter how well you, your friends, your family, and the campus administration plan, things will inevitably run late. Taking it all in stride can help make sure you still enjoy yourself, no matter how far behind schedule things seem to run. Expect the day to be one of the most memorable days of your life Think of all the hard work you put into earning your degree; think of all your family has contributed and sacrificed; think of all the ​benefits of being a college graduate, both professionally and personally. When youre old and gray and looking back on your life, your college graduation will probably be one of the memories you are most proud of. Consequently, do your best to take a few moments throughout the day to absorb everything thats going on. It can be challenging, but after all youve done to make your graduation possible, youre definitely worth the few extra moments it might take to relax and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

USS California (BB-44) during World War II

USS California (BB-44) during World War II Entering service in 1921, USS California (BB-44) served the US Navy for over a quarter century and saw combat operations during World War II (1939-1945). Dubbed The Prune Barge due to the large volume of the fruit exported by California in the early part of the 20th century, the battleship was the second vessel of the Tennessee-class and was severely damaged during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Raised from the harbors mud, it was repaired and heavily modernized. Rejoining the fleet in 1944, California took part in the Allies island-hopping campaign across the Pacific and played a central role in the Battle of the Surigao Strait. Though hit by a kamikaze in early 1945, the battleship was quickly repaired and returned to action that summer. Remaining in the Pacific through the end of the war, California later helped transport occupation troops to Japan. Design USS California  (BB-44) was the second ship of the  Tennessee-class of battleship.  The ninth  type of dreadnought battleship  (South Carolina, Delaware, Florida,  Wyoming,  New York,  Nevada,  Pennsylvania,  and  New Mexico) built for the US Navy, the  Tennessee-class was intended to be an enhanced variant  of the preceding  New Mexico-class.  The fourth class  to follow the Standard-type approach, which required ships to possess  similar operational and tactical attributes,  the  Tennessee-class was propelled  by  oil-fired boilers rather than  coal and employed an  Ã¢â‚¬Å"all or nothing† armor arrangement.   This armor scheme  called for critical  areas of the ship, such as magazines and engineering, to be heavily protected while less important spaces were left unarmored.  Also, Standard-type battleships were required to have  a  minimum top speed of 21 knots and a tactical turn radius of 700 yards or less. Designed after the  Battle of Jutland, the  Tennessee-class class was the first to utilize the  lessons learned in the engagement.  These included enhanced armor below the waterline as well as fire control systems for both the main and secondary batteries which were placed on top of two large cage masts.   As with the  New Mexico-class, the new ships carried twelve 14 guns in four triple turrets and fourteen 5 guns.  In an improvement over  its predecessors, the main battery on the  Tennessee-class could elevate its guns to 30 degrees which increased the weapons range by 10,000 yards.  Ordered on December 28, 1915, the new class comprised two ships: USS  Tennessee  (BB-43) and USS  California  (BB-44). Construction Laid down at the Mare Island  Naval Shipyard on October 25, 1916, construction of California advanced through the winter and following spring when the  US entered  World War I.  The last battleship built on the West Coast, it slid down the ways on  November 20,  1919, with Barbara Zane,  daughter of California  Governor William D. Stephens, serving as sponsor.  Completing construction,  California  entered commission on August 10, 1921,  with Captain Henry J.  Ziegemeier in command.  Ordered to join the Pacific Fleet, it immediately became this forces flagship. USS California (BB-44) shortly after completion in 1921. US Naval History and Heritage Command USS California (BB-44) - Overview Nation:  United StatesType:  BattleshipShipyard:  Mare Island Naval ShipyardLaid Down:  October 25, 1917Launched:  November 20, 1919Commissioned:  August 10, 1921Fate:  Sold for scrap Specifications (as built) Displacement:  32,300  tonsLength:  624.5 ft.Beam:  97.3  ft.Draft:  30.3  ft.Propulsion:  Turbo-electric transmission  turning 4 propellersSpeed:  21  knotsComplement:  1,083  men Armament (as built) 12  Ãƒâ€" 14 in. gun (4  Ãƒâ€" 3)14 Ãâ€" 5 in. guns2 Ãâ€" 21 in. torpedo tubes Interwar Years Over the next several years,  California  participated in a routine cycle of peacetime training, fleet maneuvers, and war games.  A high-performing ship, it won the Battle Efficiency Pennant in 1921 and 1922 as well as Gunnery E awards for 1925 and 1926.  In the former year,  California  led elements of the fleet on a goodwill cruise to Australia and New Zealand.  Returning to its usual operations in 1926, it underwent a brief modernization program in the winter of 1929/30 which saw enhancements to it anti-aircraft defenses and additional elevation added to its main battery.   Though largely operating out of San Pedro, CA during the 1930s,  California  transited the Panama Canal in 1939 to visit the  Worlds Fair in New York City.  Returning to the Pacific, the battleship took part in Fleet Problem XXI in April 1940 which simulated a defense of the Hawaiian Islands.  Due to increasing tensions with Japan, the fleet remained in Hawaiian waters after the exercise and shifted its base to Pearl Harbor.  That year also saw  California  selected as one of the first six ships to receive the new RCA CXAM radar system.  Ã‚  Ã‚   World War II Begins On December 7, 1941,  California  was moored at the southernmost berth on Pearl Harbors Battleship Row.  When the Japanese attacked that morning, the ship quickly sustained two torpedo hits which caused extensive flooding.  This was worsened by the fact that many watertight doors had been left open in preparation for an impending inspection.  The torpedoes were followed by a bomb hit which detonated an  anti-aircraft ammunition magazine.   A second bomb, which just missed, exploded and ruptured several hull plates near the bow.  With the flooding out of control,  California  slowly sunk over the next three days before settling upright in the mud with just its superstructure above the waves.  In the attack, 100 of the crew were killed and 62 wounded.  Two of Californias crew, Robert R. Scott and Thomas Reeves,  posthumously received the Medal of Honor for the actions during the attack. USS California (BB-44) after sinking on December 7, 1941. Naval History and Heritage Command Salvage work commenced a short time later and on March 25, 1942,  California  was re-floated and moved to dry dock for temporary repairs.  On June 7, it departed under its own power for Puget Sound Navy Yard where it would begin a major modernization program.  Entering the yard, this plan saw significant alterations to the ships superstructure, the trunking of the two funnels into one, improved watertight compartmentalization, expansion of the anti-aircraft defenses, alterations to the secondary armament, and a widening of the hull to increase stability and torpedo protection.  This last change pushed  California  past the beam limitations for the Panama Canal essentially limiting it to wartime service in the Pacific. Rejoining the Fight Departing Puget Sound on January 31, 1944,  California  conducted shakedown cruises  off San Pedro before steaming west to aid in the invasion of the Marianas.  That June, the battleship joined combat operations when it provided fire support during the Battle of Saipan.  On June 14, California sustained a hit from a shore battery which inflicted  minor damage and caused 10 casualties (1 killed, 9 wounded).  In July and August, the battleship aided in the landings on Guam and Tinian.  On August 24, California  arrived at Espiritu Santo for repairs after a minor collision with  Tennessee.  Completed, it then departed for Manus on September 17 to join forces massing for the invasion of the Philippines. USS California (BB-44), 1944. Naval History and Heritage Command Covering  the landings on Leyte between October 17 and 20,  California, part of Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorfs 7th Fleet Support Force, then shifted south to the Surigao Strait.  On the night of October 25, Oldendorf inflicted a decisive defeat on Japanese forces at the Battle of Surigao Strait.  Part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, the engagement saw several Pearl Harbor veterans exact revenge on the enemy.  Returning to action in early January 1945,  California  provided fire support for the Lingayen Gulf landings on Luzon.  Remaining offshore, it was struck by a kamikaze on January 6 which killed 44 and wounded 155.  Completing operations in the Philippines, the battleship then departed for repairs at Puget Sound. Final Actions In the yard from February through late spring,  California  rejoined the fleet on June 15 when it arrived off Okinawa.  Aiding troops ashore during the final days of the Battle of Okinawa, it then covered minesweeping operations in the East China Sea.  With the end of the war in August,  California  escorted occupation troops to Wakayama, Japan and remained in Japanese waters until mid-October.   Receiving orders to return to the United States, the battleship shaped a course through the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope as it was too wide for the Panama Canal.  Touching at Singapore, Colombo, and Cape Town, it arrived at Philadelphia on December 7.  Moved into reserve on August 7, 1946,  California was decommissioned on February 14, 1947.  Retained for twelve years, it was then sold for scrap on March 1, 1959.

Outsourcing in Electronics Manufacturing - Does it Work Research Paper

Outsourcing in Electronics Manufacturing - Does it Work - Research Paper Example In fact the majority of organizations (i.e. multinational or national) at the present contract or outsource their business services for instance call center  services, electronic mail services and  payroll. In addition, these services are divided among different companies that are well experienced in providing services and facilities. However, these organizations are sometimes located out of the country (Thompson, 2011; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005). In this scenario, the outsource manufacturing expansion is as a great deal a return to essential competencies as it is an attempt to reduce operating expenditures. In addition, the enhancement of external knowledge has been particularly apparent in electronics manufacturing, which has basically turned into the shape of an outsource business model. Additionally, from circuit boards that present a wide variety of services and functionalities to wireless communications units to the insertion of micro electromechanical (MEM) sensors in a plethora of problem-solving and diagnostic devices, to a greater extent refined devices and electronic components are being contract manufactured. Hence, it allows electronics manufacturers to pay attention to what they do best at the same time as addressing the clinical needs of customers (Teng, 2012). In the past few years, there has been extensive progress in outsourcing in electronics manufacturing. We have seen that, a lot of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have adopted this modern trend in order to quickly and cost efficiently enter into new marketplaces. In addition, by teaming with a knowledgeable partner, an OEM could considerably reduce the time as well as operating expenses implicated in developing new services and products like that Microsoft did in its launch of the Xbox (Delattre, Hess, & Chieh, 2003; Teng, 2012). This paper presents a detailed analysis of some of the important aspects that are associated with outsourcing in electronics manufactur ing. The basic purpose of this research is to analyze how outsourcing in electronics manufacturing offers advantages and support for business cut down overall cost and enhance potential profitability of the business. This paper will present an overview of outsourcing with respect to the electronics industry and also present a critic, whether or not outsourcing in electronics manufacturing helps the business. Outsourcing within the Electronics Industry All through the world, businesses, manufacturing and industries outsourcing is not a new idea or trend for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It is basically a â€Å"make v/s buy† assessments and decisions that have been around for businesses and manufacturing industries for a long time. In fact, it is not easy to find out a business that completely manufactures its own electronic items and products currently. However, it is also a fact that the outsourcing is relatively a new idea for electronics manufacturers industries (Delattre, Hess, & Chieh, 2003; Teng, 2012). In addition, an amazing flow in electronics manufacturing outsourcing actually started in the mid 90s and sustained throughout 2000s. All through this evolutionary period, a large number of huge technology original equipment manufacturers were getting their manufacturing policies to benefit from the wave of outsourcing substitutes that were easily accessible to them, to both improve the quality of their products and minimize asset and operating expenses. In

Poverty and pollution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Poverty and pollution - Case Study Example Ethical implications of businesses polluting in a third world country The world is ever concerned about the impact of business on the environment. A firm dealing with manufacturing operations must put into considerations how they operate. All business enterprises are not only responsible for ensuring sufficient ecological safety precautions, but are also liable for faults under their watch (Have & Henk, 2006). Doing business in a third world country requires a consideration that most nations do not have standards for environmental safety. In the current social and political climate, firms associated with polluting the environment in third world countries may face severe consequences especially in the American media. Everyone hates being associated with dumping chemicals into a water source and thus a company should consider integrity and ethics in running its business. Business ventures have an obligation to avoid damaging the surroundings in ways that affect human life in a negative way. In most cases, exocentric and anthropocentric interests overlap. For instance, water, air, and toxic waste pollution, release of fluorocarbons, and excessive carbon dioxide equally affect humans and environmental collections. When businesses are found guilty for polluting a certain environment in a third world nation, a number of corrective measures may be open to them. For example, they may be required to restore a stream, which is a costly procedure, or they may compensate a community for living near a polluted stream. This may be less costly. Businesses polluting in a third word country should be automatically bound to environmental regulations required by the nation’s law. If companies fail to respond appropriately, they may seem uncaring and arrogant, which harms both their reputation and human life (Callan &Thomas, 2007). Reasons why a business may conduct operations in a third world country and disregard any standards of pollution control Operating a business in a third world country may mean that the poor citizens pay the price of pollution caused by the operations of the business. The health-impairing pollution costs depend on the revenues relinquished from more injuries and deaths. The economic rationale behind polluting in a third world and ignoring the pollution control standards may be viewed by such companies as flawless. Another reason is that, pollution increases with disproportionate pollution costs. Everyone values a tidy environment when their incomes increase. If it balances with other needs, costs of pollution in developing countries fall. A business may disregard the pollution control measures to eliminate the restrictions that protect the citizens of that country in order to increase protection for business interests. Standards of commerce for health, environmental, or other social welfare may be strictly challenged or limited. By ignoring the right to condition investment on certain pollution control standards like redlinin g neighborhoods, a country may damage the control or power that it had to a certain business behavior, and thus allowing it to continue with its operations no matter the consequences. After all, imposing public social and environmental costs like toxic dumping is a way for firms to boost their profits. Consumers, communities, and workers in a third world country lose; short-term gains soar and complex ventures â€Å"wins.† Pollution is the price for progress Since environmental policies often involve trade-offs, there should be a balance between cots and profits. The greatest cause of depression in many countries is poverty. It is only by economic development that people can be lifted out of poverty. However, if economic growth signifies progress, then logical environmental policies are necessary for lasting economic growth, or at least environmental protection and progress are compatible. Environmental pollution can limit economic growth and the health impacts of pollution i n a nation’

Career Development in Insurance Sector Essay Example for Free

Career Development in Insurance Sector Essay Potential for career development in insurance sector is most vibrant topic today. One Million plus persons are working today as an employees in Insurance sector and 5 Million plus persons are associated with this sector as Agents, Consultants, Surveyors, Loss Assessors, Underwriters, Claim Settlers, Salvage Dealers, Brokers, Sub-brokers, etc etc. The growth rate in Insurance Sector is more than 20% in last 3 years. There is huge potential for development in Insurance sector. The sector is under developed and penetration of insurance is very very low in the country compared to other developing and developed countries. India is leading towards one of the strongest economy of the world by 2020 and it is international phenomenon that insurance sector always booms along with growing economy. Insurance Services are the foundation for smooth functioning of all business commercial activities. Insurance is the backbone of overall economy of the country. For the developing country like India where growth of the economy is at double digit rate, Insurance talent is inevitable. All Industries in this scenario can be monetarily well protected from all types of catastrophic and manmade risks. Insurance is a vehicle for growth in growing economies. The whole world is looking at India as one of the giant and Asian tiger in next 8 to 10 years. All this is true. But very interesting fact of the today is that no one is aware about the exact potential of career development and opportunities in Insurance Sector. This article is dedicated to find the facts and figures about career development opportunities in Insurance Sector in India. This is an effort to enlighten and guide the readers, employees, students, stake holders to understand the facts and facets of insurance sector and how one can develop long term career in Insurance Sector. The article will review all aspects of insurance sector and discuss †¢ Opportunities for Career Development †¢ Growth potential in Insurance Sector †¢ Changing Scenario of Insurance Sector †¢ Manpower Skill Sets Required by Insurance Sector †¢ Regulatory Changes in Insurance Sector †¢ New trends and Developments †¢ International Impacts †¢ Present Academic Scenario †¢ Available Educational Facilities †¢ Recent Educational Academic Developments †¢ Speed and growth cycles of career enhancement in Insurance Sector †¢ Salary Packages at Entry Levels, Middle Level and Top Level †¢ How to improve Employibility and Skill Sets †¢ Career Opportunities Outside India †¢ Subsectors in Insurance for Career Development †¢ Preparing Career Development Path in Insurance Sector †¢ Challenges Opportunities for Career Development in Insurance Sector, †¢ FAQs i.e. Frequently Asked Questions @ Career Opportunities in Insurance Sector, etc After 25 years of experience in Insurance Sector and witnessing the changing scenario of insurance sector after IRDA, I have noticed that the present and future workforce in Insurance sector is totally puzzled about the career enhancement and confused to find a road map for growth. Thousands of Career Fairs Exhibitions across the country are covering all sectors for career opportunities like IT, BPO, ITES, Engineering, Automobile, Management, Finance, Medical, Health Care, Accounts, Law, Company affairs, etc, nobody is talking about insurance sector for career development. People believe that insurance is a small part of finance sector and it need not be cared beyond mere selling of insurance produc ts. Unfortunately I have to state that working employees, students, parents, media, academicians, colleges, universities, top executives of insurance sector and society as a whole are not aware about the exact potential and scope of career enhancement in Insurance Sector. Working in insurance sector is always a secondary thought and society hesitate to honour career in insurance sector. Association in insurance activity is always presumed as below status career. This prejudice attitude towards insurance sector is a great harm for new entrants and career growth of current workforce. This is ironical that due to this negative attitude, the new generation is neglecting and under estimating a golden opportunity of developing gorgeous career in insurance sector. It is more unfortunate that after more than 100 years of commencement of insurance business activity in our country, the academicians, regulators and top executives in Insurance Sector have ignored the need and importance of improving the brand image of insurance sector. Growth Potential in Insurance Sector in India * Insurance is one of the fastest growing sector in India. Hardly 6 % of the population of the country has covered by life Insurance. The penetration is as low as 0.9 % in general insurance. Health Insurance has reached to merely 3 % of the population. In country like USA, where the population is @ 35 Crores, there are more than 6000 companies are engaged in insurance business. In India, population is more than 110 crores and hardly 52 companies are working in Insurance Sector. If we assume that only 50% population is insurable, still we need 10,000 companies to cater the need of 55 Crore people. Only Life Insurance sector has grown to certain extent and people say that I wish to purchase LIC policy for my car or LIC policy for stocks in my factory. Only compulsory policies of general insurance sector have been sold like motor policies and fire and industrial policies. Large number of general insurance products are not even known to the employees of general insurance companies. Thanks to electro mechanical equipments, scientific development and commercialization of medical profession, health insurance penetration has reached to 3 % of population. Still this number is very poor comparing to developed countries. Central Government has targeted Life Insurance Penetration to 40 %, Health Insurance at 30 % and General Insurance at 15 % of the population by 2030. This will create very huge potential for development in insurance Sector. The insurance business was merely 12 Billion US $ by 2000 which has reached to approximately 100 Billion US $ by 2012 and is now expected to grow 1000 Billion US $ by 2020 and 5000 Billion US $ by 2030. * Approval of Bill of 49% FDI in Insurance sector is long awaited. Once it is enacted, the number of insurance companies may rise to @ 150 to 200 in next 7-8 years. There is immense potential for insurance industry to grow. At present there are 24 Life, 27 Non Life and 1 Reinsurance, thus total 52 Insurance companies are in insurance business. Out of this, 4 companies are working exclusively as Health Insurance Companies. 334 insurance broking companies, 800+ corporate agents and thousands of banks have entered in insurance business. Third Party Administer (TPAs) Companies in Health Sector are 29 and TPAs growing in Automobile and Legal Sector. The specialized functions in insurance sector are slowly outsourced and lot many new companies will enter in this area. International insurance surveyors, loss assessors, adjuster, underwriters, claim settlers, have already entered in India and expanding their business activities. Even the world insurance and finance giants like Warren Buffet, Lloyds, Munich Re, Swiss Re, have entered in India. * Health insurance is developing as separate branch of Insurance. It is expected that the number of health insurance companies will be equal to the number of life insurance companies in near future. Bancassurance is also developing as Separate branch of Insurance. People is India have more faith in banks than insurance agents. Many banks have already entered into insurance business and lot more in pipeline. Banks find insurance as growth vehicle. At present only GIC of India is the reinsurance company in the country. But government is now thinking over allowing many more international reinsurance companies in India. In few years, we may find 5 independent branches of insurance in India as Life, General, Health, Bancassurance Reinsurance. * India is becoming Insurance Hub of the world. Giant insurance companies from across the globe are outsourcing core insurance functions to India. IT infrastructure in the country and new generation Indian Talent are attracting world insurance business for core functions for cost effective solutions. Indian software companies are leading in this race. Even BPO in Insurance Sector is growing very fast. All this require technical and domain skills sets of Insurance functions. This IT, ITES and BPO business in Insurance Sector from outside India is expected to rise to 1000 Billion US $ by 2025 It is believed that next boom is in insurance sector. Insurance will play key role in boosting economy further. In India, next 25 years will be dominated by Insurance Sector. The growth is expected at horizontal as well as vertical levels. It will be from inside the country and from outside the country. Changing Scenario in Insurance Business in India * Insurance was strictly dominated by Agents and Development officers till 2000. But IRDA has opened up new distribution channels such as Corporate Agent, Insurance Broker, Bancassurance, Mallasurance, Online Sale of Insurance, Direct Sale, etc. These new channels are growth engines of the insurance industry. One interesting aspect of this growth is that Insurance Sector is heading towards SERVICING from merely Selling. The mantra of â€Å"Sell it and Forget it† is now converting as â€Å"Service Retain Client†. This requires Core insurance knowledge and not merely Selling Expertise. * The commission rates of insurance agents are slowly getting downward trend. The servicing of client is now taken care by customer servicing department. The Technology has now key role in policyholders servicing and provides better knowledge and expertise than agents. Companies are now offering new gate ways for renewal commissions like through internet banking, ATMs, ECS, Mobile banking, etc. It has reduced the dependency of policyholders on agents for timely renewal of existing policies. * Government is slowly removing the Income Tax rebates from insurance policies. It has already signaled the same and introduced few provisions in current budget by restricting the percentage of amount of premium with the sum assured of any policy. * Product Development and new innovative policies has changed the olden rules of the selling game. Merely begging for insurance or forcing a policy will not exist anymore. The 35 % commissioned policy selling dominance will be eroded. . * Insurance is Risk Cover or Investment is a matter of debate but common policyholder is now diverting to PURE Insurance products such as Term Insurance. The ULIP Story between IRDA and SEBI has focused on a need of domain insurance talent. * There is certainly reasonable improvement in policyholder’s awareness and knowledge about insurance. Government, IRDA and NGOs like FIBLI, insurance companies and related stake holders are concentrating on customer education, literacy and awareness about insurance products and services through advertisements, seminars, workshops, comics, e-literature, animated films, etc. * As Insurance need is vertical as well as horizontal, the insurance business is spreading across the country. Insurance companies are focusing and spreading network in rural markets as it has huge potential. Technological development is helping this drive of rural expansion. * Health Insurance and Bancassurance sectors will grow drastically. General Insurance Sector will also develop. In life Insurance Sector, Term Insurance Business will dominate. * In future, Online Insurance will have a key role in new business. * It will be difficult to get insurance claims in future. There will be huge scope for Claim consultants who will help people to get insurance claims. * Insurance sector will slowly dominate the economy and there will be overall developments in insurance sector. There will huge revenue generation form insurance business in India as well as outsourced insurance business from outside India. Employability Potential in Insurance Sector As insurance sector is growing with 20% rate, there will be a huge requirement of Insurance professionals in the country. * NSDC Report – National Skill Development Corporation has estimated the job creations of 2 Million persons in insurance and banking sector by 2021 in its latest report. * CII Report The recent survey of Confederation of Indian Industries estimated that there is a need of @ 21 lakhs insurance educated employees by 2025. * ASSOCHEM Report on Insurance Sector – It has pointed out on employability potential in Insurance Sector in its latest report. The report has estimated manpower requirement to be 30 Lakhs by 2030. The job creation in insurance sector will be across the country as insurance business is spreading across the country. The innovative distribution channels will play a vital role in insurance penetration and of course, technology will be a great supportive tool for this development. The manpower is required across the country. Insurance companies, banks and financial services providers are focusing and spreading network in rural markets as it has huge potential. It will generate huge employability not only at Metro and urban areas but at semi urban and rural levels, too. At present there are 52 companies, 334 brokers, 1200 + banks, 29 TPAs, 2000 IT, ITES BPO companies, 400 surveyor and other insurance services provider companies are working in India. The number will rise to double or triple in next 8 to 10 years. These companies will have offices across the country and will generate jobs across the country. Career Development Path in Insurance Sector Till IRDA, insurance career was dominated by selling activity. It is the assumed misconception that any career in insurance sector will have to be connected with selling of insurance products. The Insurance Agents and Development Officers community in the country has coloured insurance policy selling with either begging of insurance or forcing for insurance. The rebating in insurance premium has eroded insurance profession as under privileged one. After IRDA and entry of corporate insurance companies, the face of insurance career was always compared with the face of poor insurance agent. Career in Insurance was always neglected one and approach towards it was one of the ridiculous one. But the situation is now changing drastically. Career in Insurance is not merely a selling activity. Insurance Sector require domain technical knowledge. The employees with core insurance competency can only grow henceforth. After a decade of privatization, corporate companies have understood that insurance is not a FMCG product and one must possess technical skills and fundamental knowledge to exist grow in this market. Servicing will be key for growth and for this, one require domain expertise. For new entrants, any graduation with specialized diploma in insurance domain like underwriting, claims, motor insurance, health insurance, bancassurance, reinsurance, liability insurance, aviation insurance, engineering insurance, agricultural insurance, marine insurance, etc will be helpful to enter in insurance sector. One has to improve his academic qualification and scope of skills by adding various diplomas from various streams of insurance. As one grows with experience, this academic excellence and expansion will improve his employibilty and scope of promotions and growth. For existing employees, one has to improve his academic position along with experience. Mere experience will not help beyond certain limit. As we expect 49 % FDI and steep increase in number of insurance companies, the existing employees will have clear advantage to grow. But for this, they must obtain domains skills and competency through academic enhancement. The present employee in insurance sector should focus on overall and multi dimensional development in his capacities, skill sets and academic qualifications. The candidate with multifaceted core skills will have better opportunities over general candidate. He should not limit himself only to underwriting or claims. He should always seek for more and more knowledge. One can select a sector of insurance like Life or general or health for developing his career path but he should be equipped with qualifications and skills of other sectors also. It will widen the scope of opportunities available to him. Salary Packages In Insurance Sector As per the present scenario in Insurance Sector, one may join insurance company at entry level with a annual package of @ Rs.1.2 lakh to 1.5 Lakh. He may be designated as Associate or Assistant. In 3-4 years, he may grow to higher position with a scale of Rs. 3 to 4 Lakhs if he has academic qualifications with experience. After 6-8 years after joining insurance, one may easily grow to annual package of 7 to 10 Lakhs. After 12 to 15 years, one may dream to annual package of Rs.15 to 20 Lakhs. Of course, this needs academic up gradation and continuous improvement of domain skills. This trend may continue for next 20 years as there is long term and inside outside country potential. The speed of career growth and expansion is smooth and fast in insurance sector than perhaps any other sector in the country. But it needs hard work, academic excellence and aggressive approach towards opportunities. I will share one practical example here. The employees who joined insurance sector in the newly entrant companies like Bajaj Allianz, HDFC, ICICI etc between 2001 to 2003 were drawing annual salary package of 1.5 to 2.5 lakhs. They are now grown to key positions in new companies after 8 to 10 years with annual packages of Rs.20 to 25 Lakhs. Some of them have even clinched packages of 40 to 50 Lakhs per annum. Skill Sets Requirements by Insurance Sector At present, man power requirements are basically skilled based. Employees with academic qualifications are encouraged for promotions. Fresher with academic qualification in insurance are preferred. At present, Insurance Companies recruit freshers and train them for 6 months or one year. But the attrition rate is so high that more than 42 % of new recruits leaves the company. Insurance companies are seriously concerned over the expenditure on training and the rate of turnout. They are looking for employees who have been already trained and having domain academic qualifications. Insurance Companies have found that domain knowledge will improve selling, servicing, operations and all other functions. New companies prefer persons with experience and academic qualifications. Skill sets required by the insurance sector are underwriting skills, claim handling skills, operational skills, servicing skills, risk assessment and classification skills, insurance product skills, distribution channel operating skills, coordination skills, IT skills with domain knowledge, insurance accountancy skills, etc.

Dell Computers :: Computers History Historical Essays

Dell Computers Dell Computers was founded by Michael Dell, who started selling personal computers out of his dorm room as a freshman at the University of Texas. Michael Dell would buy parts wholesale, assembled them into clones (exact replicas) of IBM computers, and sold them by mail order to customers who did not want to pay the higher prices charged by retailers. Michael Dell was soon making 80,000 dollars a month profit and in 1984 Michael dropped out of university to found Dell Computers. Michael formed in his dorm room the underlying principles, which he would follow throughout the 80’s and 90’s as CEO of Dell Computers. Since their inception in 1982, dell has had a consistent rise in sales. Dells built to order strategy has enabled them to become a very efficient producer of computers and profitable company. The WebPages for dell computers has enabled dell to be able to reduce expenditures and become more efficient in their overall production and distribution of their products. Dell has been the only company to become an efficient maker of computers using the built-to-order system. Dells stock has become increasingly more valuable to investors over the past five years. Dell’s built-to-order strategy has made them successful in growth, development and stock valuation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book â€Å"Direct from Dell† gave a lot of background information on, Dell’s strategy, and mail order system as well as statistics on company sales and growth. The book goes into depth when analyzing Dell’s built-to-order system, and mail order system. The book was written before the WebPages became popular so it talks only about what the company expects from it and not about how the web page has performed. The Charles Shwabb investment web page gave a lot of information, which would suit potential investors on Dell. The web page allowed me to view Dell’s financial statements and analyze just how profitable Dell Computers has been and in which areas they showed the most or least profit. The book â€Å"The Market Share Reporter† gave me information on how much of the market Dell controls for each product they sell and how they compare to other companies. The book has many graphs, and charts to make it easier to see how much co ntrol a particular company has in that area in relation to other competing companies. Selling computers over the Internet enables Dell to become a more efficient distributor of computers.

Alcohol and Energy Drinks- A literature review Essay

?In recent years, researchers have begun to focus attention on an emerging trend of consuming energy drink mixed with alcohol AmED. Consumption of AmED is thought to have a correlation with high-risk behavior and negative effects on the consumer. Several research articles have examined the various facets of this practice. Some of the points of consideration that have been researched include the motivations behind consuming AmED, the effects of consuming AmED on alcohol consumption and the likelihood of engaging in risk taking behaviors after consuming AmED compared to alcohol alone. This literature review will examine the following four articles in an attempt to explore this area of research. Energy drinks are beverages that boast the ability to provide the consumer with an increase in energy. Energy drinks frequently contain large amounts of caffeine. The upper daily recommended limits for an adult in regards to caffeine is XXX. Levels of caffeine can be up to 300mg per serving. A 6oz coffee contains 100mg. The caffeine from energy drinks is known to have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Many brands of energy drinks contain additional chemicals including plant-based stimulants (guarana and yerba mate). The effect of these on the body is not well understood as there has been little research. Simple sugars such as glucose and fructose are also found in some energy drinks. Other potential ingredients include glucronolacteone (a naturally occurring metabolite), amino acids (taurine, carnitine and creatine), herbs (Ginko Biloba and ginseng) and vitamins. In a research paper by Peacock and Bruno (2012a), patterns of use and motivations behind the consumption of AmED were examined. The focus of this investigation was to examine the motivation of participants to consume AmED through self-reporting techniques in the form of an online questionnaire. The sample of 400 participants aged 18-35 years who had reportedly consumed AmED in the past 6 months. The results of the study indicated that 75% of participants used AmED for energetic purposes, 50% reporting use to extend their stay at a public venue, 60% claimed they were motivated by situational circumstances, such as mixed drinks containing ED, 40% reported sharing AmED with a companion, 20% used AmED to mask the flavor of alcohol, 50% of the sample reported using AmED to have more fun and only 33% reported consuming AmED to get more drunk Peacock al et (2012a). In addition to taste and situational reasons, the participants in this study appeared to be motivated by functional and hedonistic outcomes. Only a small number of participants being motivated by the desire to increase the level of drunkenness or experience similar effects to elicit drugs. A study conducted by O’Brian, McCoy, Rohdes, Wagoner and Wolfson (2008), where by responses from 4,271were recorded via a web based survey. Participants who consumed AmED in the past 30 days reported consuming significantly more alcohol in a typical drinking session as well as reporting more drinking sessions than those who did not consume AmED O’Brian et al. (2008). AmEd consumers also reported episodes of weekly drunkenness and among the sample who reported consuming AmED a single drinking session consumed 36% more than students who didn’t not report consumption of AmEd. The results of Peacock et al. (2012b) indicate that although risk taking behaviors occurred during sessions of consumption of both alcohol and risk taking behavior that occurred with AmED was statistically less than the risk taking behaviors that occurred in alcohol alone sessions. However consumption of AmEd did result in higher negative physiological and psychological outcomes than those reported from consuming alcohol. Verster, Aufricht and Alford (2012), conducted a review of articles of articles relating to the consumption of AmED. It was revealed through a critique of multiple correlational studies that there are currently insufficient properly controlled studies to draw any firm conclusions regarding the effects of AmED. Conclusions reached in their report were that only a minority of the student population occasionally consumes AmED Vester (2012). Research also suggested some evidence that AmED may result in an increase in some aspects of alcohol- induced performance impairment. There is no consistent evidence that alcohol alters perceived levels of intoxication, no evidence that consumption of ED causes an increase in alcohol consumption, no direct evidence exists to suggest that ED is linked to drug and alcohol dependence or abuse. A personality predisposed to higher levels of risk taking behavior may be the primary reason for increasing alcohol and drug abuse and that AmED may be a component of that lifestyle. The literature available relating to AmED consumption is insufficient. Presently there is an insufficient amount of evidence to link the consumption of AmED to an increase in risk taking behavior, increase in consumption of alcohol or negative effects on health. To understand the true effects of AmED further research is required. To draw more concrete conclusions about the effect of AmED there is a need for more complex and properly controlled clinical studies need to be undertaken. Research design needs to explore relationships with a within subject design whereby the relationship between the ingestion of AmED and the consumption of alcohol is further explored and documented.

Apes Miller Ch. 1 Questions

Miller Chapter 1 Reading Questions 1. Three ways that human activities are affecting the environment include our exponential increase in population and our resource consumption, which have degraded the air, water, soil, and species in the natural systems that support our lives and economies. A third way is limiting the access that other species have to resources. 2. The goals of environmental science are to learn how nature works, how the environment affects us, how we affect the environment, and how we can live more sustainably without degrading our life-support system. 3.Environmentalism is a social movement dedicated to protecting the earth’s life-support systems for us and other species, and is political in nature. Sustainability, also known as durability, is the ability of earth’s various systems to survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely. 4. The five steps towards sustainability are understanding the components and importance of natural capital, recognizing that human activities degrade natural capital by using resources faster than they can be renewed, looking for workable solutions, making trade-offs or compromises, and recognizing that individuals matter.They must be supported by sound science, or the concepts and ideas that are widely accepted by experts in a particular field of the natural or social sciences. 5. Natural capital is the natural resources and services that keep us and other species alive and support our economies. It changes over millions of years in response to environmental changes such as global warming and cooling and huge asteroids hitting the earth. 6. Economic growth is an increase in the capacity of a country to provide people with goods and services.It’s measured by GDP, the annual market value of all goods and services produced by all firms and organizations, foreign and domestic, operating in a country. It goes up with either a population increase, more production and consumpti on, or both. Changes in this growth are measured by per capita GDP, or the GDP divided by the total population at midyear. Economic development is the improvement of human living standards by economic growth. The United Nations classifies this based on a country’s degree of industrialization and their per capita GDP. 7. Developed countries are highly industrialized and have high average per capita GDP.All other nations are developing countries, whether they are middle-income or low-income. Developing countries tend to have the greatest population increases, as well as the greatest disparities between the rich and the poor as far as income goes. 8. 82% of the world’s population comes from developing countries. 9. 1. 5% of the world’s population growth comes from developing countries, as compared to merely 0. 1% in developed countries. 10. The rule of 70 calculates how long it takes to double the world’s population or economic growth at various exponential rates of growth. The formula is 70/percentage growth rate = doubling time in years. 1. The tragedy of the commons is the degradation of renewable free-access resources. The term was coined in 1968 by biologist Garrett Hardin. Basically, the logic is that â€Å"if I don’t use it, somebody else will anyway†. On a large scale, this only leads to waste and overconsumption. 12. One solution to the tragedy of the commons is to use free-access resources at rates well below their estimated sustainable yields by reducing population, regulating access to resources, or both. Another solution is to convert free-access resources to private ownership, so investments are protected. 3. Privatization doesn’t always work if a private owner values increasing profit over protecting natural resources that they own. It is also impractical for global common resources that cannot be divided up and converted to private property. 14. An ecological footprint is the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply an area with resources and to absorb the wastes and pollution produced by such resource use. The countries with the largest ecological footprint are the United States, the European Union, China, India, and Japan. 5. To shift towards more sustainable consumption, China and India should lower meat consumption (specifically China), limit population growth (including increased access to birth control), and promote and fund research into sustainable living. The United States, Japan, and the European Union should also promote and fund research into sustainable living, as well as lowering oil consumption by supporting alternative energy and promoting a less consumer-centric lifestyle to their citizens. 16. Point sources of pollutants are single, identifiable sources.An example is a smokestack of a coal-burning industrial plant. Non-point sources are larger, dispersed, and often difficult to identify and therefore much harder and more expensive to control. An example is pesticides sprayed into the air or blown by the wind into the atmosphere. 17. Two basic approaches to dealing with pollution are pollution prevention (input pollution control), which reduces or eliminates the production of pollution, and pollution cleanup (output pollution control), which involves cleaning up or diluting pollutants after they have been produced. 18.Three problems with relying on pollution cleanup are that it is only a temporary bandage as long as population and consumption levels grow without corresponding improvements in pollution control technology, cleanup often removes a pollutant from one part of the environment only to cause pollution in another, and once pollutants have entered and been dispersed into the environment at harmful levels it usually costs too much or is impossible to reduce them to acceptable levels. 19. Five basic causes of environmental problems are population growth, wasteful resource use, poverty, poor environmental acc ounting, and environmental ignorance. 0. Poverty causes environmental problems because the poor often deplete forests, soils, grasslands, and wildlife for short-term survival since they don’t have the luxury of worrying about the long-term environment. They also have the most population growth. 21. Affluenza is the unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism exhibited in the lifestyles of many affluent consumers in developed countries and the rising middle class in certain developing countries. It is based on the assumption that buying more things brings happiness. 22.In the United States, the air is cleaner, most rivers and lakes are cleaner, and drinking water is purer. However, this is because the waste and pollution is transferred to more distant locations. 23. The environmental impact (I) of a population on a given area depends on three key factors: the number of people (P), the average resource use per person or affluence (A), and the beneficial and harmf ul environmental effects of the technologies (T) used to provide and consume each unit of a resource and control or prevent the resulting pollution and environmental degradation. 4. Three major cultural changes have impacted the environment. The agricultural revolution allowed people to settle in villages and raise crops and domesticated animals. The industrial-medical revolution led to a shift towards urban society using fossil fuels to manufacture material items, agriculture, and transportation. It also used science to improve sanitation and understand and control disease. The information-globalization revolution is based on using new technologies for gaining rapid access to much more information on a global scale. 5. To shift to a sustainable economy, we must shift to a renewable energy-based and reuse/recycle economy with a diversified transport system. This requires restructuring the global economy to sustain civilization, a large effort to eradicate poverty, stabilize populati on, and restore hope, as well as a systematic effort to restore natural systems. 26. Your environmental worldview is a set of assumptions and values about how you think the world works and what your role in the world should be.Environmental ethics is concerned with your beliefs about what is right and wrong with how we treat the environment. 27. There are three main types of environmental worldviews. Planetary management worldview holds that nature exists to meet our needs and wants, and that we can use ingenuity and technology to manage the earth’s life-support systems with unlimited economic growth. Stewardship worldview holds that we can manage the earth for our benefit but we have an ethical responsibility to be caring and responsible managers, or stewards, of the earth.Environmental wisdom worldview holds that we are part of and totally dependent on nature and that nature exists for all species. It calls for encouraging earth-sustaining forms of economic growth. 28. Four basic components of Earth’s nature that we can mimic are reliance on solar energy, biodiversity, population control, and nutrient recycling. 29. Current emphasis needs to be shifted to how the individual matters, working together and communicating for social change, and finding trade-off solutions to environmental problems, in order to achieve sustainable emphasis.

The Attentive Eye of Elliot Erwitt essays

The Attentive Eye of Elliot Erwitt essays The key to being a great photographer is to be able to see what no one else can. One must capture those poignant moments in life that speak for themselves and that carry multiple meanings, layered on top of one another. It is surely a great feat to be able to take pictures and turn them into an art form. It takes a unique eye accompanied by an imaginative mind to create a photographic vision that tells a worthy story. Elliot Erwitt made a living photographing commercial shots ranging from magazine covers and advertising still lifes, to travel ads, but it is his personal snaps (as he likes to call them) that display his worldly wit and passion for the quirks of life. Erwitts versatility is displayed not in the grand, majestic images that are so often seen in the media, but in his subtlety and in his ability to freeze time in that exact moment when nothing appears to be happening, yet so much is. And it is within these fleeting moments that Erwitt tells his story whether it be s ocial, comical, whimsical or just plain beautiful. His wide array of subjects shows us that this is a man who sees the world through the eyes of his camera and who is not afraid to blink. Elliot Erwitt was fittingly born in the city of art, Paris, France in 1928. He was raised in Milan and Hollywood and began photographing while still in high school. His first camera was an old 4 x 5 Speed Graphic but today he uses anything from an 8 X 10 view camera to a Leica. In 1953, after his discharge from the U.S. army, he joined the Magnum Picture Agency from the personal invitation of Robert Capa and he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Magnums top photographers. Between his careers as a commercial photographer and a photojournalist, Erwitt takes personal snaps for his own pleasure, and has put out several books featuring his odd photographs, which include among many other things, very humanized photograp...

3 Methods Used to Steal Trees

3 Methods Used to Steal Trees Tom Kazee is s woodland security expert based in Orange Park, Florida. Tom has decades of experience in the woodland security business and contributes regularly to Tree Farmer Magazine. He has written a great piece on timber theft with tips on how to prevent this kind of theft. Mr. Kazee suggests there are basically three ways timber is stolen. As a timber owner or forest manager, you would be wise to study these methods of theft and take preventative actions to avoid a rip-off. The purpose of this report is only to make you wise to the ways of a timber thief. Although the vast majority of people who buy and harvest trees are honest there are people who will cheat and try to deceive timber owners and sellers for financial gain. Harvesting Directly on Your Property Thieves will set up a harvest directly on your property or will move over on you from adjacent ownership. They have observed that the propertys management and know that timber theft is an acceptable risk. Although mistakes can happen to honest loggers, I am talking here about timber being taken with evil intent. Ways to Prevent the Theft: Inspect your property regularly. Your own neglect can encourage thieves. Inspections will also catch insect and disease problems early and head off line encroachment.Maintain and refresh proper boundary markings. It is much easier to do this when property lines are still visible. Always freshen up your lines when harvesting is occurring on adjacent property.Cultivate good neighbors and encourage good lease-holders to keep an eye open. Pretend to Be a Buyer Thieves dressed as buyers will offer absurdly low prices for timber knowing that the landowner has no idea of the value. Although it is not a crime to give away your trees, it is a crime to misrepresent their value Ways to Prevent the Theft: Timber market values and tree volumes can be hard to determine without a professional. Always get a second opinion of values and volumes, especially where large acreage is involved. You might want to hire a forestry consultant or buy a timber inventory from a third party.Check out all timber buyers by asking for referrals and by inquiring about the buyer at your local or state foresters office.Avoid the temptation to make a quick sell to a friendly buyer. Take a deep breath and ask the buyer for some time for you to think about what you are going to do. You should not feel pressured by the buyer. Making a Lump Sum Sale Thieves can actually steal trees after you have approved and allowed the harvest. Poor accounting in both lump sum sales and unit sales can tempt a logger or a trucker to misreport trees cut and/or volumes represented. Ways to Prevent the Theft: No timber should leave the loading site on pay-as-cut sales unless the load has been recorded by date, species, time and destination. Reputable loggers have these records.All records must be available for inspection and collected at the end of each week. These records should then be compared to scale tickets for reconciliation.You or your agent need to be on-site and visible at random times during the week.

Psychology of Gay and Lesbian Adolescents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychology of Gay and Lesbian Adolescents - Essay Example "Homosexuality is the persistent sexual and emotional attraction to someone of the same sex. It is part of the range of sexual expression. Many gay and lesbian individuals first become aware of and experience their homosexual thoughts and feelings during childhood and adolescence" (Anderson and Adley, 1997, p.71). At the same time their parents begin to consider the adolescent to have mental disorder, as the traditional social stereotypes pose homosexuality as disease. In addition, Catholic Church prohibits 'sodomy' as one of the most dangerous deathly sins. The basic theory about gay and lesbian sexual identity was created by A.Kinsey during his work at Huckleberry House, an institution that provided homosexual youth with psychological support and care. The first phase of 'coming out' (Kinsey et al, 1953) process begins when the teenager realizes he/she is different from others. The second stage includes direct attraction to the individuals of the same gender, followed by guilt and the anticipation of ostracism from the side of 'decent public'. Furthermore, gay and lesbian adolescents might either deny themselves or begin to manifest their identity, with relative teenage maximalism.