Financial Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Report - Essay Example Arsenal is a renowned football club and it has received widespread popularity among the football supporters. In the recent decades, football clubs have gained enormous publicity because of the commercialization of the sports. According to Morrow (1996), football clubs are generally involved in three major activities. Firstly, they involve themselves in commercializing by selling tickets and receiving broadcasting fees from media. Secondly, they involve themselves in active trading and disposal of players. Finally, they develop in-house talent through mentoring and training from the beginning. Arsenal is listed as a commercial organization which derives its revenues from football fixtures, broadcasting and real estate development. In fiscal year 2010, football accounted for 59% of the revenues while real estate development proportion accounted for 41% of the revenues. The Arsenal group reported a profit before tax figure of ?55.96 million in 2010 which was very impressive for the shar eholders (Arsenal Holdings Plc, 2010). The organization is committed to a long term strategic plan by carefully investing in talented players and developing them. At the heart of Arsenal lies its Emirates stadium where it aims to continue investing so that it stays best-in-class and has a clear identity as Arsenal’s home. ... However, they do not include any current value for their players or any value at all for ‘home grown’ players. Although it may sound ridiculous to include human as assets but they can be accounted as intangible assets if they fulfill the definitions put forth by financial reporting frameworks. A salaried person is generally expensed in the income statement whereas professional sports players are treated in a different manner in the accounting statements. Wagner (2007) in his publication mentioned that human resources are one of the most critical factors which investors look for while evaluating a company. Thus, we can metaphorically consider every human as vital for the organization and he may be regarded as an asset for the organization but it is not done practically since it differs from the definition formulated by the financial reporting frameworks. We will be analyzing and interpreting this aspect from International Financial Reporting Standards. As per the definiti on of an asset, it is anything that can be controlled by an organization or entity and it expects future benefits will be flowing to the organization from that asset. An asset is controlled if the organization is entitled to certain rights over that asset particularly restricting others from utilizing that asset for their own advantage. The definition of asset is applied in the case of Arsenal as it holds right over its players for a certain period due to the legal agreement arranged between the player and the club. The players are supposed to provide their services to the club according to the terms of contract. Arsenal expects that future benefits will flow from these players as they will be playing for Arsenal, and Arsenal will be deriving its revenues through fixtures and

Night Essay Example for Free

Night Essay Compare the hanging of the â€Å"youth from Warsaw† and the hanging of the â€Å"sad eyed angel† and explain, using evidence from there and elsewhere in Night, why Elie Reacted differently to the two hangings. Elie Wiesel’s Night is a memoir of his horrifying childhood experiences of suffering as a Jew in the concentration camps. Eliezer was found to suffer in many camps, and during this time he witnessed the daily sufferings and deaths of many humans. His faith faltered as a result, and after so much pain he grew apathetic to the withering away of mortal life. By the end of the book nothing really surprises Elizer anymore because he knew anything could happen at any moment. However, Eliezer’s reaction towards hanging of the â€Å"youth from Warsaw† was different from the hanging of the â€Å"sad eyed angel. † Eliezer’s faith faltered daily when he witnesses the death of many innocent lives including the hanging of the youth from Warsaw, but he never loses his hope or questions the existence of God until he witnesses the hanging of the â€Å"sad eyed angel. † Eliezer witnesses many death during his time in concentration camps, and he never wept once, even when he witnesses the hanging of the youth from Warsaw. This young boy is described as tall and strong. Supposedly, he had stolen something during the alert in the concentration camp. Looking back at his execution, Eliezer expresses his feeling about the hanging saying that it â€Å"upset him deeply† (Wiesel 62) in a way quite distinct from his knowledge of the thousands who died daily in the camps. Elizer was disturb by the hanging because he did not lost all of his faith and hope, he still have humanity so that’s why he feels upset when he witness people die, deep in his heart faith and hope were just broken, now after witness the hanging of the youth from Warsaw he found the broken pieces of hope that is why that evening after the execution he finds â€Å"the soup tasted better than ever† (Wiesel 63). Another reason that Eliezer finds the soup taste better is because he was actually grateful that it was not him or his father toward the execution. Elizer realize that death is everywhere in concentration camp, and it could be either him or his father next time standing on the gallows. He is thankful that he still alive at that moment and can is still eating his ration of soup, although he knows that he could be in line next to get hang in the gallows. Eliezer also felt the youth from Warsaw brought the death on themselves. He realizes that there are rules in the concentration camp that you can never disobey, if you break the rules in the camp, you will be killed. Where is merciful God, where is He? †(Wiesel 64) It was another day when Eliezer return from work and roll call begins. There were three gallows for three prisoners that are going to be hang on the gallows for conspiring to blow up the electric power station, but among the three prisoners there is a little pipel in the middle, the sad eyed angel. At every hanging, no one in the audience will ever shed a tear or weep, but the hanging of the sad eyed angel affected not only Eliezer but many others. During the execution all eyes were on the child, the two men died immediately, but the child was too light â€Å"and so he remained for more than half an hour, lingering between life and death. † (Wiesel 65) The hanging pained Eliezer so much and it makes him wonder how God can be present in a world with such cruelty, he question the present of God and when he heard a voice saying â€Å"For God’s sake, where is God? † (Wiesel 65) he answers â€Å"Where He is? This is where –hanging here from this gallows†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Wiesel 65). Following the death of the sad eyed angel Eliezer thinks that was the death of God as well. â€Å"That night, the soup tasted of corpses† (Wiesel 65), after witness the hanging of the sad eyed angel Wiesel finds the soup tasted like corpses and also like death, the death of God. The sad eyed angel represent a symbol of silent which God is presents as in the novel Night. God was a symbol of silence in the novel because when Eliezer and the other Jewish people cries out for God’s aid and mercy, their please were left unanswered. The God in Night did not save them from cruelty and death, God has remained silence throughout the novel, so when the angel was hanged Eliezer’s relates the death of angel to the death of God, as he meant that God was hanging upon the gallows and had abandoned them. Eliezer realizes that the Nazis were coming closely to destroy his faith in God and so he was unable to enjoy anything because he thinks that life, hope, and joy could not be reach because all goodness had been destroyed. â€Å"I’ve got more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He’s the only one who’s keeping his promises, all his promises to the Jewish people† Wiesel 81) Hitler the ultimate evil was conquering the good Jewish people every day through death and destruction. To Eliezer there was no hope for life and no chance for survival. He thinks God had abandoned them because there seems to be no end to evil. After witness the hanging of the sad eyed angel, Eliezer was constantly being reminded of death, he feels like death was everywhere in the camp, and when he were forced to watch the hanging of the sad eyed angel, which appeared to be innocent and full of hope, he feels that he was forced to watch innocence and hope die in front of him. As Eliezer watched the young pipel struggle between life and death he felt that the boy was innocent and he did not deserve to suffer. Eliezer and the young pipel were around the same age, so when he witnesses the hanging of the young pipel he felt as he shared the pipel’s pain and suffering and that he was suffering from a slow painful spiritual death as well. The hanging of the young pipel pained Eliezer so much because he knew he could not rescue him. In Elie Wiesel’s Night the author present a significance of the hanging and the brutal elements of the surroundings in the concentration camp. He express that evening â€Å"the soup tasted better than ever† (Wiesel 63) after he witness the hanging of the youth from Warsaw, and yet after he witness the hanging of the sad eyed angel â€Å"the soup tasted of corpse. † It was trying to present how Eliezer’s slowly loses his hope and faith in God. Eliezer’s faith was being challenged under such brutal condition, and many do not get their beliefs put to the test in such extreme condition as Eliezer did, and this leads Eliezer to question his faith. The meaning of hanging in this novel represent the bad conquers good, death and evil become apparent. The goodness that had been present prior to concentration camp had been destroyed through death, evil and abandonment. Every killing that Eliezer witness deteriorated his faith and finally after witness the sad eyed angel, it was the end of hope for Eliezer, he finally understood the murderous nature of concentration camp, and he could not walk away unaffected by the hanging. At last, Eliezer walked away as a completely different person than how he entered.

The Implicit Intimacy of Dickinsons Dashes Essay -- Emily Dickinson a

The Implicit Intimacy of Dickinson's Dashes The dash in Emily DickinsonÂ’s poetry, initially edited away as a sign of incompletion, has since come to be seen as crucial to the impact of her poems. Critics have examined the dash from a myriad of angles, viewing it as a rhetorical notation for oral performance, a technique for recreating the rhythm of a telegraph, or a subtraction sign in an underlying mathematical system.1 However, attempting to define DickinsonÂ’s intentions with the dash is clearly speculative given her varied dash-usage; in fact, one scholar illustrated the fallibility of one dash-interpretation by applying it to one of DickinsonÂ’s handwritten cake recipes (Franklin 120). Instead, I begin with the assumption that Ââ€Å"text† as an entity involving both the reading and writing of the material implies a readerÂ’s attempt to recreate the act of writing as well as the writerÂ’s attempt to guide the act of reading. I will focus on the former , given the difficulties surrounding the notion of authorial intention a.k.a. the Death of the Author. Using three familiar Dickinson poems—Ââ€Å"The Brain—is wider than the Sky,† Ââ€Å"The Soul selects her own Society,† and Ââ€Å"This was a Poet—It is that,†Ãƒâ€šÃ¢â‚¬â€I contend that readers can penetrate the double mystery of Emily DickinsonÂ’s reclusive life and lyrically dense poetry by enjoying a sense of intimacy not dependent upon the content of her poems. The source of this intimacy lies in her remarkable punctuation. DickinsonÂ’s unconventionally-positioned dashes form disjunctures and connections in the readerÂ’s understanding that create the impression of following Dickinson through the creative process towards intimacy with the poet herself. This implicit intimacy becomes clear ... ...ickinsonÂ’s highly personal notations. Ironically, what at first seems an idiosyncratic stylistic effect operates to create a deep sense of intimacy between the reader and the creative process of a highly reclusive individual. Far from distancing the reader, the dash actually provides a gateway between the act of reading and the poetÂ’s moment of creation, only possible if we view the text as a shifting co-creation of reader and poet. Works Cited: Edith Wylder, The Last Face: Emily Dickinson's Manuscripts (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1971). Jerusha Hall McCormack, Ââ€Å"Domesticating Delphi: Emily Dickinson and the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph,† American Quarterly 55.4 (2003) 569-601. Michael Theune, Ââ€Å"Â’One and One are One’†¦and Two: An Inquiry into DickinsonÂ’s Use of Mathematical Signs,† The Emily Dickinson Journal 10.1 (2001) 99-116.

Comparing Two Definitions of Home :: Compare Contrast Comparison

Comparing Two Definitions of Home For each person, home has a different meaning. For some, it is their house; for others, home focuses on where loved ones are. The two authors Richard Ford and Chang-Rae Lee consider home to be where the memories are. In their respective works, â€Å"I Must Be Going† and â€Å"Coming Home Again,† the authors explore home through memories. Ford’s memories are based on moving to new homes, while Lee’s memories are focused on his mother and cooking. Each, in turn, finds out what home means for himself. In Ford’s work, he explores how the idea that â€Å"transient is a word of reproach† (Ford 110), a stereotype which he does not agree with. Many people consider people who move often to have shallow roots. People with little foundation are suspicious to lengthy residents. In his life, he has moved roughly twenty times, but he does not â€Å"concede their establishment is any more established than† (110) his own. To Ford, home is all of the memories; physical location is irrelevant. He moves so often because â€Å"longing’s at the heart of it† (109). He has been longing to see the outside world. As a kid, he noted â€Å"that the world outside †¦ was the more magical, exotic place† (109-110) than his hometown. Remembering when he once owned a home, he felt so trapped. In a drunken rage, he flung paint on everything on a lower level. This shows that Ford has a strong need of personal freedom to move. He wants to control his own destiny, concluding that any of his problems are therefore â€Å"on [his] bill, not theirs† (111). Ford feels that â€Å"memory always needs replenishing† (110) and he does so by constantly moving from place to place. Ford questions the American southerner tradition that home is â€Å"supposed to hold† (110) Southerners to their houses and land. Ford feels differently about home: â€Å"home – real home – the important place that holds you, always meant that: affection, love† (110). For him, home is the pleasant memories he holds. Comparing Two Definitions of Home :: Compare Contrast Comparison Comparing Two Definitions of Home For each person, home has a different meaning. For some, it is their house; for others, home focuses on where loved ones are. The two authors Richard Ford and Chang-Rae Lee consider home to be where the memories are. In their respective works, â€Å"I Must Be Going† and â€Å"Coming Home Again,† the authors explore home through memories. Ford’s memories are based on moving to new homes, while Lee’s memories are focused on his mother and cooking. Each, in turn, finds out what home means for himself. In Ford’s work, he explores how the idea that â€Å"transient is a word of reproach† (Ford 110), a stereotype which he does not agree with. Many people consider people who move often to have shallow roots. People with little foundation are suspicious to lengthy residents. In his life, he has moved roughly twenty times, but he does not â€Å"concede their establishment is any more established than† (110) his own. To Ford, home is all of the memories; physical location is irrelevant. He moves so often because â€Å"longing’s at the heart of it† (109). He has been longing to see the outside world. As a kid, he noted â€Å"that the world outside †¦ was the more magical, exotic place† (109-110) than his hometown. Remembering when he once owned a home, he felt so trapped. In a drunken rage, he flung paint on everything on a lower level. This shows that Ford has a strong need of personal freedom to move. He wants to control his own destiny, concluding that any of his problems are therefore â€Å"on [his] bill, not theirs† (111). Ford feels that â€Å"memory always needs replenishing† (110) and he does so by constantly moving from place to place. Ford questions the American southerner tradition that home is â€Å"supposed to hold† (110) Southerners to their houses and land. Ford feels differently about home: â€Å"home – real home – the important place that holds you, always meant that: affection, love† (110). For him, home is the pleasant memories he holds.

The War That Never Ends(Veterans)

The War that Never Ends- Soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic stress disorder The impact of deployment and especially war-zone experiences on the well-being of military personnel and veterans continues to receive growing attention. The military operation in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to raise important questions about the effect of the experience on the mental health of members of the military services who have been deployed there (Hoge et al. ,2004). Combat exposure has been linked to an array of negative health consequences, most notably posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).According to the DSM-IV-TR, PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop in a person after a traumatic experience in which â€Å"the person [has] experienced, witnessed, or [been] confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of [one]self or others. According to the Surgeon General, of those individuals experiencing ext reme traumatic events, nine percent develop PTSD. Approximately 50% of those cases will return to a normal mental health state in less than a year.After one year, women were twice as likely to continue with symptoms of traumatic stress. Sometimes dubbed emotional mental health disorders such as acute stress, depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common by products of military combat (Soldiers’ Mental Health, 2007). During the current U. S. -led war on terrorism a campaign initiated following Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against U. S. – tens of thousands of soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have been diagnosed with such conditions (Soldiers’ Mental Health, 2007). While some military veterans seek medical treatment after they return to the U.S. , many do not, beginning what often becomes a life long battle with mental illness (Soldiers’ Mental Health, 2007). Furthermore, the individual's â€Å"response involved intense fear, h elplessness, or horror. † The individual must also experience at least one symptom of intensive recollections, at least three symptoms of avoidance/numbing, and at least two symptoms of hyper arousal. Symptoms of hyper-arousal include sleep problems, irritability, concentration problems, hyper-vigilance, and exaggerated startle response. All symptoms must be present for one month or longer.In order for PTSD to be diagnosed as a disorder, â€Å"clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of fractioning† must be present. PTSD received official recognition and a separate diagnostic heading with the DSM-III publication in 1980. However, the symptoms of PTSD have been recognized for centuries. During the Civil War, generals noted that the troops were suffering from â€Å"irritable heart† or â€Å"effort syndrome,† in World War I the diagnosis was â€Å"shell shock,† and in World War II it was called â⠂¬Å"battle fatigue† or â€Å"combat exhaustion.In modem engagements such as Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), symptoms of PTSD are denoted â€Å"acute stress,† perhaps in an effort to reduce stigma among deployed troops. Whatever its appellation, it is deemed a â€Å"signature wound† of the Iraq and Afghanistan engagement veterans. Therefore, military personnel are among the most at-risk populations for exposure to traumatic events and the development of PTSD. Ethnic minority Veterans may be more likely to disclose problems or engage in treatment when paired with a clinician of the same race (Loo, 2007).Despite study differences, the trend suggests that being an ethnic minority may cause one to be more â€Å"at risk† for PTSD (Loo, 2007). The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study found differences among Hispanic, African American, and White Vietnam theater Veterans in terms of readjustment after military service (L oo, 2007). Both Hispanic and African American male Vietnam theater Veterans had higher rates of PTSD than Whites (Loo, 2007). Rates of current PTSD in the 1990 study were 28% among Hispanics, 21% among African Americans, and 14% among Whites (Loo, 2007).African Americans had greater exposure to war stresses and had more predisposing factors than Whites, which appeared to account for their higher rate of PTSD (Loo, 2007). The difference in rates of PTSD between Hispanics and Whites remained even after controlling for the fact that Hispanics had greater exposure to war stresses (Loo, 2007). Rates of PTSD among American Indian Vietnam Veterans ranged from 22% to 25% (depending on the tribe) (Loo, 2007). American Indians were exposed to greater war zone stresses (e. g. atrocities, violence, and combat) than Whites, including psychological conflict resulting from identification with the enemy (Loo, 2007). Differences in PTSD rates between American Indians and Whites disappeared after con trolling for the greater war zone stresses experienced by American Indians (Loo, 2007). Unfortunately, there continues to be an ongoing supply of combat- traumatized soldiers to study. As noted by Coleman (2006), war is a disease that kills and maims, not just by tearing apart soldiers’ bodies, but also by ravaging their minds.As the United States continues a military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is also coming to grips with one of the products of war at home: a new generation of troubled veterans. Hoge, Auchterlonie, and Milliken (2006) emphasize that research with active duty personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan suggests that this new generation of veterans has high levels of PTSD and related mental health symptoms. Studies are demonstrating that troops who serve in current conflicts are experiencing PTSD and other mental health problems on a scale not seen since the war in Vietnam (Robinson, 2004).PTSD prevalence is widely disputed in medical literature, particularly its predominance among military personnel. However, â€Å"approximately 8% of the [general] population meets criteria for PTSD during their lifetime. PTSD Stressors in the general public are often the result of a traumatic event (violent crime, accident, etc. ). With regard to military personnel, the range of estimates is wide—†PTSD is the most prevalent mental health disorder among deployed service members, and affects roughly 5 to 15% of service members, depending on who is assessed and when they are assessed. From October 2001 to April 2008, approximately 1. 4 million U. S. troops had been deployed in OEF/OIF engagements. As of October 2009, more than 2 million men and women had shouldered the deployments, with 793,000 of them deploying more than once. Nearly 40% of OEF/OIF veterans had multiple deployments, and multiple â€Å"combat† exposures. Even at the low end, a 5% incidence of PTSD among deployed veterans would equal 100,000 OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD. However, this 5% is questionable on broader assessment, and most likely an underestimate. Using Veterans Affairs (VA) data, 23% of OEF/OIF veterans seen at the VA received a preliminary diagnosis of possible PTSD.Further analysis of the same data shows that only half of these PTSD patients had approved PTSD claims. Therefore, about 50% of OEF/OIF veteran patients receiving treatment for PTSD from the VA were not receiving compensation, and hence are likely undercounted as victims of PTSD. In addition, since approximately 40% of service members are still active on active duty, considering active duty military PTSD cases is also instinctive. Surveys of deployed Army soldiers and Marines show between 14% and 17% met screening criteria for PTSD while they were deployed between 2003 and 2006.This data lends additional support to the proposition that the estimate of 5% prevalence of PTSD is empirically low. The United States has incurred massive human and financial expenditures through i ts involvement in Iraq. It is estimated that total spending on the Iraq war will cost the United States up to $3 trillion to fund current military operations along with the expenses of paying the long-term disability costs of injured military personnel, death benefits sent to the families of those killed in Iraq, and interest fees paid by the United States Treasury to borrow money to fund current expenditures (Bilmes ; Stiglitz, 2008).The National Center for PTSD embraces the customary treatment strategy for PTSD as being symptom logically based. As such, individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety receives pharmacologic treatment, in addition to the use of cognitive behavior therapy to help individuals with cognitive deficits (Summerall, 2008). Cognitive behavior therapy usually includes education regarding the stress response and relaxation techniques in efforts to enable the individual to exercise control over the extreme physical reaction to PTSD triggers and engage comple tely in therapy, overcoming avoidance symptoms.Case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy are all viable components and options regarding treatment and care provision for individuals who have incurred PTSD (Kennedy et al. , 2007). When it comes to medication management, special attention should be paid to possible drug interactions in individuals diagnosed with PTSD. These individuals may be taking medications for various symptoms such as pain, insomnia, and dizziness, in addition to surgery-associated anesthesia and antibiotics.Fluid changes resulting from procedural treatment of burns, amputations, wounds or internal organ injuries can dramatically affect the action and interaction of drugs. Moreover, individuals with PTSD may be hypersensitive to medicinal effects and corresponding side effect. Medications have proved helpful to treat depression, seizures, and agitation among persons with PTSD (Perna, Rouselle, ; Brennan, 2003).However, antip sychotic medications should be used with caution given their potential to increase negative neurobehavioral symptoms (Rosenthal ; Ricker, 2000). Impaired recall and attentiveness resulting from PTSD can also complicate medication management, as an individual may have difficulty accurately following dosage recommendations (Kennedy et al. , 2007). Furthermore, New Treatment Modalities recognize the need to meet the unique needs of military personnel with PTSD, the United States Government is exploring a variety of new treatment models.For example, the Office of Naval Research funded a $4 million project in 2005 to study the efficacy of virtual reality treatments for PTSD, which is being tested in universities and military installations across the United States (Bergfeld, 2006). This treatment involves the person experiencing virtual reality situations (i. e. , guiding them through a military compound in Fallujah or going on patrol through homes of Iraq citizens). The therapist monitor s the veteran’s responses (e. g. , breathing, sweating) and then teaches the veteran how to remain calm and composed through the use of meditation.The hope is that that the client can generalize this skill to prospective high stress situations in the real world (Bergfeld), ultimately leading to a reduction in the occurrence of PTSD symptoms. PTSD can make somebody hard to be with; living with someone who is easily startled, has nightmares, and often avoids social situations can take a toll on the most caring family (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010). Family member may feel hurt, alienate, or discouraged because your loved one has not been able to overcome the effects of the trauma (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010). Social support is extremely important for preventing and helping with PTSD, it is important for family members to take care of themselves both for their own good and t help the person dealing with PTSD (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010). Veterans with PTSD and their families can access several other resources associated with rehabilitative assistance. Active duty service members and their families are eligible to utilize health care services through Tricare, or Triwest depending on geographic region.Services are available on base from military providers, as well as through private care providers who require a co-payment. Also available to active duty members is Military OneSource, which provides a maximum of six free counseling sessions for service members and their families. Military OneSource has licensed counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also serves as informational resources, addressing topics such as relocation and finances (Fairweather ; Garcia, 2007). Veterans with PTSD often have other types of problems (U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010).They might have other stress, medical or mental health problems. Sometimes PTSD is overlooked when other problems seem very pressing (U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010). In Addition, a number of community organizations have been established to assist veterans and their families with adjustments to daily living brought about by combat incurred injuries such as PTSD. Swords to Plowshares, Veterans for America, and Veterans and Families exemplify groups that offer a wide range of information, resources and services (Fairweather ; Garcia, 2007).The Marine Corps Community Services, The Coming Home Project, Operation First Response are some of the Internet-based health, family, employment and education, and benefit, advocacy, and general resources to meet the needs of veterans with PTSD and their families compiled from research (Fairweather and Garcia (2007, Yeoman, 2008). According to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA provides nearly 200 specialized PTSD treatment programs referral is usually needed (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010).Each PTSD program offers education, evaluation, and treatment, some of the program services include: One to one mental assessment and testing, medicines, one to one psychotherapy and also family therapy, and group therapy which covers topics such as anger and stress, combat support, partners or groups for Veterans of special conflicts (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010). The VA also offers specialized outpatient PTSD programs (SOPPs) and specialized intensive PTSD programs (SIPPs).Congress has in fact passed some notable legislation aimed directly at improving mental health care and quality of life for combat veterans (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012). The  Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010  provides financial support for family members of injured veterans who are now responsible for caring for their loved ones who have returned with lifelong disabilities (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012). The VOW to Hire Heroes Act  provides tax credits for businesses hiring veterans and is an important step in working to lower the al armingly high veteran’s unemployment rate (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012).The  COMBAT PTSD Act  has died in two previous sessions of Congress and remains in committee in the current legislative session (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012). As it stands today, a veteran must be deemed to have had â€Å"combat with the enemy† to be entitled to compensation for mental health conditions (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012). What constitutes â€Å"combat with the enemy† is extremely vague, making it difficult for some veterans suffering from PTSD to have their injury recognized by the VA (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012).The COMBAT PTSD Act would broaden the definition to include all veterans who served in a theater of combat operation during a time of war (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012). Civilian clinics and their physicians, who are responsible for treating combat stress-related injuries for the  millions of veterans  who receive care outside of the VA system, would benefit greatly from additional training (Wilcox-Fogel, 2 012). The inclusion of cognitive behavioral therapy in treatments covered by TRICARE for veterans diagnosed with TBI would improve the affordability of crucial rehabilitative care for thousands of veterans (Wilcox-Fogel, 2012).Reference Page Loo, C. (2007) PTSD Among Ethnic Minority Veterans retrieved from www. ptds. va. gov â€Å"Soldiers' Mental Health. †Ã‚  Issues ; Controversies On File:  n. pag. Issues ; Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 11 May 2007. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. http://www. 2facts. com/article/i1200260 U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2010) PTSD Programs in the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Retrieved from www. ptsd. va. gov Wilcox-Fogel, N. (2012) Despite combat PTSD Act, congress is falling short in providing for veterans with PTSD retrieved from www. policymic. com

Dos and Donts of Social Security Disability Video

Dos and Donts of Social Security Disability Video Do’s and Don’ts of Social Security Disability Video Applying for Social Security Disability can be a complicated process.   If you or a relative or friend is considering applying for benefits, you may be wondering what you should do to have the best outcome.There’s a lot involved in the process, and many tips and steps to remember. To help simplify this, we’ve created an engaging video that explains the main do’s and don’ts of the application process. These simple, yet effective tips are important to keep in mind before, during and after the application process.Check out the video today and share with your loved ones to help them on the journey to receiving benefits. Also, be sure to download our SSD Process Infographic.We Can HelpIf you are disabled and unable to work, call  Disability Attorneys of Michigan  for a free confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check and help you determine if any money or assets you receive could impact your eligibility for disability benefits.Disability Attorneys of Michigan  works hard every day helping the disabled of Michigan seek the  Social Security Disability Benefits  they need. If you are unable to work due to a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment, call  Disability Attorneys of Michigan  now for a free consultation at  800-701- 5524.Let Michigan’s experienced Social Security Disability law firm help you get the benefits you deserve.

rigoletto essays

rigoletto essays I attended the opera Rigoletto at the New York State Theater. Rigoletto was composed by Giuseppe Verdi and it was first performed in 1851, during the Romantic period. Act I of Rigoletto starts out in duple meter and sounds very dramatic, as if something dark and mysterious is going to happen. I think the dynamics play a role in this mood because of the constant changing from loud to soft. This act starts with an overture since the beginning is instrumental. All of a sudden, still in duple meter, the music turns lively as if the first part had nothing to do with it and the texture becomes homophonic as the opera singers come in. The music is lively because the Duke is holding a party. At the party, the Duke leaves with the Countess of Ceprano and Rigoletto, the court jester, starts making fun of the Count of Ceprano. The Count gets angry and hears that Rigoletto has a young lover so the Count plans to kidnap her. Towards the end of the party, the Count of Monterone enters and accuses the Duke of seducing his daughter. The Duke has him arrested and Rigoletto makes fun of him also. The Count then sings an aria where he is cursing both Rig oletto and the Duke. After the party, Rigoletto goes home to Gilda, who is really his daughter, not his lover. He talks to her for a while and then leaves. The Duke then enters and, posing as a student, seduces Gilda until he hears some noises outside and leaves. Upon his departure, Gilda sings an aria in coloratura about her new lover. The noise happens to come from the men who are planning to kidnap Rigolettos lover. Rigoletto returns unexpectedly so they blindfold him and lead him to believe that they are kidnapping the Countess of Ceprano for the Duke. The act ends with the trumpets in full blast as Rigoletto hears his daughter calling for help and he realizes what has happened. In Act II, the music starts out in duple meter, changes to triple meter, and goe...

Why Hire a Freelance Writer When You Can Do It Yourself

Why Hire a Freelance Writer When You Can Do It Yourself Why Hire a Freelance Writer When You Can Do It Yourself There are times when our schedules are overloaded, or calendars booked, and we simply have more important matters to attend to, and in these times it makes sense to hire a freelance writer to help. However, there are also times when it is not in our best interest to spend money on engaging a professional. Knowing the difference will save you money and possibly help you down the road. The Assignment Topic is Important to Your Future Career If the subject matter or topic of the assignment is closely related to your future career, you are only cheating yourself of knowledge you may need in the future if you hire a freelancer to write the paper for you. You Have Ample Time to Complete the Assignment If you have a month to go before the paper is due, it is likely you have days to finish the paper. Now is the time to learn and practice those all important time management skills. Get timeline together and set goals for each part of the writing process. Mark them on your calendar and treat them as real assignments. Good time management habits will be very useful now and in the future as they are the hallmark of the successful. You Have No Other Projects or Urgent Work If you have no other large projects going on, you probably do not have a strong need to hire a writer, so why do so. If you hire a writer when it is not needed, not only do you miss out on learning experiences, but you waste money as well. Success takes more than making money, just ask Kanye West who made millions and is still broke and in debt. Money management skills matter. Completing the Paper Will Allow You to Pass the Final Exam If your final exam relies on learning the material in the paper, it is in your best interest to write the paper yourself. If you need to present the material, have a discussion about it, or answer questions about the paper later, it is not enough to only read the paper, you must know the research behind the paper to be able to give in-depth answers. Even if you have the time, and no other projects going on, everyone needs guidance from time to time. Instead of hiring a writer to write the paper for you, you can order a model paper. A model paper will show you the formal flow and other necessary details of your target paper, while you write the actual paper. You have the security and time saving help of getting the writing details and design from the model paper, but you still do the research and learn the subject matter, being completely involved in the writing process. It is just a little bit of extra support, at a fraction of the cost of hiring a freelance writer, and you can feel good about that.

To what extent does the variety of capitalism prevailing in a Essay

To what extent does the variety of capitalism prevailing in a particular economy determine the choice of HR policies by organisations in that economy Give re - Essay Example Hall and David (2001) agree with this idea completely since they place the firm at the centre of economic activity in any society. HR and Business related activities like training and education of labour, bargaining with unions, capital and asset acquisitions, even interactions with other companies are connected with the flavour of capitalism used in the economy. Naturally, firms in the country would tend to move towards a system which has inherent support from the national institutions and the government. Over a long period of time, the business processes and the HR policies would become mirrors to the methods used by the political and social institutions of the country. The history of capitalism itself is quite recent since during the 1960s, the word ‘capitalism’ was not prevalent in academic discussions. In fact, it was used by Russian and Chinese Communists to describe the economies of the western nations. During those times, the Conservatives talked about ‘free enterprise while the liberals used the term ‘mixed’ economy and anyone who put forward the idea that the economics of the society is the fundamental guiding principle of production and government were seen as materialists (Block, 1999). With time, the New Left took the term capitalism and applied it to the economies which stand in America, Canada, a large part of Europe and some parts of Asia. During the 1980s and 1990s, a lot of development took place in economic theory in international terms and economists began to see varieties of capitalism itself. The neo-liberal viewpoint that there is only one system of Capitalism in the world is put in doubt when examples are seen from Germany and Japan. One can see unionists sitting on the corporate boards of German companies and Japanese companies tend to focus more on stakeholders and employees than shareholders and clients (Block, 1999). At the same time, when the term ‘capitalism’ is used,

Quality of arguements vs persuader attractiveness Lab Report

Quality of arguements vs persuader attractiveness - Lab Report Example These cues are as follows: Reciprocation, "You owe me"; "Love me, love my ideas"; Authority, "Just because I say so"; and Scarcity, "Quick, before they're all gone" (Griffin 198). These cues are often the excuse people use when supporting or validating their actions. There are various factors involved which determine the route to be employed. These include the extent to which the concerned individual is involved in the issue. When the point is of "putting your money where your mouth is", one is more cautious. Argument quality manipulation is another factor. Whether arguments are presented as non biased facts or in a rhetoric manner each elicits a different cognitive response. The perceived ability of the concerned individual can also pose a barrier to processing the argument through central route. Several arguments are pre-tested in pilot experiments; those that elicit consistently favorable cognitive responses are labeled strong arguments and those that evoke consistently unfavorable cognitive responses become weak arguments. ... These cues are often the excuse people use when supporting or validating their actions. There are various factors involved which determine the route to be employed. These include the extent to which the concerned individual is involved in the issue. When the point is of "putting your money where your mouth is", one is more cautious. Argument quality manipulation is another factor. Whether arguments are presented as non biased facts or in a rhetoric manner each elicits a different cognitive response. The perceived ability of the concerned individual can also pose a barrier to processing the argument through central route. Several arguments are pre-tested in pilot experiments; those that elicit consistently favorable cognitive responses are labeled strong arguments and those that evoke consistently unfavorable cognitive responses become weak arguments. People tend to derive their self-esteem from the same traits that lead to social acceptance (e.g., competence, likability, attractiveness). Halo effects refer to instances in which information about one attribute influences judgments about other unrelated attributes. To the extent that even the violence depicted in media is most apt to be learned when an attractive perpetrator with whom the viewer can identify engages in justified and rewarded violence that fails to depict the harm suffered by the victim of the violence. People who enjoy thinking (i.e., those high in need for cognition; Cacioppo & Petty, 1982) on the other hand tend to form attitudes on the basis of the quality of the arguments in a message rather than on peripheral cues (see Cacioppo, Petty, & Morris, 1983). Individual differences also exist in the ability of people to think about a persuasive

Evolve Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Evolve - Article Example The worst decision that a company can make is to the same. However, maintaining the current business framework might have short-term benefits as it may help the company survive in the foreseen future. This however fails to generate the competitive advantage that is important for the long- term survival of the business. The bottom line is that companies need to change to ensure their prolonged survival through the recession. Companies are going through the worst recession in history and the only way they can survive through it is by changing the methods they use to carry out business. This also enables the company to gain a competitive advantage over its rivals in the market. Forces of globalization, increasing competition, changing customer needs and scarcity of resources have been mounting increasing pressure on businesses in the modern world to evolve (Pentilla, 2009). Generally, introducing and managing change in companies can be difficult. Therefore, companies need to be equipped with the necessary tools and adopt appropriate mechanisms effectively implement the change and adopt a new style of doing things. There are seven steps that can be followed by companies in the process to change their game. The first step is getting comfortable with the chaos in the current business environment. The forces of globalization and technological advancements lead to regular economic turbulence. This step begins by accepting that there is need to change the way things are done within an entity. It is important to note that there are continuous disruptions between periods of prosperity and economic downturns and companies cannot forecast when they are bound to occur. It is therefore important for companies to keep up with market trends and make relevant changes in their business model (Pentilla, 2009). The second step in effectively changing a company’s game is by reevaluating the customers’ values. The economic recession has led to a drastic change in the

Sales Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sales Presentation - Essay Example The Baderman Island Resort aims at providing maximum facilities to its valued customers. Therefore, for the convenience of guests, to save them from any communication issues, Interpreter will be available in the Main hotel. To save the precious time of guests, the main Hotel will provide an increased number of staff on the front desk to make checking in and out quick for the guests. The main hotel has an exotic food and beverages department which will cater the guests with their wonderful dishes. The hotel has many different cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and dining halls available for the convenience of guests. The main hotel is meant for families therefore it stresses on the availability of proper recreational facilities designed especially for families and children. Facilities like Baderman Island oasis spa, golf pro shop and Baderman Island Gift Boutique will be available for families. Kids can enjoy visiting the museum and the botanical gardens. Scuba diving and guided nature trips are yet another attraction for the families. Keeping in view the safety of guests, the hotel will hire extra staff trained in scuba diving and water skiing so that safety of children and other guests is ensured. First aid is also available in case of any unpleasant accident. The 400 participants who will not be accompanied with their spouses or families will be accommodated in the Meloncon Hotel. The Meloncon Hotel is meant to cater business travelers. It provides many facilities for business events such as this convention. Interpretation facility is available here. The Melancon Hotel will also honor the conference discounted rates. The hotel will increase its staff at the front desk to accommodate the guest’s convention check in and checkout needs to save the guest’s valueable time. The Melancon hotel is directly connected to the convention center so the guests will not have to cover long distance to reach the convention center.

Outsourcing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Outsourcing - Essay Example Subsequently, organizations attempting to compete globally in the 1970s and 1980s were handicapped by a lack of agility that resulted from bloated management structures (Corbett, 1996). However, most organisations were not totally self sufficient; they outsourced those functions for which they had no competency internally. Publishers, for example, have often purchased composition, printing, and fulfillment services. The use of external suppliers for these essential but ancillary services might be termed the baseline stage in the evolution of outsourcing. The main business purpose for outsourcing is to enhance the value of an organization's offerings to its customers (Earl, 1996). In the electronics industry, increased market competition identifies continuous adjustment and improvement in the production lines, outsourcing and supply chain management of companies. Interdependence and participation of suppliers and manufacturers in product design, innovation, as well as research and development characterize the current international business environment resulting to market volatility (Sobrero & Roberts, 2001; Appleyard, 2003). These organizations usually share proprietary corporate data with external suppliers and partners while ensuring maximum security to enhance efficiency across the product lifecycle by streamlining procurement, production, fulfilment, and distribution processes (Katsikeas, Schlegelmilch & Skarmeas, 2002) which requires integration of applications and data across multiple geographically dispersed supply chain partners, as well as internal integration with legacy systems (Katsikeas, Schlegelmilch & Skarmeas, 2002; Appleyard, 2003). Benefits Outsourcing manufacturing is one of vital business and supply chain strategies which are one way companies are revolutionising business operations to deliver better products faster at lowest cost possible (Domberger, 1998). It is a kind of supply chain collaboration model and strategic alliance approach, which allows the OEMs to concentrate on product development, sales and marketing (Bounfour, 2003). It eventually helps business organisations to gain competitive advantage of increased product availability, reduced inventory; minimized total logistics cost and rapidly introduce their product to market without a significant investment in plans for capital equipment (Arnold, 2000). Normally, there are two types of outsourced services, technology and business process. Each can be inert partial to the subsequent areas. The first type of outsourcing is the technology services. This type covers the electronic commerce (e-commerce), infrastructure (networks), software (applications), telecommunications and website development and hosting. The second type of outsourcing is the business process outsourcing. Under this type of outsourcing are customer contacts (customer relations management), equipment, finance/accounting, human resources, logistics, procurement/supply chain management and security. Lee et al (2002) stated that there have three major outsourcing drivers: (a) economic - expense reductions, cost control and

Sales Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sales Presentation - Essay Example The Baderman Island Resort aims at providing maximum facilities to its valued customers. Therefore, for the convenience of guests, to save them from any communication issues, Interpreter will be available in the Main hotel. To save the precious time of guests, the main Hotel will provide an increased number of staff on the front desk to make checking in and out quick for the guests. The main hotel has an exotic food and beverages department which will cater the guests with their wonderful dishes. The hotel has many different cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and dining halls available for the convenience of guests. The main hotel is meant for families therefore it stresses on the availability of proper recreational facilities designed especially for families and children. Facilities like Baderman Island oasis spa, golf pro shop and Baderman Island Gift Boutique will be available for families. Kids can enjoy visiting the museum and the botanical gardens. Scuba diving and guided nature trips are yet another attraction for the families. Keeping in view the safety of guests, the hotel will hire extra staff trained in scuba diving and water skiing so that safety of children and other guests is ensured. First aid is also available in case of any unpleasant accident. The 400 participants who will not be accompanied with their spouses or families will be accommodated in the Meloncon Hotel. The Meloncon Hotel is meant to cater business travelers. It provides many facilities for business events such as this convention. Interpretation facility is available here. The Melancon Hotel will also honor the conference discounted rates. The hotel will increase its staff at the front desk to accommodate the guest’s convention check in and checkout needs to save the guest’s valueable time. The Melancon hotel is directly connected to the convention center so the guests will not have to cover long distance to reach the convention center.

History of Berlin From a Science, Arts, and Culture Perspective Berlin Research Paper

History of Berlin From a Science, Arts, and Culture Perspective Berlin and Berlin Wall - Research Paper Example For example, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, which is an international and interdisciplinary research institute, offers opportunities for cultural and scientific research. Indeed, Berlin City has a wide history of technology, science, and scientists. In fact, some of the great scientists in the world hail from Berlin. Albert Einstein, Alexander von Humboldt, Otto Hahn, Max Planck, Robert Koch lived, worked and carried out their research in Berlin. Most significantly, their findings and innovations had a world impact that runs from one generation to another. Born in 1769 in Berlin, Alexander von Humboldt  is one of the most celebrated  scientists in Berlin. Alexander von Humboldt  had a particular interest in scientific research on geography and propagation of plants. As such, he conducted various studies and experiments in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, geology, and botany. He actually drew significant results where today, over 1,000 plants, ani mals, mountains, rivers and products carry his name. Additionally, Einstein, a physicist, invented the General Theory of Relativity and the discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect that gave him Nobel Prize â€Å"for his services to Theoretical Physics in 1921. His contributions formed the basis for modern electricity bringing Berlin into the world map in matters of science. Born in 1936, Gerhard Ertl won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his â€Å"studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces in 2007. He equally established the surface chemistry in Germany and his contribution to chemistry form the basis of chemical reactions (Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH Web). Another scientist from Berlin, Otto Hahn, and Lise Meitner started a research on the irradiation of uranium with neutrons. Together with Fritz Stra?mann, they succeeded in the first atom splitting in 1938. Indeed, in 1944, he won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for â€Å"his discovery of the fission of heavy (ur anium) nuclei as basis for the use of the nuclear energy†. His discovery was significant in the creation of nuclear bombs (Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH Web). Actually, Germany has the world’s largest neutron user community. We also have the Berlin Academy of Science that was founded in 1712 and the Academy of the Arts founded in 1696. To date, Berlin City has seven universities of applied sciences and more than 60 other institutions making it a 'capital of science' rich in academic life. We also have the Berlin Adlershof, which is a lighthouse scientific project, combining closely-connected exchanges of scientific ideas and cooperative agreements. Through scientific inventions, a turbine engine that could generate power for mills was introduced in Berlin. Moreover, in 1877, Furbish established the first chemical pulp mill in Berlin, Forest Fiber Co.  Equally, Berlin was the first federal State to have electric lights, the power for which was generated by the hydro electric power station from the Furbish Forest Fiber Mill (Bornstein Web). Today, Berlin has a highly complex transport subject to its diverse scientific innovations. In Berlin, numerous non-university institutes play a central role in the area of optical

McDonalds Marketing Plan Essay Example for Free

McDonalds Marketing Plan Essay I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY McDonald’s Philippines is a subsidiary of the Filipino-owned Golden Arches Development Corporation. The first Filipino McDonald’s to open for business was in the Morayta university districts in Manila during 1981. These days McDonald’s is operating over 150 restaurants throughout the islands of the Philippines. Being a 100% Filipino-owned franchise allows McDonald’s Philippines to be more agile and take quicker actions, making them an even more competitive force in the Filipino fast-food market. It is one of the leading fast-food chains internationally as well as in the Philippines, with a rapidly developing consumer brand and growing customer base. . It is a place for family togetherness organized around a common love of the traditional food. Its operating system is characterized by focusing on uniformity for consistent quality, the formation of partner relationship with its franchises and supplier to improve operating system innovatively and last but not least the introduction of new products. With its steady drive for improvement and consistently high quality, McDonald’s revolutionized the entire supply chain. Instead of regimenting its supplier and franchisees, McDonald’s expected commitment from them in terms of adherence and experimentation. The implemented, smooth operating chain of suppliers, McDonald’s corporate management and franchisees balances each other, creates an entrepreneurial spirit that added value, innovation, economics of scale, the bargaining power for advertising and purchasing, as well as new product and process ideas to the company. Additionally, all involved parties maintained a collective emphasis on disciplined quality standards. As years passed by, McDonald’s needed to adapt to industry changes by accomplishing some process design innovations in fruitful collaboration with its suppliers and franchisees. In this context, McDonald’s improved the chain’s chicken and fries’ quality and consistency by switching from raw to frozen delivered fries as well as the productivity of employee. Another major process enhancement was the introduction of the breakfast at McDonald’s. In this way, the corporation expanded its operating hours since it had to pay for rent, utilities and insurance 24 hours a day, anyways. The generation of a totally new business came along with the nice side effect that it again distinguishes itself from its competitors. This marketing plan is used in outlining the product, pricing, and distribution and promotion strategies to be implemented and executed during this time. It proposes a revitalization of the McDonald’s philosophy so as to focus on the quality of products and services for customer’s value and a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating habits, smart choices and education. The plan also outlines the structural issues that may arise during its implementation and execution, tactical initiatives to turn strategy into action. II. CHALLENGE Problem: Before, the company use grilled direct system. Which becomes the problem of the company because the customer always complaining about the quality of the product like chicken mcdo, when it is served to the customers it is not crispy because it stays longer in the warming bin, and also the patty of the burger, it is not juicy because it is not hot. The access of McDelivery to the call center is another problem of McDonalds because some times the information about on the location of the customer is wrong. Solution: Now a day the McDonald’s uses the Made for You (MFY) system. †¢ Food is made or prepared to actual customer demand, providing each and every burger only when it is needed just in time (JIT). †¢ It standardizes assembly of all sandwiches to one or two at a time. †¢ Requires minimal Human Decisions Making. †¢ It requires Behavioral change ⠝â€" Quality ⠝â€" Complete waste ⠝â€" Equipment ⠝â€" Standard procedure III. SITUATION ANALYSIS Company Analysis †¢ Goals – Develop a solution to improve kitchen layouts, people positioning and operational procedures for a better guest experience. In simple terms: our goal is to have a happy and satisfied customer. †¢ Focus – the company should focus on products and services. McDonald’s is a customer-oriented company that strives to offer Filipinos a combination of great tasting, quality food productions at value prices with excellent service. †¢ Values – Customer – driven, Malasakit, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellent. †¢ Strengths ⠝â€" Quality of the product, services and cleanliness of the store. ⠝â€" The service of the company is fast and accurate, and we believe that taking good care of our customers is the first vital step toward effective sales building. ⠝â€" Patents and Trademark ⠝â€" Branding such as through the use of logos, colours, slogan and other images. A key part of the McDonald’s brand is its ‘M’ logo otherwise known as ‘The Golden Arches’. †¢ Weaknesses ⠝â€" The competitors like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Burger King etc. ⠝â€" Lack of cooperation between the management and in the crews. †¢ Market Shares – McDonald’s has captured more than 40% share of the hamburger market in the Philippines. Customer Analysis †¢ Number – 30% is ages 60 and above, 20% is ages 1-15, 50% is ages 16 and above. This is the percentage of customer who are eating at the McDonald’s everyday especially during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. †¢ Type – Class B C †¢ Value Drivers – a part from our product and services. McDonald’s gives back to the community through the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC supports children’s development and well being through Bahay Bulilit and Bright Minds Read (BMR). Every happy meal purchase gives 50 centavos to RMHC. †¢ Decision process – The customer have a lot of decision making it is base of what they needs and wants, also the customer decide to buy a discounted product like in coupon and the mcsaver meals. Competitor Analysis †¢ Market Position No. 1 (Jollibee) No. 2 (McDonald’s) †¢ Strengths Lasang Pinoy Raw materials are environment friendly †¢ Weaknesses Jollibee has a poor service †¢ Market shares – Jollibee has captured more than 52% share of the hamburger market in the Philippines. SWOT ANALYSIS Strength †¢ Risk diversity †¢ Large market share †¢ Strong supply chain †¢ Promoting ethical conduct †¢ Competitive fast-food chain †¢ Attentive and friendly staff/crew’s †¢ Rigorous food safety standards †¢ Good reputation among customer †¢ Decentralized yet connected system †¢ Strong brand name, image and reputation †¢ Strong financial and performance and position †¢ Affordable prices and high quality products †¢ Nutritional information available on packaging †¢ Strong global presence and performance in the global marketplace †¢ Specialized training for managers known as the Hamburger University †¢ McDonalds Plan to Win focuses on people, product, place, price and promotion Weaknesses †¢ Unhealthy food image †¢ High staff turnover including top management †¢ Customer losses due to fierce competition †¢ Lack of access to the best natural resources †¢ Lack of access to key distribution channel Opportunities †¢ Growing health trends among consumers †¢ Joint ventures with retailers †¢ Consolidation of retailers likely, so better locations for franchisees †¢ Respond to social changes by innovation with in healthier lifestyle foods †¢ Strengthen its value proposition and offering, to encourage customers who visit coffee shops into McDonalds †¢ The new â€Å"formats†, Mccafe, having wi-fi internet links should help in attracting segments. Also installing children’s play-parks and its focus on educating consumers about health, fitness. †¢ International expansion into emerging market’s of other country †¢ Growth of the fast-food industry †¢ Low cost menu that will attract the customers †¢ Providing many promotional activities Threats †¢ Health professionals and consumer activists accuse McDonald’s of contributing to the country health issue of high cholesterol, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity †¢ McDonalds competitors threatened market share of the company both internationally and domestically †¢ Global recession and fluctuating foreign currencies †¢ Affordability of the competitors products †¢ Similar flavors and products of the competitors †¢ Competitors endorsers are much popular when it compares to McDonalds IV.Market Segmentation Market Segmentation is the process of splitting customer in to different groups, or segment within the customers with similar characteristics have similar needs. Geographical Segmentation Mcdonalds offered their services based on certain country basic food. Like Philippines McDonalds realized that Filipino basic food is rice which with fried chicken as its local basic food. Demographic/Psychographic Segmentation Demographic segmentation divided the market into groups based on variables like gender, age, nationality, religion; family life cycle and family size McDonald offered their services by segmented their customer base on age, religion and family life cycle. To offer the best service McDonalds still concern about variations due to differing tastes and cultural issues for their customer over the world. Behavioral Segmentation Behavioral segmentation focuses on dividing consumer based on their knowledge, attitudes, uses, benefit sought, or responses to company’s product. One of the best forms of segmentation is to divide buyers according to the different benefits that they want to get by purchasing the product. Usually people who look for in their product class or look for each benefit. For example, McDonald provide McDelivery for 24 hours, this is the only one delivery service that not stop even once in a while a day by just call it and order, after that within a minute it comes to your place with the food that still hot and fresh. V. Alternative Marketing Strategies McDonalds has seen recent success through a careful implementation of its â€Å"Plan to Win† strategy, which focuses on several key aspects of the business, namely increasing traffic to restaurants, providing everyday value to customers, innovating the company through the creation of new menu items, re-imaging the company’s look, as well as its marketing campaigns. McDonald’s Plan to Win is based on a core set of four main goals: †¢ Acquire more customers †¢ Get these customers to eat at McDonalds more often †¢ Develop more brand loyalty for the McDonalds brand †¢ Ultimately become more profitable Increasing restaurant visits Current market condition help the appearance of McDonalds as a low cost alternative to eating at more expensive restaurants in the minds of customers, which has consequently led to an increase in foot traffic at McDonalds franchises. McDonalds has addressed these conditions through an increase in advertising, specially displaying the company’s attention toward a diversified menu of low cost items. Such advertising serves to satisfy all four of goals of Plan to win program, drawing customer interest through a short display of the plethora of new menu options recently added, while also helping to change the look and feel of McDonalds in the minds of customers. Providing everyday value In order to create an overall feeling of value for customers to experience, McDonalds has released a modular value meal, where customers have the benefit of both low prices coupled with increased freedom when deciding on a meal. While traditional menu options emphasize a trade-off between ordering freedom and price, the McDonalds value menu provides customers with both all at once, helping customers associate the brand with good value. Innovating new menu items At the same time as their menu choices have become modular and less expensive, McDonalds is also creating value for customers by providing a diverse menu with many more ordering options. Customers can now expect an increase in health-conscious options by adding some vegetables in the burger and also they provide some dessert like apple pie or pineapple pie. McDonalds also provide a mccafe like ice mocha, ice latte, and cappuccino, Americano to provide some different variety of coffee to satisfy the customer. Marketing campaigns As well as considering the important of keeping customers informed of the continuing changes to the company through advertising media and social media dialogues, McDonalds also recognizes the value of maintaining an ongoing support system and training structure for each of its franchise operators. As mentioned above, McDonalds uses well defined, and measurable milestones to help their constituents meet company goals with as few inconsistencies as possible. McDonalds’ training programs have been continuously recognized for their excellence, and with the continuing changes being carried out throughout the company, this attention to the value of training is a terrific asset to the company. Re-imaging the restaurant Directly benefiting the company’s goals of brand development for the company, McDonalds is reenergizing their brand through an understanding of â€Å"brand power†, which is built on the cultivation of four key areas of the brand, brand identity, familiarity, specialness, and authority. Brand identity is defined as the set of characteristics that customers recognize your brand by; in McDonalds’ case these are speed, consistency, value, and variety. Brand identity works with brand familiarity, helping to expand the message that symbols of the company, or even the overall impact of advertisements themselves in reinforcing the identity of the brand in the minds of customers. If carefully managed, McDonalds can use their brand identity to make their investments in advertising go much further. Beyond this, brand specialness and authority continue the process, representing the perceptions of McDonalds as the company appears to customers. Ideally, McDonalds should leverage brand specialness and authority to clearly stand out as a distinct and trustworthy source of value, allowing customers to increase the value of the McDonalds brand through their positive interactions with the company. McDonald’s adopts different strategies to attract customers of different age groups, but still the main target remains to be children. So in order to attract them, McDonald’s use a key tool: the Happy Meals, which seem to fascinate children due to the toys included in the menu. In addition to this, they have a tie up with The Walt Disney Company for the Disney characters included in the menu, in order to make sure that they offer the kids a wide range of toy options. Moreover, McDonald’s provides the children with a special facility, unique for food venues and fast-food restaurants: a playground. This strategy is aimed at making McDonald’s a pleasant and fun environment for both kids and parents. Even the exterior of every restaurant is also strategically designed using bright colors to invite in the customer, especially kids who can easily be influenced by these aspects. So not only that the children like it, it is a chance for the parents to spend some â€Å"quality time† with their kids. Another aspect of their marketing strategy is the fact that every McDonald’s restaurant provides Wi–Fi facilities, a detail that adds to the attractive qualities and is aimed at teenage customers. In addition to this, what is representative for this chain is their clown mascot, Ronald McDonald, who is essential for creating the bond with children and entertaining them. They can even have private birthday parties in the facilities, again part of McDonald’s aim to induce happy memories in children’s minds, and to make them associate the McDonald’s brand and logo with happy moments. VI. Selected Marketing Strategy Product Suppliers are dedicated to providing McDonald’s with top quality material that is continually monitored for freshness and safety. McDonald’s uses regional suppliers to ensure that the freshness is delivered to customers in every product they buy. Food quality is keys at McDonald’s. They seek out fresh lettuce and tomatoes, onions and pickles, quality buns and potatoes, pure ground beef, select poultry and fish and wholesome dairy products. All of the beef, chicken and pork that are used are purchased from federally inspected facilities to ensure freshness, wholesomeness and peak quality when served to customers. Non-Vegetarian Ingredients Chicken The chicken products are made from high quality boned rib and leg meat and are covered in a specially seasoned, lightly battered coating. They are shaped in uniform sizes to ensure consistency in weight and value. Fish The fish products in McDonald’s Filet –O- Fish are 100% pure whole white fillets that are lightly breaded. Their exacting quality standards for fish surpass federal requirements. The ocean-fresh quality of Filet-O-Fish is a result of the process and ability to freeze the fish at sea to maintain freshness. Vegetarian Ingredients Vegetables McDonald’s use freshly shredded lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes in their restaurants. All their vegetable products are processed from high quality graded vegetables in a 100% dedicated vegetarian plant. Potatoes McDonald’s French fries are famous around the world. To make French fries, McDonald’s uses only the best potatoes available from their own potato farms. Their potato suppliers make many of the same nationally recognized brands of potato products to make customers feel that they are with their family at home. These potatoes are cut, blanched and processed on state-of-the-art processing lines to ensure maximum retention of nutrients. Their French fries and Potato Wedges are cooked at the plant in 100% vegetables cooking oil. Other Ingredients Cheese and other Dairy Products All dairy products like cheese, McShakes and Soft Serves are made from fresh dairy milk. All dairy products including cheese have a role to play in balanced diet because they contain a wide variety of essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, fat solubles, phosphorus, etc. McDonald’s uses a special blend of pasteurized American cheese to complement the flavor of their sandwiches. Buns McDonald’s uses buns made from locally grown wheat flour. They are baked locally and delivered fresh, several times each week to McDonald’s restaurants. Cooking Oil Food preparations are done in 100% refined vegetable oils at the restaurants plants. They use liquid oil and not hydrogenated oil. This means there are no TFAs or Trans Fatty Acids in the French Fries or any other products. Additionally, these vegetable oils contain some essential fatty acids necessary for growth. Quality Food quality is the crucial element at McDonald’s. Despite extensive and meticulous quality test at the suppliers end, all products are once again carefully scrutinized at the restaurant. Immaculate of quality allow for nothing but the best to reach customer’s tray. Their products are sourced from the highest quality ingredients, prepared hygienically and treated to regular quality checks such as the McDonald’s Inspection Program (QIP). Scope of Product Line Distribution (Place) Place, as an element of the marketing mix, is not just about the physical location or distribution points for products. It encompasses the management of a range of processes involved in bringing products to the end consumer. McDonald’s outlets are very evenly spread throughout the cities making them very accessible. Drive in and drive through options make McDonald’s products further convenient to the consumers. Intensive Distribution Distribution arrangements tend to be long term in nature. Because of this time horizon, channel decisions are usually classed as strategic, rather than tactical or operational ones. Many of McDonalds restaurants are open 24 hours per day which satisfies the customers needs and wants, especially for exists their hunger. This kind of distribution strategy is called intensive distribution, means marking the product available for sale through all possible channels of distribution. Intensive distribution is stocking the product in as many outlets as possible.† Promotion The promotions aspect of the marketing mix covers all types of marketing communications One of the methods employed is advertising, Advertising is conducted on TV, radio, in cinema, online, using poster sites and in the press for example in newspapers and magazines. Other promotional methods include sales promotions, point of sale display, merchandising, direct mail, loyalty schemes, door drops, etc. The skill in marketing communications is to develop a campaign which uses several of these methods in a way that provides the most effective results. For example, TV advertising makes people aware of a food item and press advertising provides more detail. This may be supported by in-store promotions to get people to try the product and a collectable promotional device to encourage them to keep on buying the item. At McDonalds the prime focus is on targeting children. In happy meals too which are targeted at children small toys are given along with the meal. Apart from this, various schemes for winning prices by way of lucky draws and also scratch cards are given when an order is placed on the various mean combos. VII. Conclusion Since the problem of McDonalds is about the customer that keeps on complaining for the quality and freshness of the products that is being served. Therefore I conclude that the company should use the MFY (Made for You) system, so that the food is made or prepared for the customer just in time with a good quality for a reasonable cost. The company should also provide a large number of riders to avoid late delivery.

Benefits Of Ict In Smes Information Technology Essay

Benefits Of Ict In Smes Information Technology Essay Introduction Research indicates that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers promising opportunities for organizations to meet the challenges of an ever-changing environment (Kapurubandara and Lawson, 2006). ICTs are recognized as key tools in management processes, having a remarkable potential to contribute to sustained competitive advantage for businesses (Ion and Andreea, 2008). In Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), ICT can be used as a business tool to reduce costs, create stronger links with customers, innovate and facilitate market niche (Kutlu and Ozturan, 2009). Although there are difficulties associated with the use ICT in SMEs, however this study highlights the benefits associated with the use of ICT a Nigerian SMEs and identifies some problems facing the Nigerian SME sector. Significance of SMEs The importance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) cannot be overlooked in the economic development of any country since SMEs play a critical role in every countrys economic development and Nigeria is no exception. SMEs have been fully recognized both in developed and developing countries as the main engine of economic growth and a major factor in promoting private sector development and partnership (Okongwu, 2001). SMEs are often seen as vital for the growth and innovation of dynamic economies as they create employment (Mutula and Brakel, 2006). They are flexible and can adapt quickly to changing market demands as supply situations help diversify economic activity that has significant contribution to imports and exports (Ongori, 2009). Thus, SMEs contribute more and more to the national and international economies of the world. According to Wattanapruttipaisan (2003), the significance of SMEs for growth, productivity and competitiveness of the economies in both developed and developing countries is universally recognized since SMEs contribute to improved living standards, bring about substantial local capital formation and achieve high level of productivity and capability. They are recognized as the principal means of achieving equitable and sustainable industrial diversification and dispersal. The contributions of SMEs to the Nigerian economy are not contestable as about 10% of the total manufacturing output and 70% of the industrial employment are by SMEs. SMEs also promote industrial and economic development through the utilization of local resources, production of intermediate goods and the transformation of rural technology (Aina, 2007). Nigerian SMEs do not only provide employment and income for majority of its citizens but also, SMEs are acknowledged as the breeding ground for domestic entrepreneurial capabilities, technical skills, technological innovativeness and managerial competencies for the private sector development (SMEDAN, 2005, Aina, 2007). The benefits of SMEs to any economy are easily noticeable as SMEs are known to contribute to the development of several economies in terms of output of goods and services, creation of jobs at relatively low capital cost, especially in the fast growing service sector and they provide a vehicle for the reduction of income disparities thus developing a pool of skilled or semi-skilled workers as a basis for the future industrial expansion (Aina, 2007). SMEs also improve forward and backward linkages between economically, socially and geographically diverse sectors of many economies and provide opportunities for development (SMEDAN, 2005). Therefore, the development of SMEs is an essential element in the growth strategy of most economies and holds particular significance for Nigeria. SMEs have been defined by SMEDAN as: Size Category Employment Assets (N million) excluding land and building 1 Micro Enterprises Less than 10 Less than 5 2 Small enterprises 10-49 5- less than 50 3 Medium enterprises 50-199 50- less than 500 (SMEDAN, 2005) In Nigeria, SMEs cover the entire range of economic activity within all sectors and share a number of common problems. These problems as identified by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and other similar studies include low market access to credit, poor information flow, discriminatory legislation, poor access to land, weak linkages among different sectors, weak operating capabilities in terms of skills, lack of knowledge and attitudes, lack of infrastructural facilities among others. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to a wide range of computerized technologies. ICT is any technology that enables communication and the electronic capturing, processing and transmission of information. These technologies include products and services such as desktop computers, laptops, handheld devices, wired or wireless intranet, business productivity software such as text editor and spreadsheet, enterprise software, data storage and security, network security and so on (Ashrafi and Murtaza, 2008). In Nigeria, commonly used ICTs include Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile phones, and smart cards. The Role of ICT in SMEs In the present knowledge-based economy, it is important for SMEs to adopt processes that would enable them provide services that would bring about competitive advantage. ICT has a significant positive impact on organizational performance (Maldeni and Jayasena, 2009). ICT is crucial to SMEs as it is a major catalyst and enabler of organizational change (Hazbo et al, 2008). Modern businesses are not possible without the use of ICT which is having a significant impact on the operations of SMEs and it is claimed to be essential for the survival and growth of economies in general (Berisha-Namanil, 2009). ICTs provide opportunities for business transformations (Chibelushi, 2008). It also provides SMEs the opportunity to conduct business anywhere (Jennex et al, 2004). It is commonly accepted that ICT provides many potential benefits to organizations so as to make them more efficient, effective and competitive (Fink and Disterer, 2006). ICT increases richness and reach (Evans and Wurster, 19 97). This refers to the way companies communicate, collaborate, conduct transactions internally with their customers, suppliers and distributors via the internet and the ability for local SMEs to participate in the digital economy (Golding, et al, 2008). According to Erumban and de Jong (2006), ICT has created a revolution by making the world seemingly smaller and improving potential economic growth. Pavic et al (2007) argue that SMEs have the opportunity to achieve a competitive advantage from the advances in ICT through innovation, marketing, efficiency gains, better quality and customer responsiveness. Also, Levy et al (2002) found some evidence which shows that SMEs act proactively in relation to the use of ICT. The European Commission (2008) state that SMEs could use ICT in order to grow and to become more innovative. The use of ICT in SMEs should be encouraged as it can help to improve technical and managerial skills, making available e-business solutions for SMEs and addressing the high cost of ownership of ICT equipment. Also, Love et al (2004) ascertains that the use of ICT provides many benefits to SMEs at different levels (operational level, tactical level and strategic level). In addition, Ongori (2009) states that the use of ICT would help change the way businesses operate in this era of globalization by changing business structures and increasing competition, creating competitive advantage for businesses and by changing business operations. Therefore, SMEs must have an ability to compete and dynamically respond to rapidly changing markets as it plays a significant role in an organizations growth and success. According to Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006), for survival in a competitive global economy and staying abreast, it is apparent that SMEs embrace ICT as it is becoming imperative for SMEs to gain competitive advantage and for stability in international markets. This implies that there are several benefits associated with the use of ICT. Benefits of ICT in SMEs The benefit of ICT cuts across all sectors of the economy and all the fields of human activities (Udo and Edoho, 2000). ICT can improve the standard of living and enhance business operations as well as organizational efficiency (Udo and Edoho, 2000). Appropriate use of ICT can assist SMEs to gain competitive advantage by reducing costs and improving core business processes. According to Brynjolfsson and Hitt (2000), the use of ICT can help to cut down the costs of coordination, communication, information processing and also enable efficient service provision at lower cost. ICT is a strategic tool that enables users to be efficient and effective (Sewanyana, 2009). The diffusion of ICT in many countries by different sectors of the economy have been found to have direct positive impact on the organizations efficiency and have led to more rapid acceleration of development in these countries (Achimugu et al, 2009). In Nigeria, preliminary investigations show that only few SMEs presently u se ICT. However, there has not been a formal study to ascertain the impact of ICT in these organizations. According to Fullanteli and Allegra (2003), ICT offer enterprises a wide range of possibilities for improving their competitiveness. They provide mechanisms for getting access to new market opportunities and specialized information services such as distance consulting, continuous training, new advisory modes, and so on. Organizations can exchange real-time information and build closer relationships with their customers, suppliers and business partners; customer can receive immediate feedback that allows companies to react fast to changing customer demands and recognising new market niches. This means that organizations that are able to exploit the potentials offered by ICT can handle innovative processes such as Supply Chain Management (SCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Knowledge Management (KM) more effectively (Fullanteli and Allegra, 2003). Since, ICT has been described as critical to the competitiveness and growth of SMEs (Apulu and Latham, 2009), it is important for it to be applied in the relevant manner in order to reap the far-reaching payoffs of ICT. Shiels et al (2003) state that technology would not lead to business growth except it is aligned with a business strategy. This means that having the right technology in the right place and at the right time would assist to improve business performance and also aid competitiveness and sustainability (Swift, 2009). Once ICT is integrated into a business process, it becomes a useful tool in many stages of the value chain (Swift, 2009). The use of ICT in SMEs helps to improve communication ability to exchange data, teamwork, customer relations services, market share and so on. It allows companies to obtain, process, accumulate and exchange information (Ion and Andreea, 2008). Another benefit of using ICT in SMEs is the fact that high efficiency is obtained in business transactions due to a fast and accurate processing of information (Ion and Andreea, 2008). Lal (2005) further states that web-enabled services increase the competitiveness of SMEs because they change the relationship with customers by creating a stronger link between firms and clients. The use of ICT in SMEs facilitates cooperation within the company, between the company and other firms. Similarly, Swift (2009) states that SMEs benefit from the use of ICT as it increases productivity, efficiency of internal business and operation and connects SMEs more easily and cheaply to external contact. Other benefits include increasing business competitiveness; vertical integration with other related initiatives, meeting stakeholders of various institutions; networking with other parties; creating of an enabling environment and the development of an internal competence in capturing market opportunities (Swift, 2009). Hence, the investment in ICT will result in increasing SMEs rates of sales and share of market, improve their Return on Investments (ROI), reduce cost and assist them to develop new products and/or markets. Chowdhury and Wolf (2003) argue that SMEs use ICTs both as input in the production process and in the transaction process selling their products or acquiring inputs. ICT enhances enterprise performance through indirect cost savings such as labour costs, increased labour productivity and direct cost reduction of firms input (Chowdhury and Wolf, 2003; Love et al, 2006). On top of these short-run impacts of ICT in the production process, the use of ICTs in the transaction process can foster input and output market expansion. However, in the long run ICT may have a bigger impact as it can completely restructure the production process and transaction methods and also increase flexibility and improve outputs (Chowdhury and Wolf, 2003). In order words, it can be concluded that ICTs can influence the performance of an enterprise in multifaceted ways. In addition, ICT has been widely perceived as major tools for kick-starting ailing economies and consequently in assisting developing societies to catch up with the developed world. ICT can assist groups that have lost out of the mainstream of development (Obijiofor et al, 2005). ICTs have valuable potentials for developing SMEs through more effective use and better integration in their business processes. This will bring about a change among SMEs and make them more competitive, innovative and also generate growth (Obijiofor et al, 2005). Nevertheless, several factors hinder SMEs from fully realizing these benefits. According to Liedholm (2002); Ducombe and Molla, (2009), SMEs especially in Africa suffer from many constraints related to an unfriendly policy and regulatory environment, lack of finance, lack of skills, access to markets and market information, lack of infrastructure among others and Nigerian SMEs is no exception. Problems of SMEs in Nigeria Several problems are militating against the development of SMEs in Nigeria. As a developing economy, one of the most worrying among these constraints is the issue of funding (Aina, 2007). This is because most banks are afraid of funding SMEs for the reason that they want to minimize their risk profile. Also, the Nigerian economic situation is not very attractive to investors (Aina, 2007). This forms a major constraint to SMEs growth in the country. In Nigeria, there is the problem of inadequate and inefficient infrastructural facilities, which tend to escalate costs of operation as SMEs are forced to resort to private provisioning of utilities such as water supply, electricity, and so on (Udechukwu, 2003). Other problems include lack of adequate credit for SMEs traceable to the reluctance of banks to extend credit as well as inadequate collateral by SME operators, weak demand for products arising from low and declining consumer purchasing power and lack of patronage of locally produced goods by those in authority (Onugu, 2005). All these problems hinder the effective use of ICT in Nigerian SMEs. Electricity constraint is a major factor that affects the use of ICT in Nigerian SMEs. In many rural areas, there are no electricity supplies; while in the towns and cities where there is electricity, its presence is limited. Electricity generation and distribution therefore negatively affect the diffusion levels of ICT in the country (Akpan-Obong, 2007). Nigerian population lacks access to electricity. Therefore unless power supply is stabilized, as well as expanded to the rural areas, electricity is likely to remain a key factor hindering the development of SMEs in Nigeria. There is also the problem of multiplicity of regulatory agencies and taxes which has always resulted in high cost of doing business, poor management practices and low entrepreneurial skill arising from inadequate educational and technical background of many SME owners (Udechukwu, 2003). Similarly, developmental policies weigh in favour of large firms and sometimes foreign owned firms leaving SMEs in a distressed and vulnerable position. Corruption, lack of transparency, very high bureaucratic costs and lack of government interest in supporting the roles of SMEs in national economic development and competitiveness. The most worrying of all among these challenges is funding. Most SMEs enterprises are not attractive prospects for banks as they want to minimize their risk profile. Also, In Nigeria, provision of public infrastructure is grossly inadequate and poor (Posu, 2006). Necessary telecommunication services, as public infrastructure, needed for meaningful investment are very expensive and inadequate. Research Method Case studies are the most common qualitative method used in information systems research (Cassell and Symon, 2004; Burns, 2000; Yin, 1993; Orlikowski and Baroudi, 1991). Sauer (1993) is of the opinion that research in information systems is best done by case study. A case study research is useful when a phenomenon and context are not clearly evident (Yin, 2003). It also allows us to study a phenomenon within its natural context (Yin, 2009). Therefore given the exploratory nature of this study, the qualitative case study approach is adopted. According to Yin (1994), case study methodology offers a means of testing existing theories while providing a probable analytic generalization. This study is based on primary research from interviews and secondary research including internal documents and academic sources. The case study was selected based on the size of the company, in accordance with the definition of SMEs in Nigeria and also based upon the post-ICT experience in the company. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather details of the SME. Questions related to the business aspects of the company, drivers for ICT adoption, barriers to ICT adoption, use of ICT, ICT infrastructure, competition and benefits of ICT were asked at some point in the interview. In terms of the analysis of the interviews, notes were compiled during each interview which gave an accurate reflection of the information gathered. In addition, some company documents were reviewed. Furthermore, extensive amount of secondary data was collected and reviewed from various sources which included books and academic journals. A general introduction to the organization involved is provided below , followed by a discussion on the benefits of ICT within the organization. The company in this paper has been given pseudonyms and some details of the company have been shrouded to maintain company confidentiality. Case Study MACO is a small manufacturing company located in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria and was established in 2003. Presently, the company has fourty employees all of which are full time workers. The companys goal is to satisfy its present and future customers by developing level of services superior to those of its competitors. MACOs vision is to satisfy customer needs by providing promt and efficient services and to create a secured and viable engineering solution to its customers. In 2005, the company decided to implement an ICT system called ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) due to the competitive nature of the market and the need to stand out from the crowd. Another reason behind the companys decision to use the new system was as a result of the challenges MACO was facing with its customers in terms of tendering and purchase processes and in the production capacity planning. The ERP system helps in the companys production capacity planning and control, so that the scheduling and resource allo cation for different projects can be planned ahead before the project begins. The ERP system has given MECO a huge opportunity. The company can now easily target new customers, survive and grow in this competitive climate and also build long term relationships with its customers. Discussion SMEs have been recognized for playing very important roles towards the economic growth, development and stability of several economies. SMEs play a vital role in employment generation and immensely contribute to the Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) of several countries (OECD, 2000). With reference to the case study presented above, it can be said that there are several benefits associated with the use of ICT. ICT offers SMEs a competitive edge over its competitors (for example increase in production capacity planning and control) hence, it is vital for Nigerian SMEs to use ICT. It should be regarded as a critical tool for SMEs competitiveness. Based on the literature review, some major factors that affect Nigerian SMEs are lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of electricity. Furthermore, lack of resources is another major factor. Hence, the Nigerian government should set up different agencies to look into the various problems associated with SMEs in Nigeria. The government can provide an enabling environment in which ICT can realize its full potential. They can help to address the problems and challenges of awareness and infrastructure under- development (Payne, 2001). Nowadays several organizations have moved from manual paper-based to ICTs for internal processing of information, and from telephony to ICTs for external communication. Thus access to ICT has provided people with a foundation for building up and applying knowledge globally and particularly in developing nations (Ani et al, 2007). Through the use of ICT, modern society has been described as an information age and the knowledge economy. In the present knowledge based economy, the use of ICT can to bring the same competitive advantage to small and medium sized enterprises as brought to large enterprises. ICTs are also making it possible for developing countries to participate in the world economy in ways that simply were not possible in the past. Hence, information and communication technologies should be regarded as a strategic tool in SMEs. The use of ICTs in SMEs should therefore, be considered as part of the wider informal to formal transition process for information systems. There is need for SMEs to undertake continuous improvement of their existing processes, products and services. They need to introduce products and services with extended capabilities to create more value for their customers (Hanif and Sajjad, 2009). On one hand, ICT provides all enterprises with a lot of opportunities for their business activities. On the other hand, SMEs have always been considered to be the major economic players and strong sources of economic growth. Therefore, it is apparent that the use of ICT in SMEs is critical in every economy including Nigeria. As a result of Nigerian SMEs not being fully ICT-enabled they are unable to keep up with the pace of globalization. Thus they are deprived of ways by which ICTs can improve it their business processes. ICTs have the potential to improve SMEs business processes as it brings about better insights. Hence, the government needs to address these issues to encourage ICT enabled SMEs. Nigeria can as well leapfrog from its present status of  under development to a fully developed global giant, as it cannot afford to stand alone (Elebeke, 2009). Todays business world has been deeply influenced by ICT and its application among business is widespread. ICT are rapidly changing global production, work and business methods and trade and consumption patterns in and between enterprises and consumers (Alam and Noor, 2009). Also, SMEs are often seen as a vital source of growth and innovation in a dynamic economy and consequently small businesses help to diversify the economy and at the same time create employment (Machacha, 2002, Banda et al, 2004). Therefore, the ability for SMEs to survive in an increasingly competitive global environment is largely dependent upon their capacity to leverage technologies. Conclusion and Recommendations The use of ICT can provide a platform for future growth of SMEs however; the use of ICT in Nigerian SMEs is relatively low due to many factors militating against their growth. For Nigerian SMEs to effectively use ICT, technological infrastrucures should be put in place by the government to support ICT use. Based on the literature review and case study, it is certain that there are several benefits associated with the use of ICT. Hence, effective use of ICT in Nigeria SMEs would bring about enormous opportunities for these SMEs. Therefore, for an SME to set itself apart from its competitors and also have a sustainable competitive advantage there is a need to invest in ICT. There is also a need for the government to intensify the efforts of promoting the use of ICT in Nigerian SMEs since ICT is known to improve managerial practices in SMEs and also assist SMEs to grow and become more innovative. Finally, the Nigerian government must invest largely in the SME sector by making more funds available to SMEs and putting structures in place to ensure a successful investment. The integration of ICT in Nigerian SMEs would help integrate these SMEs into the world IT village.