Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Decision Making - Essay Example It discusses the key decisions and information needs. Next, it highlights the importance of the marketing department and other employees of the organization. As the report continues, it provides a market research plan for Grand Days Out plc which can be used to attract older population. At the end, it discusses the importance of understanding consumer buying behaviour and the consumer decision-making process. There are many matters that a business needs to concentrate on. However, some of the matters need more attention than others. Critical Success Factors are those important areas of activity that need to be performed well with full attention in order for a business to achieve its goals. (MindTools) The goal of our company, as you all know, is to increase our market share and compete with the strong competition out there. However, we are not at a stage where we can put a lot at risk. There are many Critical Success Factors that you all might think are critical for the company, however, according to me, the three critical success factors are firstly, attracting the grey euro, increasing company morale and retaining current customer. The following diagrams summarize the three Critical Success Factors, the key decisions and their information needs briefly. The first Critical Success Factor is attracting the futur... customers have always been the younger market, in order to attract the older population, our marketing department will have to change the way our potential customers see our services. Therefore, our key decision is to change our marketing mix so that newer markets (grey euro) can be attracted. In order to change our marketing mix, we will have to carry out a market research and study our target market thoroughly so that we can design our advertisement campaign and our services accordingly. Our information requirements are therefore sources of information on these people, their requirements and how we fulfill them. We can use primary and secondary research to collect this data. Secondary research can be used to find out older population's statistic. Primary research can be used to find out their requirement. This could include carrying out focus groups, one-to-one interviews and surveys with randomly selected respondents between the ages of 50-60. This research will help us figure out the niche in the market and what our target customers want from our services. Our second Critical Success Factor is increasing the morale of the company employees. This is absolutely necessary in order to increase productivity and hence, efficiency. For this, our key decisions will be to invest in training and development of skills of our present employees and also provide the staff with benefits. However, it is not as simple as this. We need to carry out research to find out what areas our staff needs training programs for and what motivates them. Some employees can be motivated by monetary while the others can be motivated by non monetary benefits. By carrying out this research, we can find out exactly what will increase our staff's morale. Interviews, observation and surveys can be

Epidemiology of the Influenza Virus

Epidemiology of the Influenza Virus Hector Lucca Instructor: Leslie Greenberg The influenza virus, colloquially referred to as the flu, is a standout amongst the most well-known infectious processes in individuals of all ages and demographics. The central focus of this paper is to investigate the methodology of disease transmission for the influenza virus. To altogether comprehend the organism there are a few features to be examined. This includes identifying the virus itself through the distinguishing signs or symptoms, mode of transmission, complications and available means of treatment. The demographics affected will likewise be inspected through current information of mortality and morbidity, pervasiveness and rate of infection. An intensive examination will be made of the social determinants of health and how those components factor into the ailment along with the epidemiologic triangle in relation to the flu infection and the chain of contamination. Lastly the roles of the community health nurse and public aid as they relate to the treatment and response to the viral impact will be reviewed. The flu arrives in various outbreaks episodes of variable range yearly. To accurately describe Influenza we must incorporate details on what causes the infection. The flu is an intense respiratory disease brought about by influenza A or B infections, most often occurring during the span of the winter months. (CDC, 2015) The infection lives in the respiratory discharges of an infected individual and is spread through droplets caused by talking, hacking or wheezing. (CDC, 2015) These respiratory droplets then land in the mucous membranes of individuals close-by or are spread through a non-tainted individual touching a surface or article of clothing with the organism on it and after that touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth. (CDC, 2015) The virus can continue to shed for 5-10 days. (Dolin, 2015) The incubation period, from the time one is infected to displaying symptoms of infection is 2 days. (WHO, 2014) Signs and symptoms of influenza are a fever or feeling hot, coughing, sore thro at, runny nose, headaches, weariness, emesis, and loose bowels. (CDC, 2015) Complications of this seasons flu virus can include bacterial pneumonia, ear contaminations, sinus diseases, and dehydration. (CDC,2015) pneumonia is the most widely recognized complication and is more regular in those with debilitated and susceptible systems. (CDC, 2015) Prevention with inoculation is an effective way to fight infection and the complications that come with it. Treatment choices for most incorporates treating the symptoms; by resting, increasing intake of liquids, taking acetaminophen, and cough remedies. (CDC, 2015) Antiviral medicines, such as Tamiflu, can diminish the seriousness and length of time of symptoms by a day and this prescription is ordered in the off chance that you have had influenza symptoms for more than 48 hours and you have complications related to contracting the flu. The demographic of interest is juveniles and the elderly. Although death tolls related to Influenza contraction is â€Å"usually disproportionately higher among elderly individuals and infants during influenza epidemics, a shift in the age distribution are seen during pandemics.† (Dolin 2015) Nurses are at risk for infection as well. The World Health organization states that â€Å"vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals. High risk individuals are pregnant females, the young 6 months to 5 years, the elderly over 65 years of age, individuals with chronic conditions, for example, diabetes, and healthcare workers. (WHO 2014) As indicated by the Healthy People 2020 the social determinants of health are: Economic Stability Education Social and Community Context Health and Health Care Neighborhood and Built Environment. These determinants of wellbeing have an effect on the infection rate of flu. There has been broad research on how social and financial circumstance assumes a significant part in the general health status of an individual, family and the community at large. As indicated by the WHO there is a relationship between habitations in devastated or overcrowded neighborhoods and increased risk of poor health status results and transferrable illnesses. (WHO, 2014). Absence of access, or restricted access, to health resources enormously affects the individual’s wellbeing. Case in point, when people dont have health insurance, they are less inclined to take an interest in preventive care and are more prone to defer therapeutic treatment. The time of year or season is one of the greatest natural elements for influenza transmission in the United States. Regular occurrence of influenza happens predominately in the winter months from October to March. Individuals have a tendency to invest more energy inside and are exposed to a higher amassing of airborne viruses. Dry climate can dry out nasal passages which results in making them more vulnerable to airborne infections. Individual observation of infection precautions assumes a large part in community health management of infections. Case in point, if a man gets this seasons flu virus immunization his or her danger of getting the flu infection is significantly reduced. An individual has some control over how to decrease danger of this seasons flu virus by honing hand washing skills, covering the mouth when coughing and getting the prescribed measure of rest and reduction of every day stressors. The epidemiological triangle model for understanding and visualizing a transmittable illness depicts the communication of the agent, host and environment giving a visual guide in controlling and keeping the transmission at bay by disturbing the equalization of this triangle. The Influenza virus (A, B and C) is the causative agent. Human beings are the primary host of the flu infection. Viruses have a genetic core, yet no real way to replicate itself. The virus attacks a host cell and assumes control over the cells capacity to reproduce. Influenza viruses are very versatile and resilient. Low temperature and low humidity support drop transmission. This clarifies the rationale for the seasonal nature of the virus. In tropical climates flu infection rates are connected with increased precipitation. Individuals invest more energy inside during harsh weather and cool climate expanding human to human interactions, in turn increasing exposure to the beads which convey the influenza infectio n. The extremely immunocompromised can be contagious for a considerable length of time. The epidemiologic triangle is utilized to break the chain of the flu disease. Immunization makes the host less susceptible against the influenza infection, observing good hygiene breaks the chain of transmission from reservoir or tainted individual to the next host. (CDC 2014). The Institute of Medicine characterizes general wellbeing as what the general public does, by and large to guarantee the conditions in which individual can be healthy. (IOM n.d.). The Public Health Nurse is the foundation of the public health system’s framework. A nurse can use the epidemiologic triangle alongside the nursing procedure to lessen the effects and quantities of flu cases in their communities. The assessment phase is utilized to gather and dissect information about the flu infection and to distinguish community needs and accessible assets. Through the gathering and interpretation of information on the flu infection in the community the nurse has the capacity take part in flu case findings and serves to monitor trends. The diagnostic phase is the used to translate data and is the premise for execution of care and interventional planning. The nurse via home visits has the capacity identify and plan for strategies to overcome hindrances to vaccination such as cost an d accessibility of service. Primary prevention would incorporate instruction on cleanliness, how the viral infection is transmitted, and inoculation. Secondary prevention incorporates distinguishing those in the community who are infected and conceivably the of caring for the individuals who are at most serious risk for getting an secondary infection by administration of antiviral medication. There are various associations which advance flu awareness and prevention, an example of such an association would be the CDC. The CDC formed a program called The Influenza Division International Program, which works collectively with other international entities like The World Health Organization and others to develop the capacity to react to pandemic and seasonal flu outbreaks. The Influenza Division Internationals plan is to decrease the risk factors of individuals contracting the flu by giving individuals and the overall population including health care professionals about transmission precautions, populaces at risk and the significance of seasonal influenza immunizations. The CDC reduces the dangers of a pandemic, restrains the spread of pandemic and seasonal influenza through week after week observation and evaluation of data. Through the utilization of the epidemiologic triangle the CDC has the capacity to: distinguish new strains of the flu, focus variables influencing indivi dual to individual transmission, the directions of infection as it spreads at the worldwide and neighborhood levels, and team up with organization on general wellbeing measures to breaking the chain of transmission. The CDC can advance the treatment of patients by perceiving variables connected with pathogenesis and clinical seriousness. An impact can be made on the general wellbeing of the population on a local or global scale. History has demonstrated the potential the influenza virus has to be incredibly destructive and its ability to evolve keeps public health organizations in close observation, advancement of new immunizations, and training on all levels from healthcare workers, communities and the citizen. By using the epidemiologic triangle to map the influenza virus in order to give a more all encompassing picture of communicable disease, both the individual health care professional and the public health organization can help stem the tide against a potent viral agent. REFERENCES Center for Disease Control. (2015, April). RetrievedJune 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/flu.pdf Dolin, R. (2015). UpToDate: Epidemiology of influenza, Retrieved June 20, 2015 from http://cursoenarm.net/UPTODATE/contents/mobipreview.htm?26/30/27119?source=see_link Public Health Institute of Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/Global/Topics/Public-Health.aspx Social Determinants of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health World Health Organization. (2014). WHO | The Determinants of Health. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/

A Class Called Peer Listening :: Personal Narrative Education Essays

A Class Called Peer Listening Walking into a class called "Peer Listening" can certainly give a high school student a unique impression. It was my senior year of high school and all I wanted to do was take easy classes to finish off the year, and that's all I had heard about this class, no homework, it's easy, a "blow off class", so naturally it seemed to be the perfect class. Mr. Bihl I had known for a year and I found him to be a genuinely interesting, understanding person. I walked in the classroom and took the nearest seat to the window side of the room and waited to see who else was in my class. Bill walked in the door, he was a hockey player, jock and all around high achiever. Then came Lauren who was in the same "crowd" as Bill, but with those who liked to live a little more dangerously. Many of them have been into drugs in the past. Next Michelle, who I have heard a lot of rumors about, she is only sixteen and living with her boyfriend in their own apartment. After a minute or two, another kid named Bill strode through the door, he was an all around guy, he could fit into a group of people and manage to entertain them. Just as the bell rang, a girl named Nicole sat in the seat next to me. No one liked Nicole and I never really understood why. There were others that had come in, but most I didn't know. Once the bell had rung and I knew that none of my good friends were going to be in the class, the wave of dread washed over me. A whole semester of people I hardly knew. What a way to spend my senior year of high school! Once the class had started, there were only seventeen people. It was a very small class, compared to the rest of my classes, which topped thirty students. The classroom itself was located just inside the main hall leading to the entrance of the school. Room number 205. Inside, the classroom looked just like every other classroom in Clarkston High School, gray industrial carpeting speckled with burgundy, forest green, and an array of other colors. The walls were cinderblocks painted a hideous shade of off white, and lacked decorations. A gray Formica counter top lined one side of the classroom, complete with cabinets above and below.

The Shawshank Redemption: Movie Synopsis

A movie the calibre of The Shawshank Redemption only comes along once in a long time. The acting and story stand out in the mind of many critics as the best of all time. The novella written by Stephen King is what the movie was based upon and they are quite similar. Although there are similarities, the movie captivates and grabs the viewer as opposed to the novella, which seems to drag on a bit. Darabont's adaptation of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption turns an average novella into a theatrical masterpiece through the exclusion of unnecessary characters, the addition of an incredible musical score to add to the mood, a perfect adaptation of the setting and major characters, and a slightly different plot that solidifies the view of certain characters. Certain characters in the book were eliminated simply because they were not necessary. In the novella, there were many individuals who were only mentioned for a few seconds and forgotten just as quickly. The director does a good job cutting most of these out. For example, in the novella there was a character that raised a crow in his cell, Sherwood Bolton. In the movie this trait was given to another character that already existed, the librarian of the prison named Brooks Hadlen. This way, the director was able to get rid of an unnecessary character and make another character better. The novella made Brooks a hard-nosed person with little dialogue and no depth, the movie took the Brooks character and gave him different traits that make the viewer sympathize with him. The character of Brooks in the movie was released and later commits suicide, proving to be one of the truly sad moments in the film and also strengthens Red's point about being institutionalized: â€Å"They give you life, and that’s what they take—all of it that counts, anyway†. In the novella he was referring Sherwood Bolton, in the movie he instead refers to Brooks Hadlen, who the audience knows better than they would have known Bolton, who was only mentioned for a few seconds in the novella. In the movie, Andy was said to have a cellmate named Normadden, a native Indian who only stayed with Andy for a short time. This really detracts from the character of Andy who had pride in being alone and was always a mysterious character. With a cellmate this would be taken away. In turn, Normadden gave a clue for Andy's escape, saying the room was chilly, but this adds little to the novella and would just leave an undeveloped minor character in the movie that no one would feel or care for. Finally, the elimination of all the wardens that controlled the prison during Andy's stay got rid of a collection of unnecessary characters. The constant changing of Warden's during Andy's stay would have added confusion to the viewer, having to change focus to a new warden with different attributes. The movie only used the last warden from the book to watch over Andy the entire time he was in the prison. This gives the viewer time to grow to hate the warden for the various evil crimes he commits.

India Independence Day

India's Independence Day â€Å"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new†¦ India discovers herself again. † – Jawaharlal Nehru After more than two hundred years of British rule, India finally won back its freedom on 15th August, 1947. All the patriotic hearts rejoiced at seeing India becoming a sovereign nation and the triumph of hundreds and thousands of martyred souls. It was a birth of a new nation and a new beginning. The only fact that marred the happiness of the fruits by the blood of martyrs was the fact that the country was divided into India and Pakistan and the violent communal riots took away a number of lives. It was on the eve of 15th of August, 1947 that India tricolor flag was unfurled by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on the ramparts the Red Fort, Delhi. History In 1947, after the World War II, Britain could see that it no longer could hold its power over India. It was becoming increasingly difficult and Indian freedom fighters were in no mood to give up. With the international support also coming to an end, Britain decided to relive India from their power but not before June 1948. However, the impending independence more so enhanced the violence between Hindus and Muslims in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. The communal violence grew so large that it became impossible for new viceroy Lord Mountbatten to control it and as such, he advanced the date for the transfer of power, allowing less than six months for a mutually agreed plan for independence. Thus, India gained its independence on August 15, 1947 but not without paying a heavy price. Partition was done and a separate state for the Muslims was formed, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah being sworn in as Pakistan's first Governor General in Karachi. On the midnight of August 15, 1947 India was sworn in as an independent country with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the prime minister and viceroy then as Lord Mountbatten. The official ceremony took place in Delhi. Great leaders and freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Abul Kalam Azad Jinnah, B. R. Ambedkar and Master Tara Singh are few of the many to whom India owes its freedom. Celebrations The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the world's biggest democracy as a national holiday. All the schools and colleges across nation hoist the national flag on the rooftops and the buildings to symbolize the stature of the national flag as nation's pride. Not only the educational institutions but also offices and business areas celebrate this day. Since it is declared a national holiday by the government of India, all the institutions, government or otherwise, have holiday. People only go to offices to attend the flag hoisting ceremony. The Prime Minister addresses the Nation after the flag has been unfurled recounting the country's achievements of the year, discussing current major issues and future plans for the progress of the country. Kite-flying has also become a tradition on this day and people can be seen flying numerous kites of all colors, sizes and shapes symbolizing the freedom. Independence Day is celebrated throughout India and every corner of the country on 15th August every year. Independence Day is celebrated by every citizen of India irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is amazing to see how apart from the normal government offices and educational institutions the day is celebrated even in small colonies and associations. There are costume parties and people, old or young, men or women, dress up in a nationalistic way. There are many documentaries aired and grave of martyrs are paid respect. Every citizen does something or the other to mark this day of freedom. Media is not far behind as most of the channels telecast latest or classic films based on the independence theme. Also, there are patriotic programs that are organized and broadcasted. In short, every person in the country revels in the nationalistic pride. August 15, 1947, a red-letter day for the Indians, is celebrated with great fanfare and show, across the length and breadth of India. The day, which is a national holiday, is dedicated to all those brave freedom fighters who fetched India her due respect and the much desired independence from the British rule. People in the country honor them, for sacrificing their lives for the freedom of their motherland. The day is celebrated by hoisting national flag, flying kites and organizing cultural activities in educational institutions. If you want to know all about the history of Independence Day, then go through the following lines. History of Independence Day Before the 18th century, India's relationship with the West had been predominantly trade-related. All this changed, when the forces of the East India Company defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Calcutta. That signaled the arrival of the British as rulers. Until the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the East India Company, with the Governor General as its head, ruled the subcontinent. After that, the Crown took over the administration, with the Viceroy served as its representative. In the 20th century, the country witnessed the rise of many leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Banded under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and his doctrine of non-violence, the freedom struggle moved ahead with new vigor. Milestones like the Quit India Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Khilafat Movement and Gandhi's Dandi March brought the inevitable freedom closer. At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, read out the decisive speech, proclaiming India's independence from the British Empire. The moment ended three centuries of British rule over India. The land was no longer the summer retreat of British sahibs, who sneaked into the nation to fancy spices, shikar, elephants and snake-charmers, and ultimately ended up getting a stranglehold over the nation and torturing the natives in every possible way. Independence Day remained the sole national festival until India declared itself a republic in 1950. Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation, where we were responsible for ourselves. However, it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For many people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition between India and Pakistan was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it. That was six decades ago. Much has changed over the years – today the freedom struggle finds its place in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs. Politics has undergone a personality change from fiery idealism to a pragmatic cynicism. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark. Nonetheless, come August 15 and you will find the people forgetting the drudgery of everyday life for a while, and coming together to pay homage to the brave heroes of the freedom struggle and standing up for the National Anthem. Along with the soaring cadences of the anthem, the hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow are renewed in political speeches and replays of the deeds of those, who earned us our freedom. Independence Day is an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people, who sacrificed their lives to the cause. The day also marks the coming together of the states into one nation – India. This was probably our biggest diplomatic success.