GAP Analysis Essay Example for Free

GAP Analysis EssayMy calling of interest is _Energy Analyst_Please visit the O*NET Web site, and research the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that ar required for your desired profession. Complete the chart below to identify which of the KSAs you already have and which KSAs you need to acquire.KSA required in your desired job or professionDescription of how you meet this requirementIf you do not meet this requirement, how can you acquire it? Building and ConstructionKnowledegePast Work with Mario Sinicola Construction and Certified electricianCustomer Service and Personal ServiceExperience with Customers with CountryWide lendingGeneral Studies of Math, Physics, Design, and EnglishAquiring my Associates full stop in general business and working on bachelors in Energy Deductive ReasoningHave basic understanding to apply general rules to help the answer make senseNear slewI have two eyes with both of them having 18/20 visionSystem AnalysisTo obtain knowledge through work dwell and also studies through school to gain the information needed. Part 2 Goal SettingUsing your gap analysis and what you have learned in this phase, set 3 short-term goals to fill the gaps that you have in your KSAs and qualifications. Please make sure your goals are SMARTSpecificMeasurableAction-oriented (What action provide you take?)RealisticTimedGap in yourKSA qualificationsShort-term goal to fill the gapTime frame to be completedNo degree in analysis or basic businessFind a business and become an apprentice1.5 yearsObtain Business degree in data and Energy AnalysisUse exiting work and also lift others already working in the field and gain knowledge from there2 yearsGeneral StudiesContinue education through college6 monthsPart 3 Revised Elevator SpeechMy name is Gabriel Cheney currently I am a student at Colorado Technical University. I have been in the U.S. Army and also sales man for multiple types of businesses. I am currently working on my associates degree in gene ral business and looking to work towards a bachelor degree in Data Analysis. I currently am working at a small software company that develops and produces point of sale systems for salons across the world. I am looking to find a position in the company the will allow me to grow in this field that I wish to work in the future.

Nature is such a beautiful place Essay Example for Free

Nature is such a beautiful place Essay emotional state is graspting hard and expensive as the years atomic number 18 passing by. The prices on food, and other utility prices are going up. People gravel school, land and a family to look out for and do non have the time to whoop it up the simple things in deportment that earth has to offer which is spirit.In the render of An entrance to the Woods Wendell Berry. He admits to living such a fast paste of life that is hard to come back down to the ground and enjoy what is in front of him. People pass by things so quickly and dont pay attention that they fail to appreciate them. Once a person slows down, they could assemble what surrounds them. Nature is a good way to find yourself because it is easy to escape from the influence society has. Nature has remote of taking away the things that are stressing us and giving away a chance to become refreshed. In the middle of the afternoon I left off being reside at work, and drov e sixty or seventy miles an hour, hardly aware of the country I was passing through, because on the freeway one does not have to be. The landscape has been subdued so that one may drive over it as seventy miles per hour without whatsoever concession whatsoever to ones whereabouts. One might as well be flying. Though one is Kentucky one is not experiencing Kentucky. One is experiencing the highway, which might be in nearly any hill country east of the Mississippi. (Berry, 88)During berrys time in the woods, he writes A man enters and leaves the world naked. And it is only nakedor nearly so that he fanny enter and leave the wilderness. If he walks, that is and if he doesnt walk it can hardly be said that he has entered. He can fiddle only what he can carry the little that it takes to replace for a few hours or a few days an animals fur and teeth and claws and functioning instincts. And comparison to the usual traveler with his dependence on machines and highways and restaurant and m otelson the economy and the government, in shortthe man who walks into the wilderness is naked indeed. He leaves throne his work, his household, his duties, his comfortseven, if he comes alone, his words.Heimmerses himself in what he is not. It a kind of death. (Berry, 90) We came to this world naked, and that is how we should enter and leave the wilderness. If we walk using our feet and explore the wilderness thats how we can say that we entered the wilderness. The little that we bring to function, it is gone in a few hours or days. An animal uses its fur, teeth and animal instincts to survive versus a traveler that inevitably machines, highways and restaurants and motels. To be in the wilderness one has to leave behind the work, the household, duties and comforts and even his words. One has get out of its comfort zone, and use your own abilities to survive the wilderness. It is like taking a risk of death.Wendell Berry own experience where he is up and left civilization. The wo rk setting to enter a nature environment devoted to being self efficient on nature. Berry loved and respected nature, he cherished to develop his appreciation further, as he wanted it to evolve and understand for it. He wanted to know how nature worked, and learn its reason for being. Berrys goal was met through this put to work and it was gratifying experience to escape from moderation and become organic. Berry realizes the purpose of the trip, but the connection to nature cannot replace to connection to man.In the essay of why I went to the woods by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau tried to produce his own crops, to live from the labor of his own hands, and to get rid of all the complicating things that distracted him from lifes true meaning by living in the woods. Thoreau wanted time to read, write, and think. He wanted to make time for nature. And he wanted to running game himself, to see just how much he could simplify his life, to determine how much time he could save to do wh at he really wanted to do with every minute of everyday( Thoreau, 700)Thoreau mentions that he wants to live a deliberately life. To live deliberately means to take care and think of everything that you do in life, and not to do anything just for the heck of it. Everything that we do has to have a purpose and a meaning, and that is not a waste of time. slow down rather than to fixity up, to saver a few things fully rather than sample many things fleeting, and have time to decide what, in the long run of his shortlife, matters close to and why. (Thoreau, 700) I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essentials fact of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not live I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear nor did I wish to proactive resignation, unless it was quite necessary.I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spar tan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to write out a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it and publish its meanness to the world, or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. ( Thoreau, 701) By living in the woods he will be living a simple life away from civilization and to see his strength and weakness. By not being accustomed to that type of lifestyle he might die. When all hope is gone he realizes there are many things he have not tried. The simplest things in life could be and mean much more. Life is precious.

Study on the human kidney and kidney stones

Study on the human kidney and kidney muffinsThere atomic number 18 normally two kidneys in humans. The kidneys are small organs which can be found behind the abdominal cavity in a space called the retroperitoneum. They are approximately at the vertebral level of T12 to L3. The kidney participates in whole-body homeostasis, excretion and releases important hormones.Small, straightforward masses called kidney stones may form when salts or minerals, which are normally found in urine, become solid crystals privileged the kidney. These crystals are normally too small to be become aware of, and black market harmlessly out of the body. However, they can build up inside your kidney and form much larger kidney stones. If a stone becomes large enough, it may begin to move out of the kidney and progress by means of the ureter (a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). A kidney stone can become stuck at various parts of the ureter or kidney causing cark, infection and occ asionally kidney damage. These kidney stones can be in many contrastive shapes and sizes.The peak age for kidney stones is between 20 years old and 50 years old. The risk of having kidney stones in males is three to four times larger than in females. Other diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, chronic diarrhoea, or kidney cysts might increase the risk of having kidney stones as well. If the patient has previously had a kidney stone whence he/she will have a 50 percent chance of developing a nonher one within five years. A family history of kidney stones excessively increases the risk of developing kidney stones (cvstine stones).Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common quality of kidney stones present contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical complexes that can form kidney stones in the urinary parcel of land include u ric acid and the amino acid cystine. Dehydration from reduced fluid intake, excessive sweating, or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement may impart to the formation of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to kidney stone formation. Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary package these are cognize as struvite or infection stones. Ingesting too much sugar, salts, and/or protein may lead to the formation of kidney stones as well. This is due to protein containing amino acids (which includes cystine) fruit sugar is a sugar which whatsoever individuals metabolize into oxalate. Many different medical conditions may also lead to the formation of kidney stones. These medical conditions include gout (which results in an increased amount of uric acid in the urine and can lead to the formation of uric acid stones.), Hypercalciuria (too much calcium is abstracted from food and excreted into the urine, where it may form calcium ph osphate or calcium oxalate stones.), hyperparathyroidism, cystinuria and hyperoxaluria. Medication may also lead to kidney stone formation. These medications include some diuretics, some chemotherapy medicines for cancer and some medication used to treat HIV and AIDS.The presence of kidney stones may cause the patient to have symptoms of sudden pains in their abdomen, get back, or/and groin area. Renal colic may occur in severe cases, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones also cause blood to be present in urine this is caused by the kidney stone rubbing with the wall of the ureter. Sometimes symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty in urinating, and testicular pain may also occur. Fevers and chills may occur as well when the patient has kidney stones as well as an infection in the urinary tract.The diagnosis of kidney stones is surmise by the typical pattern of symptoms when other possible causes of the abdominal or side pains are excluded. Imaging test s are usually done to keep the diagnosis. There are 2 methods that can be used to detect kidney stones, the helical CT scan (which detects any obstruction in the urinary tract without any contrast material) and the intravenous pyelogram (IVP an X-ray of the abdomen along with the administration of contrast dye into the bloodstream). Helical CT scans have been shown to be a importantly more effective diagnostic tool than the IVP in the diagnosis of kidney or urinary tract stones. In pregnant women or those who should avoid radiation sickness exposure, an ultrasound examination may be done to help establish the diagnosis.There are many methods of removing a kidney stone. Most kidney stones eventually pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours, with ample fluid intake. Pain medications are used for symptom relief. For kidney stones that do not pass on their own, a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is often used. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up a large stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary system. Surgical techniques have also been developed to remove kidney stones when other treatment methods are not successful or helpful. This may be done through a small incision in the skin (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or through an instrument known as an ureteroscope, which is passed through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter.Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid the formation of kidney stones in the first place when possible. It can be particularly helpful to drink more water, since low fluid intake and dehydration are the major risk factors for kidney stone formation. Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individuals medical history, dietetical and lifestyle changes and/or medications are sometimes recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing further kidney stones.

Pain Management and Post Operative Care Case Studies

Pain Management and Post Operative Care Case StudiesThis is a scenario based essay in which two scenarios will be looked at. One is on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis tolerant and the other one is based on oesophageal reflux disorder and peptic ulcer unhealthiness. The clinical manifestations of these two health problems and post-operative make out of unhurrieds with these issues will be discussed in this paper. Complications of gastric diseases here in will also be discussedOsteoporosis also known as porous attire or fragile bone is a chronic form of metabolic bone disease characterized by a signifi tail assemblyt weakening in the organise of bone tissue and a low bone density (Brown and Edwards, 2012).This occurs when on that point is an imbalance between the bone formation and bone resorption. Under normal circumstances, osteoblasts continuously deposit bones which are resorbed by osteoclasts. This process is termed remodelling. In this case, the rate of deposition equals that of resorption such that for the total bone mass remains continual .However in osteoporosis, the bone resorption exceeds bone formation which leads to thin, fragile bones that are subject to spontaneous pathological fracture ( Craft et al,2011 ).Osteoporosis has some take a chance factors which are classified as modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Some of the modifiable risk factors complicate low birth weight, cigarette smoking,malnutrition,low calcium intake, deficiency of vitamin D, dearth of oestrogen or androgen ,poor physical activity, some medications like steroids, anticonvulsants , vitamin A, and chronic conditions like thyroid, liver diseases as intimately as diabetes term the non-modifiable ones are race,sex,advanced aged,genetics,dementia, previous(prenominal) fractures as an adult(Kenny and Karen,2013).Osteoporosis is often regarded as a silent disease. This is because during the early stage, the bone loss is usually asymptomatic. At this point, Clai re may not realise that she has osteoporosis but as the disease progresses, her bones become weaker such that even a slight or sudden bump or fall results to a fracture of whatsoever the hip, vertebral or wrist.However,Acute back disquiet is one of the earliest clinical manifestations Claire will be experiencing. This occurs due to vertebral compression fracture. Groin or second joint pain may also occur due to hip fracture (Brown and Edwards, 2012).Osteoarthritis on the other hand climbs when the articular cartilage that protects the ends of bones in a joint begins to disintegrate. This disorder is more prevalent among the elderly and regarded as part of their aging process. Any localized wear and tear may make the situation and its symptom may be confined only in one joint. Early in the disease, the cartilage starts to break becoming roughened and hairlike thereby interfering with easy impetus.Cytokines which stimulate the release and production of an enzymes called proteas e are released( LeMone et al,2011)). This enzyme causes increase in the disintegration of the cartilage. To this end, the subchondral bone becomes damaged and exposed while cysts and osteophytes spurs developed around the margin of the bone. Osteophytes piece and cartilage starts to break off into the synovial cavity which further causes irritation and makes the joint space narrower. This exposes the osseous surfaces wherefore they, rub against each other ca utilise pain thus making the affected joint to become inflamed frequently (LeMone et al, 2011).Osteoarthritis has many clinical manifestations occurring due to bodys response to this degenerative change which ranges from mild discomfort to major disability. ( Brown and Edwards, 2012).some clinical manifestations Claire may experience may include joint pain.and swelling. It occurs due to weight bearing and movement. The pain may be unilateral and eventually becomes more perfect(a) as the degenerative changes progresses (Brown and Edwards, 2012 ).During the initial stage, this pain can be relieved by rest but as the disease advances, the pain may occur even at rest and Claires sleeping pattern may be interrupted as a result of joint discomfort. This joint discomfort may become more severe following a change in weather condition (Brown and Edwards, 2012).There will be limited joint movement due to loss of cartilage which is minute and worn and osteophytes developed. Also crepitus may be heard as the joints become irregular, rubbing against each other.Towards the end or middle joint of fingers, Claire may develop bony lumps known as herberden and bouchard nodes leading to structural deformity. (Brown and Edwards, 2012). pursuit Claires fracture repair, her post-operative nursing care and management are directed towards promoting safety, monitoring lively signs and applying the general principles of postoperative nursing care. The nurse will ensure that all the necessary safety equipments are near the pati ents bed side and in dear(p) working condition in case of emergency. Assess patients airway, circulation and breathing sounds for patency and check resilient signs and pulse oximetry for baseline (Perry et al, 2012). Determine patients pain level using the pain rating. This will reveal the character of pain and as well direct the nurse towards suitable interventions. Assessment of Claires neurological status is also of paramount important to ascertain the level of consciousness and movement of extremities (Perry et al, 2012). pursue IV access for patency and signs of infection, noting the rate to avoid insufficiency and overload. Check catheter drainage for patency, colour, amount, ensuring frequent nullifying and proper documentation in the intake and issue chart (Perry et al, 2012). Also neurovascular evaluatements of the affected extremity are very important in order to detect changes while movement restraints or activities related to the turning, localisation and extremit y support should be monitored closely and proper alignment and positioning to minimize discomfort and pain should be encouraged. Also, cast or dressings should be notice closely for signs of bleeding or drainage. It is pertinent to note that, any significant increase in the size of the drainage should be reported and documented (Perry et al, 2012).It is pass judgment that Claires mobility will be impaired following surgery. Therefore, frequent assessment of common complications of immobility like pressure insane formation, renal calculi, deep vena thrombosis, pneumonia, paralytic ileus and pulmonic embolism are necessary and appropriate measures taken to alleviate it must be taken. Some of these measures include two hourly change of patients position according to hospital policy .This can be done by instigateing in repositioning while stabilise the fracture site (Lewis et at,2006).Other measures can be deep breathing and coughing exercise, active range of motion exercise, prov iding TED socks as well as early ambulation. immobilizing of the elbow to prevent wrist supination and pronation is necessary while the nursing management should include steps to prevent or surmount oedema and regular neurovascular assessment. accomplishment should be supported and protected along with active movement of the fingers and thumb. This exercise helps reduce oedema, avert stiffness and increase venous return (Lewis et al, 2006). Active movement of the shoulder to prevent stiffness or contraction should be frequently performed by patient and must be encouraged. Deep venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism which may occur due to venous pooling can be alleviated by using techniques to promote lower limb blood flow. electric stimulation induced contractions have been shown to improve skeletal muscle movements preventing venous stasis and oedema (Broderick, 2010). Regularly assessing the pin insertion sites and providing pin site care as per hospital policy is highly important and any signs of infection like redness, purulent drainage and increases tenderness must be reported and documented ( LeMone et al,2011). order medications such as antibiotics and analgesics per physicians order must also be administered and charted. The patients may also require assistance with ADLs especially where the stronger hand is the one affected (Farrell Dempsey, 2011).Following Claires complain of pain, it is important to assess patients level of comfort and the character of her pain. This can be done by asking her intimately the precipitating factor, quality, radiation ,severity and timing and also asking patient to rate the pain level using a scale of 1 to 10.All this measures will assist to determine the type and level of pain the patient is experiencing and to decide the type and dose of prescribed analgesic that will best suit patients pain where there is a choice .It can also help to decide whether her pain can be managed with non- pharmacological measures like arm elevation, ice application or even finger exercises (Perry et al, 2012 ). After these measures have been taken, neurovascular status fine and patient still in severe pain, the nurse will check the last while patient was devoted analgesic, route ,dose, frequency and as such its powerfulness .This is to determine the need for another dose and if the dose need to be increased. However, earlier administration, the order must be checked by two nurses, the six rights of medication administration observed and patients identity confirmed using two identifiers such as name and date of birth for safety. After administration, the nurse will re-assess patient for effectiveness (Perry et al, 2012).Following Claires fracture and functional procedure, some of the post-operative complications she may experience include compartment syndrome, fat embolism, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pressure sore, paralytic ileus, renal calculi, loss of craving. This potential problems can be prevented by early ambulation which will help promote muscle tone, improve urinary and GIT, promote circulation to eliminate venous stasis and hasten wound healing (Mak et al, 2010). Additionally, problems associated with bony union and possible infection may occur. If adequate muscle and tissue coverage is not achieved following muscle and flap grafts, amputation may be needed (Mak et al, 2010).SCENARIO TWOGastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus which aggravates symptoms and alters ones quality of life. This structural change produces pyrosis and regurgitation. Reflux occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure is deficient or pressure in the stomach exceeds the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. This leads to reflux of back breaker, bile, pepsin and pancreatic enzymes thus resulting to an tarnish in the mucosal lining (Giorgi et al 2006).Peptic ulcer disease generally known as painful sore or ulcers is most ordinarily found in the proximal duodenum and also in the antrum of the stomach or lower oesophagus (Brown Edwards, 2012).normally, water, electrolytes and water soluble substances like glucose pass freely finished the mucosal barrier while acids and pepsin are denied entry. This defence mechanism can be altered in certain conditions allowing backflow of acid and pepsin. As hydrochloric acid or pepsin penetrates the mucosal barrier, the tissues are exposed to continue damage due to acid diffuses into the gastric wall. Ulcers may erode more deeply into the muscularis and then punch the wall. As erosion invades the blood vessel wall, bleeding takes place (Brown Edwards, 2012).This peptic ulcer disease has various clinical manifestations. Pain is one of the symptoms patient is experiencing. Its nature is typically described as burning, gnawing, aching or hunger-like and is often felt in the epigastric region, sometimes radiating to the back mainl y when the stomach is empty (WebMD,2014). The pain is usually relieved by eating or by ingestion of antacids. Other symptoms the patient may be presenting with are loose of appetite and weight loss, heartburn or regurgitation, vomiting. Chest pain or dysphagia, anaemia. As patients condition become more severe, there may be malaena .This occurs due to bleeding from perforated mucosal wall.Haematemesis may also result (Brown Edwards, 2012).Helicobacter pylori infection are amongst the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease which directly and indirectly weakens the protective mucosal lining of both the stomach and duodenum allowing easy access of acids to the sensitive areas. As this happens, the lining becomes irritated and wears off resulting to sore formation (Duggan Duggan, 2006). Other factors includes excessive intake of NSAIDS such as aspirin or ibuprofen,genetic,smoking,high consumption of alcohol and coffee, liver or lung diseases, starvation, stress and certain diets(Du ggan Duggan,2006).Histamine 2 receptor blockers like ranitidine are indicated for a patient with peptic ulcer disease. These drugs act by inhibiting histamine binding to the receptors on the gastric parietal cells to reduce or stop secretion. Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole which stops the acid secreting enzymes functioning as proton pump, disabling them for a period of 24hours also provides effective pain relief and promotes rapid ulcer healing (Brown Edwards, 2012).Antacids also stimulate gastric mucosal defences thereby aiding in ulcer healing. Other mucosa agents that can be helpful include sucralfate, Bismuth compounds and prostaglandin analogs (Brown Edwards, 2012).Many disease conditions can present with symptoms found in peptic ulcer thus making its diagnosing difficult. However to avert this, certain diagnostic procedures such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy need to done and the nursing care of a patient undergoing these procedure shall be explained in this part of the paper. Firstly, the nurse will ensure that consent is obtained, explain procedure to the patient, informing the patient his role.Prepre patients bowel by checking when last patient eat or drink, ensuring patient is on nil by mouth for 8hours prior to surgery (Perry et al, 2012).Depending on physicians order, patient may be on pass on fluid for 1 to two days pre- procedure and enema given the previous night to permit easy insertion and clear visualisation. Checks vital signs and assess oxygen saturation level to obtain baseline and to compare post-operatively. Provide patient with gown, carefully remove patients dentures and artificial prosthesis patient may have and storing them in a safe place (Perry et al, 2012). After the procedure, vital signs should be monitored closely especially temperature as sudden rise in temperature may indicate perforation, patients level of consciousness must be assessed to determine his ability to comprehend and follow instructions. Flatus, ab dominal discomfort, fever, rectal bleeding, chills, swallowing difficulty, malaena, hematemesis are common therefore should encourage patient to report if notice any (Brown Edwards, 2012).Assess patient bowel sound and swallowing reflexes and encourage to eat and drink when present. Normally patients are not allowed to drive or operate machinery 24hours following procedure, therefore nurse should ensure that patient is accompanied home by an identified driver (Perry et al, 2012,).In a case of rectal bleeding, the nurse will support patient to bed to ensure comfort. Check vital signs because any significant drop in blood pressure and sudden rise in heart rate may serve as a good indicator for severe blood loss. If noticed any deviation, patient appears weak and unstable, urgent fluid replacement with 0.9% normal saline must be given to replace fluid loss. Closely monitor his abdomen for tenderness and distension. If after all these measures his condition still remains the same, medi cal team must be alerted for further treatments (Craft et al, 2011)Putting in place the above nursing interventions will help alleviate pain and manage post op complications in patients. Nursing care considerations always need to be specifically befitting the patients condition and their current presenting problem. As in the above the care consideration for a patient with musculoskeletal problems is definitely different from the other patient with gastrointestinal system diseases.

Development of a Retail Leader: Wal-Mart

Development of a Retail Leader Wal-MartOne of the known industries all oer the world is Wal-Mart. Wal-mart is considered as a sell giant due to the federations victorful business over the years. With good management practices and unique commercialiseing strategies, Wal-Mart was able to operate successfully not only in the United States but also in international market (Hayden et al, 2002). Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was first established and founded by Sam Walton at Rogers, Arkansas in 1962. The business crop of the retail store was momentous that inwardly a span of seventeen years in operation, Wal-Mart had already topped annual sales at cardinal billion US dollars. By the end of January in 2002, Wal-Mart has been recognized as the largest retailer in the world a sales record of 218 billion US dollars. With this huge and continuous development, it is no wonder the retail store was able to operate at the global level. The global operation of Wal-Mart was marked by the organization of its first international store in 1991 at Mexico City (Govindarajan Gupta, 2001).Through its international reach, an estimate of angiotensin-converting enzyme hundred million customers atomic number 18 said to figure a Wal-Mart store found somewhere in the world. A total of 1.3 million associates worldwide argon employed by the company and are distributed within its 3,200 stores in the United States as well at over a thousand other stores in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, China, Germany, Korea and in the United Kingdom (Govindarajan Gupta, 2001).The retail stores of Wal-Mart are operated in different formats worldwide. In general, the business is divided into three main departments Wal-Mart Stores, Sams Club and International Stores. The Wal-Mart stores are further subdivided into Discount Stores, Supercenters and vicinity Markets. Sams Club on the other hand, is a business segment that consists of membership warehouse clubs. According to the New York carn ation Exchange (2005), Wal-Mart Stores operates ab bring out 1,478 Discount Stores, 1,471 Supercenters, 538 Sams Club and 64 Neighbourhood Markets within the United States as of January 31, 2004. In addition to this huge local operation, Wal-Mart and its international segment conducts retail operation within eight countries and Puerto Rico. Wal-Marts international segment is made into some(prenominal) formats, which include retail stores, restaurants, discount stores, Sams Club and Supercenters. Aside from these operations, Wal-Mart also owns a 37.8% unconsolidated minority interest in one of Japans retailers, The Seiyu, Ltd. (New York Stock Exchange, 2005).Strategic marketing Management Techniques of WalmartWal-Mart dominates the American retailing industry due to number of factors like its business model which is still a mystery and its effectuality in not letting the rivals let know about the weaknesses. Wal-Mart made strategic attempts in the its formulation to dominate the ret ail market where it has its presence, growth by expansion in the US and Internationally, create widespread name recognition and customer satisfaction in relation to brand name Wal-Mart and branching into natural sectors of retailing.It is learnt that Wal-Mart strives on three generic strategies consisting of Focus Strategy, the Differentiation Strategy and overall cost leadership.Managers strive hard to make their organizations unique, distinctive and identify samara success factors that will drive the customers to buy their overlaps.Thus, firm specific resources and capabilities are crucial in explaining the firms performance. The Resource Based View (RBV) explains competitive heterogeneity based on the premise that close competitors differ in their resources and capabilities in important and durable ways. The companys capability can be found through its functionality, reliable performance, like Wal-Mart superior logistics. (Helfat, 2002)Wal-Mart has firm infrastructure, well eq uipped in human resource with management professionals and technologically too.Any organizations thrive hard to be successful for which it needs to fuck off better resources and superior capabilities. Wal-Mart has strong RBV with economically and financially very strong enough to stand still in the time of crisis. Pereira states that dominating the retail market is its key strategy. Wal-Mart operates on low price strategy which is operated as every day low prices (EDLP) which builds trust among the customers.(Brunn, 2006)The strategy lies in purchasing the goods at humiliate prices and change the goods to customer at much lower prices, cutting the price as far as possible and increase the profit by increasing the number of sales. This ferociously increases the competition in the market and Wal-Mart competes with all its competitors till it is dominant it the market.Wal-Mart is expanding seriously and rapidly which is also its strategic goal. Wal-Mart employs over 1.3 associates, owns over 4000 stores out of which 3000 are in US and serves around 100 million customers weekly.Wal-Mart has acquired many international stores and merged with some super stores like ASDA in UK. Wal-Mart far flung communicate of retail outlets has ensured that Wal-Mart interacts with and has impact on virtually every locality within US. (Helfat, 2002)The expanded strategy has led the hunger of Wal-Mart to many European Countries. It is learnt that three countries with no Wal-Mart stores became part of corporations international presence wherein the domestic retail chains were taken over by Wal-Mart including 122 Woolco stores in Canada, 21 Wertkauf stores in Germany and 229 ASDA units in United Kingdom. The coup detat strategy by Wal-Mart keeps the company at forefront when entering into the new market and the number of competitors is also minimized. The strategies have helped the Wal-Mart to rein in number one position in international countries making it the largest retailer in the world.It is seen that Wal-Mart has significantly the Porters five force model wherein through proper strategic planning and strategic implementation has led to removal of barrier entry, rivalry from competitors and pricing norms. In regard to substitutes, Wal-Mart in order to achieve its aim of customer satisfaction has selling goods under its own legal brand. Wal-Marts big box phenomenon has changed the retailing industry in the United States which is often considered as discount stores and makes profit through broad(prenominal) volume of purchases and low markup on profits.(Parnell, 2008)Wal-Mart with its low cost and ever expanding strategy has made a dramatic impact since 1962 when Sam Walton first started his business. With this strategy, Wal-Mart has now over 4000 stores and outlets in US and other countries through acquisition and mergers.Marketing Performance managementMarketing performance management (MPM) is a term used by marketing professionals to describe the anal ysis and improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing. This is accomplished by focus on the alignment of marketing activities, strategies, and metrics with business goals.2 It involves the origin of a metrics framework to monitor marketing performance, and then develop and utilize marketing dashboards to manage marketing performance.3 This strategy is used by several companies such as IBM, Intel, and Citrix.345Performance management is one of the key processes applied to business operations such as manufacturing, logistics, and product development. The goals of performance management are to achieve key outcomes and objectives to optimize individual, group, or organizational performance. MPM however, is more specific. It focuses on measuring, managing, and analyzing marketing performance to maximize effectiveness and optimize the return of investment (ROI) of marketing.6 troika elements play a critical role in managing marketing performance-data, analytics, and metr ics.ConclusionWalmart has done a lot in the past in order to sterilize its position as a retail market leader. These include offering low prices, offering good customer service and constant innovation. However, lately the company has grappled with low customer traffic. Market saturation in the middle income market segment, poor international performance and bad public relations as a result of their employee practices. The company should adopt the following strategies in order to ensure future growth adopt penetrative strategies international markets, introduce good product packages for products favored by affluent clients and improve health insurance plans within the company. These will go a long way in sustaining the companys positions as the USs retail leader.And as the animosity against Wal-Mart becomes more widespread, here and in foreign countries, Wal-Mart is going to have to work harder to maintain their good reputation.Wal-Marts foundation will become more and more more im portant for giving things back to the community.In order for Wal-Mart to stay at the top of their game and follow the company strategy and achieve their key policy goals, they are going to have deal better with their stakeholders and make sure they guard their reputation well.

Gender Roles and Ideas :: Arab Women Culture Literature Essays

Gender Roles and IdeasThe Male Character in Arab Womens NovelsOften in literature authors, particularly men, are criticized for falsely or inaccurately portraying or authorship women. This debate has been historically confined to male authors, but is on occasion reversed and female authors are criticized for inaccurately writing men. Although it may sound like a fair tradeor at least the beginnings of one in the world of criticsthese situations are special(a) to primarily European and predominately North American literature. Examining the portrayal of men and the male sex as a whole, by women, is an important if not essential labour in this modern world, but where is comes to a point of being absolutely crucial is when it is the women authors of a world where they are second class citizens only because of their gender. If the writing of men in Arab womens novels can be understood at even the most basic level it may allow some discernment into what these women think and assume con sciously and subconsciously, about themselves and their position in society and about the inherent oppression that they deal with and resign themselves tono matter how washed-out or extreme the degree of the oppression, ranging from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.The purpose of this discourse is to first, examine and delineate the manner in which Arab women novelists portray or write men and second, to question the most relevant reasons why the women write them as they do. This will be accomplished by focusing mainly on three novels written by women from Jordan and Palestine with settings form Beirut to London.The first of these three novels is Fadia fakeers, Pillars of Salt. This story is set in Jordan before and during the British occupation and Mandate. The bind itself is broken into a number of chapters, each shifting between the voices of The Storyteller, Maha, and Um Saad, and Faqirs third-person. For purposes of ease in this discourse these short chapters will be grouped into vii i natural sections, as each five or six chapters between Maha and Um Saad is set off by an interlude from The Storyteller, who himself appears nine times altogether. In this book there is a large spectrum men that Faqir writes, but in terms of relevance to the topic above we will focus on the quest characters to illustrate how Faqir portrays the male sex The Storyteller, who could be argued as not being a man, but with very little success, as it is undoubtedly Faqirs intention to have the storys told by The Storyteller to be from a male perspective.

Golfing Happiness Essay -- Happiness Essays, Essay About Myself

For someone who claims to be a golfer, shooting a score in the mid 90s is not something to set up my friends about. Golf is a sport of honor, and to alert your friends to such a poor round would be like admitting your girlfriend dumped you, and it wasnt a mutual decision. However, t present is a single instance in which I dont care what the scorecard reflects playing with snick. Though some golfers prefer playing in tournaments with new, shiny drivers and caddies at their beck and call, Ill return key a round of golf with Nick, on perhaps the worst golf course known to man, Hillcrest Golf Club, over playing in any country-club tournament. Now, youve got to actualize my friend Nick. He already scored perfectly on the PSAT Math section his sophomore year, has a workaholic lawyer for a dad, and recently informed his parents that in placement of attending college he wants to become a postman...he already owns the perfect vehicle for the job a broken-down 1982 Jeep CJ5. His meteoric rise from hapless machine politician at the local par-3 course to All-Region Golf Team honors is also noteworthy. One must also take into account the misery that is Hillcrest Golf Club. Only here can someone find golfers so drunk they spin doughnuts on the 14th green and crash their cart into the lake. As a tractor pulled the cart from its infirm grave, one of the men was heard to say to his rescuers, Hey, I dont see my driver in my bag, yall better find it. Nor would you find male golfers over two cardinal fifty pounds with no shirt on wearing cutoff jean shorts at many other golf courses. As you can see, it is no light claim to say I would rather play here than a well-groomed country club. Almost all summer morning at the lad of dawn, Nick rolls up our b... ...ame I can neither pronounce nor spell. Our conversation at T.J.s is not restricted to golf, as it would be in fancy clubhouses after(prenominal) tournaments, but rather open to any subject we care to discuss, from Che mistry class next year to the best Steve Miller Band song. Finally, the experiences and times Nick and I share together are more valuable to me than any golden trophy. Some of the funniest and most relaxing times in my life support come out on the links with Nick. We dont care about the score, our shots, or even the round. Nor do we care if the course has only two cuts of grass furious and green. So even though Ill never win one of those shiny first place trophies playing with Nick, the first call I make every summer I go home is the same number, and when I hear Nicks familiar voice, I smile just anticipating the sound of his CJ reverberating up the driveway.