A Catastrophic Cocktail Mixing Guns And Mental Illness

Darryian Shover Professor Harrington Eng 121 11 May 2015 A Catastrophic Cocktail: Mixing Guns and Mental Illness Imagine a scene of unimaginable terror: several college students are lined up against a wall and shot, sirens are blaring in the background, and people are seen crouching on floors in classrooms and dormitories in a futile attempt to escape the wrath of a crazed gunman, who also happens to be a fellow student. By mid-afternoon, even the sidewalks are stained with blood and the atmosphere is desolate and aberrantly quiet. Students gather in small groups, some crying while still others make an effort to console each other. Such was the scene on April 16th, 2007 on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia when Seung-Hui Cho went on a mass killing spree. In slightly under three hours, Cho managed to gun down thirty-three students and faculty members, injuring seventeen others in the process, before finally turning the gun on himself. It has been described as the deadliest shooting rampage in American history. F ederal law prohibits anyone who has been â€Å"adjudicated as a mental defective,† as well as those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, from buying a gun (Hauser 1). Thus, under said federal law, Cho should have been denied from buying a gun after a Virginia court declared him to be an â€Å"imminent danger to himself as a result of mental illness† in late 2005 and sent him for psychiatric treatment (Hauser 1). â€Å"TheShow MoreRelated50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified (Gm) Foods14312 Words   |  58 Pagesbacteria contamination can arise. This is more than just possible, given the numerous (1600 or more) distinct microorganisms that can be found in a single teaspoon of soil. If that soil contamination remains permanently, the consequences can be catastrophic. Someday the public may blacklist precisely those farms that have once planted GM crops. No one has put up any warning signs on product packaging for farmers, including th ose who now own 1/4 of all agricultural tracks in the US. Furthermore, theRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesexperts do say that stream water will be safe if you boil it for a minute or two. Giardia is caused by protozoa which can’t live for long at high temperature. Other micro-organisms can survive this heating, but they usually won’t cause any human illness. The reason people use water-purification tablets instead of boiling is for convenience; using the tablets avoids all the extra time for the water to boil and then later to cool to drinking temperature. Now lets turn to the principles of logical

Measuring the Strategic Readiness of Intangible Assets - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 998 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Essay any type Did you like this example? In 2000, the market-to-book value, or in other words, the ratio of the stock-market value to accounting value of the largest 500 companies in the U.S, increased to 6.3. In simple words this means that for every six dollars of market value, only one dollar appeared on the balance sheet as a physical or financial asset. The cause of this large difference has been attributed to the rise in value of intangible assets. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Measuring the Strategic Readiness of Intangible Assets" essay for you Create order ( Source: Getting a grip on Intangible Assets, Harvard Management Update) In the past decade, there has been an increasing academic and corporate focus on the subject of intangible assets offering clarity to business leaders on the ways to measure and manage these assets in context of a businesss strategic goals. On regulatory front, European Union is soon to introduce standards for reporting on intangible assets. Our report aims to analyse one such academic framework, developed by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, which highlights the importance of strategic readiness of intangible assets. The methodology of this conceptual framework is creation of a Strategy Map on which intangible assets have been mapped and measured. Three key things that emerge from the analysis of this work named Measuring the Strategic Readiness of Intangible Assets and written for Harvard Business Review in 2004are: 1. Identification of the important intangible assets in a business organi zation. 2. Mapping these intangible assets to a businesss strategy. 3. Understanding the factors that enable these intangible assets to contribute to the success of the business. Introduction It is increasingly clear from the example at the beginning, that, in 21st centurys knowledge-driven, services-dominated, economy, it is the intangible assets, and not so much the physical and financial assets, which are playing an increasingly important role in shaping a businesss success. At the same time, it is realized by management, that there is a need to objectively evaluate the readiness of these intangible assets in enabling a business to achieve its strategy. For the benefit of analysis, we start by defining intangible assets as any nonphysical assets that can produce economic benefits. These cover intellectual capital, knowledge assets, human capital and organizational capital as well as more specific attributes like quality of corporate governance and customer loyalty. (Zadrozny, Wlodrek). So what is required to map and manage these assets for the success of a businesss strategy? Analysis of Situation According to Kaplan and Norton, while developing Balanced Scorecard (a concept for measuring a companys activities in terms of its vision and strategies, and helps to give managers a comprehensive view of the performance of a business), they identified three major categories of intangible assets: No. Intangible Assets Encompassing Elements 1 Human Capital Skills; Training; Knowledge 2 Information Capital Systems; Databases; Networks 3 Organization Capital Culture; Leadership; Alignment; Teamwork Further, while understanding the critical success factors that transform a business organization into a performing and strategy focussed entity, the article discusses how these assets need to be mapped to the organizations strategy on a framework called strategy map. Finally it explains the route by way of which, quantitative values can be assigned which clearly help an organization to understand the readiness of these assets in enabling an organization achieve its strategy. Discussions and Findings As we discover, there are unique features of intangible assets that make their behaviour different from the physical and financial assets. These are: 1. Intangibles assets mostly cannot create value for an organization in a standalone form. They need to be combined with other assets. The implication of this is on a firms ability to assign a value to these assets on a standalone basis. 2. These assets rarely affect financial performance directly, unlike physical or financial assets which immediately start paying off. Intangible assets contribute indirectly through a chain of cause and effect. For example, the investment in training a team in total quality management may decrease defects and therefore may give rise to customer satisfaction and heighten positive brand perception. 3. While human capital and information capital are easier to map and manage, organizational capital is much more difficult. 4. Human capital may be measured by mapping the jobs and identifying the strategic job families before focusing on getting these jobs ready for strategy implementation. Information capital may be evolved by identifying and creating a portfolio of transactional, analytical and transformational computer applications and sturdy network infrastructure that give a positive edge to the manner in which business is conducted. One such example is the complete transformation in retail banking with deployment of information systems that empower a customer exponentially. 5. Organizational capital is the most challenging element to map and manage because of the complete behavioural change required in conducting business at all levels. Changing the base culture that involves the employees shared attitudes and beliefs, and the Climate – which comprises of the shared perception of the organizations policies, procedures and practices, require a grip on deep-rooted, socio-psychological dynamics at work within the organization. For example, changing Na tional Health Services (NHS) culture from a budget oriented operations to a dynamic business plan oriented operations that focuses on health consumer, is more challenging than mapping the strategic jobs and putting state-of-the-art information capital. For bringing organizational capital readiness, leadership plays a very important role, as do communication and knowledge-sharing. 6. Once these intangible assets are brought in state of strategic readiness, they start contributing in generating cash for the business. For example, if McDonalds sets a service response time of 30 seconds and trains its human capital to achieve this target, the customer turnover at the counter will increase and lead to higher revenues. 7. Finally, for these assets to come into a state of strategic readiness, they need to be aligned with the organizations strategy. If they are not properly aligned, it can lead to chaos. For example, if McDonalds promises its customers a 30 seconds service but do es not care to bring its human, information and organizational assets up to required standards, there will be widespread dissonance amongst its customer base and the risk of erosion in brand value will be very high.

Ford Motor Company Options for a Successful Future Free Essays

The future of Ford Motor Company and its ability to remain at the top of the automotive industry requires the company to focus on products, resources, planning, and implementation. Decisions must be made relative to product lines, sales. and re-directing the organization’s resources for future success. We will write a custom essay sample on Ford Motor Company: Options for a Successful Future or any similar topic only for you Order Now In order to do so, four options have been recognized and the company must determine which options are best suited to move the company in a positive direction. Discuss at least three criteria the company should use to decide which of the four listed options is best and the reasons why each criterion should be used. Ford Motor Company has the option to close down older plants in an effort to realign production and sales. The criteria identified in order to determine if this option is in Ford’s best interest include: What will be the total cost to the company to buy out employees, close plants and the political ramifications of this decision? What are future trends? What is the differential between production and sales? The second option for Ford Motor Company to determine is whether to produce only smaller cars, eliminating or sharply reducing the SUV and truck lines. In order to determine the validity of this option, the company would need to evaluate the following: Can fuel economy be realized in these particular vehicle lines without significant cost being passed on to the consumer? Will there be a continuing market for SUVs? How will reducing or eliminating truck lines affect overall sales? Option number three requires reducing the North American presence and focusing more on international markets where Ford has been very successful. The determining criteria for this option includes: What is the sustainability of the Ford brand in the international market? How will reducing or removing North American presence affect the overall brand? Can reducing North American presence act as a catapult and raise demand for Ford vehicles in that geographical location? The fourth option to be considered by Ford is the possibility of selling its luxury line – the PAG group. The determining factors for choosing this option would include: Performing a profit and loss analysis of the group to determine the losses sustained by the company relative to continuing to invest in this product line. Could redirecting investment from this product be better spent lsewhere? In light of the possibility that market conditions can and do change, discuss at least three examples of how the company should build-in flexibility to back up its decision-making process. The possibility of market fluctuation is imminent. Therefore, Ford must be certain to build in flexibility to sustain change. Using an options based approach will allow flexibility by reserving resources such as time, people, money, or production capacity. (Williams, 2010). By maintaining flexibility, Ford will be better equipped to adjust to changes and fluctuations in the market. Discuss how an effective action plan can be created and how progress can be tracked. Creating an effective action plan involves setting both short term (proximal) and long term (distal) goals. Achieving short term goals is motivational to the employees who will assist in the achievement of the long term goal. Short term goals are more easily attainable than long term goals. However, long term goals are essential. Another way to track the progress of an action plan is by providing frequent feedback regarding performance to workers and employees. This will allow Ford to make adjustments in order to achieve goals. Williams, 2010) List at least three steps that make-up a workable plan and explain why each is important. Setting goals is the first step in creating an action plan. Goals should be specific, attainable, realistic and timely (S. M. A. R. T. ). (Williams, 2010) Once goals have been set, a workable plan that develops commitments to the goals must be created. Enlisting the commit ment of upper level management and employees is essential to achieving goals. An effective action plan indicates who, what and when for accomplishing goals. (Williams, 2010). The best options for Ford Motor Company would be to limit production of SUVs. Today’s economy lends itself to more fuel efficient, eco-friendly vehicles. With gas prices soaring to new heights on a weekly basis, maintaining a large SUV is simply no longer cost effective for the average American family. The price point for this type of vehicle is also a downside to ownership. However, the truck lines produced by Ford should remain intact. Ford’s truck line has become known as a reliable brand and people take stock in the Ford brand when it comes to company fleet vehicles, construction vehicles and even the agricultural and farming industries rely on the Ford truck brand. Without question, Ford should sell the PAG group. With losses i n the billions and rising, resources from this product line could be redirected into better selling ventures such as the smaller vehicle product line discussed earlier. Ford does not have to rely on the PAG group for growth and profits. This venture is simply a dog that needs to be put down. The option to reduce SUV production and sell the PAG group would be the options best suited to produce growth and stability in Ford Motor Company. These options allow Ford to focus on the traditional product lines of smaller and more economical vehicles and durable truck lines. Producing more cars than it can sell at this point in time would be detrimental to their future success. More inventory does not equate to more sales. The PAG is a loss that continues to be a thorn in Ford’s side. Eliminating this group would free billions of dollars for re-investment into fuel consciousness research for smaller vehicles while upgrading the truck lines. Implementing these options will contribute to Ford’s longevity, profitability and growth. How to cite Ford Motor Company: Options for a Successful Future, Papers

Biosphere Essay Example For Students

Biosphere Essay The biosphere is part of the earth in which life exists. It is 20 km thick fromthe bottom of the ocean to the lower atmosphere. It consists of three layers:the lithosphere, which is the land on the surface of the earth; the hydrosphere,which comprises of the water on the earth as well as water vapor in the air; andthe atmosphere, which is made up of the air that surrounds the earth. The livingorganisms in the biosphere interact and affect each other in many ways. This iscalled a biotic factor. Similarly, there are non-living elements that have aneffect on living organisms, these are considered abiotic factors. Examples ofabiotic factors are air, temperature, water, soil, light, and minerals. In abiosphere, organisms live in special groupings. For instance, a populationconsists of all individuals of a species living in a general area. A communityis a population located in a certain area living among different species. Anecosystem is yet a larger conglomeration of a population, a commu nity, andabiotic factors. Ecosystems can be aquatic or terrestrial. The earths aquaticecosystem makes up about 75% of the earths surface. This aquatic environment isdivided into marine and freshwater environments. The earths terrestrialecosystem is mainly made up of forests and deserts, which make up for 25% of theearths surface. The role or function of an organism in a community is thatorganisms niche. An organisms niche is an area picked by that organism basedon physical factors such as temperature, light, oxygen and carbon dioxidecontent and biological factors such as food, competition for resources andpredators. This niche provides the organism a place to live in. A habitatremains consistent with an organisms niche as well as provides the organismwith a place to reproduce. In this case, organisms may have the same habitat,but different niches. There are three types of relationships involving theinteractions between organisms. They are mutualism, commensalism, andparasitism. Mutu alism is a relationship where both organisms benefit from theirinteraction with each other. An example is the honey bee and a flowering plant. Commensalism only benefits one organism, but the other organism is not affected. Parasitism only benefits one organism and harms the other organism, which mostof the time is the host. In the ecosystem, matter and nutrients are cycled viabiogeochemical cycles such as water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to the industrial cycle of carbondioxide in the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse effect, which hasbeen a reason for global warming. Nitrogen is found in the atmosphere and makesup about 78% of the earths air mixture. Oxygen makes up about 22% of theearths air mixture, and pollutants make up about 1% of the earths air mixture. Nitrogen is important in the development of organisms on earth, as the makecompounds such as proteins and amino acid. These compounds are important becausethey make up DNA and other compounds crucial to the formation and sustenance oflife. Changes in an ecosystem are brought about by different factors. Forexample, ecological succession brings about the replacement of one community byanother in an ecosystem. In other instances, organisms that colonize an areawith no community present are considered pioneer organisms. A climax communityis the final stage of development of organisms and can be disrupted by a majorcatastrophe like a volcanic eruption.