Environmental Scan of Amazon and Nike Essay Example

Environmental Scan of Amazon and Nike Paper Amazon was once very plain and unattractive but was still the primary bookseller for consumers on the Web, and Nikkei was a small growing firm that made athletic shoes imported from Japan, making its presence in the American market. Today, however with the introduction of PESTLE Analysis, managers have been able to make effective decisions for their organizations. PESTLE Analysis permits a business to conduct an, analysis of four external factors that may impact the performance of the organization. These factors are: Political, Economic, Social, and Technological (CBS Business Network, 2011) Amazon as used these factors capitalizing on their strengths to threaten their expanding market. For example, through a technological point of view, telecommunications technologies for the Internet have been increasing giving consumers the ability to shop from their home computers, laptops, and cell phones. This is relevance to Amazon because it increases the frequency of use and sources for Internet by online shoppers. Amazon has integrated cloud computing into their business strategy, providing them the adaptation with the technology and cultural transitions. Cloud Computing gives Individuals the ability to access applications at any moment, having every piece of data you need for every aspect of your life at your fingertips and ready for use (PC Magazine, 2011). Amazon has been looking to improve internally with the use of their cloud computing market to enhance their web services attracting more consumers to their website, Amazon Web Services wants to be the data center for the world (Bloomberg, 2011). We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Scan of Amazon and Nike specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Scan of Amazon and Nike specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Scan of Amazon and Nike specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The strategy of Amazon in cloud computing is to influence consumers its huge databases and internal research and development strengths offering powerful tools, When cloud computing is adopted by an organization, they will find themselves thrown into the pool with the rest of the online world in many ways (ZED Net, 2011 Nikkei another leader in its market, founded in 1 962 by Bill Borrower and Phil Knight. What started out as a distributor of Japanese athletic shoes to American consumers later became a traditional and non-traditional distributor for more than 1 00 countries targeting its primary market regions: united States, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas (Seeking Alpha, 2011 Unfortunately, one major factor that Nikkei has fallen toward criticism through outside external forces is their share of problems with labor and factory notations resulting in bad publicity and declining sales. Consumers believe that Nikkei, Inc. Has a social responsibility as a company to fix situations such as labor and factory conditions. Nikkei lays numerous amounts of strategies to target their consumers, athletes, and sportsmen. Nikkei strives on brand image, its association with a unique logo and slogan Just do it helps popularize their image worldwide in all areas of sport and fashion. Nines marketing strategy consists of brand image, Nines website, customer preference, and product differentiation, which helps hem separate themselves from competitors. They target the best professional athletes and athletic teams, giving Nikkei the ability to reach a large amount of athletes. Following their technique in promoting their image, Nikkei applies its products by associating success with product. For example, when an athletic team or athlete sponsors Nines brand of athletic shoes, the brand will be paired with a success story. This form of marketing can be described as brand positioning or brand architecture. Brand positioning can be best described as a motivational reason to buy ones product over others, is guided, directed and delivered by the brands benefits/reasons to buy; and it focuses at all points of contact with the consumer (Management study guide, 201 1). Nikkei creates value and sustains competitive advantage over other competitors with this technique because image is a big factor in todays markets, a large number Of consumers are likely to develop product intimacy; those who care more about the quality rather than the price. This takes us to Nines price strategy, which they target consumers who focus more on product intimacy and care less about the price. Giving Nikkei the advantage over other competitors setting higher prices for its products; consumers who believe a product to be of high quality are prone to pay a higher price. Apart from marketing strategies Nikkei has embellished on the expanding market of technology. In efforts to collaborate with issues of climate change in business the challenges and opportunities that growing organizations seek, Nikkei has designed a tool to advert such issues. They released a version of their Environmental Apparel Design Tool back in December 201 0 in hopes that companies would use it and build from it. In efforts to stay competitive within their market and sustain leadership of sports apparels, Nikkei has given designers this tool to gather information on their designs at earlier stages of production, constantly giving them feedback and educating them on how to make better choices (Borderline, 2010). This sets Nikkei apart giving the organization a competitive advantage. CONCLUSION In this rising market, measurement guidelines are tough to come by. Organizations can calculate market share and profitability to help measure their successes, but it can a bit difficult at times to compare. Nikkei is the larger company among the two, and looking at profitability it overshadows Amazons. Although Amazon continues to move forward, and its brand recognition and customer loyalty is strong. Using profit as a measurement guideline could be effective, but companies will need to keep track of different market segments to ensure they are not accepting less than the best outcome. Both companys have their strengths and advantages within their markets, Amazon leaders Of e-commerce and Nikkei leaders of brand positioning to market its products. Whatever the future brings, it is clear that hose two strong brands will continue their traditional core businesses techniques in search of additional lines of business.

Battle of Glendale (Fraysers Farm) - Civil War

Battle of Glendale (Fraysers Farm) - Civil War Battle of Glendale - Conflict Date: The Battle of Glendale was fought June 30, 1862, during the American Civil War and was part of the Seven Days Battles. Armies Commanders Union Major General George B. McClellanapprox. 40,000 men Confederate General Robert E. Leeapprox. 45,000 men Battle of Glendale - Background: Having commenced the Peninsula Campaign earlier in the spring, Major General George McClellans Army of the Potomac stalled before the gates of Richmond in late May 1862 after the inconclusive Battle of Seven Pines. This was largely due to the Union commanders overly-cautious approach and the incorrect belief that General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia badly outnumbered him. While McClellan remained idle for much of June, Lee relentlessly worked to improve Richmonds defenses and plan a counter strike. Though outnumbered himself, Lee understood his army could not hope to win a protracted siege in the Richmond defenses. On June 25, McClellan finally moved and he ordered the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny to advance up the Williamsburg Road. The resulting Battle of Oak Grove saw the Union attack halted by Major General Benjamin Hugers division. Battle of Glendale - Lee Strikes: This proved lucky for Lee as he had shifted the bulk of his army north of the Chickahominy River with the goal of destroying Brigadier General Fitz John Porters isolated V Corps. Attacking on June 26, Lees forces were bloodily repulsed by Porters men at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville). That night, McClellan, concerned about the presence of Major General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons command to the north, directed Porter to fall back and shifted the armys supply line from the Richmond and York River Railroad south to the James River. In doing so, McClellan effectively ended his own campaign as the abandonment of the railroad meant that heavy guns could not be carried to Richmond for the planned siege. Assuming a strong position behind Boatswains Swamp, V Corps came under heavy attack on June 27. In the resulting Battle of Gaines Mill, Porters corps turned back numerous enemy assaults through the day until being forced to retreat near sunset. As Porters men crossed to the south bank of the Chickahominy, a badly shaken McClellan ended his campaign and began moving the army towards the safety of the James River. With McClellan providing little guidance to his men, the Army of the Potomac fought off Confederate forces at Garnetts and Goldings Farms on June 27-28 before turning back a larger attack at Savages Station on the 29th. Battle of Glendale - A Confederate Opportunity: On June 30, McClellan inspected the armys line of march towards the river before boarding USS Galena to view US Navy operations on the river for the day. In his absence, V Corps, minus Brigadier General George McCalls division, occupied Malvern Hill. While the majority of the Army of the Potomac had crossed White Oak Swamp Creek by noon, the retreat was disorganized as McClellan had not appointed a second-in-command to oversee the withdrawal. As a result, a large portion of the army was log-jammed on the roads around Glendale. Seeing an opportunity to inflict a decisive defeat on the Union army, Lee devised an intricate plan of attack for later in the day. Directing Huger to attack down the Charles City Road, Lee ordered Jackson to advance south and cross over White Oak Swamp Creek to strike the Union line from the north. These efforts would be supported by assaults from the west by Major Generals James Longstreet and A.P. Hill. To the south, Major General Theophilus H. Holmes was to aid Longstreet and Hill with an attack and artillery barrage against Union troops near Malvern Hill. If executed correctly, Lee hoped to split the Union army in two and cut part of it off from the James River. Moving forward, the plan quickly began to unravel as Hugers division made slow progress due to downed trees blocking the Charles City Road. Forced to cut a new road, Hugers men did not take part in the coming battle (Map). Battle of Glendale - Confederates on the Move: To the north, Jackson, as he had a Beaver Dam Creek and Gaines Mill, moved slowly. Reaching White Oak Swamp Creek, he spent the day attempting to push back elements of Brigadier General William B. Franklins VI Corps so that his troops could rebuild a bridge across the stream. Despite the availability of nearby fords, Jackson did not force the matter and instead settled into an artillery duel with Franklins guns. Moving south to rejoin V Corps, McCalls division, consisting of the Pennsylvania Reserves, halted near the Glendale crossroads and Fraysers Farm. Here it was positioned between Hooker and Kearnys division from Brigadier General Samuel P. Heintzelmans III Corps. Around 2:00 PM, Union guns on this front opened fire on Lee and Longstreet as they met with Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Battle of Glendale - Longstreet Attacks: As the senior leadership retired, Confederate guns unsuccessfully attempted to silence their Union counterparts. In response, Hill, whose division was under Longstreets direction for the operation, ordered troops forward to attack the Union batteries. Pushing up the Long Bridge Road around 4:00 PM, Colonel Micah Jenkins brigade attacked the brigades of Brigadier General George G. Meade and Truman Seymour, both of McCalls division. Jenkins attack was supported by the brigades of Brigadier General Cadmus Wilcox and James Kemper. Advancing in a disjointed fashion, Kemper arrived first and charged at the Union line. Soon supported by Jenkins, Kemper managed to break McCalls left and drive it back (Map). Recovering, the Union forces managed to reform their line and a seesaw battle ensued with the Confederates attempting to break through to the Willis Church Road. A key route, it served as the Army of the Potomacs line of retreat to the James River. In an effort to bolster McCalls position, elements of Major General Edwin Sumners II Corps joined the fight as did Hookers division to the south. Slowly feeding additional brigades into the fight, Longstreet and Hill never mounted a single massive assault which may overwhelmed the Union position. Around sunset, Wilcoxs men succeeded in capturing Lieutenant Alanson Randols six-gun battery on the Long Bridge Road. A counterattack by the Pennsylvanians re-took the guns, but they were lost against when Brigadier General Charles Fields brigade attacked near sunset. As the fighting swirled, a wounded McCall was captured as he attempted to reform his lines. Continuing to press the Union position, Confederate troops did not stop their assaults on McCall and Kearnys division until around 9:00 that night. Breaking off, the Confederates failed to reach the Willis Church Road. Of Lees four intended attacks, only Longstreet and Hill moved forward with any vigor. In addition to Jackson and Hugers failures, Holmes made little headway to the south and was halted near Turkey Bridge by the remainder of Porters V Corps. Battle of Glendale - Aftermath: An exceptionally brutal battle which included widespread hand-to-hand fighting, Glendale saw Union forces hold their position allowing the army to continue its retreat to the James River. In the fighting, the Confederate casualties numbered 638 killed, 2,814 wounded, and 221 missing, while Union forces sustained 297 killed, 1,696 wounded, and 1,804 missing/captured. While McClellan was roundly criticized for being away from the army during the fighting, Lee fretted that a great opportunity had been lost. Withdrawing to Malvern Hill, the Army of the Potomac assumed a strong defensive position on the heights. Continuing his pursuit, Lee attacked this position the next day at the Battle of Malvern Hill. Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Battle of GlendaleNPS: Battle of Glendale/Fraysers Farm CWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Glendale

Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning Assignment

Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning - Assignment Example Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the practice and role of marketing in Cornflower business. In addition to that, the paper will provide an overview of the principal practices and concepts of marketing. Understanding the Concept and Process of Marketing There are two principal marketing concepts. These are such as the application and value of segmentation and product development and design process concept. Segmentation as a concept is vital for Cornflower Company as it aids in categorizing the market into various segments depending on various factors such as gender, age and ethnic backgrounds. However, some physical attributes can also be used including geographical location, hair colour, weight and eyesight (Salaimeh 2008, p.455). Despite the usefulness of the above named segments, it is argued that they are too general. As such, Cornflower Company should narrow down and identify their target market. The effective way for Cornflower to identify its target market is throu gh the utilization of socio-economics as a segmentation strategy. In that case, it should base its focus on income, occupation, and education status of the population in which its stores are located. In addition to socio-economics, it can also apply stages of consumer cycles such as children position and marital status. All these objective strategies can be brought together through a Classification of Residential Neighbourhoods (ACORN) (Salaimeh 2008, p.456). Similarly to objective strategies, Cornflower Company can also apply subjective strategies. Subjective strategies are such as personality inventories. Personality inventories such as lifestyle inventories are effective in grouping consumers with similar traits whilst personal values helps in identifying individuals with fair commercial products (Mintzberg et al 1998, p.405). Product Development Process This is a process that is fairly simplified and it focuses on the product development stages. During this process, the stakehol ders and managers of Cornflower Company evaluates the products evaluation stage where numerous ideas can be rejected. After the initial evaluation, the process moves to the next stage that is more detailed and complex. This stage encompasses engineering process that entails evaluation and design of the process before final production. Evaluation is a continuous process and is applied at various stages of the product to ensure that the product produced is viable commercially and able to increase the company’s profit as well as satisfy the consumers (Kotler, 2003, p. 415). The initial stages are for benchmarking where data collection is done. The data collected helps in identifying the need in the market so that the new product developed can suitable satisfy the need. The data collected lays the foundation for the design and development of the new product where focus is on the product quality levels and characteristics required by the end users (Donna et al. 2010, p.856). Benef its and Costs of Adopting the Above marketing concepts Segmentation has both indirect and direct benefits for Cornflower Company. Through categorizing consumers’ dependant on distinct attributes helps in identifying the purchasing decisions made by consumers. For instance, aromatherapy products and

Reflection paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reflection paper - Essay Example One of my married friends often finds faults in the actions of his wife such as being a nagger when he himself drinks a lot. Most likely, marriage counselors hear the social exchange theory most of the time when a spouse says that â€Å"I am tired of doing all the work in this marriage†. It is but typical for couples to present themselves socially desirable especially when they are faced with counselors. They never want to be blamed for a failed relationship in the first place. On larger groups such as sports teams, a coach is needed who can objectively assess the game since the players would have a tendency to blame each other. Anchors would often be used to categorize team members who made the team win last season as against who made it lose this time. Although social psychology is basically ordinary psychology, it can contribute a lot in analyzing organizational behavior. It is not just interesting but very educational as well. â€Å"The self† is what we refer to as our own selves; our own separate identities. People see themselves in different cognitive dimensions called self-concepts. A self-concept is one’s definition of his or herself whether it is positive or otherwise. Many people see themselves in different forms of self concept. These concepts are manifested by the choice of clothes a person wears and the way they speak to others. This can give access to knowing a person’s self-esteem. Self-esteem is an emotional dimension of self-awareness that is given by one’s self-value. There are people with high self-esteem who generally get along with other people and enjoy being in the spot-light. In contrast, those with low self-esteem tend to be more self-centered and timid. Self-conscious people tend to fall victim to the spotlight effect. The spotlight effect is when a person feels like they are being given more attention than they are being given in reality. In my experiences, I often feel the effects of the spotlight e ffect. The spotlight effect tends to intimidate me from my surroundings but other times it makes me feel like a star. The social self feels a yearning to belong. People will always try to find a niche for themselves in society. This is where they can find like-minded people with similar interests. The social self is the sense of self that takes over when in a social environment. Group standings also influence the actions of the social self whether it is conscious or sub-conscious. Some social selves are expressed through supplication. These people want to be seen as pathetic. Relatively, there are people who express themselves through ingratiation. These people try to gain others’ attention in order to satisfy their own petty. People who express themselves through self-promotion try to make themselves look good to others. These people tend to be show-offs and there are those who present themselves with exemplification. These people try to put on a mask to satisfy themselves o r others. I find this information to be interesting because I meet people who fit these characteristics every day. Social cognition is our perception of others. Social cognition can be shaped by external as well as internal influences. My expectations of others require that people must be fair to others treat everything and everyone with respect, but I know

Hayek's Conception of the Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hayek's Conception of the Market - Essay Example In Hayek’s book Road to Serfdom, he articulated his rejection on the centralized planning of economies. He argued that public ownership of industries that is a characteristic of centralized economies would make the production of goods and services inefficient because of the absence of market dynamics such as competition that would â€Å"perfect† the production of goods and services that would eliminate waste. Hayek also cautioned that centralized planning of an economy is destructive to liberty because the planner would inadvertently tend to extend his or her control to other aspects in society thus becoming more comprehensive to the detriment of liberty.Keynes on the other hand favored government intervention through its fiscal and monetary policy to assuage the impact of recession and depression or financial crisis like the one the United States recently had in 2009. Keynes believe that it is not only the market that can make an economy work at a maximum efficiency bu t such can also be raised to that level by the intervention of the government. Keynes advocated collectivism through international coordination of fiscal and monetary stimulus to deflect and mitigate any downturn in economic cycle. He is also the sponsor of deficit spending to lift an economy from depression in contrast to Hayek’s proposal that it solely the market (free) that can achieve utmost efficiency in an economy. The classic example of this is Obama’s stimulus spending to bail the US economy out of the financial crisis.... nt because of the absence of market dynamics such as competition that would â€Å"perfect† the production of goods and services that would eliminate waste. Hayek also cautioned that centralized planning of an economy is destructive to liberty because the planner would inadvertently tend to extend his or her control to other aspects in society thus becoming more comprehensive to the detriment of liberty (Hayek 1944). Keynes on the other hand favored government intervention through its fiscal and monetary policy to assuage the impact of recession and depression or financial crisis like the one the United States recently had in 2009. Keynes believe that it is not only the market that can make an economy work at a maximum efficiency but such can also be raised to that level by the intervention of the government. In contrast to Hayek, Keynes advocated collectivism through international coordination of fiscal and monetary stimulus to deflect and mitigate any downturn in economic cyc le. He is also the sponsor of deficit spending to lift an economy from depression in contrast to Hayek’s proposal that it solely the market (free) that can achieve utmost efficiency in an economy. The classic example of this is Obama’s stimulus spending to bail the US economy out of the financial crisis (Censky and Riley 2011). Unlike Hayek who asserted that the market dynamics or its â€Å"invisible hand† will make the necessary corrections in the market to make it more efficient, Keynes believed otherwise. Keynes articulated his disagreement with Hayek in his book The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money that market dynamics do not always correct itself. Hayek posited that market oriented economies are not always good in achieving efficiency that would lead to full employment

Person Centred Approach to Dementia and Geriatric Care

Person Centred Approach to Dementia and Geriatric Care Ranny Roi P.Gaco Abstract This paper examines the different principles involved in the person centred approach to dementia and other common geriatric health condition’s care. It will also tackle the differences against institution perspective approach and bio-medical perspective with respect to the person-centred approach in managing care. This assessment will also be discussing range of techniques used to meet the fluctuating abilities and needs of individuals that are very common to degenerative geriatric health conditions, as well as its impacts to equality and cultural diversity in meeting these issues in public health. This paper will also examine the government’s initiatives and programs available to meet the demands in caring with these types of elderly conditions. Introduction Caring comes in different ways as well as techniques in how to be able to provide the best way to our loved ones. While there are institutions who provide the best care for our loved ones, it is often being neglected that the very heart of caring is not just merely providing the basic care that the clients need but also with the quality of care that we are giving to them. Validations of the quality of care are often not being examine and should be given an emphasis especially that the abilities of the elderly with dementia are deteriorating, it is hard for them to feedback the way we are treating them or should the approach of care is the appropriate one they are actually needing. Question 1 Individuality We all know that whatever care we are doing, we need to considering the aspect of individuality with respect in caring with people with dementia and other geriatric conditions. In doing so, we can render a care that is suitable to the individual as we all know that every one is unique and so do with respect to caring attitude. Health workers should be conscious and must bear in mind that everyone has the right to be treated with individual needs in relation to person-centred approached that recognises the value, uniqueness of each person, understanding the world from the perspective of the service user, and providing a social environment to every individual under our care. Rights Every person is born with each right that no one can take away and must be respected. In dealing with elderly suffering from dementia, these rights are not being taken away and must be respected and are carried out to its highest standards. The health care provider’s role is to assess the patient’s cognitive function in order to plan what should be given to the patient especially that dementia is a condition that is interlinked with different medical conditions. Every time that someone is getting a care, this aspect of principles is being carried out in outmost consideration. Choice Choice is connected to individual’s right that whoever receives treatment and care should be given a choice in a way that will be helpful in managing his care. It is also the patient’s choice in instances that a further treatment is being withdrawn or further care shall be ignored. This should be explained properly to them and if cognitive functionality is impaired, the patient has the right to nominate a representative that will decide what suits best for the patient. This is commonly being delegated to the next of kin of the patient or whomever the patient assigns. Privacy This principle does apply to everyone and in every industry and so does with respect in managing care to those who are undergoing degenerative diseases. Privacy is being carried out such us the prognosis of the patients and shall not be divulge to anyone except to those who are only part of the team. Even medical research does not automatically be allowed to invade each patient’s medical documents without the consent of the patient. Normally, each institution does have their own ethics committee in dealing with privacy concerns as well as policies in releasing documents that is legally binding between the service provider and the customer. In dealing with procedures that is needed for the patient to undergo, an informed consent must be secured first, provided that the patient will understand the procedure and how beneficial to the client. Independence The goal of the care will not be a success if not with the help of the patients themselves. Optimum wellness can only be achieved if the patient cooperates and does a wide range of independence that will lead to a healing process. Most care facilities are applying this principle not because it will make job easier but it is also part of the treatment process. If there are difficulties along the way physically or intellectually, the healthcare team should find ways to these difficulties. The team should assess whether the patient can do task alone without struggle or it is advisable to seek full support in everyday living. Caregiver role plays an important role in the managing of care and should know how to assess in providing social independence and simple tasks to do. Dignity Every patient who is suffering dementia should be able to receive care with dignity. Anyone can attest that by putting yourself in the shoes of the patient. You should be able to assess if that is the treatment that is right to you. In that sense you, you can feel if you are receiving the treatment that you deserve. In applying to a person-centred approach of care, we must ensure that they are engaging in activities that they really like so that they will value their life even better. Respect This principle of care encompasses all other principles in such a way that every aspect or care should be based mainly on respect to the service user. Everyone has a unique character that should be respected. In dealing with elderly, make sure that their privacy is still being considered. In that way, they can still feel that despite their condition, that basic right of them are not being taken away from them. It is believe that when you want to be respected, you should know how to give respect as well. In applying it to person-centred, we must ensure that each individual has their own unique characteristic that we need to take note of, so that when we are providing care to them, they are able to appreciate our help. We must take note that it is the client’s welfare that we are serving and we should consider their uniqueness in order to provide a harmonious caring relationship. Autonomy This aspect of care should be given emphasis in its individual approach as every client has different ways in adapting to their current condition and to their new environment especially when they are being taken cared of outside their own home. Elderly especially those who are having early stage of dementia are in denial stage to the point that they are very eager in taking back their autonomy in managing their own health as well as their own way of living. This aspect of care must be taken seriously in a way that they don’t feel that their basic rights are not being taken away from them. It should be remembered by everyone involved in the care that patients should still be directly involve in the course of their treatment or rehabilitation. Creating a controlling environment against the patient will only delay the treatment course. In such cases that patients no longer capable of taking care of their own health, the nominated representative must be available that should not c ompromise the loved one quality of care. Question 2 Institution perspective This type of non-person-centred approach of care does not focus on the individual aspect of care but rather on its physical, social, and spiritual of the individual. The concept of care is focused on the general aspect of group of clients in the institution. It may be compared to an aspect of care wherein the care is based on the needs of the patients in general. The institution delivers the service to the client in a broader aspect. Examples of this are the set of diet to be served to a certain conditions are the same set of food. While some patient doesn’t want to eat a certain set that is generally being served to them, the institution do not adjust in the individual request of the patient except on the list of menus they can choose from. Though this should be applied mostly in every institution, in caring with dementia, this concept of care is not popular as the focused to their care should be more person-centred due to the needs of more personal and intimate care to be ab le to give an effective mode of treatment of care. So for the example regarding diet for a certain group of dementia patients in a facility, most likely that they will be demanding a different set from the one that is commonly being serve to them, it is equally important to note to the facility management to give in to some little request of the patients like extra egg or cup of tea instead of milk. Caring dementia clients needs to be more personal because of the uniqueness of the manifestations to every individual. Bio-Medical Perspective This perspective of care focuses on the medical aspect of treating the condition of dementia patients. It is equally important in the aspect of care because the medical team specifically in the field of research are in continuous pursuit of looking for treatment of the conditions associated with dementia patients. It is therefore important to the team to focus on the diagnosis and the course of care and treatment and constant documentation of the patients’ condition regardless of its connection of care to other care approach as the care of this is more on the scientific aspect of care and does not rely on the interdependence with other members of the care team. Question 3 Reality-orientation Approach This type of technique has been long use by different health care personnel not only in the care of people with dementia but as well as to other condition that affects the cognitive and reality function of the person. It involves with visual aides and basic knowledge orientation like asking about current events and today’s date. This approach is an interaction between the staff and the client. We know that patients with dementia are having trouble remembering recent events, that is why doing this approach is much needed and must be done more often. The staff can also ask the client some basic current events that the client should be able to remember if the memory is still fresh like the current Prime Minister of New Zealand. Asking the current date is equally important to prevent the client from memory deterioration. Most facilities should be able to post visible visual aids that are easy for the elderly to read like a big calendar to common areas where they can see it more of ten. The team can also innovate in doing it so in a way that it appears to be more fun and enjoyable to the clients. It can be done in a form of games where group of patients are gathered together and a facilitator ask them series of questions that involves reality orientation. In this way, they will feel it as a form of game without creating pressure to anyone being asked. It can be done in schedule as a way of socialising with others as well. Personal interaction can be done as much as possible. That is why all the health care workers should be able to learn these skills and be able to integrate it to their everyday interactions with the patients. Validation Approach Emotional aspect of the patients should always be considered in caring them. By doing a validation approach, they will allow the clients to voice out their concerns in contrast to what is actually you are observing. Care providers can do it by observing the patients emotional state and by asking them what they are currently feeling. By doing this, the patient will feel that their current emotional state are being considered and will uphold their integrity and purpose to live. Though this technique often seems to be complicated to care givers, but this approach seems to be the most important to the clients by just merely listening to them you will be able to ease what they are feeling. Assistive Technologies Nowadays healthcare institutions are dependent on the use of assistive technologies in carrying out their daily tasks in taking care of the patients. These technologies are very much helpful in managing the care of the patients like use of wheelchair, hoist, walker and others. Wheelchair is one of the most common equipment being used by elderly who are having difficulty in walking. It is important to note that as the age progresses they are becoming dependent to these equipment. Improper use of it will also lead to an accident that will add to the health problems of the elderly. Proper training to all including the staff is essential and as well as those caregiver who are under the direct care of the client. The patients should also be evaluated as often as possible if ever there is a need of other equipments to aid the care or there is a progress in order to provide more independence as much as possible. Reminiscence Techniques This technique is very common to those who are suffering Alzheimer’s disease. This is very effective if the one who are giving the care is a relative or someone who have been around with the client for a long time because the goal of reminiscing old good events are those that being shared by the client and the carer. In this way, the patient may relive an old fond memory that may enhance the ability to regain lost memory. By doing so, the client’s self-esteem is being established again that will give them a sense of life integrity. Holistic Approach This approach is very effective and should always be integrated in every care because it will encompasses all aspect of care by looking at the patient’s condition not only by their physiological needs but also their emotional, social, spiritual and psychological needs. By meeting each aspect of the individual’s needs, the client’s wellbeing is being uplifted and the caring process is broader that they can feel that their needs are being attended. Question 4 Public Health and Health Promotion In public health, there has been an effort to create a harmonious environment when it comes to equality, and cultural diversity as far as provision of the person-centred approach to individual is concerned. It is the goal of the private sector in partnership with the government to create a program that will be beneficial to elderly with dementia and across diversified cultural differences. They have even made it as a priority for dementia in all of its community involvement and awareness of the condition. In the health promotion aspect, the government had listed down six activities for those who have dementia. It includes minimising discrimination, where it should not be in any care, by promoting it, people suffering from this condition will be able to integrate in the community and have a graceful aging. Secondly, they focused on enhancing person-centred approach that every client with dementia should be able to receive this type of approach, as this would be more effective to elder clients. Thirdly, they promote activities that reduces stoke so the facilities must involve all the clients in a more active lifestyle and activities despite the challenges that the patients are having. Fourth is the reduction of incidence of fall as this is very common to elderly. Safety measures have been promoted and being practice to lessen the incidence among the clients. Their mental health is also important that is why is should be given a priority by assessing their mental wellbeing, and lastly, they encourage health and activity in older life in order to prevent these common conditions affecting elderly people. By engaging them to more active task while aging, they lessen the tendency of developing common geriatric conditions (National Service Framework, Department of Health, 2001). Question 5 The goal of these health sector standards and codes of practice, and other standards in applying to a person-centred approach for individuals with dementia and other common geriatric health conditions is to be a guideline in practicing the care to this group of client. Since most of them they are unable to promote their rights as a consumer, these codes will be a guidelines for us and will be a moral etiquette checker if the provider are doing what is supposed to be done. Conclusion Since people with dementia may tend to be uneasy and disorganise due to the complexity of their condition, person-centred approach in managing their care should be inculcated in the health care team. Though it may be independent from institution perspective of care as well as to bio-medical perspective, the core of the care should be running in a person-centred approach since all we care after all is what the clients will feel when we are at their side and we are talking to them. While their abilities to communicate and recognise simple task is fluctuating, we should always be ready to guide them and relive what is missing in them so that they can continue living a life worth living. Recommendation Due to the fluctuating health condition of people with dementia and other common geriatric health conditions, the following recommendation are made concerning continuous staff training, public engagement and stakeholders support. Continuous staff training Staff and caregivers alike should be able to receive the latest information in giving care that would be focused on the person-centred approach, because it is commonly being neglected due to the outlying medical concerns of the client, this important aspect of care is often being taken for granted. The facilities should conduct at least once a year or as soon as there are latest innovation towards caring has been released. Public Engagement Though this is more common in an aging population like New Zealand, it is often neglected by the citizens due to various commitments they are dealing from a day to day. Engaging the family more often will be beneficial not only to the care facilities but also to the client who lacks attention from their own family. Stakeholders support It will not be successful without the support of everyone who are involve in the care. There should be a harmony in carrying out the goal of having a more patient focused care. Nonetheless, it is everyone’s responsibility as a providers to be the best that they can be for the benefit of the clients with dementia to achieve optimum health. Bibliography Electronic source http://www.health.govt.nz (National Service Framework, Department of Health, 2001).

LEGO and the Market for Children’s Building Blocks Essay -- Children T

†¢ Background There exists in some human beings an insatiable draw towards the unique and the unusual, as much a statement of individuality as the clothes a person wears. This attraction sometimes leads towards the hobby of collecting a set of objects. Each person has their own niche of memorabilia, often a set that reminds them of childhood fantasies or other happy times. Because these consumers have specialized needs, wanting with varying fierceness to obtain specific, rare items to complete their sets, the collectibles market makes for intriguing study, especially that dominated by LEGO—the market for a collectible children’s toy distinguished by its interlocking bricks. The LEGO Company has made itself a giant in the market for children’s toys during its existence and has used that leverage to propel itself successfully into the collectibles market. The firm began as a manufacturer of wooden toys in Denmark seventy years ago. Sales allowed the Danish company to survive, but not to thrive until it introduced in 1949 miniature plastic blocks with divots and bumps that were aligned such that they could fit into one another, and were designed for building structures. With these plastic blocks the company was able to market to all first-world countries, from North America to Western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Visualizing something and then constructing it, its creators believed, was and is an educational experience that encourages â€Å"lifelong creativity, imagination and learning,† according to their press release. Perhaps the very reason that many people now collect LEGOs is that they were indeed captivated as children with the infinite capacity of the blocks. LEGO expanded its product line in the late 1980’s by... ...th. By having examined its competitors and their successes, one now sees by contrast what LEGO is and is not. To continue setting the market standard it must maintain its current corporate direction, including repeated product updates and retirements, that was critically scrutinized here and proven to work. Indeed, ask history itself. - 10 - Works Cited â€Å"Annual Average Exchange Rates: 2001.† Spreadsheet. Bank of England. 29 Oct. 2002 . Annual Report: LEGO Company. â€Å"Annual Accounts 2001.† 2001. . Annual Report: MegaBloks Inc. â€Å"MegaBloks Quarterly Report 2002. 2002. . â€Å"The Ultimate LEGO book.† New York: DK Publishing. 1999. Heller, Richard. â€Å"(Re) Building Blocks.† Forbes. 168.13 (2001): 154. Mand, Adrienne. â€Å"Bionicle Web Chronicle.† Advertising Age. 72.33 (2001): 21. LEGO and the Market for Children’s Building Blocks Essay -- Children T †¢ Background There exists in some human beings an insatiable draw towards the unique and the unusual, as much a statement of individuality as the clothes a person wears. This attraction sometimes leads towards the hobby of collecting a set of objects. Each person has their own niche of memorabilia, often a set that reminds them of childhood fantasies or other happy times. Because these consumers have specialized needs, wanting with varying fierceness to obtain specific, rare items to complete their sets, the collectibles market makes for intriguing study, especially that dominated by LEGO—the market for a collectible children’s toy distinguished by its interlocking bricks. The LEGO Company has made itself a giant in the market for children’s toys during its existence and has used that leverage to propel itself successfully into the collectibles market. The firm began as a manufacturer of wooden toys in Denmark seventy years ago. Sales allowed the Danish company to survive, but not to thrive until it introduced in 1949 miniature plastic blocks with divots and bumps that were aligned such that they could fit into one another, and were designed for building structures. With these plastic blocks the company was able to market to all first-world countries, from North America to Western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Visualizing something and then constructing it, its creators believed, was and is an educational experience that encourages â€Å"lifelong creativity, imagination and learning,† according to their press release. Perhaps the very reason that many people now collect LEGOs is that they were indeed captivated as children with the infinite capacity of the blocks. LEGO expanded its product line in the late 1980’s by... ...th. By having examined its competitors and their successes, one now sees by contrast what LEGO is and is not. To continue setting the market standard it must maintain its current corporate direction, including repeated product updates and retirements, that was critically scrutinized here and proven to work. Indeed, ask history itself. - 10 - Works Cited â€Å"Annual Average Exchange Rates: 2001.† Spreadsheet. Bank of England. 29 Oct. 2002 . Annual Report: LEGO Company. â€Å"Annual Accounts 2001.† 2001. . Annual Report: MegaBloks Inc. â€Å"MegaBloks Quarterly Report 2002. 2002. . â€Å"The Ultimate LEGO book.† New York: DK Publishing. 1999. Heller, Richard. â€Å"(Re) Building Blocks.† Forbes. 168.13 (2001): 154. Mand, Adrienne. â€Å"Bionicle Web Chronicle.† Advertising Age. 72.33 (2001): 21.