Analysis Of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery - 954 Words

The Shrouding Visage Since the emergence of the written word humans around the world have used literature to convey emotions and invoke thought within others. This invocation of thought and conveyance of emotion arises not only from the words themselves, but also through the usage of literary elements that enhance the overall transmission of the authors message. Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery† displays a masterful usage of literary elements to better convey Jackson’s general purpose, such as through the deep symbolism and underlying theme; however, Jackson’s true provocation of emotion is accomplished through her quintessential use of point of view. The objective point of view is indispensable within â€Å"The Lottery† because of the creation†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, point of view is momentous within the lottery because of its creation of the drama, or action of the story by limiting the information one is aware of. During â⠂¬Å"The Lottery†, the major conflict, or drama, happens towards the end of the story. First Tessie Hutchinson begins saying â€Å"It wasn’t fair† (pp. 141) after her family wins the town’s lottery. This unexpected reaction creates a dramatic scene that escalates quickly until â€Å"A stone hit her on the side of the head.† (pp. 142) and begins the end of Tessie’s life. This dramatic and unexpected series of events is brought on because of the point of view the author has written the story in, if it was not for the limited perspective that Jackson chose to exploit, then by the end of the story it would be unknown that the town’s lottery is not the traditional monetary lottery, but instead a violent way to control the population of the town by killing the winner every year. Therefore, the point of view of the story is not only crucial for creating suspense, but also the drama of the story. Lastly, point of view in Shirley Jackson’ s version of â€Å"The Lottery† is vital in creating situational irony. At the beginning of the story the only thing that the narrator exposes is that there is a big ceremony going onShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery841 Words   |  4 PagesSecond World War. In the short story â€Å"The Lottery†, Shirley Jackson used persecution and tradition to demonstrate how scapegoating justified unfair killing. Both of these aspects relate to the World War that preceded only a couple years before the story was written. The persecution was blind and done once a year as a tradition that everyone expected to happen. Therefore, the story’s main idea was to let the reader imagine what the real meaning of the lottery was. At first, Jackson described the townRead MoreAnalysis of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery490 Words   |  2 Pages In Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery,† the theme of the story is dramatically illustrated by Jackson’s unique tone. Once a year the villagers gather together in the central square for the lottery. The villagers await the arrival of Mr. Summers and the black box. Within the black box are folded slips of paper, one piece having a black dot on it. All the villagers then draw a piece of paper out of the box. Whoever gets the paper with the black dot wins. Tessie Hutchinson wins the lottery! Everyone thenRead MoreAnalysis Of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery1303 Words   |  6 Pagespowerful force (qtd. in AZQuotes). In Shirley Jacksons chilling story The Lottery, a town celebrates a special custom of stoning people to death every year. Jackson perf ectly depicts a possible event that may occur from blindly following tradition without evaluating the purpose or usefulness of it in the first place. Jackson’s use of plot, theme, and symbolism reveal the evil reality of blind faith, tradition, and their consequences. Initially, Jackson’s twisted plot reveals the infinite, viciousRead MoreAnalysis of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essay776 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Lottery† is a short story by Shirley Jackson, first published on June 26, 1948. The story was initially met with negative critical reception due to its violent nature and portrayal of the potentially dangerous nature of human society. It was even banned in some countries. However, â€Å"The Lottery† is now widely accepted as a classic American short story and is used in classrooms throughout the country. Jackson’s story takes a critical look at what can result when the customs and laws that governRead MoreAnalysis of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essays4601 Words   |  19 Pages Shirley Jackson’s famous short story, â€Å"The Lottery,† was published in 1948 and remains to this day one of the most enduring and affecting American works in the literary canon. â€Å"The Lottery† tells the story of a farming community that holds a ritualistic lottery among its citizens each year. Although the text initially presents audiences with a close-knit community participating in a social event together on a special day, the shocking twist at the work’s end—with the death of the lottery’s â€Å"winner†Read MoreAnalysis of John Steinbecks Chrysanthemums and Shirley Jacksons The Lottery1500 Words   |  6 PagesExamining The ChrysanthemumS The Lottery Examining The Chrysanthemums The Lottery In the WWII period, women entered the workforce is massive numbers a statistical anomaly that had never existed in American society or hardly any other modern society, ever. They became empowered and more women realized a wider range of their capabilities. A few decades after WWII, the feminist movement would rise to change the course of womens history again. The success and fervor of the feminist movementRead MoreAn Analysis of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery and Flannery OConnors A Good Man Is Hard to Find1360 Words   |  5 PagesShirley Jackson The Lottery Shirley Jacksons short story The Lottery depicts life in a provincial American town with rigid social norms. Mr. Summers symbolizes everything that is wrong with the town; he represents blind adherence to ritual, social rigidity, and resistance to change. His name corresponds with the seasonal setting of The Lottery, too, drawing attention to the importance of his character in shaping the theme of the story. Summers is in charge of the central motif of the storyRead More Shirley Jacksons The Lottery 946 Words   |  4 PagesShirley Jackson is said to be one of the most â€Å"brilliant and influential authors of the twentieth century.† â€Å"Her fiction writing is some of the most important to come out of the American literary canon.† (http://shirleyjackson.org/Reviews.html) Jackson wrote many short stories and even some books. They are more on the dark, witchlike side, however. Kelleher explains that Jackson stated in some interviews that she practiced magic. No one re ally knows if she was serious while practicing witchcraftRead MoreUse of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson1146 Words   |  5 Pagesbulb represents ideas that just sparked into a character’s head. In the short story, â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson, a village has just entered the month of June, meaning that the lottery is to begin. When everyone was present, the heads of the households’ names were called one by one to pick up a slip of paper. It was then discovered that the Hutchinson family was the chosen family to participate in the lottery again. When Mr. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchinson, Bill Jr., Nancy, and Little Dave each gotRead MoreSymbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Essay example1173 Words   |  5 PagesWhen most people play the lottery today, they think about having wealth. Generally, people who win are happy about it whether they win one dollar or a million. The lottery in our society has grown to support education and it is often worth several million dollars. Usually, the winner of the lottery gains a lot of recognition for the money they win. But what would happen if there was a small town where people held a yearly lottery in which the â€Å"winner† was the member of the town who was not sacrificed

Implementing A Project Management Methodology - 1769 Words

The use of structured methodologies in IT Project management is increasingly recognised as one of the fundamental drivers in reducing the likelihood of incomplete and costly IT project failures. The need for a systematic approach has been highlighted through a number of survey results on the failure of IT Projects. These results demonstrate that the significant issues associated with failed projects include the lack of; a defined project organisation, policy and procedures, implementation plans and integrated methods (Taylor 2003). It is apparent that these recognised issues can be significantly reduced through the implementation of standard project management methodologies. Lind and Culler (2013) completed research of 116 firms†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Standardised project management provides consistency across the organisation. †¢ Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and each individual on the team is aware of their expectations. †¢ Projects that are not working or no longer meet the business case are quickly identified, thus allowing for early intervention. †¢ Greater accountability and performance for project teams. (McHugh Mairà ©ad 2006) The following case studies have been implemented using the PRINCE2 methodology and demonstrate how a structured methodology for IT Project Management can facilitate successful project outcomes. Example 1: Raise your glasses – the water s magic! Strategic IT at SA Water: a case study in alignment, outsourcing and governance (Thorogood et al. 2004) South Australian Water (SA Water) is responsible for the supply of the majority of South Australia’s water. Prior to 1999, SA Water had a record of IT underperformance and a reputation not completing IT projects. In 1999, a new CIO was appointed to improve the dire IT situation. Changes were made and immediately a new project management methodology was adopted: PRINCE2. As a result, clear structures began to be implemented. Both internal and external project managers were required to have training in PRINCE2. The Waterscope project was selected to be a showcase PRINCE2 project in May 2001. The goal of the project was to provide timely information on water quality needed to manage

The Variasian Experience Analysis Art Essay Free Essays

VariAsian was held at the University Cultural Centre Dance Studio in NUS on 12th March 2011. It was the 6th NUS Arts Festival and they had many different creative persons from different Fieldss and different states to come down and execute in jubilation of this festival. The public presentation was about the disregarded times of the past. We will write a custom essay sample on The Variasian Experience Analysis Art Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now With the new and up universe of engineering, we tend to bury the memories and the things we one time loved buttocks. What we used to play with when we were kids such as the five rocks, hopscotch and the congkak is now replaced with high engineering games such as the play-station games and the iPhones. The new coevals of childs are now exposed to the new appliances that would do the traditional games ‘disappear ‘ even faster. Sometimes as life base on ballss us by, we tend to go forth those memories behind to be forgotten whereas VariAsian brings us back to the life we used to hold, when everything was simple and was about holding merriment with friends compared to the complexnesss of the current engineerings that people are so caught up with now. ‘When the bell rings†¦ ‘ by Sufri Juwahir was the gap act of the eventide. He was invited to be a invitee choreographer in this production. This piece was performed in silence and the terpsichoreans used the sound of their motions, their breath their linguas and the slippers that they wore throughout the piece as their music. It started out with five pupils have oning bag battalions and slippers with ice pick in their custodies. They walked onto the phase with boxes laid out as chairs and continued to eat their icy comeuppances. They easy started speaking and before you could register what they said, their words became sounds. Like a codification linguistic communication that merely your friends that know you would understand, but the people that does non cognize you every bit good, would non. The conversation started acquiring intense and looked like they were reasoning or contending over something, like how childs would reason over bantam things. One started to travel off from the others, one Saturday on the floor alternatively of the ‘chair ‘ , one was being nescient to everything that is around her and merely concentrating on eating her ice pick while the other two tried to work out the state of affairs. I reminded me of how I was when I was a pupil in primary school during my lunch interr uption. My friends and I would ever play with the five rocks and hopscotch. Sometimes when there are misinterpretations or merely kick unreasonable statements, we would travel off in different waies but the following twenty-four hours, it would travel back to the same modus operandi with the games and it would be a normal twenty-four hours in school. It was the same for this piece of work. They developed from words to sounds so from sounds into motions. They were confronting different waies and at their ain single infinite on phase. The blocks on phase were moved and were now their private infinite, their safe topographic point. They were ‘speaking their heads ‘ through motions, seeking to talk what they feel. The motions that we used were about similar but after awhile, they started making the same motions like they were doing up for the battle. They easy came together and stacked the boxes into a wall for a game of fell and seek. They would take bends to conceal behind the wall of blocks and making the same motions. The 1s that were caught would take a block and played a game of ‘hitting the slipper ‘ . Two of them that we caught formed a pyramid of their slippers on top of the blocks and the game is to strike hard it down with another slipper. One by one got caught and every bit shortly as the two misss formed their pyramid, the remainder mes sed with it and destroyed it intentionally over and over once more like how toughs in schools would pick on you over and over. It happened once more and once more until the two misss picked up their slippers and started dancing with the slippers on their custodies, standing up for themselves against those toughs. They broke out and they all were playing their single games. Some played with their bags, some played with a friend and one was playing the congkak, a long disregarded game, by herself in the corner. It felt like she was conveying back the memory of the game or conveying back an old memory of something she had forgotten for rather some clip and so did the others. All their motions were related to that congkak in one manner or another. Either doing sounds and noises like the beads that hits the wooden base or puting on the floor like the congkak and merely moves when person touches it or places it someplace else. When the miss played with the existent congkak, the others fol lowed her by imitated the motions or the sounds like they were remembering the yearss of their childhood when they used to play that game. Like how when you were younger, you had more freedom to make whatever you wanted with lesser jobs and things to believe about. The lone thing that mattered was that every twenty-four hours that was spent was an gratifying one. This piece was concentrating more on the narrative is wants to state alternatively of the technique and the motion as it was largely gestures that were used and game playing. It was a public presentation that people can associate to and can see themselves in it as it was something that everyone has gone through earlier in their lives. It was about the memories that we keep throughout our lives and the ideas that are most cherished to you. There might be times when you merely want to throw a specific memory off but no affair what you do, you can look to allow it travel. It depends on us if we want those memories to populate on or non. We have the power to do it come back or let it to vanish everlastingly. Traditions that used to be so close to our Black Marias that was passed down to us from our great grandmas are now on the brink of extinction due to the engineering that has been overmastering our universe. How it can take away traditions and take off cherished memories that have yet to go through down to our coevals of kids. Even though those memories or experiences that we ‘ve went through are mistily at that place, it will ever linger in our heads particularly those that affairs. As for the 2nd piece, it had more of an wellbeing and playful sort of feel compared to the first. ‘Variasian ‘ which is the name of this piece was choreographed by Zaini Mohd Tahir. He is the Artistic Director, the Resident Choreographer and the laminitis of the NUS Dance Ensemble. This piece was besides about the games we play and how games used to be simpler when we were younger and how it became more complex as we grew older but we ne’er stop playing. It merely advanced into a more technological version of the traditional games. Some games we grew up with and some had to turn up with us but we still play. There were a choir standing at the sides of the phase when we walked into the studio of where it took topographic point. As I sat down, they started singing. I had thought I walked into the incorrect public presentation infinite. After they were done with the first vocal, the terpsichoreans came out and started running about on phase playing the really old and traditional game that people still play today, the ‘scissors, paper, rock ‘ game. When the say the word ‘stone ‘ , they had to remain still in whatever place they were in and travel when the said the remainder. Watching them reminded me of how I used to love playing that game during recess period when I was in primary school. The volume and the velocity of the game increased as each unit of ammunition passed until it got so feverish and helter-skelter in the public presentation infinite. Their voices got louder and louder every 2nd and it felt like it could make the other side of the school evidences. Th en all of a sudden there were silence and terpsichoreans started vanishing into the wings go forthing half the sum of terpsichoreans on phase. As the terpsichoreans were easy vanishing, the choir sang a slow and dramatic vocal while walking through the infinite on phase, from one side to the other like altering the chapter in a narrative or a drama. The terpsichoreans get downing dancing with flow like motions that looked like they were drifting through the infinite. Their motions and the choir mashed and complimented each other attractively like a absolutely fitted pealing on your finger. Their motions were insistent throughout the piece but they changed it a small by utilizing cannons and different degrees. Once the vocal was over, the terpsichoreans at the side wings rolled in with a cute, wellbeing vocal that came on. It sounded like a vocal you would here when you play a specific game in the arcade. The terpsichoreans were like the life in the games with green and pink lighting , it made it experience like we were besides in the game. Some were ‘crabbing ‘ sideways while the others are running and jumping around them like they were supposed to catch them in order to win. That had to be my favorite portion of the whole public presentation. Then there was a sudden alteration in music and a techno like vocal came on and all the terpsichoreans ran off except for one cat, merely standing at that place like it was his clip to reflect and acquire the limelight, and that ‘s what he did. He started ‘Para Para ‘ dancing entirely in the center of the phase. Para Para is an arcade game that you play entirely where there are colored pointers lined with electronic detectors, and you have to dance and hit all the pointers to win. Slowly all the terpsichoreans came on phase and joined him in his game of Para Para but one by one they could n’t catch up and died like they lost the game. One by one collapsed onto the floor and including t he male terpsichorean who looked like the male monarch of the game. Surprisingly, the last one standing was a miss and she walked off with an evil laughter with deathly music following her as she left the phase. It was such an unexpected stoping for the piece and I think it made it more interesting and made an impact on me. I left the public presentation with that stoping tarriance in my caput throughout the dark. The eventide was a really interesting one as it genuinely spoke to me and I could associate to both pieces in many ways. It was a dark that took me through memory lane. How to cite The Variasian Experience Analysis Art Essay, Essay examples

Autism and Evidence-based Practice free essay sample

This document represents a remarkable collaboration by a diverse group of stakeholders all committed to a single goal – improving the lives of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The vision and support of the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services enabled this work to be done, while Lindsey Tweed and Nancy Connolly provided the leadership that kept the project moving forward. We received invaluable input and guidance from a variety of viewpoints, including people with autism, parents, educators, providers, researchers, and policymakers. This was a challenging task requiring countless hours of article review and discussion over a one-year period. Although opinions differed at times, enthusiasm for the project never waned, and consensus was achieved. Throughout this involved process, the focus was always on the children and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders. We are grateful to the consumers and families who shared their stories, experiences, and opinions, and who gave meaning to our work. The members of the Committee collaboratively developed a common understanding of research and evidence-based practice, selected interventions to evaluate, and outlined a literature review and rating process. The Committee collectively endorses the findings and conclusions expressed herein. However, due to the diversity of perspectives and experiences within the Committee, the conclusions and thoughts on each position in this document do not necessarily represent the individual opinions of each member or the organization they represent. Page 5 CHILDREN? S SERVICES EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS PROJECT Nancy Connolly (Co-Chair) Special Education Consultant Department of Education Lindsey Tweed (Co-Chair) Director of Clinical Policy and Practice Children? s Behavioral Health Services Department of Health and Human Services Amy Beaulieu (Staff) Policy Associate, Cutler Institute Muskie School of Public Service University of Southern Maine Amy Benham Special Education Teacher, Autism Program Winslow Elementary School Sharon Brady Director of Special Services Riverside RSU #26 Betty Carolin Clinical Coordinator Charlotte White Center Janine Collins Consumer Advocate Research Associate University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion Disability Studies Nancy Cronin PDD Systems Change Coordinator Maine Developmental Disabilities Council Cathy Dionne Parent Co-Director Autism Society of Maine Page 6 Cynthia Dodge Director of Clinical Services Spurwink Services Roxy Hennings Director of Continuous Quality Improvement Division of Juvenile Services Department of Corrections Alan Kurtz Research Associate University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion Disability Studies James Pelletier Program Manager Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Welfare Lora Perry Parent Executive Director of ABA Services Providence of Maine Matthew Siegel Medical Director Developmental Disabilities Program Spring Harbor Hospital Maine Medical Center Lynn Silva Assistant Director of Student Support Services Portland Public Schools Erica Thompson Special Services Administrator, MSAD # 54 Distinguished Educator Child Development Services Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders STATE OF THE EVIDENCE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY| Introduction| The number of children in Maine with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased significantly over the past decade. Since 2000, the number of children receiving Special Education services for ASD in Maine schools jumped from 594 to 2,231in 2008 – an increase of 276%. A recent study estimated that the total cost of caring for a person with autism over his or her lifetime can reach $3. 2 million, with more than $35 billion spent collectively per year (Ganz, 2007). To conserve already scarce resources and offer the best possible services to children with ASD, it is necessary to identify and understand the treatments and methods that produce positive outcomes as proven by research. Science helps to clarify some of the confusion about what â€Å"works† and enables evidence-informed treatment decisions, thus saving precious time and resources. Autism Spectrum Disorders are a category of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by distinct and pervasive impairment in multiple developmental areas, particularly social skills and communication (American Psychological Association, 2000). Children with ASD exhibit atypical patterns of social interaction and communication that are not consistent with their developmental age. These patterns become apparent in the first few years of life and are generally lifelong challenges (Schieve, Rice, Boyle, Visser, Blumberg, 2006). Early, intensive identification and intervention can greatly improve outcomes for children with ASD (Eikeseth, Smith, Jahr, Eldevik, 2007). Early and effective treatment also offers opportunity for significant cost/benefit improvement through regained productivity of individuals with ASD and their caregivers (Ganz, 2007). Evidence-Based Practice| Evidence-based practice is a framework for integrating what is known from research into real-world settings in a manner that responds to the individual characteristics and values of the individual being served. There are three main components to evidence-based practice (APA Presidential Task Force on EvidenceBased Practice, 2006; Burns Hoagwood, 2002): Best Research Evidence: In order to integrate research into practice, it is critical to be aware of the scope and quality of the literature. The quality and type of research is an important factor in the evaluation of evidence. Efficacy, the extent to which the treatment had the desired effect on the outcomes, is the critical determinant of empirical evidence (Chorpita, 2003). Clinical Expertise Judgment: Practitioners in an evidence-informed framework exercise their clinical judgment to select methods that address the client? s needs by taking into account the client? s Page 7 environment, life circumstances, strengths, and challenges (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006). Values: Evidence-based practice is consistent with the child and family? s values and perspectives (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006; Chambless Hollon, 1998; Chorpita, 2003). Engaging families in the process of evaluating, identifying, and implementing evidence-based interventions is critical. Family engagement promotes collaboration between families and practitioners and better informs individual treatment planning. This project focused on the first factor in evidence-based practice – best research evidence. The purpose of this work was twofold: Systematically review the research literature for treatment in ASD and subsequently determine the levels of empirical evidence for treatments commonly used for children with ASD. It is hoped that addressing this first element of evidence-based practice will enable providers, families, and systems to use the latest research to better inform treatment planning, decision making, policy making, and resource development. Process| In response to a growing need for information on evidence-based treatments for ASD, the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services led a partnership of stakeholders in a systematic review of the latest research on treatment for ASD. This review was designed as an update to the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) Autism Task Force Report issued in 2000, one of the first efforts in Maine to review the treatment literature for ASD. Over the course of a year, laypersons, state agency staff, providers, and researchers, reviewed more than 150 studies of 43 different treatments for children with ASD. The Committee objectively reviewed the research using a validated rubric, the Evaluative Method for Determining Evidence-Based Practice in Autism (Reichow, Volkmar, Cicchetti, 2008), and assigned each intervention a level of evidence rating. The quality of each study was carefully evaluated using a set of primary and secondary quality indicators and factored into the determination of the level of evidence using a corresponding rating scale. Levels of Evidence| Established Evidence: The treatment has been proven effective in multiple strong or adequately rated group experimental design studies, single-subject studies, or a combination. Results must be replicated in studies conducted by different research teams. Promising Evidence: The intervention has been shown effective in more than two strong or adequately rated group experimental design studies or at least three single-subject studies. Additional research is needed by separate teams to confirm that the intervention is effective in across settings and researchers. Preliminary Evidence: The intervention has been shown effective in at least one strong or adequately rated group or single-subject design study. More research is needed to confirm results. Page 8 Studied and No Evidence of Effect: Numerous (three or more) strong or adequately rated studies have determined that the intervention has no positive effect on the desired outcomes. Insufficient Evidence: Conclusions cannot be drawn on the efficacy of the intervention due to a lack of quality research and/or mixed outcomes across several studies. Evidence of Harm: Studies or published case reports indicate that the intervention involves significant harm or risk of harm, including injury and death. Findings| Level of Evidence Intervention Category Intervention(s) Established Evidence Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis for Challenging Behavior Applied Behavior Analysis for Communication Applied Behavior Analysis for Social Skills Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) Augmentative and Communication Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Alternative Pharmacological Approaches Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis for Adaptive Living Skills Augmentative and Communication Promising Evidence Halperidol (Haldol) – Effective for aggression Methylphenidate (Ritalin) – Effective for hyperactivity Risperidone (Risperidol) – Effective for irritability, social withdrawal, hyperactivity, and stereotypy Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) Alternative Psychotherapy Preliminary Evidence Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis for Academics – Numeral recognition, reading instruction, grammatical morphemes, spelling. Applied Behavior Analysis for Vocational Skills Augmentative and Communication Sign Language Alternative Developmental, Social-Pragmatic Models Developmental, Social-Pragmatic Models Eclectic Models Diet Nutritional Approaches Vitamin C – Modest effect on sensorimotor symptoms only Pharmacological Approaches Atomoxetine (Strattera) – Effective for attention deficit and hyperactivity Clomipramine (Anafranil) – Effective for stereotypy, ritualistic behavior, social behavior Page 9 Level of Evidence Intervention Category Intervention(s) Clonidine (Catapres) Effective for hyperactivity, irritability, inappropriate speech, stereotypy, and oppositional behavior Psychotherapy CBT for Anger Management Sensory Integration Therapy Touch Therapy/Massage Other Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Studied and No Evidence of Effect Pharmacological Approaches DMG Secretin Insufficient Evidence Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis for Academics – Cooperative learning groups Augmentative and Communication Facilitated Communication Alternative Diet Nutritional Approaches Developmental, Social Pragmatic Models Guanfacine (Tenex) Intravenous Immunoglobin Melatonin Naltrexone (Revia) SSRIs: Citalopram (Celexa), Fluoxetine (Prozac) Valproic Acid (Depakote) Sensory Integration Therapy Auditory Integration Training Sensory Integration Training Social Skills Training Social Skills Training Social Storiesâ„ ¢ Other Page 10 DIR/Floortime RDI SCERTS Solomon? s PLAY model Pharmacological Approaches Evidence of Harm Gluten-Casein Free Diets Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Vitamin B6/Magnesium Supplements TEACCH Pharmacological Approaches Intravenous Chelation Using Edetate Disodium Conclusions| Based on its investigation of the research literature, the Committee concludes the following: The research clearly indicates that there are effective treatments for some core deficits and related challenges of ASD. For instance, comprehensive behavioral treatment has some of the most compelling evidence which emphasizes the importance of early and intensive intervention for children with ASD. Substantial investment in quality research is needed to further define effective treatment for ASD. Research specific to educational and behavioral interventions for children with ASD in the context of schools is seriously lacking. This is of deep concern since children receive a great deal of services through the education system. Comparative research on the efficacy of various treatment models would be very valuable. There is a dearth of research on treatment of older youth, adolescents, and adults with ASD. This is worrisome given that the number of adults with ASD is expected to significantly increase in the coming years as children with ASD mature. Families should be informed consumers of treatment and ask questions of providers about the nature and quality of the research behind the treatment their child is receiving. Providers need to make treatment decisions in active partnership with families while integrating relevant research into their practice and treatment planning process. Resources are needed to build capacity throughout Maine in order to efficiently and effectively deliver evidence-based treatments to children in their schools, homes, and communities. This requires resources for training, evaluation, and workforce development. For example, ABA has some of the best evidence for treatment in ASD yet Maine has only 26 certified ABA practitioners, with most located in the southern counties. Evidence-based practice does not seek to dictate the interventions that should be used at the expense of others. Rather, it is a framework to integrate what is known from research into real-world practice in a manner that is accessible to families, responsive to what children need, and consistent with what providers can accomplish given available skills and resources. The first step toward evidence-based practice is creating awareness of what the best available research says. It is no longer enough to use what we believe works, we must consider what we know works in order to close the gap between science and practice, utilize limited resources wisely, and best serve Maine children with ASD. Page 11 Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders STATE OF THE EVIDENCE INTRODUCTION| Recent statistics indicate that the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has skyrocketed – the latest figures suggest that approximately 1 in 91 children in the United States are currently diagnosed with ASD (Kogen, Blumberg, Schieve, Boyle, Perrin, Ghandour, et al. , 2009). In Maine, the rate is thought to be even higher with an estimated 1 in 77 children identified with ASD – the second highest rate in the nation (Thoughtful House Center for Children, 2009). In response to increasing demand for services for children with ASD in our schools and communities, the Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services partnered with members of the community to assess the research and determine the level of scientific evidence for interventions currently available for ASD. This project continued the efforts of the Children? s Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee (â€Å"the Committee†) to study and disseminate information on the scientific evidence for treatments of childhood behavioral health conditions. This work also serves as a comprehensive update to the Autism Task Force Report issued in 2000 by the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC). To the best of the Committee? s knowledge, the MADSEC report was the first multidisciplinary effort in Maine to objectively examine the research for select interventions for ASD. In the years since MADSEC issued its report, the breadth and depth of the research of ASD has evolved; in fact, more than 2,100 studies regarding autism have been published in peer-reviewed journals since 2001i. Given the significant number of children with ASD being served in Maine and advances in research over the last decade, a new review of the literature is timely and appropriate. The Committee evaluated peer-reviewed research for more than 40 interventions for children and youth with ASD, including psychosocial, behavioral, developmental, complementary, educational, and pharmaceutical treatments. A wide variety of treatment options have been developed for children with ASD and it can be difficult for parents, educators, and practitioners to know what could be most effective given each child? s unique circumstances. Science helps to clarify some of the confusion about what â€Å"works. † Well-designed studies can show that some interventions are very effective for certain symptoms or behaviors while others are not. The implications of this information are profound; understanding what works as demonstrated by research can inform choices that improve lives (Steele, Roberts, Elkin, 2008). Page 12 How to Use This Report| This document is intended to provide an updated view of the best available research evidence for treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Certain stakeholders may find this report especially useful: Families, Educators, Practitioners: Evaluating and selecting treatments can be a daunting task. This report provides an objective evaluation of the best available research evidence for the myriad of treatment options currently available for ASD (Steele, et al. , 2008). Policymakers: As Maine continues to enhance its system of care, it is hoped that policymakers will consider this information in their decision making so that all children in Maine have sufficient access to evidence-based interventions. Business Community Leaders: ASD touches the lives of many families in the places where we live and work. The Committee hopes that sharing information on effective treatment methods inspires leadership, innovation, and support among business and community leaders to improve service delivery systems. Researchers: Describing the amount and quality of research behind available treatments draws attention to areas needing further research and investigation. Children with ASD truly have a spectrum of challenges and abilities therefore treatments should be tailored to reflect their individuality. It is not enough to simply use any evidencebased treatment they are not â€Å"one size fits all. † The treatments discussed in this report vary widely in their focus, intensity, duration, and methods, and thus must be carefully evaluated and matched to a child? s unique needs. It is not the intention of this report to indicate what interventions should or should not be used; families should always decide what treatment best meets the needs of their child. Children have a right to treatment that is reflective of their individual strengths and challenges and that accommodates any change in the nature and intensity of their needs (Office of Child and Family Services, March 2008). However, families and providers should seek the most current and complete research information to factor into their decisions regarding treatment. As â€Å"Treatment† â€Å"Intervention† Treatment is generally understood as a service used to correct or alleviate a specific medical condition, issue, or problem. The effectiveness of treatment is usually evaluated and measured based on the individual? s outcome (Barker, 1999). Intervention includes treatment, but also encompasses other services or activities practitioners use to address or prevent an individual? s problems (Barker, 1999). Intervention is a term sometimes used in social work, education, and other ecological, cross-disciplinary fields to describe services that address the problems of an individual. The Committee reviewed â€Å"treatments† and â€Å"interventions† without regard to the field or entity that might utilize them. These terms are used interchangeably in this report. Page 13 science continues to evolve, it is expected that ASD treatment will be further refined. Therefore, periodic reassessments of the scientific literature will be needed so that families and providers have current information in order to inform their choices and decisions. PROJECT ORGANIZATION| The Children? s Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee formed in 2007 as the childfocused Subcommittee of the DHHS EvidenceBased Practice Advisory Committee. The Committee is charged with reviewing the research base for treatments of childhood behavioral health disorders in order to better inform policy, practice, and resource development in Maine. It is not a policy-making entity, but an advisory body that informs state agency work. The Committee is led by Children? s Behavioral Health Services, a division of the Office of Child and Family Services. Departnent of Education DHHS EvidenceBased Practice Advisory Committee Childrens Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee Autism Spectrum Disorders Project FIGURE 1: PROJECT ORGANIZATION A diverse group of stakeholders convened in 2007 to review and rate the research on psychosocial treatments for disruptive behavior disorders (Beaulieu, 2008). Following this successful review, the Committee turned its attention to ASD due to a growing concern about the needs of this population. The Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services agreed to jointly lead this project in recognition of the mutually important roles that education and behavioral health systems play in serving children with ASD. The Muskie School of Public Service provided technical assistance, research support, and data analysis to the project through a cooperative agreement with the Office of Child and Family Services. Due to the nuances involved in ASD research and the relevance of this issue across systems, the Committee incorporated stakeholders and experts in the field of ASD, including parents, an adult with ASD, educators, providers, and advocates. The Autism Spectrum Disorders project began in August of 2008. Initial work focused on establishing common language and understanding about ASD, research methodology, and evidence-based practice. Following a review of the literature, the Committee adopted a systematic review process with a corresponding rating scale to organize the work. ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS| Definition| Autism Spectrum Disorders, also referred to as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), are a category of neurodevelopmental disorders that include: Page 14 Autistic Disorder (autism); Pervasive Developmental Disorders-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS); Asperger? s Syndrome; Rett? s Disorder; and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. ? ? ? Autism Spectrum Disorders are now more common than childhood cancers in the United States. (Gloeker, Percy, Bunin, 2005) Due to their lower prevalence and differing symptom profile, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett? s Disorder were not included ? ? ? in this review. Research of treatments for ASD generally does not include children with these two diagnoses. Studies that focused on children with Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS, and/or Asperger? s Syndrome were reviewed. Because functional ability and expression of symptoms can vary widely among children with these diagnoses, from profound disability to high functioning, they are said to exist on a â€Å"spectrum. † The Committee chose to use the term â€Å"Autism Spectrum Disorders† rather than Autism or PDD in recognition that no two children are impacted by these disorders in exactly the same manner or to the same degree. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by distinct and pervasive impairment in multiple developmental areas, primarily social skills and communication (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). These disorders are marked by the presence of stereotypical behavior such as hand flapping and body rocking, as well as by excessive preoccupation with certain objects, interests, or activities. Children with ASD exhibit patterns of social interaction and communication that are not consistent with their developmental age. These patterns become apparent in the first few years of life and are generally lifelong challenges (Schieve, Rice, Boyle, Visser, Blumberg, 2006), although with early and effective intervention, children can often learn new skills and improve existing ones. Prevalence| Studies have consistently documented a significant increase in the number of children identified with ASD across the United States over the last 15 years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine Children Classified with Autism in 2009; Hollenbeck, 2004; Schieve, et al. , 2006). Special Education 2000-2008 While it is not known if this increase is attributa2231 ble to how ASD is identified and diagnosed, an 276% 1760 2500 2000-2008 actual increase in prevalence, or a combination 2000 of factors, the number of children identified with 1500 594 ASD in Maine and across the country has been 1000 500 growing. ASDs are now the second most common 0 developmental disability after mental retarda2000-01 2006-07 2008 tion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). A recent national survey of parents by Source: Department of Education, 2009 Page 15 U. S. Department of Health Human Services estimated that 1 in 91 children ages 3-17 years old were currently diagnosed with ASD (Kogen, et al. , 2009). This is a substantial increase from earlier estimates by the Centers for Disease trol of 1 in 150 children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). MaineCare Recicipients with ASD 2000-2008 3000 281% 2000-2008 1929 2451 2000 1000 643 0 Prevalence in Education| 2000 2006 2008 Education data echo this trend. Federal data Source: Department of Health and Human Services, gathered for the Individuals with Disabilities in 2009 Education Act (IDEA) indicate that the number of Maine children ages 6-22 with ASD receiving Special Education services grew by 1672% between 1992 and 2003 (Hollenbeck, 2004). This is pared to a nationwide 834% increase in children ages 6-17 with ASD between 1994 2006 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). Maine Department of Education data shows this trend is likely to continue. Since 2000, the number of children in Maine schools classified with ASD has increased by 276% (Department of Education, 2009). Prevalence among Medicaid Recipients| Utilization data from the Medicaid program also shows an increase in the prevalence of ASD in Maine. Between 2000 and 2008, the number of people with ASD who received MaineCare services increased by 281%. The significant growth of ASD in Maine? s systems of care underscores the need for planful resource and capacity development in order to adequately address the needs of this expanding population (Department of Health and Human Services, February 2009). WHAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE? | Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preference. American Psychological Association Page 16 Evidence-based practice has been a priority in the behavioral health and education fields over the past decade. The growing need for high-quality children? s behavioral health services has increased the demand for treatments that are proven to produce better outcomes (Levant, 2005; New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003). The education system has also emphasized the use of evidence-based practice through legislation and policy such as No Child Left Behind (Coalition for EvidenceBased Policy, December 2003). For example, federal education policy calls for educators to address the needs of students struggling with academics and behavior with interventions supported by research (Gresham, 2007). The emphasis on inter- Control condition: A comparison group of subjects in a research study that receive treatment as usual, or are placed on a waiting list for the treatment under study. Efficacy: The strength of the causal relationship between the treatment and its intended outcomes Does it work? Effectiveness: An assessment of how well the treatment generalizes to real-world settings. Randomized Controlled Trial: A type of research study in which subjects are randomly selected to receive the experimental intervention or a control condition. Single-Subject Design: A type of research that measures effects of an intervention at the level of the individual under carefully controlled conditions. ventions backed by research necessitates a common derstanding of evidence-based practice. Defining and coming to a common understanding of â€Å"evidence† is not simple (Chambless Hollon, 1998; Chorpita, 2003). Our current understanding of evidencebased practice in behavioral healthcare is largely rooted in the work of American Psychological Association Task Forces (Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, 1995; Task Force on Psychological Intervention Guidelines of the American Psychological Association, 1995). These Task Forces developed some of the first guidelines on research-informed practice (Chambless, et al. , 1996). The Committee has endorsed the American Psychological Association? s definition of evidence-based practice: Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preference (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006). This definition acknowledges that evidence-based practice does not exist in a vacuum, and that research, clinical practice, and client values influence each other. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the meanings of â€Å"evidence-based practice† and â€Å"evidencebased treatment† are distinct. Evidence-based treatment refers to specific treatments or intervention models that have proven effective for specific problems in certain circumstances by numerous scientific studies (Levant, 2005). Evidence-based practice bridges the science-to-practice gap by using research evidence to inform clinical practice in the context of the client? s needs and environment. There are three core components to evidence-based practice: Best research evidence, clinical expertise and judgment, and client values and voice (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006; Burns Hoagwood, 2002). Best Research Evidence| The main element in the determination of research evidence is efficacy (Chorpita, 2003). Efficacy refers to the strength of the causal relationship between the treatment and its intended outcomes. In other words, does the treatment have the desired effect on the target behavior or skill? Efficacy is established Page 17 â€Å"Life Journey through Autism: A Parent’s Guide to Research† is an informative guide for families. through well-designed research studies in which outcomes are observed and measured and compared to a no-treatment condition. The quality and type of a research study is an important factor in the evaluation of evidence. Research studies are conducted using different methods to varying levels of scientific integrity. Available at: Well-designed research is highly controlled, meaning that the www. researchautism. org families and children are carefully screened and selected to fit the parameters of the research, and administration of the treatme

Proposal for facilitating change for Gene One

Strategies to be adopted by Gene One Intensive Embrace of Technology In the current technological environment which becomes more and more dynamic, the success of firms depends to a greater degree on the extent to which they embrace the technology. Firms which use new technological developments have been found to report high outputs and quality of the products and services which satisfy the needs of the customers.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Proposal for facilitating change for Gene One specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gene One seems to be under the leadership of ambitious and talented leaders who have the company’s welfare at heart. This is a right leadership environment, thus the right strategies are required to enhance the achievement of the company’s objective of being market leaders. The changes in lifestyles and consumer needs and preferences call for technological improvement in the produc tion processes. By using high and intensive technology, Gene One could enhance the quality of its products. This strategy is suitable for Gene One considering the nature of the industry they are in and the nature of their products. The Biotech industry requires players to improve their survival through adoption of high technology. This involves embracing the right technology so that changes and advancement in technology do not render production processes outdated. Many firms are known to fail because of implementing the wrong technology which does not stand the test of time (Robbins et al., 2011). This strategy will be greatly enhanced through the research in the technological field. The company should invest in researching on the various technological techniques in the Biotech industry. A strong technological department is thus recommended in this case. The company should be willing to finance the technology department to contribute to the success of this strategy. This will involv e a research on what the market players are adopting and the degree of the pofit achieved. The technology adopted should increase the production of high quality products (Yukl, 2009). This strategy will help Gene One in achieving high customer satisfaction which will lead to customer loyalty. It will thus enhance the expansion of the firm’s customer base and, consequently, boost its market share. Customer loyalty will also lead to repeated purchases, thus increasing the firm’s profitability.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is every company’s objective to improve its production and returns through which financial stability is achieved. The firm’s profitability will, therefore, depend on the extent to which the customers prefer to buy its products over those of the other companies. In order for the firm to achieve its objectives within the 36-mon th maximum deadline, it is to ensure that customer satisfaction is attained through their products (Robbins et al., 2010). Technological superiority also helps in enhancing positive company image. A firm which employs constructive technology will attain positive public image. At this stage when Gene One is planning to be the market leader, its reputation will play a major role in achieving this objective. This strategy could be implemented through the use of high technology means of production and using equipments and facilities which are technologically superior. It ccan be also implemented through refurbishing the technological department to ensure competent personnel are in charge of the company’s operations (Yukl, 2009). This strategy will lead to the desired gains since it will improve the quality of the firm’s products and services. The adoption of intensive technological methods also leads to high outputs. This is in line with the firm’s desire to increas e its market share and customer base. This strategy supports the firms desire to be innovative for the success in the process of change and development depends on the extent to which a firm adopts the right technology. Technology has been known to enhance innovation, thus this strategy will lead to the firm being innovative (Robbins et al., 2011). High Quality Human Resource The success or failure of any company depends on the quality of the workforce it employs. A company with high quality human resource is always successful due to high quality output. For Gene One to achieve its objectives, it is proposed to adopt this strategy. The company should employ personnel of highly qualified workers with vast skills and experience in the Biotech industry. This will lead to high quality output and more customer satisfaction. The quality of service offered to customers depends largely on the quality and experience of a company’s staff. By employing high quality human resource, Gene O ne will also improve its public image and reputation. This will have a great impact on the market segment it currently serves and the potential market share (Robbins et al., 2011).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Proposal for facilitating change for Gene One specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This strategy will involve proper recruitment, selection, training and development of employees. It, therefore, means that the company should make its human resource department improve. This strategy could be implemented through support to this department. This will enhance effective and efficient recruitment practices. The company could use drives, talks in educational institutions and online recruitment means. This will help in pooling a wide variety of applicants from which the company can choose the desired talents to be included in its workforce. Proper selection should also be applied by the company which will lead to c hoosing the right employees. The selection criteria should be multidimensional, and the selected candidates should have a wide variety of talents which will contribute to the firm’s success (Yukl, 2009). Gene One should train its staff in a manner that enhances competitiveness in the market. Proper training is known to instill into workers the right company’s culture, thus enabling consistency in achieving the aims and objectives by every staff member. This also ensures that the firm has the employees with the right skills available in the market, which contribute to its reputation through their quality work. The company should also organize workshops and talks for its human resources to enable exchange of ideas and employee development. This should be done irrespective of employees’ departments to improve interdepartmental harmony and work relations (Yukl, 2009). This strategy of employing high quality human resources will lead to the desired outcomes since it will aim at improving the quality of output. The quality of output, as stated above, greatly depends on the quality of staff employed. High quality human resources also lead to high customer satisfaction. This could result in the desired outcomes since it increases customer loyalty leading to repeated purchases and, therefore, enhancing the profitability of the firm. This strategy also meets Gene One’s desire to be innovative since high quality personnel bring about new fresh ideas. The staff will also determine the creativity, thus meeting the firm’s desire to be innovative. Conclusion The above two strategies will allow Gene One to become more innovative and thus help in achieving its objectives which include market leadership. High quality of human resource and intensive embrace of the right technology will enable the company to implement the desired changes within its operations and products, thus achieving growth and development. This will also strategically posit ion the firm in the industry enhancing its competitiveness. References Robbins, S.P, Judge, T. A. Campbell, T. T. (2010). Organizational Behavior. 14th edn., New Jersey: Financial Times Prentice Hall.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Yukl, G. (2009). Leadership in Organizations. 7th ed., New Jersey: Prentice Hall. This essay on Proposal for facilitating change for Gene One was written and submitted by user Travis Golden to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Brooklyn Bridge Disaster

Brooklyn Bridge Disaster The walkway of the  Brooklyn Bridge was the site of a shocking disaster on May 30, 1883, only  a week after it opened to the public. With businesses closed for a patriotic holiday,  crowds had flocked to the bridges promenade, the highest vantage point in New York City at the time. Near the Manhattan  side of the great bridge a pedestrian bottleneck  became tightly packed, and the shoving of the crowd  sent people toppling down a short flight of stairs. People screamed. The crowd panicked, fearful that the entire structure was in danger of collapsing into the river. The crush of people on  the walkway became intense. Workmen  putting finishing touches on the bridge  raced along trusses to the scene and began tearing down railings to alleviate the crowding. People picked up babies and children and tried to pass them overhead, out of the crowd. Within just a few minutes the frenzy  had passed. But 12 people had been crushed to death. Hundreds more were injured, many seriously. The deadly stampede placed a dark cloud over  what had been a celebratory first week for the bridge. Detailed accounts of the mayhem on the bridge became a sensation in the highly competitive world of New York City newspapers. As the citys papers were still congregated in the neighborhood of Park Row, only blocks from the Manhattan end of the bridge, the story could not have been more local. The Scene on the Bridge The bridge had officially opened on Thursday, May 24, 1883. Traffic during the first weekend was very heavy, as sightseers flocked to enjoy the novelty of strolling  hundreds of feet above  the East River. The New York Tribune, on Monday, May 28, 1883, printed a front page story indicating that the bridge might have become too popular. It ominously mentioned that bridge workers, at one point on Sunday afternoon, feared a riot. The pedestrian promenade was popular on the Brooklyn Bridge. Getty Images Decoration Day, the precursor to Memorial Day fell that  Wednesday, May 30, 1883. After morning rain, the day turned very pleasant. The New York Sun, on the front page of the next days edition, described the scene: When the rain was over yesterday afternoon the Brooklyn Bridge, which had its crowds in the morning, but had become comparatively open again, began to threaten a blockade. With the hundreds who came down town to the New York gates were hundreds of men in the uniform of the Grand Army of the Republic. Most of the people strolled over to Brooklyn, and then turned back without leaving the bridge. Thousands were coming over from Brooklyn, returning from cemeteries where soldiers graves had been decorated, or taking advantage of the holiday to see the bridge. There were not so many on the bridge as on the day after the opening, or on the following Sunday, but they seemed inclined to loiter. There would be an open space of from fifty to one hundred feet, and then a dense jam. Problems became intense at the top of a nine-foot high flight of stairs built into the walkway, near the point at which the main suspension cables passed by the promenade on the Manhattan side of the bridge. The pressing of the crowd pushed some people down the stairs.   Did You Know? Predictions of the Brooklyn Bridges collapse had been common. In 1876, at about the halfway point of its construction, the chief mechanic of the bridge crossed between the Brooklyn and Manhattan towers on a cable to publicly demonstrate confidence in the bridges design. Somebody shouted out that there was danger, reported  the New York Sun. And the impression prevailed that the bridge was giving way beneath the crowd. The newspaper mentioned,  A woman held her baby over the trestle work and begged someone to take it. The situation had turned desperate. From the New York Sun: At last, with a single shriek that cut through the clamor of thousands of voices, a young girl lost her footing, and fell down the lower flight of steps. She lay for a moment, and then raised herself on her hands, and would have got up. But in another moment she was buried under the bodies of others who fell over the steps after her. She was dead when they got her out more than half an hour afterward. Men sprang upon the rails at the side and waved the crowds back from both the New York and Brooklyn sides. But the people continued to crowd on toward the steps. No police were in sight. Men in the crowd lifted their children above their heads to save them from the crush. People were still paying their pennies at both gates and swarming in. Within minutes the frantic scene had calmed. Soldiers, who had been parading near the bridge in  Decoration Day commemorations, rushed to the scene.  The New York Sun described the aftermath: A company of the Twelfth New York Regiment worked hard at dragging them out. Twenty-five seemed to be nearly dead. They were laid along the north and south sides of the pathway, and the people from Brooklyn passed on between them. Men and women turned faint at the sight of the swollen and blood-stained faces of the dead. Four men, a lad, six women, and a girl of 15 were quite dead, or died in a few moments. They had been found at the bottom of the heap. The police stopped grocers wagons coming from Brooklyn, and, carrying the bodies of the wounded and climbing down the planks to the road, laid them in the wagons, and told the drivers to hurry to the Chambers Street Hospital. Six bodies were laid in one wagon. The drivers whipped up their horses and drove with full speed to the hospital. Newspaper accounts of the dead and wounded were heartbreaking. The New York Sun described how one young couples afternoon stroll on the bridge turned tragic: Sarah Hennessey was married on Easter, and was walking on the bridge with her husband when the crowd closed in upon them. Her husband injured his left arm a week ago, and clung to his wife with his right hand. A little girl fell in front of him, and he was thrown upon his knees and kicked and bruised. Then his wife was torn from him, and he saw her trampled upon and killed. When he got off the bridge he searched for his wife and found her in the hospital. According to a report in the New York Tribune of May 31, 1883, Sarah Hennessey had been married to her husband John Hennessey for seven weeks. She was 22 years old. They had lived in Brooklyn. Rumors of the disaster spread quickly through the city. The New York Tribune reported:  An hour after the accident it was told in the vicinity of Madison Square that 25 persons were killed and hundreds wounded, and at 42nd Street that the bridge had fallen down and 1,500 had lost their lives. In the days and weeks following the disaster the blame for the tragedy was directed at the management of the bridge. The bridge had its own small police force, and officials of the bridge company were criticized for failing to place policeman at strategic place to keep crowds dispersed. It became standard practice  for uniformed officers on the bridge to keep people moving along, and the Decoration Day tragedy was never repeated. The fear  that the bridge was in danger of collapsing was, of course, completely unfounded. The Brooklyn Bridge has been renovated to some extent, and the original trolley track was removed in the late 1940s and the roadways changed to accommodate more automobiles. But the walkway still stretches down the middle of the bridge and is still in use. The bridge is crossed every  day by thousands of pedestrians, and the promenade with striking views that drew revelers in May 1883 is still an attraction for tourists today.

Baby-Boomer Retirement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Baby-Boomer Retirement - Essay Example Therefore the longer the working duration and the larger the number of earnings made, the higher the benefits received. Social security is, therefore, a vital part of a workers retirement plan. Â  After World War II, birth rates in the world tremendously increased. Statistics show that about 64million American children were born in the US during this period. The kids that were born between the years 1946 and 1964 were referred to as baby boomers. The large economic growth in the 90s is attributed to the boomers. In 2004, U.K boomers controlled 80% of U.K’s wealth. The majority of the workforce today is represented by this group (Walker, 2004). Â  Social security fund is designed in such a way that the benefits retirees of today get are paid from the contributions received from today’s working population. Over the years, the beneficiary to working population has been sustained because fewer people were retiring as compared to the number of people entering the workforce; thus the system was able to accumulate more revenues. Increase in life expectancy and the decrease in birth rates has posed a threat to the beneficiary-worker ratio; few people are now joining the workforce as compared to the many who are almost retiring. Â  In 1935, the year when social security funding was formulated, the life expectancy of a 65-year-old was 12.5years; in 2012 it had risen to 17.9 years and is projected to rise to 19.5 by the year 2030.The National Academy for Social Insurance projects that the beneficiary to worker ratio will rise to 46 percent by 2030. Â  There are fears that the massive onset of the boomer's retirement may bankrupt the system. This is because the surplus contributions made over the years will be used in paying out their benefits.

Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Case - Essay Example Through the bill of sale, Riley transferred to Thelma one-half undivided interest in seven units of the property. Through the assignment, Riley also assigned one-half undivided interest in the lease property. This interest included the right of survivorship in favor of Thelma for the other half interest held by Riley. The consideration for both of these agreements was $1.00. The two separated and Thelma went to court seeking to end their domestic partnership as well as enforce the two agreements. According to Riley, the two agreements lacked consideration. On the other hand, Thelma argued that their pending engagement and the amount that she had deposited into their joint account was sufficient consideration for the enforcement of both agreements. The trial court upheld the agreement and divided the property in accordance with the sale agreement as well as the assignment. Riley was not satisfied with the decision of the trial court and went to the Court of Appeal of Tennessee to appeal against the decision of the trial court. Reasons: the court looked at the two agreements and examined them to check whether the four elements that a valid contract should fulfill were present. These four elements are offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to enter into a legally binding contract. The court in looking at the element of consideration, ruled that it was adequate. In a contract, consideration need adequate but sufficient. The court stated that consideration however small is sufficient consideration. It is the responsibility of the seller to seek Consideration is the element that distinguishes a gift from a sale and in this circumstance; the court held that the detriment suffered by the defendant in this case does not have to be equal to the responsibility that is assumed. So long as there was no fraud in passing the interests, the court could

Media and Privacy - the Massacre That Shocked the World Essay

Media and Privacy - the Massacre That Shocked the World - Essay Example Was transparency maintained in reporting? These are the questions that need to be answered when analyzing the case, apart from these questions, What has been referred to as ‘Massacre at Langdale High’ transpired in Andersonville- a small town in the United States. The case of Langdale High involves two siblings named Jeffrey and Laura. Both of them had a pleasant childhood but soon things started to change. The case informs that the neighbours confirmed that both the siblings were friendly and warm during their childhood. However, in case of Laura, her disposition suddenly changed after her tenth birthday. She became quieter and withdrew herself from communications. The reason was, when she turned ten, she was subjected to sexual harassment by her father periodically. This led to the formation of negative feelings inside her such as embarrassment and resentment. She did not engage in any social activity and isolated herself. She was limited to a close clique, whom she called her friends. She tried opting for drugs, in an attempt to find some solace but to her surprise, Laura found jotting her thought in her diary as more therapeutic and satisfactory. In case of Jeffrey, he was a bright kid and celebrated his father as his superhero. He longed for his attention and wanted to share a close bond with him. He was aware of the fact that his sister was being sexually abused by the father every now and then Laura had complained to him several times, but he did not take any stance on his issue and chose to remain quiet. When Jeffrey turned 13, his family was abandoned by his father. This incident was a milestone in Jeffrey’s life and left him a changed person. He became bitter as a person and fell into glum depression. Weapons and ammunition started to lure him and. Many assumed that his rampage was because of the frustration that he felt. This case informs of Sharyn Lassiter, who was the police and a court reporter at Andersonville Tribune.

Marketing Analysis Of Avon Products Inc Marketing Essay

Marketing Analysis Of Avon Products Inc Marketing Essay The company was founded in 1886 by then 28-year-old David H. McConnell who sold books door-to-door and gave out perfume to entice women to buy his books. His perfume proved to be much more popular than his books, so he then founded the California Perfume Company (CPC) in New York, New York in a 500-square-foot (46  m2) manufacturing and shipping office at 126 Chambers Street. As the company grew, he hired his first representative, Mrs. P.F.E. Albee. In 1897, McConnell built a small (3000 square foot) laboratory in Suffern, New York. In 1906, the West Coast office in San Francisco was destroyed in the Great Earthquake. In 1914 the first non-US office was opened in the Canadian province of Quebec. The California Perfume Company was incorporated on January 28, 1916 by David H. McConnell and Alexander D. Henderson (businessman) in Suffern, New York  [1]  . By 1918, five million units were sold in North America, and by 1928, sales reached $2 million. In October 1939, the name was ch anged to Avon Products, Inc. The company was taken public in 1946. By 1954, sales reached $55 million, and the Avon Calling advertising campaign introduced. By 1971 the lab would grow into the Avon Suffern Research and Development facility. By 1979, sales reached $3 billion, with one million direct sales agents. Today sales exceed $10 billion worldwide. In 2005, the company opened a $100 million dollar 225,000-square-foot (20,900  m2) RD facility to house its over 300 research and development scientists on the original site in Suffern, NY. Avon also has offices in Luzerne, Pennsylvania and Davenport, Iowa. The company chairman and CEO is Andrea Jung, who was promoted to the position in 1999. As at December 2009, the company had approximately 41,000 employees  [2]   2.2 Company Profile 2.2.1 Organizational Structure The Office of the Chairman is accountable for identifying growth initiatives, incorporating global strategies, and apportioning resources to Avon units around the world. In addition, as part of the reorganization, the firms three International Regional headquarters were to be phased out, alternated by nine streamlined business units covering sales, marketing and distribution around the world. Profit and loss accountability rested with them. Managers of these units would report directly to the Office of the Chairman. Also reporting to the chairman are five global staff departments: Finance/legal Affairs, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Planning and Business Development, and a new department Global Product Management. Each department assumes worldwide responsibility for its function Table 2.2.1 Organizational Structure AVON PRODUCTS INC. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Office of the Chairman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Executive Vice President Assistant to the Chairman and Administrative Officer North America Latin America Northern Europe North America North America President Vice President Latin America Southern Europe South Vice President Vice President Asia/Pacific Vice President United Kingdom Vice President Japan Chair and Vice President Mexico Vice President Giorgio President Human Planning and Business Global Product Finance/Legal Corporate Affairs Resource Development Management Affairs Communications Source: Outlook, Nov-Dec 2009 2.2.2 Major Lines of Business Avons products line includes skin care items, makeup, and perfume fragrances for men and women, and toiletries for bath, hair care, personal care, hand and body care and sun care. Recognizable brand names included Skin-So-Soft, a product in the bath products area, which benefited from wide publicity concerning alternative uses; Moisture Therapy; and Imari fragrance. Newer products include Avon Color, an entirely new line of more than 350 shades of lip, eye, face, and nail colors. The product line would assure customers that Avon had just the right shade for them and that their total look could be coordinated. Anew Perfecting Complex for Face, another new product, was judged the most successful skin care product in Avon history. Internationally, the companys product line is marketed primarily at moderate price points. The marketing strategy emphasized department store quality at discount store prices. Avon is the worlds largest manufacturer and distributor of fashion jewelry, and markets an extensive line of gifts and collectibles. A separate division, Giorgio Beverly Hills, manufactures and sells prestige fragrances. These brand name products are sold through major retail department stores, in boutiques, by mail order catalog and by other means. 2.3 Operating Strategies Avon Products Inc. is uniquely among major corporations, a womans company. The company sells products to, for and through women. The company understands women needs and preferences better than most. This understanding guides the basic business and influences the choice of new business opportunities. Avon need to become and are becoming, more customer-oriented and more market- driven. Each one of the 18 words in the vision statement has considerable meaning. The three most important elements, however, are the focus on women, on being global, and on the additional opportunities for Avon in self-fulfillment. The Principles That Guide Avon 1. To provide individuals an opportunity to earn in support of their well-being and happiness. 2. To serve families throughout the world with products of the highest quality backed by a guarantee of satisfaction; 3. To render a service to customers that is outstanding in its helpfulness and courtesy; 4. To give full recognition to employees and Representatives, on whose contributions Avon depends; 5. To share with others the rewards of growth and success; 6 To meet fully the obligations of corporate citizenship by contributing to the well-being of society and the environment in which its functions; and 7. To maintain and cherish the friendly spirit of Avon. Source: Avon Representative Success Book 2.3 Operating Strategies 2.3.1 Mission Statement and Management Objectives Avon Products Inc. aims at being the company that best have the knowledge of and satisfies the product, service and self-fulfillment needs of women, globally. The Global Beauty forerunner intends to build a unique portfolio of Beauty and related brands, striving to surpass competitors in quality, innovation and value, and elevating image to become the Beauty Company most women turn to worldwide. The Womens quest for Buying Avon products will become the destination store for women, offering the convenience of multiple brands and channels, and providing a personal high touch shopping experience that helps create lifelong customer relationships. The Premier Direct Seller will expand the companys presence in direct selling and lead the reinvention of the channel, offering an entrepreneurial opportunity that delivers superior earnings, recognition, service and support, making it easy and rewarding to be affiliated with Avon and elevating the image of the industry. Avon products leadership edge is through passion for high standards, respect for diversity and commitment to create exceptional opportunities for professional growth so that associates can fulfill their highest potential. The company is committed to global champion for the health and well-being of women through philanthropic efforts that eliminate breast cancer from the face of the earth, and that empower women to achieve economic independence. The Most Admired Company delivers superior returns to shareholders by tirelessly pursuing new growth opportunities while continually improving profitability, a socially responsible, ethical company that is watched and emulated as a model of success. 2.3.2 Business Models and Strategies Avon Products, Inc., is one of the worlds largest direct selling organization and merchandiser of beauty and beauty related products. From corporate office in New York City, Avon markets product lines to women in 112 countries through 1.6 million active independent contractors (sales representatives) that receive a percentage commission for their sales but do not enjoy employment benefits, they sell primarily on a door-to-door basis. The idea behind the direct selling model is to eliminate the middle man (department and cosmetic stores) and get its products directly to consumers which will be able to cut costs and increase profits. November 2005, Avon products launched a comprehensive, multi-year turnaround plan to restore sustainable growth. The four-point turnaround plan includes: Committing to brand competitiveness by focusing research and development resources on product innovation and by increasing our advertising; Winning with commercial edge by more effectively utilizing pricing and promotion, expanding our Sales Leadership program and improving the attractiveness of our Representative earnings opportunity as needed; Elevating organizational effectiveness by redesigning our structure to eliminate layers of management in order to take full advantage of our global scale and size; and Transforming the cost structure so that our costs are aligned to our revenue growth and remain so. Source: 10-K (Feb 25, 2010) One of the goals of the 2005 Turn-around Plan was to increase the number of Representatives paid in 2007 when the company had 13% increase in net sales as a result of the increase in the number of Representatives Primarily, Avons revenues come from three main categories: 2009 2008 2007 2006 Beauty Products 72% 72% 70% 69% Fashion Products 17% 18% 18% 18% Home Products 11% 10% 12% 13% Source: http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Avon_Products_(AVP) Beauty Products: Cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care. Fashion Products are Jewelry, watches, apparel and accessories. Home Products: Home products and decorative products. 2.4 SWOT Analysis 2.4.1 Strengths Presence in dynamic sector Strategic focus on emerging markets Diversification through acquisition Wide brand appeal Financial stability Strong brand image 2.4.2 Weaknesses Over reliance on Beauty Products (72%) Limited outlets for the customers Confusing promotions, out of date catalogs, unattractive packaging and customer complains of Avon image. Over reliance on Sales Representatives 2.4.3 Opportunities Geographic Growth: Enormous growth opportunities exist in countries with huge populations such as China, Indonesia and India. In Eastern Europe, management is excited about the potential in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. In the Pacific Rim area, countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are targeted as market opportunities. Emerging and Developing Markets: In those markets, the retail infrastructure was undeveloped, especially in the interiors of those countries. The Avon representatives provide consumers with opportunities to buy a wide range of quality products at acceptable prices 2.4.4 Threats Avons dependence on the productivity and profitability of the representative direct-selling model exposes it to cost and litigation risks. It is likely that AVP will incur future costs through litigation and resolution of the lawsuit, which may include terms that would increase costs and decrease profits for Avon. Large Presence in Global Market Exposes AVP to Currency Fluctuation Risks: 80% of Avons sales revenues come from markets outside of the United States, making the company very sensitive to currency fluctuations and the strength of the dollar. A weakening of the dollar against foreign currencies would allow Avon products to become more competitively priced in global markets, thus positively affecting sales revenue from foreign markets; however, a weak dollar would also mean higher costs for products manufactured overseas. 2.5 Core Competencies Over the last three years, Avon Products have been implementing its turnaround plan through various strategic initiatives, including: restructuring plan, product line simplification program (PLS), strategic sourcing initiative (SSI) and investment in advertising and sales representatives. Among other things the company does well are: Diversification through acquisition Distribution strategy and brand image High technology and innovation Economic Empowerment Philanthropy 3. Industry Analysis 3.1 Industry Definition, structure and major competitors The US personal care products industry includes about 800 companies with combined annual revenue of $50 billion. Major companies include Estee Lauder, Johnson Johnson, and Procter Gamble. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest firms account for about 70 percent of industry revenue. There are  28,001  companies in this industry with the US personal income driving consumer demand for personal care products  [3]  . Company Sales Location The Protecter Gamble Company 78,938.00M Cincinnati,  OH LOreal SA 25,041.73M Clichy,  France Kimberly-Clark Corporation 19,115.00M Irving,  TX Colgate-Palmolive Company 15,327.00M New York,  NY Kao Corporation 12,777.13M Tokyo, Japan Source: http://www.hoovers.com/industry/personal-care-products/1192-1.html 3.2 Industry Growth and Profitability Market moves over the last two years have clearly been extraordinary. The forecast call for a continued, gradual recovery in demand from developed markets with emerging economies faring better. The personal and disposable personal incomes are the main drivers of this sector. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, July 2010, Personal income increased $30.0 billion, or 0.2 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $17.6 billion, or 0.2 percent, Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $44.1 billion, or 0.4 percent. Table 3.2 Personal and Disposable Personal Income Personal income, current dollars 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.2 Disposable personal income: Current dollars 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.2 Chained (2005) dollars 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.1 -0.1 Personal consumption expenditures: Current dollars 0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4 Chained (2005) dollars 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce. July, 2010 3.3 Pest Analysis of External Factors Affecting the Industry 3.31 Political Factors These includes legal and regulatory: elections, employment law, consumer protection, environmental regulations, industry-specific regulations, competitive regulations, inter-country relationships/attitudes, war, terrorism, political trends, governmental leadership, taxes, and government structures. Government tax and industry specific regulations are the major factors that can affect Avon Products. Different countries have different regulations with taxes. Political and legal systems of different countries have important implications for Avon Products. Sometimes, the political system changes quickly, throwing the company into crisis and at other hand, it evolve more slowly. 3.3.2 Economic Factors Economic growth trends (various countries), taxation, government spending levels, disposable income, job growth/unemployment, exchange rates, tariffs, inflation, consumer confidence index, import/export ratios, and production levels. Avon has experienced volatile growth, its said to largely depend on weather fluctuating economic conditions and disposable household income levels. A higher disposable income will definitely increase revenue. 3.3.3 Social Factors Age, gender, race, family size, lifestyle changes, population shifts, education, trends, fads, diversity, immigration/emigration, health, living standards, housing trends, fashion, attitudes to work, leisure activities, occupations, and earning capacity. Since Avon major source of Revenue is on Beauty products which is mainly used by women, the company stands the chance of increasing revenue all things being equal. A higher taste or lifestyle to substitute products like Mary Kay may affect the company revenue. 3.3.4 Technological Factors Inventions, new discoveries, research, energy uses/sources/fuels, communications, rates of obsolescence, health (pharmaceutical, equipment, etc.), manufacturing advances, information technology, internet, transportation, bio-tech, genetics, agri-tech, waste removal/recycling, and so on, all these and many more need to be improved upon continually. As technology advances, there is need to ensure compliance and engage in more research in an attempt to increase the quality of the products. A common error is to try and devise a single analysis to try and cover the entire history of a firm and an industry. Therefore, the company must keep the analysis of past developments separate from that of the present situation and future trends. 3.4 Porters five forces of Analysis Competition 3.4.1 Threat of new Entrants: Low Being a household name for some years, the threat of new entrants can be said to be low. Consumers who are serviced in this industry tend to stick with long and experienced 3.4.2 Threat of Substitutes: High There are several substitutes to Avon products by its competitors in the market. A slight change or below standard can push customers to buy other products. 3.4.3 Bargaining Powers of supplier: Low 3.4.4 Bargaining Power of Customer: Low Customers who are mainly women often dont mind price(s) as long as they have value for money spent. Rather than customers fixing price, Avon does. 3.4.5 Rivalry among Competing Firms: High This is really high. Mary Kay among several others is in high competition with Avon. 3.5 Summary Bargaining power of buyers Low Competitive Rivalry within an Industry High Threat of Substitute Products High Threat of new Entry- Low Low Bargaining power of suppliers Low 4. Economic Outlook 4.1 Global Outlook The companys operating performance has been strong in the past six months, and its key credit measurements are improving. Avon is expected to continue to have conservative stances with its liquidity and share repurchases. Avon has performed very well relative to its consumer products peer group and remains one of the best geographically positioned companies to benefit from emerging market growth over the next several years. The New York Company is in the midst of a restructuring that includes cutting jobs and trimming overhead. It has focused on recruiting independent sellers, as well as broadening its assortment of less-expensive items, including products under $5, to drive sales. It is also growing sales in emerging markets. Manufacturers of beauty products weathered the recession fairly well, due in large part to their vast product range. While demand for cosmetics stumbled some are considered essentials and were mostly impervious to the downturn. The economic recovery will push the industry back to steady growth, as improving disposable incomes allow consumers to spend more on nonessentials like makeup. Meanwhile, manufacturers will expand both their product lines and geographic reach to take advantage of new market opportunities  [4]  . 4.2 Regional Outlook Avon is on track to deliver strong quarterly growth, although the US market is likely to prove the exception to regional growth in view of the tough conditions there. The worlds leading direct sales cosmetic company increased revenue by 8 per cent for the first quarter in dollar terms, while the continuing weakness of the dollar will mean that revenues will rise by 5 per cent in local currencies. On a regional basis, Avon revenue is projected to increase mid-single digits and operating profit forecast to be up. Internationally, Latin Americas revenue is projected to increase at a double-digit rate and operating profit forecast to grow in line with or slightly ahead of revenue, reflecting a strong performance in both the Brazil and Argentina markets. Europes revenue and operating profit are expected to increase in the ranges of 10 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. Growth in this region is continuing to focus on the central and eastern European markets. The Asia Pacific regions revenue is projected to advance at a double-digit rate, with operating profit expected to improve more than 25 per cent. 4.3 Local Outlook Avon attributes overall sales growth to being driven by sales of beauty products, which are expected to increase 11-13 per cent, including a double-digit increase in the US. It feels it is also a reflection of its successful new product launches and continuing commitment to invest significant resources to support its brand-building strategies. Also, driving sales is an expected double-digit increase in the number of active representatives. 4.4 Summary There is strong growth and improving profitability as the global outlook becomes Stable from Negative. 5. Ten-year pro forma forecast 5.1 Underlying Assumptions Avon had $650 million Agreement with Silpada. The company designs is the worlds largest and fastest-growing sterling silver jewellery home party company which is expected to generate revenue from 2015  [5]  . Focus on emerging markets such as Brazil, China, Colombia, Russia, Turkey, and Venezuela, aiming for high market share and brand recognition in these markets. The only positive regional revenue growth the company had been in the Latin America and China at 5.6% and 0.7%  [6]  . For example, China re-licensed Avon for direct-selling, which allowed Avons revenues from China to increase rapidly from 2006 to 2008. The total revenue from China rose from $212 million in 2006 to $353 million in 2009  [7]  . Similar situations may arise in Avons other emerging market segments. Increased cost of production and Companies are also focused on controlling their operating margins in order to maximize their profits. While advertising and commodity costs have been rising, efficient production has been useful in reducing margins. A takeover Rumour by LOreal expand in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America  [8]   First quarter for the year ended March 31st, 2010.  [9]  Avons net income was $43 million, a 64% decrease from Q1 FY 2009 net income of $117 million. The decrease was mainly caused by AVPs effective tax rate being a 66.1% due to the devaluation of Venezuelan currency. Excluding this negative impact, net income was actually $144 million. Total revenue increased 14% to $2.5 billion. The number of active representatives grew by 6% as the recessionary environment attracted many unemployed people to Avons independent selling business strategy. Additionally, the companys Beauty segment grew by 14%. Avon had mixed sales results internationally, as it had a 2% sales decline in North America, a 22% sales increase in Latin America, a 31% sales decrease in China, a 28% sales increase in Eastern Europe, and a 23% sales increase in Western Europe and Africa. The company spent $96 million on advertising a 23% increase from the same quarter last year. Second quarter for the year ended 30th June, 2010, Q2 FY 2010.  [10]  The companys Net Income was $167.6 million more than double the year-ago quarter value of $82.9 million. Net sales rose 8% to $2.68 billion. Sales in all of the companys product categories increased with 16% growth in perfume and 12% growth in color cosmetics. Avon increased advertising in the quarter to $97 million, up 19% from the prior year quarter. The company increased advertising mainly in Latin America. Geographically, Avons revenue increased 16% in Latin America from strength in Brazil and Mexico. Sales in North America remained flat. Important to note is Other Income for the quarter in review shows a deficit of usd 100m.  [11]   Third quarter for the year ended September 30th, 2010 Avons net income increased 7% to $167 million. The higher costs are due to advertising and weak sales from markets like china and Brazil. Net Revenue increased 4% to $2.66 billion, compared to $2.56 billion in the prior year quarter. The company benefited from higher sales in Latin America (8% growth) and Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (11% growth). However, sales in North America remained stagnant with a 2% decline in growth and sales in China fell by 30% as Avon tries to transition away from retail stores in the region in favor of a direct selling method that it uses in its other markets. Advertising costs increased 36% as the company promoted its fragrances as well as its two new product categories hair and acne  [12]  .