The Marble Champ

As I began reading the story The Marble Champ by Gary Soto, I realized that the main character, Lupe Medrano, often compares herself to others. As a result, she feels badly about her athletic abilities. She seems to think that she's only good at something in which she can win. Right at the start of the story, Lupe's accomplishments are impressive. But all Lupe seems to notice is that she cannot run as fast as the other girls in school. Another example of Lupe comparing herself to others is when she describes her trouble with team sports. The text clearly says that Lupe was â€Å"no good at sports. † Lupe seems embarrassed that she isn't the star player of the team. Lupe also feels badly that she only recently learned to ride a bike, could only walk in a swimming pool, and rollerblade if her dad held her hand. This shows that Lupe is frustrated that she isn't the best at everything. As Lupe began to think about these things, she had the idea of learning to play marbles. She made the decision to teach herself to play and began feeling hopeful about being good at something which she can compete against others. This reminds me of myself when I am feeling out of practice in something. I compare myself to other people and feel insecure. But when I focus on my positive qualities, I find that I can do a good job. I hope Lupe keeps up her good attitude and feels proud of herself soon.

Economics Issues Simulation Paper Essay

The purpose of a managed care organization is to coordinate the costs and delivery of health care. A managed care organization oversees money spent on labor, technology, and facilities such as physician offices and hospitals. A type of managed care organization is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). A HMO â€Å"provides medical care for all its enrollees in return for a fixed annual fee per enrollee† (University of Phoenix, 2010, Key Terms and Concepts Section). An HMO tightly oversees the use of health care services thereby reducing costs and controlling utilization. For example, HMO’s reduce costs and control utilization among services are by requiring second opinions, performing pre – admission testing and reviews for continued stays or additional procedures, and allowing generic substitutions for drugs. Managed care organizations can save money by providing lower prices through contracting large volumes of services and reducing the amount of hospitalizat ions (Getzen & Allen, 2011). This essay presents a scenario in which I am a representative of Castor Collins Health Plans responsible for maximizing profits and minimizing risks. Within my job description, I am advised to develop a comprehensive health insurance plan for two entities: ConstructIt and E – Editors. This essay explains the company’s employee demographics, health risk factors, premium amount the company is willing to pay, and what company I chose to offer a health insurance plan. Based upon my analysis of potential utilization, I will provide two reasons for why each plan could be selected as well as explain my reasoning for choosing the plan. Last, I will explain why I did not offer the company a different plan. ConstructIt Employee Profile ConstructIt is a construction company composed of 1,000 employees. ConstructIt is [Avoid â€Å"it is,† etc.] comprised of 550 men and 450 women between the ages of 26 – 42 with 60% having spouses. ConstructIt employees  work profile consist of 32% great physical activity, 25% moderate physical activity, and 43% sedentary activities. The age and gender profile of ConstructIt is as follows: Almost half of the population is between the ages of 26 – 30 years One – third of the population is between the ages of 31 – 35 years Approximately 20% of the population is between the ages of 36 – 40 years Less than 10% ages 41 – 45 years. (University of Phoenix, 2010, Health Profile Section) The health profile of major risk factors among ConstructIt employees is depicted within the following table: Obesity 39% High Cholesterol 19.6% High Blood Pressure 19.3% Allergies 17.7% Migraines 16.8% Respiratory Diseases 13.5% Digestive Disorders 8.4% Thirty – eight percent of the population is diagnosed as having no major health risks. Economic Issues Simulation In addition, a combined 18% of the population smokes (University of Phoenix, 2010, Major Health Risks Section). ConstrucIt has a high number of people diagnosed as not having any major health risks. This is good because it means fewer people will seek health care services resulting in saving money for Castor Collins Health Plans. However, ConstructIt does have a high incidence of obesity rates: 39% of the group. Obesity predisposes a person to developing other serious chronic ailments such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The high rate of obese individuals may  increase the risks involved whenever offering health insurance to ConstructIt.   Chosen Company and Plan ConstructIt is willing to pay a maximum premium payout of $4000 per enrollee and E – Editors is willing to pay $4500 per enrollee. However, E – Editors has 600 more employees than ConstructIt, which in turn increases costs and utilization rates. Based upon the health profile of ConstructIt versus E – Editor I have decided to offer ConstructIt the Castor Standard insurance plan because they have lower utilization rates in many areas. I have decided not to offer E – Editor any type of insurance plan through Castor Collins Health Plans because E – Editor has high utilization rates. In addition, E – Editors employee age groups range from 35 – 54 years where as ConstructIt employee age groups range from the ages of 36 to 45 years (University of Phoenix, 2010, Health Profile Section). As a person ages, he or she is much more likely to increase the amount of health care goods and services required to maintain one’s health. In turn, thi s also increases the expected utilization rates. Two Reasons For Why Each Plan Can Be Selected Castor Collins Health Plans contain certain factors affecting the pricing of services. These factors include limitations and exclusions for what Castor Collins is willing to pay. Castor Standard health plan does not cover pre – existing conditions where as Castor Enhanced does provide coverage for enrollees with pre – existing conditions. One reason for why I can offer Castor Standard health plans to ConstrucIt is that the majority of ConstructIt employees are younger in age and almost half the population is free from major health risks. A second reason for why I can offer Castor Standard Insurance plans to ConstructIt is that it costs less while covering more conditions. One reason for why I can offer Castor Enhanced health plans to both ConstructIt and E – Editors is because both companies have employees with pre – existing conditions. A second reason for why I can offer Castor Enhanced health plans is E – Editors contains a larger amount of middl e – aged individuals requiring specialized services. Many pre – existing conditions require specialized services that may be added or customized to the Castor Enhanced health plan. Conclusion In summary, an HMO works in connection with a group of hospitals, physicians, and providers to offer health care services for a fixed annual fee. HMOs tightly oversee the use of health care services to reduce costs and control utilization. I evaluated the employee work and health profiles of two companies: ConstructIt and E – Editors. ConstructIt contains 1000 employees willing to pay out $4000 in premiums per enrollee each year. E – Editors contain1600 employees willing to pay out $4500 in premiums per enrollee each year. E – Editors’ health profile revealed a higher utilization rate among services than ConstructIt. Economic Issues Simulation This prompted me not to offer any health plans to E – Editors at a time whenever Castor Collins Health Plans is trying to maximize profits and minimize risks. However, if E – Editors was willing to pay higher premiums Castor Collins Health Plans may have been able to customize a health plan. I did offer a Castor Standard Insurance plan to ConstructIt because their health profile revealed a lower rate of utilization among services. It is important one evaluates the exclusions and limitations listed within health insurance plans to ensure adequate and correct amount of coverage is available. References Getzen, T. E., & Allen, B. H. (2007). Health Care Economics. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. University of Phoenix. (2010). The Financing of Health Care Simulation [Computer Software]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, Simulation, HCS440 – Economics: The Financing of Health Care website.

Porters generic strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Porters generic strategies - Essay Example â€Å"Total quality management operates under the principles of continuous improvement of quality as opposed to maintenance of a static level† (Gattorna, 1998). It aims at approaching quality at an increasing scale. This is possible through training and motivation of employees so as to better quality. It is therefore paramount for the top management to state their commitment open to all employees. The advantage of the mode is that it has the ability to immediately detect and correct quality problems. It doesn’t rectify problems after occurrence. â€Å"Just in Time† is a philosophy in management that seeks to eliminate manufacturing wastes by producing right quantity at the right time and at the right place. Its main goal is to do away with non-value adding operations during production. Lean production or stockless production is a philosophy that aims at reducing inventory levels to an absolute minimum. Looking closely at the three aspects, Just in Time increases production, performance and quality in manufacturing industry. Lean, controls stock levels to avoid unnecessary production while Total Quality Management works towards good quality of products. The three aspects support each other in a manufacturing environment. â€Å"Toyota manufacturing industry adopted this principle which saw a reduction in manufacturing defects and parts storage problem† Management in transnational organisations is a challenging task especially in decisions making pertaining to supply chain.

The Traditional Media Industries in Transition Essay

The Traditional Media Industries in Transition - Essay Example In addition, digital era has led to the emergence of the Internet, which has made it possible for people to shop online without necessarily travelling to the shop. These are just but a few things that digital convergence has brought in the world today. This paper will explore the impacts of digital convergence and new media on the traditional NBC television network company. The paper will also analyze how NBC is changing the way it produces, distribute and exhibit its media products and re-inventing themselves to the media audience. Certainly, the rise of digital media platform in the recent past has put the traditional media industries in turmoil. This is because of the impacts that digital convergence and new media have had on the traditional media industry. The changes brought about by the digital convergence have caused a lot of unrest within the media sector, which has had to change their strategies in order to remain relevant in the industry. The major competing media sectors i nclude newspaper publishers, radio, and TV broadcast, film, and video industries (Miralles, 2009). Traditional television broadcast companies are among the worst affected in this digital era (Dandawate, 2010). This is because digital convergence has changed a lot in the television sectors. ... This is because digital signals portray quality pictures that can be seen with clarity, unlike the analogue signals that are not very clear (Zerdick et al., 2000). As a result, NBC had to change to the digital signal in order to attract more audiences to the channel. Digital signals also eliminated the use of external aerials, which were being used to tap signals, something that many audiences have lauded about the digital signal. One of the major contributions of the digital convergence that affects traditional television industries is the emergence of Digital Video Recorders (DVR). Reports indicate that the DVR usage in the U.S. is growing very fast. In this regard, a study shows that about 38.1% of U.S. home currently has the DVR (von Rimscha, 2007). However, its impact on the Television industries has been worrying. This is because traditional television companies like NBC used to depend heavily on TV advertising as a source of revenue (von Rimscha, 2007). Nevertheless, with the emergence of DVR kit, a majority of DVR users are skipping TV commercials. This is because the garget allows them users to follow commercial adverts on the garget. The reduction in the number of commercial viewers is thus reducing the value of TV commercials thereby reducing revenue. For instance, NBC reports that many of its commercial TV advertisers have reduced significantly since the emergence of DVR kit. The digital revolution has also contributed to the emergence of the Internet, which is today been used by many as a communication channel (Dandawate, 2010). In fact, report indicates that many Americans today have access to the interment either through their Internet-enabled phones

Agency and business organizations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Agency and business organizations - Assignment Example The type of a business organization determines how it is operated and managed. The different types of business ventures have different structures and are differently managed. The laws that govern their operations also have some little differences. Examples of business organizations include: sole proprietorships, franchises, partnerships, limited liability partnership, limited liability companies, joint venture, syndicate, joint stock companies, business trusts, cooperatives and corporations. Sole proprietorship A sole proprieto0rship is a form of business entity that is formed and managed by one person. This business has the advantage of simplicity information, as it does not require long formation procedures. The owner also has the advantage of enjoying all the profits and faster decision making. Moreover, sole proprietorship businesses also have the advantage of tax simplicity and the owner will not be required to make complex tax return to the authorities (Bouchoux, 2007). Despite the advantages, sole proprietorship business also suffers from several drawbacks. First, this form of business entity faces challenges in acquisition of capital for its projects. The major drawback of this business however is the fact that the owner has unlimited liability on the losses and risk of the business. The owner and the business is the same entity and therefore losses and risks of the business are completely borne by the sole owner. In addition, sole proprietors businesses face management problems, as the owner has to work for many hours and sometimes lack the skills required in managing the business (Bouchoux, 2007). ... Partnership businesses have the advantage of easy procedures in formation, combined skills, and efforts, ease of raising more funds from the partners and the moral support from the members in the partnership. The partners can therefore share the risk and losses that might arise from the operation. The various limitation of partnership business include: long procedures in making decisions as all the partners have to be consulted, partners are also individually responsible for the actions of other partners. Moreover, partnership business involves the sharing of profits, unlimited liability on the partners and limited lifespan (Markman & Lesonsky, 2010). The death or disagreements can always result into the dissolution of the business. Limited liability partnership LLP is a form of business organization that has the characteristics of both a partnership and a limited liability company. In LLP, the partners’ liability is limited and the partners are not liable for the action of ot her partners. The partnership will remain liable on its assets and the LLP is considered a different entity. This form of business organization has the advantage of limited liability on the partners and the flexibility in operation just like in the general partnership. LLP the disadvantage of difficulty in the formation and in the filing of returns. This makes the business be complex to manage and operate. The government might also closely monitor the operation of the partnership. Limited liability Company This is a form of business organization in which the owners have limited liability and blends the characteristics of both partnerships and corporate structures. The business is a separate legal entity and the members’ liability is limited to the proportion of the unpaid shares.

Greek and Roman Cultures Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Greek and Roman Cultures - Assignment Example Moreover, a large component of the Roman civilization emerged from the Greeks (Sayre, 2013). People from both the Greek and Roman civilizations are individuals of the two most renowned early cultures. While the Greek and Roman civilizations made tremendous progress in social organizations, politics, art, and literature, their political organization, geographical terrain, and way of life differed considerably. The Romans largely succeeded in establishing an amalgamated territory while the Greeks considerably succeeded in activities that involved artistic elements. In addition, the Greek and Roman cultures shared a large amount of closeness with one another. It cannot be denied that the Greeks had a tremendous influence on the Roman culture despite both of them developing into a highly distinct culture (Sayre, 2013). This paper will be a comparison between the Greek and Roman cultures and will address components, for example, government, art and architecture, economics and trade activities, religious and philosophical beliefs, and geographical terrain. Their arts are visible in the pottery made by the Dorian Greeks. This form of decoration is, in particular, geometric and is neatly arranged into regions on areas of each pot. These features are also evident in architecture. Additionally, human figures were utilized in decorating motifs. Several works were incorporated in temples, for example, the statues of Zeus at the temple of Zeus and Athena at Parthenon. The domestic architecture utilized walls of wooden frames full of fibrous materials and roofs were covered with leaves. They also built temples (Willis, 2000). They largely pursued visual art. The majority of their styles of painting draw inspiration from Etruscan. Numerous homes were beautified using Greek artists backdrops.  

United States Museum of Holocaust Memorial Case Study

United States Museum of Holocaust Memorial - Case Study Example The figures that the museum has had twenty-five million visitors to date and most impressive and encouragingly eight million of them were children bears testimony to the fact the memorial has been able to hit the nail on the head and it has been able to penetrate what can be called in marketing terminology as the 'School Children' market but most importantly this market has not been penetrated for the profit sake but this time for humanity sake as making these little minds aware of these historical mistakes gives us the best chance to prevent us from repeating these catastrophically annihilating mistakes for the future to come. The Museum's primary mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge about this unprecedented tragedy; to preserve the memory of those who suffered, and to encourage its visitors to reflect upon the moral questions raised by the events of the Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a democracy.The USHMMs primary goal has been to involve sectors of a democratic society which could learn from what the museum has to offer and work for a better society. Visitors ranging from Law enforcement officials to teachers, students and judges visit United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are of noticeable prospective as their role in the society is of unmatched significance. The figures of program participation reveal to us how touchy and significance this topic of Holocaust is to most people in National Service which nevertheless is really encouraging. 1 The following figures suggest the responsibility being felt around the Police officers and the FBI: more than 32,000 police officers and recruits; 7,000 FBI agents. Judges: 300 Maryland State Judges and similar programs for the New York and Illinois benches. Naval Academy: All plebes visit the Museum, approximately 1,200 annually. West Point: Nearly 200 cadets tour the Museum each year.