Shoplifting and Its Effect on Society free essay sample

Shoplifting affects not only me but my family as well. I feel embarrassed and worthless yet if I felt like that. â€Å"Why did I do it in the first place? † Because shoplifting is tempting, the shoplifter thinks they’re getting the product for free. But the truth is that someone has to pay for our mistake, thus price rises and the community has to pay. And some stores could even go bankrupt because of shoplifting. It is unfair to people who do not shoplift to pay for the mistakes that shoplifters make. People in the community who are not as wealthy as others have a harder time paying for their food and needs, and when they feel they can’t afford spending too much money at a certain retail store they will have to go to another destination to shop, causing a great inconvience to them and also the retail store will be losing money and might even close down in the future. We will write a custom essay sample on Shoplifting and Its Effect on Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page We also suffer on a personal level, when an employee who realizes an item has been stolen from their store. They often feel violated, and when they feel violated it causes them to lose trust in others. So store employee follow potential merchants, watching their every move, making potential merchants uneasy and guilty when they are innocent. As there is no ‘look’ of a shoplifter, there is no way to identify whether a person is going to shoplift or not. And thus trust is lost between the merchant and the retailer. Resulting in an uncomfortable environment to shop in. Only about three percent of shoplifters are professionals. The rest of the shoplifters, shoplift as a response to experiencing stress in their personal lives. I myself am an immigrant from Singapore I just moved to Canada last year and a lot has happened since then. I survived being poor and unsatisfying for a year, so â€Å"why did I shoplift? † part of me believes that it is because I’m poor and I just wanted something, but part of me believes that it also because of what I’m going through a lot of stress and I feel depressed at times. Its like I need to fill up a hole in me. I thought shoplifting would make me feel better but the truth is you will lose all self-confidence in yourself. You become even more depressed and emotional you start to feel as if you don’t deserve a lot of things, or that others are better than you. Shoplifting has broken up many families and friends, the distrust and the disappointment they have when they look at you will consume you and soon you yourself will change. I was fortunate that my mother was very understanding and offered to help me out of my depression. She did admitted her disappointment in me but she told me I am still a good person. That made me realized that as a individual we belong to a community, and we make up what the community will become, each of us play a role to become someone bigger than themselves. When someone does well another will also want to do well. We could start by doing community work and volunteering at places that need our help. Helping others can without a doubt make you feel better about yourself, shoplifting will only make that empty feeling deeper as you start to feel guilty and worthless that others are better than you for not shoplifting. You’ll feel like the bad guy. Nowadays people not only shoplift, but steal and con others of their money this is because people who becomes thieves usually starts as shoplifters at a young age. Shoplifting when young can often lead to becoming thieves and robbers in the future. In fact ninety percent of convicts admitted that they have shoplifted before in their teenage years or younger. Statistics shows that there is an average of twenty-seven million shoplifters in the United States of America alone, which equates to one person in eleven, and only ten million have been caught within the past five years. Kids make up twenty-five percent of shoplifter; adults, seventy-five percent. People have been doing this for a long time because fifty-five percent of adults claim they began to shoplift as teenagers, and when asked, seventy-three percent of adults and seventy-two percent of juveniles do not plan to shoplift, it just an act of impulse. And also, an astonishing eighty-nine percent of kids say they know of other kids who shoplift and sixty-six percent say they associate with them. And only three percent of shoplifters are professionals, but they make up 10 percent of the item they sell. Some even after being caught in the act, fifty-seven percent of adults and thirty-three percent of juveniles say it is difficult to stop even after being caught. Habits are hard to break, shoplifting becomes an addiction and you try to stop but you just can’t. And when you reach that point statistics show that habitual shoplifters steal at least two times a week. So when I got caught on my first time I’m grateful for it, for without it I might have become addicted to shoplifting or worse wanted to make it my professional career. Shoplifting is illegal and is a punishable crime by law. It is not a small crime whether you stole fifty dollars worth of items or ten dollars worth of items. The crime is the same you have shoplifted from the store, and stolen something that doesn’t belong to you. For example, you can be arrested and paraded through a store in handcuffs, banned from stores or malls, and you may even end up with a criminal record. If you get a criminal record especially when you are young people will treat you like an ex-convict, it’ll be harder to get a job, get into college, or anything else that need a criminal background check. Which is mostly everything. Shoplifting can ruin your life but remember even without getting caught can shoplifting also ruin your life, as I have already stated that shoplifting affects you emotionally the same thing applies here you lose your self-respect and your respect for others. Small crime doesn’t mean no crime. Responsibilty for your family, friends and the people surrounding you, there are people that look up, like you’re their role model. I myself have siblings and I hope very much they don’t follow in my footsteps; I have never done anything that would cause people to lose their faith and respect in me. It is my responsibilty to set a good role model for my younger siblings. Also you as an individual have a responsibility as a civilent to be a good role model to the community. Never think that there is no one watching you, there is always someone watching and looking up to you in respect if you’ve done the right things. Respect is something you earn not given. By shoplifting you are openly disrespecting the community and although you may not notice now, but you are also disrespecting yourself. When you shoplift you are disrespecting the community by

Strategic Analysis A Case Study of Woolworths Ltd

Strategic Analysis A Case Study of Woolworths Ltd Executive Summary This report analyses in detail the overall environment in which Woolworth supermarket operates with a view of identifying particular areas where the management needs to put in measures that can enhance growth and performance. Woolworth is a retail chain established in both Australia and New Zealand and which mainly deals in foodstuffs.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Analysis: A Case Study of Woolworths Ltd specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The chain has further diversified its operations, venturing into other business areas like dealing in the petroleum industry and food restaurants within its premises. The chain has successfully established itself as a market leader in the retail industry, establishing stores in major cities in both Australia and the New Zealand. Woolworth’s market leadership was mainly achieved through provision of quality service to its clientele and listening t o customer pleas and demands and implementing them appropriately. This report evaluates the strong economic and political environments within which Woolworth operates. Other factors that contribute immensely to the growth and performance of the supermarket chains include its internal factors and capabilities such as its strong appeal to keep, attract and maintain customers, the market barriers controlled by the chains which keep new entrants at bay as well as the business diversification that ensures profit maximisation for the company. Introduction Woolworths Limited is a retail company based in Australia and whose operations spread across the borders to the neighbouring New Zealand. The retailer chain deals in a multiple of goods and services including food, liquor, hotel services, among many others. Since its formation in 1924, Woolworths has been a success story in the retail industry, expanding very fast to establish subsidiaries and acquiring other retail brands on its growth path. Today, the chain has a huge workforce of over 191,000 and boasts of A$2.14 billion in profits as per the latest figures recorded by close of business in 2011. (Chang, S Singh, H 2011,p.740). This paper analyses the company’s business strategy, investigating its macro environment as well as checking its competitive environment and analysing its competencies as far as resources are concerned.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Background information Woolworths Ltd is a public owned company with its shareholders base exceeding 420,000 people, 40,000 of whom are directly employed by the company (Woolworths Supermarkets 2011). The first Woolworths store was opened in downtown Sydney on December 5th, 1924 with a nominal capital of just  £25,000. The company’s initial 11,707 shares were held by 29 people, five of whom were the founders. Woolworths pio neered the conduction of transactions using cash registers; every purchase was accompanied by a receipted printed via the cash register. The stores opened up the first international branch in New Zealand in 1929 which dealt in general merchandise. As part of its expansion program, the chains acquired Foodland supermarkets and Progressive Enterprises, bringing the total number of Woolworths’ stores in Australia today to 750. Woolworths brand has today diversified its business into 5 major divisions which includes supermarkets that mainly stocks households and foodstuffs. The liquor division sells alcohol products through Safeway Liquor, BWS which stands for Beer Wine Spirits, Dan Murphy’s, Woolworth’s liquor and Cellarmasters. The hotel division is served by ALH Group while the supermarket chains also ventured into the petroleum industry through a partnership deal with Caltex. Other divisions include the consumer electronics, General merchandise and Home improvem ent (Woolworths Supermarkets 2011). Macro Environment Analysis for the Industry The macro environment analysis studies external forces whose influence in one way or the other affects the performance of the retail industry in general and Woolworth supermarkets in particular. Players in any business industry often lack the ability to control these external forces. Political environment The closer economic relations between Australia and New Zealand have benefited Woolworth business performance for a long time. The two countries have established Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, ANZCERTA, which combines the two economies and thus provides Woolworth with the chance to operate in the enlarged economy (Woolworths Supermarkets 2011).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Analysis: A Case Study of Woolworths Ltd specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The two countries also enjoy political stabi lity which is a perfect environment for doing business. This is a good assurance for shareholders, both domestic and foreign, that their investment is safe and it is an incentive to them to add even more. The 2011 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Australia and New Zealand in positions 3 and 5 respectively, which is a good indicator that both economies offer a perfect environment for business activity. With continued political stability, Woolworth is poised to grow and expand even more as many investors are assured of safety in the event that they decide to put their money into the venture. There are no fears of political wars and uprisings that can affect the company’s business performance Economic factors Australia and New Zealand offer economically sound environment that is good for business activity. The two countries, in comparison to other nations, have a high living standard. The World Bank acknowledged Australia as a rich country in 1995 while the country†™s GDP hit the $ 1 trillion mark in 2006. The economy’s growth has been rated at 3.3% per annum with one of the highest Purchasing Power Parity, PPP in the world. In 2004, Australia’s PPP was recorded at $30,700. The country has very low inflation and interest rates with one of the best infrastructures in the world. Its education facilities are of advanced quality while a majority of the population are rich. The World Health Organization certifies Australia’s crime rates to be among the lowest in the whole world. New Zealand has an estimated Purchasing Power Parity PPP of US$28,250 which is relatively high. The economy is made up of manufacturing industries as well as a vibrant service sector which together compliment the agricultural sector. The country’s nominal GDP is the 51st in the world at $157.877 with a per capita income of $35,374 (Wright, P.1987, p.93).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More New Zealand’s economy has been on the rise since 1984 following rapid restructuring that transformed the economy to a liberalised one. Unemployment has fallen to a record 3.4 percent in 2007 which was the fifth lowest in OECD nations. The global recession of 2009, however, affected the country’s economy negatively mainly because the country highly depends on international trend. The financial crunch pushed unemployment rates among the youth to very high figures of 17.4% in June 2011. Australia’s stable economy with the high living standards of her population portends a lucrative market for Woolworth’s business performance. More nationals have a high purchasing power due to the country’s high per capita income and very low unemployment levels. Foreign nationals who visit the country in large numbers also create a huge chunk of the market as they experiment with the unique goods and services offered in Australia. New Zealand is on the recovery path o f her economy following bad economic times between 2008 and 2011. With the recovery plans on course, the country has been experiencing a brain gain as more professionals who had opted to seek better employment in Europe and America troop back. This implies that the country’s living standards are set to improve in the short term period as the problem of unemployment is tackled. New Zealand’s Purchasing Power Parity is also comparatively high and an improved living standard for the entire population will prove substantial for the overall performance of Woolworth. Socio-cultural factors Woolworth has adopted a green lifestyle in its 2007-2015 sustainability strategy. This implies that the company is more aware of practices that harm the environment and has thus adopted environmental friendly practices for the good of its consumers and the society at large. More consumers are conscious of their environment and would love to purchase and patronize items and goods that are o rganic. Woolworth further addresses individual needs of its customers by providing efficient and fast services. The environmental awareness that is carried out by the supermarket chains continues to attract more clients as everyone today would love to be associated with clean environment. Technological factors Woolworth continues to invest heavily in information communication technology as it aims at improving service delivery and customer satisfaction. The self-checkout machine is as a result of the company’s initiative and has continued to be emulated by other players in the industry due to its convenience in business performance (Woolworths Supermarkets 2011). The machines were introduced in 2008 and enable customers to scan, weigh, as well as pay for their acquired goods through debit, credit or cash cards. The Service Oriented Architecture is yet another technological initiative by Woolworth which enables the supermarket management to monitor general trends in performanc e at a glance and spot out any existing bottlenecks that could be slowing down business. The speed with which this happens helps the management to put corrective measures into place that eventually averts losses or negative growth. The Visa payWave which is the latest innovation by the stores has helped in reducing average customer waiting time. The frequency at which the checkout queues are being cleared is much faster than was the case in advance. These technological advances have attracted more customers to the stores due to the improved efficiency with which clients are being attended to. No customer would love to spend longer times at the check out point than the actual time they spent doing their shopping (Tyre Hauptman, 1992). Legal factors Big W is a division of Woolworth and is a registered business entity that is licensed to operating Australia with more than 160 stores spread in Queensland, West Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, N orthern Territory, and Tasmania. The company remits taxes to both governments as a legal requirement and the funds go a long way to finance activities of the government such as building and improving infrastructure, financing public goods paying salaries and buying necessities such as medicines. As a legal requirement, the company is expected by the regulatory authorities to be tax compliant (Peng 2004). The taxes are remitted directly to the government. In the Australian laws on commerce, certificate of compliance to taxes is issued to business that remit their returns accurately form which taxes are deducted. The realisation by customers that Big W contributes immensely in the growth of their economy convinces as many consumers as possible to purchase from their local store and contribute towards building the economy (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). Industry Analysis using Porter’s 5 Forces Model Threat to market entry It is difficult for any aspiring supermarket chain to e nter into the industry in Australia and New Zealand markets and manage to break even easily. In Australia, Big W business magnitude together with that of its main competitors, Wesfarmers, Target, and Kmart stores are well established and would easily enjoy economies of scale to the disadvantage of a new entrant. The stores have spread across the nation, opening numerous branches in all major cities and centres and it would require massive capital for an aspiring investor to out perform their business prowess. Besides, it serves an estimated 6 million customers in a month (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). Given it huge stores, reliable customer base, and a stable market niche, Big W have the capacity to stock a lot of goods at a reduced cost. This eventually affords its stores the power to lower prices below what the market can offer and in the process win more customers than a new entrant could manage (Desarbo, Jedidi Sinha, 2001). Thus, the company is well position to survive in th e competitive market through gaining form economies of scale, competitive price tags, and strong customer base. Threat of substitutes Wesfarmers and Target chains pose the greatest threat to Big W’s existence and business performance. These stores have been in the industry for longer period and are well established than Big W which came into full operation in 2007 after rebranding (Roth 2011). They stock the same products and cloth lines and sometimes offer big discounts to customers. In this industry, loyalty to a brand plays an important role in customer behaviour. Besides, these companies also offer foodstuffs and electronics same as in Big W. Therefore, Target and Wesfarmers have the ability to offer an alternative perfect substitute to customers who may be unsatisfied with services offered at Big W. Unsatisfied customers therefore have other alternatives from where they can purchase products and services (Bodily Allen, 1999). However, in order to remain relevant, the co mpany has established a unique market for its customer tailored optometry services and are still the best in the self serve stores. Power of suppliers Suppliers in the supermarket industry have more power owing to the existence of many supermarket chains. As a matter of fact, suppliers may instigate market demand and supply variances. All the chains depend on the suppliers directly for the delivery of their stock and this leaves the suppliers with the power to dictate on proceedings in the industry. Through the action of the suppliers, commodity prices can be influenced to their own advantage while leaving the Big W together with its clientele base at a disadvantaged position (Cusumano Takeishi, 1991). However, the company has endeavoured to use both in house and outsourced supplier as a strategy for balancing the supply forces in the fragile market (Roth 2011). Power of buyers Reflectively, the amount of output in terms of turn over sales depends on the buyers’ purchasing p ower. The higher the purchasing power, the better the turnover in total sales realised over a definite period of time. Big W’s performance in the retail industry depends highly on the power of the buyers. On the other hand, unreliable and weak purchasing power translates into losses and underperformance. The management must therefore do everything within their means to ensure that service delivery and quality meets the expectations of customers. In fact, the purchasing power determines profitability and probability of survival of a business in short and long term. If buyers will feel dissatisfied because of poor service, they can easily opt to acquire the same goods and services from rival stores thus loosing out on business opportunities (Ehrenberg, 1964). Rivalry There are several retail stores operating in the same industry with virtually of them dealing in a variety of products and services. For instance Target stores provide the biggest competition to Big W due to its bi g market share and expanded network standing at 30% (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). Other chains that have substantial market share include Wesfarmers and Kmart Supermarkets, Jewel Food Stores. With many customers looking for good value for their money, quality in service delivery has remained the main basis upon which customers are making their final decision to buy. All the players in the industry are putting measures in place to ensure they attract more customers and therefore expand their market share. Therefore, the size, in terms of space occupied by business premises, defines the temperature of competition. In line with this, in 2009, Big W Company launched the largest store in Australia measuring 10,000m2 and a $300 million invested in stocks on the same (Roth, 2011, p. 200). As analysed above, Big W Company has embraced the significance of Porter’s approach to market forces in a business environment. As discussed, Big W Company has been in a position to swing these forces and manipulate them to their advantage through offering competitive prices, expansion, diversification, and cutting a market niche. However, any slow reaction to addressing these factors can cause business suffering leading to huge losses and reduced market share (Chang Singh, 2000). Big W’s Competitive Advantage Expanded business portfolio Although Big W has been a household name in the general retail stores industry, the chain has an expanded business portfolio which includes investments in photo processing, self serve check point introduction, parcel pick up, lay-by, and home delivery (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). The expanded portfolio provides the business with competitive advantage in the sense that it can still maintain profitable performance even in instances where the retail store business experiences poor performance. Through diversification and portfolio balance, the company is in a position to survive turbulence in the harsh economic environment charact erised by stiff competition and inflation (Michael, 2000). Big W’s Business Strategy Cost Leadership Strategy Cost leadership strategy is vital in business management especially in an industry with stiff competition. Reflectively, the concept, as proposed by Porter, is a mean of establishing a sustainable competitive advantage over other player in the industry. Big W Company has adopted the cost leadership strategy to improve its efficiency through streamlining operations. As a result, this venture has developed a cumulative experience, optimal performance, quality assurance, and is in full control of their operational chains. In order to cut down cost of production and marketing, the company has embraced the modern technology in its online sales, human resource management, purchasing, and dispatch departments (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). The company has entered into a partnership with outsourced but competent suppliers rather than engaging its resources in obtaining prod ucts. As a result, the general over head cost of operation has been reduced substantially. In addition, the company has opted for diversification and expansion of stores in order to gain from economies of scale as the overall turnover grows. Through adoption of scientific human resource management, the company has been in a position to track redundancy and monitor employee performance and evaluations done on the basis of contract. As a result, issues of underperformance has been minimised substantially. At present, this chain produces the best quality packaging of its product at the cheapest price possible since production is done in mass. In addition, the company has introduced a series of efficiency monitoring systems such as performance valuation, efficiency in production, target management, and electronic purchasing which has greatly reduced labour cost. These ventures aim at enabling the company to optimise profits through efficiency in production, sales, accountability, and us e of company resources while maintaining quality (Hambrick, 1983). Benefits and Suitability of the Cost Leadership Strategy Efficiency monitoring in distribution, sales, cash flow management, labour, and diversification as employed by Big W is particularly suitable for the firm as it is more of a precautionary measure that shields the firm from effects of redundancy and underutilization of production variables. Despite rivalry in the retail industry, Big W has been in a position to monitor all its operation chains and periodically evaluate the same as a means of reducing overhead cost due to underutilization, poor balancing, and unaccountability. As a result, Big W has managed to transform its portfolio and capital structure by 18% since most of operation lines is optimally utilized (BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007). Conclusion Conclusively, it is apparent that Big W is a force in the retail store industry in Australia. Reflectively, the company has successfully managed to establish o ver 160 stores across Australia. Besides, the chain has remodelled its cost leadership to embrace efficiency in operations through incorporation of technology, monitoring tools, and evaluation systems. As a result, despite stiff competition, the chain offers competitive prices and substantial discounts since they maximize gains from economies of scale due to large turnover per annum. In 2011, its operating income stabilized at $177 million. Incorporation of the Porters market forces in the management of this successful chain is directly linked to its consistency, profitability, and efficiency. List of References BIG W: Why shop at BIG W 2007. Web. Bodily, SE Allen, MS 1999, A dialogue process for choosing value-creating strategies, Interfaces, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 16-28. Chang, S Singh, H 2000, Corporate and industry effects on business unit competitive position, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 739-752 Cusumano, MA Takeishi, A 1991, Supplier relations and managem ent: A survey of Japanese, Japanese-Transplant, and US Auto plants, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 12, no. 8, pp. 563-588. Desarbo, W S, Jedidi, K Sinha, I 2001, Customer value analysis in a heterogeneous market, Srategic management Journal, vol. 22, no. 9, pp. 845-857 Ehrenberg, ASC 1964, Estimating the proportion of loyal buyers, Journal of Marketing Research, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 56-59. Hambrick, DC 1983, High profit strategies in mature capital goods industries: A contingency approach, The Academy of Management Journal, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 687-707. Michael, SC 2000, Investments to create bargaining power: The case of franchising, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 497-514. Peng, MW 2004, Identifying the big question in international business research, Journal of International Business Studies, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 99-108. Roth, M 2011, Top Stocks 2012: A Share-buyer’s Guide to Leading Australian Companies, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Tyre, M J Hauptma n, O 1992, Effectiveness of organizational responses to technological change in the production process, Organization Science, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 301-320. Woolworths Supermarkets 2011, Woolworths. Web. Wright, P 1987, A refinement of Porter’s strategies, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 93-101

M1903 Springfield Rifle - World War I

M1903 Springfield Rifle - World War I The M1903 Springfield rifle was the primary rifle used by the United States Army and Marine Corps during the first several decades of the 20th century. Officially designated United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903, it was a bolt-action rifle that utilized a five-round magazine. The M1903 was used by the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and was retained after the conflict. It was not replaced as the standard American infantry rifle until the introduction of the M1 Garand in 1936. Despite this change, the M1903 was still in use during the early campaigns of World War II. In the years after the war, only the M1903A4 sniper rifle variant remained in the inventory. That last of these were retired during the early years of the Vietnam War. Background Following the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army began seeking a replacement for its standard Krag-JÃ ¸rgensen rifles. Adopted in 1892, the Krag had shown several weaknesses during the conflict. Among these was a lower muzzle velocity than the Mausers employed by Spanish troops as well as a difficult to load magazine which required the insertion of one round at time. In 1899, attempts were made to improve the Krag with the introduction of a high-velocity cartridge. These proved unsuccessful as the rifles single locking lug on the bolt proved incapable of handling the increased chamber pressure. Development Design Over the next year, engineers at the Springfield Armory began developing designs for a new rifle. Though the U.S. Army had examined the Mauser in the early 1890s prior to selecting the Krag, they returned to the German weapon for inspiration. Later Mauser rifles, including the Mauser 93 used by the Spanish, possessed a magazine fed by a stripper clip and a greater muzzle velocity than its predecessors. Combining elements from the Krag and the Mauser, Springfield produced its first operational prototype in 1901. Soldier with M1903 Springfield. U.S. Army Center for Military History Believing they had achieved their goal, Springfield began tooling its assembly line for the new model. Much to their dismay, the prototype, designated M1901, was declined by the U.S. Army. Over the next two years, the U.S. Army laid out a variety of changes which were incorporated into the M1901s design. In 1903, Springfield presented the new M1903, which was accepted into service. Though the M1903 was a composite consisting of the best elements from several prior weapons, it remained similar enough to the Mauser that the U.S. Government was forced to pay royalties to Mauserwerke. M1903 Springfield Cartridge: .30-03 .30-06 SpringfieldCapacity: 5 round stripper clipMuzzle Velocity: 2,800 ft./sec.Effective Range: 2,500 yds.Weight: approx. 8.7 lbs.Length: 44.9 in.Barrel Length: 24 in.Sights: Leaf rear sight, barleycorn-type front sightAction: Bolt-action Introduction The M1903 was officially adopted on June 19, 1903 under the official designation of United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903. Moving into production, Springfield built 80,000 of the M1903 by 1905, and the new rifle slowly began to replace the Krag. Minor changes were made in the early years, with a new sight added in 1904, and a new knife-style bayonet in 1905. As these alterations were implemented, two major changes were introduced. The first was a shift to pointed, spitzer ammunition in 1906. This led to the introduction of the .30-06 cartridge that would become standard for American rifles. The second change was a shortening of the barrel to 24 inches. World War I During testing, Springfield found that the M1903s design was equally effective with a shorter, cavalry-style barrel. As this weapon was lighter and more easily wielded, it was ordered for the infantry as well. By the time the US entered World War I in April 1917, 843,239 M1903s had been produced at Springfield and the Rock Island Arsenal. Equipping the American Expeditionary Forces, the M1903 proved lethal and efficient against the Germans in France. During the war, the M1903 Mk. I was produced which allowed for the fitting of a Pedersen device. Developed in an effort to increase the M1903s volume of fire during assaults, the Pedersen device allowed the rifle to fire .30 caliber pistol ammunition semi-automatically. World War II After the war, the M1903 remained the standard American infantry rifle until the introduction of the M1 Garand in 1937. Much beloved by American soldiers, many were reluctant to switch to the new rifle. With the entry of the US into World War II in 1941, many units, both in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, had not completed their transition to the Garand. As a result, several formations deployed for action still carrying the M1903. The rifle saw action in North Africa and Italy, as well as in the early fighting in the Pacific. A GI with the 36th Infantry Division cleans his M1903 Springfield, equipped with sniper scope. Public Domain The weapon was famously used by the U.S. Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Though the M1 replaced the M1903 in most units by 1943, the older rifle continued to be used in specialized roles. Variants of the M1903 saw extended service with the Rangers, Military Police, as well as with Free French forces. The M1903A4 saw extensive use as a sniper rifle during the conflict. M1903s produced during World War II were often made by Remington Arms and the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company. Later Use Though it was reduced to a secondary role, the M1903 continued to be produced during World War II by Remington Arms and Smith-Corona Typewriter. Many of these were designated M1903A3 as Remington requested several design changes to improve performance and simplify the manufacturing process. With the conclusion of World War II, most M1903s were retired from service, with only the M1903A4 sniper rifle being retained. Many of these were replaced during the Korean War, however the U.S. Marine Corps continued to use some until the early days of the Vietnam War.

Starting an Innovative Architectural Firm Essay

Starting an Innovative Architectural Firm - Essay Example On the hand, organizations with low or nil innovation orientation are normally associated with negative performance attributes, such as low quality of services, high wastages, constant complaints, grievances and conflicts with key stakeholders, low productivity, high redundancies, poor turnover, low flexibility and generally poor reactions from the key stakeholders (Koontz, 2009). In spite of the significance of innovation, founding an innovative architectural firm is not an easy process. It requires the understanding of a variety of environments, the application of best business practices and the adoption of current organizational development and management techniques, among other key issues. Adoption of current technological devices remains the key to the successful founding of an innovative firm. The computerized information technology with its related products in the forms of information systems, connectivity and telecommunications, the data base management syndrome, the artifici al intelligence domain and effective security to information and other related products have shown tremendous success in the management of innovation. The computer technology works to capture, process, store and disseminate information in a more accurate, economical and simple manner. Additionally the organization has the potential to meet both far away and immediate stakeholders through the various telecommunication systems. Closely associated with the telecommunications is the nature of information processing and dissemination. Since innovation requires quick and accurate information flows, the application of the online system of information processing, as opposed to the all batch processing, has clearly worked to increased innovation in the many other fields. This ensures effective and faster flow of ideas, communication and information that will increase an organization’s ability to innovate. In this respect through such products like electronic calendaring, artificial in telligence, electronic meetings and electronic mail, the application of computer based information systems has greatly assisted in the innovation. Thus, based on the aids of the current computers and related technologies the foundations of innovative architectural firms have been achieved with great success. Starting an innovative architectural firm also requires high levels of knowledge, abilities and capacities, as well as the right attitudes and skills. The acquisition of these variables is undertaken through sustainable training and development efforts. Training and development equips the participants with the above variables required to operate the venture. In this respect, an innovative architectural firm needs to establish training and development programs that are both comprehensive and flexible. This provides the participant with the needed innovation and related skills, attitude, knowledge and abilities. Senge advocates for the learning organization concept as a means of i nstituting innovative firms. His model of training and development denotes an organization that is constantly training and developing its resources while at the same time, being involved in serious analysis of its training and development programs. This analysis reflects the current and future needs of the firm with the ultimate objective of developing a strategic perspective. The learning organizations concept is synonymous with high levels of organizational flexibility,

Roles of a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room Research Paper

Roles of a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room - Research Paper Example This research paper focuses on describing the profession and everyday duties of registered nurses, also known as (RN), that are the majority of the employees in the industry of health. They are often responsible for assigning tasks to other nurses, nursing assistants and licensed practitioners. The phrase registered is used for a reason, the researcher explaines, and this is because they are specialized and have more knowledge on a certain area in the hospital environment. Normally, there is a registered nurse for each section of the healthcare like oncology, neonatal and in the emergency room. This research paper discusses their duties and roles while in the emergency room. In conclusion, the researcher states that most registered nurses work as staff nurses, who are members of a medical team that provide critical health care. Nevertheless, some of the registered nurses opt to advance to practice nurses, who work together with other physicians or independently. They may also focus o n the stipulation of primary care services. They provide direct care for patients, and expert consultation services in the various specialties of nursing like psychiatric, mental health. Those who specialized in anesthetists, offer anesthesia and correlated care either before or after surgical or obstetrical and diagnostic procedures. They also offer emergency and pain management services like airway management. Nonetheless, there is an assortment of other areas that nurse could choose to specialize and get registered.

Julius Caesar Essay: Brutus as the Tragic Hero -- Julius Caesar Essays

Brutus as the Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar, displays Brutus as a tragic hero, blinded loyalty and devotion. Brutus's heroic belief of honor and virtue was so powerful that it drove him to perform villainous actions and lead to his destruction. The tragic hero is "presented as a person neither entirely good nor entirely evil, who is led by some tragic flaw to commit an act that results in suffering and utter defeat." (Morner, Kathleen & Rausch, Ralph. 1991, Pg. #227) Brutus was guided by his firm decrees of honor, yet he was unconsciously hypocritical. He praised himself for refusing bribes and not acquiring money through dishonest means, "For I can raise no money by vile means" (Act IV Scene iii) yet he rebuked Cassius for refusing to share with him his own fraudulent gains. He strove for uprightness using dishonest and corrupt ways to accomplish his supposed morals. In Julius Caesar, Cassius approached Brutus with the idea of assassinating Caesar. Cassius needed Brutus because of his renowned heroic qualities. He used Brutus as an insurance policy, declaring "Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels with the most boldest and best hearts of Rome." (Act III, Scene i) Cassius lead him to fear Caesar is too ambitious and despotic. This forced Brutus to come to the conclusion that Caesar's death is the only way to solve Rome's problem. "And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, Which hatched would, as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell." (Act II, Scene i) Brutus believed that this is for Rome's own good, "not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (Act III, Scene ii) Cassius manipulated Brutus into thinking that he must eliminate C... ...and devotion destroyed him. The greatest good in this tragic hero lead him to the wickedest evil. Works Cited http://student.cscc.edu/ENGL/Engl264/traglex.htm. Shakespearean Tragedy. 11-29-99. Yahoo. Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Chelsea House Publisher; Connecticut, New York, & Pennsylvania. 1988, Pg. #33 - 36 Boyce, Charles. Shakespeare A to Z. Roundtable Press, Inc.; New York. 1990, Pg. #78 - 80 Durband, Alan. Shakespeare Made Easy: Julius Caesar. Barron's Educational Series, Inc.; New York. 1985. Ludowyk, E.F.C. Understanding Shakespeare. Cambridge University Press; New York. 1962, Pg. #184 - 187 Morner, Kathleen & Rausch, Ralph. NTC's Dictionary of Literary Terms. National Textbook Company; Illinois. 1991, Pg. #225 - 227 Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Dover Publications, Inc.; New York. 1991.   

Better Weight-Loss Tool: Dieting Vs Exercising

A major factor leading to obesity in developed countries is the ready availability of inexpensive and tasty food. In addition to it a sedentary lifestyle, including desk jobs and time spent watching TV, using a computer, and other â€Å"activities† that require little or no physical effort are some other reasons. People are showing more interest in eating foods in restaurants and fast food out lets than the home made foods. Excess body fat has been linked to such health problems as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis and certain forms of cancer.There are different ways of loosing weight. One of them is by dieting and another is by exercising. But many people diet simply to reduce their weight to look better and slim. They think that the best way to achieve it is â€Å"Eat less, weigh less†. There's nothing wrong with looking good and losing weight but they should realize how healthy and strong they are. To be successful, the we ight loss should be gradual. The best way to shed body fat and reduce the weight is by dieting or temporarily changing eating habits. Sticking to a sensible eating program can also involve some discipline and sacrifice.A successful weight loss diet must include adequate amounts of all essential nutrients that the body needs to maintain health. The diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and a few processed foods is the best diet for people who want to loose weight in long term. Plan your diet carefully, avoiding fast foods and any other high-fat, high-sugar foods, foods such as fish, tofu, and the leanest cuts of meats with major protein source are advised instead of burgers and pizzas. An adult woman who is moderately active needs about 2,000 calories per day to meet all her nutrient requirements and maintain a healthy weight.She must therefore choose her diet carefully which in the long-term should not have any health problems such as kidney problems, bone minera l loss, and other unknown long-term risk factors (Eisenstein, et al. , 2002). People soon become tired or give themselves a vacation from dieting and gain the lost weight back, plus some more. A person’s effective approach to stay slim depends on whether ones weight goal is short- or long-term. If one strictly wants to become slim, they should be strong and determined towards the diet they eat.If your objective is to reduce body fat and keep your weight at a healthy, comfortable level, research has confirmed that regular exercise is the most important factor for long-term success . Exercising regularly will avoid depositing excess body fat. This is the most important component of your weight loss plan. Exercise will enhance what you're doing with your diet, but exercise alone will never take the place of changing your diet. Exercise can change the way you look, feel, and perform, as well as have a tremendously positive impact on your health and almost every aspect of your lif e.Setting up a simple, economical home gym will also help overcome some of the time limitations by cutting out travel to and from the gym. With a small initial investment and a few square feet of floor space, you can add convenience to the list of why an exercise program can be so effective. A proper diet coupled with regular exercise is the staple to a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, we don't commit to dieting until we are sure we can commit to exercise. Or we focus on exercising to the exclusion of our diet. You can exercise every single day for a whole year and I loose t only five pounds because you didn't correct your diet.Even to lose weight, one need energy. The best way is avoiding the high-calorie foods. That enables you to pack a tremendous amount of calories into a short amount of time. But it is better to avoid eating too many calories in the first place. An hour's worth of exercise will not undo the damage of eating 5,000 calories a day. In fact, if you don't exercise at a ll, yet you clean up your diet, you'll lose weight. If you only exercise and don't clean up your diet, will you lose weight? Maybe, but not much, if your uncorrected diet is anything like mine was.Research has proven that the only long-term way to reduce body fat (and not body protein and water, which can be quick but ineffective) is to reduce the intake of high-fat and sugary foods and to exercise regularly. Ross et al. , (2000) reported that men in both the diet and the exercise–weight loss programs lost an average of about 16 pounds. Weight did not change in the control group or in the group assigned to exercise without weight loss. Body fat decreased in both weight loss groups, but men in the exercise–weight loss program lost more body fat than men in the diet–weight loss program.Men assigned to exercise without weight loss lost some abdominal fat. Physical fitness improved in both exercise groups. The tests for early signs of diabetes improved in both weigh t loss groups. In any weight loss attempt the goal is to lose the excess fat that has been accumulated in the body, rather than to lose weight. Food prepared at home offers the easiest way to make healthy choices about fat, sugar, salt, and so forth, but in today's world, convenience often wins out over a home cooked meal. A healthy diet along with exercise improves the quality of health and life expectancy.Health is wealth, what else one need rather than a good health. Being healthy will make a profound difference on anyone's life, and that should be motivation enough to start your diet and get going on that exercise program—and to keep it up indefinitely. For the best of both worlds, don’t choose between diet and exercise, take the comprehensive approach and allow the two to support one another. Reference: Eisenstein, J. ; Roberts, S. ; Dallal, G. ; and Saltzman, E. (2002).â€Å"High-Protein Weight-Loss Diets: Are They Safe and Do They Work? A Review of the Experime ntal and Epidemiological Data.† Nutrition Review 60:189–197. Lejeune, M. P. G. M. , van Aggel-Leijssen, D. P. C. , van Baak, M. A. and Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2003).Effects of dietary restraint vs exercise during weight maintenance in obese men. Volume 57, Number 10, Pages 1338-1344 R. Ross, D. Dagnone, P. J. H. Jones, H. Smith, A. Paddags, R. Hudson, and I. Janssen. (2000).â€Å"Reduction in Obesity and Related Comorbid Conditions after Diet-Induced Weight Loss or Exercise-Induced Weight Loss in Men. A Randomized, Controlled Trial. † It is in the 18 July 2000 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 133, pages 92-103).