An Evaluation of Project Quality Controls of the Oil and Gas Industry Dissertation

An Evaluation of Project whole tone Controls of the Oil and Gas Industry Projects in the United Arab Emirates - dissertation Examplebu Dhabi Polymers Company Ltd (Borouge), the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER) and the Abu Dhabi Gas Company (ATHEER). Q3 How does it feel to be leading one of the biggest oil and gas extractive empire of the creative activity? Ans Its quite a responsibility and its a pressure too to meet the world(prenominal) stock to maintain the stature and credibleness of the company. We are too confronting issues about the increasing number of disciplinal remedies that we need to undertake to ease and strengthen out our operation. Q4 For you, what is the meaning of flavor chair? For me, qualitycontrolis achieving the standard level of product and services following specific requirements on dependability, satisfaction, and reliability and fiscal rate. It is concern about quality assurance and the standard limit employed to a product or service. Our qu alitycontrolteam works to assess problem to fix problems and to review mechanisms through coordinate inspections. We assess to comply with quality standards pursue corrective actions Control is done to mitigate risks and to attune our company to international standard. Q5. What process are you undergoing in managing control quality? Ans The Company does quality control to develop trustworthiness and to learn from our experiences. We development quality control by (1) engaging stakeholders in only control and monitoring applications (2) increasing preference for public and private companies to be socially accountable, and (3) utilizing the essence of science as capital. Following these developments, it is also widely declare changes of standards on heterogeneous skills, knowledge, systems, behaviors and reflexivity, new standard for quality control and monitoring emerged as post-modern frameworks. Q6 What are the international standards that you are using? Ans ADNOC submit for int ernational valuation of its operation and management. The oil and gas industry has a standard quality and environmental monitoring systems (ISO 14000) and ISO 9000 compliant software to improve Manual Quality Management System Processes. ISO 14000 helped organizations improved environmental performance to increase prevention of pollution. Part of the effort to reduce the emission of pollution is by upholding ISO 9000 quality standards.We also follow on acceptable risk management model and Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). ISO 9001 certification is awarded if the following requirements are reached maintaining of standard procedures of all key processes in the task monitoring all processes to validate its effectiveness documentation and keeping of all records checking product output defects as well as the use of appropriate corrective actions when necessary regular review of each processes and the effectiveness of quality system and facilitate continuing improvement. ISO 14000 on the other h and, regulate the environmental management in productions operations as well as in its product quality standards. In this standard, companies are mandated of the following

Agriculture of Pakistan Essay Example for Free

Agriculture of Pakistan EssayAgriculture is a vital celestial sphere of Pakistans economy and accounted for 25. 9 percent of GDP in 1999-2000, according to presidency estimates. The sector directly supports three-quarters of the countrys population, employs half the labor force , and contributes a large share of foreign exchange earnings. The main rude products are like, wheat, sift, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to milk, beef, mutton, and eggs. Pakistan depends on one of the worlds largest irrigation systems to support product. There are 2 principal seasons. Cotton, rice, and sugarcane are produced during the kharif season, which lasts from May to November. Wheat is the major rabi crop, which extends from November to April. The key to a much-needed improvement of productiveness lies in a more efficient use of resources, principally land and water. However, change is dependent on the large landowners who own 40 percent of the cultivatable land and control most of the irrigation system, which makes widespread reform difficult. Assessments by independent agencies, including the World Bank, show these large landholdings to be very unproductive.Pakistan is a net importer of agricultural commodities. Annual imports score about US$2 billion and entangle wheat, edible oils, pulses, and consumer foods. Pakistan is one of the worlds largest producers of raw cotton. The size of the annual cotton cropthe deal of it grown in Punjab provinceis a crucial barometer of the health of the overall economy, as it determines the availability and cost of the main raw material for the yarn-spinning industry, much of which is concentrated around the southern port city of Karachi. Official estimates put the 1999-2000 draw at some 11.2 gazillion 170-kilogram bales, compared with the 1998-99 outturn of 8. 8 million bales and the record 12. 8 million bales achieved in 1991-92. The government recently actively intervened in the marketplace to boost prices and to encourage production. A major problem is that the cotton crop is highly susceptible to adverse weather and pest damage, which is reflected in crop figures. After peaking at 2. 18 million tons in 1991-92, the lint harvest has since fluctuated considerably, ranging from a low of 1. 37 million tons in 1993-94 to a high of 1.9 million tons in 1999-2000. The 2000-01 wheat crop was prognosis at a record 19. 3 million tons, compared to 17. 8 million tons produced during the previous year. This increase is due largely to favorable weather and a 25-percent increase in the procurement price to about US$135 per ton. About 85 percent of the crop is irrigated. Despite the record production, Pakistan will cut across to be a major wheat importer. The government has imported an average of US$2. 4 million annually over the past 5 years. The fall in States and Australia are the major suppliers.Demand for wheat is increasing from Pakistans rapidly growing population as well as from cross-bor der trade with Afghanistan. Pakistan is a major rice exporter and annually exports about 2 million tons, or about 10 percent of world trade. About 25 percent of exports is Pakistans famous fragrant Basmati rice. strain is Pakistans second leading source of export earnings. Private traders handle all exports. Pakistans main competitors in rice trade are Thailand, Vietnam, and India. Tobacco is grown principally in the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab and is an important cash crop .Yields in Pakistan are about twice those for neighboring countries largely due to the telephone extension services provided by the industry. Quality, however, is improving only slowly due to problems related to climate and soil. Farmers have started inter-cropping tobacco plant with vegetables and sugarcane to increase returns. About half of the total production is used for cigarette manufacturing and the remainder used in traditional ways of smoking (in hand-rolled cigarettes called birris, in w ater pipes, and as snuff). The share of imported tobacco is increasing gradually in response to an increased solicit for high- musical note cigarettes.Minor crops account for only 5 percent of total cultivated area these include oilseeds (sunflower, soybean), chilies, potatoes, and onions. Domestic oilseed production accounts only for about 25 percent of Pakistan total edible oil needs. As a result, Pakistan spends more than US$1 billion annually in scarce foreign exchange to import edible oils, while its oilseed processing industry operates at less than 25 percent of capacity due to an inadequate supply of oilseeds. For 2000-01 total oilseed production was forecast to decrease 10 percent to 3. 6 million tons.The government has highlighted development of the oilseed sector as a priority. Pakistans fishing industry is relatively modest, but has shown strong growth in recent years. The domestic market is quite small, with per capita annual consumption of approximately 2 kilograms. Ab out 80 percent of production comes from marine fisheries from 2 main areas, the Sindh coast east from Karachi to the Indian border, and the Makran coast of Baluchistan. Ninety percent of the total marine catch is fish the shrimp which constitute the remainder are prized because of their greater relative value and demand in foreign markets.During 1999-00, total fish production was 620,000 tons, of which 440,000 tons consisted of sea fish and the remainder were fresh-water species. About one-third of the catch is consumed fresh, 9 percent is frozen, 8 percent canned, and about 43 percent used as fish meal for animal food. Livestock accounts for 40 percent of the agricultural sector and 9 percent of the total GDP. Principal products are milk, beef, mutton, poultry, and wool. During 1999, the livestock population increased to 120 million head. That same year Pakistan generated 970,000 tons of beef, 640,000 tons of mutton, and 190,000 tons of poultry.In an effort to enhance milk and meat production, the government recently launched a comprehensive livestock development project with Asian Development Bank assistance. domestic fowl production provides an increasingly popular low-cost source of protein. Modern poultry production is constrained by high mortality, high incidence of disease, poor quality chicks, and poor quality feed, combined with an inadequate marketing system. Frozen poultry have only recently been introduced. Forests cover an area of 4. 2 million hectares or about 5 percent of the total area of Pakistan.The principal forest products are timber, principally for house construction, furniture, and firewood. Many of the countrys wooded areas are severely miserable as a result of over-exploitation. The government has restricted cutting to protect remaining resourcesthough corruption often jeopardizes environmental effortsand has lowered duties to encourage imports. Forestry production has since declined from 1. 07 million cubic meters in 1990-91 to 475,0 00 cubic meters in 1998-99. Pakistan imports an estimated US$150 million of wood products annually to meet the requirements of a growing population and emanation demand by a wealthy elite.

Products & United States Essay Example for Free

Products United States EssayThe product selected for this particular study is Crest colour toothpaste. Crest has been one of Proctor Gambles major global products since it was launched in the United States in 1955. Since then the product has changed in a few ways, namely in the active content of the product, and how it is marketed. This study will look at whether these changes were successful, and what strategies were used by Proctor Gamble to initiate these changes.In the coda five to ten years, the Crest range of toothpastes has been expanded to include a variety of products which promote the whitening element of the core toothpaste product. These include the development of a long lasting mouthwash to complement Crest toothpaste as well as whitening strips which can be applied to teeth after light touch and mouth washing. The core product has also been changed, with a wider variety of Crest products, from sensitive whitening to weekly cleaning cream.These changes and the excellent dishonor management at Proctor Gamble have allowed the product to be developed slightly but clearly and concisely, without moving away from the core strategic elements of their corporate strategy, to forgo products which improve the lives of everyday people around the world.These changes have been made using a simple brand management strategy, which was not to try and develop the future(a) big thing, but to focus on what Proctor Gamble are good at, and maintain the market share of the old staple products, such as Crest. This strategy was implemented by the CEO Alan Lafley, who was appointed in 2000. He wanted to streamline the business around its core products, and Crest was one of those products. This brand building strategy was very successful and has helped Proctor Gamble become one of the biggest companies in the United States today.

Lan Base Entrance Examination System Essay Example for Free

Lan Base Entrance Examination System EssayLong b books were known, the teller of umteen lands including our own, told tales in order to entertain their listeners, as well as, to convey the moral lessons which these stories usually impart. In the course of time, these stories were handed down from generation to generation and listless smooth by ages of telling and retelling. Stories were generally tailored to reply information, become outlet for political and/ or social criticism, and sometimes simply entertain. Many storyteller acquired that distinctive style and unique from which among them well-loved and highly appreciated qualities. But as time passed by, the use of traditional multimedia such as slides, videos, filmstrips, audio put down and overhead projectors paved way in upgrading the storytelling techniques to help readers understand more clearly what the authors want to convey. The use of these traditional multimedia opened doors for new discoveries, discoveries that he will help the students enhanced their learning capabilities through the teaching- learning processed. Thus, with the method of teaching to be effective must be supplemented by other methods or devices that will increase and enhanced quality instruction.But time changes the trends in every generation. The key to this revolutionary advancement is, of course, the computer. A combination of electronic depot with programs that tell the machine how to process the stored data, computers were still a scientific curiosity in early 1950sComputer, as a tool and as a part of teaching and learning process, has been a major breakthrough in the educational system. In our modern way situation, a lot of stories are beingness relayed to students especially those in the elementary take aim in forms of movies, books and newspapers. What seems notable was that although most movies featuredhitech technological advancements, many lack a very important facial expression of the story telling, the im parting lesson. As a consequence, children member a movie or story based on what they saw or heard entirely not the lesson of the story, which is the more important aspect of storytelling. Worst, most tabloids being sold, which openly contain pornographic pictures and erotic stories, are within the reach of these kids.The researchers believe that unrivaled way minimizing, if not eliminating this situation, was creating by interactive storyteller system, which can be used by primary school educators as a tool for storytelling.Although the level of popularity of a computer- aided instruction (CAI) in various skills such as readings , may vary. Few will dispute the facts that computers have won a indissoluble place in most classrooms. The most common concerns of educators now have to do with the appropriateness of many possible role computers can play in instruction. The emphasis however, should not be on computer to increase the achievement but rather on how the teacher uses comput ers meaningfully in instruction.

Coping With Stress Among University Students Education Essay

Coping With Stress Among University Students Education EssayAbstractStress is purely a fact of personality to anyone in this world. Stress is the impact of hurtles from the turn upside or inside world heartwarming the individual (Dryden, 1996, p.52). Different individuals react to stress in ways that occupy the individual, in addition to, their environment.This paper leave try on to investigate how the use of commit affects the direct of stress among university educatees. Respondents for the oeuvre result be University students from all faculties. University students ar famous to lease a high propensity to stress experience.Background OverviewUniversity education system has been changing every day due to emerging ask of higher education. For instance, most public universities are regarded as enquiry universities due to the amount of query being undertaken in those universities. University students, therefore, bump into high pressure with the fitting of the education system. Consequently, the exam-oriented scheme in many universities lead to anxiety among scholars since the students is forced to ascertain that getting good grades in the examination aids them to be a decent frontrunner and acquire a respectable job in the future.Problem StatementThe researches which have been done in the past were conducted to investigate the factors that influence the level pressure among scholars. However, there has been no any study that verified and compared the designated important aspects towards selecting the foremost aspect that sway the level of anxiety (Dryden, 1996, p.34). In addition, the study carried sooner has been piloted only other levels of education other than university education. Therefore, this research go away try to successfully investigate the effect of exercise in header with stress to university students. Therefore, the riddle statement for this investigation can be spawned as how does the use of exercise help in coping up with stre ss among university students?Research ProblemThis study forget be done to scrutinize and understand how exercise can be used in coping with stress to university scholars. Besides that, the study will also be inquisitive to how well exercise can be used to influence the level of pressure among university learners. This study will focus to clasp the importance of exercise in coping with the level of stress among the students in the institution of higher education. Consequently, the research problem can be formulated as Use of exercise in coping up with stress among university students.Research ObjectivesThe undermentioned are the objectives of this studyTo investigate the use of exercise (independent variables) in coping with stress among university students (dependent variable).To find out the influence of exercise to the level of stress among university student.Research QuestionsSince the research problem is extremely broad to be studied openly, the following are the research que stions that will help to attain the research purpose for this investigation1. What are the effects of exercise to the level of stress among university student?2. Is exercise helpful in coping with stress among university student?3. How well can exercise be used in coping with stress among university students?Literature criticismStress is the attitude of strangeness between environmental necessities (stressors) and individual capability to achieve these necessities. agree to (Dryden, 1996, p.45), stress is the nasty reaction from individuals who have to dangerous pressure. pressure level takes place when a person is handled with a situation that they recognize as overwhelming and cannot handle.Stress is recognized as a response shown by a diversity of peripheral happenings and can be treated as a positive or negative experience. Dryden (1996) defines stress as an order focused to the adjustive capabilities both bodily and emotionally. If these abilities can succeed the demand and take inclination in the stimulus concerned, then anxiety will become an optimistic force of incentive and vice versa is true.Stress is likely to hinder scholastic performance and influence nearly millions of students per year. According to Dryden (1996), stress is problematic to control due its haphazard consequence on persons. Dryden (1996), through his research realized that students come across indication of desperateness, anxiety, and matter use. Stress in educational institutions can affect student negatively and positively if not well administered.Educational institutions have diverse job surroundings, as opposed to non donnish. It is forecasted to have alterations in signs, aspects, and consequences of stress to students (Dryden, 1996, p.67). It is very serious to the society that learners be educated and gain the vital knowledge and proficiencies. This ensures that they make them add positively to the growth and development of the discoverive economy of any abandoned co untry. Nevertheless, the complex academic environment rarely generates serious health difficulties to the scholars life. This tends to go contrary to the confirmatory gains that one would forestall after advancing from University.These students must, therefore, pay obturate attention to the various university atmospheres and frame an effective and proficient pressure management in the institution of higher education. University also ought to keep fit and stable academic atmospheres beneficial for improved learning, which is suitable, with regard to the students distinct requirements. Temperament of students poses diverse level of outlooks to students (Dryden, 1996, p.75).MethodologyThis section will focus on methods that were used to collect data needed to answer the research questions. This section focus majorly on research design, sampling techniques and procedures, data collection tools and method of data analysis.Research DesignAccording to Dryden (1996), a research design is the organization outline or a plan that is used to create answers to research problems. Research design is intended to induce arithmetical information about the feature that policy makers and investigators are interested in (Dryden, 1996, p.115).This research will use a descriptive design to collect information and carry out the survey. This kind of design is highly suitable to the kind of information to be collected in this research.AdvantageDescriptive research offers investigators the prospect to use both finite and qualitative data in order to discover data and features about the phenomenon that is being investigated.DisadvantageDescriptive research usually has a subjectivity and error which is disadvantageous to descriptive research. From the subjectivity and error, investigator may pick what facts to use and snub data that do not follow to their hypothesis.Participants and recruitmentThe study cluster will include students from different faculties who were contacted via email to take part in the study project. The choice of students will be convenience sample of 130 university student. All students will be eligible to be selected for participation.The cluster will also have equal gender theatrical performance which is equal to 65 male students and 65 female students. This is accordance to the principle of equal representation in collections (Dryden, 1996, pp.115-117). The cluster will also try to have equal representation in all faculties.SampleIn this investigation, the simple random sample will be performed as a methodology for this research paper. info will be collected from a review of the population of scholars from every single faculty within the University (Dryden, 1996, p.111).The histrions who will be filling in the survey will be from various backgrounds for instance race, gender and educational level. The cluster will include students who will be studying in an colossal variety of educational disciplines and those who achieved a normal ra nge of grade point averages. This survey will be entirely voluntary nevertheless, it will be sinless by all sampled students in the class.AdvantageSample random method is extremely representative if all issues figure.DisadvantageThis method is not likely without upstanding list of population participants. It is also possibly uneconomical to accomplish. Not forgetting that it can be troublesome to isolate some participants from a group.Data collectionData will be gathered using self-administered 10 entries questionnaire which will seek to discovers the importance of exercise in coping with stress among university students. The questionnaire will also seek to find out how well exercise can be used in reducing the level of stress among university students (Dryden, 1996, p.117).It will take each participant a roughly 5- 10 minute to complete. The questions will be easy to answer, but there will be guidance to the respondents. This will ensure that they bring home the bacon the requi red information and also provide accurate and relevant information.Ethical ImplicationsPrior to any undertaking of the study, behavior research ethics committee covering should be completed (Dryden, 1996, p.119). While doing this research, this form will be filled. At the time, of recruitment participant will be given the required information allowing them to conclude whether to participate in study using a standard verbal script. If the respondents will be willing to learn more about the study they will be given a letter of introduction. An information sheet describing the study and what would be expected of them will also be provided. They will be do aware that any information provided is strictly confidential and in no way will they be identified in the research (Dryden, 1996, p.121). Individuals wishing to participate in the study will sign a consent form. It will be made known to them that if they feel at all affected or disturbed by the study they are welcome to contact the researcher with their concern for further investigation.While doing publication of results obtained in the research, ethical integrity will be essential. Important ethical distresses will be considered while writing a document. Although there are risks of false publication, duplicate publication, plagiarism, writing, and probability for conflict of interest. Strategies will be established to prevent or discover ethical damages, and use of these approaches will heighten ethical honesty when preparing a final document for publication. knowledge therefore, given by the respondent in this subject will not be subjected to the above stated risk. Thus, respondents should feel free while giving out information. They are being protected from any risk.

Issues Affecting The Transition Of High School Students

Issues Affecting The novelty Of High School StudentsIndividuals experience changes that impact the dissimilar stages of and experiences in their lives. Transition from lavishly up drill to rank school activities is one such change experienced by run intoers with disabilities, including higher education and/or usage. The author of this literature presents an overview of the issues affecting the diversity of students with disabilities. Specifically, it brings to attention the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on the diversity process, as well as the positive effect of self determination, collaboration with dish up providers, and family intervention moderate on the spiritual rebirth process. Overall, findings support that when correctly administered with proper cooking, the renewal process is beneficial to students with disabilities.Issues Affecting the Transition of High School Students with Disabilities A Review of the LiteratureIntroductionTransition is the movement from one place, status, or situation to the next. Transition is dynamic and is a constant aspect of conduct, requiring the necessary fine-tuning to point life changes (Wehman, 1992). As life progresses, individuals encounter various sets of varietys (Harrington, 1982). For novelty to be considered sure-fire, the individual must experience improved confidence and competence in skills (Wehman, 1992). For individuals with disabilities, the stop of transition from the school system to post school activities represents a pivotal junction in their lives and go forth require c beful planning and moderateized serve.Students with disabilities be provided educational rights by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), with its main focus being to ensure that all children with disabilities atomic number 18 presented with free appropriate education that emphasizes additional education and link execute that is intended to meet their special needs and to prep be them for further education, usance and individual living (US Department of Education, 2010). When appropriately implemented, IDEA propels the education and resultant transition process of students with disabilities into functional post school verbotencomes (McDonnell, McDonnell Hardman, 2003).The prospered post school, independent serve of students with disabilities is heavily dependent on the transition process. Built into the transition process is the actual planning for transition. In go toing the students to achieve the full benefits of the transition process and to be able to use the skills describeed in school to be successful at independent living, the goals, needs, preferences and aptitude of the student with disabilities must form the openation of the students transition planning process. Families, school districts, and communities collectively bear the responsibilities to successfully go past a student through the transition process (Wehman, 1992). The successful ex ecution of the plan is squarely placed on school districts as theirs are the responsibilities of educating the students (Wehman, 1992).Transition PlanningTransition planning is an primary(prenominal) aspect of the education of the student with disabilities, and should be treated accordingly. A transition plan that will have fixed effect on the student takes into consideration post school educational prospects, such as training that will result in eligibility of entry to conjunction college, universities, or art at the completion of high school. There are also other signifi stomacht occurrenceors such as post-adult living, independent living skills, and community experiences. Transition planning is done as a team effort.For students to realize the full benefits of what IDEA offers, and to successfully transition to post school activities, their course of field of battle requires particular proposition planning and programing. Transition services specifically deal with maximiz ing the academic and functional abilities of the student. Transition services are those coordinated set of activities for a student with disabilities that will result in the desired educational objectives (Flexor, Baer, Luft Simmons, 2008). An consequential role of the transition process is to increase success, self-worth, and confidence in an individual succession taking the students needs, strengths and preferences in mind (Flexor et al, 2008).The members of the transition team should include the students, teachers, members of the family, school administration, and members of the local education agency. These are considered to be the core members of the team. Vocational rehabilitation counselors, link service providers, adult service providers, post school education program representatives, and other professionals with expertise in a specific check or disabilities are also influential members of the team. The selection of the entire team is to be collaborative in nature, with all members being fully mindful of the student and the specific disability that the student is experiencing. At best, all individuals who interact with the students as far as transition planning is concerned must be well-informed and conversant with the students individualized Education Program (IEP).Students with Disabilities as a High Risk Group for Successful Transition to Post High School ActivitiesOsgood, Foster and Courtney (2010) point out that the manner in which an adolescent transition to adulthood has significant implications over the long haul. For example, whereas gaining a college microscope stage makes it possible to achieve a higher-paying and more honest job early on parenthood, failed marriage for a unripe person or becoming learnd in criminal conduct or substance contumely can have negative outcomes in the areas of finances, family relationships and other important areas of life. It has been found, for example, that high school graduates or dropouts who do not examine college have significantly impose prospects of achieving a successful and satisfying life during adulthood than those youths who are college-bound (Bloom, 2010 Osgood, et al, 2010).Bloom (2010) observes that a recent study done in New York City bring out new people with disabilities, including preteen people with learning disabilities or emotional and behavioral capers, as one of five significant groups of young people who are at significantly high risk of leaving school, not returning, and then ending up unemployed or out of the labor force (p.94). Cortiella (2009) reports that the Presidents accusation on Excellence in Special Education reported in 2004 that unemployment for adult individuals with disabilities have stayed at around 70% for the prior 12 age. boylike people with disabilities transitioning from high school were found to be at relatively the same risk for failure in pursuing post school activities as immigrant youths, young people involved in the justice system, youth aging out of foster care and young mothers (Bloom, 2010). According to Osgood, Foster and Courtney (2010), given the fact that the years from high school into the early twenties represent a difficult period of transition for the general population in the U.S. and other actual nations, this date is particularly arduous for unsafe youths, including those emerging from the special education system. In addition problems affecting the general population that require some young adults to depend on their parents for much longer, individuals with disabilities tend to face. . .exceptional contends finding employment, attending college, and marrying and starting a family. Many struggle with emotional or behavioral problems many of histories of problems in school and in the community. Often their families are unable or unwilling to provide the support that most families provide to their children during this transition-funding for college, child care that permits pr oceeding or schooling for young parents, a place to live when times are hard. Some of these young adults are hampered by limited capacities and difficulty clearting skills. The day-to-day tasks of achieving financial and residential independence can be daunting because of carnal disabilities, chronic illness, or mental illness. (Osgood, Foster Courtney, 2010, p.211)At the same time, vulnerable populations experience greater challenges to transition into adulthood than other youths often because they have to deal with tasks that youths their age do not have to face. For example, a youth who has physical disability has to engage in the arrangement of medical exam services or assistive devices and it may require extra burden to achieve a college degree or have a successful romantic relationship that blossoms into marriage. Furthermore, youths with disabilities leaving high school may have limited ability to accomplish chance(a) tasks. Physical disabilities, for example, may resul t in reduced strength and range of motion whereas impaired learning and cognitive abilities can make it more challenge to earn a college degree and the kinds of professions that would lead to independent living without the need for special assistance. In addition, adolescents with mental illness and behavioral problems can experience problems showdown the expectations of employers, friends and romantic partners. Because children with disabilities can require considerable parental time and resources and have behavioral problems that negatively affect the parent-child relationship, parents and families sometimes lack the energy and desire to assist these youths, making it more difficult and longer for youths with disabilities to succeed in the post high school world (Osgood, Foster Courtney, 2010).Consequently, the literature supports the need for effective transition services for post high school activities among youths with disabilities (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007). It is found for example, that vulnerable groups do poorly at completing high school and obtaining postsecondary education which is of vital sizeableness to succeeding occupationally and financially in todays economy. It has been reported that youths with more than one disabilities have a one in twelve chance of successfully completing a higher education. Compared with 69 portion of other youths who attain full-time employment with three to five years of completing high school, simply 57 percent of youth from special education gain full-time employment in this time period. Compared with 72 percent of individuals with mild disabilities and 79 percent of the general population, only 39 percent of youths aged 18 to 30 with serious disabilities are in the workforce. Only almost 32% of all persons with disability between the work-age of 18-64 years are employed, compared to 81% of people without disabilities. Limited education and employment among youths with disabilities have daunting consequences f or their living circumstances. Problems include strong likelihood of living below the destitution line, difficulty paying bills and meeting the experiences of daily living, strong dependence on public assistance and high rates of early parenthood. For example, or so 50% of young women with learning disabilities or emotional problems become mothers with three to five years of finishing high school compared with only about one-third for the general population. Compared to field unemployment rate of about 6%, unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is around 40-70%. In the area of independent living, 65-75% of persons with disabilities have not achieved independent living status. About 25% of young women with health heath issues have unplanned pregnancies when compared with under 10 percent of the general population (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007 Osgood, Foster Courtney, 2010).Systemic Failures in Transition Planning as an Underlying Issue Affecting Successful Post School Ou tcomesIn 2004, the IDEA was amended particularly to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities. The revisions were based on the Presidents Commission on Excellence in Special Educations finding that problems affecting high school graduates with disabilities such as significant unemployment and significant amounts of students leaving school without a fleece compared to the general population, are the result of failures in the present systems structures (Cortiella, 2009, p.1). Particularly, the Commission felt that high school graduates face barriers to smooth transition to adult living because of failures in transition planning (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007 Cortiella, 2009).Four areas of improvement were highlighted better definition, clear starting point, improved planning and a new performance summary. The term Transition work were redefined as activities aimed specifically on improving the academic and functional acquirement of the child to facilitate movement fro m post-school activities (Florida Department of Education, 2005). Continued education and transition services were mandated to be provided for young people with disabilities for four years beyond the traditional time of graduation from high school. Furthermore, the definition was extended to require that services are based on the strengths, preferences and interests of the child with a result-oriented focus (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007).The IDEA (2004) also provides a clearer starting point in terms of the age where transition planning should begin, identifying 14-16 as an effecting age range. Improved planning involves the addition of measurable postsecondary goals regarding training, education, employment and independent living skills where necessary as well as a study of a statement in the IEP about transition services necessary to help the student achieve these goals. The new performance measures include a indispensability by schools to evaluate special education services before terminating them when the child graduates as well as a summary of performance including the childs academic achievement and functional performance upon leaving high school (Rutkowski, Daston, Kuiken Riehle, 2006 Sabbatino Macrine, 2007 Corteilla, 2009).Factors Contributing to Successful TransitionResilience or the ability to quickly recover from stressful events and problems detect how successful high school students with disabilities are able to transition to post high school activities. The resources that contribute to resilience come in many forms, from individuals skills and personality, to supporting relationships with other people, the involvement in groups like churches and clubs (Osgood, Foster Courtney, 2010, p.218). However, the most important factors identified by research as keys to promoting successful transition to adulthood among high school graduates with disabilities are success at school, support from family and friends, and healthy interpersonal relationships (Osgood et al, 2010)The good news is that special education services as with foster care, have programs in place to ensure the successful transition of individuals with disabilities to adulthood. In addition to providing support for individuals with disabilities, health and special education systems specifically address the needs of individuals with disabilities by providing access to specialized services that target particular needs of young people. However, to ensure that the transition from high school to adult life is successful for individuals with disabilities, it is important to begin early transition planning (Florida Department of Education, 2005).Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (2005) defines transition planning as the process of focusing on the plans and dreams parents and their children with disabilities have for the future. The function of transition planning is to provide youths with disabilities with the services a nd supports he or she needs to make a successful move into adult life (p.5). The school plays a fundamental role in transition planning, which typically begins at age 14 through to time of graduation from high school, but may occur earlier to hedge problems such as dropping out of school or to get an early start for children with significant disabilities. In general, transition planning should occur for all students with disabilities who have an IEP. In addition to being part of the IEP process, transition planning should involve all individuals and agencies identified by the transition IEP team, including the student, the family, and school module.Students and ParentsIn order to be successful, transition planning must involve the full participation and function of each transition team member. Each student must actively participate in the transition planning process, particularly in helping to steady down what he or she wants to do after leaving school. The Individuals with Disab ilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 stresses the importance of students being involved in the transition process. For example, it added a new essential that transition services designed to coordinate various activities that are provided to students with disabilities by the schools and other agencies to help them successfully transition from high school to postsecondary education, employment and independent living to consider the students interests, preferences and strengths. Identification of the students strengths enables the transition team to identify goals that highlight and build on the students abilities rather than on what the child cannot do (Cortiella, 2005).Students have various responsibilities in ensuring the success of the transition planning process. These include taking an active role in the development of the Transition IEP, becoming knowledgeable about the transition process, thinking about the kinds of services that would help him/her in their adult life in order to help the transition team invite the appropriate agencies to attend the Transition IEP meeting, working with guidance counselors and life counselors to identify courses and school experiences that will promote their desired post high school activities, becoming knowledgeable about their disabilities and how to gain access to services and supports to enhance his/her long term goals, attending class, acquiring self-determination and self-protagonism skills, learning how to use assistive technology and how to save property for post school activities (Florida Department of Education, 2005).Parents play an invaluable role in the transition process. In fact, parental involvement is considered one of the most important factors in how successful the youths transition will be from high school to post high school life. Parental responsibilities in the transition process include vie an active role by asking questions and making suggestions, reviewing their childs Transition IEP goals, re viewing graduation requirements, providing opportunities for their child to explore post high school options such as employment, career centers, community colleges, community service, recreation and leisure, etc. helping their child with their post school outcome statement, and helping their child develop a portfolio of personal informational medical and psychological testing, learning style, class rank, grade point average (GPA), honors, awards, work experiences, etc. (Florida Department of Education, 2005).Dunlap (2009) indicates that it is important for parents and professionals to work together to meet their childrens needs because it serves as a reinforcement of the program goals and objectives. Parents can contribute valuable information about their child and about the family unit. They know many things about their child that others initially are unlikely to know, including the childs strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes and medical history (p.92). This is a valid asse ssment. Children with special needs present many challenges for educators. Therefore, it is important for teachers to be aware of their global functioning in order to best meet their needs. The best way to achieve this goal is through parent-teacher collaboration. Furthermore, when parents stay in contact with professionals they also learn strategies and techniques that they can implement at home to enhance their childrens success. In addition, parents and their children can provide important information about the students goals for adult life, the strengths and resources of the family, extended family and the community, the services needed by the family and the services and providers that have helped the family in the past (Florida Department of Education, 2005). Sabbatino and Macrine (2007) indicate that the process of including students and their parents in the transition planning process provides students and their parents opportunities to look to the future, voice preferences, express concerns and desires, and piece of land in decision making that directly affects each students future (p.34).Olsen and Fuller (2008) point out that parent involvement may take a motley of forms and levels of involvement, both in and out of school. It includes activities that are provided and throw outd by the school and that empower parents in working on behalf of their childrens learning and development (p.128). Olsen and Fuller (2008) identify six types of parental involvement, including (1) basic responsibilities of families, which involves providing health, security, shelter and other basic necessities for their children (2) communication, or the sharing of information and ongoing two-way interaction between parents and children (3) volunteering or providing advocacy help to educators and administrators for programs aimed at helping children with homework or other needs (4) Learning at home, which involves managing childrens time with television and homework and ensuri ng that they build positive attitudes about education (5) Decision making, which involves partnering with the school to solve problems and shape goals and policies affecting the lives of their children and (6) Collaborating with the community (i.e., small businesses, religious communities, cultural groups, government agencies, etc.) to identify resources to enhance childrens ability to learn and develop (Olsen Fuller, 2008).According to the research, parent involvement in the lives of their children with special needs is beneficial not only for the children and the parents themselves, but for educators and the school. In sum, research shows that when parents and schools support and encourage the development of children it benefits the children in numerous ways, including helping children to achieve more regardless of the racial/ethnic, socioeconomic status or educational level of the parents help children to get better attendance, test scores and grades result in greater consistenc y with children completing their homework. Other benefits for children include better self-esteem, less discipline problems, and higher motif for school. Benefits for parents include greater responsiveness and sensitivity to the social, emotional and intellectual needs of their children more confidence in their parenting and decision making skills, greater affection for their children, and greater awareness of policies affecting the education and future development of their children (Olsen Fuller, 2008).Transition Services Getting Students Ready for Productive WorkWork experience during high school has been identified in the literature as a strong predictor of successful employment outcomes for young people with disabilities (Carter et al, 2010). Furthermore, it has been reported that people with disabilities are offered jobs at a lower rate that the general population. The reality is that many students with social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, or developmental disabilities f ind that their educational experience in todays schools did not equip them with the skills necessary to leading self-determined, independent lives (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007, p.33). In fact, a central goal of education for students in general is to ensure the successful transition from school to work. Without a clear(p) transition program, students with disabilities leave high school unprepared to become productive workers and, as a result, become unemployedTransition services represent an important part of transition planning. The overarching goal of transition services is to help the student successfully move from school to post school activities or to successfully transition to adult life. Before the child turns 16, the transition team (also called the Transition IEP team) involves parents, the young person and teachers. After age sixteen, the team may involve representatives of agencies who provide or pay for the services given to the young person. Post school activities coordin ated by transition services to help the youth move into adult life include access to college or university programs, continuing and adult education, vocational training, employment, independent living, community participation and the coordination of adult services from different agencies. The IDEA requires the transition services to development include a statement in the IEP about the transitional service needs of the student, with a focus on the courses of study the study will engage in do achieve his or her post school goals and a statement in the IEP about the students transitional service needs when the student turns 16. The transition services must also be based on the individual needs of the young person, their likes and interests as well as necessary activities regarding discipline related services, community experiences, employment, post-school adult living skills, daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation (Florida Department of Education, 2005 Rutkowski, Das ton, Kuiken Riehle, 2006).Rutkowski, Daston, Kuiken and Riehle (2006) identify four commonly used special education models for transition services traditional classroom model, work-study model, transition-to-community model and the fit career and technical model. In the traditional classroom model, students in segregated special education classrooms are taught employability skills. In the work-study model, classroom instruction is unite with actual work experience, with the students participating mainly in food or custodial service related jobs for a few hours a day. In the transition-to-community model, students are prepared for independent living, which includes developing social skills and participating in job-shadowing experiences and workplace observation. In the adapted career and technical model students are taught work skills and ethics in a simulated work site.School-to-Work TransitionsAccording to Carter et al (2010), preparation for the world of work has long been a cen tral focus of transition education (p.194). Estrada-Hernandez et al (2008) observe that when counseling professions measure the career outcomes of persons with disabilities, they do so by assessing their employment outcomes in the competitive labor market. The assumption is that positive independent living outcomes for individuals with disabilities are positively correlated to successful community employment and the empowerment it provides the individual. The successful movement from education to employment is crucial for establishing independence among young adults with disabilities (Shandra Hogan, 2008, p.117). Baugher and Nichols (2008) point out, however, that preparing special education students to leave high school and enter the world of work or post-secondary education can be a difficult task (p.216). This may explain the reality that while coordinated transition services combined with community work experience plays a vital role in ensuring successful school-to-work transit ions for young people with disabilities, and despite of the fact that federal law requires transition assistance, these services are inconsistently available (Rutkowski, Daston, Kuiken Riehle, 2006 Shandra Hogan, 2008). The consequence of this is that young people with disabilities leaving high school are not given the opportunity to learn proper work ethics, communication skills or the kinds of attitudes that make them hireable. The IDEA requires schools to develop transition plans by working with students and parents and to provide transition services that prepare students for employment after graduation. The increased emphasis by the IDEA on students with disabilities being prepared for employment has been driven by the pervasive and persistent rate of post school employment outcome for young people with disabilities, the well established finding in the literature that gaining work experiences during high school is the most genuine predictor of favorable post school employment outcomes, and the finding that working during high school contributes to independent living post high school by promoting the young persons autonomy, vocational identity, career awareness and ambitions, workplace skills, values and ethics. However, it is reported that having a transition plan in place does not necessarily guess that students will be successfully employed (Sabbatino Macrine, 2007 Shandra Hogan, 2008 Carter et al, 2010).Carter et al (2010) investigated the summer employment and community participation experiences and outcomes of 136 high school students with severe disabilities. Predictor measures included employment skill (understand requirements for preferred employment, make informed occupational choices, know how to obtain a job, demonstrate general job skills and attitude for getting and maintaining a job, and having specific knowledge and skills to perform a particular job), community activities (non-work activities), self-determination (ability to perform s pecific self-determination behaviors, perceptions of efficacy of self-determined behaviors, knowledge about self-determination and associated behaviors), social skills and problem behaviors, spring work activities, career preparation activities (career interest assessments, goal setting and planning, workplace visits, occupation specific training, vocational education classes, social skills training, and person-centered planning), and teacher expectations for employment. They found that 61.7% of these students were not working and 11.1% reported sheltered employment. Those who work in competitive jobs mainly engaged in tasks related to cleaning, food services, stocking and assembly-related work. Those who worked completed about 10.3 hours a week for competitive jobs, 12.0 hours for un salaried jobs and 17.8 hours for sheltered jobs. Only three of the participants worked full time (more than 35 hours a week). Most of the respondents reported that they receive supports from school sta ff (63.6%), parents (63.6%) and employment agencies (13.6%). They obtained jobs through the help of school staff (58.6%) or parents (23.5%). For the students (47.7%) who did not work, two reasons were offered parents did not want them to work (36.9%) and specific barriers to finding and maintaining employment (30.8%), including limited transportation and supports. The most important factor associated with getting and maintaining a paid job was employment skill, which were related to spring work experiences and teacher expectation. Working in the spring increases the odd of gaining a summer job by 5.28 times or a 36% better chance of getting a paid job (Carter et al, 2010).Estrada-Hernandez et al (2008) investigated the experience of individuals with disabilities in transition from school to work. In particular, the researchers examined the mediating effects of the severity of disability among 115 high school students with disability on their employment outcomes in an intensive schoo l-to-work transition program. The authors concluded that employment outcomes were significantly affected by the severity of disability despite the fact that their interests were appropriated matched to the jobs they performed. As a result, while participants had positive employment outcomes in the area of job entry, such outcomes may not necessarily result in higher earn

The Next Big Thing What Is Pinterest Marketing Essay

The Next Big Thing What Is Pinterest Marketing EssayPinterest is a website that lets individuals or businesses gather and share the numerous interesting items, pictures, videos, or anything that interests them It is basically a community of curators (Pinterest, 2012, p.1).The term bowling pin refers to posting or placing an item on your pinboard (Pinterest, 2012, p.1). Individuals use pinboards to beautify their households/offices, design their weddings, learn about new recipes, and different interesting things (Pinterest, 2012, p.1). The website allows users to browse through other pinboards of individuals or differentiates browsing through pinboards is an exciting way to discover new ideas (Pinterest, 2012, p.2).Pinterest users are encouraged to interact with the contentedness by repining it, sharing pins on Facebook and chirp or via email, and even embedding individual pins on their website or blog (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 9)..1.1 Brief History of PinterestPinterest was created b y a fellowship called Cold Brew Labs in 2009 (Carlson, 2012, pg. 1). Cold Brew Labs initially consisted of three founders, but a couple of months later it consisted of only Ben Silberman and Paul Sciarra (Carlson, 2012, pg. 1). It has since grown to depart one the best and most used affable media platform.As of Fall 2012, Pinterest had over 11 million users, of which up to 80% of the users are women between the ages of 25 and 55 (Hayden, 2012, p.1). According to Beth Hayden (2012), the demographic is shifting and there are much men joining Pinterest, she also goes on to talk about how Pinterest users are more or less affluent, with an average salary of $50,000.1.2 SWOT Analysis of PinterestThe study strengths of Pinterest are its users, its fun and easy interface, its ability to addition traffic, ability to increase sales, and its abilty to link and lead (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 9-12).The major weaknesses of Pinterest are spams, the fact that it is not on all smartphones, and also the fact that they are yet to develop a clear, effective revenue mode (Hubspot, 2012).Opportunities purchasable for Pinterest are take over/mergers, more mobile apps, and. Threats are clone sites, biggers sites like google, facebook (Hubspot, 2012).2. How Are They Influencing Social Media?3-5 years ago an average online customer would seduce to ask friends or professional for wedding tips, home dcor tips, or even food tips. Today, Pinterest is changing the way we access information, we no longer acquire to pay a professional for wedding tips, home dcor tips, etc. However, the main question is how does that influence social media? Well, Pinterest has filled the void social media giants Facebook and Twitter ware failed to fill by providing consumers and sellers the perfect medium to exchange ideas visually.At present, Pinterest is driving more referral traffic than LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube combined, the only social media platform driving more traffic than Pinterest is Facebo ok (Hayden, 2012, p.11)Pinterest, whose users have been proven to buy more items, spend more money, and complete more transactions online than any other site (Crum, 2012, p. 2). In short, the race who use Pinterest are the ones at the heart of every social media outlet on the market these days, and what theyre looking at and buying is critical to any roaring merchant (Crum, 2012, p. 2).3. How Can Businesses Effectively Use PinterestPinterest presents businesses with a variety of activities you grass initiate to market your political party to a new audience (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 22). The goal is to increase or attain brand recognition, drive traffic to your website and be successful at transferring the new visits into leads and/or sales (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 22)Pinterest is an awesome social media platform for businesses that trust on high-volume of website traffic to increase sales. In fact, early research indicates that Pinterest is more effective at driving traffic compared to ot her social media sites, even Facebook (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 10).At the end of the day, whats going to matter most is how much traffic, leads, sales, and customers you generate via Pinterest (Hubspot, 2012, pg.27). What is the behaviour of traffic? What topic drives traffic? Analytics tools like Pin Alert, Pinerly, and Pinvolve can patron a business monitor and measure growth (Honigman, 2012, p.1).3.1 How To Drive Website Traffic and/or Sales Via PinterestFirst of all, the business has to realize that it has to gain followers, and the easiest way to do this is by becoming an information curator for your niche (Hayden, 2012, p.1). Gather the newest and best resources on your boards. Become a trusted source of information on Pinterest, and your following leave grow by leaps and bounds (Hayden, 2012, p.1).Also, Connect your account with your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Not only will it help you gain followers, but making this plug intoion adds social media icons under your profile p icture that link to your Facebook and Twitter profiles (Hayden, 2012, p.1).A lot of brands have already started creating contests using Pinterest. Hold a contest that asks users to create a pinboard on their own account to demonstrate what they love about your brand, products, or operate (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 25)Make it super easy for website visitors to share your visual content or images on Pinterest by adding a Pin It button to your site (Hayden, 2012, p.1). Just like other social media sharing buttons, this will help to expose your brand to a new audience (Hayden, 2012, p.1).Offer exclusive Pinterest promotions. Create pins that give special promotions for following you on Pinterest (Hayden, 2012, p.1).Create a board that tells the story of your company and communicates your core values. Make this board available to people as part of your sales process (Hayden, 2012, p.1).4. Brands Already On PinterestPinterest offers a great medium to connect with your audience. The brands that have been most successful arent just enabling users to pin their content rather, theyre getting in on the pinning themselves (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 34)Unlike Twitter, The top profiles, owned by individuals, on Pinterest are over 10 times larger than the top profiles owned by companies, and none are celebrity accounts (business insider, 2012). Individuals who have been successful have kept it simple Lots of pictures of food and fashion (Minato, 2012, p.2)Pinterest offers a great medium to connect with your audience. The brands that have been most successful arent just enabling users to pin their content rather, theyre getting in on the pinning themselves. (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 34)Below are 5 brands that are doing wellPerfect PalleteDrake UniversityMashableWall Street Journal entire Foods Market4.1 What are they doing right?While Pinterest is still very young and its true ROI remains to be seen, here are three examples of brands who are already using Pinterest the right way to engage fans in a meaningful way that gets them to react, share, and even convert (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 34)The Perfect Palette, a wedding blog that explores the tinge palette possibilities for your wedding and serves, as a resource for other wedding ideas, would seem to be a perfect match for Pinterest and it is (Wasserman, 2012, p.1).Drake University for instance uses Pinterest to interact with students and help them navigate campus life, they also showcases items its student population might actually be interested in clothing that matches the schools colors, room dcor perfect for the dorm, guides to making insolent food look and taste awesome, and study inspirations (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 39). If you are a potential student, you can learn everything you need to know about the school with just a few quick glances (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 34)Meanwhile, since Pinterest looks a bit like a newspaper, the Wall Street Journal made it into an actual newspaper. The newspaper takes the most interesting quotes f rom its articles, highlights them on its Quotes Board and then encourages users to click on them (Minato, 2012, p.1).Food is one of the major niches or shared interests on Pinterest. In fact, food lovers were among the first on Pinterest they aphorism the benefits of pinning instead of clipping recipes. These foodies used boards to plan dinner parties, collect holiday baking ideas, and create their own virtual cookbooks (Helm, 2012, p.4).5. ConclusionAs you can tell, the trick to succeeding on Pinterest isnt necessarily about showing off your products or services directly. Its about finding creative ways to show how those products and services fit into the lifestyles of your target audience (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 43). Take the best practices we have shared here and start pinning content that represents your company identity and attracts visitors back to your website (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 43).Finally, dont point a ton of effort in marketing on Pinterest unless you can measure the result s of your activities (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 43). Be smart about the way you prioritize your marketing initiatives and declare a close eye on the specific benefits this new social network can provide to your business (Hubspot, 2012, pg. 43).At the end, it comes down to this make an dreadful product, and people will buy it (Patterson, 2011, p.1)