Reflective on practices Essay

This is a reflective essay based on my experiences whilst on my six week medical placement on a haematology ward at a local hospital. The aim of this essay is to discuss the psychological and sociological impact on the family when a loved one dies, and then focus on how the nurse supported the husband and relatives through their loss. I chose this particular incident as I felt very strongly about the care given to this patient shortly before her death, and felt the need to reflect on it further. In order to help me with my reflection I have chosen Gibbs (1988), as the model to help guide my reflective process (see appendix 1). This model comprises of a process that helps the individual look at a situation and think about their thoughts and feelings at the time of the incident. Reflective skills help us to think about what could have been done, so that if a similar situation occurs again the experience gained can be used to deal with the situation in a professional manner (Palmer et a l 1997). To enable me to use this situation for my reflection the patient will be referred to as â€Å"Ann†. This is in order that her real name is protected and that confidentially maintained in line with the NMC (2002) Code of Professional Conduct. Description Ann was a 58 year old lady married to a very loving husband, she had been previously diagnosed withmultiple myeloma with secondary renal impairment, and had been receiving cycles of chemotherapy. My mentor and I were looking after Ann on the day concerned, her observations were within the normal limits but she continued to complain of shortness of breath. She became very anxious and I could tell by the look in her eyes she was frightened, and asked for me to â€Å"get someone quick† as she could not breathe properly. I called my mentor as he was nearby who came over and gave Ann some oxygen. Ann said to the nurse † I can’t breathe† and seemed even more anxious and scared, she repeated several times that she could not breathe and each time the nurse replied very sternly and unsympathetically â€Å"you can breathe, you are talking to me.† Ann was by now clutching at my hand and asking me not to leave her alone, I reassured her that I would stay with her as long as she wanted me to. My mentor then summoned me to attend another patient nearby, so I explained to Ann and apologised that I had to go and reluctantly did as I was asked by my mentor. On returning to Ann she was found to be tachycardic and having great difficulty in breathing. The doctors then  arrived and it was suggested that her husband be called as she was deteriorating. It was at this time I had previous arrangements and so had to leave the ward for a short time. On my return to the ward a nurse informed me that there had been a cardiac arrest on the ward whilst I had been gone, I instinctively knew it was Ann. She had died alone, whist my mentor had been attending another patient. I was informed that an attempt had been made to resuscitate her, without success, she was then pronounced dead. Ann’s husband and family were already waiting in the relatives’ room, and so were informed that she had passed away. It was the families wish to be left alone with Ann, to allow them to say their farewells, they were reassured by the nurse that someone was available should they need company at this very emotional time. My mentor then spent a short time with the family explaining the procedures and helping them with any information they wanted, including details on where to go for help and support if they needed and where to obtain the death certificate. Feelings On reflection of the incident I felt that I did not act in the best interests of Ann, as the NMC (2002) (clause 1) states that I am answerable for my actions and omissions, regardless of advice or directions from another professional. I felt angry that I was made to leave a patient who was obviously very frightened and anxious, when there was no reason for me not to stay with her. Scrutton (1995) reinforces this by stating that the support of a friendly nurse in stressful situations can greatly reduce the anxiety and fear of the patient. I agree with this and felt that it was a shame that I was not there for her and feel she would have appreciated my company. I understand that nurses are busy and have to prioritise their work but at this present time there was no urgent situation that required me to leave her. I felt angry and annoyed that when the family came to view her body, the nurse involved actually started to show some concern for Ann when only a short time earlier he had no t ime for her at all. Evaluation It was a shame that a professional nurse acted in the way that he did, ignoring how anxious and upset she was becoming at not being able to breathe. The nurses` compassion and communication skillsseemed to be very much lacking, not listening to her concerns and not showing any feelings  towards her. Cooley (2000) acknowledges the requirement of all nurses to use basic interpersonal skills, to appear warm and welcoming to patients whilst allocating time and attention to communication. Fallowfield and Jenkins (1999) discuss how nurses can worry about not knowing what to say or saying the wrong thing when communicating with dying patients and their relatives, which can create barriers in communication. It was this lack of communication that led to a breakdown in the nurse-patient-relationship, with the patient being fearful of the nurses return to the bedside, and begging me not to leave her alone. Which was also in contravention of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2002) clauses, 1 – 2 – 5 and 7. By not listening, reassuring and comforting the patient, all of this added extra stressors to Ann who was already anxious and extremely scared. I feel that I should have reacted differently in this situation and been more confident and assertive and stand up to my mentor and say that I would stay with Ann, as she wanted me to. I could not see any good points at first in the situation itself, however on reflection of the situation I think it made me take a good look inside myself and think of how I would have handled the situation if I were the staff nurse, again I keep coming up with the same thoughts of how important good communication, compassion and basic nursing skills are, being there to reassure a patient when they are scared or anxious, also being there to hold their hand and offer some support. Which in turn made me more aware of my own communication skills and how effective they are and if there is any room for improvement, due to this reflection process and looking within myself I have seen a vast improvement in my nursing skills and patient observations and the care I deliver. From my point of view it has been a good exercise in showing me how not to treat patients. Analysis Informing the relatives of the death of their loved one is perhaps one of the most distressing and difficult acts performed by health professions, and must be handled with genuinely caring and sensitive manner (Reed 2002). The news of Ann’s death came as a great shock to her husband and relatives, even though they knew she was terminally ill they were not mentally prepared for her death, and so were in a state of shock and disbelief when initially informed of her death. Scrutton (1995) discusses how the death of a partner  is the most difficult losses to come to terms with and the nurse has an important role in supporting relatives through this very emotional time. Kà ¼bler-Ross (1981) suggests that the presence of the nurse who was looking after the patient helps the family feel more at ease, even when the news is told by a member of medical staff. According to Worden (1991) individuals react to loss in a variety of different ways, it is common for relatives to be angry, in disbelief or frustrated and nurses need to be aware of the differences responses to loss and offer appropriate support to the individual. Parkes (1988) theory of loss explains the challenges involved in situations of loss, which according to Worden (1991) can affect individuals in an emotional, physical, behavioural or psychological way. Parkes (1988) suggests a process of realisation, denial and avoidance followed by feelings of anxiety, restlessness and fear. Nurses must be fully aware of the range of emotions and the psychological affect the loss of a loved one can have on the family. The relatives wanted to spend some time alone with Ann to say their goodbyes, so the nurse ensured they were given privacy to enable them to do this. Preparing the body for the relatives to see before the last offices is very important (Wright 1991). Alexander et al (1994) have highlighted the importance of this and have stated that the last sight of their loved one will remain in their memory of the relatives for a very long time, so it is the nurses responsibility to ensure that the appearance of the body does not disturb them. The death of Ann has also had a great sociological impact on the family, they have suffered multiple losses: this being the initial loss of the person themselves, and a loss of roles and relationships the loss of the whole family unit, and finally the loss of hopes and dreams her husband and family had for their future together (Heming & Colmer 2003). It is the nurses’ role to support the family through these first stages of loss, to listen to them showing genuine care and compassion for the anguish and upset they are feeling. Conclusion I felt that the approach I took was not correct, after all the patients needs were paramount and although I am a student, I should have acted in the patients’ best interests. Overall I have found it very rewarding reflecting on this incident, I have been able to identify my weaknesses that can now be turned into strengths. I now feel that I am a stronger person growing in  confidence and now will ensure I confront my fears of acting against someone in the defence of a patient. Action Plan Using Gibbs’s reflective cycle has helped me make more sense of the situation and put things into perspective, recognising how I can put this learning experience to positive use in my future practice as a Nursing professional. If this situation were to arise again I know I would now have the courage to question the nurses attitude at an earlier stage pointing out that ‘bad practice’ by anyone is not acceptable. I have made arrangements to discus this incident, and others I am concerned with to the ward manager, as it my first consideration to protect the interests and safety of patients, in line with the NMC (2002) Code of Professional Conduct, (clause 8). This reflection has highlighted the need to increase my knowledge and understanding of the process of loss and grief, I will address these issues by visiting the bereavement officer for the trust, listening and learning from the qualified staff and by reading relevant literature. Conclusion In conclusion it can be seen that the nurse has a very important role in supporting the patients relatives through their loss, emotionally, psychologically and a caring perspective. It can be seen from this reflection that effective communication and listening skills are the key to effective care to enable nurses to support families through their loss. Parkes (1988) model of loss has been useful in understanding the psychological impact of the loss of a family member, helping nurses to support those experiencing loss, although each person will react differently it gives nurses a framework enabling them to be more prepared.

Are Mongols Barbarians?

The strong military, organized government and religious tolerance all pointed that Mongols are civilized; therefore, they should not be called as barbarians which have no humanity, cruel, violent and are lack of managements. The Mongols were used to be small clans which often fight with each other for supplies. Around 1200, Temujin, Genghis Khan, defeated his enemies one by one and united the Mongols. He led the Mongols and found the largest connected land empire in the history, the Mongol Empire.Mongols created the Pax Mongolia and had great influenced on the later world. First of all, Mongols are not barbarians because they had well-organized government. They divided the large empire into four khanates which made them easier to control (Document 1). Also the villages were divided into two districts. For example, the village of Saint Denis had a district where the markets were and a district that were all craftsman (Document 7). Kublai granted taxes and built new capital. Besides, h e set new laws, and the crime rate decreased about half (Document 8).The Mongols ameliorated the conveyance by building canals (Document 10). They also established post office that had more than 10,000 posts and 200,000 horses to pass the message (Document 12). All the systems and reconstructions they created pointed out that Mongols aren’t barbarians. Next, the military organization proved Mongols’ good arrangement ability which lead to a result that they aren’t barbarian. Mongols knew how to use silk as a tool to practice their skills (Document 2).The ten soldiers were put into groups and had captain for each. Ten of those groups form a hundred and had another captain. Over ten captains of thousand was a captain who control a thousand men. Above those ten captains was a man. Then one or two chiefs control the whole army with highest command (Document 3). Mongols also sat traps for other cities, and made fake figures to let the army look bigger and more fearful (Document 4). The armies protected the trades and routes, too. So the trades and passengers could be safe.Mongols had shown their smart brains with great thoughts in military with civilized organizations. Last, Mongols had opened-mind and accepted different religious which revealed Mongols’ kindness and religious tolerance. Even though Mongols did not believe in Christianity, there were still Christian churches (Document 7). Mongols were opened to new ideas, Kublai wanted Marco Polo to bring a hundred Christian. However, Marco Polo didn’t, but the act showed the wide opened- mind of Mongols (Document 8). They also established society and preserved culture (Document 10).The emperor, Mongke Khan even allowed the Christians, Muslims and Buddhists to hold a council and write their true ideas about his laws and books (Document 13). Mongols are not barbarians, they respected, adopted all religious and ideas. One of the most important empire that ever exist, the Mongol Empir e, is often considered as a barbaric rulers. But, they are not. Not only because they well organized their military, government, and also religious tolerance. Mongols are educated and civilized which think when one does.

“A Thing of Beauty” by Charles Kray Essay

â€Å"A Thing of Beauty† by Charles Kray is a very interesting story about how a Nazi soldier interrogates nuns at a convent. This is a particularly interesting topic because it is unusual and it explores the different outcomes of the situation. It was very surprising that the colonel did not kill Sister Benedicte even though he knew that she was actually Edith Stein. Kray’s use of tone and sarcasm in the script helps create the backbone of the story and builds tension in the play. The structure of the play is very simple yet it is an important aspect of making the play appealing. The Prioress and the Colonel start off by talking about the Colonel’s search for Edith Stein. This is not only an exciting beginning that gets the audience interested, but it is also very informative because it introduces what the play is about and what the intentions of the colonel is. As the play progresses, the Colonel insist on the interrogation of Sister Benedicta, because he had a strong instinct that she is, or was, Edith Stein. During the interrogation, both the colonel and Sister Benedicta learnt a lot from each other. They both have different point of views and they explain to each other why they believe in their principles. At the end, the colonel becomes convinced that Sister Benedicta is Edith Stein, but he does not take her away to kill her, because after listening to her teachings, he has a better understanding of the situation. The ending is important because it’s the final moment to see the Colonel’s decision in what happens to Sister Benedicta. Throughout the story, Kray builds the tension, keeping the audience involved. In the beginning the tension already starts because the Colonel immediately wants to find this Edith Stein and is going through extreme measures to find her. â€Å"†¦nineteen innocent nuns are taken off a train like criminals and sent to a concentration camp.† The audience is in suspense during Sister Benedicta’s interrogation with the Colonel because with every question he asks, the audience wonders if she will be put into concentration camp. At the end of their conversation, the suspense is at its peak because it is the final moment when the decision is to be made. â€Å"You may go, Sister. (Pause) Oh Sister? (Pause) I shall go on searching.† Everybody is finally relieved that the Colonel lets Sister Benedicta go at the end of the play. Both Sister Benedicta and the Colonel are very strong characters and strongly support their point of view. They both fight and argue about the situation and their arguments are very sturdy. â€Å"Sister, you are preaching fear. Do you think you can intimidate me? We are masters at this type of strategy,† the Colonel says, proving his point. As they both explain to each other about their strong point of views, they being to learn from each other. They see through each others’ eyes, and both change their views, especially the Colonel. Even though the Colonel changed his views, he stays devoted to the army and pretends that he did not change his views. â€Å"You are like a parrot, Colonel. You spew the party line faithfully.† Sister Benedicta says, explaining that he is only saying that because he is a Nazi soldier, not because he truly believes in it. â€Å"A Thing of Beauty† is a very controversial story because there are two sides to look at: the Jewish and Catholic views. It’s suspenseful and exciting and will keep the audience waiting for the end. Kray uses a lot of literary techniques to make the play script effective and interesting. He uses different tones and irony to carry out the points.

Manufactoring case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Manufactoring - Case Study Example This part is also required to be stronger. Moreover, the extreme humidity may also damage the same by the formation of rust throughout the metallic body of the tool. However, there also some of the punch tools that are made up of plastic, especially the lever (Paper Pro Inc., â€Å"Home.†). The product generally stays in the normal room temperature and humidity. However, with the extreme humidity it might rust its surface. It generally stays in the hands of users therefore the presence of moisture in the hands might also form rust. Moreover, it is also observed in the table or shelf of an office or an educational institute or in the living room (Davis 1-58). The parts that are more vulnerable to be damaged after the execution of physical pressure are the punches and the lever. These parts are directly connected to the body of the punch machine and with the holes of the same. It is also connected with the part of the instrument, where the pressure is exerted (Davis 1-58). The inside dimensions of the lever and punch are very important aspect for a punch machine to be effective. The proper dimension of the lever for the satisfaction of the customer can be achieved by exerting less pressure for making paper holes. Moreover, the proper dimension of the punches is also important as leads to the formation of the holes at the specific dimension in papers (Davis 1-58). There are also certain non-dimensional attributes that are required to be considered. These include proper smoothness and color throughout the body of the tool. The body of the tool is also required to be designed as per the segments of the customers. If the tool is used in the corporate offices, it is desirable to have a corporate look. Further, if the tool is used by a young boy or a girl, it is required to be designed accordingly (Davis 1-58). The material that is used in the punches and in the lever is generally of steel. Steel is one of the strongest alloys of the

Cost of Capital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Cost of Capital - Essay Example Nevertheless, for the companies operating in the high risk industries, it becomes necessary to consider not only the equity-to-debt ratio, but also the ratio of the liquid cash held versus the debt held by the company. The consideration of the debt to cash ratio is important, owing to the fact that it enables such high-risk industry companies to plan on how to insure their R&D projects, depending on the nature of risks that is posed by the research. Balancing the cash that a company should hold in liquid with the debt owed by the company also presents some disadvantages to the high-risk companies, owing to the fact that there is always an opportunity costs (Eilenberger, 2010). For example, a company deciding to insure its R&D for its high risky projects requires to maintain a lot of liquid cash to pay for the insurance premiums, while that cash could have been invested elsewhere by the company, and generated some financial returns. The other notable challenge faced by companies in their determination of the cost of capital and how to apply the capital, is related to the prioritization of projects. Companies require to determine which projects are most likely going to generate high returns compared to others, and then invest in them. The major challenge associated with such prioritization is when a company predicts that a certain project is likely to generate more returns than others, only to find that in reality the case is different. This is a high risk of opportunity costs, because it means that the company will have already foregone the benefits it would have obtained from the foregone project (Eilenberger, 2010). Additionally, companies are also increasingly faced by the challenge of balancing between investing in projects that have a high potential for generating returns for the company, versus the projects that may not generate as much returns, but that are capable of benefiting a large number of people in the society. All these

Contemporary issues in management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Contemporary issues in management - Essay Example Thus developments in telecommunications and transportation infrastructure comprising the emergence of the telegraph together with its posterity and recently the rise of the internet are key aspects of globalization, producing more interdependence of cultural and economic activities (Ritzer, 2011). According to scholars, globalisation can be traced long before the European advent in voyages and discovery of New World. There are even those that trace its origins to the 3rd millennium BCE Nevertheless, the cultures and economies of the world grew very fast as the 19th century came to an end and 20th century began. The phrase globalisation has been used increasingly since 1980s and particularly in the mid-1990s.Thus the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2000 identified 4 primary features of globalisation; transactions, trade, investment and capital movements, movement and migration of people as well as the distribution of knowledge. Moreover, environmental challenges like cross-boundary air pollution and water, over-fishing and climate change are all associated with globalisation. Various globalisation processes are affected and do affect business as well as work organization, socio-cultural resources, economics together with natural environment. Globalisation has also stimulated innovation. Thus American companies can for instance transfer technology to countries such as China. Thus, Apple’s iPad and iPhones were all prototyped and designed in California but their production is done in China. Thus China’s manufacturing competition is progressively more taking low-skill production while at the same time nurturing highly skilled innovations and inventions (Jones, 2010). In addition, around 15% of technological transformation in Europe previously can be directly accredited to Chinese imports competition, a yearly benefit of nearly 10 billion Euros to European economies. Thus, companies have reacted to China’s imports threat by adopting

Informal Class Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Informal Class Assessment - Essay Example Likewise, in the employment information, not one shares similar work. On the other hand, in terms of interests, there were three who are fond of sports; one is into hiking; two loves reading (but on different facets); one loves travelling; two are into volunteer work, and one is into art, as well as modeling. Even other noted information was vastly diverse. Due to the diversity of the group in educational background, line of employment, and interests, the topics that could be of interest to the batch could be current events, especially one that is controversial in nature; or a general topic that could appeal to all: food, health, love, or relationships, to name a few. These suggested topics could be tackled with enough authoritative research and by establishing a thesis statement to determine which point of view or contention one would propose. For instance, a current controversial topic on gun ban or gun control could be a subject of discussion based on the amount of current news articles written on the subject. One could even solicit their respective views on the subject regarding their preference for gun ban or gun control and signify one’s stance. The topic of food could also be interesting in terms of arguing whether American society has manifested a food dilemma in terms of exhibiting increasing trends on obesity despite being health conscious on nutritional contents of the food Americans regularly eat. This topic could also lead to health concerns, especially trying to determine whether advertisements pose more threats for the children in promoting food items that endanger their health. As such, despite the disparities in educational backgrounds, employment experiences, interests or hobbies, and plans for the future, there are different interesting topics that one have thought of which could spur the interest of the class as the potential

Professional Article Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Professional Article Review - Essay Example The present study aims to investigate the long term impacts of MPH on ADHD affected children and comparative affect of academic intervention along with other covariates age, sex, IQ etc. The study involved 85 children with ADHD and within the age group of 5-12 years. Baseline assessments included Wide range achievement test-revised (WRAT-R), parent and teacher rating of ADHD symptoms and academic achievement, estimated intellectual ability, OCHS academic and psychosocial ratings, duration of medication and academic support. Post baseline assessments, children were randomly assigned to MPH treatment and placebo group in a double blind trial, the treatment group administered with a gradually rising dose of 5mg/administration to reach a target dose of 0.7mg/Kg body weight. Treatment was followed for 12 months keeping other conditions uniform, and the assessments done at baseline were repeated after the 12 month treatment period. Regression analysis was done to estimate academic performa nce one for each subset of WRAT-R and for parent and teacher ratings with baseline covariates and total treatments as variables. The results indicated that neither medication nor academic interventions could be attributed to significant improvement in academic performance compared to baseline values. Critical Evaluation Studies on ADHD lack evidences of mechanism of associations between academic underachievement and ADHD and stimulants have been recommended based on short term trials showing positive impacts on symptoms in general. However, the authors rightly claim that data for long term and cumulative impact of MPH is unavailable. The procedure followed by the authors is exhaustive involving baseline and post treatment assessments which are both subjective as well as objective. The explanations to the assessments, their design are either complete or are properly referenced, so as to enable repeatability. Both WISC-R and Ontario Child Health Scale (OCHS) are established clinical t ool for IQ assessment of children with learning disabilities and ADHD. Objective ratings make the results easy to conduct and results specific. Crossing over among children from the placebo and treatment groups was allowed but records were maintained. These records helped in estimating the total time of medication which represented cumulative effects of MPH, and the medication status at end of trial was indicative of the current effect. The continuation of additional interventions in form of academic support in addition to randomization of parents to training or self help group along with cross design, ensured that the trial were highly naturalistic. While allowing for naturalistic design lead to lack of control on some important variables however the same was partially overcome by use of multiple regression analysis. The nature of academic support provided to the children was one very important variable. Regression analysis used also helped to overcome the loss in numbers due to cr ossing over during the study. Disparities in the results for objective and subjective assessments indicate that the efficacy of MPH is based on prejudices and is overrated. The author claims that medication does not have

Kohlbergs Principles of Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kohlbergs Principles of Ethics - Essay Example Lawrence Kohlberg was one of the first serious thinkers to study and know about a person's ability to deal with ethical issues which could develop in later life and also whether education could affect that development (Source: Can Ethics Be Taught). Kohlberg developed a theory of moral reasoning, which according to him was the basis for ethical behavior and has three major levels split into six identifiable stages of moral development as shown below: The Stage 1 is a heteronomous orientation focusing on avoiding breaking rules that are backed by punishment, obedience for its own sake and avoiding the physical consequences of an action to persons and property (Source: Studies in moral development and education). The Stage 2 orientation focuses on the instrumental, pragmatic value of an action. Reciprocity is of the form. The Golden Rule becomes, "If someone hits you, you hit them back". Thus one follows the rules only when it is to someone's immediate interests. What is right is what's fair in the sense of an equal exchange, a deal, an agreement with his (her) own interest (Source: Studies in moral development and education). At Stage 3 individuals are aware of shared feelings, agreements, and expectations which take primacy over individual interests. Hence they define what is right in terms of what is expected by people close to their own self, and in terms of the stereotypic roles that define being good. Thus being good here means keeping mutual relationships, such as trust, loyalty, respect, and gratitude. The thinking is that of local community or family. There is no consideration of the generalized social system (Source: Studies in moral development and education). The Stage 4 shifts focus from defining what is right in terms of local norms and role expectations to defining right in terms of the laws and norms established by the larger social system. Thus defining one's social responsibilities. One must obey the law except in extreme cases in which the law comes into conflict with other prescribed social duties. Obeying the law is seen as necessary in order to maintain the system of laws which protect everyone (Source: Studies in moral development and education). While two stages have been mentioned in the third major level only one stage i.e., Stage 5, has received substantial empirical support. Stage 6 remains as a theoretical endpoint which rationally follows from the preceding 5 stages. This level is called the post conventional level and is characterized by reasoning based on principles, using a "prior to society" perspective. The individual's reason here is based on the principles which underlie rules and norms, but reject a uniform application of a rule or norm (Source: Studies in moral development and education). According to Campbell and Bond (1982) Kohlberg's ideas of moral reasoning, moral realism and morality are based on the premise that at birth all humans are void of morals, ethics and honesty. Kohlberg identified the family as first source of values and moral development for an individual. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy being honest or generous is just not a tendency to do what is honest or generous, nor is it to be helpfully specified as a "desirable" or "morally

Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Social Work - Essay Example The latter is according to research in social work. According to (Coady and Lehmann, 2008), the emergence of the two theories is a result of outcomes that were not efficient concerning approaches in case work. These approaches were stuck according to the method known as psychodynamic. The center of focus from the relating methods is on short term and brief interventions. The link emerges from theory learning and forms a basis of ideas geared towards solving problems. The call made by the two approaches is to have workers in the social sphere to be part of service users in a joint activity. The intention will be to analyze troubles, what causes them and actions that will help address them. The person-centered theory is consequently necessary for the process of applying the above methodologies (Walsh, 2006). There is a need to have the service user to be central to the problem. Then it is vital to see the urgency of the case from their perspective. In regard to that, social workers are to be good listeners if they are to trace issues because interfere with service users. As a result, they can offer help with solutions that can help handle their problems. Task centered approach also has challenges just as other social work methods. (Rzepnicki, McCracken and Briggs, 2012) Looks at the service users and how ready they are to carry forth duties with social workers and how reasonable this is. To achieve more value, it is applicable to necessary assistance from the agency. Further, the two approaches are valuable in creating empowerment and innate approach to opposing oppressive techniques. Therefore, the inclusion of a new set of skills will improve the capabilities of the service users. That will allow them to handle the present situations and more so upcoming state of affairs that portray oppression and difficulty. There are many factors that influence the practices in social work that require the inclusion of

Operations Management Essay Example for Free

Operations Management Essay 1. History Since starting out in 1989, the Glad Group has grown to become one of Australias leading property service providers. Initially established as Glad Cleaning Services, the company provided cleaning solutions for shopping centres and businesses. In November 2006 Glad Cleaning Services re-branded itself to the Glad Group, now offering integrated property solutions. With a strong focus on customer service and great value pricing, the Glad Group has continued to develop and maintain long-term relationships with its clients over the years. Company founders Nick and Lucy Iloski recognised there was a need to offer an integrated service that specialised in flexible solutions for the retail and commercial markets. Their customer focused approach was welcomed in the market and the company grew rapidly. Today, the Glad Group excels in five key property services: Retail Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Security, Maintenance, and Waste Management Environmental Solutions. Glad offers these services individually, or as an integrated property solution. 2. Introduction 2.1. Customer Service The Glad Group is based on a culture of integrity and dedication. Commitment without compromise underpins every operation Glad undertakes. Glad Group takes customer service seriously and aims to deliver enduring value through innovative, customer focused property solutions that provide a safe, clean and friendly environment for clients, their customers and the community. High standards of customer service are obtained through employee training, compliance, and industry innovation and embracing technology. Individuals are empowered through an environment of support and encouragement, making service and solutions quicker and easier for clients. The Glad Group believes trust, integrity, and dependability is essential in every working relationship and always treats clients, employees, contractors and community ethically and with respect. 2.2. Quality Control The Glad Group is accredited to ISO 9001 Quality Management System, AS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety and ISO14001 Environmental Management System. Glad’s comprehensive integrated management system along with the use of Praxeo and Kevah software ensures the staff comply with the current laws, acts, regulations and codes of practice. This has created a safer and more secure work environment, resulting in a progressive reduction in incidents and accidents. 3. Location The Glad Group has been providing property services to the Australian market since 1989. Today the Glad Group is proud to provide services nationally to a range of market sectors including major, regional and neighbourhood shopping centres, commercial buildings, schools and universities, federal, state and local government offices and financial institutions. Glad Commercial Cleaning has several work locations. Investa Property Group, which is one of the clients of Glad Group, owns the office building at Deutsche Bank Place, 126 Phillip Street, Sydney. Located on the prime eastern edge of the CBD, Deutsche Bank Place has commanding and unrestricted views of Sydney Harbour and the Botanical Gardens and it is very convenient for employees to travel to and from. Deutsche Bank Place is a 240 m skyscraper in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located at 126 Phillip Street in the north-eastern end of the central business district, across the road from Chifley Tower. Construction began in 2002 and was completed in 2005. The buildings architect is Norman Foster of Foster and Partners. Deutsche Bank is the primary tenant, occupying 9 floors and owning the naming rights. It is owned and managed by Investa Property Group. Other major tenants are Allens Arthur, Bain Company and Seven Wentworth. The 42,256m ² of total net lettable area boasts a NABERS Energy rating of 4.5 stars and a spectacular entry plaza. The building also offers cafà ©s, a brassiere, tenant showers, lockers and bike racks, a child care centre and outdoor areas. Located at the top of Hunter Street in the heart of the CBD, it is readily accessible by car and all public transport options. 3.1. Access It is very important these kind of commercial buildings to be easily accessible because there are lots of employees working in this building assuming 100 people for each level for a building that has 31 commercial levels beside other workers such as cleaners and securities as well as to receive the deliveries inside conveniently and timely. 4. Action Plans 4.1. Sustainability At Glad people believe corporate responsibilities include protecting the environment. Thats why an accredited environmental management system was developed. This system helps identify products or services that could affect the environment. To assist the system several policies, codes of practice, guidelines and International standards were adopted which exceed legislative compliance. All this ensures the best outcome for the environment. Every Glad employee receives training and development in the companys environmental system. It is very important to continuously develop and tailor site specific training and education packages that focus on recycling and sustainability solutions and procedures. The Glad Group use and offer the following environmentally friendly products and services: ï  ¶Green cleaning products and water wise machines Reusable microfiber cleaning cloths Water recycling products Biodegradable products Waste management (recycling) consultancy Recently, Glad acquired the most powerful portable high pressure steam cleaner in Australia. This new chemical free steam cleaner is a powerful unit that is not only environmentally friendly but also provides: Improved levels of sanitisation Indoor/outdoor applications Graffiti removal Water heated to extremely high temperatures killing bacteria, mould and viruses in large areas Chemical free portable high pressure steam cleaning for carpets Ideal for pavement/hard surfaces/entries facades Pollution free operation Uses recycled water system Extraction of waste water (waste water is taken to the site and then removed from the site) 4.1.1. New Steam Clean Technology The Glad Group have mobile chemical free cleaning technology that can come to your site and clean just about anything, from floors and carpets, to car parks and railway platforms. Not only does the system of high pressure (3000 PSI) and steam (260 °C) clean, it also removes the waste and residue instantly via the extraction system (400 ft of hose). Furthermore, not only does the truck bring its own water, it takes the waste water away for recycling. 4.2. Risk and Insurance Management The Glad Group takes hazard assessment and risk management very seriously. Glad’s comprehensive approach ensures clients; their customers and employees are safe from hazards that might cause injury. Glad commission Proclaim to actively investigate and manage public liability claims swiftly and professionally on behalf of the Glad Group and clients. Prior to the commencement of any contract a risk analysis is conducted, site specific safe work method instructions are designed and then audit on an ongoing basis. To further improve safety, Glad also operates a cutting edge software system called Glad Easi. Its a touch screen reporting program designed to provide an effective and auditable trail of information regarding employees, contractors and visitors within work sites. Due to the comprehensive approach to health safety and the efficiency of reporting methods, the Glad Group has one of the lowest public liability and workers compensation premiums in the industry. This results in considerable cost savings to clients. 4.3. HR Compliance The Glad Group is accredited to ISO 9001 Quality Management System, AS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety and ISO14001 Environmental Management System. Glad’s comprehensive integrated management system along with the use of Praxeo and Kevah software ensures the staff comply with the current laws, acts, regulations and codes of practice. This has created a safer and more secure work environment, resulting in a progressive reduction in incidents and accidents 4.4. Induction and Training All Glad Group employees are selected through an extensive interview process. Applicants must also provide evidence of their eligibility to work in Australia. Further checks such as, criminality record and immigration (DIMA) are then conducted by the Human Resource Department to ensure eligibility. Prior to issuing all cleaners, security guards and maintenance personnel with photo identification cards, the Glad Group provide detailed induction training at Head Office via Glad Compliance Department. This includes a number of training videos incorporating OHS endorsed procedures and detailed site instructions. All training is evaluated and recorded on an employees electronic training record. Eligible staff is also enrolled in Certificate I, II, III and IV courses in Cleaning and Asset Maintenance. Each of supervisors has a certificate in Asset Maintenance and extensive site experience for commercial and retail sites. 5. Innovation 5.1. G.M.R The Glad Mobile Reporting system is a powerful and flexible software solution used on hand held PDAs. This software has assisted the Glad Group in the management of property services and the assets and life cycles of our clients properties. The benefit it provides to clients is real-time on-site inspection reports such as: Quality assurance inspections Incident/accident reporting Damage/condition reporting OH S audits 5.2. Glad Easi The GLAD EASI system is a touch screen software solution designed to provide an audit trail of vital information for the Glad Group and its clients. The GLAD EASI system captures data such as: Time and attendance Employees entering and exiting the premises with delivery of information at both entry and egress Authorised entry for contractors and safety requirements to be met on entry and egress Safety aspects associated with the sites The system is also used for ongoing training of site personnel via extensive OHS video series. 5.3. Escalator Machine An innovative widely used easy to move machine to clean hard floor, stairway and escalator is coming soon to be used not only for ease of use but to save time as well.

Consumer Buying Behaviour Essay Example for Free

Consumer Buying Behaviour Essay INTRODUCTION This paper is based on a group purchase from the popular coffee house Starbucks. All members were to meet and purchase a beverage and analyse the purchase and reflect on emotions and feelings prior to the purchase and also post purchase. Each group member bought something different so we were therefore able to compare each individuals experience. CONSUMER A Problem Recognition Consumer A and the other consumers recognised the need for a place to meet in order to enjoy some food/a drink that was in the centre of town, within a budget and would not require a reservation. Consumer A wanted a drink but also something more filling and exciting than a regular coffee or tea. This would take the consumer from their actual state to their ideal state (Solomon et al 2010). Information Search Due to the high recognition and availability of the brand, when feeling the need of a drink, hot or cold, Consumer A believe that the Starbucks brand recall is one of the strongest out there. Thus meaning that it is the first one the consumer will think of and additionally the brand is widely available. Particularly in Glasgow central, there is a Starbucks on almost every corner, stimulating both her internal and external information state (Solomon et al 2010). Consumer A and the rest of the group decided upon Starbucks, dismissing other rival retailers such as Costa and Caffe Nero The  consumer thought about what drinks she had seen people get and say was nice, this is known as an internal search, Consumer A also saw another female consumer drinking one of the strawberries and cream frappaccino and thought it looked delicious and the pink and white colour combination is very appealing. Evaluation of alternatives Starbucks was chosen from the consumers evoked set (Solomon et al 2010), due to good marketing. Consumer A showed rational behaviour by opting for a drink that is quite filling so that it was less expensive than buying a drink and a separate snack. Consumer A used her prior knowledge of the drinks she had tried from Starbucks and opted for a drink she knew she liked the taste of rather than variety seeking Consumer A finds that the wide range of options in Starbucks means it can be difficult to make a decision, however they allow you to customise your drink which Consumer A likes as you can get exactly as you want. Purchase Consumer A decided on purchasing the strawberries and cream frappaccino. Consumer A enjoyed her experience overall, service was relatively efficient and her drink did not take long. There was low risk and involvement in the purchase, due to its low price (?3.29) and the nature of the product. Consumer A, did however, feel a little panicked when she went to order as you need to stand in the queue to read the menu boards rather than being able to read and decide before joining the queue. This left Consumer A feeling a bit rushed into the decision. Consumer A was offered cream on top, this left them feeling like it was an added extra, leaving them pleased with their purchase. Post-Purchase Consumer A was very pleased with the purchase as it tasted delicious and was very filling. Whilst Starbucks can be perceived to have some overpriced  products, consumer A did not feel like the frappaciano is one of them, so was satisfied, finding it good value for money. However having seen the high calorie content did make it somewhat less enjoyable as it inspires a little bit of post-purchase guilt. Consumer A decided to push aside any feelings of guilt, a manifestation of cognitive dissonance (Arnould et al 2004). Consumer A felt full and no longer thirsty, it had satisfied her sweet craving and so was now in her ideal state. Consumer A will continue to be a regular customer. Consumer A considers what the drink would be if it were a car, animal and person. If the drink were a car it would probably be a convertible, something fun, quite flash and expensive. If the drink were an animal it would be something relatively exotic and colourful, like a bird of paradise. If the drink was a person, they would be very sweet, probably relatively young, vivacious and excitable, possibly flirty. CONSUMER B The group recognise a problem when they decide they want to meet up but need the convenience of somewhere that does not require a reservation. There are several stores offering similar products in the surrounding area, Costa, Starbucks, Pret a Manger and other less branded coffee shops; constructive processing means the decision to go to Starbucks is made rather quickly; the decision was almost automated due to the knowledge of Starbucks’ product range (Solomon et al, 2010). The group perform an internal search to locate a Starbucks within walking distance from their current position. Whilst in line to order consumer B browses the many drinks on the menu considers the possible flavours and quickly decides to purchase a large cup of tea. The tea is chosen as it is consumer Bs favourite hot drink. As the decision to buy tea was made easily by consumer B there was time left to survey the cakes and biscuits on offer while in the queue; consumer B decided to make a hotspot purchase of a cookie to accompany the tea. Consumer B enjoys the purchase of tea and a cookie which cost ?3.70 which  consumer B believes to be competitively priced with rival stores but overpriced in relation to the cost of manufacture however this has not ruined the experience. Overall the experience was a positive one; service was quick, the store was laid out efficiently, staff were friendly, consumer B enjoyed the social aspect that was made possible due to the homely store and the purchase was satisfactory too. Consumer B considers what tea would be if it was a type of car, animal and person and determines, if a car it would be a Volkswagen Golf as it is without significant changes; if an animal it would be a dog or cat as is a lifelong companion; and if a person someone who was comforting, friendly and dependable. Tea has all of these characteristics to consumer B. (Solomon et al, 2010, pg314) CONSUMER C The group recognise a problem as to what time to meet up, as some group members are not nearby the selected Starbucks, and others only have a small amount of time due to work commitments. They decide to meet as soon as possible at a set point (Starbucks Buchanan Galleries) and to purchase their products as soon as they can so that all members can be involved, and the members that need to leave will just order take-away cups. Consumer C knew that they would need to leave for work soon after she had met the group at Starbucks, so their first thought was that it would be ideal to pick up a take-away cup. This is problem recognition (Solomon et al, 2010) in the customer realising they were currently purchasing a product, but would soon need to leave the location where the product is generally consumed. Pre-purchase research had taught them that Starbucks offer a take-away service. Having made this decision, consumer C now considered her options for a drink. Not particularly liking tea or coffee consumer C decides to buy a hot chocolate, and makes it a small as they are not that hungry. As consumer 2 is paying the cashier offers them cream and marshmallows for a small extra price, and so makes a hotspot decision to purchase cream for on top of the hot chocolate. Consumer C enjoyed the purchase of hot chocolate with cream. It was ideal that they could sit and enjoy the drink with the rest of the group, but leave slightly earlier without having to stop drinking their purchase due to the take-away cup. Compared to home-made products was a lot more enjoyable due to extra touches such as cream and the ability to sit with friends in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Consumer C reflects on their experience of the purchase of a hot chocolate for ?3.40. It was more satisfying than home-made products due to the services it comes with, and was an enjoyable experience with friends. If this product was a car Consumer C thinks it would be a Volkswagen Beetle as it is sweet and almost a bit childish. If it was an animal it would be a sloth because it is relaxed and happy. If it was a person it would be a grandmother type figure, as it is used to cheer people up and as an almost comfort-blanket type product. CONSUMER D The consumers decided to meet to discuss group work issues. Upon deciding a meeting place, there were a few options considered by the consumers: a restaurant or a cafe, as they would provide the perfect space and atmosphere in order to carry out the meeting without any major interruptions and would allow them their own space. Most of the group had already eaten lunch as this was around 2pm, so it was then decided that a cafe would be the most suitable place to meet, allowing them to also enjoy a relaxing hot drink and possibly a cake/pastry. Consumer D already had an idea of a place which would offer the group what they required, due to â€Å"Internal information search†. Consumer D regularly visited Starbucks and had never been let down by their services, they had a very positive image of the brand. They also remembered reading â€Å"Find your local Starbucks and visit us in store for your perfect latte!†(Starbucks official website 2012) on their official website, which coincidently happened to be their favourite hot beverage. A short conversation was  undertaken which involved assessing the nearby coffee shops such as Costa coffee and Pret a Manger, (mainly those who were branded, as the knowledge of their products and services were the highest) it was decided that Starbucks was the preferred option by all consumers. Upon arriving at the nearest Starbucks, consumer D already had decided what drink they were going to purchase (a latte) as they had previously enjoyed the same drink many times before and it was their favourite. As consumer D waited in the queue (queues are present nine times out of ten in most Starbucks although that never hindered the experience) they were faced with all of the cakes and sandwiches that the cafe had to offer. Although consumer D had just eaten lunch, they were almost at eye level with their favourite cake and made a rash decision to purchase it as they usually enjoyed it alongside their favourite drink. After ordering, the assistant then asked for consumer Ds name, to place on the order, to give it a personal touch, to make experience somewhat more pleasant. Taking into consideration all the qualities of the drink, the consumer decided that if it was to be compared to a car, it would most resemble an Audi as it was a safe option, it was reliable and not just a regular coffee, it was an upgraded sophisticated version. If the drink was to be compared to a person, it would most resemble a woman/mother in a well-paid occupation as it gives vibes of confidence and sophistication, due to the sharp coffee taste but also an understanding and warming vibe due to milk being the basis of the drink. It was then considered that if the latte was an animal it would be a Persian Cat, mostly due to the similarity of the colours and the cuddly yet classy image that they project. Consumer D was just as impressed as they always were with their Starbucks purchase; they believe that the brand is very consistent with the quality of their products which draws them in as they never have the risk of being disappointed. Although it cost them ?5.25 for a coffee and a cake, it was not grudged as it is now accepted as the norm for all branded coffee shops. Consumer D had also enjoyed the free Wi-fi, as it assisted the group whilst they were enjoying their beverages so they could socialise, discuss and  research all at the same time. Consumer D identified that the purchase was one of low involvement as during the information search, it was limited and not many options were considered; when it came to the purchase, they knew what they wanted to buy, they didn’t have look into any other product – the behaviour was habitual and post purchase, there was little evaluation on the purchase and no research was undertaken. CONSUMER E Prior to the visit to Starbucks, Consumer E was thrilled at the chosen place of purchase. Consumer E is familiar with the American Coffee House and visits regularly. Although Consumer E has been countless times before, this experience was to be different and the trip was to be made with a group of friends who had not spent time with each other before. Consumer E felt wary and anxious about how the group would all get along and how the experience would be. Consumer E was more concerned about the people attending the meeting than actually making the purchase. Consumers E was considering whether to stick with the regular order or try something new to add to the whole new experience. Consumer E gathered information from the Starbucks website on what other beverages and snacks they serve to be prepared for meeting. Consumer E had decided on the purchase going to be made, however, before doing so, compared alternatives on the menu by analysing nutrition information. Consumer E then confirm ed her choice before the day of the meeting. Friday 15th February was the day the group planned to meet at the Coffee House. Consumer E was running late so felt rushed when arriving. The remainder of the group were already sitting down, chatting, and seemed delighted that Consumer E had finally arrived. After around 5 minutes of brief chat, the group were ready to make their purchase. As everyone made their way to order, Consumer E realised that the firmed choice of hazelnut hot chocolate was not desired any longer. Consumer E had been in such a great rush to get to the meeting that the needs had changed and now craved something cold and refreshing. The queue was terribly long, so Consumer E had plenty of time to evaluate alternatives. When the caramel Frappuccino had been ordered, Consumer E felt no warmth and friendliness from the staff, which is normally the atmosphere created in Starbucks. The staff did ask the  name of the consumer to write on the cup, which is a nice, personal touch. The member of staff questioned whether the consumer would enjoy cream on their beverage or would prefer without. Consumer E agreed to the cream and made the purchase of ?3.29. After making the purchase, Consumer E realised there was no up sell of snacks or biscuits which the felt was disappointing and thought effort was lacking from the staff members. When the drink was ready, it was made aware that it was served in a plastic cup even though the consumer had stated they were sitting in. When arriving back at the table to join the remaining group members, Consumer E felt slightly out of place as the other members were sipping from large, Starbucks stamped mugs. Their experience seemed more homely, warm and comforting whereas Consumer E felt their Frappuccino was over-priced to be served in a plastic cup, with a straw. The consumer understood that the type of drink is slightly different; however, the purchase made should not affect the overall experience of consuming in such a place where expectations are so high. Consumer E felt as though they had been given a take away, and although the beverage was lovely, it would have been more enjoyable if it had been consumed the same way as the other group members; from a mug like youre sitting at home! Overall, the experience of the purchase was slightly disappointing; however, Consumer E loves the social aspect of Starbucks. If the consumer had the chance to indulge in the atmosphere predicted before the purchase was made, then the outcome may have been different. CONSUMER COMPARISON Problem Recognition The consumers recognised a variety of reasons as to why they made their purchase. Consumer A was thirsty and wanted something quite filling, Consumer B wanted a drink and a snack, Consumer C wanted the convenience of a takeaway cup, Consumer D wanted a drink and was also hungry for a cake, and Consumer E also wanted a drink. All the consumers identified the need  for somewhere convenient and not too expensive to meet. Information Search The consumers used different methods of collecting information. The choice of Starbucks was largely based on all the consumers’ previous experiences and awareness of the brand, showing successful marketing, as all of the consumers noted that they had previously been and it was thought of as an easy and convenient choice. Consumer E, D and A admit to being regular customers, thus illustrating not only their brand loyalty but also how integrated the Starbucks brand is within consumers internal search, strong brand recall (Solomon et al 2010). Consumer E also used an external search by looking at the product options prior to their trip, comparing prices and calories. Additionally Consumer D recalled knowledge of one of the brands advertisements on their website. Evaluation of Alternatives The evaluation of alternatives was somewhat unique for each consumer. Consumer E had decided upon their purchase beforehand, Consumer D stuck to her favourite drink, whilst Consumers C, B and A perused the menu and made more impulsive decisions from the extensive menu. Consumer A was relatively price conscious. All the consumers evaluated whether they would enjoy the purchase beforehand and stuck to drinks they had tried before to avoid disappointment. Purchase Consumers had different experiences when making their purchases, despite it being the same staff. Whilst Consumer E was disappointed by the lack of up-sell, Consumer A thought this was a positive aspect of the experience as she felt that being pressured into purchasing more is a turn-off. Whilst Consumers A, C and D were okay with the price, Consumer B thought it slightly overpriced especially in relation to the manufacture cost of her tea; however all the consumers agreed on the enjoying the social aspects of  the Starbucks experience. Post-Purchase Evaluation The consumers post purchase evaluations also differed despite being together in the same Starbucks at the same time. Personal preference would be best identified as the driving force behind why some Consumers were more pleased with their purchases than others. Due to the nature of the products purchased the consumers were able to test the product immediately. Consumer A was pleased with her purchase despite a little post-purchase guilt and experiencing a little post purchase dissonance, Consumer E was left slightly disappointed with their purchase, whilst consumers B, C and D were all satisfied, describing it as a positive experience and purchase. Whilst Consumer E was left unhappy with the fact their frappacciano came in a take away cup, this was seen as a positive for Consumer C, for whom the ease of the plastic cup allowed them not to rush before heading to work commitments. CONCLUSION In conclusion, consumers A, B, C, D, and E, all used the Individual Decision Making Process when going about their purchase from Starbucks. Consumers A and purchased their drink through need as well as want, they were thirsty. Consumers C and were more driven by want as they weren’t particularly hungry or thirsty. In the Information search stage, all the consumers followed a relatively similar pattern, due to the high brand awareness of Starbucks and its easy availability. None of the consumers set an exact budget, but all the purchases retailed under ?7. On the whole all the Consumers, except consumer E who expressed a little disappointment, had a positive experience and Consumers E and D are already loyal customers. Therefore they are likely to go back and continue to purchase from Starbucks. The consumers’ decision making processes are somewhat unique and are more complex due to the extensive menu and options available. REFERENCES James R. Bettman, ‘The Decision Maker Who Came in from the Cold’ (presidential address), in Leigh McAllister and Michael Rothschild (eds), Advances in Consumer Research 20 (Provo, U.T.: Association for Consumer Research, 1993): 7-11; John W. Payne, James R. Bettman and Eric J. Johnson, ‘Behavioural decision research: A constructive processing perspective’, Annul Review of psychology 4 (1992): 87-131; J.R. Bettman, M.F Luce and J.W. Payne ‘Constructive consumer choice processes’, Journal of Consumer Research 25(3) (December 1998): 187-217; for an overview of recent developments in individual choice models, see Robert J. Meyer and Barbara E. Kahn, ‘Probabilistic Models of Consumer Choice Behaviour’, in Thomas S. Robertson and Harold H. Kassarjian (eds), Handbook of Consumer Behaviour (Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1991): 85-123. Cited in Consumer Behaviour a European Perspective, 2010, fourth edition: Prentice Hall Michael R. Solomon, Gary Damossy, Soren Askegaard, Margaret K. Hogg, 2010, Consumer Behaviour A European Perspective, Fourth Edition: Prentice Hall http://starbucks.co.uk/promo/mondays-can-be-great Solomon, Bamossy, Askegarrd and Hogg, (2006), Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall. Arnould. E, Price. L, Zinkhan. G, (2004). Consumers, (2nd ed), McGraw-Hill.

The United States Of Africa Or Pan Africanism Politics Essay

The United States Of Africa Or Pan Africanism Politics Essay One of the introductory sources used to introduce the Life Orientation Research Task Umbrella Topic uses the idea that all human beings originated from Africa, due to anthropological DNA profiling proof, and the idea that we are all originally African. While it is all very well that Americans and Europeans etc. want to dig into their roots finding linkages to being African, and in turn, establishing a sense of unanimity amongst all Human Beings since we all come from one place, my research project explores the topic from an African perspective, investigating whether or not Africans from different parts of the continent actually feel united themselves. An idea for a United States of Africa was first vaguely suggested back when Africa was ruled by Colonialists. However, in recent years, the African Union looked into actually making this idea a reality. My motivation behind this research topic is that as a Ghanaian by roots, but a born and bred South African, I have dealt with a bit of an identity crisis, not really feeling like I truly belong in either country. I have experienced and have been emotionally affected by situations in which Africans look down on other Africans, and see themselves as different to, or separate from other Africans of different countries and even different ethnical groups. For so many years, all African countries have had to face a range of problems, from the issue of African independence, to the continuous problem of poverty. As a continent that is perceived as primitive and underdeveloped in comparison to the rest of the world, the concept that becoming united could help us rise above the problems of Africa and possibly make us the most powerful and influential country/continent is a very attractive idea. The amount of general natural resources found all across this continent could be very beneficial for us, and as one big country, there might be more control over the resources, as opposed to foreign forces coming in and taking advantage of these resources in the possession of minor, defenceless countries. There is the potential to create a very strong force of the 54 states that could be very intimidating when it comes to foreign affairs. My aim for this project is to explore the likelihood of this idea. I aim to investigate the opinions and perspective of citizens from various African nations, investigating the way in which they perceive Africa at this current moment. I aim to compare the way in which South Africans view this issue, and the way that other Africans view this issue, to see whether the final result is a united view, or whether it is more of a South African point of view due to different cultural environments. With this information, I am going to analyse whether this could be a good idea, obviously not from a professional point of view, but from a common citizen point of view, seeing as most of my interviewees will be everyday people. Would it be practical or even realistic to form a United States of Africa as an effective solution to our problems? Would Africans be comfortable relinquishing their countrys names, flags, and proud nationality to become one and the same as people they once referred to as the other Africans? My theory is that most Africans do not see themselves as equals to Africans of other nations, and my research project will hopefully determine whether this is true or not. Literature Review The United States of Africa or Pan-Africanism The African Union, an organisation made up of members of 54 countries of Africa (all excluding Morocco due to conflicts with the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic, another member of the AU) was an organisation officially launched by Thabo Mbeki in 2002. The idea stemmed from the original Union of African States project, an alliance of three African countries (Ghana, Guinea and Mali) founded by Kwame Nkrumah, in the 1960s (McKown, 1973). He planned to start the Pan-Africanism movement, and founded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). However, the organisation as critics said did not do much in the favour of actual African citizens, but rather benefited the leaders of the countries more. The organisation was a gathering of all leaders across the continent to discuss and try to solve Africas issues, ironic since most of Africas problems were caused by dictator-like leaders. (African Union, 2012). Critics described it as a Dictators club. In 2002, as the last chairman of the organisa tion, Thabo Mbeki disbanded the OAU and established the new African Union. (African Union, 2012) Around 2006, new talk started concerning overthrowing the African Union, and replacing it with a single African government for the new United States of Africa. An AU Summit hosted in Accra, Ghana in 2007 was organised for various African leaders to come together and discuss forming a union that would help Africa flourish in this world of increasing globalisation (Soares, 2007). The government would control a 2-million man army, have stronger, combined forces in the fight against AIDS, and be represented as one voice when it came to intercontinental matters. The movement was lead for many years by the very eager Maummar Gaddafi. Some African leaders were all for the idea, some were against it, believing his motives to be questionable. Those opposed felt that more of Africas countries need to be strengthened within themselves, both economically and politically before this could become a reality. Before you put a roof on a house, you need to build the foundation, Thabo Mbeki expressed on the matter (Soares, 2007). At the 2007 AU Summit in Accra Ghana, Ugandas Yoweri Museveni expressed that he believed it would do more harm than good, and would create tension rather than cohesionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Ross, 2007). He further explained how he believed that some groups would force their identities upon others, whereas not everyone will be willing to give up their identity. He suggested that we first focus on uniting similar nations before we try and unite everyone all at once, especially considering the traditional differences such as languages and culture. He even mentioned other aspects that we should rather focus on as a continent, such as the environment, trade negotiations and managing a defence pact etc. (Ross, 2007) Baby steps is the general idea. Many people consider the goal to achieve this United States of Africa by 2015 as too hurried, and not thoroughly thought out. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerias previous finance minister, makes reference to the EU on her opinion on the matter, describing how it took them long to form a Union; some nations like Bulgaria and Romania were not easily accepted due to their gang problems and disorder. She highlights goals that we should focus on such as political and economical stability and regional infrastructure. (Soares, 2007) Advocates of Pan-Africanism Kwame Nkrumah, the chief founder of the idea of a united Africa, was Ghanas first president after they gained independence. As president of the first country to have gained independence, Kwame Nkrumah immediately launched and started promoting his idea of one African country (McKown, 1973). His vision of this included the Northern Arabic African countries, since he was well acquainted with their leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. At that time they were seen as more of an excluded part of Africa, and this was the first step to bridging the gap (Nkrumah, 2007). Much scepticism was held against Nkrumah, since he was able to build a big palace, with a 2  200-seater hall, for the Annual OAU summit to be held, all in his quest to supposedly find ways to provide for poor Africa (Soares, 2007). Maummar Gaddafi was another huge advocate of the united Africa idea. When Thabo Mbeki started the AU, Gaddafi publically branded the organisation as a failure and swore to keep pushing the idea of a United States of Africa. He simply saw no future for singular African nations (Gaddafi urges pan-African state , 2007). As a man with a strong personality and strong opinions, Gaddafi had his fair amount of enemies; people against him and the idea of a pan-African State. After his death, members of the AU commented that everything was better without the pressure that Gaddafi placed on many leaders to be pro- Pan-African movement (AU better without intimidating Gaddafi Zuma, 2011). Gaddafis urgency put a lot of strain in the matter even when so many people were sceptic about it, making his motives highly questionable. Having been in power for 42 years in Libya, many imagined that he saw himself as the president of this new country, in order to claim authority and power. Civil wars and conflict between Africans For the longest time Africa, the second largest continent in the world, consisting of 54 countries and home to about 1 billion people with almost 2000 languages (Africa, 2012) has been a relatively troubled continent. Originally consisting of different tribes and a few kingdoms even, it was seen as very primitive, especially since it hadnt yet been explored. However, as soon as it was, colonialists from other continents began taking over Africa, territory by territory. Colonialists were mostly the Arabs from the Middle East and Europeans. Years and even centuries passed before Ghana gained independence as the first country to do so. The rest of the countries soon followed, however it was from this point that a lot of Africas problems started to develop. The book Africa: Postcolonial Conflict summarises and pin points a general source to Africas problems after the colonial period. All across Africa, the main goal was the same: to successfully take back Africa and to make it thrive under the African rule. They aimed to take full advantages of the abundant resources across the continent, and use the money made to create businesses, and improve education, health care, housing and economic communications. (Downing, 2003). They aimed to spread out the wealth, using the richer countries wealth to support the poorer ones. All these aims are still the goals of the AU, and part of the USA II project (Downing, 2003). In truth, many new leaders of many of the newly independent nations of Africa had been educated outside of Africa, like Nkrumah and Liberias Charles Taylor, raised with a different lifestyle to the common people of the country, causing a divide and possible barrier of understanding between the leaders and the people (Downing, 2003). The fight for independence in the countries had been so unanimous, that the new governments did not have any opposing parties wanting power in the country. This meant that even with systems of democracy, the people did not have a choice in the leadership of the country. It also meant that the single-ruling parties began dictator-like behaviours that corrupted the countries (Downing, 2003). Under colonial rule, different ethnic groups were generally separated by European boundaries and during postcolonial times, the tension between these groups grew. The single-ruling parties of the countries usually came from one tribe, which created even more tension and bitterness, and during times of famine and financial difficulties, the tribes would point a finger of blame on each other (Downing, 2003) . War between different groups, mainly Muslims and non-Muslims, based on religious differences broke out in countries such as Sudan, Nigeria and Chad (Downing, 2003). During Colonisation, the British ruled Sudan in two parts; the Arab Muslims who lived in the North, and the black, mostly Christians who lived in the South. When they gained independence, military Muslim leaders took over, enforcing Muslim laws upon the entire country, igniting a 28-year civil war with the Southerners who formed an armed resistance. The civil war completely destroyed the country, and only came to an end in 2002 (Downing, 2003). Some African countries like Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti were caught in the middle of the Cold War. The USA and the Soviet Union supported different 3rd world neighbouring African countries, providing them with economical and with military support and eventually set the countries up against each other. This lead to civil wars that severely impacting their economies, leaving them in ruin. Poverty and famines that spread over this area during this time also had a huge impact of the people (Downing, 2003). In Liberia, when the government tried to raise the price of rice, riots and protests began, and eventually a group of soldiers the Krahns, led by Master-Sergeant Samuel Doe overthrew the ruling government. They promised the people democracy and justice, but instead used violence and corruption to rule the country, and the people of the country got poorer. Soon other armies sprung up in objection, and the country went into civil war with up to 6 different tribes fighting each other, not necessarily for power, but more out of ethnic hatred. Western Africa got involved to restore the peace and Liberia had elections in 1997. Charles Taylor won these elections, but in 1999 uprisings began again, and the country sunk back into an ungovernable, unstable war zone (Downing, 2003). The double genocide of two the ethnic groups, the Tutsis and Hutus of Rwanda is probably one of the most renowned African civil wars. With a 90% population of Hutus, the Tutsis were favoured by the colonial government and this stirred hostility. When independence was gained, the Hutus took charge, leading to a number of Tutsis that fled the country. The assassination of the Hutu leader made his protective squads (Interahamwe) fight back and they began killing the suspects of the murder, i.e. the Tutsis. The Hutus were made to believe that these attacks were performed by the Tutsis, and orders went out for all Hutus to defend themselves and kill all Tutsis that were still in Rwanda. The original exiled Tutsis came back to invade Uganda for revenge but eventually, a government that contained both Tutsis and Hutus came to be, and some sort of peace was restored to the country, with a safety zone refugee camps created by the French in Zaire (DRC) for the exiled Hutus to return to (Downin g, 2003). These are all mere examples of only a few conflicts in Africa over the years, and even today, problems of power-possession, oppression, racism, and dictatorships sweep the continent. Not to mention other factors that have a serious impact on Africans such as poverty, hunger and AIDS. Africa does not seem to be in a position to be able to unite just yet, as there is so much more potential for more civil wars. Despite all of this, we must not lose sight of the benefits of a USA II, one being that problems are always better resolved with combined forces. The main factor that would allow this idea to be successful is how the people of Africa would feel about it, and their sense of unity. Methodology To carry out this project, I decided to use both quantitative and qualitative research. Secondary Research: For my literature review, I did some secondary qualitative research using the internet, books, articles and other resources in order to research previous information and matters pertaining to the focus question, specifically the history of Africa and the idea of Pan-Africanism. Primary Research: To further my research, I formulated a questionnaire of 4 questions that are relevant to the topic; questions that will investigate what people would think of a United States of Africa. The questionnaire contains multiple choice questions with space for extra comments, if anyone wished to express an opinion. This would ensure that I had both quantitative and qualitative data. The questionnaire was used to interview people both from Africa and a few from other continents. I compiled a list of 30 potential participants of the ages 16 and older. The participants were from Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, DRC, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (It was initially planned to include participants form other continents, but it was decided against, and so question number 5 on the questionnaire was cancelled.) Once I had completed the list, I went about to hand out the questionnaires to the participants. Due to my demand for very specific participants from various countries, some questionnaires were completed over social networks. After all the questionnaires had been completed, I assessed the multiple choice questions and generated bar graphs from them to illustrate the trend of the answers. I separated South African answers from other African countries answers so that I could examine whether the trends were affected by different cultural environments. I used the added comments that some participants gave on their questionnaires to write up a summary of their general view of Pan-Africanism. I also used the visible trends from my graphs to support the information. I then linked the information from the questionnaires to the information that I researched in my literature review. Finally, I drew up a conclusion based on my literature review, results and summary. I linked all my information to whether or not Africa would be able to form a single country, from the perception of my African participants. Possible Questionnaire Age: _____________________________________ Nationality: _______________________________ Citizenship: _______________________________ Gender: __________________________________ How would you describe the state of Africa with regards to political stability and issues of Xenophobia? You may motivate your answer. à ¢- ¡ Good à ¢- ¡ Reasonable à ¢- ¡Bad à ¢- ¡Horrible _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you think Africa would be able to form a United States of Africa at this point in time, considering the political, economic and racial issues that we face in the different parts of the continent? You may motivate your answer. à ¢- ¡ Yes à ¢- ¡No _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you think it would benefit Africa, or do more harm than good? You may motivate your answer. à ¢- ¡It would benefit Africa à ¢- ¡It would not benefit Africa _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you think of yourself as equal to and similar to any other African from another African country? You may motivate your answer. à ¢- ¡We are all equal à ¢- ¡We are not equal à ¢- ¡I dont look down on them, but there is a difference _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I hereby give Cordelle Annor permission to use these answers in her IEB Life Orientation Research Project. Signed: _______________ Processed Findings Tables and Graphs of Results Question 1: Majority of the participants feel that the state of Africa is bad with regards to its political state and problems of Xenophobia. Questionnaires 7 and 9 state that foreigners are still referred to in derogatory terms and that Africans dont yet see each other as fellow Africans. Participant number 24 says that Africa is very far from getting a good state of stability right, whereas, the one participant (12) who actually referred to the state of Africa as good, justified it by saying that, Overall, the continent is stable, in spite of some pockets of instability. Xenophobia is a world-wide phenomenon and not limited to Africa. This is a valid point, but most of the participants dont seem to view Africa in this way, which possibly means that most Africans would feel that the continent is not stable enough to join to form a country. All the examples in my literature review of conflicts and wars between Africans, supports what most of the participants believe. Most wars and conflicts, like in Rwanda and Libya for example, have only recently kind of sorted out their conflicts, and yet, there is still a lot of conflict in those countries, as in many countries all over the continent. Even in a country that is relatively politically stable, there are still huge problems of xenophobia, like in South Africa for example. Both my literature and the questionnaire results clearly show that Africa is not very stable. Question 2: When asked if Africa would be able to form a United States of Africa, most participants felt that it wouldnt be ready for such. Some said that there was just too much diversity between the African countries, and that countries that are less stable would bring the well-being of other countries down. The well-off countries would not want to combine with the less stable countries being aware of the problems that they are facing. Questionnaire 20 even states that it might be unfair to join the countries. Some of the participants blamed the leaders of the African countries, saying that they are too selfish, and that there is too much dictatorship in Africa. Africa would not be able to unite unless there was a deep sense of kinship, belonging and unity, questionnaire 8 declares. However, one participant (3) thinks that Africa would be able to form a country, since most of the political issues are triggered by external factors such as the colonialists. The information in my literature review reflected opinions much like the general response to this question. Most of the African leaders that were at the AU summit in Ghana in 2007 were opposed to the idea because they felt that most countries had to strengthen themselves before Africa could possibly unite (Soares, 2007). Yoweri Museveni from Uganda believed that some African groups would force their identity on others, and not everyone would want to give up their identity (Ross, 2007). Question 3: Despite the obviously negative response to the possibility of forming a USAII at this point in time, a lot more participants believed that it would eventually be a good thing for Africa. Those for it believe that uniting will be good for tackling the problems that the various countries face. Participant 16 believes that if unity works positively in smaller communities then it should work for a continent. However, those against it believe that there are simply too many differences between the countries, politically, economically, and socially. Becoming united might lead to a continental war, as well as distract Africa from the serious issues at hand as everyone, including leaders will focus on petty things such as who will lead the country. In the literature review, I found that a few people thought that the way to approach this topic was with baby steps, and that Africa needs to focus on individual countries and smaller countries before it attempts such a big project. Thabo Mbeki motivated this opinion by saying that we need to build the foundation before we try to put a roof on a house (Soares, 2007). Museveni believes that it would do more harm than good; just as most of the participants expressed as well, and he motivated this by saying it would cause tension rather that cohesion. Question 4: Through all of this, most of the participants still felt that all Africans are equal; that there is no one nation that is better than the other, as we are all Africans at the end of the day. There were very few participants that opposed this opinion, and a lot of them felt that while there is no one better than the other, there are very distinct differences between the different religions and cultural differences. One participant (15), although she ticked that she believes that all Africans are equal, she stated that other Africans possibly still dislike one another, and do not believe that they do not believe that we are all equal. Some participants pointed out that due to the vast differences between economical classes, some Africans being rich and educated, others not, one cannot exactly say that we are equal because of this difference (Questionnaire 25). This response shows that even though majority of the participants dont believe that Africa should unite, they dont feel and particular hatred of dislike for other Africans. Although this sample cannot represent the feelings of the rest of Africa, as other Africans in different parts of Africa, or even different parts of the country may have stronger feelings on this matter. However, it shows that there has been some sort of improvement in the attitude of Africa, in that civil wars are less likely if Africans believe that they are equal. That was the problem in the conflicts and wars mentioned in the literature review; the different cultural groups believed that there was a difference between them and others, and that they were more superior to the other cultural groups. Female 15 Male 15 South African 15 Other Countries 15 Ages younger than 20 15 Ages older than 20 15 Who the participants were: Fortunately, I was able to get a good balance in the different kinds of people that I questioned, and to truly evaluate my results, I feel its best to compare South African opinions to opinions of people from other countries. Although all of my participants are currently staying in South Africa, and therefore are all influenced by the South African society in a way, this comparison will analyse whether there is more of a trend in the answers of people who come from and have lived in other parts of Africa as opposed participants who most likely only know South Africa, as it is their home. The State of Africa In describing the state of Africa, majority of the South Africans and other African nations feel that the state of Africa is bad. Wherein the foreigners show a more diverse trend in answers, having had two participants describe the state of Africa as the two extremes, Good and Horrible, the South Africans stuck mostly to the Reasonable and Bad options, and two South African participants that said it was Horrible. Would Africa be able to form a United States? Once Again, majority of South Africans and the people from other African nations feel that Africa would not be able to form a United States of Africa at this moment, but absolutely no South Africans believed that it was possible, whereas some Africans from other nations believe that it might be possible. Would it benefit Africa to form a United States of Africa? A very clear majority of South Africans believe that forming a united country would not benefit Africa, and they were a bit more negative about this question, whereas the foreigners showed a trend of going both ways. More of the foreigners are optimistic about a single African country. Are Africans equal? An equal amount of South Africans and foreigners believe that all Africans are equal and there is no one Nation better that the other, however there are 2 foreigners that believe that we are not equal, and only one South African. Quite a number of both groups believe that we are equal but there is a difference between each country, and although not the majority, both are very close to the majority. The results for each question for both categories of Africans are relatively similar, but this may be because, as mentioned before, all the participants have some sort of South African society influence. In some questions, however, South Africans seem to have answered more negatively, for example, in describing the state of Africa, as well as in question 2, in which the participants were asked if Africa could form one country now and no South Africans thought that we could. A reason for this may be that since South Africa is a country that is considered to be one of the richer, more developed countries of Africa, it would get affected by a union, as some of the participants mentioned, joining countries would make the poorer, worse off countries being down the developed countries as money would be more distributed etc. This information confirms the facts in the literature review; that the joining of African countries is in fact influenced by different cultural environments. The South African participants are like South African leaders like Mbeki and Zuma, who were also opposed to the idea of a single African country. Evidence of completing questionnaires online C:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_010747.jpg C:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_01098.jpgC:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_011129.jpgC:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_010813.jpgC:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_010725.jpgC:UsersCorbbieDownloadsScreen_20120608_010842.jpg Conclusion After doing the research that I presented in the Literature Review, I saw that Africa seemed very unstable, what with its history being full of so many wars and conflicts. The information on the African Union illustrated how not even the leaders of the African countries are unanimous on the decision to form a single country. From the literature review, you can understand that potentially could be a need for uniting the continent, so help each other deal with issues that we are faced with. It could benefit a lot of countries, and the continent as a whole, but the literature review also provided clear evidence that countries are not stable enough, and there is too much corruption going on for this plan to be successful. The questionnaire results showed that the participants are quite negative about the idea; they do not feel that Africa can or should form a United States of Africa. They feel that the continent is unstable and too corrupted, and that there are far too many reasons that would get in the way of successfully, and peacefully uniting. Not only that, but that it would cause more problems than it would solve, and actually turn out to be harmful to the state of Africans. Their response was much like the African leaders: they were not unanimous. If we do consider this sample to be a true representative of the continent, then Africans do not feel united within themselves, whether they are South African or from another country. South Africans tend to have a more negative response, but the general trend of both groups is opposed to the idea. So while there is a movement overseas to support the idea that every individual of the human race is tied together by our African origin, being African does not necessarily mean unison. There will forever be cultural, political and a variety of difference that separate each different groups of human beings. However, as mentioned before, the results of this project can be greatly refined. 30 participants is a very small sample for dealing with such a huge topic that deals with the whole of Africa, and if this research topic could be carried out on a more professional level, many more participants should be included. The sample could expand to involve Africans who have only ever known their own countries. It should include Africans of different economic classes, as the questionnaires also suggested that this is another barrier that makes people unequal. There are a lot of different categories that need to be included, and interviews with profes

Insomnia Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Insomnia is the inability to obtain adequate amount or quality of sleep. The difficulty can be with falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both† (â€Å"Insomnia Encyclopediaâ€Å"). Sleeping is a major point in physically and mentally restoring yourself for the tasks ahead. Most people say that about eight hours of sleep is an adequate amount, however it differs from person to person depending on their sex, age, and health conditions. An estimated one-third of the population suffers from some form of insomnia. â€Å"In recent studies, a survey reported that 30% of American women and 20% of American men took medication to help them sleep during the course of a year† (â€Å"Insomnia†). The medications these people took are called hypnotics. The causes of insomnia vary for different situations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Transient insomnia can be caused by temporary situations like   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  arguments, medical illness and jet lag. On the other hand chronic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  insomnia has many causes. Sleep apnea, over use of caffeine, anxiety   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  disorders, stress and several other factors. The symptoms of insomnia   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  can be noticed right in the morning. When you wake up and are not   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  feeling refreshed from a nights sleep. A person may have difficulty   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  sleeping, toss and turn for hours or fall asleep easily but are awakened   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  very early in the morning. To diagnose a person with insomnia, a patient   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  may keep a record for two weeks of their sleeping patterns, food intake,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  exercise, etc., and then a physician can base their diagnosis by the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  reported signs and symptoms. If an insomnia patient does not respond to   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  treatments then they may have a   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  sleeping disorder that requires a   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  specialist† (â€Å"Insomnia Encyclopediaâ€Å").   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before insomnia even occurs, there are ways that a person can prevent or lessen the effects of it. Exercising regularly would be something a person should do, but not close to bedtime because exercising stimulates arousal. Avoiding caffeine and nicotine, such as coffe... ...uncture or chiropractic help, or alternative remedies and other sources of relief. Even though insomnia has become a common illness in the world, there are several different ways to treat it. People should not have to struggle to get a good night of sleep, it is an essential part of our lives. We should be able to go to sleep when we need to and wake up full refreshed and ready to conquer the day. Works Cited Chokroverty, Sudhansu. â€Å"100 Questions and Answers about Sleep and Sleep   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Disorders.† 2003. Google.(Dec. 14 2004).  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/insomnia.html. (28   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  November 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Insomnia.† Health and Age. 2003.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.healthandage.com/Home/?gm=20&gc=26. (28 November 2004). Kinosian, Janet. The Well-Rested Woman: 60 Soothing Suggestions for Getting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  a Good Night’s Sleep. Conari Press. Morin, Charles M. Relief from Insomnia: Getting the Sleep of Your Dreams. New   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  York: DoubleDay, 1996.