Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company

Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company Executive Summary HydroCan Company has been in operation for about one year. The company has come up with an innovative product known as StaGreen, which aims to address the environmental and cost needs in the two markets of USA and Canada. However, given that the company is relatively knew in the market, it has found the process of entering the market more challenging and somehow complex.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This dilemma has forced the company to seek consultancy services in order to provide key strategic ways and recommendations for the way forward. As a result, Stone Age Marketing Consultants has been able to carry out market research and analysis and identified key characteristics of the market, which the company can explore before settling on the appropriate market. Moreover, the aim of the market researc h has been to identify and recommend the appropriate entry strategy, given that the company is new and is likely to face stiff competition from established companies. Therefore, the report provides critical steps towards HydroCan Company introducing its innovative product in the market. Background HydroCan Company is one year old and its owners include four agricultural engineers and one accountant. The company has intentions of operating and serving in both USA and Canada’s markets. As a result, in the recent past, the company has been involved in obtaining patents in both markets for a new type of lawn-care product. The new product the company intends to introduce in to the market is known as StaGreen. The new product is applied to grasses and when this happens, it enables the roots system of grass to retain water longer. This reduces the need for both extra watering and frequent fertilizing. The owners of the company are much more ambitious on introducing the product to th e market. Although they have a wonderful product for the market, the owners of HydroCan Company seem to have no idea about the best way to introduce the product to the market. They are mixed-up with regard to which particular market segment they should concentrate on and introduce the product to, how the new product can be positioned in the market, and also what best launch strategy can be used to introduce the product in the market more successful. This confusion is further made complex to due to presence of numerous competitors in the market, which the company has to contend with and subsequently, design appropriate marketing strategies in order to achieve competitive advantage over them. In this regard, the HydroCan Company owners have sought services of Stone Age Marketing Consultants, who are accredited marketing consultants and the company hopes to achieve the best form of advice in terms of launching and introducing the product to the market successful.Advertising Loo king for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Statement of Problems HydroCan Company is faced with a challenging and complex situation regarding introduction of StaGreen product into the market. At the same time, the company does not have a clear idea on how to market the product, both in USA and Canada. This problem is compounded by the fact that the owners of the company and subsequent product to be introduced do not have defined and clears knowledge about the market for the product. Two major markets exist in the two countries, which the product can be sold or introduced to. The two markets structures have divided the management team as to which is the appropriate one given the position, nature, and ability of the company in its current form. The two major target markets the company has potential in include consumer lawn and garden market, as well as commercial lawn and garden market. The two markets are totally different from each other, with diverse and unrelated characteristics. The two markets therefore require different launch strategies in selecting the appropriate market segment. The company’s CEO, Gary Gillis, favors and wants the company to target consumer lawn and garden market, while Carla Humphreys prefers the commercial lawn and garden market. The two top managers of the company seem to be determined in having their choices adopted by the company, and it is from this strong conviction of the two that marketing consultants have to be involved in determining which is the best strategy to adopt for the new product. At this point, it can be stated that, the primary problems of the company revolve around finding the best marketing strategy and the appropriate market in which to introduce the new product for the company. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy for the launch of StaGreen has to be developed and this will see successful introduction of the produ ct in the market. Situation Analysis The product to be launched has been described as similar in appearance to most brands of common lawn fertilizer. In fact, StaGreen has been categorized as chemical fertilizer but with distinct special characteristics, which make it superior to other available fertilizers. For instance, the major benefit that has been associated with the product is its ability and effect on the root system of most of the common types of grasses used for lawns. The product is manufactured in such a way that it has small pellets that are attached to roots, which enable attraction and retention of moisture. With these superior features, laboratory tests have been conducted on the product and indicated capacity to reduce the manual watering on most types of grass by up to 40%. As a result, the product is perceived by company managers to have the ability of attracting high demand from consumers. In order to find out the viability of the two markets and associated finan cial implications, the marketing consultants carried out a detailed study and analysis of the two markets.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consumer lawn and garden market The first market concerns the consumer lawn and garden market. According to the findings generated for this particular type of market, it was established that majority of Canada consumers of lawn products spent an accumulated amount of about $2.3 billion in this market. Break-down of the figures in the consumer lawn and garment market show that consumers spend $945 millions to buy grass, trees and plants, $620 million on lawn maintenance, and in this case, fertilizer accounted for 52% of the total amount. Others include $815 million on hand tools, pots, window boxes, books, magazines, and landscaping services. As a result, these figures point to the im portance attached to gardening by majority of Canadians. On the other hand, lawn care in the country is perceived to be highly seasonal business, where 70% of business sales take place in the second and third fiscal quarters (April to September). The finding also postulate that, if the company was to target and venture into this kind of market, then it will largely compete with fertilizers, and that this market segment is highly competitive, with top two firms being Scotts Co. and Ortho Chemicals. These two companies have a control power of about 50% of this market segment. Moreover, the market leader in this market segment is the Scotts Co., which has established two strong market brands known as Turf Builder and Miracle-Gro. At the same time, Ortho’s products together with those of Turf Builder are priced competitively and have an added value, whereby, there is inclusion of pesticides within the fertilizer, and this has been seen to prevent most common lawn infestations. Fu rther research in this market segment shows that, 40% of consumers in the market have no concrete brand preferences, a situation likely to see them shift loyalty as far as brands are concerned. As a result, findings show that majority rely largely on in-store advertisements and sales staff for critical information and recommendations. More so, it has been found out that consumers express inability to recall brand name or manufacturer of the fertilizer. Findings also show that Miracle-Gro enjoys high brand name awareness but many consumers associate this brand name with plant foods and not lawn fertilizers. As a result, it has been concluded that, consumer behavior and attitude toward product in this market category have forced manufacturers to rely largely on the strong push strategy. Product sale strategy in this market segment tends to be carried out by three distinct retailers. First there are discount stores that include Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, and Sears; secondly, there are sp ecialty stores that include nurseries; and thirdly, there are home improvement stores.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discount stores as compared to other stores tend to be popular and most preferred by consumers. For example, estimates show that about 60% of all consumer fertilizer is made in discount stores, a situation that has forced retailers using this type of sale strategy to increase budgetary allocation for their promotion and advertisements. Specialty stores on the other hand have been found to be popular among 30% of consumers, while home improvement stores have been found to control 10% of consumer purchases. Growth of home improvement stores is seen to be on the positive rise, especially due to price concessions and promotion support they get from manufacturers, just like in the case discount stores but unlike specialty stores. In consumer lawn and garden market, the research also establishes that manufacturers spend about 20% of sales on marketing activities. A large part of these monies goes to activities such as sales force, selling in general and also trade promotions. These are th e three main channels through which products in this market segment are sold and for a long time, strong sales force has become the most preferred and appropriate sales strategy. With regard to trade promotions, majority of manufacturers provide in-store literature, displays and sales training. Less important is the advertisement. As such, the product that is perceived to have strong market advertisement initiatives is the Miracle-Gro, which is a heavily advertised brand, and the company (Scotts Co) spends about 4% of sales on advertisement. This therefore may account for the high brand- name awareness for the product. With regard to advertisement in this market segment, it has been recognized that majority of companies run their advertisements for their existing brands and any new brand during spring and early months of summer season. Therefore, advertisement expenditures are in most cases likely to go up during the months of March, April, May, and June, and not at all during other months. Commercial lawn and garden market The second market is the commercial lawn and garden market, which differs a lot from the consumer lawn and garden market. Commercial market is heavily concentrated in the golf sector, and in Canada, this includes about 1800 golf courses. Other relevant and potential areas this market can thrive in include commercial properties that include office complexes and apartment buildings. Nevertheless, golf courses remain the lucrative market in this market segment. The study establishes that, at the moment, there are issues in the golf course sectors, where accusations have increased with regard to perception golf courses are responsible for groundwater pollution, and this is contributed by high and frequent levels of fertilizers used to keep courses green. This perception has forced greater concern in the golf community with concerted efforts to identify and, if possible, adopt the most appropriate strategies that can be used to cut both water an d fertilizers that are used to maintain grass in the golf courses. Golf courses owners spend large amount of money to maintain the courses and approximate estimates shows that, the owners spend up to$300 000 to maintain their golf course during the year. Break-down of the spending shows that, 42% is spent on water use and 24% goes to fertilizer purchases. But in case the golf courses are large, these costs go up and may accumulate to about $800 000. If the StaGreen product was to be accepted by majority of consumers in this market segment, then, the product has ability of reducing water usage by about one-half and fertilizer by one-third. In the recent times, there has been increase in popularity of golf especially after decrease in the 1980s. Some of the factors cited leading to popularity of game include growing number of public courses with reasonable fees, the continued aging of the Canadian population, and also the development of better equipment. These factors have combined an d today, they have contributed to the increase in enthusiasm and popularity of the golf game. Due to this, estimates have shown that the number of golf courses may increase by 22% to about 2200 in a period of five years. In Canada, golf courses are dispersed although regions of British Columbia and Vancouver have high concentration of golf courses. At the moment, majority of golf courses purchase maintenance supplies from wholesalers who specialize in products that are uniquely designed for the type of grasses used. Furthermore, manufacturers of these fertilizers tend to be small firms, or divisions of the larger chemical companies. At the moment, the market share leader in golf course fertilizers is Sierra Horticultural Products, which is a subsidiary of Scotts Company. The biggest competitor of the company in Canadian market is the Nu-Gro Corporation, which is a company based in Ontario since 1992. Compared to firms in the consumer lawn market, companies in commercial lawn market spend only 9% of their sales on marketing activities. Observation made is that, majority of firms in this market segment engage in little advertisement and in most cases prefer to use funds on sales calls to golf courses. Moreover, other strategies used by the companies include: providing free samples of their products to non-users and also concentrate on building solid and long-lasting relationships with course owners. The observation made among the golf course owners is that, majority tend to be loyal to one and specific brands hence it takes a lot of effort to convince them to switch brands. But two situations exist, which may trigger change of consumer behaviors among the golf course owners. First, there is the issue of increasing environmental concern, and public debate over it continues to draw mixed reactions, where majority tend to agree to the growing negative impacts of golf course to groundwater. The understanding is that, chemicals used in golf course pollute groundwater which also involves heavy chemical buildup in the nearby reservoirs. This scenario has even drawn attention of USA Environmental Protection Agency, which admits that the golf course chemicals constitute the major pollutants to groundwater. This in turn has increased negative publicity of golf courses in major media channels in the country. Another issue, which may make golf course owners to change their consumption behavior for a long time is the issue of shrinking profits. Although all indications show the popularity growth of golf and more courses being established, it is clear that the number of golfers that can be accommodated on any one course cannot be expanded. These are factors that are seen to have great potential of challenging loyalty of golf course owners for particular brands and may be forced to look for superior and promising brands. Analysis of Alternatives Two alternatives are presented for the company. First, the company can either adopt the first strategy where i t ventures and concentrates in consumer lawn market or the second option where it ventures and concentrates in the commercial lawn market. The first option has numerous strengths and weaknesses. For example, strengths of the first choice include the fact that it is the largest market and products are likely to be sold easily and at faster rate. At the same time, there is no strong brand loyalty, and consumers tend to shift loyalty easily and at faster rate. As a result, the company can easily endeavor to the hearts of consumers, hence making penetration effort in the market more easy. Furthermore, in consumer lawn market, the pricing strategy varies, a situation that can help the company to initiate a price strategy that endeavors well to majority of customers in the market. Also, the sale of smaller quantities in consumer market is likely to see faster movement of product, and this may eliminate the need for inventories, hence reduction in costs of maintenance. But, at same time, w eakness of this market segment, especially with regard to HydroCan is that, the company is new, and toppling some of the established names in the market may not be an easy task. This will require the company to increase its advertisement and promotion budget. Moreover, the product the company aims to produce in the market is less known and its key features are not well captured and conceptualized in the population. This therefore may not arouse the much needed enthusiasm in the market about the product. Hence, this may require the company to increase its advertisement and promotion activities, a situation that may be expensive. Furthermore, it has to be known that the consumer market is largely seasonal and consumers only buy during particular months (April-September), an aspect that may not auger well with the company’s returns on the investment. Furthermore, success in this market require strong market push strategy, and this for new comers may not be possible or appropriat e, given their overall financial and resource constraints. A strong market push strategy may require extensive advertisement, increased and intensified sales, and also increased promotion activities. With regard to commercial lawn and general market, opportunities of this market type are presented in the fact that the game of golf is gaining popularity currently. This has seen increase in the establishment of new golf courses, and this may be the opportunity to be exploited by the company. Moreover, with increase in the aging population and improvement of equipment, there is perception that the golf game is gaining more demand, and it may provide an opportune market for the new products. Another great opportunity lies in the fact that, golf courses have come under heavy criticisms due to ability of courses to pollute groundwater. Environmentalists and government watch agencies in the matters of environment have identified golf courses as major contributors to groundwater pollution. This has not augured well with majority of owners, who have no option but to look for new types and forms of fertilizers that guarantee sustainability of the environment. Furthermore, StaGreen as product has been experimented and found to provide solutions to various problems currently experienced in the golf courses with regard to environment. Hence, the company can successfully use this opportunity and introduce its product to course owners who are likely to embrace the product if found to be suitable. The challenge with this type of market segment has to do with high levels of consumer loyalty to one and specific brands. Unlike in consumer lawn markets, commercial lawn market is characterized by strong brand loyalty, which makes it difficulty to convince consumers to shift or change their consumer behaviors. Furthermore, sales strategies in this market segment move away from the convectional ones, while advertisement and promotion may not pay a lot in this market segment. But on overall, the identified issues of shrinking profits and environmental concerns may be the biggest reason for this kind of market to be penetrated by new entrants. Recommendations The first step towards identifying the appropriate market segment for a new product include identifying the customers and understanding the consumption needs and wants of the consumers (Hartline, 2010). This is especially important given that products are designed and introduced to the market with the aim of serving and satisfying the varied body of consumers available in the market. Therefore, HydroCan Company can establish the needs of consumers in the two markets and explore whether the products meet the threshold of satisfying consumers’ needs (Narayanan and O’Connor, 2009). In doing so, the company needs to introduce sample products in identified stores (Chaston, 1999), both for the consumer lawn market and commercial lawn market. In this way, the company should initiate another research to establish product acceptance among consumers in the two markets before having a final say on which market to have greater concentration or specialization (Rainey, 2005). Also, timing of the product with regard to launch is important, and the company should launch when the demand for the products (fertilizers) is high (Lyikoey and Qvist, 2006; Avlonitis and Papastathopoulou, 2006). Another recommendation is that, given the conditions and characteristics in both markets, it is appropriate for HydroCan Company to venture in both markets but make every effort to respond uniquely to the needs of each market. For example, in consumer lawn market, the company can increase advertisement and promotion of the product, especially by emphasizing on key and unique features of the product as opposed to competitor products. The emphasis should be on the environment benefits and suitability of the product as compared to other available products from competitors. In this regard, the company needs more demonstrations about the product to varied groups of customers to convince them about the suitability of the product. This should be followed by establishment of front-shops in major strategic areas that can be used for experimentation and demonstration of the product. With regard to commercial lawn market, the company can utilize the existing issues in the golf course and make some significant penetrations. For example, the company can adopt marketing strategies that reflect demonstration, free samples, and reduced prices in order to give owners of courses a chance to test the product. With many improvements and more consumers showing interest in the product, the company can in turn increase availability of the product to more consumers. The point of importance here is that, more sales calls should be conducted and the company should concentrate on building a strong customer base that is loyal. Conclusion The report was as a result of request by HydroCan Company, which intend s to launch a new product but has no information or knowledge about the market. Hence, Stone Age Marketing Consultants are invited to provide consultancy. The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and business environment, which confronts HydroCan Company. From this, it has been found out that companies of new products, which are relatively new in the market, face numerous challenges when introducing new products. These challenges are compounded by competition from established firms. Nevertheless, the analysis and recommendations provide a clear roadmap, which HydroCan Company can adopt in order to launch its product. However, more research work is needed, especially with regard to movement and performance of the product in the market. References Avlonitis, G. J. Papastathopoulou, P. (2006). Product and Services Management. NY: SAGE Press. Chaston, I. (1999). New Marketing Strategies: Evolving Flexible Processes to Fit Market Circumstances. NY: SAGE. Hartline, F. O. (20 10). Marketing Strategy. OH: Cengage Learning. Lyikoey, G. Qvist, K. (2006). The Timing of New Product Launch. Berlin, Germany: GRIN Verlag. Narayanan, V. K., O’Connor, G. C. (2009). Encyclopedia of Technology and Innovation Management. MA: John Wiley and Sons. Rainey, D. L. (2005). Product Innovation: Leading Change through Integrated Product Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Contemporary Philosophical or Political Thought Essay

Contemporary Philosophical or Political Thought - Essay Example Kant has been one of the most influential intellectuals in the world of philosophy with his most discussed philosophical theory of ‘groundwork of the metaphysics of morals’ where he introduced and laid firm foundation the ideas of ethics. In his work, Kant seeks to put down important theory of morality and prove how the principle applies to the people. He put across the idea that the behavior of the principle that a person wishes to do verifies the appropriateness of his or her action. During his era, there was a lot of serious concentration in his mind set about philosophies as due to the influence he used to face. During his school life, he studied some works of well-known historical philosophers such as Gottfried Leibniz and Christian. Any philosophy student could support Kant’s response in philosophy because he has set platform for current philosophers who are working on his ideologies to see on their applicability in the society. Kant drives his point home fr om an ordinary thinking morality to superior ideology of morality, which he regards it, as categorically essential. Kant believes that uncontroversial starts from our ordinary shared moral senses, and evaluation of major common sense conceptions such as ‘the good’, and bear a strong thought of morality. With respect to morality, Kant showed that the origin of ‘good’ does not lie outside individual’s thinking; either in natural phenomena or God’s gifted, but it is more of a good will itself (Wood 129). A good willpower is one that operates from sense of duty according to the worldwide moral rule that an independent person liberally gives it. In basis metamophysic of morality, Kant listed three formulations of the definite imperative that are approximately similar. In Kant’s first formulation of ‘universal laws of nature’, it demands that the individuals should select maxims as if they should act as natural law. The interpret ation of this formula regarded as ‘universalizability test’ states that subjective opinions of individual’s deeds give someone an explanation to act. The second formulation is known as ‘formulation of end in itself’, states that the reasoning being by its nature an ending, and therefore as an ending itself, must provide in each saying as the factor forbidding all purely relative and random endings. The third formula of autonomy is a combination of the previous formulas and it is the foundation for ultimate determination each maxim. It says that, all maxims, which originate from independent legislation, need to match with a probable kingdom of life. This implies that people should act according to their own mindsets as any other individual in the common realm of endings (Jacobs 98). Kant declares that, because of the restriction of discussions in the absence of indisputable proof, no individual could certainly understand whether there is a God and lif e after death or not. For the sake of ethics and as a basis for explanation, Kant declared that human beings have reasons to put trust in God, though they could never understand Lord’s existence empirically. The factor open-minded approach

My ideal hero Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My ideal hero - Essay Example This also meant that the right people, such as Dumbledore, who was not believed by the general adult population, could be believed without the doubt because as children, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were not subject to the adult pressures that a culture can place upon its citizens to believe certain untruths. When the outlaw aesthetics become the core of their movement, they adhere to the concept that what is right supersedes what is law. Through the advantages of their innocence and age, that they have less to lose than most of the adults in the world, they can adapt to the outlaw fringes in order to accomplish their goals. Harry is able to use his youth to infiltrate the needs of his realm in a way that the adults who have similar goals are unable to accomplish. Harry Potter comes across as the average boy in terrible circumstances, who blossoms when the truth of his life is revealed to him. His adolescence is a mirror of the events in the average life of a teenager, his struggles meta phors for the struggles that most youths find themselves struggling to overcome. He reflects both the constructs of the youthful hero and the outlaw hero, his actions flexible to the situation, his youth affording him the freedom to go against the grain as needed. Harry, unlike many heroes, embraces his role within his community, fervently going after the villain because that villain took his family. His role and his motivation are in harmony, his desire to overcome the evil in this world a priority.... ommon feelings of isolation and alienation that are the initial mundane and common feelings that are attributed to Harry, despite the extremes of his life, create the first level of empathy with readers, but then it is turned so that his survival, his ability to live through his childhood and begin the journey of adolescence, makes him a hero. Seger states that hero stories â€Å"come from our own experiences of overcoming adversity, as well as our desire to do great and special acts† (357). The dynamic is a powerful way in which his life connects to the reader. However, just like the adolescence that everyone experiences, Harry must now choose to live up to the perceptions that have been created around him and fulfill the expectations with which others have framed his identity - or not. This dilemma is at the core of adolescence, the concept of now finding a path on which to wander in order to fulfill the balance between what is expected and what is desired for one’s o wn life (Kroger 3). Harry begins his journey in the same place that most pre-teens begin their journey - adhered to the expectations of the adults in their life. Harry represents two sides of a coin; each side in opposition to the other, thus his heroism has the best chance of connecting to the audience, just as most cinematic heroes tend to represent a duality. Heroes connect to the audience by having diametrical attributes that are in opposition (Ray 343). Harry begins his journey through opposing identities. The next step from that point is in trying to find a way to define one’s self through actions that either support or deny this expectation. The one difference between Harry and most pre-teen age children is that his preconceived identity through the adults in his new world is that he is a hero

History Of Working At Height Regulation Construction Essay

History Of Working At Height Regulation Construction Essay The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that over 4,000 employees suffered a major injury because of a fall from height in 2008/09. The majority of injuries were caused by low falls www.hse.gov (see attached appendix) This figure is still far too high when we consider the working at height regulation2005 (WHAR) was passed into law almost six years ago. The reason WHAR became law was the alarming concern across Europe of fatalities and serious injury. The European parliaments passed the directive, wanted all members to implement, and have on their statute books by 2004. consultation started in the uk in 2001 .there was concerns raised over changes to be made to the 2meter rule, industry claimed they needed this kept as it would not be cost effective and jobs would be lost and certain contracts would not be worth tendering on if this rule was not kept . Before the regulation, there was various regulations that covered working at height with different rules one of the rules was the 2 meter rule this allowed working up to 2 meters height without any controls accidents. The majority of major injuries were caused by low falls. Again, a significant proportion of these were falls from ladders. www.hse.gov RIDDOR data It is now recognised in the duty that injury can occur from a fall of any height, not just from above say 2 metres. In addition, falling objects can cause injury from below a drop distance of 2 metres. Therefore guardrails and toe boards etc should be considered based on a suitable and sufficient risk assessment been made Elizabeth Gibby, Head of the Health and Safety Executives (HSEs) Injuries Reduction Programme, said: In 2003/4 falls from height accounted for 67 fatal accidents at work and nearly 4,000 major injuries. They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the biggest causes of major injury. Preventing falls from height is a central part of HSEs Injuries Reduction Programme and these Regulations will provide the cornerstone for this programme to improve standards for work at height and thereby reduce deaths and injuries. These Regulations set out a simple hierarchy for managing and selecting equipment for work at height. She added: The Regulations cover a wide range of industries and activities but we have developed some simple messages which we want to communicate to all industries. Our key messages are: those following good practice for work at height now should already be doing enough to comply with these Regulations; follow the risk assessments you have carried out for work at height activities and make sure all work at height is planned, organized and carried out by competent persons; follow the hierarchy for managing risks from work at height take steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks; and choose the right work equipment and select collective measures to prevent falls (such as guardrails and working platforms) before other measures which may only mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or which may only provide personal protection from a fall. Falls from height are the biggest work place killer. There were 35 fatalities in 2008/09. A significant proportion of these were falls from ladders. www.hse.gov Traditionally falls make up the second biggest cause of major accidents. There were over 4500 in 2008/09. The majority of major injuries were caused by low falls. Again, a significant proportion of these were falls from ladders. www.hse.gov RIDDOR data The Regulations were consulted upon during 2004 including a focused consultation on retaining the requirements for particular precautions for construction work at or above 2mtrs. (I have explained this rule further in legislation section) Working at Height is now governed by the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR). These regulations revoked the earlier construction regulations, which specified the 2 metre rule. We therefore do not have this threshold. The WAHR place a duty on the duty holder to avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to carry out this work safely otherwise than at height. Where work has to be carried out at height, then the duty holder shall take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. It is recognised in the duty that injury can occur from a fall of any height, not just from above say 2 metres. In addition, falling objects can cause injury from below a drop distance of 2 metres. Therefore guardrails and toe boards etc should be considered based on a suitable and sufficient risk assessment been made There is no recommended height now. The Regulations have a series of schedules that set out requirements for specific circumstances and schedule two sets out the requirements for guardrails, toe-boards, barriers, and similar collective means of protection. A link to the regulations is here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/regulations.htm All forms of work access equipment for working at height come under the Regulations, which includes hop-ups. More information can be obtained from hse web site on construction and various platforms http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm There was no transitional period as the regulations consolidate what should be existing good practice. However it is understood that industry need to familiarise themselves with the regulations and ensure that what they do is sufficient to comply. Also time to make sure companies do not over react, I have witnessed companies having simply refused stepladders coming on site with the claim HSE has banned them! This is totally UN true and led to total confusion within industry. Still does today. There is Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) produced for the Regulations and hse have produced INGD 401 and other literature for further guidance. Free download, is available from www.hse.gov.uk . In addition, working at height comes under other regulations i.e. Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998(LOLER HSE took a different approach to communicate the Regulations. This was based on A Brief Guide to the Regulations and promoting sector specific guidance. The hse ran media awareness campaigns to highlight the introduction of the new regulation and to make people aware that a fall from any height can be fatal this was called shattered lives this can be viewed on line www.hse.gov.uk I have examined statistics correlated by the health and safety executive reporting of injuries diseases dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR). Who have compiled a large amount of data on falls from height and it lays out the different types of falls and there consequences on the individual both physically and on their future employment within the industry. The full report is Attached (see appendix 2) but I have bullet pointed the main aspects concerning my report High falls (a fall from a height of at least 2 meters) (Low falls a fall from a height below 2 meters) (Unspecified height) The pie charts below show the breakdown of fatal, major, and over-3-day fall injuries by height of fall and whether the injured person fell from a ladder or something else. Typically, more than 70% of fatal fall injuries are from a height of more than two metres compared with 23% of major fall injuries and just 10% of over-3-day fall injuries. In each category, between 20% and 30% of the accidents reported are normally from ladders. In 2008/09, the proportion of injuries attributable to high falls fell to 15% of major fall injuries and just 5% of over-3-day fall injuries. This is because of the significant increase in the proportion of low and unspecified falls due to the reclassification of slips and trips on stairs as falls. Source (Injury analysis priority programmes: falls from height RIDDOR) www.hse.gov Fatal fall injuries to workers, 2008/09p Major fall injuries to workers, 2008/09p Over 3 day fall injuries to workers, 2008/09p Source www.hse.gov.uk

Factual reporting, interpretation and distortion Essay

How are distinctions made between factual reporting, interpretation and distortion? This essay is going to tell the differences between factual reporting, interpretation and distortion. Factual reporting means that an answer or a statement is based on facts that are true and proven. Interpretation is an individual’s opinion and appreciation about a subject. It is not based on facts but just on opinions and theories. Distortion is a way of delivering wrong information, twisted and wrongly explained information. It is based on facts but kind of turns them around. Factual reporting is the way of delivering an opinion/theory based on true facts. An example of this is an article I read in Metro today, which was about conspiracies. The one that caught my eye was one that stated that an airplane never crashed into the Pentagon. This theory was based on facts, which I never had heard of. For example, the surveillance camera of the Pentagon didn’t show an airplane but only a white line in the sky. Another thing was that the hole in the Pentagon was way too small to have been creased by an airplane. The write stated that the US Air force shot down flight 77, and to cover this up they blew up a part of the building without the workers knowing anything about it. Also no big wreck parts from the plane were found. This is a factual reporting as it’s based on true facts and it not created by opinions or own thoughts as in an interpretation. Also the moon landing is believed to be a fake. There are many facts that point against it. In a video ‘from the moon’ the flag that Neil Armstrong put up was waving in the wind. And there’s not supposed to be any wind on the moon. Also the shadows go in different directions and the shadow of the space shuttle should fall on Armstrong, a good example of factual reporting. A theory based on facts. Interpretation is a theory based an individual’s own opinion. A great example of this is racists. The Nazis believe that black or people with darker skin than westerners are worth less. This is a great example as this theory of theirs is based on their own opinions and have no actual facts to base it on. There is no proof that colored people are worth less than white people. This is why it’s an interpretation. No facts or proof are involved in the theory. Another example of interpretation is Bin Ladin. The US government doesn’t know that he’s alive. The videos that they got from him are old now and he could be dead already. The US government think that he is alive because of the videos, but they have been bombing caves, cities and other places in hope of killing him, so he could be dead. This is interpretation as they base it on what they believe. There is no proof that he’s alive. Distortion is when facts are wrong, twisted or inaccurate. Another definition is when two people disagree with one another. An example is if I say to Andreas, we have homework for tomorrow and he says we don’t. This is distortion in a way. Another example is all kinds of magazines and television shows as they tent not to show all of their footage information. They cut what they don’t want people to hear, which helps them things look negative and positive. This is a typical example of distortion as it twists the truth or the reality. Often when you experience something and they write about it the next day in a newspaper, it’s never the same. You always say to yourself, â€Å"That’s not exactly what happened.† Sometimes the media exaggerate to find a big audience. They do what I like to call, ‘Stretch reality.’ It’s a clear case of distortion because they twist the truth or give an inaccurate point of view. As a conclusion or to answer the question I would like to say that the difference or the distinctions between factual reporting, interpretation and distortion is the amount of facts they are based on. Factual reporting is based on only facts to make a clear image of a theory, event or opinion. Interpretation is based on opinions but no facts. Only the people who made the theory, it’s only based on things that are going on inside those people’s heads. Distortion is based on facts but mostly told the opposite way or twisted to change the way people think of it. It often tries to make the facts inaccurate.

Book Report The Pearl

Kink has more fears then he lets on. Kink, being the man of the house, must act strong and hide his fear, while his wife, Juan, expresses her fear in losing her child. The Doctor who â€Å"treated† Coyote also expresses fear in the loss Of his luxury and wealth. The Doctor indulges in his wealth and once Kink and Juan find the pearl, the Doctor heads over to their house to get what wealth he can get his hands on. The main protagonist of the book is Kink, who is the husband of Juan. Kink is shown as being a family man who maintains his life with Juan in the most dutiful and simplistic way.Kink finds â€Å"The Pearl of the World† and has visions of what his life will be like now that he has enough money to support his family. He would like to remarry his wife in a church, baptize his child, educate his child, etc. Kink can only imagine what he would do with all this money. With this, Kink fears the greed that comes with having wealth. Many people who come across this type of wealth forget where they come from. Kink doesn't want to be like that. He wants to spread his wealth with his neighbors and his relatives. He doesn't want to leave anybody behind.The novel states that, â€Å"Every man suddenly became related to Kink's pearl†¦ † (3. 30), which shows that the pearl isn't Kink's, but is the whole neighbor hood's pearl. Kink would share the wealth with his neighbors. Kink didn't want the pearl to change him as a person. As it says in the novel, â€Å"From now on they (neighbors) would watch Kink and Juan very closely to see whether riches turned their heads, as riches turn all people's heads. † (3. 46), which shows that the neighbors are watching whether Kink's greatest fear of greed will come back to haunt him.Kink's ability to maintain his composure through the novel shows that he is able to hide his fear very well. Whenever something evil or good happens, Kink has a theme music that plays in his head. Kink fears the evil music. As readers, we are aware of when the evil theme music is playing. While we know what music is playing Juan is unaware of how Kink is feeling. An example of when the evil music was playing was when they went to the pearl dealers, â€Å"He heard in his ears the evil music. And on the black velvet the great pearl glistened, so that the dealer could not keep his eyes from it. † (4. 42).Kink eared the evil music, but when the dealers rejected the pearl, he left with his head held strong. He showed Juan that they had nothing to fear, but he was really dying on the inside from the evil music. Although Kink had fears which were unknown to Juan, she had fears which she made aware to Kink. Juan repeated told Kink that she was afraid of losing Coyote, their son. Coyote was bitten by a scorpion and needed aid from a doctor. The doctor refused to see Coyote simply because they had no money. Once they found the pearl, the doctor came â€Å"willingly' (for the pearl) to help the boy who n eeded assistance.As we see Coyote health fluctuate from being healthy to being unwell, we see how Juan reacts. Once Coyote was bit, Juan was hysterically crying because she thought her worse fear was going to become a reality. Juan loved her son like any mother would, and the thought of losing him made her feel sick. Once she saw Coyote recover from the bite, she was ecstatic. She shared this excitement with Kink and the neighborhood. The town was talking about how the pearl saved the boy's life. Without the pearl, the doctor wouldn't have come. A minor character in this novel is the Doctor (no real name was given).The actor may be a minor character, but he played a role in the recovery Of Coyote. The only reason why the doctor went to Kink and Sauna's house to treat Coyote was because of the pearl. The pearl was of value and is known to be â€Å"The Pearl of the World†. If the Doctor treated Coyote, he could ask for the pearl as payment. By saying this, we know that the Doct ors biggest fear is the loss in his wealth and luxury. He sits around thinking about places in the world and all the money he has. He cannot live without his wealth. As it says in the novel, men Doctor, back in his house, settled into his chair and looked t his watch.His people (servants) brought him a little supper of chocolate and sweet cakes and fruit, and he stared at the food discontentedly. † (3. 49). The reason why the Doctor stared at the food â€Å"discontentedly' was because he was thinking of the pearl and all the money the pearl would bring him. Money is powerful, but the lack of it causes uncertainty in the future. In conclusion, each character is shown to be emotionally strong. The characters do not like to display their weakness. Fear could be considered a weakness. Kink and the Doctor choose to hide their fears, while Juan infidels her fear in Kink.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Of The Paleolithic Era

Dissociative Identity Disorder Jorge Marquez Abnormal Psychology Professor Mackenzie It is quite unfortunate that many psychological disorders are not known out there. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) being one of them. Of course, this disorder is said to have been discovered a long time ago. However, it was not seen as it is today. A few decades ago, most disorders were not even known how to be treated. Several before that, disorders weren’t even the first thing on people’s mind when they noticed some sort of abnormality in someone they’ve known or met. In fact, there is evidence that there are paintings that could potentially suggest DID was present in the Paleolithic era. The paintings consisted of shamans that changed into animal forms or spirits. It was also often confused with the idea that demonic possession was the most rational way to explain such an abnormal behavior (A History Of Dissociative Identity Disorder, p. 1). As time progresses, more and more information is being discovered about this interesting yet devastating disorder. So what is Dissociative Identity Disorder? According to the DSM V, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is the disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states. It then states that â€Å"disruption in identity involves marked discontinuity in sense of self and sense of agency, accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, perception,Show MoreRelatedDissociative Identity Disorder ( Mpd )1170 Words   |  5 PagesDissociative Identity Disorder, commonly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, has been one of the more controversial diagnoses in psychology and psychiatry. On one side of the debate, many psychologists and psychiatrists believe the disorder to be an actual phenomenon that occurs in individuals that have suffered through some traumatic experience. On the other side of the debate, however, are the many psychologists and psychiatrists that believe the disorder is simply the result of a therapist’s Read MoreDissociative Identity Disorder And Multiple Personality Disorder1399 Words   |  6 Pages Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is defined as â€Å"a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in—and alternately take control of—an individual†. In 1994, the name of the disorder was changed to reflect a better understanding of the condition. DID is characterized by fragmentation, not by the growth of separate identities. DID is not a new disorder. However, it has been misunderstood for