Saturday, August 31, 2019

Too Much Pressure

Colleen Went states that cheating has been on the rise due to the fact that many teachers accept it. The teachers knew that these things went on, yet nobody seems to do anything about them. With so many people cheating, teachers have a hard time tracking down who cheated and who didn't. Teachers assign homework every day, and they have over a hundred students. With so much assignments pouring in to be graded, teachers usually have students peer edit the assignment or they Just glance at it.The student could have Just written down something foolish and the teacher wouldn't notice. On account of this, many teachers think cheating is fine. Because many teachers ignore cheating that is occurring right under their noses, so many students get away with It. The lenient consequences that are given to students for cheating, is another factor that is causing an increase in cheating. Penalties for getting caught cheating are mild. If someone was caught cheating, that assignment or test is usual ly confiscated, and you ere given a zero for that assignment.However, your parents were not called, and you were not suspended. Getting a zero on one assignment doesn't hurt that much and the cheater doesn't even learn a lesson. Due to the light consequences, students cheat even more in school. Colleen Went used exposition style of writing. Through exposition, she informs, explains, and clarifies her ideas and thoughts. Exposition goes beyond description to help the reader understand with greater clarity and depth the Ideas and thoughts.

A Healthy Bulk

Nowadays, various supplements are taken due to the restricted and deficient nutrients as a result of widespread poor diet and environmental changes. But one of the most common health problems all over the world is obesity. The bigger question is how to lose weight, either naturally or artificially. Well, most of the times, it is better said than done. Exercise or increased activity, lifestyle changes, and healthy eating habits result to one thing – natural weight loss. But the real question that remains is how to maintain the new, lean body and how to keep losing weight while keeping it off in an invigorating and healthy manner.High fiber diet is a modified balanced diet with contents higher in fiber. Fiber is also known as the ‘forgotten nutrient’, ‘bulk’ or ‘roughage’. Aside from a healthy way of losing weight and preventing some of the digestive problems, it reduces a certain amount of sugar and fats in the bloodstream. Of all dietary management schemes, macrobiotic or high-fiber diet is one of the diet plans that answer the lingering question of how to remain toned and healthy. Maintaining a long-term weight loss is very challenging. Duyff stated ‘It is true that most of us need more fiber to promote good health.’A high fiber diet is not only for promoting weight loss since macrobiotics are present on this type of diet. It is one good way of boosting positive changes outside and inside the body. Fibers don’t supplicate calories because the body does not usually absorb fibers. These lead to the incorporation of low calorie group of food such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits in weight loss diets. Abundance of fiber is found on the outer surface of this food group that is why using or eating whole grains and unpeeled fruits and vegetables is encouraged as much as possible.The more the food is in its natural form (unrefined), the higher is its fiber content. According to Peckenpau gh and Poleman: ‘If the adult has learned to like a variety of plant-based, high fiber foods and sugar- free drinks such as water, obesity is less likely to occur as caloric requirements decrease from having sedentary job or being incapacitated from illness or from aging. ’ It is important to establish a regular eating schedule in instituting a high fiber diet. Basically, breakfast should be the heaviest meal while supper is the lightest.Unrefined foods are recommended rather than processed or refined food. Legumes and nuts can be milk and fish substitutes. Leafy vegetables should be included in meals as frequently as possible and drinking as much water, too, is advised, thus, increasing fluid intake more. Fruits such as apple, banana, guava, star apple and the likes should be avoided if there is constipation. Instead, whole segments of papaya, pineapple, prunes, watermelon and oranges can be eaten. During high fiber diet, intake of alcoholic, carbonated and caffeine be verages should also be avoided.According to the fiber theory of weight reduction, fibers impede the intestines in absorbing fats and by being a bulk or roughage in the stomach, it gives satisfaction while caloric intake is reduced. David Reuben, a highly acclaimed author/psychiatrist stated that importance of modifying a typical American diet to decreasing cholesterol intake and correct the lack of natural fibers. High fiber diet can also prevent one of the leading cancers in the US, colon cancer. Today, there are considerable studies conducted for the outcome of high fiber diet.Here is what Assembly of life sciences has to say: ‘Most epidemiological studies on fiber have examined the hypothesis that high fiber diets protects against colorectal cancer. Results of correlation and case-control studies of dietary fiber have sometimes supported and sometimes contradicted this hypothesis. ’ The committee had also stated there are no conclusive evidence that can prove fiber a s a complete inhibitor of colon cancer though there is a possibility that some high fiber ingredients can help fight this cancer.If ever such thing happens, researches propose that only some of the specific elements and not the whole fiber itself are responsible for the occurrence. Though there is no monumental belief that this type of diet cannot actually prevent colon cancer nor believed to have a compelling effect on weight reduction, on the other hand, unlike other dietary schemes, it does not bear immediate health threats and may subsequently be of great help in prolonging healthy weight management.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Shouldice Hospital Limited Abridged

3/26/2013 Shouldice  Hospital  Limited   (Abridged) Summary  of  case  discussion Indicators  of  success †¢ Profits – Revenue  =  7600  *  (320*4  +  650  +  300*20%)  =  $15  mil. – Costs  =  $8. 5  mil  for  hospital  +  $3. 5  for  clinic $ $ – Profits  =  $3  mil †¢ Word? of? mouth  advertising – Afraid  of  advertising  for  fear  of  generating  too  much  demand †¢ Backlog  of  demand – Currently  2400,  growing  at  100  /  6  mo. †¢ High  percentage  of  doctors  as  patients †¢ L Low  recurrence – 0. 8%  vs. 10%  at  other  hospitals †¢ Patients  reunions †¢ Low  employee  turnover 2 1 3/26/2013 Capacity  at  key  resources Examination – 6  rooms  x  3  patients/hr  x  3  hrs/day  (1? 4pm)  x  5days/wk  =  270   patients/wk †¢ Ope rating  rooms – 5  rooms  x  7hrs/day  x  5days/wk  x  1  patient  /(hr. room)  =  175   patients/wk †¢ Surgeons – 10  surgeons  x  1  patient/(hr. surgeon)  x  8  hrs/day  x  5  days/wk  =   400  patients/wk †¢ Rooms – Assume  patients  stay  for  4  nights,  and  level  demand – Number  of  patients  per  day  (Sun  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Thur)  =  89  rooms/4  =  22 – Capacity  =  5days/wk  x  22/day  =  110  patients/wk â€Å"Rooms†Ã‚  is  the  bottleneck. So  indeed  capacity  expansion,  if  any,  should  start  with  this  resource.Notice  that  this  processing  rate  does  not  add  up  to  7600  patients  per  year  that  Shouldice  is   handling. Possible  reasons:  patients  stay  for  fewer  nights,  or  they  admit  more  patients  toward   the  end  of  week,  or  there  is  an  Ã¢â‚¬Å"overflow†Ã‚  area  in  the  hospital. 3 Why  patients  like  Shouldice? †¢ Low  price – $1990  (excluding  travel)  vs. $5240  at  other  hospitals †¢ Low  recurrence  rate †¢ Facilities/decor – Investments  made  in  assets  such  as  carpeting,  common  areas  (the   Florida  room  e. g. ),  low  stairs,  nice  grounds. †¢ Socialization/ambiance Schedule  patients  with  similar  backgrounds  in  the  same  room – Group  activities  (e. g. ,  tea  and  cookies)  to  alleviate  anxiety  and  build   p relationships – Create  pleasant,  non? hospital? like  atmosphere †¢ Fast  recovery – Days  vs. weeks  at  other  hospitals – Early  ambulation  (confidence,  medical  benefits) 4 2 3/26/2013 Why  employees  like  Shouldice? â⠂¬ ¢ Doctors – Regular  hours,  on  call  but  rarely  called g , y – Good  pay – Low  risk  surgery,  opportunity  to  be  the  best  in  class †¢ Nurses – Minimal  physical  assistance – Counseling  activities,  instead  of  changing  Ã‚  bedpans Staff – Cross  training,  helping  each  other – Interactions  (e. g. ,  in  dining  room) – Strong  concern  for  employees,  nobody  is  fired 5 The  focused  factory  model †¢ A  narrow  market  segment  (a  simple  type  of  hernia  repair),  ensured  by  a   careful  screening  process †¢ An innovative procedure that emphasizes early ambulation which leads to An  innovative  procedure  that  emphasizes  early  ambulation  which  leads  to   quick  recovery †¢ Standardized  procedure,  not  to  be  varied †¢ Patient s  are  basically  well,  allowing  demand  to  be  inventoried  (and  thus   easy  scheduling) †¢ Family? tyle  management  allows  a  highly  specialized  workforce  to   â€Å"decompress,†Ã‚  leading  to  happy  employees  with  low  turnover †¢ Low  investments  by  sharing  resources  (e. g. ,  anesthetists,  nurses) †¢ Help patients help themselves (e g tea and cookies to mix pre? operative Help  patients  help  themselves  (e. g. ,  tea  and  cookies  to  mix  pre? operative   patients  with  post? operative  patients) †¢ Attention  to  details:  no  TV  in  room;  carpeting;  low? rise  stairs  for  easy   walking;  walk  from  the  operating  table;  gardens;  good  food,  etc. 3 3/26/2013 Options  for  capacity  expansion †¢ Saturday  operations – Pros:  no  investment – Cons:  in terferes  with  regular  work  schedules †¢ Invest  to  build  more  rooms – Pros:  keep  regular  work  schedules – Cons:  heavy  utilization  of  other  resources †¢ Another  hospital – Pros:  there  is  a  market  (1  million  hernia  operations  a  year   ( p y in  the  U. S. ),  save  travel  costs  for  patients – Cons:  Quality  control? Sources  of  doctors. †¢ Another  procedure – What? Expertise? Markets? Too  many  questions.Most  students  chose  either  the  second  or  the  third  options. 7 Key  learning  points †¢ The  focused  factory  approach  leads  to  more   added  value  (and  thus  higher  competitive   added value (and thus higher competitive advantage):  it  increases  the  customer’s   willingness? to? pay  and  lowers  the  cost,  at  the   same  time. †¢ The  devil  is  in  the  details:  many  operational   details,  although  seemingly  routine  and  minute,   play  an  important  role  in  shaping  strategic   decisions  (such  as  capacity  expansion  here). 8 4

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Annotated Bibliography-Sheila-W6 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Annotated Bibliography-Sheila-W6 - Coursework Example Knowledge of information regarding the study was limited, and the researchers do not provide for future studies. The literature review is well explained that the readers had no difficulties absorbing the topic. The methodology was done by cross-sectional surveys of the samples of old adults that were similar to an earlier study by Wood. The technology users had improved health care compared to nonusers. The author is a public commentary with the information week health care leading to online publication. The researcher observes a difficulty in sharing health related information by patients. As a result, mobile manufacturers find it hard to provide apps that reveal their details. The author proposes further studies into the issue especially on possible solutions to the menace. Finding earlier information concerning the topic was almost inevitable making the study to rely on its data for analysis. The review was less in depth that resulted to rely much on the author conclusions. The methodology was by questionnaires presented to the health providers who revealed patients reluctant to share their data. Data is the solution to research as they form the basis of policy making. Skrvseth, S. O., Augestad, K. M., & Ebadollahi, S. (2015). Data-driven approach for assessing utility of medical tests using electronic medical records. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 53, 270-276. doi:10.1016/j.jbi.2014.11.011 It is a comprehensive scholarly journal of biomedical informatics published by the Elsevier. The author asserts that data from patients taken through electronic medical records can be used to provide utilities to the medical tests. Due to increased data observations, the researcher believes that methodologies can be generated that provide content idea to the satisfaction of the medical tests. The study is very silent on information regarding previous studies and neither does it suggests for further research concerning the topic. The

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

A Brief for a financial case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

A Brief for a financial case - Essay Example o partners together with a team of experienced professionals, whom they hired, build a portfolio of investments that provided investors with a unique risk profile and substantial long-term returns (Bruner, p.672). Palamon’s investment strategy was to make bridge investments in companies that were in a process of moving from small, private ownership to the public capital markets. Palamon focused broadly on small to mid-sized European businesses in which it aimed to acquire control. To achieve its investment strategy of transforming from private to public ownership, Palamon required both funding and management ability. Palamon complemented their financial investments with advisory services to increase the possibility that the portfolio companies would successfully make it to the public markets. TeamSystem provided an excellent investment opportunity, but there were various challenges and risks facing the company, and Elson had to evaluate the viability of the investment in TeamSystem (Bruner, p.673). As Bruner, p.674, notes that Palamon investment process started with the development of an investment thesis taking into consideration the changes in the market, which included trade liberalization, new technology, and deregulations among others. Palamon looked for attractive investment opportunities using various ways. Palamon deal negotiations enclosed many issues including the management, the board composition and price of products of the company. In the investment process, the company looked for exit alternatives after they have fulfilled their objectives. Palamon identified an investment opportunity in TeamSystem, since the industry in which TeamSystem operated had extreme fragmentation and frequently changing regulations. Elson noted that, for the previous five years, TeamSystem Company had no audited consolidated financial statements. The significant players in the industry where TeamSystem operated were family owned firms which had limited access to global

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Greece vs Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Greece vs Saudi Arabia - Essay Example tion of the country.1 The country has a huge workforce that is comprised of foreign nationals who work alongside the Saudi nationals and it has been estimated that this number of foreigners increased from 4,563,000 in the year 1985 to a total of 5,300,000 in the year 1990.2 The country is a kingdom and before the year 1932, the Arabs were divided into different geographical regions such as the Nejd, Hejaz and Al Hasa regions and it was Ibn Saud who conquered the various dis-united regions ad declared himself the king of the United Saudi Arabia in the year 1932. 3 The petroleum deposits that have taken Saudi Arabia to the heights of its current prosperity were discovered in the year 1936. Most of the population belongs to a strict sect of Islam known as the Wahhabis. The cultural and social conditions of the country seem to be much talked about, yet still veiled mystery as the people are extremely conservative and follow the Sharia (Islamic Law) with strict adherence. A very big reason that the Saudi workforce comprises of so large a number of foreign residents is the fact that until the last decade there were very few places where Saudi national could obtain higher education in their own country. Due to this reason, the country has a huge workforce which comprises of foreign nationals. Recently, in the last decade or so, the government has started spending huge amounts of money on developing its own national workforce, which is an avenue which was always neglected previously. The oil that the country produces plays a huge role in its economy. Statistics confirm that the budget revenue is derived mainly out of oil sales and it accounts for 80% of the over all budget. It also makes up a large chunk of the country’s GDP at a contribution of nearly 45 %. It can easily be said that with 90% of the its earnings coming out of oil export, Saudi Arabia is an economy which is highly dependent on its natural resources. Although the current falling prices of oil and the

Monday, August 26, 2019

Defining and Measuring Quality in Health Care Organizations Term Paper

Defining and Measuring Quality in Health Care Organizations - Term Paper Example Strengths and weaknesses related to how quality is defined, measured, and monitored within the organization are also covered in this paper. Quality in Brookwood Medical Center is defined in terms of well structured and designed care practices, ability to recruit and maintain well trained employees, realization and putting into practice sound management practices, ability of the management to build a constructive and encouraging working environment, and fiscal health that initiates the attainment of quality practices. The kind of quality related measures currently being monitored in Brookwood Medical Center include balancing and outcome measures. In terms of balancing measures, the organization is investigating whether implemented strategies aimed at reducing patients waiting times are leading to other issues such as increased medical errors. Outcome measures according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (2011) looks at "how the system impacts the values of patients, their health and wellbeing" (para. 4). For instance, Brookwood Medical Centre monitors the number of days to the next available appointment. Data collection for both balancing and outcome measures in Brookwood Medical Center is conducted through a sampling procedure. For balancing measures relating to whether reducing patients waiting times is leading to other health issues such as increased incidences of medical errors, four data collection are conducted on a monthly basis. A sample size of thirty patients per data collection is used. The number of patients re-admitted due to issues relating to medical errors is then determined. This information is communicated to the staff during weekly team meetings. One of the weaknesses relating to how quality is defined is the fact that differences in measurements may occur due to chance and risk factors (Mant, 2001). For instance, there may be underlying factors such as predisposition to specific

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Lousis Daguerre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lousis Daguerre - Essay Example Daguerre used immaculately polished and silver plated sheets of cooper, which were sensitized with iodine vapors to catch photographic images (Carlisle 255). These sheets were exposed in big box cameras and were later developed in mercury fumes (Carlisle 255). Later on they were fixed or stabilized in sodium thiosulphate or hypo (Carlisle 255). Daguerreotype photography required little exposure time and allowed for the capturing of photographic images that were impressively detailed and vivid (Carlisle 255). Daguerre promoted the daguerreotype photography invented by him both as a medium of artistic expression and as a potent scientific tool. Most of the earlier experimental works made by Daguerre were destroyed in fire that burned his laboratory. Yet, today still survive a few of his daguerreotype portraits, urban views and still lives, which speak much for the ingenuity and aesthetic appeal of Daguerre’s

Saturday, August 24, 2019

'In what ways can the Lewes Bonfire Festival be described as a Essay

'In what ways can the Lewes Bonfire Festival be described as a theatrical event' - Essay Example A professional doctor playing the same role is not taken as being dramatic. Non dramatic theatrical works are used by performers to entertain and excite the audience. A theatrical performance has certain characteristics that make it conform to the theories of theater and performances. In order for an event to be classified as a theatrical event, it must have certain theatrical elements such as performers and a targeted audience. It also has to be carefully planned and rehearsed, has to occur at a particular place at a specified time, and must have objectives that ought to be met at the end of the performance (Gordon, 2006). The Lewes bonfire festival is one of the most celebrated nights of festivities in the UK. This event has so many similarities with theatrical performances that have led to spectators classifying it as one. The event involves a series of celebrations occurring in Lewes, in East Sussex, United Kingdom (Clark, 2009). Lewes town has come to be known as the Bonfire cap ital of the world due to the festival involving the largest and most famous bonfire night. The bonfire night is also known as the Guy Fawkes Night (Clark, 2009). The event is held annually on the 5th of November to commemorate the uncovering of the Gunpowder plot that happened in 1605 as well as recalling the seventeen martyrs of the Protestant Church that were burnt to death at the stake for their Christian faith under the leadership of the Catholic Queen Mary (Clark, 2009). If the 5th of November happens to be a Sunday, the event is celebrated on Saturday, the 4th of November. The event involves six different societies putting up parades and lighting firework displays. About 3,000 people take part in the celebration each year. The festival attracts up to 80,000 spectators who visit Lewes town during the festivities. This is far beyond the normal population of the small market town, which is usually 16,000 people. The celebrations include processions by the societies from Lewes and the surrounding villages, remembering the dead as well as bonfire prayers (The Lewes Bonfire Festival, 2009). During the processions, most of the members carry torches, others ignite and drop bangers while other participants carry banners, burning crosses or musical instruments. The large crowds that the events have attracted in recent years have necessitated inputs from the Emergency services, the Lewes bonfire council and local authorities so as to ensure safety of everyone attending the festival. The Lewes Bonfire Festival possesses many features that qualify it as a theatrical event. It includes all the elements of a theatrical piece of work, such as the time, location, performers and elaborate stories to a witnessing audience. On the order of time, The Lewes Bonfire Festival is a seasonal event happening on a specified date and time. The event occurs on the night of the 5th of November. The other characteristic that makes this festival a theatrical event is the type of space. This includes a specified location where the event takes place. The festival takes place in the small town of Lewes, East Sussex, in the UK (The Lewes Bonfire Festival, 2009). One other major element of theatricals that this event has is that of performers and spectators.

Friday, August 23, 2019

The development of telecommunications policy in the european union Essay

The development of telecommunications policy in the european union - Essay Example This comes before the European Parliament espouses a comprehensive communications strategy in 2002. Euractiv. (2009), Clifton, J. et al. (2011) Levi-Faur (2002) has confirmed that while the Europeanization of the telecoms and electricity industries led to some liberalization, it was a mediating factor rather than an independent one. The real effective governance structure is located in Brussels and it will affect the way telecom in Europe states develops in the future. Six suggestions that aim to capture cross-sectorial and cross-national variations in the ability of Europeanization to shape liberalization are provided. Firstly, the effect of EU membership is stronger in the move to liberalize the electricity sector than the telecoms sector. Secondly, the effect of Europeanization on liberalization is stronger in the southern countries than in northern Europe. Thirdly, because unbundling in telecoms, the privatization of ownership and the move towards the creation of independent regulatory authorities are less the product of Europeanization than of the advance of retail competition. Additionally, EU membership served as a c atalyst for liberalization in some countries. Furthermore, the post-liberalization effects of Europeanization could be more important than the last effects. The advance of liberalization is not responsible Europeanization, but the process of Europeanization has created another layer of political control that might be able to check and cut abuse of power by European actors. Lastly, Europeanization might be an essential factor in maintaining future competitive regimes in electricity sector more than telecoms sector. Levi-Faur (2002) The WTO signed in on15 February 1997, the Fourth Protocol of telecommunications, which formalized the emerging liberalization in telecommunications worldwide. The accord involves 69 countries are Signed and accounted for more than 90 percept of the

What Is The CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model) And Of What Practical Essay - 1

What Is The CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model) And Of What Practical Use Is It - Essay Example When the expected return of a security is determined using the model then it can be compared to the estimated return of security over a given time period. Such comparison will help the investor to analyse whether it is worthwhile investing into the security. CAPM was first conceptualised and pioneered by William Sharpe, Jack Treynor, Jan Mossin and John Lintner through their independent works (Focardi and Fabozzi, 2004, pp.86-87). The Capital Asset Pricing Model The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is popularly used to price individual portfolio securities. The CAPM helps to determine the expected rate of return for an asset relative to market risk. Using the CAPM model an investor can eliminate the unsystematic risk through proper diversification by estimating the required rate of return for a given level of non-diversifiable or market risk. The practical application of the model is that the individual investor will be able to modify their investment portfolio according to their r isk taking behaviour. The model also helps the individuals to analyse the risk-return profile in the portfolio (Gallagher and Andrew, 2007, pp.173-175). Assumptions of CAPM Investors are risk averse and rational No single investor can influence security prices No transaction cost or taxes Investors have access to all information at same time Expectation of the investors is homogeneous Mathematical Formula For individual assets, the relation between systematic risk and expected return can be estimated using the Security Market Line (SML). The significance of SML is that it can help the investor to calculate the risk-to-reward ratio for a given security relative to market. (Source: Financial Planning Body of Knowledge, 2010) The market risk-reward ratio is also known as the market risk premium. The systematic risk can be estimated using the Beta factor (?). Beta measures the sensitivity of excess expected return of security to the excess market return. Mathematically, ? = Covariance ( Ri, Rm) / Variance (Rm) Excess market return or Risk Premium = E (Rm) – Rf CAPM = Rf + ? x [E (Rm) – Rf] Where, Rf = Risk-free return Ri = Security Return Rm = Market Return Market Portfolio and Efficient Frontier The concept of CAPM encourages an investor to invest a portion of his or her wealth in risky asset and the remaining portion into risk-free asset. The proportion of asset allocation between risky and risk-free asset depends on the behaviour of the investor. According to this model, a rational investor will prefer maximum return for given risk or minimum risk for given return. The optimum portfolio is a combination of securities which yields maximum returns for lowest risk or volatility. The total portfolio risk can be measured and compared to market risk using beta. The optimum portfolio is derived from the efficient frontier curve that gives the relation between portfolio risk and return. The combination of securities that is formed at the tangency of indivi dual assets and the capital Allocation line (CAL) is called the optimal portfolio (Khan and Jain, 2007, p.16). (Source: krotscheck.net, 2008) The Significance of Beta Factor Beta indicates the stock volatility relative to a benchmark or market. The benchmark can be international index like S&P

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Higher education Essay Example for Free

Higher education Essay A Chronicle of Higher Education article states that only 34 percent of high-achieving high-school seniors in the bottom quarter of family income went to one of the 238 most selective colleges, compared with 78 percent of students from the top quarter (Markell). Certainly, these numbers show that students that come from low income families aren’t getting the opportunities that they deserve. With college costs going nowhere but up, students from low-income families face tough decisions. Some students choose to attend community college while some make the decision to take out additional loans. There are also those who choose to drop out because they can no longer sustain the cost of college. Those who don’t have the money to go to a selective college are often not reaching their full potential. Therefore, college cost should be lowered so that more people can have the opportunity to get higher education. Such a push is needed; firstly, due to the continuous rise in tuition, higher education is becoming less and less affordable for low-income students. According to the Journal of College Admission, from 1982 to 2007, college tuition and fees increased by 439 percent, while median family income increased by 147 percent. Last year, the net cost at four-year public universities amounted to 28 percent of median family income, while a four-year private college or university consumed 76 percent of median family income (Mahoney). These numbers show that college cost has risen at a rate that has consistently outpaced the median family income and also inflation. Patrick Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, states, â€Å"If we go on this way for another 25 years, we won’t have an affordable system of higher education†(Callan). Essentially, if college cost doesn’t stop increasing it will become unaffordable and many will choose not to get higher education. Furthermore, there are many students who aren’t getting the opportunity that they deserve because they are not able to afford it. At the most competitive colleges, only 14 percent of students come from the lower 50 percent of families by income (Perez-Pena). Some low-income students who study very hard cant reach the diploma or certificate. A New York Times article states, â€Å"While 2. 8 million students enroll in some form of higher education each year, most do not proceed straight through to graduation. Only one in five of those who enroll in two-year institutions earn an associate degree within three years, and only two in five of those who start four-year colleges complete their degrees within six years†(Lewin). College being outrageously expensive is one of the reasons students are not reaching their full potential. Access to higher education has become increasingly difficult for low income families, yet a college degree is more important than ever in today’s economy. Indeed, there’s no denying that college tuition and expenses aren’t cheap. In the 2011-12 academic year, the average net cost for a full-time student at an in-state public university was about $15,000 for tuition, fees, room, board, books and incidental expenses, according to the College Board (Clark). Four years of college costs about 60,000 dollars. Aside from tuition, college students also have to worry about the other expenses that come with being a college student. Those who don’t have enough to afford it are faced with tough decisions. According to a New York Times article, about 7 in 10 of the dropouts said they had no scholarship or loan aid. Among those who got degrees, only about four in 10 went without such aid (Perez-Pena). College students who come from low-income families are being forced to take out additional loans to afford college. Some students choose to attend community college while some make the decision to take out additional loans. There are also those who choose to drop out because they can no longer sustain the cost of college. Often times, students cannot afford the cost of living while completing a college education. Certainly, there are many reasons why students drop out of college, but the decision oftentimes has a lot to do with money. According to Public Agenda, a nonpartisan public policy research firm that conducted a telephone survey of more than 600 people ages 22 to 30 for the report, â€Å"Of students surveyed, 58 percent said they did not receive any financial help from their parents or relatives to pay tuition or fees, and 69 percent had no scholarships or financial aid† (Johnson). More than half of students are not being supported by their families or anyone else for that matter. Also, more than one-half of students are not receiving any type of scholarship or financial aid. The dropouts’ most popular solutions were allowing part-time students to qualify for financial aid, offering more courses on weekends and evenings, cutting costs and providing child care (Johnson). Most times, it’s just not attainable for a college student to afford college costs. Moreover, students who don’t have financial help from family or are not fortunate enough to get scholarships or grants are often forced work to pay for school. The New York Times states, â€Å"The top reason the dropouts gave for leaving college was that it was just too hard to support themselves and go to school at the same time. Balancing work and school was a bigger barrier than finding money for tuition, they said. In fact, more than a third of the dropouts said that even if they got a grant that covered their books and tuition, it would be hard to go back to school, given their work and family commitments† (Lewin). Essentially, low-income students are having to work while attending college. Many students find it difficult to find time to study, because they are too busy working part-time jobs in able to pay for their education and other necessities. Those students who are not able to balance school, work, and also other things often end up dropping out. A downturn in college tuition would definitely help those students who are in need of help financially. Ultimately, a decrease in college cost would greatly benefit the larger society. There will be more students who will be able to afford higher education. With this in mind, higher education will lead to better access to jobs with higher pay and the broadening of a college student’s social and mental horizons. College students will also no longer have to worry about being buried in debt after college. As Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America, states, â€Å"As a nation, our future ultimately depends on equipping students like you with the skills and education a 21st-century economy demands. If you have the opportunity to reach your potential and go as far as your talent and hard work will take you, that doesn’t just mean a higher-paying job or a shot at a middle-class life — it means a stronger economy for us all. Because if your generation prospers, we all prosper. And I’m counting on you to help us write the next great chapter in our American story† (Obama). In other words, Obama believes that higher education can lead people to success and that it is vital to the nation’s future. Lower college cost will lead to students reaching their potential. While it is true that a decrease in college tuition would just lead to students who are not meant for college wasting their time, there are many students who are actually academic material that cannot afford to get higher education. A study by the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington points out that half of Americans in the top fourth of the income distribution have a college degree. Among the poorest fourth of Americans, fewer than one in ten graduated from college (Porter). Higher education is turning into a privilege for the higher society. The rising cost of college is preventing low-income students from getting higher education. A decrease in college cost will give low-income students more options and it will benefit the larger society in the future. Ultimately, what is at stake here is that students who have the potential to succeed in college are not able to attend because they lack money. College has turned into a privilege for the higher society when it should be one’s right. Colleges need to be more accountable for making sure that their students graduate. Decreasing college cost will also decrease the number of students being in debt after finishing college. Higher education cost rising is causing low-income students to be locked out of higher education. Therefore, college cost should be lowered so that more students will have the opportunity to get higher education, especially those who lack money. Works Cited Clark, Kim. â€Å"How much does college actually cost? † cnn. com. CNN. Web. 24 November 2013. Johnson, Jenna. â€Å"Majority of college dropouts cite financial struggles as main cause. † The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 8 December 2009. Web. 24 November 2013. Lewin, Tamar. â€Å"College Dropouts Cite Low Money and High Stress. † New York Times. New York Times, 9 December 2009. Web. 24 November 2013. Mahoney, John L. Thoughts In Troubled Times. Journal Of College Admission 209 (2010): 4-6. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 November 2013. Markell, Jack. How To Give Low-Income Students The Chance They Deserve. Chronicle Of Higher Education 60. 6 (2013): A27. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 November 2013. Obama, Barack H. â€Å"President Obama on Early Childhood Education. † Remarks by the President on Early Childhood Education. Decatur Community Recreation Center, Decatur, Georgia. 14 February 2013. Perez-Pena, Richard. â€Å"Efforts to Recruit Poor Students Lag at Some Elite Colleges. † New York Times. New York Times, 30 July 2013. Web. 24 November 2013. Porter, Eduardo. â€Å"Dropping Out of College, and Paying the Price. † New York Times. New York Times, 25 June 2013. Web. 24 November 2013.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Financial Analysis of Capital One

Financial Analysis of Capital One Organization: Capital One- Financial Company Capital One is a financial and banking corporation, which is among one of the Americas top 20s digital bank. It is well-known for credit cards, debit cards, home loans, banking and saving products. (Identities, 2017) It is around 21-year-old firm, which has had an epidemic success for the past 6 years. It is an innovative technology used organization. The best thing about Capital one is the work and life balance. To choose this organization, the main purpose is the organizations belief and service. They believe in fundamental logic, which is much interesting. -They particularly focus on the everyones opinions and assume positive intent. The culture and environment of the company are really different than most of the other places and banks. -One more interesting fact that I know through some source is Capital one is same as Yahoo; in the terms of technology and belief. -Capital One understand the value of clients, not transactions. As per their research they found that 71% of customers consider their banking relationship to be merely transactional. -They aimed when Capital one diversified to reduce the risk from a monoline business. -Capital one has three major subsidiaries, on which they work: 1) Credit cards 2) Saving banks 3) Auto financing -All these three subsidiaries are diversified the Capital Ones main product credit cards to banks original business. Relationship:   My cousin brother is working for the Capital One IT department from 2010. In future, I want to become a customer of Capital one 360 bank, because they provide great services for customers. After researching some resources and as per my cousins knowledge about technologies and business strategy that Capital one used, which makes me more interesting to choose this organization as an operating model. Operating Model: An Operating model is necessary for delivering goods and services to customers by business level integration and standardization. -Capital one uses a Coordination model by low standardization and high integration. A reason behind to choose this model is, uncontrolled business heads execute their processes an efficient manner, yet   providing the best services to the customers. -Capital one has unique operations, often demanding capabilities. -Capital one is a largest financial services companies, is composed of major three business units: Credit cards group Saving bank group Auto financing group -After researching some stuff; I understand that in the past around the 1990s to early 2000s, they used diversification model, but now entering in auto finance they use coordination model. A Credit card is the oldest major subsidiary and original business of bank (Capital One). From the history of Capital one still, now credit card is the top-notch earning subsidiaries. (Perez, 2015) -Saving bank is the second major subsidiary of Capital one. The leading products that they offer retail and commercial banking such deposits and loans. To achieve the successful business model, Capital one faces sterling competition with United states top 20 banks like PNC bank, Wells Fargo bank etcetera. (Perez, 2015) -Auto financing is third and major subsidiary that focuses on delivering exhaustive, innovative solutions to meet the financial needs of the target customers. It mainly focuses on types of loan that determine the area of the bank. (Perez, 2015) -By integrating, but not standardizing, it is enhancing customer service. It attracts new customers and sells more products to customers, hence it leads towards the profitable growth of Capital one. Stages of enterprise architecture maturity: A capability maturity model defines total four stages of architecture maturity. Business silos Standardized technology Optimized core Business Modularity Capital one is presently used standardized technology. The reason behind to work at this stage is the management of technology standards. Standardization reduce risk, costs of the shared services improve reliability, security and development time. (Ross, 2006) Capital one usually increases access to shared data by data warehouse, hence transaction data is still embedded in individual application. That is the significant achievement for cost savings and reliability through standardized technology. Nowadays most of the companies move into the standardized technology stage by virtue of CIO that provides shared infrastructure services. (Ross, 2006) Capital one design and update their standards according to financial management and funding shared services, which is the key management capability of standardized technology. The business and IT leaders of Capital one are defines the application of standardized technology, that focus on quick wins. References Identities, W. (2017, 2 6). In wikipedia. Retrieved 02 07, 2017, from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One Perez, S. (2015, March 5). Retrieved from marketrealist: http://marketrealist.com/2015/03/capital-ones-three-main-subsidiaries/ Ross, J. W. (2006). Enterprise Architecture. Harvard Business. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One http://marketrealist.com https://www.capitalone.com    Ross Weill Chapter 2.pdf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ross Weill Chapter 4.pdf

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The revenues and profits of TESCO

The revenues and profits of TESCO Tesco Plc is the third largest retailer in the world in terms of revenues and second largest in terms of profits. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesco ). Tesco is a conglomerate business which offers alternative goods and services such as food, insurance, banking, fuel, online shopping-through its subsidiary Tesco.com, optician, mobile, clothing etc. Tesco has designed various outlets to meet different customers needs. The United Kingdom (UK) is the companys largest market. Tesco operate under four banners namely Express, Metro, Extra and Superstore. Retail analysts have identified three main reasons for this. Tescos are everywhere; Sell to everyone; Sell everything Tesco has a market share of 30% in the UK according to the data from TNS world panel. Tescos market share is double than its closest competitor Asda Supermarket which has a market share of 17% in UK. In UK there are more than 2280 stores and internationally it has 2077 stores. Around 469,000 staff work for Tesco and about 283,000 of them work in UK. Tesco almost has sixteen and half million club card members in UK and twenty million outside the UK, in nine countries across the globe. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/21/tesco-facts). Tesco have stores in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, Malaysia and Thailand. Tesco was set up in 1919 by Jack Cohen and is now the biggest private sector employer in the UK. Tescos first store was open in 1929 Burnt oak in Edgware. Since overtime the company is growing and developing and responding to the dynamic environment. Tescos main competitors are Asda, Sainsbury, and Morrisons TESCOS VALUES The core value of Tesco is to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty. Our success depends on people; the people who shop with and the people who work with us. No one tries harder for customer: (understand customers, be first to meet their needs, act responsibly for our communities) Treat people as we like to be treated. (Work as a team, trust and respect for each other, listen, support and say thank you share knowledge and experience) All the above mentioned in Tescos Every little Helps Strategy. (www.tescoplc/ourvalues) Tescos planning process runs each year on a quarterly basis in May, August and November, which helps to adjust staffing level and recruit new staffs when necessary. This allows Tesco to get sufficient time and flexibility to meet the demands for staffs and allows the company to meet its strategic objectives, for example open new stores and maintain customer service levels. The organization applies Maslows theory of motivation to internally motivate esteems needs of their employees by recognizing the importance of motivating their staff to progress their career within the company. Tesco practice of so called talent planning which will encourage people to work their way through, on the steps that will help the organization achieve its business goals and employees to achieve their personal and career goals. (http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/case-studyrecruitment-selection132-323-2.php) Goals and objectives of the organization The goals and objectives of a company is what the company hopes to achieve in a specific time period. It is the reason for the existence of the organization; it is what drives the organization, the employees and management in their day to day activities. Tescos goals and objectives are: 1. To maximize sales 2. To grow and maintain the number one retail company in the United Kingdom 3. Tesco wants to outshine their competitors and remain the market leader 4. The main aim of Tesco is to maximize profit 5. To provide goods/services that is cheap and affordable to consumers or the public (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_aims_and_objectives_of_Tesco) According to Tesco their core purpose is to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty. They further go on to state that their success depends on people, both those who shop with and work with them. As Britains largest retailer and the number three in the world, Tesco endeavors to meet their lofty objectives by providing their customers with excellent value for their money with highly competitive prices and top notch customer service. Ultimately by pleasing, their customer and capturing their business for life, this will make them a highly profitable business and in turn also please their shareholders. The aims and objectives of Tesco are based on product, price, place and public. Tesco place is a wide supermarket chain and is one of the biggest in the world. Inclusive in its general aims is also the need for survival and meeting stake holders needs. Subtly underlying all of Tescos beliefs, values, policies and practices is the aim to retain loyal customers. Tesco has captured this in their mission statement, which says to Retain Loyal People. In order to achieve this goal Tesco gives out club cards to its customers and gives them points anytime they come shopping. Organizations structure and design The purpose of organizational structure is to define the protocols, parameters and the procedural process necessary for a group to achieve the organizational objectives. In many organizations structure is a communication channel through which information is passed. No one structure is the best one. Structure will depend on the organization size, when the organization is big it has to have a formal organizational structure. Structure is the pattern of relationships among positions in the organizations and among members of the organization. Structure of the organization does not only affects productivity and economic efficiency but it also increases the morale and job satisfaction of the employs. Drucker (1989) stated that good organization structure does not by itself produce good performance. But a poor organization structure makes good performance impossible, no matter how good the individual managers may be. To improve organization structureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦will therefore always improve performance. Importance of good structure is emphasized by child as the allocation of responsibilities, the grouping of functions, decision-making, coordination, control and reward all these are the fundamental requirements for the continued operation of an organization. The quality of an organizations structure will affect how well these requirements are met. Child (1988). Mannud (1999) emphasized that organizational design is a key feature for allowing an individual to achieve their personal needs as well as objective of the organization. The structure and design of an organization will determine if the goals of the organization and that of the work force would be achieved. The organizational design provides a framework within which the individual and group can work effectively in order to meet collective goals. The various types of organizational structure includes flat, hierarchical, functional, divisional, matrix among others. Some organizations may use one or a combination of two structures to run the organization more smoothly depending on the size and situation of the organization. In our research we discovered that Tesco use a combination of both the flat (decentralization) and hierarchical structure to run the organization effectively. Decentralization structure is mainly used when the organization is big in size and is geographical separated from different parts of the organizations. Decentralization is integrated with empowerment and delegation which brings about autonomy in the organizations. Source http://www.learnmanagement2.com/flat%20structure.htm Hierarchical structure has a various levels within the organization; each level is one above the other. Each level in the hierarchy structure has different levels of power, management and authority. A hierarchy structure defines roles of each employee within the organizations and their relationship with other employees. Source http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Tr-Z/Virtual-Organizations.html Tesco have two organizational structures; one for the company as a whole, which is hierarchical structure, with just six levels between chief executives and the check out staffs. The other structure is flat (decentralization) structure used in each of their stores. The store structured used by Tesco is very easy to understand as it clearly shows control of each level and because of its simplicity it allows employees to see who is in charge of each department or who their department or line managers are. Impacts of the structured used by Tesco Regardless of what form of structure is adopted, whether hierarchical, flat or matrix, it has an impact on the organizational effectiveness. There is no one best structure to use but rather it depends on the organization size and situation that meets the need of the organization in order to achieve its goals and objectives. A clear organizational design and the establishment of a strong organizational structure can increase or maximize a companys effectiveness. Impacts of the hierarchical structure on Tesco In the hierarchical structure it is easy to implement a common policy in the organizations, as a whole and it provides a consistent strategy throughout the organization. This structure helps to improve economies of scale and reduce management cost. Hierarchical structure encourages greater use of specialization and improved decision making as the instructions comes from the top authority. According to McGregor (1960), Theory of X, where workers are seen as rational economic individuals, people are naturally lazy and have an inherent dislike of work. The average person avoids responsibility, prefers to be directed. Therefore, most people must be controlled, directed, coerced and threatened with punishment in order to enable organization to achieve its goals. On the other hand, the hierarchical organizational structure can have adverse effect on the organizations effectiveness. Organizations can be bureaucratic and respond slowly to changing customer needs and the market within which the organization operates. The decision making will be slow which will affect the organization. The hierarchical structure restricts personal growth and self- realization which will lead to failure, frustration and conflicts. Communication across various sections can be poor especially horizontal communication. The hierarchical structure also leads to low motivation and morale. This is because there is not enough delegation. Lack of clarity and relevant, timely information to the right people and inadequate procedures for revaluation of past decision can lead to late and inappropriate decision. Impacts of decentralized structure of TESCO; Decentralized organization structure makes manager feel more comfortable at his position and will be able to take decisions with ease. Staffs will have more responsibilities which will empower them in decision making and in turn will motivate employees and increase productivity. It creates improved communication between staff and management. It also enables the staff to judge the situation within their working environment thereby expanding their knowledge and experience. In this structure top bottom chain of command is short but on the other hand Span of control is much wider than others which will improve the efficiency of organization. Decentralization structure can limit the business growth. When there is any change which needs to be implemented, employees will not fully accept it and will take a long time before it will be fully embraced by the whole organization. At times employees have more than one manager, this often obstruct the performance of an organization because managers want to apply different methods according to their own finding or ideas, so it becomes a barrier in a way of proper communication among the staff and their superiors. The internal and external environment in which the organization is operating INTERNAL FACTORS EXTERNAL FACTORS OF TESCO PESTEL stands for Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors. Its purpose is to assess the industry in which an organization operates. Examples of each factor are: Political Tax policies, Trade restrictions, Tariffs. Economic Economic growth, Interest rates, Inflation rates. Sociological Culture, Health consciousness, Age distribution. Technological Ecological aspects, Research and development, rate of technological change. Legal Health and safety laws, Consumer laws and regulations. Environmental Recycling policies, pollution. Due to the nature of the Tescos organization with particular reference to how it has branded and marketed itself, and the current economic climate, the assessment of external factors by a PESTEL analysis has been crucial in Tescos success. This is because Tesco has taken into account the implications for consumers, employees, stakeholders, associated organizations and the companys mission statement. Political factor: Politically, the credit crunch may lead to higher numbers of unemployment. As one of the largest and fastest growing retailers more jobs will be available with Tesco therefore helping to reduce the levels of unemployment. As Tesco is an international organization having stores in several countries, thus Tesco will be influenced by the political and legislative conditions of those countries, including European Union. Government encourages retailers to provide a mixture of job opportunities from flexible, lower-paid and locally-based jobs to highly-skilled, higher-paid and centrally-located jobs under employment legislations. Tesco employs large numbers of, students, disabled and elderly workers, often paying them lower rates. In an industry with a typically high staff turnover, these workers offer a higher level of loyalty and therefore represent desirable employees. Economical Factors: Economic factors are of concern to Tesco, because they are likely to affect demand, costs, prices and profits. On the economy side one of the most influential factor is the unemployment rate, which reduces the effective demand for many goods, adversely affecting the demand for such goods to be produced. These factors are largely beyond the control of the company, but its performance and marketing mix is profound. Although Tescos international business is still growing, but still it is highly depended on the UK market. Tesco controlled 30.8% of the UK grocery market as of May 2009 and 9% of the UK non-food retail market. The majority of its sales and profits are generated in its 2,282 UK stores, which are segmented into the following formats: Tesco Express neighbourhood convenience store that focuses on fresh products, 961 stores Tesco Metro city centre convenience store,174 stores Tesco Superstore conventional supermarket, 448 stores Tesco Extra hypermarket that serves an entire community, 177 stores Tesco Home plus and One-Stop account for its remaining stores The company also sells general merchandise through Tesco Direct; its online and catalogue businesses. Tescos strategy of following the shopper remains more relevant now than ever, and this has helped the business to move into 2010 on the front foot, following strong trading over the key Christmas period. Having increased UK sales by  £3.6bn last year, Tesco remains heavily focused on delivering growth, offering significant scale opportunities across its estate. And with Tesco now seeing signs of wider economic recovery coming through, the retailer is targeting significant growth ahead. Club card is attracting new shoppers to Tesco stores, while the proposition is being reinforced in-store as new range initiatives are developed. Add to this an ambitious expansion plan for the UK and a growing international opportunity for suppliers, and the attraction of Tesco as a retailer account grows further. Tescos has reported a pre -tax profit of  £1.6m in half year and sales were boosted by strong Asian sales. Sales growth is UK has increased by 5% in contrast to Asia in the past three months. Overall Tescos sales grew by 8.3% to  £32.9bn. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11474282) Tesco has also announced to hire 16,000 new staffs this year, out of which 9,000 will be hired in UK. Sociological factors: The Sociological aspect of the PESTEL analysis for Tesco involves considerations such as the increase in immigration of Eastern Europeans or increase in young professionals. Change in customers taste and preferences have to be considered when carrying out strategic analysis. Current trends show that customers have begun to move to one-stop and bulk shopping, which is due to changes in society. Naturally there is always a demand for new product, hence Tesco have to offer a range of products for their customers to choose from. Due to demographic changes such as the aging population, an increase in female workers and a decline in home cooking means that UK retailers need to also focus on value added products and services. As the awareness of organic product grows customers are now buying more organic foods, TESCO has the largest share of organic product sales, selling over 1200 organic product lines. Technological factors: Technological factors which have perhaps had the most impact on Tesco have been the growth in the use of the internet. When new technologies are introduced in the business, it benefits both the customers and the company thus increasing customer satisfaction because commodities are readily available. The TESCO website, www.tesco.com is the largest online supermarket in the world. Tesco stores uses following technologies: Wireless devices Radio Frequency Identification Self check-out machine Intelligent Scale Electronic shelf labelling The use of Electronic Point of Sale (Epos), Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTPoS) and electronic scanners have greatly improved the efficiency of distribution and stocking activities, with needs being communicated almost in real time to the supplier. Finch, (2004). They have capitalized on the use of online shopping and provide a delivery service through their website at www.tesco.com. Customers can now shop without physically going to the stores; hence they are able to retain this clichà © of customers who have little time to go in stores. Through the use of extranet system Tescos communication flow between the company and its business partners is very effective and hence facilitates collaborative relationship. Tescos investment into technology like wireless devices, intelligent scale, and electronic shelf labelling, self check-out machine and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems helps support smooth daily operations of the business. Environmental Factors As Tesco continues to expand its Corporate social responsibility is of a great paramount in order to meet its obligation to its stakeholders through specified regulations and corporate governance. Tesco uses fossil fuel in its transport network and also encourage its customers to make low carbon choices. In 2008, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) awarded TESCO, the Rotten Egg Award for failing to make any commitment to end sale of eggs from caged hens. In 2004 Graiser and Scott stated that, the government had plans to launch a new strategy of reducing production waste and consumption resource in order to minimise environmental damage. Legal factors: In the current economic situation, many small businesses are not able to enter the market. Under the EU law, if there is an organization with a largest market share dominates. With this problem the quality of products and services will be compromised and thus demanding high prices. The governments policies for monopoly controls and reduction of buyers power can limit entry to this sector with such controls as license requirements and limits on access to raw materials -Mintel Report (2004), Myers (2004). In order to implement politically correct pricing policies, Tesco offers consumers a price reduction on fuel purchases based on the amount spent on groceries at its stores. While prices are lowered on promoted goods, prices elsewhere in the store are raised to compensate. Factors affecting employee productivity Ways of motivating key workers need to define motivation , talk about extrinsic and intrinsic motivation = total rewards Motivation is one of the earliest concerns of organizational behaviour. It is internal and external forces and influences that drive an individual to achieve certain specific goals. People are motivated when they expect that a course of action is likely to lead to the attainment of a goal a valued reward that satisfies their particular needs. Well motivated people are those with clearly defined goals who take action that they expect will achieve those goals. According to La Motta (1995), motivation is simply the reason individuals have for doing the things they do. In day-to-day society many different things motivate people, and that which motivates one person may not necessarily motivate another. In other words, a motivated person is always aware of the fact that a specific goal must be achieved, and would direct their effort at attaining that goal. Nel et al (2001). According to Locke (1997), motivation is determined by goal directedness, human volition or free will, and perceived needs and desires, sustaining the actions of individuals in relation to themselves and to their environment. THE ELEMENTS OF A TOTAL REWARDS PROGRAMME Armstrong and Mullin (1991) suggest four main areas that should be addressed in a reward management system. These are: Pay structures, which by combining the results of market surveys and job evaluation, define the levels of pay in the organisation; Employee benefits that satisfy the needs of employees for personal security and provide remuneration in forms other than pay which include pensions, insurance cover, sick pay and a number of other perks. Non-financial rewards which satisfy employees needs for variety, challenge, responsibility, influence in decision-making, recognition, training, career development opportunities and high quality leadership. Performance management that provides the basis for continuing as well as formal reviews of performance against targets and standards. A performance management system usually leads to the development of training and development programmes that meet the need for growth and achievement. It also leads to the design of performance-related pay systems that has an impact on bonus and incentive payments. Performance management is a strategic and integrated process that delivers sustained success to organizations by improving the performance of the people who work in them and by developing the capabilities of individuals contributors and teams (Michael Armstrong pp391). If a persons skills are not utilized up to the full, they will they will be demotivated. Tesco recently received an award from National Business awards Employer of the year when the judges declared that Tesco was voted employer of the year because its solutions were seen to be more holistic. Tesco recognizes that motivated staffs are committed to their work and hence companys performance will increase. http://www.trainanddevelop.co.uk/view_article.php?ArticleID=78 Tesco has many ways in which they motivate their workers. This has gone a long way to help them improve on their quality of services and their profits for the past years. Tesco motivates its employees through the following way: Staff Training Tesco gives training to staff, to make sure that they are competent and ready for the job. They ensure that their customers have the best services through the staff and management team. This does not only make the employee to be ready to work, it also makes them to be confident and motivated to work. So in being confident and sure of giving out the best to the customers, employees will put in their best in order to satisfy the needs of the customers. Discount for staff purchases: Employees of Tesco are given the opportunity to buy good from their super market at a discount of ten percent. This is an advantage to Tescos employees. This is done so that employees will feel recognized and been treated fairly at the work place. When employees feel that they are being treated fairly and they are happy, they turn to do their work more effectively and efficiently thus achieving the set objectives and goals of the company. Communication: Communication between staff, customers and management has to be good. This is so because it makes the employees to feel happy that their problems and opinion in the organization are important. Tesco makes sure that they have new and more open lines of communication between managers and staff, to avoid conflict and lack of flow of information. Directors and senior managers spend a week on shop floor listening to ideas and suggestions from customers and staff. This makes the employees feel better and secured at the work place. They feel happy that their ideas have got a place in management decision making, and that keeps them highly motivated. Free uniforms: Tesco gives out their uniforms to their workers for free in order for them not to think that they are being exploited or being used. Free or reduced rate health insurance: Tesco provides health insurance for free or at a much reduced rate for its employees. This makes the employees happy and confident in their employer. It indicates that their employer is concerned about their well-being and not just the work. So this makes employees to be happy and it increases efficiency in the work place. Holidays: Tesco recognizes that their employees are human beings and that they need rest as well. They respect the holidays of their employees and make sure that they are Open opportunities: Tesco gives their employees equal opportunities to be promoted when they work hard. So employees are being promoted in the organization when they put in more efforts. This makes them to work hard and feel motivated to work, because they know that after hard work comes promotion and power. By doing this productivity and efficiency and turn over increases. Bonus: Employees are given bonuses when the work hard besides their others discount they having for working at Tesco. When efficiency and productivity increases, turnover increases too. So when this happens, employees are motivated through bonuses. Competitive salaries: Company share options: This is another option that Tesco feels it motivates their key workers most especially their top management employees. The top management employees are given options to become shareholders after long years of services and hard work at Tesco. When employees of top management has reached a certain level of the hierarchical pyramid of the organization in Tesco, the board of directors gives that employee an opportunity to acquire a share and become one of them. Flexibility at work: Discount gym membership: Tesco uses this point as a form of motivation for its employees. When employees work hard, in order to motivate them, they are given a discount so that they can become members at their gym. So this makes them happy and has a sense of belongingness and they feel accepted and recognized by their employer. Appraisal systems and organizational record keeping Appraisal systems Balance scorecard: It is a method which Tesco uses to appraise its employees. It is applied to performance management system and it points out and breakthrough defects in single applications of financial indicators which measures performances of employees. The value of performance management appraisal system based on the introduction of the customers, internal business, processes, employees learning and growth and financial factors. It also controls the management system mechanism, the strategy of application, application limitations and outlook on the future of the business. Leadership: Employees are also appraised through their way of leadership in Tesco. This is done through the nineteen leadership competencies which were identified through their in-depth job analysis of leadership. Any employees regardless of their years of experience in a particular position may be put into the development phase at any time upon their request or when the supervisor suggests. Working in this particular phase, the employees focuses their energy and attention on specific leadership competencies which will help them achieve their objectives and increase turn over. Strategic evaluation: Tescos evaluation systems are performed through effective decomposition of the business strategy. This is so that each employee will clearly establish themselves in the organization under the strategy and their responsibilities; it should be more of how to take actions to ensure the achievements of objectives. So this performance evaluation system is to connect the strategic Organizational Record Keeping: Website resources record keeping: The company keeps most of their information on their website. This website is updated on a daily basis, and information is usually not removed once it is posted there. So it is one of the very safe places where records of the organization are kept for as long as possible. Document storage: Records are also kept in the form of documents that is in hard and soft copies. This documents are considered as important to the organization, then they now keep them for future reference. Document location system: There is a particular system created for storage of document, so that in case this document is needed, they do not have to go through all other documents before getting what they want. They just need to get into the system, then they will get it at once. So this is less time consuming and accurate. Conclusion References Armstrong and Mullin (1991) Child (1988), J. Organization: a Guide to Problems and Practice, 2nd edition, Paul Chapman (1988), p.531 Drucker, P.F. the practice of management, Heinemann Professional (1989), p.223 Finch, (2004) La Motta (1995) Locke (1997) Nel et al (2001) Mannud.L, (1999) Michael Armstrong pp391 Mintel Report (2004), Myers (2004) Websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesc

Monday, August 19, 2019

The Clouds :: essays research papers

CLOUDS Production The setting of the Clouds requires two doors in the skene, one representing Strepsiades's house and the other, the Thinkery, both in the city of Athens. The play begins with Strepsiades and Pheidippides sleeping in their beds. Since the ancient Greek theater had no curtain, these two men in their beds had to be carried out in full view of the audience by stagehands (probably slaves) and placed in front of one of the doors of the skene representing Strepsiades's house. The audience was no doubt expected to imagine that this was an indoor scene, because it was not usual for Greeks to sleep outside. This assumption is strengthened by the fact that, since Pheidippides is sleeping under five blankets, the weather is cool, which would make it even less likely that this was intended as an outdoor scene. The method of presenting the scholarly activities that go on inside the Thinkery is by no means certain. K. J. Dover (Aristophanic Comedy, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1972, 107) suggests two possibilities. The students could come out of the door of the skene carrying their apparatus with them, which they could leave behind when they go back inside. Another possibility is that a screen made of canvas and wood with a door, held from behind by stagehands, could conceal the students until Strepsiades asks that the door be opened. The stagehands then could remove this screen revealing the students and their equipment. When the students are ordered to go back inside, they could go through a door of the skene which then would become the door of the Thinkery for the rest of the play. One other aspect of production needs to be mentioned. Socrates first appears in the play suspended in air. The means of his suspension is undoubtedly the mechane, which in tragedy is mostly used for gods, but in comedy is used for any character who needs to fly or just be in the air. Aristophanes's Comic Portrait of Socrates Although there is something of the real Socrates1 in the character of the same name in the Clouds, it is clear that Aristophanes's depiction of Socrates in the Clouds is in good part a comic distortion. Socrates was a well-known figure in Athens who was popularly perceived as an intellectual. Aristophanes, taking advantage of this popular perception, arbitrarily places him at the head of the Thinkery, in which subjects such as rhetoric and astronomy are taught.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

McDonalds :: essays research papers

I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction McDonalds has always been a leader in the fast food industry. Through its dynamic market expansion, new products and special promotional strategies, it has succeeded in making a name for itself in the minds of the target customers. However, McDonald’s earnings has declined in the late 1990’s and 2000s. This is mainly due to a fiercely competitive industry and variety in customer tastes and preferences. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Statement of the Problem How can McDonalds increase its sales, market share and profits in a fiercely competitive industry? III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objectives McDonalds objectives are to reverse the decline of sales, to continue staying ahead of the competition in the fast food industry and to find new strategies that would help the restaurant successfully compete in the a fiercely competitive market. IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Areas of Consideration Situation  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Eating habits of Americans are changing  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Younger consumers are getting tired of fast food and are becoming health conscious  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Growing dissatisfaction with the quality aspect of fast food restaurants such as McDonalds  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fast food is losing its sense of appeal to the large group of customers who frequently eat out Environment  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  another segment of the fast-food industry is comprised of a non-hamburger restaurants, growing trend is moving customers to non-burger sandwiches  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  increase in the fast-casual segment that includes restaurants that offer deli sandwiches and more upscale meals with more comfortable surroundings but faster Background  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McDonalds has added new products on its menu  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Advertising message focused on tasty and nutritious food, friendly folks and fun  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Invested heavily in advertising and improving its public image  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opened first domestic McCafe Customers  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  recognize the importance of drive-through customers (try to increase the speed of drive-through delivery)  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Importance of heavy users of fast-food restaurants Threats  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McDonalds cheap and greasy image Major Competitors in the Hamburger Segment  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Burger King Corp. that offers an array of value-priced offerings and makes kitchen and drive through upgrades  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hardee’s that continually introduce new items in the menu and join the price-promotion burger wars  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wendy’s International who has the strongest same-store-sales gains in recent years Major Competitors in the Non-Hamburger Segment  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pizza Hut that dominates the Pizza Segment  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  KFC that uses programs to attract kids and families to its food offerings  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Taco Bell that practice successful high-priced offerings V.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alternative Causes of Action & Analysis In today’s market, McDonalds faces numerous challenges such as fierce competition, a more health conscious customer, and the continual need for improved customer satisfaction and menu. McDonalds needs to go through some changes in order to remain ahead in the fast-food industry. Alternative 1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McDonalds should focus greatly on building good customer relationship and uphold customer retention. This is done by allocating time and budget in improving their resources and making changes that actually cater to their customers’ needs and comfort.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Physical Fitness

Physical education (often abbreviated Phys. Ed. or P. E. ) or gymnastics(gym or gym class) is a course taken during primary and secondary educationthat encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting. Physical education trends have developed recently to incorporate a greater variety of activities. Introducing students to activities like bowling, walking/hiking, or Frisbee at an early age can help students develop good activity habits that will carry over into adulthood. Some teachers have even begun to incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as yoga and deep-breathing.Teaching non-traditional sports to students may also provide the necessary motivation for students to increase their activity, and can help students learn about different cultures. For example, while teaching a unit about lacrosse (in, say, Arizona, USA), students can also learn a little bit about the Native American cultures of the Northeast and Eastern Canada, where lacrosse originated. Teaching non-traditional (or non-native) sports provides a great opportunity to integrate academic concepts from other subjects as well (social studies from the example above), which may now be required of many P.E. teachers. The four aspects of P. E. are physical, mental, social, and emotional. Another trend is the incorporation of Health and Nutrition to the physical education curriculum. The Child Nutrition and WIC Re-authorization Act of 2004 required that all school districts with a federally funded school meal program develop wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity. While teaching students sports and movement skills, P. E. teachers are now incorporating short health and nutrition lessons into the curriculum.This is more prevalent at the elementary school level, where students do not have a specific Health class. Recently most elementary schools have specific health classes for students as well as physical education class. With the recent outbreaks of dis eases such as swine flu, school districts are making it mandatory for students to learn about practicing good hygiene along with other health topics. Today many states require Physical Education teachers to be certified to teach Health courses. Many colleges and Universities offer both Physical Education and Health as one certification.This push towards health education is beginning in the intermediate level, including lessons on bullying, self-esteem and stress and anger management. In the USA, the physical education curriculum is designed to allow school pupils a full range of modern opportunities, dozens of sports and hundreds of carefully reviewed drills and exercises, including exposure to the education with the use of pedometer, GPS, and heart rate monitors, as well as state-of-the-art exercise machines in the upper grades.Some martial arts classes, like wrestling in the United States, and Pencak Silat in France, Indonesia and Malaysia, are taught to teach children self-defens e and to feel good about themselves. The physical education curriculum is designed to allow students to experience at least a minimum exposure to the following categories of activities: aquatics, conditioning activities, gymnastics, individual/dual sports, team sports, rhythms, and dance. Students are encouraged to continue to explore those activities in which they have a primary interest by effectively managing their community resources.In these areas, a planned sequence of learning experiences is designed to support a progression of student development. This allows kids through 6th grade to be introduced to sports, fitness, and teamwork in order to be better prepared for the middle and high school age. In 1975, the United States House of Representatives voted to require school physical education classes include both genders. Some high school and some middle school PE classes are single-sex.Requiring individuals to participate in physical education activities, such as dodge ball, f lag football, and other competitive sports remains a controversial subject because of the social impact these have on young children. It is, however, important to note that many school budgets have seen cutbacks and in some cases physical education programs have been cut. Technology use in physical education New technology in Physical education is playing a big role in classes. One of the most affordable and effective would be a simple tape recorder.With the use of a tape recorder students can see the mistakes they're making in things such as a throwing motion or swinging form[4]. Studies show that students do find this more effective than having someone just telling them what they are doing wrong and trying to correct it. Educators also found the use of other technologies such as pedometers and heart rate monitors very successful, using them to make step and heart rate goals for students. Other technologies that can be used in a Physical Education setting would include projectors, GPS and even gaming systems such as Kinect for XBOX360, Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution.Projectors can be used to show students things such as proper form or how to play certain games. GPS systems can be used to get students active in an outdoor setting and active exergames can be used by teachers to show students a good way to stay fit in and out of the classroom setting[7] Another type of technology that is commonly used in Physical Education is the use of pedometers. Pedemeters do not necessarily track how far a person is going, but it lets them know the number of steps they are making. It will let them know how many steps on average they are making and want to strive to get more the next class. 1] There are many lessons that you can use for many grade levels when you are teaching students to use a pedometer it is important to make it a game, especially for younger students. [2] [edit]Worldwide In South Korea, it is mandatory for pupils to take 3 hours of PE through primary an d secondary schools. In Portugal, pupils from primary school could optionally join PE as an extra-curricular activity. From middle school to secondary school pupils must participate in PE classes 2 hours per week. In Singapore, pupils from primary school through junior colleges are required to have 2 hours of PE every week, except during examination seasons.Pupils are able to play games like football, badminton, captain's ball, and basketball during most sessions. Unorthodox sports such as touchball, fencing, and skateboarding are occasionally played. In more prestigious secondary schools and in junior colleges, sports such as golf, tennis, shooting, and squash are played. A compulsory fitness exam, NAPFA, is conducted in every school once every year to assess the physical fitness of the pupils. Pupils are given a series of fitness tests (Pull-ups/Inclined pull-ups for girls, standing broad jump, sit-ups, sit-and-reach and 1. km for primary [10-12 year-olds]/2. 4 km for secondary an d junior college levels [13-18 year-olds]). Students are graded by gold, silver, bronze or fail. NAPFA for pre-enlistees serves as an indicator for an additional 2 months in the country's compulsory national service if they attain bronze or fail. In Malaysia, pupils from primary schools to secondary schools are expected to do 2 periods or 1 hour of PE throughout the year except a week before examination. In most secondary schools, games like badminton, sepak takraw, football, basketball and tennis are available.Pupils are allowed to bring their own sports equipment to the school with the authorization of the teacher. In most secondary schools, physical exams are rarely done, schools record pupils' heights, weights and how many push-ups they can do. In Scotland, pupils are expected to do at least two periods of PE in first, second, third and fourth year. In fifth and sixth year, PE is voluntary. [citation needed] Indonesian high school students are playing traditional game â€Å"Ben teng† In Indonesia, students ranging from Kindergarten to High School have PE integrated with their curriculum.Kindergarten until Grade 3 of Elementary students have gymnastics, starting from Grade 4 of Elementary School, students will be introduced into traditional martial arts Pencak Silat and some team games such as badminton, tennis, soccer, futsal, rounders, basketball, etc. Starting from Junior High School, Both gender are separated during PE class. PE find its place in extracurricular forms, where students can specialize themself in one kind of sports they choose. Sport Festival can be held during vacuum period, usually after examination.At this time students can compete each other by bringing own class' flag. Some universities such as ITB include PE in curriculum for freshmen Some countries include Martial Artstraining in school as part of Physical Education class. These Filipino children are doing karate. In the Philippines, some schools have integrated martial arts t raining into their Physical Education curriculum. [8][9][10][11][12] In England, pupils are expected to do two hours of PE a week in Year 7, 8 and 9 and at least 1 in year 10 and 11. [13] In Wales, pupils are expected to do only one hour of PE per fortnight. 14] In Poland, pupils are expected to do at least three hours of PE a week during primary and secondary education. [15] Universities must also organise at least 60 hours of physical education classes at undergraduate courses. [16] In India, Physical Education is an important subject in schools. Many students chose Physical Education as a subject against Language Subject Like English, French, some time official language Hindi and some time local languages like Punjabi, because it is very scoring subject and very interesting. Assignments on Physical education increase the interest in Sports.Educational Bodies in India like Central Board of Secondary Education and Punjab School Education Board are in those which conduct examination on Physical Education in affiliated schools and collages. [edit]Adapted physical education Main article: Adapted Physical Education Adapted Physical Education or APE, is a sub-discipline and self-control of physical education, focusing on inclusion and students with special needs. Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness (a state of health and well-being), and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects ofsports or occupations).Physical fitness is generally achieved through correct nutrition, exercise, and enough rest. Contents [hide] 1 Definitions 2 Fitness 3 Training 4 Menopause and Physical Fitness 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links [edit]Definitions Physical fitness has been defined as a set of attributes or characteristics that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity. The above definition from Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Su rgeon General is the most common currently used definition of physical fitness.It was originally used by Caspersen and has been used extensively. An alternative definition by Howley and Frank that provides additional descriptive information is: Physical fitness is a state of well-being with low risk of premature health problems and energy to participate in a variety of physical activities. While either is a good definition, most experts agree that physical fitness is both multidimensional and hierarchical. In previous years[when? ], fitness was commonly defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue.However, as automation increased leisure time, changes in lifestyles following the industrial revolution rendered this definition insufficient. In current contexts, physical fitness is considered a measure of the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypokinetic diseas es, and to meet emergency situations. [1] [edit]Fitness A US marine performing fitness exercises. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports — a study group sponsored by thegovernment of the United States—declines to offer a simple definition of physical fitness.Instead, it developed the following chart: Health relatedSkill relatedSports Metabolic Morphological Bone integrity OtherBody composition Cardiovascular fitness Flexibility Muscular endurance Muscle strength Agility Balance Coordination Power Speed Reaction time OtherTeam sport Individual sport Lifetime Other A comprehensive fitness program tailored to an individual will probably focus on one or more specific skills,[2] and on age-[3] or health-related needs such as bone health. [4] Many sources[citation needed]also cite mental, social and emotional health as an important part of overall fitness.This is often presented in textbooks as a triangle made up of three points, which represent physical, emo tional, and mental fitness. Physical fitness can also prevent or treat many chronic health conditions brought on by unhealthy lifestyle or aging. [5] Working out can also help people sleep better. To stay healthy it is important to engage in physical activity. [6] [edit]Training Specific or task-oriented fitness is a person's ability to perform in a specific activity with a reasonable efficiency: for example, sports ormilitary service. Specific training prepares athletes to perform well in their sports.Examples are: 100 m sprint: in a sprint the athlete must be trained to work anaerobically throughout the race. Marathon: in this case the athlete must be trained to work aerobically and their endurance must be built-up to a maximum. Many fire fighters and police officers undergo regular fitness testing to determine if they are capable of the physically demanding tasks required of the job. [7] Soldiers of the United States Army must be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) . [8] Hill sprints, this training requires a level of fitness to begin with, the exercise is particularly good for the leg muscles.The army often trains doing mountain climbing and races. [edit]Menopause and Physical Fitness The menopausal period in women is frequently associated with many subjective complaints including vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbance, alteration in mood, lowered libido, and musculoskeletal pain. All of these symptoms could lead to a lower quality of life. Physical Fitness has the ability to alleviate or even eliminate the effect of most of these. Women experiencing their menopausal period should engage in regular exercise in order to achieve better physical fitness. [9]Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Each country has its own national governin g body affiliated to FIG. Competitive artistic gymnastics is the best known of the gymnastic sports. It typically involves the women's events of uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and vault. Men's events are floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar.Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks, that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills. Other gymnastic disciplines include: trampolining, tumbling, rhythmic gymnastics,aerobic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics. Participants can include children as young as four years old doing kindergym and children's gymnastics, recreational gymnasts of ages 5 and up, competitive gymnasts at varying levels of skill, and world class athletes. Contents [hide] 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Forms 4 Artistic gymnastics 4. 1 Events for women . 2 Events for men 4. 3 Rhythmic gymnastics 4. 4 Trampolining and tumbling 4. 5 Acrobatic gymnastics 4. 6 Aerob ic gymnastics 4. 7 TeamGym 4. 8 Display gymnastics 5 Former apparatus and events 5. 1 Rope (rhythmic gymnastics) 5. 2 Rope climb 5. 3 Flying rings 6 Popular culture 6. 1 Film 7 See also 8 References 9 External links [edit]Etymology The word gymnastics derives from the common Greek adjective (gymnos) meaning â€Å"naked†,[1] by way of the related verb (gymnazo), whose meaning is â€Å"to train naked†, â€Å"train in gymnastic exercise†, generally â€Å"to train, to exercise†. 2] The verb had this meaning, because athletes exercised and competed without clothing [edit]History 1908 Summer Olympics in London: Display of the British women's gymnastics team Exercises of the ancient Greeks began with athletic feats performed by each individual according to his own notion. The youth were encouraged to combine amusement with exercise. In time, this kind of exercise was incorporated into a system that figured prominently in the state regulations for education. In fact, the period for exercise or gymnastics was equal to the time spent on art and music combined. 3] All Greek cities had a gymnasium, a courtyard for jumping, running, and wrestling. The term included stretching exercises and warm-up preparations for athletes (from the Greek athlete athlos, which means â€Å"struggle†, â€Å"fight†). These tests were based on military exercises. As the Roman Empire ascended, the Greek gymnastics gave way to gymnastics whose purpose was military training. The Romans, for example, introduced the wooden horse. In AD 393 the Emperor Theodosius abolished the Olympic Games, which by then had become corrupt, and gymnastics, along with other sports, declined. For centuries, gymnastics was all but forgotten. 4] In the year 1569, Girolamo Mercuriale from Forli (Italy) wrote Le Arte Gymnastica, that brought together his study of the attitudes of the ancients toward diet, exercise and hygiene, and the use of natural methods for the cure of dis ease. De Arte Gymnastica also explained the principles of physical therapy and is considered the first book on sports medicine. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Germany, three pioneer physical educators – Johann Friedrich GutsMuths (1759–1839) and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778–1852) – created exercises for boys and young men on apparatus they had esigned that ultimately led to what is considered modern gymnastics. Don Francisco Amoros y Ondeano, marquis de Sotelo, was born on February 19, 1770 in Valence and died on August 8, 1848 in Paris. He was a Spanish colonel, and the first person to introduce educative gymnastic in France. In particular, Jahn crafted early models of the horizontal bar, the parallel bars (from a horizontal ladder with the rungs removed), and the vaulting horse. [4] The Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) was founded in Liege in 1881. 5] By the end of the nineteenth century, men's gymnastics competition was popular enough to be included in the first â€Å"modern† Olympic Games in 1896. From then on until the early 1950s, both national and international competitions involved a changing variety of exercises gathered under the rubric, gymnastics, that would seem strange to today's audiences and that included for example, synchronized team floor calisthenics, rope climbing, high jumping, running, and horizontal ladder. During the 1920s, women organized and participated in gymnastics events.The first women's Olympic competition was primitive, for it involved only synchronized calisthenics, was held at the 1928 Games, in Amsterdam. By 1954, Olympic Games apparatus and events for both men and women had been standardized in modern format, and uniform grading structures (including a point system from 1 to 15) had been agreed upon. At this time, Soviet gymnasts astounded the world with highly disciplined and difficult performances, setting a precedent that continues. The new medium of tel evision helped publicize and initiate a modern age of gymnastics.Both men's and women's gymnastics now attract considerable international interest, and excellent gymnasts can be found on every continent. Nadia Comaneci received the first perfect score, at the 1976 Summer Olympics held inMontreal, Canada. She was coached in Romania by the Romanian coach, (Hungarian ethnicity), Bela Karolyi. Comaneci scored four of her perfect tens on the uneven bars, two on the balance beam and one in the floor exercise. [6] Even with Nadia's perfect scores, the Romanians lost the gold medal to the Soviet Union.Nevertheless, Comaneci became an Olympic icon. In 2006, a new points system for Artistic gymnastics was put into play. With an A Score (or D score) being the difficulty score, which as of 2009 is based on the top 8 high scoring elements in a routine (excluding Vault). The B Score (or E Score), is the score for execution, and is given for how well the skills are performed. [7] [edit]Forms Aerob ic exercise (also known as cardio) is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. 1] Aerobic literally means â€Å"living in air†,[2] and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism. [3] Generally, light-to-moderate intensity activities that are sufficiently supported by aerobicmetabolism can be performed for extended periods of time. [1] Contents [hide] 1 Aerobic versus anaerobic exercise 2 Aerobic capacity 3 Criticisms 4 Commercial success 5 Varieties of aerobic (cardiovascular) exercise 5. 1 Indoor 5. 2 Outdoor . 3 Indoor or outdoor 6 See also 7 Footnotes 8 References 9 External links [edit]Aerobic versus anaerobic exercise This section needs additional citations for verification. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2011) Fox and Haskell formula showing the split between aerobic (light orange) and anaerobic (dark orange) exercise and heart rate.Aerobic exercise and fitness can be contrasted with anaerobic exercise, of which strength training and short-distance running are the most salient examples. The two types of exercise differ by the duration and intensity of muscular contractions involved, as well as by how energy is generated within the muscle. In most conditions, anaerobic exercise occurs simultaneously with aerobic exercises because the less efficient anaerobic metabolism must supplement the aerobic system due to energy demands that exceed the aerobic system's capacity.What is generally called aerobic exercise might be better termed â€Å"solely aerobic†, because it is designed to be low-intensity enough not to generate lactate via pyruvate fermentation, so that all carbohydrate is aerobically turned into energy. Initially during increased exertion, muscle glycogen is broken down to produce glucose, which undergoes glycolysis producing pyruvate which then reacts with oxygen (Krebs cycle) to produce carbon dioxide and water and releasing energy.If there is a shortage of oxygen (anaerobic exercise, explosive movements), carbohydrate is consumed more rapidly because the pyruvate ferments into lactate. If the intensity of the exercise exceeds the rate with which the cardiovascular system can supply muscles with oxygen, it results in buildup of lactate and quickly makes it impossible to continue the exercise. Unpleasant effects of lactate buildup initially include the burning sensation in the muscles, and may eventually include nausea and even vomiting if the exercise is continued without allowing lactate to clear from the bloodstream.As glycogen levels in the muscle begin to fall, glucose is released into the bloodstream by the liver, and fat metabolism is increased so that it can fuel the aerobic pathways. Aerobic exercise may be fueled by glycogen reserves, fat reserves, or a combination of both, depending on the intensity. Prolonged moderate-level aerobic exercise at 65% VO2 max (the heart rate of 150 bpm for a 30-year-old human) results in the maximum absolute contribution of fat to the total energy expenditure. At this level, fat may contribute 40% to 60% of total, depending on the duration of the exercise.Vigorous exercise above 75% VO2max (160 bpm) primarily burns glycogen. [4][5] Major muscles in a rested, untrained human typically contain enough energy for about 2 hours of vigorous exercise. Exhaustion of glycogen is a major cause of what marathon runners call â€Å"hitting the wall†. Training, lower intensity levels, and carbohydrate loading may allow to postpone the onset exhaustion beyond 4 hours. [5] Aerobic exercise comprises innumerable forms. In general, it is performed at a moderate level of intensity over a relatively long period of time. For example, running a long distance at a oderate pace is an aero bic exercise, but sprinting is not. Playing singles tennis, with near-continuous motion, is generally considered aerobic activity, while golf or two person team tennis, with brief bursts of activity punctuated by more frequent breaks, may not be predominantly aerobic. Some sports are thus inherently â€Å"aerobic†, while other aerobic exercises, such as fartlek training or aerobic dance classes, are designed specifically to improve aerobic capacity and fitness. It is most common for aerobic exercises to involve the leg muscles, primarily or exclusively. There are some exceptions.For example,rowing to distances of 2,000 m or more is an aerobic sport that exercises several major muscle groups, including those of the legs, abdominals, chest, and arms. Common kettlebell exercises combine aerobic and anaerobic aspects. Among the recognized benefits of doing regular aerobic exercise are: Strengthening the muscles involved in respiration, to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs Strengthening and enlarging the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency and reduce the resting heart rate, known as aerobic conditioning Strengthening muscles throughout the bodyImproving circulation efficiency and reducing blood pressure Increasing the total number of red blood cells in the body, facilitating transport of oxygen Improved mental health, including reducing stress and lowering the incidence of depression Reducing the risk for diabetes. Burns body fat, while building leaner muscle. As a result, aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular problems. In addition, high-impact aerobic activities (such as jogging or using a skipping rope) can stimulate bone growth, as well as reduce the risk of osteoporosis for both men and women.In addition to the health benefits of aerobic exercise, there are numerous performance benefits: Increased storage of energy molecules such as fats and carbohydrates within the muscles, allowing for increase d endurance Neovascularization of the muscle sarcomeres to increase blood flow through the muscles Increasing speed at which aerobic metabolism is activated within muscles, allowing a greater portion of energy for intense exercise to be generated aerobically Improving the ability of muscles to use fats during xercise, preserving intramuscular glycogen Enhancing the speed at which muscles recover from high intensity exercise Both the health benefits and the performance benefits, or â€Å"training effect†, require a minimum duration and frequency of exercise. Most authorities suggest at least twenty minutes performed at least three times per week. [6] [edit]Aerobic capacity Main article: VO2 max Aerobic capacity describes the functional capacity of the cardiorespiratory system, (the heart, lungs and blood vessels).Aerobic capacity is defined as the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during a specified period, usually during intense exercise. [7] It is a function both of cardiorespiratory performance and the maximum ability to remove and utilize oxygen from circulating blood. To measure maximal aerobic capacity, an exercise physiologist or physician will perform a VO2 max test, in which a subject will undergo progressively more strenuous exercise on a treadmill, from an easy walk through to exhaustion.The individual is typically connected to a respirometer to measure oxygen consumption, and the speed is increased incrementally over a fixed duration of time. The higher the measured cardiorespiratory endurance level, the more oxygen has been transported to and used by exercising muscles, and the higher the level of intensity at which the individual can exercise. More simply stated, the higher the aerobic capacity, the higher the level of aerobic fitness. The Cooper and multi-stage fitness tests can also be used to assess functional aerobic capacity for particular jobs or activities.The degree to which aerobic capacity can be improved by exercise varie s very widely in the human population: while the average response to training is an approximately 17% increase in VO2max, in any population there are â€Å"high responders† who may as much as double their capacity, and â€Å"low responders† who will see little or no benefit from training. [8] Studies indicate that approximately 10% of otherwise healthy individuals cannot improve their aerobic capacity with exercise at all. [9] The degree of an individual's responsiveness is highly heritable, suggesting that this trait is genetically determined. 8] An aerobics class. This article is about the type of exercise. For the exercise physiology topic, see Aerobic exercise. Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretchingand strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness (flexibility,muscular strength, and cardio-vascular fitness). It is usually performed to music and may be practiced in a group setti ng led by an instructor (fitness professional), although it can be done solo and without musical accompaniment.With the goal of preventing illness and promotingphysical fitness, practitioners perform various routines comprising a number of different dance-like exercises. Formal aerobics classes are divided into different levels of intensity and complexity. Aerobics classes may allow participants to select their level of participation according to their fitness level. Many gyms offer a variety of aerobic classes. Each class is designed for a certain level of experience and taught by a certified instructor with a specialty area related to their particular class. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Aerobic gymnastics 3 See also 4 References edit]History Both the term and the specific exercise method were developed by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, M. D. , an exercise physiologist, and Col. Pauline Potts, a physical therapist, both of the United States Air Force. Dr. Cooper, an avowed exercise enthusiast, was personally and professionally puzzled about why some people with excellent muscular strength were still prone to poor performance at tasks such as long-distance running, swimming, and bicycling. He began measuring systematic human performance using a bicycle ergometer, and began measuring sustained performance in terms of a person's ability to use oxygen.His groundbreaking book, Aerobics, was published in 1968, and included scientific exercise programs using running, walking, swimming and bicycling. The book came at a fortuitous historical moment, when increasing weakness and inactivity in the general population was causing a perceived need for increased exercise. [edit]Aerobic gymnastics Aerobic gymnastics, also known as sport aerobics and competitive aerobics, is a type of competitive aerobics involving complicatedchoreography, rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics with elements of aerobics. 1] Performance is divided into categories by age, sex and groups (individual, mixed pairs and trios) and are judged on the following elements: dynamic and static strength, jumps and leaps, kicks, balance and flexibility. Ten exercises are mandatory: four consecutive high leg kicks, patterns. A maximum of ten elements from following families are allowed: push-ups, supports and balances, kicks and splits, jumps and leaps. Elements of tumbling such ashandsprings, handstands, back flips, and aerial somersaults are prohibited. Scoring is by judging of artistic quality, creativity, execution, and difficulty of routines.Sport aerobics has state, national, and international competitions, but is not an Olympic sport. [edit]Artistic gymnastics Main article: Artistic gymnastics Artistic gymnastics is usually divided into Men's and Women's Gymnastics. Typically men compete on six events: Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, and High Bar, while women compete on four: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise. In some countries, women at one tim e competed on the rings, high bar, and parallel bars (for example, in the 1950s in the USSR).Though routines performed on each event may be short, they are physically exhausting and push the gymnast's strength, flexibility, endurance and awareness to the limit. In 2006, FIG introduced a new points system for Artistic gymnastics in which scores are no longer limited to 10 points. The system is used in the US for elite level competition. [7] Unlike the old code of points, there are two separate scores. An execution score and a difficulty score. In the previous system, the â€Å"execution score† was the only score. It was and still is out of 10. 00.During the gymnast's performance, the judges deduct from this score only. A fall, on or off the event, is a 1. 00 deduction, in elite level gymnastics. The introduction of the difficulty score is a significant change. The gymnast's difficulty score is based on what elements they perform and is subject to change if they do not perform or complete all the skills, or they do not connect a skill meant to be connected to another. Connection bonuses are the most common deduction from a difficulty score, as it can be difficult to connect multiple flight elements.It is very hard to connect skills if the first skill is not performed correctly. The new code of points allows the gymnasts to gain higher scores based on the difficulty of the skills they perform as well as their execution. [edit]Events for women Piked Tsukahara vault. Vault In the vaulting events gymnasts sprint down a 25 metres (82 ft) runway, jump onto or perform a roundoff entry onto a springboard (run/ take-off segment), land momentarily, inverted on the hands on the vaulting horse or vaulting table (pre flight segment), then spring off of this platform to a two footed landing (post flight segment).Every gymnast starts at a different point on the vault runway depending on their height and strength. The post flight segment may include one or more multiple saltos or somersaults, and/or twisting movements. Round-off entry vaults are the most common vaults in elite level gymnastics. In vaults with roundoff entries, gymnasts â€Å"round-off† so hands are on the runway while the feet land on the springboard (beatboard). From the roundoff position the gymnast travels backwards as in a backhandspring so that the hands land on the vaulting platform (horse).She then blocks off the vaulting platform into various twisting and/or somersaulting combinations. The post flight segment brings the gymnast to her feet. In 2001, the traditional vaulting horse was replaced with a new apparatus, sometimes known as a tongue or table. The new apparatus is more stable, wider, and longer than the older vaulting horse—approximately 1m in length and 1m in width—giving gymnasts a larger blocking surface, and is therefore considered safer than the old vaulting horse. With the addition of this new, safer vaulting table, gymnasts are attempting more difficult and dangerous vaults. 8] Gymnast on uneven bars. Uneven Bars On the uneven bars (also known as asymmetric bars, UK), the gymnast performs a routine on two horizontal bars set at different heights. These bars are made of fiberglass covered in wood laminate, to prevent them from breaking. In the past, bars were made of wood, but the bars were prone to breaking, providing an incentive to switch to newer technologies. The width of the bars may be adjusted. Gymnasts perform swinging, circling, transitional, and release moves, that may pass over, under, and between the two bars.Movements may pass through the handstand. Gymnasts often mount the Uneven Bars using a springboard. Balance Beam The gymnast performs a choreographed routine up to 90 seconds in length consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, somersaults, turns and dance elements on a padded beam. The beam is 125 centimetres (4 ft 1 in) from the ground, 500 centimetres (16 ft 5 in) long, and 10 centimetres (3. 9 in) w ide. [9] The event requires, in particular, balance, flexibility, poise and strength. Gymnast doing a stag leap on floor exercise. FloorIn the past, the Floor Exercise event was executed on the bare floor or mats such as wrestling mats. Today, the floor event occurs on a carpeted 12m ? 12m square, usually consisting of hard foam over a layer of plywood, which is supported by springs or foam blocks generally called a â€Å"spring† floor. This provides a firm surface that provides extra bounce or spring when compressed, allowing gymnasts to achieve extra height and a softer landing than would be possible on a standard floor. Gymnasts perform a choreographed routine up to 90 seconds in the Floor Exercise event.They must choose an accompanying music piece. In some gymnastic associations such as United States Association of Gymnastic Clubs (USAIGC), gymnasts are allowed to have vocals in their music[10] but USA Gymnastics competitions a large deduction is taken from the score for having vocals in the music. ,[11] The routine should consist of tumbling lines, series of jumps, dance elements, acrobatic skills, and turns, or piviots, on one foot. A gymnast can perform up to four tumbling lines that usually includes at least one flight element without hand support.Each level of gymnastics requires the athlete to perform a different number of tumbling passes. In level 7 in the United states, a gymnast is required to do 2–3, and in levels 8–10, at least 3–4 tumbling passes are required. [12] Scoring: A gymnast's score comes from deductions taken from their start value. The start value of a routine is calculated based on the difficulty of the elements the gymnast attempts and whether or not the gymnast meets composition requirements. The composition requirements are different for each apparatus.This score is called the D score. [13] Deductions in execution and artistry are taken from 10. 0. This score is called the E score. [14] The final score is calculated by taking deductions from the E score, and adding the result to the D score. [15] And since 2007, the scoring system has changed by adding bonus plus the execution and then adding those two together to get the final score. [edit]Events for men Floor Male gymnasts also perform on a 12m. by 12m. spring floor. A series of tumbling passes are performed to demonstrate flexibility, strength, and balance.The gymnast must also show strength skills, including circles, scales, and press handstands. Men's floor routines usually have four passes that will total between 60–70 seconds and are performed without music, unlike the women's event. Rules require that male gymnasts touch each corner of the floor at least once during their routine. A boy on the pommel horse Pommel Horse A typical pommel horse exercise involves both single leg and double leg work. Single leg skills are generally found in the form of scissors, an element often done on the pommels. Double leg work howe ver, is the main staple of this event.The gymnast swings both legs in a circular motion (clockwise or counterclockwise depending on preference) and performs such skills on all parts of the apparatus. To make the exercise more challenging, gymnasts will often include variations on a typical circling skill by turning (moores and spindles) or by straddling their legs (Flares). Routines end when the gymnast performs a dismount, either by swinging his body over the horse, or landing after a handstand. Still Rings The rings are suspended on wire cable from a point 5. 75 meters from the floor, and adjusted in height so the gymnast has room to hang freely and swing.He must perform a routine demonstrating balance, strength, power, and dynamic motion while preventing the rings themselves from swinging. At least one static strength move is required, but some gymnasts may include two or three. A routine should have a dismount equal in difficulty to the difficulty of the routine as a whole. Vaul t Gymnasts sprint down a runway, which is a maximum of 25 meters in length, before hurdling onto a spring board. The body position is maintained while â€Å"punching† (blocking using only a shoulder movement) the vaulting platform. The gymnast then rotates to a standing position.In advanced gymnastics, multiple twists and somersaults may be added before landing. Successful vaults depend on the speed of the run, the length of the hurdle, the power the gymnast generates from the legs and shoulder girdle, the kinesthetic awareness in the air, and the speed of rotation in the case of more difficult and complex vaults. Parallel Bars Men perform on two bars slightly further than a shoulder's width apart and usually 1. 75m high while executing a series of swings, balances, and releases that require great strength and coordination. High Bar A 2. 8 cm thick steel or fiberglass bar raised 2. m above the landing area is all the gymnast has to hold onto as he performs giants(revolutions around the bar), release skills, twists, and changes of direction. By using all of the momentum from giants and then releasing at the proper point, enough height can be achieved for spectacular dismounts, such as a triple-back salto. Leather gripsare usually used to help maintain a grip on the bar. As with the women, male gymnasts are also judged on all of their events, for their execution, degree of difficulty, and overall presentation skills. [edit]Rhythmic gymnastics Irina Tchachina, Russian rhythmic gymnastMain article: Rhythmic gymnastics Only women compete in rhythmic gymnastics although there is a new version of this discipline for men being pioneered in Japan (see Men's rhythmic gymnastics). This is a sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. The sport involves the performance of five separate routines with the use of five apparatus—ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs, rope—on a floor area, with a much greater emphasis on the aesthetic rather than the acrobatic. There are also group routines consisting of 5 gymnasts and 5 apparatuses of their choice.Rhythmic routines are scored out of a possible 30 points; the score for artistry (choreography and music) is averaged with the score for difficulty of the moves and then added to the score for execution. [16] International competitions are split between Juniors, under sixteen by their year of birth; and Seniors, for women sixteen and over again by their year of birth. Gymnasts in Russia and Europe typically start training at a very young age and those at their peak are typically in their late teens (15–19) or early twenties. The largest events in the sport are the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup and Grand-Prix Tournaments. edit]Trampolining and tumbling Double mini-trampoline competitor Main articles: Trampolining and Tumbling (gymnastics) Trampolining and tumbling consists of four events, individual and synchronized trampoline, double mi ni trampoline, and tumbling (also known as power tumbling or rod floor[citation needed]). Since 2000, individual trampoline has been included in the Olympic Games. Individual routines in trampolining involve a build-up phase during which the gymnast jumps repeatedly to achieve height, followed by a sequence of ten leaps without pauses during which the gymnast performs a sequence of aerial skills.Routines are marked out of a maximum score of 10 points. Additional points (with no maximum at the highest levels of competition) can be earned depending on the difficulty of the moves and the length of time taken to complete the ten skills which is an indication of the average height of the jumps. In high level competitions, there are two preliminary routines, one which has only two moves scored for difficulty and one where the athlete is free to perform any routine. This is followed by a final routine which is optional. Some competitions restart the score from zero for the finals, other ad d the final score to the preliminary results.Synchronized trampoline is similar except that both competitors must perform the routine together and marks are awarded for synchronization as well as the form and difficulty of the moves. Double mini trampoline involves a smaller trampoline with a run-up, two moves are performed per routine. Moves cannot be repeated in the same place on the double-mini during a competition. Skills can be repeated if a skill is thrown as a mounter in one routine and a dismount in another. The scores are marked in a similar manner to individual trampoline.In tumbling, athletes perform an explosive series of flips and twists down a sprung tumbling track. Scoring is similar to trampolining. [edit]Acrobatic gymnastics Acrobatic Women's Pair performing a skill. Main article: Acrobatic gymnastics Acrobatic gymnastics (formerly Sport Acrobatics), often referred to as â€Å"Acro† if involved with the sport, acrobatic sports or simply sports acro, is a grou p gymnastic discipline for both men and women. Acrobats in groups of two, three and four perform routines with the heads, hands and feet of their partners. They may, subject to regulations (e. g. no lyrics), pick their own music.Throughout the world, there at three FIG levels: Age group (Age 11-16), Junior(12-19) and Senior (15+), which are used in the World Championships and many other events around the world, including European Championships and World Games. All levels require a balance and dynamic routine, Junior and Seniors are also required to perform a final (combined) routine. Currently acrobatic gymnastics is marked out of 30. 00 (can be higher at Senior FIG level based on difficulty): 10. 00 for routine difficulty, (valued from the tables of difficulties) 10. 00 For technical performance, (how well the skills are executed) 10. 0 For Artistry, (the overall performance of the routine, namely choreography) [edit]Aerobic gymnastics Main article: Aerobic gymnastics Aerobic gymna stics (formally Sport Aerobics) involves the performance of routines by individuals, pairs, trios or groups up to 6 people, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness rather than acrobatic or balance skills. Routines are performed for all individuals on a 7x7m floor and also for 12–14 and 15–17 trios and mixed pairs. From 2009, all senior trios and mixed pairs were required to be on the larger floor (10x10m), all groups also perform on this floor.Routines generally last 60–90 seconds depending on age of participant and routine category. [edit]TeamGym TeamGym (also known as â€Å"Gymnastics for All†) has it origins in earliest times. These days, although teams can compete the sport itself was developed to enhance fitness and health in the participants and is accessible to anyone of any age. In 1984 Gymnastics for All was officially recognized first as a Sport Program by the FIG (International Gymnastic Federation), and subsequently by national gymnastic federations world wide with participants that now number 30 million. [17] Floor ProgrammeAll members of the Team take part in the floor program, composed of a mixture of dance, flexibility and skill. The routine has to be skillfully choreographed and the judges look out for changes in shape. There needs to be at least two spins, two balances and two section elements. These section elememts are bodywaves for women's teams, power elements for men's teams and lifts for mixed teams. Floor routines are performed to music. Trampette Here a trampette is used. There are two components of this; Vault and the Trampette on its own. There has to be three runs in total. At least one of these runs has to be a vault run.Another run has to include all the gymnasts doing the same move. This is generally the first run. This is also performed to music. Tumbling Again, here there are three runs (rounds) involved. One of which has to include all six gymnasts doing a forwards series. Another ru n also has to include the gymnasts completing the same move. Each series must have at least three different acrobatic elements. [18] [edit]Display gymnastics General gymnastics enables people of all ages and abilities to participate in performance groups of 6 to more than 150 athletes. They perform synchronized, choreographed routines. Troupes may be all one gender or mixed.There are no age divisions in general gymnastics. The largest general gymnastics exhibition is the quadrennial World Gymnaestrada which was first held in 1939. [edit]Former apparatus and events [edit]Rope (rhythmic gymnastics) Starting in 2011, the rhythmic apparatus rope will be removed from all FIG events and clubs will be returned to the competition. FIG has a policy of only using four of the five pieces of apparatus and changes them for different Olympic cycles. This will affect World Cups, World Championships, and Olympics. [edit]Rope climb Main article: Rope climbing Generally, competitors climbed either a 6m (6. m = 20 ft in USA) or an 8m (7. 6m = 25 ft in USA), 38mm (1. 5†³) diameter natural fiber rope for speed, starting from a seated position on the floor and using only the hands and arms. Kicking the legs in a kind of â€Å"stride† was normally permitted. Many gymnasts can do this in the straddle or pike position, which eliminates the help generated from the legs. [edit]Flying rings Main article: Flying rings Flying rings was an event similar to still rings, but with the performer executing a series of stunts while swinging. It was a gymnastic event sanctioned by both the NCAA and the AAU until the early 1960s.