At Risk Youth And Afterschool Programs Recreation Programing

At-Risk Youth and Afterschool Programs Recreation Programing In the United States and developed countries around the world, it is generally accepted that schools play a tremendous role in the lives of children, youth, and families in urban, rural, and suburban communities with populations of widely varying socioeconomic resources. However; in some communities there seems to be a clear need to provide more program support for organizations, and to provide programs and services for hours outside the parameters of the school day. In these communities, â€Å"at-risk† child and youth populations and their families require more from the agencies and organizations that strive to serve the needs of the public in education, health, and†¦show more content†¦According to Howard K. David, and Lorraine C. Peniston, writers for the American Institutes for Research Pelavin Research Center, and Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice acknowledges, â€Å"The term â€Å"at- risk,† in a broad sense, refers to youth who, due to certain characteristics or experiences, are statistically more likely than other youth to encounter certain problems – legal, social, financial, educational, emotional, and health – in the future† (qtd. At–Risk and Delinquent Youth: Multiple Federal Programs Raise Efficiency Report, March 1996, 1). According to the Development Services Group (DSG), â€Å"Research findings estimate that 35 percent of 12 year-olds is regularly left by themselves while their parents are at work† (1). DSG concludes, â€Å"Justifying the need for more programs to address this supervision gap is the apparent peak of violent crime in the 4 hours following the end of the school day (roughly 2–6 p.m.)† (4). Statistics, data, and anecdotal research provided on this topic reveal a relevant opportunity to address today’s need for structured prevention programming for children and youth through park s and recreation programs. As we continue to see problems with these at-risk child and youth populations in communities across our country, we can see other social, economic, healthcare, private sector and government professionals pinpointing, researching, and

Crisis De-escalation Team Free Essays

string(89) " in an acute inpatient ward and early intervention unit within the psychiatric hospital\." A lot change of initiatives have been developed over the years on different ways to manage escalating crisis in the psychiatric hospital wards and there are triggers to these violence, aggression and crisis that often escalate and end up resulting to using restrictive practices. In response to these violence and aggression from the service users on the ward and physical intervention used to manage the behaviour, Crisis de-escalation team change initiative proposal will aim at the triggers to violence, minimise rising behaviours from escalating, improving quality of care provided to the service users by healthcare professionals and ultimately meeting the needs of service users to reduces distress. This intended change implementation initiative will draw references from Centre for the Advancement of Positive Behaviour Support on the organisation’s crisis reduction strategy; references will also be drawn from Royal College of Nursing Consultation on guidance to the minimisation of and alternatives to restrictive practices in health and adult social care. We will write a custom essay sample on Crisis De-escalation Team or any similar topic only for you Order Now The change initiative will recognise the fact that service users will engage in challenging behaviours because of their unmet needs, exposure to environment and interactions which they may disagree with or find challenging to their believes and often have generally less quality of life. Often times people’s behaviour represent a desperate attempt to change the status quo, do things their own way or attempt to meet their own unmet needs. Background There are rising incidents of aggression and violence from the service users on the ward. This report is based on accuracy observations incident reports on the ward and research/ data analysis carried out, which shows that about 9 in 10 of service users interviewed on the ward agreed that aggressive challenging behaviours from service users have increased and healthcare professionals unanimously agreed to that. These are negative attitude and challenging behaviours that can better be managed if the ward has a plan to tackle the causes or better known as triggers. Change proposal to implement Crisis De-escalation Team in an intensive care unit (ICU) ward of a mental health hospital will challenge triggers of aggression and crisis from escalating and manage the situation. It will further help to limit the frequent use of restrictive practices and reduce isolation of service users that exhibited challenging and unmanageable behaviour. Crisis De-escalation Team is not about stopping any specific interventions, nor to have general overhaul of existing practices, but it is rather to have some ward based healthcare professionals specifically trained to identify potential crisis and the triggers, then be ready to step in at any escalating situation on the ward, engage with the situation and everyone involved and de-escalate the issue. The change initiative was motivated through research studies that showed likely change implementation was successful in psychiatric hospital wards in Australia and home treatment team unit in an NHS trust in London.According a review carried out by Australian Mental health commission (2014) on evaluation studies of crisis escalation and restraint reduction programmes, it identified that increasing staff level and implementation of crisis de-escalation/resolution team is successful on reducing the regular and duration of seclusion and restraint use while maintaining safe environment on the ward. Crisis de-escalation team should comply with all the policy protocols, ensures the ward and trust standard are maintained with regards to quality of services provided, work to ensure the safety of everyone on the ward, encourage other colleagues and ward management to consider their approach to resolving crisis. They will assess the situation and if necessary call for restrictive measures to be used which will be evidence based, reasonable and justified. The crisis de-escalation team will be part of the ward staff team and will be directly involved in the service user’s care, they are also required to fulfil other functions on the ward as a full staff member as to dilute their abilities not focusing on deescalation team duties only.Employees that will be part of this crisis de-escalation team will receive training and on-going training on new proposed change while retaining their full time staff employment on the ward. This is to ensure that ward does not lack the resources and understaffed while the training is on-going and change implementation is rolled out on the ward.Funding for this change initiative will come from the ward budget, manager being part of the change champions will facilitate the fund. It is important to note that the change does not call for more employment rather it asked for special training given to the staff implementing the change. Encouragement to fund this change will be from the positive feedbacks from consultation of the ward management and healthcare professionals, and it was also the major drive towards the proposed change implementation strategy. Methodology The description and analysis of the research studies are evidence based which were rallied through qualitative data, detailed accounts of an actual experience and observations, also through implementation of ideas and resourcefulness from a success elsewhere in Australia, America and hospital ward in Scotland. The implementation was assimilated into a draft restructure practice strategy. Fifteen of the research studies carried out was a retrospective analysis that examined incidents on the ward through incident reports and restrictive practices used, but in some cases additional information was obtained from descriptive statistics gotten from other sources.Nineteen research studies were rallied from questionnaires or data that are collected on a periodic basis to obtain information, and 10 of them are done through qualitative research methodology. Twenty research studies were focused on the instances where less restrictive measures was used to deescalate challenging situations and the method that was applied. The research involved a comparison of outcomes on the more use of restrictive practices and less restrictive practices used on the ward to analyse the effectiveness of each these measures before, during and after it was applied.The research studies were conducted in 3 different Intensive Care Units (ICU) in a psychiatric hospital/ward. Research studies were also done in an acute inpatient ward and early intervention unit within the psychiatric hospital. You read "Crisis De-escalation Team" in category "Papers"Definition of the change proposal Crisis de-escalation team is about having special trained staff on the ward that will be designated to manage the triggers of aggression and crisis, engage with service users in polite and calm manner to better understand their point of view and seek for possible alternatives to stop the crisis from escalating. The team should employ empathy and compassion, know what to do and say at any situation, respecting the crisis circle, remained composed, cool and calm when dealing with crisis and try to resolve the situation without applying the use of restrictive practices.Violence can sometimes arise unexpectedly on the ward and overwhelmed everyone; it is true to say that when healthcare professionals are overwhelmed and understaffed they are likely to react in such a manner that may escalate the crisis. Implementing the crisis de-escalation team is to also reduce tension, minimise any panic and frustration from staff members when they are face with circumstances beyond their control.When it come using restrictive practices to manage these ongoing rising challenging behaviours on the ward, healthcare professionals have often struggled to come up with explanations to justify what accounts to good practice on restrictive practice in the context of keeping everyone on the ward safe. Barriers to change implementation Barriers to the change implementation were encountered mainly from three different areas, hospital management, what need to change and the employees. Before a successful change strategy can be developed, barriers to the change need to be identified.n? Employees unwillingness to embrace change? Employees resistance to change? Ineffective communication strategy? Ward Financial shortfall and funding ? Shortage of staff and shift patterns? Lack of understanding of what needs to change and knowledge of skills needed for the implementation? Employees fear of the unknown.Overcoming the barriers to change implementation Identifying the barriers to the proposed change and how to overcome them is a good step towards achieving successful implementation of planned change initiative.Ways to overcome to overcome these barriers are follows: Effective communication strategy:- There should be a clear and honest communication to employees and the stakeholders about what need to change and why it needed to change. Employees should be explained probably benefits the change will bring to them and hospital ward.†¢ Good Leadership:- This is needed for the change implementation to be successful. Employees need to be carried along and be involved in the change process. As some employees are reluctant to embrace change, they should be made to understand why the change is better than status quo and why it is necessary. Training should be provided to the volunteered employees that will Help drive the change forward. Also awareness is very important because healthcare professionals on the ward need to understand the planned change goals, targets and the strategies of implementing the change.†¢ Provision of incentives and resources to help drive healthcare professionals towards the change, this will be a motivating strategy to get them on-board with the change. Simplifying the planned change initiative:- It should not be complex to understand and implement. The change should be localised, small but meaningful change that will not require a lot more staff than already existed. The implementation will not be made to result in big shakeups within the ward and should be phased. Whom the proposed change initiative will benefit/affect Based on the index analysis, research studies and observations at the ward on the restrictive practices, the proposed change initiative (crisis deescalation team) will benefit everyone on the ward including the service users, employees and management. How the proposed change will be implemented Identifying the barriers to proposed change initiative and overcoming the barriers is a good step towards the successful implementation of the change.The change implementation is planned and will happen by incremental change. Based on evidence, experts opinion and research analysis have proven that implementation of a successful change in a hospital ward is always difficult and challenging because of complex relationships that exists stakeholders, management, managers and healthcare professionals. Despite these barriers, any small meaningful change that will bring about evidence based best practice to positively improve the quality of care provided the service users on the ward is worth implementing and evaluated to monitor the progress.†¢ Support and approval from the leadership for the change initiativeSometimes good change initiatives ended up not been implemented because there was no leadership support for it. Getting the leadership support and the stakeholders on the board with the proposed change initiative is a huge step in the implementation stage of the proposed change initiative, the need for the change should to be properly communicated to the ward manager, and a case on need for the change to happen should be communicated to the manager. Data analysis, surveys based on observations and research findings should be presented to the manager and the leadership team on the ward to get them involved in the change initiative plan.With the manager’s approval for the change to happen, the manager will therefore help to resolve conflicts of interests and negotiate with the stakeholders to help make the case why the change initiative is needed to be implemented on the ward. The manager as part of the agent for the change should appoint leaders of the change initiative, and will help provide the tools, skills and training, and possibly the funding for the change from the budget or increase in the budget. Identifying the proposed Change agentsVolunteers will be identified within the ward and it will be ward employees that will be trained to help champion the proposed change. They should be given the chance to decide on their own to become the change agents and will work closely with the ward manager for provision of information and resources needed to push forward with the change. Communication and awarenessThe appointed leaders of the change will use all communication methods (Mass, interactive and face to face) to explain what need to change is an important step in change implementation. These involves ? Explaining the change initiative to the employees and everyone that will be impacted on the change initiative.? There should be an open dialogue to entertain concerns, questions and individual opinions on the change initiative.? There should be a constant reminder and follow-up of the planned change initiative. Skills and learning required for the implementation Training will be provided to healthcare professionals that will champion the change initiative. There are private training institutions (BSI) that offers best training in crisis management planning, with the approval of the manager, the volunteered staff will undertake short course training. Also other trust provided practical courses on crisis resolution should be provided to enable them know when and to put their knowledge into action. This is to carry out best evidence based practice on de-escalate the triggers of violence and aggression from service users.Although the team members of this change initiative will be on voluntary basis, the ward manager will provide incentives to team members of this change as an encouragement and motivation. Implementing change initiative through engaging employees and healthcare professionals at all level within the ward.All the change agents including the manager, stakeholders and volunteered champions of change will actively engage with every staff member on the ward. This will be to create a better understanding of why this change initiative is very important and how it is small necessary step towards resolving the rising violence and aggression from service users. This change implementation is bottom-up approach and will require genuine interest and participation from the employees, employees are the ones that have been directly affected by the status quo and will be impacted more from the new change initiative. Healthcare professionals will to be motivated to participate fully in the change implementation timeline and initial goal plans. Monitor the implementation, examine the results and recognise the successEarly stages of implementation will be closely monitored to assess strengths and challenges; there will be follow ups and reviews. There will be surveys and audits carried out to compare the status quo and change, this will be done to know if the change is having the expected outcome and also know if there are areas of the change that will require further improvement. Change champions will be encouraged and motivated through celebration of change success. Momentum will be built on the change by rewarding the employees that are championing the change implementation. Other staffs will be encouraged to become part of the change team; this is to reduce any change resistance that may exist within the employees and create way for successful change implementation. How to cite Crisis De-escalation Team, Papers

Status Of Blacks In The Unites States Essays -

Status Of Blacks In The Unites States Less than Equal The initial Status of Blacks in the Unites States Chanel Frampton Government Period 3 December 18, 2000 Less than Equal The initial status of blacks in the United States ?For much of black America life seems suspended. In the bleakness of filth and of the inner cities our people go through motions of living. On the street corners jobless men still wait, among the garbage and rats children still play. There are some features to the scene City blocks are ravaged by the riot, the bums and blocked buildings, the empty lots still stand like silent witnesses to their futile anger?(Lusane C ,1994, p.135). Historically African American have endured a large amount of economic distress. Exploitation for labor for 400 years brought about turmoil. There was no land for the black people. They were not allowed voting privileges now nor then. There was a lot mind manipulation that took place. Lack of self worth was one of their main concerns. The slave owners made divisions between the black people by favoring light over dark blacks put a wedge between the African community as a whole. Black people were also ousted from the community due to their dark skin and discrimination towards them. ?Black people are weakened by their own distrust and jealousies of each other by our factionalism and feuding(Natanson ,1992, p. 56). Black people today are no better politically, economicly, or socially than they were before despite the numerous efforts that they have made. Problems with social equity existed in the preceding years with African American. More than two blacks were prohibited to congregate at on time because there were laws that hindered it. Also there were Jim Crow laws that were very oppressive to the African American community. Rejection from bathrooms and drinking fountains and restaurants forced blacks to segregate from the community. Schools were also segregated but not equal. This was said to be unconstitutional in the Brown vs Board trial. In the 1960s, African American demanded their own school boards with the power to hire and fire principles and teachers and to construct a curriculum that would be relevant to the special needs and culture of the ghetto youth. This would allow blacks to have a say in the curriculum that was being taught to the children. Police brutality is another main concern in the community. There has been a growing recognition that the law enforcement is particularly crucial in maintaining the status of blac ks in America. Police include the highest proportion of individual racists. In the 1960's African Americans were hosed when protesting the injustices of society. Their demands and peaceful marches were looked upon as uprisings against the government and the police arrested them and used the water hose to stop their cause. Furthermore, a political set back to the African Americans was the grandfather clause that prevented any male whose grandfather could not vote, not to vote either.. Money and ownership of property was the economic tool that allowed for political status ;yet the blacks were neglected the right to own or buy anything thus meaning their voice was nonexistent. Also the government intimidation with strong black political leaders forced them to kill the people that blacks looked up to and respected. Dr King believed that the issue of war and justice are not separate and that we must fight against both. ? For the struggle we rage is not of race alone but of human justice, and we cannot solve the issue of race without dealing with the issue of justice? (Swain C, 1995 ,p 257). Martin Luther King became the example for blacks to watch. He advocated peace and unity yet his beliefs were too much for people to accept. Malcolm X on the other was an extremist he believed in taking action getting re venge on the people who hurt African Americans. His forceful and radical methods were the cause of his assignation. The southern based nonviolent civil right movement died a victim of the US racism which sparked the first urban rebellions in the northern black ghettoes. In present day America the social barriers still exist for many African Americans. African Americans are denied from jobs that they are truly qualified

Iphone Vrio Model Essay Example

Iphone Vrio Model Essay Example Iphone Vrio Model Paper Iphone Vrio Model Paper Apple Inc. Case Study # 1 iPhone [pic] Professor Chug-Shing Lee BUSA 499 Capstone October 1, 2008 Analysis Conducted By Apex [pic] Ryan Boykin Ashley Fiorini Lance Tanaka Matt Webb Executive Summary Apple has demonstrated that innovation can lead to market dominance with products like the iPod. With products such as this, Apple has developed a brand that has built a customer base with astonishing loyalty. According to Business week, Apple was thirty third for top brands in the world. (Businessweek. om, 2007) Since they have developed innovative products with intuitive designs it has helped establish it as the premiere business for handheld electronics. Over the past few years Apple turned its eyes on the cellular phone market which created some issues that our team has been able to identify. Team Apex discovered that the current price did not appear appropriate for the target market. At present the current marketing for most of Apple’s products seems to be for a more youthful and technologically advance demographic. It is difficult to imagine the target market being able to afford the iPhone. This demonstrates that Apple’s target market may not be the right one for the current iPhone. Apple has had success over the past few years with mass production of electronic devices and would appear reasonable for them to exploit their brand to its full potential by developing new products. Currently Apple creates immense value for their consumers by offering products that are difficult to imitate. Unfortunately, this will not stop current and possibly new companies from copying Apple’s success by developing similar products and launching similar target methodologies. One way Apple has continued to be successful is by staying ahead of their competition and keep up on a constant stream of new products. When entering the cellular phone market Apple is facing numerous competitors and must offer a product that is unique to those counter parts. After analyzing Apple’s new product, the iPhone, it seems that there are a few courses of actions that could be taken. When addressing the issues we have identified it seems that Apple should continue with the theme of developing multiple versions of the same product. Team Apex would suggest that Apple create a cheaper version of the iPhone more suited for business professionals and would be primarily used for phone calls, e-mail and web-browsing. This phone would have less memory then the current iPhone allow them to charge a lower price. This would in turn increase the volume of iPhones being produce and allow Apple to charge lower prices for all of their phones. This case study has helped our team discovered new aspects about business that we never believe to be good courses of action. Apple has demonstrated to us that if you are not reaching the right market creating a new product specifically designed for that market. Looking at Apple’s line of iPods it seems almost ridiculous the amount and variety they have developed but when looking at it with the insight from the classes we have taken it can see that Apple has developed a digital music player for almost any type of consumer. In the long term that is what our team would like to see happen with the iPhone. We also found that using strategic analytical tools such as Porter’s Five Forces and VRIO models, can help determine key issues a company faces while determine how they can create a competitive advantage. Developing these competitive advantage has been a key to Apple’s success and they must continue to determine how to sustain in order to stay dominate in the electronics. In our analysis of Apple Computer, now known as Apple Inc. , we will unveil the company’s intricacies and how Apple has successfully positioned themselves within the communication industry. Apple Inc. esigns, manufactures, and sells computers, music players, and now mobile communication devices. Apple Inc. has always been known by its users as a revolutionary and innovative company that never fails to deliver quality products that make you say â€Å"wow†; the iPhone is no exception. With its introduction to the public at the Macworld convention in 2007 the vision for the iPhone was introduced as a bold, risky, and amazing concept with the focus on revolutionizing handheld devices and their total package capabilities. The ultimate goal for Apple Inc. s to transform and dominate the handset industry. In this study we will use proven industry testing methods such as Porters 5 Forces Model and Strategic Analysis to show the strengths and weakness of the corporation. Both me thods will help us understand how Apple Inc. is currently functioning within the communication industry and where its real impact is on the structure of the $11 billion dollar a year mobile phone market. 2. Background Apple Computer Inc. was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in April 1976. It began as a computer software and hardware manufacturer. Apple Computer Inc. s noted as having one of the largest and most loyal customer bases that have helped solidify consistent growth for the company. In 2007 Apple Computer Inc. became Apple Inc. to reflect its expansion into the consumer electronics market while still maintaining its traditional focus on the personal computer. Apple Inc. has metamorphed from being known as strictly a computer company into a diverse technology company that is known for its art, video, graphics, and always pushing the envelope as a content creator. CEO Steve Jobs is not only the company leader he is one of it principal visionaries. Jobs latest creation is the iPhone. He refers to it as a â€Å"magical device that will change the world. † 3. Mission and Objectives 3. 1 Apple Inc. Mission Statement Apple Computer is committed to protecting the environment, health and safety of our employees, customers and the global communities where we operate. We recognize that by integrating sound environmental health and safety management practices into all aspects of our business, we can offer innovative technological products and services while conserving and enhancing recourses for future generations. Apple Inc. strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services. (Apple) 3. 2 Issues Problems With careful analysis of Apple Inc. ’s current market positioning we have collectively agreed that there are two major criteria that Apex strongly suggests Apple Inc. re-evaluate in regards to the manufacturing, marketing, and selling of the highly recognizable iPhone. The first problem that the group identified is the current pricing of the iPhone. Cost is extremely high and not within the budget of its target market. The second problem is the target market. To date Apple is focusing on the younger â€Å"techno† crowd. Though these consumers do covet the phone few actually have the resources to actually purchase it. 4. Strategic Analysis 4. 1 Porters 5 Forces Model v ^ ^ 4. 1. 1 Threat of Entry Apple Inc. not only had to face a number of barriers to entry in the development of the iPhone but they must also worry about potential competitors overcoming them as well. Although Apple currently has an advantage with its innovative products it must always be aware of the ease that a competitor can copy its products, especially in the extremely competitive field of cellular phones. However those new companies to the market will not only have to compete with the strong brand that Apple Inc. has built but will also have to face barriers more strenuous then what Apple had to face. 1. Economies of Scale Apple Inc. had an existing experience in manufacturing mass-market consumer electronics devices, many of which share similar components of the iPhone; so Apple Inc. was not negatively affected by this barrier. Since Apple Inc. had the production lines and personnel to make advance electronic products such as, the iPod and their line of computers, it wasn’t difficult to develop a production line capable of mass production of the iPhone. New entrants may not have that comfort as the cell phone market is almost defined by its mass-market environment. A new company entering this market would have one of two choices available: 1) They sell their product at a higher price to make up for the fact they can’t sell the same volume as a company like Apple Inc. and must hope that the consumer sees the higher price as a indicator of better quality. Or 2) They sell their product at a lower price probably occurring a loss per unit in hopes of selling a high volume and banking on sales of applications that can be purchased for the phone. In either situation it is extremely risky as both could lead to the company’s collapse. 2. Access to Distribution Channels Although Apple Inc. has had success with the distribution of its products it does face issues with this barrier due to the limited retailers of the iPhone and the fact that there is currently only one service provider. The iPhone is only available through a limited number of distribution channels those being Apple Inc. nd ATT stores and auction websites, like eBay, and it is only supported by the ATT network. A future entrant to the market could create an advantage by make their product more available for multiple carriers and multiple retailers. 3. Product Differentiation In general this trait is favorable for Apple Inc. because the iPhone is significantly different th an most of its competitors. First and foremost, the iPhone 3G is a revolutionary phone with a high call quality as its main point of parity. A list of the iPhone’s highlighted features includes the iPod, Internet tool (Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE network). Apple Inc. also has a certain amount of protection through the strength of its brand identity. The problem with cell phones is product differentiation can be emulated, to a certain extent. Cell phones are pretty uniform in functionality and use and not overly differentiated between each other. However, recently LG with Verizon have just release the Dare, an iPhone like product, in hopes of attacking some of Apple’s market share. Not to mention companies like, Samsung and Nokia, have released designs and plans to develop their own versions of an iPhone. 4. Capital Requirements Since Apple Inc. ad already been successful with their computers and the iPod they had an advantage with having the capital required to start mass production of a new product. Apple Inc. also has experience with developing software and hardware, which gives them another advantage as they do not need to spend as much time and money in the research and development stages as a new phone manufacturer would. S o, to most effectively compete with the iPhone they will need to invest significantly in certain areas. Apple Inc. itself did not face much resistance with this barrier because of their experience creating both software and hardware. Companies looking to enter this market with have difficult barriers to overcome in order to compete at the same level as Apple Inc. and unless a company has experience in developing consumer electronics it seems very unlikely that they can experience similar success. 5. Government Policy Any company looking to enter this market has two governmental factors they must consider before entering the market: 1) the strength of current manufactures patents and 2) the regulatory obligations and approval requirements of the FCC (Apple Insider, 2007), which governs communication technologies in the United States. Apple has gained another advantage by acquiring a patent and FCC approval for the IPhone. This will make it more difficult for competitors to copy the iPhone but we are sure will not stop companies from developing their own versions of this successful product. 4. 1. 2. Threat of Substitutes Porter’s five-force model validates that all forms of communication devices threaten the mobile phone industry as a whole. The iPhone’s top priority is to provide its customers with a complete solution in the mobile phone industry with added features and benefits. Quoting Steve Jobs â€Å"the original iPhone, it combines three products in one s of substitute industries include landlines, pagers, walkie talkies, computers, fax machines, and snail mail. If the mobile phone industry cannot meet the needs of its customers at a reasonable price, then substitute products play a key threat. Landlines are evolving to be more of a direct competitor to the mobile phone industry, but they still provide its services at a different vantage point. Landlines are non-wireless receivers that are offered at a much lower cost than mobile phones. Computers (notebook and desktop) offer numerous options in the communication sector, which include electronic mail, live chat, and communication software. Collectively, fax, snail mail, pagers, and walkie talkies make up a small portion of the market share, but still pose a threat for unsatisfied customers in the wireless industry. . 1. 3. Threat of Buyers The buyers market consists of a large amount of individuals or corporations that own one or multiple cell phones. Due to the large market, the lost of a buyer is not a key threat. When a buyer is purchasing a new cell phone, the process at times is overwhelming due to the wide variety of differentiated products. Buyers play an important role in the strategic pricing for a new cell phone b ecause they have no obligations in purchasing a cell phone from a single supplier. Buyer’s spending habits will change accordingly with the economy’s position. For example, if economic profits are high then buyers are willing to spend versus saving their disposable income. Mobile phones have become integrated as a point of parity in the American lifestyle, and economic profits will determine the price a buyer is willing to pay for a cell phone. 4. 1. 4 Threat of Rivalry The number of competing firms within the mobile phone industry is increasing, while a few firms make up the majority of the market share. Provided by CNET is a list of suppliers that operate within the same industry as Apple’s iPhone, and a count of their product offerings. [pic] Direct competition includes all mobile phones that can be subcategorized as a basic, smart, camera, mp3, or videophone. The industries large selection of mobile phone manufacturers creates a strong threat of rivalry. The iPhone has made its debut as a smart phone targeting the higher-income demographic, but this does not eliminate the fact that all subcategories of cell phones contribute to the strengthening threat of rivalry. According to CNET Senior Editor Kent German (2008), the editor’s top cell phones include the LG Dare, RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320, Nokia N95, Samsung Instinct, Sony Ericsson W760i, and the newest edition of direct competition comes from Google introducing the T-Mobile G1. 4. 1. 5. Threat of Suppliers There are several suppliers of component parts in the mobile communication industry; therefore, manufacturers are able to make preferable purchasing agreements, allowing their manufacturing cost to then be reduced. The low cost from suppliers puts pressure on manufacturing to in turn pass on the savings to the end consumer. Other suppliers offer specific applications to be used on mobile phones, including the use of digital games (Electronic Arts, 2008). Employees also are a key component as they supply knowledge and expertise to the development of mobile communication products. Without their skills, innovation would be limited, an imperative factor for survival in this industry. Research and development in this industry is vital to the success of a mobile communication product. Suppliers in this industry are fundamental to a product’s successful development and its competitive advantage. 5. Assessment for Competitive Advantage 5. 1 Internal Strengths and Weaknesses A firm strives to achieve a competitive advantage in the marketplace to maximize value, and this is achieved using the VRIO framework. The VRIO framework consists of four questions that are used to analyze a firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses that determine its current situation. Provided by Barney, J. B. , and Hesterly, W. S. (2008) is a compiled list of the VRIO framework’s four questions, 1) The question of Value: Do resources and capabilities enable a firm to exploit an external opportunity or neutralize and external threat? 2) The question of Rarity: Is a resource currently controlled by only a small number or competing firms? 3) The question of imitability: Do firms without a resource face a cost disadvantage in obtaining or developing it? 4) The question of Organ ization: Are a firm’s other policies and procedures organized to support the exploitation of its valuable, rare, and costly-to-imitate resources? 5. 1. 1 VRIO Model VRIO | | | | |Value |Rarity |Imitability |Organization |Competitive Implications | |Brand |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Sustained Competitive Advantage | |Design |Yes |No |Yes |Yes |Temporary Competitive Advantage | |Logistics |Yes |No |No |Yes |Competitive Parity | |Marketing |Yes |No |Yes |Yes |Temporary Competitive Advantage | Apple Inc. relies heavily on its brand’s reputation to sustain a competitive advantage in the marketplace no matter what product or service is being sold. They are recognized as a top performance firm because they have learned to exploit the brand name into the marketplace creating a high-perceived value by customers, which are not easily imitated. The question of rarity defines the iPhone’s highest internal threat because other firms are able to share this field of expertise, which include its design, logistics, and marketing. The iPhone’s design and functions are unique, and the bar is set high for competing products. The question of imitability has allowed the iPhone as an emergent product to have a temporary competitive advantage, until firms were able to launch its competitive products. Depending upon the imitation product, the value detracted from the iPhone is strengthened as a variety of direct and substitution products are developed. Apple Inc. apabilities in exploiting their resources and capabilities to its fullest have landed the firm a spot as the seventh contender in Fortune’s top 20 most admired Amer ican companies of 2007. Provided below is eight key attributes in scoring brand reputation (Fortunes, 2007). [pic] 5. 1. 2. Resources and Competencies In the resource-based view, the resources of Apple Inc. , the developer of the iPhone, include both tangible and intangible assets. The corporation’s tangible assets are its numerous factories and equipment, and its iPhone brand product (along with the Macintosh Computer and iPod). Another tangible asset of Apple, Inc. is its distribution system which consists of online retailers including Amazon. om; the Apple website; Apple stores; major retail stores including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Circuit City; and through cellular providers (Klazit, 2007). An organizational resource is its reputation among customers. Apple is known for its creativity and innovation which is an intangible asset. An effective capability of the company is its superior development of innovative products. Human resources are imperative to the success of Apple Inc. ’s iPhone, as every employee provides innovation, experience, intelligence and important relationships. 6. Industry Trends The wireless industry has experienced a tremendous growth in both its suppliers and buyers. According to Plunkett Research, â€Å"There were more than 3 billion global cellular telephone subscribers by mid 2008, including more than 260 million in the U. S. alone† (2008). The mobile phone industry exploits its product’s lifecycle that continuously update its technology between the growth and maturity phase. This sequence has allowed for numerous amounts of technology to enter the mobile industry’s boundless lifecycle. The increasing competition in the wireless industry has plummeted pricing strategies for manufacturers and service providers. Cellular phones are becoming a necessity in today’s demand for immediate communication. Previously mentioned is the growing numbers in wireless subscribers, and there is a large market opportunity in potential buyers hat include first time subscribers and those who are ready to upgrade in technology. Quoting Plunkett Research (2008), â€Å"new cell phone handsets have been selling at a rate of more than 1. 2 billion yearly-making the cellular phone the fastest-selling single item of consumer electronics by far. † The following statistics do not reflect Apple Inc. ’s target market for the iPhone, but its does demonstrate the industry’s increasing demand. According to the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (2008), â€Å"today, approximately 79% of all teens (17 million) have a mobile device – a 26% increase since 2005, and most teens have a conventional cell phone while about 15% own a smart phone. Economic variables will affect consumer behavior in purchasing a cellular phone, but it is inevitable that mobile communication devices have become integrated into the human lifestyle. 7. Strategic Development Recommendation 7. 1 Strategic Option 1 The first option that we think Apple Inc. can implement helps cover both of the dilemmas we have identified. This option would to develop a new marketing campaign that would start to target business professionals. This would consist of dual advertising with one set of ads directed to the consumers who want an iPhone for personal use and media aspect of Apple Inc. ’s products, such as music and videos. The other advertisements would be directed to business professionals with a stronger emphasis on more business useful applications like web browsing and e-mail. 7. 1. 1. Disadvantages of Strategic Option 1 However, there are advantages and disadvantages to this option. The first and largest disadvantage would be the capital and resources required to develop this new stream of marketing. Since Apple Inc. has had great success with their products, thanks to intelligent marketing campaigns, it seems that this would not be a major issue for them. Another disadvantage of undertaking a duel marketing campaign is that it could dissuade one of their target markets. One of the markets could start to feel that the iPhone is not a good product for them because of advertisements suggesting that the product is more suited for business professionals or media users. The last disadvantage we have identified is that with any new marketing there is a chance of failure which could lead to a loss of capital for Apple Inc. 7. 1. 2. Advantages to Strategic Option 1 One advantage of this new campaign would be that Apple Inc. could tap into the professional market and create a new source of revenue. This would also allow Apple Inc. to being to receive a portion of the market share that Blackberry has over business professionals. Another great advantage is that Apple Inc. could begin to create corporate accounts; these would be a lower price per unit to companies willing to buy a large volume for employees. By offering lower prices to companies purchasing mass quantities not only creates incentives for businesses but could also lead to a lower price across the broad for the iPhone. Due to economics of scale if Apple Inc. could begin to sale a large volume of iPhones they could eventually drop the price for all consumers. This could also allow Apple Inc. to start building more relationships with corporations and begin to interest companies into building their IT departments around Apple Inc. roducts. Currently Dell is the largest retailer to corporation as a majority of businesses have developed their computers systems around Dell personal computers. If Apple Inc. could build on relationships established by accounts for iPhones they could possible create incentives for business to convert to their line of comp uters. 7. 2 Strategic Option 2 The next option our team discussed and believes would work best for Apple would be to approve the research and development of a new iPhone. The new product would be specially designed for the business professional while leaving the current iPhone for a more youthful or media oriented consumer. Our team believes that Apple could design an iPhone with better business applications and wouldn’t require the memory and storage the current iPhone needs for media options. An idea our team had was to develop an iPhone with which a professional user could possible view a power point while taking a call so that person could view and hear a presentation anywhere. 7. 2. 1. Disadvantages of Strategic Option 2 The disadvantages here are even more severe then the first option as the money and time required to develop such a product would be great. This also gives time to the competition that are already targeting business professional to strengthen their grip on that market. Other disadvantage are similar to our first strategic option as consumers might choose a different brand if they feel they can’t get all the options they are looking for with either iPhone. Apple Inc. could also end up spending a great deal of money on an unsuccessful product as they not only would have to create this new product but again would need to create marketing for it as well. 7. 2. 2. Advantages of Strategic Option 2 One advantage would be the ability to offer this new iPhone at a lower price than the current one. Since the new iPhone would not have to have as many applications and storage space as the current one, they could sell it at a lower cost to the consumer. Again building corporate accounts could be another benefit of developing this product and businesses could have more of an incentive for this product as they would feel that it is a product built for business uses. Apple could also begin to sell a large number of this new product and could lead to them being able to offer both iPhones at a lower cost and take control of both markets. Apple Inc. could also become more actively involved with corporations and could again work on building relationships to interest companies in purchasing computer systems by them. 7. 3 Measurement The strategy chosen will be measured in a number of ways. One way that the results will be measured is through Apple Inc. ’s market share of the mobile communication industry. This will be calculated as a percentage of the total market share in sales. Another way the strategy will be measured is through an increase of sales. Taking into consideration external forces including competition, the economy, and other influences, an increase of sales may indicate whether the implemented strategy has been successful. 8. Strategic Implications 8. 1 Managerial Implications Evaluating the mobile phone industry as a whole, we better understand the difference between root causes and symptoms when analyzing Apple Inc. The issues we have identified in this case helped instill the fundamentals of obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage.

11 Fun Toddler Learning Games for Your Preschooler

Fun Toddler Learning Games for Your Preschooler SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Looking for games that your toddler will both enjoy and gain important skills from? We’ve got you covered! In this guide, we go over of the best toddler learning games. These educational games for toddlers can be played with few materials, one or more children, and toddlers of varying age ranges. For each game, we explain what skills it will teach toddlers and give instructions on how to set up and play the game. How Can Learning Games Benefit Toddlers? Toddlers’ minds and bodies are undergoing huge changes during this time of their lives, as they learn to communicate, think, and move in completely new ways as they move out of babyhood. Games are one of the best ways for toddlers to develop these new skills because they’re easy and fun to participate in. Some of the skills toddler learning games can teach include: Gross and fine motor skills Language development Creativity/imagination Critical thinking and analysis Counting Social skills Learning games can help toddlers be prepared for when they start school by giving them a leg up on topics such as numbers, colors, and letters. The social skills they learn from these games, such as sharing and listening to instructions, will also make school, daycare, or even play dates more enjoyable because your toddler will have more experience interacting with other children and being a fair playmate. Examples of Toddler Learning Games Below are examples of educational games for toddlers that can teach everything from counting to motor skills to following directions. For each of these toddler learning games, we give a brief description, an overview of the materials needed, and directions on how to play the game. #1: Car Parking Numbers This counting game takes only a few minutes to set up, but once it’s ready your toddler can play with it over and over again to practice their counting skills. This game also helps toddlers practice fine motor skills when steering the cars into the correct parking spot. Materials: Shallow cardboard box with lid removed Matchbox cars (plastic horses are also a good substitute) Permanent marker Small pieces of paper Tape Directions: Tape a number to the top of each car, then draw the same number of â€Å"parking spaces† in the cardboard box. Label each of the spaces with a number so that each numbered car has a parking spot with a corresponding number. Your toddler can then â€Å"drive† each car into the matching parking spot while you discuss numbers and counting with them. As your toddler’s counting skills grow, add more parking spots and numbered cars to keep them learning. #2: Simon Says A great game for teaching toddlers how to follow instructions, Simon Says can be played with any number of children. You can also tailor it to different areas of learning, such as a Simon Says game that focuses on moving different body parts, identifying different shapes, etc. In fact, studies have shown that young children who play Simon Says go on to have improved math and literacy skills, so this game truly has a whole host of benefits! Materials: None required Directions: To play Simon Says, choose one person to be Simon (it’s best to start off with you or an older child being Simon until younger kids get the hang of the game). â€Å"Simon† then calls out commands such as â€Å"jump up and down† or â€Å"touch your toes.† The key is the other players must listen for the phrase â€Å"Simon says† before each command before they follow it. If they follow a command you didn’t preface with â€Å"Simon says† then they are out. The last person remaining in the game is the winner. #3: Foam Writing Many toddlers still struggle to correctly hold a pencil at this age, but you can help them practice their writing and drawing skills with foam writing. They’ll love playing with foam, and at the same time they can learn how to form different letters and shapes. Materials: Shaving cream Large, flat surface that can be covered with shaving cream Directions: Spread the shaving cream in a thick, even layer across the surface. For younger toddlers you can start with just having them draw any patterns they like in the foam to improve motor skills. For older toddlers, write a number, letter, shape, etc. in the foam and have your toddler copy you. As they get more advanced, you can also have them write out letters or numbers on their own without you writing them first. After you’ve played for a while, the foam can be smoothed over with your hands to create a blank surface again. #4: Sorting Most toddlers love sorting things, from their toys to the food on their plate, and you can use this activity to help them learn. It’s also very easy to customize this game to focus on whatever you want your toddler to learn: colors, shapes, sizes, etc. This game will help your toddler recognize similarities and differences between items and learn the basics of categorization. Materials: Items that have multiple types of whatever characteristic you want your toddler to identify. (ex. If you want your toddler to learn about colors, gather items of several different colors) Directions: For the sorting game, you can either ask your toddler to sort the items based on a specific characteristic (â€Å"show me all your red toys† or â€Å"can you group your toys together by color?†) or you can ask them to sort the items on their own, then ask them to explain how they sorted them. This is a great game for facilitating discussions with your toddler as you talk about the different objects and how they are similar to and different from each other. #5: Board and Card Games Board and card games can be a great way to teach toddlers how to follow rules, wait for their turn, and learn whatever skills the games are promoting. There are board games for toddlers that focus on the alphabet, other focus on counting, colors, etc. Materials: An age-appropriate board game for toddlers. Some of our favorites are: Go Fish Candy Land The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game Chutes and Ladders Directions: Read the directions for the game, and start playing! If you’re looking for other board and card games, search for those meant for ages 2-4, as these will have rules and playing times specifically designed to help toddlers learn the game and have fun. Don’t be surprised if you don’t make it through the entire game, as toddlers have short attention spans and, even if they enjoy the game, they’ll likely want to move onto another activity fairly quickly. You can continue the benefits of the game by bringing it up a short time later. For example, at lunch you can say, â€Å"Remember the board game we played earlier where we counted how many fish you caught? Let’s count how many pieces of fruit are on your plate.† #6: Story Time Toddlers love listening to stories, and you can get them to practice their creativity skills by encouraging them to participate in the story you’re telling, as well as incorporate important lessons you’d like them to know. By age three, many children know roughly 400 words, and they love hearing words they understand, especially when words/phrases are repeated throughout the story so that they’re easier to remember. Materials: Children’s book (or you can make up your own story) Some recommendations: Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb. By: Al Perkins Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. By: Bill Martin Jr. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. By: Dr. Seuss Dear Zoo. By: Rod Campbell Directions: Read/tell the story, stopping every now and then to ask your toddler questions like, â€Å"What do you think will happen next?† or â€Å"Do you think [character] treated her friend nicely?† then listen to your toddler’s responses and either continue the conversation, continue the story, or alternate between the two. #7: What’s Missing? This memory game can be played in nearly any room of the house, and it helps toddlers work on naming and describing objects as well as improving their memory. Materials: 4-5 objects of any kind A tray to place the objects on Towel to cover the objects Directions: Place the objects (toys, household items, foods, etc.) on the tray and look at them with your toddler. Name each item to help them remember it. Then, cover the items with the towel and ask your toddler to cover their eyes/turn around. Remove one of the items and set it aside in a place the toddler can’t see. Next, remove the towel and have your toddler tell you which item was removed. You can give them hints to help if they’re struggling to remember such as, â€Å"It’s a yellow fruit that’s sour.† To make the game more challenging, add more items to the tray and/or remove more than one item at a time. #8: Hokey-Pokey This classic game is a great way to get toddlers moving, as well as teach them about listening to directions and learning the names of different body parts. Many older kids love the song as well, so it can be used to occupy children of a variety of ages. Materials: None required Directions: Have the children stand in a line or a circle, and start singing! Lyrics are here, but feel free to substitute different body parts for different verses if you desire. Even if kids don’t know the song, they’ll pick it up after a few minutes and join you in the singing. #9: Memory Game Toddler’s memories are beginning to develop at a very rapid rate, and this is a great way to test their growing skills. Any version of the game will help toddlers hone their memory skills, and you can also make your own cards to focus on whatever you want your toddler to learn, whether that’s shapes, colors, animals, etc. Materials: About eight or ten cards with matching pairs. There are memory card sets available to buy, or you can also make your own with images, letters, numbers, colors, etc. you want your toddler to learn. Just make sure you make two of each image/figure. This game can also be played with several two-piece puzzles that children can match together. For an outdoor version, you can make oversized cards out of posterboard and spread them across the lawn, then follow the rest of the directions below. Directions Lay out the cards, face down, in a grid pattern on a flat surface. Each player takes a turn flipping over any two cards they choose. If the cards are a match, they get to remove them from the game. If they aren’t a match, the cards get flipped back over. The trick is to remember where they’ve seen cards from previous turns so they can eventually find all the matching pairs. The person with the most matched pairs wins. Younger toddlers may need some hints to play the game when they first start, and talking about the cards as they’re flipped over can also help children remember them more easily. #10: Indoor Bowling While most toddlers are too young for actual bowling alleys (it can be difficult for them to roll the ball with enough force it needs to make it to the end of the lane), you can set up your own bowling alley in just a few minutes at home. In addition to motor skills, this game can be used to teach toddlers the basics of counting, and even addition and subtraction (ex. If there are ten pins and you knocked four down, how many are left?). Materials: 6 or 10 empty containers of similar size/shape (soda cans work well for this) Tennis ball or small plastic ball Masking tape Directions: Use the masking tape to mark out the bowling lane (a few meters should be long enough). Arrange the containers in a pyramid at the end of the lane, either (if using ten containers) four on the top, then three on the second level, two, then one, or (if using six) three, then two, then one. Your toddler can then roll the ball along the â€Å"lane† and see how many containers they can knock over. #: Count the Flowers A fun springtime activity, Count the Flowers combines some arts and crafts with a counting game that will help toddlers learn their numbers. Materials: Fake flower pieces (about 10-20) Popsicle sticks Hot glue gun Several plastic containers that you can write or stick numbers to Directions: Glue a flower to the top of each popsicle stick, then clearly label each container with a number, going up as high as you’d like to. When you’re ready to play the game, display the containers in a row, with their numbers visible. They can be in numerical or random order, depending on how difficult you’d like the game to be. Have each toddler choose a container, then ask them to put the proper number of â€Å"flowers† in it. So, if they chose the container with a â€Å"3† on it, they’d need to put three flowers inside it. Correct them if they make a mistake and use it as an opportunity to count together with them. Tips for Teaching Toddlers Toddlers aren’t always known for being the easiest people to keep occupied, but these three tips can help playtime remain fun and educational for everyone involved. Keep Games Short Toddlers have notoriously short attention spans, and trying to get them to play a long and involved game is a recipe for disaster. All of the games we discussed in this article can be completed in just a few minutes, which may be all the time your toddler is willing to spend on an activity some days. They can also each be extended if your toddler gets really into the game and is able to focus on it for a longer period of time. When doing these or any other preschool learning games, let your toddler dictate how long (s)he wants to play, and don’t give up on a game if they aren’t that interested in it the first time they play it. Use Repetition Toddlers love repetition, whether it’s a song with a repeating chorus or a game that requires repeated actions to play it. Toddlers experience so many new things each day that they love repetition, both because it gives them a sense of order and because it helps them improve their memory. There aren’t many instances when a toddler can predict what will happen next, so they love when it happens in their games. Ask Them Questions When you’re tired of reading the same book or playing the same game every day for a month, you can change things up by asking questions about the game they’re playing and why they make certain choices. For example, if your toddler is playing with cars, you can ask her which car is her favorite, why she likes that one the best, how it reminds her of the car she rides in, etc. Any question that gets your toddler thinking critically and engaged in conversation will help them develop key skills they’ll use throughout life. Summary: Educational Games for Toddlers Toddler learning games are a great way for young children to learn numerous skills, as well as engage in fun playtime. Each of the activities listed in this article can be modified to suit different ages, group sizes, and time requirements. When playing educational games for toddlers, it’s important to keep the pre k learning games short, use repetition, and ask them questions while they play to ensure they get the most out of these games. What's Next? If you enjoy working with toddlers, then perhaps an early childhood education degree is right for you.Our guide goes over what this degree entails in terms of coursework, and gives you a helpful list of the best online BA in Early Childhood Education degree programs. Pipe cleaner crafts can be a great activity for toddlers.Read our guide for simple instructions for 31 fun pipe cleaner crafts for kids. Looking for games for other age groups?Check out our guides on general learning games, spelling games, and alphabet games. (coming soon) Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Christine Sarikas About the Author Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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INFORMATION RETRIEVAL THROUGH MULTI AGENT SYSTEM WITH DATA MINING Research Paper

INFORMATION RETRIEVAL THROUGH MULTI AGENT SYSTEM WITH DATA MINING - Research Paper Example a practically implemented research model for the information retrieval using Multi-Agent System with Data Mining technique in a Cloud Computing environment. The paper will undertake a review of the existing literature available on this arena and develop an empirical model showing real time data flow through MAS with data mining after retrieval of meaningful information from data warehouse present in a cloud computing environment. In the end, paper will provide recommendations for the organizations for effective implementation and use. Cloud Computing is a general term that refers to anything that â€Å"involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. Broadly it is characterized into three categories, namely: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)† (‘CloudComputing’, 2007). In the present age and knowledge economy, discovering new knowledge and retrieving information from a data center from a cloud environment is a difficult aspect. The concept of cloud computing does not provide facilities for the knowledge discovery and information retrieval. Furthermore, it is required that the so-called knowledge discovery should be in harmony with the structure, schema and architecture of that knowledge. The emerging knowledge cloud is considered insufficient to retrieve information effectively and thus, Chang, Yang and Luo (2011) undertook a study to propose "an ontology-based agent generation framework for information retrieval in a flexible, transparent and easy way on cloud environment† (p.1135). They proposed a framework for information retrieval in which the user will submit "a flat-test based† request to retrieve â€Å"information on a cloud environment†, the request will be â€Å"deduced by a Reasoning Agent automatically that is accord ing to a predefined ontology and a reasoning rule and then translated to a Mobile Information Retrieving Agent Description File (MIRADF) that is formed in a proposed

Westmount Retirement Residence Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Westmount Retirement Residence Case - Essay Example The new costing system is based on the three suite options and on the three levels of medical needs of the residents. The costs of supportive services have been allocated based on the level of medical needs of the residents. Half the costs of facilities have been allocated based on square feet area of the three different suite options. The pricing recommendations, based on the new costing system have been made to Helen Rosewell in the final section of the main report. The recommended pricing is based on the new costing system. It is also recommended that spouses living in one bedroom should be charged twice the monthly rates. The biggest limitation of the current costing model at Westmount is that it does not give a clear picture of how much each of the services that are being offered at Westmount cost. The pricing system charges the same price per month from the residents irrespective of the services used by them. This pricing is only based on the type of residence being used by the residents. The costing model does not reflect the level of medical care and service required by the individual clients. The price differentiation is based solely on the size of the accommodations. The model is also is based on the implicit assumption that a resident having a 25% larger accommodation is also using 25% more services of Westmount. The costing system does not show any difference between patients requiring different levels of medical needs. There are usually three categories of residents at Westmount: those requiring no medical need, those requiring medium medical need and those requiring high medical needs. The biggest drawback of this costing system is that it is treating all the costs as fixed or period costs. The costing system is unable to differentiate between fixed costs and variable costs. All the costs are treated as periodic costs and they are charged to the expected number of residents.