Competitive Advantages of Germany

Competitive Advantages of Germany Aerosil is a fumed silica product developed in 1942 by Degussa AG in Germany. The scientific name of fumed silica is Colloidial Silicon Dioxide. It is pure silicon dioxide, made from vaporized silicon tetrachloride, oxidized in high-temperature flame with H2 and O2. Aggregated amorphous nano-sized primary particle gives free flow to powder materials. It gives thickening effect and thixotropy by dispersing to liquid materials. Standard hydrophilic products are made of primary particles from 7 nm to 40 nm, and also these products are surface modified to hydrophobic. As of September, 2007 what was Degussa is now the chemicals business area of the new Evonik industries. Right from the start of the business activities for AEROSIL ® fumed silica, Evonik followed Degussas philosophy for success to combine tradition and progress. In 1942 an idea became reality. Degussa invented the fumed silica as a replacement for carbon-black, which was manufactured from oil, to counteract the shortage of resources. At that time, the trade name AEROSIL ® was invented and protected. Today AEROSIL ® is a synonym for fumed silica and Evonik is globally present with more than 100 sales offices in 95 countries and over 1000 highly motivated employees. They have eight production plants and applied technology laboratories in Germany, China, Japan, Thailand and the USA, enabling them to stay close to their customers. They are not only known for their extensive product line with it ´s wide variety of grades, but are also market leaders with their highly specialized quality and environmentally-conscious technologies. Without AEROSIL ® fumed silica many everyday things would no longer be conceivable. AEROSIL ® fumed silica is found, for example, in buildings with earthquake-proof foundations, in silicon sealants for bath tubs, in yacht production, as insulation material for Ceran ® stove tops, or in paints that without AEROSIL ® products would be difficult to use. They have over sixty years experience in this specialty field and are continually optimizing their product line and technical services with great flexibility according to the needs of their customers. Evoniks close contacts with the industries that use their products, as well as to their suppliers, allow them to develop new innovative products for existing applications, as well as new applications for established products. Due to the continuous expansion of Evoniks worldwide production capacities, they are able to supply their customers with the right products in the desired quality and quantity throughout the world. Close cooperation and partnership with the customers is one of Evoniks top priorities. gm Industry History The shortage of raw materials and resources on our planet has been a hotly debated topic for several decades. The black gold in particular inspired many to become active researchers. Degussa were also enthusiastic about the idea of one day finding a substitute for oil. This is why, in 1941, they began to develop a white filling material for the tire industry as a substitute for industrial carbon black, which, up to then, could only be produced from oil. Just twelve months on, having created high-temperature flame hydrolysis, they succeeded in producing the first ultrafine-particle pyrogenic silica. Their vision became reality and the brand known as AEROSIL ® was born. dr, harry This success story took its course, and in 1966, an important foothold was established in Asia with the building of the Nippon Aerosil production plant in Yokkaichi, Japan. In 1976, the same step was taken westwards when the production of AEROSIL ® began at the new Degussa plant in Mobile, Alabama/USA. More than 60 years of experience, development and research have by now made AEROSIL ® the most frequently used brand for the creation, modification and characterization of surface effects.Chemistry_by_Ekspertiza.jpg APPLICATIONS OF AEROSIL ® More than 60 years of experience in the production, modification and application of fumed silica provide a sound basis for continuously enhancing these products. Evonik strive to meet the increasing demands of existing and new areas of application. Their objective is to fully satisfy customers expectations now and in the future. AEROSIL ® Fumed Silica makes use of the smallest of things. The smallest particles of some AEROSIL ® grades measure no more than seven nanometers a human hair is 3,000 times thicker. So small, yet so great: The smaller the particles, the greater their effect and range of applications. AEROSIL ® optimizes some factors whish are given below : paints and coatings catalysts airbags silicone sealants in the car, sanitary and electronics sectors sealing inserts, e.g. for covering crown cork printing inks creams, lotions, gels deodorants paper properties chemical dowels unsaturated polyester resins light bulbs and fluorescent tubes toners for photocopying machines silicone profiles shoe soles putty dental composites 2-component mortar marine paints structure adhesives for the production of rotor blades in wind power plants the disability of active substances in tablets The advantages of AEROSIL ® Fumed Silica in different industries : Adhesives Sealants Batteries Food Glass Paints Coatings Personal Care Pharmaceuticals, Plastics ,Silicones , Toners Product Line AEROSIL ® is an extremely versatile product. In order to find the AEROSIL ® grade with the right characteristics for the application, they have grouped the various AEROSIL ® types by Raw Material Method of Production. Not only are these, but also the behavior with water, whether hydrophilic or hydrophobic, crucial for the final application. AEROSIL ® grade could be found to solve problem in one of the following categories: Hydrophilic Fumed Silica Hydrophobic Fumed Silica Fumed Mixed Oxides Hydrophilic Fumed Metal Oxides Special Hydrophobic Silicas and Hydrophobic Metal Oxides Special Granulated Fumed Silicas Dispersions competitive-analysis_clip_image010.jpg Competitive Strategy To decide the competitive strategy there are two deciding factors. These are: industry structure and positioning within industry. Industry Structure Porters 5 forces analysis Porters 5 forces analysis is an analysis skeleton for industry analysis and business strategy development which was founded by by Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School in 1979 . It uses concepts developed in Industrial Organization (IO) economics to derive 5 forces that determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. Attractiveness in this context refers to the overall industry profitability. untitled Figure 01: Porters five forces analysis Porters Five Forces include three forces from horizontal competition: threat of substitute products, the threat of established rivals, and the threat of new entrants; and two forces from vertical competition: the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers The threat of substitute products The existence of close substitute products increases the propensity of customers to switch to alternatives in response to price increases. But there are no substitutes for fumed silica. Thats why there is no threat of substitute products. The threat of the entry of new competitors As the business of fumed silica is very lucrative; thus, results in many new entrants, which will effectively decrease profitability. But there are some barriers to enter this industry and those are given below : The existence of barriers to entry In 1942, Degussa invented the fumed silica as a replacement for carbon-black, that was manufactured from oil, to counteract the shortage of resources. At that time, the trade name AEROSIL ® was invented and protected. Today AEROSIL ® is a synonym for fumed silica. Economies of product differences With a sales volume of nearly 1.8 million metric tons a year (2004), sales revenues of approximately à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 1,071 million (2005) and a staff of 530, Evonik is the largest chemical manufacturer at the Marl Chemical plant. Capital requirements: Due to heavy investment in setting up the plant and thw production process, a very few wants to enter to this industry. The intensity of competitive rivalry- For most industries, this is the major determinant of the competitiveness of the industry. Number of competitors: There are only two substitute product for fumed silica and those are: Cab-o-sil and HDK, these rivals compete in non-price dimensions such as innovation, marketing, etc. Exit barriers: As the initial investment is high and the cost of swithiching to other manufacturing product is also very high, so the exit barrier is also high. Competitors are here to stay. Positioning Within Industry AEROSIL ® grades of Evonik have gained competitive advantages because of its cost leadership and the quality it offers. To compete internationally Evonik has adopted the global strategy approach driven by the principle think global, act local. Fumed silica grades are sold internationally under one brand, AEROSIL ® and one target audience, that is the business consumers. 683px-Schematicy-atom.svg.png Porters Diamond Model Germany possesses comparative advantage in producing AEROSIL ® fumed silica. Germany has the ability to produce the AEROSIL ® fumed silica at a lower opportunity cost. The comparative advantage of Germany in the production of fumed silica is described by the Maichael Porters Diamond Model as followed: Untitled-1_clip_image002 Figure 02 : Porters Diamond model Factor Conditions- refers to inputs used as factors of production such as labor, land, natural resources, capital and infrastructure. Porter argues that the key factors of production are created, not inherited. Specialized factors of production are skilled labor, capital and infrastructure. Human Resources With over 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union Germany has the best qualified workforce in Europe. Above all, the German chemical industry has traditionally regarded the training and continuous upgrading of employees ´ qualifications as being very important. This is because a well trained workforce is the precondition for the operation of highly specialized high-tech facilities, production of innovative chemical products, and high productivity. Well trained employees also mean fewer accidents with minimal downtimes as one result. The chemical parks often have training centers on-site to ensure that employees theoretical and practical knowledge is kept up to date. Many chemical parks help companies located there to recruit qualified employees. A well qualified workforce and ongoing training are important factors. Another factor which contributes to the success of chemical companies based in Germany is the high degree of identification of employees with their company. Highly motivated, they remain faithful to their companies, and staff turnover is low. The advantage: employees gather valuable expertise and experience, which in turn ensures smooth operations and contributes to economic success. Employees high degree of identification with their companies also involves the stable and consensus-oriented partnership which characterizes the relationship between chemical companies and trade unions in Germany. The result speaks for itself: Germany is the country with the lowest number of strikes in Europe. But the mai n problem from Germanys point of view is that the cost of labor and raw materials are very high. And that is the reason why German industries mainly shifted their manufacturing plants to the countries where labor is cheaper. They have a market all over the world. The people who are engaged, either directly or indirectly in this industry account for approximately 27 percent of the total work force and produce more than 14 percent of Germanys total manufacturing output. Physical Resources The main raw material for fumed silica Most of the countrys products are in engineering, especially in automobiles, machinery, metals, and chemical goods. Germany is the leading producer of wind turbines and solar power technology in the world. Knowledge resources It is very important for a country to have a RD sectors and specialized institution so that they can provide more specialized knowledge for them. Germany has very good and sophisticated research centers that are essential to do extensive research to innovate new product. And that is the reason why they are famous world wide. Infrastructure- With its central position in Europe, Germany is an important transportation hub. This is reflected in its dense and modern transportation networks. Probably most famous is the extensive motorway (Autobahn) network that ranks worldwide third largest in its total length and features a lack of blanket speed limits on the majority of routes. Shipyard_at_dawn_by_le_feu.jpg Demand Conditions Porter argues that a sophisticated domestic market is an important element to producing competitiveness. Firms that face a sophisticated domestic market are likely to sell superior products because the market demands high quality and a close proximity to such consumers enables the firm to better understand the needs and desires of the customers. The issues that affect demand conditions: Sophisticated and demanding buyers The home market of the Germanys chemical product demand very high quality product. High Product Quality is the essential prerequisite for their business success. One guarantee is the global quality management system for AEROSIL ® products, which monitors and supports production. The Product Safety department maintains product registration and the supporting MSDS, safety-specific and toxicological data to ensure the safe and legal use of our products. Anticipatory buyers need German Chemical industries saw that their demand in the home market is enormous. They saw the scope for more demands in the other markets of the world. German chemical industry itself is in their different manufacturing units around the world. They are expanding their demand for chemical in the whole world. Related Supporting Industry Porter also argues that a set of strong related and supporting industries is important to the competitiveness of firms. This includes suppliers and related industries. German Chemical industry also needs to have close relationship, joint innovation with suppliers, complementary products, sharing same technology with their related and supported industries to sustain its competitive advantage. Close Relationshipasdf.jpg Evonik is an active partner of the most important transaction platforms in the chemical industry. In close cooperation with ELEMICA they have built up connections to their customers on the base of the ChemXML standards. ELEMICA is the platform for the raw material providers to the chemical industry and CC-Chemplorer, the purchasing platform for engineering goods and consumption material. VMI Vendor System VMI is a further step to improve customer convenience. Mostly with silos and tanks the supplier takes care that a customer never lacks raw material. Advanced sensor technology is capable to communicate directly with the ERP-system of the supplier. Together with their IT-partners they are prepared to design and implement the appropriate connection. Firms Strategy, Structure Rivalry In Porters study, it is found that the dynamism and pressure created by a vibrant local industry was perhaps the single most important stimulus to innovation and upgrading in an industry-a result that held independent of country size. Domestic rivalry provides an essential motivation for firms to make the investments and take the risks necessary to generate competitive advantage. Domestic rivalry is more important than competition with foreign firms because proximity speeds information and improves incentives to compete. Domestic competition negates basic factor advantages and forces firms to develop higher order (more sophisticated) and ultimately more sustainable advantages. In the chemical industry of Germany there exists an environment featuring a strong supply chain management, sophisticated demand from the domestic users, and an intensely competitive neighborhood with companies like BASF, Industries, Wacker Chemie. Sources of Creating Competitive Advantagesertyre.jpg It has gained competitive advantages due to several reasons and those are discussed below: New Technology Degussa invented the fumed silica in a substitute of carbon black. So AEROSIL ® has the competitive advantages as the inventor of fumed silica. Shifting Buyer Needs from Carbon Black to Fumed Silica As a replacement of carbon black, fumed silica has been used by the industries. The buyer needs had been shifted to the fumed silica from carbon black. Input Cost or Availability The raw materials needed for producing fumed silica is locally produced. Evonik is an active partner of the most important transaction platforms in the chemical industry. In close cooperation with ELEMICA they have built up connections to their customers on the base of the ChemXML standards. ELEMICA is the platform for the raw material providers to the chemical industry and CC-Chemplorer, the purchasing platform for engineering goods and consumption material. Strength_Is_Weakness_by_crazeemunkee0105.jpg SWOT Analysis A scan of the internal and external environment is an important part of the strtegic planning process. Environmental factors internal to the firm usually can be classified as strngths(S) or weakness(W), and those external to the firm can be classified as oppertunities (O), or threats(T). Such analysis of the strategic environment is refered to as a SWOT analysis. The strengths , weaknesses, opportunity and threats for AEROSIL ®: Strengths Evoniks strengths in producing AEROSIL ® fumed silica are its resources and capabilities that can be used as a basis for developing the competitive advantage. The strengths include: Patent Strong Brand Name- AEROSIL ® Good reputation among customers Exclusive access to the natural resources Extensive distribution channel Weakness The absence of certain strengths results in weaknesses for Evonik. As it enjoys an advantage of huge production capacity and a large manufacturing plant, but it may result into weakness as it employs a large pull of capital. It also prevents the firm from reacting quickly to the changes in strategic planning. Opportunity The external environmental analysis may reveal certain new opportunity for profit and growth. The opportunity for Evoniks AEROSIL ® fumed silica includes: Arrival of new technology from the continuous research Removal of international trade barriers Economic integrations Threats Changes in the external factors may result into threats for the firm and those are: Entry of new competitor Innovation of new substitute product werwer.jpg Pest Analysis PEST analysis stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and describes a framework of macro environmental factors used in the environmental scanning component of strategic management. It is a part of the external analysis when conducting a strategic analysis or doing market research and gives a certain overview of the different macro environmental factors that the company has to take into consideration. It is a useful strategic tool for understanding market growth or decline, business position, potential and direction for operations. The growing importance of environmental or ecological factors in the first decade of the 21st century have given rise to green business and encouraged widespread use of an updated version of the PEST framework. Political Analysis Political situation is a very significant external factor for the development of an industry. It is only through proper policies of the government added with incentives, subsidies and promotions that an industry can flourish. In Germany, government has taken several initiatives to promote the chemical industry. German chemical industry is doing very well in a global arena because they are getting support from their favorable government policies and terms conditions for increasing their productivity and constant innovativeness. Following reasons influence in this regard: Political stability Legal framework for contract enforcement Intellectual property protection Trade regulations tariffs Favored trading partners Pricing regulations Taxation tax rates and incentives Wage legislation minimum wage and overtime Economic Analysis The economic analysis is often used as a generic orientation tool, finding out where an organization or product is in the context of what is happening outside that will at some point effect what is happening inside an organization. The home economy situation is very vital to the growth of the industry. Economic factors affect the purchasing power of potential customers and the firms cost of capital. Germany is the largest national economy in Europe and the third largest by nominal GDP ($3.22 trillion) in the world and also ranked fifth by GDP. This is a very stable and favorable economic condition for a country to be internationally competitive. Following reasons influence in this regard: Government intervention in the free market Comparative advantages of host country Exchange rates stability of host country currency Efficiency of financial markets Infrastructure quality Skill level of workforce Economic growth rate Unemployment rate Inflation rate Interest rates Social Analysis The social analysis is used as a generic orientation tool, finding out where an organization or product is in the context of what is happening outside that will at some point effect what is happening inside an organization. The analysis headings are a framework for reviewing a situation, and can also be used to review a strategy or position, direction of a company. German Chemical industry always looks at the social factors to manufacture products. These factors affect customer needs and the size of potential markets. Some social factors include: health consciousness population growth rate age distribution career attitudes emphasis on safety Demographics Class structure Education Culture Attitudes Leisure interests Technology Analysis The technological analysis is often used within a strategic SWOT analysis. The technology analysis is often used as a generic orientation tool, finding out where an organization or product is in the context of what is happening outside that will at some point effect what is happening inside an organization. Technological factors can lower barriers to entry, reduce minimum efficient production levels, and influence outsourcing decisions German Chemical industry is doing well because their country has resources of high technology. Some technological factors include: Research Development (RD) activity automation technology incentives rate of technological change Recent technological developments Technologys impact on product offering Impact on cost structure Sustaining Competitive Advantagesustain.jpg As Evonik has created competitive advantages in producing AEROSIL ® fumed silica, it has quite a few factors to sustain competitive advantage. Nature of Sources of Competitive Advantage- Higher Order Advantage The advantages that Evonik possess for AEROSIL ® fumed silica is hard to replicate by the competitors. As Evonik possesses the exclusive right to produce AEROSIL ® fumed silica, no other can produce the exact fumed silica grades that we produce. Number of Distinct Sources of Advantages Extensive World Dealer Network Only AEROSIL ® products are offered from eight production sites distributed around the globe, supported by applied technology, research, commercial and technical service offices on three continents. This has established us as a committed service provider and competent advisor. AEROSIL ® production plants, technical service centers, research centers and commercial and technical service offices are located in Europe, North America and Asia with more than 100 sales offices in 95 countries to serve customworldwidehttp://www.aerosil.com/pub/NR/rdonlyres/2C62F50C-39FB-47B9-9F1F-82C9FAB46A6C/0/aerosilLocations.gif Brand Name AEROSIL ® has become the synonym for fumed silica. So, Evonik enjoys the strength from the brand name itself. Technical Service While typical inquiries can be answered by the local sales staff and distributors, a highly qualified technical consultancy service is also available to their customers. To this end, they support their customers by maintaining a network of experienced applied technology experts specialized in key industries on three continents. Constant Improvement Upgrading Research is the future. Or more precisely: Investment in the future. The work of scientists today forms the basis for the business successes of tomorrow. This principle is nothing new for AEROSIL ® products. It has been an established tradition for more than 60 years now. The outstanding research and development departments have made them one of the most frequently sought after contacts worldwide for the generation, modification and characterization of pyrogenic oxides, as well as for the performance effects they bring. 1941 Development of high-temperature hydrolysis for the production of pyrogenic silica 1942 Development of the first industrial production process in Rheinfelden, awarding of the first patent 1943 AEROSIL ® is registered as a trademark for Degussas pyrogenic silica 1953 Production of aluminum oxides using the AEROSIL ® method 1954 Production of pyrogenic titanium oxides 1963 Commercial production of the first hydrophobic types, AEROSIL ® R 972 and AEROSIL ® R 974 1986 Development of a further chemical after treatment technology; hydrophobizing method completed. AEROSIL ® R 805, R 812 and R 202 launched 1992 Launch of the first structure-modified hydrophobic product AEROSIL ® R 8200 First fully-integrated production location for AEROSIL ® in Waterford, USA. 32423.jpg Recommendation Evonik should not necessarily pursue the more lucrative opportunities; rather it may have a better chance of developing competitive advantages by identify a fit between strengths and upcoming opportunities. In order to overcome the threats from the external environment, it should get prepared itself to pursue a compelling opportunity. 2. Format and Style The format and style of the final report is similar to that required of a technical paper with the following requirement: Cover page Microsoft Office Word A4 page setup 1.5 line spacing Point 12 Times New Roman font 1 inch page margin

A Formalistic Analysis of The Fatal Sisters Essay -- The Fatal Sisters

A Formalistic Analysis of The Fatal Sisters  Ã‚      In â€Å"The Fatal Sisters† Thomas Gray has created a monologue pregnant with references to history, geography, and mythology. These reappearing references and allusions enrich the text, as they allow a closer look at the political situation surrounding eleventh century Britain.   The poems’ sixteen stanzas exhibit an ABAB rhyme scheme, which provides for systematic organization and positive aesthetic effects.   Closer examination of the setting, tone, and imagery of the poem permits insight into the text’s content and artistic genius. The setting for â€Å"The Fatal Sisters† is an eleventh century, war-ridden Ireland.   The nation’s fate appears to rest upon the shoulders of a few bloodthirsty monarchs who are entangled in a never-ending conflict.   Their massive armies wage battle after battle and therefore tint Britain’s outlook upon society and its future.   It is at such a troublesome time that twelve mysterious women are observed to â€Å"weave the web of war† and in such a way create the future of their nation.   This very day is ironically...

Economics and monopoly introduction Essay

Characteristics: Single seller: One firm produces all the output of a particular product No close substitutes: Product is unique and if consumers want to buy it they must buy from the monopolist. Price maker: Since the monopolist is the sole supplier of the product, it can change the price by changing output. The firm faces a downward sloping demand curve, so increasing output lowers the price, decreasing output increases the price. The firm will set a price that maximizes its profits. Blocked entry: Entry to the market is totally blocked, meaning the firm has no immediate competitors. Barriers to entry may be economies of scale, legal, technological or another type. Nonprice competition: Since it has no competitors a monopolist cannot compete on price. Therefore, to attract new consumers the firm must engage in non-price competition such as advertising and public relations campaigns to promote its product’s attributes. Examples of Monopolies? www. welkerswikinomics. com 3 Unit 2. 3. 3 Pure Monopoly Monopoly Demand as seen by a Monopolist. Three assumptions: 1) Entry is totally blocked 2) The monopolist is unregulated by any government so can charge whatever price it wants. 3) The firm is a single price seller. It sells all units of output at the same price. †¢ A monopolist faces a downward sloping Demand curve. The firm D curve is the market D curve! †¢ A monopolist can sell additional output only by lowering its price (due to the law of demand). †¢ A monopolist must lower the price of all of its output, not just the marginal units, since it is a single-price seller. †¢ As a result, as output increases, the firm’s marginal revenue falls faster than the price. www. welkerswikinomics. com 4 Unit 2. 3. 3 Pure Monopoly Monopoly Demand as seen by a Monopolist Demand and Marginal Revenue Q 0 1 P1 2 3 4 5 P2 6 7 8 9 P3 10 P 172 162 152 142 132 122 112 102 92 82 72 TR=PxQ) 0 162 304 426 528 610 672 714 736 738 720 Demand and MR for a Monopolist P MR=? TR/? Q P1 P2 P3 D=AR=P Q1 Q2 Q3 Q MR Based on the above graph, over which range of output would a monopolist NEVER produce? Why? What information is needed to determine the profit maximizing level of output for this monopolist? www. welkerswikinomics. com 5 Unit 2. 3. 3 Pure Monopoly Monopoly Demand as seen by a Monopolist Elasticity and the monopoly Demand curve: †¢ Identify the elastic range of the demand curve. †¢ Identify the inelastic range of the demand curve. P Demand and MR PED>1 P1 PED=1 Question: Why won’t a monopolist ever produce at a level of output where it is in the inelastic range of its demand curve?

Journal Writing in the Elementary Classroom

Journal Writing in the Elementary Classroom An effective Journal Writing program doesnt mean you just sit back and relax while your kids write about whatever they want. You can use well-chosen journal topics, classical music, and checklists to make the most of your students daily writing time. In my third grade classroom, students write in journals every day for about 20 minutes. Each day, after read-aloud time, the kids go back to their desks, pull out their journals, and start writing! By writing every day, the students gain fluency while getting a chance to practice important punctuation, spelling, and style skills in context. Most days, I give them a specific topic to write about. On Fridays, the students are so excited because they have free write, which means they get to write about whatever they want! Many teachers let their students write about whatever they want every day. But, in my experience, student writing can tend to get silly with a lack of focus. This way, students stay focused on a particular theme or topic. Journal Writing Tips To start, try this list of my favorite journal writing prompts. Engaging Topics I try to come up with interesting topics that are fun for the kids to write about. You can also try your local teacher supply store for topics or check out a kids books of questions. Just like adults, children are more likely to write in a lively and engaging manner if they are entertained by the topic. Play Music While the students are writing, I play soft classical music. Ive explained to the kids that classical music, especially Mozart, makes you smarter. So, every day, they want to be really quiet so that they can hear the music and get smarter! The music also sets a serious tone for productive, quality writing. Create a Checklist After each student finishes writing, he or she consults a small checklist that is pasted into the inside cover of the journal. The student makes sure that he or she has included all of the important elements for a journal entry. The kids know that, every so often, I will collect the journals and grade them on their latest entry. They dont know when I will collect them so they need to be on their toes. Writing Comments When I collect and grade the journals, I staple one of these small checklists to the corrected page so that the students can see which points they received and which areas need improvement. I also write a short note of comment and encouragement to each student, inside their journals, letting them know that I enjoyed their writing and to keep up the great work. Sharing Work During the last few minutes of Journal time, I ask for volunteers that would like to read their journals out loud to the class. This is a fun sharing time where the other students need to practice their listening skills. Often, they spontaneously start clapping when a classmate has written and shared something really special. As you can see, theres much more to Journal Writing than just setting your students loose with a blank pad of paper. With proper structure and inspiration, children will come to cherish this special writing time as one of their favorite times of the school day. Have fun with it! Edited By: Janelle Cox

Mary Osgood Biography

Mary Osgood Biography Known for:  accused of witchcraft, arrested and imprisoned in the 1692  Salem witch trials Age at time of Salem witch trials:  about 55 Dates:  about 1637 to October 27, 1710 Also known as: Mary Clements Osgood, Clements was also written as Clement Before the Salem Witch Trials We have little information other than basic civil records for Mary Osgood before 1692. She was born in in Warwickshire, England and came to Andover, Massachusetts province in about 1652. In 1653, she married John Osgood Sr. who had been born in Hampshire, England and arrived in Massachusetts about 1635.  John Osgood owned considerable land in Andover and was a successful husbandman. They had 13 children together: John Osgood Jr. (1654-1725), Mary Osgood Aslett (1656-1740), Timothy Osgood (1659-1748), Lydia Osgood Frye (1661-1741), Constable Peter Osgood (1663-1753), Samuel Osgood (1664-1717), Sarah Osgood (1667-1667), Mehitable Osgood Poor (1671-1752), Hannah Osgood (1674-1674), Sarah Osgood Perley (1675-1724), Ebenezer Osgood (1678-1680), Clarence Osgood (1678-1680), and Clements Osgood (1680-1680). Accused and Accuser Mary Osgood was one of a group of Andover women arrested in early September, 1692. According to a petition after the trials were over, two of the afflicted girls were summoned to Andover to diagnose an illness of Joseph Ballard and his wife.  Local residents, including Mary Osgood, were blindfolded and then made to lay hands on the afflicted. If the girls fell down in fits, they were arrested.  Mary Osgood, Martha Tyler, Deliverance Dane, Abigail Barker, Sarah Wilson, and Hannah Tyler were taken to Salem Village, immediately examined there, and pressured to confess.  Most did.  Mary Osgood confessed to afflicting Martha Sprague and Rose Foster as well as various other deeds. She implicated others including Goody Tyler (either Martha or Hannah), Deliverance Dane, and Goody Parker.  She also implicated Rev. Francis Dean who was never arrested. Motives for Her Arrest She was accused with a group of women from Andover. They may have been targeted because of their wealth, power, or success in town, or because of association with Rev. Francis Dane (his daughter-in-law Deliverance Dane was in the group arrested and examined together). Fight for Release Her son, Peter Osgood, was a constable who, with Mary’s husband, Captain John Osgood Sr., helped pursue her case and get her released. On October 6, John Osgood Sr. joined with Nathaniel Dane, husband of Deliverance Dane, to pay 500 pounds for the release of two children of Nathaniel’s sister, Abigail Dane Faulkner.  On October 15, John Osgood Sr. and John Bridges paid a bond of 500 pounds for the release of Mary Bridges Jr. In January, John Osgood Jr. joined again with John Bridges, paying a bond of 100 pounds, for release of Mary Bridges Sr. In a petition, undated but probably from January, more than 50 Andover neighbors signed on behalf of Mary Osgood, Eunice Fry, Deliverance Dane, Sarah Wilson Sr., and Abigail Barker, attesting to their likely innocence and their integrity and piety. The petition stressed that their confessions were made under pressure and were not to be trusted. In June of 1703, another petition was entered on behalf of Martha Osgood, Martha Tyler, Deliverance Dane, Abigail Barker, Sarah Wilson, and Hannah Tyler to gain their exoneration. After the Trials In 1702, Mary Osgood’s son, Samuel, married Deliverance Dane’s daughter Hannah. Marty was later released from jail, probably on bond, and died in 1710.

The Wolseley Restaurant Business Plan Case Study

The Wolseley Restaurant Business Plan - Case Study Example The Wolseley provides accessible and low-cost foods to customers with the best quality, delicious coffee-based products and also entertainment opportunities to the hundreds of people in the area and the visitors of the hotels which are in a five-mile radius distance of the restaurant. The Wolseley has established itself as one of the best choices of London residents and also for the tourists and the people cities who come from nearby cities. The Wolseley restaurant provides a "complete and best-quality" afternoon experience for people looking for something that will become popular among London diners in a short time. The caf has simple intent. It provides a completely pleasurable, fleshly, yet casual coffeehouse and/or eating experience for many people in London and the people from other cities or tourists.  Customer services: The customers spend their money to enjoy a good time. They would have a bad experience if the services are not of the highest quality. Each of the staffs at Wolseley is supposed to be gracious, effective, and thoughtful.Marketing strategy: The Wolseley targets its audience in many effective ways. The location of the restaurant is in an accessible area of the city but many customers will need to be familiar with the products and services offered at the Wolseley restaurant/caf. Management techniques: The Wolseley has a firm appreciation on food, drinks, and labor costs. The eating/amusement/coffee-house experience for customers is delivered to them in a state that will not only inspire them to visit the restaurant again but encourages marketing techniques such as word-of-mouth which is accomplished by recommendations of the products and services to other customers. In the Wolseley, a proper list of products, management of the staff and workers, and controlling the quality of products is a key issue. The Wolseley is a caf, a restaurant and a coffeehouse altogether that provides fair-priced and delicious foods to the customers. In the coffe e-house, customers can offer coffee and espresso-based drinks, shaved-ices, fruit flavored and/or juiced drinks, and other drinks that can be typically offered by a coffee shop.

A report to identify operational risk failures of the Fukushima Essay

A report to identify operational risk failures of the Fukushima nuclear disaster - Essay Example For the entire extensive fact, it offers what the report cannot completely convey - specifically to a worldwide onlookers - is the approach that reinforced the laxity behind this tragedy. What ought to be acknowledged - very excruciatingly - is that the disaster was "occasioned in Japan." Rendering to ICANPS website, its essential roots are to be established in the entrenched customs of Japanese ethnicity: their reflexive obedience, their hesitance to question authority, their devoutness to abiding with the schedule, their groupism, and their insularity. The TEPCO and government were unsuccessful in preventing the tragedy not because a big tsunami was unexpected, but since they were unwilling to invest effort, money and time in shielding against a natural tragedy reflected as unlikely. The regulatory and utility bodies were excessively self-assured that events a far from the latitude of their suppositions would not transpire and were not conscious that assesses to avoid the severest situation were truly full of cracks. TEPCO had actually pondered in on an assessment concerning earthquake threat and inquired the government to essentially underplay the probability of a tidal wave in the area, an interim report said. The board's report criticized an insufficient legal structure for nuclear disaster management, emergency-command confusion triggered by the TEPCO and government, and conceivable excess interfering on the involvement from prime minister's bureau in the initial phase of the predicament. The board settled that a background of complacency concerning nuclear welfare and poor disaster management steered towards the nuclear catastrophe. This was according to ICANPS official website. Japanese officials overlooked the threats of a nuclear calamity since they believed in the 'myth of atomic safety', such as the idea that serious calamities do not take place at nuclear-powered enclosures in Japan. The essential problem falls in the point that functionalities, to gether with TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power), and the regime failed to perceive the risk as reality. The interim report also articulated that TEPCO and the government believed the 'idea that severe misfortunes do not ensue at nuclear enclosures in their country'. "Since the administration and the energy utilities, as well as TEPCO, were prejudiced by the security myth, reasoning they would certainly not ever encounter such a severe calamity, they were notable to apprehend that such a catastrophe might occur in actuality. The panel declared in its concluding report that this seemed to remain as the essential problem. TEPCO therefore failed to warm up for sufficient tsunami safeguards or disaster management measures to cope with a base blackout. The board's report revealed that the Fukushima catastrophe arose because persons did not grasp the effect of natural cataclysms seriously. Yotaro Hatamura, an engineer professor at the University of Tokyo who oversaw the commission, expressed in a news session that even although there existed new discoveries about the threat of a tidal wave, TEPCO might not have seen it since people are visionless to anything they do not plan to see. This was according to Asian News International article. The board proposed that post-Fukushima protection steps put in place