Category: Uncategorized

Case Study:

Cindi Bigelow and the R.C. Bigelow tea company

(Author’s name)

(Institutional Affiliation)

Case Study Questions

What are the issues and problems that the company faces?

How do these issues and problems affect the company’s overall performance?

What are the possible solutions and alternatives for these problems?

Who will be responsible for implementing these solutions?

What are the consequences of implementing these solutions and alternative strategies for the company?

Summary

The R.C Bigelow Tea Company is a company located in Kentucky that specializes in the production and sale of tea products. Specifically, the company specializes in the blending and sales of both traditional black tea and herbal tea for its consumers. Accordingly, the company is well known in the food service industry, and for that reason, has a great market share, with most of its products being readily available in the market. As a family-owned business, the company has been and still is being run by the Bigelow family with Cindi Bigelow as the current chief operating officer. R.C Bigelow’s Tea Company’s operations are guided by four main principles including establishing strong relationships with both suppliers and consumers, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, as well as, ensuring the practice of corporate social responsibility. Evidently, these principles have successfully assisted the company in building and maintaining itself as a great brand in the market. These principles have also assured the company of competitive advantage in its industry, hence the success of the company.

Because of the changing trends in the industry, the company identified the need for new product development so as to keep up with the competition. Accordingly, based on an examination of the company’s customer base, the chief operating officer considered the introduction of new tea flavors as a way of attracting the younger customers. Accordingly, the older customer base is important to the company, and for that reason, still needs to be maintained even with the company’s entry into the younger customer base. However, a problem arises when the company discovers that the greatest majority of its home country’s population prefers ice tea to hot tea. Additionally, the younger customers that the company intends to attract will also take time to convince and influence into drinking hot tea, as opposed to, iced tea. This is because, the company had previously made wrong decisions regarding the production of ice teas, which in turn caused their iced tea products to fail in the market. Fundamentally, the company seeks to expand its market share to include the younger customers, as they believe that this will assure market growth for the company. This decision has come about because the company feels like the company is not experiencing growth with the current customer base, which is the older customers.

Issues and Problems

Upon a closer examination of the case study presented it is evident that the R.C Bigelow Tea Company faces two main problems. The first problem is the expansion of its market share in a bid to embrace the younger customer base, while still maintaining the older customer base. The second problem revolves around the introduction of new products, as well as, the need for product specification as a marketing strategy. At the outset, the company needs to maintain itself as a preferred brand in the market, as well as, promote the sale of its teas to consumers. In essence, the company has a superb customer base, which has been loyal to the company thus assuring its existence in the market. The older customer base, which is holds majority of the company’s market share, has allowed the company to grow and develop into what it is at the moment. For that reason, the company, even when developing new strategies for business, needs to ensure that they do not lose this customer base at all costs.

Because the company is aware of the needs of its older customer base, it has been able to provide these customers with the services they require accordingly. Evidently, the older customer base is more inclined to the hot teas, products that the company is comfortable and willing to provide to these customers at any time. This, has, in turn, compelled the company into providing hot teas as their key products. Accordingly, a problem arises when the company wishes to expand its customer base and bring in younger customers. This is because these two customer bases have different needs and requirements, and for that reason, the company will need to rethink their product strategy. As previously mentioned expanding the customer base causes a problem to the company, as it will force the company to rethink its strategies.

The company needs to devise products that are attractive to the younger customer base, which may be a difficult task, especially since the company deals with the production of tea. Fundamentally, the company wishes to attract customers between the ages 18 and 34, which is one of the most difficult customer bases to attract. The company deals with tea products, something that the younger customer base may not be willing to spend their money on. Accordingly, attracting the younger customer base may be tasking to the company, and for that reason, the company needs to invest heavily for the attainment of this. The second problem identified regards product specification. This problem is related to the first problem, as it revolves around the younger customer base that the company wishes to attain as a way of expanding their market share. As explained in the article, R.C Bigelow Tea Company is distinctively concentrated on the production of hot teas. The company also wishes to expand its customer base to encompass the younger customer base.

However, the younger customer base has been identified as preferring iced teas and other beverages, thus causing a problem for the company. Evidently, the company was slow in the diversification of their products to the production of ice teas. This implies that the company’s ice teas do not do well in the market as expected. This, in turn, causes problems to the company, as it cannot offer its potential younger market products that they inherently, prefer.

Alternative Courses of Action

Having established some of the problems faced by R.C. Tea Bigelow Tea Company, it is crucial that the company develop at least three alternatives and courses of action to help deal with these problems. These strategies will assist the company in achieving its goals and objectives regarding market growth, as well as, increasing its sales. Three main alternative courses of action have been identified including disregarding the younger customer base, changing the younger customer base’s perception of tea, and changing the company image.

Disregarding the Younger Customer Base

This alternative implies that the company will need to forgo their need for market share expansion. Instead, the company will focus its marketing and operational activities on the maintenance of the current customer base, which is women above 45. By disregarding the younger customer base, the company will escape the pressure and possible failure of expanding its market share. This will allow the company to specialize their products based on the needs of its current customer base, which is the older customer. The company will shape their products and services in such a way that they meet the needs of this group of people. The company will also discount the younger market as part of their market share, and will, therefore, not produce teas that are suitable for the younger market.

Changing the Younger Customer’s Perception Regarding Tea Consumption

The second alternative that the company may consider for their problems is changing the perception of tea consumption for the younger customers. This is directly aimed at the younger customers because they are the customer base that the company wishes to attain for the expansion of its market share. Changing the younger customer’s perception on tea consumption will allow the company to attain the market share that it requires for its growth and development. Changing the younger customer’s perception regarding tea consumption will demand that the company develop strategies to persuade the younger clients into taking hot tea, as opposed, to the iced teas and sodas. This will require a marketing campaign that is specifically fashioned for the younger generation to encourage this group to purchase the company’s hot tea products.

Changing the Company Image

Changing the company image is the last alternative to the problems faced by the company, and it is a business strategy that demands the company to change its representation in the market. This change of image may come in many forms including product diversification, and market stratification among other things. The company may also need to restructure its customer base as a strategy for changing its image in the industry. The decision, in such a case, will be that of the company, and it will be dependent on what the company feels will be most advantageous to it. Changing the company image will demand that the company also changes some of its business and operational strategies, and for that reason, demands a lot of investments from the company.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The three alternatives presented above will have a great impact on the company, as well as, its activities in the industry. The impacts of these alternatives are both positive and negative and for that reason, need a careful analysis so as to determine which alternative is the best choice in such a case. In relation to the alternative of disregarding the younger customer base as part of the company’s market share, the advantages and disadvantages are largely related to its effects on the company’s market growth. As an advantage to the company, disregarding the younger customer base will not assure the company of growth and development in the industry. This implies stagnant movement in market growth as the company will be solely focused on sustaining its current market customer base. This alternative may also be advantageous o the company because, it allows the company to focus on one particular customer base, and establish this customer base as a stronghold for the company’s business operations. Focusing on one particular customer base will fortify the company’s strength with the existing customer base, thus assuring the company of a strong market share with this customer base.

In relation to changing the younger customer’s perception regarding the consumption of tea, the advantages are more than the disadvantages. Accordingly, this strategy allows the company to expand its market share, hence growth in its respective industry. This is because this strategy compels the customers into purchasing and consuming the company’s products and services. This, in turn, implies an expansion in the customer base, thus an increase of the market share in the industry. This further assures the company of an increase in business activities, hence more sales for the company and an increase in profit for the company. The only disadvantage of this alternative is that it requires a lot of investment by the company. The company will need to invest almost all its resources, so as to, assure the company of the achievement of the intended goal of the alternative. For that reason, if the company suffers from a financial deficit, then there is a possibility that this alternative will not achieve its intended purposes. In addition to this, this alternative risks the possibility of failure, especially of the company fails to persuade the younger consumers into tea consumption. Failing to convince the younger customer base will not assure the company of attaining the large market share that it intends to attain.

The last alternative identified is the change of company image, so as to suit the changing trends in the industry and market. This alternative will also allow the company to reestablish itself in the market, as a way of increasing its market share and reaching out to the younger customer base. The advantage of this alternative is that it allows the company to look into strategies that it would not implement on a normal basis, thus allowing the company to exercise new strategies for its business operations. Further, this alternative allows the company to keep up with the changing trends in the industry, hence the possibility of success. This alternative may pose a disadvantage to the company owing to the possibility of failure and the dilution of the company’s brand. For this alternative to succeed, there is need for the company to invest heavily, which may be complicated if the company does not have the necessary resources to achieve this. This alternative may also be disadvantageous to the company, as it will force the company into dilution. This is because the company will be forced into changing some of its activities and strategies, most of which constitute the company’s brand image. Branding is important for companies, and losing one’s brand may also imply the loss of its market share in the industry.

Solution

On a closer examination of the alternatives presented, as well as, their specific advantages and disadvantages, it is clear that some solutions are far much better than others. Evidently, the decision to change the younger customers’ perspectives regarding the consumption of tea would be the most applicable solution to the problem faced by R.C Bigelow Tea Company. This is because the company wishes to expand its market share so as to cover the younger customer base that the company is currently lacking. The other two alternatives do not match up with the company’s overall goals and objectives regarding the attainment of a larger market share for the company. Changing the customers’ perception regarding tea consumption demands a number of activities by the company. These activities include marketing activities for the company, as well as, the products and services it offers, and the benefits of these to the company. As mentioned in the case study, the younger customer base are not much of tea drinkers, and for that reason, may require an immense amount of persuasion regarding the consumption of tea. If R.C Bigelow Tea Company manages to persuade the younger customers into consuming tea, especially tea products from the company, then there is the possibility of the company increasing its customer base accordingly.

Rationale

Apart from the obvious advantages of this alternative for the company, changing the younger customers’ perception regarding tea consumption allows the company to rebrand itself in the market. Branding is a key ingredient for the success of business organizations, and for that reason, needs to be considered accordingly when developing business strategies. Changing people’s perception on tea consumption will assure the company of the opportunity to rebrand itself in its respective industry. This is because the processes involved in changing customer perception require that the company come into contact with the customers with which it wishes to attain. As previously mentioned, changing customer perception demands increased marketing activities, which may creating awareness on the importance of tea consumption, as opposed to, other drinking items. This alternative will also allow the company to expand its market share as is wishes to, and this will increase its sales, as well as, increase its profits. Changing the perception of younger customers on the consumption of tea will also help in gaining a larger customer base for the tea industry as a whole. This is because more consumers will be encouraged into tea consumption, which would in turn increase the sales of tea products in the industry. Persuading the younger consumers into tea consumption will assure vigor and vitality of the industry, thus keeping companies such as the R.C Bigelow Tea Company in business.

Lessons Learnt

The case study on R.C. Bigelow Tea Company exposes individuals to some of the problems that businesses face during their business life cycle. This case study also presents the solutions to these problems, as well as, their advantages and disadvantages. The case study allows individuals to understand some business principles and their application and practicability. At the outset, the case study allows students to understand the amount of work that goes into decision making in businesses and organizations. Through this case study, individuals are exposed to some of the problems that face decision makers in the business organization. Additionally, the case study also allows students to comprehend some of the negative impacts of making wrong decisions regarding the organization and its activities. This is clearly indicated in R.C Bigelow Tea Company’s decision regarding ice teas. On top of creating awareness on the importance of decision making on the organizational setting, the case study also exposes students to the significance of developing proper business strategies. With this, students have the ability to comprehend some of the strategies that a business can opt for in relation to expanding their market share, as well as, product specification. Information provided in the case study, as well as, some of the solutions suggested allows students to, deeply, understand the management process and the key concepts involved in this.

BSN355 Capstone Project Proposal Plan

What is the project question (PICOT)? In other words what are you ultimately trying to figure out? Address in P-I-C-O-T format first; then a narrative description.

My target group are patient with COPD. Prevent being hospitalized by managing their COPD at home, through clinic visit and frequent assessment if their medications are being effective.

I will compare my project from the previous (last quarter) hospital admission for patient with COPD.

My expectation from this project is to prevent or lower the readmission rate of patient with chronic COPD in the hospital.

My time frame is withing 90 days of the implementation. And see the readmission rate will go down with COPDs

What is the title of your project? Be specific and concise.

How to prevent hospital readmissions with COPD patient

Who will benefit from your project?

Chronic COPD patient

Where are the people located that will benefit from your project?

Marin county in California.

What date do you plan on implementing your project? If you plan to implement this in BSN485, please specify that here.

I am planning to start this project within 30 days of the proposal.

How long will your project take? Clarify the difference as compared to the project timeframe in your PICOT question.

My timeframe for this project is 90 days.

Budget requirements of your project (how much money will it take to implement your project)? Please note that this is a proposal; you will not fund this project.

Projected budget is around $10,000 to buy teaching supplies such as Nebulizer machine, Aerobika, Icentive spirometer. Sample inhalers to teach how to properly use a inhalers.

Why did you decide to do this project?

I currently work in Pulmonary clinic in San Rafael, Ca. Most of are patient has COPD. And currently the admission rate for COPD patient in our hospital is high

What do you hope to achieve by doing this project?

Our patient can able to manage their COPD at home and through clinic visit. Less hospitalization and admission in the hospital.

What do you need to help you complete this project? Examples may include supplies, Facility/Administration support, etc.

I need admin support, probably one nurse to teach patient how to properly use their inhalers, a respiratory therapist to help teach pulmonary hygiene and perform pulmonary function test. A nebulizer machine to show the patient how to use it, a Aerobika, and Incentive spirometer and sample inhalers for teaching.

Will your project have long-term effects? If so, what are they? If none. Why not?

It will have a long-term effect. By managing their symptoms at home, it will help them to be hospitalize and admission rate will go down.

Will the project be sustainable? If so, how will you sustain the project?

How will your project be evaluated?

My project can be sustainable if patient is being cooperative about their treatment plan.

My project can be evaluated by checking the hospital admission rate for patient with COPD.

Are there any risks associated with the project?

Yes. Patient may not be compliant with their treatment plan given by our Pulmonologist.

Is there anything that may prevent your project from succeeding? If so, what?

Yes. If management cannot grant the teaching equipment that are needed. If patient will not be compliant with their treatment.

Budget Transparency

Student’s Name

Department of affiliation

Course

Professor

Date

Budget Transparency

Budget transparency is one of the financial processes where the government or private bodies disclose all the necessary financial information in a systematic and timely manner. Budget transparency requires that all the stakeholders are involved during the budgeting process to foster transparency and eliminate the issues of corruption and improve on accountability. It also allows the stakeholders to contribute their views on how the money can be used. One of the issues that is clearly evident in the case of American Library Association is the lack of budget transparency in the body. The leadership of the organization made decisions that impacted the financial status of the organization thus creating enormous deficit. When members of the ALA met during their Midwinter meeting, the primary objective was to discuss issues of governance within the body. However, this did not happen because of financial issues that came up during the meeting.

The American Library Association was operating on a deficit of two million dollars and this came as a surprise to the stakeholders. What is clear from this meeting is that most of the stakeholders were not aware that the ALA was operating on a deficit. This shows the inadequacies from the management who were not transparent on the budgeting process of the organization’s funds. Another effect of budget transparency that came out during the meeting is the sale of the organization’s headquarters. The members from various divisions were surprised to learn that the proceeds of the sale of the organization’s headquarters had been placed into the endowment despite the shortfall on the operating funds in the organization. This is another case of lack of transparency from the organization’s management. According to Schwartz (2020), “Brown acknowledged “significant unplanned deficits” and “significant missteps,” and committed to “better communication” and “repairing trust.” Brown’s admission of significant unplanned deficits demonstrates a lack of budget transparency in the American Library Association and this is the major cause of the deficits experienced in the organization.

Budget transparency is one of the leading causes of better budgetary outcomes. Budget transparency is often facilitated by the people in leadership positions in organizations. These are the people who determine the outcome of a budget. Poor leadership during the budgetary process affects the financial status of organizations and can lead to financial deficit as depicted by the financial crisis in the American Library Association. As noted by American Library Association leadership in their response to the Midwinter meeting that ended with frustration from members, “ALA policy, divisions and other units are expected to be strong, strategic stewards of their funds and provide fiduciary oversight” (ALA, 2020). ALA leadership acknowledged in their response that Divisions and other stakeholders should play an oversight role in ensuring that there is transparency on how finances in the organization are utilized. However, it is clear from the Midwinter meeting that there is a lot of financial information that was not shared by the management of the ALA and this resulted in a deficit that affected the operations of the organization. Therefore, leaders play a critical role in ensuring that there is transparency during the budgeting process in organizations.

References

American Library Association. (2020, February 14). ALA responds to financial situation [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/02/ala-responds-financial-situation

Schwartz, M. (2020, February 7). American Library Association’s $2 million shortfall prompts demands for transparency, reform. Retrieved February 13, 2020, from Library Journal website:

https://www.libraryjournal.com?detailStory=American-Library-Associations-2-Million-Shortfall-Prompts-Demands-for-Transparency-Reform-ALA-Midwinter-2020

Abortion and Why it should not be Illegal.

Student’s Name:

Course:

Date:

The concept of abortion has been one of the primary and controversial matters as it has been the leading cause of substantial debates for a long time. It is with no doubt that people have distinct points of view on whether abortion should be illegal or not. These distinct perspectives have further complicated the topic of abortion, given the fact that those who are against legalizing abortion are more concerned about the new life. On the other hand, individuals who support legalizing abortion are more concerned about the welfare of the woman who is pregnant, and under different circumstances, she is not mentally, physically, or emotionally ready to care for a baby. There are different perspectives on why abortion should not be illegal. The primary central populations of concerns are rape victims and individuals who are victims of unplanned pregnancies. These two populations are more likely to be affected by different angles if abortion is illegal. Abortion should be legal to rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies to ensure their mental well-being, minimize the number of unsafe abortions, and reduce the likelihood of these women falling under the poverty line and becoming drug addicts.

Abortion should be made legal for rape victims and individuals with unwanted pregnancies to ensure their mental well-being. Firstly, it is highly critical to acknowledge the fact that women who get raped are victims in their circumstance. Rape is not only physical abuse but also a mental abuse situation. A majority of rape victims frequently undergo psychological issues such as depression. Therefore, it would be morally wrong to force a rape victim to keep a pregnancy that resulted from her rape. Pregnancy will only elevate their anxiety and depression since it will be a burden that reminds them of the sexual assault that they went through. In some cases, pregnant rape victims end up committing suicide if denied the chance to have an abortion. Therefore, it is only reasonable that rape victims are allowed to have an abortion as this would ensure that they recover both physically, and mentally.

Secondly, in most cases, unplanned pregnancies are a result of failed pregnancy prevention methods such as condoms which are not 100% effective. When women state that she has an unplanned pregnancy, it does not necessarily mean that she simply does not want the baby. These women might not be ready emotionally, mentally, or financially to take care of a baby. Forcing these women to keep their pregnancies to term will only assert pressure on their mental health, and this might result in depression. Henceforth, to ensure a healthy mental well being for rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies, abortion should not be illegal (Bridges, 2013).

Illegalizing abortion does not stop abortion, and it only forces rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies to resort to unsafe abortions from unqualified medical personnel. Unsafe abortion is dangerous as it has adverse effects. A majority of rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies will go out of their way to ensure that they have an unsafe abortion. Unfortunately, there are some unqualified medical personnel who will take advantage of these women’s vulnerability by promising them that they will take them through the process if they get paid. The dire need for unsafe abortion of these rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies eventually forces them to procure an unsafe abortion regardless of the safety and consequences.

Unsafe abortions have a wide range of adverse effects as they reduce the life quality, well-being of those affected, and in some cases, these women might experience life-threatening complications. The difficulties could be infections, hemorrhage, and injuries to internal body organs. Other critical complications include incomplete abortions that require further treatment, uterine perforation. These complications could lead to disabilities and even deaths (Shahbazi, 2012). As a result, the affected women, families, and health system spend a lot of finances to treat the complications that result from unsafe abortions. The government spends millions of dollars on treating complications that arise from unsafe abortions (Vlassoff, Shearer, Walker & Lucas, 2008). Therefore, making abortion illegal will socially and economically affect this population.

Denying abortion to rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies results increases poverty levels as these women are more likely to fall under the poverty line. Unintended pregnancies are known to prevent these women from completing their education and building successful careers, given the fact that denial to abortion results in psychological conditions such as depression. These mental conditions prevent these women from securing stable employment opportunities, and most of them live from paycheck to paycheck as they are unemployed (Foster et al., 2018).

The poverty levels and depression potentially force these women to seek solace elsewhere by becoming drug users. Drug addiction and poverty are yet other critical issues that result when rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies are denied abortions. As a result, the unwanted children become victims as they end up lacking a stable support family system, a good education, and generally a successful future. These children are more likely to become drug addicts and criminals in the future based on the kind of environment that they are raised in (Roberts, Rocca & Foster, 2014). Denying these women abortions prevents them from completing their education or build their careers; henceforth a majority of them end up below the poverty line, and this forces them to become drug addicts. It is therefore evident that making abortion illegal not only affects rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies but also the society as a whole.

Individuals who oppose the legalization of abortion have presented some alternatives to help minimize abortion and unwanted pregnancies. Based on their arguments, abortions could be reduced by minimizing the rates at which women get unwanted pregnancies. It is with no doubt that approximately half of all pregnancies are usually unintended and half of these unintended pregnancies result into abortion. The first way that could reduce abortions by preventing unwanted pregnancies is through the introduction of comprehensive sexual education in schools and to the community. This comprehensive sexual education is meant to provide individuals with critical information regarding the use of contraception and abstinence. With regards to the use of contraception, these opponents claim that easy access to contraceptives and pregnancy prevention procedures will reduce unwanted pregnancies, and this will minimize the need for abortions.

Abortion

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Department of affiliation

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Abortion

Introduction

Abortion is described as a deliberate termination of a human pregnancy before its eventual maturity to term. A greater debate has arisen on what the moral standpoint on abortion should be with a divide on one side to make it pro-choice for only the mother to decide and another side greatly determined on a pro-life kind of situation that advocates that life should never be another human beings option to take regardless of the circumstances the mother got pregnant through.

Balkin, J. M. (2007). Abortion and original meaning. Const. Comment., 24, 291.

According to this article, the author gives us a brief example of John hart Ely’s remark that stated that if a principle that is used to justify a constitutional right lacks a connection with any constitutional value then it, in turn, is not a principle and thus the court has no right imposing it. The argument imposed here is that the founding father`s document in no way meant to protect any form of abortion rights or right of privacy and thus any supporters of abortion rights have set themselves apart from the constitution and the governing document of the country.

The document in question strikes a portrayal in that abortion is immoral and a un unjustifiable act in which no moral equivalence for its justification exists. It uses a preexisting argument to show us this by justifying that no law at all supports the termination of a child.

Sheldon, S. (1997). Beyond control: Medical power and abortion law.

This law takes into account that society as a whole has recognized abortion as a primarily medical issue and thus the author looks into the historical cause and effect of the medicalization of abortion with a key focus on how the law has played in this process. By setting his sight in past British law that pertains to abortion the author looks for any resemblance of past laws to current laws of abortion in the 21st century.

The concluding remark is how the advancement in medical technology in the 21st century has created a good enough atmosphere to easily allow for practices such as abortion to occur. This rise in technology begs an idea on how we should look at abortion today as compared to abortion in the past century in which such advancements were nonexistent.

Boonin, D. (2003). A defense of abortion. Cambridge University Press.

In this book, the author acknowledges just how hard the conversation of abortion is. The key reason as to why this conversation is hard is because of just how difficult it is to understand the various relationships in place, case in point is the one between the fetus and the mother and one between the fetus and normal individuals. This is considered an avoidable debate on who in general is right and who is more logically moral but the author sees this as a false way to look at the situation.

In the author’s frame, it is not possible to debate this issue rationally since they all share a given view from their perspective on the issue, their opposite viewpoint of the world will in no way allow them to see the issue from one point view.

Marquis, D. (1989). Why abortion is immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 86(4), 183-202.

This essay in general calls into question the morality associated with letting the act of abortion continue by undermining the belief anti-abortion position is an irrational religious dogma or conclusion of an otherwise confused philosophical argument. The author`s argument centers on the fact that the act of abortion is equal to killing a human being based on logical arguments drawn not from his point of view but also from other authors’ points of view such as Joel Feinberg and Mary Anne Warren. The essay in detail does not in any way look into the various cases that may lead to the pregnancy of an individual such as rape or in incidences in which the life of the mother might be threatened its main goal was to develop an argument for the claim that the overwhelming majority of deliberate abortions are seriously immoral.

The author concludes that there is no moral reasoning for the taking of life even if it’s a fetus and that morality and life should be held above all else.

Luker, K. (1985). Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood. University of California Press.

The author here draws on past data from more than twenty or so years of public documents and newspaper accounts as well as interviews with people from both parts of the aisle on the pro-life side and pro-choice side. Her final concluding remarks is that the moral position on abortion is tied to views on care of children, technology, family, and sexual behavior.

Drawing on the author’s conclusion we finally see that abortion is s debate that draws its conclusion from different fields. By gathering different groups to contest their opinion we see that the issue is not clearly understood and that different people draw a different viewpoint on abortion based on the various moral positions they wish to protect.

Warren, M. A. (1973). On the moral and legal status of abortion. The Monist, 57(1), 43-61.

The author of this book generally concerns herself with the moral status of abortion which she describes as pregnancy termination and the legal status that is appropriate to allow for such an act. The author argues that there is not any satisfactory defense for a woman`s right to obtain an abortion without showing that the fetus is not a human being and thus concludes that the difficulties involved in determining whether or not a fetus is human to make it impossible to produce a satisfactory solution to the problem of morality. Taking into account the logic in place that ascertains that the fetus is not a person the author implies that it is thus not an entity that can be granted full moral rights.

Although the author draws a moral status to abortion a legal definition is not implied because in her opinion the logic standpoint is only understood if everyone can agree that a fetus is not necessarily a human being.

Sanger, C. (2018). About abortion. Harvard University Press.

Understanding fully well that abortion is a contentious issue in America the author laments on just how politicized that something so private to an individual could be seen as an act of selfishness in which a woman puts their self-interest above those of the fetus. The author highlights the difference between abortion privacy and abortion secrecy to greatly show the level of hostility and stigma that has silenced other women`s ability to talk about abortion in an otherwise distorted political setting that in no way benefits the woman. By uncovering new connections between abortion law and American culture and politics the author takes the prejudicial view of women`s abortion decisions into a new light about current times.

The book shows that only by talking and discussing the topic of abortion especially amongst women can there be greater transparency and acceptance to ensure that prospective mothers will be treated more like adults making their own significant personal life choices as it relates to them as individuals.

Brodie, J. M., Gavigan, S. A., & Jenson, J. (1992). The politics of abortion. Oxford University Press.

This work looks through the integration of new political, constitutional, and legislative viewpoints on the abortion issue by clearly looking into the evolution of abortion policy in Canada. The book analyzes the abortion saga in Canada to debate new legislation in 1990.

By taking into account Canada as a case study we see how a country like America or Ireland may be affected greatly by their abortion laws. A clear means of understanding how to go about abortion laws is required by any major country and only by acquiring data a looking into the political laws can we at least achieve this.

Adler, N. E., David, H. P., Major, B. N., Roth, S. H., Russo, N. F., & Wyatt, G. E. (1992). Psychological factors in abortion: A review. American Psychologist, 47(10), 1194.

This article notes down the involvement of various organizations such as the APA and thus gives us a panel conclusion of evidence that abortion is not likely to be followed by severe psychological responses and that psychological aspects are best understood within a framework of stress and coping rather than a model of psychology. It implies that there are more negative responses following abortion than previously known.

Although abortion is a hot topic issue that may generally be frond upon the article in question looked at just how massively a key this overlooked just like the status of the woman getting the abortion. The end concluding remark was that although there is no psychological factor that happens to the mother after abortion, there are other factors to be considered that greatly affected those who have had abortions.

References

Adler, N. E., David, H. P., Major, B. N., Roth, S. H., Russo, N. F., & Wyatt, G. E. (1992). Psychological factors in abortion: A review. American Psychologist, 47(10), 1194.

Balkin, J. M. (2007). Abortion and original meaning. Const. Comment., 24, 291

Boonin, D. (2003). A defense of abortion. Cambridge University Press.

Brodie, J. M., Gavigan, S. A., & Jenson, J. (1992). The politics of abortion. Oxford University Press.

Luker, K. (1985). Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood. University of California Press.

Marquis, D. (1989). Why abortion is immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 86(4), 183-202.

Sanger, C. (2018). About abortion. Harvard University Press.

Sheldon, S. (1997). Beyond control: Medical power and abortion law.

Warren, M. A. (1973). On the moral and legal status of abortion. The Monist, 57(1), 43-61.

BSN355 Capstone Project Proposal Plan

What is the project question (PICOT)? In other words what are you ultimately trying to figure out? Address in P-I-C-O-T format first; then a narrative description.

My target group are patient with COPD. Prevent being hospitalized by managing their COPD at home, through clinic visit and frequent assessment if their medications are being effective.

I will compare my project from the previous (last quarter) hospital admission for patient with COPD.

My expectation from this project is to prevent or lower the readmission rate of patient with chronic COPD in the hospital.

My time frame is withing 90 days of the implementation. And see the readmission rate will go down with COPDs

What is the title of your project? Be specific and concise.

How to prevent hospital readmissions with COPD patient

Who will benefit from your project?

Chronic COPD patient

Where are the people located that will benefit from your project?

Marin county in California.

What date do you plan on implementing your project? If you plan to implement this in BSN485, please specify that here.

I am planning to start this project within 30 days of the proposal.

How long will your project take? Clarify the difference as compared to the project timeframe in your PICOT question.

My timeframe for this project is 90 days.

Budget requirements of your project (how much money will it take to implement your project)? Please note that this is a proposal; you will not fund this project.

Projected budget is around $10,000 to buy teaching supplies such as Nebulizer machine, Aerobika, Icentive spirometer. Sample inhalers to teach how to properly use a inhalers.

Why did you decide to do this project?

I currently work in Pulmonary clinic in San Rafael, Ca. Most of are patient has COPD. And currently the admission rate for COPD patient in our hospital is high

What do you hope to achieve by doing this project?

Our patient can able to manage their COPD at home and through clinic visit. Less hospitalization and admission in the hospital.

What do you need to help you complete this project? Examples may include supplies, Facility/Administration support, etc.

I need admin support, probably one nurse to teach patient how to properly use their inhalers, a respiratory therapist to help teach pulmonary hygiene and perform pulmonary function test. A nebulizer machine to show the patient how to use it, a Aerobika, and Incentive spirometer and sample inhalers for teaching.

Will your project have long-term effects? If so, what are they? If none. Why not?

It will have a long-term effect. By managing their symptoms at home, it will help them to be hospitalize and admission rate will go down.

Will the project be sustainable? If so, how will you sustain the project?

How will your project be evaluated?

My project can be sustainable if patient is being cooperative about their treatment plan.

My project can be evaluated by checking the hospital admission rate for patient with COPD.

Are there any risks associated with the project?

Yes. Patient may not be compliant with their treatment plan given by our Pulmonologist.

Is there anything that may prevent your project from succeeding? If so, what?

Yes. If management cannot grant the teaching equipment that are needed. If patient will not be compliant with their treatment.

Abortion and Why it should not be Illegal

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Abortion and Why it should not be Illegal

The concept of abortion has been one of the primary and controversial matters as it has been the leading cause of substantial debates for a long time. It is with no doubt that people have distinct points of view on whether abortion should be illegal or not. These distinct perspectives have further complicated the topic of abortion, given the fact that those who are against legalizing abortion are more concerned about new life. On the other hand, individuals who support legalization of abortion are more concerned about the welfare of the woman who is pregnant, and under different circumstances, she is not mentally, physically, or emotionally ready to care for a baby. There are different perspectives on why abortion should not be illegal. The primary central populations of concerns are rape victims and individuals who are victims of unplanned pregnancies. These two populations are more likely to be affected by different angles if abortion is illegal. Abortion should be legal to rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies to ensure their mental well-being, minimize the number of unsafe abortions, and reduce the likelihood of these women falling under the poverty line and becoming drug addicts.

Abortion should be made legal for rape victims and individuals with unwanted pregnancies to ensure their mental well-being. First, it is highly critical to acknowledge the fact that women who get raped are victims in their circumstance. Rape is not only physical abuse but also a mental abuse situation. A majority of rape victims frequently undergo psychological issues such as depression. Therefore, it would be morally wrong to force a rape victim to keep a pregnancy that resulted from her rape. Pregnancy will only elevate their anxiety and depression since it will be a burden that reminds them of the sexual assault that they went through. In some cases, pregnant rape victims end up committing suicide if denied the chance to have an abortion. Therefore, it is only reasonable that rape victims are allowed to have an abortion as this would ensure that they recover both physically, and mentally.

Second, in most cases, unplanned pregnancies are a result of failed pregnancy prevention methods such as condoms which are not 100% effective. When a woman states that she has an unplanned pregnancy, it does not necessarily mean that she simply does not want the baby. These women might not be ready emotionally, mentally, or financially to take care of a baby. Forcing these women to keep their pregnancies to term will only assert pressure on their mental health, and this might result in depression. Henceforth, to ensure a healthy mental well-being for rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies, abortion should not be illegal (Bridges, 2013).

Illegalizing abortion does not stop abortion, and it only forces rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies to resort to unsafe abortions from unqualified medical personnel. Unsafe abortion is dangerous as it has adverse effects. A majority of rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies will go out of their way to ensure that they have an unsafe abortion. Unfortunately, there are some unqualified medical personnel who will take advantage of these women’s vulnerability by promising them that they will take them through the process if they get paid. The dire need for unsafe abortion of these rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies eventually forces them to procure an unsafe abortion regardless of the safety and consequences.

Unsafe abortions have a wide range of adverse effects as they reduce the life quality, well-being of those affected, and in some cases, these women might experience life-threatening complications. The difficulties could be infections, hemorrhage, and injuries to internal body organs. Other critical complications include incomplete abortions that require further treatment, uterine perforation. These complications could lead to disabilities and even deaths (Shahbazi, 2012). As a result, the affected women, families, and health system spend a lot of finances to treat the complications that result from unsafe abortions. The government spends millions of dollars on treating complications that arise from unsafe abortions (Vlassoff, Shearer, Walker & Lucas, 2008). Therefore, making abortion illegal will socially and economically affect this population.

Denying abortion to rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies results in increased poverty levels as these women are more likely to fall under the poverty line. Unintended pregnancies are known to prevent these women from completing their education and building successful careers, given the fact that denial to abortion results in psychological conditions such as depression. These mental conditions prevent these women from securing stable employment opportunities, and most of them live from paycheck to paycheck as they are unemployed (Foster et al., 2018).

The poverty levels and depression potentially force these women to seek solace elsewhere by becoming drug users. Drug addiction and poverty are yet other critical issues that result when rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies are denied abortions. As a result, unwanted children become victims as they end up lacking a stable support family system, a good education, and generally a successful future. These children are more likely to become drug addicts and criminals in the future based on the kind of environment that they are raised in (Roberts, Rocca & Foster, 2014). Denying these women abortions prevents them from completing their education or build their careers; henceforth a majority of them end up below the poverty line, and this forces them to become drug addicts. It is therefore evident that making abortion illegal not only affects rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies but also the society as a whole.

Individuals who oppose the legalization of abortion have presented some alternatives to help minimize abortion and unwanted pregnancies. Based on their arguments, abortions could be reduced by minimizing the rates at which women get unwanted pregnancies. It is with no doubt that approximately half of all pregnancies are usually unintended and half of these unintended pregnancies result into abortion. The first way that could reduce abortions by preventing unwanted pregnancies is through the introduction of comprehensive sexual education in schools and to the community. This comprehensive sexual education is meant to provide individuals with critical information regarding the use of contraception and abstinence. With regards to the use of contraception, these opponents claim that easy access to contraceptives and pregnancy prevention procedures will reduce unwanted pregnancies, and this will minimize the need for abortions.

Also, women are encouraged to practice safe sex with the use of condoms to prevent themselves from being in situations where they have unintended pregnancies. Another way of reducing abortions is to establish financial organizations that could play a significant role in the lives of rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies. These organizations could ensure that these women are financially capable of carrying their pregnancies to term and be financially capable of taking care of the baby after birth and through its childhood (Thomas, 2012). In other words, these individuals who support the illegalization of abortion believe that the use of contraceptives and other pregnancy prevention methods are practical solutions to unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

Despite the presented current solutions to abortion and unwanted pregnancies, the methods suggested are not thoroughly practical and effective. First and foremost, unintended pregnancies cannot be eliminated using the proposed prevention methods given the fact that just like human beings, these methods of birth control such as the use of contraceptives and condoms are fallible. These unintended pregnancy prevention methods are not 100% fully effective and practical; henceforth, they cannot guarantee the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

In addition to that, the establishment of financial organizations for pregnant and rape victims does not cater to women who are neither mentally nor emotionally ready to carry their pregnancy to term. Financial constraints are not the only reasons as to why women decide to have abortions, and sometimes, they are not emotionally prepared to have a baby. Therefore forcing these emotionally unprepared women to have babies will result in resentment and neglect of the babies.

Also, the proposed solutions to abortion and unwanted pregnancies are not inclusive to rape victims. Rape is an unfortunate incident that could happen to any woman at any time regardless of the age, place, or situation. Being raped is already traumatic for any woman; therefore, there is not a justifiable reason to why rape victims should be denied abortions. Henceforth, the current solutions to abortion and unwanted pregnancies because they are inevitable. The proposed methods do not cater to women who are neither mentally nor emotionally ready to carry their pregnancy to term, and they do not consider the emotional state of rape victims.

The current solutions to abortion and unwanted pregnancies; however, there are better solutions that could play a significant role in the controversial issue of abortion and unwanted pregnancies. To begin with, in the case of rape victims, the first way to prevent unwanted pregnancies would be the encouragement of rape victims to seek immediate medical attention after their assault incident. This immediate medical attention is a critical element in minimizing the chances of pregnancy.

In cases where the rape victims end up getting pregnant, they should be allowed to undergo an abortion. An abortion by rape victims is justifiable as it protects both their physical and mental wee-being. Legalizing abortion would also give these rape victims a chance to heal emotionally as they will not be burdened with a pregnancy that constantly reminds them of their sexual assault. Through this, these rape victims would have solutions to their problem as they would not unwillingly carry their pregnancy to term (Franz, 2013).

As mentioned earlier, unwanted pregnancies cannot be, given the fact that the prevention methods are not utterly effective. Women with unwanted pregnancies should be consulted on whether or not they would like to carry their pregnancies to term. Not every woman with an unwanted pregnancy wants an abortion, and some are willing to carry the pregnancy to term and give the baby up for adoption. This consultation should be inclusive of advice on the other options that they could have if they decided to keep the pregnancy. The primary option for an unwanted baby is giving up the baby for adoption. After this counseling, if the pregnant woman does not want to keep the pregnancy, she should be allowed to have an abortion (Simmonds & Likis, 2011).

Henceforth, legalizing abortions would provide women with unwanted pregnancies with an option to maintain healthy mental well-being, and a chance to finish school or pursue a career for a better future. This method is inclusive and would cater to women who are financially or emotionally not ready for a baby. Allowing these women to have an abortion would also reduce the risk of them being involved in substance abuse and child neglect.

In conclusion, it is evident that making abortion illegal has a variety of consequences as it results in psychological conditions such as depression, increases the number of unsafe abortions, and elevates the likelihood of rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies from falling under the poverty line and becoming drug addicts. Other than that, forcing women to have unwanted babies also endangered the lives of the children as they will live in poverty, engage in substance abuse, and get involved in criminal activities. It is perceptible that making abortion illegal not only affects rape victims and women with unwanted pregnancies but also society as a whole. Henceforth, legalizing abortion would have an overall benefit as it would protect society from different perspectives. Legalizing abortion would protect rape victims, women with unwanted pregnancies, children that result from rape or unwanted pregnancies, and community. Therefore, legalizing abortion id more beneficial as compared to making it illegal.

References

Bridges, K. M. (2013). When pregnancy is an injury: rape, law, and culture. Stan. L. Rev., 65, 457.

Franz, W. (2013). The Psychology of Rape. Association for Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change, 25(2).

Foster, D. G., Biggs, M. A., Ralph, L., Gerdts, C., Roberts, S., & Glymour, M. M. (2018). Socioeconomic outcomes of women who receive and women who are denied wanted abortions in the United States. American journal of public health, 108(3), 407-413.

Roberts, S. C., Rocca, C. H., & Foster, D. G. (2014). Receiving versus being denied an abortion and subsequent drug use. Drug and alcohol dependence, 134, 63-70.

Shahbazi, S. (2012). The consequences of unsafe abortion: a qualitative study. Journal of advanced nursing, 68(6), 1247-1255.

Simmonds, K., & Likis, F. E. (2011). Caring for women with unintended pregnancies. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 40(6), 794-807.

Thomas, A. (2012). Policy solutions for preventing unplanned pregnancy. Center on Children and Families Brief, 47.

Vlassoff, M., Shearer, J., Walker, D., & Lucas, H. (2008). Economic impact of unsafe abortion-related morbidity and mortality: evidence and estimation challenges (Vol. 59). Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.

Business

Name

Professor

Course

Date

Introduction

Management and management processes require that recruitment of employees as well as their retaining employees should be based on technical criteria. Recruitment refers to the process of hiring qualified candidates both from within and outside an organization for an employment opening. Recruitment should thus be done in a cost effective as well as a timely manner. As a process, it entails the analysis of job requirements, screening, hiring as well as their selection. Classical thinkers emphasize that this function should be done using a technical based criteria. The utility of this criterion has the advantage that an organization is able to employ members that are capable of performing the organization’s task. If recruitment is not done using this criterion, it creates pathology of technocracy in the sense that employees tend to be narrow minded. Eventually, members end up being heartless in the sense that they fail to appreciate the human element in an organization. Employee recruitment therefore is a sensitive aspect in any organization. This paper thus seeks to analyze the concept of employee recruitment in reference to a specific organization.

Conduct research and determine an organization that is deemed to be a great recruiter (and retainer) of talented employees

The United Nations is one of the oldest International Organizations in the world with a workforce throughout the world. It came into being in the aftermath of the carnage of the Second World War with its main principle of operation being the principle of collective security. The Food and Agricultural Organization is another department of the United Nations. This particular entity concerns itself with collection, analysis as well as dissemination of information relating to food and agricultural policies. It also organizes intergovernmental forums that address the aforementioned issues globally. It also approves international agricultural standards as well as agreements. The Food and Agricultural organization also intervenes in disaster stricken communities when human and natural disasters of insect infestations, war as well as droughts strike. FAO thus is an important entity of the UN that addresses issues of food and Agriculture.

Why did you select this firm?

I chose the United Nations because of its diversified functions which include environmental issues, refugee issues, health issues, climate change and financial issues among others. This diversity therefore highlights that indeed the United Nations is a big employer, an equal opportunity employer and a recruiter worldwide. Recruitment by the United Nations therefore a fundamental practice that ensures the organization meets its goals and objectives. The United Nations utilizes a number of tactics as well as strategies to achieve its mandate. It is thus divided into departments; each department performs distinct functions. The United Nations Environmental Program for instance is a major player in issues to do with global environmental concerns. A number of treaties have been signed and ratified under this entity to promote the environment. The Non Proliferation treaty for instance was ratified to stop the spread of environmental non friendly nuclear materials. It also addresses issues of climate change, conflicts and disasters, environmental governance, management of the ecosystem as well as issues that have the end objective of achieving the concept of sustainable development. This entity is thus a fundamental player when it comes to issues addressing global environmental concerns.

Dissect what they do and break it down. Analyze their success.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees as an entity of the United Nations that plays a fundamental role in addressing issues of refugees in disaster and emergency situations. Under its statute, UNHCR has the mandate to pursue refugee protection. It also plays a fundamental role in ensuring refugee assistance as well as solutions. Additionally, it plays the role of addressing the issue of refugee registration and statelessness. It also advises the state actors on behalf of the mother organ on legal issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers. The UNHCR is an important actor during and after an emergency situation.

What are their strategies and tactics?

The WHO plays vital roles in global disaster and emergency situations. It articulates health policies that are based on evidence as well as ethics. It also ensures partnership and collaboration of various health entities on issues regarding to global health. The WHO acts as an early warning system mechanism that detects impending global health problems; especially that of communicative diseases. Overall, the WHO offers technical support as well as rational policies that relate to global health concerns.

The World Food Program (WFP) is another important entity of the United Nations. It plays a number of functions; for instance, WFP plays an important role in disaster preparedness. Conventionally, disaster preparedness is the best way to mitigate against the adverse effects of disasters. The WFP also responds to emergency situations in a number of ways; it is key player in the procurement of food and food stuffs during emergency situations. It also plays a fundamental role in disaster logistics when it comes to delivery of food stuffs to the disaster and emergency stricken communities. It also works in tandem with health sectors to ensure proper nutrition of the affected communities. By proper nutrition, the implication is that the affected communities get the right type of food at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner. Overall, it analyses the issue of global food security and therefore is an important early warning instrument.

What do they do well?

It therefore follows that the United Nations utilizes these departments to achieve its end objectives; concisely therefore, to summarize the above tactics as well as strategies, the UN utilizes the FAO, UNHCR, UNEP, WFP and the WHO to achieve its objectives in the global arena. It utilizes the FAO to achieve global sustainable levels of Food and agricultural issues. The UN utilizes the UNEP to try achieving the concept of global sustainable development. It also uses the UNHCR to address the refugee crises among other objectives. It would therefore not be naïve to state that it is indeed a case scenario of a successful organization.

What do you think needs improvement?

It should be taken into consideration that the United Nations just like other organizations faces a number of challenges. First, being an international organization, it depends solely on the contribution by member nation states. This is a challenge in its and by itself whereby in extreme cases, the member nation states do face a number of domestic problems which are an automatic priority. The UN therefore may suffer from the effect of lack of the much needed finances to run its programs effectively. Another major problem is that, it has no central authority. This implies that the UN may play subject of the nation state actors given the fact that they are the most fundamental players in international relations. There have been a number of instances that the world has witnessed nation states not comply with resolutions passed by the UN councils. This particularly applies to a number of powerful countries. However, even with these challenges, it would be important to acknowledge the organization has indeed done its level best to achieve a number of its general objectives.

To improve on service delivery as well as efficiency, the United Nations needs to address a number of issues. For instance, the issue of interference by a number of state actors is one key area of concern. The United Nations in collaboration of other international actors needs to come up with effective policies that will address the aforementioned issue. It implies that the United Nations needs to have a central coordinating body and mechanism to overcome the issue of interference by state actors.

Conclusion

Employee recruitment is a core management principle that goes a long way in ensuring an organization achieves its objectives as well as goals. For optimum organizational output, employers should therefore recruit based on technical abilities and capacity. The United Nations is one of the most diversified recruiting a workforce from all over the world. The UN achieves its goals and objectives by utilizing a number of its functional departments. The United Nations Environmental program for instance plays a vital role in terms of environmental protection and sustainable development practices. UNHCR plays a vital role in addressing global refugee issues. The WFP plays a number of roles ranging from disaster preparedness to logistic operations in disaster and emergency situations. However, the United Nations faces a number of challenges such as financial constraints as well as interference into its activities by state actors. Overall, the organization is a successful case scenario in terms of one that is an equal opportunity employer.

REFERENCE

Fasulo, Linda. An Insider’s Guide to the UN. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2004.

George Davey Smith (1976) Health inequalities, World Health Organization, Britishlibrary 2003.

Kristin Davkins2003), Global Governance, the battle over planetary power, Canada.

Lynton Keith Caldwell (1996) International Environmental Policy, Durham NorthCarolina.

Mires, Charlene. Capital of the World: The Race to Host the United Nations. New York: New York University Press, 2013.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Student’s Name

Institution

Date

Mid-Autumn Festival

China is a famous country with a rich culture and popular tradition of folk art as well as traditional festivals. The Chinese culture is full of a variety of distinctive symbols that are commonly relished by the Chinese locals and other individuals mainly in the Asian countries who have cultural exchange with China. There are also several festivals that are commemorated and of vital importance to the people of China (Zhang, 2013). Key concepts in Chinese philosophy. One of the most important events is known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is also known as the Moon Festival and it is a harvest event that is commonly feted in China as well as in other Asian countries like Singapore and Vietnam. This festival is the second biggest and celebrated festival in China after the famous Chinese New Year. The event typically happens during the eighth month on the 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar although it lacks a fixed day in the calendar during the full moon period (Xu et al. 2018). In this year, celebrations have been set to start on 24th September. Its name originates as a result of being celebrated during the middle period of the autumn season.

Moreover, the day is also regarded as the Moon Festival because when it occurs, the moon is usually in its well-formed state. Consequently, it is reflected as a harvest fete as, by the time it happens, the fruits, grain, and vegetables are already harvested, and individuals are in happy moods. The event celebration occurs typically in the evening where families come together and light lanterns, eat the moon cakes they have prepared while appreciating the moon.

The Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival

Over time, worshipping the moon has been an essential aspect of the Chinese culture. The festival is dated to have started for more than 2000 years ago. However, the event is surrounded by many myths that suggest its establishment. For example, there is a story that says that Chinese rulers in the Zhou dynasty used to worship the moon during autumn for a plentiful harvest in the subsequent year. The day was officially celebrated as a customary festival during the timely (618-907) in Tang reign (Lin, 2012). Since then the following dynasties continued to commemorate it, and it continued to become more popular whereby new customs for celebrations have been established. The festival was recognized in 2006 by the Chinese government as a cultural heritage, and more so it was made a national public holiday in 2008. Since then the event is celebrated annually during the autumn season.

Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival

For a long time, China was an agricultural society. This notion helped the country in the creation of various kinds of legends as well as public celebrations, for instance, the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to the Chinese agricultural culture, seeds are typically planted, and crops are afterward harvested according to the moon cycles. During the harvest time, the moon that shines is known as the harvest moon. The geneses of the moon are further explained by many legends that comprise of different variations (Asif et al, 2019). Many stories are surrounding the Moon Festival, for example, most stories suggest that an individual is evacuated to the moon for either doing good or bad things and more so the person can be seen again during the Mid-Autumn festival. The following are some of the legends surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival.

A Lady in the Moon Festival Legend

In the past, the earth was encompassed with ten suns, and each of them was illuminating the earth for a specific time. On a particular day, all the stars decided to come together and burn the ground using the heat. On seeing this, a certainly experienced archer known as Hou Yi protected the land by shooting down nine suns and there was only left only one. Hou Yi was also a dictatorial ruler at one time he stole a bottle from a goddess that contained a magical mixture of immorality. On realizing the act performed by her husband Change saw the portion and decided to drink it to save the citizens from her husband oppressive rule. Immediately after taking part, Change saw herself floating to the moon, and she was stranded there. Due to the love that Hou Yi had towards his wife, he could not shoot down the moon. Consequently, when the moon shines through the skies brightly, Change is still being seen dancing away.

The Man in the Moon Legend

This is another legend whereby a man is expatriated to the moon. The story is about a middle-aged man known as Wu Kang who was an impatient individual and lacked interest for anything. He could not tolerate or keep up with what he was learning, and therefore he used to change traineeships programs as he became bored in doing the same thing over and over. Kang wanted to become immortal, and hence one day he went to the mountains where an immortal man taught him (Bredon & Mitrophanow, 2005). Some of the teachings he received were about herbs for curing illnesses, but after some time he got bored with the instructions. The immortal tried everything to teach Kang, but again, it did not last for long. The mentor became so angry by Kang that he decided to send him to the moon and given some things to meet before being returned to the earth. The task was difficult, and Kang could not reach them, and he remained to the Moon Palace. Therefore in the Moon Festival, Kang is still seen trying to accomplish the assignment that he was given of cutting down the tree.

The Mooncake Legend

During the early periods of the Yuan Dynasty, China was controlled by the Mongolian rule. The majority of the locals did not cherish the rue and therefore and their leaders decided that it was time to take back control of the territory. Since the Moon Festival was near, the leaders decided to use baked cakes that were containing some messages of the plan of an attack (Yuan, 2016). This was meant to hide their plans from the outsiders. On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the rebels succeeded in attacking the government where they eventually overthrew it. Later on, they established the Ming dynasty to commemorate this legend; mooncakes are still being eaten up to now.

How the Mid-Autumn Festival Is Celebrated

Generally, the Festival presents a chance for individuals to have a good time together, though there exist some traditions that have to be followed. During the evening of the festival, families usually gather together and have dinner with their extended families at the grandparent’s home. Different foods are taken for dinner, for example, taro, duck as well as other local foods. The foods are prepared mainly in the afternoon and eaten in the evening. The most common method in which individuals celebrate is through eating mooncakes (Xu et al.2018). Most of the mooncakes are baked and filled with lotus paste and salty egg York while there are others that contain fruits, seeds, and red beans. In the festival, people tend to share the mooncakes among the family members and their friends.

Today, mooncakes are presented to friends as well as relatives to show love and that they wish each other a happy and long life. However, traditional foods seem to be changing. Currently, the younger generation have the foods that they prefer over the traditional foods, and the majority of them do not like eating the mooncakes, and they prefer to eat whatever they feel like. There are other celebration undertakings like lantern displays and playing lantern riddles. All these celebration activities are fascinating to watch and also to participate in.

Moreover other than the local individuals, Mid-Autumn Festival attracts several individuals especially tourists from other countries who are interested in the festival. The cities that have access to rivers, as well as other water bodies, attract many individuals. They practice the traditions of lighting lanterns and then watches them as they float downstream during the middle of the night (Siu, 1999). The spectacle is so beautiful that it attracts many individuals who come to view the scenery.

Immediately after dinner, traditionally the families are required to present sacrifices to the moon. The sacrifice aims to strengthen their beliefs that the moon will give them good luck. Symbolic fruits and mooncakes are the common types of foods used for the offerings. The event happens during the night, and when the weather is favorable, they tend to go out to a park and eat the mooncakes while gazing at the charming look of the full moon.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the largest cities in China. Therefore it holds a very massive number of the Chinese population, and more so it has a rich culture of Chinese traditions. The town has many beautiful and historical sites which makes it an excellent destination for tourists around the world. Moreover, the city’s customs and traditions are widespread and famous around China. As one visits this city during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, the way the event is celebrated will have to be amazing, and this starts with the people’s customs and traditions. One of the most notable customs that is still being celebrated in Shanghai is moon worship (Chen, 2015). There are other customs like reunion dinners as well as moonwalking that are also there. The following are the top Mid-Autumn Customs in Shanghai:

The Moon Offering

In prehistoric times, it was believed that the moon was in. Yin is the female portion of the yin-yang philosophy. Therefore during the full moon celebration, women used to worship the moon first then followed by men. It was also alleged that there was no need for men to celebrate the full moon. The event is celebrated by individuals putting tables in the open air when the moon rises. Afterward, they offer some food like mooncakes, melons, taro, and fruits among other foods. Offering to the moon is a custom that is being practiced by the majority of Chinese locals, and it started a long time ago (Lin, 2012). Although several traditions seem to have been forgotten, offering to the moon is widely recognized, and it appears that it will continue.

Shanghai Moon Alters

In Shanghai, there is a custom known as the burning incense cups also referred to as mini moon altars and is practiced during Mid-Autumn. Traditionally, the moon alters are typically created by offering shops. The platforms are then decorated and placed with colorful banners as well as flags. The Muslin is then placed around the altar, and beautiful pictures of the pavilions and also the Moon Palace are introduced. The most splendid incense scene on Mid-Autumn Festival usually is in Nanyuan, also known as “South Garden.”

The Family Reunion Dinner

This is a custom that is celebrated by family members. It occurs immediately after the moon celebration whereby the family members usually come together and drink the reunion wine while having an appreciation of the moon dinner. The custom is celebrated in most regions of Shanghai, and it is considered as one of the best ways to bring families together.

Walking under the Moonlight

Conventionally, a Chinese woman staying at her parent’s home was required to travel to the family of her husband during the Moon Festival evening to go “moonwalking” according to the customs. Shanghainese people recognize this event. The women take a walk while appreciating the full moon. One of the typical moon walking endpoints is Lujia Stone Bridge that is located outside Xiaodongmen. The place is well known for attracting many local individuals as well as foreigners (Bredon & Mitrophanow, 2005). The reflection of the bright full moon bobbling in the water while contrasting delightfully with the bright moon brings a fantastic view to all the visiting individuals. The bridge is not the only spot with pleasant Mid-Autumn atmosphere as there are other iconic spots in Shanghai.

Best Places to Visit in Shanghai during the Mid-Autumn Festival

Shanghai is rich in several areas to visit during the Mid-Autumn Festivals. However, these places differ in terms of the features that they offer visitors. The following are some of the famous and best places to visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival period:

Jin Mao Tower

The Jin Mao Tower is among the highest buildings in Shanghai, and it is about 1380 ft. above the ground. Therefore when people want to experience a clear view of the moon at the time of the festival, the building stands out as the right choice. It has 88 floors, and the last top floor exists as an excellent observation platform for the full view of the moon. Also one can gain a dramatic panoramic sight of town’s skyline when the outstanding lights of its massive towers rotate harmoniously. Consequently, this is an excellent platform to view the city’s skyline not only in Mid-Autumn Festival but also in other days as it offers a spectacular view of the horizon.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower

The tower is 468 meters upward, and it is was once the highest in Asia as well as the third tallest globally. Inside this tower, several places are right for enjoying the moon view as well as Mid-Autumn. For example, the tower houses a hotel that is situated near the top, shops and also cafes. Due to its tallness, most of the floors provide a beautiful view of the whole city, and thus it rests as a perfect place for holding some of the Mid-Autumn events. The revolving restaurant at the tower offers couples and families an exclusive Mid-Autumn dinner. They can also take an elevator up to the top of the building where they can experience a closer view of the moon.

The Bund

This is possibly the popular site to hold the Mid-Autumn Festival. The reason is that the place provides a moderately tranquil atmosphere and also due to the presence of various restaurants and tea rooms that are lined along with it. There is also the waterfront part that gives individuals visiting the site a leisure walk while enjoying the nightly scenery on River Huangpu every year in the Mid-Autumn Festival. There are several bars and restaurants especially along the South Binjiang Road where the locals and tourists can have some drinks or a family dinner while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival (Wei, 2011). The availability of a cruise boat on Huangpu River makes the place enjoyable as one can board a cruise boat and have beautiful scenery of the wonderful lights bopping in the sky together with the view of the moon.

Sheshan

This is a popular resort used by families especially the local Shanghai families to spend time together during Mid-Autumn Festival. The locals typically visit the Happy Valley for fun day time and then proceed to a hotel near the site where they observe the moon by the lakeside mainly during the night (Martínez, 2017). Those who love astronomy are not left behind since there is a viewpoint at the mountain top whey they experience a perfect and a closer look at the full moon.

Shanghai Disney Resort

The park started its operation in 2016, and it is considered as the leading one in mainland China. The place is well equipped with several things like having movie characters with Chinese culture. An excellent example is the Chinese Zodiac Murals that are found in the Gardens of Imagination. It is also cheaper in pricing compared to other parks like Hong Kong Disneyland, and therefore this enables it to receive many customers.

Zhujiajiao Water Town

The place is located 50 kilometers from the Bund. It is an ancient town that is characterized by magnificent old buildings. It has several waterways, traditional Chinese-style houses as well as 36 antediluvian bridges. The place is mostly lit by lanterns that are usually placed hanging by the old buildings particularly during the night of Mid-Autumn Festival. While at this place, one can spend time at one of the riverside hotels with friends and familiesn (Wang, 2018). It corresponds to Venice city in Italy in that the area has several well-preserved bridges as well as the availability of boat rides.

North Street is seen as the well maintained old street between the nine famous old streets in Zhujiajiao. The street has some ancient buildings that date back in the Qing Dynasty period. In contemporary times, numerous businesses are located along the street for example bars, restaurants and more so some coffee shops. There are other things to do while in Zhujiajiao Water Town, for example, visiting the Kezhi Yuan, going at Qing Dynasty Post Office, visiting the Fangshen Bridge and most importantly having a ride on the Zhujiajiao cruise.

Lingshan Park

The park is well known for bubble runs. At the time of Mid-Autumn Festival, the place receives several visitors who are fascinated by the things found at this place, for example, the fashionable colored foam bogs. The bubble runs are common to individuals of all age, and they attract thousands of people both the locals and tourists.

Marketers Preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn festival means business for several retailers. During this time goods associated with the event are on high demand due to the high number of individuals both locals and foreigners. It occurs only once per year, and during this time, retailers try as much as possible to market their goods. For example, there is always some sampling of free mooncakes everywhere whereby each business is trying to woo the customers to try their products. The festival, for example, the 2019 event offers an excellent opportunity for advertisers and other stakeholders in marketing to launch campaigns as well as display their products. The event attracts both the local and international retailers and hence competition level is always high. The target audience for the festival is mainly the traditional Chinese as well as the mooncake lovers. Apart from free sampling, there is another standard method for retailers to advertise in the festive season (Zhang, 2013). Over the years, outdoor advertising has played a significant role in marketing the event, and this is due to the increase in digital advertising. Moreover, the existence of big physical billboards has also proved to work out well during these festivals. The following are some of the best ways to advertise during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Picking the Right Location

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, many people usually flock the major Chinese cities for mooncake roadshows to look for the finest and cheapest mooncakes. Other famous events include night performances, street light-ups as well as mass lantern walks. Chinatown together with other significant towns like Shanghai are the main highlights of the game due to the number of individuals they usually attract. Therefore these are good advertising location for marketers and they should put a lot of emphasis on these places.

Knowing Your Audience

For effective advertising, it is always good for businesses to advertise to the right audience. Most of the individuals celebrating this event are the Chinese who are appreciative of their traditions, or they love the lantern experience and eating mooncakes. Therefore for a company that is engaging in these products, it is suitable for these companies to engage their audience through proper planning out of the mid-Autumn Festival.

Conclusion

The Mid-Autumn Festival is among the popular most significant events in China. Many myths and legends surround the festival. It is the second biggest lunar festival not only in China but in most Asian countries. Being among the major festival in China, there is an official holiday designated for the event, and as a result, many individuals come together to celebrate the day at different places around China. China is full of various travel destinations that are attractive to both local and foreign visitors. The primary method of celebrating the day is worshipping the moon while enjoying the mooncakes under the full moonlight. The Mid-Autumn Festival offers an excellent platform for retailers and marketers to sell and advertise their goods. Therefore the Mid-Autumn event has significant advantages for the people of China at large.

References

Asif, M., & Ali, M. (2019). Chinese Traditions Folk Art, Festivals and Symbolism.

Bredon, J., & Mitrophanow, I. (2005). The Moon year: A record of Chinese customs and festivals. Routledge.

Chen, X. (2015). China’s Key Cities: From Local Places to Global Players.

Kuo, J. M., Coakley, J., & Wood, A. (2010). The lunar moon festival and the dark side of the moon. Applied Financial Economics, 20(20), 1565-1575.

Lin, G. (2012). Thanking the moon: celebrating the mid-autumn moon festival. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Ma, G. (2015). Food, eating behavior, and culture in Chinese society. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 2(4), 195-199.

Martínez, P. G. (2017). Urban authenticity at stake: A new framework for its definition from the perspective of heritage at the Shanghai Music Valley. Cities, 70, 55-64.

Siu, K. W. M. (1999). Lanterns of the mid-autumn festival: A reflection of Hong Kong cultural change. Journal of popular culture, 33(2), 67.

Wang, H. (2018). A beautiful scene at Lu Gou bridge on the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival day, named “Lu Gou Xiao Yue”.

Wasserstrom, J. N. (2008). Global Shanghai, 1850–2010: a history in fragments. Routledge.

Wei, L. (2011). Chinese festivals. Cambridge University Press.

Xu, G., Chen, Y., & Xu, L. (2018). Traditional Festivals. In Introduction to Chinese Culture (pp. 229-251). Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.

Yuan, H. (2016). The Moon Festival and the Stories Behind.

Zhang, D. (2013). Key concepts in Chinese philosophy.

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Middle Archaic period

The Middle Archaic period was a drier and warmer time in various parts of eastern North America and it coincided with the Middle Holocene geological era. Some scholars believe that this time was when humans were adapting to the climate interval, there were early middle archaic where they were smaller sites that were similar and while they were found in the different settings of the environment they only had few artifacts. Also, there was the late middle archaic period that was often found in wet areas that had diverse and rich foods which ensured that all year round they were resources to be used. During this period a lot of changes were witnessed; the paper will focus on the archaeological evidence that depicted these changes and the factors that explained the changes.

Firstly, the major change that was experienced was technological innovation. The evidence that depicted this was very clear evidence of the change in the tools where they adopted new ground tools example the plummets and they used antler artifacts example the fish hooks. Additionally, they developed various tools for processing food example the manos and grinding stones that they used for grinding corn foods. The trade pattern also changed from barter trade that had been common to long-distance trade, this change was evidenced by some exotic artifacts, this change also depicted the social networks developed. Also, there was a drastic change in mobility with few people being mobile with the few not involved in residential mobility but logical mobility and they adopted to year-round occupations minimizing the past moving occupations. Also, there were some changes in social organization and settlement where tribes emerged that were not in the earlier period, this can be evidenced by the open mating networks that were seen.

The archaeologists relied on various factors to try to explain the changes that took place during this period they included, the increase in the population where most people occupied the base camps that had various features example, the processing and storage pits. Also, there was the emergence of the making of ceramic pots, people adopted various plant exploitation strategies while they used more riverine resources. The increased strategies employed to fight the post-glacial warming that was being experienced too played a role in the changes and the change from the occasional large killings to regular small killings. These changes were also brought by the decreased use of high-quality materials since the people lacked the opportunity to go too far areas to fetch the products. The decreased mobility is believed to have been caused by the various where rarely people moved during winter since the food reduced and they always settled near the water areas because of lack of surface water. Lastly, their reliance on the local food sources encouraged the change to trading with other people from far areas

From this period, it is evident that the people during this period despite the advancements they experienced where they had better tools that made their work easier they also experienced various problems. During the early middle archaic period, they experienced the lack of eligible mates because of their low population which facilitated that they had to be in keen contact and the constant mobility in search of better resources decreased their population. While it is evident that this period experienced various changes we can say it was the beginning of a cycle that exists even today.

Works Cited

G. Anderson, David, and Kenneth E. Sassaman. Early And Middle Holocene Periods, 9500–3750 BC. 2004, pp. 3-14, http://pidba.org/anderson/cv/Anderson%202004%20Smithsonain%20Handbookpdf.pdf. Accessed 7 Mar 2020.