Common sources of success or failure of startup firms Essay

Common sources of success or failure of startup firms - Essay Example While it is important for the economy to have influx of new, innovative, and entrepreneurial companies the actual success rate of new companies is dismally poor. In fact, 90% of all new companies launched in the UK will fail within the first two years (ibid). There are proven strategies and models available which can help increase success and growth rates, and one such strategy consists of thinking the project through and preparation of a business plan. 'Perhaps the most important step in launching any new venture or expanding an existing one is the construction of a business plan.'(Barrow et al, 2001:6). Although a business plan has several purposes and target audiences, most are produced with a limited view of enabling the raising of finance. Raising finance is critical for the success of the venture and 'the business plan is the minimum document required by a financing source' (Kuratko and Hodgetts, 2001: 289). More than three-quarters of business angels require a business plan before they will consider investing (Mason and Harrison, 1996). However, at the core of a successful enterprise is a planning and control effort that must recognise the needs of the venture and reduce it to a plan for systems that will help monitor and control execution as well as to milestone progress, or lack of it. Uncertainty and change are the norm and a successful business plan must have the inbuilt flexibility to manage change and meet exigencies that arise during the course of operations. This report looks at the most common reasons for failure of start-up businesses and this is used to inform suggested strategy for the preparation of a good business plan. A plan that will address not only the need of submission to banks and potential investors but also to the other audience, such as suppliers, distributors, major customers etc. Above all it will guide decision making in new ventures and lay a clear path to be followed for success of the new venture. This study limits itself to small and medium sized enterprises. Success and Failure While success is easy to understand, i.e. it implies that the projections of performance have not only been met but may have been exceeded as well. Definition of failure is more difficult and has been variously defined as discontinuance of ownership' of the business (Williams, 1993); discontinuance of the business' itself (Dekimpe and Morrison, 1991); and bankruptcy' (Hall and Young, 1991). In the following passages we explore what fundamental causes help a newly started business flourish and conversely what are the main reasons for failure. Different authorities have analysed the prime reasons for success and failure of start-up ventures. Quantitative studies by Lussier and Corman (1995); Everett and Watson (1998); Lau and Boon (1996); Lussier (1996); and Van Gelderen and Frese (1998) (quoted in Riquelme & Watson, 2002) have been used to formulate the reasons for the failure of new business ventures. The primary reasons are placed in a tabulated format as an appendix to this report. The highlights of the findings of the studies cited are discussed briefly below. The most important criterion appears to be the managerial team. For example, Macmillan et al (1985) conclude that the quality of the entrepreneur ultimately determines the investment decision of venture capitalists, notably a thorough

Nursing theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Nursing theory - Essay Example Nightingale’s environment metaparadigm is informed by the aforementioned tenets. The focus here is the link between the environment and health. Nightingale argues that the environment informs nursing practices in one way or another. For instance, unsanitary conditions pose health risks and vice versa. The ventilation, light, warmth, effluvia, and noise tenets can be altered to influence the outcome of nursing practices. Johnson’s metaparadigm is informed by social bonds, dependency, ingestion, elimination, procreation and gratification, aggression, and achievement tenets (Walker & Avant, 2011). The application of these tenets is broad and wide in relation to the nursing practice. Their integration into the nursing practice influence health completeness under the health context metaparadigm. Finally, Watson’s tenets include altruistic value system, faith and hope, trust, sensitivity, feelings, solution to problems, teaching and learning, addressing human needs, countering phenomenological forces, and enhancing an environment that is supportive (Walker & Avant, 2011). Tenets related to Watson are spread across the four aforementioned metaparadigms that inform nursing

Sales Promotion Effect on Customer Buying Decision

Sales Promotion Effect on Customer Buying Decision Sales Promotion Effect on Customer Buying Decision at Supermarket: Example on several countries. Literature Review Sales Promotion According to Boddewyn Leardi (1989) the nature of sales promotion can be defined as: Techniques and devices commonly used on a temporary basis, to make goods and services more attractive to distributors or final customers by providing them with some additional benefit or inducement (incentive) or the expectations of such a benefit, whether in cash, in kind (nature) and/or services, whether immediately or at a later time, whether freely or conditionally.. There are three main contents in the sales promotion field: Customer promotion, Trade promotions and sales forces promotion (Smith, 1998). Specified in sales promotion, there are some sales promotional categories are: Rebate, Samples, Coupons, Bonus Pack. All of these tool being used as ways to promote profitability by stimulating the consumers to buy their products (Boddewyn and Leardi, 1989). Desire to buy the product or give at least a try on the product that the sellers want to present to the customer are the action of sales pro motion. Effective sales promoting can build up an good image of the brand and accomplish several purposes like increasing sales, building a customer databases, generating appearance on publicity (Smith, 1998). Accredited from John and William (1986) Sales promotion and Modern Merchandising,   the activities of sales promotion seem to be more effective than other types of advertising and personal selling. In addition, Joncos (1990) stated that sales promotion is more effective in any rival than any others marketing operation. According to Chandon, Wansink and Laurent (2000) the sales promotion satisfies the customer need of money saving, provide instant reward and can be considered a practical advantage for the consumers. Types of sales promotion Samples Samples are some test taster of the product, some are free and some are charged with a little amount to requite the loss of the company (Kotler et al., 2003). According to Clow and Baack (2007) free samples are a way of introducing a new product out on the market. Samples also are a very clever method to deliver the product to the customers so the product can be tested by the direct customers and affect their decision on buying the product in the future (Kardes, 1999). According to OGuinn, Allen and Semenik (2012) most of the company on consumer market using this method in some kinds, invest roughly $2.2 billion a year on this promoting routine. Lammers (1991) stated that there is a significant effect of sampling method on customer buying behavior and have good connection on fast selling practice. In addition, Shimp (2003) also indicate that sampling have a good effect on customer buying decision. Coupons Coupons is one of the most used practice by many marketers with the action of giving the customers a vouchers or certificate that reduce their spending on certain products utilitarian them financially later on and whenever in the future they want to purchase, like 25% discount from the actual price or a fixed amount like $5 per piece (Harmon and Hill, 2003). Robinson and Carnack (1997) indicated that coupon have been appeared for the trial period of the product. Customers are influenced by the value reduction on coupons; lead to a conclude that coupon is a smart tool (Peter and Olson, 1996) Kotler and Armstrong (2006) researched electronic in store coupon machines are a good tool to save customers buying history and based on that to offer coupon depend on past experience of buying and the current bill. Barat and Paswan (2005) stated that there are some possible negative effects of coupon issuing; manager should segmenting customer to introduce the details coupon on each cases. Reviewed Gilbert and Jackaria (2002) research shown that coupon have the least effect on product experimental. According to Wayne (2002) research about three coupon campaigns resulted in promoted products added incremental sales and other non-coupon purchases after. Price discount Fill (2000) indicated that price discount is the easiest method of reducing the price of the product that the percentage of the price discounted appears on the package of the product, offering a good price to persuading sales. Lessen the price on the given product or add more number of items to that product and use the same price to enhance value of the product and create an encouragement for the customer to purchase (Raghubir and Corfman, 1999). Some studies have proved that price discount method play an significant role in stimulating the client to try the product offered (Fill, 2002; Shimp, 2003). Price discounting create a seasonal sales peak, this activities usually attract the occasional clients on the similar brand more probable than getting new clients to buy the product, in addition, the periodic clients seem to get back to their best interested brand after the discount season (Ehrenberg et al, 1994). Ndubisi and Chiew (2006) stated that item trial has an association with price discount, it might be said that the first can be expanded by value reduction for any item. Price discount has a connect with other sales promotional tools in the relationship of affecting each other and persuading the customers to purchase the product, like coupons and sample (Gilbert and Jackaria, 2002; Huff and Alden, 1998). It likewise demonstrates that an extensive price reduction cost for any item that has happened amid the business season will be made by the merchants since buyers aware about the cost (Smith and Sinha, 2000) Buy one get one free According to Sinha Smith (2000) buy one get one free is one of the most commonly used advertising to promote products, in the sense that if you purchase a product, you will have a free product, by utilizing this procedure the client can be effectively pulled in to purchase the item with the fact that there is no extra cost and it ought to be more esteemed from the client point of view, therefore customer cant ignore such great deal. The extra bundles and additional items without cost motivate the client purchasing behavior to buy the product; since clients are getting positive emotion towards such offer particularly on the off chance that it is in substantial sizes bundles and properly publicized. This sales promotion method also benefits the sellers in speeding up the inventory clearance (Li, Sun Wang, 2007). Customer buying decision To clarify the customer buying decision part, clients usually have boundless demand to fulfill their needs and fulfillment to have something new. There have been a large literature had inspected customer buying decision and reported that there are a lot of issues reflect the consumer behavior buy or not to buy goods. Schiffman and Kanuk (2004) stated that there are four opinions for explaining consumer decision and behavior such as economic view which is outstand others view for making more impact on customer decision followed by passive view, emotional view and cognitive view, they also stated that consumer purchasing behavior reflected on how consumers choose what product they want and how that assessment going and its influence on next purchases. For instance, Customer buying behavior is the study of the procedures elaborate when persons or groups in the processes of select, purchase, use, or dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to pleased wants and needs (Solomon, 1983). Naimah and Tan (1999) specified that there are some aspects affect consumer buying decision such as the high ability to perform a purchase and the physical surrounding at the place of purchases. According to Smelser and Baltes (2001), our daily life activities mostly is about buying products, creating our behavior and experiencing services at the place such as shops, city center, shopping centers and so on, where some motivation range can be inspired. Kotler (2003) argued that social and economic factors can significantly affect the consumer choices like cultural and essential factors of consumer behavior. William (2002) social class has huge impact on buying assessment criteria. After that Yip (2003) indicated that the social class of a person can cause limited options when making a buying decision if their income is low. According to Loudon and Della Bitta (2004) consumer behavior studies play an significant part in determining marketing segments and marketing plans, they recommended that customer buying behavior is often being studied because certain debates that suggestively affecting the customers behavior and their predictable actions, for this motive customer behavior is supposed to be an practical discipline, they also designated that the core marketing activities to scheming an effective marketing plans need three items are market segmentation, customer decision making and purchasing behavior. Sales promotion effect on customer buying decision The impact of sales promotion on consumer buying behavior has been extensively specified in many investigates and studies, they have exposed that there are a lot of factors can affect customer purchasing behavior, willingly to buy the products or not (Nagar, 2009; Smelser and Baltes, 2001). According to Nijs, Dekimpe, Steenkamps and Hanssens (2001) sales promotions make a significantly impacts on consumers buying behavior in the field of product brand, purchase time, quantity and brand switching. Moreover, consumer purchase decisions occasionally can be founded on the price sensitivity; so consumers seem to be more attracted to promoted goods (Bridges, Briesch and Yim, 2006). According to Quelch (1989) sales promoting, resources and methods have radically increased in the recent years performed by marketers. Then Blattberg and Neslin (1990) admitted that sales promotion has a power on consumer buying behavior by concentrating on occasionally promotion. Schneider and Currim (1991) cla imed that customers accepting the promotion methods are built on the out and in store sales promotion. Later on Schultz (1998) directed that sales promotion has a straight effect on customers behaviors. Chandon, Wansink, and Laurent (2000) stated that there are more influencing factors in consumer buying behavior rather than just price discount. Pramataris (2001) said that sampling is a good method on sales promotion which has less charging rate and an operative tool to fascinate clients. Fill (2002) designated that sales promotion tools has a enormous impression on consumer purchasing behavior throughout any competition; therefore reduction the price one of these tools can resulted in customers choices. For instance, Pickton and Broderick (2005) researched in sales promotion can result in growing sales capacity but less revenue. Others researchers also agreed that sales promotions is targeting the influence on consumer buying behavior by presenting new brands   with the targ et of new customers who have no previous experience with it(Solomon, Marshall and Stuart, 2008; Kotler and Armstrong, 2004). Though, Esfahani and Jafarzadeh (2012) indicated that mental variables have an important association with sales promotion; therefore they concluded that there is no substantial bond between impulsive behavior and sales promotion. Rothschild and Gaidis (1981) provided a case on how sales promotions can be used as determining stimulus. In that case, a free sample has been given to the possible customers. Inside the product taster is a voucher offering a great discount, possessed for a future rebuy. The shaping procedures carry on at the point of rebuy (store). Products at retail stores will also bring coupons for the next purchases, inside the products bundle. For instance, both items (samples and products accessible for sale) offer a voucher for a future buy, the distinction between those two discounts is assessed by the amount of discount. The second discount assessed with a lesser total. The achievement the marketers want to achieve is to form the behavior of the buyer over various phases. Theoretical framework review Revised the theoretical framework from the research conducted by GilbertN and Jackaria(2002); Mittal and Sethi (2011); Shi, Cheung Prendergast (2005); Alimpic (2014). Reviewed that researches mentioned above using the model to show the influence of sales promotion tools such as, coupons, price discount, sample and buy one get one free on customers buying decision through many behaviors like brand switching, Purchase Acceleration, Stock Pilling, Product Trial, and Spending more money. The idea of the above researaches is to find out the relationship between the sales promotion tools and the buying behavior of the customers. Research Methodology This dissertation using deduction approaches to perform the research. Robson (2002) has itemized five stages to developing a deductive research as following: Firstly, develop a hypothesis showing the relationship between two or more notions or variables. Secondly, voicing the hypothesis in operational terms by representing exactly how the concepts are measured. Third part is, testing the hypothesis. Fourthly, investigate the possible outcome. Last but not least, modifying the theory if the findings necessary. The research using quantitative data research, gathering data through secondary mean, examines academic journal and previous empirical researches on sales promotion effect on customer buying decision in retail market. Proposed theoretical model   Ã‚   To satisfying the demand of conducting a research on sales promotions influences on customer buying decision the following theoretical model has been developed due to achieved the ideas from previous study. The model displays the effect of sales promotions tool: coupons, price discount, sample and buy one get one free on customer buying behavior: brand switching, Purchase Acceleration, Stock Pilling, Product Trial, and Spending more money. The theoretical model being drawn in figure 1 shows the relationship. After that the subsequent hypothesis have been shaped to response to the research question Figure 1: Conceptual framework for the impact of sales promotions tool affecting customer buying behavior Hypothesis 1: Coupon has substantial effect on customer buying behavior Hypothesis 2: Price discount has substantial effect on customer buying behavior Hypothesis 3: free sample has substantial effect on customer buying behavior Hypothesis 4: buy one get one free has substantial effect on customer buying behavior Limitations Findings To examines the hypothesis has been drawn, researcher used data and conclusion from four previous studies which have the same or equal research model to test the hypothesis and investigate the possible outcome of the studies Hypothesis 1: Coupon has substantial effect on customer buying behavior To test the hypothesis 1 the researcher used the study of Alimpic (2014): The effectiveness of sales promotion tools: customer perspective. The research method, sampling procedure of this research can be seen on Appendix A. The statistical number on this research is stated in Table 1. According to the result provided by the researcher, repeated measures ANOVA presented that there are no substantial alterations among   buying behaviors to coupons (Wilks lambda = 0.979, p > 0.05). The figure shown in Table 1 is 2,22 for brand switching; 2,18 for product trials; 2,28 on purchase acceleration; 2,16 for spending more out of 5 points maximum. This mean coupon method have no intention in making the customer to buy another brand that they do not regular buy, buying earlier, buy more or buy another product that they have never used before and not encouraging customer to spend more money to buy as well. To be more clarify that coupon does not lead the respondents to perform any of the p resented buying behaviors. Average points of coupons are 2.22 out of 5. Therefore, coupons have no substantial impact on customer buying behaviors. The first hypothesis: Coupon has substantial effect on customer buying behavior is rejected. This hypothesis also confirmed by other researchers on their researches (Gilbert and Jackaria, 2002; Ndubisi and Chew, 2006; Osman and Chan Yin Fah, 2011) Hypothesis 2: Price discount has substantial effect on customer buying behavior To test the hypothesis 2 the researcher used the study conducted by Mittal and Sethi (2011):The Effectiveness of Sales Promotion Tools among Indian Consumers: An Empirical Study. The research method, respondents profile, and others relating to this research can be seen on Appendix B. The statistical data after analyzed on this research for price discount have been stated in Table 2.   Acquired the figure from the table provided; Brand switching with 2.85; Purchase acceleration at 2.75; Stock Piling at 2.72; Product Trial at 2.96 and Spend more money at 3.73 It can be seen clearly that there are two groups of behaviors responses, the first group included brand switching, purchase acceleration, stock piling, and product trial; the second group is spend more money than monthly budgeted. According to the first group, price discount seem to be more effective in inducing costumers to buy products from another brand that they not regular buy, buy the product earlier due to the discou nt are available at the time of purchases, price discount encouraged buyers to buy more than expected for the reason that might be because of the reduced price, and consumers also like to try new product that they never bought before when a price discount is on. The second group seems to be less successful because price discount might not be the reason for spending more money than monthly budget. Despite the bad response on spend more money but price discount appear to be very effective on buying behaviors. So the second hypothesis Price discount has substantial effect on customer buying behavior is approved.   Ã‚   Hypothesis 3: Free sample has substantial effect on customer buying behavior To test the hyphothesis 3 the researcher used again the study conducted by Alimpic (2014). The research method, respondents profile, and others relating to this research can be seen on Appendix B. The statistical data after analyzed on this research for Free sample have been stated in Table 1. Achieved the means from the resulted provided by Alimpic (2014): Brand switching at 2.54; Purchase acceleration at 2.46; Stockpiling at 2.19; Product trial at 2.59 and spending more money at 2.18. According to the note given on the table, 5 is the highest level which is strongly agreed; which mean under 3 is slightly disagree with the statements. For instance, in this data collected and analyze numerically by Alimpic (2014) free sample have no substantial impact towards all behavior responses. To clarify more about this, there are two groups can be seen clearly that there is a group slightly better than the other group; first group is brand switching, purchase acceleration and product trial; th e second group which are buy more and spend more have the least influences. But after all the overall proportion still under neutral and this hypothesis is rejected. Hypothesis 4: There is a substantial relationship between buy one get one free and costumer buying behavior To test the hypothesis 4, the researcher used the study conducted by Shi, Cheung Prendergast (2005): Behavioral response to sale promotion tools: A Hong Kong Study The research method, respondents profile, and others relating to this research can be seen on Appendix C. The statistical data after analyzed on this research for price discount have been stated in Table 3. The statistic for buy one get one free towards different customer buying behavior are collected and analyzed under the scale of 7. For each category we have: buy one get one free toward brand switching at 3.89; purchase acceleration at 4.86; Stockpiling at 5.01; Product trial at 3.69 and spend more money at 4.58. Overall the result seems really good in some behavioral response. The most significant impact of buy one get one free is on stock piling; after that purchase acceleration at; the third one is spend more money to buy the product; the fourth and the last are brand switching and product trial. The average points toward 5 behaviors for buy one get one free is 4.41, that is over 4 points in a 7 scales that means there are good responses to buy one get one free. To extent the problems, the possible problem that causing brand switching   not so successful on buy one get one free is because of the customers might not know much about that product, so the method might not fit in some circumstance, the same possible explanation for product trial as well. Despite that, the hypothesis 4 buy one get one free has substantial effect on customer buying behavior is accepted.

Power Of The Few Over The Many :: essays research papers

The Eleventh Commandment portrayed the state church as being the supreme dictator. It is through the eleventh commandment that the church held it's power and control over the masses. Without the church and it's leaders to guide the masses, their society would have collapsed. However, compared to Brave New World, the whole society is conditioned to "work for everyone else"(Huxley 67) by the abuse and daily consumption of soma. Without the drug called soma, their society would have also collapsed due to withdrawal symptoms. The underlying reality between the two societies is that the masses are manipulated, controlled, and brainwashed, without resistance, to obey and follow their leaders through various methods of enforcement. The Brave New World is controlled by a select few who call themselves Resident Controllers and Directors. These elite few are able to control the production and selection process of societies masses. Mustapha Mond, Resident Controller for Western Europe, and the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning, oversee the conditioning of embryos. Their powers and control over these particular jurisdictions gave them great power, and with that the ability to manipulate others. "'You ass'... said the Director,... 'Hasn't it occurred to you that an Epsilon embryo must have an Epsilon environment as well as an Epsilon heredity'"(Huxley 23). Through a hierarchy of Alaphas and Betas down to the lower cast Epsilon, everyone was suited for their job. The Director however, through his position of authority, was able to "... condition the masses to hate the country,"(Huxley 30). In doing so, the Director succeeds in creating an obedient society, which obeys and bows to every whim of his commands. The Resident Controller and Director were two authoritative figures that were able to control whomever and whatever each person worked at, even before they were conceived. Each cast had pre-conceived morals preached to them through conditioning, and to this end effectively brainwashed to the point of utter obedience. The outcome of this brainwashing by conditioning sets forth a society that exists in two tiers, the guardians and the domesticated animals. [who? why?->BNW] [who? why?->11th C] The church and it's head archbishops are able to control and manipulate the masses in North America by preaching the eleventh commandment through strict laws and enforcement practices. The eleventh commandment ordained that every man and women must be fruitful and multiply. Because of this commandment and of the militant ruling religionist enforcement, North America alone had four billion people, and yet the church continued to preach the eleventh commandment and it's practices. The competition between continents was the driving force behind the eleventh commandment. If it was not the competitiveness between ruling church states,

Global Warming: Effects and Impacts

[pic] Introduction Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. In principle, global warming is neutral as to the period or causes, but in both common and scientific usage the term generally refers to recent warming and implies a human influence. Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect caused by gases which are released by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, and agriculture. The predicted effects of global warming for the environment and for human life are numerous and varied. The main effect is an increasing global average temperature. From this flow a variety of resulting effects, namely, rising sea levels, altered patterns of agriculture, increased extreme weather events, and the expansion of the range of tropical diseases. In some cases, the effects may already be occurring, although it is generally difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term global warming. Examples of projected climate changes include, significant slowing of the ocean circulation that transports warm water to the North Atlantic, large reductions in the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets, accelerated global warming due to carbon cycle feedbacks in the terrestrial biosphere, and releases of terrestrial carbon from permafrost regions and methane from hydrates in coastal sediments. Global warming controversy The global warming controversy is a debate about the causes of observed global warming since the mid-20th century, as well as the expected magnitude and consequences of future warming. A major part of the debate centers around what actions, if any, society should take in response to the prospect of future warming. Some of the main areas of controversy include: 1. Whether the climate is changing beyond natural variations in the historical temperature record 2. Whether human/industrial activity is responsible for the change and if so, to what extent 3. The effect of predicted depletion of fossil fuels, both individually as e. g. oil runs out and users turn to the higher polluting coal and overall as to whether there are sufficient available reserves to cause the more extreme climate change scenarios 4. The effectiveness of policies to reduce CO2 emissions 5. The size of future changes in climate 6. The regional effects of climate change 7. The consequences of climate change Among climate scientists there is little disagreement that global warming is primarily anthropogenic, but the debate continues in the popular media and on a policy level. Questions include whether there is a scientific consensus on the extent and rate of anthropogenic global warming, and in particular whether there is sufficient evidence to justify immediate and far-reaching actions to ameliorate its effects. Those who believe such a consensus exists express a wide range of opinions: some merely recognize the validity of the observed increases in temperature, while others support measures such as the Kyoto Protocol which are intended to reduce the magnitude of future global warming. Still others believe that environmental damage will be so severe that immediate steps must be taken to reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions, even if the precise results are unknown, and even if there are substantial economic costs to doing so. One example of an attempt to force action is the Sierra Club suing the U. S. government over failure to raise automobile fuel efficiency standards, and thereby decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Most of the consequences of global warming would result from one of three physical changes: sea level rise, higher local temperatures, and changes in rainfall patterns. Sea level is generally expected to rise 50-200 cm in the next century. Erode recreational beaches 100-200 meters, exacerbate coastal flooding and increase the salinity of aquifers and estuaries. o enhance beneficial impacts, but will incur costs and will not prevent all damages. Extremes, variability, and rates of change are all key features in addressing vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, not simply changes in average climate conditions. Human and natural systems will to some degree adapt autonomously to climate change. Planned adaptation can supplement autonomous adaptation, though there are more options and gre ater possibility for offering incentives in the case of adaptation of human systems than in the case of adaptation to protect natural systems. Poorer nations The ability of human systems to adapt to and cope with climate change depends on such factors as wealth, technology, education, information, skills, infrastructure, access to resources, and management capabilities. There is potential for developed and developing countries to enhance and/or acquire adaptive capabilities. Populations and communities are highly variable in their endowments with these attributes, and the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, are generally poorest in this regard. As a result, they have lesser capacity to adapt and are more vulnerable to climate change damages, just as they are more vulnerable to other stresses. This condition is most extreme among the poorest people. Historic adaptation Some of those who argue for adaptation to global warming do so with the perspective that human civilization has proven to be highly adaptable to climate change in the past and therefore will likely be able to adapt to climate change in the future. The counterargument to this perspective is that the costs of adaptation are much higher than in the past due to the greater investment in urban and industrial infrastructure. In the past, cities could be relocated largely by having the populace pack up their possessions on their backs, on pack animals or wagons and relocate. Modern cities the size of Bristol or Liverpool cannot be relocated easily even with the use of truck, air and rail transport. The damage suffered by New Orleans by hurricane Katrina provides some perspective as to the potential damage that can be caused by a rise in sea level. Far more technology and resources are available today. Our organizational and communication Adaptation mechanisms The following 9 fundamental principles can be considered when designing adaptation policy. 1. The effects of climate change vary by region. 2. The effects of climate change may vary across demographic groups. 3. Climate change poses both risks and opportunities. 4. The effects of climate change must be considered in the context of multiple stressors and factors, which may be as important to the design of adaptive responses as the sensitivity of the change. 5. Adaptation comes at a cost. 6. Adaptive responses vary in effectiveness, as demonstrated by current efforts to cope with climate variability. 7. The systemic nature of climate impacts complicates the development of adaptation policy. 8. Mal-adaptation can result in negative effects that are as serious as the climate-induced effects that are being avoided. 9. Many opportunities for adaptation make sense whether or not the effects of climate change are realized. Methods of adaptation Agricultural production Agriculture of any kind is strongly influenced by the availability of water. Climate change will modify rainfall, evaporation, runoff, and soil moisture storage. Changes in total seasonal precipitation or in its pattern of variability are both important. The occurrence of moisture stress during flowering, pollination, and grain-filling is harmful to most crops and particularly so to corn, soybeans, and wheat. Increased evaporation from the soil and accelerated transpiration in the plants themselves will cause moisture stress; as a result there will be a need to develop crop varieties with greater drought tolerance. The demand for water for irrigation is projected to rise in a warmer climate, bringing increased competition between agriculture–already the largest consumer of water resources in semiarid regions–and urban as well as industrial users. Falling water tables and the resulting increase in the energy needed to pump water will make the practice of irrigation more expensive, particularly when with drier conditions more water will be required per acre. Crop development models In order to further study effects of global warming on agriculture, other ypes of models, such as crop development models, yield prediction, quantities of water or fertilizer consumed, can be used. Such models condense the knowledge accumulated of the climate, soil, and effects observed of the results of various agricultural practices. They thus could make it possible to test strategies of adaptation to modifications of the environment. Because these models are necessarily simplifying natural conditions ( often based on the assumption that weeds, disease and insect pests are controlled), it is not clear whether the results they give will have an in-field reality. However, some results are partly validated with an increasing number of experimental results. Other models, such as insect and disease development models based on climate projections are also used (for example simulation of aphid reproduction or septoria (cereal fungal disease) development). Urban areas One strategy involves adapting urban areas to increasingly severe storms by increasing domestic, unpaved gardens etc and increasing the capacity of storm water systems (and also separating storm water from black water so that overflows in peak periods do not contaminate rivers). Weather Control Also there are methods like seeding of the sulphur in the clouds to have rain when it is required. The control can be better enhanced by adopting genetical methods of agriculture, green roofs in urban areas etc where the fewer fertilizers and less water is used and at the same time the food production is increased thereby increasing the greenery and thus bettering the CO2 sink capacity. Conclusion As discussed in the paper we will like to again focus on the importance of adaptation to global warming as a very strong factor. It is essential that the mitigation efforts continue towards solving the problem but for practical purposes we all very well know that it alone can never accomplish this feat even if it had very large financial resources at its behest. So the best way to survive in nature is to accept it since Charles Darwin rightly said that it’s only the fittest and most adaptable whom the nature will select to stay along with. Hence it will be good if we understand the fact that its we who need to adapt to the nature, much sooner than later rather than expecting the reverse by putting in huge sums of money in terms of technological measures.

Andrew Jackson: the 7th President of the United States of America Essay

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, was the seventh President of the United States. Born in Tennessee, Andrew Jackson was a politician and general who beat the British at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, and the Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. His enthusiastic followers created the more up-to-date Democratic Party, and the 1830-1850 periods later became known as the era of Jackson a democracy. During the American Revolutionary War, Jackson was teenager when he joined a local militia. His oldest brother, Hugh, died from heat exhaustion during the Battle of Stono Ferry. Jackson and Robert (his brother) were captured by the British and held as prisoners; they almost died in captivity. When Jackson refused to clean the boots of a British soldier, the soldier slashed at Andrew with a sword, leaving him with scars on his left hand and head, in a result to that he had an intense hatred for the British. While in prison, the brothers had got smallpox. Robert died a couple da ys after their mother allowed them to leave. After his mother was assured Andrew would recover, she volunteered to nurse POW (prisoners of war) on board two ships in Charleston, where there had been an outbreak of cholera. She died from the disease on November 1781, and was buried in an unmarked grave, leaving Jackson an orphan at the age of fourteen. Jackson’s entire immediate family–aside from his father, who had died earlier–died from hardships during the war, Jackson blamed the British. Jackson was nicknamed â€Å"Old Hickory† because of his toughness and aggressiveness that produced many of duels. He was a wealthy slave owner who appealed to the masses of Americans and fought against what he denounced as a closed undemocratic. He expanded the spoils system during his presidency to strengthen his political base, regardless of the cost of inefficiency. As president, he supported a small and limited federal government but strengthened the power of the presidency. He was supportive of state’s rights, but, during the Nullification Crisis, he declared that states do not have the right to nullify federal laws. Totally against the national bank, he vetoed the renewal of its charter and ensured its collapse. Whigs and moralists denounced his aggressive enforcement of the Indian Removal Act, which resulted in the forced the Native Americans to move west to present day Oklahoma. Jackson’s campaign was very much a personal one. Although neither candidate personally campaigned, their political followers organized many campaign events. Both candidates were rhetorically attacked in the press, which reached a low point when the press accused Jackson’s wife Rachel of bigamy. Though the accusation was true, as were most forgive the ones who attacked his wife. Rachel died suddenly on December 22, 1828, before his inauguration, and was buried on Christmas Eve. Personal attacks leveled against him during the campaign, it was based on events that occurred many years prior. Jackson said he would forgive those who insulted him, but he would never. When Jackson became President, he implemented the theory of rotation in office, declaring it â€Å"a leading principle in the republican creed.†He believed that rotation in office would prevent the development of a corrupt bureaucracy. To strengthen party loyalty, Jackson’s supporters wanted to give the posts to party members. In practice, this meant repl acing federal employees with friends or party loyalists. However, the effect was not as drastic as expected or portrayed. By the end of his term, Jackson dismissed less than twenty percent of the Federal employees at the start of it. While Jackson did not start the spoils system, he did indirectly encourage its growth for many years to come. Jackson is one of the couple presidents to go out of office way more popular than he was when he entered. â€Å"When he went into office he had no political opinions, only some popular notions.† He left his party strong, perfectly organized and enthusiastic on a platform of low expenditure, payment of the debt, no expenditure for public improvement or for glory or display in any form and low taxes. His name still remained a spell to conjure with, and the politicians sought to obtain the assistance of his approval for their schemes; but in general his last years were quiet and uneventful. He died at his residence, The Hermitage, near Nashville. Tennessee, on the 8th of June 1845.