Hallstead Case Essay Example for Free

Hallstead Case Essay 1.)The breakeven point in number of sales has risen along with the breakeven point in sales dollars from 2003 to 2006. The margin of safety has decreased as well. Every year they have to increase the number of sales tickets then the previous year to meet their breakeven point. After 2004 when expansion of the store begun, Hallstead’s fixed cost have grown each year. The decrease from 2004 to 2006 is far less substantial than from 2003 to 2004. This damage is cause by the stores expansion. It is renting a much larger space down the street from its previous location. This has incurred much lager expenses each year then in than prior to 2004. 2.)Yes, the company’s income would increase. The new breakeven point in sales dollars would be approximately $6.03 million. 3.)Eliminating sales commission would have a huge effect on the breakeven volume. If they follow through with Gretchen’s idea of eliminating sales commission their expenses would decrease a great deal each year. They would not have to make nearly as many sales to breakeven. Although this could have an adverse effect on the sales volume. Employees will not be nearly as aggressive in making sales because it will not affect their personal income. Employees could act disapprovingly towards this new measure, affecting the bottom line negatively in the long run. 4.)If Hallstead added an additional $200,000 to advertising each year they would have to increase the sales volume considerably, that’s if they decide not to do away with sales commission. 5.)Average sales would have to increase over $24 to break even if fixed costs remained the same. 6.)I would recommend that Hallstead Jewelers listen to the consultant that suggested price reduction to increase sales. I believe this would be a smart move because with the new store they have room for more sales then the previous location so upping sales numbers is an important step. If reducing sales doesn’t help improve the bottom line, I would then suggest that they eliminate sales commission. Although this as been an important part of business, eliminating sales commission would greatly decrease their yearly expense. I think adding advertising after their recent move is extremely important. Although it is a $200,000 expense, it could increase sales significantly. These are my suggestions for Hallstead Jewelers

Symbolism in Jacksons The Lottery Essay -- The Lottery Essays

Lottery: A Terrifying Trip Symbols can be used to convey a special meaning to the reader by association, especially when a material object is used to represent something abstract. Throughout the years, American writers have been using their works as a way to describe society to their broad audiences. As time periods change, writers as well as readers change their view about society. Several factors affect how readers view society in a piece of literature. To get a better understanding of the society expressed in a piece of literature, one must consider not only the time period in which the work was written, but also the life of the author, the style in which the work was written, and criticism of the piece. In Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery,† the society is demonstrated as unchangeable due to the underlying fear and evil of human nature. By using, main types of symbols represented in this story, are characters' names and objects. Jackson wrote several pieces of literature throughout her life, she is most known for her short story â€Å"The Lottery.† The lottery takes place in a small town on June 27th. The lottery is an annual event handled by Mr. Summers and the postman, Mr. Graves. The night before the lottery, Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves made slips of paper that are placed in an old black box that has been used for the lottery for a very long time. The children are the first to arrive for the lottery, then the men, followed by the women. As Mr. Summers calls the names of the families in the town, heads of the households, the men, come and draw slips of paper from the black box. During the lottery, Mrs. Adams mentions that the other towns are thinking of stopping their lottery, to which Old Man Warner responds it wil... ...l human character. Writers of American literature have many different opinions on the society. In order for readers to understand an author’s view on the society, they must look at many different aspects including the writer’s life and the time period in which the work was written. Though writers have different theories about the society, they express their philosophies into their work. The town who seem horribly uncivilized, where a son stones his mother, yet they can easily be compared to today's society. Following customs blindfolded in any given society does prove to be fatal, and as I would like to say, disgusting. We need to realize that although, we make a society in the end it is painful for the society as a community to conclude life according to a black box. Work Cited Wilson, Kathleen, ed. Short Stories for Students. Detroit: Gale, 1997.

Global Perspective on Health Policy Essay

Introduction A macro perspective on health policy issues can be helpful to identify how problems become policy issues and how these issues result in the creation of health care policy. The neglected epidemic of Chronic Disease also known as non- communicable diseases are a controversial issue that needs to be addressed in the world. In this paper, the writer will provide an explanation of how this issue has resulted from a policy’s creation. Identify the steps in the state and federal policy development process. Furthermore, differentiate between policy development and implementation. Also, explain how stakeholders become involved in the process and why their voices often become a driver for change in health policy. What is Chronic Disease? Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases are not transferred from person to person. They are slowly progressed over time. The four main kinds of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases such as strokes or heart attacks, any type cancer, chronic respiratory diseases like chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and diabetes. Other Chronic Diseases that affect many Americans are, Obesity and Overweight, Asthma, Epilepsy, Food Allergies, Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, and Heart Disease (Non-communicable diseases. 2014). A Chronic Disease is a long-term illness that can be controlled, but not healed. The worldwide population is affected by chronic diseases. In the United States, chronic disease is the leading cause of disability and death that accounts for 70% of all deaths. Out of these premature deaths, 90% effect low- income and middle-class population. The World Health Organization shows that chronic illnesses are also the main reason for untimely deaths everywhere, even in places where communicable ailments are widespread (What is Chronic Disease?. 2011). According to the article, chronic disease is the most preventable and can be successfully controlled, and they are also very costly health issues and the most common. With the proper care and treatment, these long-term diseases can be controlled (What is Chronic Disease?. 2011). The Epidemic of Chronic Disease In today’s society, Chronic Disease is responsible for an enormous percentage of diseases in people. Non-communicable diseases affect all regions of the  world and age groups. People before the age of 60 attribute to 9 million of the deaths associated with chronic disease. Even though Chronic Disease are a huge problem in low-income areas, these diseases and risk are not exclusive to more wealthy Americans (Horton, R. 2005). The most vulnerable to the risk factors that contribute to chronic diseases are adults, elderly and children. Studies prove that it comes from unhealthy diets, exposure and use of tobacco products, not regularly exercising and harmfully using alcohol. Non-communicable disease are driven by aging and the globalization of unhealthiness in our lives (Non-communicable diseases. 2014). The globalization of unhealthiness like eating unhealthy can result in high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, high blood glucose levels, and higher blood lipids. Many of these risk factors can be lead to cardiovascular disease, which is a common NCD (Non-communicable diseases. 2014). The Center for Managing Chronic Disease (CMCD) aims help in the effectiveness with management and prevention in chronic disease. The main goal of CMCD is to help people at risk, or that are most vulnerable. Conducting advanced research and publicizing the results to aid in policy change and practices (What is Chronic Disease? 2011). On September 2011, a meeting with the UN High Level on Non-Communicable Diseases was an exceptional chance to produce a sustained global drive contrary to preventable disease and disability, premature death for chronic diseases, like stroke, cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease and diabetes. This is an increasing global threat in NCDs that is a barrier to developmental goals. These development goals include health equity, poverty reduction, human security and economic stability (The Lancet. 2011). Policy Making Process. In healthcare, Chronic Disease epidemics cause many threats to the world. In response to the crisis, The Lancet NCD Action Group and the NCD Alliance has proposed five priority actions. Which are: â€Å"Leadership, prevention, treatment, international cooperation, and monitoring and accountability—and the delivery of five priority interventions—tobacco control, salt reduction, improved diets and physical activity, reduction in hazardous alcohol intake, and essential drugs and technologies (The Lancet. 2011).† The import involvements were chosen for their health paraphernalia, cost-value, small costs of implementation, and political and financial achievability. Tobacco control  is the most urgent and immediate priority. They have propose a goal for 2040 that in essence the world would be free from tobacco where fewer than 5% of people engaged in tobacco use (The Lancet. 2011). Policy problems are identified by many factors that include methods that include getting issues on the political agendas and removing them. The first step in the Policymaking Process is agenda setting. Agenda setting is all about decision-making in the first phase of the policymaking process. To be considered on the agenda, difficulties must arise to policymakers’ attention. Healthcare problems are highly visible, because the affect the nation, whereas major problems no relating to health are considered invisible to make the agenda (The Lancet. 2011). The Policymaking process discusses the precise decisions and procedures that are required for a policy to be considered, proposed and implemented. This process is an interactive progression with various points of access that provides opportunities to impact the many decisions (Politics and the Policymaking Process. n.d.).Policymaking process is an interactive process with several points of entree that provides chances to influence the decision-making processes involved in each of the stages. Furthermore, there are three phases of policymaking: the implementation phase, the formulation phase, and formulation phase (Politics and the Policymaking Process. n.d.). Policy development and implementation. During Policy Development, policies may be developed and applied at several stages and may vary from formal reg ulations and legislation to the informal procedures by which governments function (Policy Development. n.d.). An example of policy development would be in government policy that is related to youth, children and health developed at national and federal; territorial and provincial; community, local and district; or international levels by elected executives transversely with a quantity sectors that includes education, health, social services, finance, recreation and labor. Additionally, policy development time frame is determined by various factors that include government agendas and media attention. (Policy Development. n.d.). On the contrary, Policy implementation involves putting implemented policies into play. Success from implementation is depends on three essential elements. First element is the state or president and government officials locally, must pass down polices to the proper agency with the government bureaucracy (Policy Implementation  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Boundless Open Textbook. n.d.). The second element that is essential to policy implementation is strong interpretation. Meaning that legislative intent need be deciphered into functioning guidelines and agendas. The concluding element necessary in operative policy implementation is also challenging to achieve. Dedication of assets to implement policy beneath the primarily element must be combined with organization of the policy with enduring processes (Policy Implementation – Boundless Open Textbook. n.d.). Stakeholders in Healthcare. A Stakeholder involvement in planning, management policymaking has be brought on by new general development models. These models seek a different role for each state based on consensus, pluralistic structures and political legitimacy. Stakeholder contribution can be categorized into three forms: cooperative, instructive and consultative (Involving Stakeholders in Aquaculture Policy-making, Planning and Management. n.d.). In Cooperative involvement primary stakeholder act as companions with government in the decision processing. Consultative involvement is where government makes the primary decisions and stakeholders still have influence in the outcome and processes. Last, in Instructive involvement the government makes the choices but apparatuses occur during information interchange (Involving Stakeholders in Aquaculture Policy-making, Planning and Management. n.d.). Conclusion. The macro perspective on health policy issues can be helpful to identify how problems become policy issues and how these issues result in the creation of health care policy. Chronic diseases impact the healthcare industry in many ways. This controversial issue impacts all age groups. The Center for Managing Chronic Disease (CMCD) helps with management and prevention in chronic disease. This paper, provided an explanation of how the epidemic of Chronic Disease has resulted from a policy’s creation. Moreover, identified the steps in the policy development process. Furthermore, differentiated between policy development and implementation. Also, explained how stakeholders become involved in the process and why their voices often become a driver for change in health policy. References What is Chronic Disease?. (2011). The Center for Managing Chronic Disease. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from  http://cmcd.sph.umich.edu/what-is-chronic-disease.html Horton, R. (2005). The Lancet. The neglected epidemic of chronic disease : The Lancet. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2805%2967454-5/fulltext#bib4 Non-communicable diseases. (2014). WHO. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs355/en/ The Lancet. (2011). Priority actions for the non-communicable disease crisis: The Lancet. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2811%2960393-0/abstract Policy Development. (n.d.). A Brief Guide to Understanding Policy Development. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from http://www.ruralnovascotia.ca/documents/policy/understanding%20policy.pd Politics and the Policymaking Process. (n.d.). The Policymaking Process. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205011616.pdf Policy Implementation – Boundless Open Textbook. (n.d.). Boundless. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/domestic-policy-15/policy-making-process-95/policy-implementation-516-6175/ Involving Stakeholders in Aquaculture Policy-making, Planning and Management. (n.d.). Involving Stakeholders in Aquaculture Policy-making, Planning and Management. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/AB412E/ab412e32.htm

Introducing the Tableau to Students

Making mental images is a strong skill that helps readers increase their understanding of a text that they read. Good readers are able to make a â€Å"mental movie† that plays in their minds as they read and visualize what the words on the page described. Tableau Drama Strategy One arts-integrated teaching strategy that drama teaching artists use to help students make mental images is Tableau. Tableau is the theatrical technique in which actors freeze in poses that create a picture of one important moment in the play. Sometimes, in the theatre, the curtain rises and all the actors onstage are frozen in poses that create a compelling stage picture. Then, on cue, the picture—the Tableau—â€Å"comes to life† with movement and sound. Stillness and silence are the hallmarks of Tableau, making it understandable as to why it appeals to teachers for classroom use. But to really get the most out of this drama strategy in conjunction with the reading of a story, novel, or play, student actors have to do a deeper reading, thinking, and rehearsing. They need to work like actors who explore the text and experiment with a variety of alternatives before they choose their final poses. They need to practice focus and commitment so that they pose with an expression on their faces and energy in their bodies. The best Tableaux show evidence of comprehension of text combined with strong acting skills. The best Tableaux go far beyond mere silence and stillness. Introducing Tableau to Students The following is one way to introduce the drama strategy Tableau to students and increase the likelihood that they will participate productively in frozen, silent, concentrated posing. Whole Group Tableau Begin by engaging all students simultaneously in agreeing to pretend to be in a situation in which they will take responsibility for creating their roles. With students seated at their desks or in chairs, describe a particular fictional circumstance and setting (preferably a dramatic one) that they might find themselves in.Example: Would you agree to pretend that the setting for our drama is the schoolyard and while we are out there, we sight an alien spaceship?Discuss with students the possible feelings and reactions of people having this experience: If this really, truly was happening, think about how you would feel. Raise your hand if you can give me one adjective to describe how you would feel.Point out to students that the kind of thinking they are doing is precisely the kind of thinking that actors have to do. They must imagine that they are in a particular pretend situation and then figure out how their characters would likely react.Then ask the students to agree to pretend that a photographer snaps a photo of them in that circumstance: Would you now also agree to pretend that a photographer just happened to be there and took a photo the moment you spotted that alien spaceship?Explain how you will cue the students to strike and hold their poses: â€Å"I will say ‘Action  - 2 - 3 -  Freeze!’  You freeze in your pose and hold it until I say ‘Relax.’†(Note: Eventually, you all will want to improve this first Tableau by allowing students to leave the confines of their seats, but for now, do not give them permission to do so unless one of them asks specifically.)Once you feel that the students are ready, cue them with â€Å"Action  - 2 - 3 -  Freeze!†View the Tableau and then call â€Å"Relax.† Discuss the Whole Group Tableau In that first draft of the Tableau, the students usually participate well, but they usually remain seated. Compliment them for their cooperation. But, just like actors who rehearse and rehearse their scenes, students need to work now on increasing the dramatic value of the Tableau: Remind students what photographers may do to people in their photographs who do not look too interesting—crop them out.Then coach the students dramatically. Explain (and demonstrate) how they can create a more interesting stage picture by......putting more energy into their bodies and more expression in their faces....incorporating levels—posing close to the floor, mid-level, or reaching higher....interacting with one another to increase the dramatic effect of the Tableau.Invite the students to incorporate your dramatic coaching points and re-create the Tableau so that it is theatrically more powerful.Share the following list of Tableau Excellence with students. (Reproduce it on a chart or on a whiteboard or chalkboard.) Tableau ExcellenceActors......remain still or frozen....remain silent....pose with energy....pose with expression....keep their concentration....pose at different levels....choose poses that communicate the tone and mood of the text. Revise the Whole Group Tableau Once you feel that the students are ready to revise the same Tableau, cue them with â€Å"Action  - 2 - 3 -  Freeze!†View the Tableau and then call â€Å"Relax.† (The second draft is always much stronger than the first draft.) Reflect on the Whole Group Tableau Refer back to the chart on Tableau Excellence and ask students to reflect on the effectiveness of their second Tableau. They can always recognize the big differences between the first one and the second one that received theatrical coaching. This introductory Tableau activity prepares students to use this drama strategy with significant moments in the literature that they read and the historical episodes that they study. It provides them with a foundation for using Tableau productively in small groups. Whole Group Tableau Possibilities People sighting an alien spaceshipReporters and photographers who sight a big celebrityFans—both happy and angry—at a sporting eventTourists looking at a famous sitePeople watching fireworks