Professional Interview Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Professional Interview - Term Paper Example She worked and served the society in the abovementioned role for one and a half year before becoming the Nurse Manager in the same facility. Nonetheless she moved to become the part of Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Winter in August 2004 whereas she had to quit her job at State hospital in order to take care of her ill aunt at home. Additionally she was able to remain a full time student at the campus during her first semester of the course but she was forced to become a part-timer at the later stage so that she can take better care of the aunt. According to the source it is very difficult and testing to manage a fulltime profession when one has to take care of children and an ill aunt and therefore she remained at home for one and a half year while continuing her part-time studies. After completing the course she gladly accepted a job of a Pediatric Rheumatology Nurse at University of US Medical Center. Yet it is important to note that her new position was te mporary in nature and that was ideal for her because it gave her the freedom to manage her studies while making a handsome fortune on the sideline. But shortly she was offered to take up a permanent position and the management pledged to give her ample amount of space to take care of her studies. The target professional enjoyed working with the children and managed to complete her FNP program and subsequently she got her certification and degree in 2010. The nurse continued working as a Pediatric Rheumatology Nurse until January 2011 when she decided to take a position of Family Nurse Practitioner at the US State Hospital. Current Practice The concerned professional is presently working in the role of Family Nurse Practitioner in the female unit of some State medical facility. The nurse has the duties and responsibilities of getting complete history of the patient while running an entire physical test before one can be admitted for the services. Core Competencies The current positio n of the featured professional prays on her abilities to promote a healthy lifestyle in the patients whereas she is also responsible for educating and informing them about reasons, symptoms and remedies of the most commonly prevailing diseases. The professional is also anticipated to run a full physical examination whilst she is supposed to diagnose and propose treatments as well. The frequently occurring situations include pregnancy, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, metorrhagia, sexually transmitted diseases that are to be managed by the nurse. Legal and Ethical Issues with Healthcare The current role of the featured nurse can make her face several number of ethical and legal dilemmas for instance an incapacitated patient may not be able to put her signature on the documents that will cause delay in her treatment (Appelbaum, November, 2007). But in these kinds of situations nursing staff must consult legal experts before taking any course of action. Suggestions and Recommenda tions The nurse must remain awake to the fact that physical illnesses are

Business Market analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Market analysis - Essay Example Footballers are one of the highly paid professionals in the world. In recent years, soccer industry has turned to internet marketing where they carry out their marketing deals. Almost all the famous clubs in the world have opened web sites where they conduct their business. These sites are visited by millions of fans each and every day. However there are professional bodies which have opened up web sites although they don't own any clubs. As has been mentioned this industry is highly organized. In the world, the industry is headed by an umbrella organization called FIFA. This is the umbrella body which sets out rules under which the industry is to operate. FIFA is an umbrella body of continental soccer bodies. Then each and every country has a body that regulate the sport in the individual country although these country bodies can be brought together to form a lager regional body. The organization that manages foot ball in each country holds tournament in the country. Some of these leagues or tournaments are famous all over the world. Premier League in England is perhaps one of the most famous leagues in the world that brings in billions of pounds in returns. The La Liga in Spain is also very famous and brings in more dollars. As has been mentioned there are two kinds of website which carry out soccer business on the internet. One there is the club website. All the major clubs in the world have opened websites from where they conduct their businesses. In this category soccer clubs in England have some of the sites that are visited mostly by people in the world. Then there are websites which are operated by tournament like Premier League website of La Liga Website. These are also famous and are visited by many people. There are also websites which are operated by individual bodies which manages the sport like UEFA website, FIFA website, and other sites which are run by bodies doing soccer business over the internet. Some of the sites which are visited regularly include the following: Club websites: - Manchester United website (Manchesterunited.com), Arsenal website (arsenal.com), Real Madrid website, Barcelona website, Chelsea website, and others Tournaments website: - UEFA website (Uefa.com), La Liga website, Premier league website (premierleague.com), and others Managing bodies' website: - FIFA website (FIFA.com), FA website (FA.com), and others Other soccer websites: - 365 Media website (365mediagroup.com), UKSOCCER SHOP (www.uksoccer.com), English Soccer net, and others. Individual player sites: Some players have developed their own sites or have been included in other sites. E.g. thiery-henry.net How the sites make money These clubs make a lot of money each and every day. Soccer websites are some of the most visited sites in the internet world today. They are mostly visited by youths who are fans of these clubs. It has been recorded that club websites are frequently visited on daily bases by the fans of those clubs who want to catch the recent results from the played games of catch up with the recent development in sports. The clubs have learned a way of keeping their fans glued to their sites by ensuring that they have a section where fans can interact with one another by posting their comments after every game. Apart from club websites, soccer tournaments

Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Financial Management - Essay Example They should who the business is currently progressing and how it is likely to perform in the future. Accounting has its objectives which it is supposed to fulfil. In order to fulfil these objectives, there are concepts and conventions that have to be followed and adhered to. This essay describes ten accounting concepts citing practical examples for each concept. The essay will distinguish between the concepts which are contained in IAS1 from those that are not contained in the IAS1. IAS1 accounting concepts Consistency The first concept of accounting is the consistency. The accounting records should be consistent. The financial statements of one financial year should be consistent with the financial statement of another financial year (Stickney, 2010). They should be easily comparable. There are instances where the methods used in the preparation of financial statement of a certain year are changed in the next financial year hence it becomes difficult to compare the two. This should only be done when the reason is very genuine and satisfactory. Otherwise, the methods should always be similar. A good real life example of the consistency concept is that of a company that uses straight line method in computing depreciation of assets. In all the subsequent years, straight line basis should be used in the computation. This will enable the comparison of depreciation in various financial years. Going Concern Under this concept, it is assumed that an entity should continue to operate for an indefinite period. Recording of assets in the financial statement should be on the basis of original costs rather than the market value (Stickney, 2010). In addition, the concept assumes that the assets will be useful in the business for an indefinite period of time. The idea is that there is no intention to sell the assets in the foreseeable future. In preparing the financial statement, the management is supposed to keep in mind that the business will be in operation for a long per iod of time and in case there are any plans that there are some assets which will be liquidated in the near future, disclosures should be made on the statements. A real life example of a going concern is where a business is being sold to another person. The business will be sold with all its operations, liabilities and assets as they were under the ownership of the previous owner. Nothing should be changed since under the going concern concept, the business is expected to continue as it is indefinitely. Accrual basis It is the requirement under IAS1 that the financial statements of a business entity should be prepared on the accounting accrual basis (Stickney, 2010). Only the cash flow is exempt from this requirement. This means that revenue is supposed to be recorded in the time it was earned. It does not matter when the money or the earnings will actually be received. In the case of expenses, they should be recognized in the year they were incurred and the time they have actually been paid does not matter. For instance, if the business issues goods on credit in a certain financial year, this transaction should be recorded in the financial statement of that year even if the money is to be received in subsequent year(s). Materiality In a business, there are transactions which have the ability to affect the decision making of the management (Stickney, 2010). Such transactions

Does the globalisation of culture effectively mean the westernisation Essay

Does the globalisation of culture effectively mean the westernisation of culture - Essay Example It is a process of transformation that is affected by several changing factors at the global level. The main factors that promote globalisation are technology, economy and culture. Politics has been widely influenced by globalisation; and the political institutions, such as the nation – state have been significantly transformed, on account of globalisation (Shaw 1999: iii). There are a number of concepts involved in the globalisation process, which vary according to the circumstances. It has been argued that globalisation is a symbol of capitalism that is controlled by the market forces. Globalisation legalises transnational capitalism, and establishes international governmental institutions to supervise the world. As such, it brings about global domination, thereby depriving sovereign nations of their power of self – determination (Kellner). Culture can be defined as a combination of diverse features, such as spirituality, materialism, intellectual pursuits and emotions in a society. It incorporates art, literature, lifestyles, social forms of living, value systems, traditions, and belief in a social group or society. Culture can also be construed as communication. Civilisation developed on the basis of the cultural features of society. In the past, the development of dominant societies in a specific region established unique cultural identities for that region. The development of culture resulted in civilisation (Effects on Globalization in Culture Differentiation 2009). In the aftermath of globalisation, cultural identity, in some societies that depict cultural diversity, will emerge stronger. The determining factors, in relation to cultural identity will change, after globalisation. Consequently, diversities in culture will coexist with globalisation. However, the criteria that underlie culture differentiation will undergo transformation, due to globalisation (Effects on Globalization in Culture Differentiation 2009). Western

How is Cleopatras infinite variety reflected Essay Example for Free

How is Cleopatras infinite variety reflected Essay How is Cleopatras infinite variety reflected in the language that she uses? In your answer you should include detailed reference to at least 2 passages from the play. Throughout the play many sides of Cleopatra are shown, this suggests she is constantly masking her true feelings, this ability shows her as a good queen of Egypt, but also a stubborn, yet scared person. The first passage I will refer to is Act I, Scene 1, where Antony and Cleopatra are happy and flirtatious. Here Cleopatra is portrayed as a flirtatious and dominant character, almost like a femme fatale with her use of language suggesting this via words and statements such as If it be love indeed, tell me how much, Hear the ambassadors, these two statements are direct and dominant, she tells Antony to do these things rather than asking him. Also, the way she talks about love in this manner shows her as independent and strong. In this scene she also teases and manipulates Antony with her talk of Fulvia, his wife, and Caesars hold over him, this is encouraging him to write them off and declare his loyalty to her, as he seems to be doing with his statement Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch of the rangd Empire fall: here is my space. Although this scene shows Antony and Cleopatras love, it also shows Cleopatras strong will and manipulation skills, as can be seen on many occasions throughout the play. Another side to Cleopatra is seen in Act III, Scene 11, where she has abandoned Antony at sea, and is now apologizing to him. In this scene, I feel her true feelings start to show through, especially through her language used; Oh lord, my lord, forgive my fearful sails here she is calling Antony lord, so talking of him highly, yet putting herself down by insinuating her and her navy are fearful, so basically, weak. Her reference to Antony as My lord the second time round is significant as it shows her fear of losing him because of her actions. Overall, Cleopatra does not say much in this scene, showing her shame and sorrow at the situation she is in. When she does speak she is very apologetic and says very little, especially in comparison to Antonys long speeches. Her final words in this scene say it all; Pardon, pardon. In these two scenes Cleopatras variety of personalities are shown through these two polar facades, in one she speaks a lot, is dominant, demanding and manipulative, in the other, she says very little, is apologetic almost to the stage of begging, and speaks to Antony with respect. This seeming role reversal between Antony and Cleopatra is seen a number of times throughout the play, in accordance with the events occurring in the plot. Another variety of Cleopatra is shown in Act III, Scene13, where she is deliberately masking her true thoughts and feelings in order to fool Caesars man Thidias. She is playing her cards very close to her chest by flattering Caesar and his men, asking questions about him rather than talking about herself and talking of the past rather than the present; Say to great CaesarI kiss his conquering hand: tell him I am prompt to lay my crown at his feet this shows her sweet-talking Caesars messenger and also shows her signaling to him that she will go along with Caesars words. Cleopatra asks for the messengers name, this is a change from her usual abrupt way with messengers, showing her flattery to make him think that she cares what him name is and also stalls the conversation to give her time to think. She talks of the past by bringing up Caesars father, whom she was with before Antony. She talks of him fondly, suggesting she still cares for Caesars father, and in turn, Caesar and Rome also. In two of these three scenes Cleopatra is able to mask her feelings completely, with her use of language being sophisticated enough to manipulate two powerful men. In all three scenes she is seen in a different light, almost like it were three different characters. Shakespeare keeps the audience intrigued by these changes, and shows Antony and Cleopatras relationship advancing, and also different characters roles and personalities, through Cleopatra and the other characters language. Cleopatras language is very clever, showing a surface meaning that could be completely different when looked at on a deeper level, this close textual analysis allows me to see what her true feelings were, in comparison to these masked emotions that are portrayed to the other characters. This could be Shakespeares way of pre-empting the tragic end and other major events in the play.

Research on Immunology in Pregnancy

Research on Immunology in Pregnancy Investigative Review Nichole Gale The systems controlling the implantation and acceptance of the genetically and immunologically foreign fetus within the maternal body have often been likened to that of an organ transplant, or the growth of a cancerous tumour. The fetus is ‘like a transplanted kidney’, in the way that it is ‘genetically different from the host’ and ‘must evade immune defences to avoid rejection’ (Quinn 1999). The fetus inherits ‘foreign paternally derived histocompatibility genes’, meaning that ‘there is close contact between two genetically disparate individuals’ within the maternal body (Warshaw 1983, p63). Thus, the fetus is often referred to as an allograft, an allograft being a ‘graft transplanted by an individual that is not genetically identical, but of the same species’ (Marieb 1998, p789). The subject of fetus acceptance and tolerance within the maternal body has triggered great interest and controversy, and the sy stems that allow the acceptance of the fetus are complex and varying. Internal gestation has involved ‘a wide range of adaptations of animals for retention of young within the body of the parent’ (Warshaw 1983, p63). The human immune system includes many ‘cellular patterns that constantly exchange information’ to provide the body with the ability to ‘recognise foreignness or â€Å"non-self† in the form of antigens that enter our body’ (Warshaw 1983, p200). The recognition of antigens spark the inflammatory response, which must act with ‘minimum damage to the host’, in order to ‘eliminate the intruder’ (Warshaw 1983, p200). ‘Antigens are expressed by early human embryonic tissue’ (Loke 1978, p5), so it could be expected that the early human embryo would trigger an inflammatory response to rid the mother’s body of the ‘foreign body’. The exposure to non-self paternal antigens on the fetus ‘requires the adaptation of the maternal immune system to prevent the rejection of the allogeneic fetus without compromising the ability of the mother to fend off infection’ (Koch Platt 2003). The immune system consists of an innate (humoral) and an adaptive (cellular) component, in order to combat potential pathogens. It has been suggested that the main immune response triggered by the fetus is the adaptive response, where there is antigen representation, followed by response instruction by Helper T cells (Quinn 1999). In normal pregnancy, progesterone suppresses the humoral response. This has been used to explain why some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis that are under humoral effect, often improve during pregnancy (Quinn 1999). Early work on immunological tolerance, conducted by Medawar, has been the foundation of further studies regarding the paradox of pregnancy. Medawar proposed three mechanisms that might together act to allow immune protection of the fetus. Two of Medawar’s earlier suggested mechanisms have since been proved to not actually ‘pertain during pregnancy’ (Aluvihare, Kallikourdis Betz 2004). The first hypothesis was that there was ‘segregation of the fetal and maternal circulations’, or that ‘a barrier might form between the mother and fetus, preventing exposure of the maternal immune system to allogeneic antigens expressed on fetal tissue’, leading to immunological ignorance (Koch Platt 2003). Medwar’s second hypothesis referred to the immunological immaturity of fetal tissue, and this allogenic immaturity acting to suppress the ‘expression of antigens that the maternal immune system might recognise as foreign and target for dest ruction’ (Koch Platt 2003). More recent research has tended to focus on Medwar’s third hypothesis, ‘that the maternal immune system somehow ignores potentially immunogenic fetal tissue’ (Aluvihare, Kallikourdis Betz 2004). Leading from this, there has also been much focus on ‘the means of inducing immune tolerance, the emergence of T cell suppression in mediating peripheral tolerance, the mechanisms mediating matererno-fetal tolerance and the role played by regulatory T cells in mouse and human pregnancy’ (Aluvihare, Kallikourdis Betz 2005). Koch and Platt (2003) suggest overlapping mechanisms such as ‘the formation of an anatomical barrier between mother and fetus, lack of maternal immune responsiveness, and a lack of expression of allogenic molecules by the fetus’ to account for the lack of fetal rejection. These mechanisms can help in beginning to understand how rejection is avoided, yet do not ‘completely explain how the fetus evades the maternal immune system’ (Koch Platt 2003). Harding and Bocking (2001, p238) state that it was originally proposed that the maternal-fetal interface was perhaps ‘an immunologically privileged site’, or that there was a ‘generalised suppression of maternal immune response’. Recent studies have challenged earlier theories such as these, and it has since been found that not only is there actual recognition of fetal alloantigens by the mother’s immune system, but that her body also responds to them. Fetal cells can be detected in maternal circulation, and ‘fetal tissue expresses MHC class I and class II and is antigenically mature’ (Aluvihare, Kallikourdis Betz 2004). MHC are major histocompatibility complex proteins coded for by genes. Class I are found on virtually all body cells, whereas class II displayed only by cells that act in immune response (Marieb 1998). The understanding of the immune events and mechanisms occurring at the maternal-fetal interface are likely to help in the understanding of the ability of the fetus to survive within the maternal body. Since Medawar’s proposed hypotheses, much focus has continued on fetal immune evasion mechanisms. As well as the three mechanisms above, suggested by Medawar, Koch and Platt (2003) explore a fourth mechanism, site-specific suppression. This refers to ‘local suppression of maternal immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface’ (Koch Platt 2003). ‘Localised suppression at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy negates the need for systemic immunosuppression which could threaten the well-being of the mother’ (Koch Platt 2003). Earlier studies suggested that trophoblast acted simply as a barrier between the mother and fetus, but it now seems that perhaps that it could have ‘diverse immunoregulatory properties controlling immune recognition, activation, and effector functions’ (Koch Platt 2003). It has been proposed by various studies that T cells play a major role in sustaining pregnancy. T cells are lymphocytes that mediate cellular immunity. ‘T cells with regulatory functions are potent suppressors of T cell responses and can protect tissues from T cell mediated destruction’ (Mellor Munn 2004). Observations in experimental pregnant mice have shown that while pregnant, they tend to ‘overproduce a kind of T cell that reins in other immune cells that might target the fetus’ (Seppa 2004). In one study, conducted by immunologist Betz (Seppa 2004) it was found that ‘pregnant mice have double to triple the number of CD4+ CD25+ T cells, also called regulatory T cells, in their blood, spleen, and lymph tissue as do female mice that are not pregnant’. It has also been shown that in humans, levels of circulating CD4+ and CD25+ cells ‘increases progressively at each stage in human pregnancy starting from the first trimester’ (Mello r Munn 2004). It has been ‘demonstrated that Tregs (T regulator cells) have a key role in regulating maternal effector T cell responses to fetal alloantigens’ as maternal effector T cells seem to ‘pose a potentially lethal threat to the developing fetus in the absence of regulatory function mediated by maternal Tregs’ (Mellor Munn 2004). It has also been speculated ‘that hormonal changes during pregnancy might provide one explanation for enhanced maternal Treg development during fetal gestation because pregnancy-associated hormones, such as progesterones, promote immunosuppression’ (Mellor Munn 2004). In regard to the suppression of maternal immunity, it is still ‘unclear if Tregs directly or indirectly inhibit effector T cell responses to fetal alloantigens’ (Mellor Munn 2004). To further test the cells’ effect on pregnancy, 30 female mice were mated with males. 15 out of the 30 mice had fully functioning immune systems, whilst the other 15 mice lacked the regulatory T cells. While a slightly higher than normal number of healthy female mice became pregnant, none of the mice lacking T cells were able to become pregnant. It seems that the role of T cells remains unclear, but that further understanding ‘of the role of regulatory T cells might also lead to new treatments for suppressing rejection of transplanted organs and inhibiting autoimmune reactions, in which a persons immune cells attack his or her own tissues’ (Seppa 2004). Mellor and Munn (2004) also suggest that the revelation that ‘maternal Tregs might help protect the developing fetus’ will have various implications, not only the possibility of offering alternative therapies to suppress immunity, but also possibilities for ‘improving pregnancy success rates in p atients with problematic pregnancies’. Again, the effect of T cells on autoimmune diseases is referred to by Mellor and Munn (2004), ‘increased systemic Treg function might explain why some autoimmune syndromes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, go into remission during pregnancy’. There has also been some discussion on the role of macrophages as immunoregulators of pregnancy. It has been claimed that most attention has focused on immune tolerance to the invading trophoblast and fetus, but Mor and Abrahams (2003) suggest that it is also important to ‘consider the function of the maternal immune system in the promotion of implantation and maintenance of pregnancy’. During implantation, apoptosis is necessary for ‘tissue remodelling of the maternal decidua and invasion of the developing embryo’ (Mor Abrahams 2003). It has been sited that apoptosis is active in the ‘trophoblast layer of placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies throughout gestation, suggesting that there is a constant cell turnover at the site of implantation necessary for the appropriate growth and function of the placenta’ (Mor Abrahams 2003). During implantation and invasion, it appears that a large number of macrophages are present in the maternal decidu a and in tissues close in proximity to the placenta. Originally it was thought the large numbers of macrophages were ‘to represent an immune response against the invading trophoblast’. Mor and Abrahams (2003) propose that this may not be the case, and that ‘macrophage engulfment of apoptotic cells prevents the release of potentially pro-inflammatory and pro-immunogenic intracellular contents’. Trophoblast cells carry proteins that are antigenically foreign to the maternal immune system. If these proteins are released as a result of cell death, it could initiate or accelerate immunological responses, ‘with lethal consequences for the fetus’ (Mor Abrahams 2003). Therefore, the appropriate removal of the intracellular components by macrophages may be critical for the prevention of fetal rejection. Mor and Abrahams (2003) conclude that the ‘field of apoptotic cell clearance is beginning to flourish, and many questions remain unanswered’. There is not just one mechanism involved in the immune regulation of pregnancy, but ‘multiple, diverse mechanisms that are likely sequential during gestation’ (Koch Platt 2003). As humans have a much longer gestation period, and a more invasive placental anatomy, it is sometimes difficult to test in laboratory animals and apply results to humans, as there may be different mechanisms. But it is believed that mechanisms involved with the fetus can be utilised in the studies of rejection following transplantation. As Koch and Platt (2003) suggest, ‘knowledge of the immunoregulatory mechanisms of both the fetus and stem cells will help immunologists understand general mechanisms of tolerance and immune evasion, and will prove invaluable in the fields of organ and cellular transplantation’. It has been suggested that both studies in stem cells and fetal rejection can benefit each other and help in understanding of systems involved. Pregnancy has also been said to have overall effects on the mother’s immune system and maternal defence against organisms. According to Creasy and Resnik (2004, p103) ‘numerous reports indicate that pregnant women have increased susceptibility to a variety of infections’. It is said that ‘there appears to be a trend toward increased susceptibility to viral infections, consistent with suppressed cell-mediated immunity and a relative decrease in Th1 (humoral/innate) responses during pregnancy’ (Creasy Resnik 2004, p103). However, it also added that ‘more recent carefully analysed data do not indicate that maternal immunity is substantially impaired, and most pregnant women are able to adequately respond to most infectious diseases’ (Creasy Resnik 2004, p103). Harding and Bocking (2001, p238) also claim that most studies tend to suggest that ‘maternal cell-mediated immunity is unchanged during pregnancy’. According to some experts, infertility, recurrent miscarriage, premature delivery and preeclampsia may all be linked to immunological abnormalities. It could be that some of these problems are due to ‘defective generation of Tregs during pregnancy’ (Mellor Munn 2004). It is possible that methods involving in vitro expansion of Tregs could help in treating spontaneous immune disease syndromes. Koch and Platt (2003) also suggest that both adult and embryonic stem cells might use mechanisms similar to the fetus in avoiding rejection. ‘Future discoveries in the field of reproductive immunology will help us understand not only immune regulation during pregnancy, but also how immune responses towards organ and cellular transplants might be controlled’ (Koch Platt 2003). References: Aluvihare, V., Kallikourdis, M., and Betz, A. 2004 ‘Tolerance, suppression and the fetal allograft’. Journal of Molecular Medicine. [Online], vol. 83, no. 2, pp 88-96. Available from: Medline. [11 October 2005]. Creasy R. Resnik R. (ed.) 2004. Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 5th edn., Saunders, Philadelphia. Harding, R., Bocking, A., (ed.) 2001. Fetal Growth and Development, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Koch, C. Platt, J. 2003 ‘Natural Mechanisms for evading graft rejection: the fetus as an allograft’, Springer Seminars in Immunopathology, [Online], vol. 25, no. 2, pp 95-117. Available from SpringerLink. [7 October 2005]. Loke, Y., 1978. Immunology and Immunopathology of the Human Fetal-Maternal Interaction, Elsevier Horth-Holland Biomedical Press, New York. Marieb. E., 1998. Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4th edn., Addison Wesley Longman, California. Mellor, A. Munn, D. 2004 ‘Policing pregnancy: Tregs help keep the peace’, Trends in Immunology. [Online], vol. 25, no.11, pp 563-565. Available from: Medline. [10 October 2005]. Mor, G. Abrahams, V. 2003 ‘Potential role of macrophages as immunoregulators of pregnancy’, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. [Online], vol. 119, no.1. Available from Medline. [11 October 2005]. Quinn, T. (1999), Immunology in Pregnancy; The Fetal Allograft, [Online], SIU Medical Library. Available from: http://www.siumed.edu/lib/ref/ppt/immunpreg/> [20 September 2005]. Seppa, N. 2004 ‘Some T cells may be a fetus’ best friend’, Science News, [Online], vol. 165, no. 8, p125. Available from: Proquest. [11 October 2005]. Warshaw, J. (ed.) 1983, The Biological Basis of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Elsevier Science Publishing Co., New York.

Marketing strategy for a LAN gaming centre

Marketing strategy for a LAN gaming centre Our business which is called Pro-Gamers, is a LAN gaming centre and an entertainment area for people whom are interested in playing computer and console games. It will be useful to explain what LAN gaming is. LAN means Local Area Network that enables more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time,(Wikipedia) In other words, it is simply a network of devices and computers in a given area. In the light of the information about the meaning of LAN, LAN game centre is a business where a person can use a computer connected over a lan to other computers in order to play multiplayer computer games. (http://wn.com/LAN_gaming_center) LAN game centres are becoming common and well known in the world wide. There are over 650 LAN game centres in the US and 90% of the LAN game centres in the world are in China (Wikipedia). We are living in a computer era now and computer games are becoming more and more popular in the world especially for the new generation. Therefore, this creates us a good opportunity to setup this kind of business in this North West region of United Kingdom as further market research shows the laciness in this kind of gaming centres and identifying such market gap we are going to establish this kind of gaming centre in the Liverpool region. 1.1 Location and focused customer groups: We are planning to launch our business model in the areas which are close to the four universities in Liverpool because LAN game centre is more related to young people. So our focus customer group is students especially international students. Students have large groups in general and they tend to play such games together in the same environment. However, it cant be easy for international students to find chance in order to play computer games, especially LAN games. Local students have their own game consoles and convenient computers in their houses that enable them to play such games comfortably. Because of this reason, we are focusing on international students and it is a well known fact that there are many Chinese students in Liverpool, considering the majority of LAN game centres are in China, we have a significant opportunity. 1.2 Collaborations: In terms of our collaborations, we are planning to work with the organisation of Interactive Gaming UK which is professional in LAN gaming in UK. The IGUK provides professional support to new LAN gaming centres. So, we gain another significant opportunity to make a successful start up process. 1.3 Business: 1.3.1 Structure: Our business models structure is divided into two parts. First one is about the products and services, and the second is about the platforms. With regard to the products and services, we are providing project rooms to our customers with wide screens for watching sports games such as football for British and cricket games for Indians. We have a small food court as well in order to have some drinks, snacks, sandwiches while customers are playing games. In terms of our platforms, 1.3.2 Equipments: We arrange high end Pcs, X-box 360 and play station 3 (PS3) with LCD TVs so our customers can play separately or together with their friends. 1.3.3 Products: On the other hand, we also provide special memberships separated by their willingness of playing platforms such as Pro-Gamers PC for computers users, Pro-Gamers X for x-box users and Pro-Gamers PS for play station users. It is an opportunity for the customers to pay less and the same for us as well because we make discounts for membership cards holders. 1.4 Future purpose: As mentioned in the introduction part, our business model is a LAN game centre and the popularity of playing such games is getting bigger day by day in the world wide. The most important example about the popularity of LAN games is the World Cyber Games. It is an international e-sports event arranged by Korean Company World Cyber Game Inc. and backed by Samsung and Microsoft. (http://www.wcg.com/6th/main.asp) It is the largest gaming festival celebrated once a year and more than one million visitors come every year to this LAN game event.( http://www.bukisa.com/articles/362457_the-top-pro-video-game-competitions) In world Cyber Game Championship, there are specific games which are quite common in the world such as counter strike and each country has its own teams to represent. The teams are playing against each other to win the World Cyber Game Championship. It can be deduced from the information above that this championship is the hugest and the most popular one in the world and the biggest companies are in support of this big event such as Samsung, Microsoft, Dell Alienware. Our future purpose is to create a LAN game team sponsor them and send them to represent UK in the World Cyber Game Championship by means of our business. Therefore, we will expand our business to the world wide and be a well known and famous game centre, and on later expansions of such teams we will be introducing our own teams from the countries in which where we will be operating our LAN-Game centre, in this way we are in an option to enter into the International market and make our feature in the game centres. 1.5 The uniqueness of our business model: It is the fact that uniqueness is one of the most significant features for a new small business in the start up process. It is the essential point that enables small businesses to run and make profit. If there are some important competitors in that business area, it will be so difficult for new businesses to grow. Considering our business model, we have this significant feature, we are unique in Liverpool. There are some LAN gamin centres in UK in different regions but in North West region which Liverpool is located, there is no LAN gaming centre. (http://lancenters.com/Default.aspx) The locations of the LAN gaming centres in UK are shown region by region in the table below. Approaches to Start up Process: Every business start up is a unique event. Everyone has a different set of skills and experiences, which may give rise to entrepreneurship opportunities (David Deakins and Mark Freel), e.g. personal SWOT. Everyone wants their launched business to be stable, profitable, and manageable. This is only achieved by selecting the prior approach model which fits within the business idea. Therefore every business organization should have to consider all the aspects of setting-up a business. According to David Deakins and Mark Freel there are three types of approaches in setting-up a business, they are: I. Intuitive approach, II. Methodological approach and III. Incremental approach. According to the business start-up approaches given by David Deakins and Mark Freel, our business idea i.e., setting up a game centre (pro-gamers) in Liverpool resembles to both intuitive approach and incremental approach. Where intuitive approach has the upper hand than incremental approach. Intuitive approach: Carl Jung noted that intuitive approach does not denote something contrary to reason. But something outside the province of reason. It is neither a magical sixth sense nor a paranormal process. Intuition is not the opposite of rationality, nor is it a process of guessing. it is a sophisticated form of expert hones over years of job specific, experience (prietula Simon, 1989). Therefore intuitive business approach means just start up from nowhere, with strong personal belief in the idea and with minimal planning. Intuitive approach is an opportunistic and tends to be high risk because of minimal planning. Therefore as our business idea to launch a game centre in Liverpool, intuitive approach suited our business idea because of the following factors, Opportunistic. Strong personal belief in idea. Minimal planning. Can be viewed by some as the true entrepreneurial approach. Has the advantage of speed. Tends to be high risk. The above are some of the factors of intuitive approach (entrepreneurship and small firms 5th edition by David Deakins and Margarent Fletcher). 2.1 STAGES IN THE START-UP PROCESS: Everyone who are intended to launch their new business in the market should undergo a number of stages in the start-up process of a business. Without considering the stages, one cannot launch a profitable business. Similarly we have considered the stages in the start up process in our business idea, which gave us a clear idea on the opportunities and validating the idea of our business. Thus the following are the stages in the start-up process of a business. Formation of the idea. Opportunity recognition. Validating the idea. Entry in to entrepreneurship. Launch and development of the ongoing business. Formation of the idea: The seed stage of your business life cycle is when your business is just a thought or an idea. This is the very conception or birth of a new business. This is the stage where idea is formulated. Opportunity recognition: Most seed stage companies will have to overcome the challenge of market acceptance and pursue one niche opportunity. The seed stage business should recognise the opportunities for their business to move to the next stage. In our business idea we had recognised a great opportunity, because there is no game centre located in the north-west of the United Kingdom which provides lan gaming, play station gaming etc. Validating the idea: Validating the idea is an important stage where one should validate his/her idea, and ensure that it really solid enough for ones personal investment of time and money. Therefore validation means collecting the prior information to validate the business plan. In our case we gathered the information and validated the business idea. Launch and development of ongoing business: Launch and development of an ongoing business is the last stage of the stages in the start-up process of a business (David Deakins and Mark Freel, 2009). It is the stage where the business idea is finally launched. To launch and develop the game centre in Liverpool we have to consider some of the factors like, business idea is : Depending on budget Organizing events for the awareness among the people Expansion : infrastructure Food court Cafà © and bar Projector rooms 2.2 Start-up options of a business: To launch every business plan into business activity there are four options to start up a business. According to David Deakins and Mark Freel they described start-up options of a business into the following categories. They are. Starting from scratch. Buying a going concern. Buying a franchise. Management buy-out/ Management buy-in. Therefore according to David Deakins and Mark Freel the best start-up option of a business, which fits in our business idea, is starting from scratch. Starting from scratch: Starting a business from scratch can be the most rewarding method of business start-up. Unlike Franchising, Referral Marketing and Buying a business- you are 100% on your own. Before you dive in at the deep end, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chance of success. There is a better opportunity to know the market and competition, creating a realistic business plan etc. Our business idea fits starting from scratch start up option,because as there is no such game centres in the north-west region of UK which provides different ranges of fun facilities. Therefore it will be 100% of our own implementation. Therefore starting from scratch got both advantages and dis-advantages. Thus the following are some of them Advantages: Initial investment level is decided by yourself or your ability to attract investment. Many organisations offer support / subsidies / funding. You will have the chance to explore new business concepts / formulae. No restrictions on your business methods. Control expansion to suit. Ability to adapt quickly to changing economic circumstances. Great sense of achievement and ability to say I told you so. Potential to sell, franchise or float on stock market once business has established. Disadvantages: Most business start-ups fail in their first year. Takes time to build up the business. No goodwill from customers and suppliers. Ability for your friends to say I told you so. Potentially high risk than all the other options. 2.3 Market research and marketing: Market research: In todays world as the gaming industry is booming to an extent, many of the gaming companies are competing between each other to become the best. Therefore many of the game centres in UK are trying to make good business with this opportunity. As there are many lan gaming centres spread in UK, north west of UK doesnt got any. Therefore according to the IGUK (Interactive game United Kingdom) list of lan gaming centres, north-west of UK is a game centre free zone. Therefore our business idea is to fill up the market gap. Therefore we would like to launch a lan gaming centre in Liverpool to cover the market gap. Market targeting: According to our business idea, i.e. launching a Lan gaming centre in north-west of UK, Liverpool. We mainly focus on people between the age group of 12-20 (youth) because people of that age group are more attracted to play computer games. So we have mainly concentrated on the people between that age group. Our main target is to attract the students of different universities, schools etc. We mainly focus on international students because numbers of international students are un-able to play the games which they would play in their home countries. The main dis advantage or limitation of this business idea is the age group of the people, because people of above 25 years will not have interest to play computer games. As our business idea has the age limitation criteria, we cannot attract the whole market. Therefore we need to capture the young generation market to achieve the goals. When it comes to market targeting there are many issues which we have to consider. They are, How to target the market? Whom to target? Can the targeted market is enough to achieve the profits? Marketing and marketing strategies: As one of the famous scholar described in his words the meaning of marketing that Marketing is the social process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and what through creating and exchanging products and values with others, (PHILIP KOTLER). Every business has to market its products and its services to the consumers according to consumer needs and wants. Every business has to market its products and services or people will be unaware of that particular brand. Every company follows their own marketing strategies to attract customers. Without implementing marketing strategies one cannot attract the customers. In our business proposal as the main target is on young generation, we are mainly focusing on the young minds. We are planning all kind of marketing strategies to attract them. Some of the marketing strategies are as follows. Distributing palm plates in all the universities, schools etc in Liverpool. Organising events to increase awareness among the people. Advertising through internet pop-ups Offering different membership categories. Organising inter college championships Advertising through social networks. 2.4 Organization and management team: Management structure: A Management structure consists of activities such as task allocation, co-ordination and supervision, which are directed towards the acheivement of organizational aims (pugh, D.S., ed. 1990). In other terms management structure is defined as it is the form of structure that determines the hierarchy and the reporting structure inn the organization. Explicit and implicit institutional rules and policies designed to provide a structure where various work roles and responsibilities are delegated, controlled and coordinated to acheive the organizational goals is known as management structure. Therefore every organization i.e. from small scale organization to large scale organization will have a management structure. Without an organizational structure one cannot run business effectively. According to pugh, D.S. he has described management structure in to 3 types. They are, Traditional structure (based on the functions between line and staff managements) Divisional structure (based on different divisions in an organization. i.e. product division, market division, and geographic division) Matrix structure (it is the mixture of both traditional and divisional structures.) Therefore according to our business proposal, as our business is on a small scale. The initial owners will be 4 partners. Every thing is carried on the basis of divisional management structure, by categorising on the product, market,and geograpgic structures. As our business idea throws a light on incremental stage also, there will be a chance of recruitments in the future. 2.5 Operations: There are certain feature milestones for our business, those are set for the development of the business by all means in the international market, the key reason that is forecasted in our business plan are on the primary purpose Milestones: every business has its milestones to achieve so as to work on the first step is to establish firmly in the local market and the next step is to enter into the national market and the third step is to enter into the international market by franchise way, Franchise is a kind of vertical marketing system with a contractual relationship between the franchisor and franchisee, (Brassington and Pettitt, 2006, Pg. 1082), and on later expansion there will be a cafà © and bar in addition for the lateral income to the business Project and events: Pro-Gamers will sponsor teams from the operative country and sponsoring them to WCG and on the other hand we will be organising tournaments in between the operative countries and also there will be tournaments from the universities in the operating countries, which has its key reasons to keep us active and also to gain profit from these kinds of activities. Resources and Locations: in our Pro-Gamers business the resources are in general will in collaboration of IGUK.Org and associates providing all the required equipments like (n Vidia, WD Raptor, Creative sounds, AMD, Keconnect Broadband, EXS systems), supports all game publishers by buying their games and to reject all forms of piracy,(IGUK.Org sponsors), followed by the locations in the initial stage it will be organised near the university or in permission of the university premises, and later in the slightest increment in organising it will be setup in the large stadiums, with this there will be standard cash flow which will be helping us in the development of our business. SMEs Internationalization: 3.1 Role of SMEs: Business is a profession that starts with purpose of making profits out of it, and theres a fact that should never be kept out of focus that is by all means to develop the business, its development, growth, expansion in the sense of local to international markets. It is always said that SMEs involvement in international markets is increasing (Hall and Donchels 1988, Lamb and Liesch 2002), yet SMEs are not fully represented in the international economy as large firms (Fujita 1988). Well SMEs are though in the international economy but their reliability and feasibility are questioned by the big players, but in the recent times there were many reports which says that SMEs will play a greater role in the rapidly changing economic environment (WIPO General Assembly, Twenty-six (12th Extraordinary) Session Geneva, 25/09/2000 3/10/2000), so we often come across the term SMEs so lets know what is a SME as it is defined as, The category of micro, small and medium-sized (SMEs) is made up of e nterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro. Extract of Article 2 of the Annex of recommendation 2003/361/EC (European Commission). The researches says that the SMEs are real player of the todays economy in comparing to the large businesses, but there are also some reports that says that they also fail as it is the span of business or lack in improvement to survive or cannot sustain the competition from the other business firms, A study by Equifax has revealed that the retail sector saw a 17.2 per cent rise in business failures last year, with many SMEs forced to close their doors, reports Creditman, Neil Munroe, the external affairs director at Equifax, confirmed that a number of the failures recorded would be small businesses, (SMEs business failure rate increases, Published On 8 January 2007). 3.2 SMEs Market Expansions: Well though business starts from some point, but there is a point that a business can develop itself to the international level by entering into the international market. Which is in the term called as Internationalization, well we are talking about internationalization lets know what is internationalization as there are many definitions that internationalization is defined but there is no exact definition to define it, as it can be defined in general term its an opportunity that is recognized by the firm to enter into the markets of different countries to expand their activities. This is what internationalization can be define or said in general. 3.3 Pro Gamers Internationalization: As it is defined the business of LAN (Local Area Network) gaming centre Pro-Gamers', which is our small business that we are going to start, as it is defined that at some stage it is in need to recognize an opportunity to enter into different market from, local to national and international in an order to expand our activities by all means considering all the ethical marketing issues in a specified market. As our gaming centre is basically a new kind of gaming centre that is different from the other gaming centres of indoor game activities or casinos, though it is well known in the international market but the confusion that is always observed by the audience in the locality of the Liverpool, is that it is the same kind of gaming centres like the casinos and the indoor game centre, which is basically not of that kind and it differentiate from the other gaming centres by all means. The market that is observed in the North West region of England does not have this kind of gaming centre to the farthest reach of people of Liverpool. 3.4 Gaming Market of North West of UK: Liverpool has 4 casinos. Our database says there are 35 gaming machines in Liverpool, and 45 total table games., as for these are the casino and indoor gaming centres these centres does not meet the exact criteria to Pro-Gamers, so this is one of its kind as mentioned, this game centre will have all the state of the art technology for the gaming purpose and all kind of games that makes its customers to experience the good gaming experience. 3.5 Entering into the International market: There are several reasons to enter into the international market or supply chain relies on the development of a supportive business environment for SMEs and the build-up of the human, technical, and financial capacity of these SMEs so they can understand the policies and operations of global supply chains and profitably respond to those requirements. (Pg 1, Enabling SMEs to enter into the International Supply Chain, June 2005) . These are certain reasons that makes Pro-Gamers to enter into the international market to expand our activity, as we mentioned earlier that we will be providing a membership options to the customers to play in the respective platforms and, later on to the interest of the customers we will be organising teams and sponsoring them to represent U.K, and later as we enter into the international market we will be expanding our activity and then we will be organising team from the operating countries and they will be battling against each other in the WCG and in occasions there will be tournaments between the Pro-Gamers teams from the operating countries in the mean time 3.6 SMEs Advantages and Disadvantages: As it is said the SMEs have the advantage compared to the Multinational Co., because it tend to Includes faster and more streamlined decision making process Less bureaucracy Low fixed cost, and More agility to responding to new customers needs and changes in the business climate. (European IT SMEs in India SMEs in focus: Main results from the 2002 Observatory of European SMEs). Pro-Gamers is a micro business unit has the advantage in comparing to the other gaming or casinos of its nature of being a micro business unit and having low number of employed personnel thus the maintenance is low and, it has the benefit of one time investment in local but as it grows to the international markets it need more investments and more persons to employee and expand the activities into the international markets. There are some disadvantages in the SMEs Internationalization which in general, include limited working capital and resources, more difficulty in attracting and retaining talented workers, and higher transaction costs. SMEs also tend to be young, specialized companies, which means they lack the scale and scope of larger firms. A small number of managers leaves SMEs with a lack of collective experience as well as a limited bench to draw from for new initiatives. Many SMEs are also suppliers to much larger multinationals, which often translates to a lack of bargaining power(European IT SMEs in India, Eric Olsson, Peter Schumacher pg 1). Resource constraints of SMEs can be turned to their advantage by maintaining flexibility and resource leveraging (David, D and Freel, M, entrepreneurship and small firms), as for the resource gathering the IGuk.org is reliable sponsor of all kind of hardware and software installation as for the pert of infrastructure and they also provide guidance for the financial approvals and financial activities. 3.7 Network Model: The network model is based on the social exchange of firms, there is always a network of organisation that come in touch of the new emerging business and thus IGUK.org is a kind of an organisation that introduces and provides all kind of support from the government as well as from the private investors, well entering into the international market there is an Org that will help in establishing LAN game centres iGames.Org, thus continues interaction will eventually increase the speed up in process of the organisational set up. These are details regarding the countries that has won the medals in the international WCG championship these are some of the primary sources and thus, there is another primary data the illustrate the area of operation of the international gaming organisations which is in the below chart. Thus these are some of the primary data that is collected in the initial market research Secondary data: The secondary that is gathered is by a questioners which is provided to the respondent and the result of the active respondent showed that this business is new and some thought that its an old business model but on later discussion with the respondent and making them aware of the business it just came to approve that most of the respondent are very much positive of the business, there we almost all of 60 respondent of which almost all were positive and some were not sure about what is the business but the positive respondent made it to appear a good customer response. There is questioner is attached to the file and its a prototype. Joint venture Strategies: Joint venture and strategic alliances is a process that Pro-Gamers is in the purpose of alliance that we are going to opt for the international market to set up our business and iGamer.Inc and WCG.Org are the international partners for us to establish in the international market and grow our business in all times there are certain countries that is targeted to enter, most of these countries are the economy of emerging and transition like India, Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, Sri lanka these are some of the target market in the internationalization of our business.