Mental Health in Adolescents

Mental Health Service Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidality Amy H Cheung, M D Carolyn S Dewa, Objectives: Despite being recognized as a serious public health concern, suicidality among adolescents and young adults is frequently missed, and completed suicide remains the second leading cause of death for young Canadians. With such close links between depression, suicidality, and completed suicide, any intervention must address all 3 of these issues.However, to develop effective interventions, we must understand the types and rates of mental health service use among adolescents and young adults. This study examines service use rates in young Canadians with depression and suicidality and the influence of sex on the types of service provider chosen. Methods: We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Weil-Being. Our sample included 619 individuals, aged 15 to 24 years, who screened positive for depression and suicidality in the past 12 months. We examined mental health service use rates in general and by provider type.Results: Among adolescents aged 15 to 18 years with depression, 40% had not used any mental health services. This rate was higher for adolescents with suicidality at 50%. In young adults aged 19 to 24 with depression, 42% had not used any mental health services. Among young adults with suicidality, 48% had not accessed services. Female adolescents and young adults were more likely to receive services from nonspecialty mental health providers. Conclusions: In Canada, many adolescents and young adults with depression and suicidality do not receive mental health services.Further, there may be a preferential treatment of young men by mental health specialists. Further research is needed to understand the quality of care received by these young Canadians and the factors influencing service use. (Can J Psychiatry 2007;52:228-232) Information on funding and support and author affi liations appears at the end of the article. Clinical Implications †¢ About 50% of adolescents and young adults with depression and suicidality do not use mental health services. †¢ Strategies to increase service use in youth with depression are needed. Strategies to decrease differences between the sexes in service use are needed. Limitations †¢ The quality of care could not be examined from the CCHS 1. 2 data. †¢ The survey results were based on patient recall. †¢ Although this was a national population-based study, the sample size was small. 228 †¢ La Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, vol 52, no 4, avril 2007 Mental Health Service Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidality Key Words: adolescents, depression, suicidality, service use, young adults D pression and suicidality (ideation and attempts) among adolescents and young adults are frequently unrecognized and untreated by any health professionals. ‘ N ot only are depression and suicidality often linked, but both pose a significant burden on patients and their families. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth aged 15 to 18 years, second only to motor vehicle accidents. ^ Further, almost 50% of teens who complete suicide have a diagnosable mood disorder, such as depression, and have expressed suicidality prior to completing suicide. ^^ There are also consistent differences between male and female adolescents, with male adolescents more likely to complete suicide and female adolescents more likely to have depression and suicidality. ^ Policy-makers, families, and providers have struggled to understand how to address this significant public health issue. A first step in addressing the issue is to understand the mental health service use pattems among adolescents and young adults with depression and suicidality.Given the differences in prevalence rates between young men and women, it is also critical to understand the in fluence of sex on service use in this age group. have a form of depression. ^ Further, according to a biannual survey of youth in the United States, more than 16% of US teenagers have had thoughts about suicide, and 10% had actually attempted suicide in the previous 12 months. ‘† We found similar rates in Canada, with almost 20% of teens aged 15 to 18 years reporting suicidality in their lifetime. † However, it is not known how many of these youth received mental health interventions.Given that depression and suicidality are so closely linked, it would be a reasonable first step to examine the rates of mental health service use among Canadian adolescents and young adults and, flirther, to look at which type of service provider they are seeing to address these problems. Therefore, this study examines the rates of service use in adolescents aged 15 to 18 and young adults aged 19 to 24 with depression and suicidality. We will also comment on how these service use rate s could be used to develop policies targeted at this population. MethodsSubjects The survey sample was drawn from the CCHS 1. 2. We examined a subsample of CCHS 1. 2 respondents aged 15 to 24 years. The total sample size for the CCHS 1. 2 is 36 984, with a sample size of 5646 for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Our subsample included 619 individuals who screened positive for a diagnosis of depression and (or) suicidality in the past 12 months. We examined the rates of mental health service use in general and according to provider type. Major Depressive Disorder. The diagnosis of MDD was evaluated in the CCHS 1. 2 through the use of structured interviews.The interview modules were drawn from the CIDI. ‘^ A diagnosis of MDD was derived from the CIDI. We used the 12-month estimates for MDD. Suicidality. Suicidal attempts and ideation were measured by using the questions on suicide in the depression section ofthe CCHS 1. 2 survey. Subjects were interviewed for sui cidality regardless of their screen for depression. Although there are significant risk differences between those with suicidal ideation and those with attempts, we combined these 2 groups in our analyses because of Statistics Canada reporting rules regarding rare events.Service Use. Service use for MDD and suicidality was measured with mental health service use questions. All service use was measured according to provider and place of contact in the following groups: GPs (nonpsychiatrist medical doctors), psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or counsellors, and other professionals, including nurses, religious counsellors (such as ministers or rabbis), and naturopaths or other alternative health care practitioners. Service use for each of the groups was defined according to use and nonuse.Statistical Analyses The CCHS 1. 2 uses a stratified design with differences in sampling fractions across the strata, with some geographical 229 Several studies have examined the rates of m ental health service use by adolescents and young adults. However, most of these have been US-based studies. * These studies show that service use is less than 50% among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years* and that up to 80% of children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years do not receive needed mental health services. Among adolescents with depression, 50% are not diagnosed prior to adulthood. * In Canada, the rates of depression and service use in Canadians aged 15 to 24 were examined in the Ontario Mental Health Supplement in the early 1990s,' which found the rate of service use in this age group to be less than 50%. However, aside from the supplement, no other Canadian study has examined the rates of service use by young Canadians aged 15 to 24 with depression.Therefore, even with the increasing recognition by policymakers and service providers that depression poses a significant burden on our youth and their families, there is very little research furthering our unde rstanding of this issue or helping to develop effective strategies to address it. Similarly, we know very little about young individuals with suicidality and their pattern of service use. US surveys have shown that more than 50% of youth who complete suicide Abbreviations used in this article CCHS 1. Cl CIDI GP MDD Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Heaith and Weli-Being confidence interval Composite International Diagnostic Interview general practicitioner major depressive disorder The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Voi 52, No 4, Aprii 2007 Original Research Table 1 Twelve-month service use rates by provider type among youth with major depression and sutcidality Any service % (95%CI) Psychiatrist % (95%CI) GP % (95%CI) Psychologist % (95%CI) Social worker or counsellor % (95%CI) Other provider % (95%CI)Respondents Adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. suffered from major depression Male Female 56. 3 (34. 4 to 78. 1) 55. 9 (40. 7 to 71. 1) 45. 5 (21. 2 to 69. 9) 21. 4 (11. 2 to 31 . 6) 24. 6 (7. 2 to 42. 0) 30. 7 (17. 9 to 43. 6) 25. 2 (0. 5 to 49. 8) 16. 7 (7. 9 to 25. 5) 10. 8 (0. 9 to 20. 7) 39. 9 (24. 7 to 55. 0) 23. 9 (-0. 6 to 48. 3) 16. 4(8. 1 to 24. 8) Adults aged 19 to 24 years, suffered from major depression Men Women 52. 5 (37. 3 to 67. 8) 55. 6 (44. 3 to 66. 9) 28. 9 (15. 3 to 42. 5) 26. 1 (18. 0 to 34. 2) 37. (22. 2 to 51. 9) 45. 9 (35. 3 to 56. 5) 33. 9 (19. 2 to 48. 6) 21. 9 (13. 4 to 30. 5) 17. 6 (7. 8 to 27. 5) 29. 1 (20. 3 to 38. 0) 9. 5 (1. 9 to 17. 1) 21. 1 (12. 7 to 29. 5) Adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. suffered from suicidality Male Female 36. 5 (18. 4 to 54. 5) 49. 0 (38. 5 to 59. 5) 23. 3 (6. 3 to 40. 3) 19. 3 (10. 9 to 27. 7) 14. 7 (4. 4 to 25. 1) 27. 2 (17. 7 to 36. 7) 21. 7 (4. 5 to 38. 8) 21. 0 (12. 3 to 29. 8) 13. 2 (4. 2 to 22. 2) 31. 9(22. 1 to 41. 7) 16. 2 (-1. 1 to 33. 4) 15. 9 (8. 5 to 23. 3)Adults aged 19 to 24 years, suffered from suicidaiity Men Women 39. 5(27. 1 to 51. 9) 50. 8 (37. 0 to 64. 6) 22. 6 (12. 3 to 33. 0) 17 . 5 (9. 6 to 25. 4) 27. 9 (16. 6 to 39. 1) 41. 3 (28. 3 to 54. 3) 24. 1 (10. 9 to 37. 3) 24. 6 (14. 0 to 35. 2) 12. 8 (4. 9 to 20. 7) 20. 8 (11. 6 to 30. 0) 9. 3 (2. 2 to 16. 4) 16. 2 (7. 0 to 25. 3) areas under- or overrepresented in the sample relative to their representation in the population. Therefore, we used the weights recommended by Statistics Canada when conducting analyses.Rates of service use for mental health reasons were calculated for subjects with MDD and (or) suicidality in the past 12 months. Service use rates were examined according to provider type and the sex ofthe subjects. Chi-square tests were conducted to examine for differences between young men and women with depression and (or) suicidality. Results Among adolescents aged 15 to 18 years with depression, 40% (95%CI, 28% to 53%) had not used any mental health services. The rate was higher for those with suicidality, at 50% (95%CI, 41% to 59%).Most adolescents and young adults with depression were either not accessing services at all or accessing services for their mental health problems through one provider. Among those aged 15 to 18 years, 22% (95%CI, 11% to 33%) accessed services through one provider, compared with 20% (95%CI, 14% to 27%) of those aged 19 to 24 years. Among young adults aged 19 to 24 years with depression, 42% (95%CI, 33% to 51%) had not used any health services for mental health reasons. For those with suicidality, 48% (95% CI, 39% to 5 8%) had not accessed services in the past 12 months.As with those with depression, most of our sample with suicidality either did not access services at all or accessed services through one provider. Among those aged 15 to 18 years with suicidality, 21% (95%CI, 14% to 28%) accessed services through one provider, compared with 22. 12% (95%CI, 14% to 30%) of those aged 19 to 24 years. 230 Differences between young men and women were not found in the overall use of mental health services. Service use by type of provider and sex are show n in Table 1.However, female adolescents aged 15 to 18 years with depression were more likely to use services from social workers and (or) counsellors, compared with male adolescents (female adolescents; 40% [95%CI, 25% to 55%]; male adolescents, 11% [95%CI, 1% to 21%]). Similarly, in young adults aged 19 to 24, a higher percentage of yotmg women saw social workers and (or) counsellors (women, 29% [95%CI, 20% to 38%]; men, 18% [95%CI, 8% to 28%]). For those with suicidality, female subjects in both age groups were more likely to use mental health services from GPs.Among those aged 15 to 18, 15% (95%CI, 4% to 25%) of male adolescents saw GPs, compared with 27% (95%CI, 18% to 37%) of female adolescents. Among those aged 19 to 24, 27. 9% (95%CI, 17% to 39%) of young men saw GPs, compared with 41% (95%CI, 28% to 54%) of young women. Overall, female adolescents and young adults with depression and (or) suicidality were more likely than male adolescents and young adults to use services fr om GPs (female subjects aged 15 to 18 years: x^ = 4. 53, dfl,P< 0. 03; aged 19 to 24: X = 14. 88, df 1, P < 0. 001) and from social workers and (or) ^ counsellors (aged 15to 18:^^=15. 54,dfl,P

Labour Day Essay

The short essay, â€Å"Labour Day Is a Dreaded Bell in the Schoolyard of the Mind† by Harry Bruce is about his memories of Labour Day over many years of his life. He talked about how Labour Day was like foreshadowing the coming of school, which he hated. Harry described Labour Day as if it were the ‘last meal’ one would take before the inevitable electric chair. Not only was Labour Day bad for foreshadowing the coming of school, it comes with a good-bye to days on the beach, bonfires and all the good things that one enjoys during summer. He clearly shows how Labour Day is a bad day for children, but he also shows the grown-up side of things. His friend drove over one thousand three hundred kilometres to see him, then quickly had to drive back home to go to his job. He talks about how Labour Day makes you grow up in a sense, because instead of focusing on fun childish events to do on the weekend, you have to prepare to get back to your careers. Honestly, to me Labour Day did not really have that much meaning to me growing up. It was just another holiday near the end of summer that in a sense signified the coming of school just as Harry said. I never understood why people took it so seriously. Of course the first thing that pops to my mind about Labour Day is the, ‘Don’t wear white after Labour Day’ rule, but I always neglected it. It also signifies a lot in my household. My parents are typically more left wing on the political spectrum so I remember growing up, going to the parade or protest if you will, and celebrating all the achievements of the workers. It also meant that i was closer to seeing some of my friends that I hadn’t seen for two months. Showing them how much I’ve grown, since I was typically the short kid in the class and grew many inches over the course of summer, where I went, what I did, that kind of stuff. That’s pretty much all that it meant to me, just another holiday where my parents dragged me out to watch a parade and one that signified the coming of the new school year. What people forget is that Labour Day is a holiday; it’s a chance to get together with family and just sit down, have a barbeque, and relax together. It might signify upcoming doom with the likes of school for children or going back to careers for adults, but nonetheless it still is a chance to just take an extra day off. What I learned is that everybody neglects that fact and sees it only with pessimism. Harry taught me to ‘live life in the moment’ if you will, as according to him as you age, Labour Day just gets worse. For me Labour Day wasn’t so bad growing up because I never really acknowledged it but who knows, maybe in the upcoming years I’ll learn to hate it just like Harry Bruce.

Early Modern Revolutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Early Modern Revolutions - Essay Example After a discussion on these questions, this paper finally ends with a short conclusion. To understand the concept of revolution, it said that it is best to postpone any attempt to define it until one has inquired into its history. A revolution must not be considered as timeless thing that is wanting of change and variety. Like all human artifacts revolution has a history; therefore, one's understanding of revolution must be sensitive to those changes. Relative to this discussion are the views of revolutionists Max Weber and Friedrich Nietzsche during their time.1 Weber (1864-1920) said, "Definition can be attempted, if at all, only at the conclusion of the study." Meanwhile, Nietzsche (1844-1900) held that "only that which has no history can be defined."2 To understand then a revolution, we look to its history. Both the American and French revolutions happened in the late 18th centuries. Although the two revolutions took place at different occasions and different continents, their causes were very much alike. The American and French Revolutions did acutally both begin with conservative intentions. The Americans wished, they said, to go back to the working arrangement that they had had with the British state since the seventeenth century. On the other hand, the French wished to restore power to the old institutions of the parliaments and the Estates-General. In both cases the revolution rapidly went beyond these conservative premises, to the alarm of many who began the revolution.3 A new concept of revolution arose in the course of these revolutions. Tom Paine, whose pamphlet Common Sense (1776) called the American Revolution as "the birth-day of a new world," went on in The Rights of Man (1791-1792) to see the French and American Revolutions as jointly introducing a truly "age of Revolutions, in which everything may be looked for." Paine4 said - "What were formerly called Revolutions, were little more than a change of persons, or an alteration of local circumstances. They rose and fell like things, of course, and had nothing in their existence or their fate that could influence beyond the spot that produced them. But what we now see in the world, from the Revolutions of America and France, are a renovation of the natural order of things, a system of principles as universal as truth and the existence of man, and combining moral with political happiness and national prosperity." (Paine, 1984 ed., p. 144) Revolution has come to mean the action of human will and human reason upon an imperfect and unjust world, to bring into being the good society, a world of reality.5 At this point, the powerful writing of Sieys (In Whitcomb, 1899)6 can come full to render insights on man's "acting upon an imperfect and unjust world to bring into being the good society." Sieys,7 was said to be the spokesman of the Third Estate in the preliminary struggle for the organization. He wrote about public functions in which he said that the Third Estate attends to nineteen-twentieths of them, with this distinction: "that it is laden with all that which is really painful, with all the burdens which the privileged classes refuse to carry." And then he asked, "Do we give the Third Estate credit for this" He continued - That this might come about, it would be necessary that the Third Estate should refuse to fill these places, or that it should be less ready to exercise their

The NBA Lockout Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The NBA Lockout - Essay Example A labor union uses certain tools to enforce their demands such as strikes and collective bargaining with the management, while the management uses tools such as lockouts to strengthen their position in a negotiation. There are a number of causes for a lockout. A lockout can be triggered by a strike of the labor union, for example, if the strike causes loss to the organization, the management of the organization may call a lockout in order to weaken the position of the workers and the management may continue the lockout unless the workers leave the union and agree to work with the organization or the labor union ends the strike and agrees the terms of the management. In more common cases, a lockout takes place when the labor union refuses to accept the final offer made by the management of an organization in a negotiation. In such scenarios, the management calls for a lockout in order to put pressure over the workers to accept the offer of the management. The case with the NBA lockout is quite similar to the second example presented above. The NBA owners initiated the lockout after the owners proposed significant cuts in the salaries but the union of players refused to accept the offer. The contract ended before the union and the NBA owners could reach a final settlement and the scenario resulted in a lockout. From the analysis of the historical data available regarding the NBA lockouts, it has been found that the main reason behind lockouts is the failure to negotiate the salary system of the players. In some scenarios, the management agrees to accept the demands of the union as a result of the shock effect but in case of NBA the negotiations are usually stricter as compared to other organizations. In the 1998-99 NBA lockout the owners wanted to change the salary cap system of the players and sought to cut down the overall salaries of the players. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) refused to accept the plans of the owners and demanded for incre ases in the salaries of the players. Ultimately, the negotiations reached a dead end and a consensus could not be reached by both the sides and this scenario ended in a lockout which lasted from 1 July 1998 to 20 February 1999. The 2011 NBA lockout occurred due to a reason similar to that of the 1998-99 lockout. The last negotiations between the owners and the players took place in 2005 and both sides reached a deal before the end of the last contract. The term of the contract was six years and it was due to end on 30 June 2011. In order to enter into a fresh contract, negotiations between the owners and the players started in the beginning of 2011. The argument on the owner side was a little stricter this time because the owners presented a claim that they were not gaining enough revenue and they were bearing a loss of $300 million each year. The league proposed to reduce the salaries of the players by as much as 40% and it also proposed a modification on the salary cap of teams wh ich would result in a reduction of the salaries of the players. Such strict changes were completely unacceptable by the union which did not consider these figures equitable for the players, thus the union initiated collective bargaining with the owners. The union planned to be steadfast in its bargaining to such as extent that the director of the union, Billy Hunter, advised the players to be ready for a lockout which was expected considering the strictness on both sides of the negotiation

Rise of modern state in europe, under international relations Essay

Rise of modern state in europe, under international relations - Essay Example These were the days of feudal system, wherein the royals were more indulged in trading wars and least attention was given to the poor and under-privileged class of the kingdom. In those times, the subjects of the monarchial kingdoms where less happy with their quality of life and yearned for the abolishment of unjust royal anarchy prevailed. During the 18th century, war broke out among various kings in European domains and all worked towards building of their own strong kingdoms. These fights also brought about a major change in the ruling structure of the European domain. Gradually, the Austria – Hungary monarchy also known as â€Å"dual monarchy†, soon reached to a compromising stage to gain a separate entity for each other. Apparently, during World War II the dual monarchy ceased to exist and a distinct Austrian empire came in to power under the kingship of emperor Habsburg. During later years, in the struggle to strengthen the Austrian Empire, the royals approached Hungary to negotiate for political stability. However, these times of royal ruling witnessed a long and hard suffering among much of the minorities existed in the country. Minorities in Austrian Empire The Austrian Kingdom during the 18th century faced numerous problems due to its wide territory and ethnic groups. According to(Propoganda,2007) â€Å"The Austrian Empire consisted of five principal components: The Hereditary lands, the Lands of the Hungarian Crown, the Lands of the Bohemian Crown, Galacia, Lombardy and Venetia in Italy. The Empire was ruled by Emperor Francis I. The Empire was difficult to manage because it was large and unwieldy, and it was difficult to treat each group fairly. Another problem was the problem of minorities†. Metternich the rule of that time of Austria experienced many problems in administrating the kingdom and the problem with minorities was the most crucial concern of all. The successful administration of the kingdom was an aspect of major di lemma and controlling all ethnic groups were far from reality. In order to get a hold on the minority issues, the ruler Metternich introduced the concept of local diets to promote the idea of provincial institutions. Additionally, he also encouraged the ethnic minorities to follow local traditions, cultural activities, history, language and literature. However, he was completely strong against any formulation of localized government or liberalization of minorities. However, encouragement in cultural identity gave much confidence to various ethnic groups and their started considering themselves as separate from German groups. The ironical part is that this transition initialized by the ruler. Metternich gave way to a major realization among the ethnic towards the importance of their culture and history. Eventually, different minorities with diverse cultural identity and ethnical values came forward for their liberalization and political freedom to form their own strong foundation. Tr eatment of Minorities in Austrian Empire The Austrian empire has a large constitution of minorities and the German was the main language of these groups. The empire consisted of a sect called Czech extremist too which was aiming for liberalization and integral freedom .â€Å"When a new law was passed requiring that all civil servants in the Czech lands be bilingual after 1901, the Germans in the Vienna parliament forced out the ministry, while Czech extremists began to talk

Ethics paper Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics paper - Case Study Example I would like to provide the reasoning for that decision and would also like to point out the ethical issues that have risen for the company. The company being one of the large automobile manufacturers of the world produces two different types of vehicles, one being the SUV’s and the other being the light trucks. Of late, the company has faced issues remaining profitable for its shareholders. There are about 1,000,000 of these types of vehicles on the road and all of them having a good reputation amongst its customers. The engineers in the company have found some balancing issue in the vehicles and due to that the company had to face five law suits lately. All those law suits had to be settled amounting to $500,000 in total. To fix the balancing issue in the vehicle, it would cost $180 per vehicle after all the vehicles would be recalled. The main ethical issue that is to be considered is the knowledge of the defect in the vehicles not been conveyed to the customers. Although the company has faced five different legal proceedings, it has dealt with them with any disclosure made to the public at large. This issue of not disclosing the information to the public may cause severe damages as all the customers using the vehicles face the risk of death in an accident. This may cause the drivers of the vehicles to face severe accident which may life threatening or may cause any other disability to the drivers of the vehicles. Recall the vehicles; this would cost the company around $18,000,000 but in such a drastic period where profits have been deteriorating, the shareholders would not agree to this. This $18,000,000 would be a major cost that the company would have to bear and because of this cost the other stakeholders that might get affected are the employees. The employees would have to be paid extra for the additional work to be done, this would further upset the shareholders as the profits would further diminish and have a negative

A Street Car Named Desire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Street Car Named Desire - Essay Example This aspect comes out clearly in streetcar named desire whereby all the characters involved in the play have a need or desire that makes them stay in the relationship. The paper will explore how drama surrounds the individual and not the relationship by use of examples from the streetcar named desire. In the play, there are different characters that have been named according to their roles. There is Blanche Dubois, who is a classy woman that comes from an affluent part of the Mississippi (Williams 1-87). The other character is Stella Kalowaski who is a woman under constant duress most of which comes from the husband Stanley Kowalski. The other prominent character is Mitchel Hartford. He is a friend and a poker playmate of Stanley. All the characters named above are seen as the main character in that the theme of the play revolves around them. However, other minor characters support the role of the main characters such as the deceased husband of Blanche, the post boy, the man that was found with Blanche’s husband. An analysis of Blanche indicates that in all the relationships that she formed her inherent approach to the narrations of her past are fallacies (Williams 1-87). She is a character that lacks a stand such that the information that she provides about the loss of her house is not real. She does not want to accept the disgrace that came with the death of her young husband. This makes her selfish gains to have a central role in the decision-making process. She is so unstable in her relations such that she has earned the attention of the soldiers. At the beginning of the play, the character is unwilling to stay with Stella and her husband since she does not approve of their living standards (Williams 1-87). However, he lacks and wants makes her accept to stay since this is a last resort measure. In fact, she established the relationships in order for her to attain her individual goals.  

Compare two compay Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Compare two compay - Essay Example Financial ratios are extremely important when it comes to analyzing a company, Google has generate a lot of revenue in the last few years, here is a look at their financial ratios and how well they have actually been faring. All these ratios clearly show that Google inc is financially very sound and there is nothing to worry about for the company but they have several competitors and can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Employees are more than willing to work for Google because the organization has established itself as one of the best companies in the world, in the year 2007 and 2008 Google was the top company to work for, it is one of the very best companies across the globe, they treat their employees with a lot of respect and they take special efforts to motivate them. All this success is because of their leadership and cross-functional organizational structure. Google employs the rule of â€Å"70-20-10† this means the employees can communicate directly with each other, this much improved communication system has been the key to success. Formal channels are normally avoided by the company to avoid any misunderstandings, the staff is always highly motivated because they have a sense of belief that they can contribute immensely towards the company, this sense of belief keeps them motivated and inspires them to keep performing for the company. Apple has been a revolution, their products have been selling like hot cakes, â€Å"it was earlier reported that company is more stable than the US Government.† (Apple has More Money than the US Government) The products sold by apple are mainly for entertainment, there is a lot of competition in this filed, apple is undoubtedly the present leader but things may change within no time. Dell, Hp and Lenovo give apple a run for its money when it comes to computer hardware. Media player and Windows operating system are the two main rivals of apple

Five Years Strategic Plan Essay Example for Free

Five Years Strategic Plan Essay Executive summary You are employed by a Swiss subsidiary of a transnational company in the processed food business whose products are sold via retailers and direct to the food service industry in a number of countries. Recently in Swiss subsidiary has been allocated responsibility for the Asia-Pacific Region and you have been assigned the task of spearheading the firm’s push into china and adjacent countries. In the light of opportunities and constraints to be awaited on the chinese market, the evaluation of alternative entry options showed that our best opportunity was on health food products related to the dairy products actual massive trend. We also decided to adress chinese cultural sensitivity issues by entering in long term close relationship with customers instead of being too focused on quick deals and to adapt our networking strategy to chosen entry strategy. We also examined how we should select a strategic partner, should the Chinese government advise us to do so, and how we should be adapting our global marketing processes to the issues raised by national sovereignty in China. Finally, we decided to include as adjacent market either Thailand or Vietnam in order to benefit from the existing trade relationship between them and China, even if countertrade obligations are to be met. INTRODUCTION The overall purpose of this paper is to present our five years strategic plan which objective is to enable our firm to become a major player in the processed food market adressed to retailers and food service industry. Among our very wide range of products, we will examine alternative market entry options in the light of potential opportunity and constraints, then examine the question of the influence of cultural sensitivity on negociations and on introduction of our product to chineses market. The next step of our analysis will be to examine the impact of adhesion of China to WTO on market environment and the consequences of cultural sensitivity to network and relationships. Our next field of investigation will be to examine the threat represented by a potential obligation to enter a strategic alliance with a local player and by our global company culture regarding national sovereignty issues. And we will finally include perspective of developping an adjacent market with eventually compulsory countertrade involved. Section 1 Alternative chinese market entry option for breakfast cereals and cereal bars in the light of potential opportunities and constraints. The recent huge success of dairy products in China, although a majority of the population is lactose intolerant and milk was never part of the traditional chinese food is showing that chinese market has become increasingly open to adopting foreign fooding habits. This is even reinforced by the success encoutered by Mc Donald’s and Starbucks. But one very interesting element of dairy products success is that its main reason and marketing idea is to value its good impact on health. This is what makes us think that the best way to introduce our firm’s product range is to be highly positionned on health benefits to be awaited from consuming our products, their total safety through high level controls. In terms of politics, China is a stable country, which has invested huge efforts into modernisation of its institutions and legal framework in order to enter the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001. Contract enforcement and business matters involving foreigners are to be brought before high courts specifically trained. Intellectual property protection is still a broad problem through counterfaiting and brands like Starbucks are now facing parasite competitors who sell similar products to much lower prices. Chinese market is a huge opportunity but the country still lacks infrastructure and geographic entry has to be limited to main big cities, with a view of extending to the ever increasing number of middle sized cities growing all around the country. The idea of staying in urban areas is linked to two factors: our products are distributed through retailers networks, and food service industry which can only be found in big cities in China at the moment. As we work with retailers and food service industry, indirect market entry strategy through intermediary could prove worthy, at least at the beginning, as long as our products are not known. We could benefit from the intermediary’s network and his expertise on selling foreign products to chinese market. However, using and intermediary is not the prefered solution as it would increase our costs, and as chinese market is very price sensitive due to copycats, keeping good price/value ratio is a key strategic point. With direct market entry methods, we would have more control on market reactions and be able to lower our export costs. Alternative solutions to enter market range from specialised trade fairs (on dairy products, health products, breakfast and snacking products, etc) to a campain of trial gifts to be organised with either yoghurt or milk distributors, or by giving free samples in school, university and working areas cafeterias. We could also reach agreements with already installed foreign companies who would be interested in distributing our products on their shelves. Considering our objective of becoming a major player on processed food within the next 5 years, it would probably be worth it to make a large upfront investment to develop internal expertise in chinese market, in order to maintain our own relationships in the target market, which could be later used in order to introduce other product range on the same market. Therefore, and in the context of a long term investment, prefered market entry would be on health safe products targeting families and young working singles. SWOT Analysis Opportunities: Economic climate : a double digit economic development favourable to high quality trendy foreign food processed products with an attraction to health promising food. Demographic changes turning a rural population into city office working people whose life standards have increased dramatically over the last few years. Market opening through China’s entering WTO system and making legal and administrative environment more import friendly Threats: Competitive activity: other global firms are already on the market and Mc Donald’s, Vuitton and Starbucks experience of the market show that any brand valuation generates its army of copycat making it difficult to keep up with very low prices in a very price sensitive market. Culture: Reluctance to adopt new foreign fooding habits in a very traditional culture Pricing: chinese market is very sensitive to pricing and client segment will have to be chosen carefully and matched to pricing range. Strength: Health food image connected to dairy products Processed food in a booming ever increasing market Product adaptability: Cereals can be flavoured according to Chinese market tastes Networking: Company’s excellent ethic reputation Large target: Product attractive to kids and adult alike Weaknesses Not enough differentiation in products Need high advertising budget to gain trendy attracting image Section 2 How culture might impact on (i) negotiating in china and (ii) introducing your firm’s product into china. The usual tip when you prepare a business trip to China is to carry business cards, bring an interpreter, wear a conservative suit. These advice are easy to follow and have proven usefull, but they are too superficial to get you into the kind of association with chinese you need to be able to negociate agreements and introducing on a long term perspective the firm’s products in China. Graham and Lam (2003) have described the roots of chinese culture which have bound chinese people for 5,000 years and show through chinese business negociation: agrarism which superseedes business(survival depends on group cooperation and harmony, loyalty and obdience to familly hierarchy), confucianist morality (relations of ruler and ruled between husband and wife, parents and children, older and younger, and of equal between friends), being more concerned by means than by end in negociations, the fact that chinese tend to see easily the big picture, and finally that chinese people are very cynical about rule of law and rules in general, only trusting their families and their bank account. The elements that are important in chinese negociation are: have personal connections (friends, relatives and close associates), use an intermediary in order to avoid suspicion and distrust, be formal in order to show social status, pay attention to interpersonal harmony (smile, be nice and friendly), see the big picture and leave the detail to a later stage, be patient in order to get concessions on prices, never embarrass or provoque a lost of composure to a chinese (equivalent to loosing face), value endurant work more than talent. As a result of the above, introducing our products into China will probably require either a very long time necessary to build a trusted network, or the use of an intermediary. It is of first importance to try to establish close contact with significant actors of the retail and food service industry. The pricing of the products will probably also be of concern, as, if too low, it might not have the value effect, but, too high, it might repell consumers more tempted by a local copycat.    Impact of recent access of China to the WTO on other environmental variables which can be encountered when doing business in China and how it might benefit to our ability to establish worthwhile business in China. When China joined WTO in 2001, it made a transition from a centrally planned economy to a market driven economy. The institutional framework for foreign trade was inexistent, the information transparency culture still to be invented, existing judicial and administrative system inadapted. A tremendous amount of work was requested before China could integrate WTO system. China agreed with its major trading partners to open chinese market within 3 to 4 years to foreign companies in various sectors, including telecommunications, distribution and wholesaling, financial services, and banking and insurance. The change in laws included codifying existing administrative practices into written laws and regulations, therefore increasing transparency and predictability, covering around 200. Foreign trade law had to be modifyed. Regulations on international trade of goods and rules of origins were created. Regulations on transnational mergers and acquisitions and franchising were developped according to their new objectives. Anti-dumping, subsidy, countervailing and safeguard measures were prepared, and altogether, the capacity of the Government to provide legal information to the public was strengthened. Under the China’s central planning system, foreign trade was administered with both tariff and nontariff controls, including quantitative controls which WTO rules require to eliminate. To ensure that the WTO’s nondiscrimination principle is met in the judicial process, China issued an order that took effect on 1 March 2002 to elevate the jurisdiction over commercial cases involving foreigners from the primary courts to the higher level of courts, the question of training the judges to the appropriate regulation still being an issue at the moment. (Mitchell:2004). Altogether, when entering WTO system China had the tools to a market economy. These modifications created a foreign investment friendly framework, but the cultural reluctance to rules and the natural reliance to human bonds are still to be watched when doing business in China (Usunier Lee:2005). It had a great impact on having major competitors entering the chinese market with success and provides market with the stability and rules needed to establish worthwhile invesment. Section 3 Significance of the focus in China on relationship and network on our chosen entry strategy. As, in China, all business is subject to relationship and network, and as we have chosen to invest into a direct market entry strategy, we will have to rely on building our network with key players. Relationship marketing involves creating, maintaining and enhancing strong relationships with customers and other stakeholders. This type of marketing is moving away from focusing on individual transactions and moving towards to focusing on on building value-laden relationships and marketing networks. This type of marketing is long term oriented, very demanding as it is aimed at delivering long term value and satisfaction to customer (Kotler al:2005) It also involves building relationships at different levels: economics, social, technical and legal resulting in high consumer loyalty. Kotler (2005:476), distinguishes five different relationships that can be formed with customers: basic (sale is made but no follow up on satisfaction) Reactive (salesman encourages customer to come back if any question arises) Accountable (salesperson contacts customer shortly after the sale to check that product meets expectations) Proactive (salesperson or company person phones customer from time to time to suggest other products) Partnership (company works with its customers to discover ways to deliver better value) Considering that we intend to sell our product to a large number of customers with medium profit margin, the adapted relationship level would be â€Å"accountable†. Therefore, salesperson would phone retailer or food service company shortly after the sale to check if product meets expectations. Of course, identifying key customers and being more proactive with them would also enhance efficiency of such relationship marketing. Company would probably take advantage to using other marketing tools as giving special treatment and reward to good customers, or inviting them to special events. Chosen strategy network map and discussion on focal and subsidiary relationship involved. First step is to identify key player in retail networking and food service industry, like main wholesalers to be met at trade fair, mass retailers like supermarkets, trendsetters to be identified on TV or sports like football. Next step is to initiate contact with them with a focus on long term relationship and not on result. These relationship, due to their weight on market and the advantage that can be gained from being referenced with them have to be favoured at a first stage. Then, once this network is established, and in order to continue expansion, identify other distribution channels than wholesalers or mass retailers and initiate subsidiary relationship with them, as smaller restaurants, or hotels. Section 4 Adressing the issues related to rumour that Chinese government might request that we enter into a strategic alliance with a Chinese owned firm: selecting and managing strategic alliance partners in china. As in many asian country there is a rumour that we may have to enter a strategic alliance with a chinese partner in order to be allowed to market processed food in China. As Charles Revson, founder of Revlon cosmetics said once â€Å" I don’t meet competition, I crush it† and this should be remembered when entering a strategic partnership with a chinese partner. In fact, as cultural analysis hereabove showed, chinese only trust their family and their bank account, so, in order to enter a sound alliance, a few criterias must be met. Criterias for selecting strategic partner in China should be: good reputation of loyalty and integrity on the market, but also of product quality for reputation purposes natural feeling and common values, understanding of what our goals are and willingness to collaborate extensive network on our targeted customers, on the areas where we have the greatest growth or the most profitable areas proven synergy opportunity between our two companies instead of competition long term relationship seems possible through mutual cooperation (strategic alliance must be a win-win situation in order to be sustainable on the long term) Impact of the issues of national sovereignty in China on application of our standard marketing approaches in order to enhance global image and additional profits through economy of scale. China is very sensitive on the issue raised by separatist claims by   Taiwanese nationalists, Tibet and Xinjiang separatists. Our standard marketing approaches, designed to enhance global image and enable additional profits through economy of scale, mustn’t be a threat to our main objective which is to become a major player in dairy products in China. Therefore, our standard marketing approaches should be amended in order to avoid any differenciation between the average product sold within China and the ones sold in these three areas. The main market should be priviledged against the particularism of the three separatists areas. No marketing argument that our product would be specifically adressed to the separatists areas should be set forth and it should under no circumstances become a selling argument or even be mentioned, because it would probably cause us to loose main market. Section 5 Criteria to select an adjacent market between Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam The first criteria to take into account is capacity to use both markets to enhance presence on each other. Creating synergies in a market entry phase might be vital and the level of trade relationship already existing between China and that country is the right measurment. The second one is to choose a market which might be governed by the same cultural trends in order to be able to adopt the same marketing approach to both. A third criteria, maybe more operational, is distance and accessibility (custom tariffs, roads, etc) between both territories. This might enable to base product in one country and ship to the other from thereof. Fourth criteria might be existing trade relations with Switzerland which might make it easier for us to start networking, as the swiss image would already be a commercial advantage. Myanmar being subject to economic sanction from China due to compulsory labor is not a valid adjacent market, though it has entered the asian liberalisation trend and was even acknowledged by the UN Conference on Trade and Development in 2001 as a member that performed ‘well to better’ in the trade liberalisation process under the WTO’s principles It also does not have the right development stage to be interesting and human rights issues might be damaging our image. It has very little commercial bonds with Switzerland. Thailand had rather recent diplomatic relations with China (dating 1975) but shows since then a real will to become a partner of choice of China. Both nations have common roots and share common ancestors. The commercial agreement between the two countries (Sino Thai Free Trade Agreement) only covers fruits and vegetables at the moment but could possibly be extended. Thailand is also member of the WTO. Its main advantage is to already have strong network trade connections with Switzerland (on machinery, watches, etc), where we are based, which could be a decisive advantage for us in terms of network. Taiwan is actually administrated by China which makes it a priviledged area to invest in. It also has a long tradition of trade with China which makes it a good candidate due to the need for trade network to enhance each others, and as a little dragon, it also has the wealth to be interesting, but choosing it would probably not be the best in terms of advantage on chinese market as it does not really add anything different to being only present in China. Also it does not have any specific links with Swiss market. Vietnam has a common frontier with China and is following more or less the same path towards becoming a market economy and entered WTO in january 2007. Though it does not have the same laws, it has a similar development trend, close traditions and the close commercial links with China in all sectors that makes it a suitable adjacent market. It is also a so called little dragon, a booming economy that could be a very profitable market. The trading network between Vietnam and Switzerland is not too developped though Switzerland is present in Vietnam with a swiss embassy in Hanoi. Finally, in order to develop a global brand image in asia, it might be a good choice to choose between Thailand and Vietnam. How to turn the risk of being obliged to countertrade into a profitable trade More than 80 countries nowadays use or require countertrade exchanges. A concensus of experts opinions (Okaroafo, 1989) has put the percentage of the value of world trade volumes related to countertrade at between 20 to 25%. Counter trade usually occurs when countries lack sufficient hard currency. There are five main variants of countertrade which could be of different value to our firm. Entering a barter (exchange of goods or services directly for other goods or services without the use of money as means of purchase or payment) could eventually be interesting if we manage to find good quality bulk products that could be integrated in our products, like fruits or packaging. Using the switch trading practice (in which the country would exchange allowing our importations against an obligation to make a purchase on the domestic market) could also be of interest to us for the same reasons. A buyback (buying machinery necessary to our production in exchange for products) agreement is not a really interesting deal for us as it involves very heavy transportation. Finally, entering an offset agreement (offsetting a hard-currency purchase of an unspecified product) would be a very dangerous operation as we would have to cover currency exchange variations. Proactive strategy to trade profitably with the selected country In order to be ready when the ban on import occurs, we will implement a proactive strategy by identifying products that could be of use in our production process. Then we will start making contacts with producers of these products and gain market knowledge of prices and quality available, identify suitable suppliers that meet our quality requirements and are able to supply us with the adequate quantities. Therefore, when we will be forced to countertrade, we will already have our network in place. Conclusion: As stated in this document, our five year strategic plan on entering Chinese market involves: entering market with health food linked to dairy products mass trendiness with direct marketing tools Always keep in mind the cultural sensitivity of China in order to use it as a competitive advantage instead of a falling trap. Utilise the huge work done by China to be able to keep up with WTO entering necessary standards in terms of transparency and legal framework to our profit in developping our business Invest in developping extended network and long term relationship marketing in order to open the route to introducing our other products on the market later If needed, choose carefully strategic partners Amend global marketing policy in order to avoid sovereignty issues Choose between Thailand and Vietnam as adjacent market, even if countertrade is involved. Reference Table SunfaithChina Ltd,September 2006,†Market Analysis report on China Yoghourt industry†, http://www.mindbranch.com/listing/product/R521-158.html Chen, C, February 2003, â€Å"Got Milk?†, Wall Street Journal http://www.mindfully.org/Food/2003/China-Dairy-Drinks28feb03.htm John L. Graham and N. Mark Lam, 13 october 2003, â€Å"Negotiating in China†, Havard Business School, Excerpted with permission from The Chinese Negotiation, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 81, No. 10, October 2003 Mitchell, A â€Å"Implementing WTO rules: The Importance of Law Reform, Remarks of Arthur M. Mitchell, General Counsel Asian Development Bank, February 2004, apeC Workshop on Best Practices in WTO Capacity Building, http://www.adb.org/Documents/Speeches/2004/sp2004050.asp Vertariu, P., (1992), Trends and Developments in International Countertrade, Business America, (November 2), 2-6. Okaroafo, S., (1989) Determinants of LDC Mandated Countertrade, International Management Review, (Winter), 1624 â€Å"Interview: Thailand aims to further enhance Thailand-China strategic partnership† People’s Daily, Beijing, 28 June 2005, http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=2180 Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, 2005, â€Å"Report on Swiss Economic Development Cooperation with Vietnam† Kotler,P, and al: (2005), â€Å"Principles of Marketing†, Pearson Education Ltd Usunier, J-C and Lee, J (2005) â€Å"Marketing across cultures†, Pearson Education Ltd Buksbaum, L (1999), â€Å"Choosing strategic partner that really partner†, press release on Inc.com, (http://www.inc.com/articles/1999/11/19511.html)

View on Death Essay Example for Free

View on Death Essay Victor Cicirelli filled in the research gap between the areas of gerontology, thanatology, and psychology by conducting a research on the older persons view on death and dying. He published the results of his research in the books titled Older Adults’ Views on Death for the readers to be enlightened and to understand how older adults’ perceptions of death affect their end-of-life decisions. The research gap based from his review of related studies was in the field of thanatology, a branch of learning concerned with death and its dimensions, meanings, and associations. His area of research focused on the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes of older persons in relation to death. Cicirelli conducted an empirical study of 109 adults of ages 70 years and older in a community in central Indiana. The population sample was composed of more white people than the African-American citizens in Indiana. Sixteen of the participants were male and the remaining were women. This group was further categorized into five age groups, and by education, socioeconomic status, marital status, employment, and occupational level. He also subdivided the white participants into high and low socioeconomic status groups in order to identify a group similar in education and occupational level to the African-Americans participating in the study. The goal of the research was to identify the variables that affected their views in death. The first phase of Cicirelli’s data gathering used validated instruments and quantitative analysis to relate results to demographic and contextual variables. To get more insights from the older adults, open-ended interviews were conducted. The data analysis using qualitative techniques used to identify research themes and further relate them to the gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of the sample population. Using a creative mix of quantitative interviews with structured response categories as well as open-ended qualitative 32476179_View on Death Page 2 interviews, which allowed the respondents to speak in their own words, Cicirelli forms a web of data, which strengthens his study and adds considerable flesh to the findings. Cicirelli adapted the available and present scales, or developed ones based used in the review of related studies, and quantified the three groups of notions as the foci of the study. First, apprehension and worry of passing away, is ‘‘the anxiety experienced in daily life caused by the anticipation of the state in which one is dead’’ (Cicirelli, 2002). Four dimensions utilized this impression: fear of the dying process, worry of being destroyed, fear of the unknown, and fear for considerable others. Second, contemplations of the dying process scrutinize matters ‘‘that a person in the last stages of a terminal illness might have’’ (Cicirelli, 2002), particularly the feelings of dying they would be expecting to experience if they were in the infirmary with terminal cancer and had five more days to live. Third, the individual adults’ connotation of bereavement ‘‘are primarily cognitive interpretations of objects and events in the environment and occur prior to and serve as stimuli for emotional reactions’’ (Cicirelli, 2002). These hypotheses include 4 multi-item subordinate scales (death as afterlife, as legacy, as extinction, and as motivator). In his first and second major concern in Older Adults’ Views on Death, Cicirelli found a wide range of attitudes toward fear of death, including having little fear of death and dying, to having considerable fear. Most of the citizens have experienced anxiety and worry about their end. People were also worried about the pain, process, dependence, and the unknown dimension death may bring. The fear of death is the inescapable factor in life. Most of the populace feared death and the dying process because they were anticipating the end-of-life. As a consequence, it brings anxiety to a person. Another factor that contributed to the two notions of Cicirelli was the age variations of the participants. On the contrary, the research 32476179_View on Death Page 3 showed that the fear of death and dying process may hit the highest point in the early 80s and the potential greater chances of the acceptance of death in an older person approaches 90 years of age. Unexpectedly, the research participants did not account particular fears of the dying process itself. Many people in this study seem to see death as a quick, painless process, although it is not unusual for these same persons to have knowledge and experience of deaths of close persons whose dying was likely to have been prolonged and painful. The older persons preferred to view the dying process as a metaphor â€Å"sleep,† that leads to a denial of the process itself. Cicirelli also speculated that their refutation is a process older adults’ may employ in foreseeing death. There appeared to be inadequately existing thought given to planning and preparations for the dying process itself. Cicirelli deduced his first and second assumptions that the research participants seemed unrealistic in regards to death and dying process. However, what was more realistic was their worry of being destroyed and the fear of the considerate others. The notion was reinforced when the research participants said they do not want others with them when they die. Family relationships and close friendships remain meaningful to the end of life, and feelings of closeness to living family members, and the number of family members preceding an individual in death seem to be important factors related to older adults’ views of death. They do not want these important people in their lives to see how they die. He comments that older adults may need to be educated about the dying process so that they develop more realistic plans. The third notion of Cicirelli focused on the meanings of death on older people. The author touched on the meanings of different types of death, such as that caused by war, murder, accidents, catastrophes, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and disease. Open-ended 32476179_View on Death Page 4 interviews and sentence completion tasks was developed in which personal meanings for death could include (1) death as legacy, (2) as afterlife, (3) as extinction, and (4) as a motivator. All four of these meanings for death were affirmed in varying degrees, and while some differences by age category were found in the strength of the results, the idea of death as relating to an afterlife and contemporary life was confirmed. The derivation of personal meanings involved questions about lifespan expectations, what a person would do given more time than expected, whether they would want to live forever given perfect health and freedom from financial pressures, and whether they thought about death as it came nearer. Cicirelli construed that most people do not desire infinite life, and death as an afterlife was the most meaningful of the four factors explored in the qualitative instrument he developed. Death as meaning a loss of physical function, loss of personal relationships, and offering release from life’s troubles were concepts also found to be meaningful. Aside from his major foci in the book, Cicirelli has suggested quite a few areas for future research that are compelling: religion and people’s attachment to God, and the financial concerns and terminal care. What are extremely clear from Cicirelli’s Older Adults’ Views on Death is that older adults’ perceptions of death, the dying process, and their fears of death are highly variable and influenced by many factors such as human relationships, happenings in life, and age. The wealth of data the book it provided the readers generated different feelings and thoughts as to death and the valuation of life. The personal goals, expectations, and the meaning of the future in the context of Cicirelli became the sources of reactions and sentiments to the timing of death and how to live life to the fullest. 32476179_View on Death Page 5 Fear creates various strings of feelings that were attached to the community. They express fear of pain, fear of sorrow, fear of disease flare-ups, fear of death or disfigurement, fear of different drugs and their side effects afterwards, and other fears that kept on creeping in the veins. Fear is a normative action in response to life’s ups and downs. It is a component that completes the existence of human beings as a part of the community. In effect, the branches of fear that connects us to one another regardless of the different age groups played a vital role in the views of elder people on death. Not only older people are affected by the fear of death and the dying process but also the younger age groups in the community. The awful fear of death comes to every person and haunts the society until the end-of-life happens. The sudden removal of fear especially the fear of death and the dying process in the research participants was a surprise and created an uncomfortable feeling. People think that fear of death is absent because it rarely shows its true face. It is concealed in the faith an individual has—may it be a faith in God or a faith in destiny. The fear of death is a normal circumstance in life. Yet, the research participants were not bothered and overpowered by the fear itself coming to their lives. The astonishment with the strong faith these people have in the midst of uncertainty, and of the unknown became a concealment of the human nature. On the other hand, what was there to fear about if dying was a normal incident in life? Anxiety is linked with the satisfaction and the perception of life. The thought of death as an unavoidable event in our existence created a lighter feeling of joy. The fear of death enslaved the mind that can deteriorate the quality of life a person can have. The fear of death is worst than death itself. It molded a restricted world full of worries and tension. The elimination of anxieties due to the fear of death and the dying process gives a light of hope to continue 32476179_View on Death Page 6 living life to the fullest. The positive outlook of the research participants transformed the negative astonishment and uncomfortable emotion into a favorable and joyous feeling. Hence, the good things in life would be more cherished without the interference of sorrow and fear that abridge pleasures and memorable experiences. However, the moment of joy was tainted with a feeling of disappointment regarding the view of death. It arose when the person’s view of death became was anchored on the encounters and happenings in life. People sometimes have an unrealistic view of death, thinking that whatever happened to a friend or a family member would also happen to them. Some salient aspects of the context referred to the past experiences’ potential to affect the attitudes and perceptions towards their own death and dying. The experience may vary from the loss of dignity in death to the inevitable decay of the bodily material that was imprinted on the memory. People come short of realizing that there are numerous causes of deaths. It does not follow and guarantee an individual that what happened to your friend or parent would also happen to you. It is frustrating to know that people compare their own lives with others, even in the process of death. It is not the fear of death that was dreaded but the loss of life and the opportunities that come with it. The book consisted of refreshing ideas that generated the impression of leaving your fears behind and cherishing every moment in your life. Even as a young adult, the book inspired the readers not to be too consumed on the thought of death. There are many things to enjoy and to contemplate about death. Every person has different and unique encounters. Life must not be preempted and expected as how other people experience life incidences. 32476179_View on Death Page 7 It may be that fleeting or sporadic thoughts of dying and death have the power to maximize the value of life. Acceptance of death may be associated with increased meaning and satisfactions with living . To be adamantly discerning on the mortality of persons is to present an unsettling challenge to completely understand human nature. Thus, the book was not only about death but also the prevailing transitory of human nature and their way of life: people were too much consumed of repression, comparison, and expectations on death that they failed to understand the human existence. Reference: Cicirelli, V. G. (2002). Older Adults views on death. New York: Springer Publishing.

A Financial Analysis Of 3m Finance Essay

A Financial Analysis Of 3m Finance Essay Currently, 3M operates in more than 65 countries. The company produces a large variety of products, such as: adhesives, abrasives, laminates, passive fire protection, dental products, electronic materials, electronic circuits and optical films. 3M started operating on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Two Harbors, Minnesota in 1902. Five businessmen (Henry S. Bryan, Hermon W. Cable, John Dwan, William A. McGonagle, Dr. J. Danley Budd) came together to mine a mineral deposit used for manufacturing grinding-wheels. As it turned out, the deposit didnt have much of a value, so they opted to concentrate on sandpaper products. In 1914, 3M launched its first exclusive product: Three-M-ite cloth. Few other innovative products followed: waterproof sandpaper, masking tape, and the very well known Scotch brand tape. In 1929, 3M decided to expand its business internationally and started operating in Europe. The same year, the companys stock was first traded over the counter. In 1946 the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MMM). The company is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and of the SP 500.  [1]   1.2 Company Profile 3M Company is an American transnational enterprise based in Maplewood, Minnesota, and represents one of the major players in the conglomerate industry. Below are presented some of the highlights that compose the companys profile: 3M Co.  [2]   3-M Center St Paul, MN  55144-1000 Index Membership: Dow Jones Composite Dow Industrials SP 100 SP 500 SP 1500 Super Comp Sector: Conglomerates Industry: Conglomerates Employees (last reported count): 74,835 1.2.1 Organizational Structure 3Ms general offices and research laboratories are located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Locally, 3M has nine sales offices and operates 74 manufacturing facilities. Outside the United State, 3M has 148 sales offices and 93 manufacturing .3M owns all of its physical properties.  [3]   Key Executive: Bellow, there are presented few of the key people that are currently running this enterprise: Mr. George W. Buckley, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Mr. Patrick D. Campbell, Chief Financial Officer and Senior VP Mr. Inge G. Thulin, Executive VP of International Operations Mr. Brad T. Sauer, Executive VP of Health Care Business Mr. Jean Lobey, Executive VP of Safety Security Protection Services Business.  [4]   2. Major lines of business  [5]   3M serves its customers through six business segments: 1. Consumer and Office (15% of total sales). 3M is providing its customers with a large variety of products such as house cleaning materials and office supplies. Some of the most popular ones are: Post-it ®, Scotch ®, Scotch-Brite ®, Filtreteà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, O-Cel-Oà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, Nexcareà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, and Commandà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ 2. Display and Graphics (13.5%). As a top technological innovator, 3M provides its customers with products such as: display enhancement films; reflective materials, graphics, and projection systems. 3. Electro and Communications (9.8%). Due to its continuous innovative efforts, 3M managed to provide solutions for customers in many fields: electrical, electronics and communications. They contribute to reliable sources of electrical power, high-performance electronic devices, and reliable, high speeds telecommunications network. 4. Health Care (18.6%). 3M is considered a global leader in medical and oral care products, drug delivery and health information systems, providing its customers with innovative and trustful products that help care professionals improve the quality of care services. 5. Industrial and Transportation (30.8%) The company supplies a large variety of innovative products such as tapes, abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials and filtration systems to different markets: from automotive to aerospace to renewable energy to electronics. 6. Safety, Security and Protection Services (13.8%). 3Mproducts-personal protective equipment, safety and security products, substantially contribute to the safety, security and productivity of people, facilities and systems around the world. 1.3 Operating Strategies 1.3.1 Mission Statements and Management Objectives: The main mission statement and management objectives, as presented in the companys annual report are: Demonstrate uncompromised honesty and integrity in all activities and relationships. Promote individual initiative , innovation and leadership, Establish and maintain a culture dominated by fairness and trust, where respect and responsibility, are valued and recognized. Create a safe workplace for 3M employees. Satisfy customers with high quality products and services. Provide investors with an attractive return. Respect the social and physical environment worldwide. 1.3.2 Business model and Strategies 3M business model is based on the ability to not only develop unique products, but also to manufacture them efficiently and consistently around the world (3M).   [6]   3M is a diversified technology enterprise with an international presence in different businesses, such as: industrial and transportation, healthcare, display and graphics, consumer and office, safety, security and protection services, and electro and communications. The industrial and transportation business includes products such as food and beverage, personal care, and automobiles. Industrial products include polyester, foil, and tape. Transportation sector provides the market with different types of insulation components and catalytic converters. The health care segment produces supplies and equipment for medical and dental use. The display and office business supplies stationary products, and home-improvement products. Besides the already mentioned business sections, 3M also manages a safety segment and an electro and communications segment. In order to remain a respected leader in its field, 3M employs a series of strategies. The company is continuously trying to increasing market share and the popularity of their brands. Also they make significant efforts to maintain existing customers and attract new ones. This is a very important issue considering the number of substitute products currently available on the market. Besides the already mentioned strategies that 3M employs in order to run a successful business, they also practice a very interesting hedging strategy .Instead of concentrating on a single industry, 3M operations are spread over a large variety of sectors. So, at any point in time, the effect of a slow growth sector is counteracted by the prosperity of another sector. Due to this hedging strategy, the company stock price manages to maintain relative stability.  [7]   Also, they continue to spend significant amount of funds on RD, which is critical for their image as a leading innovator, pay dividends, buy back stock and raise shareholders equity, the chief aim being the ability to offer a good return to all their investors. This is a solid company, with a very high degree of liquidity in an extremely good financial health. Another strategy that makes 3M well known is there acquisition strategies. On an average, the company performs ten to twenty acquisitions every year. This enables 3M to continuously grow, penetrate new markets and explore new technologies. Other strategies that 3M employs refer to continuous innovation, in order to introduce new products to various markets that company operate in, gaining market share in the existing markets and aiming to become more and more important to the end customers. 1.4 SWOT Analysis SWOT is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats involved in a business.  [8]   3M SWOT analysis:  [9]   Strengths: The company operates in a large variety of business sectors: industrial and transportation, healthcare, display and graphics, consumer and office, safety, security and protection service, electro and communication. Strong research and development capabilities. (According to 3M 2009 Annual Report, the company spent more than a billion dollars in RD). Multinational presence. The company operates more than 65 countries. Solid financial condition. (A complete Income Statement and Balance Sheet are presented in the annexes). Weaknesses: Low inventory turnover, which impacts inventories and margins. Some key segments are registering inferior performance. Strong and aggressive competitors. Opportunities: Acquisitions in key operating areas. 3M performs an average of 20 acquisitions every year. Continued global expansion. Healthcare spending levels in the US are increasing. Security concerns caused by a weak US economy, combined with some unfortunate events that are threatening the safety of American people, (9/11/2001, N1H1 virus infection) brings new opportunities for 3M security business. Threats: The fluctuation of commodity and energy prices (increasing).In order to mitigate this risk, the company is engaging in a multitude of forward physical contracts and price agreements. Exchange rates fluctuations. The company operates worldwide, so the exchange rates and any fluctuations of it may negatively impact the companys results. Environmental regulations. People are becoming more and more aware of the importance of respecting the environment. Any new rules and regulation may require additional funds to be invested in order to work green. 1.5 Core competencies A core competence represents the companys collective knowledge about how to coordinate diverse production skills and technologies (C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel).  [10]   3M runs an extremely diversified business, spread over numerous sectors: industrial, transportation, display and graphics, security etc. In order to manage and keep all this different types of businesses together, the company holds competencies in substrate, coating and adhesives. Besides possessing these competencies, the company also created a multitude of ways to share and apply them. The result of such combination of technology, skills and knowledge, allows 3M to participate on a multitude of businesses and markets. The literature points out that the core competencies of any company should benefit the end customer of the product and should be very difficult to copy by the competitors. 3M is aware that the stronger the customer perception in recognizing the superiority of their products, the less likely the threats of substitutes. The company makes continuous efforts to differentiate its products among the multitude of similarities offered by the competitors and their efforts are successful due to the fact that they are supplying high quality, innovative and reliable products at competitive prices. Moreover, it is a companys core competencies that keeps the businesses together. This aspect is crucial for 3M, as the company operates in multiple business sectors, worldwide. It seems that 3M fully understood this concept and its enormous advantages, because they are investing consistently in their core competencies and ability to innovate, the chief aim being to provide the market and the end customers with innovative products that really stand out. 2. Industry analysis 2.1 Industry Definition, Structure and Major Competitors. The Industrial Conglomerate industry consists of large organizations engaged in multiple business lines within the industrial sector, where at least two business lines comprise a substantial portion of the companys total operation (The New York Times, Oct 1, 2010).  [11]  The industrial conglomerate industry contains the following sectors: Basic Materials, Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Non-Cyclical Energy, Health care, Industrials and Transportation, Technology, Telecommunication, Utilities. Exhibit1. Direct Competitor Comparison  [12]   MMM AVY DD JNJ Industry Market Cap: 63.58B 4.02B 42.30B 174.16B 9.47B Employees: 74,835 31,300 58,000 115,500 28.26K Qtrly Rev Growth (yoy): 17.70% 15.40% 21.80% 0.60% 14.50% Revenue (ttm): 25.39B 6.31B 30.43B 62.59B 10.28B Gross Margin (ttm): 48.78% 28.26% 29.94% 69.98% 33.80% EBITDA (ttm): 7.03B 695.10M 5.42B 19.70B 1.63B Operating Margin (ttm): 23.18% 6.96% 13.08% 26.90% 12.29% Net Income (ttm): 3.94B 250.90M 3.13B 13.53B N/A EPS (ttm): 5.48 2.37 3.43 4.84 1.92 P/E (ttm): 16.28 16.04 13.60 13.06 19.15 PEG (5 yr expected): 1.28 1.44 1.61 2.09 1.28 P/S (ttm): 2.50 0.63 1.38 2.78 1.27 AVY = Avery Dennison Corporation produces pressure-sensitive materials, office products, tickets, tags, labels, and other converted products. DD = EI DuPont de Nemours Co. (DuPont) operates as a science and technology company worldwide. JNJ =Johnson Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. Industry = Conglomerates Exhibit2. Comparison between 3M, the Conglomerate Industry and the direct competitors, benchmarked against DOW and SP 500. Source: http://finance.yahoo.com 2.2 Industry profitability and growth. In order to get an idea about the main characteristics of the players in this industry, I have selected few key statistics. The financial indicators listed bellow shows the fact that this are large companies, highly leveraged (most of them), providing the investors with a small to average return. Market Capitalization: 366B Price / Earnings: 13.5 Price / Book: 4.1 Net Profit Margin: 7.5% Price to Free Cash Flow: 27.4 Return on Equity: 12.5% Total Debt / Equity: 242.3 Dividend Yield: 2.4% Exhibit 3. Comparison between the evolution of 3M common stock and the industry. Source: http://finance.yahoo.com 2.3 PEST Analysis of the External Factors affecting the Industry PEST analysis stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and describes a framework of macro-environmental factors used in the environmental scanning component of strategic management.  [13]  Performing such an analysis and applying the findings will give any company a significant competitive advantage. The model identifies four factors that have a major impact on the companys macroeconomic environment:  [14]   Political Economical Social Technological Political Factors: Among the most significant political factors that can affect 3Ms business are: tax policies, employment laws, environmental regulations, trade restrictions and tariffs, and political stability. 3M is making all the necessary investments in order to comply with these laws. In 2009, 3M spent around $15 million for projects regarding the protection of the environment. The mentioned funds have provided among other things, pollution control devices at all its properties. Economical Factors: economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rate. Due to large geographical presence, and the fact that 63 percent of its revenue is generated from outside the United States, the companys results may be affected by exchange rates and their fluctuation. In order to mitigate this risk, the company engages in a multitude of forward contracts. Also, the Companys business may be negatively affected by other factors, both internal and external that are beyond its control, such as instability and downturns in financial markets or economies in some countries or regions, in which the Company operates. Social Factors: population growth rate, age distribution, health and safety awareness, career attitude. 3M, through its business policies is aiming to create a safe workplace, to encourage individual initiative and innovation in an atmosphere of flexibility, cooperation and trust, promoting a culture where promise keeping, fairness, respect and personal accountability are valued, encouraged and recognized.  [15]   Technological Factors: RD activities, automation, technology incentives, rate of technological change. Research and development activities constitute an important part of 3Ms business and have been a significant contributor to the companys sales growth. Research, development expenses accounted for $1.2 billion in 2009, $1.4 billion in 2008 and $1.3 billion in 2007.  [16]   2.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis of the Industry Competition Porters five forces is a framework for the industry analysis developed by Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School in 1979 .The model is based on the idea that competitive advantage came from the ability to earn a return on investment that was better than the average for the industry sector(Thurlby,1998). The model identifies five forces which would impact on an organizations behavior in a competitive market: The rivalry between existing sellers in the market. The threat of new entrants on the market. The threat of substitute products available in the market The bargaining power of the suppliers. The power of the customers in the market. Full comprehensions of each of these five forces and the impact they have on the companys business, provide organizations with the necessary information to enable them to choose the right operating strategy in order to be successful in their market.  [17]   2.4.1. The rivalry between existing sellers in the market The conglomerate industry, although very complex, extending over a multitude of business, seems to be dominated by few key players, and 3M Co is one of them. In order to gain competitive advantage, 3M is aiming to stay ahead of the trend by continuously providing the market with new products and technologies. Given its strong balance sheet, the company is able to react fast to any negative changes in the market (lower the price of its products), in order to maintain existing customers and attract new ones. Moreover, in facing competition the company is offering well differentiated products, well known and trustful brands, the chief aim being extra value added products and services for the end customers. 2.4.2. The Threat of new entrants The threat of new entrants is dictated by the market entry barriers. The entry barriers exist whenever it is difficult or not economically feasible for an outsider to replicate the incumbents position (Porter, 1980b; Sanderson, 1998). Such barriers refer to: Cost of entry: In order to enter this industry and compete against the existing firms, the cost of capital required would be extremely high. 3M is a well known company, with an aggressive mergers and acquisition strategy, holding an impressive market share. Distribution channels: 3M products are sold through numerous distribution channels, including wholesalers, retailers, and dealers in many countries around the world. The company has established a large and very well defined distribution network, developed through long association with skilled marketing and sales representatives. Cost advantages not related to the size of the company, like contacts and expertise play a major role in the companys performance. Government legislations: for example, introduction of new laws might weaken companys competitive position; 3M had to improve their environmental performance via new environmental, health and safety policies in order to comply with new government standard and regulations. Many times this requires additional funds, changes into production processes, products, and that some firms may find it difficult to do so without increasing the prices of their products and services. Differentiation: 3M is a well known brand that already gained customer respect and loyalty and the products that represent this company have a high ratio of value to price. 2.4. 3. The Threat of Substitutes Products available on the market Although the threat of substitutes in this sector is high, due to the fact that there is a large number of a substitute product available in the market, 3M products differentiate themselves through superior quality and innovativeness. The firm invests strongly in RD, in order to insure that they deliver extra -added value products, and the existing customers will not be tempted to choose from the many available substitutes. Other aspects that should be considered when trying to mitigate the risk of losing customers to substitute products refer to: relative price performance of substitute, buyer switching costs, ease of substitution, substandard product, and quality depreciation. 2.4.4. The bargaining power of suppliers In the conglomerate industry, the power of supplier is relatively modest, due to the fact that the companies in this industry are very large corporations. This companies act on an international scale, having access to an increase number of suppliers and the buying is done in bulk, immense quantities. There is still some risk regarding the price fluctuation of commodities, like oil, oil derivatives, energy, due to possible shortage. 3M is trying to mitigate this risk engaging in prices agreements and forward physical contracts. 2.4.5. The bargaining power of buyers. When trying to assess the power of buyers, two aspects need to be considered: size and concentration of the customers correlated with the concentration of the competitors. In the conglomerate industry, the bargaining power of the buyers is relatively high due to the fact that all the players in the market are targeting the same customers via similar products. Also, the end customers are more and more informed, and their expectations are continuously growing. Another aspect that should be considered in this case is that the cost of switching between suppliers is relatively low. A buyer has many options; therefore 3M makes a continuous effort to insure that their products are permanently aligned with customer preferences and needs. 2.5 Summary The nature of competition in an industry is strongly affected by the above mentioned forces. As a rule we can state that, whenever buyers and suppliers have high degrees of power, the result translates into a high competitive industry. The industry of conglomerate is moderate to high competitiveness, due to the fact that new entries are difficult (high capital requirements), but this effect is counteracted by the fact that the players in this sector are extremely large and diversified corporations, with solid resources and very aggressive financial strategies. 3. Economic Outlook 3.1 Global Outlook There is no doubt that we are on the path of economical recovery, but the speed of things moving in the right direction is slow, considering the severity of the financial crisis. In advanced economies, such as U.S., small improvements in labor markets, housing markets, and corporate bonds market generated some positive developments in the overall economy. In the emerging and developing economies, (such as China, India, and Brazil) the recovery process seems to be much faster. Even among the advanced economies, the recovery process happens at different speeds, depending of the way that the local government has chosen to deal with the crisis. If we compare The United States with Europe or Japan, we see that the American economy is doing much better than the other two. This phenomenon may have something to do with some of the following: fiscal stimulus was larger in US, the nonfinancial corporate sector is less reliant on bank credit, bond markets have improved which stimulated investments, and many financial and nonfinancial organizations went radical restructuration and improved productivity. In Japan, due to the appreciation of the yen, the countrys exports f eel dramatically, which ultimately impacts the recovery process. Similar situation can be observed in Europe. Some of the economies of this region suffered a major contraction, not only because of the financial crisis, but the real estate too. Overall the economical and financial conditions present themselves as fragile and difficult. There are some signs of recovery, especially in the emerging economies, and is expected that this will help along the recovery process of the advanced economies.  [18]   3.2 Regional outlook Asia is leading the global recovery and the regions contribution to global growth will continue to exceed that of other regions in the next two years, (Source: The International Monetary Fund). China registered 8.4 percent growth last year, and the projections for the next year are similar (9%growth in GDP for 2010). In the region, the GDP has increased 6.8 percent in 2009. The recovery process has been driven by exports combined with low internal demand and ultimately low household consumption. The inflow of capital in the region has increased, stimulating investments and speeding up the recovery process. According to IMF, for the next period of time, Asias main policy challenge will remain to achieve a rebalancing of growth from external to domestic sources. On global level, there is a political and economical issue regarding the Chinese government decision not to appreciate their local currency, and the way this decision is affecting the world trade. Europe, especially the emerging nations, was strongly hit by the financial crisis. In this region the GDP decreased by approximately 4.6 percent in 2009. The projections for 2010 GDP show an increase of 2.3 and 2.2 percent in 2011. The growth rates in most economies in the region will remain slow, due to major contraction in exports and weak capital inflow. Besides the already mentioned factors, other variables such as : high unemployment, real estate crisis, bank restructuring operations, tight credit policies, and high interest rates will also restrain the recovery process. Other regions, such as Latin America and the Caribbean seem to be dealing with the crisis a little bit better than other countries .The last year GDP registered a 2.6 percent drop, and the prognosis for 2010 and 2011 are quite optimistic showing a growth of 3.1 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. The recovery process is still relatively slow, due to weaker investment and not enough tourism, both important sources of external finances. The lack of tourism may be explained by high unemployment in United States and other high-income countries. The Middle East and North Africa region experienced, an overall GDP growth slowing to 2.9 percent in 2009. The forecasts for 2010 show an increase in GDP of 3.7 percent in 2010 and 4.4 percent by 2011. These projections regarding the recovery process are based on few assumptions such as: the global demand for oil will increase, and oil prices will stabilize. The financial and economical crisis and their effects were not felt as deep in the region of South Asia. In this area, the GDP registered 5.7 percent growth in 2009. This represented a slowing of growth comparing to the boom period, mainly due to a significant decrease in investments, correlated with low domestic demand. The projections for 2010 and 2011 look optimistic: 6.9 and 7.4 percent respectively. 3.4 Local outlook According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the US economy is still growing, but at a slower pace than the first quarter of 2010(2.4% versus 3.7% in the first quarter of 2010). Some of the reasons that will restrain the recovery process are the following: The financial institution will need to recover from losses due to loan defaults. In order to boost the recovery process, the government offered numerous stimulus packages. The housing market registered slight improvements, but failed to meet the expectation. The main disruption in the housing sector was caused by a dramatic drop in house prices, and hou

Independence and Failure in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Independence and Failure in Macbeth Peasants of the early sixteenth century are often pictured carrying a bundle of limbs tied with vines on their backs. This is a perfect metaphor for the events in Macbeth. Macbeth is one of many thanes, or limbs, bundled together. The thanes are united by the king, or the vine. Scotland, or the peasant, carries the bundle by the sweat of his brow. They carry the bundle for fires on cold nights, or wars, and to build homes, or castles, to protect them from the elements, or invaders. If the limbs are tied improperly, one limb may slip to the side and cause the peasant, or nation, to stumble or fall. If the limb slides completely out, the rest of the limbs may follow because the bundle is loose. Marriage is like a triangle. Each spouse makes up one of the leaning sides, and marriage the lower side. The three together are very strong, but to stand they all must be united. The longer a marriage is held the longer the bottom stretches, and the more dependent each person becomes on the othe r. If one side tries to stand on its own then the second will fall on the first as it tries to stand. This metaphor also excellently exemplifies the catastrophe that occurs in Macbeth as both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth try to separate. Macbeth is a eighteenth century play written by William Shakespeare. Using these two metaphors, the breakdown in the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth and between the king and the thanes and how they perfectly parallel each other because each is caused by Macbeth's will to be independent. According to Webster's dictionary, the archaic definition of independence is "competence" (1148). To be independent is not to be "subject to control by others" (Gove 1148). This means that independence is to be in control of ones decisions and to feel they are good decisions. Macbeth, on the other hand, feels independence is to not be subordinate to others like the king. To be independent, one must be strong. Inner strength, not physical strength, is needed. Inner strength is only accomplished by having a high self-esteem. Macbeth does not and must use others to reach for independence. Macbeth needs this strength: It [Macbeth] hurls a universe against a man, and if the universe that strikes is more impressive than the man who is stricken, as great as his size and gaunt as his soul may be he will fall.