VALUE PRICING IN THE CPA INDUSTRY Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

VALUE PRICING IN THE CPA INDUSTRY - Term Paper Example Since demand rises more than the supply as few institution exists, prices are hiked locking majority from accessing the service. In the provision of the service by the industry, various inputs and technologies are usually employed in the production process so as to get maximum output. For instance the company will hire labor that will offer the service which in this case is a highly qualified professionals. This kind of labor are usually hard to find and will always attract high salaries for them to come. On the other hand, demand is increasing due to a faster rise in the population of the country. The industry must then employ modern technologies that will help in the data management and records as it would be more efficient than the manual labor. The industry will have to acquire this modern methods hence incurring high costs (Dauber, Nicky, Jae, G. Siegel, and Joel, 2012) .As a result, the cost of outputs will be high and the industry will be working for compensation in terms of high prices. The end user then will suffer due to exorbitant prices. Hence cost of production influences the market price of the goods and services. Customers are the basic client of any organization and without them, the industry cannot exist. They are always considered in every decision that is made by the management as they must be motivated, appreciated, given preference in all perspectives hence they play a key role in the development of any industry (Northrop, 2004). In most of the cases decisions are made with references to them since they are core mover of the business. However the customers do have limited resources and cannot achieve the entire satisfaction as they experience difficulties in choices about their consumption levels as to whether to consume the product or not due to their scarce means making them have different budgets and different incomes. The CPA is usually thus offered in different packages that suits each and every individual needs. For

ZARA Brand Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ZARA Brand - Essay Example Its products have various prices depending on their specific design, size and type of product. Generally, their prices are relatively low compared to similar retailers and customers can chose their desired payment methods. ZARA promotes its products mainly through television and print media and sells its products through physical stores. Online orders are also acceptable and customers can choose to pick products in person or order for postal delivery (CNN News 2001). ZARA positions itself to target its customers by offering more products compared to similar products. The company has also capitalised in innovativeness where it produces new products within an extra ordinarily short time and places them in their stores (Tiplady 2006). In this way, they are able to shorten the lifespan of their products leading to a greater success in meeting the preferences of customers Designs that do not sell for a week are withdrawn, orders cancelled and a new design developed – the production of Zara products is therefore customer driven. . Zara positions itself in different ways to target its customers. For instance it provides a variety of items ensuring speed in its marketing. It also ensures its stores are located in places attractive to the customers. It has also established a website where customers can access the various products offered by Zara. Zara retail focuses on the 4Ps which include the product, price, place and promotion according to Peng (2010). In the case of product Zara, management first has to think over the product being launched in relation to its value, positioning, ingredients, target customers and packages. The price of the product is determined based on the quality of the product (whether top or popular), discounts given on many of the products. Zara products are mainly sold in retail stores, online and by specific supermarkets. Zara products are normally marketed online through various marketing tools

What Are Smart Meters Information Technology Essay

What Are Smart Meters Information Technology Essay The aim of this research project is to give a critical review of the smart metering system. Climate change needs to be tackled and one of the possible solutions is the smart metering system, as it allows users to monitor and reduce their energy usage. This report will look at the past metering systems and their problems, the present metering systems and how they can be improved for future metering systems. The project will try to analyse the current issues like costs and how these can be reduced. Introduction Over The last decade, businesses have been increasingly talking about smart technology. Mercedes, for example, developed the Smart Car; there is the concept of Smart Money, and nowadays almost everybody is carrying the latest technology with Smart Phones. The utility industry is also taking part in this wave of Smart concepts, with the development of Smart Meters, which is fast becoming a topic which promotes various discussions on Smart Grids. Smart metering is a topic which has been getting a lot of coverage in the media and amongst many of the Engineering institutes. It is a topic which promises many benefits, both to customers, utility companies and the environment. Global warming and climate change are topics that, at the present date, we are seeing regularly on the news and in newspapers. It is a topic which has become the norm for discussions and debates. Global warming is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses resulting from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. There are a number of ways we can fight climate change as individuals. One of the best ways is to reduce the unnecessary consumption of energy from goods and services in all aspects of life. This could be anything from driving on short trips to the shops, to taking several holidays a year on aeroplanes. There are alternative methods to these actions for example, walking or cycling to the shops. Concerns about the greenhouse effect, global warming, air pollution and energy security has resulted in increased public and government interest in the development of renewable energy sources. Many people are unaware of the amount of energy that they are using unnecessarily around the house or at work, and are unaware of the consequences it is having on the environment. The present financial economy is also posing a problem and more people are realising how important it is to save money. People are trying to save money in all aspects of life including on their energy bills but are unaware of how much energy they are consuming. Allowing customers to be aware of the amount of energy they are using makes a very big difference to our overall energy consumption. If we are aware of how much energy we are using, basic changes in our lifestyle will help to reduce this level of consumption, for example, ensuring all lights are switched off when leaving a room, switching off electrical devices over night rather than leaving them on standby. A solution is needed that will allow us to minimize the amount of energy we use in our day to day activities without changing our lifestyles dramatically. This is where the smart metering system comes in. Brief Overview of Smart Meters and Smart Metering 2.01 What are Smart Meters? Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They collect information about your energy use electronically.[1] [1] http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk (visit date: 18/11/09) Smart meters are digital meters which collect, store, and display information with regards to the energy usage. The digital meter can communicate between utilities to control the energy usage in a house or a business. This information is available to both the supplier of energy and the customer. It displays real-time information of not only the energy usage but also the tariffs. The smart meter will allow customers to control the amount of energy they use. 2.02 What is Smart metering? Smart Metering electronic remote, real time monitoring or collection of usage data is achieved by the use of communications enabled utilities meters.[2] [2] http://www.beamaenergy.org.uk (visit date: 18/11/09) BEAMAEnergy, the UK trade association group for the controls, metering and energy related communications industries, define smart metering as the statement shown above. From this statement we can determine that the term smart metering is given to a metering system which communicates wirelessly between utilities and a Smart meter, to determine the amount of energy being used. Figure 1: Smart Metering System Figure 1 above shows a smart metering system. It consists of a sensor which is connected to the meter. Figure 1 shows an electricity meter, but this could be a gas meter or even a water meter. The sensor picks up the usage data and sends this information to the portable display unit, or the smart meter, via a transmitter. There are three concepts relating to the collection of the data in the smart metering system, AMR, AMM and AMI. Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is a remote reading system based on advanced technologies which allow utilities to read electronic meters over long distances. Through AMR, the energy consumption can be read on an annual, monthly, weekly, daily or on an hourly basis. Consumption and status data, such as time stamps, are through various connection media being transmitted to a central system for billing and analysis. The automatic data collection enables billing based on real time consumption as opposed to an estimated consumption. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) refers to systems that measure, read and analyse energy consumption. These systems are also able to read electricity, gas, heat and water meters remotely. AMI systems can be defined as an extension of the simpler AMR-system. The AMI always communicates two-way and comprises the whole range of metering devices, software, communication media, and data management systems. Automated Meter Management (AMM) or Smart Metering is another expansion of a remote reading system that includes the possibility of performing technical measurements and functions and carrying out customer-orientated services via the system. [3] [3] http://www.thegreendifference.info/12792/AMR%2C-AMM%2C-AMI (Visit date: 21/11/09) In order to fully understand the smart metering systems and its benefits, we were required to investigate the energy management systems of the past, identify its problems and what properties does smart metering have that overcome these problems. Past Energy Management Systems Mechanical What was it? Advantages? Disadvantages? Problems? How has it developed over the years? 4.0 Present Energy Management Systems Digital The current system in place, or which is currently being implemented is the Smart Metering system. It involves the installation of a digital meter at both residential and business customers, and the reading, processing and feedback of energy consumption data to the customer. The smart meter has the following capabilities: Real-time or near-time registration of energy usage and locally generated energy Smart meter -how does it work? PLC 4.1 Delivery Models There are three delivery models that are being considered for the arrangement of responsibilities for smart metering and related communications services. These options were given a full analysis for the Government by Baringa Partners. On the basis of the analysis, the Governments preferred method is a model which: Gas and electricity supply companies will have responsibility for the provision of smart meters; and A single provider will be appointed centrally to provide communications services to and from meters. 4.11 Competitive Model The competitive model is based on the existing metering market model, where electricity and gas suppliers are free to determine their own deployment strategy, choose the metering services they require and have the ability to contract the management of such services. Suppliers would remain responsible for all other metering services. 4.12 Central Communications Model This option would introduce a new market function to implement and manage communication infrastructure and data carriage, whilst maintaining metering competition. The communications provider would be organised on a national basis. All suppliers would be obliged to use the central communication function via licence conditions. Suppliers would also remain responsible for all other metering services. 4.13 Fully Centralised Model This option would introduce regional franchises to manage meter asset selection, ownership, deployment and maintenance, via a time based competitive franchise or licence awarded under competition. Communications services would be managed centrally as under the previous option. Predicted Costs for Each Model Current Projects around the world (what have the results shown in each project, their standards etc) Advantages of smart metering Disadvantages of smart metering Security (General security, i.e. environmental effects, wireless vs wired; cyber security) Case Study? UK Energy companys analysis on implementing smart metering 5.0 Future Prospects? Intelligent home Intelligent Meter 6.0 Conclusion

Identity and Self-Esteem: A Look at Self-Verification in African Americ

Individuals are born into families, races, cultures, and countries, but have little awareness of their individuality as very young children. The psychological sense of being separate individuals from their families or caretakers appears to be of little importance until they recognize themselves as separate selves. This is true for all human beings in all cultures, but for races or cultures who have been marginalized, having a separate identity and gaining self-esteem appear to play an even more important role. This essay will look at African American literature from a psychological perspective. From Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs to Zora Neale Hurston's Delia in "Sweat" to James Baldwin's John in Go Tell It On the Mountain, group and individual identity, in conjunction with a high level of self-esteem, are critical factors in determining the successes achieved by individuals and literary characters in the African American literary tradition. Without this sense of group identit y, individual identity, and self-esteem, the African American character becomes like Richard Wright's Bigger Thomas and can not survive. Self-esteem is an important component of human growth. Abraham Maslow's psychological theory argues for a hierarchy of needs composed of a pyramid of five levels. "Beyond the details of air, water, food, and sex, he laid out five broader layers: physiological needs, needs for safety and security, needs for love and belonging, needs for esteem, and the need to actualize the self, in that order. " (Boeree) Maslow argued that few reach the highest level of self-actualization. According to his research, only about 2% of the population reach that level, and most of those were historical figures-Albert Einstein, Ab... ... Abstract. Douglass, Frederick. "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass." African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay. New York: W. W. Norton, 1997. 302-368. Drake, Kimberly. "Rewriting the American self: Race, gender, and identity in the autobiographies of Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs." Melus. Winter 1997. Vol. 22, Issue 4, p. 91. Full text article. Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents In the Life of a Slave Girl: Written By Herself. Ed. and Intro. Nell Irvin Painter. New York: Penguin, 2000. Parsons, Richard D., Stephanie Lewis Hinson and Deborah Sardo-Brown. Educational Psychology: A Practitioner-Researcher Model of Teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2001. 80-81. Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York: HarperPerennial, 1998.

Beliefs About Students Essay

It is undeniable that the beliefs about students and education have a profound impact on what is taught and how it is taught, just as the beliefs about life have a profound impact on how individuals live their lives. Educational beliefs are revised and refined and over time becomes stronger as they seem to serve us well and prove to be true. Thus, these beliefs ultimately become our philosophy of education. It is possible that every student that enters a classroom can succeed. However, in order for them to accomplish this, teaching should be student centered. Students should be encouraged to understand and appreciate their uniqueness and to be accountable for their learning and behavior. According to Ornstein and Hunkins (2004) Perennialism relies on the past; especially the past asserted by agreed-on universal knowledge and cherished values. Dunn (2005) also agreed that Perennialism is the oldest educational philosophy and is therefore traditional. It is believed that students are vessels to be filled and disciplined in the proven strategies of the past. This philosophy is supported by the realist philosopher John Locke, who was of the belief that at birth the mind is a blank sheet of paper on which the teacher could write knowledge (Tabula Rasa). According to the essentialist viewpoint, there are certain basic or essential knowledge, skills and understandings that students should master in order to function successfully in the society. These are reading, writing, computing and in today’s world, computer skills. Plato, who was the father of idealism, believed that both male and female are equal and should be educated equally. Therefore, the curriculum is the same for everyone and planning to execution of lessons are dominated by the teacher. However, one should not forget that these beliefs are teacher centered and tend to be more authoritarian and conservative and emphasize only the values and knowledge that have survived through time. Learning occurs through experience, Therefore students should be allowed to develop cognitively through experimentation and to reach their own personal potential instead of being shaped into a specific mould. Dunn (2005) cited Immanuel Kant who agreed that knowledge is rooted in the experience of mankind and can only be achieved by an active and exploratory mind, rather than one that is passive and receptive. Carl Rogers also believed in experiential learning. He believed that unlike academic knowledge, experiential knowledge is required to meet the needs of the learner in order to complete important real-life tasks such as learning to drive a car. Every student is different, no single set of learning outcomes is appropriate for all students. Thus a set curriculum will not be suitable for all. Students should be able to determine what they need to study with the guidance of the teacher. This will help them to arrive at their own understandings. Jean Sartre, a leader of existentialism believed that man’s responsibility is vested in man himself. He further stated that people are entitled to be human with dignity andis a human only when he or she is entirely free and accepts responsibility for his freedom. You may be led to believe that students are blank slates and learn based on mainly academic knowledge that has been tried, tested and proven and that all humans are equal and should be educated equally. However, do not ignore the fact that students are taking to the classroom, their own ideas and materials rather than receiving material in class as it is given. Students restructure the new information to fit into their own cognitive frameworks. In this manner, they actively and individually construct their own knowledge. They also are different thus, the same rigorous curriculum will not work for all students. From these facts one may conclude that in order to help students reach their full potential and gain the knowledge and skills that they will require in their daily lives as a democratic citizen of our society, the student centered approach to how students learn must be practiced. Therefore it is recommended that teachers facilitate students instead of being fountains of wisdom. The teacher should help students in their pursuit for knowledge and also help them acquire the communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills which will enable them to be life-long learners.

Dashboard Analysis and Nursing Plan for Pain Response Essay

In information technology, a dashboard is a user interface that, somewhat resembles an automobile’s dashboard, organizing and presenting information in a way that is easy to read. Healthcare dashboards are designed to show the performance of key activities that directly or indirectly impact patient satisfaction, such as length of stay and lab test turnaround. This paper will take at look at pain response and breakdown why it is important and ways to improve it. Analysis of the data In 1998, the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) was established by The American Nurses Association (ANA) so that the ANA could continue to collect and build on data obtained to ensure a better outcome for patients (Montalvo, 2007). The sample dashboard for the purpose of this paper, showed a decline in response to pain in 3 out of the 4 quarters surveyed. Despite the availability of analgesics, particularly opioids, and national guidelines to manage pain, the incidence of postoperative pain has remained stable over the past decade. Thus, acute pain associated with surgical and diagnostic procedures is a common occurrence in U.S. hospitals and remains inadequately managed for many patients (Hughes, 2008). Nursing Plan To many times nurses don’t properly medicate patients, due to patients not correctly reporting their pain, or staff members commenting on how often they are requesting pain meds. In 1968, Margo McCaffery defined pain as â€Å"whatever the person experiencing says it is, and occurring when the person says it does.† (Martin, Kelly, & Roosa, 2012). Inadequate management of pain and other symptoms not only decreases the quality of life; it also creates a financial burden on the health care system and on our society. Unrelieved pain costs millions of dollars annually as a result of longer  hospital stays, re-hospitalizations, and visits to outpatient clinics and emergency rooms (Berry & Dahl, 2000). On January 1, 2001, pain management standards went into effect for Joint Commission accredited ambulatory care facilities, behavioral health care organizations, critical access hospitals, home care providers, hospitals, office-based surgery practices, and long term care provide rs (The Joint Commission, 2014). The standards require the nurses to recognize the right of patients to appropriate assessment and management of pain, to screen patients for pain during their initial assessment and, when clinically required, during ongoing, periodic re-assessments, and educate patients suffering from pain and their families about pain management. A proper assessment needs to be completed upon admission, and the physician needs to be contacted to ensure proper pain management is in effect. There are several different pain scales to be used based on the patient’s alertness and cognitive ability. The 0-10 Numeric Scale is the most widely used scale for patients who are alert and oriented. Wong-Baker FACES scale is used more with younger pediatric patients or mentally challenged. The FLACC scale is used for patients who can’t verbally or visually report their pain level. Once a patient has been assessed and proper treatment has been established, follow up is very important to maintain a proper level of pain control. It is the nurses responsibility to return to ask the patient how their pain is after intervention has been given. Typically if pain medication was administered you should reassess 30 minutes after IV medication and 60 minutes after oral medication. Don’t take it for granted if the patient is resti ng, some patients don’t physically show signs of pain. Once the patient is ready for discharge, proper education about pain control needs to be instructed to the patient and family member. Explanations of why it’s important to continue the pain meds at home, medications to avoid while taking them, and side effects that may occur. If NDNQI results continue to decline in future reports, re-education of current staff should be performed. Pain management has often been referred to as the 5th vital sign, nurses and nursing assistants should be instructed to ask/assess about pain when taking vitals. Frequent chart audits should be conducted to ensure proper charting and pain interventions are occurring. Pain management starts with educating the staff on the proper assessments and following through on interventions  implemented. Summary In conclusion, for patients to have a better experience with their hospital stay, proper pain management needs to occur. With the correct orientation and training of staff to the different pain scales used, frequency of patients being asked about pain, and proper interventions being implemented, nursing scores for response to pain should increase. References Berry, P, PhD, RN, CRNH, CS, & Dahl, J, PhD. (2000). The new JCAHO pain standards: Implications for pain management nurses. Pain Management Nursing, Vol 1(Issue 1), 3-12. Retrieved from http://www.painmanagementnursing.org/article/S1524-9042(00)04110-2/abstract Hughes, R. (2008). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Martin, L., Kelly, M., & Roosa, K. (2012). Multidisciplinary approach to improving pain management. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly,35(3), 268-271. Montalvo, I., (September 30, 2007) â€Å"The National Database of Nursing Quality IndicatorsTM (NDNQI ®)† OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 12 No. 3, Manuscript 2. The Joint Commission. (2014, February 4). Retrieved September 21, 2014.