The Problem Of Child Poverty Is Much Bigger Than It Seems.The

The problem of child poverty is much bigger than it seems. The impact increases over time because these children have their own children who are likely to get stuck in a cycle of poverty and dependency. Poverty affects many aspects of a child’s life including their self-esteem, education, happiness, and their general mindset on the rest of their life. Reading on this issue opens doors to the real-life problems that America faces and attempts to fix. Poverty is linked to many negative outcomes for children. Research shows that over 20% of children under the age of 18 are ofï ¬ cially â€Å"poor†. This means they live in households with incomes below the federal poverty line. Also, another 20% of children are â€Å"near poor†. These statistics are†¦show more content†¦This is important to know because it isn’t a major focus in child poverty but it happens to be the most fragile and important for a kid to grow up successful. â€Å"Low-income stu dents are four and a half times more likely to drop out of high school, and even those who are academically proficient are far less likely to complete college. The gap in SAT scores between wealthy and poor students has grown by 42% in the last two decades. And financial stability has become less attainable even for college graduates, with only one-third of adults under 35 forming independent households.†, says Eric Jenson, a man who wrote the book Teach poverty in mind. In this book, it helps you understand that education is the key to escaping poverty, as poverty remains the biggest obstacle to education. Even though students of poverty have a harder time learning materials they aren’t broken or illiterate they just need a bit more attention a regular student a once a teacher can create that bond with the student they can help that child defeat that obstacle in education. Elder was one of the first researchers to link parents economic hardship to children s psychiat ric problems. In one study, Elder retrospectively studied 167 California children born in 1920-1921 who lived in Oakland during the depression years of the 1930s. Using the data archive of the Oakland Growth Study, Elder found a positive association between economic hardship and neglectful

Gender Identity Gender And Masculinity - 1285 Words

What is gender? Most people feel as though gender consists only of the terms â€Å"boyâ€Å" â€Å"girlâ€Å" , but it’s so much more than that. Gender is a very complex reality that is not just about what genetalia you have. In this paper I will explore all the subcategories and misconceptions of gender. The range of characteristics pertaining to and differentiating between masculinity and femininity is the definition of gender. We usually associate gender with genetalia and in our society, we like to stuff everyone into these strict â€Å"gender boxesâ€Å", where everything that has for some reason been deemed feminine is only for girls, and everything deemed masculine is only for boys. Cisgender is when you identify with one of these gender boxes, but a lot of†¦show more content†¦This could not be farther from the truth. People who are transgender aren’t trying to trick anyone, but instead, trying to become who they feel they are supposed to be. â€Å"Transitioning† is the term used when someone Transgender decides to change their physical appearance and identify with pronouns used for the gender they identify with. First they are given what are called â€Å"puberty blockersâ€Å" which simply stop them from going through the wrong puberty at around the age of twelve for girls and thirteen or fourteen for boys. Physical appearance is then changed with hormone therapy. MTF’s or male to female’s would take estrogen to feminize their body. FTM’s or female to males would take testosterone to masculinize their body. Not all people realize they are transgender at a young age, but no matter what age, they can transition using hormone therapy. It is very important to use the correct pronouns for them. It gives a sense of reassurance acceptance. They want you to see them as the gender in which they identify. â€Å"Genderqueerâ€Å" or â€Å"non gender conformingâ€Å" are the terms used for people who do not identify as either male or female. They are also sometimes labeled as â€Å"Bigender† or â€Å"Pangender.† These are the people who do not even closely fit into the gender boxes. Many genderqueer people see gender and sex as separable aspects of a person and sometimes identify as a male woman, a female man, or they may combine genderqueer

Agenda 21 in South Africa free essay sample

The Agenda 21 areas that enjoy attention in South Africa include trade, financing, technology, industry, transport and sustainable tourism, with an additional area that focuses on changing consumption patterns. Trade The Departments of Foreign Affairs, and Trade and Industry, together with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) authorities, coordinate any Agenda 21 strategies relating to trade in South Africa. Some of the key points that either have been addressed (in the last decade), or are still being addressed, include the introduction of management practice standards (relating to pollution and waste management), the introduction of ISO 14001 and ISO 9000 series of international standards (which pertain not only to environmental management standards, but also to the monitoring and compliance thereof), and the introduction of new health and safety codes that will bring along with them a form of accountability. Apart from encouraging and promoting economic growth in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, the impact on the environment is monitored and means to reduce these impacts are introduced where possible. The major challenges faced by this sector in implementing sound Agenda 21 strategies include labour disputes (surrounding job security, job creation and pay increases as decided by trade unions, employees and employers), the role of NGOs, particularly in rural communities, the HIV/Aids factor, global economic trends, corruption and fraud, and the relative lack of skilled labour in the country, to mention a few. Finance The South African Department of Finance is the authority in this regard, and since the national budget is controlled by this ministry, available funds for all other Agenda 21 strategies originate here. Over the last decade, under the leadership of Trevor Manuel, but more recently under the leadership of Pravin Gordhan (2009 onwards), the trend in taxation has been towards favouring the lower-wage earner and the establishment and development of social grants. Despite the apparent decrease in tax revenue, tax collection has improved year-on-year (until 2009, when the global economic downturn affected the South African economy), so more funds have been available for development projects and programmes. House building, job creation, primary health-care facilities and extended sanitation services are just some of the very important areas in which Government funds development and other project that improve the quality of life for millions of citizens. The main challenge facing this aspect of Agenda 21s principles is the current (2009) economic situation: Because the end of the crisis cannot be accurately predicted, it may take a few years before tax collection is back at its levels of 2005 and 2006. While the economy slows down, jobs are lost, development slows down and investment shrinks. Hence, the available capital in taxes is severely impacted. Technology With the focus being on the transfer of environmentally sound technology, the South African Bureau of Standards contributed to the development of the ISO 14000 series of standards. In the late 1990s, the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) was also introduced as the body responsible for the accreditation of certification entities and controlling the awarding of environmental certificates. In addition, the countrys Intellectual Property Rights legislation which complies with the World Trade Organisations Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, was also finalised in the late 1990s. The Technology Transfer Act, together with the Department of Trade and Industrys Technology Transfer Centre both in place or operational by 2000, ensure that the best, available and affordable clean technologies are preferred and utilised in all technology transfer transactions. Initially, the implementation of clean technologies was focused on the fish-processing industry, the dairy industry, the wood, metal and furniture industries and the textile industry, but since the early 2000s, pilot projects have been rolled out in other industrial sectors, and larger focus areas have been identified. These include water and waste technology, housing technology and biotechnology. Industry Because the Department of Trade and Industry assumes authority over the trade, technology and industrial sectors, the Agenda 21 policies that were formulated for the technology sector apply equally to the industrial sector (since they are so closely related). However, a number of challenges within the industrial sector must be overcome before policy implementation can be rolled out in this sector. Firstly, pollution via point-source or diffuse sources that result in impacts on environmental and human health must be adequately addressed. Secondly, the overuse of water resources must be curbed, and thirdly, habitat destruction due to urban development must be addressed. Transport The Department of Transport (in the late 1990s) formulated an Environmental Policy for Transport that advocated the use of environmental impact management tools in this sector. Cleaner technologies, too, received much attention in the document in the form of cleaner fuels and the technologies that support them. Transportation and land-use planning were earmarked as a strategic partnership that would be beneficial to both sectors, while enjoying a symbiotic relationship. Sustainable tourism The Department of Tourism (previously known as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism), along with the Directorate of Tourism Development Planning and Provincial Liaison, are responsible for implementing sustainable tourism strategies nationwide. Eco-tourism is, of course, one of the primary focus areas, followed by the implementation of environmental management systems in hotels and other tourism-related establishments. However, by 2004 there were no national strategies to inform the development of such projects, although white papers had outlines ideal suggestions for the technical, environmental, social and financial aspects of sustainable tourism. Changing consumption patterns A wide range of governmental departments work together to formulate strategies for future consumption pattern changes. Water, forests, agricultural resources, pollution, energy and occupational health and safety aspects are just some of the areas that enjoy attention under this banner, since consumption of resources and products affects all of these to certain degrees. However, no national strategy or policy has been formulated to guide the implementation of nationwide strategies in this sphere.

Understanding Public Policy. Social Impact of Policy.

Policy analysis plays an important role for developing and implementing every initiative of the government. Its strategies can be more successful if they are based on the findings of social scientists, psychologists, or medical researchers. Overall, policy analysis is supposed to show what kind of actions will help to achieve a particular goal or solve a certain problem (Fox, Bayat, Ferreira, 2007, p. 96).Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Understanding Public Policy. Social Impact of Policy. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Various stages of this analysis are essential for the development of a public policy. In particular, this process involves the following steps or stages: 1) identification of a specific problem and data collection; 2) the evaluation of different options, especially their social, economic, or environmental impacts; 3) choosing the alternative that will yield the best results at a minimal c ost (Fox, Bayat, Ferreira, 2007, p. 96). Provided that the mistake is made at one of these stages, the policies of the government will be more likely to fail. Policy analysis is also important during the implementation of any public policy. This set of methods can help the government determine whether their initiatives bring actually improvements. Policy analysis can assist public administrators in identifying the drawbacks of their initiatives, especially those cases when these initiatives can backfire. Yet, this analysis can be accurate if it is based on evidence-based findings. For instance, healthcare policies can be more effective when they take into account the most recent statistical data about diseases or mortality (Lavis et al, 2004, p. 1616). This is why policy analysis is vital for public administrators. These methods can help the government take informed decisions that rely on high quality data, rather than rules of thumb. One of the issues that policy-makers should con sider is the social impact of polices. Every initiative implemented by the government can affect a variety of people in a very unpredictable way. The first task is to determine how many people can be influenced by the policy and in what way. For instance, policy-makers may need to estimate how many people will benefit from increased investment into community hospitals. Public administrators will have to focus on the demographic characteristics of these people such as age, sex or income level. Secondly, they will need to make sure that these policies will not adversely affect any social groups. Scholars point out that it is important to understand the so-called â€Å"transmission channels† through which a policy can impact society (Vanclay Esteves 2012, p. 313). For instance, the removal of trade barriers with a certain country can effect local employments, or the prices and accessibility of goods (Vanclay Esteves 2012, p. 313).Advertising Looking for coursework on poli tical sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The goal of the government is to identify these channels. This task can be very difficult because social impacts are not easy to estimate. In most cases, they depend on a particular situation. Public administrators should take into account that social impacts of policies can be unpredictable. Their plans should be based on closed analysis of previous policies and their impacts. In this way, they can safeguard themselves against various pitfalls, especially threats to people’s wellbeing. This is the main precaution that they will have to take. Overall, these examples show that policies of the government can be successful when public administrators understand the impact of their initiatives on various stakeholders. The necessity to implement policies can limit the power of the government in different ways. First of all, the government requires financial resources in order to infl uence the life of the society. However, when this institution has to invest capital into several policies, its power begins to decrease. Secondly, one has to speak about human resources. The power of the government is dependent on the availability of skilled. When the government has to implement policies, public administrators will have to dedicate part of their efforts to this initiative. In some cases, the effort of these employees is insufficient. This is one of the reasons why public administrators have to attract non-governmental organizations. As a rule, the support of these organizations is essential for the government. Finally, any public policy requires a certain amount of time in order to perform its duties. Very often policies can last for years, and the government will have to monitor their implementation. Usually, these activities are very time-consuming. So, these limitations can be explained by such things as financial resources, personnel, and time. This is one of th e ways in which policies can affect the power of the government. Additionally, policies themselves can be aimed at restricting the power of the state. For instance, this institution can be made more accountable for its actions, expenses, plans, or risk management strategies. Policies can make government less bureaucratic and more oriented toward the needs of people. Governmental officials will have to legitimize the use of power and identify the benefits that they bring to the community. This is perhaps the most important limitation that policies have. On the whole, they play a positive role, because they make the state more responsible.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Understanding Public Policy. Social Impact of Policy. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference List Fox, W., Bayat, S. Ferreira, N. (2007). A Guide to Managing Public Policy. New York: Juta and Company Ltd. Lavis, J., Posada, F., Haines, A ., Osei, E. (2004). Use of research to inform public policymaking. The Lancet , 364 (1), 1615-1621. Vanclay, F. Esteves, A. (2012). New Directions in Social Impact Assessment:  Conceptual and Methodological Advances. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing. This coursework on Understanding Public Policy. Social Impact of Policy. was written and submitted by user Gemma Pacheco to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Psychology Denial Essays - Alcohol Abuse, Belief, Denial, Dissent

Psychology: Denial Introduction So you dont think that you are an alcoholic. Chances are that you are not, but this is the thought that many who are unknowingly addicted to alcohol or other mind-altering agents. This denial barrier is the first of many hurdles to overcome when they are identified as having an addiction disorder. Although all denial isnt bad most of the time, addicts are often the last to recognize their disease, pursuing their addictions into mental illness, the degeneration of health, and ultimately death. This paper will explain the concept of denial, its consequences, and the implications it has for nursing care. Review of Literature and Knowledge Base What is denial? Dr. Hilary Knatz, the author of Getting On, states that Denial, is a way of coping with unpleasant realities (Knatz, 1999). She then goes on to explain that: Denial, in the psychological/psychiatric vernacular, is a defensive strategy to minimize anxiety. It is defined and conceptualized in a number of ways, which differ according to theory. In classical Freudian terms, denial is a defense mechanism invoked by a person when there is a danger that he or she will become aware of or act on unconscious primitive impulses that are unacceptable. We defend against such impulses, it is said, by unconsciously limiting our awareness of them, or perhaps attributing them to others. A murderous rage, for example, may be repressed or obscured from our awareness, or it may be attributed to others (p. 2). The Oxford English Dictionary defines denial to be the asserting (of anything) to be untrue or invalid; also, the denying of the existence or reality of a thing (Simpson & Weiner, 1989). Sometimes denial can be constructive and adaptive, according to R. Davidhizar, V. Poole, J. N. Giger, and M. Henderson the authors of When your patient uses denial. For example, there have been studies of people with terminal illness that have suggested that denying the seriousness of the condition may help postpone death. It is true that overwhelming anxiety can hamper coping, and that screening out anxiety-provoking stimuli can help prevent this kind of paralysis. In general, it must be observed, the world is full of terrifying possibilities that we could never completely comprehend (1998). Denial is the refusal to believe or accept the reality that certain events have happened, are happening, or will happen. To accept the reality would bring emotional pain, so the events are denied. Related to denial is the defense called minimizing. Events are accepted, but only in a watered down version. Sure I drink once in a while. Everybody does. It's no big deal. Once in a while I might get carried away, but it really isn't a problem (USDHHS, 1994). Denial is the primary psychological symptom of addiction. It is an automatic and unconscious component of addictions. Addicts are often the last to recognize their disease, pursuing their addictions into mental illness, the degeneration of health, and ultimately death. Sadly, many addicts continue to act out on their addictions while their world collapses around them blaming everything but the addiction for their problems (USDHHS, 1994) Denial is one of the reasons that recovery from addictions is seldom effective if the chemically dependent person is forced into treatment. You cannot work on a problem unless you accept that it exists (USDHHS, 1994). Active alcoholism and addiction are characterized by a struggle to control use. Addicts resent the suggestion they are powerless until things get so bad they are forced to face their addiction. Sadly, some alcoholics never break through their denial, and continue use to the point of insanity and death (USDHHS, 1994). The concept of denial plays a key role in the twelve-step addiction treatment model, where denial of addiction is seen to be the chief hindrance to any kind of realistic treatment of the problem. This is no easy task because addicts have developed an elaborate network of denial (McCracken, 1998). Not only of addictive events, but also of the meanings and consequences of those events, whose seriousness they try to minimize with rationalizations (McCracken, 1998). The twelve step programs also recognize that any one person's denial can expand into a group denial, most immediately, perhaps, to the family system. Family members play along with the addict's behavior,

OPTUS on Facebook

OPTUS on Facebook Introduction Communication is extremely vital in information dissemination and thus many companies rely heavily on it for clientele outreach (Fielding, 2006). The quest for efficiency, therefore, becomes a major concern for many businesses when choosing the right forms of communication in order to maximize effectiveness and wider market reach.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on OPTUS on Facebook specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This dictates the need for market understanding and clientele destinations so that the chosen communication media can easily reach the targeted clientele at the right time (Nielsen, 2008). This implies that there has to be a lot of care in media selection for maximum output. In return, this will ensure that the set objectives are achieved within a given time frame. Needless to say, an effective communication platform is an integral requirement for business growth and profitability. While market expansion entails maintaining long term relationship with current clients and acquiring new ones, there is need to select the most effective communication models and the right communication channels for message deliveries and propagating the ideals of a business (Capelin, 2004). In most cases, one way communication is preferred but with the advent of new technology amidst a supportive business environment, it has become unavoidable necessity for feedback information regarding on-way statics and thus there is possibility that organizations can get information regarding the number of recipients of their one-way sent communication. Therefore, this improves a company’s influential judgment on choosing the right medium of communication. With diversity in information systems, different forms of communication that present suitability in several forms are readily available in the contemporary business world (Capelin, 2004). This therefore forces any communication type to put into con sideration the form that has to be relayed to respective stakeholders. The contact media also plays vital role in determining communication type to be employed in message relaying. For instance, in order to relay information through a visual communication system, it is required that the information form be either pictorial or in video form. Likewise, Fielding (2006) argues that using audio communication systems would require the use of audio messages and in the same way, published media will automatically require written messages or pictorial compositions. Electronic media can sometimes combine all of these information forms and relay them using one medium. However, suitability and reliability of the medium chosen will depend on area of coverage and the number of loyal subscribers to that medium of communication.Advertising Looking for report on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The higher the n umber of subscription in a communication medium and the larger the area of coverage, the favorable the medium itself for use as an agent of message dispatch. Since Optus is a multinational company that is based in Australia but still under expansive plans, there is urgent need to employ different and most appropriate channels of communication which will attract new customers and still retain the existing ones (Smith, 2009). With roughly more than ten products and services and while dominating the Australian market share in its category, Optus Solutions Ltd will seek to trap new markets outside the country and beyond the Australian continent in order to increase its capital base. The already successive expansive attempt into the Asian markets is yet another opportunity for the company. Optus is seeking to cross borders to capture new markets and maintain its dominance in the Information and Communication Technology industry. Purpose of the report The purpose of this report was to exa mine if the choice by Optus Solutions Ltd to use facebook as a medium of communication between the company and potential clients in its attempt to make further expansions was the best choice in achieving its objectives. Furthermore, the report was supposed to offer recommendations on the choice of media of communication for the company alongside other communication strategies that Optus should employ for optimum reach to its clients. Additionally, recommendations were to focus on effective communication strategies for the Optus Company even as it endeavors to expand. Scope While examining if facebook was the right and most effective media for use by Optus solutions Ltd in communication aimed at marketing, it was important to consider its use for new products and services advertisements and the future expansions and awareness rate of the facebook media. On the same note, it was also important to consider the efficiency of the media chosen by this company for its expansion purposes. M ethod Much of the information used in this report was largely collected from various sources. These included consultations, totally sovereign review of the company information from its own website, business oriented websites as well as facebook information available on this company in regard to expansion and communication in regard to attracting new customers and keeping existing ones. Additional information was also obtained from direct online survey of potential customers outside Australian region. This catered for additional information regarding knowledge of the company and its products. This information was gathered and documented for use in the report to determine if the company was using the right channels and media of communication to reach existing and potential new customers to the company.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on OPTUS on Facebook specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Online interviews were carried ou t to establish if all people living in the Australian continent were really aware of the company, its products and services before it embarked on its expansive plans. Same procedure was followed as above and all the information collected tabulated to analyse the awareness of the people regarding the company. Limitations In carrying out the online interviews, some respondents were unwilling to spare time for the interview citing reasons such as ‘wastage of their special time’ in response. Others could not present truthful information and thus some biasness in the information collected about the company. Locating the exact information about the company and its choice of forms of communication to reach its targeted population was extremely hard and thusmyriad of assumptions were inevitable in the writing of this report. Lots of information regarding the daily operations of this company is either kept highly confidential or the company does not provide the details of its da ily running and this was a great limitation in determining the exact statistical information needed for analysis. Assumptions It has been greatly assumed that the information available on websites and facebook regarding Optus Solutions Ltd is all accurate and thus largely used in the analysis and evaluation of communication strategies of the company. This information will enable the determination of the effective types of communication employed by Optus in reaching its targeted audiences. It has also been greatly assumed that all the information collected online from sources in the Australian peninsula is nothing but accurate information and thus has also been extensively used in the analysis and evaluation of the company as regards communication strategies and expansive plans. Thirdly, it has been also assumed that the products shown on the Optus website page of products and services are entirely the only products and services the company has to offer to customers in the Australian regions and beyond its borders. These products will be singly evaluated in the given regions; that is in Australia, Philippines and the Indian markets for determination of the ability of the company to venture into new markets in respect to effective communication (Capelin, 2004). Since every company uses a strategic medium in its effective communication to targeted audiences, it has been heavily assumed too that Optus Solutions Ltd is extensively using facebook as the strategic medium in its expansion efforts. This information available on facebook regarding the company and its products will entirely be used to promote the company in display and advertising of its products and services and present an effective communication tool by the company.Advertising Looking for report on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Background Optus is one of the largest telecommunication providers in the Australian region, fully owned by a Singaporean company called Singapore Telecommunications. Its Optus brand is its major brand under which it trades but has also other subsidiary brands that it owns which operate under different names and these include, Boost Mobile, and Virgin M. Australia, which operate in the telephone industry, Alphawest in the ICT industry and in others in the network industry like Uecomm. Initially this company was fully owned by the government and was known under a different operating brand name which was Aussat Pty. It underwent a rebranding thus changing its name to Cable and Wireless Optus Pty that lasted for a period before another rebranding to its present brand name Optus. With successful rebranding, this company has undergone multiple transitions and in the process gained and lost potential clients in the process of rebranding since some clients are not information conscious. Th e company owns a large portion of the fixed telephony services in the region with commercial POTS that represent its ability to serve the local and international regions, that is, it is able to reach the local and distant regions. It also owns commercial voice over internet protocol, voice over DSL and intelligent network applications. In the mobile telephony industry, it covers the largest share in the market by owning a GSM and GPRS service that covers almost all the Australian population- approximately ninety seven percent of the total population. It also has a great 3G and HSPA service industry that covers approximately more than ninety seven point three percent of the total population of Australia. It again owns the satellite telephony industry that covers the whole of the country. Besides the telephony industry, the company owns other services in the internet provision industry which include Residential Dial-Up services that expand in all the states, residential Broadband inte rnet services which are run through a cable system and DSL that span in all the states except the northern regions. It also has satellite internet services that it runs through its geostationary satellites, a secure gateway services that are specially offered to the national government and commercial internet access. In addition there is also cable television known as Optus television provided in the largest cities of the country. It also has data transmission services and other services offered through leased lines. Its terrestrial infrastructure spans over the largest cities of Australia, its satellite infrastructure spanning through the regions of geostationary satellites, the international earth points of geostationary satellites and the national earth stations in major cities in Australia. The company has a customer access base network of major cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Wollongong and Adelaide to name just but a few. Other accessible regions include regions w here the company is able to provide coaxial cables. In other words the company has the ability to reach the whole market of Australia since accessibility is possible everywhere within the country for the diverse products and services it offers (Smith, 2009). The company announced its international expansion plans in the year two thousand and three and a year later, it was able to launch a short messaging service that could reach more than ninety countries worldwide. This was its clear move towards internationalization but then no clear communication strategy was shown in regard to the expansion and how the markets had been acquired. Today the company looks forward to making further expansions in the mobile telephony industry into other countries of the world including the Asian region and the African peninsula. Findings According to data and information available on facebook, the following tabulated report was drawn. This took into consideration all the products and services that th e company offers and their status on facebook as a media of effective communication for purposes of retaining and acquisition of new customers in its expansion endeavor. Although most products could not be found on facebook, the results had to constitute each and every product of the mother company since effective promotional strategies through effective communication has to happen in every department and thus each product undergoes the same effect. Optus products and services as shown on facebook pages Product present on facebook likes dislikes Company yes 52,284 Not shown Mobility No N/A N/A Network yes 0 0 Enterprise communication No N/A N/A Satellite yes 3 0 Security yes not shown not shown Global yes 50 0 Discussion Australia by itself alone is a country with a population of more than twenty two million people and out of these, more than ten million people- reflecting more than forty five percent, have signed up for facebook accounts. This is a translation o f approximately half the Australians on facebook but as evident from the above results, it is extremely clear that Optus popularity on facebook is extremely low. Being a multinational company that operates in the whole of Australia and being one of the largest telephony providers in the region, the company has only managed to gallon a whopping total of only 52,284 likes from its existing and or potential customers (Jones, 2010). This represents a shockingly low popularity level for a company brand like Optus. This implies that its communication strategies are not fruitful or the facebook communication strategy in not highly effective. This is also indicated by the presence of one of its services, that is, networking as a service also has shockingly low number of likes; an indication of unpopularity. The satellite service has as well received a tremendously low popularity on facebook; another clear indication of extremely low popularity. Products which include, Mobility, Enterprise c ommunications, Global and ‘Telepresence’ were conspicuously absent on facebook implying nonstrategic efficiency in communication (Fielding, 2006). Optus company brand on facebook page consisted of graphical image with persuasive writings on it, encouraging new and old customers to participate in liking the company and finding the key master company for a chance to win a trip. This is a marketing strategy which reflects likings from hopeful winners and thus, not people who really like the company. Basing on this, the company was trying to woo potential clients and thus the likes also represent people who even do not know Optus or have never used any one of its services. Although this strategy works in marketing for its expansive endeavors, actual reflection of potential customers in the internationalization efforts is not clear. The other products and services on the facebook page did not have any graphical or pictorial compositions but only word messages. This shows tha t the company did not use effective communication types like visual on the given media to communicate to its existing customers and attract new ones. Nielsen (2008) points out that effective communication embodies the use of all the four types of communication whereby visual communication has the greatest intensity followed by verbal or audio communication. Not denying the fact that the company uses these in its routine communication practices, they are scantly available on facebook and thus an implication of failure of communication. Failure of other products’ presence on facebook is a direct indication of failure of utilization of highly potential media in effective communication to various stakeholders- another landmine of poor communication skills (Capelin, 2004). Facebook is the most famous tool in social media and with more than eight hundred million subscribers and more than ten million Australians. This is an indication of enormous potential in facebook in communicati on since old and potential clients are found here. Recommendations and implementations Optus as a company with diverse products and services need to utilize effective communication skills to keep and acquire new clients (Nielsen 2008). The emergency of facebook as a social media provided the greatest potentials for extensive communication between individuals and companies. This thus should have been one of the best tools the company should use to make effective and transparent communication between stakeholders. The use of wall posts and other visual and responsive media on facebook should have been a priority. Traditional forms of communication which include radio and television should increase the familiarity of in the home environment (Gibson, 2008). Thus employment of visual and pictorial compositions on facebook and the launch of other products and services’ facebook profiles will greatly help in increasing the popularity of facebook. This should take place with immediat e effect with awareness campaigns in order for all stakeholders to be aware of any changes in product progresses. This would be the utilization of effective communication skill in presentation of relevant information to all stakeholders. Conclusion From the discussion above, it is clearly evident that Optus as a company had not utilized facebook as a media of communication for effective communication to various stakeholders. Australia by itself alone is a country with a population of more than twenty two million people. Out of the total population, about 45 percent are currently using facebook as their preferred social site as well as means to reach out for friends and other acquaintances. This implies that the company could greatly benefit from utilizing facebook as one of the channels of communication. Furthermore, Optus has a very strong presence on the physical environment with a familiarity percentage ranging close to 90 percent. On the other hand, it commands a tiny 3 percent on face book. The fact that the Australian population using population is relatively large implies that the company has been losing huge profits due to the unreached clientele base. This is a reflection of failed utilization of potential communication media in carrying out effective communication and hence marketing of the company. Other products and services such as satellite service have equally received tremendously low popularity on facebook. Needless to say, this may be yet another clear indication of extremely low popularity of the company especially on the bulk of the population. Others which include, Mobility, Enterprise communications, Global and ‘Telepresence’ just to mention a few were conspicuously absent from facebook (Jones, 2010). If such services are not firmly in place and worst of all, not recognized by the target, then it implies that the given company is by far and large, employing nonstrategic efficiency in communication. Failure of other productsâ €™ occurrence on facebook is a straight indication of failure of exploitation of highly potential media in effective communication to a range of stakeholders- an additional landmine of poor communication skills. Facebook is the most well-known tool in social media and with more than eight hundred million subscribers and slightly above ten million Australians. Indeed, it is a clear indication that facebook as a social utility presents numerous and potential opportunities to the business world such that proper utilization of the facility can indeed boost returns and profitability of a business entity. References Capelin, J. 2004. Communication by design: Marketing professional services. Atlanta: Greenway Communications. Fielding, M. 2006. Effective Communication in Organizations, Cape Town: Lansdowne Ltd Gibson, B. 2008. Case study report, Melbourne: Monash University. Web. Available from  https://www.monash.edu/rlo Jones, S. 2010, Optus Facebook Page. Web. Available from  ht tps://www.facebook.com/optus Nielsen, J. 2008. Effective Communication Skills, New York: Xlibris Corp. Smith, S. 2009. Telepresence managed. Web. Web.

Mergers Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mergers - Case Study Example The Tata Group comprises around 90 companies with total turnover of US$22 billion, equivalent of around 3 per cent of India's GDP. Tata Steel has one of the most modern steel making facilities and is also one of the lowest cost producers of steel in the world. It has been rated as the world's best steel company for the past three consecutive years by World Steel Dynamics. World over, Tata Steel currently has a capacity of around 26 million tonnes per annum including its recent takeover of Corus and has the second largest global distribution network in 45 countries. Tata Steel which has also set benchmarks in the fields of corporate social responsibility and corporate governance firmly believes in improving the quality of life of its employees and the communities it serves. Tata Steel aspires to become a 50 Million tonne Steel Company by 2015. It was little hard for TATA Steel to swallow Corus as CSN, a Brazilian company was also in the race. The bidding war between Tata Steel and Brazilian company CSN was riveting and ended in a rapid-fire auction. Initial reactions to the deal are highly diverse and retail investors are completely puzzled by the market reaction. TATA Steel had announced the refinancing of its GBP 3,260 million acquisition bridge facility and revolving facility was provided by ABN AMRO and Deutsche Bank, the financing formalities were finished off by April 2, 2007. Refinancing was also arranged which amounted to GBP 3,170 million and was done by a syndicate led by Citigroup, ABN AMRO and Standard Chartered Bank. This refinancing provides significant benefits and flexibility over the term of the financing to the group. The Refinancing Facility comprises a five year GBP 1670 million amortizing loan which will be syndicated by the joint book runners to relationship banks of Tata Steel and Corus and a seven year minimally amortizing term loan of GBP 1500 million that will be syndicated to institutional investors and banks in the US, Europe and Asia.. The balance amount of the acquisition bridge is being repaid by an additional equity contribution by Tata Steel / Tata Steel Asia which had been previously disclosed on April 17, 2007. The Deal Development On October 20, 2006, Tata Steel announced that it had agreed to pick up a 100% stake in the Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus Group at 455 p. per share in an all cash deal, cumulatively valued at GBP 4.3 billion (USD 8.04 billion). On November 19 2006, the Brazilian steel company CSN launched a counter offer for Corus at 475 pence per share, valuing it at $8.4 billion. On December 11 2006, Tata preemptively upped the offer to 500 pence, which was within hours trumped by CSN's offer of 515 pence per share, valuing the deal at $ 9.6 Billion. The Corus board promptly recommended both the revised offers to its shareholders. On December 19 2006, Corus announced the following: In the light of the competing offers for Corus by Tata Steel UK Limited ("Tata") and CSN Acquisitions Limited ("CSN"), the Company announced on 12 December 2006 that the Corus Directors intended to propose resolutions to shareholders at each of the