Discuss Quasi-Experimental Designs Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Talk about Quasi-Experimental Designs - Coursework Example Various benchmark configuration contrasts from an inversion plan in that the different gauge configuration quantifies numerous factors before and after a treatment while an inversion configuration (otherwise called ABAB configuration) is a sort of single-case exploratory structure which can just quantify a solitary case. Also, in Multiple-standard plan, treatment is frequently acquainted with a numerous number of individuals at various stretches. Semi tests have various focal points just as likely shortcomings. A portion of the significant preferences of semi tests incorporate more noteworthy legitimacy (as it includes all the more certifiable conditions) and altogether substantially more possibility given strategic and time imperatives (Trochim and Donnelly, 2008). Then again, the shortcomings of semi tests incorporate less controlled factors, and absence of irregularity. The nonattendance of randomization is a central shortcoming as it can prompt more fragile proof by making. This shortcoming doesn't generally make a difference as long as it is perceived as semi try offers a ground-breaking research apparatus particularly in zones where genuine analyses may not be achievable. Truly, when members are arbitrarily allocated to gatherings, it is accepted that the gatherings are identical toward the start of the examination. This is especially credited to the haphazardness of the choice. Be that as it may, the members in the long run got nonequivalent toward the end due to the researcher’s absence of authority over the chose members for ach gathering. This might be unraveled by utilizing pretests and covariance trial plans. The specific results of a given report can be utilized to successfully propose that a danger is probably going to have been available incorporate covariation, transient priority just as the nearness of other conceivable elective clarification for the examination results may uncover a danger to the legitimacy of the exploration. a. Non-equal benchmark group pretest just: Involves looking at the treatment and correlation

EME Lesson Plan

By doing this, understudies will figure out how to peruse all wrote messages with a basic psyche, peeping as a top priority that feelings and perspectives can adjust the truth that each tee Ext can introduce. Understudies will dissect the creators messages from two anecdotal so as to aim Rupert the contrasting perspectives that the creators having in regards to the thoughts of ideal world and administer meet control. By doing this, understudies will figure out how to recognize the writers aim in composed works e in any event, when it is suggested or implicit.Learning Objectives: With the guide of the two course readings and Nicolas notes, understudies will have the option to c teach a curved Pentagram in a Google doc of the varying messages inside each ext, appearing at any rate six things of contrasts on each side and six things of closeness in the mi del. With the guide of the two course books, Nicolas notes, and the web, understudies will I have the option to compose two broadened reactions clarifying each book's writers perspective and how t his reflects in the story, with five accurately sited books references and two effectively sited assistant et references per writer to help their argument.Resources: The Giver, by Lois Lowry Fahrenheit 451 , by Ray Bradbury Computers for each understudy Google Powering Document Procedure: 1. I/instructor will present the action and audit any material that you/understudies express mistaken assumptions or worry over. L/educator will likewise audit how a Pentagram functions and how to round one out. (5 minutes) 2. YOW understudies will go to the PCs and open the Google record that is lealer father set up with clear Pentagram sheets.You/Students will carry with you your books and your notes from Nicolas conversations. (2 minutes) 3. YOW understudies will fill in the Pentagrams will the similitudes and contrasts beet en the writer's message inside the books. You/understudies will have in any event six things of contrast on e ach side and six things of likeness in the center. You/understudies will make certain to record where you found or read these distinctions for later use in the venture. (30 minutes) 4.You/understudies will investigate data on each writer clarifying the reasons honey bee mind his compositions, the various books he composed, and whatever else that could influence ho w that specific writer saw the world. (20 minutes) 5. You/understudies will print out your Pentagrams and web examination, and afterward ret rush to your/their seats. (5 minutes) 6. I/instructor will present the following segment of the venture where you/understudies will utilize the Pentagrams, the books, your notes, and web assets to compose two ext finished reactions. 3 minutes) 7. YOW understudies will compose two expanded reactions adhering to the directions. Every o en will concentrate on one of the creators and will portray how the creator's perspective expense acts the message in the tales. You/understudies will ha ve at any rate five accurately sited book references and two effectively sited web references in each all-inclusive reaction SE. (35 minutes). 8. On the off chance that any of you/understudies couldn't complete this undertaking, you/understudies will take it home and finish it as schoolwork which will be expected next class.

U.S. vs. Jason Arabo free essay sample

U. S. versus Jason Arabo In 2004, multi year old Jason Salah Arabo from Michigan was captured and conceded with connivance to arrange ruinous PC assaults on business contenders sites from his home by remotely controlling them with a PC program called, spot. Bots can be effectively masked as MP3 music documents or pictures that uninformed clients download from open sites. When they are downloaded, Bots will make the infection over-burden the sites facilitating PC server that bring about smashing the whole framework. Arabo wasnt alone in this procedure. He and previous multi year old Jasmine Signh from New Jersey, designer of the Bot, had met Arabo on a moment detachment talk, and had consented to help takedown Arabos contender sites in return for Arabos stock, including planner shoes. Arabo was running two business organizations that sold legacy sports clothing, for example, group Jerseys over the web. We will compose a custom article test on U.S. versus Jason Arabo or on the other hand any comparative theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Together, Arabo and Signh had planned the program in what they thought would help Arabos business by preventing clients from visiting and utilizing different administrations. The assaults wound up spreading, influencing organizations as distant as Europe due to naware web access suppliers facilitating Arabos focused on sites. This was making disturbance the activities of major online retail organizations, information reinforcement, and organizations that give correspondences, banks, and data administrations to the clinical and pharmaceutical ventures bringing about extreme assaults of their corporate sites, web get to, information stockpiling, email and calamity recuperation frameworks. The contaminated PCs additionally focused on understudies at two school grounds in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In view of what I found in my examination, a gauge of $504,000 in inancial misfortunes came about because of these assaults. The case was revealed by a specialist of the FBI, Agent Timothy Nester. Nester had followed the PCs tainted by the Bots and secretly secluded one of them so as to follow Signhs work. Following a half year of Nesters examination, there was sufficient proof to capture both Arabo and Signh. The two of them were seen as blameworthy. So as to make an appropriate sentence with respect to Arabo and Signhs activities, Judge Irenas counseled the U. S. Condemning Guidelines for reference. The content gives suitable condemning reaches that measure the seriousness of the offense, the efendants criminal history, and different factors in which may apply. It was concluded that Arabo would be condemned to 30 months in jail without the chance for further appeal. Parole was impossible since it was not canceled in the government framework. He was additionally accused of $504,495 in harms. Signh is carrying out his punishment as a grown-up for a long time in jail. He is requested to pay $35,000 in harms. My references: Michigan Man Gets 30 Months for Conspiracy to Order Destructive cybercrime/arabosent. htm) Denial of Service Attacks U. S versus Jason Arabo (http://www. brighthub. com/web/security-protection/articles/70972. aspx)

Influence of Role Models on Children free essay sample

A good example is somebody gazed upward to and held in high regard. They are regularly imitated and alluded to for direction. Youngsters being persuasive can be vigorously influenced by their good examples. A good example for a kid is somebody seen as large and extraordinary in their eyes. Whoever the good example might be, youngsters will get activities, words and quirks from them. It influences them all around, how they manage individuals, their dress, and jargon and how they seek to be.Role models can have positive or negative impact on kids relying on the good example and others meaning of what is acceptable and what Isnt. * Where do kids get their good examples from? Contingent on the earth, character of and childhood of the kid, their good examples can contrast enormously. Some childrens good examples are pop vocalists and entertainers, they are regularly ones that are well known In media culture and Invariably the childrens companions would have had an extra impact In asserting the good examples. We will compose a custom paper test on Impact of Role Models on Children or on the other hand any comparative point explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Mother good examples are honorable, In that they are beneficial to be good examples for the youngster: such respectable good examples incorporate guardians, relatives, individuals who do a great deal of noble cause work or work with creatures and individuals who help networks. These good examples are framed from information about them, from the childs condition or from hearing anecdotes about them from others. Youngsters gain from their condition and are notable to resemble wipes that absorb all what they see and hear. How good examples influence youngsters Vocabulary Some negative good examples that frequently swear or utilize critical words can influence the hillier who accept them as good examples by affecting them to begin swearing and utilize awful language or revile words. On the other hand positive good examples can help in instructing youngsters to be affable in discourse. Dress Children can look to duplicate the style of their good examples; this is typically the situation f or good examples got from the media, kid's shows, TV moderators, motion pictures or pop artists. These good examples are likewise confirmed by other youngsters at school, regularly making it chic and cool to resemble a specific vocalist. This can make kids dress Inappropriately for their age and cause hissy fits. Again it depends who the good example is, in this way it could be a positive change or humble method of dress which doesn't look to hurt the youngster in any case. Conduct Popular good examples promoted by the media today, for example, different pop vocalists don't generally have the best of morals or qualities that guardians wish their kids to have. A youngster can begin to imitate the conduct and disposition of the good example Influencing what the kid does and If they stumble Into difficulty or not.On the other hand, If the job del Is one which guardians think about positive, this can effectsly affect bringing up the kid with great characteristics and urging them to progress nicely. Good examples can enormously influence youngsters from their dress, perspective, discourse and conduct. A good example can have a positive or negative impact upon the kid. Well known good examples taken by numerous kids today are frequently those advertised by the media, for example, different pop artists, sports stars or on-screen characters. Youngsters can be profoundly impacted by job advantage their kids in all manners conceivable.

PESTEL analysis of country Azerbaijan Coursework

PESTEL examination of nation Azerbaijan - Coursework Example The country picked up its autonomy from the USSR in 1991, and it had proclaimed its state sway in 1988 (Plunkett 2008, 09). From that point forward, it has had struggle with the neighboring country, Armenia (Luca 2014, p. 12). The contentions kept going from 1988-1994, however a truce was built up in 1994 when the separatists were searching for full autonomy from this country, and they had command over Nagorno-Karabakh, just as the seven areas that encompass it. This paper assesses the PESTEL investigation of Azerbaijan nation, and this comprises of the political, financial, social, mechanical, ecological and lawful variables of the country. Azerbaijan despite everything looks for power over these zones; then again, it has been difficult to get the arrangement through conciliatory methods. Its monetary status depends on the oil and gas. They likewise have delightful sanctuaries, which go about as the vacation destination. It has figured out how to utilize abundant normal assets, also for mechanical fuel (Murphy 2014, p. 42). The nation has a settled foundation, and advancement of banks, retail shops, and genuine bequests, however the best test is the budgetary emergency. The monetary development has developed from 2006 to 2008 preceding dropping somewhere near 3.7% in 2010. The financial status experience quick development with utilization of the accessible characteristic assets, however it has been influenced by debasement (Schmidt 2009, 15). Nonetheless, straightforwardness is the key of the country and it is positioned 134 among the 178 countries that training defilement, however the country has attempted to lessen th e bad habit. Socially, Azerbaijan has gone worldwide, and could win the Eurovision melody challenge in the national wide music rivalry (Murphy 2014, p. 20). For an organization to go worldwide it needs to break down the remote markets and comprehend the main considerations that may influence the activity of the new item. One technique of understanding the idea of a nation is to do PESTEL or PEST investigation, which comprises of the

Major Lessons You Can Learn From Watching Shark Tank

Major Lessons You Can Learn From Watching Shark Tank LESSON 1: NUMBERS COUNTEntrepreneurs coming on the show start off their pitch by rattling off numbers and percentages. Most, if not all, start out confidently, stating these figures as if they knew them by heart. When the Sharks start grilling them about the breakdown of these numbers, they falter. They break down.You have to know your numbers. It is not enough that you are able to do the math right off the top of your head. What’s the story behind the numbers you are presenting? What’s your basis for the amounts of cash inflow and outflow that you are reciting so confidently?Numbers may not be the only language spoken by the prospective investors and the entrepreneurs seeking funding, but it is definitely a major one. Many deliver their pitches with so much passion, but when the sharks zero in on actual business numbers, especially those relating to sales, gross margin, and relevant costs, they are stumped. And so are their hopes of obtaining investments.When coming into the roo m, the entrepreneurs already have a ceiling on how much they are going to ask for. This is not enough. They should also have an “absolute bottom”, or the minimum amount that they are willing to receive. This will definitely save a lot of time when it comes to negotiations. After all, sharks are not the most patient of people. The moment they make an offer, they might be willing to give you a little time to mull it over. However, there is still going to be a cap on how much time they are willing to spare. By the time you have made a decision, they may have already changed their minds.And so we move on to the next lesson, which is…LESSON 2: IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS“What?” you might ask. Yes, we did say that numbers count and you should make sure they do count when making your pitch. However, do not talk purely about numbers, figures and amounts when pitching to the panel.It is highly probable that you will be telling them about how many hundreds of dollars in sales y our company made in the past year. That is all well and good, but if you take a look at the contestants that came on the show, there were entrepreneurs with impressive dollar sales who were turned down, and there were those with zero sales that actually walked out with a great deal from the sharks.That’s because, although the sharks look at the numbers, they also look beyond it. They don’t even care about sales as much as you’d expect, because they are more interested about the growth of your business. Thus, they will look into the product itself, as well as your overall business model.Peddle the vision. Sell the dream. Do not focus on just the sales. After all, they are going to look at the bigger picture, and you should, too. One thing’s for sure: sales is not it.LESSON 3: KNOW THYSELFBy this, we mean that you have to know your business inside out. You have to be completely familiar with your product, so you will be in the best position to talk about it and defend it, if a nd when needed, in front of the sharks. And they will grill you about it, that’s for sure.The sharks can immediately tell if you were the one to come up with the idea and the business model or not. Therefore, you have to be prepared, and the best form of preparation is to be in the know.In this regard, those with good stories to tell have greater chances of catching the attention of the sharks and engaging them in a more in-depth discussion. Tell them your motivation on the development of the product. How did the idea come about? What’s the story behind it? Is it something heart-tugging? Will it somehow touch the investors’ heart? Is it something that is personal and holds deep meaning for you?No matter what the story is, there is one thing that you should never forget: it must be true.Part of knowing about your business is knowing your market as well. Market size is also one other aspect that sharks put a great stock on. You may have a brilliant idea for a business and it is something that no one has ever thought of before. However, if there is very little market for it, or it would appeal only to a very small niche that has little to no possibility of growing in the future, the investors will immediately dismiss your idea for lack or absence of viability.LESSON 4: KNOW THE SHARKSThis applies to any circumstance where you have to pitch to any investor, not just the sharks. You have to have at least more than a vague idea on who you will be making your pitch to. Know a little bit of their background, especially when it comes to business. This way, you will have an idea on the types of questions they will ask, or on the points that they will raise.You will also be able to customize your pitch in a way that will pique the investors’ interest even more. You know how they tick, so you will also know which buttons to push while delivering your pitch.Another advantage of knowing the sharks is that the entrepreneur will know who to pitch to. Of course, they w ill enter the room pitching to the panel as a whole, but there will always be that one or two sharks that they will focus much of their attention on.Say, for example, an entrepreneur with an innovative clothing idea enters to make her pitch. She would definitely focus most of her attention on the shark that is in the same line of business or industry. After all, that shark is the one who is most knowledgeable about the clothing or apparel industry. It is also a given that that specific shark will have more interest in your business than the others. He will also be the best source of tips, pointers or advice, in case the entrepreneur doesn’t get a deal.Fortunately, with a little bit of research, you can obtain information on the potential investors, so you will know what to expect. Consider this as an additional homework that you should not ignore.LESSON 5: ASSESS THE TIMING AND KNOW WHEN TO STRIKEYou will notice that there have been many contestants who, even after presenting exce llent ideas, were turned away, because it was “not the right time” to be injecting cash into the business.It is important to have an understanding of good timing, especially when presenting your ideas and other relevant information to the sharks. Be smart about it. You probably want to get all the money you need â€" and will need in the future â€" in one go. The sharks know when you actually need the investment, and they are likely to opt out when they think you’re jumping ahead of yourself.There is nothing wrong with keeping some information to yourself, and releasing them to the sharks in trickles, much like dangling carrot to a rabbit. It’s a strategy and, trust me, the sharks will respect you for it.LESSON 6: DEMONSTRATE HUMILITYInvestors are putting their money on your business, not on you, the business owner, personally.Many entrepreneurs make a mistake of tossing around any bragging right they can find, even if it is unrelated to their business, in the hopes that this will impress potential investors enough to convince them to throw money their way. However, there is a thin line dividing confidence and arrogance, and potential investors know this.To avoid coming across as arrogant, it is better to try â€" as much as possible â€" to avoid talking too much about yourself. Focus on the business instead, and its finer points.This does not mean, however, that you should overdo it to the point of looking meek and timid. You still have to make sure that you present a winning personality and a positive attitude, one that also inspires confidence in your potential investors.Make the investors like you. Some, more than others, have trouble cultivating a likable personality, but it is not completely impossible. At the end of the day, talking in front of potential investors in a boardroom (or in a studio with TV cameras around filming your every move) is the same as going to school and meeting your classmates for the first time: you have to be nice.LESSON 7 : PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MARKETINGKeep in mind that you, the business owner and the one who came up with the idea, are the business’ first marketer. Therefore, make sure you do a good job at it.There is truth to the phrase “any publicity is still publicity”, and many aspiring entrepreneurs see Shark Tank as a great way to get publicity and exposure. They wouldn’t be wrong. More than half of the contestants that appear on the show are hoping to get a little bit of that spotlight shine on their business or product â€" albeit momentarily â€" and they can work from there.Unfortunately, there are those that do not strike while the iron is hot. Take, for example, The Brewer’s Cow. When they went on the show, it is true that they managed to get more than a fair bit of exposure. However, their efforts did not really extend all that much to the various marketing avenues available to them. One look at their website and you can immediately tell that they did not make any effort to spr uce it up, capitalizing on the wave that they rode on when they were on the show. This was definitely a wasted opportunity.LESSON 8: LISTEN AND HEEDYou have to learn to listen, and listen well.An advice will only work if it is followed. One good thing about coming on the show is that, more often than not, contestants are given pointers, tips or valuable advice on how they can improve their product or business. The panelists will be pointing out the strengths and weaknesses in their business plan, and so much can be learned from these assessments.You do not hear a lot of entrepreneurs asking the investors where they went wrong with their pitch. Was it their pitch that was faulty, or was their business idea the problem all along? By asking this question directly, they will have an easier time figuring out how to make the necessary corrections. Perhaps they would have to modify their product or tweak it a bit. Or maybe they should just scrap the whole idea and start anew.If they ultima tely say no to you, grab the opportunity to pick their brains, so to speak. Get their insights and use the advice that they give you in order to leverage as you move forward with your business, even without money from them.LESSON 9: KEEP YOUR COOLIt is almost always a given that some of the sharks will try to get a rise out of you. You will be put on the spot, and you will find yourself having to defend your business. This is normal; in fact, you have to expect this in any encounter with potential investors.The first reaction of most people would be to respond with sarcasm or even disdain. They may even feel inclined to throw in insults of their own. Even if you hear something nasty from the people you are pitching to, do not rise to the bait. If you notice, very few of the people who “fight fire with fire” get deals from the sharks. Being antagonistic is likely going to get them nothing â€" and nowhere.Keeping a level head is very important in these instances. It is also a good sign of how in command you are if you are able to remain calm throughout the whole thing. Some of the most common questions where you will have to defend your idea include issues about the competition. They might ask you why they should invest in your business when others may also come forward and set up the same one.LESSON 10: DO NOT SELL YOURSELF â€" OR YOUR BUSINESS â€" SHORTYou know how much your business is worth. You are fully aware that your business is worth this much, and you need that much amount of investment for to grow. When they offer only a fraction of what you need, trying to cut a deal, do not jump on the offer immediately. Ask yourself this: will it not put your business down? Is it not going to imply that the true value of your business is less than what you first stated?‘Hail Mary’ deals have surfaced in Shark Tank several times, thanks (or no thanks) to Kevin O’Leary. For example, all the sharks, except O’Leary opted out on a pitch for a company offerin g 10% ownership of a company valued at $10 million for an investment equal to $1 million. The deal: he will give $1 million for 51% of the company. If the entrepreneur takes this deal, they just as good as admitted that their company is really valued at less than $2 million. Oh, and the controlling interest also goes to O’Leary.Do not take this type of deal just because you are desperate for some cash infusion to your business. This takes us to the next lesson…LESSON 11: THERE ARE ONLY TWO POSSIBLE RESULTS: YOU GET IT OR YOU DON’T With so many reality shows airing on television nowadays, it is so easy for many of them to be overlooked and buried, some even completely ignored. Contrary to popular belief, however, there are some reality TV shows that actually make a whole lot of sense, and will provide lessons that you will actually find useful.With 6 seasons over a span of almost 6 years, ABC’s Shark Tank lets aspiring entrepreneurs and businessmen seeking funding or investments for their products or business to come on the show as contestants and make their pitch before a panel of investors â€" the “sharks”. Depending on how they make their pitch, they can walk away with a sizable amount of money invested in their business, or with no money, but at least they get some business advice from the experts. © Flickr | Disney | ABC Television GroupIn this article, you will learn about the major 11 lessons learned by other entrepreneurs pitching at Shark Tank.LESSON 1: NUMBERS COUNTEntrepreneurs coming on the show start off their pitch by rattling off numbers and percentages. Most, if not all, start out confidently, stating these figures as if they knew them by heart. When the Sharks start grilling them about the breakdown of these numbers, they falter. They break down.You have to know your numbers. It is not enough that you are able to do the math right off the top of your head. What’s the story behind the numbers you are presenting? What’s your basis for the amounts of cash inflow and outflow that you are reciting so confidently?Numbers may not be the only language spoken by the prospective investors and the entrepreneurs seeking funding, but it is definitely a major one. Many deliver their pitches with so much passion, but when the sharks zero in on actual business numbers, especi ally those relating to sales, gross margin, and relevant costs, they are stumped. And so are their hopes of obtaining investments.When coming into the room, the entrepreneurs already have a ceiling on how much they are going to ask for. This is not enough. They should also have an “absolute bottom”, or the minimum amount that they are willing to receive. This will definitely save a lot of time when it comes to negotiations. After all, sharks are not the most patient of people. The moment they make an offer, they might be willing to give you a little time to mull it over. However, there is still going to be a cap on how much time they are willing to spare. By the time you have made a decision, they may have already changed their minds.And so we move on to the next lesson, which is…LESSON 2: IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS“What?” you might ask. Yes, we did say that numbers count and you should make sure they do count when making your pitch. However, do not talk purely about numbers, figures and amounts when pitching to the panel.It is highly probable that you will be telling them about how many hundreds of dollars in sales your company made in the past year. That is all well and good, but if you take a look at the contestants that came on the show, there were entrepreneurs with impressive dollar sales who were turned down, and there were those with zero sales that actually walked out with a great deal from the sharks.That’s because, although the sharks look at the numbers, they also look beyond it. They don’t even care about sales as much as you’d expect, because they are more interested about the growth of your business. Thus, they will look into the product itself, as well as your overall business model.Peddle the vision. Sell the dream. Do not focus on just the sales. After all, they are going to look at the bigger picture, and you should, too. One thing’s for sure: sales is not it.LESSON 3: KNOW THYSELFBy this, we mean that you have to kno w your business inside out. You have to be completely familiar with your product, so you will be in the best position to talk about it and defend it, if and when needed, in front of the sharks. And they will grill you about it, that’s for sure.The sharks can immediately tell if you were the one to come up with the idea and the business model or not. Therefore, you have to be prepared, and the best form of preparation is to be in the know.In this regard, those with good stories to tell have greater chances of catching the attention of the sharks and engaging them in a more in-depth discussion. Tell them your motivation on the development of the product. How did the idea come about? What’s the story behind it? Is it something heart-tugging? Will it somehow touch the investors’ heart? Is it something that is personal and holds deep meaning for you?No matter what the story is, there is one thing that you should never forget: it must be true.Part of knowing about your business is k nowing your market as well. Market size is also one other aspect that sharks put a great stock on. You may have a brilliant idea for a business and it is something that no one has ever thought of before. However, if there is very little market for it, or it would appeal only to a very small niche that has little to no possibility of growing in the future, the investors will immediately dismiss your idea for lack or absence of viability.LESSON 4: KNOW THE SHARKSThis applies to any circumstance where you have to pitch to any investor, not just the sharks. You have to have at least more than a vague idea on who you will be making your pitch to. Know a little bit of their background, especially when it comes to business. This way, you will have an idea on the types of questions they will ask, or on the points that they will raise.You will also be able to customize your pitch in a way that will pique the investors’ interest even more. You know how they tick, so you will also know which buttons to push while delivering your pitch.Another advantage of knowing the sharks is that the entrepreneur will know who to pitch to. Of course, they will enter the room pitching to the panel as a whole, but there will always be that one or two sharks that they will focus much of their attention on.Say, for example, an entrepreneur with an innovative clothing idea enters to make her pitch. She would definitely focus most of her attention on the shark that is in the same line of business or industry. After all, that shark is the one who is most knowledgeable about the clothing or apparel industry. It is also a given that that specific shark will have more interest in your business than the others. He will also be the best source of tips, pointers or advice, in case the entrepreneur doesn’t get a deal.Fortunately, with a little bit of research, you can obtain information on the potential investors, so you will know what to expect. Consider this as an additional homework that you should not ignore.LESSON 5: ASSESS THE TIMING AND KNOW WHEN TO STRIKEYou will notice that there have been many contestants who, even after presenting excellent ideas, were turned away, because it was “not the right time” to be injecting cash into the business.It is important to have an understanding of good timing, especially when presenting your ideas and other relevant information to the sharks. Be smart about it. You probably want to get all the money you need â€" and will need in the future â€" in one go. The sharks know when you actually need the investment, and they are likely to opt out when they think you’re jumping ahead of yourself.There is nothing wrong with keeping some information to yourself, and releasing them to the sharks in trickles, much like dangling carrot to a rabbit. It’s a strategy and, trust me, the sharks will respect you for it.LESSON 6: DEMONSTRATE HUMILITYInvestors are putting their money on your business, not on you, the business owner, personal ly.Many entrepreneurs make a mistake of tossing around any bragging right they can find, even if it is unrelated to their business, in the hopes that this will impress potential investors enough to convince them to throw money their way. However, there is a thin line dividing confidence and arrogance, and potential investors know this.To avoid coming across as arrogant, it is better to try â€" as much as possible â€" to avoid talking too much about yourself. Focus on the business instead, and its finer points.This does not mean, however, that you should overdo it to the point of looking meek and timid. You still have to make sure that you present a winning personality and a positive attitude, one that also inspires confidence in your potential investors.Make the investors like you. Some, more than others, have trouble cultivating a likable personality, but it is not completely impossible. At the end of the day, talking in front of potential investors in a boardroom (or in a studio w ith TV cameras around filming your every move) is the same as going to school and meeting your classmates for the first time: you have to be nice.LESSON 7: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MARKETINGKeep in mind that you, the business owner and the one who came up with the idea, are the business’ first marketer. Therefore, make sure you do a good job at it.There is truth to the phrase “any publicity is still publicity”, and many aspiring entrepreneurs see Shark Tank as a great way to get publicity and exposure. They wouldn’t be wrong. More than half of the contestants that appear on the show are hoping to get a little bit of that spotlight shine on their business or product â€" albeit momentarily â€" and they can work from there.Unfortunately, there are those that do not strike while the iron is hot. Take, for example, The Brewer’s Cow. When they went on the show, it is true that they managed to get more than a fair bit of exposure. However, their efforts did not really extend all tha t much to the various marketing avenues available to them. One look at their website and you can immediately tell that they did not make any effort to spruce it up, capitalizing on the wave that they rode on when they were on the show. This was definitely a wasted opportunity.LESSON 8: LISTEN AND HEEDYou have to learn to listen, and listen well.An advice will only work if it is followed. One good thing about coming on the show is that, more often than not, contestants are given pointers, tips or valuable advice on how they can improve their product or business. The panelists will be pointing out the strengths and weaknesses in their business plan, and so much can be learned from these assessments.You do not hear a lot of entrepreneurs asking the investors where they went wrong with their pitch. Was it their pitch that was faulty, or was their business idea the problem all along? By asking this question directly, they will have an easier time figuring out how to make the necessary co rrections. Perhaps they would have to modify their product or tweak it a bit. Or maybe they should just scrap the whole idea and start anew.If they ultimately say no to you, grab the opportunity to pick their brains, so to speak. Get their insights and use the advice that they give you in order to leverage as you move forward with your business, even without money from them.LESSON 9: KEEP YOUR COOLIt is almost always a given that some of the sharks will try to get a rise out of you. You will be put on the spot, and you will find yourself having to defend your business. This is normal; in fact, you have to expect this in any encounter with potential investors.The first reaction of most people would be to respond with sarcasm or even disdain. They may even feel inclined to throw in insults of their own. Even if you hear something nasty from the people you are pitching to, do not rise to the bait. If you notice, very few of the people who “fight fire with fire” get deals from the s harks. Being antagonistic is likely going to get them nothing â€" and nowhere.Keeping a level head is very important in these instances. It is also a good sign of how in command you are if you are able to remain calm throughout the whole thing. Some of the most common questions where you will have to defend your idea include issues about the competition. They might ask you why they should invest in your business when others may also come forward and set up the same one.LESSON 10: DO NOT SELL YOURSELF â€" OR YOUR BUSINESS â€" SHORTYou know how much your business is worth. You are fully aware that your business is worth this much, and you need that much amount of investment for to grow. When they offer only a fraction of what you need, trying to cut a deal, do not jump on the offer immediately. Ask yourself this: will it not put your business down? Is it not going to imply that the true value of your business is less than what you first stated?‘Hail Mary’ deals have surfaced in Sh ark Tank several times, thanks (or no thanks) to Kevin O’Leary. For example, all the sharks, except O’Leary opted out on a pitch for a company offering 10% ownership of a company valued at $10 million for an investment equal to $1 million. The deal: he will give $1 million for 51% of the company. If the entrepreneur takes this deal, they just as good as admitted that their company is really valued at less than $2 million. Oh, and the controlling interest also goes to O’Leary.Do not take this type of deal just because you are desperate for some cash infusion to your business. This takes us to the next lesson…LESSON 11: THERE ARE ONLY TWO POSSIBLE RESULTS: YOU GET IT OR YOU DON’TAfter making your pitch, you are offered exactly what you asked for. What do you do?Take it. DO NOT BE GREEDY. There were instances when an entrepreneur asked for a specific amount in Shark Tank. He was offered that amount, then he decided to ask for more. The result? The shark that made the offer wi thdrew it, and the entrepreneur went home with nothing.On the other end of the spectrum, the sharks all said they’re out. That has got to hurt. But it should not devastate you. It’s just that some things are not meant to be, and when they’re not meant for you, just walk away.So what if the sharks turn you down? Remember, they are not the only fish in the sea.Image credit: Flickr | Disney | ABC Television Group under Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic.

Ensuring Effective use of Permit to Work Guidelines - 8800 Words

Ensuring Effective use of Permit to Work Guidelines in the Oil and Gas Industry of Australia (Essay Sample) Content: Ensuring Effective use of Permit to Work Guidelines in the Oil and Gas Industry of Australia: An Exploratory Study[14-Oct-2013]IntroductionThe oil and gas industry (referred to from here on as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"the industryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬) handles large quantities of toxic and flammable material ranging from Diesel, Petrol, Industrial Gases, etc. The potential for accidental fire, explosion, burns and pollution become a significant concern to industry players. An increase in related deaths of employees caused by these accidents is widely evident in industry reports. In fact, a survey within this industry indicates that the potential for accidents is a global concern (Offshore Technology, 2012). For example, an offshore platform Piper Alpha, which was located in the British part of the North Sea, experienced an incident on July 6, 1988 which claimed 167 deaths of people on board (PatÃÆ'-Cornell, 1993). Recently in 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig located in the Gulf of Me xico saw a massive explosion and blowout that resulted in a major environmental catastrophe and killed 11 people in the ensuing destruction (Barstow, Rohde, Saul, 2010). These cases and many others are not isolated phenomena in the industry as accident statistics and related deaths within the industry demonstrate the need to put safety measures in place.The International Labor Organization (ILO) (2002) reported that more than 2 million people die from occupational accidents or work related diseases every year. Conservative global estimates suggest that approximately 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million cases of occupational diseases occur on an annual basis. Half of the associated deaths may be caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals. The United States alone reported 3.7 million cases of occupational injury and illnesses in 2008. Of these, 71 percent occurred in service providing industries; the remainder in goods producing industries (BLS, 2009).Australia has also experienced an increase in accidents and related deaths in the industry. In the first six months of 2010, around 23 incidents were reported which included oil spill, gas spill, and blow out threats (Gold Casselman, 2010). Such incidents are associated with environmental hazards, wastage of resources, and loss of life as well as having significant financial implications for the industry. Therefore, this explanatory / exploratory research addresses important social and organizational issues within a critical industry.Permit to Work (PTW) is defined as a formal and legal written system used to control certain types of work which are potentially hazardous. The system provides a basis on which duty of care criteria or laws may be adhered to. The duty of care states that the employer is liable and responsible for injuries caused to an employee due to unsafe working conditions. Following the guidelines laid down in the permit to work systems, the oil and gas industry players will ensure p erformance of duty of care towards their employees hence demonstrating high levels of ethical and legal practices. Employees do not disregard safety regulations due to any malicious intent, and it may be expected that they are invested in their own and their co-workers well-being. Thus, the researcher believes that other factors that are associated with knowledge and ability to practice safety procedures could be responsible for the occurrence of accidents. PTW includes a number of objectives and functions that seek to provide safe working environment (IAOGP, 2003). This study shall attempt to evaluate the extent to which these procedures and regulations were understood by employees associated with incidents.Research StatementDuring the first six months of 2010, about 23 incidents of oil spill, gas spill, and blow out threat (Gold Casselman, 2010) were reported in Australia. The researcher believes that these incidents could be avoided when oil firms follow the guidelines, procedur es, and the Permit-to-Work (PTW) system, as provided by Federal Government standards on management of risk. The researcher beliefs that despite the legal requirement on the oil companies to follow PTW and loss of resources associated with these incidents, a number of companies may not be following PTW procedures or there is an implementation of the system is inappropriate. This is because large numbers of incidents are still occurring in the oil and gas industry of Australia. The proposed study will investigate the possible reasons that contribute to non-compliance of PTW by employees in the industry and will suggest measures to ensure effective implementation of PTW.Problem StatementWork can be said to be one of the most fundamental of lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s tasks (Csikszentmihalyi, 1992). Research focusing on workers safety recommends that, the level of safety practices within the industry is a key determinant of the level of ethical and legal conduct of the industry. This is because co mpanies have a social responsibility to care for those who work for them (Armstrong, 2007). The inability to maintain accepted levels of safety practices within the industry has been shown to have a direct relation with the number of accidents and related deaths within this industry (USA Today, 2010). Most of these accidents can effectively be prevented or reduced when mechanisms are developed to ensure the effective use of permit to work guidelines. This proposal has been seen as an attempt to understand the factors reducing the use of PTW and formulate ways of enhancing the use of safety procedures.SignificanceThe findings of the study are significant to different sectors including government and policy makers, as well as the oil and gas employers and employeesThe Federal Government of AustraliaThe findings of this research are of significant value to the government of Australia as they will provide data that could form the basis of policy formulation and help in decision making . This is pertains the development of safety policies and the cultivation of a safe work culture within the oil and gas industry.Policy makersThe study focuses on ensuring the effective use of permit to work guidelines. The findings will identify areas of concern that require reforms in work safety culture within this industry.Oil and gas industry employers and employeesThis study will focus on the promotion of safety practices within the industry through effective use of permit to work guidelines. The findings of this study will, therefore, provide a conceptual platform on which issues pertinent to the industry are highlighted and analyzed in details. Subsequently, stakeholdersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ in the industry level of awareness with regards to the welfare of employees and these safety guidelines can be critically outlined. With positive insights, this could act as a defensible tenet where employeesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ work environments can be secured by drawing insights from such findings. Thus, it is intended that employeesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ work environments will be improved.Not much research has been conducted to understand the effect of working in the drilling industry on workers on their health and safety with reference to permit to work systems. By investigating the causes of work related accidents and fatalities and developing strategies to overcome them, companies should be encouraged to use the Permit to work policy in a strategic manner. This study will provide awareness about opportunities to reduce the current rates of accidents by proper implementation of Permit to work policy.To the researcherThe urge for conducting research often comes from personal needs or concerns. As a member of the industry, the researcher feels the concern about factors that affect co-workers and self. Personal experience and observation have encouraged the researcher about the factors that inhibit the use of safety measures. This will help in verifying the same using systematic and objectiv e measures. It will also enhance his ability to create a better work environment and contribute positively to the industry.Research Hypothesis * Employees in the Western Australian oil and gas industry regularly fail to follow permit to work (PTW) procedures when performing hazardous tasks. * Cultural practices within the industry, poor training methods and work pressures are the major causative factors that contribute to non-compliance with PTW procedures. * Employees are commonly unaware of the risks that may arise if PTW procedures fail to be followed. * Specific measures that ensure that employees in the industry follow PTW procedures.Research QuestionsThe research will seek to respond fully following research questions: * Why employees in the oil and gas industry of Australia fail to follow PTW procedures when undertaking hazardous tasks? * What are the key reasons for non-compliance of employees in the Australian oil and gas industry on PTW procedures? * Do employees in the A ustralian oil and gas industry have knowledge of problems that may arise if PTW procedures are not followed? * Possible measures that can be taken to ensure that employees in the oil and gas industry of Australia follow PTW procedures.Research Paper OrganizationOutline of the DissertationThis dissertation comprises of five chapters; Introduction, Literature review, Research Methodology, Research Data and Results. The dissertation is imperative to flow this arrangement as it is in line with a systematic organization with greater understanding to the readers and critics being imparted. Introduction introduces the topic with reference to the background of the survey being undertaken so as to make certain that the researcher gets his/her overall point across. Problem statement follows indicating the loopholes and the domains which are unexplored, thereby constituting the pr...