Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited Market entry

Executive Summary Suncoast Gold Macadamias Limited is the leading macadamia product processing company in Australia. In an effort to maximise profit, the firm has incorporated the concept of product diversification. As a result, it has managed to develop a strong product portfolio.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited: Market entry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On average, the company’s annual turnover amounts to AUD $ 30 million. Over the years, the firm has nurtured a strong base with regard to tangible and intangible resources. Suncoast Gold Macadamia Limited has also developed numerous unique capabilities and core competencies that have contributed to considerable improvement in the firm’s competitive advantage. In a bid to deal with the problem of climate change, it is critical for the firm to formulate programs that would minimise its weakness with regard to decline in nut production. As its target investment destination, Saudi Arabia presents numerous opportunities for the firm to exploit as illustrated by the country’s characteristics such as the wage rate, population size, economic growth, exchange rate, the political environment, and government policy on trade. The firm will be required to develop effective competitive strategies to deal with the prevailing competition in the market to penetrate the market successfully. Some of the modes of entry that the firm can consider include sole-ownership, joint ventures, and exporting. Of the three options, exporting is the most appropriate entry point into the Saudi Arabian market. In a bid to be successful in its market entry, the firm should conduct comprehensive market research to understand the market dynamics of Saudi Arabia. Upon entering the market successfully, the firm should consider adopting foreign direct investment. Introduction Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited is a public company that operates within the Australian macadamia industry. The company was founded in 1985 and it operates as a cooperative.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Its core line of business entails production, processing, and supplying of high quality macadamias. Since its inception, the firm has been very successful due to incorporation of effective business and corporate level strategies (Suncoast Gold Macadamias 2010). In an effort to attain its profit maximisation objective, the firm has adopted market expansion as one of its business level strategies. Suncoast Gold Macadamias Limited has successfully managed to establish itself in both the local and international market. Currently, the firm ranks as the global leader in the macadamia industry. Despite its presence in the international market, there are some economies where the firm has not penetrated. One of these countries is Saudi Arabia, which is currently an emerging economy according to business scholars. The purpose of this assignment is to analyse the market entry modes that Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited can incorporate in its international market entry strategy. Ownership Over the past 28 years, Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited has undergone significant growth from being a small business establishment to becoming an international leader in the macadamia industry. Currently, the firm has a substantial annual turnover of approximately AUD $ 30 million. More than AUD $ 21 million of the firm’s total sales are generated from exports, while the domestic market only accounts for AUD $ 9 million (Suncoast Gold Macadamias 2010). Tangible resources Since its inception, the firm’s management has been committed towards establishing a strong competitive advantage. One source of the firm’s competitiveness is effective nut processing technology. The firm has implemented modern nut processing facilities.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited: Market entry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited has been conducting major plant upgrade by integrating state-of-the-art technology. In 2012, the firm purchased two machines of the most modern sorting technologies in the industry, which significantly enhanced the firm’s competitiveness. For example, its output increased with 50 per cent (Pilcher 2012). In a bid to improve its competitiveness with regard to plant technology, the firm has also purchased a multi-scan machine. The machine has made separation of bad and good nuts more easily in addition to separating nuts based on their weight and colour before cracking. The firm has also established a supplier network of 135 suppliers to ensure that its products are easily accessed in its domestic mark et. Intangible resources In addition to tangible resources, Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited has accumulated various intangible resources. The management team appreciates that the firm’s success is greatly dependent on the effectiveness and efficiency of its human capital. Employee development is one of the elements that the firm has taken into account and to achieve this, the firm has formulated a staff training and education program. The program aims at imparting new knowledge to employees. In addition, the firm is committed to nurturing a strong relationship with its customers, suppliers, and employees (Suncoast Gold Macadamias 2010). In its domestic and international market, the firm has nurtured a strong positive reputation due to its operational efficiency, provision of high quality services, and development of an all-inclusive client service, which has contributed towards development in the level of customer loyalty.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Capabilities The firm has developed numerous macadamia brands to appeal the diverse customer product needs. The firm has integrated the concept of value addition. The firm supplies different variety of macadamia products such as macadamia oil, chocolate coated, macadamia shortbread, and macadamia nuts. The firm has also developed sufficient capability with regard to packaging. Additionally, the firm ensures that its brands are packaged according to customer specifications. The firm has also developed the capability with regard to supplying fresh and high quality macadamia (Suncoast Gold Macadamias 2010). Core competencies The firm’s success in an industry that is characterised y intense competition has arisen from development of effective core competences. One of the firm’s core competences relates to the provision of high quality macadamias. The firm ranks as the first macadamia company to attain internationally recognised quality within the industry. The firm is also effective in quality management, which it has attained through assimilation of effective quality management systems. Suncoast Gold Macadamias core competencies also emanate from the high rate of innovation that it undertakes. Its innovative ability has played a critical role in enhancing the firm’s competitive advantage. The firm utilises macadamia waste products by generating energy and thus it has managed to minimise the cost energy necessary for its operation. Weaknesses The major source of the firm’s weakness is the high degree of susceptibility to nature. The firm has experienced a poor season due to bad weather over the past few years (The Australian Business Journal 2011). Bad weather adversely affects the firm’s profitability due to decline in the volume of production. However, with numerous environmental conservation measures being undertaken by the government and other environmental stakeholder, the firm expects that climatic conditions will improve c onsiderably. Location advantage Saudi Arabia’s economy is mainly oil-based. The country has the largest proven oil reserves globally. Its rich oil reserves have played an important role in the country’s economic growth and development. In 2011, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated to be $676.7 billion, which is an increment from its $635.6 billion in 2010 (Index Mundi 2012). By the end of 2011, it was estimated that the country would undergo a real GDP growth rate of more than 6.5 per cent. The country’s total population is estimated to be 28 million. Additionally, the country has a relatively low rate of unemployment. By the end of 2011, unemployment rate stood at 10.9 per cent (Index Mundi 2012). The country’s snapshot shows that there is a high probability of Suncoast Gold Macadamias succeeding in its profit maximisation by entering in Saudi Arabia. The high rate of economic growth coupled with the relatively low rate of unem ployment means that the country will experience an increment in per capita income. Ultimately, there will be an increment in consumer’s purchasing power. The country’s high population means that the firm can increase its customer base by identifying relevant target customer group. The attractiveness of the country is also enhanced by Saudi Arabia’s recent ascent to the World Trade Organisation. Its ascent will present an opportunity for Suncoast Gold Macadamias to increase its customer base. Customers Saudi Arabians are becoming more concerned with consumption of healthy food products. This transformation has arisen from an increment in cases of diabetes and obesity problems amongst the old and young. A report by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health showed that the rate of diabetes in the country is approximately 30 per cent. Some of the factors that have been attributed to cause diabetes include increased introduction of western diets to the country, adopti on of sedentary lifestyles, and growth in the number of supermarkets. Growth in the level of awareness regarding the health risk of such food products will contribute towards change in consumer purchasing behaviour. Therefore, the shift in consumer purchasing habits presents a high opportunity for Suncoast Gold Macadamias attracting more customers. Saudi Arabia is also characterised by a large number of middle and high-income customers and educated customers. This customer category is the largest consumer of diet products such as the macadamia products produced by Suncoast Gold Macadamias. These customers are more concerned with the nutritional value and quality of the food products in their purchasing patterns (Al Swailem Consulting Group n.d). Politics In 2011, the country experienced an increment in calls for speedy reforms with regard to governance mainly from intellectuals. However, the country has not experienced major incidences of political instability in the recent past com pared to other Arab countries, which experienced the effects of Arab Spring in 2011. The political stability being experienced in Saudi Arabia presents a good opportunity for Suncoast Gold Macadamia to enter the market. According to Klug (2006), a country’s attractiveness is increased by the prevailing peace and tranquillity due to political stability. Government policy (taxes and tariffs) The Saudi Arabian government is greatly concerned with enhancing the country’s economic growth. Promoting foreign investment is one of the strategies that the government has adopted. A number of measures such as the abolition of taxes and trade restrictions have been implemented in an effort to foster foreign investment. The government has designed the country’s economy based on free enterprise and thus no limitations on imports and exports of goods and services. This aspect means that Saudi Arabia has a favourable business environment for foreign firms (Al Swailem Consulting Group n.d.). Wage rate For a considerable duration, the Saudi Arabian government had not imposed any minimum wage for employees. However, in an effort to deal with unemployment, the government recently instituted SAR 3,000 as the minimum wage (Al Swailem Consulting Group n.d). Exchange rate The Saudi Arabian Riyal is relatively stable to most major currencies such as the Australian dollar. The current exchange rate of the Riyal to the Australian dollar is AUD $ 1 to 3.7 Saudi Riyal. This rate of exchange will make it possible for the firm to venture into the Saudi Arabian market more cost effectively for the firm will require a few AUD dollars to enter the market. Competitor analysis In its operations, Suncoast Gold Macadamias will face intense competition from other confectionary companies operating in Saudi Arabia. Some of these companies include: Al Nukaly International Trading Company: -This firm has been in operation in Saudi Arabia for a number of decades, since its inception in 1932. In its operation, the firm has developed a strong workforce of approximately 100 employees. Bahadi Company: – Since its inception, this firm has established itself effectively in the international market. Currently, the firm has established an effective operational base in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and Africa. Anwar Al-Mustafa: – The firm was established in 2000 and has over the past decade managed to penetrate the nuts industry in Saudi Arabia. It has also managed to develop a substantial financial base with its turnover estimated to be US $ 0.5 million. Competitor threats The above-mentioned competitors pose a number of threats to Suncoast Gold Macadamias. One source of threat arises from the fact that these firms have incorporated the concept of product diversification in their operations. Some of the products that these firms deal with include nuts, dried fruits, coffee, spices, chocolate, nuts, bakery, candy, and crackers. Consequently, the firms hav e managed to offer consumers a wide range of products. Ultimately, competitors have managed to develop a substantial level of customer loyalty. Therefore, Suncoast Gold Macadamias will experience a significant challenge in developing a substantial market base. Suncoast Gold Macadamias opportunities Despite the intense competition in Saudi Arabia, Suncoast Gold Macadamias has a considerable competitive edge that will contribute to its success. One source of the firm’s competitiveness relates to its ability to produce high quality macadamia products. The firm has incorporated the concept of quality assurance in an effort to ensure a high level of food security. Considering the increase in the degree of health consciousness amongst the consumers, there is a high probability of Suncoast Gold Macadamia attracting customers. This arises from the fact that its products have high nutritional values. For example, macadamia oil is not in any way associated with the rise in cases of obe sity. Additionally, the high population in Saudi Arabia also presents an opportunity for Suncoast Gold Macadamias to increase its sales revenue by employing aggressive marketing. Modes of market entry Firms seeking to venture the international market should consider making effective strategic decisions on the mode of market entry to adopt (Agarwal Ramaswami 1992). Some of the entry modes that a firm can choose include joint ventures, licensing, wholly-owned enterprises, and exporting. A substantial amount of resources is required for a firm to venture the foreign marketing by employing any of these market entry modes. Changing the selected mode of entry is costly after its commencement because it would lead to loss of money and time (Agarwal Ramaswami 1992). Consequently, it is important for firms intending to venture the international market to select the most effective market entry mode. Sole ownership This market entry mode entails the establishment of a wholly-owned business e nterprise and two main strategies exist for a firm to incorporate in order to own a firm wholly. The first method entails undertaking acquisition of a firm within the respective industry in the host country. Secondly, a firm might decide to undertake foreign direct investment, which entails establishing a business entity from scratch (Chon Yu 2008). Sole ownership comes with a number of advantages. First, the firm acquires total control of the business venture. Undertaking an acquisition will also be beneficial to the firm with regard to infrastructure. The acquired firm may have well developed distribution networks, an effective workforce, and efficient technologies. Therefore, the firm can gain higher economic rewards (Chon Yu 2008). However, the major disadvantage is that undertaking either acquisition or building own business establishment will require the firm to have a substantial investment. Additionally, the firm may incur substantial loss in the event of the host country experiencing incidents of political instability (Chon Yu 2008). Joint ventures This business venture is a form of partnership between a foreign company and a local company. Joint ventures are established with the objective of creating a business entity that is owned jointly by the two partners. However, for a joint venture to be established, the two companies must have mutual interests (Fisher, Hughes, Griffin, Pustay 2006). Joint venture is an effective market entry mode especially if the foreign company is not conversant with the degree of stability within the foreign business environment. Therefore, using joint venture as a mode of entry minimises the probability of failing by avoiding risk. However, the downside of joint venture is associated with business control. Joint ventures vary from one country to another especially with regard to structure. The foreign company may be required to hold the minority (49 per cent) of ownership while the domestic company holds the majority ownership (51 per cent). This element is a limitation to the foreign company for it might not be possible to make high profits compared to if it held the majority ownership (Chon Yu 2008). Considering the fact that Suncoast Gold Macadamias intends to maximise its profitability, adoption of joint venture is not an effective strategic decision because its profitability potential will decrease substantially. Additionally, there is also a likelihood of the firm having trouble with regard to coordination. According to Agarwal and Ramaswami (1992), lack of coordination between joint venture partners emanates from divergence in their source of motivation. Consequently, it is important for parties of a joint venture to evaluate the degree of fit between their business enterprises before commencing on joint venture negotiations. Exporting (Best recommended method of market entry for Suncoast Gold Macadamias) This mode of entry entails producing goods or services in one country and marketing them in another. According to Andexter (2008), exporting is one of the most effective ways that firms can adopt in their internationalisation strategy. A firm may adopt different modes of exporting. Firstly, a firm may decide to undertake indirect exporting. This strategy entails selling a firm’s product in the foreign market without undertaking special marketing activities, which means that the firm does not engage in international marketing (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt 2008). Secondly, a firm might decide to undertake cooperative exporting. This strategy entails entering into a contract with other firms in the industry with regard to certain export activities for example promotion, distribution, and market research. The firm may enter in a contractual agreement with Export Trading Companies (ETCs) or the Export Management Companies (EMCs) within the foreign market (Andexter 2008). This exporting strategy provides the firm with an opportunity to gain a relatively higher contr ol of its international sales despite the lack of sufficient capital to establish its own export sales firm (Tielmann 2009). Alternatively, the firm may decide to undertake direct exporting by establishing its export network within the host country. In a bid to ensure success, it is paramount for the firm to focus more on establishing an exporting network that will enhance its long-term survival in the host country. In an effort to venture into the Saudi Arabian macadamia industry, Suncoast Gold Macadamias should consider adopting exporting as its mode of market entry. Through exporting, Suncoast Gold Macadamias will access customers relatively easy. Exporting will also provide an opportunity for the firm to maintain total control of its operations within the foreign market. Suncoast Gold Macadamias Limited will also benefit the firm by gaining sufficient knowledge and experience regarding the foreign market. Therefore, it will be possible for the firm to implement effective expansi on strategy in the future. Despite its advantages, exporting has a number of disadvantages. Exporting to some countries may result in high cost for the exporting firm. This cost may emanate from prevailing export barriers such as quotas and tariffs. Fortunately, by venturing into Saudi Arabia through exporting, Suncoast Gold Macadamias will not incur such trade barriers because Saudi Arabia has eliminated all trade barriers (taxes) with regard to exports. Recommendations Suncoast Gold Macadamias should consider a number of issues to ensure success in venturing the Saudi Arabian market as outlined below. The firm should undertake a comprehensive market research. The market research should focus on both the consumer and the competitor. Consumer market research will play an important role in understanding the consumers’ product demands. Consequently, the firm will develop and introduce macadamia products that are in line with the prevailing market demands. On the other hand, com petitor market research will enhance the firm’s effectiveness in formulating its competitive strategies. For Suncoast Gold Macadamias to be successful in its initial market entry to Saudi Arabia through exporting, its management team should ensure that it contracts well-established Export Management Companies. This element will play an important role in its effort to gain market ground. Upon gaining successful market entry in Saudi Arabia through exporting, it is paramount for the firm to consider reviewing its mode of operation in the host country. Suncoast Gold Macadamias should consider undertaking foreign direct investment based on the market knowledge gained to increase its economic benefits. This aspect will significantly result in the firm operating more cost effectively. Reference List Agarwal, S. Ramaswami, S. 1992, ‘Choice of foreign market entry mode: Impact of ownership, location, and internalisation factors’, Journal of International Business Studie s, vol. 1, pp. 1-27. Al Swailem Consulting Group: Doing business in the Kingdom. Web. Andexter, T., 2008. Analysis and evaluation of market entry modes into the Asia-Pacific region, Grin, London. Chon, K. Yu, L. 2008. The international hospitality business: Management and operations, Routledge, New York. Fisher, G., Hughes, R., Griffin, R. Pustay, M., 2006. International business: managing in the Asia Pacific, Pearson Education Australia, New South Wales. Index Mundi: Saudi Arabia economy profile ,  2012. Web. Ireland, R., Hoskisson, R. Hitt, M., 2008. Understanding business strategy: concepts and cases, South-Western Cengage Learning, Mason. Klug, M., 2006. Market entry strategies in Eastern Europe in the context of the European Union: An empirical research into German firms entering the Polish market, Univ-Verl, Wiesbaden. Pilcher, R., 2012. Going for gold in a nutshell. Web. Suncoast Gold Macadamias: Australian packaging covenant action plan 2010. Web. The Australian Busines s Journal 2011, ‘Suncoast Gold Macadamias’, via George Media Network Database. Tielmann, V., 2009. Market entry strategies: International marketing management, Grin, London. This essay on Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) Limited: Market entry was written and submitted by user Kason Holland 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.

Is Online High School Right for You 3 Steps to Deciding

Is Online High School Right for You 3 Steps to Deciding SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you heard of online high schools and are wondering if they’re a good option for you?Are you unsure whether they’re a flexible way to get a high school diploma or just an internet scam? Read this guide to learn what an online high school is, what the pros and cons of attending one are, and how to decide if enrolling in a virtual high school is the right decision for you. What Is an Online High School? Like the name suggests, an online high school is a school or program where students can earn their high school diploma by taking classes online.Most of these classes are completely online, but some require students to visit a testing center or other location to take certain tests or hand in assignments.Some of these programs are affiliated with traditional brick and mortar schools while others are solely online. If you enroll in a virtual high school, you can either take a few classes to supplement your degree at your regular high school, or you can earn your entire high school diploma online. There are fourtypes of online high schools: Public schools: These are programs that are government funded, usually accredited, and available for free if you are a resident minor in the state or district in which it's offered. They usually follow curricula similar to that of your state's traditional high schools. Public online high schools have to follow strict guidelines in order to receive funding, and because of this they often have fewer course offerings than the other options listed. Charter schools:Online charter schools have many of the same characteristics as online public schools; however, they often have a wider variety of classes and may use more innovative and non-traditional teaching methods. Private schools: This is one of the fastest growing groups of online schools. Because they are not as regulated as the other groups, thequality and costs of private online schools can vary widely. However, they can offer a largevariety of classes and typically don't require students to live in a certain state in order to enroll. There are also specialized online private schools available such as Christian schools, schools that focus on math and science, and others. Schools affiliated with a college or university:Because they are sponsored by a college or university, these online schools often allow students to receive dual high school and college credit for the classes they take. These programs often offerhigh-quality classes, but they can be quite expensive to take. Some popular examples include Stanford University Online High School and Indiana University Virtual High School. Who Attends Online High School? What kind of people decide to pursue high school online?Most online high schools are open to both teenagers andadults returning to school to earn their high school diploma. Some of the people who enroll in high school online include: Teenagers who are unable to attend traditional high school or prefer to take classes online. Home-schooled students looking to supplement their education. Adults taking classes after being out of school for several years. Advanced students looking to take more rigorous classes than those their high school offers. International students who want to take classes offered by the country where they hope to attend college. From this list, it's clear that people decide to pursue virtualhigh school for a variety of reasons. Read on to learn more about the benefits that online schools can offer. What Are the Benefits of Online High School? Benefit #1: Flexible Schedule For many students, the most important benefit of attending high school online is that you don’t need to attend school during regular hours.This can be extremely helpful for students, both teenagers and adults, who are trying to balance completing their high school education with a job or other responsibilities.If you can only take classes and study in the evenings or on certain days, online high schools make that possible. Another benefit of this flexibility is that it allows you to learn at your own pace.This isbeneficialfor students who want to work at a slower pace to make sure they understand the material completely, as well as students who prefer afaster pace and are possibly looking to earn their high school diploma ahead of schedule.Flexible schedules can also benefit students who are ill, travel frequently, or otherwise can’t attend a traditional high school. Benefit #2: More Class Options Many times, online schools will have more class options than traditional onesbecause they are not restricted by a limitednumber of classrooms or teachers like traditional high schools are.This can benefit students looking to take specific classes not offered by their regular high school, including certain advanced or AP classes.Some online schools evenoffer specializations or the opportunity to tailor your courses to subjects that interest you more. This is also an important benefit for home-schooled students and their parents who may be thinking about onlineclasses. Taking an online class can allow you to learn about a subject your parent or homeschool teacher isn't an expert in, such as advanced math classes, so that you can remain home-schooled but also get the benefit of a well-rounded education. Benefit #3: No Traditional School Environment Some people also choose virtualhigh schools because they don’t enjoy or do well in a traditional school.This may be due to difficulties with classmates, trouble learning in a traditional classroom environment, or a different reason. Attending an online high school also often results in fewer distractions. When you are taking classes online, you don’t have to worry about what to wear, if your friends are in the same classes as you, or if you got invited to that party on Friday.When you sit down in front of your computer to work on your classes, you can devote your entire attention to learning and doing well in them. Attendinghigh school online can make it possible to take classes where and when you want. What Are the Drawbacks to Online High School? While virtualhigh schools undoubtedly have benefits, there are drawbacks as well. I’ll discuss four potential drawbacks below, and for each drawback I'll give ways to minimize it or avoid it all together. Drawback #1: Not Always Legitimate Unfortunately, not all online schools will provide you with a quality education, and some are little more than online scams that will award you with a â€Å"diploma† as long as you pay their fee. Attending a school that isn’t high quality can result in you getting a poor education, and this can make future schooling and jobs very challenging because you don’t have the knowledge you were supposed to have learned in high school.It can also result in your diploma not being accepted by most colleges and employers, which means you can spend a lot of time and money on a piece of paper that’s essentially worthless. How to avoid:Make sure to only attend an online high school that is accredited. Schools can only become accredited if they are found to meet a certain level of education quality, and many employers and colleges only accept diplomas from accredited high schools. A school’s website will usually state if they’re accredited, and you can check out our guide to learn more about accreditationand online high schools.and online high schools. Drawback #2: Can Be Expensive While some virtualhigh schools are free, others can cost thousands of dollars, and that can be difficult for many people to afford.Some online high schools cost over $10,000 a year to attend. How to avoid: The cost of an online high school depends on several factors, including your age, whether government funding is available, and what type of high school it is. Research different types of schools to find the best value for you. Public and charter online high schools are government funded and free to resident minors (so you must live in the state where it’s offered and be 18 or younger). Private online schools are typically more expensive. Each state’s department of education has a list of funded online programs, and you can look through these to potentially find an online school you can attend for free. Look on your state’s department of education website to find more information. Drawback #3: Less Social Interaction Another potential drawback of onlineprogramsis that they have much less social interaction than traditional schools. There are no friends sitting next to you in class, no sports teams, no prom, no lunch in the cafeteria. Some people may not mind this, but others find the relationships they form to be one of the most important and enjoyable parts of high school. Not having these experiences may cause you to feel like you’re missing out on an important part of high school, and it may cause you to enjoy your studies less and become less motivated. How to avoid: While you won’t be able to recreate all aspects of a traditional high school experience, you can still form friendships and interact with people. Look for online high schools that offer a chat function and group projects so you can talk with your classmates. You can also join clubs and sports teams in your community so that you can still spend time with others in-person. Why doesn't my laptop ever ask how my day has been? Drawback #4: Requires More Self-Motivation Unlike a traditional school, virtualhigh schools don’t have a classroom you need to be sitting in at a certain time, you won’t have a teacher you’ll see every day, and you won’t have nearby friends working on the same assignments. This means that it will be your responsibility to make sure you are doing the work you need to in order to graduate. For students used to being regularly assigned work, this can be a difficult adjustment. If you struggle with staying motivated, your grades could slip, and you could end up delaying your graduation. How to avoid: Create a study schedule that lists the work you need to accomplish each day and stick to it. You can also look for schools that offer more teacher interaction and have more frequent deadlines to help you stay on track. Should You Attend an Online High School? So, is attending a virtualhigh school the right choice for you? There is no one right answer, but follow the three steps below to help make the best decision for you. Step #1: Think About Why You Want to Attend an Online School The first step is to ask yourself why you want to attend high school online. Is it because it’s the only way you can fit taking high school classes into your schedule? Is it becauseyou need to finish high school early? Whatever the reason, make sure you know exactly why you want to attend an online school so that you can look for schools that give you the benefits you want. Step #2: Research Potential Schools The most important step is researching schools. The number of online high schools is growing rapidly, and trying to find the best one can be overwhelming. Look on your state’s department of education website to get started, and ask yourself the following questions for each school you are interested in: Is it accredited? How much will it cost? How much teacher and classmate interaction is there? How will you be graded? What classes do they offer? How much of a time commitment is required? When will you be able to graduate? You should think about the answers to each of these questions and decide if the school offers what you want. You can also search for online reviews from past students to see what they say about a particular school. It looks like these kids just discovered a great online school. Step #3: Think Honestly About How Much You Would Enjoy Online High School Some people want to attend high school online because they think it will be fun to take classes in their pajamas and be on the computer all day. While this may be true, online school can also be lonely, challenging, and monotonous. Before you decide to take online classes, think carefully about what it would be like to be alone all the time while doing schoolwork, not have a teacher able to explain things in person, have to plan your own study schedules, and not have nearby classmates to work on assignments with. Some people don’t mind this, but for others this environment can make completing high school a miserable and challenging experience. One low-risk way to try out online learning and see if it is for you is to take a massive online open course, often known as a MOOC. While you likely won’t receive any school credit for it, there are a huge number of MOOCs you can take for free. A simple Googlesearch for MOOCs will show you a wide variety of options. Try one class and see how you like online learning, then use that information to help decide if attending a virtual high school is the right decision for you. Bottom Line Online high schools can be a great way for people who need flexible schedules to complete their high school studies, but there is also the risk of enrolling in a disreputable school, feeling isolated, and having to spend thousands of dollars to complete your degree. In order to decide if you should attend an online school, research multiple schools carefully and see if they fit what they are looking for. You should also think carefully about what it would be like to attend school entirely online, and you may want to consider taking a free online course first before you decide to pursue high school online. What's Next? Interested in learning more about accreditation? We have a guide that explains exactly what accreditationis andhow you can make sure an online school is accredited. Trying to figure out your class schedule? Check out our expert guide on which classes you should take in high school. Want an in-depth look at an online school? Read our guide onStanford online high school,including reviews from current and past students. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The Jury Trial Stage of a Criminal Case

The Jury Trial Stage of a Criminal Case A criminal trial is scheduled if a defendant continues to plead not guilty after the preliminary hearing and plea bargain negotiations have ended. If pre-trial motions have failed to get evidence thrown out or the charges dismissed, and all efforts at plea bargaining have failed, the case proceeds to trial. At the trial, a panel of jurors determines if the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt or not guilty. The vast majority of criminal cases never get to the trial stage. Most are resolved prior to trial in the pre-trial motion stage or the plea bargain stage. There are several distinct phases of a criminal trial proceeding: Jury Selection In order to choose a jury, typically 12 jurors and at least two alternates, a panel of dozens of potential jurors are summoned to the court. Usually, they will fill out a questionnaire prepared in advance that contains questions submitted by both the prosecution and the defense. Jurors are asked if serving on the jury would present a hardship on them and they are usually asked about their attitudes and experiences that might lead them to be biased in the case before them. Some jurors are typically excused after filling out the written questionnaire. Questioning Potential Jurors Both the prosecution and the defense are then allowed to question the potential jurors in open court about their potential biases and their background. Each side can excuse any juror for cause, and each side is given a number of peremptory challenges which can be used to excuse a juror without giving a reason. Obviously, both the prosecution and the defense want to choose jurors who they think are more likely to agree with their side of the argument. Many a trial has been won during the jury selection process. Opening Statements After a jury is selected, its members get their first view of the case during the opening statements by the prosecution and the defense attorneys. Defendants in the United States are presumed innocent until proven guilty, so the burden is on the prosecution to prove its case to the jury. Consequently, the prosecutions opening statement is first and goes into great detail outlining the evidence against the defendant. The prosecution gives the jury a preview of how it plans to prove what the defendant did, how he did it and sometimes what his motive was. Alternate Explanation The defense does not have to make an opening statement at all   or even call witnesses to testify because the burden of proof is on the prosecutors. Sometimes the defense will wait until after the entire prosecutions case is presented before making an opening statement. If the defense does make an opening statement, it is usually designed to poke holes in the prosecutions theory of the case and offer the jury an alternate explanation for the facts or evidence presented by the prosecution. Testimony and Evidence The main phase of any criminal trial is the case-in-chef in which both sides can present witness testimony and evidence to the jury for its consideration. Witnesses are used in order to lay  a foundation for the admitting of evidence. For example, the prosecution cannot just offer a handgun into evidence until it establishes through witness testimony why the gun is relevant to the case and how it is linked to the defendant. If a police officer first testifies that the gun was found on the defendant when he was arrested, then the gun can be admitted into evidence. Cross-Examination of Witnesses After a witness testifies under direct examination, the opposing side has the opportunity to cross-examine the same witness in an effort to discredit their testimony or challenge their credibility or otherwise shake their story. In most jurisdictions, after the cross-examination, the side who originally called the witness can ask a question on re-direct examination in an effort to rehabilitate any damage that might have been done on cross-examination. Closing Arguments Many times, after the prosecution rests its case, the defense will make a motion to dismiss the case because the evidence presented did not prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Rarely does the judge grant this motion, but it does happen. It is often the case that the defense does not present witnesses or testimony of its own  because they feel they were successful in attacking the prosecutions witnesses and evidence during cross-examination. After both sides rest their case, each side is allowed to make a closing argument to the jury. The prosecution attempts to strengthen the evidence they presented to the jury, while the defense attempts to convince the jury that the evidence falls short and leaves room for reasonable doubt. Jury Instructions An important part of any criminal trial is the instructions that the judge gives to the jury before they begin deliberations. In those instructions, in which the prosecution and the defense have offered their input to the judge, the judge outlines the ground rules the jury must utilize during its deliberations. The judge will explain what legal principles are involved with the case, describe important concepts of law such as reasonable doubt, and outline to the jury what findings they must make in order to come to their conclusions. The jury is supposed to abide by the judges instructions throughout their deliberation process. Jury Deliberations Once the jury retires to the jury room, the first order of business is usually to elect a foreman from its members to facilitate the deliberations. Sometimes, the foreman will take a quick poll of the jury to find out how close they are to agreement, and get an idea of what issues need to be discussed. If the initial vote of the jury is unanimous or very one-sided for or against guilt, jury deliberations can be very brief, and the foreman reports to the judge that a verdict has been reached. A Unanimous Decision If the jury is not initially unanimous, discussions between jurors continue in an effort to reach a unanimous vote. These deliberations can take days or even weeks to complete if the jury is widely split or has one holdout juror voting against the other 11. If the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision and is hopeless split, the jury foreman reports to the judge that the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury. The judge declares a mistrial and the prosecution has to decide whether to retry the defendant at another time, offer the defendant a better plea deal or drop the charges altogether. Additional Stages: Stages of a Criminal Case

How can cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) be modified to fit the needs Outline

How can cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) be modified to fit the needs of young children - Outline Example This paper will address some of the ways in which cognitive behaviour therapy can be modified to fit the needs of young children. As it is usually the case with almost all paediatric procedures, they are usually tested with adults before they can be brought to children; therefore, cognitive behaviour therapy is no exception. Due to children’s limitations in metacognition and their inability to classify feelings, clinicians need to adjust their pacing of therapy’s content and the speed of therapy (Butler, Chapman, Forman & Beck, 2006, p22). One of the things that psychiatrist need to adjust in cognitive behaviour therapy for children is the time frame with which they carry out the therapy (March et al, 2005, p813). Children do not have fully developed metacognition abilities therefore the speed at which they will respond to therapy will be slower than that of adults. Due to these challenges, therapist need to ensure that the spacing of the whole course of the therapy is in such a way that the child will not be overburdened by the therapy due to congestion of the therapy or it will be too spaced such that the effectiveness of the therapy will be compromised. The inability of children to express their feelings, which may help in easier diagnosis of the disorders, will require the time required for full cycle of therapy to increased (Wood et al, 2006, p315). Due to the stage of development in children cognitive abilities, cognitive behavioural therapies for children will always focus on the behavioural aspect of the therapy since it will be more effective, however, the behavioural aspect too will require the children to be trained in social and problem solving skills (Nauta, Scholing, Emmelkamp & Minderaa, 2003, p1273; Kendall & Hedtke, 2006, p101). These characteristics among children requires that the therapy be combined with other skills or at least provide an opportunity for the child to learn

Research Methods in Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Research Methods in Criminal Justice - Essay Example ion that making the commander ultimately responsible will serve to ensure that the commander himself/herself is extremely careful as to the fact that all regulations and protocol are followed down to the smallest detail, this also has a weakening effect on the level of change that the commander is able to institute as he/she is perennially concerned with the fact that he/she might be held responsible for one of the employees in their charge (Maxfield, 2011). In the way that the text described, the commander’s efficiency in handling the daily task load he/she is responsible for would likely be decreased by the paranoia that such a policy would necessarily instill. A better manner of responsibility would include a healthy balance of the two. A situation in which the commander has to report for any wrongdoings of his/her officers concurrent with a high level of personal responsibility being instituted for the offending officer would likely be a far superior model. As such, it is the recommendation of this author that the proposed model be balanced in a way that both support ultimate responsibility of management while emphasizing traits of personal responsibility of the offending

Summary of Story of an Hour Essay Example for Free

Summary of Story of an Hour Essay Audience Analaysis I am writing this paper to be reviewed by my fellow peers and my English 111 Instructor. The paper would not be very interesting if read by anyone that has not read â€Å"The Story of an Hour. ’ The audience that I am targeting is for those that would like to know the purpose of the short story, â€Å" The Story of an Hour†, written by Kate Chopin. I believe the story to not be intended for s specific age or gender, but I would have to say that women would be more prone to understanding and sympathizing with the story. I expect the reader to understand the story deals with the pro’s and cons of marriage. I was able to understand the story due to my experiences in marriage, the up and downs that go along with it. I can relate to the feeling of relief when something that is not making you happy suddenly disappears, how extremely happy you can be, but when the good news turns in to being devastating news, how it can turn your world upside down, that it could cause you to have health problems. The Story of an Hour Author Kate Chopin, grabs her audience’s attention in this short story by introducing the main character, Mrs. Mallard; a woman with â€Å"heart trouble. (Chopin 527) who must be gently told the news of her husband’s untimely death in a railroad accident. The opening marks a sad scene with Josephine, her sister breaking the difficulty news to her in â€Å"broken sentences. † (Chopin 527) Mrs. Mallard’s reaction, â€Å"wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment in her sisters arms† (Chopin 527) may be unlike most wives reaction to horrifying, unexpected news. Seemingly grief stricken, Mrs. Mallard retreats to her room in solitude. She drops her heavy body into a comfortable chair contemplating her feelings of the past, present, and future. Mrs. Mallard struggles with mostly internal conflicts with regards to her true feelings of the recent death of Brently her husband. One example, being when she repeatedly whispers from her lips â€Å"Free! Body and soul Free! † (Chopin 528) Her sister begs her to come out of the room â€Å"Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door—you will make yourself ill. † (Chopin 528) She orders her to go away but within a good length of time reveals her strong self and accept Josephine’s comfort. Suddenly, a man comes through the front door. It is her husband, Brently, alive and well. To everyone’s surprise it was, and especially to his wife. She dies there of what the doctors say was â€Å"heart disease—a joy that kills. † (Chopin 529) Once Mrs. Mallard hears of her spouse death, her behavior and internal feelings may or may not be questionable to the reader. I believe Chopin wants us to see the main character’s internal emotional struggle. This keeps us wanting to know more about what life was like with Brently Mallard. Was she really sorrowful about his death? â€Å"And yet she had loved him—sometimes. † (Chopin 528) Was she truly a happy person, heart and soul? She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines be spoke repression and even a certain strength. † (Chopin 527) t times she is overcome by a mixture of emotions such as sadness, quiet, and yes even joy. â€Å"She did not stop to ask if it were not a monstrous joy that held her. † (Chopin 528) Mrs. Mallard finally settles in the belief and thought of being on her own now. â€Å"She would live for herself. † (Chopin 528) After reading â€Å"The Story of an Hour’, I realize that the man character is a lonely woman when it comes to her emotions. The whole story reminds me of what a woman goes through when she is controlled by her spouse. Mrs. Mallard doesn’t even have a first name in the story, only her descriptive emotions that she holds deep inside. Through out this story the author uses symbolism. For example, â€Å"there were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds. † (Chopin 527) I think the clouds represent disparity and the blue parts of the sky meant hope for her. The big open window is her life’s picture window! She sees â€Å"new spring life† (Chopin 527) and takes in a â€Å"delicious breath of rain.

Black Studies Paper :: History

Black Studies Paper African's past can be dated back to millions and millions of years. People from every continent is a descendant of the African origin. This essay will explain African's isolation to the rest of the world and some of the famous contributions and some of Africa's contributions to our world. Researchers have found that African people were the home of the first human beings. They have found fossils and archaeological findings that support thus evidence and by genetic research. These findings date back to 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia. Actually human beings date back to 40 thousand years, these people were discovered also in Ethiopia. Around 10 thousand BC the Fertile Crescent had a large agricultural lands that produced vegetation, economic wealth, and brought people together. 7000 thousand years later the land became unagricultural and started to look the way it looks today in the Sahara Desert. This divided the continent into 2 parts, the North and the South. This made trade and contact to others extremely difficult. Poor soils due to shortage of water have taken its toll on Africa too. This is because poor soils lead to bad vegetation, which leads to less food, and then there are fewer jobs and less wealth. Fewer good also lead to diseases related to not eating well. Also Africa doesn't connect to any particular place. It has no rivers leading into the seven oceans, so there is not transportation or communication to those in the middle of Africa. This means no imports or exports therefore, any economic wealth. Africa is made of 400 million people throughout 50 countries with 800 different languages, which is probably difficult for communication and understanding of each other's. Leading again to Africa taking power of the world. Europe had labeled Africa as the "Dark Continent" because they didn't know much about it. Even though thousands of years ago their customs and ways of doing things originated from Africa. Africa's contributions to our world date back to about six thousand years in Egypt. It begins with the agricultural revolution which wheat and barley were grown with methods of irrigation, terracing, and crop rotations. Raising and domesticating animals was also a practice. The developing of better tools such ones made of metals like iron and bronze. Hieroglyphics, which are picture painting, were carved into stones to show what was going on. African's contributed the 365-day calendar and are the first people to divide the year into 12 months. Black Studies Paper :: History Black Studies Paper African's past can be dated back to millions and millions of years. People from every continent is a descendant of the African origin. This essay will explain African's isolation to the rest of the world and some of the famous contributions and some of Africa's contributions to our world. Researchers have found that African people were the home of the first human beings. They have found fossils and archaeological findings that support thus evidence and by genetic research. These findings date back to 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia. Actually human beings date back to 40 thousand years, these people were discovered also in Ethiopia. Around 10 thousand BC the Fertile Crescent had a large agricultural lands that produced vegetation, economic wealth, and brought people together. 7000 thousand years later the land became unagricultural and started to look the way it looks today in the Sahara Desert. This divided the continent into 2 parts, the North and the South. This made trade and contact to others extremely difficult. Poor soils due to shortage of water have taken its toll on Africa too. This is because poor soils lead to bad vegetation, which leads to less food, and then there are fewer jobs and less wealth. Fewer good also lead to diseases related to not eating well. Also Africa doesn't connect to any particular place. It has no rivers leading into the seven oceans, so there is not transportation or communication to those in the middle of Africa. This means no imports or exports therefore, any economic wealth. Africa is made of 400 million people throughout 50 countries with 800 different languages, which is probably difficult for communication and understanding of each other's. Leading again to Africa taking power of the world. Europe had labeled Africa as the "Dark Continent" because they didn't know much about it. Even though thousands of years ago their customs and ways of doing things originated from Africa. Africa's contributions to our world date back to about six thousand years in Egypt. It begins with the agricultural revolution which wheat and barley were grown with methods of irrigation, terracing, and crop rotations. Raising and domesticating animals was also a practice. The developing of better tools such ones made of metals like iron and bronze. Hieroglyphics, which are picture painting, were carved into stones to show what was going on. African's contributed the 365-day calendar and are the first people to divide the year into 12 months.