Acinetobacter Baumannii - Article Review free essay sample

Background Acinetobacter baumannii is a pleomorphic aerobic gram-negative bacillus (similar in appearance to Haemophilus influenzae on Gram stain) commonly isolated from the hospital environment and hospitalized patients. A baumannii is a water organism and preferentially colonizes aquatic environments. This organism is often cultured from hospitalized patients sputum or respiratory secretions, wounds, and urine. In a hospital setting, Acinetobacter commonly colonizes irrigating solutions and intravenous solutions. Acinetobacter species have low virulence but are capable of causing infection. Most Acinetobacter isolates recovered from hospitalized patients, particularly those recovered from respiratory secretions and urine, represent colonization rather than infection. Acinetobacter infections are uncommon but, when they occur, usually involve organ systems that have a high fluid content (eg, respiratory tract, CSF, peritoneal fluid, urinary tract), manifesting as nosocomial pneumonia, infections associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), or catheter-associated bacteruria. The presence of Acinetobacter isolates in respiratory secretions in intubated patients nearly always represents colonization. We will write a custom essay sample on Acinetobacter Baumannii Article Review or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Acinetobacter pneumonias occur in outbreaks and are usually associated with colonized respiratory-support equipment or fluids. Nosocomial meningitis may occur in colonized neurosurgical patients with external ventricular drainage tubes. A baumannii is a multiresistant aerobic gram-negative bacillus sensitive to relatively few antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter is not a new or emerging phenomenon, but A baumannii has always been an organism inherently resistant to multiple antibiotics. Pathophysiology In the uncommon situations in which Acinetobacter causes actual infection, the athological changes that occur depend on the organ system involved. The pathological changes, as observed in patients with pneumonia, are indistinguishable from those caused by other noncavitating aerobic gram-negative bacilli that cause nosocomial pneumonias. Similarly, Acinetobacter urinary tract infections are clinically indistinguishable from catheter-associated bacteremias caused by other aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Frequency International Acinetobacter commonly colonizes patients in the intensive care setting. Acinetobacter colonization is particularly common in patients who are intubated and n those who have multiple intravenous lines or monitoring devices, surgical drains, or indwelling urinary catheters. Acinetobacter infections are uncommon and occur almost exclusively in hospitalized patients. Mortality/Morbidity   Although Acinetobacter is primarily a colonizer in the hospital environment, it occasionally causes infection. Mortality and morbidity resulting from A baumannii infection relate to the underlying cardiopulmonary immune status of the host rather than the inherent virulence of the organism. ЂÃ'ž Mortality and morbidity rates in patients who are very ill with multisystem disease are increased because of their nderlying illness rather than the superimposed infection with Acinetobacter. Race Acinetobacter infection has no known racial predilection. Sex Acinetobacter infection has no known sexual predilection. Age Acinetobacter infection has no known predilection for age. Other Problems to Be Considered The main differential diagnostic problem presented by Acinetobacter is to differentiate colonization from infection. In the presence of pulmonary infiltrates in ICU patients, CAPC)-associated peritonitis, meningitis, wound infection, or catheter-associated bacteruria, the differential iagnoses include other aerobic gram-negative bacilli that colonize or infect these fluids, ie, Enterobacter species, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Flavobacterium meningosepticum, and Serratia marcescens. Because Acinetobacter is predominantly a colonizing organism, the burden of proof is on the clinician to demonstrate its pathogenic role in a given situation.

A Case Study Of Social Work With Families Social Work Essay Essays

A Case Study Of Social Work With Families Social Work Essay Essays A Case Study Of Social Work With Families Social Work Essay Essay A Case Study Of Social Work With Families Social Work Essay Essay This was my 3rd contact with Mrs G nevertheless my first contact with Mrs G on her ain without Ps presence. The intent of the visit was to transport out a carer s appraisal which focused on Mrs G s demands separate from P s demands. It was of import that I tuned into the visit in order to work with Mrs G efficaciously. The procedure of tuning in helped me see the legal authorization for the intercession, it helped me fix myself for countries Mrs G may hold wanted to discourse, I was able to see relevant theories, Mrs G s feelings, my feelings as a worker and how I would turn to these feelings through the usage of good cognition, accomplishments and values. Before run intoing with the household I had read through the bing instance file which allowed me to derive an penetration into the societal work engagement of MS the passage co-ordinator to day of the month, other professionals involved and an penetration into the household background. I had antecedently carried out a UNOCINI appraisal on P, had been on a few visits to P and Mrs G and liaised with several other professionals involved with P such as the Renal Team at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children ( RBHSC ) , the school, P s G.P, Clinical psychologist etc. I had already gathered relevant information and therefore obtained a good penetration into the household state of affairs, peculiarly through interceding with the Clinical Psychologist who had done some brief household work with the household. From interceding with him, I was able to find that there were strained relationships within the place. As my function in this case involved measuring the demands of a carer, I re ad around carers in Northern Ireland, their demands and what they frequently experience etc. This allowed me to tune into what Mrs G s life may affect with respects to caring for P and see some of the challenges carers experience on a regular footing. As I had already been involved with the household and completed a UNOCINI appraisal, I gained a great penetration into the household s fortunes, history/background. During this contact I wanted to obtain a greater penetration into how P s disablement impacted is presently impacting on Mrs G, the primary carer of P. I prepared myself for the contact by familiarizing myself with the carers assessment signifier nevertheless I had already decided to near the state of affairs by leting Mrs G to take control and explicate openly how she was get bying etc. My pattern instructor besides discussed her outlooks with me during supervising. My primary intent in this piece of work was: The intent of the work was to run into with Mrs G in her place. Carry out an appraisal of Mrs G s demands as a carer separate from P s demands by leting Mrs G to speak openly about her state of affairs, how she was get bying as a carer etc, show any concerns she had and inquire her how she feels we could outdo support her at this clip. This allowed Mrs G to take control of the treatment and place countries to discourse. My chief purposes and were they achieved I contacted Mrs G prior to the visit to explicate the observation so that she was cognizant of the state of affairs before we arrived at the house. On reaching, I discovered that Mrs G had forgotten about the visit and planned to travel into town. I asked Mrs G if she would wish to reschedule but she said she would prefer to travel in front with the visit. I did non hold to present myself at the beginning of this contact as I had clarified my function and map within the bureau during the first visit with the household. I foremost introduced my pattern teacher, reassuring Mrs G that she was at that place to measure me and my pattern and that anything she would be composing would be about myself and non her. I farther reassured Mrs G that anything discussed within the visit would non be discussed outside of the visit. At this phase I feel I could hold explained the boundaries of confidentiality. I explained to Mrs G she was entitled to a carers appraisal under the Carers and Direct Pay ments Act and that this would concentrate on her needs as a carer as apposed to P s demands. On contemplation I do experience I could hold explained to Mrs G at this phase what the appraisal involved and I could hold summarised what I intended to cover during the visit. Alternatively I merely explained her entitlement to a carer s appraisal and that it focused on her demands. I acknowledged how hard life has been for Mrs G and her household up until this point and asked Mrs g what it was like caring for P. Mrs G gave a really elaborate history of P s medical history and how his status affected him. Issues originating were P s restricted diet consumption, P s disobedience to take medicine and his personal attention. On contemplation, although I did try to examine farther on these issues as an effort to find if and what triggers may hold been lending, looking back I do experience I could hold used more effectual inquiring as an effort to find the impact this has had for Mrs G as a carer. Other issues originating were P s deficiency of self-esteem and organic structure issues which clearly contributed to his low temper. Looking back I feel I could hold explored into this country more through examining more nevertheless I recall the carer at this phase holding given me allot of in-depth information. I had reacted by examining farther on another subject and ha d forgotten to travel back and explore this country. On contemplation I feel it would hold been of import to hold explored this country farther to derive a greater penetration into how Mrs G coped with knowing that her boy was insecure and organic structure issues. Does she try to speak to P? Does this concern her, do her feel stressed etc, how does she get by seeing how P s disablement impacts upon him? Looking back another issue which Mrs G explained was the fact that P had fell out with their local Church over his diet. This was a clear issue/concern for Mrs G, nevertheless looking back, I did non examine farther on this issue as one time once more, I recall Mrs G explicating a figure of issues at one time. I explored further on one issue and once more I forgot to travel back and explore this concern. At this point I feel I should hold listed back to Mrs G the concerns that were originating and explored each of them one by one. Alternatively I feel I became overwhelmed by all of the information she was giving me, I accordingly responded by researching into one issue, which so led into another issue and I forgot to cover the other issues originating a the beginning. This has been a large acquisition curve for me as a worker. From this in peculiar I have learnt that I need to be more self-asserting and take more control of the conversation, peculiarly if you are with a service user who is rather chatty. In future I plan to state, ok, mrs G, you ve given me rather a batch of information at that place. You have raised concerns about this, this and this . I would so cover each of the issues individually to guarantee I have explored all countries to the full that the service user has identified as being job countries. I will besides guarantee to take more control of the conversation by halting the service user if I feel she has overwhelmed me with information and gait the flow of the interaction to guarantee each country is being to the full explored. I recall Mrs G explicating that P had been staying by his restricted fluid and diet consumption late as apposed to what he had done in the yesteryear. Mrs G did nevertheless express that P would still sometimes push the boundaries . I recall merely reassuring Mrs G that this was really positive, nevertheless on contemplation, I feel that I could hold picked up on the fact that she had expressed he still pushes the boundaries at times and explored more into how they managed this, how he reacts when she reminds him the importance of his restricted diet and how P s reactions impacted on Mrs G and other household members within the place. Mrs G went on to explicate that the clinical psychologist P had been to see late had diagnosed P as being biologically depressed and non clinically down. I recall examining farther as an effort to find how Mrs G felt about this diagnosing, and asked whether P would go on to see the psychologist. However on contemplation I do experience I could hold explored further with respect to the possible hazards this presented for P, how P was acting, had she noticed any important alterations in his temper, behavior etc. Looking back I feel this would hold been really of import and normally I feel a really obvious country to cover nevertheless I recall reminding myself of my function within that visit and that was to concentrate on Mrs G as a carer and how she was get bying as a carer. Looking back nevertheless I do experience it was of import to hold explored farther on this issue as there obviously could hold been hazards involved which could hold led me to finding how Mrs G felt and coped wi th these. I recall Mrs G explicating about P s argumentative nature. I did try to research this country farther nevertheless once more at this phase I recall Mrs G giving a batch of elaborate information and once more I do experience it would hold been good to hold redirected the information she had given back to how Mrs G was affected and how she was get bying. I summarised by explicating to Mrs. G the chief issues which we had discussed during the visit and what Mrs G was presently covering with. I so reminded Mrs G of the chief ground for the contact which was an appraisal of Mrs G s demands as a carer, how things have impacted on her and how she was get bying as a carer. I summarised by inquiring Mrs G to one time once more eplain what the chief concerns were for her in header and lovingness for P at the minute. Mrs G one time once more clearly highlighted that the chief concern for her as a female parent was the fact that P had no chances at the minute to run into, socialize and interact others his ain age group. She farther explained that she felt this would undoubtly assist to advance P s independency while giving her and her hubby a small reprieve. I paraphrased this dorsum to Mrs G to hold her clarify what I understood in relation to P s demands and how this would finally profit them as carers. I summarised by admiting and explicati ng to Mrs G that I understood the degree of P s attention needs, what the household have come through in their lives to day of the month and the impact of caring for P and other household members. At this phase I recall reding Mrs G of some support groups which may be of support to Mrs and Mrs G. Mrs G nevertheless clarified that she felt it was non them as parents who needed the support but their boy, P who would profit from some kind of societal mercantile establishment. Furthermore, she did foreground she felt this would to boot profit her and her hubby as P relied rather a batch on her and her hubby to take him out. Mrs G expressed she felt it would be good for P if person P s age were to come and convey P out for a few hours. I mentioned a voluntary befrienders scheme nevertheless I was diffident as to the likelihood of acquiring a befriender that age within the vicinity therefore I reassured Mrs G I would follow this up and acquire back to her. At this phase I recall presenting the subject of direct payments. Looking back, I feel the conversation had flowed up until this point. On contemplation I had no ground to convey up the subject of direct payments as the conversation up until this phase had been centred on Mrs G, her life as a carer and how this was impacting on her. I had prepared to cover this subject entirely on the footing that this was one of the subjects covered within the bureau s Carers Assessment signifiers. Looking back, I feel at that place was no ground to present this subject as there was merely no intent in this case. I recall inquiring Mrs G if she was cognizant of direc t payments and or if she received direct payments. Mrs G was non and asked if this was the same as carer s allowance. At this phase I recall traveling wholly clean. I knew it was nt nevertheless I went wholly clean and I could non believe and turned to my pattern instructor for reassurance and inquire her if they were the same. At this phase I felt rather nervous and found it difficult to refocus my head back on the subject of conversation. I so remember seeking to explicate the construct of direct payments to Mrs G. I was able to explicate that It focused on authorising service users through leting them to be employers and this was a payment paid to them which would let them to efficaciously employ person if for illustration they wanted to pay person to come in and care for their handicapped kid. I recall faltering through this account as I consciously knew I was nt pass oning my apprehension of direct payments efficaciously in a manner to guarantee that Mrs G understood it and mo reover I doubted what I was stating. I feel I cold have tuned in better to what direct payments were, whether Mrs G and P would hold been eligible for this service, what the options were for them and been able to explicate to them in a manner that they understood and hold given an illustration of their fortunes as apposed to a kid. i.e. sing the fact that P was turning 18 in a few months. I feel if I had prepared better by making this, there would hold been more construction and intent to presenting the subject in the first case, Mrs G would hold grasped a clear and concise apprehension of what direct payments were, I would hold come across as a more competent and knowing worker and this would hold lessened the likelihood of confusion or unrealistic hopes and outlooks on Mrs G s behalf on their eligibility and entitlement for the service. Straight off following the visit I acknowledged how my responses could hold potentially hold given Mrs g unrealistic hopes and outlooks with respe ct to what they could acquire. I feel nervousness and deficiency of concise readying significantly contributed to my inability to explicate the service efficaciously and briefly, peculiarly after I was unable to explicate the difference between carers allowance and direct payments ab initio. I eventually summarised what I was traveling to make for Mrs G such as looking into the befriending strategy, their eligibility for direct payments, as she queried if she would be able to pay person to come and take P out for a few hours a hebdomad etc. I so explained Mrs G that I would be in touch to set up a clip and day of the month to speak through the appraisal one time I had completed it and hold her mark it. Mrs G agreed. Skills I do experience I listened to Mrs G and demonstrated regard by being empathic towards her and her state of affairs yesteryear and nowadays. I was really cognizant of the sensitiveness around what Mrs G has come through in her life to day of the month and used silence allot to let Mrs. G to garner her ideas before replying the inquiries. When she was speaking I continued to utilize silence as a agency of allowing Mrs G tell her narrative and show her feelings. I ensured to keep oculus contact. My non verbal s I hope indicated to Mrs G that I was listening to what she had to state. Although I contently listened to Mrs G and what she had to state, I do experience she overwhelmed me with information a batch of the clip. Although I managed to research farther some of these issues by examining farther on certain issues, I feel I failed to examine further on all the issues/concerns expressed by Mrs G. I feel I could taken control of the interaction more by halting Mrs G at times and sensitively stating for illustration, ok Mrs G, you have given me rather a batch of information at that place. You mentioned this, this, this and this.. Can you foremost state me a bit more about ( 1st issue ) , how does this affect you as a carer etc. I would so hold gone through each issue individually and have explored each issue to the full. I so would hold got Mrs G to continue. This would hold ensured that I was utilizing my examining accomplishments more efficaciously and ensured I was researching and analyzing every bit all countries which arose. Furthermore, I feel I did examine further on certain topics to derive a farther penetration into how G felt about certain things although in making this I do accept that I still may non hold kept the subjects focused on Mrs G every bit much as what I could hold. I do experience nevertheless that in this case, the demands of Mrs G was really dependent on that of run intoing P s demands foremost as she continually stated, if I thought that P was acquiring ready and looking frontward to traveling out and run intoing with others his age, I would be able to loosen up and when he would be off, this would move as reprieve for me . I genuinely feel this was the chief issue for Mrs G and she clarified this towards the terminal of the visit. I was peculiarly ware of this as I had tuned into the fact that in a typical brush affecting two people, it is estimated that the existent spoken or verbal content is likely to transport merely one tierce of the societal significance in any given event, whereas the non verbal signifiers convey approximately two tierces of the significance ( Birdwhistell, 1970 ) . Communication is a two manner procedure. It involves listening every bit good as speech production. Non-verbal s used were: nodding, holding an appropriate organic structure position, utilizing oculus contact, smiling and sitting in the SOLAR place. Allot of the clip Mrs G was speaking. I hope my non-verbal s indicated to her that I was listening to what she had to state, respected the information she was sharing and demonstrated empathy and regard. I feel I used my interpersonal accomplishments throughout the visit ad this contributed to a relaxed atmosphere and interaction. I do experience nevertheless I had developed a good resonance at this phase with Mrs G as I had been on a few old place visits through transporting out the UNOCINI appraisal. I feel I had a by and large good construction to the contact nevertheless I do experience I could hold explained at the get downing the content of what I hoped to cover with Mrs G alternatively of merely summarizing that I would be looking at her demands as a carer. I feel I demonstrated good non verbal communicating through appropriate facial looks, a good posing place with an unfastened position, good oculus contact and nodding my caput to reassure Mrs G I acknowledged, was listening and understood what she was stating. I feel I laughed when appropriate and showed empathy when covering sensitive issues such as P s past medical history of malignant neoplastic disease and chemotherapy. I did inquire assorted unfastened inquiries which I had planned as a agency of using the exchange theoretical account and leting Mrs G to speak openly about her life as a carer. This besides allowed me to derive an penetration into what Mrs G s life was like, what her caring function entailed and how she coped with her caring duties. I asked closed inquiries to derive more information on certain issues and clear up information. I feel my tone of voice was appropriate sing we were covering issues which were sensitive to Mrs G. Generally, I feel I efficaciously communicated with Mrs G. Effective communicating is an indispensable constituent of traditional societal work activities ( Lishman, 1994, pg 1 ) . I communicated clearly with Mrs G by explicating why I was at that place, presenting my pattern teacher, explicating her function, reassured Mrs G my pattern instructor was at that place to detect me and non her. I explained clearly what I hoped to cover during the contact and unde r land she was entitled to a carer s appraisal. The procedure of prosecuting entails societal workers being expressed about what we are making and why ( Munro 1998a: 98 ) . I feel I engaged good with Mrs G by uncluttering explicating my function and intent. I paraphrased back to Mrs G what she had said at certain phases, peculiarly towards the terminal of the contact to demo Mrs G that I understood what she d told me. This involved me rephrasing or feeding back to Mrs G what they d conveyed, in a meaningful manner. This was besides utile in holding Mrs G clear up that this is so what she meant. Empowerment- Authorization is more normally used to depict service users being given meaningful pick and valuable options ( Clark 2000: 57 ) . I feel I provided Mrs G with pick and valuable options by supplying her with information, informing her of the services available. I do experience I actively listened to G and responded by examining farther on certain issues. On contemplation, I feel the type of inquiries I asked G could hold been more focussed on the demands of G and Ge as apposed from holding her explain about P. Initially I felt this may hold given R an penetration into what G s life is like and I thought it may hold been a good starting point nevertheless I feel I could hold covered facets such as how she coped when P was off to college, to dialysis. In stating this I do experience that G made it really clear peculiarly towards the terminal that the chief concern for her at the minute was the fact that her boy had no friends his age, was unable to acquire out and had nil to look frontward to. And continually expressed that this was the chief issue for her and that if he had an chance to acquire out and socialize with others his age, this would positively impact on her as she would be able to loosen up if she felt P was happy and this would besides move as a few hours respite for her as relationships in the household had been strained late. I feel I did non pass on to Mrs G in a clear and concise mode what direct payments was and was unable to supply her with a clear differentiation between that of carers allowance and direct payments. Looking back I went space at this point and felt I could non believe and panicked. As a consequence I looked to R for re-assurance. I do non experience I came across as a competent worker as on contemplation I turned to my pattern teacher when G asked me if a carer s appraisal was the same as a direct payment. Looking back on this I feel really silly as I knew the difference but I merely remember traveling clean as I stumbled with how to explicate the difference. I feel this was down to nervousness and as a consequence I panicked and turned to R for advice. I will decidedly seek to avoid making this in future as it is non professional and service users expect that we as workers know what we are speaking about. I feel I could hold been better prepared with respect to knowledge in relation to direct payments and carers allowance etc. Although I thought I knew what they were, evidently had nt read plenty around them or had the information prepared in a manner that would enable me to efficaciously pass on to the service user what they were. Although anterior to the contact I felt I was prepared, On contemplation, I feel I could hold been better prepared with respect to familiarizing myself better with direct payments and carers allowance etc. I should hold prepared in my caput how I would explicate this to G in a manner that was clear and concise that she would hold understood. My chief purposes achieved were: I was successful in acquiring Mrs G to open up about her state of affairs and her feelings I was successful in finding what it was she felt would outdo aid and back up her and her hubby at the minute, which was supplying them with reprieve by supplying P with chances for societal interaction. The chief cognition used and how it impacted upon my work: I had an apprehension of Mrs G s fortunes through old visits with the household and transporting out a UNOCINI appraisal and liaising with other professionals already involved with the household. I feel I tuned in exhaustively to Mrs G s past history, current fortunes and her life and needs as a carer. I did non hold a batch of cognition about the appropriate manner of finishing the carers assessment signifier. From discoursing the subject with my pattern instructor and other work co-workers, I felt it was better to non convey the signifier in with me during the visit. I felt this may hold put Mrs G of or hold distracted her. I considered the sensitiveness of some of the issues that Mrs G may be relaying to me and I wanted to give her my extreme attending, reassure that I was to the full listening to her, prosecute to the full with Mrs G and allow her take the interaction and talk openly about her state of affairs. This so led me to use the exchange theoretical account of appraisal w hich looks upon service users as experts in their ain lives. I tuned into the fact that no-one knew Mrs G and her life state of affairs every bit good as herself and so I felt this theoretical account was ideal to use as a method of appraisal. The Life needs theoretical account is another theoretical account which informed my cognition base prior to the visit. This is a developmental and social-ecological theoretical account and increased my cognition base on cardinal passages in kids s lives. Although this theoretical account informed my cognition base more so with respects to P s UNOCINI appraisal, it besides allowed me to see how Mrs G as a carer may be get bying with P s passage and current life phase of adolescence, as a carer and female parent. Knowledge around assessment theory increased my cognition base on what appraisal is and what it involves. Erik Erikson s life phase theory increased my cognition base around Mrs G s life phase. Theories around loss increased my cogniti on base as to how Mrs G had experienced loss as a effect of P s physical disablement and his malignant neoplastic disease. This was really important as the focal point of the work was on measuring Mrs G s demands as a carer, sing who she cares for, how that impacts on her life and how she efficaciously copes with her lovingness duties. As a carer of a kid who has a physical disablement and who had had malignant neoplastic disease and been treated with chemotherapy and has had two failed kidney grafts, this theory allowed me to tune into a figure of losingss Mrs G may has or may hold had, losingss in footings of deficiency of socialization, independency etc. This cognition allowed me to see that Mrs G may hold been affected psychologically, physically, emotionally and socially. One of my aims for the visit was to discourse direct payments. I feel that I did non transport out sufficient research to let me to explicate this service clearly and briefly in a mode that Mrs G would hold un derstood. I recognise that direct payments is a comparatively new manner of having services and other professionals are still larning about what they are and how they are used. However, this is an country I had planned to cover with Mrs G as it is one of the inquiries within the carers assessment signifier and therefore I do experience I could hold researched this country more briefly to guarantee I was confident in explicating it in a manner that Mrs G would hold understood. I besides feel I had a good appreciation of the current household state of affairs through completion of the initial UNOCINI appraisal and therefore I could hold enquired into the household s eligibility for having direct payments prior to the visit. I feel I had already antecedently adequately researched into P s nephritic status, kidney dialysis, the effects, the importance of a restricted fluid and dietetic consumption and the effects of non staying by a restricted diet from finishing P s UNOCINI appraisal. This information allowed me to farther see what life is like for Mrs G as a carer. I had already gained a great penetration into the household fortunes through interceding with other professionals and finishing the initial UNOCINI appraisal. This cognition was important as it allowed me to see the challenges Mrs G was confronting as a female parent and carer and therefore I already had an penetration into how she was get bying with caring for P. I besides done some research on carers of kids who have disablements which allowed to familiarize myself with what force per unit areas and emphasiss carers are faced with on a day-to-day footing. Throughout my work with this household I am invariably cognizant of overarching statute law such as the Children s Order ( NI ) 1995, the Human Rights Act 1998, Disabled Persons Act ( NI ) 1989, and The Education ( NI ) Order 1996. The chief piece of statute law that informed this piece of work nevertheless was the Carers and direct payments Act ( NI ) 1996. I must ever be cognizant of the legal and statutory context in which I work. It is impossible to pattern without coming up against the Law: it is impossible to pattern efficaciously without an in-depth apprehension of how the Law affects mundane societal work pattern ( Johns, 2005:1 ) . Looking back I strongly experience I could hold increased my cognition base more efficaciously around direct payments and familiarize myself with what the standard is for eligibility for households. I have since spoken to other workers in the squad and have read around the subject more and therefore experience much more confident about the subject . The chief values I used were: The NISCC Codes of Practice for Social attention Workers underpins my professional value base and I felt this impacted when working with this household. I feel that I treated Mrs G and her place environment with regard by inquiring Mrs G prior to the visit if she would mind my pattern teacher being present to detect my work. I feel I empathised with G by being apprehension of her all that her and her household have come through in their lives to day of the month. I felt I could easy sympathize with her when she was mentioning to P and his medical history and his malignant neoplastic disease. I considered prior to reach how lay waste toing this peculiar clip would hold been in their lives and acknowledged the importance of demoing empathy, peculiarly if this service user was willing to speak openly to me who she may hold looked upon as a stranger , about such a sensitive country in her life. I empathised with her further when she talked openly about her older boy besides holding been born with a nephritic status and the on-going mundane emphasiss and strains this had. I did non judge Mrs G. I listened openly to what she had to state and demonstrated empathy by being apprehension of Mrs G s fortunes at present and what she has come through to day of the month. By being empathic and understanding towards Mrs G, I feel she was more motivated to work in partnership with me. I feel I demonstrated regard by explicating the issue of confidentiality, explicating my pupil position, deriving consent and guaranting Mrs G was happy and content working with myself, a pupil, by reminding Mrs G of my pupil position and leting her to clear up she was happy to continue. Furthermore, I feel I respected Mrs G by pre set uping the assignment and turning up on clip. I feel I demonstrated regard at all times throughout the visit by keeping oculus contact, listening to Mrs G, utilizing silence when appropriate and leting her to talk, garner her ideas and show her feelings. I was trul y interested in what Mrs G had to state, happening out more about her life and past experiences and I was honest and unfastened which I feel contributed to an effectual, positive working relationship with Mrs G. I made myself cognizant of any cultural/structural subjugation that the service user may be sing, such as gender, spiritual issues. I besides considered that Mrs G attended a Church group and that she and her household held steadfastly spiritual beliefs and attended Church on a regular footing. Future acquisition demands indicated by this piece of work What I hope to better upon in the hereafter: From looking back I can see that there are important countries I need to develop my cognition and experience in. For illustration I strongly experience I could hold increased my cognition base more efficaciously around direct payments and have familiarised myself with what the standard is for eligibility for households. My deficiency of experience presenting direct payments is obvious here. I feel that my apprehension on this subject could be improved through reading farther on the subject and perchance shadowing other societal workers in the squad when they visit service users about direct payments. Being good prepared for what it is I want to cover during contacts is another important country I need to work on. Looking back, I feel the contact had flowed up until the point at which I introduced the subject of direct payments. I feel, I already had an penetration into the household state of affairs through finishing the initial appraisal ad I knew that Mrs G s chief concern was that P did non hold adequate chances for societal mercantile establishments and if I had prepared to present this subject, I should hold antecedently enquired into whether this was an option for Mrs G and her household. On contemplation this would hold made much more sense as I would hold had concluding for presenting the subject and I would hold been able to inform Mrs G of information that was clear, concise and accurate, forestalling informing Mrs G of information that was inaccurate, put on the lining false hopes and possible letdown. I feel I did non come across as a competent worker as I had to mention to my pattern instructor for elucidation and I acknowledge how Mrs G may hold looked upon this as my non being knowing plenty to supply information that was clear, concise and accurate. I feel I have developed a good resonance with Mrs G to day of the month and I have considered how this may hold damaged Mrs G s perceptual experience of me and my ability as a pupil societal worker. In future I need to be better prepared by sing all countries every bit which need to be covered during the contact to guarantee I know what I am speaking about and this is every bit relayed to the service user through my degree of communicating and ability to explicate a service clearly. Increasing my cognition base around direct payments will guarantee I am confident in explicating this service in a manner in which the service user will understand and I acknowledge the importance of this to guarantee the service user is non given unrealistic outlooks of their eligibility, entitlement to services and what that service delivers. To be organised and comprehensively fix for the contact. For illustration, if there is a possibility that the service user may ask about a service, benefits, carer s allowance, direct payments etc. I need to guarantee I have familiarised myself with them good plenty so that I am able to confidently explicate to the user what it is and what it entails and if n on, I need to be unfastened and honest with service users that I am diffident nevertheless inform them I will ask into the service for tem. I will non merely presume that what I had planned on my docket will be discussed. Mrs G comprehensively discussed her state of affairs throughout the contact. Although I tuned into the advantages of using the exchange theoretical account of appraisal and leting Mrs G to speak openly about her life, looking back, I do experience I could hold kept the contact more focussed. In future I will be aware of: Why I am at that place? What is my function? What is the focal point of the contact? I feel in future I will gain, if or when the conversation is maneuvering off from the focal point of the contact and act upon this by taking more control over the state of affairs and maneuvering it back gently but every bit rapidly as possible. This is good, effectual realistic pattern. In this case I feel I tuned into the importance of leting the service user to speak openly, allowing her exchange the information nevertheless in making, on contemplation I may hold forgotten about the type of information I wanted to find. Efficaciously I wanted to find how Mrs G felt, how she found being a carer, what were the battles, emphasiss, strains of being a carer, how was she pull offing etc. Looking back, I realise that she talked a batch about P, his state of affairs and how it affected him. I realise this is all right as her lovingness duties are straight related to this nevertheless I do experience I could hold used my probing and oppugning accomplishments more efficaciously. I do experience I have learnt from this contact nevertheless and this raised my consciousness of how and when I need to do more effectual usage of these accomplishments. I feel this may be a challenge for me, peculiarly if the service user is chatty or gabby. It can be difficult to acquire a balance as you want to guarantee you are utilizing active hearing accomplishments, utilizing silence to let them to garner their ideas, peculiarly if they are sharing sensitive issues with you and you want to obtain as much information as possible during the visit. I acknowledge the importance of researching all issues which the carer communicates and I plan to use a scope of oppugning accomplishments and airt the service user back to issues antecedently mentioned. As a pupil, my professional and personal values have been developing through my life and work experiences. Through the class of my hereafter and work I must ever guarantee that my personal values do non come into struggle with my professional values. Having a arrangement in a societal work, field work scene is wholly new to me and I need to develop my societal work accomplishments further but I feel that working with assorted service users and by obtaining more experience, I will be able to accomplish this.

New Product Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

New Product Management - Case Study Example BlackBerry, other than regular mobile telephone function, simultaneously supports various additional functions like web surfing/browsing, internet based fax, text messaging and e-mailing. BlackBerry works on the wireless data networks of cellular phone service providers and an ordinary mobile phone user will be able to utilise its entire functions by simply buying and switching on it. Originally BlackBerry devices have monochrome displays but soon after successful launch of this model we plan to market next models with color displays. In addition to Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) functions, BlackBerry has its own built in 'thumb-enabled' keyboard for easy operation and use. Our BlackBerry is also able to send emails, messages and data to the users using other devices. It also has an ability to send and receive emails to and from computers of any user types. We have also added a track wheel to scroll and click while using. Our aim is that cell phone users should not depend on traditional mobile phone devices for communication. Present BlackBerry model 950, uses Intel process 80386 and 16MB RAM in it. Technically BlackBerry offers multi task system that enables it to perform various functions as single function and doesn't compromise on speed and quality. One can send digitally secure messages by using BlackBerry too. Up to our enthusiastic plans and expectations, this device will be very popular in all mobile phone users and specifically among business users. For this purpose we intend to do a complete concept and product testing plan 2-0: Research objectives: Objective of research is as important as research itself is. Without a focused objective, no good findings can be expected from any type of research. Research objective is to have maximum feedback form selective and targeted customer groups so that enough information which may be needed for any modification would be available to us. Though product has gone through various in house and laboratory tests, but unless we have a solid view about consumers' perception about bb we cannot proceed further. This research enabled us to improve the product before its test marketing. 3-0: What Information is needed Our research includes following questions and we vigilantly tried to find out the answers of these questions by applying Primary Research and conducting Focus Group Discussions: Further points include collection of information about various issues: (1) Should we offer BlackBerry as such or some changes are required If no changes needed, which market is most likely the best appropriate market to target in the beginning Should we offer BlackBerry to all mobile users or only to the business users in the beginning What price should be charged for this high end innovation In which demographic markets we should focus in the beginning 3-1: Our Research

AMBITION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

AMBITION - Essay Example Ashutosh made this post as his dream because; CEOs of companies live a royal status life of comfort with no economic pressure and makes the policies sitting on the top of thousands of employees to authenticate the administration. Ashutosh now thinks of cracking the interviews in big companies in Mumbai. First, he made a plan to attain the junior level officer’s interview in the companies, as that can be the best way towards becoming a CEO. ‘I knew that, to achieve a post of CEO one required having many years of experience in handling the marketing administration; so I chose junior marketing officer’s post as my interview target’. However, the competitiveness in Mumbai stretched his struggle for whole one year. ‘I was not losing my courage at all, as I had confidence on my strength’. A little amount of money in his pocket was not sufficient to provide him with good food. As a result, Ashutosh’s health started degrading. Finally in March 2 005, with a long run effort, Ashutosh got selected as a Field Marketing Officer in Reliance Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., which especially works on film marketing. Ashutosh now had a salary of 12 laces per annum. That was enough for him to live a comfortable life in Mumbai, but since his dream was wider, he was yet to gain more.’ ... People used to advise Ashutosh to be a political leader in future or a salesman and some of them jealously put the comment saying this as a symptom of a bad future. Excellent communication skill in Ashutosh led him to lead the school as a school captain, a program host and a debater. Once there was an exhibition in the city, where St. Xavier was also taking part in selling school made handicrafts. The team led by Ashutosh successfully sold 3000 pieces of handicrafts, that was the highest number of handicrafts sold by a single shop; Ashutosh was solely credited for the performance. ‘That was the best day ever in my life†¦ I deserved the credit for the performance I had done on that exhibition, that day only I decided that I will join marketing sector in future’. He maintained his original personality throughout his schooling, since he knew that this is going to work in future. After school, Ashutosh joined commerce stream as his course of study and with a successful completion of schooling he went to Indore College of commerce, where he remained among the most selected students of professors. With a first class division, he passed the bachelors degree and started perusing MBA from the DAVV University for business science. In one of the project work carried on in his MBA coursework, Ashutosh got a chance to closely examine a textile marketing company, where he was supposed to conduct a primary research through personal interviews with the CEO and the higher level employees. The company’s market was well spread all over India. ‘That was a great experience of mine, to learn about a successful business structure with systematic marketing plan so closely’. When Ashutosh asked the CEO

Why Disney Is Doing Better Than Any Other Animation Company Case Study

Why Disney Is Doing Better Than Any Other Animation Company - Case Study Example e of communication, i.e., Computer, First multimedia software was Microsoft PowerPoint that was easy to use and allows integration of different media to present. Microsoft power point combines animation, flashing text, colors, sounds, music, videos etc. to convey the information. Later flash and other languages are being developed to communicate as a multimedia agent. The interactive media explores up the advertising, moral displays and other presentations electronically on Internet known as Websites. These websites use to commercialize a product or convey different kinds of information. To attract the audience / users, these websites are made more and more interactive and attractive using different media scales on a dingle page. Different animated (.gif files) images, flashing, colorful and special effects text, sounds, videos, and music are embedded to develop multimedia website. Moreover, these interactive multimedia website development is not only highly expensive but also they are heavy to load on user end and requires a good bandwidth Internet connection along with different plugins installed on the computer that allows website to be displayed. Besides this drawback the advantage of using multimedia websites is that it attracts the audience and makes them learn more quickly about whatever the information conveyed. Though, commercially this r eason is enough to over come expensive development as it is helping the business to earn more and fast. Getting in more detail, its one more advantage counted as if the audience is unable to listen, one can read the text and if on is un able to read, he/ she can of course listen to the attractive music and publicizing words for the product. It may takes much time to develop but once it is developed it maximizes the level of... Disney features to be cartoon character creators. It was founded in 1923 and since then it is best for their entertainment, experiences and quality. It is well known for its creative story telling ideas. Now a days Company is divided almost in four groups; The Entertainment Studios, The Parks and Resorts, The Consumer Products and The Media Networks. Disney Studios are the same place where Disney actually started. Creation of Mickey Mouse and Snow White and Seven Dwarfs fame the Disney in a manner it is best for cartoons till now. Disney studios work for different purposes; Work done with hands is a work that can’t be replace by any other thing.That what Disney is famous for? Flash animations, and other Computer Generated Imagery animations no doubt ruling the world now a days but still hand made cartoons like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck are still simple, sophisticated, humorous and colorful. The world of CGI, leads to new innovative to the entertainment on television and theatres. The 2D and 3D animations adds special effects in the movies and make them costly and money earning product. This CGI technology allows us to visualize those things on television screens which are not real infarct nothing in them is real except the voice. Full environments may created, the weather, the sunny rainy day and nights, nature, green and dull, moods and emotions on faces, dresses and surroundings everything. Even every step of the character taking is worked closely on using this technique. It’s less costly for commercials as only a good graphics person is required rather than the shooting utensils, actors and models, along with their beauty staff and beauty accessories. But on the other way, that is true as well that hand drawings are still famous to earn entertainment.

Vimto Business Report

Vimto Business Report Vimto Business Report Table of Content EXECUTIVE SUMMARY†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 1. CURRENT MARKET POSITION†¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 1.1 Brand 1.2 Target Market Analysis 2. MARKET OVERVIEW†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5-6 2.1 PEST 2.2 Current business trends 3. TOWS ANALYSIS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7-8 3.1 Key Issues 3.2 Key Opportunities 4. STRATEGY†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 8-9 4.1 Brand Development Strategy 4.2 Pricing Strategy 4.3 Advertising Strategy 4.4 Distribution Strategy 5. SUMMARY†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 9 6. REFERENCES10 Executive Summary This report is written to present an analysis of the marketing environment of Vimto with the aim of providing strategic input on how to improve their chances of success. Vimto is in the soft drinks business and is owned by Nichols plc. Vimto grew 4.3% and since it’s the core brand of the group, significant attention has to be allocated to assure its continued success. Reading this report will highlight what strategies, obstacles, trends, threats and marketing/ communication tools are needed to make sure this product become successful. The report contains a market analysis, different recommendations and an outline on the future potentials for the products. CURRENT MARKET POSITION 1.1 Brand Nichols is the UK based company that is engaged in producing soft drinks and other beverages. The company distributes its products to the retail, wholesale, vending, catering, licensed, and leisure industries. The company has operations in the UK, Middle East, China and Africa. The companys brand portfolio includes Vimto, which is sold in over 65. The company offers still and carbonates drinks. The company offers soft drinks on dispense market. (MarketLine, 2013) 1.2. Target Market Analysis Supermarkets / hypermarkets form the leading distribution channel in the United Kingdom carbonated soft drinks market, accounting for a 35.2% share of the total markets volume. On-trade accounts for a further 25.9% of the market. Figure 1: United Kingdom carbonated soft drinks market distribution: % share, by volume, 2012 (source: MarketLine) MARKET OVERVIEW PESTLE Political Political factors impact on the way business operates. The statutory minimum wage affects all businesses, as do consumer and health and safety laws. The political decision as to whether or not the UK signs up to have the Single European Currency is having an impact on UK businesses, which includes Vimto. Economical All businesses are affected by economical factors nationally and globally. Interest rate policies and fiscal policies will have to be set accordingly. Within the UK the climate of the economy dictates how consumer may behave within society. Whether an economy is in a boom, recession or recovery will also affect consumer confidence and behaviour. This has an impact on most businesses including Vimto. An economy which is in a recession is characterized by high unemployment, and low confidence. Because of high unemployment spending is low; confidence about job security is also low. Consumers will be more inclined to reduce their spending because of their low revenues. This leads businesses to try to reduce their operation cost to save money. The market is seeing a growth so we can assume that the impact on Vimto will be currently minimal. (Marketline, 2013) Social The social factors affecting Vimto include the demographic changes, cultural aspect and consumers habits. These factors affect customer needs and the size of potential markets. Vimto being sweet and fruity will appeal to the younger demographic. It has also introduced energy drink in its portfolio that will entice sporty and diet aware people. (Just-drinks, 2013) Technological Technological factors are vital for competitive advantage, and are a major driver of change and efficiency. With the advent of social media allowing for a wide range of consumer to be targeted, it simply cannot be neglected anymore and those who invest in that area will have a significant advantage. (Brand Republic, 2009) Laws regulation Environmental Like any other drinks brand, Vimto experiences many environmental threats to both production and brand awareness. They have to ensure that their packaging and brand is not affecting the environment or they could receive a backlash from consumers and activisits. (Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, 2011) Current business trends The performance of the market is forecast to accelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 4.4% for the five-year period 2012 2017, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $16,063.6m by the end of 2017. Comparatively, the French and German markets will grow with CAGRs of 1% and 1.6% respectively, over the same period, to reach respective values of $4,827.6m and $11,274.2m in 2017. (MarketLine, 2013) TOWS ANALYSIS Figure 2. – TOWS analysis table. 4.1 Key issues From the TOWS, the important issues to consider are: high costs resulting from using UK labour and not outsourcing. Lack of Internet of coverage and presence as social medias (i.e. Facebook) aren’t well or not exploited at all. 4.2 Key opportunities From the TOWS, the key opportunities include: The energy sector remains the fastest growing category in soft drinks at 7% per annum (Nichols, 2014) so mergers with well-known brand (recently with Weightwatchers) are a good option. Wide advertisement of its green position. Use of cyber marketing by using social medias to target a broader range of consumers. STRATEGY 4.1 Brand Development strategy The brand image is already in place. Vimto must simply supply evidence to the consumers that their brand image is accurate and worthwhile. Vimto provide proof of their quality products and services by advertising that they’re locally produced following a strict CSR code. 4.2 Pricing strategy As the company generated good numbers despite the anticipated reduction, an alteration of the price isn’t critical. 4.3 Advertising strategy It should be focused more on the range of exposure through multiple media sources (i.e social medias). 4.4 Distribution strategy Progress continues to be made in Nichols Dispense business, with consolidation of the independent distributor base. This also involved the full integration of Festival Soft Drinks Limited, based on the south coast of England, into Nichols Dispense during 2013. 4.5 Marketing strategy The marketing strategy of Vimto will be to: Increase awareness of the brand finding innovative way to use the multimedia tools (i.e. Facebook etc.). Build strategic partnerships to make sure that you will be able to take advantage of their brand recognition and infrastructures. Differentiate themselves from competitors through introduction of new products consumer targeting specific type (i.e. sport drinks with flashy PET bottle to attract sportmen). Continued advertisement of ‘green’ resolutions adoption and CSR policies. SUMMARY The target Market could be sometimes hard to reach due to the fact that most of them are not well exposed to the brand compared to the competition such as Coca-Cola. This marketing and promotion could be overcome by selecting a wider range of marketing and communication tools. New products introduced offer a number a choices to consumers and widen its base. Additionally, corporate responsibility position makes it look respectable and apealling. The strong market position Vimto has in the global market gives its products a high change of success. Vimto has a well established market position in the soft drinks industry, which gives it a large scale of new opportunities by the bias of mergers. If the implement of those new ways to attract consumers (i.e social media) is done, it will gives them a competitive advantage. REFERENCES Brand Republic (2009) Vimto digital strategy pulls teens into branded game. Available from: http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/922925/Vimto-digital-strategy-pulls-teens-branded-game/?HAYILC=RELATED [Accessed 04/04/2014] Bureau van Dijk (2014) Nichols company report. FAME [online]. Available from: http://fame2.bvdep.com [Accessed 28 February 2014] Bureau van Dijk (2014) Nichols company report. OSIRIS [online]. Available from: http://osiris.bvdinfo.com/ [Accessed 28 February 2014] Facebook (2014) Facebook. Available from: http://www.facebook.com [Accessed 04/04/2014] Just-drinks. (2013) Product Launch UK: Nichols Vimto Extreme Energy and Extreme Sport. just-drinks [online]. Available from: http://www.just-drinks.com/news/nichols-vimto-extreme-energy-and-extreme-sport_id110674.aspx [Accessed 04/04/2014] Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith (2011) Vimto updates bottle and packaging design. Marketing Magazine [online]. Available from: http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk, [accessed on 04/04/2014] MarketLine (2013) MarketLine Industry Profile : Carbonated Soft Drinks industry in the United Kingdom. MarketLine Advantage [online]. Available from : http://http://advantage.marketline.com.ezproxy.uwe.ac.uk/ [Accessed 28 February 2014] MarketLine (2013) Company Profile : Nichols plc. MarketLine Advantage [online]. Available from : http://http://advantage.marketline.com.ezproxy.uwe.ac.uk [Accessed 28 February 2014] Nichols plc (2014) Nichols plc. Available from: http://www.nicholsplc.co.uk/ [Accessed 04/04/2014] Nichols plc (2014) Annual report financial statement 2013 [online]. . Available from: http://www.nicholsplc.co.uk/ [Accessed 04/04/2014] Vimto (2014) Vimto. Available from: http://www.vimto.co.uk/ [Accessed 04/04/2014] Weight Watchers (2014) Weight Watchers. Available from: http://www.weightwatchers.co.uk/ [Accessed 04/04/2014] Template style inspired by Chernova, E. et al (2013) Samsung Smart Fridge Business to Business Marketing Plan. Available from: http://www.coursepaper.com/samsung-smart-fridge-business-business-marketing-plan [Accessed 04/04/2014] 1

African Traditional Religions :: essays research papers fc

Traditional African Religion The Religious Sphere There is widespread belief in a supreme God, unique and transcendent. Africans have a sense of the sacred and sense of mystery; there is high reverence for sacred places, persons and objects; sacred times are celebrated. Belief in the after life is incorporated in myths and in funeral ceremonies. Religion enfolds the whole of life; there is a difference between life and religion. Ancestors mediate between God and men. It is believed that sin harms the public good; hence there are periodical purification rites in order to promote public welfare. Worship requires a fundamental attitude of strict discipline and reverence. The Ritual Sphere Rites form and essential part of social life. Rites invoke ancestors and the dead. The whole person, body, and soul are totally involved in worship. There are many rites of purification of individuals and communities. Religious sacredness is preserved in ritual, in dress and the arrangements of the places of worship. The sick are healed in rites, which involve their families and the community. Some of the traditional blessings are rich and very meaningful. In worship and sacrifice there is co-responsibility each person contributes his share in a spirit of participation. Symbols bridge the spheres of the sacred and secular and so make possible a balanced and unified view of reality. An important part of the African traditional religion is the presence of spirits. The Spiritual Sphere In the African world spirits are everywhere in persons, trees, rivers, animals, rocks, mountains and ever automobiles and other personal effects. The presence of these spirits in the African society offers a serious challenge to the behavior patterns of the people on the continent and elsewhere because traditional religious practices permeates every aspect of life on the continent. These spirits in many ways act as moral entrepreneurs of the African society. They abhor crimes like adultery, stealing, cheating and suicide. These spirits communicate their wishes, demands and prescriptions to the larger society through the traditional priests. The traditional priests are able to satisfy their clients through the performance of rituals.