Stop Playing the Blame Game Essay Example for Free

Stop Playing the Blame Game Essay Growing up children love to eat at McDonalds, Burger King, or their local pizza place. The fast food industry offers prepackaged, unhealthy foods that are marketed through advertisements and media as a kid friendly quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. Many blame obesity in children and young adults in the easy access to fast food. Is it fair to suggest that the numerous fast food places that are available are the leading factor in the increase of obesity amongst children? There are other factors that should be considered such as parents, lack of exercise, numerous amounts of hours spent in front of the television. David Zinczenko’s article â€Å"Don’t Blame the Eater† supports the hypothesis that the increase in obesity is caused by the easy access, affordable, numerous fast food restaurants that are available. He argues the availability of healthier food options by writing, â€Å"drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants. Now, drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit† (Zinczenko 392). He utilizes his own personal story being raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and did not have a large amount of income coming in. Zinczenko notes, â€Å"By age 15, I had packed 212 pounds of torpid teenage tallow on my once lanky 5-foot-10 frame† (Zinczenko 392). He listed choices such as, Taco Bell and McDonalds as his daily meal choices due to the lack of healthy choices and alternatives that aligned with his situation as a child. Is extra weight he gained as a child Taco Bell’s fault? To some, this claim could be seen as ridiculous and lacks personal responsibility. Helen Lee reports on a study she performed to argue the hypothesis that local food availability such as fast food, and convenience stores explain the obesity increase and risk among school aged children. Helen Lee performed a study on school aged in children in low income and high income households. Lee utilized different tools and resources to report on children’s BMI and how it changes over time. The study brought attention to some astonishing results. Contrary to Zinczenko’s claim that grocery stores and healthier food choices are limited, Lee’s study finds that, â€Å"poor and minority neighborhoods not only have greater access to fast-food restaurants and convenience stores; they also have access to large-scale grocery stores and full service restaurant’s† (Lee). She also confirms from her research study that, â€Å"food outlet exposure holds no independent relationship to child weight gain† (Lee). Obesity in Children cannot solely be blamed on fast food services. Parents play a leading role in what their children consume. Lee provides relevant factors explaining obesity risk among young children: â€Å"For example, poor self-reported parental health is significantly associated with higher risk of weight gain, suggesting a relationship between parental health and child health. Television viewing is a highly significant predictor of BMI gains over time. For every additional hour per day of television viewing, there is a predicted 1. 5 percentile gain in BMI ranking by the end of fifth grade. Physical activity level is also important: increases in the number of days per week the child engaged in exercise significantly reduced their BMI gains†. (Lee) With this information it is safe to conclude that it is time to stop playing the blame game with your children’s health as well as your own. Take responsibility of your actions and live responsibly so that you may teach others to do the same. Works Cited Lee, Helen. The Role of Local Food Availability in Explaining Obesity Risk Among Young School-Aged Children. Social Science Medicine 74. 8 (2012): 1193-1203. Social Sciences Full Text (H. W. Wilson). Web. 24 Feb. 2013. Zinczenko, David. Don’t Blame the Eater. They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings. Graff, Gerald. Cathy Birkenstein. Russel Durst. New York: Norton, 2012. 391-394. Print.

Personal Philosophy: Child Development and Teaching Essay -- Teaching

Personal Philosophy Introduction Child development is divided into four areas of development; social / emotional, physical (motor), cognitive, and language. Typically children develop in a sequence of stages in each area. Although development normally follows the same series of stages, there are individual differences in what age each stage occurs. Development in part depends on the experiences a child encounters. According to Wardle (2004), young children learn from their total experience in a program. For example, children not only learn during teacher directed activities, they also learn while playing in interest areas, on the playground, while riding the bus, or during meals. Vygotsky saw the child as part of an active social world in which communication with others and self speech help the child understand the world around him/her. (Lefton, 2000). Another area that is crucial to a child’s development is the involvement of the child’s parent is his or her education. In order to be an effective teacher one must have a general understanding of all areas of development, the role the parents have in a child’s education, the importance of play on the child’s success, and the role the teacher plays in all of this. Physical (Motor) Development Physical development proceeds from head downward and from the body outward. An infant develops control of the head first. In the next few months, the infant will be able to use their arms to lift themselves up. Between six and twelve months, the infant is able to crawl, stand, or walk as they gain control of the legs. Movement dominates the first year of toddlerhood. beginning with the skills he / she develops as an infant. During this period, todd... ... obtain the language ability necessary for later success in life. Works Cited: Brown, K. and Fitzpatrick, T. and Morrison, G. (2004, Fall). Involving Diversity in Classrooms Through Family Involvement. Dimensions. 11-16. Arkansas. Southern Early Childhood Association. Charlesworth, R. (2004). Understanding Child Development (6th ed.). New York. Thomas Delmar Learning Inc. Dodge, D. , Colker, L., and Heroman, C. (2002) The Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers (4th ed).Washington, D.C. Teaching Strategies Riddle, E. (1999, March 8). Lev Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web; http://www.kihd.gmu.edu. Wardle, F. (2004, Summer). A Look At Curriculum. Children and Families p.54. Alexandria, Virginia. National Head Start Association.

How Entrepreneurs Impact an Economy

Introduction As economies continue to integrate due to globalisation and formally closed economies like India and China march toward total liberalisation, entrepreneurship is on the increase. A close analysis of developed and industrialised economies indicates a common denominator that stands out amongst all of them, which is the important role played by entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in such economies.This phenomenon has proved to us that if an economy is to develop fully, entrepreneurship should be allowed to flourish. Therefore it is the objective of this paper to critically analyse the impact of entrepreneurs in any given economy. In this paper the writer will identify and discuss the many benefits afforded to an economy through entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship and the disadvantages of the same and draw conclusions on the overall impact of the entrepreneurs. InnovationIndividuals often resort to entrepreneurship for one of the following reasons, because they find a market n iche and have the solution to profit from such niche, because they have been unable to find suitable employment or a suitable means of income and therefore have resorted to using their creativity to generate an income for themselves, or because they have the technological know-how and the financial resources (or able to source all of the above) necessary to generate income by satisfying a need in the marketplace.Irrespective of which of the above led an individual to become an entrepreneur it is clear that innovation and creativity is the driving factor and therefore it can be stated that the biggest impact of entrepreneurs to an economy is the innovative contribution that they make. Job Creation As stated in the previous section one of the main reasons that individuals tend to become entrepreneurs is because they are unable to find suitable jobs.As a result, by being enterprising, creative and finding a market niche, not only are they able to generate an income for themselves but a lso to employ other individuals in their business operations. Therefore one of the most positive impacts that entrepreneurs make on an economy is job creation and the reduction of unemployment levels within that economy. In developed countries we see that almost 40 – 50% of the workforce are employed in small and medium scale business enterprises that were started up by very enterprising individuals.Likewise in countries like India we see that millions of women have been able to pull their families out of poverty through self employment and entrepreneurship that has been made possible by different Non Governmental Organisations and due to the availability of such resources through micro finance etc. Africa is another good example of small scale entrepreneurs helping to reduce poverty and help many avoid destitution. Therefore based on everything that has been stated above it is apparent that entrepreneurs can cause a great degree of impact on an economy through job creation a nd income generation.Increased Competition Another positive impact of entrepreneurship on an economy is the increasing level of competition in that economy as new entrepreneurs join the fray in existing domestic markets. While one may venture to say that this will only lead to market saturation, the upside of such a phenomenon is that it causes all the players in the market to re-evaluate their operational capabilities, increase value addition, lower costs and become more efficient.Thus it can be stated that competition reduces likelihood of monopolies and oligopolies in the marketplace and is beneficial to the customer and the economy as a whole. Increased Productivity One of the advantages of increased competition in an economy is that individuals and firms continue to source methods that can better improve their operations, use resources more efficiently and most importantly reduce costs while adding value. All this often results in an increase in productivity in an economy and a increase in the gross domestic product (GDP), which is indeed a benefit for the economy.While opponents tend to state that when productivity increases the unemployment can often increase, thus reducing the positive impacts, it is the opinion of the writer that increased productivity which can then lead to increased unemployment will then cause more individuals to be creative, find niche markets, become entrepreneurs and begin generating more employment opportunities, thus re-inventing the wheel and driving the economy forward.New Markets As stated in the previous section increased competition in the marketplace can cause saturation and as a result many entrepreneurs maybe driven to seek new markets for their products and services or adapt market penetration tactics.Either way such a phenomena of increased competition, which ultimately causes individuals to look for new markets can be considered as a positive impact on the economy and therefore entrepreneurs can be considered to pla y a very important role in the economy. As integration of economies continues due to globalisation entrepreneurs often tend to look for markets that are outside of their domestic sphere thus generating foreign revenue and increasing the prosperity of the economy as a whole.While this maybe a very simplistic explanation of the impact that entrepreneurs make on an economy, it is also safe to say that the employment generation, increased competition, market expansion, market penetration and sourcing new markets all result in income generation that ultimately help an economy to become more prosperous, draw millions out of poverty and generate funds for social welfare activities that ultimately uplift the living standards of its citizenry.Negative Impacts of Entrepreneurs The single largest negative impact of entrepreneurs on an economy is the plundering of resources, which can have a disastrous affect on the environment. While such negative impacts are mitigated to some extent in develo ped economies due to the enforcement of environmental protection standards and regulations, this is not the case in developing economies.Further entrepreneurship requires a certain degree of business knowledge and know how, without which entrepreneurial ventures can often fail, which can also cause many financial hardship that in extreme cases can even lead to destitution. Social Entrepreneurship Today we see the realm of social entrepreneurship growing exponentially which is a very positive sign and has helped to draw millions out of poverty, decrease unemployment, decrease the number of people dependent on social welfare and all in all uplift the living standards and quality of life of millions.Further social entrepreneurship initiatives are also often seen as ‘green initiatives’ that take into consideration the impact on the natural environment and therefore strives to keep this at a minimum, thus increasing awareness about such issues, avoiding plundering of natural resources and conserving the environment wherever possible. Therefore it can be stated that the negative impacts of entrepreneurs on an economy can be mitigated to some extent through social entrepreneurship. ConclusionBased on everything that has been discussed above it is apparent that the positive impacts of entrepreneurs on an economy, far outweigh the negative impacts. Job creation, reduction in unemployment levels, increased competition, opening new markets, increasing productivity, foreign income generation and poverty alleviation are some of the positive impacts that entrepreneurs have on an economy. However this is not to say that there are no negative impacts such as the wastage and plundering of resources, yet taken as a whole it is apparent that the entrepreneurs positively impact an economy.

Swot Analysis Of Lululemon - 1219 Words

Lululemon was founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson in Vancouver, Canada. This yoga inspired brand started when Mr. Wilson’s studio was yoga by night and design by day and was looking to expand into more of a community feel. His vision was to bring together a place where people could grow healthier more fulling lives both physically and mentally. The first items Lulu made were cater to the yoga practice and specifically women, but has since grown into so much more. The store specializes in men and women’s clothing for activities including running, biking, yoga and other training sports, and carries clothing, and gear to outfit these active lifestyles (Lululemon Athletica, 2017). As of January 2017, Lululemon has 406 operating locations throughout†¦show more content†¦There annual earnings report states that their core values include taking personal responsibility, nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, acting with honesty and courage, valuing connection, and choosing to ha ve fun† (Lululemon, 2017, p. 1). Lulu’s as they are more commonly referred to as, has no issue pointing out that their main target market is active, affluence females. Their 2016 published annual report states that their primary target is â€Å"sophisticated and educated woman† (Lululemon, 2017, p. 1). Men and younger girls are a secondary market for the company, but all their products are produced to provide all their customers with a superior fit that performs well while looking stylish. NEED TO MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT PRODUCT POSITIONING? Once the strategies have been outlined, a marketing manager has to implement the steps using the appropriate marketing mix which consists of the 4P’s: Product, Place, Price Promotion (Winer Dhar, 2011). A business’ product is comprised not only of the good itself, but also how the it integrates into the customer live, what value they give it to, how it looks, the packaging it is in, etc. Knowing your target audience is fundamental to creating a selling product (Ehmke, Fulton, Lusk, n.d.). Lululemon stores and online site consists mostly of clothing ranging from leggings, to tank tops, shirts, bras, and socks for mostly women, and a smaller section for men. (Lululemon Athletica, 2017). Each item soldShow MoreRelatedLululemon: SWOT Analysis1561 Words   |  6 PagesLululemon is a marketer of clothing that ostensibly inspired by yoga. The company has carved out a niche for itself in the athletic apparel market by focusing on this type of clothing, marketing primarily to females, and selling at its own-branded stores. The company has enjoyed considerable success of late. Revenues have grown from $147 million in fiscal 2007 (basically calendar 2006) to $711 million in 2011. Net income was $7.67 million in FY2007 and $121.85 million FY2011 (MSN Moneycentral, 2012)Read MoreSwot Analysis For Lululemon Athletica1043 Words   |  5 PagesSWOT Analysis for lululemon athletica a. Current Strengths i. The commitment of the employees of lululemon athletica 1. Evidence from case: The employees commit to living a certain type of lifestyles in order to represent the company and the message behind it. (Page C-97) 2. Evidence from case: The employees of lululemon athletica are well rounded about the topics of healthy living, Yoga, and physical ways of staying healthy on a daily basis. This allows for customers to receive advice and recommendationsRead MoreA Swot Analysis Of Lululemon s Market1692 Words   |  7 PagesI. SITUATION ANALYSIS Lululemon is the third leading speciality sports apparel store, behind Nike and Adidas (appendix 1), retailing for women and a small range of men. They have capitalised on the growing trend of fashionable gym and street clothes (Ibisworld, 2016). Their vision is â€Å"Elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness†, through their 350 stores and online store shipping to 80 countries (Lululemon, 2016). A SWOT analysis in appendix 2 reveals the sustainable niche of Lululemon’s marketRead MoreCase 1 Mystic Monk Essay785 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting lululemon in the market for performance-based yoga and fitness apparel? Do a five-forces analysis to support your answer. High Supplier Power There are a lot of suppliers available in the market that want to produce for lululemon because of the increased value of the company High Buyer Power Other brands offer the same products Low cost switching because other brands offer these items at a lower price Moderate New Entrants PopularRead MoreLululemon Swot Essay671 Words   |  3 PagesSWOT Analysis Company name: Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU; TSX:LLL) Product: Lululemon Athletica produces yoga-inspired athletic apparel for both women and men. Strengths #1. Innovative Design Process Lululemon offers high-quality premium athletic apparel that is designed for performance, comfort, functionality and style. The innovative design process is attributed to a number of factors such as, real-time customer feedback. Lululemon seeks real-time customer feedback on theRead MoreCompetitive Forces : Marketing Strategy1287 Words   |  6 PagesCompetitive Forces: Five Forces Analysis The five forces analysis shows that lululemon is confronted by moderate or low competitive forces. 1. Buyer Bargaining Power: This threat is very weak because lululemon sells directly to consumers, who rarely have haggling prices or other terms with sellers. Lululemon rarely sells wholesale, and when they do it is to support their grassroots marketing strategy to increase brand awareness. Although buyers could switch to a competitive brand, they would notRead MoreLululemon Athletica Analytic Essay1633 Words   |  7 PagesCase Analysis #1 Problem Essay Lululemon Athletica Inc Samuel Ellison Presented for: Professor Kannangara Sunday, March 6th, 2016 BUSI4003 Introduction Lululemon Athletica Inc., founded in 1998 in Vancouver by Chip Wilson, is a company which designs and produces high-end yoga and technical athletic clothing. They have operated primarily in North America and Australia; their initial target customer was an educated woman who lives an active and healthy lifestyle. They opened their firstRead MoreLululemon1323 Words   |  6 PagesLululemon Athletica Lulemon Athletica is an athletic apparel company based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company was founded by Dennis â€Å"Chip† Wilson, in the year 1998. Dennis Wilson had been in the skate, surf, and snowboard business for over 20 years when he took a commercial yoga class that was offered in Vancouver. Wilson found the results to be thrilling. He quickly was immersed in the idea of making his yoga experience the best possible. He believed the clothes that wereRead MoreLululemon2544 Words   |  11 PagesTABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 2 CASE ANALYSIS 3 Five-force analysis 3 Competition 4 SWOT analysis 5 Value chain 5 Strategy 7 Financial and operating performance. 8 RECOMMENDATION 10 In term of strategy 10 In terms of management 10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lululemon Athletica Inc., founded by Dennis Chip Wilson,  is a self-described  yoga-inspired athletic apparel company, which produces a clothing line and runs international clothing stores from its companyRead MoreLululemon2462 Words   |  10 PagesIntroduction Lululemon is one of the Canada’s best retailers of technical athletic yoga apparel. Lululemon’s yoga inspired apparel is marketed under the two brand names Lululemon Athletica for more mature women and Ivivva Athletica for younger girls. Lululemon primary target customers are educated and hard working women, who understand the importance of healthy and active lifestyle. Majority of these women are Caucasian who are mainly urban and have higher income, since Lululemon is an expensive