Homelessness Is Not A Rare Subject Or Situation - 895 Words

There are limitless causes of homelessness, however, there are also limitless actions that we as people could take to address and avoid the problem. Perhaps, people only feel the compassion fatigue(Gurley 1), because they simply do not recognize that there are various options that they can take or they do not realize why or how people get in the situation as they do. Throughout the reading of Jan Gurley s Homelessness kills, but we can save lives,and National Coalition for the Homeless, I realized that people can change their perspectives that homelessness is not intractable(Gurley 1). Homelessness is not a rare subject or situation. There are immense numbers of people falling into living on the streets every day. You see examples of this almost daily: you are getting off the nearest exit on the highway and when you stop at that first light you see a man, woman, or sometimes families standing there with a sign pleading for you to help with just the slightest amount of change. These individuals need help, ...people without a home are dying, most often diseases and problems many of us wouldn t have expected...relatively treatable conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes†(Gurley 1). That change or anything you can possibly give could just save them by allowing them to get a check-up at a clinic or at the very least some attention.. Comparing a homeless person to a non-homeless person, a homeless person passes away because they do not have theShow MoreRelatedThe Definition of Homelessness1604 Words   |  6 PagesThe definition of homelessness can vary depending who you speak to, but according to Peter Rossi in his text, Down and Out in America, he defines homelessness as â€Å"not having customary and regu lar access to a conventional dwelling; it mainly applies to those who do not rent or own a residence† (Rossi 10). Robert Frost states in his poem, â€Å"The Death of the Hired Man†: â€Å"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, / they have to take you in† (qtd. in Rossi 14). For people who are branded withRead MoreThe Problem Of Substance Abuse2107 Words   |  9 Pages Substance abuse is a contributing factor and very often a result of homelessness. Homeless youth are at greater risk for addiction and addicted youth are at greater risk of being homeless. According to a study by Peterson et.al. (2006). Homelessness and addiction have many correlations. The financial, social, physical, and psychological effects are profound. Financially, it is very difficult to support a household and a habit. Many homeless people choose to spend what meager funds they acquire onRead MoreConfucianism And Its Positive And Negative Sides1908 Words   |  8 Pagesasso ciates rituals as expressing and reinforcing emotions and dispositions needed for maintaining communities. 5. Ethical Cultivation – Kongzi wanted to improve society by putting virtuous people into positions of authority, but he was well aware of how rare true virtue is. Therefore, he created educational techniques for making people not just more skillful or more knowledgeable but also benevolent, wise and reverent. Kongzi believes that â€Å"If you learn without thinking about what you have learned, youRead MoreA Helping Field : What It Makes A Difference? Essay1981 Words   |  8 Pagesmessaging; yet lacking in direct interpersonal relationships being self-absorbed becomes likely. How easy it can be to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of existence and drift into egocentrism, and lose sight of what is supposed to make this country rare and spectacular, common goodness and humanity. Every day in America intensive suffering takes place; children go hungry; spouses and the elderly are abused; addiction rates soar and continue to kill unsparingly; prejudice continues to run ra mpantRead MoreFad2230 Exam 1 Study Guide2832 Words   |  12 Pagesone spouse at a time. Gender unspecified Polygyny: the marriage pattern in which husbands can have more than one wife. Most common Legal in some regions Polyandry: the marriage pattern in which wives are allowed to have more than one husband. Rare Harsh environmental conditions Patterns of Authority Patriarchy: a form of social organization in which the norm or expectation is that men have the natural right to be in positions of authority over women. Matriarchy: a form of social organizationRead MoreDocumentary Photography3107 Words   |  12 Pagesbearer of contemporary photojournalism is because in my opinion, he defines the word contemporary, and his photos are the perfect evidence as to the rare equilibrium between unbiased documentation and insinuated meaning. His works are relevant more so than anything else, often telling the tales of real life situations experienced by perfectly ordinary subjects, cloaking the mysterious messages of the extraordinary and transmitting the interpretations of a poet. His portfolio is washed with an assortmentRead MoreDomestic violence Essay examples7765 Words   |  32 Pagesdiffers widely from country to country. There may be a cycle of abuse during which tensions rise and an act of violence is committed, followed by a period of reconciliation and calm. Victims of domestic violence may be trapped in domestic violent situations through isolation, power and control, insufficient financial resources, fear, shame or to protect children. As a result of abuse, victims may experience physical disabilities, chronic health problems, mental illness, limited finances, and poor abilityRead MorePayday Loans : A Cash Advance3714 Words   |  15 Pagestwo-week payday loan with a $15 per $100 fee equates to an annual percentage rate (APR) of almost 400%. By comparison, APRs on credit cards can range from about 12 percent to 30 percent† (What is a Payday Loan). Although, as of now, payday lending is subject to state regulation. Pew s Safe Small-Dollar Loans Research Project classified states into three categories—Permissive, Hybrid, and Restrictive—based on their payday loan regulations. Pew defines permissive states, in which there are 27, as â€Å"AllowingRead MoreProblems of Society (Law, Crime, Punishment)7483 Words   |  30 PagesProblems of Society (Law, Crime, Punishment) Definition of Legal system Legal systems can be split between civil law and common law systems. The term civil law referring to a legal system should not be confused with civil law as a group of legal subjects distinct from criminal or public law. A third type of legal system—accepted by some countries without separation of church and state—is religious law, based on scriptures. The specific system that a country is ruled by is often determined by itsRead MoreBritish Culture11529 Words   |  47 Pages - The average number of people living in each household in Britain is lower than in most other European countries. The proportion of elderly people living alone is similarly high. - Family gatherings of any kind beyond the household unit are rare. - The stereotyped nuclear family of father, mother and children is becoming less common. - High divorce rate - Large number of children born outside marriage Geographical identity A sense of identity based on place of birth is, like family

Business Society and Planet Sustainability

Question: Discuss about the Business Society and Planet for Sustainability. Answer: Introduction Sustainability helps in leading a healthy life and the business owners should adhere to the sustainable business to help the society as well as carry out the business (Matos Silvestre, 2013). The reflective journal will discuss about the Triple Bottom Line, Six Forms of Capital used by business and six phases of business approaches to sustainability. The organizations that have adhered to sustainable business will also be evaluated. Triple Bottom Line The triple bottom line helps in understanding the areas that the company need to keep in mind while operating in the market. The three main factors that are taken into consideration are- social, financial and environmental aspects (Govindan, Khodaverdi Jafarian, 2013). In other words, three Ps should be kept in mind by an organization while working in the market- People, profits and planet. According to me, the triple bottom line very well explains the factors that an organization should keep in mind while carrying out the business. However, I feel that the company on a long-term basis rather than just acting on a short-term basis should adopt the triple bottom line framework. An organization a keep a check on the people and the planet for one time or for one activity but adhering to it for a long time is the challenge (Boons et al., 2013). Hence, the times should be taken into consideration while thinking of implementing the framework in the organization. Six Forms of Capital used byBusinesses While we talk about the six forms of capital that can be used in the business, I remember the idea of McElroy, (2003) when he described the six types of capital required for proper functioning of the business. The capitals are: Internal economic capital External economic capital Natural capital Human capital Social and relationship capital Constructed capital I feel that even though there are three different capitals but the capitals are inter-dependent on each other. An organization needs to build a strong human capital so that they are able to keep a check on the social and relationship capital. The human capital should be clubbed with the internal economic capital (Bocken et al., 2014). They should keep a track of the natural capital and constructed capital so that do not overuse the resources. Six Phases of Business Approaches to Sustainability When I studied the business approaches by Dunphy, Griffiths and Benn in the phase model, I felt that the model is the best way to explain the six phases that a business will go through while adopting sustainability. The six phases that could be evaluated are- rejection, non-responsiveness, compliance, efficiency, strategic proactivity and sustaining corporation (Benn, Dunphy Griffiths, 2014). When they will talk first talk about sustainability they will face with certain challenges and hence, they can reject the idea. They will become non-responsiveness towards the requirement of sustainability in the business. If they feel something good will happen if will comply to the changes by thinking that they will get something different from the changes. Gradually, they will gain efficiency in the sustainable tasks for the enhancement of the business. They will proactively take part in the sustainable business by setting the proper strategy. Eventually, they will become a sustainable corporation by taking the help of the sustainable activities. Examples of Business using Sustainability PepsiCo believes in keeping its shareholders updated about their behavior and activities. They held an annual shareholder meeting and keeps them updated about climate changes and the action that they have taken into account combat water scarcity and issues with health. Soft drinks are said to be harmful to health but coca cola has taken all the measures so that they are able to give the best possible products to the customers. They have improved the quality of water by 20%. Starbucks keep a close contact with the farmers and local communities while carrying out their business. The CEO of the company Howard Schultz has taken the effort when they thought about carrying out the business ethically. They invest in sustainable business practices and aim at getting the coffee beans ethically. Conclusion After going through aspects of sustainability, I have concluded that the themes of sustainability explain the concept well. Triple bottom line framework reminds the business owners of people, profits and planet. Dunphy, Griffiths and Benn talk about the approaches to sustainability and that are rejection, non-responsiveness, compliance, efficiency, strategic proactivity and sustaining corporation. McElroy explains the capital that will help in sustainable development of the organization. References Benn, S., Dunphy, D., Griffiths, A. (2014).Organizational change for corporate sustainability. Routledge. Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., Evans, S. (2014). A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes.Journal of cleaner production,65, 42-56. Boons, F., Montalvo, C., Quist, J., Wagner, M. (2013). Sustainable innovation, business models and economic performance: an overview.Journal of Cleaner Production,45, 1-8. Govindan, K., Khodaverdi, R., Jafarian, A. (2013). A fuzzy multi criteria approach for measuring sustainability performance of a supplier based on triple bottom line approach.Journal of Cleaner Production,47, 345-354. Matos, S., Silvestre, B. S. (2013). Managing stakeholder relations when developing sustainable business models: the case of the Brazilian energy sector.Journal of Cleaner Production,45, 61-73.. McElroy, M. W. (2003).The new knowledge management: Complexity, learning, and sustainable innovation. Routledge.

Say No To Marijuana Legalization Essays - Herbalism,

Say No To Marijuana Legalization Say No to Marijuana Legalization Marijuana also known as cannabis sativa is being used illegally by many Americans today of all ages. Before the 1960s, many Americans had never heard of marijuana, but today it is the most used illegal drug in this country. All types of marijuana are mind-altering drugs. They all contain THC, the main active chemical in marijuana, along with over 400 other chemicals. This drug should stay illegal for many reasons concerning the health and safety of Americans today. Saying no one ever died from smoking marijuana is like saying no one ever died from smoking tobacco. ?Today research shows that nearly 50 percent of teenagers try marijuana before they graduate from high school?(Grinspoon, 92-96). Most young teens and children start using marijuana for many reasons, they are curious, or want to fit in to a specific group of kids. Most young people who already smoke cigarettes and/or use alcohol are at higher risk for marijuana use. Most young people say they use marijuana to deal with psychological problems such as, anger, boredom, depression, anxiety, etc. As much as young people think marijuana is helping their problems, its only making things worse for their bodies and minds. When using marijuana, some users suffer acute anxiety and have paranoid thoughts, this mainly occurs with some one new to the drug or in a strange environment. In some cases, a user who has taken a very high dose of marijuana can have severe psychotic symptoms and need emergency help. Marijuana delay's the user's short term memory, which means they may have trouble handling simple or complex tasks. Due to the effects that marijuana has on the mind, the user my find themselves in a difficult situations such as they could become involved in risky sexual behavior or take part in auto crashes. When you smoke marijuana and then drive or even perform both, many of the skills required for safe driving, may be changed such as, alertness, concentration, coordination and reaction time. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana. Marijuana may also make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. ?A recent study of patients in a shock-trauma u nit who had been in traffic accidents revealed that 15 percent of those who had been driving a car or motorcycle had been smoking marijuana, and another 17 percent had alcohol in they're system?(Trebach 68 ). Marijuana can direct the human mind to make wrong or a dangerous choice but it also can damage our bodies. The body can be damaged, just as easy as the mind loses its control over the choices it makes. While all of the long-term effects of marijuana are not yet known, there are studies showing serious health concerns. Findings so far show that the regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in cancer and problems in the respiratory, immune system, and reproductive systems. It is hard to find out whether marijuana alone causes cancer because many people who smoke marijuana smoke cigarettes and use other drugs. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations. ?Studies have shown that five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes a day?(Downs 1-4). Tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke may work together to change the tissues lining the respiratory tract. Marijuana smoking could contribute to early development of head and neck cancer in some people. Cases of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, tongue, larynx, jaw, head, neck, and lungs have been reported in young marijuana smokers. Our immune system protects the body from many diseases, when marijuana is smoked it impairs the ability of T-cells in the lungs, causing someone with a disease more susceptible to other illnesses or diseases. Continued us of marijuana can lead to abnormal function of the lungs or airways. Scientists have found signs of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke. Marijuana and tobacco both cause many of the same breathing problems, both of them are addictive. While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, when a user begins

John F Kennedy Life Times essays

John F Kennedy Life Times essays John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States in 1961. At the age of forty-three, he was the youngest man ever elected president. He was also the first Roman Catholic ever elected to the oval office. Rich, handsome, charming, elegant, articulate, and from a well known family, Kennedy became a natural recipiant of admiration both in the United States and abroad. His assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 23, 1963 resulted in public outrage and widespread mourning throughout the nation and the World. Kennedy's term in office was too short to allow history to pass fair and acurate judgement on his accomplishments as president. Their is little doubt, however, that the image and philosphy, he brought to the oval office not only influenced the generation he governed, but also continues to influence today's generation and politics in general. Indeed, "Camelot", the name given to the idyllic time during Kennedy's presidency, is not a dead mythology but a living idealogy that continues in American society today. John Fitzgerald Kennedy (he latest gained the nick name Jack) was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was Joseph Joe Kennedy's political experince was limited to being appointed the first chairman of the newly created Securities and Exchange Commission (1934-1935) by president Franklin D. Roosevelt, and having served as the head of the U.S. Maritime Commission (1937), as well as being the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain (1937-1940). Even though Joseph Kennedy never ran for an elected office himself, he and his wife had large ambitions for their nine children. John Kennedy was groomed for a career in politics from an early age. Growing up Kennedy wa...

Chronic Open-Angle Versus Acute Close-Angle Glaucoma Assignment

Chronic Open-Angle Versus Acute Close-Angle Glaucoma - Assignment Example Chronic open-angle glaucoma has been described as the most common in human. The occurrence of the condition has been linked to dysfunctional drainage channels that hinder the normal elimination of fluid from the eye (Simon & Zieve, 2012). Failure to remove fluids from the eye at a normal rate leads to increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Symptoms of the conditions are mostly experiences at a later stage as the condition progresses. They include a gradual decrease of vision from the sides of the eye and decrease of straight ahead vision (Simon & Zieve, 2012). In the absence of treatment, blindness occurs to the affected individual. The assessment of this condition is mainly done by checking IOP using a procedure known as tonometry (Simon & Zieve, 2012). The other procedure of assessment is to measure cornea thickness to known about the progression of the condition. Another form of assessment is through checking the damage of the optic nerve using magnifying lens instrument. The tes t is also done in the visual field to understand the level of impairment. On the other hand, acute closed-angle glaucoma is a common problem in human. It occurs when the outer iris get in touch with the trabecular meshwork leading to temporary or permanent closure (Khondkaryan & Francis, 2013). There are various symptoms of the condition. They include blurred vision, painful red eye, headache, nausea, and sometimes vomiting (Khondkaryan & Francis, 2013). The assessment of the condition is done through various ways. First, there is an examination of visual acuity as it is mainly decreased after getting the condition. Secondly, the examination is done in the eye and may indicate red with a vascular blockage, corneal swelling, and dilated the unresponsive pupil (Khondkaryan & Francis, 2013). The examination is also done on IOP. The presence of the

Summry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summry - Essay Example ratic presidents like Bill Clinton gave more attention to the business sector whereas the only positive gesture Obama expressed towards the business sector was the rescue of the huge union-dominated General Motors and Chrysler. Obama concentrated more on pulling out the American economy from recession even though he had least concerns on business people. The bureaucratic finance bill was not a Wall Street killer even though the President’s anti-business stand raised many concerns. Moreover, Obama concentrated more on ensuring enormous cash flow to business even though he doesn’t like the business people much. And above all his policies have helped pull the economy out of recession. Obama was keener on tackling big subjects like health care and Wall Street, and he never bothered about publishing the details to others. Fiscal policy is even more uncertain, thanks to Mr Obama’s refusal to produce a credible plan to rein in the deficit. Obama has realized that many entrepreneurs plough money into a new factory when they have no idea about the business principles or what taxes they will eventually be asked to pay. Even then, it is necessary for Obama to put more efforts on the business sect or for the revival of American

Course Project Essay Example for Free

Course Project Essay They are Public Website, Manufacturing Support System (MSS), Human Resources System (HRS), and Sales and Marketing System (SMS). Public Website provides information about each of the products, locations where someone can purchase them, and information about how to get warranty support. Details of warranty support and defect rates are not tracked, but the staff has anecdotal stories. The Manufacturing Support System (MSS) maintains the supply chain information necessary for manufacturing the companys products, such as raw materials, vendors, and prices. The Human Resources System (HRS) maintains and tracks personnel and benefits information. And the Sales and Marketing System (SMS) track the sales and marketing efforts of the company’s sales force. Orders from this system are printed and sent daily to the MSS to be filled. As a senior member of the IT Management Team for SAI Toys, I agree with the Board of Directors and the CEO decision to stay on the forefront of geekness, and therefore the company should integrate all of  its IT systems. In addition, they want to develop a more robust Web presence and sell their products directly to individual customers in addition to selling through traditional retailers, as they currently are doing. My recommendation is that we need to hire more staff if SAI Toys want to stay on the forefront. The company needs to hire professional computer specialist. The integration of new the software into a newly expanded IT system which utilizes in some cases first generation coding on legacy hardware can create operational problems which in-house IT staff may be nable to solve. SAI Toys is not in the computer business. While computers are essential to the design, manufacture and marketing of their products, SAI Toys would be well served by having their IT systems vertically integrated and maintained in a cloud computing environment, eliminating most of their IT department employees in the process (Butcher, 2011). In this report, I will show how the company should go about implementing this ex ecutive directive. The report should include the following sections. The report will also outline the situation, weighs various alternatives, and I will presents a final recommendation for the company. The report will also include the current IT system, overview of the recommended system, the difference between In House and Outsourcing development, the stakeholders’ buy-in, the ERP project failed with lessons learned, and the company’s ROL ;amp; TCO. Current IT Situation To evaluate SAI Toys, using the basic analysis techniques will help us to have an overview of the company and its environment. SWOT is a tool that identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization. SAI Toys SWOT Analysis is to take the information from an environmental analysis and separate it into internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external issues (opportunities and threats). The Strengths of SAI Toys are: Experienced and successful marketing team, High brand recognition for their unique products, Substantial 25 member IT team, and Quality control ensuring positive consumer feedback. The Weaknesses of SAI Toys are: Highly competitive marketplace, Extensive and continuing R;amp;D investment, Cost containment, and Personnel costs for IT staff (Butcher, 2011). The Opportunities of SAI Toys are: Direct marketing and sales to consumers through company operated websites, Emerging international markets immediately accessible through the internet, and Substantial IT cost reduction through use of cloud computing. The Threats of SAI Toys are: Loss of market share, Major competitors integrating vertically and selling direct, and Changing technology requiring escalating engineering costs (Butcher, 2011). The Competitive Strategy Analysis is the second basis analysis technique to help us to have an overview of the company and its environment. SAI cannot afford the possibility of IT system failure given the highly competitive market in which they operate. New product design, manufacture, and marketing require that their IT system be fully functional 24/7 with no downtime. To sustain growth and revenue and stay ahead of potential competition SAI Toys will need to invest heavily in Research and Development (R;amp;D) on an ongoing basis (Butcher, 2011). This will include further investment in hiring skilled engineering personnel. Because SAI Toys creates unique products which may exclusively dominate a small segment of the market from which all of its revenue is derived, the introduction into the market of a competitor’s similar product with enhanced features and lower retail pricing may severely impact SAI Toys ability to generate sales and revenue (Butcher, 2011). Swimlanes Diagram: AS-IS Diagram Overview of Recommended System The various systems currently in place will be replaced or integrated into the new system. Assuming that SAI Toys has elected to develop an integrated IT system in-house utilizing its current IT structure but expanding operability to allow all four (4) distinct IT systems to communicate with each other, an Organizational Process Performance system evaluation is necessary which will derive quantitative objectives for quality and process performance from the organization’s business objectives (Butcher, 2011). The new system will be the ERP Implementation. There is a Process of ERP Implementation. While ERP is clearly a software solution for SAI, its implementation must be done on an incremental basis to limit interruptions to the existing business structure at SAI. Like all IT changes, problems can and will develop. To minimize the impact on SAI’s ongoing business operation the implementation of ERP should occur during the lapses between product launches or product design and development stages and implementation should be accomplished on a step-by-step basis, one application at a time. Limiting IT installations and disruptions to non-critical time periods will permit the least stressful adoption of the IT structure and allow SAI to maintain its revenue stream without incurring a loss (Butcher, 2011). There are numerous vendors who offer ERP software which would be easily configurable for SAI’s specific requirements. Microsoft, Oracle, Sage, Exact, SAP, and Intuitive each offer ERP software solutions which can manage companies like SAI with up to 1,000 users. Each of these can incorporate e-commerce platforms into the production and supply chain and provide SAI Toys management with instantaneous information reports including warranty claims, product claims, and defective product losses to together with consumer feedback in real-time (Butcher, 2011). Some new features in this system will include: 1) Improved customer satisfaction 2) Increased profitability 3) Reduced costs ) Improved quality and processing times 5) Improved business culture by bridging the gap between the production line and management 6) Improved business performance by focusing team members on eliminating waste across key business processes and workflows (Butcher, 2011). There are many companies out there that have successfully made the transition from a brick and mortar business to an E-Commerce. The E-Commerce can help the company grow and expand. An e-commerce platform can be used for advertising, production, supplier enquiries, negotiations, contracts, orders, billing, payments, and after sales service and other business activities in the process of interactive program management that can simplify the transaction process (Butcher, 2011). SOA would be of benefit to this project. A Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) design principle can be utilized during the phases of systems development and integration. A system based on SOA will package functionality as suite of interoperable services that can be used within multiple separate systems from the four separate systems. SOA also generally provides a way for consumers of services such as web-based applications to be aware of available SOA based services. For example, several disparate departments within a company may develop and deploy SOA services in different implementation languages and their respective clients will benefit from a well understood, well defined interface to access them. SOA defines integration for widely disparate applications for a web-based environment and uses multiple implementation platforms (Butcher, 2011). Rather than defining an API, SOA defines the interface in terms of protocols and functionality. An endpoint is the entry point for such a SOA implementation. Service-orientation requires loose coupling of services with operating systems and other technologies that underlies applications. SOA separates functions into distinct units, or services, which developers make accessible over a network in order to allow users to combine and reuse them in the production of applications. These services and their corresponding consumers communicate with each other by passing data in a well-defined, shared format, or by corresponding an activity between two or more services. SOA is therefore a continuum as opposed to distributed computing or modular programming (Butcher, 2011). Swimlanes diagrams- TO-BE diagram In-House versus Outsourcing Development The benefits and costs of developing this system in-house versus outsourcing the development or purchasing off-the-shelf are very important to consider. Off-the-shelf ERP packages are tested and proven performers which are an essential requirement for a company like SAI Toys which cannot afford the inevitable downtime associated with fragmented software design and installation. On a cost benefit analysis basis the investment in purchasing an off-the-shelf ERP software package is substantially less than the cost of downtime and system inoperability where an in-house software design fails (Butcher, 2011). The ability of the software vendor to de-bug an off-the-shelf system can be measured in minutes or hours versus the possibility and probability of several days of downtime with in-house developed software. The purchase price of an ERP software package can be amortized over a useful lifespan of five years or more and when compared to the prospective recurring downtime of in-house developed software the advantages of an ERP off-the-shelf solution cannot be ignored (Butcher, 2011). To avoid as many pitfalls as possible in the overhaul of SAI’s IT system it is recommended that SAI avoid in-house software development of this magnitude. While some of SAI’s IT staff may be proficient in software development there are the issues of minimum and exacting standards employed in the industry which may not be a consideration for in-house development. CCMI and ISO certifications should also impact the decision here. CMMI and ISO certification are an inherent part of these off-the-shelf software solutions which eliminates the uncertain standards that may be employed in in-house software development (Butcher, 2011). We should develop the system by Some best practices for managing the project type to having a better chance of success are Stakeholder Buy-in and Internal Politics The stakeholders of this system are essential. Once stakeholders are on board with the system development, they are likely to remain involved, supporting the program over its lifetime. We can get them to buy-in and support the system development by keeping them informed throughout the process of the system, including during the evaluation planning, implementation, and reporting phases (Innovation Network, 2002-2012). Stakeholders are valuable assets in evaluation planning, offering: * Assistance in decision-making about continued and prospective funding; * Perspective that helps the program learn, grow, and improve, and * Experience that informs program replication at other sites or organizations. The Stakeholders fall into three levels of program participation or involvement. There are: * Primary stakeholders  are typically major decision makers within a program, and are often the motivators behind an evaluation effort. They are often program staff, supervisors, senior managers, and funders. * Secondary stakeholders  have less contact with the administrative side of the program, but are still important to the evaluation effort. They include program participants and their families; direct service staff; and possibly other professionals providing subsequent services to program participants. Tertiary stakeholders  are more distant but are likely to be interested in evaluation findings for example, potential program participants, the general public, or members of the same profession (Innovation Network, 2002-2012). There are other issues that may arise as a result of the internal politics in our company that could have a negative impact on the project. The best thing to do is to reduce the risk of project failure due to internal issues. Many systems development problems are in practice caused by a failure to perceive that specific stakeholders’ viewpoints were relevant. That failure causes whole groups of requirements, typically those related to scenarios involving the missing stakeholders to be missed. A similar result is obtained when one stakeholder assumes one scope for a product while another stakeholder assumes another. This occurs when a developer assumes that it will be sufficient to design, code, and test software but the purchaser hopes to have everything set-up and operators trained (Butcher, 2011). Stakeholder composition is a good predictor of project risk and therefore it should be cost-effective to characterize projects at their initiation according to their stakeholder impact. SAI can minimize internal politics by fully evaluating each stakeholder and assuring them that their input is critical to the overall success of the project. Each stakeholder then becomes part of the project team and has a vested interest in ensuring the ultimate success of the project. Team meetings bring all of the stakeholders together to discuss differences and eliminate issues which would delay or derail the project. Each team member realizes that their participation is equally important within their area of specialization or expertise fully under their direct control and unchallenged by direct confrontation. In this manner, each team member must demonstrate how their participation and overall cooperation contributes to the overall success of the project (Butcher, 2011). ERP Project Failures and Lessons Learned Studying ERP project failures is an essential part of project success. By identifying the same or similar issues that lead to failure in one company, SAI can take steps to avoid or eliminate those problems as they arise. Case studies also provide a precursor to the foreseeable problems that occur in ERP implementation allowing SAI management an opportunity to prepare for these problems by formulating a contingency plan. ERP project failures are common but this not unique to ERP. Every system has glitches regardless of the quality of design or the expertise of design personnel (Butcher, 2011). In the Case Study for Implementation Failure at Hershey’s Chocolate it was established that Hershey’s failed to use an incremental method of implementation, instead installing full software during periods of peak business. The resulting disaster from inoperability due to bugs and glitches resulted in a loss of peak season revenue for Hershey’s. Both corporate management and IT staff developed an immediate dislike for the ERP implementation. This could easily have been avoided had Hershey’s implemented the new software on a step-by-step basis during the off season when sales and revenue would have been less dramatically affected (Butcher, 2011). Hershey’s also tried to implement a variety of enterprise applications simultaneously which added to the stress of a seemingly failed project. In fact, there was nothing wrong with the ERP software but its implementation was a complete failure as the company tried to modify their business processes to suit the enterprise application which created further problems. The lesson learned is that implementation should be conducted one step at a time, each successful Installation reinforcing management’s initial decision to purchase. The ERP problems at Hershey’s are commonly repeated where management fails to realize the complexity of implementation and the necessity to proceed cautiously and maintain focus (Butcher, 2011). Return on Investment and Total Cost of Ownership Some metrics that we can use to determine if the system was a success is a disciplined methodology has been developed called  total cost of ownership  (TCO). It is designed to properly analyze the full cost of an IT investment. In order to calculate TCO properly, all related costs must be identified and captured. TCO models organize costs into two broad categories: 1. Direct costs:  Costs in this category are usually for activities and investments that are related to IT or support. They can usually be calculated by examining the actual or projected costs of hardware, software, people, and facilities. 2. Indirect costs:  These costs are not always visible and can be very difficult to measure and quantify. This type of cost crosses the entire organizations business operations. Some examples of these indirect costs are Administration, Downtime, and End-user operations (Devry, unknown). In order to measure the metrics and figure out when baselines should be determined, we should developed methodologies for determining TCO. The first methodology is the Project initiation. This can be one of the most critical phases of a project. The reason why is because the following are determined: the expectations of the client, the type of relationship the organization will ave with the client (This can influence the management costs. ), and the projects scope. Ideally, the objectives of the project should be defined at this stage, and the categories for TCO can be aligned with these project objectives. To determine the impact of any deviations from initial projections, an up-to-date TCO should be maintained at all times (Devry, unknown). The second methodology is the Cost Modeling. Through the entire TCO process a major activity is the TCO cost analysis. This continues to be refined as new information becomes available during the project. This activity includes classifying the costs according to the financial policies of an organization as well as defining the financial model for the project. The third methodology is the Cost Collection. Once the financial and cost model has been determined, all available cost estimates are collected. Once these are entered into the financial model, a baseline is determined. The total cost of ownership that is presented in this deliverable should be considered a snapshot in time. It is important that all stakeholders understand this and that the TCO may or may not change substantially from this point forward (Devry, unknown). The fourth methodology is Evaluation/Final Report. This is the development of a TCO project deliverable that goes to the organizations stakeholders and decision makers. It typically includes the final project evaluation and a correlation of all finding recommendations and results. The last methodology is Ongoing Refinement of the TCO Model. It is very rare for all costs and contract negotiations in a large project to be finalized at the same time. Additionally, an implementation plan usually cannot be determined at the same time as, or even immediately after, delivery of the final report. As a result, the TCO is an estimate of project costs based on the data and decisions available when the report was researched and written. As key decisions regarding rollout and implementation strategy are reached, the TCO model should be refined to include the most current project cost estimates (Devry, unknown). Another metrics that we can use to determine if the system was a success is Return on Investment (ROI). The ROI (return on investment) is how much profit or cost savings is gained. An ROI calculation is sometimes used along with other business practices to develop a business case for an IT proposal. The overall ROI for an enterprise is sometimes used to determine how well a company is managed. The work performed to determine the TCO can be used to calculate the ROI. Even though many TCO costs are long term, they can be applied solely to the initial investment or divided between the initial investment and serve as an adjustment to the final value. While both methods are valid, they can give different results; it is important that the organization establish a policy for ROI computations across all projects (Devry, unknown). One of the more difficult aspects of an ROI calculation is determining the soft, or people benefits. Three considerations that impact these soft benefits follow: * Speed of adoption:  This benefit considers how quickly employees come up to speed using the new process, system, technology, or tools provided by the implementation. It indicates how quickly employees demonstrate the new skills or behaviors and adapt to the new roles that are required by a change. * Ultimate utilization or participation rate:  This evaluates the percentage of employees that are engaged and practicing the new way of doing things. Surprisingly, in many implementations, employees can avoid actively participating in workflows and procedures, and this can undermine the project in subtle ways. * Proficiency:  As the change is implemented, this examines how proficient and effective the employees have become. Many times, this proficiency, or ability to better perform their job function, is a significant part of the changes original motivation. It measures not just the status after the change, but the ongoing improvement to the organization with the new systems, tools, and processes in place and the organizational and job changes fully implemented. Some examples include the time saved in performing a particular operation while using the new system, the improved close rate for sales and contracts brought by the use of a competitive information database, and the amount of waste reduced by new streamlined activities or processes (Devry, unknown). Conclusion In conclusion, my recommendation to SAI Toys is that they need to hire more staff if they want to implement this executive directive. If they can’t afford it or can cope with integrating all of their IT systems, then I would suggest they stick to manufacturing the toys in-house and shipped to brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Best Buy and Target, as well as e-Commerce only sites, such as ThinkGeek. com and Buy. com.